morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Boiling Springs/Allenberry Resort

To: Boiling Springs/Allenberry Resort
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Happy Happy!! I slept through the night, woke up once but had no pain and fell back to sleep. The next time I woke up it was light outside, YippieSpent the day allowing the meds to gain a good foot hold. I walked around Boiling Springs (just to see if I was up to it), I went to the natural spring, ate at Cafe 101, and went to the grocery store (as I was suppose to be on a soft food diet). I seemed to feel fine walking around and it was another hot day, so I was encouraged.That evening Swift went to the dining room and brought back dinner and we ate in the room, that was nice. He has been a tremendous help. I ate and went to bed early, excited at the prospect that I was going to be able to sleep the whole night again.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Boiling Springs/Allenberry Resort

To: Darlington Shelter 
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULYAnother good nights sleep. Thank you Dr. Boran the pain is gone.We hiked today and it felt good. The trail was level but rocky and only a climb up to the shelter. The heat has been the issue for the last few weeks and the water (not much rain). Today we stopped at Scotts farm center got water and hung out during the heat of the day. We left to start hiking again around 5:30 pm. We got to the shelter at 7:30 pm. A couple from Australia were there and a local who thought there was going to be a party for the 4th of July at this shelter (but he was wrong), he had brought chips so he shared them with us before hiking out. ThanksLong day for me, even though I was very grateful to be back out there. Getting tired going to climb into my hammock and go to sleep.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Darlington Shelter 

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: few clouds

Up and moving early - suppose to get up to 96 deg. today. We plan to hike into Duncannon hang out at the Doyle have some lunch stay out of the heat.Our plan was perfect hiked into town, ate lunch at the Doyle. We caught the shuttle to the food store to resupply. Got back to the Doyle packed up our packs, got water. We have to camel up on water, water sources are low or dry. So on top of carrying 5 days of food we need to carry 3L of water on a day that is 98 deg.We waited till 6 pm to hike out, thinking the heat of the day should have passed. Sometimes your just wrong, it has been so hot and humid - it just doesn't cool down. We had a long road walk to get out of town and before the ridge climb. So by the time we reached the climb we were already zapped.It should of only taken us 2 hours to get to the shelter on the other side of the ridge, again wrong thinking. We started to climb that ridge in the heat and it killed us, Swift especailly, we wilted like daisies in a dry cracked, parched garden bed. I hiked ahead to try to see how far the shelter was, never did find it but found lot of bouldering (great), came back and offered to help Swift by carrying his pack which he refused of course. Well two things - the shelter was much further then we thought or we missed it, though I don't know how we could of. But it was getting dark we were frustrated and hot; that combination lead to stupid mistakes being made and you start second guessing yourself. As we hiked, now after dark, we looked for a campsite but found none, then finally a sign for the shelter. We walked to the shelter Swift pitched his tent, I just fell out in the shelter, didn't even want to mess with setting up my hammock.As I lay there, I knew that tomorrow it was 4 miles to a road and we needed to get off the trail in this heat. The next two days were suppose to be 99 deg.Well this very long day was finally over and I am going to sleep.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Duncannon/Stardust Motel
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up, actually got some sleep in the shelter, I must have been exhausted. I was the only one in there and the bugs weren't bad. When Swift woke up we talked about what we should do, what our possibilities were. I knew there was only one possibility but Swift wants to help me get some miles. I told him that we need to call trail angel Mary and get a ride to a motel and get off the trail at the next road crossing which was 4 miles at VA 225. I called Mary made arrangements to be picked up and we started hiking.We got to VA 225 and had to wait maybe 20 min for Mary and then we went to the Stardust Motel. The Stardust looked as dumpy as it sounds but I must say that the rooms were not bad and clean and the air conditioner worked, all that we required. Only one place to eat "The Ranch House", walking distance from the motel. Shower, always a great thing, went to get some supper and then early to bed.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Duncannon/Stardust Motel

To: Duncannon/Stardust Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Okay, Okay, I know another zero but things are working against us here. First bites, then pain, and now heat.So today we take a zero watch some TV, naps, shuttle to the mini mart and of course 3 meals at the "Ranch House". It is funny how you can be content wasting a whole day in a motel room doing absolutely nothing. Well after relaxing so hard, I am exhausted.Early to bedTigerlily
Date: 2010-07-08
From: Duncannon/Stardust Motel

To: Slack PA225 to PA325/Stardust Motel
Miles today: 9.5

We arranged a slackpack today since it was only going to get up to mid 90's.We still are trying to move north even with the weather working against us. The trail was level and mostly downhill today, it was nice. It has not rained in weeks and the forest is really beginning to show signs of it. Drooping/wilting plants, yellowing leaves, cracked path, it is not looking good. Things are beginning to die. Also water for us is becoming scarce. We made good time today, we were on our way back to air conditioning by 2pm. Showered, and eating (again at the "Ranch House"), and in for a big night of Nancy Grace and the announcement of where Lebron James will go! Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-09
From: Slack PA225 to PA325/Stardust Motel

To: Second Mountain/stealth
Miles today: 14.4

TIRED is the word for today. Both Swift and I tired. I slept soundly and Swift couldn't fall asleep. But in either case neither of us had the energy to get up and get going this morning. No matter cause our shuttle is coming at 7:30 am.By 8 am we're on the trail, cooler today and some what overcast, nice. Still had to carry lots of water though. It is nice to be back hiking, the plan today is 15 miles, break when we need and want them (flexible).Today we passed an area where water was being treated with limestone to lower acidity, now trout are coming back to the stream. Passed a sign for a cemetary, I'm sure it was very old. I didn't go to it but it would of been interesting. Met a father/son out for an overnight. Father (older) was trying to get reconnected with nature. It is nice to see adult children still out hiking with dad.We climbed Second Mountain (not much of a climb) and found a campsite at the top. Set up there for the night, prepared for the rain that was moving in, ate dinner, jumped in my hammock to journal at 8:30pm.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-10
From: Second Mountain/stealth

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: moderate rain

Yep its me, I am finally at a computer with some time, I had to sprain my ankle to get it but will take advantage while I can. More on the ankle later!It rained last nite, we meeded it, still was raining in the morning so we got a later start. Got on the trail around 9am, 8:52am to be exact.I did not like the trail today there was an awful climb rite past Hwy 81 then this narrow sometimes rocky path with no landmarks to let us know where we were. This went on for approx. 6 miles, didn't like it at all. But kept pushing because @ the 501 shelter you can order pizza/fizzy beverages.We got to the shelter around 6:30pm got our pizza/fizzy beverages. Swift talked with another hiker and got a bad vibe from him (he didn't trust him or his story), so he stayed in the shelter close to his stuff. I said my goodnights and hung my hammock and climbed in for the night. There must be a celebration somewhere fireworks are being shot off but I cannot see them but I do hear a lot of them.Believe it or not I have less than 1000 miles to go to reach Katahdin, pretty incredible. Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-11
From: 501 shelter

To: Eagle Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

This morning Papa Shananigan's came to the 501 shelter and made the hikers breakfast: omelettes, sausage, coffee, juice, toast, donuts. Thank you Papa-great omelettes.However, we did not get on the trail till 9:40am a late start. The trail in PA is not a trail but a rock bed. I think PA used to be a huge boulder that was broken and scattered and called PA. On this trail I roll my ankle, fall, and get achy feet. I have all of the above for today. Swift says it only gets worse! Thanks for that great news but he promises it will get better.It was a long day with the late start and the rocks. Only .7 to go to the shelter, 21 minutes. I realized how much ground you cover in .7 miles, and that I have hiked 1570 (.7 miles segments) or 1099.5 miles. WOWTomorrow into Port Clinton, resupply and a nice soft bed for my very a chy feet, oh yea and a shower! Off to sleep for meTigerlily
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Eagle Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Up and out by 7am, we wanted to get to Port Clinton early. Again the trail was awful and I think I am beginning to wear down a bit. But completing this trail is more mental than physical they say. Most people experience this dispair of the mind in VA, it took me a little longer. I think the struggle of the rocks and knowing I have 6 more days of it. I had no umph today just plodded along, got to Port Clinton and plopped in bed and was very happy to be there. I know I am hiking out tomorrow but am not looking forward to it. Hope this passes soon.But weather wise we picked a great day to be in town, it poured around dinner time and we were dry. That is always a good feeling. Getting sleepy off to bedTigerlily
Date: 2010-07-13
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

We slept in, well Swift did. I was up @ 5am. Still we didn't get on the trail till 11:20am, I was being worked on to take a zero but I held fast and said we had to hike.Today went well, had a climb first thing and a few smaller ones later. We hiked well though. We met a nice German couple living in England. We had some nice views and the trail was divided up nicely. It made the day and the miles go by more quickly. We wanted to camp before the shelter but were in an area that said no camping, so we kept going. It was an easy walk.We arrived at Eckville shelter about 8:15pm and a couple that Swift hiked with last year were at that shelter, they are picking up where they left off last year. So that was really cool for Swift to see them again (Ziggy Stardust and Thin Mint).I am in my hammock and it is gently raining, I think I will just let the soft drops of the rain lull me to sleep. Good nightTigerlily
Date: 2010-07-14
From: Eckville Shelter

To: New Tripoli Campsite
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: moderate rain

Can we say gulley washer, that gentle rain turned into a downpour. Quite the storm lightening, thunder not so bad but the rain was crazy. I think we got between 3 - 4 inches of rain. It stopped raining in the morning for a while.We packed up wet which is never fun and hit the trail around 8am.The first thing we had to cross was a swelled stream, no way to keep boots dry. Then we climbed 1200' in the rain forest like conditions. The humidity had to be 98%. Made it to the top to Dan's Pulpit and no view but it did start to rain and continued till about 2pm. And of course in PA the trail is rocks small ones, sharp ones, and big ones all of which are slippery when wet. Also today I got my trekking pole wedged between two rocks and started to fall and snapped my carbon pole in two. Swift did a makeshift repair and it is working well. But I know I can't put to much weight on it.We got to a shelter about 1pm for lunch: Wolfpack (the german couple), wall flower, and a couple of other ladies were there also. We ate and talked weather. Swift, myself and wall flower left arfound 2:30pm. The others staying the night. We hiked 4 miles to the road, went to a B&B (which was closed) and got water in back. While there I realized I left my camera. I hope at the last shelter but I am not sure. My feet are killing me, retaped them and hiked on. As we were crossing the road to go back into the woods HD Mama's ride gave us a fizzy beverage and I told them about my camera. They said they had Wolfpacks phone # so they sent a message about my camera and we got the word out and my #. Now I will wait and see if anyone finds it and calls. Got to our campsite @ 6:30pm set up, ate dinner under my tarp. Now in my dry hammock. It is nice to be relaxing and reading. I picked up "The Miracle of Mindfulness" by Thich NHAT HANH, a little light reading before dozing off.Tomorrow is a new day.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-15
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: stealth outside of Palmerton
Miles today: 10.7

Rocks again today, hmmm thats different. Today we have to cross something called Knifes Edge, we had held up short of it because of weather conditions (rocks can become very slick when wet). I had to be careful and do some butt scooting but it was fun. Later in the day we went to Bake Oven Knob (an overlook), and laid out our stuff in the sun to dry. We spent several hours there relaxing and enjoying the view while our stuff dried. Several hikers came through and I relayed my woes of lost camera. "Moped" came through and asked if I had gotten my camera back - he said "Rabbit Foot" had found it. I gave my phone # to Moped and asked him to get it to Rabbit Foot if/when he caught him. Glad to here someone has the camera and knows who it belongs to.Oh yea, I also broke my other pole - not having a good time on these rocks. Again Swift and electric tape saved the day.Finally we continue on and find a camping spot about a mile outside of Palmerton and called it a night. I checked my phone for messages and "Rabbit Foot" had called. I called him back and we made arrangements to meet @ the jailhouse hostel in Palmerton. Thank you Rabbit Foot, you don't know how greatful I am.My feet or toes are really blistering up, not sure why now but other hikers have said it could be from dehydration and/or my electrolytes being out of whack. I don't know but they are really beginning to hurt.Well enough for now - tomorrow I get my camera back, I am excited. Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-16
From: stealth outside of Palmerton

To: Filbert B&B
Miles today: 5.0

On the trail early, headed to Palmerton. We got there about 9am.We went to Bert's dropped our packs and I went over to the jailhouse hostel to meet Rabbit Foot and get my camera. Thank you again Rabbit Foot, I owe you a beer if I see you again up the trail.We ate breakfast with "Hook" and then did our resupply, packed up and headed back out at noon. As we passed the bank it said it was 92 deg, yuck. The climb out of Lehigh Gap is steep and rocky - but not normal rocky, boulder rocky - where you are hand over hand, butt, knees. It was the first time I had experience anything like that on the trail and we were high. I have a little fear of heights. It was challenging and exciting. There was one spot right at a steep drop off edge where I had to step up and I swore my legs just weren't long enough. Swift held out his hand, I grabbed his hand put my knee up and then my foot, we leaned up against the big slab of rock and enjoyed the view. That was after my legs stopped shaking, and my heart slowed down. I wish I had a picture but my battery for my camera (which I have again yippie) is dead. We continued bouldering over to the other side of the ridge which was fun and not close to the edge.On the other side of that ridge hidden in the valley is the Palmerton Superfund site created due to zinc smelting. Horrible place, very sad to see such a waste land. We followed the ridgeline along the superfund site through the tick laden praire grass. I look up to see Swift doing a bug dance, he then announces loudly "TICKS" as he is flicking off numerous ticks from his legs & socks counting them as he does. We had about a 1 1/2 miles to go through the grass. Swift stopping often to check and flick. The number keeps growing, soon he is cussing PA, then he tells me to go in front "I quit, this is not fun anymore" he yells. I keep hiking on. Lets not forget it is about 94 deg and humid just all the things to make hikers miserable. Finally I get to some woods and shade, I stop to take a break and wait for Swift. In total Swift found 18 ticks on him during that 1 1/2 mile stretch. He sat for awhile and calmed down and said he wasn't going to quit, which I already knew but it was nice to hear. But needless to say he was skeeved out by all the ticks he had found on him and just wanted to get out of the woods and into a shower. So when we came down off the ridge and to a road we decided to go to a B&B.At 5:30pm we got to Little Gap and called the B&B and they came and picked us up. My feet still blistered and hurting so I was also happy with the decision. Cathy and Sherri picked us up around 6:15pm and we were at the B&B by 6:30pm. Cathy gives us the tour. Nice place - Victorian style. Each room had a theme, I had the Abigail room.Swift takes off his shoes and socks and finds two more ticks, I flicked them into the toilet. The whole tick situation isn't funny but I laugh everytime I think about it.We got cleaned up, ordered way to much dinner and went to sleep. We may do a zero here. My feet need some rest and work and more rest.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Filbert B&B

To: Filbert B&B
Miles today: 0.0

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONDidn't sleep well up @ 4am and drank some Mountain Dew, then back to bed for a few more hours of sleep. Up to stay at 6am - not feeling good (mentally that is).I had my first melt down, went out on the beautiful front porch and cried, don't know why. Maybe - ok - don't know why, want to hike/ need a zero/ feel trapped/ how, out here - only in my head!!!STOP THINKING. Take a zero relax, read, nap.Well I spent most of the day in bed napping. Maybe I was just over tired. It turned out to be a perfect zero. I feel better.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-18
From: Filbert B&B

To: Filbert B&B
Miles today: 0.0

The plan was to hike today but another zero was needed. This time Swift needed a mental day.Spent most of the day napping. A new hiker came in "Honeycomb". We all went to dinner at an ice cream/diner. Cheeseburgers & ice cream. Milkshake with dinner was great, ice cream cones for dessert. Then Cathy came and picked us up and dropped us back @ the B&B. Now a couple of episodes of House and off to sleep.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-19
From: Filbert B&B

To: Wind Gap/ Gateway Motel
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the B&B after a double zero, on the trail @ 8:50am. Said our good bye's to Cathy who said her family was leaving. Thank you Cathy you were great!!A rock climb first thing and then it leveled off until a short descent into Wind Gap. The trail was rocky but not as bad as I expected. About an hour outside of Wind Gap it started rumbling thunder. We got rained on briefly but did not get soaked. We got to the motel @ 5:30pm, I opened the door and it was a gulley washer. It lightened up shortly, and we went to dinner and resupplied. Got back to the room, watched a Lorretta Lynn movie with Sissy Spacek. Off to sleep as soon as it is overTigerlily
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Wind Gap/ Gateway Motel

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up this morning, tired. So I went back to sleep for a couple of hours - got a 10am start on the trail.Hmmm again rocks, a few more than yesterday but not awful like I expected. Today was my last day in PA, tomorrow NJ. Hiked into Delaware Water Gap (DWG) around 7pm. Went to the Presbyterian Hostel, lots of people here. Many of the hikers I don't know, a few I do. Took a shower, read a little, got a bite to eat. The hostel was crowded so I decided to hang my hammock outside. Crawled in and I have privacy (which is a gift out here). Swift is going to try to sleep on the floor in the hostel - good luck with that Swift, hope you get some sleep.I am going to sleep now to the sound of crickets and the fresh smell of the outdoors, the hostel smells like hikers (and that is not a good smell).Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-21
From: Delaware Water Gap

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

Didn't sleep great but better than I would of in the hostel. This morning I had to take care of my poles (broken) situation. I was up again @ 6am - took a walk to the mini mart got a fizzy drink while waiting for people to wake up.Swift woke up a little after 8am and we went to the diner for breakfast, then back to the hostel. The outfitter opens @ 10am.Walked down to the outfitter, he was able to fix one pole but not the other. I suggested that he just give me a new pair, he said he couldn't do that. I walked back to the hostel told Swift - who promptly said we are going back to the outfitter. On the way I called Leki (the company) and told them what I wanted to happed (for the outfitter to give me a new set), the Leki rep said we could make that happen and I put them on the phone with the owner of the outfitter and whala I got new poles.So after all that we made it on the trail around 11:30am. It was the warmest day for me (i think the humidity is getting to me), I sweated buckets not sure why. We did get to swim in a glacial pond, Sunfish pond, that was very enjoyable. We only hiked 10 miles but it took us all day. I saw my first rattle snake today up on a vista. It started getting dark, rain like dark, so we headed down to Mohican Outdoor Center, where we camped with Ziggy Stardust and Thin Mint. We were all sitting around talking and it started to rain. We scattered like bugs, jumping into our respective homes for the night.sleepTigerlily
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: stealth by Culvers Gap
Miles today: 19.4

Woke up this morning and went to the office and bought 3 fizzy drinks. I really enjoy my fizzy drinks out here. We got on the trail at 7:50am, pretty good. We hiked well today, lots of rocks but we were diligent. We decided to hike to Culver Gap approx 17m and we went to Gyp's tavern for a Smirnoff or 5, beer, and dinner. Then we hiked out about 8:30pm, hiked about 2m and found a spot to camp. Now laying in my hammock, journalling but a little intoxicated and very tired. I think I will go to sleep nowTigerlily