morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Doyle Hotel / Duncannon
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: broken clouds

~~~I LOVE THE DOYLE HOTEL !!~~~Chick Magnet and I hiked into Duncannon and we are both staying tonight at the Doyle Hotel, a tradition on the AT. Formerly a high class joint at the turn of the century, built by Anheiser Busch Brewery, it is shabby hiker chic with a wonderful bar that I am sitting in as I type. The stair cases are made of solid oak and you can immediately tell that at one time, this was the place to be. Had two beers and a BBQ pulled pork sandwich and watched World Cup Soccer, took a shower, did laundry, walked to the post office, had a ride to the local supermarket to get Propel for my water (electrolytes) and more medical supplies for my feet and a disposable camera as mine took a dump.Getting ready to order another draught of Yuengling and a hamburger and I'm going to actually read my data book to better plan the next few days so that I don't EVER pull a stupid stunt like I did yesterday. Cheers to all !!
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Doyle Hotel / Duncannon

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

~~~We are All Desperate for Water~~~Got out of town at 9am; I actually debated to see if I wanted to stick around and watch the World Cup US vs Ghanna at 2 pm, and decided I'll find out the results up the trail; US lost. Made it to Clark's Ferry Shelter for water and saw a HUGE black racer, a harmless snake built like a black rope. Not many snakes on the trail for now, usually just small garter snakes. PA is going thru a very hot and dry spell which means trouble for us hikers in that so many springs and "reliable water sources" are dry. You cannot afford the luxury of believing your data book, so for me, I'll camel up and carry the extra weight in water, knowing that I have it as opposed to skimping on pack weight and hoping for the best.Force feeding myself, not only to lessen that illustrious pack weight but to have the fuel and energy to walk on. Yeah, yeah, I can hear you now, oh poor baby, forcing herself to eat. Trust me in that the heat and exertion wipes out any thought of food. Now water, though, is different. It's like I'm a letter carrier again back in Rockledge in the summer where you could drink a gallon of water and never have to find a bathroom; water is liquid gold out here.Met a group of people at Peter's Mountain Shelter, a shelter that was built in memory of a young man who was only 20 when he died. Captain Slick, Super Genius and friends, the ones I met at lunch, arrived after me. Captain Slick is an Annapolis grad and his friends are out for a few days with him. Nice group. I try to hike in the early morn and get to whatever shelter I'm bunking down in with enough time for all of my personals -washing up, washing out the clothes, setting up, etc... lately, taking care of my feet has been the priority. Yes, another major blister, this one on the outer side of my left heel. Very painful. Dewlap and Ranier, a young couple I met at the Doyle show up and Dewlap, this very thin girl, takes plastic jugs and goes ALL the way down a blue blaze and brings back water for everyone. She is tough despite her appearence. In return, I gave her all my Reece's Peanut Butter Cups, which she loves. Good trade.Had dinner of a packet of tuna (protein) and rosemary and olive oil triskets with peanut butter (quite good, actually) and three bite size Almond Joys and lots of water with Propel (grape). Everyone, and this is the way dinner is at a shelter, had something different. Ramen Noodles are popular as they are light weight and easy to prepare, mash potatoes, Nutela on tortillas (which look like a chocolate sandwich), a simple rice dish. Whatever is easy to fix with just a little water. Captain Slick had a fire going, not that it was that cold out, but fire pits are used a lot. Hung up the bear bag and had a good nights sleep. I do tend to sleep better when there is a larger group. Still a trail weenie, I suppose.
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

~~~Why am I Doing These Long Mile Day's ???~~~Okay, did the VERY THING that I had planned on not doing - a long ass day. But it was literally 18 miles between shelters and I am not at the top of the game yet to stealth camp; remember I am still in hiker weenie stage. All day long my head was down, running down the miles. I am exhausted. It's as though my body is in revolt for the hike. The small bones throughout my feet, I can actually feel each and every one of them and I feel nerve damage across the top of my right foot just below the toe line. Extremely painful.Ah, what fun. No water. Almost completely out. Then, found this tiny, tiny stream and I use a baggie to gather the water, pour it through a bandana and then treat it with the Aqua Mira. It is heaven. Made it to camp by 4pm; good time. Put the hammock up to keep my feet slightly raised, again, to lessen the swelling. The shelter is by a major stream (yeah) and Captain Slick, Sugar Ray and Fireball, a guy from Germany are in right after me. The campsite up from us has these three bikers who brought in really good food and shared leftovers with us, knowing the famous thru hiker fame of never turning down food. I feasted on a sweet potato cooked in tin foil...dee-lish. Made the foot pain go away. Again, knowing the guys were close by, I had a good nights sleep.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

~~~Another MUST STAY Shelter~~~Well, I froze my knickers off last night. The down side of a hammock is when it gets cold, you are completely surrounded by the wind drafts. As I don't have a rainset yet (more practical for staying warm than for keeping the rain off as it holds in body heat better), I got about on hour's sleep, teeth chattering and refusing to get out of what little warmth I had in my sleeping bag. AT Lesson #247 - have something that will keep you warm enough to sleep, whether it's some type of equipment for the hammock or more clothes to wear.Jeff, Liz and Lucy were already up and gone. Right pinky toe blistered and infected. Just getting my shoe on caused me to tear up and I haven't even stood up yet. Oh, joy. Another day of hobbling on the trail. Lucky for me, Warrior is actually slowing down his miles in order to get to Delaware Water Gap by a certain time so he can go off trail for 10 days to do this biking thing before he comes back on trail. He charged through some big miles prior to hooking up with me. The poor guy now is really having to scale back the pace.Having someone to hike with is really grand. You talk about all sorts of things and it makes the miles go by quicker and smoother. I really wish I had a permanent hiking partner now. I get more pleasure out of the hike when I'm sharing it with someone. So, I realized that I would be in Palmerton over the 4th of July weekend and sure enough, the Post Office will be closed Monday to honor it. Called them from Eckville Shelter and asked if they could deliver my maildrop to the Police Station across the street. Clerk said she would ask the postmaster and call me back. Sure enough, I get the call back. No can do. Is the package there? It has Snoopy written on the outside. Oh, I can see the package right now, she said. You have to pick it up Tuesday. Even bringing up my former postal experience did nada. Okay, God is saying take a day off and get healed. I can do that.Eckville Shelter is another one of those places that is fully enclosed and just behind this beautiful house that is the caretaker's house. Padded bunks for 6, it also has a separate building that has a solar shower AND a flush toilet !!! Took my shower, did my laundry, hung it on the clothesline, made phone calls, cooked up a pasta dinner on the picnic table and watched Mick, the caretaker, come home and completely mow and weedwack the entire yard and area across the street that has a tent site.Met two older hikers, Grey Wanderer and Wizard and who should come strolling up but my sweet Freeman ! Everyone cooking, talking about the trail, lots of firefly's, other hikers coming up but tenting across the street. The padded bunks were great. Very comfortable. Lovely area. Mick does a good job maintaining the place. It's a very good night.
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

~~~Rocks, More Rocks, Even MORE Rocks and NO WATER~~~This turned out to be a very trying day because of two factors; rocks and water. PA is going through a drought and it has affected nearly every stream that is listed as reliable in the databook. You HAVE to carry as much water as possible because you don't know when the next water source will be available. This adds to your pack weight.It's not just rocks; it's fighting to scramble over boulder fields. At one point, the boulders were pointed and so dangerous because there were no handholds and nowhere to place your hiking sticks for balence and it was just plain scary. You are so high up, you are higher than the birds and it's windy and if you sneezed, you could tumble straight off the cliff. No kidding. This is not a hike; this is an expedition and unforgiving in its complexity as, of course, the blazes are insufficient. You're standing on top of this boulder, looking, hunting for the white blaze to lead you in the right direction and its no where to be found. You venture forward in the direction you think the trail follows, going so slowly, your pack hugging your body because if it's loose and swings, it throws your balence off. Very, very dangerous. And everyone one of us goes through this. The proper procedure would be to creat a blue blaze trail that would circle the rock behemouth and have it available for those who are not able to monkey climb, like say anyone over the age of 45. Such is not the case. It asks for someone to have a serious accident, one that will be buried in ATC journals.The highlight of the day was coming out to a parking lot and having lunch at the Blue Mountain B&B Restaurant. Pulled pork sandwich that was no where near as good as at the Doyle, but it was air conditioned, Warrior had a beer and we both had flush toilets...whoopee !Then, we BOTH pulled a boner in that we didn't top off our water bottles before leaving the restaurant, because there was NO water to be found for the rest of the day. By the time we reached Bake Oven Shelter, which was built in 1936 and is one of the original shelters in PA and IT SHOWS as it was small, dirty and dismal, the blue trail leading off to three springs proved bone dry. Warrior and I had half a Gatorade bottle of water between us after Grey Wanderer gave us some from his own bladder before moving on. It was more than 6 miles to the next shelter, we had already done 17 and I was not moving. I could do a few sips and rest rather than walk untill midnight (night hiking, especially in PA is dangerous and I've never done it yet, though some hikers, all male, love to night hike.) It was the hardest night yet on the trail. Freeman showed up and I have to say, this boy is resourceful. He cowboy camped by using his umbrella to hold up netting and had a right nice little site for himself. Nobody had any water. This is dangerous and bordering on totally stupid because we did not follow the cardinal rule of getting water any time you come across it. I have no problem with the extra weight. None whatsoever.
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Bake Oven Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 4.0

~~~My Favorite Hiker Town~~~Woke up early to get the miles done before it got really hot but after 1.5 miles, we were confronted with just a huge boulder field, the Lehigh Gap, notorious in its reputation for difficulty. Well, with no water to even get us over it, Warrior refused to proceed forward and we returned back to the Bake Oven Campsite and walked the blue blaze trail down the peak. Warrior heard voices all night and sure enough, at the bottom of the trail, it opens up to a working quarry where a group of people had set up campers for the holiday weekend. Warrior, smooth rascal, secured us a ride out of there and 5 minutes later, we were dropped off miles away on a paved road (a main street in the middle of nowhere) where we walked up the road to our next hitch, a guy in a large pickup truck who was a Catholic on his way to Mass. Joseph drove us for miles and miles, about 15 minutes at least, way, way farther than we could have ever walked and dropped us off 1 mile outside of Palmerton. I'm telling you, my brother was watching out for us this day !!Walked into town, came across the La Dolce Casa and I had 6 cups of the best coffee I've ever had since being in Santo Domingo and three large glasses of water plus a bagel egg sandwich. Paul (Warrior) had as much to drink and bisquits and gravy with two eggs and it was just the best. Andrea Bocelli music, a lovely breakfast; the best part being "Time to Say Goodbye" which reminded me of a wonderful cruise I took with my seester Kathy, and boy did I miss you so much in this cafe, and just the irony of it all. Less than two hours earlier, we were knocked off our feet with dehydration and a rock wall and here we are, drinking coffee, listening in to my favorite tenor and thanking God for the good sense to know when to retreat.Found the hostel that is made available for free to hikers here in Palmerton and I cannot begin to tell you how nice everyone and everything is here. Walked across the park to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and made it for 11am Mass (thinking of you and Bill, seester, doing Mass at St Faustina's at the same time), lovely laundry facilities available across the street from the hostel, shower upstairs, beer and wings at the Palmerton Hotel while watching World Cup Soccer with Boomer (a great Aussie) and Gravy (recovering from Lyme's Disease) and I'm drinking Yuengling Draught and eating wings and I have clean clothes and I smell good and life is just great ! Later on, we went down to the only store left open on a Sunday, like a 7-11 to get a cold Gatorade and we sat on a bench watching the cars go by in this beautiful, quaint town that is so welcoming to the hikers. Gotta love the Trail Life ~~~
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 0.0

~~~Two Nights of Wings and Beer !! ~~~Taking my first zero day, meaning no miles done, as opposed to the few nero days of 4 miles or less. Breakfast at Bert's Diner which has an interior much like a 50's diner. Breakfast okay, but NOTHING like Jeremy's place at La Dolce Casa. We asked him yesterday why he's not listed in the data books. Turns out, he's only been open 6 months. When you're hiking into town, he is on the right side just across from the Palmerton Hotel. So far, the best food and coffee on the trail.I've been sitting here at the library for approximately 3 1/2 hours, catching up the journal. Just as a reminder, I can only update when I get to a town that has internet access such as a library or hostel. So fear not. If I have not updated recently, I take down notes every evening when I'm in camp so I can properly retell my experinces and adventures.Lunch today is either pizza or Chinese with another round of wings and Yuengling at the Palmerton Hotel. Daily Mass today is at 630 pm ~ might go to that as well. Waiting for the Post Office to open up early tomorrow, breakfast at La Dolce Casa and then hitting the really big mountain just outside the window. Making the most of this time off to repair my feet and oh, I forgot to include how two days ago I took a tumble into a boulder. Lost my footing and fell face first forward. Scrapped both hands and bruised both knees but no head injuries and I still have my teeth. Scared Warrior more than it scared me, though it happened so fast. Just fell forward and downward and holding out my elbows kept me from diving in between the boulders.So, enjoying the trail life, am a gonna hate to leave this wonderful town tomorrow but have many miles to do and keep me in your prayers, especially that my feet heal up. This trail is tough enough without additional injuries and I want to succeed in the worst possible way. Love to all until I reach another town.Best part of all ~~~ I found out the first week of the hike that I will be a Grandmother for the first time in February. Brett and Josie have not picked out a first name but the middle name will be Frances in honor of Stephen AND it is also a family name on the Abbott side.To everyone who has signed my guestbook, your thoughts are such a joy to read. Pyro the Wise, I followed your comments all the way up the trail...you were smokin' ! Rick Myers, where are you now? And how did you ever know I was on the Trail? Love to absolutely everyone. All is well.
Date: 2010-07-08
From: Gateway Motel - Wind Gap, PA

To: Church of the Mountain Hostel / Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

~~~Another MUST STAY Hostel~~~So we break away from Motel Patel and once we make the trailhead, the guys are gone. Really strong hikers. I had a maildrop back in Wind Gap that I decided to forego. It was just a matter of calling the Post Office and having it forwarded up to my next maildrop in Glenwood, NJ.Hiked into the Kirkridge Shelter for a break, along with everyone who starts behind me and passes me by ~ Hollywood, Eric the Red, Paul Bunyan and City Squirrel, Sleepy and others and they informed me that if I get into the hostel in time tonight, they have a church feeding for hikers. Say no more. I am putting on the speed to get there.It was a tough, tough hike for me. In truth, each and every day is a real struggle but today I have a really interesting goal ~ church lady food. The descent into towns is usually steep and this was no exception. Hiking downhill is really hard on the knees and toebox and when you hear traffic, you tend to pick up the pace as you get excited for cold drinks and real food. I am struggling up the driveway to the church and all these hikers are outside the hostel and I guess that I looked a little run over because Boomer and Sparrow rush me into a chair, take off my backpack and get me cold water because I just look that darned good at the end of the day, I assume. In truth, the pack was heavy from the extra water and I am still not a really good hiker as yet, not compared to the others. Made it to the local Outfitters before they closed to get a real ATC map and a different pair of socks to help my feet. Too tired to really look for a new backpack, though I should have; I really dislike my pack.Had a shower, put up my hammock in the back overflow area as the hostel was full with lots of tents in the back yard and at 6pm, we all trooped up to an outdoor feast of pot luck, my absolute favorite meal. It was all the various salads that got my attention, especially one that was spinach and strawberries with some type of dressing. Multiple desserts including electric cranked ice cream.Rev. Karen Nickels said that this was her 23rd year of hosting the hikers and she has loved every moment of it. This is such a wonderful ministry and I'm sorry that all the cash I had for a donation was $2, so I will be sending her a check when I get home and a huge Thank you card. All of the church members who participated were scattered througout the tables, a real delight. It was just a wonderful gathering of people and good food and God's grace.And again, very little sleep that night due to my throbbing tootsies. I'm taking Advil like their Chicklets and still ache. Waiting for that wonderful hiker day when my body gives in to this relentless assault and lets me just do the miles. Feet, don't fail me now ~~~ !
Date: 2010-07-10
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Camp Ken-Etiwa-Pec
Miles today: 7.3

~~~The Most Beautiful Abandoned Stealth Camp Ever~~~It was still raining this morning; I held out in the hammock until it let up enough to pack up. Rain + wet shoes = blisters and so, I was not too keen to hike out, though as a backpacker, you cannot afford to have rain interfere with the schedule. No Rain, No Pain, No Maine is the AT Motto. So I hiked out.Sure enough, I could feel a blister form on the ball of my foot and I slowed down the pace. While most other hikers cruise on with 15 or more miles, I was content to shelter down at just over 7, mainly because the next shelter was 15 miles past this camp.So, I decide to hike up to this Boy Scout/ YMCA place that is supposed to have two screened shelters for AT hikers with no fee. Well, it was a ghost town. All these various buildings around this absolutely gorgeous lake and there is not a single soul around. Every building has a sign that directs AT hikers to the two shelters next to the lake but no authorization for use of any other building. Well, pooh. The only building that I found that was directly on the lake had a bunch of holes in the roof, so I mosey up back to the main lodge that had a large wrap around porch, set up my hammock looking out towards the lake and did my usual camp chores; washed up, got water, washed clothes, ate supper, got my bed ready for later.Just sitting on the step, listening to all the birds at the lake when down the hill comes Eric the Red with his father, John who was out doing a few days hiking with his son. Not long after that, Paul Bunyan and City Squirrel come on down. Here I thought I would have my first night alone and I was fine with it, but I was also happy to have company, so it works both ways.It turns out that this camp has been deserted for two years but still allows AT hikers to use the facilities. There is a bigger, newer camp being used and as this is still listed in the data book, they are gracious to allow us to use it. Still, it is a beautiful lake and it's a shame that they could not renovate these buildings that have probably been there since the 60's.City Squirrel and Paul Bunyon saw a baby porkypine while hiking in...how lucky is that.