morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Doyle Hotel

To: PA325, Clark's Valley
Miles today: 15.9

Mr. Ed was up at 6:00AM. He and DRE walked across the street to a restaurant named Goodies for breakfast. They both had 2 eggs, homefries, ham, pancakes, and plenty of coffee. DRE had to return to the room to finish packing. Mr. Ed was ready to go, so he got on the trail by 8:00. Mr. Ed is an expert packer. He spent many years living out of suitcases and garmet bags as he traveled the territory for C. W. Wright Construction Co. He walked to Clarks Ferry Shelter before DRE caught up with him. DRE has a sore left foot which is causing him some pain. Youngndum and his twin (that's right, Evil Eye, he has a twin - double trouble) had to get suplies so they will catch up later.Today was a laid-back day. Mr. Ed was moving along, but not in a hurry. At 3:00, he heard thunder in the distance. That lasted for two hours before it started to rain. That is when he discovered he had lost his rain gear. He may have lost it during the last break. So when the rain came, he took the fly from his tent and set it up and ducked under it. The rain fell for about 45 minutes, but Mr. Ed stayed dry. He was comfortable under there, just eating snacks and resting. He is camping tonight at PA 325 in Clarks Valley. Youngndum and Double Trouble caught up with him at 8:00. They are tenting beside Mr. Ed. DRE stayed at Peters Mt. Shelter resting his foot.The trail has been easy except for a few rock formations that had to be climbed. All in all, it was a very good day on the trail. The hikers traveled 15.9 miles and are at mile marker 1,148.8.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: PA325, Clark's Valley

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Mr. Ed woke at 5:30 and wanted to start early. However, it started raining, so he stayed in his tent till 6:40. He was on the trail by 7:10. He stopped for a breakfast of hot oatmeal. That is where Youngndum and his brother caught up with him. They walked together most of the day. By 3:00, Mr. Ed noticed that they were at PA 72, Swatara Gap. He read that there was a town called Lickdale only 2.4 miles away. Hot and tired, he told the 19 year olds that he was going to hitchhike to town and go to Dairy Queen. He cannot get enough ice cream. The others decided to go along. I guess they have picked up the obsession with ice cream, too. As they were walking toward 72, they met a couple walking toward them. Mr. Ed decided to ask them if they were headed in the right direction. They said they were right and they would give them a ride there. Trail Magic! So they went to the Dairy Queen, ordered cheeseburgers, fries, Cokes, and lots of ice cream. On the way back, two guys going fishing gave them a ride in their truck. They were only off the trail one hour. Youngndum's brother is in good physical condition. He participates in tri-athalons. He told Youngndum that he was going to wear him out on the trail. That has not been the case. The trail has beaten him up pretty good. Youngndum had to slow down with his brother, so they were a little behind Mr. Ed. At 6:00 PM, DRE caught up with him. They walked to William Penn Shelter together. Mr. Ed is tenting by himself. He needed to let the fly on his tent dry, and it is easier to stay away from gnats in his tent. While he was phoning in his report tonight, I heard Mr. Ed say that Youngndum just arrived. I found myself laughing as Youngndum reported that he had to go back and get his brother. He was dropping off his gear. His brother had fallen asleep somewhere back on the trail. I heard Mr. Ed say, "He did what?" "He's where?" "You mean you left him sleeping somewhere on the trail?". Youngndum was in a hurry to go back. He was going to get his brother and carry his gear for him. What a good brother!Mr. Ed said it was hard to describe what kind of day he has had walking with two 19 year olds. He is amazed and amused by some of the things they say. He said sometimes they are loud. Sometimes they are annoying because they ask the same questions over and over. But they are both great kids. He never has a dull moment around them. He gives them advice on girls. I can just imagine what he tells them. If we could video them, I am sure we would win the $10,000 prize on that Funniest Video show.Mr. Ed hiked 26.3 miles today. He is at mile marker 1,175. He has less than 1,000 miles to go. Wow! He has a new record - 152.3 miles last week. Slowing down? I think not.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: William Penn Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: clear sky

Mr. Ed was up at 6:00 AM. He went to the shelter to awaken DRE, Youngndum, and his brother. They only had 4 miles to walk to get to the brother's car parked at 501 Shelter. Youngndum's brother was going home today. The other hikers were going to ride with him into Pine Grove to resupply. They also wanted to go to McDonalds to eat before going back to the trail.It was 7:30 before he could get everyone out of the shelter. They found the car at 9:15. It was 11:00 before they got back to the trail. I am sure that Youngndum's brother has found a new respect for what his brother has accomplished. Around Shuberts Gap, Mr. Ed saw his first timber rattler. He heard it before he saw it. He was only about 1 1/2 feet from the snake. He estimated it to be 3 1/2 feet long. He took pictures, but he showed the snake plenty of respect. After all, it had warned him that it was in the area and that he was getting too close. The trail today had lots of rocks. There were not many ascents or descents. The weather was great for hiking - in the mid 70s. However, there were few views due to being in the forest. Tonight, Mr. Ed is tenting close to the Eagle's Nest Shelter at the 1194.3 mile marker. His feet are sore due to all of the rocks. He is running out of duct tape for his blister. His toenail is definitely going to come off. He hopes to get up early and make it to Port Clinton. They have a new Cabelas there. His shoes are worn out. He has 1,500 miles on them. They have been great. They were purchased at Cablelas and had a vibram sole. Now they are falling apart. I think they were well worth the money. The hikers traveled 19.2 miles.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

Mr. Ed was up at 4:30 AM and on the trail by 5:00 AM. He started out going the wrong way, but quickly realized his mistake. It only cost him 15 minutes. He made it over very rocky terrain to Hamburg by 10:00. It took him 5 hours to do 8 miles. That is not good mileage, but the rocks are to blame. He had a long descent into Hamburg. The elevation changed from 1500 feet to 400 feet. He hitched a ride and was in Cabelas by 10:30. He purchased new boots very similar to his old ones. I asked him what he did with his old boots. I thought Cabelas might want to bronze them for advertisement of the durability of their boots. Guess not. He just pitched them in the trash.He had a good climb out of Hamburg. He climbed from 400 feet to 1200 feet in elevation. So far, there are plenty of rocks. He says there is no need to complain. The trail is what it is. Mr. Ed's new boots seem to be doing the job. He did not get any new blisters from them. He hopes that his feet can endure the rest of the trail. One bad thing about walking in the rocks is that your head has to be down watching the trail. It would be easy to take a fall and end your hike. He is seeing plenty of game at this point. He was within 15 yards of a turkey. He jumped 6-8 deer. He also saw his 2nd timber rattler at Pulpit Rock. He did not get a picture. This one wanted to avoid him and crawled under a rock. He was not about to lift the rock to get a picture. Give a rattler the respect due him. He made it to Eckville by 7:30. He is tenting near the shelter with DRE, Youngndum, and 7-8 other hikers. There are plenty of gnats and mosquitoes. This evening they saw a huge black bear near the shelter. It probably was attracted to the smell of their food. Mr. Ed walked 23.8 miles today. He is at the 1,218.1 mile marker.
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Eckville Shelter

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: broken clouds

Mr. Ed slept poorly last night. He is not sure why. It seemed that any little noise awoke him. However, he was up at 5:30. The hikers sat around a table resting, eating breakfast, and talking. He took off on the trail at 7:00. He had a good climb from 535 feet to 1,560 feet. This climb took him over Blue Mountain, The Cliffs, Knife Edge, and Bear Rocks, to Bake Oven Knob. The rest of the day was spent walking rocks. He has even changed the name of Pennsylvania to Rocksylvania. He says the large rocks are fine, but the little rocks are killers to the feet and ankles. His feet are sore. He got to the George W. Outerbridge Shelter a couple of hours before a large storm tore through the area. He walked 24.2 miles today. He is tenting beside the shelter. The mile marker is 1,242.3.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter

To: Mile Marker 1,265.3
Miles today: 23.0

Mr. Ed said that several storms came through the area last night. They brought lots of thunder, rain, and wind. He was up at 5:00 and on the trail by 5:30. He has a big climb from Lehigh Gap. The elevation changes from 380 feet to 1,580 feet at Delps Trail. He wanted to make the climb before the temperatures rose and the heat arrived. He remembered that Dr. Doyle called this area the Twilight Zone because it is all hot, rocky, and exposed. This climb is one of the most challenging on the AT south of New Hampshire. The area is also the sight of an EPA Superfund Area. Blue Mountain near Lehigh Gap was devasted due to a century of Zinc smelting in Palmerton. In 1980, the Environmental Protection Agency shut down the furnaces and put the area on the cleanup list. Revegetation efforts are underway. The mountain is slowly coming back to life. Ecoloam, municipal-waste sludge, flyash, lime, fertilizer, and seeds have been spread on the slopes. Mr. Ed said the largest trees are only 8 to 10 inches in diameter.Mr. Ed was back into wooded areas after 3 hours of climbing. Water is a big problem here. Water sources tend to be a half-mile or more scramble off the hill. He found only 1 spring in 20 miles where he could get water. He has so many toes taped with duct tape that he described himself as the tin man from the Wizard of OZ. His feet are really bruised and sore. He is going to take a day or so off the trail when he makes it to Delaware Gap. A friend from Pennsylvania is going to try to catch up with him there. He describes himself as exhausted. The rocks have been demanding and tedious. He feels very strong in his legs and back. He has a new appreciation for the job his feet do for him.He traveled 23 miles today. He is tenting somewhere on the trial at the 1,265.3 mile marker.
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Mile Marker 1,265.3

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Today Mr. Ed was up at 5:30. He spent the next 30 minutes taping his toes. He has six of them to tape now. He was on the trail by 6:30. The trail was just like it has been for the past week: rocky, rocky, and rocky. He stopped at 8:00 for a breakfast of bagel, pepperoni, and Tylenol. He hiked on to Kirkridge Shelter for water. The trail was made interesting today because of all the section hikers. It was some sort of special day in that area, so many hikers were there to talk to and learn about the area.He make it to Delaware Water Gap by 1:00. He took a long shower at the hostel. Then he walked to a pizza place for a 16 inch pizza and two beers. He talked to alot of young hikers that were there. They are all staying at the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain Hostel. Hasty, a guy who walks the trail in sandals and has no problem with his feet, is here. Plod, Dice, Renaissance Man, Many Names, Horn Blower, Biscuit, Dirty Blonde, and Backbend are all here, too. Mr. Ed is going to take Sunday off. He says it feels good to know that he will not be hiking tomorrow. He is very tired and needs some rest and relaxation. His feet need a chance to heal. He is going to soak them in epsom salts several times. He hopes to get to East Stroudsburg tomorrow to get to a CVS. Today he walked 13.9 miles. That makes 130.4 miles for the week, his third best week for mileage. He will be into New Jersey as soon as he leaves Delaware Gap. That is 7 states down with 7 more to go. He is at mile marker 1,279.5.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Delaware Water Gap

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

Fourteen hikers stayed at the Mountain Hostel sponsored by the Presbyterian Church. It was no charge-donation only if you stay two nights. Mr. Ed said it was a good place to stop for some rest. The pastor was very nice. She would check on them to see if they needed anything.Mr. Ed woke up at 5:30 but stayed quiet until 6:30 when others started moving. He took a shower and met DRE at the Delaware Water Gap Diner for breakfast. Then he walked back to the hostel to soak his feet in epsom salts. He washed clothes in a bucket and hung them to dry. The town has no laundromat. He walked to the Pack Shack to catch a shuttle to East Stroudsburg. He found the CVS and now has a refill of his prescription. DRE was with him. They went grocery shopping then to a cinema at the mall for an early movie. They wanted a chance to relax. They saw Spiderman 3.After the movie, a long-time friend from Perkasie, Larry Winebrenner, caught up with him. They are staying in the Pocono Inn tonight. Larry treated him to a steak dinner with all the trimmings at the Delaware Water Gap Diner. Mr. Ed is trying to dry his clothes in the room. It has rained all day. Clothes do not dry very fast when they are hanging on a line in the rain. It is supposed to rain all night and all day tomorrow. Mr. Ed hopes to get back on the trail tomorrow. He has appreciated the rest and change of pace. It was great seeing Larry again. But now Katadin becons. Hope he makes it.
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Rattlesnake Mountain
Miles today: 22.6

It is amazing what a little time and TLC will do to a hiker. Mr. Ed sounded exhausted when he first came into Delaware Water Gap. When he called in his report tonight, the enthusiasm was back into his voice as he related the day's events. Larry and he were up at 5:45AM and out of the hotel by 6:30. They went to the local diner for breakfast. Larry picked up the tab for breakfast, as he had for dinner last night. Mr. Ed said that his brother, Terry, and his good friend, Larry, take one look at his skinny body and think they have to feed him. He said he looks like either a bum or a thru-hiker. Both need to be fed. Larry dropped him off at the hostel with the other hikers. Mr. Ed said to tell Larry many thanks for the trail magic he provided. It does make a difference. He waited at the hostel till the post office opened at 8:30 to pick up his mail drop from Brandy. After picking it up, he headed out of town across the bridge into New Jersey. Plod walked with him for several miles. The rest of the day he was by himself. DRE left early. His home is in Connecticut, and he is in a hurry to get there. Hopefully, Mr. Ed will see him again. Youngndum is side-lined with blisters on the bottom of his feet. He has to have a few days to let them heal. Last night, he tried Mr. Ed's remedy -a good soak in epsom salts. I hope he is able to hike again soon. Mr. Ed will miss him. Mr. Ed stopped at noon for lunch. He ate a bagel, pepperoni, and cheese. Then he downed 4 brownies from the care package he received from Brandy. He said they tasted so good that he called her to tell her about it. They were definitely worth waiting for. Thanks to Brandy for the unexpected, but appreciated, mail drop.Today, he felt like he was taking it easy. The rain made the rocks slick. He was just thinking about how easy it would be to slip and fall. Almost at that instant, he took his third fall. He was able to break his fall, so he had no injuries. One hour later, he took his fourth fall. This time he fell on his back, and the pack took the impact. He has been very lucky with falls. He said the rocks can be very deceiving. They may look dry, but they can be very slick. A hiker can be down before he knows what happened.Nevertheless, he said it was a great day for hiking. The temperatures were in the mid 60s. There were few views due to the overcast conditions. He saw a deer and a rabbit. Mostly, he just enjoyed the quiet and solitude. He is tenting on Rattlesnake Mountain. He hiked 22.6 miles today. He is at mile marker 1,301.8.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Rattlesnake Mountain

To: Mile Marker 1,328.5
Miles today: 26.7

Today Mr. Ed was up at 5:15 and on the trail by 6:00. He saw a huge black bear before 7:00. It crossed his path 50 yards in front on him. The bear stopped on a rock and looked back at him before going over the hill. Mr. Ed tried to get his camera, but missed the shot. He also saw a northern water snake that he did get a picture of before it slithered away. The trail had many small ups and downs. No let up of rocks yet. He walked on rocks all day. Sore feet again. He thinks he is finished with the hardest part of the rocks. At least, he hopes he is through the rocky areas. Today the weather was great. There were showers in the area, but he stayed dry. Even with the rocks, he completed 26.7 miles. He is tenting at the 1,328.5 mile marker close to Goodrich Road. DRE is still ahead on the trail. Water is scarce. Mr. Ed passed a little store and purchased Gatorade, water, and 2 ice creams. Life on the trail is still good.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Mile Marker 1,328.5

To: Prospect Rock
Miles today: 23.7

Mr. Ed was up at 5:30 and hiking by 6:15. The trail was like walking in the park. The sun was shining, the air smelled fresh, and the terrain was easy walking. He jumped a couple of deer early on. His feet and hips are sore from rocks, but they are still working. Mr. Ed is thankful for that. He stopped on the edge of a field to see some nice views and eat breakfast. While there, DRE came walking toward him. Mr. Ed had passed him at the shelter not knowing he was there. He was surprised to see Mr. Ed. Behind him came Plod, a man who spent his first 23 years in England. Now, he lives in Ontario, Canada. He was a machinist who got layed off, so he decided to walk the trail. They crossed several low areas that held wet lands. A foot bridge had been built to provide passage, but protect the area. They stopped for ice cream and snacks for lunch. Then they had an ascent from 450 feet to 1,340 feet. The climbing was not bad. Then for the next 6-7 miles, they were in the woods. It was a beautiful area. Mr. Ed said it was so nice to be able to hike and look around. In the rocks, you have to watch your feet all of the time to prevent falls. DRE and Mr. Ed stopped at Wawayanda Shelter and went to the park office for water. A woman there had a flat tire. They changed the tire for the woman. Since they had a goal of reaching the New York State Line, the continued on and made it by 6:30. They could see the Manhattan sky line. They tented on Prospect Rock in New York. At 1,433 feet, this is the highest point on the AT in New York. He is at mile marker 1,352.2 and walked 23.7 miles today.
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Prospect Rock

To: Long Path Junction
Miles today: 20.4

Mr. Ed was up at 5:30 and on the trail with DRE by 6:15. They had camped on a rock cliff, one of the highest places in NY. They walked a few miles along the cliff. Pretty soon, DRE was gone; he walks fast. They planned on meeting at Bellvale to get ice cream and water. When Mr. Ed arrived, the store was closed, and DRE was gone. Invisible Man caught up with Mr. Ed. They walked the next 6 miles together. They caught up with DRE at Mombasha Road. They walked 1/2 mile to get pizza and subs. Mr. Ed bought an extra sub to eat for dinner. He has to fight mosquitoes to fix an evening meal. Now he can get inside his tent and eat in peace. The food at this stop was very good.Today's terrain was mainly rock climbing. Every two miles, the trail passed a road. In between the roads, there were just rock cliffs. Mr. Ed said he didn't walk the trail today. He climbed it. The weather was good for hiking - sunny and in the 70s. At Mombasha High Point, they could see the sky line of NY including the Empire State Building. Mr. Ed in now at Long Path Junction. He hiked(climbed) 20.4 miles today. He is at mile marker 1372.6.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: Long Path Junction

To: Mile Marker 1388.3
Miles today: 15.7

Mr. Ed was up at 5:00 AM and walking by 5:30. He walked through Harriman State Park. It was very pretty and easy to walk. He saw lots of wild life including several deer. That described the first 8-9 miles of the trail. Then it became very different and very difficult. Mr. Ed had 2 climbs from 660 feet to 1240 feet. Next he had a climb from 610 feet to 1305 feet up Bear Mountain. He had beautiful views of the Hudson River Valley and the New York skyline. Then he descended to 220 feet. It was after 5:00 when he arrived at the Bear Mountain Zoo. This zoo contains many of the native species of the area. However, the gate closes after 5:00 PM. Mr. Ed was not feeling well. He had walked all day in temperatures around 90 degrees. It was also very humid. He felt like he needed a night to clean up, sleep in a bed, feel some air conditioning, and eat something other than trail food. He came off the trail, hitch-hiked to a motel, and spent the night there just taking care of himself.He had walked 15.7 miles. He is at the 1,388.3 mile marker.