morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today seemed to start as a repeat of yesterday. We left the shelter and after about a mile the skies opened up again, and once again Lulu and I got soaked. The guys that slept at the shelter again avoided the rain. It again cleared up and became quite warm. I stopped and talked to a couple of different turkey hunters today, neither had any luck.We are getting a taste of Pennsylvania rocks today. They come and go on the trail, but we¢re hearing that the rocks are pretty consistent after Port Clinton, which is a little more than a day away.I was shown what poison ivy was today. Good thing, as I had been hiking through it all day. (I had my gators on.) We got to route 501 around 5:00 pm and the shelter is only a short distance form the road. The shelter is real nice with an octagon sky light about 8 feet across. One of the hikers had a cell phone and we all ordered pizza and soda and walked a short distance back to 501 to wait for delivery. It was great. Here tonight at the shelter are Foggy Bottom, Fossy, Rocky, Red Beard, Lulu and myself.
Date: 2004-05-23
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

Today was nice with no rain this morning for a change. It was pretty rocky to start off with.We had lunch at a small pond, a pretty spot. We also saw a 4-foot rat snake. A guy at the shelter tonight had seen a Rattlesnake today sunning itself across the trail.Here with me tonight in the shelter are Tuckleberry Fynn, Sunshine, Lulu and John ( a section hiker).
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today Lulu and I were headed to Port Clinton, as we both have mail drops to pick up. We left the shelter at 7:05 am and had a mix of trail conditions between the shelter and town. The PA rocks were often there, but there were also nice sections of trail. Our knees were really screaming at us when the trail reached the end of the ridge and we had to descend 1000¢I reached the valley floor first and crossed a very neat, almost park-like rail yard with a picnic table and a neatly trimmed grassy area. Lulu showed up shortly. It was about 11:30. We did well covering the 8.8 miles to town. We headed out to find the post office, which we did and found the lady at the post office to be very helpful. Both of our boxes were there.Now the mission shifted to finding the restaurant. It was about a mile walk but worth every step. I had a nice meal and they were real nice to us there even though I¢m sure we both smelled bad.Next we walked back into Port Clinton to the Outfitter. I needed to get some fuel for my stove and Lulu needed to get a new water bottle. The guy at the store was nice enough to let us use the phone, as there was only one pay phone on Port Clinton. (At the hotel, which is closed on Mondays.) That¢s right¢¦ closed on Mondays. I don¢t know how you run a hotel and close it one day a week, but I¢m just a hiker.Now it¢s time to get some trail miles and everyone was talking about severe weather headed our way. We crossed under route 61 and were soon back into the woods and climbing out of the valley. It was a hot climb with lots of humidity. Soon we could hear thunder in the distance. We have been lucky in the past having storms miss us. This one I felt different about. After a few quick miles I was looking for a place to camp. I found a couple of spots and we scrambled to get up the tents. In just a few minutes the storm was over us. Lots of wind and rain but it didn¢t last too long. The tents are so wet that we¢ve decided to spend the night here, plus more storms are predicted.Another good day.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Campsite

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a nice day. We got up and packed our tents and they were pretty dry. We came to a small park where the old Windsor Furnace was located. An older gentleman who was there told me that the Furnace was used mostly to make charcoal and not iron as I had thought.Next was Pulpit Rock, which was a nice view. I took a long break here while Lulu was catching up. I stopped at Eckville Shelter where Jay Walker, Tukleberry Fynn, Stumps, Bickhouse and Foggy Bottom were already having lunch. This is a place to remember if you plan on doing the trail. The shelter is in the backyard of the caretaker and there is a flush toilet, solar shower and a well-stocked fridge with ice cream and sodas. It¢s more like a hostel than a shelter. Lulu soon joined us and we ate lunch and took advantage of the goodies.
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Palmerton
Miles today: 17.8

The day started off with a thundershower so we stayed in the shelter until it passed, well¢¦ most of us did. Stumps had started before the shower began and got soaked. Lulu and I left a little after 8:00am and even though it rained a little on us, the worst had passed. We passed over the mountain today that the Lehigh Tunnel goes through. We couldn¢t see the traffic, but could hear it to the east of us. The tunnel was about 800¢ below us. We hiked to PA route 248 and hitched to Palmerton where we spent the night in the basement of what was at one time the village jail. The town of Palmerton provides this to hikers at no cost. In turn, the hikers spend their money there, a good deal for everyone,
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Palmerton

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: few clouds

We had a long day in front of us. It started early at a little after 5:00am when I took laundry back to the Laundromat to finish drying it. The Laundromat closes at 8:00pm sharp and last night we had to leave before everything could dry.We ate a quick breakfast and went out to try to hitch a ride. It became clear to me that there was too many of us to get a ride so I started to walk the 2 miles back to the trail. When Lulu and the guys split up, she got a ride right away.It was a steep climb this morning up and through this area that was devastated by a zinc mining operation. This was the steepest climb we have seen so far on the trail. It was very challenging with backpacks on. I think it is fair to say that Lulu is somewhat afraid of heights. We got through it and her breathing was soon back to normal.I took a number of pictures of the area. I understand this is one of the many ¢superfund¢ sites.We stopped on some high rocks with Jaywalker, Brickhouse, Tuckerberry Finn, Stumps and Foggy Bottom to have lunch. It was a nice day.Later, after about 10 miles, I decided to check out a spring 0.3 miles away and see if I could get water. When I got to the spring, it wasn¢t running. So there was supposed to be a second spring farther down. I finally got to the second spring and found water. Lulu was beginning to get worried, as I had been gone so long. We still had 10.7 miles to do today. We pushed on and at about 6:00 pm reached that Leroy A. Smith shelter. We took a brief rest with a little less than 5 miles to go. We continued up a very rocky trail and reached Wind Gap at 8:30 pm. The motel was just a short distance from the trail and we soon had rooms. The man that runs the motel picked up an order of Chinese food for us. I managed to stay awake long enough to eat my dinner and then pass out for the night.
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Lulu and I headed out in the rain to face another tough day on the PA rocks. This was consistently the most rocky/rough trail in PA we had faced up to this point. The trail maintainers in PA have always been kidded about sharpening the rocks there. Well, I never saw anyone sharpening the rocks, but I was wondering one thing¢¦ How do they get those rocks to stand up on edge? (Just kidding.) We got rained on, but it didn¢t get serious until we got to Wolf Rocks when it started to pour on us. We had to be very careful, as these rocks were slippery when wet.We stopped for lunch. Six and half more miles to go and we soon left the rock for several miles of hiking on a wood road and we made good time. We were at the post office at 3:45 pm¢¦ time to spare. I¢m taking a zero day tomorrow as my wife is coming to see me.
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5

Lulu said goodbye to her friend and I to my wife and we were on our way. We have less than 900 miles to go. It seems like we complete at least 100 miles every week, so it won¢t be long and this adventure will be over. We won¢t think about the end yet except to remind us to enjoy these remaining weeks.Today we crossed the Delaware River and entered New Jersey. The trail is a small highway, or so it seemed. Sunfish Pond is a popular place to hike and we were soon there ourselves. I believe that Sunfish Pond is the southern most glacial pond on the AT. It¢s a pretty pond and reminded me of many such placed I have been to in the Adirondacks. We had to reach the Mohican Outdoor Center today ¢ just 4 more miles away.We were soon there and we each got bunks in a very nice bunkhouse. It has showers and kitchen facilities. It actually made dinner on an electric range tonight. It is supposed to rain tomorrow, at least part of the day. Let¢s hope not. Until then¢¦
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Brinks Road Shelter

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

Today we got caught in a Thundershower and hailstorm like I¢ve never been in. We were about 1.5 miles from the next shelter when it started. First it just rained. Then it poured. Then, we were in the heart of the thunderstorm. It peaked when we were trying to get across the ridge. Then it started hailing, and I mean grape-sized hail. It hurt when it hit you. We finally for off the ridge just as the worst of the storm was getting past us. We were soon at the shelter. I told Lulu that I¢d rather walk with the bears than in electrical storms. Some of those lightning strikes were too close for comfort.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Secret Shelter
Miles today: 12.5

This morning I heard on my radio that one of the thunderstorms yesterday did generate a funnel cloud at High Point State Park where we were headed today. Apparently it didn¢t touch down, but the weather service confirmed it.Today¢s weather was projected to be much the same as yesterday. So the plan is to get our hiking done early and try to avoid a repeat of yesterday.I started by pulling on my wet socks and putting my feet back in wet shoes. Not a good feeling. I have a dry pair of socks, but my shoes are so wet from yesterday¢s soaking that they wouldn¢t be dry for long.We pushed to High Point State Park and on to the High Point State Park shelter for lunch. While eating lunch, Stumps spotted a bear so I grabbed my camera and tried to get a picture.This afternoon we are at a private and secret shelter built by a former thru-hiker on his property. It is only to be used by thru-hikers. It is a very nice place.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Secret Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 13.5

We had to hike the 1.8 miles this morning to Unionville to pick up my mail drop and to hit the local deli. This section of the trail in NJ and NY is known as Deli alley. I figure it is my duty to go to as many of them as possible. I got a sub this morning, and no, I didn¢t pack it out to eat later. I ate it on the spot. I didn¢t want it to get soggy.The trail today is very close to the NY/NJ border, but most of the day was spent in NJ. We passed through several wetlands today. One was the Wallkill National Wildlife Preserve. Another several miles further up there was an elevated boardwalk that had to be a mile long and a suspension bridge at the end of it all. This was a great piece of trail work.When we got to the road there was a bakery/fruit stand/ice cream place listed in the book. We thought it was to the right and discovered we went the wrong way. But, it was the way to Vernon, so we decided to hitch in. Things have a way of working out on the trail, and today was no exception. Lulu stuck out her thumb and soon a vehicle stopped. We got in and we introduced ourselves. The driver told us he was ¢Desperado.¢ We were very excited to meet him. Desperado may be the longest running trail angel on the trail. We have been his benefactors for the last several days. He had left cookies at several of the recent shelters we had visited and water at one location where it was in short supply. He has been doing this for more than 25 years out of the goodness of his heart and with his own funds. He is a retired law enforcement officer and a great friend to thru hikers. So¢¦ we told Desperado our mistake in missing the store as we came off the trail. He took us back there and it was my pleasure to buy him an ice cream. He then took us on to Vernon, NJ to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel. Here, for a recommended donation of $5.00, you get access to a phone, use of the kitchen, a piece of carpeted floor to sleep on and use of a washer/dryer and shower. The best in town.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter (tented)
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We hitched out of town this morning and got on the trail at about 8:30. First up was a climb up a pretty steep and rocky ridge. We soon ran into one of the ridge runners for the New Jersey section of the trail. He was able to tell us about the trail ahead. I¢ve enjoyed New Jersey and the people that I¢ve run into have been kind and helpful.Today really had an interesting flare. I met people from Germany, New Zealand, Australia and the UK. We crossed into New York today for the final time and we stopped to take a picture of the state line. Shortly after the state line, we came to a view where you should be able to see part of the New York City skyline. There were some local people that showed us where to look. I took a picture that has a turkey vulture in it and right over it¢s head is the NYC skyline. The hiking this afternoon was along a ridgeline with lots of climbing up larger rocks. This slowed Lulu down, as this is very new to her.Later this afternoon, we came to 17A and we still had 2.2 miles to go to where we were trying to reach today. There was an ice cream place to the left and the trail went right, with only so much daylight left in the day. So, we went left and I got a banana split. We hurried back to the trail and finished the last 2.2 miles just before dark. We set up our tents and I was in my sleeping bag by 9:10 pm. A long day, but a good day.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Wildcat Shelter (tented)

To: Southfield, NY
Miles today: 8.3

Short day today. We hiked for a while this morning with Aussie John and really enjoyed his company. He started that trail March 21, that¢s one full month after me. He has taken no days off so far. He told me that he was afraid that he might loose his focus and quit. He had to be done by August 17, but I expect he will finish closer to the August 1. The weather this morning wasn¢t too bad, but there was supposed to be a major wash out tonight, so we decided on a short day and hitched into town. We got rooms at the Tuxedo Motel. We¢re hoping for better weather tomorrow. I have to get to the Bear Mountain post office Monday morning. We should be ok, even with this short day.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Southfield, NY

To: Campsite near West Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

After stopping at a restaurant for Lulu¢s coffee and a muffin and OJ for me, we started to walk and hitch a ride. After walking a half-mile we got a ride. Today was pretty much a very light drizzle all day, but a good day to hike as it was cool and I didn¢t overheat on the hills.We went through the Lemon Squeeze today. It¢s a very narrow space between two rather large rocks where the trail leads you. Lulu was able to make it through with her pack on. I had to take mine off and carry it sideways to get through. Most of our day was in Harriman State Park, but before we got there we crossed several large highways: route 17, the NYS Thruway and later in the day, the Palisades Interstate Parkway.We tented high on a ridge above the Palisades Parkway tonight in a great little camping spot. (See the photo.) The big deal for me today was coming over a mountain and seeing the Hudson River.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Campsite near West Mountain Shelter

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 12.6

We had a fairly short day today so we stayed in our tents an extra half hour this morning.We had a little less than 5 miles to do to get to Bear Mountain where we both had food drops. We were at the post office shortly before 11:00. We picked up our boxes. No homemade cookies, but still a lot of food to carry out of town.We couldn¢t leave town before hitting a restaurant, so we ate at the Bear Mountain Inn. After lunch we followed the white blazes of the AT through the local zoo where Lulu got to see a couple more bears (and she is hoping that they are the last two). The trail brings you out of the zoo and almost immediately onto the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River. This is the lowest point on the entire AT (elevation 124¢).We had several small climbs this afternoon and in the heat I felt each one was bigger than it really was.While passing through one section of woods today, a deer close to the trail snorted at me as I approached and then bounded away. The way it all happened made me feel like the deer had a fawn nearby. When I got to the point on the trail where the deer was I started to look carefully and sure enough there was a fawn lying perfectly still. (See photo.) Tonight we are camped on the grounds of the Graymoor Friary. There is a pavilion and cold-water showers that they make available to passing hikers. Here tonight are the brothers from New Zealand, Lulu and myself.We are hoping to get an early start tomorrow as we are going to try to do a 19 miles day and we are expecting 90-degree heat.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Graymoor Friary

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: haze

There were lots of miles to do today so we started a half hour earlier than normal (6:30). Camping at Graymoor was nice. Having clean water available from a spigot is a big plus.The trail wasn¢t real difficult and we made pretty good time even with it being hot today. We tanked up on water at Graymoor and again at Denning Road where a park makes clean water available. Other than that, there wasn¢t much available. We¢re at RPH shelter, which is pretty nice. There are a number of people camping as well as sleeping in the shelter. I decided to stay in the shelter so I can get an early start tomorrow. There¢s a deli 5 miles up the trail and we plan on paying them a visit.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 16.65
Weather: broken clouds

First order of business today was to hike 5 miles to route 52 and go 0.4 miles to a deli. The folks at the deli are real hiker friendly and make sure the hikers know that the outside water spigot is for their use.I had a turkey sub, macaroni salad, a giant donut and a quart of orange juice. I was full. Lulu and I were headed back to the trail and a man stopped and picked us up and we weren¢t even trying to get a ride.We crossed the Taconic Parkway and Interstate 84 today. I think those are the last major NYC-bound highways we cross.At noon today, Lulu and I stopped at the Morgan Stewart Shelter for a lunch break. I didn¢t eat much as I was still pretty full from this morning. I did get water here and then we headed out just ahead of Tuckleberry and Stumps. About a half mile later, I spotted a fox in the trail ahead. I stopped to allow Lulu to catch up and see it. This was our first fox for this hike. We came to a road crossing one mile after leaving the last shelter and I discovered that I had left my radio at the shelter. Lulu thought that Tuckleberry or Stumps would see it and bring it with them. I thought about going back, but decided to go on. Sure enough, Stumps spotted the radio and knew that I had left it and he brought it with him. Thanks Stumps! You made my day!We were soon at NY route 55 and the trail grapevine had told me that a hotdog vendor with cold drinks was a short distance from the AT crossing. Of course we all stopped and had a chilidog and a couple of drinks. Next we passed Nuclear Lake and cooled off. We pushed on to the Telephone Pioneers Shelter. Lulu camped and Tuckleberry, Stumps and I stayed in the shelter.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Ten Mile River camping area
Miles today: 13.1

This is going to sound like a repeat of yesterday, but our first order of the day was to hike to NY route 22 and hike another half mile to a deli. I had them make me two sandwiches. I ate one and took one with me for lunch. Again, these folks are used to hikers and were very friendly to us.We did stop for a picture at the railroad stop in Pawling, NY. It¢s called the Appalachian Trail stop and some hikers take the train into NYC for a visit. We, however, pushed on. We took a lunch break at the Wiley Shelter. Tuckleberry and Stumps were already there as they passed on going to the deli this morning. I ate my other sandwich from the deli and got some water. Then we were on our way again. The weather reports were calling for rain today, but it held off all day and it was a good hiking day. We crossed into Connecticut today. Oh yeah, one other thing happened today that I should mention. As I was hiking ahead of Lulu I had come to a ¢very¢ dead deer laying in the trail. It had been very warm the last couple of days and this deer was ripe. I went back up the trail to wait for Lulu and warn her about the dead deer. There was no way to avoid it was the brush on either side of the trail was very thick. Lulu didn¢t want to see it or smell it. I just wanted to get past it without loosing my lunch. So, picture this¢¦   Lulu being led by me with her eyes and her face covered with her bandana. I got her to the deer and finally past it, but practically dragging her. After walking another 100 yards Lulu asks, ¢Can I breathe now?¢ Yes, Lulu, you can breathe and I can keep my lunch.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Ten Mile River camping area

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Hike alone today. Lulu was packed early and left a full half hour before me. Stumps and I were next to leave and we soon caught up with Lulu getting some information from a local hiker. Stumps stayed and I went on ahead. I was to have another first today. At 10:30, while hiking up a hill, I heard a noise that wasn¢t coming from my headphones. I took them off and soon located the source of the sound. There, about 10 feet from me were not one, but two rattlesnakes. One of them was letting me know that I had come close enough. I backed up and took my pack off and got out my camera. I got a picture that should show both snakes. (I hope it comes out ok.) I then got around to a different angle and tried to take another picture, but the batteries were dead on the camera and I didn¢t have anymore with me. I then took out my notebook and wrote a note to those following me to be aware of the snakes and their location. I left the note right in the middle of the trail where it couldn¢t be missed. These two were large (by my standards) snakes. I would estimate that the light colored one was easily as big around as my wrist.Needless to say I was a bit jumpy for a while. Every time a chipmunk ran near my feet, I jumped. I soon got over it and put my headphones back on.The trail took me near Kent, CT today and later this afternoon to the Housatonic River. I missed the shelter and campsite I had told the others I was going to stop at. By the time I realized my mistake, I was nearly a miles past it. I ran into a guy coming the other direction and asked him to take a note and leave it in the shelter. I hope Lulu gets the message. We are supposed to meet friends of mine in West Cornwall, CT tomorrow and I haven¢t seen her since first thing this morning.