morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-01
From: 501 Shelter

To: Boiling Springs Allenberry Resort (again)
Miles today: 11.1

Another warm and sunny day. It was going to be good regardless because I was catching a shuttle with a gal named Aimie that would take me to the Harrisburg Airport where we would pick up my brother and get shuttled to Boiling Springs. I ran into Dethmarch, Sugarbush and Cole early in the day. They stayed at the last shelter and was needing to get into town to do a resupply. GrizzleyD, Smores and Diamondback were right on time. He was suprised to see me there expecting to meet in Boiling Springs. Got checked into the Resort while GrizzleyD got a ride to see an eye doctor about an irritated eye. The doctor gave him some drops which should clear up the problem. the rest of us went down to the pool and hung out till he got back. We hiked down the road to the Boiling Springs Tavern and got a bite to eat and a couple of cold draughts for my feet. Enjoyed a cigar on the open outdoor porch back at the resort. Went through the packs and gave a quick orientation of what to expect on the trail. The boys seemed less than interested. The boys look good and strong. I think they will do just fine but at the same time will be suprised on how much work each day will require. It will be interesting to observe the transition as they slowly figure things out. Everyone was tired from the time change, flight and heat. Layed down on a nice comfy bed and wondered why I didn't get to bed earlier. Didn't have time to think about anything else. Lights out mean exactly that.
Date: 2010-06-02
From: Boiling Springs Allenberry Resort (again)

To: Boiling Springs 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The day began with GrizzleyD showing up at my hotel room door with one eye open and in some serious discomfort. He went back to the doctor and then to a specialist. He got a quick schooling on the life of a backpacker. You just don't walk when you are in the woods. His thumb got him a couple of rides but he still had much walking to do. He got back to the resort by noon and we decided to postpone the start one more day. If we had to be stuck somewhere this was a good place. Give the eye another night and be sure we are good to go tomorrow. The grounds here are very nice as is everything else. This area is known for it's fly fishing and the river runs on the backside of the property. A couple of anglers were casting their flies but we didn't see any strikes. It was a beautiful day and I was enjoying another day off. Between the lodge and the river are tennis courts where a couple of youngsters were getting lessons. There is a lot of grass areas where Smores & Diamondback spent time chasing rabbits. They have been couped up and needed another activity besides bugging each other. The resort has a nice big pool and hottub. They have banquet rooms and a nice little bar and resteraunt. Besides fishing the big draw here seems to be theater. It appears that this establishment has been around a very long time and has a long history of putting on plays. I think even Homegirl would like it here. It's a very small town with a classy feel and look to it. I have found the staff here to be very friendly and accommodating. It's a .04 mile walk from the trail and a must stay place. For all of you backpackers with sore feet the resteraunt and bar are closed on Monday and Tuesday. The Boiling Springs Tavern located almost on the trail is also a good stop. A couple of southbound hikers Crow & Etchasketch came in today. I heard from WaitnSee today and he is almost out of Penn. I hope to catch him in NY on one of his off trail trips home. I'm still a few weeks from there. I've been off the trail for only 36 hours and I've been able to catch up on all the latest news. I don't like what I'm hearing. What are you people doing out there. I leave for a few months and it seems like everything is falling apart. The oil spill, stock market, Korea's, Isreal, on and on and on. If my feet weren't so sore I'd march down into Washington and kick some butt. I understand that the spill is being compared to the Exxon Valdez. I hope the hard working people of Louisiana don't get screwed like the coastal people of Alaska did when the oil companies litigated for over 25 years on the $$$$$ settlement cost of that cleanup. The Feds ended up reducing the financial obligation which resulted in the financial ruin of fisherman, lodge owners and the livelihood of thousands. Drill Baby Drill. I'm going back into the woods.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Lickdale Days Inn
Miles today: 6.0

The crew took their time rolling out. The night time temperatures were nice and cool for a change. The morning dawn showed signs of a nice day as the clouds were thinning above the nice cool morning. Some of the tenters came by for the days water supply. Our group was up and on the trail around 9:00. It was a perfect trail as the 5 of us leisurely hiked back down to Swatara Gap. We came out of the woods then crossed a couple fields and roads before coming to the place where Gator had the car. Before long we were at the Days Inn which was just down the road. Got cleaned up and took a ride to a miniture golf course then got a bite to eat. I really don't know how or when it all came about but it turns out that my brother Bill his wife Jill and their 3 kids along with my brother Peter, my son Ryan and my Mother were on their way from RI and driving here to visit with me. They finally arrived at 11:00 and I do hope that nobody else was on that floor. It was 1:30 before it all settled down and we all wandered off to our rooms.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Lickdale Days Inn

To: Lickdale Days Inn
Miles today: 0.0

I woke at 6:00 and went down to the breakfast room. Made myself a cup of coffee and tried to catch up on my journal. Little by little the gang drifted in for breakfast and little got done on my part. The 13 of us loaded up the 2 cars and headed up the road to the Hershey Amusment Park. It was a nice sunny but already hot day when we arrived at 11:00. A slight breeze blew which helped with the heat but it remained hot all day. We all pretty much wandered around the park together enjoying the rides and playing some games. The kids had a blast and half the fun is watching the little ones having such a great time. With all the bells and whistles it was a sensory overload for me. After spending the last 3 months moving in slow motion the roller coasters took some getting used to. It was a great day and we all enjoyed being with each other. After closing the place down we went back to the hotel to regroup before heading out to eat. The younger kidc were sound asleep on dining room chairs before we left the resteraunt and had to be carried out to the car. Everyone Else was exausted after the long day in the sun and 1 by 1 called it a night.
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Lickdale Days Inn

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Everyone was up early to say good bye to Gator, Bloodshot, Toss'm and Shadow. They had an early flight out Harrisburg. After they left we drifted in and out of the breakfast room until it was time to get ready to leave. I was catching a shuttle back to Palmerton at 9:00 and the rest of them were leaving at the same time. Talk about an emotional uplifting. I have been totally impressed throughout this entire journey with the generosity and extra effort that everybody has sent my way. This past week with family has been absolutely wonderful and has recharged my batteries for the next section of trail. As I hike along the trail my mind often wanders off to the people that have been so much a part of this journey. Without the support my hike would not be as rich as all of you have made it. Your involvement helps sustain me especially when the many hard miles slowly move beneath my feet. Thank you all again I really appreciate your bring part of this. Now let's get back out on the trail and knock off some miles. I had myself prepared for the desolate and barren rocky face leading up and out of Palmerton. Before the climb Began in earnest I put on my raingear as it was raining steady right from the start. The climb required some-rather much help from my hands to get up to the top. It was steep with large rocks leading up to the top. It was near 11:00 when I arrived in Palmerton and I had 16 miles to the first shelter. I had to keep moving and the continued rain made not stopping easy but it also made the rocky trail a bit slick. The rain fell cold and I had to put a warm shirt on under the rain jacket. The day remained on the dark side and was getting darker as I got closer to the shelter. I was looking forward to getting out of the rain but when I arrived at the shelter it was already full. Over full. There was a tenting area close by so I did my best at setting up my tent in a hard rain without getting everything wet. There were a couple of other tents set up nearby. Once finally inside I stripped out of my wet clothes into whatever else was still dry. I am still carrying my down light weight coat and I was very glad I had that to put on. Once inside and cozy I felt better and kind of missed being in my tent as it had been awhile. After eating I attempted to journal but kept falling asleep. After a couple fun filled days and short nights and the fast paced 16 mile day in the rain I guess I reached my limit. Safe and snug inside as another day on the A.T. Came to an end.
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Church of the Mountain Hostel 
Miles today: 20.2

The rain stopped sometime during the night but the saturated vegitation continuosly dripped kepping everything wet. I could here the other tenters preparing to leave but I took my time while packing everything from the inside of my tent. Close quarters slow the packing process but I wanted mostly everything together before leaving the dry confines of my tent. Finally got rolling and was on the trail just after 8:00. The sky was showing signs of turning into a nice day once the thinning cloud cover could be moved out. The trail was a combination of bad and not so bad with the rocks. I was not expecting the not so bad all I heard was that the entire trail was BAD. Anything less than real bad was good as far as I was concerned. The wetness dried up before noon and I started hanging wet stuff off of the back of my pack to dry in the sun. Hiked along some rocky ledge and large boulder areas. Many differant trail conditions today and they all had some level of rocks associated with it. When I crossed RT33 I hiked over to a motel and bought a coke and filled up my water. I saved the cold coke for when I got up to the top of the next ridge. I reached a collapsed rock ledge that provided good views and direct sunshine. Thick billowing clouds floated overhead as I enjoyed my still cold coke and a candy bar. I had already hiked for 8 hours and covered 14 miles. I still had 6 miles to go and I was already tired. In Delaware Water Gap there is a free hostel that is run by the Church of the Mountain. I wanted to reach that and if I kept moving I'd get there around 7:00. There were a couple more overlooks on my way into town and the trail was much better than bad. I was hoping the end of the rocks was near. When I arrived at the hostel nobody was there and one of the bunks was open so I pit my pack down on it. I walked back over to the door and saw a handwritten sign that said "dinner at 6:00" on porch. I walked up the drive and followed the noise. I arrived just as clean up was beginning but was able to score myself plenty of everything. I was oblivious to the goings on around me as I was trying to eat as they were cleaning up around me. After eating I went down to the hostel and that's where I ran into Poundhound and Susan. I removed my pack from that room and set myself up at the shelter out back with Poundhound, Susan, Go Fish and Bloodhound. I ran into Robo Jesus and we caught up on the trail since we last seen each other back in Pearisburg VA. I hung all my wet gear and clothes out to dry. Then took a shower and had a nice relaxing night under clear and comfortable skies.
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Church of the Mountain Hostel 

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

I was the last one to bed and the first one up in the morning. Some of the new hikers I met are Hollywood, Nature, Bloodhound, Go Fish and I saw 1st Man again. I got my pack packed with all dry gear and hiked down to the bakery for coffee and pastry. Then I walked over to the PO for my final maildrop from home. Thanks Homegirl. I was hiking out of town and across the Delaware River just after 9:30. I was carrying a 5 day food supply but the pack didn't feel very heavy. I changed where I put stuff in my pack and it seemed to have made a differance. I was going to try to make it to the next shelter(20 miles) but after 6 miles I took option B and decided to give myself an easy day. The tenting here is free for thru hikers and I will leave tomorrow with a full supply of water and most likely another 20 mile day. When I left this morning I was in Pennsylvania. When I hot to the other side of the Delaware River I was in New Jersey. Another State down. Rain is on the forecast for either later tonight or beginning early tomorrow and then another day of it. If I can get up and get it all packed before the rain that will be good. Early next week I'll be out of New Jersey and into New York. Go Strider Go
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The rain didn't materialize but the sky was the familiar grey and a heavy fog hovered in the trees. The sun didn't penetrate the soupy mix at all as the day slightly lightened. Under the thick of the trees the darkness has a way of hanging around a little longer into the day. The young hiker I met last night Teepee was the first one gone. She must have been gone just afdter 6:00. The next to leave was GoFish and then me just before 7:00. The rocks of Pennsylvania have continued into New Jersey and just today I seen about every combination of rocky trail possible. It hasn't been a bad trail at all. The elevation is easy and all uphills are short. Much of the terrain is rolling hills that have a lot of the little ups and downs. GoFish and myself played leap frog most of the day and for a while we actually hiked together. Sometime just after noon we lost each other and didn't meet back up until the shelter. Early on I was coming up the first hill which was very steep and required a slow steady step. Just as I was cresting the top I saw a black bear cross the trail 20 yds in front of me. I waited to give it time to get some distance. I never heard it as it moved through the brush and I never saw it again. A alittle later in the day I was rounding a bend up high when I heard a rustling noise. I stopped and looked and saw the bear come to a stop a little down the hill and a little to my left. I said "thats cool" a little bear. Oh a very little bear. I turned my gaze back to my right and directly in front of me was the mother and she was staring right at me. I looked to the right to see if there wsa another little one and saw nothing so I moved on out of there. Quickly. It was 1:30 and I still had 6 miles left. Not bad. It was 3 miles down hill into Culvers Gap and then 3 miles up to the shelter. When I got to the Gap I saw a sign for a resteraunt just down the road. I arrived just as they were opening. Started off with an order of steamers(getting ready for RI)themn a couple of beers and a fish & chips dinner. Then a couple more beers. To say the least I was feeling mighty fine as I headed up to the shelter. I spent 2 hours in the resteraunt and left at 6:00 giving me plenty of time to go the 3 miles. TeePee was already there and GoFish came in after dark under the glow of his headlamp. We escaped the rain for another day.
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: haze

There was a trail runner tenting near the shelter and he told us of a secrect shelter. It was actually a house that a guy lets thru hikers stay there and it has warm showers and well water. That was the destination for all 3 of us when we left this morning. So far i am liking the New Jersey trails. There has been a lot of diversity in just a short time already. The ups arn't bad and there is much level ridge hiking once on the top. I did have one long climb up a rocky trail that got me to the top of Sunrise Mountain which at 1653 feet will be the 2nd highest that I'll see for awhile. The next climb up High Point Mountain was the highest point on the A.T.in New Jersey at 1800. All of it was in a thick fog and each view looked exactly the same. Absolutely nothing. There were many day hikers out this day and this is generally a popular area. The State Headquarters for the Park was here and I stopped at the building to fill my water and have some lunch. Just as I was preparing to leave for the trail a Park Ranger came out and told me that a severe T-Storm was 15 minutes out and it should blow in and out within an hour. I waited it out. It poured for almost 2 hours and I was glad I was inside. The sun acted like it wanted to come out for a short time so I hit the trail. Within 20 minutes it began to rain lightly. I had 7 more miles to the secret shelter and I wasn't in the mood to get real wet so I shortened my day and hit the next shelter. About an hour later GoFish showed up and it was just the two of us there for the night. He was beat and fell asleep just after 7:00. He began his hike in Harpers Ferry 3 weeks ago and does not have his hiking legs yet. He is hiking to Maine and then back to Harpers Ferry and will hike to Georgia.
Date: 2010-06-14
From: High Point Shelter

To: Vernon NJ. 
Miles today: 18.9

It sounded like rain was still falling when I woke up but it was only the saturated foliage dripping and dropping wetness onto the metal roof of the shelter. It is difficult to get motivated enough to crawl out of my sleeping bag and get the hiking day going. It's even tougher when the boots and socks are wet. Everything is going to get wetter still until or if the sun is able to break through the cloud cover that has got a hold on this section of the country. The word was that for the most part the rocks would be just about gone and much to the delight of my feet they were. The trail came down from High Point Mt and began a day of mostly low elevation hiking. I went through a lot of heavy brush and thick grass that was very wet. My wet boots just got wetter. It was really a great hike as the trail passed through many miles of wetlands, wildlife sanctuaries , ponds and farmlands. The birds love these areas and they were out singing away all day. The diversity of the trail conditions and the openness of the hillsides and swamp areas provided much to look at and listen to. Today I saw another bear, deer, swans, great blue herons, hawks, turtles, frogs, fish and countless birds that I am unable to name. I have to place today as one of my best hiking days yet. The sun finally came out as I was walking across a mile or so of boardwalk above the protected swamps. I made it to Rte94 just after 7:00. I sat on the side of the road for less than 5 minutes before catching a 2.3 mile ride into town and to the St Thomas Episcopal Church were they accept hikers and have a great setup. I took a shower, washed my laundry and hung out the wet gear. Then I ran across the street and pigged out at Burger King. After 2 dbl woopers, biggy fries and a huge shake I waddled back to the hostel. The sun was going down and the colors in the western sky showed promise for tomorrow. To start the day in sunshine with dry everything should help me get up early and try to catch a ride back. One of my guest book entries mentioned that I was a RockStar. After hiking across West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and into New Jersey and having to cope with much rocky trail and survive it I accept that designation. Actually I like the way that sounds. RockStar. I will be in New York today if all goes well.
Date: 2010-06-15
From: Vernon NJ. 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Home girl reporting from the man cave: Talked to strider briefly yesterday , his battery on his phone was low and was not sure when he could charge it up again. Anyway, he has made is to Peekskill, New York. From our short conversation, i understand that the hiking ia s little bit like when he first started his hike, alot of ups and downs. He will update his journal when he gets time AND make it more interesting than when I write!!! I have downloaded some picutres that were taken when striders family was visiting him.It was so good to see picutres of him( I was a little worried about the weight lose). Everyone keep posting on the guest book, I know he loves reading the posts.                                                       Home girl
Date: 2010-06-15
From: Vernon NJ. 

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: few clouds

I was up early as usual and grabbed a coffee and a couple of donuts for the road. I caught a quick ride back up to the trail head. There is not any hitchhiking in NJ or NY so you have to stand on the side of the road in a "I need a ride" sort of stance. Last night Steve. This morning Jim. They both comute 1+ hours to work each day because it is less expensive and away from the city. It was a hard climb coming out of Vernon. I flushed 3 turkeys early on. Then I saw another bear and numerous deer. The trail rode the ridge once up top and the makeup of the terrain was large boulders and rock ledges that seem a little fun to begin with but after a couple of miles it began to get a little rough on my feet and some soreness has developed in both of my knees. I entered NY while on those rocky outcroppings I entered NY. I was very impressed with the entire state of NJ. The trail's makeup was to me a little piece of every State and condition that I have encountered so far on this epic journey. The trail traveled through thick forest, farm and field, marsh and wetland. There was more wildlife in NJ than all other states combined. The hiking was both difficult and at times easy. I had rain, thunder, sunshine, heat and even 1 very cool night. The rocks that make up the trail went from none to the most difficult. I had hand over hand cliff areas and jumped from boulder to boulder trail conditions. If I would recommend a place for those wanting to get a taste of backpacking I would say NJ is a good place to start.
Date: 2010-06-16
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Lake Tiorati
Miles today: 15.4

The crazy rock ledges continued into NY and was very hard on me. I treated water for the very first time on this hike because there is farming and developement all around. I took a break up in the Mombasha High Point area when Robo Jesus came up on me. We ended up hiking together for the rest of the day. It was nice to have someone to talk to. Through the course of the day there were about 20 hills to contend with. Most were elevation gains of 300-400-500 ft. Just like early on back in Georgia they went up then immediatly down. No summit. It really kicked my increasingly thinning ass. The last few hills were killer and I wanted the day to be over. Crossed a gravel road that led down to a pond where Robi and myself went for a swim. We then hiked another 3 miles to Tiorati Lake where we ran into Lil Dipper, Peanut, Cobb, 1st Man , Nature, Red Wing, Bandito hanging out around a pickup truck owned by trail angel PattyO. He had a grill with hotdogs and calzones a cooler with BEER and sissy but cold soft drinks and then set us up with a Trail Bomb. Some sort of drink with Guiness and a shot of liquer dropped in. We hung out there for awhile and then retreated to a unauthirized tenting aarea for the night. Soon after dark the lightining flashed and the rain fell putting this tired hiker fast to sleep.