morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-07
From: @ Rod Hollow Shelter

To: @ Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

It was warm last night, so warm that I didn¢t need my bag until 3 or 4 AM. If this becomes regular weather, I may consider losing the bag and going with something even lighter. But cold snaps occur and they make having good gear woth the carry.The feature of the day was 13.5-mile stretch of trail called the Roller Coaster. It should have been called the Pointless Ups and Downs. The ascents were rough, the descents were rough, and the weather was hot and humid making for some frustrating moments.Ripe raspberries along the trail helped reduce the strain and a well-placed hostel allowed for an ice cream and soda break (and we picked up our mustache wax - -going to need practice).Upon departure, for the last 8 miles, the skies started turning gray, the temperature dropped, and the rain poured. We walked around 6 miles in rain and arriving at the center was the best feeling of the day. A hot dinner and a change of clothes can do wonders for the spirit.It¢s a full house, so T and I are sharing a double-sized plank bunk, and in fact, I¢m about to fall asleep. Tomorrow, HF and a much needed zero. 1,000 miles down!Katahdin, here I come!
Date: 2013-07-08
From: @ Blackburn AT Center

To: @ Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

I made it! The unofficial halfway point. The walk into town was longer than expected, likely due to wanting to arrive so badly. So even though town felt so close, it was still a six-hour walk. Throw in a few interruptions, like ripe raspberry fields, and the walk took a little more time (I filled up half a liter with berries and ate quite a few as well).Unfortunately, not all was well on the way into town. My right knee had a shooting pain on occasion and I had to borrow a brace from T. The support helped, but straightening my leg is hard and the knee feels swollen. I¢m hoping that the zero-day helps, but I¢m wary about doing further damage to it.I¢m splitting a room with Outback in downtown Harpers Ferry. They put us on the 3rd floor which is hell on our legs, but the A/C works and the beds are soft. We also have a private bathroom. They also have an a la carte menu, so I¢ll be sure to try some tomorrow.Our side trip to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy was neat. The ATC takes a picture of each thru- and section hiker and compiles them in a binder for each year. I was hiker #990 and my handlebar mustache showed up well in the photo. I know the hike is my own adventure and the personal accomplishment is paramount, but I can¢t help but maintain the elitists air of a purist ¢ one who has hiked all of the trail and not taken advantage of the shortcuts one yellow-blazing (skipping miles, typically via rides of hitch-hiking). In the end, I just have to remind myself that only what I do matters; hike my own hike, some might say.No big plans for tomorrow. Eat, relax, resupply and get ready for the remaining 1167 miles.
Date: 2013-07-09
From: @ Harpers Ferry

To: @ Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0

A lazy day with a few errands. Walking and climbing the stairs doesn¢t hurt the knee ¢ very promising. My 3-day hike to the MD-PA border will suffice for more in-depth test. My mom will meet me there and I¢ll zero in HF again, this time with access to an automobile.
Date: 2013-07-10
From: @ Harpers Ferry

To: @ Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 17.2

Outback and I wake without alarms, packed up, had breakfast, and head our separate ways. I walked backed to the ATC side trail so as to make my mileage full. And I was waling through town, a tour group was present to wave (?) me well as I left WV.The C&O Canal Trail was flat and boring and, even when the incline steepened, I still made good time. I also used T¢s knee brace to support my knee and I wore if it for too long. This caused my right, lower leg to swell to the point where I could put a divot in my leg with a simple push of my finger. Upon reaching camp, one of the guys made a guess as to what it was and confirmed it with his girlfriend-nurse via phone. I fell much better now. The right knee is still tweaking out occasionally, so I¢ll experiment with slower speed and more breaks. My planned zero for Saturday will do me well.There¢s a shower here, so I might take one, but sleep¢s siren call is strong.
Date: 2013-07-11
From: @ Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: @ Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

No shower last night since I¢m planning on having one tomorrow. Didn¢t rush pout today, knowing that my ultimate goal wasn¢t very far away. Despite the lack of urgency, I still pulled off 18.8 in about ten hours.Shins feel very good. Might even dare say no more issues with them? But my right knee is the new painful place of the moment. When I straighten it, it fells swollen and is hard to get to 180 degrees. At times while walking, I get a sharp pain in the mid-posterior of my joint. I can mitigate this with a bend of the knee, but it is merely a workaround and I¢d like to avoid the problem completely. That said I was in high spirits today and felt very in the zone in terms of pace and rhythm. I even reached the last large hill loaded with a gallon of water and never felt out of breath, nor felt any lactic acid buildup in the legs.Tomorrow, I¢ll walk a short 4.6 to Pen-Mar County Park to meet my mom who is driving out to meet me and zero, hopefully, running some necessary errands as well. New shoes, new pot stand/stove, and some other miscellaneous tasks are on the list. The time off will also be helpful for my knee, which I just want to be at 100 %.
Date: 2013-07-12
From: @ Raven Rock Shelter

To: @ Pen-Mar County Park
Miles today: 4.6

With such a short day, I slept in until about 8 AM. The rain also played a part in my decision to delay my start. Once it stopped, I packed up, ate, and started the short hike to the park.The descent from Raven Rock was pretty awful. It was rocky, steep, and, at places, poorly marked. The earlier rainfall also made my foot placements uneasy; a slip would have been a sure way to get injured. Unfortunately, my knee still pains me. A former thru-hiker, who I met today. Advised me to take some time off, a few days to see how it feels. If it improves in that time, then the rest will have been worth it. If not better by then, then I¢ll need to get it looked at.Despite the advice to rest, I don¢t want to. For one, it will throw off my momentum. Two, it feels defeatist, even though it may be the best thing for me to do. But the hiker here, and I myself know it to be true, reminded me that a week off is less disappointing than having to stop completely due to injury.I¢m getting picked up in a few hours and maybe a call to the physical therapist can be arranged like it was when my left knee was bothering me all those miles ago. Having spent the past 87 days hiking, I can¢t imagine a day not doing so. I suppose it¢s a good preview for when I do eventually reach Katahdin and complete my journey.So I¢m planning to update while I¢m laid up, but if something of note comes up, I¢ll be sure to journal it. Until that time, wish me no additional problems, a speedy recovery and a smooth restart next week as I continue my trek north. (Updated from July 5th).
Date: 2013-07-20
From: @ Pen-Mar County Park

To: @ Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

Back on the trail after resting a week at home. My Mom drove me out to Pen-Mar Park quite early and I was hiking by 8:15. Thanks Mom!The first few miles were shaky. My legs lost a bit of their surefootedness and downhills were tackled slowly. According to a few hikers I met, I missed a week of awful heat and came back just as the weather broke. Today wasn¢t unbearable at all- quite nice, actually. I set a good pace and found a good rhythm and made eight miles by just about noon. After an 80-minute break/lunch, I pushed to my goal, here. It was a 12-mile stretch without water so I carried 3 L with me and made it in by 7 PM.The Pennsylvania shelters are amazing! Some are doubles (one for snorers, one for quieter sleepers) and at least two of them that I¢ve seen, so far, have an ¢innkeeper¢ and are in immaculate condition. Take into account that I¢m now at the back of the pack and they¢re pretty much empty.Today¢s moment was seeing a fat rattlesnake just below me as I was descending some big rocks. Saw him in time but the adrenaline had already kicked in. gave it a wide berth and took extra caution on the rocks from there on.I feel good now and hope that I can do some more good mileage tomorrow. The most pressing issue now is how to manage some very bad chafing. I¢m adding boxers to the outfit to9morrow and I hope that helps solve it.( A note from the transcriber: I apologize for the delay in posting Vaughn¢s Trail Journal entries. While half-life was battling the rocks in Pennsylvania, I stumbled over a rock of my own (a kidney stone and resulting infection). I will get all his entries that I have in hand posted this week. Next week, back to the hospital to have the stone removed.atraildreamer, August 19, 2013, Providence, RI)
Date: 2013-07-21
From: @ Quarry Gap Shelters

To: @ James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: broken clouds

I was hiking by 6:15 today, my earliest start, yet. It¢s no wonder that my day felt so long; also a new one-day mileage record ¢ 24.5 miles. And only once, at 6:30 am, did my right knee give me a sharp pain.Tomorrow I¢ll ratchet down the intensity with a 12-mile hike to a campsite outside of town. It¢s crazy to think that¢s only half of what I did today. I hope it feels like half.I met a group of father/son hikers just out for a long weekend. It was nice to chat with people who aren¢t going through a grueling daily existence.The rattlesnakes were out today. Saw two very angry timber rattlers. Their rattles were unnerving.Somewhere in my journey today, I passed the this year¢s halfway point. I missed the sign though, so I snapped a pic at an old halfway post. Good enough. I also crossed 1,100 miles, another nice checkpoint.The week off really changed the trail dynamic. I¢m hiking alone, rarely seeing any other thru-hikers, and I¢ve got a 9-person shelter to myself. I do hope I can catch someone I know just to say ¢Hello¢. But I like having my own pace and nobody else to worry about slowing down.
Date: 2013-07-22
From: @ James Fry Shelter

To: @ Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 11.5

Today¢s short hike was necessitated by the fact that besides one campsite south of town, on camping is allowed in the 18-mile stretch of Cumberland Valley. I¢m not complaining. The more relaxed nature of a shorter hike is a welcome relief.I met a thru-hiker who took three weeks off because she contracted Lyme Disease. She graciously answered my questions about here experience with it and I hope never to have any first-hand knowledge of it. We hiked the last mile or so to the campsite and found a freshly filled cooler of ice-cold Coke. It was perfect! Refreshment had, we took advantage of the town pools and shower deal. I was tempted to splurge for pool privileges, but $12 was a bit high.On the way back to camp, I ran into Oak, who I was surprised to see. It turns out that he took some time off as well. And since he lives in Philadelphia, he¢s not too far away to drop in.The rain has come and gone, but the humidity lingers. Once I stop moving, I know I¢ll fall asleep. Time for word problem then: If I fall asleep at 8 PM, what time will the train roll by and wake me up?
Date: 2013-07-23
From: @ Boiling Springs, PA

To: @ Cove Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 22.1

The answer is 8:30 PM. And so many came by last night, I lost count. I¢m never going to live near a railroad or a highway.Terrain was the flattest it has ever been for about 15 miles. I passed by some cornfields, soybean fields, and pastures. Woods weren¢t the main trail path until the climb after the valley.Despite the flatness, my first four miles were made exasperating by a very pesky and persistent type of fly. They would land on my legs even while I was (walking), and if I stopped to swat at them, more would swarm me. Combine this with being first out of town and I was also clearing lots of spider webs. I¢m just glad the madness ended eventually. Otherwise, not too remarkable a day.I¢m at a shelter outside of town. It¢s empty. I¢m still not used to the solitude, at least the sudden regularity of it. I am becoming more and more comfortable with being alone in the outdoors. I still talk to myself, though.
Date: 2013-07-24
From: @ Cove Mtn Shelter

To: @ Peters Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

While the few miles after the shelter weren¢t bad, the drop into Duncannon was knee busting. It was better to do on fresh legs, but now they¢re not so fresh anymore.I got into town at around 9:30 and had breakfast at a small place called Goodie¢s, passing the time over coffee while planning my next week of hiking. The miles aren¢t the issue; it¢s the water. Springs are spaced quite far apart in some spots and some are listed as unreliable. Who wants to walk 0.2 miles, or more, only to find a dry spring? It won¢t be so bad if I keep walking but camping requires water for cooking, which is less for walking. My friend whuppinstick would laugh at my ¢water woes¢.The walk out of town was a nice, flat stroll down High Street, a double river crossing, then finally, back into the hills. Even then, it was a steady climb onto the ridge, which is where the trail stayed.That¢s why I was surprised to see a bear on the trail. It was very calm encounter, and I simply waited for him to saunter off into the bushes. But I couldn¢t see him anymore, so I didn¢t know if he¢d moved on, or was just over the hedge.The last few miles today were draining. The current shelter¢s spring is poor, so I carried a gallon from the previous one. And I resupplied today, so food was heavy. Add in my leg issues and I¢m glad to be in bed right now
Date: 2013-07-25
From: @ Peters Mtn Shelter

To: @ PA 72
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

Long day.Started with a cold snap last night. I woke up a number of times because some part of my body extended past the foam pad. Another hiker in a hammock sent his bottom insulation home and so he hardly slept at all.But the day slowly warmed up and by late afternoon, the gnats were at their worst. My neck and ears were covered by my bandana, so they went for my face. At one point, besides the wind in the trees, all I could hear was the buzzing of dozens of pairs of tiny wings. That, and the sound of my sanity breaking. I had a reprieve while cooking and eating dinner, though, because I found a mosquito coil in a dead campfire. I was happy to at least to dined in peace.The trail was nice today. Lots of ridge walking and very manageable rocks. And there was a cooler of soda at the end where I planned on camping. The lower body is sore right now, but I expect I¢ll nod off here soon. 117 miles since getting back on last week, so I¢m ahead of schedule. I think I¢ll slow down for a few days to let my tender feet, shins and knees recover.
Date: 2013-07-26
From: @ PA 72

To: @ 501 Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

I woke early due to cold again, but I took my time getting ready. The start of my hike was nice, but as I climbed the hill past Lickdale, trail conditions deteriorated. For one, the switchbacks went from decent to non-existant. Then, the trail was unmaintained for a few miles at the top meaning I was getting stuck by prickly bushes. I wasn¢t able to see my footfalls, and to top it off, I was clearing hundreds of spiderwebs as I went. I was not in a good mood. Eventually, I reached the trail that had been cleared, but the rocks took over.My goal was 18, but the 501 Shelter is a pretty sweet spot. It¢s a 16-bunk shelter with privy, tap water, a solar shower, and a caretaker family. The local pizza place also delivers.I ordered a 12¢ sausage and onion with a Coke, and chose relaxationover pushing too hard. Considering I¢ve done big days since I¢ve been back and am 31.7 miles in surplus, I think it was the right call. I also took a shower (with soap!).Next two days show rain, but that¢s good news for water supplies. I hope to make Delaware Water Gap by August 1, which seems easily doable. I might even hook up with Titus again.Off early tomorrow, water dictating my mileage.
Date: 2013-07-27
From: @ 501 Shelter

To: @ Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

1200! There was no sign or checkpoint, but the psychological boost is what counts. I also have less than 1,000 miles to Katahdin. I never could have imagined this, but doing it makes me realize how possible it really is.Thoughts of of pushing 24 miles into Port Clinton crossed my mind, but the descent into town looks steep and rain was in the forecast. A lady out for the day confirmed the steepness and the rain started at around 7 PM, which is probably just about the time I would have been going downhill. The rocks will be wet tomorrow, but fresh legs make a big difference.While I enjoy the occasional rock-skipping section or the sound of rocks clacking as I walk through them, recent sections of trail go too far. I¢ve taken for granted that the trail is nothing but rock when a flat, dirt stretch appears, it feels like carpet and is a palpable relief on my battered soles.Fortunately, the pace that the rocks set is equal to my normal pace, so I¢m not losing time. But having to pay such close attention to every step can make a 15 mile day seem wearying.But I¢m in town tomorrow, shooting for noon. I¢ll resupply, eat, and then decide to camp for a 9-mile day, or maybe push on in the late afternoon for a 15. For now, the rainsto0rm is putting me to sleep. It¢s nights like this when I am very happy with my hammock/tarp combo.
Date: 2013-07-28
From: @ Eagles Nest Shelter

To: @ Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

My mood today, much like the terrain, took a dive and then proceeded to climb back up. The low was caused by more rough an unkempt trail; the high from awesome trail magic.Having made it through an all-night storm, the first goal was to get to town. The problem there arose from more non-fun, rocky trail that was overgrown, and in some parts, poorly blazed. To be fair, if I had to maintain that section, Id be loathe to head up there too often.The level trail was followed by the steepest descent I have been on in over 1200 miles. I¢m not what the aversion is to switchbacks, but I¢m very glad I didn¢t make the attempt last night. It would have been dangerous.Port Clinton was small and the road it borders was not a slow-moving one. Road construction also eliminated a lane of traffic and the shoulder. Nevertheless, with a pizza box top sign with ¢Hamburg¢ scrawled on it, I got a ride from a guy who used to do Outward Bound.He dropped me off at WalMart and I threw my pack in a cart. A lady swaw me do this and saidI¢d probably prefer to have one of them on the trail. We started talking and I was soon in the care of Lothar, an annoyingly kind and helpful hiker from the area.She offered me a ride back to the trail and I made my shopping run fast. We talked the whole time and with hiking in common, it was neat to share stories and trail knowledge. Even after getting me back to the trail, she waited for me to repack and then offered me some homemade, and quite refreshing fruit salad. I¢m positive my run in with her made my day. It might even had redeemed all of the bad trail in Pennsylvania.Lothar, thank you!Back on the trail by 4 PM, I was in good spirits. I made it to the first shelter and met an older hiker as we talked about many things. I like how the trail can bring strangers so close, so quickly.And how sleep come quickly, too.
Date: 2013-07-29
From: @ Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: @ Blue Mountain Summit
Miles today: 20.6

There was a heck of a storm last night, the kind that makes me second-guess my tarp setup. Everything hel up fine and this morning was clear skies and a bit chilly, a good portent for the rest of the day.And that¢s exactly how it worked out ¢ a beautiful, cloudless, but cool and breezy day. I think it ranks in the top 3 of best trail hiking days. Yes, even despite the murderous rocks.My personal test for today was taking a blue-blazed (side) trail that I thought led to a spring. It was around 3 PM and I only had a few sips of water left. The next source was 4 miles away. Well, the trail led downhill, but not to water, and I was dismayed at my bad luck. I figured I¢d be fine until the next spring, though not ideal. Turns out I over-anticipated where the spring was and I came to the actual one about ten minutes later too overjoyed to care about the steep trail to get water.The rest of the day just alternated between decent trail and boulder-hopping. It¢s been somewhat fun, but I am looking forward to putting it behind me.I hope tomorrow is nice and cool again. I¢m meeting up with Titus again. Should be fun!
Date: 2013-07-30
From: @ Blue Mountain Summit

To: @ Little Gap Road
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

First day hiking with Titus again and it was fun. He had a day of rest and lots of homemade food, so he was recharged.There was some mild terrain today ¢ Knife Edge was the real test. No wait, the climb out of Lehigh Gap was the most intense. The trail was steep and then, at some point, it turned into a hand-over-hand climb. Seriously fun stuff. And the views from the top were good.The ridge took us (we met up with another group of hikers) through the Palmerton Superfund Site, where a zinc smelting operation ran until 1980. The landscape was devastated and is still in a state of recovery. Parts of it were bleak, but pretty in its own way.Trail magic was unbelievable ¢ a cache of Coke and cookies, another cache with donuts, Coke, and all the materials to make PB & J sandwiches. Finally, we were treated to dinner by Spicy Jesus, the owner of Paramount Foods. Kindness like this makes the hike a lot of fun!After dinner, six of us night-hiked out of the gap and camped at the top. The hike in the dark was a trip, something I enjoyed but don¢t want to do again for a while, or ever. It was fun with a group, though.It¢s a late night and it was a long day, but town is only two days away and PA is almost done.And it¢s a blast!
Date: 2013-07-31
From: @ Little Gap Road

To: @ Wind gap, PA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

First one up and out of camp today for a modest day of mileage.The highlight of the day was reaching a road where Chipmunks mom was waiting. We chilled, ate and listened to Titus on guitar for close to two hours. The afternoon hike was then set to a much more relaxed paceI climbed out of Wind Gap and I am hanging just a few miles into the woods. Tomorrow takes me close to the New Jersey border and my first day off in two weeks. Laundry and a shower are top priorities. After 13 days (assuming tomorrow goes well), I¢m feeling good and looking forward to entering the Northeast.It¢s also my 100th hiking day. I¢m much more confident and capable and I almost feel like if I wasn¢t hiking, I wouldn¢t know what to do with myself. I have about 70 days left and I hope to make a many of them as possible enjoyable.
Date: 2013-08-01
From: @ Wind gap, PA

To: @ Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Started out lucky by breaking camp before the rain started coming down. I spent the morning walking through a downpour with a chilly wind blowing as well. A short break at a shelter was enough to make me cold, so I walked the last six miles into town quite quickly.Since I¢d been getting rained on all day, I opted for a motel room so I could lay everything out and let it dry out. I did laundry for the first time in two weeks and it was badly needed.The local church held its weekly hiker dinner and I met a few townsfolk while eating some nice homemade food. It was another perfect example of the kindness extended to us hikers as we make our way north.I¢m looking forward to a day off tomorrow and I hope the rest carries me another 200 miles through New jersey, New York and into Connecticut.