morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yes, another zero day. This is the last chance i will have to be in my own bed for a while. So i am not skipping it. Time to change some gear out. here is the run down:1. Returned the Go-Light Pinnacle to River Sport Outfitters. they are contacting the manufacturer to figure out what they want to do (give me back my money or give me a different Go-Light pack). Not the most satisfying response and it will take at least two weeks before they no what they are going to do! Apparently the right guy wasn't at work that day. for now back to my 6.1 lbs Kelty. 2. Looked up the return policy on my Columbia trail runners. In a little over 100 miles the shoes were falling apart. the high carbon soles were separating from the main rubber sole. apparently the glue didn't hold up to cold and wet working conditions. 3. Picked up a pair of Vasque trail runners. They were on deep discount due to a funky color selection. who cares about the appearance when the shoe is covered in mud?4. Picked up a down sleeping bag. Finally, my synthetic just doesn't work in cold weather. This is a decked out Mountvell, I am excited. And yes I got a water proof compression sack. 5. Picked up a pair of New Balance Gore-tex boots, in 15 narrow. Here is my developing shoe philosophy. In bad weather (cold or wet) I need a boot. but in good weather (sunny, 75+ degrees) i need a trail runner. So when i get back on the trail I am taking my boots with me till early June then switch to trail runners. 6. Picked up a jet boil. I need coffee, I go so much faster with coffee, the jet boil has a french press built into it! I know i am adding weight (adding 1lb and 3 oz) but the connivence is amazing. I think a morning and mid day coffee will do tremendous things to my speed. 7. Picked up a Big Agnus pad. Not really a weight difference on this one but it takes longer to setup and consumes less space in my pack. the comfort increase is amazing, 2.5 inches of air. I know I am a hiking yuppie, so at least i am self realized.
Date: 2009-04-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Buddy the dog is back with his owner, yea! Buddies owner (Moose) made it to hot springs this morning so we drove Buddy up. They are hiking with Pickles group (who also has a journal page). Buddy was happy to see his Dad and get back on the trail. Buddy picked up a couple of pounds and lost a couple of balls at our house. It feels good to give some trail magic to others.I saw peanut butter and big fish in hot springs as well. I missed firecracker by a day. when i get back on the trail I should be two days out of hot springs. I don't think I want to take a zero there. It seemed a little nicer then when I was in Hot Springs before but still generally a dump.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Thomas Knob

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: moderate rain

The ponies at Thomas Knob gave me a lift today. The weather was a major drag. I stoped reall early to get a shelter spot. I set and talked to Yak and Yukon stoped with me. Nice guys and we had a good time getting dry and waiting for the rain to pass.
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Timpi Shelter

To: Partnership
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

This is an awsome shelter. got in for lunch. I had a burger, fries and large salad. then we ordered dinner around 6:00pm and had a large pizza. Also, this shelter has a hot shower. side notes: Yo-Yo and MoFo showed up, those guys are always fun.
Date: 2009-05-09
From: Partnership

To: Atkins
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Thanks to MoFo I got a slack packed lined up. Nice crew to hike with, I was the youngest by 30 years but I seemed to relate to the whole crew. My wife, Molly, seemed a little erped on the phone. I am considering droping off the trail to help her out. following the rule to considere it over 4 days before deciding. having the ability to get wives of other hikers in contact with each other might help, but i am not sure Molly would relate.
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Atkins

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

I talked Yak in joining me on a personal challenge to do 1% of trail (21.1 miles) for 4 consecutive days. We have each had big days but never consecutive. It usually goes up for one day and then back down. This was our first day. It started great, a bear ran out of the woods and down the highway in Atkins. apreantly another hiker ran him out. cool. I also managed to piss off a black snake, I was going to fast down hill and was on top of him before i noticed. I didnt get bit, but that was close. I guess the snakes are out now. We celbrated the first day with a beer, nice way to kick off a challenge. Chestnut knob is fully inclosed and has a smell. so i tented, great cell signal.
Date: 2009-05-11
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Helvey Mill Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: light rain

Awsome day, I ordered pizza to the trail about 3 miles outside of the shelter. Note, this isnt mentioned in the guide books, you can order pizza to this section of trail. I also caught up with Firecracker and Big Fish agian, but i don't think they want to keep up with mine and Yaks pace.
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Helvey Mill Shelter

To: near Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

OOh, this one is intresting. I stoped by Trent's grocery on our way to Wapiti shelter, where the two thru hikers were killed in the early 1980s. Well Yak didn't know the story or that we were going to the shelter where they died, so while waiting for lunch i let him know. I had 3 chili dogs and cili cheese fries and doritios. Well you can stay the night at Trents and the cook came over and asked me how the chili was? She asked if it tasted strange that she made it her self and tried somthing different! She asked after i finished. Well I checked out of Trents and the cook was running the check out and was suprised I didn't stay the night. about 2 miles down the trail, in ear shot of the waterfall, I laide9about 3 down on the side of the trail. setup my pad and ground cloth and went to sleep, about 3:00pm, i just couldnt continue. Yak was hiking with me and went on to the shelter. In about 20 minutes Veggie passed buy and woke me. Then in 40 minutes a girl with long brown hair passed by and aplogized for waking me< i think. I wake in about an hour and hike on. in about 2 miles i find Yak and Veggie standing in the middle of the trail completely confused. Yak is a little freaked. They say that they have been hiking up and down the trail while i took a 2 hour snooze and can't find the shelter. I ask if the girl had passed, they said no. well we end up sleeping on the side of the trail.I shoot some emails to Molly and find out that the girls description matches one of the murdered thrue hikers in the 1980s.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: Lynchburg

To: John Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 1.7
Weather: light rain

Got started sort of late and my hiking partner Yak wasnt looking so good. Yak zeroed while me and Molly took off. We got him some big G medicine and he clearly lost a little to much weight. seeing some one else get the big G made me get my water filter back and use the bleach.
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Seely Woodworth Shelter

To: Harpers Creek
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

These short days are driving me nuts. I am pusing Yak for a big day tomarrow 27 miles but he is pushing back for a 22 mile day. The 15 mile days just seem half done, I have to much energy left over at the end of the day.
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Paul C Wolf Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

A nero! Stayed in a B&B, those things are always interesting. You just don't know what you will get. I practically got kicked out of Mings, the Chinese buffet, after 7 full plates I was starting to reach bottom. She brought the check at the third full plate.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Waynesboro

To: Calf Mtn. 
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

I am out of town and I am in SNP! Yak is still with me but he wants me to go ahead till he gets his strength back. I think he is going to take a series of 13 mile days. Side note, you stll need to bring food into SNP, the waysides are not that great.
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Calf Mtn. 

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: clear sky

Ok, I hiked 29 miles but only 26 counted. I had to night hike a couple of miles to. The first Wayside was actually depressing but the camp store was amazing. I packed out a case of beer to share with everyone at the shelter. Good crew, very apreciative.
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bear Fence
Miles today: 20.6

Good weather, and there was a bear on the trail. As i was hiking along he ran to a brush pile about 15 ft away. I stoped and looked around the corner of the brush pile, he looked back. Then the Bear turned to the brush pile huffed and hit the ground. I got my camera out and took a few pictures of him. Then he turned to me and huffed at my face with a very short fake charge. Admitedly, I usually half to be told somthing twice but i got the message with his second warning and fake charge. So I put the camera away and moved on.
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Bear Fence

To: Skyland Resort
Miles today: 15.3

I made it to Big Meadows for breakfest and headed on to the resort for a room and dinner. Hot day, and the middle of the park is neat. Big Meadows is a very nice wayside. The lodge dosn't look impresive but is very well laid out. The lodge dosn't compete to the areas natural beauty but is designed for optimal enjoyment of it. You can sit in bead and watch the sunset.
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Byrd Nest #3

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 30.9
Weather: moderate rain

Big day, new personal best! I was out of the shelter by 6:00am, in retro spect I could have done it even sooner. I made it to town and a hotel by dark. Washed up ordered a pizza and washed clothes before bed. I think the rain helped, I was cold if i stoped, so i didnt.
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Front Royal

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Ya Hoo, I made it out of town. I also meet Goat and Check 6 this morning. I was able to get a hitch straight out of Fort Royal, as soon as i put my thumb out. Of course i had the usual hiker problems leaving town, wrong type of food in the stomach and heavy pack. This shelter is crazy nice. Side note, the AT around Fort Royal has a strange and scary "zoo" around it. This "zoo" didnt have much activity when I was around but it was a weekend. It has 12 foot tall chain link around a couple of thousand acres of land with the wire on top pointed away from the facilities. Several small animal corpses were seen near the trail. The place has no sinage other then gate numbers. Strange.
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: few clouds

Wow, this was a hard day. I was embarssed by my slow day yesterday, so i pushed hard in the morning. After lunch I meet the guy running Bears Den, out for a day hike. I told him I wanted to hike in and spend the night (un upper limit i had in mined but didnt think i could do it). I felt commiteed after meeting him, so i hauled it in. At 6:00pm i started a section called the Roller Coaster, for the massive ups and downs, i still had 9 miles to go. I made it in at 9:30pm by head lamp. Luckly, they were expecting me. Bears Den is awsome.
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Deer Lick

To: Quarry Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

Awsome trail magic today, thanks M+M. I actually spent most of this day on the cellphone solving computer problems. Oh well. I made it into the shelter at 9:45, I am starting to like the night hikes. unfortunately its summer in PA and a Saturday night. A shelter designed for 8 people had 19 in it. I slept under a picnic table and was unable to turn on my side or back. The top of the table was already taken.
Date: 2009-06-14
From: Quarry Gap

To: Ironmasters Mansion
Miles today: 18.8

Wow, this hostel sucks. Dont stay here, everythink is broke and the price is higher then whats in some books. Did see a timber radler today, and he had an attitude. I was walking along listning to the radio and i hear a messed up weed-eater (bad bearing). I took off my earbuds to say hi to the trail maintainer. But I didnt see him? A rattle snake was in the trail about 10 feet away coiled up. That was the bad weed eater. Naturally, I backed off, he calmed down but he wasnt geeting off the trail. I spend about 15 minute trying to convice him to move on but ummm, i got off the trail and went around. I also meet a turtle eating a wild mushroom, cool. took another nap.
Date: 2009-06-15
From: Ironmasters Mansion

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter, PA
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I had breakfest at the Ironmasters Mansion, then went across the street to the campstore and had another breakfest (its going to be a good day). While on the way out of the state camp ground I happened upon a group of youngish Aumish people playing volleyball. I have never seen the Aumish having fun, and this seemed bizare to me. They had their shoes off and the group was mixed males and females with a group of older adult overseers. Strange.At lunch time I meet three south bounder section hikers. Two were ex-military and their weight had balooned, the other was a drill sargent friend. The drill sargent was trying to help his old buddys get back into shape and have some fun. Intresting little group.
Date: 2009-06-16
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter, PA

To: Cove Mountain Shelter, PA
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting to feel the PA rocks on my toes. This is mostly a flat field walk with a short section in Boiling Springs (cute little town). By the end of the day I had huge blisters on the outside of my feet (strange place). I could have made it in to Duncannon but i cut it short. I should have pushed on.
Date: 2009-06-17
From: Cove Mountain Shelter, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: light rain

I did the short walk into town this morning. Most every thing was closed but I was able to get breakfest. I washed my cloths and when the Doyle opened up at 11 I got a room. The Doyle is a 100 year old hotel/bar and i dont think its been updated since its original construction. I re-supplied and relaxed, fun night.
Date: 2009-06-18
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Clarks Creek, PA
Miles today: 17.9

I made it out of the Doyle, that was hard. I was a little dehydrated coming out of there. Considered staying at Peters Mountain Shelter but I had to much energy so I kept going. Camped with Top Of Gothic and Solo. Got trail magic at PA 325, awsome.
Date: 2009-06-19
From: Clarks Creek, PA

To: 501 Shelter, PA
Miles today: 28.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Not an eventfull hike but the 501 had plenty of drama. First off, Yak jumped ahead to hike with me, awsome. He has family in this area and has hiked it several times. Always good to see him. Second, this is a "Blue Mountain Eagles Club" section of trail, which means bad maintnce and crazy care takers. The 501 is a nice four wall shelter right off PA 501. So its a natural recpit for trail magic and pizza. But the crazy care taker went on a rant the night before and removed the trash cans and said we could not order pizza. He even called the local pizza place and chewed them out. Well, I did 28 miles for pizza damit. I ordered my pie to the road crossing, they delivered. I ate the pie and burned the box and wax paper. Enough said till 7:30 in the morning. The care taker rips down the emergency contact information and, very loudly, an all caps note that burning paper is prohibited! On his little bullitan, This guy has several anti-dog notes posted as well. This isn't Blue MOuntain drama, more ahead.
Date: 2009-06-20
From: 501 Shelter, PA

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: moderate rain

I left the shelter late in the day because of thunderstorms. I made it to Port Clinton at 11:30 at night. When asking around for directions at the local bar (the only thing open) I was sent in the wrong direction. I never found the Pavilion, a place in town for the hikers to camp. So I camped behined the outfitters in his parking lot. Their is a fine line between hiker and homeless, some times you wonder which side of the line you are on.
Date: 2009-06-21
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Port Clinton day 2, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After wakeing up behind the outfitters building, I hung around town and found the Pavilion. Intresting town 3 bars and 1 church, nobody serves breakfest. The outfitter opened late and was clearly almost out of business. I got a ride into Cabelas and picked up a few things from them. I was about to leave but some people that I wanted to hike with showed up: Blue Steel and L-Train. It was easy to zero and head out the next day with them.
Date: 2009-06-22
From: Port Clinton day 2, PA

To: Eckville Shelter, PA
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

The hike was easy, spent the day talking to Blue Steel. At the top of the major clime was a rattle snake rangler, this guy was pulling snakes out of every corner of the rocks. Didnt want to linger much around him. We actually passed the shelter since it wasn't marked at the trail head and did an extra 3 miles that day. This is the last shelter in the Blue Mountain Eagles club section of trail, which means another crazy care taker. The shelter is a shed behined the care takers house. The complex has several angrly written signs with contradicting statements. Egg setup her tent and was quickly chewed out for doing so!
Date: 2009-06-23
From: Eckville Shelter, PA

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter, PA
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked with Dixie Dog most of the day. He went on in to Palmerton but I held back, not wanting to get into town late again. The shelters in this section are rough and seemed to be covered in snakes, i counted three in one corner. So i tented.
Date: 2009-06-24
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter, PA

To: Little Gap
Miles today: 6.0

I made it into Palmerton for breakfest, shower, and re-supply. I bought way to much food in that town. The first hill on the way out is a deforested superfund site. Due to Zinc smelting all the trees are dead and most of the soil has eroded away. Leaving only the rocks to scramble on in the mid day sun. for about three miles of this 5 mile stretch, sewage has been mixed with grass seed and blasted on the side of the hill (that is the fix?). I decided to hit a B&B that night and really clean up, the shower in Palmerton was unsatisfactory. Strangely the B&B owner was on vacation but let me stay anyway. The maid let me in and disapeard.
Date: 2009-06-26
From: Kirk Ridge Shelter

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Blue Steel headed off to the bus station at Delaware Water Gap, She is catching up with Bonny in Vermont. Her time was running short, so they were going to do the hard parts while their legs were strong. I made it out of town and into NJ. The Mohican Center is ran by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) which pre-dates the AT. AMC was having a leadership summit at the Mohican that night and graciously hosted me to their hospitality portion. I was very intrested in the AMC since so many people dislike it. For what it is, the AMC is great, but its members do expect a great deal fo comfort. I spoke at length with one man from Manhatten who seemed facinated with the idea of thru-hiking. This was an intresting evening.
Date: 2009-06-27
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked with 1-Pint most of the day. We ran across two bears playing in the woods, probably juvinals. We watched them for a good 20 minutes undisturbed. NJ is suprisingly butiful and has one of the highest bear concentrations along the route. Made it to a steak house for dinner and up the hill to a shelter for the night.
Date: 2009-06-28
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Unionville, NJ
Miles today: 20.2

Not much to say about the hike, but alot of road crossing takes place in NJ. Unionville is technically in NY but the trail stays in NJ. Neat little town and I stayed at the Mayors house (now called the Outhouse). A local personality and previous town Mayor, Dick Ludwick, takes in almost all the local hikers in the area. In his personal home we get breakfest, dinner, shower, laundry, shuttles, and a place to sleep for free. It's an amazing amount of genrosity. He does this as a memorial to his late wife Pat. neither Pat or Dick were hikers but they enjoyed their company. A couple of years ago, when she passed Dick kicked it into high gear and now hostes hikers on a massive scale. This place and this man are amazing!
Date: 2009-07-01
From: Wildcat Shelter, NY

To: Fort Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 27.7

Got up early to get into town. I am flying home tomarrow and wanted to clean up before getting on the plane. This is just a vacation from the vacation. I will get back on the trail on the 8th. I am only 34 miles from NY City and people are starting to get weird. I meet some day hikers in the park, the first set carried water bottles and rope. They brought the rope on a day hike just in case? The second guy was amazed that i was getting water from a spring but he only drank bottled spring water. Everyone assumes that i know where the parking lot is (I find this very funny). The perception of personal space is different, I actually stand closer to most of the deer in this section of park.
Date: 2009-07-08
From: Home for the 4th

To: Monastary
Miles today: 7.2

I got up early for my flight back to NY. Made it into Stuart around 10:30 and back on the trail a little after noon. I managed to make a few trail miles when I realized how tierd I was. Called it a short day, and stoped at a Catholic Monastary which offered a near by shelter. Talked with several of the friars and toured the grounds, neat place. From one view point I have a picture of the NY sky line, cool.
Date: 2009-07-09
From: Monastary

To: RPH Shelter, NY
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

For the first time in a while, i got up and walked! Not much else to say. I made it to RPH which is a converted house next to the road, alot of trafic noise. Some locals came in, droped off some gear, and were planning some trail work with a hiker feed the next day.
Date: 2009-07-10
From: RPH Shelter, NY

To: RPH Trail Work
Miles today: 0.0

Out of respect for those that do it, I wanted to volunteer a day as a trail worker. This couldn't have been more convinet then today to volunteer, do i did. I wish I could call it a rewarding expirence. Alot of quality, competent people were around, they just weren't running the show. Aparently RPH has it's own local club just for that shelter, not sure if they are sanctioned by the ATC or NY/NJ trail club? But it came down to a very ambitious ex-hiker running the show in a bizare fashion. Basically every thing was over done, and required masive efforts to get tasks done, even when simple more direct techniqes were skipped for a bigger is better attitude. The funniest part was his decision to move a massive bolder to replace some of the present stone steps? First he drilled the bolder with purchased (not rented) hammer drill and bit. Some of the more expirenced trail maintainers sugested more appropriate tools that could be used, but the sugestions fell flat. needless to say he decided to move it as one solid piece. After wasting half a day on this effort, nothing was accomplished. early the next day, i headed out.
Date: 2009-07-11
From: RPH Trail Work

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: broken clouds

Fund day, glad to be hiking. I meet my first true SOBO thru-hikers and they were from Tennessee! Two brothers from Nashville. I meet a day hiker from NY who was an options trader, we had a really enjoyable conversation. It did leave me with a strong desire to never be involved with options trading.
Date: 2009-07-12
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Stewart Hollow, CT
Miles today: 19.7

Another state down, and I made it in and out of Kent. Odd little vacation town, prices went from reasonable to outragious! Just ask before you buy anything in this town, $3.50 for an ice tea without refills (20 oz). I did get my cloths washed and a good buy on wasaby cheese, ummm.