morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-20
From: Campsite

To: Carlisle, Pa Motel 8
Miles today: 12.8

Solo MotelI took my sweet time getting up and out of camp. I made some mate and oatmeal and was outta camp around 11. I walked up and over a few more mountains then down into the Cumberland Valley. The trail went through some corn and grain fields before entering the town of Boiling Springs. I left my pack at the ATC office and went to get some Italian food. Stone age, triple deuce, owl, and cubit were all hanging out at the spring that gives the town its name. 22 million gallons of spring water bubble up out of there every day and is supposedly the third largest in the country. There were two people there with dive gear and dry suits who were diving into the spring tunnel. They said only 4 people in the world have ever entered the small tunnel that goes back at least 600ft and they were 2 of them. It was crazy to see them disapear into the ground under us. After watching them dive for an hour I went and got another excellent Italian lunch. I got a pizza cheese steak. After lunch I went and got some snacks for the next leg of the trip and started my long haul through the valley. The trail was lined with mulberries, blackberries, wild strawberries, and cherries. I didn't need to eat any of my snacks since I could forage as I went. My fingers turned purple from eating so many mulberries. I got to US11 and walked .2 to a motel 8 and negotiated a room for $40. I swam in their pool, did laundry and took a long hot glorious shower. Then I went and got a steak dinner at embers steakhouse and had a few beers at the bar talking with some locals. I went back to the motel room and watched some tv and made some phone calls before I fell asleep in my king size bed.Today's StatsStarting Point:CampsiteEnding Point:Carlisle, Pa Motel 8Mileage:12.8Elevation Gain:1190ftElevation Loss:1860ftHiking Time:6:12Weather:Hot, breezyPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-06-21
From: Carlisle, Pa Motel 8

To: Doyle Hotel Duncannon
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: scattered clouds

The Rocks BeginI slept in late and left the room at 11. Owl and cubit had stayed there also so the 3 of us went and got breakfast together at the middlesex diner. The waitress gave us a bag full of bread and butter when she figured out we were hikers. We were back on the trail around noon and finished our hike through the valley. Climbing up the first mountain was a much needed change of pace from the flat valley. We got to a view point of the valley we had just walked through and took a nice long break. The three of us continued on and went back down to the valley before climbing up cove mountain. I think the infamous PA rocks started here. Every step was on jagged rocks of various sizes, preventing me from being able to get into any sort of groove. It was quite challenging and I tweaked my ankle causing a little bit of pain. The rocks continued throught our ridgewalk for the next 5 miles. Gypsy moths had defoliated a lot of the trees on this ridge robbing us of shade. I have been noticing damage from the moths since northern VA. You can see the moths in their caterpillar stage covering the trees. Sometimes there are soo many eating leaves in the canopy and pooping that it sounds like its raining. Quite gross really!We got to hawk rock which provided a view of Duncannon below. We watched the sunset from there then night hiked into town arriving at the legendary Doyle Hotel around 9:30. We went into the bar and got a beer and a room for $20. The bartender warned us about when we shower, that if we hear pipes rattle to get out of the shower so we won't get scalded by super hot water. Whenever anyone flushes a toilet the old plumbing diverts all the cold water away from the shower. I knew I was in a special place.I went up to my room which consisted of a single bed and an end table with a window and a fan. There were common bathrooms for the floor. I opened up my mail drops and got brownies from grandma, homemade beef jerky from Eddie, and cookies and pecan sandies from my aunt and uncle. I had some excellent treats to take back to the trail. Thanks everyone! I stayed up drinking beers with owl, cubit, and ziplock on the porch then went to bed.Today's StatsStarting Point:Carlisle, PA Motel 8 Ending Point:Doyle Hotel DuncannonMileage:17.6Elevation Gain:2630ftElevation Loss:2660ftHiking Time:9:41Weather:Warm breezy beautifulPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Doyle Hotel Duncannon

To: Doyle Hotel Duncannon
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Doyle ZeroI slept in until 10 and went and got breakfast at goodies then reserved my room for another night. I wanted another night in this cool old motel. I then sat on the porch for about 4 hours doing absolutly nothing! Some of my good buddies showed up in town including Earthquake, couch, rio, hemlock, matterhorn, and dogs life. It was good to see quake again and I felt like the old crew was back together.At 4pm we got a group shuttle to the supermarket and got a resupply then I started my night with a few beers in the Doyle bar. I was drinking beers on the porch with the crew and around 10 hemlock and I went to the local "club" called Tubbies. The name about summed up the female clientel so hemlock and I played a few rounds of pool then went back to town and hung out at The Pub. We closed the place down and went back to our balcony and finished our leftover beers. All in all a fun night in town and a much needed zero.Today's StatsStarting Point:Doyle Hotel DuncannonEnding Point:Doyle Hotel DuncannonMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:70's breezy sunnyPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-06-23
From: Doyle Hotel Duncannon

To: Table Rock Campsite
Miles today: 10.5

Get Outta TownI was up around 9 and started getting my pack together. I got some things out of my bounce box and got it ready to send home since that will be my next big town stop. I had breakfast with couch and quake at goodies then went and took care of my post office business. I hung out on the porch a little longer and helped some people finish extra beers then walked out of town with hemlock. It was very tempting to sit at the bar downstairs, but we managed to break free from the town vortex.The trail followed high street for over a mile through town before taking us across the Susquehanna river on clarks ferry bridge. We got back into the woods and faced some more huge rocks getting back up onto the ridge. Hemlock and I caught up to couch and the three of us walked the narrow ridge together. I met the ridgeruner and talked with him for a while then the we stopped under some powerlines which offered an excellent view of the evening sun. With about an hour of daylight left we made it to table rock viewpoint and set up camp for the night. I hung my hammock near the cliff and cooked dinner as I watched the sky turn purple and red. I went to bed shortly after dark. Quake and matterhorn had gone a little farther.Today's StatsStarting Point:Doyle Hotel Duncannon Ending Point:Table Rock CampsiteMileage:10.5Elevation Gain:2230ftElevation Loss:1210ftHiking Time:7:40Weather:70's sunny breezyPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-06-24
From: Table Rock Campsite

To: Haystack Creek Campsite
Miles today: 19.3

SicknessI woke up to hemlock telling me that he had been sick all night. Throwing up, among other issues that you can use your imagination for. We had minimal water and the next source was at the shelter, a mile away, but downhill on a steep .2 blue blaze. I went ahead and got lots of water and couch helped hemlock pack up his stuff. When they go to the shelter hemlock laid down and we gave him plenty of water. He had a cell and people in town knew where he was so we left hoping for the best. I was all paranoid that I was going to get sick since I had been with him the last 24 hrs. I did feel "off", running low on energy, and dragging all morning. That eventually passed and I felt OK.I took a short nap at a viewpoint until Silver showed up. She and I walked the next mile together and when we got to Shikellimy rocks we found a note on the trail warning of rattlesnakes. It said to go down hill from the rocks. I was about to head that way when I spotted a rattler under a rock downhill from me. I decided to go the normal way and cautiously walked on. I was in front of silver and turned around and realized that I had just come about a foot away from one coiled under a rock to the left. I tried to warn silver, but she panicked and the snake started rattling. She then ran to where I was and we watched the snake from a distance. A third snake was nearby as well and rattled at me when I took a step in its direction. I felt like Indiana Jones dodging all those snakes. Paranoid that there was death awating under every rock, I hiked on. The rocks were a little more tame today and I was able to cruise. I got to rausch gap shelter and noticed someone had drawn an arrow to continue down the trail with my name next to it. Quake and crew had obviously hiked on. I was tired but wanted to spend a night with them so off I went. I eventualy found them at haystack creek and they were all set up with a fire going, throwing a frisbee around. I cooked dinner and enjoyed the entertainment then climbed in my hammock.Today's StatsStarting Point:Table Rock CampsiteEnding Point:Haystack Creek CampsiteMileage:19.3Elevation Gain:2840ftElevation Loss:3370ftHiking Time:12:50Weather:Warm sunny hi70'sPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-06-26
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

Rolling PartySurprisingly everyone was up at 7 after a night of fun. I ate an apple and an orange for breakfast and hiked out with hop a long around 9. We talked the morning away mostly about music since we were both into the jam band scene. She is actually going to 10klf in a week or so which is one of my fav festies. Our crew of 10 stayed in and around each other until lunch where we split up. Today was so hot and humid. The temps were at least in the 90's and the humidity near 100%. I was sweating just standing around. It was so hot we couldn't even think, all of us were so drained today. Whenever we'd stop for breaks we would just lay there being swarmed by flies grunting at each other. Quake said he felt like his brain was scrambled. I hiked without a shirt, but still poured down sweat. It was intense! I can't remember the last time I have sweat so much. Old yeller showed me what indian cucumber looked like and how to dig it up. They were all over the trail and I dug about 10 for dinner. They ae really small, about half the size of my pinky. I in turn showed him what winter green looks like so he can make tea out of it. I also found a few handfulls of blueberies today and saw a scarlet tananger. 3 of our 10 went on a wiskey mission at pa 183. The plan was to hitch into tow and bring back a few bottles of whiskey for everyone. The rest of us hiked to the shelter and cooked and ate and waited. They didn't show up until 1030 and had no wiskey, but 60 beers. In the time they were gone I caught up on my journals then joined the party. We sat around a fire drinking our beers and just thouroughly enjoying life.Today's StatsStarting Point:501 ShelterEnding Point:Eagles Nest ShelterMileage:15.1Elevation Gain:1730ftElevation Loss:1550ftHiking Time:10:23Weather:HOT HUMID 90'sPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton Pavilion
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: few clouds

Heat NeroThe second I got out of my hammock and started packing up I was sweating. I slowly got all my gear packed up and had a bagel with nutella spread for breakfast. I was walking by 9:30 and dripping sweat by 9:31. I passed a stream that I was semi relying on to get water out of, but it was dry. I had enough water from camp to get me to town, but I would be a bit dehydrated when I got there.After the dry stream, the trail went straight uphill and everyone I was at the shelter with was laying down at the top, trying to cool off after the climb. I took off my shirt that was soaked through. That helped cool me down a bit. I pushed on and came to a spring that was also dry so I trucked into town. The hill getting down into Port Clinton was so steep it was almost dangerous. If you lost footing I bet you would tumble like a rag doll down it. I ran down.We got into the town and started walking toward the hikers pavilion. Along the way a guy driving a mac truck without the trailer stopped and started asking us questions about the trail. He offered a ride to the local restaurant, but only triple deuce and quake fit in the cab with him. I stood on a metal platform, called the catwalk, holding a bar on the back of the truck. Quite dangerous really, but fun none the less. I made it to 3C's restaurant and had them make me a roast beef sloppy joe sandwich, one of my hometown specialties. It is roast beef and swiss on three slices of rye with cole slaw and russian dressing. The chef toasted my bread and added bacon, a nice addition to my fav sandwich.After lunch we walked back to the pavilion and laid down trying to sleep the heat of the day off. Scott, the new outfitter owner, showed up and offered us a ride to his store where we could get a shower for $1.50. Matterhorn, stone age, quake, and I went for the ride in the bed of his truck and got a shower. It was probably pointless since we put our sweaty smelly clothes right back on. After that he took us to get food and beer then dropped us back off at the pavilion. I also got a whole chicken and a jug of iced tea for dinner.We bought 2 cases of yeuingling for everyone and the crew of 9 from the night before was there plus about 10 other hikers that showed up out of no where. There had to be 20 hikers there, it felt like day 1 at hawk mtn shelter. The crew of 10 stayed up drinking and probably annoying everyone trying to sleep. I hung my hammock under the pavilion and went to sleep as a thunderstorm rolled through lighting up the pavilion.Today's StatsStarting Point:Eagles Nest ShelterEnding Point:Port Clinton PavilionMileage:8.6Elevation Gain:790ftElevation Loss:1810ftHiking Time:4:48Weather:HOT Humid 90'sPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Port Clinto Pavilion

To: Dan's Pulpit
Miles today: 18.1

Day 100Last night sucked for sleeping. We were so close to the highway that the trucks jake braking down the hill all night were keeping me up. I kept having dazed half dreams that I was sleeping under an overpass. I was up at 8 and quietly packed my stuff and went back to C's for breakfast. I had their breakfast sampler which consist of 1 pancake, 1 french toast, 1 egg, 1 chipped beef covered toast, one sausage gravy covered biscuit, 1 bacon, 1 sausage, one ham, and homefries. A perfect meal for a hiker! After lunch I made the long walk back to the trail wishing I was on that big rig again. I walked under the highway then up the mountain away from port clinton.The draw of being close to NJ is starting to make me hike faster. I keep thinking of seeing my family, friends, and dogs again. I cruised back up to the ridge jamming out on some Phish along the way. I stopped at a spring and downed some delicious mountain water.I hiked alone until I caught up with quake and triple deuce at the pulpit. We soaked in the views of the hazy PA valley then hiked on together to the Pinnacle. I ate a tuna wrap and a hummus and cheese wrap for lunch then the three of us went on to the Eckville shelter. The heat wasn't as intense today and the sun hid behind clouds all morning. Hiking was a little more bearable. The rocks were only bad in a few spots, giving us large boulders to climb over.We rolled into the shelter as the first rain drops started falling. I cooked dinner inside and claimed a bunk in case the rain continued. Quake and I played a game of checkers as the rain started letting up. A good majority of the hikers who stayed at the pavilion showed up so I decided to hike a little farther for a night of solo camping. The group scene is cool, but I need some "me" time once in a while.I left the shelter at 7:30 and hiked 3 miles up hill into the evening. I saw 7 red spotted newts and a small toad. Lots of mushrooms seemed to be popping up after the rain storm as well. I made it to Dan's pulpit and creatively hung my hammock and tarp over some boulders between 2 trees. I sat on the rock ledge watching the fog flow through the valley below as a near full moon was rising behind the clouds. I felt alone in a wilderness. I couldn't hear any cars or other people talking, only owls and a few coyotes. Just me and the forest, a perfect way to spend my 100th night on the trail.Today's StatsStarting Point:Port Clinton PavilionEnding Point:Dan's PulpitMileage:18.1Elevation Gain:3740ftElevation Loss:2690ftHiking Time:8:14Weather:Overcast, cooler 80's, humid, afternoon rainstormPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Dan's Pulpit

To: Bake Oven Knob
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Scare of BearI slept until 830 and took my time getting packed up. Quake caught up as I was ready to leave and he started out ahead of me. I sluggishly walked over the rough rocks and took a short blue blaze to balance rocks. As I got to the balanced rocks I looked over to my left and saw a 3ft rattle snake trying to warm up on the cool morning. I was able to get closer than usual to this one since it was still cold. I got some excellent pics and even posed for a pic of myself with the snake behind me. I watched it for about 20 minutes and it didn't move once.I left the beautiful rattlesnake and continued northward on the rocks. The rocks eventually thinned out onto a smooth trail and I heard something moving in the forest to my right. I stopped and saw the largest black bear I have ever seen in my life heading right toward me. I was paralyzed by the immensity of this huge male. It had to be over 700lbs and had all black head, not a spot of brown on him. I bet if he stood up he would be 8ft tall! As he got closer I started banging my hiking poles together over my head to get it's attention and tried to scare him. He casually looked up at me and just turned around and walked in the opposite direction. I stood there motionless for a minute before I could start walking again. This was the only bear that I have ever seen that I was truly scared of. The size of this thing was unreal. He could have killed me with one swipe of his massive paw.I caught up to quake and told him of my morning animal encounters. He commented about how amazing it is that only a 10 min difference apart on the trail can give a completely different experience. We got to PA 309 and found a pub .1 from the trail crossing. We went in for lunch and a few beers and met hemlock, rio, matterhorn, and couch. I had a delicious cheeseburger and 2 Murphy's Stouts and got back on the trail.Whenever beer is involved at lunch, not much hiking can be done after that. I slowly made it to Bake Oven Knob and met the guys from the pub there. I was awestruck by the view overlooking the PA valley and decided to sleep up there. No tent could be pitched there so the hammock came in handy. The rest of the guys went .6 ahead to the shelter. I ate dinner and watched an AMAZING sunset, possibly the most colorful one yet. I should have known this was a local hangout from the graffiti and trash around. Some kids came up to the knob after sunset and I talked with them for a while. We could see the lights of Easton, Bethlehem, and Allentown in the valley below. I could also see Jersey in the distance.I went to bed when those kids left and a few more groups of people came up to drink and hang out. I slept through most of the peoples noise, but one kid came up to my hammock to see if anyone was in it. I growled at him and all his friends ran away.Today's StatsStarting Point:Dan's PulpitEnding Point:Bake Oven KnobMileage:13.9Elevation Gain:1690ftElevation Loss:1540ftHiking Time:7:34Weather:Cool sunnyPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Bake Oven Knob

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: broken clouds

Long HaulI woke up at 530 and caught an excellent sunrise. There was a dense fog in the valley to the left of the blue mountain ridge. I was walking at 630, the earliest start yet on the trail. I got down to the shelter and my friends were still sleeping. I got water from the spring and kept hiking. I made it to Outerbridge shelter and had lunch when they all caught up. Couch, matterhorn, quake and I climbed down and crossed the Leigh river and started the infamous lehigh gap climb.The trail went straight up 1000ft in less than a mile. We were essentially rock climbing so I put my poles away in my pack. When we got to the top we got the breeze from the other side and sat on the rocky mountain top looking at the massive climb we just completed.We sat up there for an hour then hiked over an interesting section of trail. The entire ridgeline for 5 miles was destroyed by a zinc smelting plants smoggy pollution. It felt like walking on the moon. Very few trees were left standing let alone alive and minimal brush growth was present. We did find an excellent patch of blueberries that we chowed down on. The trail was exposed and rocky so the sun was beating down hard on us. We made it to little gap and got back into the forest.After little gap the worst of the worst PA rocks began. There was no escaping from them. They made my feet feel like hamburgers and my left toes went numb. Eventually it didn't even matter where your feet landed, I would just throw one foot in front of the other and allow my legs and ankles to bend and twist fluidly so I could keep my balance. It was the hardest walking that I have ever experienced in my life! To make matters worse there was no water on the ridgetop. I had minimal water and planned on stopping at a spring which would have given me a 20 mile day. I was absolutely exhausted when I got to that spring and ready to be done for the day. I got there at dusk and to my horror found notes left by other hikers saying the spring was dry. I had to walk another 4 miles in the dark, by headlight, with almost no water, over the torturerous rocks. For the first time on this trip I didn't want to be out there.I had to get myself away from thinking negatively and transcend the pain I was dealing with in my feet. I started a walking meditation that corresponded to my breath, called breathwalk, and began to walk faster than I had all day. I separated myself from my body walked those last 4 miles in a near trance state. When I got to the shelter I still had to walk .6 mile down hill in the dark to get water. I made it after what seemed like an eternity and used the last of my energy to cook and set up my hammock. I had walked 24 miles, my largest day by far, over some of the toughest terrain on the entire trail. I don't think I have ever persevered through anything that hard before and I have never felt so strong. Tomorrow I walk into my homestate.Today's StatsStarting Point:Bake Oven KnobEnding Point:Leroy Smith ShelterMileage:24.1Elevation Gain:3400ftElevation Loss:3490ftHiking Time:14:17Weather:Sunny Warm 70'sPain Factor:6