morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-01
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Phrase of the Day: "Bring It On"Because we knew that we had a big day ahead, Garage Man and I were up and hiking by 5:30. The trail through lots at us today. A little bit of everything.There was mud and water. Wide trails that were old road that I was able to cruise on. Very narrow trails with overgrown brush that I ended up getting soaked because of the rain yesterday. Had a couple of big climbs and one monster climb down into Port Clinton.But, I made great time - 9hrs and 15min. I got to town went to the PO to get directions to the outfitter and to the motel. Went to the outfitter to get my drop box and up to the motel. Closed. Big sign in the window saying that they were closed for vacation from June 30th until July 7th. Can you believe it? So, I ended up sitting outside of the outfitters for hours waiting on the garage man to see what he wanted to do. We were going to share a room at the motel.Once he got into town, we decided to go to Hamburg to the Microtel.   We convinced Startrek to come with us. We ended up waiting until 6:30 to get a shuttle from the outfitter. I was bummed. Sat there for more than 3 hours. Cost us $10 for the shuttle which was a good deal - about 3 bucks a piece.We were able to get one room at the hotel. Cost us about $26 a piece. The place was perfect. Did laundry for $2, got dinner in the hotel. They even had fresh baked cookies in the lobby. The guys shared a bed and I had one for myself. And, it was truly sweet. Now, we just have to figure out how to get back to Port Clinton in the morning.Port Clinton is small. The only other place to eat closes at 3pm. There is the outfitter and a candy shop and pretty much nothing else. It is too bad because a lot of hikers came into town and were camped at the town park and would have spent money on food, etc. They do not even have a convenience store.Found 4 more pennies - up to $3.40We have definitely hit the rocky part of PA. They are everywhere. Rocks of all sizes and shapes. Pointy, flat, round - you name it - you will find it.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: Allen Town Hiking Club Shelter

To: George Outbridge Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

Phrase of the Day: "Two..."The past few days have been all about the mileage. Getting to Delaware Water Gap by Sunday, July 5th. I didn't start hiking until 6:30 because I knew that I had a shorter day than was originally planned. The trail today, just as with yesterday was very diverse. Spent a lot of time walking on forest service type roads - wide, flat and very hiker friendly. Lots of mud as usual. Lots of bouldering today.The bouldering today was as usual for me stressful and scary. I was glad to be doing it when I did it - no rain and no sun. The rain makes the rocks treacherous and the sun brings out the snakes. I am not really afraid of the snakes - I am mostly afraid of falling off the rocks. A lot of times I have to jump because I am so short and can't reach down to the next rock. Didn't have any issues though so that was good.I did bruise the top of my right foot. There are so many rocks that you can't pick your feet up in time and you end up triping over the rocks. I think I caught my foot on a rock and caused the bruise. The bruise is right at the big toe joint - so everytime I bend my foot it causes pain. Did a lot of open ridge hiking today. There were so many blueberry plants and ripe berries - I could have sat there an just gorged on them. I ate as many as I could, but typical of the weather as I was on the exposed ridges it started to thunder. I didn't want to get caught up so high in the storm, so kept moving pretty quickly.I finished hiking around 2 and as usual I debated in my head whether to push on or not. I know that there are some very difficult sections coming up and it is better to start them being fresh in the morning not tired in the afternoon. Plus, it started to pour again as I was sitting at the shelter.So, I stayed put. Shorter day today in anticipation for a longer day tomorrow.I have seen quite a few deer the past few days. I also saw a turtle on the trail and a small non-poisonous snake.Some hikers came by on their way into Palmerton - Desert Fox (I caught up with him last night at the last shelter), Two of the three stooges, Tenzig and Gail. I actually met Gail in Waynesboro. She was leaving the Inn as I was getting there. We met today earlier on the trail and hiked together a short while prior to reaching the shelter. Gail is staying the night in her hammock down the trail. Very interesting woman. She is in her 60's and has hiked the PCT and is now doing the AT. I know that she will make it. I am waiting to see if the Garage Man makes it here tonight. Hopefully, he will get here later.Great news - the SQ is coming down to meet me in Wind Gap. I asked her to come a day early to Wind Gap because it would make it that much easier on me. She could pick me up at the trail head so that I didn't have to hitch into town. I already have a reservation in a motel, so we would be all set. I actually begged her, but it didn't take too much begging. I can't wait to see her. Plus, I will be able to slack-pack the last 15.5 miles on Sunday which will be nice.Found another penny - $3.42.
Date: 2009-07-05
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Phrase of the Day: "It's a wrap"We were up and eating breakfast at the local diner by 7. And, the SQ was booting me out of the car by 7:30. She said the stench of the pack and my clothes were making her sick. We couldn't do laundry because yesterday was the 4th and the place was closed. And, it wouldn't feel right to not wear the same clothes to finish the hike. She was going to met me over in Delaware Water Gap between 2 and 3:30. Hopefully, she could keep herself busy until then.The hike today was again very diverse as far as the terrain. A pretty good climb out of Wind Gap. Once up it leveled off. But, it had to be a good six miles of rock. I felt like a drunken sailor tripping all over the place. I don't know if I was going to fast or if because I had a lite daypack on, but I just couldn't get in the grove. For a while anyway.I made it to Kirkridge Shelter by 11 which was 10 miles away from Wind Gap. I knew that I would be done earlier than I had told the SQ. Hopefully, she wasn't going to be too far away.   The shelter was full of people doing regular camping. There was also one person who looked like he may have been really hiking, but for the most part it was just people out for the holiday weekend. I did run into Tenzig. He ended up going into Wind Gap also for the night, but said at the motel closer to the trail. He invited me to come out to AZ to hike if I wanted with both him and Desert Fox. Very cool and I may take him up on it.Left the shelter and the rocks seemed to be less. I was really able to cruise for the last 6 miles. It was great. I put my IPOD on and off I went. Fast and furious.   Got to Mt. Minsi and there were lots and lots of day hikers and I could hear traffic and I could see the highway below. Almost done. Coming down the mountain was pretty steep - but not bad at all. It was actually really beautiful. I saw my first white birch yesterday and there was more today. Plus, lots of hardwood and rhodys. All the rhodys made me think I was back in VA. It was the perfect way to end the hike.I caught up with a guy named Junior whom I met somewhere. But, neither of us could remember where. I hiked down into Delaware Water Gap and jumped up and down. Made it to town about between 1 and 1:30. Finally done.Called the SQ - she was up at the parking lot that I had just come down from. She drove down and we took a picture and now it is officially over.
Date: 2009-07-07
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: The End for Now
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I am finally home. The SQ and I went stayed the night somewhere so that we wouldn't have to fight the holiday weekend traffic.We went into E. Stroudsburg and had dinner at a great Turkish place that we ate at before. It was just as good as the last time. The traffic was pretty lite and we were home just after noon.Even though I have been gone for over 2 months once I came in the house it felt like I had never been gone. Have a chore list a mile long and really need to figure out what I am going to do next. My body hurts. Mainly my left foot and knees. I have to wear my crocs because the bruise on my foot kills with any other shoe. It is almost as if my body knows that I am done and can relax. I believe if I were still hiking the pain would hold off until I wasn't.Milestones:Trip Miles: 941Total Miles: 1732.1Total States done: 12States left to do: 02Money Found: $3.68 (almost enough to buy a pint of Ben & Jerrys)I know that I am not done and have the two hardest states left, but I feel pretty good about doing the miles that I just did. Back in Erwin in 2007, I knew that I wanted to do more, but wasn't sure that I was going to be able to. But, I was. Feel pretty good and I can't wait to feel what it will feel like when I actually do finish. Will have to wait for those two chapters to be written, but rest assured they will be.This phase ofJust wanted to take a minute to thank people who helped me during these last 940+ miles.Dr. Bravo - it's all about the feet.Bob and Baltimore Jack at KincoraGinny at the Lazy Fox in DamascusThe ladies at the Plaza Motel in PearisburgPam at Papa's Pizza in PearisburgLois and Earl at the Dutch HausMy buddy Elaine in Harper's FerryRusty and Hijacked in Pine Grove FurnacePat & Vicky at the DoyleAll the Billville Gang in DuncannonEric at the Microtel in HamburgAll of the Trail Angels who helped in one way or the other.And, the following hikers whom I have met and will cherish the time that we were able to hike and hang together:DutchWhittlerPyriteRugged SharkRustyBirdsongGarage Man and Pound HoundTagless & TagalongMountain ManBlue GrassDr. EvilAceRangerBushmanDesert FoxAnd all the other hikers whom I met that made this trip what it was.Friends and family for all the encouragement, support and emails.The Southern Support Team for picking me up in Erwin in 2007, for bringing me back to Erwin in 2009 and for all of the moral support for the past 3 hiking seasons.And, especially to the SQ for taking care of the homestead and for being the best Supply Queen ever. Without your support none of this would be possible.See you in New Hampshire.
Date: 2009-11-10
To: Visit
Miles today: 0.0

Seems like forever since I left the AT. Time really does fly the older that you get.Hanging at home - still don't have a job.   I am taking a few classes at a local college. Trying to decide if I have a liking or an aptitude for nursing. Classes are going well.   I am still a hurting unit. I seem to be taking an awfully long time to get back to normal. Maybe I pushed myself over the edge. Scary thought.I pretty much took some time off from doing any real exercise since I stopped hiking. I kept walking everday, but didn't do too much more. I have started working out again. Which is a good thing. Back taking spinning class and doing weights. We'll see if it helps me feel better.The Southern Support team came up in early October for a visit. It was nice to see them. Hadn't seen them since they dropped me off in Erwin.   Always good to spend time with them. My class schedule is pretty flexible so we did get to visit. Usually, they came while I was working and our time together was very limited.They brought me two wonderful gifts. One is a adorable yard geegaw of a Georgia Bulldog. I'm not really into college football, but I had asked them to bring me up one. It will make a wonderful addition to the yard ornaments.The other is a wonderful carved wooden bear statue. It is really cool. The bear is also a hiker. Pretty neat stuff.   THANKS to the SST for thinking of me.
Date: 2008-04-04
To: The dream becomes reality
Miles today: 0.0

For several years I have been dreaming, thinking and talking about thru hiking the Appalachian Trail. When I was recently granted a leave of absence by the school where I teach (Episcopal Academy in Merion PA) the dream became a reality. The plan is for me and my son Blake, who is 18 and will graduate from Episcopal in June, to hike the AT together starting in early March 2009. Once he has chosen a college he will defer for a year and work in the fall of this year to help earn money for the trip. Planning and gear purchase has already begun and it is nice to have a full year to plan and prepare. It is often said that anticipation is at least half the fun of the adventure. Blake and I look forward to posting additional entries for our friends and the EA community as we continue toplan and prepare in the comming year.
Date: 2008-12-18
To: less than 3 months to go
Miles today: 0.0

A lot has transpired since my initial entry back in April! We have pretty much completed the purchasing and collection of our gear. Our tentative itinerary is set and plans for food mail drops are beginning. Blake was accepted at Bates College and has been granted a year deferral. He has been working as an intern at a local investment firm to help make money to pay for the trip. The plan is to have Cannie (my wife/blake's mom) drive us to Atlanta where we will spend the night of Mar. 7 with friends. Sun Mar. 8 we drive to Amicallola Falls to sign in and then on to the forrest service road which crosses the AT .9 miles from the summit of Springer Mt. We decided to forgo the approach trail. If all goes according to plan (which of course it never does) we will arrive at the top of Mt. Katahdin in Maine on Aug 1. My best guess is that if anything we may arrive earlier rather than later because Blake is determined to get back to Camp Susquehannock for the last week or two of the season. I will include our gear list with my next entry. Due to my obsession with birds and birding I have already been given the trailname "birdman". I think we wil wait till we are on the trail to christen Blake with a trailname. That'a all for nowBirdman
Date: 2009-01-04
To: 2 months to go
Miles today: 0.0

We spent a busy Christmas break buying food and ading a few final items of gear. I have started my pre-hike training using the stair climbing maching in our fitness center at school. I will begin to add some weekend and afternoon hikes with a pack soon. Our main task at this point continues to be final preparation of food and mail drops. We dicided not to go the dehydrator route (too much time and effort). I have been making purchases of bulk items at BJ,s. We still need to plan a basic menu rotation and try more dinners to see what we like most. Blake leaves for 4 weeks in Costa Rica in three weeks and won't be back till a little over a week before we hit the trail.
Date: 2009-02-09
To: 3 weeks to go!
Miles today: 0.0

It is hard to believe that 3 weeks from yesterday we will be on the trail! Blake is in Costa Rica where he has been for the past two weeks (and will be or the next 2). He is working on a farm at 9000 ft so he should be in great shape. I have been hiking every weekend with my pack and training in the school's fitness center. Our kitchen looks like a grocery store. We have spent the last two weekends putting together 120 breakfasts and dinners. I am trying to finish up things like bills and taxes so that Cannie will be able to keep her sanity while we are away. One last visit to see our daughter Francie in Boston this weekend as well as a stop to see my parents. We are also running a school ski trip to VT in two weeks so the weekends are dwindling. We leave on Fri Mar 6 to dirve to Charlotte NC to spend the night with one of Cannie's Sweet Briar College roommates, then on to Atlanta to spend Sat night with a high school friend before hititng the trail on Sun morning March 8. We have decided to forgo the approach trail and will use the forrest service road to access the trail 1/2 mile from the summit of Springer. I hope to have our gear list on line shortly. Can't wait to get started!
Date: 2009-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

At this time next week we will be in our 2nd day of hiking on the trail. We did two assemblies at school (Episcopal Academy) last week, one for the Lower School and one for the Middle School. Both were a big hit, and the local paper (Main Line Times) ran an article and a big color picture on the front page. We are in the final stages of completing our 28 mail drop packages. I finished teaching on Friday and have the next three days to tie up loose ends before we leave to drive to Atlanta on Friday morning. We are currently in the midst of a bit of a blizzard, with 6 inches of snow on the ground and still falling.¢Birdman¢ aka WinThis is my first entry on this journal. I thought that we were going to have separate accounts but this does work better because it will be easier for our friends and family to find one blog as opposed to two. I packed my pack for the first time last night and was shocked and delighted to find that everything fit and it only weighed 33.5 pounds! This will be a little heavier at times because I am carrying all the food and our first segment is only 3 days. At this point I¢m feeling a little better because I think we are almost ready to go. All we need to do now is take care of some last things at home preparing my mother for 4 months alone.¢Downwind¢ aka Blake
Date: 2009-03-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The time is upon us. We have spent the last two days driving from Philadelphia to Atlanta. Spent the first night with a friend of my mother's from college who lives just outside of Charlotte. She had a really nice house with amenities such as queen size beds, a huge candlelit dinner, a hot tub, and the most powerful shower I have ever been in. It was a great way to get a few last tastes of comfort before we are into the wild so to speak.Spending tonight with a high school friend of my mother's outside of Atlanta and plan to start hiking around 10 AM tommorrow. I am getting unbelievably excited and do not think that I will get any sleep tonight but I guess that'll make it easier to sleep on the ground tommorrow. Did this post without Birdman but I'm sure he will check in tommorrow, (Day 1) see you then.
Date: 2009-03-10
From: Miller Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: few clouds

Had lunch atop Blood Mt. (First 4000 foooter) sunny and warm once again! Hiked down to neels gap where we visited an outfitter to pick up our first mail drop and make some adjustments to our gear. Downwind went in with a question about pack hip belts and came out with a new pack in exchange for his. Also ditched a few things, most noticeably birdmans frying pan. Spent so much time there we decided to stay. The owner, Winton Porter, gave us a free all you can eat spahetti dinner served by Pirate and a place to camp out back. New birds: 1 (Winter Wren) Trip total: 25Great looks at a Barred Owl!
Date: 2009-03-11
From: Neels Gap

To: Blue Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a good nights sleep after playing password at the hostel with Ken and Erin. Woke up ready for a big day and set off for Low Gap shelter 11 mi. From Neels Gap. Birdman acquired two more blisters along the way but felt much better after a foot soaking and beef jerkey lunch at low gap. He decided he could press on so we started a 7 mile hike to blue mountain. The trail followed a nearly flat logging road so we just kept going and got into a groove. We got to the blue Mt. Shelter around 6:30 and thankfully set up beds in the shelter. Talked to a bunch of thrus and section hikers around a warm fire and then slept like a log. New birds: 1 (Blue headed Vireo)Trip total: 26
Date: 2009-03-12
From: Blue Mt. Shelter

To: Sassafras gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm writing this journal from inside my sleeping bag because it is about 40 degrees in this gap and the wind chill much lower. Today was another long day but this time because we did over 3500 feet in verticle. Stopped at the Tray Mt. Shelter for lunch and then went 4 miles on to Sassafras Gap. Stopped the moment we realized there was water and tent sites. The day must have been hard for others as well because we were soon joined by a bunch of other thrus who had been at Blue Mt. Last night. The Dans, Vagrant, Wishy Washy, and Blue all stayed here with us.New birds: 1 (Northern Flicker)Trip total: 26
Date: 2009-03-13
From: Sassafras gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Cold and windy last night in the gap but the tent protected us alright. We got up early, ate a cold breakfast, and left by 6:40 with the help of headlamps and lots of layers. Could see the lights of Hiawassee from the ridge and were down to meet Gary at 10 am. Gary is the owner of the Blueberry Patch hostel which another "thru", named Vagrant, reccomended. We reached the hostel shortly after ten and realized the change in plans that we made was a good one. The place was quaint and warm with a wood stove and hot showers. Gary also did our laundary for us and provided us with refreshments and supplies. Later we were joined by a bunch of thrus we had spent the last two nights with and Gary took us all to town. In Hiawassee dad and I went to a chinese buffet, the public library, and then the grocery store. Around dinner time everyone was in the trailnaming mood and the dans became WD-40 and Squeak, and it was decided that because dad is "birdman" (a popular rapper) I should be Lil Wayne (Birdman's protege). I liked a trail name that was received on the trail better and the change was complete. It was a great day and night sleeping in a double bed! Our first rain but it came after we arrived at the hostel!Lower elevation and a town mean a lot of new birds!New species: 11 (including Belted kingfisher & Wood Duck)Trip total: 38
Date: 2009-03-14
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: snow

Woke up and had the famous Blueberry Patch breakfast of pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup. They also served eggs, sausage, biscuits, and coffee. It was spectacular. We got dropped off at the trail at 10 and hiked up to plumorchard gap shelter where we had lunch with Blue, Ken, and Little Tree. Hiked to next gap and were given sodas by tater who was there to pick up Ken. From there we hiked on with Little Tree and crossed into North Carolina! Three miles later we reached Muskrat Creek Shelter and decided to stop as it had been cold and rainy all day. No room in the shelter so dad and I had to pitch our tent in the rain. We did manage to stay dry all night though.Into NC at 2PM so time to start a new state listGeorgia birds: 38 speciesIn the order I first saw them:American RobinEastern PhoebePine WarblerSapsuckerBlue JayAmerican CrowJuncoCarolina ChickadeeCommon GrackelWhite-breasted NuthatchEastern BluebirdCarolina WrenTufted TitmouseRed-bellied WoodpeckerDowney WoodpeckerGolden-crowned KingletEastern TowheePiliated WoodpeckerCedar WaxwingBarred OwlTurkey VultureCooper's HawkCommon RavenWinter WrenHouse FinchBlue-headed VireoNorthern FlickerSong SparrowNorthern CardinalMorning DoveNorthern MockingbirdAmerican GoldfinchRing-billed GullWood DuckMallardBelted KingfisherCanada GooseTurkeyFirst NC bird: (Junco)
Date: 2009-03-15
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Started early again with a cold breakfast to get out of the rain pounded tent. Passed Standing Indian Shelter and had a little lunch there at 10:45. We pushed on another 7 miles or so and decided to call it a day around 2:30 when we found Carter Gap Shelter empty. Have lots of food so we ate multiple dinners and set up a clothes lane to dry our tent in the first sunshine in three days.New trip species: 1 (Ruffed Grouse) heard but not seen. It seems that everyone else on the trail would see this bird before I finally did!NC species: 9 Trip total: 38