morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-03
From: Bearded Woods Hostel

To: Bearded Woods Hostel
Miles today: 13.0

Today we slackpacked the section we had skipped by hitching into town. I'm glad we didn't skip this part (Guilder Pond to Salisbury, CT). Today was AWESOME! We hiked NOBO with Sugah and had a blast! It rained at one point this morning, but it wasn't too bad. We had a good hike, went up Bear Mountain which was cool, then the descsnt down Bear ended at Sages Ravine which was really cool because it was about a 1.5 mile stretch where we followed a beautiful brook with a lot of cascades the whole way. It was flowing nicely due to all the recent rain. Then came a gentle ascent up to Mt. Race where a little over a half mile was along a ridgeline with views over the side of the ridge. We then climbed Mt. Everett which was reminiscent of the Whites as far as the terrain and climbing up a rock cliff; the difference being this trail doesn't seem to be trying to kill me. I've had a lot of great days out here for many different reasons, but as far as the actual hiking goes, today was my favorite- there were some nice, flat parts, steep, rocky, climbs, rivers and waterfalls, views, and ridgelines-perfect! To top it all off, once we met back up with Hudson, the plan was for him to xrop us off at West Cornwall where we left off. Instead, he got out of his truck and said: "OK, Big Lu is making dinner for everyone - nothing special, just burgers and dogs - dessert will be root beer floats, and in the morning, PB&J sandwiches to go. Tonight is free night at the Bearded Woods Hostel...is that OK with you guys?" Best trail magic EVER...I was not looking forward to another two miles with my full pack. Also, I officially crossed into Connecticut today! Not quite as exciting as usual 1) because technically I've already been hiking, and staying in CT and 2) the border sign is misplaced so I don't know when we actually crossed for real. But still, 4 states down!!
Date: 2013-09-05
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: stealth site
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

Crossed into NY today!! 5 states down! We actually crossed into NY twice because that's how the trail is. Pretty good hike today, went into to Wingdale to order some gear and eat pizza, then surprised ourselves by actually hiking right back out and settling down for the night by the road. Great day after yesterday's mishaps!
Date: 2013-09-06
From: stealth site

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 10.9

Got a late start this morning, but passed a truck selling wood-fired pizza which Doc took advantage of. It was hot today amd I moved pretty sluggishly. The hike was really nice today though. We passed the biggest oak tree on the AT- 20'4" in circumference! We arrived at the shelter to find it empty but Blue had left us a note in the register to catch up! He also left us Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I'm falling asleep to coyotes in the distance tonight! I like their howling. This is so cool!
Date: 2013-09-07
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Dennytown Rd. - stealth site
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: few clouds

Today was my first almost 20 mile day! And it was exhausting and long, but not bad at all! We went to a deli a little off trail and got beer and sandwiches...and consumed our purchases on the sidewalk in front of the place - hoboing it up! We walked some more, saw some pretty stuff, and finally made it to Dennytown Rd. where we filled up on water and found a not-so-stealthy stealth spot . I was tired and sore, but it felt good to get in some bigger miles!
Date: 2013-09-08
From: Dennytown Rd. - stealth site

To: Bear Mountain Bridge Motel
Miles today: 14.5

Today was a really great day! We'd wanted to get up and over Bear Mountain but that was an ambitious goal for the day after a 19+ for me. We realized that pretty quickly though. But today was still really cool! Doc and I hiked together today so we played some "travel" games in between conversations. I taught him some Brock Family favorites from when I was little and my sister, parents, and myself would play car games: guessing songs, and guessing animals! Guessing songs is where one person starts humming a song and whoever guesses what song it is first gets to then be the hummer. We didn't play that one for long because Doc failed miserably. Guessing animals is my favorite - one person thinks of any animal amd the other person guesses animals until they get it right and becomes the thinker of the next animal! Surprisingly enough (or maybe not all that surpriaing...) that one kept us occupied for a while. When we did get bored of it, I made up a new one and we played guessing numbers where I thought of a number 1 through 1,000,000 and Doc had to guess it. That was fun too. At the road, there was a gas station/deli where ws ate lunch and dis ahort term resupply. Some ladies were eating outside also amd talked to us for a little bit, then we headed out with a new plan to cross the Hudson River, then go to a motel b/c after the bridge, the trail goes through a zoo, which I didn't want to miss, but we wouldn't get there before it closed. Also, there's nowhere to stealth because it's a big roadwalk section. And I can always use a shower! So, we hiked on, excited to cross the Hudson! Once again, we got so totally engrossed in our conversation (talking about Wil Smith and his performances in Pursuit of Happyness and Seven Pounds) that we walked on a side trail for about .7 miles before realizing we were following trail markers instead of white blazes. Backtracked, found the trail, kept going. Team D0C0! Crossing the Hudson over Bear Mountain Bridge was AWESOME! It was perfect timing with he sun kind of setting so the river looked cool and a big boat passed under and the mountains behind it - it was just fun to walk across and I took much longer than necessary because I kept stopping to look at things. We got to the zoo entrance and called the BMBM where Doug came and picked us up and took us back to the motel and got us all squared away. Ado and Blue Tick were also staying at the motel, they had zeroed, so that was cool to see them again! We got cleaned up and went to a bbq joint across the street which was surprisingly impressive considering I'm in New England. Tomorrow - the Zoo and Bear Mountain!
Date: 2013-09-09
From: Bear Mountain Bridge Motel

To: stealth site
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The zoo opened at 10am so we got a kind of late start but that's OK! It wasn't as pitiful as all the NOBOs said it was, though it wasn't exactly joyous either. They have animals native to the area and signs with education facts and information about the plants and animals. The animals there are either orphaned/raised in captivity, or came in injuredand can't bereleased in the wild, so it is slightly depressing. The bear cage is the lowest point on the AT at 124'. Also the lowest point because the bear cage is just depressing. 2 bears inhabit the concrete cage. There were also owls, and coyotes, and a bald eagle and various reptiles and amphibians! My personal favorite of all the exhibits, though, was the "utility pole" where they have a sign about 1 of many utility poles in the park... cool zoo. Also, there was a boulder exhibit. Fascinating. The climb up Bear Mountain was easy, because it was a staircase. It was cool to seethe NYC skyline from the top though! My foot hurt pretty good today, and though NY is beautiful and I really like it, a lot of the trail is loose rocks kind of like gravel but bigger, and that doesn't feel great on the foot. Especially going downhill. There are a lot of ups and downs, and going uphill actually makes my foot feel normal, so I occasionally get some relief during the days. I was ready to be done for the day though after Black Mtn. so we went until we found water, then found a campsite. Even though I hurt, today was still an awesome day!
Date: 2013-09-10
From: stealth site

To: NY Route 17
Miles today: 7.6

I slept in this morning - needed it! I haven't slept well the last few days so I was hapoy to sleep later, and Doc was patient enough to not wake me up. Last night I'd set my tent up without the rain fly because the weather is supposed to be clear until Wednesday or Thursday. Sometime around 3 or so, I woke up to some raindrops on me, and it took me a few seconds to realize that meant RAIN! So I scurried out of my tent and by the time I set up the fly and got back in, it was pouring. Nothing got wet though! Then I was awake for a while and read some before going back to sleep. We neroed today because.the weather was hot and muggy and after about noon, we were tired and slow. So we called it a day around 3:30 and relaxed the rest of the day. The higlight of today was the Lemon Squeezer which is a few yards of the trail where you go through a very narrow crevice. Pretty cool, but nothing too special. Also, the forest in general in this area is beautiful! I like NY!
Date: 2013-09-12
From: NY Route 17

To: Tuxedo Motel
Miles today: 0.0

We decided to zero because it was supposed to be really hot and awful. And it was, so I'm glad we zeroed. It got up to 92 which is 8° or so hotter than when I was miserable in Connecticut, but the "feels like" temperature stayed at 100 for most of the day. Miserable. Then we were getting ready this morning with the weather.channel on and saw that there was supposes to be awful weather today, including hail and high winds. That was my main concern because if we couldn't make it to a shelter, I'd have to set up my tent which would be destroyed by hail and end my hike because I can't afford another one! Definitely not worth the risk, but I've been bored out of my mind all day!!! Also, there's been some storms, but nothing nearly as bad as they predicted. Go figure. We made a chess board out of a pizza box which kept us entertained for two games. (We each won one so there will have to be a tie breaker soon). I cannot wait to hike out tomorrow, I'm going stir crazy.Was so bored today that I uploaded some photos on here, check 'em out!
Date: 2013-09-13
From: Tuxedo Motel

To: Cascade Brook- stealth site
Miles today: 14.9

Today hurt. The terrain and "little" ups and downs kicked my butt!! The trail was real rocky, but with loose rocks and medium sized rocks - it killed my foot which makes me very worried for PA since that rocky terrain is notoriously awful. As always though, I'll take it one day at a time. But, I saw an awesome rainbow today from an overlook! I was at the same height as the rainbow and it was spread over the valley! So cool! And, today ended well, we stopped kind of early and Breeze (who I hiked with a lot of the wilderness) caught up! So that was super fun to catch up with her and hear about her experiences since Monson! Tomorrow will be good, Breeze talked us in to going into town tomorrow...not like that's hard to do; and we will cross into NJ!
Date: 2013-09-14
From: Cascade Brook- stealth site

To: St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was fun! Breeze and I hiked together all day, and Doc hiked with us on and off. We crossed into New Jersey today!!! So that's cool. I liked NY for the most part, though today and the last couple days were a little rough. I liked NJ today...until it decided to hate me. As the 3 of us were hiking together, we were playing guessing animals, and I was bringing up the rear. Doc and/or Breeze must have stepped on and/or stabbed with their trekking poles, a yellow jacket nest (and yes, I do unfairly blame Doc and Breeze...and nature...for what happened next =P). So, as I was innocently following them, about to guess an animal, all of a sudden I get stung on the shoulder by a yellow jacket. No big deal, I've been stung before and I know I'm not allergic; but before I could finish that thougt, I was stung again...and again...and again...and I realized I was being aggressively attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets! I brushed off the one on my arm, and killed another on my arm, but still had one stuck in each sock, and a couple stuck between my back and pack, and another few stuck in the waistband of my shorts. Naturally, I yelled a string of choice words while running down the trail pushing Doc and Breeze out of the way, dropped by pack, tore my shirt off and began swatting myself with it. Meanwhile, the yellow jackets in my shorts are stinging me repeatedly in my shorts...so, in conclusion, I end up 15 yards down trail with my shorts adown around my knees, hitting myself with my shirt. I had 12+ stings between my ankles, butt, and right arm. Earlier I had found a motorcycle helmet on trail and against my better judgment, put it on my head and wore it for about a mile. Good thing it wasn't on during this attack because 1) I probably would have gotten stung repeatedly in the face, 2) I had a hard enough time trying to simultaneously get my shirt, pack, shorts, and yellow jackets off of me that the helmet would have made the process infinitely more difficult, and 3) it would have been more entertaining for Breeze and Doc who, yes, were laughing at my expense (after they confirmed I wasn't allergic, and they were really helpful afterwards)). Anyway,entertaining day to say the least. The helmet led to many jokes: now whenever I have a "blonde" moment, Doc tells me to go put my helmet back on before I hurt myself. Passed a ton of dayhikers today since it was a beautiful Saturday. Unfortunately, didn't pass any while I was wearing my helmet. Fortunately, also didn't run into any while I was getting stung...that would have been awkward as they would have walked into the weirdest, most unfortunate strip tease ever. Got to the road, Doc had gone ahead. Breeze and I got an easy hitch by 2 really cool ladies. Church hostel is awesome, resupplied and ate dinner. Can't sit or lie on my back comfortably because of the stings in my butt, which is highly inconvenient, though I can definitely see the humor in it. My body still feels on fire, but whatever, it was a good day!
Date: 2013-09-14
From: Cascade Brook- stealth site

To: St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Miles today: 12.1

Today was fun! Breeze and I hiked together all day, and Doc hiked with us on and off. We crossed into New Jersey today!!! So that's cool. I liked NY for the most part, though today and the last couple days were a little rough. I liked NJ today...until it decided to hate me. As the 3 of us were hiking together, we were playing guessing animals, and I was bringing up the rear. Doc and/or Breeze must have stepped on and/or stabbed with their trekking poles, a yellow jacket nest (and yes, I do unfairly blame Doc and Breeze...and nature...for what happened next =P). So, as I was innocently following them, about to guess an animal, all of a sudden I get stung on the shoulder by a yellow jacket. No big deal, I've been stung before and I know I'm not allergic; but before I could finish that thougt, I was stung again...and again...and again...and I realized I was being aggressively attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets! I brushed off the one on my arm, and killed another on my arm, but still had one stuck in each sock, and a couple stuck between my back and pack, and another few stuck in the waistband of my shorts. Naturally, I yelled a string of choice words while running down the trail pushing Doc and Breeze out of the way, dropped by pack, tore my shirt off and began swatting myself with it. Meanwhile, the yellow jackets in my shorts are stinging me repeatedly in my shorts...so, in conclusion, I end up 15 yards down trail with my shorts adown around my knees, hitting myself with my shirt. I had 12+ stings between my ankles, butt, and right arm. Earlier I had found a motorcycle helmet on trail and against my better judgment, put it on my head and wore it for about a mile. Good thing it wasn't on during this attack because 1) I probably would have gotten stung repeatedly in the face, 2) I had a hard enough time trying to simultaneously get my shirt, pack, shorts, and yellow jackets off of me that the helmet would have made the process infinitely more difficult, and 3) it would have been more entertaining for Breeze and Doc who, yes, were laughing at my expense (after they confirmed I wasn't allergic, and they were really helpful afterwards)). Anyway,entertaining day to say the least. The helmet led to many jokes: now whenever I have a "blonde" moment, Doc tells me to go put my helmet back on before I hurt myself. Passed a ton of dayhikers today since it was a beautiful Saturday. Unfortunately, didn't pass any while I was wearing my helmet. Fortunately, also didn't run into any while I was getting stung...that would have been awkward as they would have walked into the weirdest, most unfortunate strip tease ever. Got to the road, Doc had gone ahead. Breeze and I got an easy hitch by 2 really cool ladies. Church hostel is awesome, resupplied and ate dinner. Can't sit or lie on my back comfortably because of the stings in my butt, which is highly inconvenient, though I can definitely see the humor in it. My body still feels on fire, but whatever, it was a good day!
Date: 2013-09-15
From: St. Thomas Episcopal Church

To: Murray Property Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

The church hostel was nice - got a shower with real shampoo AND conditioner! Did laundry, and got to restock on some first aid stuff from the hiker box. Went to church this morning for the first time since being out here, so that was nice. Dunkin Donuts for breakfastso we got a late start this morning. It turned out to be a slow moving day today.Taxi caught up, him, Doc, and I played cards at night. This shelter is a cabin on Mr. Murray's property, and he allows hikers to stay there. He came by to check on the place and we talked to him for a while, a really nice guy! Good day.
Date: 2013-09-16
From: Murray Property Shelter

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

I hiked with Breeze and Doc on and off today. Went to the highest point in NJ. The High Point State Park Headquarters people were really nice - they gave us cokes and filled our water bottles with bottled water since their water wasn't potable due to some plumbing issues. That was really cool of them! As I was putting away my pack cover (it rained this morning), about to continue hiking, I tossed it to Doc, and we realized that we could play catch with it! So we did that for a bit then continued hiking. During my lunch break, a NOBO section hiker, Doc Bob, passed by and asked if I was Chaco. I am, so he delivered a sweet message to me from Sumo (a nice 18 year old girl I hiked around for a bit, and is now a few days ahead) that made my day. He chatted with us for a while and that was nice. Had a few nice views. At the end of the day, Doc, Breeze, and I rolled up to the shelter, amd Taxi, Chewy, and Pumba were there (I met the latter two today!) Taxi was waiting for us to see if we wanted pizza, because he was going to try to get some delivered to the road that was off a sidetrail by the shelter. No pizza place would deliver to the middle of nowhere on this road, but he got a Chinese place to deliver to us! Doc and Taxi went to the road to meet them. Chinese food, good mileage, good company, new folks, good day!
Date: 2013-09-17
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Rattlesnake Spring Campsite
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

We were around Breeze, Chewy, Taxi, Pumba, and Chicory today. Nothing real eventful, Doc and I played Guessing Animals some more, and there was no water almost all day, despite what the guidebook said. Breeze, Chicory, and Chewy went ahead, but Doc, Taxi, Pumba, and I all camped together. It was an OK day, but a pretty good night. It's starting t cool off now, it gets noticeably colder in the late afternoon while hiking, once I stop hiking, I immediately have to get into my warm clothes. The nights have been in the mid 30s which makes the mornings cold and it's difficult to get out of my sleeping bag! Hopefully I get used to it, else I'm going to be in some trouble for the remainder of the trip!
Date: 2013-09-18
From: Rattlesnake Spring Campsite

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA - Church of the Mountain 
Miles today: 13.5

I'm now in Pennsylvania!!! Barely. Crossed the Delaware River and came into town that the trail goes through. There's a place here with a hot dog and slice of pie for $2.49. So I got two of each. Picked up my maildrop at the P.O. then decided to stay in town at this church hostel. Today's hike was pretty, but it seemed to take forever. I met two dayhikers, Dean and Elaine with their dog Rambo. Talked with them for a long time and really enjoyed meeting them. Hung out all evening in town with Taxi, Doc, Treegasm, Blue Tick, and Ado. Good times!
Date: 2013-09-19
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA - Church of the Mountain 

To: Beer Stein - Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Full, uneventful day today. Came in to Beer Stein, a bar in Wind Gap about 0.8 off trail that allows hikers to tent in their yard behind the bar! Then, after running up a bar tab, they let hikers have free reign of the kitchen in the morning to make breakfast. The food here was good, and I called it a night pretty early to save money. Looking forward to breakfast!
Date: 2013-09-20
From: Beer Stein - Wind Gap, PA

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Yellow-blazed up trail to Port Clinton today. Quite a chunk. Not that I have to justify yellow-blazing to anyone but myself, I will explain my reasoning behind skipping miles this time: PA, in my opinion, is pretty crappy, not just the infamous rocks, but it's just flat and boring. No views, just boring. Chicory (a fellow SOBO) I think said it best: "Every mile is the exact same." So, it makes sense to me to skip a section of crappy (no worries, I will still get a few days of the rocks) because I'd be pretty bitter honestly if the worst part of the trail is what destroys my foot to the point of dropping...I'd much rather my last experiences on trail be NOT Pennsylvania! So far, I'm not regretting it at all - I'm pretty sure that won't change!
Date: 2013-09-22
From: The Pavilion - Port Clinton, PA

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I did my biggest mileage day today! Finally did over 20 and broke that barrier... only took 3 months =P It was completely flat after the initial climb out of Port Clinton, but the rocks were awful, as to be expected. I was motivated by pizza - this shelter- this shelter is right on a highway to where 2 pizza places deliver! It got dark around 7:00, so I night-hiked the last 1.5 or so and arrived at 7:40, right as Doc was going to the road to meet the delivery guy and get our pizza and salad! Which was delicious. I feel tired, but not crappy at all! There are cats here which sucks because I hate cats and are really allergic to them, but the shelter is a cabin, so we put their food and water outside, and shut them out. 1 kitten was admittedly pretty cute. Tomorrow, I'm sleeping in and only doing 15! Also, the BRAVES CLINCHED THE NL EAST TONIGHT!!!!!!!!! =)
Date: 2013-09-25
From: 501 Shelter

To: The Doyle - Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 46.8

Pretty boring last couple of days. Hiked, saw a big black rat snake. The trail kind of sucks even without the rocks. A lot of it is overgrown and you can't see where you're stepping, which sometimes is on rocks, sometimes not, but my main concern is that this is rattlesnake country, and I'd prefer to be able to see where I'm stepping! Oh well! Got to the Doyle, a hotel/restaurant which is kind of unglamourous, but so awesome! It's one of the legendary trail places! Super hiker friendly, cheap, and actually really good food! Pat and Miss Vickey are so awesome! Laundry, bed, shower, resupply, food, beer, and I got more steroids for my foot! Also, I finally met MDOT! We've been leap-frogging a lot. He's not staying here though. Hopefully Blue and Sumo catch up soon! OH! Passed the 1000 mile mark!!! Almost halfway!