morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-01
From: MP 1278.5

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night was the first night that I've actually been alone the entire hike. It's a little scary not having a support group of humans in case something goes wrong, but I managed just fine.The Pennsylvania rocks continued. It almost felt like the trail was angry that I might make it out of the state so it doubled its efforts to twist ankles and cause fatigue. I stopped at Kirkridge Shelter and got some water out of their tap, but I felt a little sick to my stomach after drinking it. (It could have been the freeze-dried ice cream bar that I forced myself to eat).Anyway, I didn't have any more of that water and I felt fine quickly. I enjoyed the views in the way down to Delaware Water Gap. I-80 runs just South of Chicago, so it almost feels like a local road to me.I got into town and my only stop was at the ice cream store. A double scoop vanilla ice cream come and a coke were so good. My sister showed up and took me back to her house for a few days to recuperate.Unfortunately, Karie's flight was delayed and then cancelled and she wasn't able to rebook a flight until Sunday. There's nothing you can do about the weather, though. I am enjoying the comforts of civilization and am glad I get to spend time with family. 14.5 miles were hiked: 1278.5 (Camping) to 1293.0 (Delaware Water Gap, PA).
Date: 2016-07-02
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

0 miles were hiked (Off trail). I weighed in at 196.5, for a total trail weight loss of 41 pounds. However, I have only lost 6 pounds since May 13th if all scales are accurate. That pace actually puts my projected weight loss very close to my original planned weight loss for the entire trip.
Date: 2016-07-04
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

0 miles were hiked (off trail). I finally felt rested today. I took a long nap in the afternoon. I also took care of some resupply logistics. For the first time in awhile I'm browsing through the AWOL guide and actually looking forward to the hiking. I'm finding out I may require a bit more rest to keep myself physically healthy and mentally sharp. It was another great day with family. Hopefully I haven't eaten them out of house and home.
Date: 2016-07-05
From: Zero Day

To: Mohican Outdr Ctr
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Karie left for the airport early this morning. She made it back safely. I had a monster breakfast and packed up. My sister dropped me off where she found me, and I started hiking. She actually got to see me hiking across the I-80 bridge into New Jersey a few minutes later when she was returning home.I ate my PB&J sandwich at the visitors center and got a trail magic peach from Mosey (A.T. '15) who had opened a hostel at High Point State Park (40 miles North). I ran into Elsa and Snickers and had a break with them. I found out Huron is off the trail because she accepted a job and Dolittle is off because he got injured and is electing to get the recommended surgery.There were some really nice river views all day. I'm trying out an electronic insect repellent, which I have clipped to my watch. So far I think it's working, although larger flies seem undeterred. I made it to the Mohican Outdoor Center, which has some nice elements. I'm sharing a bunk room with One Step. Wiley said something about "No lock could stop him" and occupied the other half of the building, so it's just the two of us in this half. Showers were hot. 10.8 miles were hiked: 1293.0 (Delaware Water Gap) to 1303.8 (Mohican Outdoor Center). Thanks so much to Rachel and Tim for hosting me and my hiker hunger.
Date: 2016-07-06
From: Mohican Outdr Ctr

To: Brooks Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

I slept well at the Mohican Outdoor Center. The open windows eventually caught a breeze and things cooled down. I slipped in an extra shower and enjoyed a bacon and egg sandwich before heading out.The hike today was hot with periods of rocks and periods of flat and pleasant hiking. Water was not overly abundant, but was sufficient.I saw my first copperhead snake today... I think. The back half slithered into the weeds as I approached it on the trail. I saw it's distinct camouflage pattern, but didn't see its head, and didn't want to get any closer than I had to.I had original plans to go farther but with my late start and taking extra breaks due to the heat, going further than Brinks Shelter just didn't make any sense. I'm trying to figure out a way to get to a tavern tomorrow for a greasy cheeseburger lunch and a hostel for laundry two days from now.The electronic bug repellent appears to work, but not against anything determined to get you, like mosquitoes at dusk around the picnic table. For gnats while hiking, it appears to work. 14.0 miles were hiked: 1303.8 (Mohican Outdoor Center) to 1317.8 (Brinks Shelter).
Date: 2016-07-07
From: Brooks Shelter

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Between the heat and the relentless mosquitoes, I slept very poorly. Due to my decision to sleep in the shelter, I was completely encased in my 30 degree sleeping bag to prevent mosquito bites. They still found ways in and feasted on my sweat drenched body.I got an early start because I was tired of getting bitten. I made my way down the hill and scheduled a mental health break to Branchville, NJ. I want about a hundred feet when "Mystery Cooler", a guy who just got off the Pacific Crest Trail, stopped and asked if I wanted a ride. I did, and accepted. He dropped me off at Dale's Deli. I had a triple-decker club sandwich and Mountain Dew. I walked across the street. The Dairy Queen didn't open for 2 1/2 hours, but a guy was starting things up, and although blizzards weren't ready I got a double scoop ice cream come and felt better. It was a half hour walk back to the trail. I missed the next shelter and could have used more water and a privy break. I stopped at Sunrise Mountain and waited for the worst of a rain shower to pass. I got water from a swamp as a last resort, but didn't have to drink it because I reached Mashipacong Shelter and "Alf" had stocked over 20 gallons of potable water in the bear box. Thank you! 12.4 miles were hiked: 1317.8 (Brink Shelter) to 1330.2 (Mashipacong Shelter).
Date: 2016-07-08
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: High Pt State Park
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept well in my tent. The teenagers were all well behaved and quiet and the temperature dropped nicely. It rained just enough to ensure mildew damage of I don't dry out my tent.It was a short day and as a result quite a pleasant day. I reached High Point State Park and Hi-Ro had already called Mosey to come pick both us and Apple Jack up. I just received my free Pepsi from "Friends of High Point State Park " and jumped in the back of the pickup truck for my ride to the hostel.After showering, Mosey gave Hi-Ro and I a ride to Wal-Mart for resupply and then a fast food lunch. I had a craving for a movie, and Hi-Ro was also interested so we saw "The Purge: Election Year" which was the cinematic masterpiece I expected it to be.The rest of the evening was spent resting, doing laundry, and eating a frozen dinner another hiker left behind. 5.5 miles were hiked: 1330.2 (Mashipacong Shelter) to 1335.7 (High Point State Park).
Date: 2016-07-09
From: High Pt State Park

To: Pochuck Mtn Shltr
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a hard time getting to sleep last night due to a lack of self control with the Mellow Yellows and Mountain Dew. But I slept well eventually.I awoke to a pancake, eggs, and orange juice breakfast, cooked and cleaned up by Mosey, which was very generous. She drove us back and I began hiking into a cool wet fog. At High Point Shelter a large group of teenage girls was in and around the shelter. This must be what parents do with teenagers in the summer - drive them out into the woods and leave them.I met Easy and Crumb-Cake who said she has been reading my shelter log entries for weeks if not months. It's always fun to meet people who sort of know me.I stopped in Unionville at the Wits End Tavern for a great bacon cheeseburger. I enjoyed the Wallkill Wildlife Reserve. We got to hike three sides of a rectangle on a flat path at least, while viewing a different type of nature than trees.I called it a day at the Pochuck Mtn. Shelter after a trail magic Sam's Cola. It turned out to be a pretty nice day. I'm in the shelter ahead of anticipated rain. 14.1 miles were hiked today: 1335.7 (High Point State Park) to 1349.8 (Pochuck Mtn. Shelter).
Date: 2016-07-10
From: Pochuck Mtn Shltr

To: Furnace Brook
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: moderate rain

Pochuck Mtn. Shelter was great. The rain and thunder came around 8:00pm. Cherokee is a former thru-hiker and real character. He outfitted himself for this trip mostly at Wal-Mart, which saves money sometimes and creates gear headaches most of the time.He warned us about snoring, but according to Gnome, Brick, and her mom, Wall, we were both only intermittent snorers. I thought he was a relatively heavy snorer, but apparently I shouldn't be abandoning my breathe-right's so soon, if I'm in the same category.Brick and Wall are section hikers Southbound from Britain out here for a couple weeks. They were interested in talking about "Brexit" and its economic impact which was like food for my starved brain. Most of my conversations revolve around protein or privies.Anyway, hiking was normal. I met Acorn the elder at Waywayanda Shelter where I also saw One-Step. I moved on and found a place to camp by Furnace Brook after crossing into New York officially. There were a ton of dayhikers at Waywayanda Mountain, but I only got annoyed when I had to wait for the 10th time for a group of people to come down before I could proceed up. Lunch at a garden center at NJ 94 was great. Acorn the Elder tented here as well. As an interesting note, he added "the elder" to his name to distinguish himself from another Acorn who hiked both the A.T. and the P.C.T. and has both a trail journal and blog somewhere that's a good read if you're into trail journals. 16.9 miles were hiked: 1349.8 (Pochuck Mtn. Shelter) to 1366.7 (Furnace Brook Camping).
Date: 2016-07-11
From: Furnace Brook

To: Southfields, NY
Miles today: 16.6

The tenting was quite peaceful. With the flowing brook and gentle wind through the tall trees, it was a restful night. I had intended to go further to accomplish my master plan, but I revised the plan because these sections are harder than the profile looks, and I was tired.I passed Bellvale. There is an award winning creamer right next to the trail, but I didn't want to wait two hours for it to open. There were some semi-dangerous rock climbs today, but I had sunny skies and set rocks, so it wasn't too bad, just slow going.Wildcat Shelter was a little strange. The privy was almost full, but I made it work. It won't be as easy for the next person. There were at least two people (three tents) who looked more permanently camped there. It was hot and a little buggy, so I moved on after a short rest.I got trail magic several times today: Dr. Pepper, water in several locations, and a trail magic pizza which I'm hoping wasn't too old. I intended to go to Fort Montgomery before stopping, but I got to NY 17 and walked about 2 miles into Southfields where I got a gas station dinner and a room at the Tuxedo Motel, which was a really good deal considering its proximity to New York City (which you can see from some high points). 16.6 miles were hiked: 1366.7 (Furnace Brook Camping) to 1383.3 (Southfields, NY).
Date: 2016-07-12
From: Southfields, NY

To: Black Mountain
Miles today: 11.0

Author's note: Any reference to camping in an unauthorized location may reflect a romanticized fictional account and should not be taken literally for legal purposes.It was a leisurely start at the Tuxedo Motel. Economic options are limited for hikers in this area, so I would recommend this place. I resupplied as much as possible at the gas station and walked two miles back to the trail.The first highlight was the lemon squeezer, a narrow gap between a giant boulder and the mountain. My sleeping pad just had to flex a little, but I made it through. After that I had to take my pack off and do a Jackie Chan maneuver from Rush Hour 2 to get up the next obstacle, but I made it.We intersected the New York Long Path which takes you to Manhattan. I took a 0.3 mile road trail down to Tiorati Circle where there was a beach with potable water and Coke & ice cream vending machines. A group was trying to order pizza, but I declined trying to make a few more miles. The pizza never came, so I made the right choice.I stopped at the William Brien Shelter, but had enough water so I didn't even try the unreliable spring-fed well. I'm camped on Black Mountain with a view of the New York City skyline. It is absolutely beautiful, and if weather is good, I intend to do more mountaintop camping.Water in New York is sketchy. Trail magic and close towns make it doable, but you have to be very aware or you will run out. 11.0 miles were hiked: 1383.3 (Southfields, NY) to 1394.3 (Black Mountain Camping). Scorpion and The Shepherd may or may not be camped with me.
Date: 2016-07-13
From: Black Mountain

To: Spiritual Life Ctr
Miles today: 15.3

Black Mountain was beautiful and very restful. It was a treat to wake up to that view on my 35th birthday.   My first stop was a visitor's center in the median of a parkway driven by New Yorkers intent on being the first ones to their exciting jobs in the city.It was a game of frogger except the cars went 75mph. I ran into Slinger there who I hadn't seen since Hot Springs. He has spent a total of 15 days off trail due to MRSA. Bear Mountain was neat. A lot of volunteer hours have been spent making this a well groomed trail. I would highly recommend this area to New York dayhikers.I reached the bear cage at the zoo, the lowest point on the A.T. at 177 feet. Then we crossed a suspension bridge over the Hudson River. I had a cheeseburger and fries at the park prior to the zoo. I also aided the economy with a couple vending machine purchases.I stopped at the Appalachian Market and had a pizza / mountain dew dinner. The spiritual life center directs thru-hikers to a sports field with a pavilion. Several of us camped there and I met my first confirmed Southbound (SOBO) thru-hiker, Chainsaw (I'm sure she didn't earn that name if its related to snoring).Someone gave us a trail magic 18-pack of cold beer. I enjoyed one thoroughly. 15.3 miles were hiked: 1394.3 (Black Mountain Camping) to 1409.6 (Graymoor Spiritual Life Center).
Date: 2016-07-14
From: Spiritual Life Ctr

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: few clouds

I had a great hiking birthday yesterday and slept well. The rain that fell softly didn't dampen my spirits. Barnum was dampened because he gambled on no rain and set up his tent in 40 seconds, without the stakes or the fly. He was scrambling around at 2:00am, much to our amusement.It was great to get water and a phone charge right there. Then it was on to hiking. I didn't see a lot of people because we all walk at a pretty similar pace. I eventually reached Clarence Fahnestock State Park, possibly named after someone related to a high school friend of mine.I got to the grill and got a cheeseburger and fries. A large group clustered here for awhile. Some tented there, but I moved on. It was a quick five miles to RPH Shelter. I got there late and didn't feel like ordering a pizza after my cheeseburger, but I had a good time chatting with people.Golden (carries a bear canister), ETA, Barnum, The Shepherd, Scorpion, Silverfox and Mosi were all there. I tented away from the shelter since there were reported skunk problems and the usual mosquito issues. It's a great shelter, and I'm glad I got to stay here.The privy has a humorous fallout shelter sign that I'm sure wasn't approved by the Department of Defense. 18.8 miles were hiked: 1409.6 (Spiritual Life Center) to 1428.4 (RPH Shelter).
Date: 2016-07-15
From: RPH Shelter

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Some days you've got it and some days you don't. This was an off day for me. I slept well enough. The skunk did visit a few tents but didn't spray anyone. I don't know if I was feeling ill or I just overdid it yesterday. The heat and humidity both yesterday and today were taxing. My shirt for drenched with sweat and it never evaporated, two days in a row. So I got up late and got a late enough start that the campers from the state park started showing up. I hiked to a deli/pizza place about five miles in, got lunch and water, and moved on. While on my way to the next shelter I had a Category 4 bowel emergency. Fortunately a giant boulder and a convenient tree created a nice spot for me. I blame the RPH water. The guidebook said to treat it, and I just filtered it. Lesson learned.I made it to the Morgan Stewart Shelter, and I was relatively wiped out. I planned to go another 8 miles, but I built some slack into my schedule for such an event. Rest and fluids are usually the best defense.I ran into Little Red (Alex) and Buff. Geezer and I saw them at the Devil's Backbone Restaurant, and they also have a March 14th start date. Barnum, McLovin, Gamel, Mama Bear (section hiker), and two weekend campers are here. I'm tenting. 9.0 miles were hiked: 1428.4 (RPH Shelter) to 1437.4 (Morgan Stewart Shelter).
Date: 2016-07-16
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Pawling, NY
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

Tenting near Morgan Stewart Shelter was good. There was a sign that said the water source was contaminated, and after my way yesterday I was taking no chances, so I used my iodine tablets for the first time after filtering. I can confirm it gives the water a pretty nasty aftertaste, but water-borne illnesses are worth avoiding.I don't trust the streams either because most are just runoff from some stagnant pond. We got spoiled with those mountain springs down south. I stopped briefly at Telephone Pioneers Shelter after getting a near record 6:15am start.I saw what might have been a juvenile black rat snake, but it was more grey than black. I reached County Road 20 and saw the Dover Oak (largest tree on the entire trail). "Fish&Chips" and Otter were there, and we were all debating how to get 3.1 miles into Pawling, NY... but I promised not to hitchhike, so I started walking. After walking a half mile a really nice guy stopped and offered me a ride into town. His mom used to run a bed and breakfast and he had been hauling hikers into town for years. Otter and Fish&Chips beat me into town, I'm assuming through a more direct approach.After Petite & Vinny's Deli, I saw Snickers & Elsa, stopped at CVS, and met my wife who flew in from Chicago to see me. 8.4 miles were hiked: 1437.4 (Morgan Stewart Shelter) to 1445.9 (Pawling, NY).
Date: 2016-07-17
From: Pawling, NY

To: NY 22 / RR Station
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: clear sky

It wasn't quite a zero day, but close. I hoteled it in Danbury, CT and resupplied there. We also saw Independence Day, had a great meal at a steak house, and ate well today as well. When I finally got back to the Dover Oak, it was around 4:00pm and there was a trail magic Pepsi waiting for me.I'm sure I looked like a dayhiker without any sweat and clean clothes, but Hot Toddy showed up and vouched for me. I thought about doing 8 miles to the shelter, but saw a flyer for tenting behind a deli and felt like that was my destination.I set up my tent and found Tough Love back at the deli. He was seriously sick when Geezer took him back to his house and Tough Love got off trail for about a week. He finally caught back up to me and I enjoyed catching up with him a bit.It's a fairly noisy location with highway traffic, some remixed pop songs from a residence? adjoining the deli, and the occasional train, but I'm enjoying the adventure. Morale is high. 2.4 miles were hiked: 1445.9 (Pawling, NY) to 1448.3 (NY 22 / A.T. RR Station).
Date: 2016-07-18
From: NY 22 / RR Station

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The trains behind the deli were exceptionally loud, probably because a well-used national scenic trail crosses the tracks nearby. I got some sleep, although it was a little weird being the only one camped there.The first half of the day I didn't see any thru-hikers. I stopped at Wiley Shelter for a little break, crossed into Connecticut, then stopped at 10 Mile River Shelter as well. It was nice to see a river. It feels like we've been seeing more slow moving streams trickling from ponds.I made a side trip to Bulls Bridge to see the covered bridge built in the 1820's and stopped at a convenience store. I met Mothly Stud and Little Debbie there. Firestarter also showed up. Mothly Stud and Little Debbie are technically section hikers, starting at McAfee Knob this year and headed north, but they've already hiked everything south of there. They are rare hikers that hike slower than me, so I got to slow my pace to chat with them for a bit.We reached Mt. Algo Shelter around the same time and got eaten alive by mosquitoes. It sprinkled a few drops but didn't rain. It was dark by the time I finished dinner. 18.1 miles were hiked: 1448.3 (NY 22) to 1466.4 (Mt. Algo Shelter).
Date: 2016-07-19
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Caesar Brook Campsite
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

I slept fine, once I was in my tent and protected from the mosquitoes. Today was a day of side trips. I went into Kent, CT (0.8 miles east) and purchased a few calorie boosts.I didn't need anything from the outfitter yet which is unfortunate because there aren't a lot of them in this part of the trail. Back on the trail I went over Calebs Peak and briefly got confused by light purple blazes.Eventually I determined that this was a different trail than the A.T., and not just budget paint. The steps down the mountain were steep and slow-going before flattening out by the Housatonic River for almost five miles.I stopped at Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter and read the log before moving on. I decided to go into Cornwall Bridge for a calorie boost. They had Haagen Daz ice cream which was delicious.I got back on the trail, got water, then had a Category 5 bowel emergency. Thankfully, the woods is a good place for that. I made it to Caesar Brook Campsite where Beast, Mothly Stud, Little Debbie, Tank, Timon, and Beaver (an older one than the one I met previously) also camped. 14.0 miles were hiked today: 1466.4 (Mt. Algo Shelter) to 1480.4 (Caesar Brook Campsite). I am over 2/3 complete!
Date: 2016-07-20
From: Caesar Brook Campsite

To: Limestone Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Caesar Brook Campsite seemed like a good spot. Heavy mosquitoes and more of a party atmosphere had the combined effect of forcing me into my tent and laying awake. Eventually I got to sleep, but it was an extremely slow start this morning.I stopped in at Pine Swamp Branch Shelter to read shelter logs and sign my own entry. The trail meandered along the Housatonic River. The highlight for me was probably Falls Village. There is a hydroelectric plant that has recreational trails in the vicinity of their plant, and the A.T. runs along one of those looping trails.I detoured into Falls Village. The Falls Village Inn had a restaurant and I sat at the bar and had a delicious bacon cheeseburger. I felt a little bad about stinking the place up, but there was no one in there and I sat at the end of the bar.Anyway, I then stopped at the hydro plant for water. The falls were beautiful and I stopped to take some photos. I rushed on in the fading sunlight.I decided to go to Limestone Spring Shelter which is 0.5 miles off trail down a steep winding trail around limestone cliffs. I made it and set up my tent with one other person there, although several more showed up at night. 14.7 miles were hiked: 1480.4 (Caesar Brook Campsite) to 1495.1 (Limestone Spring Shelter).