morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-23
From: Dilly Cliff Trail stealth site

To: NH 25C stealth site
Miles today: 14.6

Hiked out to Kinsman Notch and then began an 1800 ft climb over 1.2 miles. It was all stepped so not technical but slow going. It took me 1.5 hrs to go the 1.5 miles to Beaver Brook Shelter. Finished the climb to the top of Moosilauke. Had lunch once I got back below treeline. It was a long descent to NH 25 on good trail. Ran into Driver and Pitstop who I hadn't seen since Katahdin. They said Becky and Chris (now Two Step and Splits) are close behind us. The rest of the day was ups and downs in hot weather. Finishing Mt Moosilauke means I am officially done with the White Mts! To celebrate I hitched into Warren for pizza but the restaurant is closed on Monday. Had to settle for Ben & Jerries at the general store and brought a beer and potato chips back to to camp. 9 hrs
Date: 2012-07-24
From: NH 25C stealth site

To: Grant Brook stealth site
Miles today: 19.9

After leaving camp I made good time to NH 25A. Then climbed to top of Mt Cube. It began to rain which slowed my descent. I got water at North Jacobs Brook. Many of the streams have dried up so planning is critical. The climb up Smarts Mt was four miles long. The back side was steeper but the footing was good. After setting camp I had a bath before supper. 10 hrs
Date: 2012-07-25
From: Grant Brook stealth site

To: Etna-Hanover Rd (private home)
Miles today: 13.1

Climbed up to Holt's Ledge in dry conditions and then on to Moose Mt. Stopped for lunch at the shelter and then made good time to the Etna Rd. Walked about .75 miles off trail to the home of a friend of friends. Ann showed me around her beautiful 15 acres with Addie (labradoodle). Then a great tour of Hanover, things I would not have seen by foot tomorrow. Back at the house it was a relaxed dinner and nice conversation before bed. 6.5 hrs
Date: 2012-07-26
From: Etna-Hanover Rd (private home)

To: Hanover NH
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: light rain

Was up at 6:30 and had a great breakfast with fresh fruits. It was a very quick hike to town over beautiful trail. Stopped at the Coop to resupply and then wandered through town. Ran into (at various locations) Two Step and Splits, Driver and Pitstop, and Shilo and Jay. I hear that both Ed and Floater are here too. Good to catch up with all of them. Got to the motel around 3 but my package has not arrived. Not sure what's going to happen in the morning but I'll get planning and laundry done tonight. 2 hrs
Date: 2012-07-27
From: Hanover NH

To: Dimick Brook 
Miles today: 14.4

Packed up and had breakfast at the hotel. Caught a bus to West Lebanon and then hitched to P.O. Package not there and won't arrive till tomorrow so I'm having it forwarded to Manchester center. The guy at the next window heard my story and when I got outside he offered me a ride to Hanover. Walked out of Hanover at 9:30 down the hill to the Connecticut River on the highway and into Vermont! Did street walking through Norwich. On the way out of town more trail magic. Bagels and watermelon. The trail once again is really nice through this area. Making fast mileage. No mountains, just hills. Walked through West Hartford (very small town) and stopped at the general store for a great sandwich. Ran into Floater there. This afternoon I picked wild blackberries for my breakfast tomorrow. Well, I sampled a few. Really sweet. 6.5 hrs.
Date: 2012-07-28
From: Dimick Brook 

To: Locust Creek stealth
Miles today: 16.9

The hiking trail continues to be nice. There are steep areas but the footing is good. Took a short break at Pomfret Brook and Driver and Pitstop came along. They told me about a little store at VT 12 just off the trail. Stopped there for a late breakfast of a cherry pie and a quart of chocolate milk. Also packed two apples and Fritos for later. Hiked with Turtle Box for a while this afternoon as we started a steady climb to Winturri Shelter. He December to stay the night there, but I moved on. Locust creek had good water and I was hearing thunder. I decided to stealth camp there so I could get my tent up before rain. Just beat it. It has rained all evening since. 8.5 hrs.
Date: 2012-07-29
From: Locust Creek stealth

To: Kent Pond (Mt Meadow Lodge)
Miles today: 9.9

Stopped raining around 10 last night. Stayed dry. Great hiking this morning. When I reached Thundering Brook Road there was a detour notice because of a foot bridge wiped out by Hurricane Irene. The directions were contradictory. Driver and Pitstop came along and we talked it over. We walked one way and eventually decided it was wrong and turned back. Eventually we figured out that the instructions were as if you were a nobo. Very frustrating. Finally ended up at Kent Pond where Mountain Meadow Lodge is located. I decided to stay here tonight as my legs don't feel strong. Lunch was a full salad serving bowl of salad. Then I walked to an outfitter for a pint of ice cream. Watched Olympics this afternoon/evening. Hope I'll feel stronger in the morning. 5 hrs.
Date: 2012-07-30
From: Kent Pond (Mt Meadow Lodge)

To: Gov. Clement Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Had a breakfast of waffles, fruit, yogurt, boiled eggs, english muffins, fritatas, OJ, and coffee. Payed up and was on the trail at 8:30. Pretty day. Not so humid with a nice breeze. The hike started gently and eventually began to clumb up to the top of Killington Mt. Ate a long lunch there. It was all down to the shelter from there. In early enough to enjoy a bath in the stream. 7 hrs.
Date: 2012-07-31
From: Gov. Clement Shelter

To: Little Rock Pond
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: clear sky

Started out with another area that had been damaged by Irene. Several nobos indicated that you could get through, even though the bridge was washed out and some areas were not well marked. Driver, Pitstop, and I got through with little difficulty and saved a lot of time road walking. We all stopped for lunch at Minerva Hinchey Shelter. Hiking out of there I ran into a work crew on the trail. They were working on drainage. They were making course gravel by busting bigger rocks with sledge hammers. Talk about tedious, but the trail was great. I had considered stopping at Greenwall Shelter, but the water source was dry so I moved on to Little Rock Pond for the evening. 9 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-01
From: Little Rock Pond

To: Manchester Center, VT (Green Mountain House)
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Started at 5:15 this morning because I woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep. The first 45 minutes were by headlamp. Made very quick time all morning and was at Peru Peak shelter (10 miles) in about 4.5 hrs. I realized I could make it to Manchester Center by mid-afternoon, but my reservation at the hostel was for tomorrow night. Tried to call to get it changed but couldn't get a signal. Went over Peru Peak and down to Mad Tom Notch still unable to get reception. Going up Bromley Mt I continued to try. Near the top I discovered my phone was missing. I dropped my pack and backtracked to a point where I remembered having it. Couldn't find it and I didn't pass anyone. I had no choice but to continue on. At the top of Bromley Mt there were some guys hiking the Long Trail which runs along with the AT for about 100 miles to to the MA border. I told them what had happened and one of the guys let me borrow his phone so I could change my reservation. I scrambled the last 3 miles to the road, cleaned up in the stream and changed clothes, and then hitched into town. The lady brought me to the PO where my package was waiting! Then hitched to the downtown to find a Verizon store. The closest store is in Bennington (3 days away). I ordered a pizza and beers to formulate a plan. That always helps. I went to the outfitters and the owner called Jeff at Green Mountain House for a ride. When he pulled up, Driver and Pitstop were in the back seat. I got in and was telling them about losing my phone. Jeff said, "Did it look like this?" and handed me my phone!!! I was absolutely stunned. My phone made it to the hostel before I did. Someone found it and passed it along to a southbound section hiker who happened to be coming to town. He brought it by the hostel with the hopes that it belonged to someone there. That is true trail magic! They are true trail angels! I don't know who they are so I have no one to thank but the Lord! 9 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-02
From: Manchester Center, VT (Green Mountain House)

To: Winhall River stealth 
Miles today: 8.7

Floater and Ed (now Cobwebs) were both at the hostel last night and it was good to catch up with them. Stayed up late talking and planning. Had a pre-breakfast of cereal with strawberries. Jeff gave me a ride to the PO to send home gear and then to McDonald's for breakfast and Wi-Fi. Went to EMS for batteries and picked up a few groceries. Made reservations in Bennington for Saturday night where I'll do a bigger food provision. Ordered a new backpack. I have shrunk to a point that mine doesn't fit anymore. All the straps are sinched all the way down and the pack still slings around. It has become uncomfortable. The new pack should be waiting when I get to Great Barrington, MA. After some lunch I hitched back to the trail and started hiking at 2:30. Hiked steady for three hours and stopped to make camp by a nice stream. I have my new orthotics and they feel so good. Thanks Tim and Laura. 3 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-03
From: Winhall River stealth 

To: Goddard shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: clear sky

Early on hiking was flat but then climbed to top of Stratton Mt. I have mentioned the Long Trail previously. It runs from Massachusetts to Canada through Vermont and coincides with the AT in it's southern part. James Taylor first developed the idea for the trail here on Stratton Mt in 1909. It is the oldest long distance hiking trail in the US. Supposedly, Benton MacKaye was also inspired here to propose the AT in 1923. I sat for some time but no big visions came to me. Might as well push on. The hiking continued to be comfortable. About a mile from Kid Gore shelter I tripped and fell. I landed on a one inch dia stump on my but. By the time I got up I already had a hematoma the size of a lemon. I moved on to the shelter. I considered stopping there but I didn't want to leave that much distance to Bennington since I don't know how I'll feel tomorrow. So I moved on another 4.3 miles to Goddard shelter. I set up, ate, and was in bed by 7:15. My pelvis tips about 2 inches up on my right side from the bump. 10 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-04
From: Goddard shelter

To: VT 9 (Bennington, VT)
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: few clouds

When I went to bed last night I took a picture of my rear so I could see what was going on (no mirrors out here). I most definitely will not be posting it, but imagine a beautiful sunset with layers of violet, purple, and blue with streaks of brilliant red running through it. There's a full moon rising behind. It was a long night but I didn't have trouble getting up this morning except for getting my right sock and shoe on. I didn't set an alarm this morning but was still up at 4:30 and headed out at 6. Since I only had 10 miles to go and it looked like reasonable terrain I took my time. I was fairly comfortable the whole way. Got to the motel, showered, and walked to town to eat and re-stock. Spent the rest of the day watching the Olympics. 4.5 hrs
Date: 2012-08-05
From: VT 9 (Bennington, VT)

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: few clouds

The Olympic Womens Marathon started at 6AM so I watched that in the motel before getting going. Hitched to the trail and was hiking by 9AM. Steep initial climb but then easy ups and downs all day. My new found caboose held up well. I passed into Massachusetts around 4:30 this afternoon. Had some occasional showers midday, but blue skies showing by the time I quit for the night. Now that I am done with Vermont I can say that it met the description so often used for the AT-"the long green tunnel." There were very few vistas although the woods are pretty. It gave me a lot of time to think as I hiked. One of the things I've been wrestling with is this time-space continuum that so many people worry about. I have not come up with any helpful conclusions for the physicists, but have made a couple of observations. I have come to realize that one mile in the woods is 25-75% longer than a mile on the track or road. Secondly, although there are clearly 24 hours in a day, they are not evenly distributed. For example, one hour in the late afternoon is much longer than an hour in the morning. All this makes hiking after 6PM almost impossible. 7 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-06
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: The Cobble stealth
Miles today: 17.9

It was a short walk out of the woods to road-walking half way between Williamstown and North Adams. A foot bridge took me over the train tracks and the Hoosic River. A freight train passed as I was on the bridge and I watched two otters playing on the banking of the river. Then a series of climbs brought me up to Mt Greylock. The sky was fairly clear so the views were good from the memorial monument. The lodge was old but well cared for and the inside was craftsman style. I ate lunch at the restaurant and lingered there for quite a while. It was all down hill to Cheshire. A trail angel had left bottles of PowerAid at a fence post in a field. I stopped at Diane's Twist for a meatball sub and an ice cream cone before heading the last 1 1/2 miles up and out of town to the Cobbles, a rock outcrop that gives some nice views of the valley. 8.5 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-07
From: The Cobble stealth

To: Washington Mountain Brook stealth
Miles today: 21.5

It was easy hiking all the way to Dalton and I made good time. Stopped in Cumberland Farms for a few things and then had a second breakfast of an egg, cheese, and sausage bagel and a danish at a pastry shop. They had a lot of inspirational and fun sayings on the walls and today's photo is one of them. Out of Dalton there was a short climb and then it flattened out for the rest of the day. Late in the day at a road crossing there was a house where they raise blue berries. The "Cookie Lady" provides 3 cookies to all thru-hikers. I was able to buy a Klondike bar and a coke. I also packed up 4 boiled eggs for breakfast and lunch tomorrow. 9.5 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-08
From: Washington Mountain Brook stealth

To: Mt Wilcox South Shelter
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Had early ups and downs before descending to the Mass Turnpike. There is a foot bridge over the highway and then an ascent again. I stopped at Upper Goose Pond to take a swim/bath. It had been several days of bird baths so it really felt good to be clean, even if temporarily. Turned out to be a hot day and a lot more hilly than yesterday. Water availability is becoming an issue in this area. I ran out of water at one point but found a stream within a mile. Late this afternoon, as I was gathering water, Floater came along. As it turns out he is going off the trail in Great Barrington for a few days too. We hiked the last 3 miles together to the shelter site. We'll probably connect tomorrow morning at some point. 10 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-09
From: Mt Wilcox South Shelter

To: US 7, Great Barrington
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

It was hot and sticky in the tent and I couldn't sleep. So I was up even earlier than usual and underway under headlamp. It was rocky and steeper than the last few days. I jumped a pheasant from the trail just after dawn. Stopped at Tom Leonard Shelter for a second breakfast and met sobos Ken Doll, Stickles, and Misery. Leap-frogged with them the rest of the way to Great Barrington and we hitched into town together. Stopped at the P.O. for my package and then got a ride to the hotel. Ate and picked up some snack foods. Deb arrived mid-afternoon. We wandered around town and ran into Driver and Pitstop. Enjoyed a beer with them and then ate dinner at a Northern Italian restaurant. Back at the hotel enjoyed watching Olympic coverage. 5 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-10
From: US 7, Great Barrington

To: US 7, Great Barrington 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

After a couple of breakfasts I worked on the computer for a while and then Deb and I headed to Pittsfield for the outfitters. When we got back to the hotel took care of laundry and sealed my new backpack. It's going to take a while to work out how to pack since the layout is so different. Watched the Olympics throughout the day and evening. I can tell my legs are real tired so the zero days are timely. Incidentally, I have had several texts/emails concerning my derri re. It is healing well. Most of one cheek and my upper thigh are now a deep plum color, but I can sit well and most of the swelling is gone. I have put it behind me.
Date: 2012-08-11
From: US 7, Great Barrington 

To: US 7, Great Barrington 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm real excited that Deb brought me new shoes. The bottoms are a little slick on wet surfaces so I sanded them to roughen them up. Had the same problem with the first pair. We went into town to wander and then went back to an outfitter and also did grocery shopping. It took a long time to work through how to load the new backpack because it has a much smaller volume. It will probably take a week or so to work out the best system. We had a quiet evening of watching the Olympics with take-out pizza.
Date: 2012-08-12
From: US 7, Great Barrington 

To: Ball Brook campsite
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Deb and I were up early and grabbed one last breakfast before leaving the hotel. She had me on the trail by 7 and went on to Albany, NY to get her flight home. It was a great visit and we are both doing well. Shortly after starting out I met sobo Wiggles. We passed each other several times during the day. Hiking started out flat, but then had a 2000 ft climb over 4 miles to Mt Everett. Mt Race was next. The trail then followed the ridgeline for about 1/2 mile. It was a steep drop off to the valley 2000 ft below. Hawks were soaring below me and the view was fantastic. I dropped down to Sages Ravine where I crossed into Connecticut! The climb up Bear Mt was steep and rocky. At 2316 ft, it is the highest peak in CT. I was in camp by 4:15 and had a relaxing evening. 8 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-13
From: Ball Brook campsite

To: Sharon Mt campsite 
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

The hiking was rolling up and down all day. Came to the Housatonic River at Falls Village. Several good views of waterfalls. Tried going into Falls Village to get some lunch but there wasn't any place that served food. Hiked back out and made my own lunch at a picnic table. Got to the campsite around 2:30, but opted to not go further. Spent the afternoon planning and relaxing. Someone emailed me to ask about me saying I was going south at one point when I really was going west. He's correct, but on the trail the convention is to refer to the direction you are going on the trail as "south" if you are sobo. Anything on your left is called "east" and anything to your right is "west". Nobos do just the opposite since they are headed in the other direction. I have had several occasions when I literally was walking magnetic north, but it is still referred to as "south". 7 hrs
Date: 2012-08-14
From: Sharon Mt campsite 

To: Mt Algo shelter 
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning was pleasant hiking up and down the hills of western CT. At my present weight the lemon squeezer was not much of a challenge. Hiked with a day hiker for about a mile. He serves on the Housatonic Valley Conservation Board and offered a lot of interesting info about the projects they are working on. I would have liked talking with him longer but he headed down a side trail. After lunch I hiked directly beside the Housatonic River for about 3 1/2 miles. It was fast going and enjoyable. Then it was straight up to St Johns Ledges. I think it was the steepest climb I've faced since the White Mts. Fortunately it was only 1/2 mile. When I got to CT 341 I walked about a mile into Kent. Got a couple of hotdogs and a sundae. Hitched back to the trail and was at the shelter by 5:30. Set up the tent in a light rain. I heard it will be intermittent showers all day tomorrow.   8 hrs
Date: 2012-08-15
From: Mt Algo shelter 

To: County Rd 20 (Pawling, NY)
Miles today: 20.5

Woke to a thunderstorm around 4 AM. Deb had brought me an MRE breakfast. I cooked it in the vestibule - eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, peppers, and onions. Then my usual 2 pop-tarts. I did my in-tent packing and by that time it was just drizzling. When I came out of the tent it was mud splattered. It took a long time to clean it up and I didn't get underway until 8:30 but under clear skies. The sunbeams glistened through the wet trees. I spent the day zigzagging. I started in CT but by 10 was in NY. Back in CT at 11 and finally to NY by 1 PM. It was a day of nice hiking. Mid-afternoon I got word from nobos that there was no water at the next shelter, but at the gravel road beyond there was trail magic of ice water, lemonade mix, and oranges. She just happened to pull up when I was there so I helped her lug the water to restock. Her name is Mac n Cheese. She's not even a hiker but knows how important it is. Around 4:30 the skies opened up and the thundering began. I got soaked. Hitched into Pawling riding in the trunk of a hatchback. The town allows camping at their park so I stayed under the picnic shelter. Got dinner in town at a pub. Today I passed thru 728 miles which is 1/3 of the way to GA. 9 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-16
From: County Rd 20 (Pawling, NY)

To: NY 55 (Poughquag, NY)
Miles today: 5.2

Tried to sleep in this morning but was up by 5:30 and in a nice pastry shop by 7. Back at the trail head I got to see the largest Oak on the AT. It's girth is over 20 ft and it is over 300 years old. I took a stroll to NY 55 and walked into Poughquag. Stopped for a calzone and beer, checked into the motel, and got laundry going. I then picked up my packages at the PO and grocery shopped. Ate dinner next door to the motel. A few days ago a couple emailed me asking if I had felt God on the trail. In truth it is an ever presence. It's the sunrise and sunset. It's the stars, the moon, the rain. The beauty on the trail is never ending. It is jagged rock and delicate ferns. Mushrooms that are red, orange, yellow, and brown. The vistas may be expansive, but the understory can take your breath away too. Then there is the trail magic and the trail angels that deliver it. Most of the angels don't get thanked because you never meet them. Both Mac n Cheese and Muldoon were embarrassed by praise. How about the two people who went way out of their way to return my lost phone? I have fallen 100-150 times and have not been seriously hurt. Whenever I came to a ford in Maine a calmness would come over me with prayer. I would be infused with confidence and resolve. I had no fear when I stepped into the river. On long walks you get into a rhythm and can talk to Him. I have communion with Him on Sunday. I get emails and texts of optimism and encouragement. There is beauty all around me...and peace. He is with me every step I take. 2 hrs
Date: 2012-08-17
From: NY 55 (Poughquag, NY)

To: Clarence Fahnestock State Park 
Miles today: 19.3

I got a ride to the trail by a guy going to work at 5:30. I found out about him at the restaurant last night and he agreed to pick me up at the motel. A couple of miles into the woods the trail was barrier taped and indicating a side trail. I took it and 1 1/2 miles later came out to a road with no further instructions. I turned around and climbed back up to the ridge and went under the barrier tape. I ran into no problems and later found out a girls' camp had put it up so their little darlings wouldn't get lost. I made good time the rest of the day over pleasant trails. A little rocky at the end. I road-hiked a mile off the trail to the state campground in time to get a dinner of cheeseburger, hotdog, fries, and of course ice cream. Got a nice shower, too. Thru-hikers can camp next to the registration office one night for free. Sobo Moving shared the site with me. Thunderstorms coming. 8.5 hrs