morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-06
From: Edward R. Murrow Park (Pawling, N.Y.)

To: RPH shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up and took off for the trail. As I was crossing some railroad tracks I cam upon some wet wooden steps (logs) going down a small embankment to a stream and I went flying backwards on my ass. Threw my poles and slammed down my right hand onto one of the logs! That totally sucked but hey....welcome to the Appalachian Trail baby! The trail had some nice ups and downs that were a bit challenging but nothing really to rough. I went over Stormville Mtn. and as I was asending the rain started. First a light drizzle then a steady downpour. This, of course, was all the incentive I needed to put my "Maine Mountain" training into gear and fly like hell down Stormville Mtn At the bottom I reached the Taconic state parkway (highway) underpass where I threw down my pack and made two Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches. I also put my raingear on (now it was absolutely pouring like crazy)- Before heading out into the rain I tried to fix the zipper on my rain pants. The zipper on the back pocket came off track after the first time I use it and now the rain can come right in there and through the mesh pocket inside. As Im trying my best to put it back on track the actual zipper head (or whatever its called) breaks into two parts!!! What the Fuck!! Its like this...we (hikers) pay so much for gear we are told is really good and the simplist shit breaks after one use! How fucking discusting. Im pissed. but I also realize pissed aint gonna make the moment Im in any better so I decided to take action. I duct taped it. Yep...duct tape is an awsomly fantasticaly amazing invention. I shall just sew the pocket shut later. I hiked on to the RPH shelter. Its really spacious for a shelter and has a picnic table with wood roof covering it. I met two couples there. One from Pa. and one from Ocean city, New Jersey. They both are sectioning small sections. We chatted about things for a bit and relaxed at the oh so dry picnic table. The rain continued to get worse as the hours rolled by. Tom and Eileen (from Pa.) had some left over pizza which they offered me. It was great. Thanks!! Went to sleep with dry gear today!!! Yahoooooo!
Date: 2008-09-07
From: RPH shelter

To: Canopus Hill
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

The rain from last night had subsided by daybreak. I hiked though-out the day amoung sunlit forest with the highest point I reached being Shenandoah Mountain at 1282 feet. I was given a nice vista upon reaching the summit. I stopped breifly when I came across Canopus Lake to take a few pics from the mountain vantage point I was at (the lake was down about 100 yards or so)- its a very beautiful calm lake. At mile 771.2 I came out of the forest and into a clearing with a small building which had a water spicket! Being that the afternoon was sooo hot (the rain had stopped last night by daybreak) it was a very refreshing site to see. I filled my two gatorade bottles and drank at least 64 liters on the spot. I decided to have lunch there and dry my gear out on the grass. Yesterdays storm had soaked alot of my gear and the sun dried all of it in no time. The sun really kicks butt drying stuff! As i was eating lunch I notices a few ants on my pack...then on my stove...then on my....oh sheepskins...I was being attacked by the itty bitty ant army. Who cares..i kept eating. haha. I did manage to disperse the little bastards before I left just so I would not take them across state lines and be charged with "Bug Smuggling"! haha..that was soooo lame.... I hiked out and ended the day stealthing in the forest near an extremely nice peak called Canopus Hill.
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Canopus Hill

To: Fort Montgomery
Miles today: 9.7

I hiked out of Canopus Hill after morning coffee and past the Graymoore Friary. I had heard they have a shrine that we could view but i must have walked past the trail that leads to it. Bummer. I really wanted to see it. If you never heard of the Friary- its the home of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and the birthplace of the Christian Unity movement in America. Thru-hikers have been staying there for decades. I came out of the woods and crossed Bear Mountain bridge which is a very long bridge that goes over Hudson river. On the south end of the bridge I made a left and the trail takes me through the Trailside zoo. I went straight to the Bear exhibit (cage) and took pics because at this location is the lowest point on the entire Appalachian Trail at 124 feet above sea level. I also went to a park office and met a very friendly zoo employee. She charged my cell phone and camera battery for me as I used the restroom and washed my large pot i carry. I then toured a few more exhibits then left toward Fort Montgomery (the actual site of the fort) and did a walking tour of the site. Many foundations survived the revolutionary war and there are plenty of diagrahms to explain the battle that had happened on the hudson and surrounding fort area. Pretty facinating stuff. I stealthed nearby after dark..
Date: 2008-09-09
From: Fort Montgomery

To: William Brian Memorial shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: moderate rain

I hiked out early. Across from the zoo the trail runs along a nice lake named Hessian. I filled my water bottles up at the water fountain there and worked on this journal a bit at a park bench. It soon started to drizzle. I stood for a bit under a pavilian and decided to hike into it hoping it would either stay light or stop. Well, that small drizzle turned into a bon-a-fide thunder storm. By the time I reached the almost two mile climb up bear mountain (the climb wasnt that bad) I was soaked down to my socks. Bear Mountain (1305') has Perkins tower lookout at the peak. I was hoping to go into it and get some relief from the storm but...alas...it was locked. When I neared the peak a lightning boom went off near me and i threw my poles (which were inclined) across the path! haha. Scared the shit out of me! I reached the peak and walked past the soda machines near this building (I found a dollar sticking out of one of the machines... and went to the only place up there I could get out of the storm...the port-a-poddy haha...I came out after a few minutes (i really just didnt want the contents of my pack to get wet when I opened it) and took lots of pics at the summit then hiked off down the other side. My camera had got so soaked up there. I hope its not broke. At mile 792.4 I ran into my second Bear walking on the trail about 50 yards from me. I reached for my camera which i always put in the front pockets of my hipbelt but because of the rain I had packed it in the pack. Shit!!! I quickly (but slowly) set my pack down and dug for the camera. I found it and the bear was gone...How nice. Now I dont know its location. I walked slowly making somewhat a bit of noise so the bear wouldnt be startled if it was still on the trail. I never saw it again. Oh...For your info....If you take a pic of a bear in the wild..turn your flash OFF!!!! If you dont....they may freak out on you!!! No flash baby!!!how do I know this??? long story...maybe some other time..lol I hiked on past the Palisades Parkway and over black mountain where I ended my day at the William Brian Memorial shelter. Firedog and Finder were there. Yahoooooo!
Date: 2008-09-10
From: William Brian Memorial shelter

To: stealth near wildcat shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

We all hiked out and stopped at the Fingerboard shelter for pics. Its one   of the oldest shelters on the trail dating back to the 20's. The one we slept in last night is one of three of the oldest also. In William Brian Mem. shelter the fireplace is totally awesome. It not only heats the whole shelter it also lights it up. Very nice site to see. The large fireplace and chiminey stones have held up for generations. At NY17 I parted ways with firedog and finder to go into Southfields N.Y. to pick up a maildrop. My first one!!! Yahoooo! I walked the two miles into town and recieved the package containing my favorite subject these day..you got it....FOOD!!! My Sis Lani sent me a care package of yummy food! Tuna, chicken, packs - coolaid packets, asst. bars, etc. - Awesome food drop! It was pretty exciting picking up my first drop. I know I haven't listed any Post Offices I will be stopping at along the trail and many friends and family have asked me where they could send me stuff so I have decided to list Post Office stops soon. I will put them in the Maildrop section of trailjournals. Probably update them every four or five weeks as to know when I will be at that location. I plan on calling from the trail to the Post Office and see if I have anything there before I go to the Post office as to not waste time if theres nothing there. Hey ... I just wrote all that in one sentence. cool. Sure makes typing alot easier. Thanks Sis for the awesomely mail drop!!! Sweet!!!! Im going to make a long story short but I did some re-supply (minor re-supply) along 17 and 17a. I would like to give a big thanks to the following folks: the couple from the renaissance fair - the couple who sell swords, Jerry and his two daughters also from the fair, the whole cool crew from the Irish pub in Greenwood lake for being so cool and the great conversation and directions...and the Retired Bronx N.Y. cop who I also had great conversation with and whom drove me back to the trailhead. You all rock!!! I stealthed very late at night about mile 813.5 on a slight hill! Out like a light tonight.
Date: 2008-09-11
From: stealth near wildcat shelter

To: Wawayahda shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: few clouds

My first thoughts today were of September 11th, 2001. I hiked out of my stealth site and continued south. At Cat rocks I met two very cool and pretty ladies whom were dayhiking! We talked for a long while about thru-hiking and long distant hiking. Very cool meeting. I almost forgot - before I got to cat rocks (mile 814.5)t I stopped at Wildcat shelter for a quick coffee break and as I was sitting there three adult deer and three small deer came into view in front of me. I thought about going for the camera but decided to just enjoy the event. They were hanging out in front of me eating leaves for about ten or so minutes. One doe looked up at me but continued to munch on leaves. It was a very calming experience. At 17a parking lot next to the A.T. I met a man named Charlie who runs a large mobile food van called "Garden of Eat'n". I had a great conversation with him and he is a very pleasant guy. The two hotdog, soda and chip special I had hit the spot. He is hoping to get the ok from the forces that be to let him stay at that site as a food vendor for the hikers! I say "Its refreshing to have such a nice quick place to grab a quick snack or lunch so close to the trail and with such good prices...I hope he gets to stay throughout the hiking seasons and the park service gives him the O.K. to make it a permanent location." I then hiked off to the New Jersey border! Yahoooooo!!!!-Hello New Jersey!!! The state line is at mile (southbound) 822.2 I took pics and signed the A.T. register in the box on a tree. I passed the vista on Bearfort Mtn. (1380') then hiked four more miles to Wawayanda state park headquarters to fill up my water bottles. Right up the trail from there I ended my night at the Wawayanda shelter.
Date: 2008-09-12
From: Wawayahda shelter

To: Unionville, N.Y.
Miles today: 16.9

Wawayanda shelter was small but comfy. I slept well (dispite the warning by a day hiker yesterday that there were two large black bears in the area). I wasn't worried about it. I just wanted to eat and sleep. Todays agenda is to reach Unionville, N.Y. (the trail turns back to N.Y. at Lott rd. as soon as you walk into Unionville) - and that hike is 17 miles. It started to rain as soon as I left the shelter and continued raining all the way there. I reached Lott rd. and was excited to finally go to the "Mayors House" Ive been hearing so much about it since Maine. Every hiker that has stopped there has told me it's a must when in town!!!! The "rain and wet sock mix" has started to rub the skin off areas of my feet which really sucks. They have been wet for two days now and I can't wait to dry them. I first hit the general store and grabbed an ice cream sandwich and a bag of egg noodles. I then walked a short distance to the "BackTrack Inn" and the very friendly people there gave me directions to the Mayors house. Just for the record- this is the actual "Mayor" of Unionville, N.Y. - Totally cool. I left there and as I was approching his home I noticed two blazes on the tree in his front yard which means "Left Here". Nice!! There was also A.T. stickers on the car in front of the house so I figured it must be the place. I met the "Outhouse Crew" as they call it here consisting of Bill (the great cook), Bruce (the bodyguard), and the Mayor! What a fantastic, generous, funny, absolutely awesome group of people. I cant begin to tell you how relaxing this house is. They make hikers feel so at home! I took a shower, washed my clothes, and Bill cooked up a fantastic Meatloaf dinner including cake for dessert! Here's someting thats pretty cool- the Mayor's dog has an electronic collar and there is an electronic invisible fence in the yard that the dog knows not to come close to or the collar goes off. Firedog said he will give 20 bucks to whoever puts the collar on and walks thru the electric invisible fence (setting off the collar)- of course I couldn't let that challenge go being that I am BearWalker!!! so I put the collar on...everyone went out front and I proceeded to walk a few times throught the electric invisible fence!! It was pretty funny and I hope to get some of the pics or video of it. Yep...I got the easy money baby! Here the cool part....the Mayor of Unionville gave me a trailname of "GateCrasher" which since I named myself Bearwalker that would be my official A.T. trailname..hahaha. After the fun and games the rest of the evening was relaxing in the living room as we watched a video the mayor picked on Paul Potts - the Cell phone salesman who won the Brittish Idol show and eventually sang for the Queen of England. He was showing how that drive and urge to win coincides with our quest for reaching the end of the trail even when things get rough. Slept very well tonight. My feet are very happy to finally be dry!
Date: 2008-09-13
From: Unionville, N.Y.

To: Culvers Gap, U.S. 206
Miles today: 23.1

Today me, firedog, and finder slackpacked from Culvers gap back to Unionville. Thats a 23.3 mile hike. It took from 8am to about a little after 5pm but it was great to have completed it. That has been the longest stretch I have hiked since I left Mt. Katahdin in Maine on June 23rd. We went back to the Mayors house. I had a suprise there!! Josh (who was travelling with One Flop) way back in Monson, Maine was there visiting the Mayor! He had completed his northbound though hike with One Flop four day after leaving monson! I didnt recognize him at first since he had shaved but then it came back. I showed him pics of when we all were at the Lakeshore house in Monson and we shot the shit for a bit. Pretty cool time. Dinner was great as well as breakfast this morning. I feel so refreshed and my feet are healing slowly but they have been dry for two days now almost. The Mayors house is a must to stop at for hikers and I cant say enough about this place. It and the people are just Totally Awsome!!!
Date: 2008-09-15
From: Culvers Gap, U.S. 206 

To: Camp Mohican road (campground)
Miles today: 17.9

We took off early after breakfast from the Mayor's house in Unionville. Butch drove us to Culvers Gap trailhead and we assumed the hiking southbound routine we are so accustomed to now. It was a pretty nice walk once we summited the ridge and had a few nice views to enjoy also. It was a pretty cool hiking day straight to Camp Mohican Outdoor center where we set up our camp in their campground. Chet was there when we got there and we all sat around chatting during dinner. Pretty standard hiking day but very nice also. I am getting pretty excited about getting closer to Wind Gap Pa. where I am going to get off the trail for a day then hike down to Palmerton where I am going to get off until Monday (two zeros and a nero). Its all about visiting family and friends now for a few miles of the trail. Also..I gotta show some love to my cat whom is staying with my sis. I hope to put up a few photos also but not label or put them all up until I return from Georgia. Lots to do in the area!
Date: 2008-09-16
From: Camp Mohican road (campground)

To: Kirkridge shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Marched out today and hiked into one of my old stomping grounds...Delaware Water Gap area. We hiked across the bridge crossing the Delaware river and into the keystone state...Pennsylvania! Yahoooo!!!! In delaware water gap (the town) we went straight to eat at a local restaurant (I forgot the name but will fill it in later) and the food was awesome. Especially the Dessert we ordered. We stopped in the local church near the restaurant which had a sign outside that said its the Appalachian Trail Hiker Center and there is a free hostel in the church basement. It was very nice. We filled up our water bottles and washed up a bit then hit the trail again. We then hiked to the Kirkridge shelter about nine miles from Windgap! Yahoooo again baby!!!! We ran into Lightning rod and songbird there and also Smokey and firefairy..oh...and lightningrod and songbirds cool dog who is always so chill!
Date: 2008-09-17
From: Kirkridge shelter

To: Windgap Pa.
Miles today: 9.2

got up today and we (me, finder, and firedog) hiked pretty steady to Windgap pa. where we parted ways for now. I walked into Windgap and stopped at the local bank then went to a restaurant where I called my pal Scott who came to pick me up!! chillin at Scotts place tonight!
Date: 2008-09-18
From: Windgap Pa.

To: Delp's spring (stealth in woods..:)
Miles today: 10.7

I had a great time at my pal Scotts house. His girlfriend Daniel hooked me up with an awsome lunch to go when I came back to the trail. I hiked out about eleven thirty or so and called another friend of mine named Megaphone whom I hiked with way back in Maine. We did Saddleback Mountain and a few others for three days. I got ahold of Stephanie and she met me in Palmerton pa. While hiking into the Gap I was hiking with a section hiker named Doc who has less than two hundred miles until he finishes the trail!!! Sweet! I went back to Megaphones house and cleaned up before we went out to eat. Had a really fun time neroing their! I wont be back to the trail until Monday the 22nd!
Date: 2008-09-22
From: Palmerton, Pa

To: north trail (stealth spot)
Miles today: 3.4

After re-gearing and such...I hit the trail this afternoon. I had a great time with family and am now sporting a new Katahdin Water pump! I did a winter regear now so Im packing a bit more weight but most of it is food I purchased. I redid my clothing and now have some warmer clothes for those early morning cold spells. Yahoooo! I passed by the George W. Outerbridge shelter and ended up stealthing on a ridge near the North Trail. It was a pretty lame day but I started in the late afternoon and just needed to get back in the routine after zeroing with family and friends the past few days. Soooo...I am going to call it a day on the ridge.
Date: 2008-09-23
From: north trail (stealth spot)

To: Eckville shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: clear sky

ok...now I got up today and bolted right away. I was really glad to make it to the Bake Oven Knob- a place I am very familiar with and love. Its a grand lookout point which to me is the view in which I see the state of Pennsylvania. Its a great place to see hawks also. I did a 30 by 40 oil painting up on those rocks a few years back. I continued south past Bear rocks and The Cliffs to the Allentown Hiking Club shelter where I signed the register and took off. Nice shelter by the way! I arrived at Eckville shelter in the dark. Eckville shelter is .2 miles off the A.T. in a garage behind the Caretaker house. Its been in operation for years and is an enclosed space with eight bunks. Warm, enclosed, water and privy nearby. I dug it.
Date: 2008-09-24
From: Eckville shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Took off from Eckville and made it up to Pinnacle lookout which is a beautiful vista of the Pa. farms and country side. Very nice. I then went about a quarter mile up the trail and took a blue blaze down to Blue Rocks Campground where I ate icecream at the little store there while I did my laundry and took a free shower!! Got back onto the trail about two and headed for Port Clinton. The trail was pretty sweet (pretty flat with not to many rocks)...errr..ok...skip that comment on the rocks.....but the vistas I did see were very nice from the ridge walk I was on. i decended a steep mountain by switch back (going back and forth across the mountain so its not so steep anymore) and down into the area of Port Clinton. The trail goes right through the town. I went straight for the Port Clinton Hotel and ate dinner then over to the free pavilion at the end of town where I made my cozy little spot on the floor. I love my winter sleeping back I picked up. Now I sleep all night and am toasty as hell. Sure beats my 40 degree back I kept waking up in. It did its job earlier though..its just that its getting a bit nippy at night now. By the way...the hotel had some awsome large portions and the food rocked. I give it two thumbs up! You know...I was really impressed with Pennsylvania on my hike today. It really has some awsome camping spots on the trail for dayhikers and thru hikers alike. Im def. gonna check out some of these sweet spots when I get done with this hike. Oh...my pal dan has the disk of all my pics and said he will get it online this weekend. I will then try to label some of them for all when I get to a library or someplace with the Internet.
Date: 2008-09-25
From: Port Clinton

To: Gamelands road stealth spot
Miles today: 6.0

The pavilion was actually pretty comfortable to sleep in! In the morning I found a fuel canister that someone left and I packed it. I needed fuel very badly. I packed up and went to the post office where I sent some clothes home. Im trying to get rid of a little weight if I dint need items all that much. I started walking 3 miles to Hamburg, Pa. where I hit a bank, grocery store, ate lunch, and updated my journal at the local library. I then walked the three miles back to Port Clinton where I took off on the A.T. Being that I started hiking so late I only made it six miles and stealthed on the ridge somewhere near Gamelands Road (mile 976 appx.)