morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Devils Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 20.6

I forgot to mention that I left West Virginia when I crossed the railroad bridge yestrday and entered Maryland. There are only 42 miles of trail in Maryland so I should be out of there sometime tomorrow. The trail has been very rocky bit the terrain has been close to level. I still made good time negotiating the rocky trail but it is really tough on my feet. Having the entire shelter to myself makes getting up and getting packed real easy. I can get up get breakfast repack my pack and be on the trail in about 1 hour. Try that at hunting camp Big River Bill. I was just finishing up breakfast when Dirty Harry came down and wanted to use the picnic table to make his breakfast. His stove was on the blink so I let him use mine. He began talking about this and that making small talk as I prepared to leave. He said he was gonna hang out awhile so I headed up the trail. About 1 hour later he catches up with me and more or less insist on hiking right behind me. This guy did not stop talking for the next 5 miles. He went from one subject to another and never ran out of things to talk about. He was most fond of the battles that took place in this area as well as WWII. There were a couple of good climbs and I tried to maintain a quick pace but that did little good because he was also I strong hiker and would huff and puff just to get the words out. I was gratfull that he left the trail after 5 miles and I had my piece and quiet back. It's nice bring around people now and again but to be honest I would rather be lonely. The sky was clear and sunny and the afternoon got a bit muggy. I decided I would try to get to a certain shelter that had a good supply of water. That is a good way to end a day and begin the next. This shelter was .03 off the trail and down a steep slope. Again I was the only one at the shelter and the water was easy to get to and nice and clean.
Date: 2010-05-22
From: Devils Racecourse Shelter

To: Caladinia State Park US 30
Miles today: 22.8

Woke in the middle of the night to the sound of a large branch or tree snapping and falling to the ground. Startled me out a dead sleep and had me intensely listening for anything that might have been associated with the noise but it was all quiet after that. So back to sleep I tried to go. The morning went as yesterday did. I was quickly packed and on the trail just after 7:00. I did not think that I would be able to get far enough today so that Easy could come pick me up and bring me to his parents house for the night. He is taking 3 days off here and has invited hikers to call from Route 30 and he will come get them. I arrived at a lunch spot where I sat in a shelter and had a quick bite. I heard some hikers coming down the trail and was surprised to see Hot Lips come around the corner. She looked at me and I could tell she recognized me and was trying to remember my name. You remember me don't you I said. She said yes I remember getting turned around on the trail before and you sent me off in the right direction. I said that is right. She then said that it happened to her again yesterday. If that girl could stay headed in the right direction she would be done before long. She is traveling today with 12% and they soon passed me. The rocks today were bad but from what I here I better get used to them because Pennsylvania is loaded with them. The uneven placement of the foot step after step after step weakens the ankles and is he'll in the bottoms of the feet. It is nice when a smooth section comes up and my feet get a breather. I was 6 miles out at 3:00 when I called Easy to see how late he was willing to come and get me. He said he could be there at 7:00. When he picked me up it was pouring out. I was glad I was getting out of the rain and into a house where spagetti was on the menu. Took a shower, did my laundry had a few beers and got caught up with my journal. That is alot to accomplish after hiking for 12 hours and covering 22.6 miles. I meet Bruce in Boiling Springs on the 25th so I am nor in any rush for the next couple of days. I will be taking it quite easy for the next 2 weeks as my brother meets me on the first with 2 of his boys for a 1 week hike. Me feet and body could use a breather so I guess this will be it. Looking forward to having company.
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Caladinia State Park US 30

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

I woke early as usual. Even in a nice comfortable bed. I was assigned to one of the daughters rooms with the momentos and reminders of special things attached and hanging from ceiling and walls. I couldn't help but be reminded of my own daughters room in a house that is no longer ours. The rain continued at an aggressive pace throughout the night and early morning was no differant. A great breakfast at a liesurly pace put the final touches on a quick but truly down home comforts and hospitality. I was offered another day of generosity at the house but I neede to get to Boiling Springs by Tuesday. Easy's Mom, AnnMarie seemed very interested in all of adventures and had no trouble making us feel right at home. Best trail magic yet. Easy dropped Snowman, Sockburn and. Myself off at the trail head and went off to get a group of 3 from another location. Most trail people seem to be pretty cool. Not that cool. Thanks Ann Marie, John and especially Easy for making it happen. I decided that I wasn't going to far. It was already 11:00am when we got dropped off so I wasn't about to go to far. The rain stopped but it looked like it wasn't done yet. The temps have been warm around 80 and the rain if it's not to heavy actually feels pretty good. Wearing rain gear when it's warm will make you sweat so bad that you will get wetter with rain gear than without. Unless it pours I have found that to be true. Ended my day at 4:00 at a nice shelter next to a nice little stream. A couple of local families came up just to use the fire pit to make smores for the kids. They felt like they were intruding on my quiet time but I enjoyed the company and appreciated the simple fun being had. And yes I did get a couple of toasted marshmellows. Yum. Their fun didn't last long before I was left with the shelter alone again. Tomorrow is supposed to be nicer or so they say.
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Frey Shelter
Miles today: 17.1

I was surprised to find that the grey misty conditions were still around when I woke up. There was actually a heavy mist falling and I considered the raingear. The temp was still on the warm side so I elected to go without for the start. The trail has had many rocks mixed in with all sections of the trail making it tough to cruise along. The hills are nice and at times the trail Is smooth and allows for some fast times. I made it to Pine Grove Furnace at noon and at that time had already out in 10 miles. There is a camp type grocery store here that is only open limited hours until Memorial Day when the season opens. I went for the icecream, chocolate candy, chips and coke. It might not sound healthy but my body is in search of high calorie fat type foods for immediate consumption. I probably burned all of that plus during the rest of my hiking day. On a day that I hike 20 miles I burn over 5000 calories. I can't carry or consume that much food. When off the trail I try to literally eat like a pig. The net result has been a steady decrease in weight. I began the trail at 192 and now my low weight is 156. I must do more to increase my calorie intake as I move North. The trail today was about as nice as they come. Most of Pennsylvaniad trails have been wide and the hills are moderate climbs. I thought that I had missed my turn off and was in the process of talking myself into another 3 miles. Was relieved to see the blue blaze a short ways down the trail and hiked the .02 in. It was only 4:00 and nobody else was there as o layed out my bag and hung my gear securing needed space incase others show up. In just a short while a seasoned hiker rolled in. Bass is his name and he is from Fort Yukon Alaska and has been coming out here for the last 10 years hiking the trail because it is a cheap way to live. That is the truth. He was a nice older grizzled Alaskan with a soft voice and a trusting sparkle in the eye. We enjoyed each others company as darkness set the world to quiet. We shared some breakfast time before heading off in differant directions down the trail. A pleasure to meet you BASS.
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Frey Shelter

To: Boiling Springs. Alenberry Resort
Miles today: 12.3

The skies that were expected to clear up and become sunny still had not materialized. Not such a bad thing. The silvery/grey sky that has dominated over the past 2 weeks has not created any setios problems. The rain has been sporatic and mostly just enough to keep things wet. The wetness of the forest has kept the air somewhat cool which is my prefered temp for hiking. There were a couple of muggy days and a few hard downpours but all in all it's been acceptable weather. The trail through Pennsylvania has been a well kept secret. All I have been hearing is about the annoying rocks. The trail is usually nice and wide which gives more stepping options even in the rocky areas. There are many pine groves that liter the ground with the soft needles providing a cushion for those needy feet. So far the trail has gone through a couple of state parks with concession and vending options and yes those fancy restrooms with flush toilets and running water. The trail people have done a great job keeping the trail maintained. The trails are clear of deadfalls. Water diversion, marked trail, signage, shelters and privies are all very nice and kept very clean. The hiking is not very demanding as the elevation remains for the most part below 1200. The peaks slowly and easily drop down to meet the gaps and the levelness on the ridge line and across the valley is much appreciated. Not much for panoramic views but that now becomes common until I start getting higher elevations in Massachsetts and beyond. My speed has been a little over 2 mph consistently for the past few weeks and much of that is because of the terrain I'm sure. After I left Bass I did not see anyone else all day. About noon the sun made appearances thru scattering clouds. At about the same time I came out of the woods and followed the trail through rows of growing corn and wheat. The heat being captured and absorbed by the soil was intense. The temperature differance from the woods to the fields was felt immediately and a reminder of how sticky it could be. The trail wound across the fields and down short sections of roads eventually landing me in the small community of Boiling Springs. The Appleberry Resort has a hiker special for $25. I got my own room in a lodge type building with a nice indoor and outdoor seatng area. Sweet deal. Took a walk down the road for a burger and beer at the Boiling Springs Tavern. The place was empty when I got there but was eventually filled up. Being the youngest person in the tavern makes me want to believe that this is a retirement community. Although it was a Tuesday night the patrons carried on like every night was a Friday night. I was able to score a 6 pack for the road then walked back to the lodge for the night.
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Boiling Springs. Alenberry Resort

To: Allentown Pa
Miles today: 0.0

Bruce told me that he will probably arrive around 3:00am after flying all day. He made to the resort at 2:55am. He slept in a little before we left towards his hometown of Allentown. I got to see the area that I would be hiking in for the week or so. I got to stop at Port Clinton and have a maildrop forwarded to another location as I was able to do a resupply at a walmart. Stopped at a huge Cabela's store and pick up some needed supplies. Homegirl waterproofed an extra pair of boots I had waiting at home. The heals on the ones I was using were getting thin and the boot itself needs a good cleaning and waterproofing. I'll send them to RI and take care of them when I get there. Just incase I need to swap out again before I am done. Nice job on the boots Homegirl they look good. Thanks. I had a real nice FAT day yesterday as I pigged out at the resort, red lobster for lunch and a nice Italian restaraunt for Dinner. We are staying at a hotel just outside of Allentown. I expect to hit the trail going south by late afternoon. I intend to hike 70 miles back to Lickdale and be there by June 1st. Then catch a ride to Boiling Springs where I meet up with my brother & 2 sons. We will then hike to Lickdale which will complete my flipflop section. I am hoping that catching rides goes ax smoothly as everything else is going. Getting people to visit me on this journey has been the highlight of hike. I get to look forward to it happening. I get to enjoy it while they are here and then after they leave. It really is a big help for me. This next little flipflop is going to be a challenge to pull off logistically but it's not like I don't have the time. Now I am sure to run into thru hikers that have pulled out ahead of me. Some will be quite suprised to see me coming at them. I look very forward to the look on Hotlips face when she looks up and sees me going in the opposite direction. Having fun and am enjoying some city time.
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Allentown Pa

To: Bake Oven Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: broken clouds

Five hours after Bruce arrived we began a fat feast and that continued right up until I was dropped off at the trailhead. Kicking and screaming all the way. Bruce(bird) really went out of his way to help me get some things done, travel over 130 miles and add some much needed calories to my shrinking frame. Got to see Bruces hometown and we stopped at his moms and dads house and got see where Bruce almost grew up. Kidding. Thanks for your help Bruce. After feeding our faces one last time we headed to the trailhead just outside of Palmerton. Oh, as far as pigging out goes I have an excuse I guess Bruce was just being polite. At 2:00pm I began a long hot climb out of Lehigh Gap and it really didn't feel like the right thing to be doing. I trudged on as the sun beat down. Thunder storms were in the forcast and as reached higher elevations I could see them brewing in the north and coming my way. I stopped briefly at the first shelter to read the journal entries and see who has already gotten beyond this point. Actually there were a few I knew Lil Buddah, Naptime, Switchback and Catman. Others came through but I never met them. Soon after I left the first shelter the thunder could be heard off in the distance. The clouds began to cover the sun and a slightly cooler breeze began to lesson the heat. I was experiencing the beginning of what was promised to be dismall rocky trail for most of what I have left in Pennsylvania. If a concrete building was demolished by a wrecking ball and the debris was carted off in a dump truck then driven up to the trail and while still moving drops the chunks would resemble what is now the trail. Tough, slow going to say the least. The thunder moved in fast and was cracking, banging and popping all around me as I made my way to the 8 mile shelter. The first shelter I came to was of the older variety and not very appealing. The next one was not any better. I got myself setup and then went down to one of 3 possible springs. The first was dry. The second was dry. The third was further down so I attempted that. The skies darkened and the thunder roared like it was ready to break loose. I could either continue down another .03 or hustle back up witout water and without getting drenched. I still had a little water in my bag so I elected to get some shelter. Right on time the rain fell hard as I was sitting in the shelter trying to figure out how I was going to eat and how I planned on dispersing what water I had. I decided on peanut butter sandwiches for dinner and breakfast and save what water I had for the morning hike. Without water I had poptarts, snickers and gorp that I could eat. The thunder rolled on into the night. Nobody else showed up so another perfectly good night to disturb hikers sleep gone to waste.
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Bake Oven Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The grey sky thing continued into the morning. I was up early and decided to get on the trail early. I had a long day planned on what was sure to be another tough trail day. The breakfast options were limited without water so I began the day with a peanutbutter sandwich and a poptart. I was on the trail at 6:30 and not feeling much better than the gloomy skies lurking above. It didn't take long into the morning when I twisted my left ankle on those dang rocks. The sound of the ankle rolling to one side was as disturbing as the feel of it. This did nothing to improve my spirits. I tightened up my boot and continued on. My feet were hurting a little more than usual. My pack was heavy with 5 days of food. I didn't have any water. It was still early in the day and it was 80 and muggy and now I was hobbling down a rocky trail with no end in sight. I needed a mental boost. I decided to use one of my lifelines. I called a friend. It was good to talk to Homegirl I just needed someone to whine to. As usual she tried to wipe my pain and frustration away by just being there and feeling bad about my current state. A 20 minute chat was good medicine and I was again on my way feeling much better. The sky and myself were as one before the call, dark, gloomy with little chance of improvement. Although my mood changed considerably the sky didn't. The shelter I was heading to was on the same property as the house used by trail maintainers and was set up nice with a privy and a solar shower. I was looking forward to that. On my way down the long downhill I ran into Snowman who had to stop and think for a second of why I might be where I was. He was moving along because he had people he was meeting also. Next I ran into Ken. Another thru hiker I met about a month ago. He didn't recognize me at first. It was .02 off the trail and down a paved road to get to the shelter. It's amazing how good it feels to get to the end of the day and be just a little closer to where I need to be. A section hiker was already in a bunk sleeping when I arrived and another hiker Oops showed up a little later. Just before dark the Grizwolds came in with thier dog but elected to tent it across the street. The Grizwolds are another guy girl couple. The demands of the trail can and do put strains on all aspects of our days and I am curious on how couples manage mile after mile. All the relationships that I have observed seem to be going real well. Cold, dirty, hungry, wet, sweaty, tired, hot but you still must be on the same page in order to get along. I wish them well. The Grizwolds, Dethmarch & Sugarbush, Yukon & LiterBox, Moonshine & Terrapin are couples that I have met and are still on the trail.
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Port Clinton Pavillion
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Today began much better than yesterday. Miraculously my feet were not an issue. I wrapped my ankle and that performed very well. I woke up thinking about a wedding that was gonna take place later today back in Fairbanks. I knew I was gonna miss a good time but I was determined to begin and remain in good spirits. The terrain was level for the most part and the sections of rock become fewer and less severe as I moved south. I was glad to have knocked off 8 miles out of Palmerton on my first day because big miles on the rocks takes a toll. The heat has been between 80 & 90 and that wears one down also. The shade of the trees help. On my way down into Port Clinton I ran into BonnyBoy. He didn't recognize me at all. He determined it was because I was headed in the opposite direction. He was looking for a campsite early in the day because he tweeked an ankle and needed to get off it. After a long drawn out explanation of why I was where I was and where and why I was going where I was going we headed off in differant directions. The sun finally broke out and the sky turned blue as I entered the road noise of Port Clinton. The trail went under the highway then along the Skoulkill River before entering the side streets of the town. I removed my pack on the porch of the hotel/bar and bellied up for a couple cold ones and an order of fries. The hotel has a faucet outside that I used to get my water before heading down a couple of blocks to the pavilion for a free nights stay. I intended on returning to the bar but I didn't like the idea of leaving my stuff unattended. It pained me considerably to know that cold beer was just around the corner. If it was yesterday I probably would have just left my gear out with hopes of someone stealing it and ending the missery I was feeling. Later in the night another hiker showed up as did 12% & Hotlips. That ruined my hopes of catching Hotlips heading in the opposite direction of me and convincing her that she was heading in the wrong direction. Oh well. It poured all night as the 4 of us remained under cover and dry.
Date: 2010-05-31
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

The shelter was a busy place just before 6:00. The 3 were heading into Port Clinton and hitching to do a resupply. I got up much less determined than they and slowly got myself on the trail. It was still before 7:00 but seemed later because of the early departure of the others. I forgot to mention that I saw Redman, Specs and Twigs yesterday also. I tried to convince Redman that he was going in the wrong direction but he had none of it. It was a nice clear sunny morning and my spirits were where they like to be. I was feeling good and getting closer to my meeting place with brother Donald. Other than the worse of the rocky trail it was a good day to hike. I made it 9 miles to Hertlein campsite late morning. This was a great camp spot located between 2 creeks that dumped into a small pond that was perfect for a quick - cold dip. Had an early lunch then proceeded to hike up a long but not difficult hill. Someplace in the middle near a clearing and lookout viewpoint a saw 2 women taking a break. I close enough to recognize Poundhound and before I could say something she recognized me. She told me she was going to be on this section of trail around this time but I thought that I missed her. Turns out she and her friend Susan were delayed a couple of days which allowed fir this chance meeting. Poundhound and Garageman live in Fairbanks also and over the past winter they helped to scrutinze my gear and shared their AT experience from 2009. The fraturnity continues to grow as more and more hikers become familiar with each other. A short break and we were off in differant directions. Everytime I think that I see someone for the last time they appear somewhere down the road(trail). The trail continued up for what felt like a long time longer than what I was now getting used to. Then it was a nice hike into the 501 Shelter. I ran into Flow Easy as he just got dropped off by freinds and was continuing the trail after a couple zero days. At the shelter I took a shower and enjoyed two sessions of trail magic. The caretakers Bob and Martha had burgers, potato salad, chips and cold soda for Screech and myself. They were expecting more but it was just us two. Then about an hour later Snacktime (NOBO 2007) came in with a couple tins of lasagna. A couple more hikers showed up but couldn't make much of a dent in the quantity that she brought. Flying Turtle and Donner were the other thru hikers there. This shelter was totally inclosed with a large sunlight in the center. This was a very comfortable place to stay.