morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-04-01
From: Quarry Gap Shelters, AT mi 1086.9

To: Toms Run Shelter, AT mi 1100.5
Miles today: 14.3

Day 44, Day 2 of Section 5, 4/1 MonFrom: 1086.9 Quarry Gap ShelterTo: 1100.5 Toms Run ShelterStatistics: AT 13.6 mi, up 1695, dn 1863, 5.0%Commentary:A shorter, easy day today. Up at 6:30, left 0815. Saw no one on trail. Arr 1400. With the time, decided to experiment and pitch tent non-freestanding (using trekking poles and guys instead of 4 strut poles) on one of the provided tent pads. The tent is a bit too big for the tent pad, footprint and corner stakes fit, but the side guys and one of ridge guys had to be staked outside of the pad.Later 2 thru hikers arrived, Feral and Zorro. Zorro is from Barcelona, mid 40s, maybe 50. Feral is from DC area (n VA) , a bit older. They started in GA in January, making very good time given the conditions. Very friendly.
Date: 2019-04-02
From: Toms Run Shelter, AT mi 1100.5

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter, AT mi 1119.5
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Day 45, Day 3 of Section 5, 4/2 TueFrom: 1100.5 Toms Run ShelterTo: 1119.5 Alec Kennedy ShelterStatistics:19.0 mi, up 2796, dn 3154, 5.9%, plus side trail to shelter then on to spring & backCommentary:Left ~08:15, arr ~1715 at shelter before trip to ¢spring¢. (Spring must be underwater in creek.) Leapfrogged with Feral & Zorro today. They¢re much faster than I am, but stop more often and/or take longer breaks.Tough-ish section near end with rock labyrinth to negotiate. Passed two British ladies, 40-50, doing a flip flop from Harpers Ferry, tenting near shelter. They¢ve been out 15 days, struggling a bit, cold, need to lighten their loads. Lots of gear talk. 3 of us in the shelter, Feral, Zorro and me.
Date: 2019-04-03
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter, AT mi 1119.5

To: US-11, Quality Inn, AT mi 1131.4
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

Day 46, Day 4 of Section 5, 4/3 WedFrom: 1119.5 Alec Kennedy ShelterTo: 1131.4 US-11 outside CarlisleStatistics: AT 11.9 mi, up 947, dn 1431, 3.8%, plus side trail from shelterCommentary:Left ~0815, first out. Original plan was to reach Darlington Shelter, 18.2 mi. But, decided to meet Asta 2 days early for resupply, logistically easier than Friday at Duncannon. Some unavoidable deep mud at very south end of the valley, otherwise trail across Cumberland Valley very well maintained. I arrived at US-11 crossing around 1300, met Asta 1330, drove a couple of tenths to Middlesex Diner and had lunch. Given the time, the time and space required to unpack/repack provisions, and some chafing on my inner thighs, decided to stay at Quality Inn next to the diner as opposed to arrive at shelter late. Asta dropped me off with the supplies.Worked on blog, recharged electronics, cleaned up a bit (no laundry). Had dinner at the diner.
Date: 2019-04-04
From: US-11, Quality Inn, AT mi 1131.4

To: Cove Mtn Shelter, AT mi 1145.0
Miles today: 13.6

Day 47, Day 5 of Section 5, 4/4 ThursdayFrom 1131.4 US-11, Quality Inn, CarlisleTo: 1145.0 Cove Mountain ShelterStatistics:AT 13.6, up 2204, dn 1400, 5>#/p###plus hike from hotel and trail to shelter and on to spring and backCommentary:Had breakfast at diner. Left hotel ~0715, Tiring day: town food? Passed 2 SOBOs (1 flip flop, one section hiker) and a trail runner. Arr ~14:30. Dried tent bottom from pitch the other day. Later, surprisingly (I thought they¢d moved on), Feral arrived; he stayed in Carlisle as well to get knee examined; and Zorro is at the Doyle hotel in Duncannon waiting for him. Rain predicted tonight & tomorrow. Stayed in shelter, with Feral.
Date: 2019-04-05
From: Cove Mtn Shelter, AT mi 1145.0

To: Peters Mtn Shelter, AT mi 1160.0
Miles today: 15.0

Day 48, Day 6 of Section 5, 4/5 FriFrom: 1145.0 Cove Mountain ShelterTo: 1160.0 Peters Mountain ShelterStatistics:AT 15.0 mi, up 2012, dn 2101, 5.2% plus trail from shelter and round trip to Clarks Ferry Shelter springCommentary:No rain overnight or AM. Feral left before me. I stopped twice in Duncannon: once for a bottle of water, once at PO to mail Microspikes home. Surprisingly, caught up to Feral and Zorro on Peters Mountain ridge. Started to rain. We all stopped at Clarks Ferry Shelter spring. I got 2.7 liters water, enough to last at Peters Mountain shelter and on to spring in Clarks valley, 13 miles on. Rain included some freezing rain at this point. We stood in shelter for a few minutes before moving on. Saw and videoed porcupine N of powerline at mp 1157.7. Four of us stayed in large Peters Mtn shelter: Z, F, and me, plus a late-20s SOBO backpacker out for a few days. Table in the shelter kept us dry while dining.
Date: 2019-04-06
From: Peters Mtn Shelter, AT mi 1160.0

To: Rausch Gap Shelter, AT mi 1178.0
Miles today: 18.0

Day 49, Day 7 of Section 5, 4/6 SatFrom: 1160 .0 Peters Mtn ShelterTo: 1178.0 Rausch Gap ShelterStatistics:AT 18.0 mi, up 2400, dn 2500, 5.2%; plus side trip to spring S of PA 325, and trail to RG ShelterCommentary:Left ~0830. Day started cold, drippy, foggy, maybe some rain. Turned sunny and warm on descent from Peters Mtn. Hiked behind Zorro, caught up a few times. Feral lagged a bit. Lots of day hikers. Arr ~1700. RG Shelter in nice location but neglected, with unrepaired hole in roof for a long time. Stayed in shelter with Z & F. Hammocker and tenter down the access trail.
Date: 2019-04-07
From: Rausch Gap Shelter, AT mi 1178.0

To: 501 Shelter, AT mi 1195.5
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Day 50, Day 8 of Section 5, 4/7 SunFrom: 1178.0 Rausch Gap ShelterTo: 1195.5 501 ShelterStatistics:AT 17.5 mi, up 2773, dn 2393, 5.5%; plus side trip to William Penn Shelter spring and trails from RG Shelter and to 501 Shelter.Commentary:Waded across beaver dam in Rausch Gap. And again at stream at 1182.6 ¢ while there was a log to use as a bridge, I did not trust my balance and traction, given it was a 5 or 6 foot fall. Caught up to Zorro a couple of times. Feral was an hour back, spent time exploring Rausch Gap former village. LOTS of dayhikers/strollers out, including a group of ~20 Amish teens and smaller groups of Mennonites, mostly on the easy-walking forest road between PA-645 and PA-501. (Zorro mentioned he had encountered the Mennonites on the eastern slopes in Bolivia!)501 shelter (hut?) an enclosed largish wooden building with a huge skylight and a wooden floor. It is pretty much a hostel without electricity or indoor plumbing. Ordered pizza etc. (for delivery!) with F and Z. Waited at 501 trailhead lot for delivery. Had pizza for dinner & breakfast. F, Z and I were the only residents.F & Z planned a really long day (25 mi?) into Port Clinton/Hamburg. I¢m planning 2 days, meeting Asta Wed. morning for resupply. So we¢re splitting up after 6 days, from Toms Run Shelter to here.Rained all night.
Date: 2019-04-08
From: 501 Shelter, AT mi 1195.5

To: Eagles Nest Shelter, AT mi 1210.6
Miles today: 14.9

Day 51, Day 9 of Section 5, 4/8 MonFrom: 501 Shelter, AT mp 1195.5To: Eagles Nest Shelter, AT mp 1210.6Statistics:AT 15.1 mi, up 1587, dn 1445, 3.8% plus trails from/to shelters.Commentary:Rained hard overnight, but warm. Rain tapered off towards morning. Feral & Zorro left early, 0630, planning a long day (23+ mi) to the Microtel motel in Hamburg. I¢ve been hiking with them more or less since Toms Run Shelter, AT mp 1100.5 ¢ more than a hundred miles. I¢m falling back, taking 2 days to Hamburg and meeting Asta Wed. morning. I left ~0730. Despite the modest grades, today I was tired and footsore, partly due to the wet and increasingly rocky treadway, wet feet yesterday, and dirty socks, and partly due I think to the pizza last night and for breakfast. Foggy and maybe rain in the AM, clearing in the PM. Passed by a hiker on an overnight excursion, saw him twice more, including Eagles Nest Shelter where he stopped before moving on. Leukotaped one blister on left 4th toe, and sore spots on balls of both feet. Slept in shelter, alone.
Date: 2019-04-09
From: Eagles Nest Shelter, AT mi 1210.6

To: Port Clinton, AT mi 1219.5
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: broken clouds

Day 52, Day 10 of Section 5, 4/9 TueFrom: 1210.6 Eagles Nest ShelterTo: 1219.5 Port Clinton (corner of Broad St & RR Blvd)Statistics:AT 8.9 mi, up 642, dn 1825, 5.4%plus shelter access trail and Schuykill River Trail from Port Clinton to Microtel motel in Hamburg (~2.5 mi)Commentary:Up at 0600, left at 0730, arr Port Clinton ~1200. Warm day, 70s by noon. On trail saw couple Hopscotch & Deja Vu again. They¢re slack-packing across PA using two cars, generally headed NOBO on same schedule as me, but walking some (all?) days SOBO. In Port Clinton, as I was walking NOBO along RR Blvd, saw Feral coming SOBO. He was going back to the Schuykill RIver Trail junction where he left the AT yesterday evening to head to the Microtel. I walked to Broad St and turned around, to take the Schuykill RIver Trail to the Microtel today, 2.5 miles. He overshot the AT trailhead in the rail-yard, so we climbed the steps together and then parted ways at the junction, he NOBO on the AT, I to the Hamburg Microtel. I checked in, did laundry, took a shower, cleaned gear and had an early dinner with a couple of beers, did some planning and worked on this blog.
Date: 2019-04-10
From: Port Clinton, AT mi 1219.5

To: Eckville Shelter, AT mi 1234.4
Miles today: 14.9

Day 53, Day 11 of Section 5, 4/10From: 1219.5 Port Clinton (corner of Broad St & RR Blvd)To: 1234.4 Eckville ShelterStatistics:AT 14.9 mi, up 2658, dn 2345, 6.3%; plus road walk to shelterCommentary:Asta arrived at motel ~0730 with resupply. I provisioned and packed, drove back to Port Clinton, and was on trail ~0930. Arr. Eckville shelter ~1615. Warm day. Passed Hopscotch & Deja Vu again SOBOing. A few dayhikers out, most around the Pulpit and Pinnacle. More green in understory. Canopy still bare.Eckville Shelter is enclosed, but much smaller and cruder than the 501 Shelter, more of a wooden garden shed with a cracked and patched, uneven concrete floor and a couple of small windows. It is right behind the caretaker¢s house. On the plus side, on the porch of the house just feet away, you can charge phones and get water from a tap; and it has a flush toilet, in another shed along with a solar shower.Was alone at the shelter.
Date: 2019-04-11
From: Eckville Shelter, AT mi 1234.4

To: Outerbidge Shelter, AT mi 1258.6
Miles today: 24.2

Day 54, Day 12 of Section 5, 4/11 ThuFrom: 1234.4 Eckville ShelterTo: 1258.6 George W. Outerbridge ShelterStatistics:AT 24.2 mi, up 3069, dn 2772, 4.6% plus road walk from Eckville Shelter and a stop at the Bake Oven Knob Shelter.Commentary:Left ~0630, arr. ~1830. Cold in morning; cool in afternoon. Stopped briefly at Bake Oven Knob Shelter ~1500 but decided I had enough time to make it to Outerbridge shelter so continued. Rain is predicted for tomorrow afternoon, and I want to be past the rock climbs out of Lehigh Gap and the boulder fields on either side of Little Gap before the rain.Endured slow stretches of boulders in a few places, separated by long stretches fast, pleasant forest road walks. Negotiated first of two worst spots in PA for non-rock climber AT hikers: the Knife Edge (the other is N side of Lehigh Gap).At Outerbridge Shelter, there was already one hiker present, an asshole who had set his tent up in the shelter, taking up half the shelter. Really bad trail etiquette, particularly in good (not bitter cold) weather. Later, close to dark, another SOBO backpacker arrived with good info on water situation NOBO. We shared the other half of the shelter.
Date: 2019-04-12
From: Outerbridge Shelter, AT mi 1258.6

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter, AT mi 1275.3
Miles today: 16.7

Day 55, Day 13 of Section 5, 4/12 FriFrom: 1258.6 George W. Outerbridge ShelterTo: 1275.3 Leroy A. Smith ShelterStatistics:AT 16.7 mi, up 2629, dn 2138, 5.4%; plus round trip to 2nd spring at LS ShelterCommentary:Mild, mostly. Off & on rain in PM. Backpack off and on a ridiculous number of times. Took undershirt layers off before climb of Lehigh Gap. Stowed poles for rock climb, then retrieved after climb. Under-layers back on a couple miles later when cold wind preceded rain. Missed turn off from power line road, had to backtrack a couple of minutes. Warmed again, layers back off. Then rain jacket on and off a number of times as rain started and stopped, trying to avoid sweating up the jacket.The grassy road walk along the mountainside, with the Superfund cleanup site out of sight above and views of Palmerton below, is really enjoyable and fast, a respite from the rock climb and bouldering that precedes it. I think the AT should keep the road walk instead of rerouting the trail along the rocky ridge as I fear they are planning. I also think the ¢winter alternate¢ blue trail and the AT should swap designations, the rock climb is too dangerous. Or at least carve a handhold or two above the toughest ledge approaching the spine.LS shelter is old, small, low ceiling, not really set up for food prep in the rain. A lot of litter inside the shelter. Swept it into the far corner; I don¢t have a extra space in my trash bag to carry it out. Had to walk down to the 2nd spring for water, as the rain began to pick up. Should have put on my rain kilt as well as my rain jacket. Pants got rather wet while sitting and filtering. I should have just filled my bottles and treated back at the shelter with Aqua Mira.Alone at the shelter.
Date: 2019-04-13
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter, AT mi 1275.3

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA-611, AT mi 1295.4
Miles today: 20.1

Day 56, Day 14 of Section 5, 4/13 Sat.From: 1275.3 Leroy A. Smith ShelterTo: 1295.4 PA-611, Delaware Water GapStatistics: AT 20.1 mi, up 2101, dn 3136, 5.0%, plus round trips to springs and Kirkridge Shelter missing tap, and walk to hostelCommentary:Rained hard most of night, tapering off towards morning.In morning, got additional water at ¢1st spring¢, now running, below shelter to carry full 2.7 liters. Access to water ahead known to be a problem; only one spring of iffy quality (a lagoon) ahead. The tap at the last shelter before DWG, Kirkridge, was reported as ¢off for the winter¢. Left ~0745 after water trip. Foggy, drippy, warming. Passed Hopscotch and Deja Vu again SOBOing. May be the last time for a while, they¢re taking some time off. Weather was clearing on descent into Wind Gap.Plan was to camp near Kirkridge Shelter, then a short day Sunday into DWG, spend the night at the hostel in DWG, then zero on Monday and spend the night in a motel for Asta¢s belated resupply run. Climbing out of Wind Gap, it was getting hotter and still humid, requiring water to drink.To me, the most tedious part of the trail in PA is the 6 miles between the ridge just N of Wind Gap and Wolf Rocks. 6 miles of soul-crushing shark tooth rocks all standing vertically on the treadway. Cuts speed in half, requires concentration on every foot placement, and I¢m still beating my feet up on rocks. You go around a bend and see yet another quarter mile of the same into the distance.Made 2 night reservation for Sunday & Monday night at Staybridge Inn in East Stroudsburg.Stopped at the iffy spring. Water was good enough to treat, but bits of algae would clog filter. Talked with a thruhiker doing the same section I¢m doing, but SOBO. Topped off water, treating it.At Wolf Rocks, saw a turkey buzzard standing on the ledge, at eye level, maybe 20 feet away, unconcerned by passing hikers. Got a picture.Kirkridge shelter had a camo tarp over half the front, and two large camping chairs with trash strewn around in the other half. Didn¢t see anyone inside, but suspicious. Need ridge runners to enforce rules. Tap still gone, pipe capped. Camping sites not great. Decided to press on into DWG. AT down the mtn to DWG very wet and muddy in places.Got to Church of Mountain hostel ~1830. Nice place, clean. Living room with couches, bunk room for 10-12, small bathroom, shower (with clean towels!). Ate at hostel.
Date: 2019-04-21
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA-611, AT mi 1295.4

To: Campsite on ridge in DWGNRA, AT mi 1312.0
Miles today: 16.6

Day 57, Day 1 of Section 6, 4/21 SunFrom: Delaware Water Gap, AT mi 1295.4To: Campsite on ridge in DWGNRA, AT mi 1312.0Statistics:AT 16.6 mi, up 2674, dn 1554, 4.8%Note: Due to logistical issues, ended up going home Monday, for the week. Was able to celebrate birthday at home. So starting a new section here.Commentary:Asta dropped me off at DWG 0850. Passed PA/NJ border on Delaware River I-80 bridge. Easy, fast walking across river and climb up to ridge on NJ side. Lots of boulder-hopping skirting Sunfish Pond, got off trail once. Rest of trail pretty easy going. Lots of dayhikers and backpackers, being Easter. Filled up water at small side stream s of Camp Road, when rain started. Light rain most of afternoon, tapered off. Reached campsite 1715. Missed Rattlesnake Spring, no water near ridge campsites, so a bit short. Able to pitch tent while no rain. Around 1800, drizzle again, off and on until ~0300. Alone at this campsite.
Date: 2019-04-22
From: Campsite on ridge in DWGNRA, AT mi 1312.0

To: Gren Anderson Shelter, AT mi 1326.8
Miles today: 14.8

Day 58, Day 2 of Section 6, 4/22 MonFrom: Campsite on ridge in DWGNRA, AT mi 1312.0To: Gren Anderson Shelter, AT mi 1326.8Statistics:AT 14.8 mi, up 2045, dn 2229, 5.4% plus 2 walks for water, and trail to GA Shelt.Commentary:Up ~0400 as drizzle ended. Off at 0615. Tiring day. 2 longish hikes for water; 1st at 1313.2 (a long 0.1 each way) to replenish & camel up after dry camp; 2nd at  Brink Shelter, maybe 0.3 or 0.4 each way. Left Guthook comments on both re problematic directions. Lots of small ups and downs, lots of PA-style foot bruising small rocks. Light rain in early PM. Don¢t recollect seeing anyone all day. Arr. GA shelter ~15:30 with sun out and a breeze.  Dried out tent, rain gear, damp clothing. Good water close by. Spent night alone in shelter.
Date: 2019-04-23
From: Gren Anderson Shelter, AT mi 1326.8

To: ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂSecret ShelterÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ, AT mi 1345.1
Miles today: 18.3

Day 59, Day 3 of Section 6, 4/23 TuFrom: Gren Anderson Shelter, AT mi 1326.8To: ¢Secret Shelter¢, AT mi 1345.1Statistics:AT 18.3, up 2139, dn 2788, 5.1%; plus trail from GA Shelt, round trip to High Point Shelter for water, and gravel road to SSheltCommentary:More small ups and downs and foot bruising small rocks in AM. Spotted first snake of trip, a small ribbon garter snake.Stopped at High Point SP HQ. Bad idea. Sign board says HP shelter closed for repairs, but nice and very helpful woman staffing HQ desk says not (why not remove sign since October?).  Fountain outside off, broke over winter; she suggested use faucet in mens room, but only bladder would fit there so she helpfully opened the janitors closet for me, to use hose for mop buckets. Found out a few minutes up the trail that the water tasted really foul, sulfury. Is it really the same water as the fountain and bathroom taps? Fortunately the first sip didn¢t make me ill and was able to rinse out bottles, refill & treat at HP shelter 1.7 mi later.N of HP shelter, as promised, the small foot-bruising rocks since Duncannon, PA finally abated and my pace improved.¢Secret Shelter¢(Guthook¢s quotes) is on a beautiful private property, not listed in AWOL. Acre or so of grass suitable for tenting. Well water from frost-free tap in yard. Privy. Shelter is fully enclosed with a porch, a large picture window plus windows up high, electrical outlets for charging, a tile floor, vertical plank interior walls and a table. No bunks, benches, or other furniture. No picnic table for food prep or eating. (Cold-soaked and ate sitting on floor of porch out of the rain). Saw a large bear in woods from porch of shelter.  Resident donkey in pasture across the way. Started to rain, lasted until ~2100. Squirrel has gnawed a hole high up between planks in outside wall of shelter and is nesting between the inner and outer walls, a bit of a racket now and then. Alone in shelter..
Date: 2019-04-24
From: ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂSecret ShelterÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ, AT mi 1345.1

To: Wawayanda Shelter, AT mi 1363.7
Miles today: 18.6

Day 60, Day 4 of Section 6, 4/24 WedFrom: Secret Shelter, AT mi 1345.1To: Wawayanda Shelter, AT mi 1363.7Statistics:AT 18.6 mi, up 3434, dn 2893, 6.4%, plus trails from/to sheltersCommentary:Clear, cool, breezy, too sunny all day. Finally across the broad valleys and back into mountains again. Weird mixture of flat walking (roads, miles? of planks across bogs, miles of dike at wildlife preserve, mile of boardwalk) and steepish mountain ups & downs. (I wonder what the avg % grade would be if you subtracted the flats). Water still off at NPS house faucet at start of climb to Pochuck Mtn Shelter; mentioned it to shelter maintainer on his way to tend privy. Lots of dayhikers/strollers at boardwalk, even more dayhikers on climb of Wawayanda Mtn. Long water carry from ravine at 1360.9 to dry W shelter at 1363.7t. (Added Guthook comment re side stream n of 1362.9.) Alone at W shelter, stayed in shelter.
Date: 2019-04-25
From: Wawayanda Shelter, AT mi 1363.7

To: NY-17A crossing, AT mi 1373.8
Miles today: 10.1

Day 61, Day 5 of Section 6, 4/25 ThuFrom: Wawayanda Shelter, AT mi 1363.7To: NY-17A crossing, AT mi 1373.8Staying at Warwick Valley B&B, Warwick, NYStatistics:AT 10.1 mi , up 1281, dn 1334, 4.9%; plus walking around Warwick NY.Commentary:Crossed out of NJ into NY for last time. Got first taste of NY pointless ups and downs (PUDs in thruhiker lingo) with irritating, hairy, hand-over-hand rock climbs and descents, but open forest floor suitable for great and much safer and enjoyable treadway visible below. It should be a hiking trail, not a rock climbing gym. Fine and safe enough until it rains, when the rocks become water slides. (Fortunately, today was clear.) Two plus miles of tedious, really slow going, with no real views as reward. Curse the sadistic NY members of the NYNJTC. Left W shelter ~0715, got to NY-17A ~ 1330, including ~45 minutes of unpacking, changing clothes, repacking in prep for doing laundry. Twice: 1st, underpants, before area likely to encounter dayhikers; 2nd, rest of duds, near (and unfortunately in sight of) NY-17A traffic. Much better to check in first, shower, then do laundry. Asta spent a lot of time figuring out where to stay off NY-17A, and booking a room. Warwick Valley B&B is top-notch; great rooms, great breakfast, great hostess. Decided to extend to two nights in light of rain expected tomorrow.Got an Uber from trailhead to laundromat; did laundry, then walked to B&B. Asta overnighted a resupply to the B&B, on front porch when I arrived. Downtown Warwick is a really nice, tidy, and prosperous ¢ lots of good dining options in easy walking distance.