morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Fontana Dam

To: 2010 Elk Park, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Started out at the Fontana Hilton with a big crowd and met many of the group I would be with. Spent 4 nights in Smokey NP with 3 days of mostly heavy rain. One day I did a 20 in a driving rain, only stopping once at Tri-Corner Knob for lunch. Out of the park stopped at Standing Bear with a good crowd and thoroughly enjoyed the night. By now Cooncat and I had begun hiking together off and on, mostly tenting at the same shelters at night. He was probably the closest hiker to matching my pace and great fun to talk with. The 2nd half of this section was real fun with nice weather, nice balds, good trail towns, and a good group to enjoy. By the time I got to Hot Springs I felt like regular hiking trash. After Cherry Gap I had to say goodbye to Cooncat because I had to slow down my pace to meet my shuttle in a couple days. Stayed at the highest shelter Roan Mountain on a cold night and the most beautiful shelter Overmountain on my last night. Crossing Hump Mountain on the last day was magical with the clouds over the top sweeping away just as we summitted. Met Baltimore Jack, Zeb, Sam, and their dog Luna, All Right and Half Left, Wild Poodle, Ridgerunner Greybeard, Hotfoot and Firefox, Tiny Dancer and entourage, Cooncat and Markus, Paco, Snickers and Crafty, Loon, Eastwind (another former Coastie) and Fireball, Dewlap and Rainer (I followed their journals to Katahdin).
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Elk Park, NC

To: 2011 Bland VA
Miles today: 0.0

Rejoined the trail where I¢d left and had a quiet day. Second night I stayed at Kincora Hostel with a good group and met several hikers. At Watauga Lake Shelter we had a visit from a Momma bear and her cubs during a thunderstorm. Met with Dodger from 2009 and his friends at Abingdon Shelter the night before Trail Days. Trail Days was great fun and I took my first on-trail 0. The rest of the hike was dismal rainy weather, less interesting trail, and cold nights. On my last day I came across a great hiker feed after Jenkins Shelter.Generally hiked with Eureka and Trudge, DVD, and Cheetah and met Dodger on the way to Trail Days. Ran into Ned the Fed again.
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Bland VA

To: 2012 Va. 56, Tye River
Miles today: 0.0

After adventures with Greyhoud (driver that didn¢t know the route and a bus that broke down) it was good to get on the trail. First night was tenting at Dismal Falls, followed by a fun night at the Woods Hole Hostel. On the way up the mountain from Pearisburg got caught in a hellacious thunderstorm until I reached the shelter. Got the picture at McAfee Rock. The rest was nice hiking and generally pleasant weather. Sudoku picked me up at Tye River and I had a nice ride home, not having to endure another Greyhound adventure.Fell in step with Hot Shot for several days, met his great family in Daleville and he gave me a ride to Walmart to get a replacement sleeping pad. Followed his journal to Katahdin. Also met Kaliedescope, sister of a friend from home.
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Va. 56, Tye River

To: 2013 Caledonia State Park.
Miles today: 0.0

Sudoku dropped me off at the foot of Three Ridges, hiked up to Harpers Creek Shelter with me then said goodbye. I finished the 3000¢ foot climb then continued on for what seemed forever, finally walking into what I thought was Maupin Field Shelter, at Sunset, having run out of water, only to find I¢d gotten turned around somewhere and had gone back down to Harpers Creek Shelter. Bad start! Next day I entered Shenandoah Nat¢l Park and began the series of shelter, hike, roadside, and rain. The morning after I left the park I saw warnings of HAZARDOUS WEATHER approaching and I decided to play the Wife Card, she being only 1 12 hour away (turned out being a wise choice). I took a couple of days off trail for what would have been a repeat of my 2008 section to Bears Den anyway and rejoined the trail in Harpers Ferry with my good friend Jim Dwyer, for the rest of the hike up to Caledonia State Park in PA. Finally, July 19 did a one overnight hike from Bear¢s Den to Harpers Ferry to complete everything below the NY state line.   Next year on to Katahdin.
Date: 2014-07-12
From: 517 New Jersey

To: Wild Cat Shelter
Miles today: 19.5

Today was a lesson in humility. I planned on 20 miles; my son had suggested 8. After saying bye to Tina at the Pochuck boardwalk, I did ok till the first mountain kicked my butt. I reduced my plan to just getting to the state line,12 miles, but then ran low on water with planned sources being dry or gross. Then I was forced into going into Greenlake to get water (& burrito). Finally I got to Wild Cat Shelter at 8:30 dusk. Not a great start.The critter count for the day: 1bear, 1 snake, and a dozen deer.
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Wild Cat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

So, after yesterday I figured I'd lower expectations, 14.3 rather than my planned 19.6. The problem was that although the climbs weren't big it was constant up & down, with a fair amount of sun. It turned out to be just as hard, but several thru hikers that did the same section said it was one of their hardest days so far. Vindication!
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Bear Mountain Bridge
Miles today: 17.2

A much better day. I decided to use caution and arranged to share a room for the next 2 nights in Ft. Montgomery and take 0 due forecast of thunderstorms & hail Tues. I hiked most of the day with 4 thru hikers; No Name & his son Salty Hat, Flintch, & Geo. We filled water, which has been scarce and set out. The hike was much better, 3 challenging hills but way fewer rocks and scrambling over them. But, just as we got to the Bear Mt Bridge it started a downpour & Geo & I had to walk 2 mi. to Holiday Inn with traffic drenching us as they drove by. Dinner was BBQ.
Date: 2014-07-15
From: Bear Mountain Bridge

To: Bear Mt. Bridge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Just because I'm zeroing doesn't mean I don't learn something. I did laundry in the shower. I learned to dry shoes over the room heater, dry my shirt by rolling it in towels and dry wool socks by sticking them on the end of the hair drier. I'm taking the rest of the day off.
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Bear Mt. Bridge

To: Dennytown Rd Tentsite
Miles today: 14.5

This was a great day. Had a big breakfast at hotel and entered Bear Mt Bridge at 8:30. After a good climb, the trail was good. Lunch was a cheese steak at a convenience store. Trail was a good treadway, clear except for some areas where it had become a stream. At one point we heard a waterfall only to find out it was actually the trail! Got to the tentsite in time to be picked up by a high school classmate, Steve Hamm, to take me out to dinner in Cold Spring, NY. Then back to the tentsite in time for hikers midnight (8:30 now).Wait you say, is that legal? 3 meals cooked for me?. Well, the trail isn't just trees, dirt, rocks (lots) and water. It is mostly the people, new and old friends, and experiencing the trail communities. If you get a few meals out of it, good deal. If it was just the trees, rocks, etc. few people would do it.New friends today, Ghostbuster, Owl Bear, & Chuckles. Got great trail magic from Paddy O.Some local camp councilors on their night off decided to have a fire and drum circle at our tentsite; kept it up til 12.
Date: 2014-07-17
From: Dennytown Rd Tentsite

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 19.9

A nice day, trail was better, was sunny & breezy. Had my first fording; water was still high and covered stepping stones so off went shoes, on w/ crocs to cross. Did not want to get a new pair of socks wet at 8 am. Made good time early so I chose to go on to next shelter.Today's count, 1 fox,1 snake, & 2 chipmunks. Chipmunks usually aren't counted but I had eye to eye contact & our spirits connected.
Date: 2014-07-18
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Nice day.....several miles in the sun which isn't always great but was today. The AT is great for the nice things people do for hikers they've never met, and may never meet. Today I found Trail Magic at 10am....someone had dropped off a big bag of snack chip bags, a cooler full of iced sodas and a note wishing us well. Miles later, at the Dover Oak (see picture) I found Miss Janet. A perennial Trail Angel, she lives in her van and follows the flow of hikers north through the season. She met us a few miles later at a resupply stop and did several shuttles to a deli for hikers to buy lunch and buy needs. Third...that resupply stop..... a former hiker with a Nursery company accepts maildrops, lets hikers camp on the lot, has a hiker rest area, lets us shower, and provides water. Typical things we see, but all in one day. All 3 people do it for free just to be friends. This trail has a lot to teach us.
Date: 2014-07-19
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a good thing today was a short miles day because there was a lot of stepping up & down on rocks & 2 good climbs. We actually entered CT twice in the morning. It was nice to stop at 2:15, set up tent and walk into Kent, CT for very important shopping: bug repellent, shoe repair glue, 2 sodas, hot dog, blueberries and a banana. We're easy to satisfy.
Date: 2014-07-20
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Started out the day with a pint of blueberries and a banana from the IGA yesterday. Wasn't sure if that was balanced so 1/2 mile down the trail I got a Coke and 2 Reeses cups. How's that, Mrs Dietician? The trail keeps throwing surprises. After a reasonable start it threw the hardest down "stairway" in a reconfigured rock slide. It took about 20 minutes to go down about 60 yards (don't forget the pack). A 100 yards after, I got to a road where some guys from REI were prepping for a repelling class at the rocks right next to where the trail had gone. Following that, the trail was a 4 mile path, absolutely flat by the river. Nice. Next we had a real fording, a stream about 50 wide, it was that or a 1/2 mile + bypass route. I was a little concerned because it was running so strong but it was in the end pretty refreshing. Finally at the end of the day it dumped another hard climb with a squeezer again. Go figure. Critter count: 4 frogs, 3 orange newts, 2 snakes, a crane (taking off right beside me) and a red winged blackbird (or vice versa)
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter

To: Bearded Woods Bunk and Dine
Miles today: 15.5

I was the first one out of the campsite today, and the saying for that is 'The early hiker gets the cobwebs.' Between my early start, an easier section, and coming into Salisbury, CT to a hostel, today was a nice day. I did a quick resupply and bought a bag of frozen raspberries to cool down. The hostel picked me up, did all my laundry, fed a huge dinner, provided bunk w/ sheets, and will give breakfast and a return to the trail in the morning....all for 50 bucks!
Date: 2014-07-22
From: Bearded Woods Bunk and Dine

To: Hemlocks Shelter
Miles today: 13.4

After a dinner with forced feeding (the rule was no hiker can leave until all the food is gone), good sleep and breakfast, we were shuttled back to the trail. The day was hot but the 3 peaks were reasonable. Some challenges. I hiked all day with T Bird; it was nice to hike with someone. We saw 7 SOBOs (South bound hikers) that left Katahdin, ME near June 1st when the mountain first opened for the year. This was the first group I've seen pass. We also entered Massachusetts. At this rate of finishing states I'd be done in a couple weeks!
Date: 2014-07-23
From: Hemlocks Shelter

To: East Mt. Retreat Center
Miles today: 17.1

Note to future hikers in this area......when you see 5 miles of flat terrain in the guide, don't think "oh boy," think "4 miles of marsh and bugs." Once thru that, TBird & I went 1.6 miles off trail to the retreat center. There we got shower, laundry & drier, bed with sheets, order out pizza, and were inside during a thunderstorm, all (but the pizza) for $10.
Date: 2014-07-24
From: East Mt. Retreat Center

To: Upper Goose Pond Shelter
Miles today: 21.1

After hearing about the above shelter for days from SOBOs and not seeing another option a little closer, TBird & I set out for it at 6:05 because of the distance. Most hikers keep most days under 20 miles, but occasionally "do a 20." We couldn't have picked a better day and section. We got in early after 11 hours. The shelter (cabin) is one of the best to date, w/ caretaker, bunks w/ mattress, beach, canoe, and he gets up early to make everyone pancakes! Looks to be worth a 20.
Date: 2014-07-25
From: Upper Goose Pond Shelter

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

After a breakfast of 4 large pancakes & coffee made by the caretaker Bob, I hit the trail early w/TBird. I often told the scouts to look for challenges; by taking on challenges you would know what you could do when real emergencies happened. The trail gives challenges daily, from trying to keep your socks dry navigating long sections of mud to climbing something like Mt. Greylock (tomorrow). Recently I've mentioned Bugs and a 20. There¢s always something.Today¢s challenge? Getting out on the trail after eating 4 large pancakes and coffee.See tomorrows entry regarding the picture.
Date: 2014-07-26
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Wilbur Clearing Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: broken clouds

Starting what should be an easy day we left for a 3 mile initial hike into Dalton for breakfast. Upon entering town we saw some hikers we knew on a porch and found it was well know trail angel Tom Levardi's house. He had picnic table spread with breakfast for hikers and wouldn't even accept a donation in return. From there we did a 9 mile section over Crystal Mountain to Cheshire. Entering town there we found Diane's Twist store (i found my son's entry from 2007 in her registry) for a great meatball sub for lunch and some more hikers. Miss Janet offered us a slack pack to take our gear to the top of 2500' climb Mt. Greylock; offering that even though it was past our destination for the day, the next shelter was just past the peak. I left half my gear and we started up. Because we thought there might be an afternoon storm we walked the 8 miles to the peak at a fast walk in 3 3/4 hr. With the storm still threatening we left quickly with all our gear and hiked on to the next shelter 3 miles further arriving at 7 pm pretty tired. I'm not sure if the slack pack was the best idea but here once you make a decision you live with it and move on; here an easy day became a hard one overall but we did make that climb with less of a load.
Date: 2014-07-27
From: Wilbur Clearing Shelter

To: Holiday Inn, North Adams, MA.
Miles today: 5.8

After yesterday, with only 3.3 miles remaining to get to town I slept in till 7:15. That was a problem. By the time we left a storm was brewing and it hit us just as we started down the mountain. From the road connection to the hotel we had another 2.5 miles because we gave up hitching with packs in the rain. Once at the hotel we couldn't get a room because we were so early, so we went to lunch in wet clothes. After lunch Susan at the desk was able to find us a room and we got showered and dried off. This is the 2nd time I've had to walk miles in a storm to a hotel to get a room so I wouldn't be out in a thunderstorm!Once settled things went better, we went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant named Desperadoes and the owner gave us the entree free because we were hikers. It never fails to amaze!
Date: 2014-07-28
From: Holiday Inn, North Adams, MA.

To: Holiday Inn, North Adams, MA.
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a zero day. Time for washing clothes, buying needs, contacting people and resting.I haven't yet mentioned the wonderful support I'm getting from my family. My wife Tina is packing up and shipping my mail drops on too short notice. Those include food, bug spray, clothes, trail guides, etc. Not to mention the minor detail of just supporting me in doing this little walk. I am also supported by my daughter sending wonderfull pictures of my granddaughter to keep me up to date.My son, thru-hiker in 2007 has also helped a lot with guidance on hiking and the trail. It would be much harder without them. Thanks!
Date: 2014-07-29
From: Holiday Inn, North Adams, MA.

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

After an early start navigating the Bigelo Bus system, we started up the trail at 7:45. The trail started out nicely but soon developed into the Appalachian Stream instead. The mountain was draining off the previous 2 days' rains and it appeared to all be going down the trail. It slowed progress a good bit but we eventually got to the shelter at about 7:15. 11 1/2 hours hiking. But this should line us up for easier days to get to Manchester Center early Friday for a needed visit to the outfitters.By the way, we're in Vermont now.
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Wm. B. Douglas Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Today was to be an easy day, drier trails, shorter.....just climb to the top of Mt. Stratton and down the other side. Early in the morning we got some brief showers, but nothing to get out rain gear for. Near 11:30 we topped Stratton and met a nice older lady, Nubbins, who said she had reached 1000 miles today. She was doing a flip flop. She started 500 miles from the start and would return there after Maine to finish going SOBO. Soon after we started hearing thunder so we picked up the pace. About 2 it started raining and pea size hail. About 3:30 it stopped just in time to see the turn to the shelter. Once there we tried to warm up. High point of the day was when we saw a patch of sun near the shelter and we went and stood in it and soaked in the warmth. So, this was the third time I approached a town and got hit with a thunderstorm doing it.
Date: 2014-08-01
From: Wm. B. Douglas Shelter

To: Green Mountain House
Miles today: 5.3

Today was a Near-0. That's when you hike a short distance into or out of a town and usually stay overnight. After the storm we slept in to 7:00, had a good breakfast and hiked the 5 miles to the VT30/11 trail crossing. From there we hitched into town in a Lexus, after about 20 minute wait (my first hitch since 1972 Dallas, TX to Mobile, AL). I got my pole fixed, a new bite valve and other issues handled. I had a good lasagna lunch, picked up some other stuff in the EMS store and 3 days meals at a Price Chopper and got our shuttle to the hostel. The hostel was Green Mountain House where you get a bed, laundry, shower, a pint of Ben and Jerry's, use of the kitchen and a make your own breakfast for $25. It will be nice to hit the trail with dry socks tomorrow.
Date: 2014-08-02
From: Green Mountain House

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After a great start by making blueberry pancakes, thanks to Green Mt House, we got on the trail a little later than usual. The forecast was for rain but it got nicer all day instead. The first thing was to climb Mt. Bromley where we got a great view at the top of their chair lift. Shortly after that we passed the 3/4 point for the AT. We got several other great views during the day at Styles Peak and Baker Peak. The shelter we stopped at had a small camp of 12-14 year olds, but they were a good group and didn¢t keep us up late.Tomorrow, thunderstorms?
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

A good day with a nasty little climb at the end, no thunderstorm....yet.I have reached a zen-like relationship with the trail. My pack has melded into my back. My poles have become integral extensions of my arms. My hands have become yet another flexing joint. I walk as a quadripod. I am a part of the trail.Did I mention I now have 4 black and blue toenails?A golden moment... we have just heard a moose bellowing somewhere below us!
Date: 2014-08-04
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today is Coast Guard Day, I believe it is 224 years old. I celebrated by climbing Mt. Killington, over 3100 feet. On the way I stopped in a shelter and saw a scout wearing a uniform t-shirt. I asked him who he knew in the CG and I heard "I am." His father is Capt Eric Johns, current Deputy to DCO, and former CO of the CG's tall ship Eagle. We had a nice talk on who we knew in common and traded a few sea stories. It was a memorable CG Day!
Date: 2014-08-05
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: broken clouds

We left late since we were heading into town. We stopped by the Long Trail Inn for my resupply. After a 1/2 hour try to hitch we walked 1 1/2 miles into Killington & stopped at a deli for lunch. After a large steak & cheese, banana, bag of chips, and a large soda we moved on to the outfitters where I added another lg. soda & an ice cream bar. All was great in the world. Then after leaving town the thunder started. We were 6 miles from the shelter and the further we went, the louder it got & the faster we went. Upon arriving at the shelter (finding a crowd already) the storm fizzled out to a few showers. We had a nice night talking with the others, who all happened to be SOBOs. Thunder continued into the night so I chose to shelter again.
Date: 2014-08-06
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Stealth site by Cloudland Rd
Miles today: 20.0

After waiting all afternoon yesterday for the thunderstorm, it finally hit at 3 a.m. So the morning hike was a little damp. The high point of the day - the view from The Lookout, a private cabin built on top of a mountain with a ladder to a viewing deck on top. The rest of the day was a series of steep 500-800 ft climbs that just sapped us. At 7:00 we got some trail magic and we decided to stealth camp a mile short of our goal. We had enough time to set up tents and cook dinner before dark. Long day.
Date: 2014-08-07
From: Stealth site by Cloudland Rd

To: Trail Angels House, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 17.4

After a great nights sleep I grabbed another banana on the way past last night's trail magic (#1). We got to the shelter we were going to last night and when we realized how close we were to Hanover we decided to go for it. Crossing the White River in West Hartford we heard a bell ring and, as previously instructed, walked to it. There (#2) a couple had a full eggs, sausage, toast, and coffee breakfast for us, and all the other hikers passing (a dozen). When full we waited out a brief shower and got going. The hike into Norwich took till 3:30. A Trail Angel (#3), aka Short and Sweet, said we could leave our gear and slack into Hanover. In doing so I entered New Hampshire, 12 of 14 down. Later she picked us up, let us shower, washed our clothes, set us up on mattresses in the basement TV room and is now cooking us dinner, a wonderful fritatta. We spent the evening trading wonderful trail stories. I expected to tent in the yard! Life is good, people are good.
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Trail Angels House, Gorham, NH

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

After yesterday today was pretty simple. After getting dropped back in town and having a great breakfast at a local icon "Lou's" we hit the trail. Biggest events were a fall w/ skinned elbow, a 2 hotdogs, orange soda and pretzels trail magic and a great view from a cliff. Yep, a quiet day.
Date: 2014-08-09
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacube Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

With a short day ahead it was slow getting going. But just a mile down the trail I got to the Ice Cream Man, Bill Ackerly. He is an over 85 y.o. man, former Harvard prof. who gives an ice cream bar to every hiker that stops by. We talked with him for a good while. The rest of the day was just one long climb, a few good views and the usual end of the day annoying climb. At the shelter there were 3 SOBOs that gave us a lot of info about the Whites.