morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-08-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.3

Took forever getting on the trail today. I blame the other hikers who stayed at the Mayor's house. (Not really the mayor by the way...at least not the current one. I think he's a former mayor.)There were a number of other thru hikers there. All of them had started way before Hawkeye and I. Chinese Tourist, Sarge, Walking Home, Mango, Charlie the Chef...I think that was all. When there are other hikers not motivated to hike and instead watch movies inside...it's really easy to follow. Especially when it's hot outside. I guess I don't mind, I need a break. I finally got out on the trail at 4:30. Only got 5 miles done.
Date: 2009-08-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.6

Another state done! Finished New Jersey today. Right before the state line I had the closest bear encounter yet. First I came up on a cub which ran away, but a minute or two later I ran across the mother. And she wasn't interested in getting out of my way either. I got some good photos before it finally wandered off to eat berries elsewhere. I decided to camp short of my shelter destination tonight when I met up with Chinese Tourist who I had met back at in Unionville.
Date: 2009-08-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.4

Chinese Tourist and I decided to go into town via a 0.9 side trail to eat breakfast. Some little coffee shop had some good pancakes and bacon. We got back on the trail at 10 AM and the rest of the day was pretty miserable. Hot, and lots of ups and downs. We were disappointed by the locked shower room when we arrived at Lake Tiorati, but as we were setting up our tents a couple of people from a Boy Scout troop camped nearby invited us to breakfast. Perhaps it was wroth the long day to get here after all.
Date: 2009-08-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.5

More of the same today. Hot and lots of ups and downs. There were a couple of decent climbs, although now I question if what I consider a big climb is really a big climb since I haven't climbed more than 1,000 feet in longer than I can remember. We went through some of the first miles set aside for the AT today. Also, the lowest elevation on the trail, 124 feet above sea level. It was located right around Bear Mountain where there is a park that people from the City come on weekends. The trail got very urban, quickly. I'm sure they had no clue what we were doing or why we were carrying giant packs. Staying at a ball field pavilion tonight. A nearby Catholic church allows hikers to camp here. It's nice too. A (cold) shower and everything! Chinese Tourist said I could come with him tomorrow to stay with someone he knows in Stormville, so I'll try to keep up with him.
Date: 2009-08-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.8

The terrain isn't hard, but the heat and the mosquitoes are making for a terrible time. Nevertheless, I continue forward. I just know the heat will break eventually. I'm hiking north, it HAS to get cooler, right? At lunch a local guy with his dog came hiking up and gave us some cold drinks and talked for a while. Wee were going to go further, but when we got to RPH shelter, Chinese Tourist called the people we were staying with to come get us. I believe it is his girlfriend's aunt. Kind of strange, but I don't care. I need to wash clothes and take a shower badly. Also, a night without bugs biting me will be nice.
Date: 2009-08-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.8

Got a late 10:30 start back on the trail. The people I stayed with last night were very nice and I appreciated them helping out a complete stranger like myself. It was just as hot and just as buggy as ever. I only made 16.8 miles today, but that's good enough for me. It'll get me to Katahdin on time.
Date: 2009-08-18
To: Connecticut
Miles today: 21.4

I finished the state of New York today. Connecticut is next and is pretty small, so I should be through it quickly. Passed Dover Oak, largest oak tree on the AT. I caught up with Chinese Tourist and we both went into Kent, CT for the night. No where cheap to stay (as seems to be the trend up north) but thankfully a woman lets hikers tent in her back yard. Chinese Tourist says he knows some more people in Falls Village. If we can do 25 miles tomorrow, perhaps we'll have a place to stay.
Date: 2009-08-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.0

Didn't get on the trail until 11 today. Falls village isn't looking attainable. The heat and mosquitoes are as bad as ever. I go through bug spray so fast it's ridiculous. If these bugs and heat don't go away soon, I don't know what I'll do. Probably just keep walking, I guess. As predicted I didn't make it to Falls Village. I'll be there tomorrow for lunch, though. I may stay in Salisbury tomorrow and catch up on things.
Date: 2009-08-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.7

There was a really long road walk detour today as a result of a bridge they were fixing where the trail used to cross. It was a nice break from the bugs, but after a couple miles I got sick of it. Swarms of mosquitoes follow me everywhere in the woods. They've prevented me from stopping to take pictures sometimes. All I can do is just keep walking in hopes they will not be as bad further up. But reports I've heard from south bounders don't sound good. Staying in Salisbury tonight. A woman named Maria McCabe lets hikers stay in her home for much cheaper than can be found anywhere else. She's an interesting lady. She just celebrated her 80th birthday this month. She has an interesting accent, a mix of Italian and northern I believe. Also staying there is a guy who has apparently been there before. He has been hiking the trail for a while, but also visiting other places around the country. It's a lot different than my trip, where I have a goal in mind. He's just walking to walk. There's nothing wrong with that, though.
Date: 2009-08-21
To: Massachusetts
Miles today: 14.2

Spent most of the morning at the library updating and just generally not trying to leave town for the blazing heat outside. I finally got out on the trail at 4 PM and of course it starting raining. It never fails to rain RIGHT when I leave town. It was a pretty severe storm too. I think the worst of it missed me, but it still had me a little nervous. Did some night hiking and enjoyed a couple good views. There really wasn't much to see, but the stars and fading daylight were nice from the top of Race Mt and Mt Everett. Stayed at a shelter nearly full...not of people, but because two weekend warriors had their tent set up in the shelter. I was able to squeeze in, though, so I didn't really care too much. Apparently I'm in Massachusetts now. Ha!
Date: 2009-08-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.3

I had no idea going into it, but today was to become the worst day on the trail yet for me. Massachusetts has gotten a record amount of rain this year. Also, mosquito larva can lie dormant for 10 years. So if it doesn't rain too much one year, no matter, when it does they'll hatch. So this year...anything that hadn't hatched in the last 10 years probably did. And today I went through the gauntlet. The mosquito gauntlet, that is. From MA 41 in the morning till MA 23 where I arrived in the evening I was swarmed by these suckers. About 12 miles of torture. And God help you if you had to stop, to tie your shoe or something. You'd be a goner. Just had to keep moving. Even that didn't stop them. It's like they were a squadron of little tiny planes dive bombing me. I eventually just put on my raincoat, even though it got quite hot, to keep them off my arms. I decided to stay at the East Mt Retreat Center. Inside! While I was at it I planned the next tow days of indoor destinations in case the bugs were going to be this bad through the whole state. God I hope not. Hawkeye caught me at the shelter 2 miles before the hostel and decided to join me. The hostel was pretty nice. Indoors away from those menacing creatures. If only for a little while...
Date: 2009-08-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.1

I got out of the hostel fairly quickly despite the fact that I knew what was in store for me. Thankfully the mosquitoes thinned out and by late in the day were all but gone. Hawkeye decided to stay another day. Chinese Tourist and I met up again at lunchtime. We both planned to head to Upper Goose Pond for the night. It was supposed to be enclosed and I hear that the caretaker makes pancakes in the morning...but I hear that the caretaker got hurt or something and hasn't been there. No matter, I just don't want to be outside if the bugs are bad. I made it there around 9 PM in the dark. Mostly because I take breaks too often, but I'm also hiking slower than I used to it seems. Maybe I'm getting worn out, who knows. It is getting darker a lot earlier too, so that could have something to do with it. Dalton tomorrow I hope.
Date: 2009-08-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.6

It was a relatively event-less day aside from a quick stop at the cookie lady's house. Got a few cookies and filled up my water bottles. Didn't meet the cookie lady, though. Just some older man. Perhaps the cookie lady's husband. I don't know. Arrived in Dalton before dark with Chinese Tourist. There are apparently a couple well know places to stay in this town. "The Birdcage" which I had seen mentioned in the shelter log books, and Tom Levardi's house. The trail passes right by Levardi's, but he was out shuttling hikers to a restaurant so we took a couple bikes (He has a handful that hikers can use to get around town) and headed over to Jacob's. And after eating there I'll say I'm happy to share a name with it. The Reuben I had was gigantic and very tasty. After returning I met Tom and a huge group of north bounders. At least it was a lot for me. Starting as late as I did, I missed the big crowds, so seeing 6 or 7 north bounders in one place was unusual. Not to mention, I hear the birdcage has just as many Nobos hanging out as well. Crazy! I decided to do a slackpack tomorrow courtesy of Tom. He makes a trip up to North Adams every day shuttling hikers to the trailhead to do a slack, or get back where they left off after the slack. The rest of my night was spent on the porch talking with the Sobos about what to expect and reminiscing about horrible mosquitoes with the Nobos.
Date: 2009-08-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 23.3

After an awesomely filling breakfast at Duff and Dell's we started our slackpack over Mt. Greylock, highest peak in Mass. And our biggest climb since three ridges and the priest, which coincidentally was my last slackpack. It was me, Chinese Tourist and a guy I had just met called "Big Camera" I thought mine was bad, this guy's camera set up looks awful to carry. He has a Pentax K10D which is probably about the same weight as mine besides the fact that it uses a big rechargeable battery whereas mine takes 4 AA's. The real kicker is that he is carrying three lenses! He does have a pretty sweet case that attaches to the front shoulder straps and hip belt, but I bet that only just adds even more weight. I think he said his pack was 55 or 60 lbs. It's his hike I guess, but wow.Greylock was all right I suppose. There is a road that goes up there so it's full of tourists at the summit. There is a war memorial at the top that was originally meant to be a light house. You can go up in and look at the surrounding countryside. The weather was awesome today which made the slackpack all the more enjoyable. Its starting to feel like fall.
Date: 2009-08-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, today seemed just as good as any to take a day off. My 5th one. I attempted to get my phone fixed at the AT&T store, but they couldn't figure it out. All I know is, it worked fine for years and then all of the sudden it's showing no service, even in areas where it should have service. Oh well, might have to get one of those prepaid ones for the remainder of this trip. Anywho. Pretty relaxing day. We went out to the Old Country Buffet for dinner. 15 of us. Tom made two trips to get us all there. He has to be the most generous person I've met yet. No where else have I been able to sleep in a bed, get my clothes washed, take a shower, slackpack, get shuttled around places and take a zero day without anything asked in return. Thanks Tom!
Date: 2009-08-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up this morning and realized I hadn't done any of the things I should have yesterday. I still needed to get a phone and resupply on food. I took care of both at Walmart. I biked there which proved tricky on the return trip with two full grocery bags dangling from the handle bars. I survived. Later in the day, Tom and Colin, who had arrived yesterday morning, Hawkeye, who was staying at the birdcage, and myself went to go see the new Quinton Terantio film, "Inglorious Basterds." It was the first movie theater I had been in since I went to see Star Trek shortly before starting the trail.Ok, enough rest. Time to head into Vermont tomorrow. 100 Days on the trail. Can't believe it!
Date: 2009-08-28
To: Vermont
Miles today: 14.1

Another day, another state. Vermont. Home to the Long Trail, which the AT is concurrent with until it branches off to head to Maine, while the LT goes to Canada. Tom dropped me off where I had started my southbound slackpack two days before and I hit the trail. It was a great day starting out. By the end of it rain had started to make it not so good. At the shelter tonight we have Hawkeye, Grizzila and I going north. Two southbound LTers and 3 others that I think are sectioning. Full house, but I'm just glad to be out of the rain.
Date: 2009-08-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.7

Today was a little chilly. It wasn't full on raining, but it was coming off the trees most of the day when the wind blew. It doesn't take much rain to make Vermont muddy either. I'd heard some people going south refer to it as "Vermud" and it certainly lived up to that nickname today. Another packed shelter tonight. A couple of AT southbounders, Grizzila, a northbound LT sectioner and myself. Very cold tonight, but I think that's mainly due to the bad weather.
Date: 2009-08-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0

The clouds opened up this morning and gave us a splendid view from where we lie in our sleeping bags. I feel like I'm finally returning to the more scenic sections of the AT. Climbed up Stratton Mountain today. It's the highest peak in southern Vermont and had a great view from the fire tower. I decided to stay at the shelter on the northern side of Stratton. Bottom Bunk, whom I hadn't seen since PA was there as well as Spice Rack, Grizzila and a couple weekenders. I had to pay 5 bucks at this shelter (there's a caretaker) but it was nice so I suppose it was worth it. Plus I can use the receipt I got at another upcoming pay site.
Date: 2009-08-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.7

I had to go into town today. Originally for fuel for my stove, but when I woke up this morning I decided to look into getting some cold weather clothing. It took a while to get into town, but once there I ate some pizza and purchased all the winter clothing I thought I needed at EMS outfitter. Then it was a quick hitch back to the trail. The guy who gave me a ride suggested I stay on top of Bromely where there was an enclosed shelter. I did. Pretty awesome sunset from the observation tower.
Date: 2009-09-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.2

Today was mostly just some rolling hills and relatively easy hiking. Too bad that won't continue much longer. I'm ready to get back into the mountains, though. Just don't know if my feet and back are. Stayed the night at one of the other pay shelters just so I could get my money's worth. Also I guess because it was a good day's mileage. September. Last full month.
Date: 2009-09-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.2

Not too much to mention about the hike today. My pack is feeling heavier. Thanks to the winter clothes I'm sure. I've been thinking about what I can get rid of towards the end of the trip to make up for the extra weight. I'll have to do that soon, before the Whites. Towards the end of the day I passed the 500 miles to go mark. Someone had left a cooler full of drinks and a chair. Even though it was getting dark I sat down and had one. The cooler even still had ice in it this time! As I was heading on to the shelter I saw this white thing under a rock. It was a piece of paper explaining how to get to the "secret" shelter. I decided to check it out and I'm glad I did. I guess some guy decided to build it on his own land. It was really cool. It kinda did feel like a secret since I was the only one there for the night.
Date: 2009-09-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.4

So glad I stayed at the secret shelter last night! The Governor Clement shelter I was originally going to stay at was under renovation so it was pretty much just a dirt floor I would have been sleeping on. I've decided that I will stay at the Inn at Long Trail tonight. It will most likely be my last non-hostel stop. First of all though, I had to climb up Mt. Killington. It wasn't too tough. The only real hard part was the 0.2 side trail to the summit. Quite steep. The view was great as expected. I noticed lots of ski lifts dotting the nearby countryside from the top. I hear this is THE place for skiing. After visiting the obligatory restaurant at the top of a mountain (which normally I despise, but this time I didn't mind because I was hungry) I coasted down the mountain and checked into the inn. For 4 bucks round trip I took the bus into Rutland and resupplied to get me to Hanover. Ate some dinner at the restaurant inside the inn and somewhere in the process of all this, locked my new, prepaid phone's sim card trying to figure out a password (one that I never even set) Why these cheap, disposable phones have such strict security features is beyond me. I also got to catch the South Carolina/NC State game on tv. It was pretty boring, but college football is back! I hope Auburn wins Saturday.
Date: 2009-09-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.5

I didn't get back on the trail until late this morning. A breakfast came with my stay at the Inn and after that I took one last shower and hit the road. I wasn't in the best hiking mood today, but I'm passing the 1700 mile mark, so that is making things better. Made it as far as Lookout which happened to have this privately owned cabin that the owners let hikers use. There was an observation deck built on top which looked a lot like an afterthought. It was a little rickety. The view of the full moon was nice. There was also a great view of Jupiter. It was super bright. I would have just thought it was a star had there not been some local guy up there who knew everything about the area. He pointed out all kinds of stuff to me including Mt. Moosilauke to the north and Stratton mountain to the south, where I had been 3 days ago. Two others are staying here tonight, I think they are both section hiking.
Date: 2009-09-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 22.8

Stopped at a nearby convenience store this morning and got some ice cream. Met another new north bounder, Sideshow. He is very young and arrogant...I didn't care for him that much. The good thing is, I don't have to stay around anyone I don't want to. Met back up with Bottom Bunk midway through the day and hiked with him to the next shelter. I decided to hike on to the next one after getting there. Most of it was spent in the dark. I encountered some large sounding animal right around dark. I think it was a deer. It ran off the trail a little ways and I stopped. It snorted at me and I decided not to stick around much longer. There was a confusing, long road walk in Norwich, VT. Made worse because I couldn't see anything. I found the way relatively easily, though. The shelter was full, much to my dismay. Apparently they are a big group of Dartmouth freshmen on a retreat or something. I tented it tonight.
Date: 2009-09-06
To: New Hampshire
Miles today: 11.7

Made it to Hanover by mid morning today. New Hampshire at last! Walking through Hanover was weird. It's home to Dartmouth College. Even though it's much smaller than Auburn, it was strange walking through a college town again. I felt really out of place. Not too many other hikers there today. Really just me and Sideshow, who I could've gone without seeing. I ate a good buffet meal, resupplied and got out of there. Of course it wasn't that easy. I didn't get back in the woods until nearly 5 PM. It was such a beautiful day that I just kind of sat around a while. Plus I had to let my food digest. So I guess I didn't make it very far.
Date: 2009-09-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.8

Stopped by a general store that was kinda close to the trail. That ate up a ton of time, but I needed some extra food. The road leading to the store was lined with apple trees; it was very quiet and picturesque. I was getting ready to leave the store when Hawkeye showed up. He had taken a zero in Hanover. We hiked on a couple shelters up the trail. Not the most impressive day for me, but hopefully I'll make up for it tomorrow.
Date: 2009-09-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.1

The big mountains are revving up again. I did 2 today. Smarts mountain and Mt. Cube. There was a fire tower on top of Smarts and I could see where I would be headed next. The Whites are almost visible. I keep seeing these Dartmouth groups everywhere and honestly, it's getting a little annoying. Mt. Cube was awesome. I stayed up there a little too long, though, because I had to hike about an hour in the dark. Hawkeye and I are the only ones at the shelter, yet again.
Date: 2009-09-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.5

I stopped at Glencliff today where there was a hostel and a post office. I thought there would be somewhere to get food, but the hostel didn't have much to offer. I ate a couple microwavable pizzas and took 3 poptarts to go, so that I wouldn't starve before going into town tomorrow. I also mailed some stuff home so that my pack wouldn't feel quite so heavy. Since adding the winter clothes it had been feeling a little too heavy. Also, I'm going to need all the help I can get to finish these next 400 miles and a lighter back will definitely help. One of the hostel guys gave me a nice long lecture about the whites and hiking above tree line in bad weather. I'm sure he meant well, but his voice had such a condescending tone that I really didn't care what he had to say. I climbed Mt. Moosilauke late in the afternoon and on the summit I got my first good look at the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It was the first time in a long time that I was blown away by a view. But the sun was setting and I still had 2 more miles, so I took a few quick pictures and arrived at the shelter right after darkness set in. And what do you know, another group of Dartmouth freshmen crowding the shelter. I can't believe this. It's an unwritten rule that if you have a big group, you bring tents. They think they own this section of trail because they are affiliated with the maintainers. Another thru hiker let me set up camp nearby him (very little flat ground) I think this is the first time on the hike that I'm cowboy camping it.
Date: 2009-09-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.2

Heading into town this morning to take care of things. I hate going into town when I'm not staying the night and today reminded me why. I spent most of the day in town: eating, updating the journal and photos, grocery shopping and eating. My new phone Dad sent had not arrived at the post office, so I had it forwarded to Gorham. I STARTED trying to hitch back to the trail around 4:30, but didn't actually get picked up until 6. I had walked a couple miles in that time, but still had quite a ways to walk had I not been picked up. I found one flat spot among all the rocks and pitched my tarp for the night. The only other thing worth noting today was that I passed a couple people heading south who I had last met in Damascus. They were planning at that point to flip up to Maine and head south back to Damascus. Amazing that we actually ran into each other.