morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-18
From: Calendonia State Park

To: Mile 1094
Miles today: 0.0

We slept under the camp's massive tarp away from the rain with Burningman. The group fixed us Blueberry pancakesand saugage for breakfast. We didn't start walking until 10:30 and we had a big day ahead of us. We are about to catch a large group of NOBO's but it has been nice the past few days not seeing any other thru-hikers or meeting new faces. So far we like PA, the terrain is nice and flat and the rocks aren't so bad. There are rocks in every state, I just think people need something to complain about. We stopped for a snack where we met up with a ridge runner from Reo, Indiana. His family own the drive in movie theater there. A quick 3 miles and we had reached the half-way point of the trail. We went to the general store to enjoy a burger and a half gallon of ice cream. Hot showers at the campground and we were both very happy and pleased with how far we have come on the trail. We've wanted to quit three times now but haven't and now we both feel very confident in walking the rest of the way to Maine this year. After a good rest we hiked into the night until around 11pm. Stacy spotted a nice flat spot that we called home for the night. We layed our things under the stars and were asleep in no time. Cowboy camping is the way to go now. Walk till your tired and then sleep. No setting up or tearing down in the morning. It gives you a better sense of freedom on the trail even though you are already free out here.
Date: 2009-07-19
From: Mile 1094

To: Trail Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We both woke up at first light and were walking by 6am. Today we are headed into Boiling Springs for some more food. We made the 15 miles to town by 1:00 and were eating pizza soon after. We hung around the trail center during the afternoon heat where we met up with Two Lions. A nice rest and full of water we headed into the "Pennsyvania Desert". A section of valley walking with no water for 14 miles. We decided to walk the section in the late evening and night to stay out of the heat. The trail zigzag cow pastures and corn fields with very little protection from the sun. Today we've seen the most wildlife on the trip. Tons of birds, deer, and mice and other critters that feed on corn. About 10:30pm we came to a few fields where it was hard to find our way through them. Its nearly impossible to spot 4x4 post in the middle of a cow pasture. Soon after that we crossed a river on a roadway. At the other side we were lost when a voice asked us if we were looking for the trail. We looked to find the Ridge Runner at the trail farm. We almost walked past our water source and dinner spot. We stopped for bite and talked with Ridge Runner for an hour or so. At this point it was late and he let us stay at the caretaker's house which we gladly took him up on.
Date: 2009-07-20
From: Trail Center

To: Clark's Ferry
Miles today: 0.0

The girl with pink hair--News can travel along the trail, sometimes forward, but most of the time its backwards. Its easy to pass news back by leaving notes on the shelter or talking to people in towns. It seems hard for news to travel forward on the trail with no phones just notes and word of mouth. In the streets of Damascus, "Hey, your the girl with pink hair. I've been waiting to see you walk by. I wondered when you were going to get here!" And then today at the Doyle, we walk in and a man at the bar says, "You made it, I wondered when the guy and the girl with the pink hair were going to get here." All of these random people who we haven't seen before and they are waiting to see us walk through their town. It makes me think people who live around the trail really are interested about the trail and like the people walking through their towns every year.
Date: 2009-07-21
From: Clark's Ferry

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Yesterday was day 60 of our trip making it 2 months on the trail. The night hiking has been great the past few nights but my headlamp died last night while I was getting water. We were up and out by 7:00am and were trying to beat the heat today. It was cloudy all day as it kept the heat off our backs untill it started to rain around 2pm. The rain felt good today and it was a nice change from the blistering sun. Today was packed with tons of rocks. The rocks haven't seen that bad so far and they seem just as bad as any state but just a little more than other places. Our feet hurt today like the beginning trip, its hard to walk around camp tonight even though it was only 24 miles today. We got to the sheltr around 5:00 and it felt good to relax around camp with time to spare at night. We have been getting into camp so late its been hard to write, relax, or even brush your teeth. Were both very tired physically but not mentally we are feeling good after crossing the halfway point and cruising through PA. I"m hoping to make it to Port Clinton by the 23rd to relax for my birthday.
Date: 2009-07-22
From: Pearisburg,VA

To: Pine Grove, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We both were asleep last night by 7pm and three more people showed up to the shelter after we were out. We are getting good at being quite in the AM. We are up at 5:30 and packed and on the trail by 6:00 after some coffee and no one opens an eye at the shelter. After arriving at PA 501 earlier than we expected we went into town early for my birthday. A local gave us a ride into town and $20.00 for a few trips to McDonalds. We checked into the Comfort Inn around 3:00 for a full afternoon of laying around and watching TV. This is the first place with a really good shower head. I finally got a chance to wash my shorts, the second time of the trip. Their last wash was in Franklin, NC, which is around 100 miles from Springer.
Date: 2009-07-23
From: Pine Grove, PA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

July 23rd, 2008 around 9am Stacy and I were crossing our first state line on the AT and moving onto New Hampshire. It was such a rewarding day for the both of us and crossing the state line seemed more important than my birthday, but it was an added bonus to do it on that day. July 23rd, 2009, I roll over to see the alarm clock, its 8:45 and the cont. breakfast stops at 9am. I hurry to the lobby to fix 2 huge waffles and head back to the room for some TV. Today nothing spectacular just satisfied at where we are right now in the time that we have been hiking. I'm taking a zero for my birthday. It is my present to myself, no state lines or 24 miles, just relaxation.
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Pine Grove, PA

To: Pocahontas Spring
Miles today: 0.0

We didn't get to the trailhead untill 10:30 which is not a good start to a long day. The rain held off most of the day and drizzled in the afternoon. The clouds did help to keep some heat off for awhile. We met back up with ZenDog, who informed us that everyone we had been hiking with were a few days behind us. Around 6:00 we tackled the steep decent into Port Clinton where we walked down the highway to the countries largest Cabela's and also a visit to the Taco Bell. After dinner and the sensory overload from Cabela's, we hiked 3 miles out of the valley to a spring. It looked like rain so we set up the tarp but it managed to stay dry all night.
Date: 2009-07-25
From: Pocahontas Spring

To: PA 309
Miles today: 0.0

It was another early morning. The camp site was pretty nice last night. Our first in PA with a water source right next to it. The heat has been relentless. Its hot at 9 pm. and still stuffy at 10pm. The lack of water hasn't added to the equation. Tonight we walked into a B@B at the road crossintg. We made it into in time for dinner and missed the rain as well. We planned to hike out but the rain wouldn't let up and it was 10:30 pm. I fell asleep on the picnic table and we ended up sleeping next to the lawn mower and some yard tools under a small awning, which leaked in the middle of the night. My shoes are wrecked, we had them since Damascus and the rocks have done a number on them. Shoe companies should pay people to walk through PA to test their shoes, only they can see them fail.
Date: 2009-07-26
From: PA 309

To: 1248
Miles today: 0.0

It poured all morning which made the cliffs and the knife edge a fun hike that early. We are headed into Walnut Port today for groceries ana McDonalds. A steep decent into Lehigh Gap and we were at the store by 3pm. In line a lady says, "I'm not being rude but you guys really stink. Do you want to come over for a shower?" Sure, resupply and a free shower, who would turn that down. A quick shower and some homemade chocolate cake and we were being dropped back off at the trail head. For tonight-the Pennshylvania Super Fund Site. One of our steepest climbs of the trip, also a comtamnated mountain top left by mining companies. About halfway it turns to solid rock with a few climbing moves up to the next ledge. The At traverses the ridge just below the solid stone spine that runs to the top. A few bouldering moves and we were on top the ridgeline blazing our own way to the top. Climbing the ridge with all 4 limbs and being exposed to the falls and thunderhead blowing our way it gave me the sense of excitment that I haven't had on the trip for a long time. It makes me want to hike the PCT or the JMT. I love being above the trees with the summit in site, exposed to the elements and the only thing that is going to get you to saftey is yourself. We hiked until the storm was close. The news is saying tonight is going to be bad. We walked about .4 off the trail to some nearby trees which gave us some cover. I piled rocks on the stakes and around the hiking poles to keep them steady in the wind. A few logs in a pointed shape gave the front of our tarp a wall to help block the high wind and blowing rain. You could probably live in this thing.
Date: 2009-07-28
From: 1268

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We were up early and running into town. I had to get to the Post Office before 4 to pick up our bounce bucket. No climbing but more than 3030 ft. of decending into the Water Gap. There were nice views of the Delaware River which squeezes through a small gap of rocks to continue south. Tonight we are at a church hostel in the basement with hot showers and bunkspaces. We hit up the local bakery for lunch and dinner for 2 days. They have a good deal, a hot dog and a piece of their famous apple pie for $1.49. After it was all said and done, I had 9 hot dogs and 9 pieces of pie.
Date: 2009-07-29
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We woke up to rain and packed up. It started to rain harder so we decided to stay and take a zero. We were sitting on the picnic table watching the storm when the sky opened up and turned bright orange. You could hear it coming but we didn't move. Newly 2 miles from us a tornado ripped through the valley detroying a few houses and hundreds of trees. All the locals were in the street crying because 100 year old trees that they had seen their whole lives were now laying in the street blocking the road. The pastor of the church was stuck on a road due to down trees. I had to play caretaker for the rest of the night letting hikers know the rules and where everything was. This had to be one of the most exciting zeros we have had on the trip. On to New Jersey tomorrow.
Date: 2009-07-30
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Culvers Gap
Miles today: 0.0

We left PA today and entered New Jersey. Tonight was one of the worst nights on the trail. We hit a wall of bugs today that didn't let up. We ended up finding a nice rocky view with a small breeze to eat dinner. I started a small fire that helped a little. Stacy found a nice flat spot to lay down on so I transfered the fire over there. The fire kept the bugs away but needed to be stoked every 30-40 minutes only giving me little cat naps until the bugs startd to bite again. We both only got an hour or so of sleep last night. I woke up at 4:30 to raindrops. We were cowboy camped with no tarp. Within minutes we were both soaked and walking down the trail before 5am. We were both ready to call it quits!
Date: 2009-07-31
From: Culvers Gap

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 23.1

We made it to the road by 5:15am and hit the local coffee shop for breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Both of us are exhausted due to the bugs and am wake up call of rain. The rain didn't let up all day and we both had poor attitudes and needed sleep, but its hard to sleep in the rain. Around 3 we made it to Unionville NY and to the Mayor's house. The Mayor puts up thru-hikers and gives them a solid meal. We were both greatful for the hot showers and a dry bed!
Date: 2009-08-01
From: Unionville, NY

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We took a much needed zero to get some rest from the night before. The Mayor's house was the break we needed both mentally and physically. Talking with the Mayor gave us what we both needed to keep going from this point on. This has been one of the most crucial zero's we have taken on the whole trip, not only to rest the tired body but refuel the tired mind.
Date: 2009-08-02
From: Unionville, NY

To: Eastein Pinnicals
Miles today: 0.0

After a huge breakfast we left the Mayor's House to enter New Jersey again and then onto New York. We only had 20 miles of NJ left and we made quick work of it. Today I got dehydrated. The worst headahe and I threw up a few times. We found a spigot where I drank nearly 5 liters of water which made me feel better about 30 minutes later. Around 6:30 pm we enterd New York where we were met with rock climbs and poorly marked trails. We stopped for dinner at Prospect Rock-where we could catch views into New York City. The city is nearly 40 miles away but the buildings are visible at night. Tomorrow we meet my dad so its the last night tending a fire to keep the bugs away. We had a nice rock to lay down on and started our fire. I just hope the rain holds off tonight.
Date: 2009-08-03
From: Eastein Pinnicals

To: Beer Mt. NY
Miles today: 0.0

The words for the day are: Holiday Inn Express and Longhorn Steakhouse. Today we met with my Dad and Barb in New York. We checked into our room for showers then headed to dinner for some ribs and a 20.00 Prime Rib, I could have eaten two of them. After dinner we all headed to Wal-mart to pick up a new camera and a voice recorder. I want to start keeping an audio journal to help with my paper journal. I think it will help me remember at night as well as when I get home. The bed tonight was amazing!
Date: 2009-06-15
To: New Beginnings
Miles today: 0.0

I hiked the Georgia to New Jersey section of the AT during my 2006 summer vacation from the University of Kentucky. It was easily the greatest experience of my life. Now I'm getting the opportunity to finish the rest of the trail. That summer I arrived at Springer Mountain, GA with a pack full of barely used gear and little inkling of what I was getting my self into. I had dreamed about hiking the AT since elementary school, when two teachers did a ¢show and tell¢ type demonstration of their favorite hobby, section hiking the AT.When I started the trail I assumed that my favorite part of the experience would be seeing hundreds of vistas, beautiful flora, and other aspects of nature. And sure enough those things where amazing, I will forever remember things like Rhododendron Gap and walking exposed ridge lines in the Smokies. However it was all the people I met that made the most lasting impression. Whether it¢s the Trail Angels whom gave me a lift into town or other thru-hikers the people I met are what I have thought about the most over the past few years. I particularly want to give a big shout out to Fire, Ice, and Tooth Fairy, it¢s nearly impossible for me to remember or talk of my Trail experience with out thinking of you.Currently I¢m working on getting together my last few pieces of gear and taking care of a few last obligations. Basically I can¢t wait until the 23rd comes and I can get started making new memories. I will try to update this journal regularly once on the trail, hopefully this blog will allow me to share a little bit of my experience with those of you at home.-WhispIf you are interested in my previous journey, Fire and Ice had a 2006 journal that can show you some of my experience from last time. I don¢t have a 2006 journal of my own, because I didn¢t know this site existed at the time. www.trailjournals.com/fireandice
Date: 2009-06-26
From: Deleware Water Gap

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 52.0

Well after two planes and three buses I found myself in Deleware Water Gap, again. I stayed at a nice little hostel ran by the Over the Mountain Church. Right away I started meeting other thru hikers. The past few days have been ruff as I try to get my trail legs back. I've done a 10, 15, 15, and 12 mile days thus far, but each of those days have seemed much longer. On the positivie side I have seen alot of wild life: deer, rabbits, and three bears. I just wish NJ wasn't so wet. All the trails out here are practically flooded out from all the rain they have been getting. This evening I'm staying at the "Mayor's House" a hostel ran out a man's home. There are about 12 hikers here and he has fed and showered all of us. Well back to the trail.
Date: 2009-06-28
From: Unionville, NY

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 17.0

I'm back! Don't expect back to back posts very often. Today I slackpacked back to the Mayor's house. I'm sure Fire will be disapointed in me, but she's no longer here to push and prod me (with love of course). For the uniformed slackpacking means that I left most of my gear here at the Mayor's, taking only some food and water. They drove me 17 miles up the trail and then I hiked south back toward the hostel. Today on my super lite pack day I walked down a little mountain and then through a huge swamp. For about two miles there was a boardwalk through the swamp, not what you would expect on the AT. I also got to grab some ice cream, from a little garden/fresh fruit store located just off the trail.The mayor is a stand up guy. He fed us dinner (soup and lasangua), breakfast (pancakes and eggs), shower (hot and with towel), wash (clean clothes whoop, whoop), and of course a bunk. The amazing thing is that he has never and will never hike a single mile of the trail. He just enjoys meeting people from all over the world, and lucky for him he doesn't have to leave his home to do so.Met lots of interesting people including Disney, Sea Monster, Penn J, Topo, Solo (From the DR), Shirpa (From Japan), Misha (From Denmark), Rabbit, Snorkel (She actually carries a snorkel on the trail), Little Engine that Could, Bunion, and a whole host of other people. Most of these guys are flying by me so I have only got to spend one night with most, but soon I'll be moving faster.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: Unionville, NY

To: Hosner Mountain Road, NY
Miles today: 79.0

Well the rain just won't stop. So I decided to take a break from it. Bill (Thru Hiker Alum) and Amy are hosting a bunch of us at their place for the fourth of July. So I hiked into their place for a shower, food, and a place out of the rain. Tomorrow I'm going to Zero here and have fun at the big cookout extravaganza. Apparently they do this every year, so I'm just glad I was passing through at the appropriate time.Since I posted last I've passed the century mark and dropped a state. While I was in New York for my last post we still had more New Jersey to do. Only 30 more miles and I'll be done with New York too. Actually had to sleep in my tent the last few days do to the lack of shelters in the area. And what do you know the first time I put up my tent I leave my stakes behind. I felt like such an idiot, but hey life goes on. The next night I had to drive sticks into the ground for stakes, luckily they held up even through the storm.Hiked over half a mile into town the other day in an attempt to get food, but when we got there the grocery had gone out of business. So I had to find food for two day at a little gas station. At least I got to eat some wings at the local restaurant. Been hiking the last week or so with Disney and Sea Monster. They're both from Dayton, OH and started hiking about a month ago out of Harpers Ferry. They're planning to "flip-flop" (Hike from Harpers to ME then start back in Harpers and head south). Disney just graduated form Case Western (Cleveland, OH) and is taking a year off before starting Med School of OSU, while Sea Monster is one semester away from graduating with a B.A. in History from Miami of Ohio. He plans to finish his degree in the spring. They have been a lot of fun to hang out with, plus their willing to put up with me.Thanks for all the well-wishes on my Guest book.Whisp
Date: 2009-07-12
From: Hosner Mountain Road, NY

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 177.0
Weather: clear sky

Well I'm finally feeling like a hiker. I did five 20 mile days in a row for the stretch out of Hosner Mountain. I ended up catching up to a whole bunch of people. Some of them I had met as they flew by me early in my trip, while others I had only read about in the shelter logs. Stayed the night in an ATC run cabin (Upper Goose Pond Cabin) with about 22 other people, most of whom where thru-hikers. The cabin was great on nice pond with canoes and most importantly Blueberry Pancakes in the morning. The only negative is that I haven't seen Disney or Sea Monster since Bill and Amy's because they stayed an extra day to go sky diving. Hopefully they will catch up in the next couple days as I take it easy for a while.I can't believe how fast this trip is flying. I dropped NY and Conn since I posted last and I have only 30 more miles of Mass before I'll be in Vermont. We have had several nice sunny days since the fourth, which will hopefully continue. People keep saying it can't rain forever, but the weather does funny things. I met my first SOBO's (South Bounders) just a couple of day's ago. They had lots of things to say about the coming sections and gave me plenty of tips on where to go or not go.Today on my B-Day I hiked a short three miles into town and have been hanging out at a hostel run by Tom Levardi. Planning on eating three square meals and just resting my dogs for the day. Cap the evening with a little Kentucky Pride and then turn in for the evening. Mount Greylock is coming up soon on the horizon. It's Mass highest peak and it's my first 3,000 footer this year. Lovin the trail and lovin life.
Date: 2009-07-13
From: Dalton, MA

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 83.0
Weather: light rain

The last couple of days have been amazing. Fire (GA-ME 06) met me just south of Manchester Center, which was very cool. I had hiked about half my miles for the day and was stopping for lunch when these section hikers asked me if I was Whisp. They had a message from Fire telling me where she was at. So I jumped on my horse and booked the last few miles into the selter. Where she was waiting with all sorts of goodies (all the food variety). We had a great time just hanging out and catching up on each others life. The next morning we hiked into town and ate at one of my new favorite placess, "Up for Breakfast". They honestly had the best pancakes I've had on the trail. Also in town was best bookstore on the trail. I walked in wanting two particular books and walked out with them, which is a very rare thing for me. Finally Manchester Center has probably the best hostel on the trail, "Green Mountain House". Jeff puts us up in style, he has a whole second house for us to stay in.Believe it or not but the trail it self is also pretty cool. I stayed in at Kid Gore shelter which had an amazing view right from the porch. I also climbed a fire tower on Glastenbury Mtn where I got an great view of the area. Another shelter we stayed at had a "problem bear" who has completely lost any fear of people. Half a dozen of us were sitting down for dinner when the bear just slowly circled the shelter. We yelled at it, but it just looked at us like we were crazy. It also grabbed a bear bag durring the night. The forest service said they were making plans to take care of the problem.All and all I've been having a great time. It won't be long now until I'm in the White Mountains, which is suppose to be one of the highlites of the trail.