morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-21
From: US-11

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

OK I am heading to the most talked about Hotel on the trail the Doyle which is in Duncannon PA. It is infamous for it great bar and the number of thru hikers that visit and share a cold one or two or many more. Today's hike will be about 17 miles and so for the past four days it will be a total of 62 miles. So I am averaging a little over 15 a day. The feet are starting to make the adjustment to the new boots and orthotics and I do not have the pain that I had earlier in the hike. No real problem with PA rocks YET.I arrived in Duncannon around the 7:00 and headed for the Doyle. I got a room for $17.00. Showered, I did not shave the RED Beard it is becoming part of the CHUBSTER. I had a big meal and headed for the bar at the Doyle. It was like old home week, there were people in the bar that I am sure I had not see in some time like Rodeo, Rocket and Jersey Jones, just to mention a few. I had more Juenllings (sp) than needed, but it was a great night. Tomorrow is a Zero day and I am sure I will meet more fellow hikers as they filter into town. The plan is to head out Thursday and head for Port Clinton about 70 miles up the trail. CHUBSTER.Hey you guys in New England I am getting closer, so when and if you want to hike with a smelly hiker let me know.
Date: 2005-06-22
From: Duncannon

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I had arrived in Duncannon on Tuesday at around 7:00 the longest day of the year. I will spend a ZERO today here and do all the necessary things, resupply, eat, hydrate ( that means a few beers ) and then on Thursday push on to Port Clinton. That is another 70 miles up the trail. That will give me another 75 miles or so until I get to the DWG (Delaware Water Gap)and the border of PA and NJ. They say that is the rockies part of PA, but time will tell. One fellow hiker said it is the O'douvres for the "Whites" in New Hampshire. I did some figuring on short term milages as you see above and also long term milage. I have about 365 miles until I hit the Massachusetts border. If I do about 15 miles a day I should be there about the 17th or 18th of July, give or take a day. Oh by the way I forgot to mention another mile stone I passed 1100 mile this week, that is another reason to celebrate. You all take care and until about 4 or 5 days the best from the CHUBSTER.
Date: 2005-06-23
From: Duncannon

To: Stony Mtn
Miles today: 21.5

I finally got out of Duncannon. It is a town that is like a vortex. It will suck you in and finds it hard to let you go. The weather was warm today, but not as warm as what they are predicting for the weekend. I decided to make the most of it and I would hike during the cool parts of the day. I did just that the trail was a bit rocky, but there is no real elevation. I am hiking at about 1200-1600 feet so the rocks are tolerable. I have had the good fortunate to have hiked 40 of the 48 4000'footers in New Hampshire so I know that this is a cake walk compared to the Whites. There are not many folks out here, so I walked all day byself. This really gives you time to reflect about this adventure and life in general. I did 21.5 miles today and I passed Peter Mtn Shelter and just kept going and finally stopped at 9:00 when the last part of daylight had disappeared. I set up mine tent on Stony Mtn and had a really good night of sleep. Today was my 106 day on the trail and the feet did real well. I have a few blisters from the new shoes. I will put some glide on tomorrow and hopefully they don't get any worse. Hopefully I can do some serious milage tomorrow.Just a short thank you,to Bob & Kate McConaghy for your generous offer. I am from Westfield Ma, and my Mom will do some driving and I plan to do some hiking with my Dad in the NY-CT area if all works according to plan, again thanks. CHUBSTER
Date: 2005-06-24
From: Stony Mtn

To: William PennShelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: scattered clouds

After yesterday I know what you are thinking!!!! The Chubster is going to do a semi-short day. I am going to fool all of my followers I did another 21.3 mile day. I was up early had a good breakfast and hit the trail about 9:30 and I just took my time. You could feel the heat starting to pick up, so in the afternoon I took a 2 hour nap. There is not a lot of excitement about the trail here in PA. It is not anyone fault, it is just the lay of the land. It is fairly flat and you might just say ho-hum. I stopped again after 16 miles and had some dinner. Then I decided I would do some night hiking and I made it into the 501 Shelter about 10:00. I was quiet, very quiet for I am a nice person and I did'nt want to wake anyone. The joke was on me, there was no one at the shelter and I could have come in with a brass band and no one would have know the difference.I did not go to sleep right away and I pondered the 2 days that I had just completed. A couple of first's 2 back to back 20's and also my first night hiking. Just think about all of my fellow thru hikers who just do 20's You have to have variety out here, and remember the CHUBSTER is thinking about all of you!!!
Date: 2005-06-25
From: William PennShelter

To: Hertlein Campsite
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

I guess that the two back to backs along with the heat took a little bit out of me. I got up around 10:30 and just poked around and decide to pack up and do a some hiking, I guess that's what you are suppose do when you are on the AT. I made it to the ( see if you can remember because I made a mistake on my previous entry I did not stay at the 501 Shelter it was the William Penn Shelter). Sorry about that, but things have a way of getting mixed up out here, its called blending. I did stop at the 501 Shelter and had a Pizza, the shelter is right on PA 501 and I ordered the pizza and 2 Mtn Dew's. I hung for a bit and then headed for Hertlein Campsite, only did 8 miles on Day 108. I really was just poking along today.   The decision to make it to Port Clinton PA tomorrow or the next day is up in the air. Only time will tell. Port Clinton is at 1203 miles and it will be interesting to find out why they call it Port Clinton. Did this entry make any sense? See ya CHUBSTER
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Hertlein Campsite

To: Eagle Nest Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

I am moving slow and that is all right, the weather has been real warm. It is getting into the mid 90's out here on the PA ridges, which are very exposed. In my mind there is no real hurry. On day 109 I am getting close to 1200 miles and that will be other milestone. Get it, a word with a stone, but out here they call them rocks. Every one talks about the rocks of PA, but they are not all that bad for you folk thinking about doing a thru hike. On a daily basis I pretty much hike by myself, but at the end of the day I wind up with RODEO, a fellow thru hiker on the trail. He and I are on the same pace. I will hit Port Clinton tomorrow and hopefully get some laundry done. The saying out here is they can " smell you before they can see you". Well everyone the CHUBSTER is still moving, until next time take care and be good.
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Eagle Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton Pavilion
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I had a short distance to Port Clinton and when I got there I was DISAPPOINTED. I realized that it is Monday the 27th of June. Everything I mean everything was closed. The Port Clinton Hotel and all of the eating places. I stand corrected the Outfitter was open, but you can't eat shoes. This town should be a walk by. The saving grace for the day is for $1.25 you could take a bus over to Cabellas in Hamburg on Rte 78. So SILENT PAUL, T BONE, VISION QUEST and the CHUBSTER went for a ride to visit one of the largest camping and outdoor stores I have ever seen. I didn't stay long because I was hungry. I went across the street and sat in Wendy for about 1 hour and just ate. We all got a a ride back to the Port and hit the Pavilion and went to sleep. This thru hiker would like to say that Mr Wingfoot should limit his space in the guide to about 2 lines for Port Clinton. Have you ever heard me be negative about anything since I have been on the AT? The answer is no, but there comes a time when you have to speak your mind. OK, no more bitching. Have a great day and I don't know if it was Roy Rogers or Gene Autry, "Until We Meet A Again, Happy Trails". or vice versa Day 110 and a total of about 1203 miles and I have happy feet. Chubster.Sue D in your opinion is it OK to get upset once in awhile?
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Port Clinton Pavilion

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

OK!!!! It is a new day the 111 day on the trail. I will be celebrating 2 different things triple 1's day and over 1200 miles, and I am much happier today than yesterday. I will be heading up the trail to the Eckville Shelter. I hiked most of the day by myself. I did stop at the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter and had lunch. I spent 3 hours because the heavens decided to open up and it did rain. The weather is warm and extremely humid. It is really tough for things to dry. I arrived at Eckville and the usual cast of characters were there RODEO and VISION QUEST, also a number of section hikers and some other thru hikers that I had seen before. This is really a nice shelter with all kinds of goodies from ice cream sandwiches to an assortment of soft drinks (Hi Amy where are all the people gone?) That is inside joke I have with my sister. My feet are sore, but it is really from the number of rocks that you have to climb over. I will journalized tomorrow, if there is such a thing. Chubster
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: moderate rain

Good day and it is a great day for day 112. I was up early and I had made a promise to have a decent milage day. I was hoping that I could make Bake Oven Knob shelter. It really was a stretch trying to make it into Palmerton. Out here on the AT all you have is time, and with time you have a great deal to think about. Today subject is sleeping in a shelter as opposed to a tent better or worse. During the cold months, a shelter has it real strong features. Example it is warmer if you have a number of people and it protect you from the ice and snow. Also you don't have to go thru the hassle of setting up a tent. In the summer like now it is hot and people really snore. When it is hot you don't want to sleep in your sleeping bag, because it is too hot. If you sleep on top of your bag the bugs will have you for dinner. On the other hand if you set up your tent, and it has great ventilation it is better to sleep in the tent. You just make sure all the critter are on the outside when you get in and OLAH you will have a great night of sleep. You may ask what if you had a bad rain and lighting storm? what then?Well I have yet to get wet so far with the tent I have. So cold weather it is a shelter and warm weather it is a tent and maybe even a tarp. Take care everyone and let me hear from you all. CHUBSTER
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Palmerton
Miles today: 8.0

Hello everyone it is the 30th of June. Tomorrow I will start another month on the trail. I started on March 9th and July 1st will make it 8 day less than 4 full months. I have been remiss in not wishing my sister Amy Happy Birthday. I hope that she had a GOOD PARTY. Today was not a long day on the trail I hiked about 8 miles until I got into Palmerton. I will be staying at the hostel they call the JAILHOUSE HOSTEL . What they have done here in Palmerton is take the old city hall and made into a hostel which use to have the jail in the basement. Like I said not a long day, but a little scary. A couple of miles into the hike this morning I almost step on a Copper Head. He/She was laying across the trail sunning on the rocks. Let me tell you it scared the hell out of me. It certainly would not have been fun to get bit by one of those guys. I stopped for water and just to read the register at Outerbridge Shelter and guess what they have a resident black snake that lives there. This snake not poisonous, but anything that is about 5'long and slither will get your attention. So all in all today is a double SS day. I hiked today with English Bob, guess where he is from? You got it Southampton England. He is really a nice fellow. Also ran into Rich from Ohio aka WAIST DEEP.I had not seen him since around Pearisburg VA and first met at the NOC in North Carolina. Also VISION QUEST is here and we were wondering when and if RODEO would show up. I have about 37 miles before I get out of PA. I have enjoyed PA, the people are terrific the rocks are not that hard, poor choice of words. I should have said not that bad. Looking forward to New York and New Jersey and seeing Mom next week, somewhere in NJ. I want to take this time to wish all of you a great 4th of July. Stay healthy, have fun and drink a few of the cold ones for the CHUBSTER. For the guys that are going to hike with me in CT,MA,VT and NH my dance card will be filling up. McLaughlin, Marshall, Tierney, Dad, Victor and whoever. You all are welcome!!!!
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Palmerton

To: Palmerton
Miles today: 0.0

Today July 1st, I was undecided today if I should hike or pull a zero day. I think you all know what a zero day is. If not it simply means you don't doing any hiking and you just rest and get ready for the next five or six days. I made the decision to stay here and zero. Looking at the weather reports this was going to be the last day of the really hot weather. A cold front will move thru sometimes today and the weather will be much cooler and the humidity will be a great deal lower. Another great talent you acquire out here on the AT, one becomes a weather person. I can't stay at the hostel tonight because they only allow a one night stay. I will bunk in with RODEO he has a room and he said I could sleep on the floor in his room, beats the outdoors!!! Ok all, you have a great Holiday weekend and I will be out here hiking. CHUBSTER. I only have 37 miles left here in PA.Joe and Jan thanks for your nice messages and give my best to Tommy and Heather. I did hike with a fellow from Oregon for about a 800 miles by the name of FALLOUT, until he got a stress fracture in Marion VA.
Date: 2005-07-02
From: Palmerton

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

After spending a great Zero day in Palmerton I am back out on the trail. I am planning 15 miles today and hopefully 21 miles on Sunday to get me into the Delware Water Gap (DWG). It was a 2 mile walk out of Palmerton on the road and most thru hiker will tell you it is not hiking they prefer, oh well. Not a very eventful day, althought I will say it was the best weather I have had in the 115 days that I have been out here on the AT. Started off in the low 60's and probably got up to the high 70's with low humidity. I arrived at a area that they call a Super Site. Apparently it was a dumping ground for waste materials years ago. It looks like a place where the end of the world happened. Nothing growns and it is just forbidden even scary. It gives you thoughts that some one blindfolded you and dropped you off in the middle of the night. Yes! the PA rocks are still with me and the paws(feet) are taking a beating. The good thing is that all bad things will end. Until tomorrow Happy Trails. CHUBSTER
Date: 2005-07-03
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Good morning I think,I think that this could be the last day in PA. That will mean that I have walked thru 7 states GA,TN,NC,VA,WVA,MD AND PA for a total of 1280 miles. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Let's hope it is not a train. Last night was an interesting one I had a visitor at about 2 in the morning. After being out here for sometime you generally can tell what is moving outside your tent. Deer are very quiet and the other wild life are small sounding, if there is such a thing. But bears are noisy and making grunting sounds. Well I believe Mr or Mrs Bear payed me a visit. I layed perfectly still and after about 1/2 hour he wander off. Never did see him ,but I wasn't disappointed.Another great day a carbon copy of yesterday and I don't think that I will have a problem in making the 21 miles today, it all depends upon those loveable rocks. I am not the only one out here with sore feet. The saying misery loves company applies here in PA. They also have slogan here in PA "you have a friend in Pennsylvania" but I know it is not the rocks to a thru hiker.Arrived here at the DWG about 8:30 tired with you guest it, sore feet, and I was hungry. Checked in at the Ramada Inn and received the hikers discount. I took a shower and headed for what else pizza and cold beer. What you strive for out here on the AT, are milestones and the DWG is one of them. I talked to my parents and they are going to meet me on the trail up around Branchville next week. I am looking forward to that I have not seen Mom in 4 months since I left Florida. We will celebrate her Birthday and my favorite holiday the 4th of July. I am here at the DWG with a great cast of characters NOWORRIES & WAISTDEEP and we are sure we will have few cold ones tomorrow to celebrate the 4th. Take care and have great day the CHUBSTER
Date: 2005-07-04
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hello NEW JERSEY you are state # 8 and a welcome site. Just because you cross a state line it really doesn't mean the topograhy changes. I do know something about words like topograhy my major in college was Geography. And the last 4 years I have been a Surveyor. We still have rocks, but gradually they will disappear and I heard the AT will be fun to hike once again. I spent the night at the Ramada Inn and had a couple of beers with NOWORRIES. He told me that he would be getting off the trail and heading back to Wisconsin. He has run out of money. NOWORRIES is one of the real good guys out here and I will miss him. He did hike the AT in 1999 as a thru hiker and there is a possibility he will be back later in the year to do some section hiking in Maine, take care NOWORRIES. " May the Wind be Always at Your Back" It is just a magnificent day here at the DWG. The place is packed with people tubing on the Delaware River and just enjoying the day. It is about 12:30 and the Chubster does not have a lot of lead in his pencil today. There is big park bench here near the Church Hostel and I might just take myself a NAP before heading across the bridge and up the AT. Talk with all of you next time.CHUBSTER. Dedicated to the ASIAN Godfather.
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After a great day in the DWG I hiked a bit yesterday, but not far. So today I did about 15 miles and I will say the rocks are here, but not as often and not as pointed. It was warm day, but not like that oppressive heat before the 4th. I ran accross a bear about 1:00 in the afternoon. Here in New Jersey along the trail there are blueberries and I mean a lot of them. I came up over a slight hill and there he was, he looked at me and just kept on eating the berries. This bear was big, the biggest bear that I have seen to date. I would say in the neighborhood of 400 lbs. I stayed where I was for about 20 minutes and then the bear just walk up the trail and into the woods. He didn't even say goodbye. I will have a short day tomorrow because I am meeting my parents at the jct of 206 and the AT just outside Branchville NJ. I looking forward to that because I have not seen my Mom in 4 months. I know that she will be surprised by the way I look!!! CHUBSTER
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Culvers Gap
Miles today: 3.5

I got up late today because I knew that I had a short hike and a NERO day comming up, a NERO is not quite a ZERO day. I hiked to the jct of 206 and the AT and decided I would go to Gyp's a small tavern about 500' off the road on 206. I met a fellow named Doug there and Rich and we were talking about the plane that had crashed on the AT yesterday the 5th. I said this morning that I had come over the ridge before I came down the hill at Culver's Gap and I saw broke glass and debris on the trail, but it didn't dawn on me that it was parts of a plane. The lady behind the bar told us that the plane had crashed and the pilot walked out alive and had met a woman thru hiker on the trail going NOBO. He told her that he had crashed the plane about 50 yards off the trail. You would never have seen it because the woods were so thick. I told you shit happens out here on the trail!!!!. Today was Day 119 at 1308 miles.Mom and Dad arrived about 2:30 and we are off to the Holiday Inn Express, boy will I be smart tomorrow ( I am referring to the Holiday Inn Express ad) Take care the CHUBSTER is going to have a big meal with the family. To be continued.
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Culvers Gap

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Good morning all I am back on the trail and I had the greatest day with my folks. We ate dinner at the 199 in Mt Arlington NJ and I had a 20oz steak not bad. That will help the protein count after all the carbs that I consume. My mom said that I look so different with my red beard and blonde hair. She said that I look like Tom Hanks in Castaway, but better looking, but she is my Mom. I have 16 miles today so I will probably up date sometime next week. CHUBSTER
Date: 2005-07-08
From: High Point Shelter

To: Pochuck Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

When I arrived at High Point Shelter it was empty. Almost there were a couple of section hikers. I set up my tent in the shelter. This will do two things the shelter will keep me dry and the tent will keep the bugs on the outside. You couldn't do this earlier on the trail,because there are to many people hiking.I had a good day hiking and made another 12 miles to the East with a promise of getting into New York state and heading North and across the Hudson River. We must of had about 3 inches of rain last night because the brooks and streams are running really high today. Not a problem this time of year finding water for drinking. Take care the CHUBSTER
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Pochuck Shelter

To: 1/2 way back from Pochuck
Miles today: 7.0

OK I had anticipated making it to Pochuck Shelter last night, but it did not happen. I left High Point Shelter at around noon and it was still raining. I thought it would end,honestly I thought it would. I hiked a little over 7 miles and I was soaked I meaned soaked every part of me, and also all of my gear. I looked at my guide book and"WINGFOOT" thank you. I noticed on page 56 under Lott Rd Unionville NY and the mention of the Back Track Inn and with further reading the word hostel. When I arrived at this oasis from the rain. That would be a reversal if I was in the desert. The atomsphere I gave a 8, the food a 9, and the beer a 10. When the lady running the place said the little hostel they had (a storage room) I could stay there for free, that was a 12. What great people had dinner there Burgers, Fries and more beer. A couple of other hiker arrive and we stayed up with the locals until the wee hours of the morning. Rain today slow moving tomorrow not becasuse of the rain. More likely I will be hungover or under, whatever. CHUBSTER I am on day 122 and have hiked 1332. All the rain was because of a tropical storm called Cindy.