morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-19
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm settled in for the night at a shelter after only 10 miles from where I started this morning. Beaker and I stopped here for lunch and a thunderstorm rolled in just as we were finishing up. It rained for about the next 2 1/2 hours and more was showing up on radar, so I decided to stay. I'm glad I did, several more storms moved in and it has continued to storm most of the afternoon. In fact, it is storming as I type this. I hated stopping so early but, in this case, it looks like it was the right call.Today started out at nearly 100 percent humidity again. I made stops at two different streams just to cool down. Copious amounts of cold water poured over your head does wonders. My picture tonight is of one of these locations.Tomorrow, the weather is supposed to be much better. I'll be satisfied if the humidity is lower. I have 15 miles to go to get to Salisbury, CT, where I plan to resupply and possibly take a ¢Zero¢, or at least a ¢Nero¢. I can hardly wait to take a shower and put on some clean clothes.Tonight, while the lightning flashes and the thunder rolls, I'm safe and dry in a shelter.  Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-06-20
From: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke this morning to sunshine just starting to peek into the shelter.  What a beautiful sight after all the thunderstorms yesterday afternoon and all night. The humidity was way down too. It made for a beautiful day for hiking. But, the trail was littered with newly fallen trees and branches. Some of the trees were more than two feet across and had brought down smaller trees as they had fallen. It's almost sad until you realize this is nature in action. This is the way things are supposed to work out here. The open access to sunlight will allow other plants and trees to grow and the fallen trees will provide food and living spaces for other plants and animals for generations to come.The hike today was officially 15.7 miles long (plus an additional 0.8 more to a hostel in Salisbury, Connecticut).  Today, I also went over 1,500 miles.  Not bad for finishing just around 2 pm Upon reaching the hostel, the first order of business is usually showers, followed closely by laundry. Some hostels provide you with loaner clothes so you can wash everything you own. Most times, this can get quite hilarious because absolutely nothing comes close to matching. It becomes even funnier when we all traipse into local eating establishments and/or grocery stores dressed in our wild attire. Today, loaner clothing options were very limited and by the time my turn came around, there was nothing left. So, I was forced to wear my least smelly clothes for a while longer. Luckily, a hiker named ¢PaJohn¢ let me throw my every day shorts and shirt (and I really do mean "every day") in with his laundry. By the time I got to wash my clothes, I was able to change the dirty clothes I was wearing for the clean ones...but unfortunately, not before our trip to town for ice cream and a mid-afternoon meal at the local grocery/deli. Thru-hikers no longer smell each other but I'm sure the locals haven't lost their sense of smell.Currently, I'm still on schedule to finish my hike by August 15, so I'm going to remain here tomorrow for a ¢Zero¢ day. I still believe I need to take at least one day off a week for R&R, even if I will be bored most of the day. Right now, I think it's time to make one more trip to the ice cream shop and then maybe, head to dinner. Tonight, I'm safe, warm, and dry, and enjoying an evening being clean. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-06-21
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is National Hike Naked Day! I've included a picture of Beaker and me on the trail this morning. I hope it's not too offensive for anyone.Actually, we spent the day zeroing in Salisbury, Connecticut. It was nice to relax and rest my aching feet. In all honesty, we normally only get to relax for about half the zero day.  The rest of our time is spent taking care of chores like resupplying and cleaning/repairing gear. I've still got a few things I need to do before heading out again in the morning.I've noticed I'm starting to tire faster now than I did just a month or two ago. At about 15 miles into the day, I'm exhausted. I thought it was just me, but I've talked with several other hikers the last few days, many of whom are much younger than I, and it appears we're all starting to feel it.  We all are thinking we're going to make it to Katahdin but we expect to really be dragging by the end.Another thing we've noticed is that prices have gone up substantially the further north we travel. My four-day resupply today cost me $60. Down south, I believe, I could have purchased the exact same items for about half the cost. Hostels and hotel rooms have also doubled in price but, in most cases, the quality has dropped. I hope both these trends reverse themselves as we move further away from the big cities.Tomorrow morning, we will leave Connecticut and enter Massachusetts. Connecticut was beautiful, the hiking was great, and the people were extremely friendly.  But, it's always fun to enter another state and I'm looking forward to the Berkshires.Tonight, I'm safe, warm, and dry and enjoying my last night in town for a few days.  Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-06-22
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Glen Brook Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Today, we crossed into Massachusetts, our 11th state. And, the day before yesterday, we passed the 1,500-mile mark. We now have less than 700 miles left to go. I'm not sure why, but in some ways, the trip seems to be speeding up. At other times, it seems like I've been out here forever.Connecticut was about 60 miles long and Massachusetts is about 90. In less than a week, I will be in Vermont. Vermont is often referred to as ¢Vermud¢ by AT hikers. I was hoping this year would be an exception and it would be dry, but it looks like the looming tropical storm/hurricane may turn it to mud after all.There were two tough climbs today:  Bear Mountain, Connecticut 's highest point and Mount Everett in Massachusetts. But overall, it was a very nice hiking day. We only hiked 12.7 miles but that was because we are only allowed to camp in designated sites in Massachusetts. Continuing to the next shelter would have made it about a 28-mile day. This was more than any of us wanted to do.We planned to hike 19.6 miles tomorrow but, due to the tropical storm, there is an 80 percent chance of rain tomorrow and 100 percent chance on Saturday. Depending on how bad it gets, we might have to take another look at our options. If it¢s too bad, we will come off the trail at a road crossing and hitchhike to the nearest town with a hotel. Even though the next few days may be wet, tonight, I'm safe, warm, and dry in my tent. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-06-23
From: Glen Brook Shelter

To: Mt Wilcox South Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I started my hike on 24 Feb17. Tomorrow, I will have been on the trail for four months, 120 days. The rain we were expecting today never materialized. Oh, we got a few sprinkles, but it never got heavy enough to even put our pack covers on. They are still calling for heavy rain tonight and tomorrow and I can hear thunder off in the distance, so I'm spending the night in a shelter. I've never had a problem with my tent leaking but why press my luck and why pack and carry a wet tent when the shelter has available space.Today, we learned from our phone app (Guthooks) there were sodas available at an antique store just a few hundred feet east from where the trail crossed the road. We did a quick detour but the place was closed. At the same crossing, AWOL's Guide said there were vending machines at a repair shop just 2/10s of a mile west. No luck there either, the place was out of business. Now, I can usually do without a soda, and before the hike, I hadn't had a soda in more than 6 months. But, on the trail, there is nothing worse than expecting a town treat and then not getting one. We sucked it up and sadly moved on but at the very next road crossing   Trail Magic! A 2015 thru-hiker named "Belch" and his buddy were passing out watermelon, snacks, candy, and SODA! I made a pig out of myself and gratefully accepted two: a Pepsi and a Mountain Dew! They tasted incredible and were just what I was craving/needing to help push me up and over the next big hill. Thanks guys! Belch: As a previous thru-hiker yourself, I know you understand just how wonderful these things are. Good luck on your PCT hike next year!My picture tonight is typical of the trail we¢ve seen so far here in Massachusetts. Oh, there are some rocks and some big ups and downs, but so far it has been great. 19.6 miles today!Once again, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who follows my post and to those who have emailed me with advice and encouragement. You all inspire me to keep going every day! But, I especially want to say thank you to my wife. I couldn't do this without her help. She has mailed me my resupplies and visited me on the trail. Packing and bringing me items I need. She made me the quilt I've been sleeping under every night. She is usually the one that contacts the hostels and hotels and makes my reservations. All of these things have made it much easier for me. But, she has also done everything at home too. Not only has she paid the bills, she has taken care of my chickens while I've been gone when my daughter is unable to do so, even though she hates my chickens. She has had a new covered porch added to the back of our home, an in-ground pool, and a screen house installed. And, she has dealt with all the frustrations that occur when dealing with contractors. She is a wonderful wife and incredible mother and I owe her big!Tonight, I'm safe, warm, and dry in a shelter. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-06-24
From: Mt Wilcox South Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: moderate rain

Beaker and I saw our second bear today and our first porcupine. The bear sighting lasted about as long as the first time.  But, this time it didn't even look back. I guess you could say that all we saw was a bear behind. Actually, the porcupine wasn't much different and tried to keep it's back to us too.We managed to hike about 15.8 miles today and ended our day at Upper Goose Pond Cabin. This is a really nice 4-sided, two-story shelter with a caretaker. Tomorrow morning there will be a pancake breakfast. I can hardly wait.Sauce and Snooze (brother and sister hikers we know) left us Trail Magic today. It was wonderful. I had a soda and a couple of Reese Cups. Just what I needed to get over that last big climb.Earlier in the day, we came across an AT Hiker stand. Its similar to a lemonade stand but this one is run by a very enterprising young brother and sister (12 & 14 years old).  They weren't at the stand but everything was clearly marked. We did meet their parents and they told us the kids came up with the idea, did all the work, and sometimes made as much as $60 a day. Those kids are going places!Tonight, I'm safe, warm, and dry. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-06-25
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today, Beaker and I originally planned to hike about 17 miles but decided we could go another 3.5 to Dalton, Massachusetts, to get a shower and do our laundry. We ended up hiking a total of 20.6 miles.During our hike, we stopped off to meet the Cookie Lady.  She has been handing out cookies to hikers for more than 30 years. Not only did we get to meet her and have some cookies, we also got to meet her husband. What a wonderful couple. During blueberry season, they also let hikers pick blueberries from their U-Pick Berry farm.After meeting the Cookie Lady, we ran into Trail Magic at the next road crossing. Rob used to own hostel in the area but moved to Tennessee to escape the cold winter. He comes back each summer to visit his sons and grandchildren and to provide Trail Magic to hikers.  We ran into him again at the hotel and he offered to give us a ride to an Italian restaurant he knew and liked. We took him up in the offer...but this time we provided the magic and bought his dinner.We got to the hotel too late tonight to resupply and do our laundry so that will be the first order of business in the morning. We will then start climbing Mount Graylock. Depending on how we feel, it will either be a 14.5-mile day to a shelter 3/4 of the way up or about a 20.5-mile day up to the lodge. Today's hike did a number on my feet and they are calling for rain in the morning so we will play it by ear.But tonight, I'm safe and dry in town. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-06-27
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

I started out slowly this morning and just got slower as the day went by. I shared the shelter last night with two other veterans and an active duty guy. I really enjoyed our conversation and comradery, and I think they did too, so much that we didn't leave the shelter until almost 8. Then, we all met up again at the lodge at the top of Mount Graylock and had a second breakfast. It was almost 11 before I started seriously hiking. The actual hike today was pretty nice even if it was a lot of uphill. There was quite a bit of thunder and lightning going on as I hiked to my shelter tonight but I arrived right before the rain started to fall. The rain has now stopped but the temperature is down in the upper 40s. My quilt is warm enough so it should be a nice night for sleeping. My picture for tonight is a selfie standing in front of the Vermont/Massachusetts border sign. That's now 11 states down and three to go! I hope I enjoy Vermont at least as much as I did Massachusetts. Tomorrow will be a short day. I need to resupply and plan to take another opportunity to shower and do laundry while I'm in town.  But tonight, I'm safe, warm, and dry. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-06-28
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Stealth Camp Site
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: broken clouds

I pushed out a much bigger day today then I originally planned to and ended up doing 21.6 miles. I keep telling myself I'm not doing these anymore but today it seemed like something I needed to do. For some reason, I misread my guide book and thought Bennington was right off the trail, it's actually more than 5 miles away. After my resupply the other day, and skipping dinner last night, I still have food and I'm meeting my wife on Saturday morning near Manchester Center, VT. That leaves me with a 19.3-mile hike tomorrow (and a 1,500-ft climb at the end of the day), or a 9-mile day tomorrow with a 21-mile day the next day. The closer shelter has been having bear problems, so I think tomorrow will be the 19-mile day.Today's hike went pretty well. The trail started out very wet early this morning, but got better as the day progressed. Hopefully, tomorrow will be even better...if the rain holds off.My picture tonight is of another small beaver pond. These have been very common lately but are always pretty.Last night I shared my shelter with four others, one of which was Ringer. She is the woman who found my lost wallet back around Roan Mountain. I hadn't seen her since Duncannon and it was nice to run into her again. Sadly, she may have to leave the trail for a while due to a family emergency. I hope I get the chance to see her again on the trail.Tonight, I'm safe, warm, and dry. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-06-29
From: Stealth Camp Site

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I finished my hike in the rain this evening at Stratton Pond Shelter, for a total of 19.3 miles today. So far, Vermont has lived up to it's nickname of ¢Vermud¢. But, I was told by a south bounder today, the mud will end within the next couple of days.Tomorrow, will be a short day of about 11 miles. My brother in-law will meet me near Manchester Center, VT, and I will head back to their home about 45 minutes away. My wife is flying in tomorrow night and I plan to ¢Zero¢ for a couple of days. Saturday, I will see a doctor about my foot (I think I just need some oral antibiotics) and I need to get new shoes again.I thought my shoes broke down too fast but after checking my guide book, I got just over 500 miles of use out of them. I'm not sure yet what I will replace them with, but they will need to have plenty of toe space.It's still raining and the shelter is packed tonight.  It's supposed to sleep 12 but I think we have about 20 in here. We also have a number of tents set up around the shelter. Much of the crowd consists of a youth church group. The ages appear to be between 12 and 16. All the girls are in the shelter loft and the boys are out in the tents in the rain. They are currently trying to cook their dinner and making more noise than I think I've heard in a shelter since Georgia. I don't mind it, although my opinion may change once I go to bed. This is their first night out and right now, their excitement and enthusiasm is fun to watch.The last three shelters have had bear problems, but I'm not worried. My food bag is almost empty and safely hung in a tree about 50 feet behind the shelter. Even if a bear manages to get it, he's not getting much.A big storm is supposed to roll in around 1:00 am but tonight, I'm safe, warm, and dry in a shelter. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-06-30
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: East of Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a short day of only about 10.6 miles.  It was raining hard when I first got up this morning but it had almost quit by the time I was packed up and ready to hike. The rain had totally stopped a mile into my hike. With the exception of a few sprinkles, it was dry the rest of the morning¢¦well, it didn't rain anyway. The trail was anything but dry with the mud, often ankle deep, trying to suck the shoes right off my feet. But after the first 5 or 6 miles, even this got a lot better, and although it was steep, the trail was virtually dry for the last couple of miles of the hike.My picture today is of a moose track on the trail. I haven't seen a moose yet but I¢ve been seeing their tracks and droppings since near the Upper Goose Pond area.I arrived at the road crossing where I was meeting my wife's sister, Fran, and my buddy Bill at about 11:30 and found trail magic being passed out by the Parkers. They completed their AT thru-hike several years ago, completed the El Camino de Santiago in Spain, and also hiked about 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).  They are also the parents of cdparker, a geocacher in the area that I¢ve met in the past and they know Fran and Bill too. It was nice to visit with them until Fran and Bill arrived.I spent most of the rest of the day doing the typical things we always do when we're in town. I ate, showered, ate, snoozed, ate, drank beer, ate, laundry, and ate.It's now about 11:45 pm and I'm sitting in the airport in Albany, NY, waiting on my wife and son to arrive. I plan to spend tomorrow and Sunday visiting a doctor about my foot, finding new shoes (it's hard to believe these already have 500 miles on them), and relaxing.  Tonight, I'm safe, warm, and dry. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-07-01
From: East of Manchester Center, VT

To: South Glens Falls, NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was a perfect day to be off the trail. It rained hard most of the day with several severe thunderstorms. I can hike in the rain but I certainly don't mind missing it today. I woke this morning at my usual 5:30 am, but after looking at the clock, I just rolled over and went back to sleep. I eventually got up at around 8:00 am and we made our way to a local bagel shop for breakfast.After breakfast, I had a appointment with a doctor regarding my feet and was prescribed an oral antibiotic. Hopefully, this will get the infection under control pretty quickly. With the medicine and new shoes, I hope to be back hiking the trail on Monday.The rest of the day was spent visiting with family, resting, and eating. Other than a trip to a local outfitter for new shoes, I plan to do the same tomorrow.My picture is of my dinner last night. We ate at the Gourmet Cafe in Glen Falls, NY. I've been there several times in the past and it's always incredible.Tonight, I'm safe, warm, and dry. I just had an outstanding steak dinner and I am getting ready to finish my meal with a very promising Vanilla Porter, followed by a Milk Stout. Afterwards, I'm pretty sure it will be well past my "Hiker's Midnight". Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-07-02
From: South Glens Falls, NY

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I spent a relaxing day today visiting with family and resting my feet. I think the only two productive things I managed to accomplish were buying new shoes and cleaning some of my equipment. I decided to go with Keens again, mostly because of the wide toe box. This time, I went with a mid-height boot. I know it's slightly heavier than the shoe version, but I felt the added ankle support would be good to have in the ¢Whites. The only thing I don't like about them is the fact they are waterproof. I've found waterproof shoes just take too long to dry out once they finally get wet inside...and they all eventually get wet.Tomorrow morning, my wife will drop me back on the trail for a day of slack packing. I'm planning on doing about 20 miles to the road crossing where she will pick me up for the evening. To me, hiking for the day, carrying almost nothing more than water and my lunch, followed by a shower, and a night in a bed sounds simply incredible. And, I'm going to get to do it for the next five days! Due to the location of road crossings, I might not get 20 miles each day but I hope to average 15+. My picture tonight is of me enjoying a liter of Witbier at Pumpernickel's German Restaurant in Bolton Landing, near Lake George, New York. It was my brother in-law¢s birthday and my wife, son, and I had the opportunity to spend it with him, her two sisters, and their families. It was a nice time and a great way to spend some time off the trail.Tonight, we are staying in a hotel in Rutland, VT. My wife will take me about 32 miles south to a trailhead and drop me off in the morning. But tonight, I'm safe, clean, warm, and dry. Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.