morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-02
From: Port Clinton - Pavillion

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a quite excellent day today. I¢d put it right up there as one of the best I¢ve had out here.Nothing spectacular happened but lots of little things added up to more than the sum of their parts.Easy miles early in the morning as the forest comes to life were followed by a couple of stops at lookouts further up the mountain. The first, ¢The Pulpit¢, was nothing special but at least you got a view across some Pennsylvanian farmland. The second, ¢The Pinnacle¢, was better (if not spectacular) and was a nice spot to relax and work my way through some snacks. The stops helped to set a nice pace for the day ahead.It was then downhill and a stop at the ¢Eckville Hiker Centre¢ - a nice bunkhouse that a guy has set up in his garden. Word had it there were sodas and ice cream there and I bought sizable quantities of both while chatting to Buffalo Bob.It was 4.15pm when I left to walk the remaining 8 miles to tonight¢s shelter. I enjoy walking in the evening as the day cools down but the bright light still dapples the forest floor. This section involved lots of big flat boulders and I took my time as I skipped from one to the next. My mind dredged up happy memories of clambering over rocks during trips to the beach. Although the reality was probably that I cried and complained about sand in the sandwiches.I arrived late but happy at the shelter and chatted to a guy who was out for a couple of days with his daughter. Set up my tent as the daylight was disappearing before reading a chapter of my book and getting comfortable.
Date: 2003-07-03
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: George W Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

So here I am again. One of those nondescript days and now I¢m under pressure to try and write something interesting. (Why break with tradition? I hear you say!)Actually despite some of the hardships I¢m glad I committed to keeping this journal ¢ for one thing it gives me some much needed intellectual stimulation.Everyday life out here isn¢t exactly overflowing with mental activity. Take the level of conversation for example, if I¢m frank it is really pretty poor. No that¢s not true! If I were being really frank it is dull, dull, dull. I mean if I have to listen to just one more conversation about Pepsi Can Stoves and how great they are I¢m afraid that I¢m going to have to hurt somebody. And just don¢t talk to me about umbrellas (this year¢s must have item apparently).It also appears to me that there is a bit of a herd mentality amongst those out here. No one sticks their neck out and says anything interesting for fear of being ostracised ¢ so it just gets more and more banal.Anyway, short of talking to myself this is my way of keeping the old grey matter ticking over. Sometimes it comes easier than others and please accept my apologies for much of it. This is all real ¢first draft¢ stuff and I know that with a bit of thought (and time) I could polish it up a bit. I mean I try to avoid the ¢I did x, then, then, then, then, I ate a, then, then, here with¢¦.¢ Stuff but know that I do fall into that trap from time to time, so once again apologies.However, one of the more worrying aspects of all this is that my parents have now found themselves in the internet age, taking regular trips to the local library. So if one day your system crashes you will know that my mum pressed the wrong button.p.s. What actually happened today was that the famed PA rocks finally got to me.First by making by feet ache and by forcing me to sleep in the shelter when I couldn¢t get enough of my tent pegs in the ground.
Date: 2003-07-04
From: George W Outerbridge Shelter

To: Leroy A Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Feast or Famine!Yesterday nothing to talk about and today? Where should I start?Well let¢s start at the very beginning, it¢s a very good place to start¢¦¢¦ (or so I remember hearing)Today was going to be 17 miles over exposed terrain, under a hot sun and with little easily available water. By luck rather than design I got started at 7.10am and therefore had the chance to put some miles behind me before the worst of the mid day heat. This was good luck indeed as the climb out of the valley was already good hot fun and, although I wouldn¢t describe it as much of a scramble, it did require some care in places and gave some nice views of the valley as I gained height.However, as the day wore on things became more of a grind. Although any one day on these rocks is nothing to write home about the cumulative effect has definitely hit me and I will be glad to put them behind me. I put on my radio to help pass the miles ¢ something I ordinarily neither need to nor like to do and plodded on.I was making steady progress when at the Smith¢s Gap Road crossing John and Linda had left a notice inviting thru hikers down to their house for an Independence Day Party. If truth be told I have realised that I have been less sociable and less communicative on the trail of late so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to reverse that, put on my happy face and meet a few people.When I got there I met John and although it didn¢t click at first I soon realised that I had met him ¢down south¢ while he was hiking a section there and I was heading north. John is what I would describe as an enthusiast, not just about the trail, but apparently about everything in his life. He and Linda are also most generous hosts ¢ the draught beer with my shower being a particular highlight. However, this represents only the tip of the iceberg of my 4th of July Trail Magic.After some over indulgence I said my goodbyes and headed off for the ¢Leroy A Smith¢ shelter. Now I don¢t know who Mr Smith was but as I wandered on I couldn¢t help wondering if he was the black guy from ¢The Kids From Fame¢ (which I remember watching when I was young). You know the breakdancing ballet dancer who wouldn¢t wear tights.Well anyway I was still pondering both the absurdity and the possibility of the above when I arrived at the shelter to find Sprite and 2 of his friends. We chatted started a fire, drank some of their Jim Beam and checked ourselves for ticks before saying goodnight to the 4th of July.Happy Birthday America!
Date: 2003-07-05
From: Leroy A Smith Shelter

To: Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another town day today ¢ my oasis in this desert of rocks.I was heading the 5 miles into Wind Gap which appeared to have everything I would need for a day of rest and recuperation. Nobody else seemed to be heading into town largely I suspect because Palmerton, 20 miles earlier and Delaware Water gap, 15 miles later, offered free accommodation. Free hostel accommodation surrounded by other hikers wasn¢t what I had in mind though as I headed for the Travel Inn and, hopefully, privacy, cable TV, air conditioning and private bathroom.It took me longer to get there than I anticipated as it was right at the far end of town from the trail but the estimated 2 mile walk allowed me to get my bearings and find everything I would need later.I relaxed briefly before showering (unfortunately there was no bath) and heading to the laundry. The time had come to wash my sleeping bag for the first time this trip. Once again, however, I forgot my hat that is really rather grubby following all the recent hot weather and associated perspiration. Oh well I can always do the hat in the sink whereas the sleeping bag would have been a different matter all together.It was off to the diner for grub before settling down to watch ¢Star Wars Episode Two: Attack of the Clones¢ at the hotel.It was Saturday evening in Smallville USA and my curiosity found me heading for what appeared to be the town¢s only bar to see what Saturday night held for the locals. It appeared to be a shrine to ¢Nascar¢ with memorabilia on the walls and a race on the TV. I only had 2 beers before leaving none the wiser. (in fairness it was still early and who knows what the locals get up to later on)I still hadn¢t eaten so I dived into Macdonald¢s (one of numerous fast food joints despite what appeared to me to be quite a small town) and found that it too was a shrine of memorabilia:A feather from Janis Joplin¢s boa;A piece of Buddy Holly¢s guitar strap;A game worn, autographed, sneaker form Shaq O¢Neill;And much, much more.Move over Tate Modern! I sat and ate next to an autographed photo of The Munsters- now that¢s what I call art!
Date: 2003-07-06
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

After a suggestion from Campbell, today¢s entry is guest written by Neil¢s bottom¢¦¢¦..Hi there! Gluteus McMaximus here. It¢s a real pleasure to have this opportunity to say a few words about the trip so far.I know you all think that I¢m doing most of the talking anyway but believe me when I tell you that ¢Old Bird Brain¢ up there does all the wittering on with absolutely no help from me.Tings are going pretty well over here. I have it pretty easy really (not like the feet). I¢m just called on to do my bit when it comes to rest and to do the odd bit of waste recycling ¢ or really I should say disposal.The recent improvement in the weather has been a real boost ¢ with ¢Old Bird Brain¢ headed north I benefit from a southerly aspect and it¢s certainly nice to feel the sun on my cheeks (so to speak) these days. Not that I get to enjoy the views or anything. No, the only time I¢m allowed out for a breath of fresh air we seem to be deep in the woods!Well, we are on the trail, north of Wind Gap today and what with getting onto the trail later than usual we seem to be plodding on without too many breaks (which is great by me), although I see that we have just arrived at a shelter. Ooh, Arg, Ouch, Umph¢¦Yes these rests are great for the feet but are no fun for ¢poor lil¢ old me¢ . At least this is a fairly comfortable bench. I prefer the backpack which has a bit of give, but at least it¢s not one of those rocks ¢ they are so hard to get comfortable on.Oh I think we are heading for the privy. I¢ve heard him say that they aren¢t too bad but he isn¢t looking down the barrel (so to speak) like I have to. You should see what goes on down there ¢ flies, worms, maggots and all sorts. I honestly wouldn¢t mind so much if he splashed out on some decent toilet paper. He seems to help himself to the one-ply stuff from the hotels. ¢Hey! What about some quilted stuff, cheap skate?¢Then again he hasn¢t been too bad to me. He¢s only fallen down once and luckily he hasn¢t found any Guiness yet (although I have heard him asking recently). I mean even I don¢t like the really dirty jobs.Oh well looks like we are stopping in Delaware Water Gap, the original plan was to go further but it seems there is some music on tonight at the hostel¢¦.Indeed there is! A balmy summer evening spent accompanied by the mellow sounds of some jazz singer and her guitarist ¢ very nice.The hostel¢s really nice and seems to attract lots of other hikers (about 15) but it looks like we are off out to pitch the tent and for the hands, arms and shoulders to run the gauntlet of all the mosquitoes.Oh my word ¢ I have gone on haven¢t I? I guess it¢s just another case of verbal diahorrea.
Date: 2003-07-07
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: YMCA Camp Ken-etwa-pec
Miles today: 17.8

Well, crossed into another state first thing this morning. The yanks seem to get really excited everytime we come to a State Line but I don¢t normally pay much attention. I don¢t even know what order they come in so I just concentrate on the total miles.Today as I crossed the Delaware River it was ¢goodbye¢ Pennsylvania and ¢hello¢ New Jersey. It may, therefore, be a good time to sum up my time in PA. Pennsylvania gets a bit of a rough time out here but overall I don¢t think it¢s fair. For a start the ¢when you get to Pennsylvania it is all rocks, rocks, rocks¢ thing is rubbish. PA is something like 230 miles and I would say it¢s just the second half that is characterised by the rocks. So don¢t worry about them until they arrive. However, it was 7 or 8 consecutive days of either placing my feet gingerly on them or carefully between them (sometimes reminding me of a dressage horse). None of those days were in themselves hard, but personally they wore me down and the last couple of days required a certain amount of ¢grin and bear it¢.Even then there was much more good than bad in PA ¢ towns like Boiling Springs and Duncannon, varied walking like a valley walk surrounded by farmland, nice views at the Pinnacle and personally for me quiet trails and good weather.But hey! Go and make up your own mind ¢ just be sure that it is open before you start.Anyway, it is boldly on to New Jersey where my guide book says ¢Bears!!!!¢ Apparently there exists one bear for every square mile in NJ counties. Judging from my afternoon I, for one, have no reason to doubt the above.Just after 4pm as I was walking along the ¢Jeep Trail¢ that was the Trail out steps a fairly large, fairly dozy and fairly far too close bear. It didn¢t notice me at first and was fully out on the trail about 12 yards ahead when it turned and looked at me and then, somewhat comically, turned as fast as it could and fled back from whence it had come.I regained my composure and continued on to this nice spot at the YMCA camp. A screened in lake front shelter where I am - here all alone
Date: 2003-07-08
From: YMCA Camp Ken-etwa-pec

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke at dawn with the light coming through the screen door of the shelter and so made an early start.Unfortunately the mosquitoes also seemed to be early risers and no amount of bug spray or my manic slapping of arms, shoulders or neck seemed to deter the wave after wave of attack I was under.The bugs have been getting steadily worse since the nice weather came along but the last couple of days have been particularly bad and I hope that it¢s not going to be like this all the way to Maine (although something tells me it may well be).There was nothing to do but get on with it however and as I walked I noticed that the forest was curiously quiet this morning with little, to no, activity from squirrels, chipmonks toads et al. Perhaps they were all out on the razzle last night and are still in bed nursing their hangovers ¢ or perhaps there is an altogether more sensible explanation.I arrived at Culvers Gap where I had hoped to get some snacks at the bakery but it turned out to be closed on Tuesdays. I was left like a little kid looking forelornly through the window at all the ice cream ¢ so near yet so far! Oh well, I settled for two bottles of Mountain Dew from the nearby garage and headed on.In the afternoon I met an English couple over here on holiday. We had a long chat about the Trail and it transpired that they had walked from Land¢s End to John O¢Groats so I doubt I was telling them anything new.The day¢s walk ended at Mashipacong Shelter which is both very buggy and very busy as there are a group of kids from New York, a group of ¢Camp Counsellers in Training¢ and 3 hikers ¢ Pastor John (a section hiker), Right On (a flip flopper near the start of her trip) and yours truly.It¢s pretty warm tonight and my tent is doing the sauna thing at the moment. I¢m thinking it could be a long unpleasant night.Night All!
Date: 2003-07-09
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Pochuck Shelter
Miles today: 19.6

Well today I got a bit of a surprise when I met my first 2003 Thru Hiker ¢ not someone like myself who is in the process of walking from Georgia to Maine but someone who has actually done it! So congratulations Overshot!I met him at the Ranger Station where I was taking a break while stocking up on water. He had started on the 11th of April and finished early July (doing 25 to 30 mile days) and now he was back home in NJ so had come out to take some soda up to the next shelter. I gratefully accepted a soda while trying to come to terms with his achievement before walking with him to deliver his goodies. One more soda later it was time for goodbye as he headed back home while I continued (in his footsteps) towards Maine.The afternoon saw me pass the ¢Secret Shelter¢ which is perhaps not completely accurately named. I wasn¢t staying but got water and, more importantly had the opportunity to use the ¢Secret Privy¢ as I was getting precariously close to an orange shovel moment.Suitably refreshed (and relieved) I then headed, albeit briefly, into New York State and the town of Unionville. I didn¢t really need to go but it wasn¢t far out of my way and I often now have time on my hands (which is better spent resting than walking). The town was nice enough but didn¢t really have much to offer although I did pick up a new book ¢ ¢Cowboys Don¢t Cry¢. It is teen fiction and should hopefully give me some light entertainment over the next few weeks.We had some showers today and the wet grass had soaked my socks (I¢m still wearing sandals) and now my feet were uncontrollably itchy ¢ I hoped it was just the wet (or some old wives tale about coming into money) while praying it would stop soon. Thankfully it did when I got to the shelter and took my socks off after retiring to my tent. This was necessary to avoid the mosquitoes which, as well as biting me, cut short my conversation with Gimp, Scrounger and Pastor John who are here with me tonight. There are also a group of girls who have just been warned (by their leader) to be quiet and not annoy the old man! Sorry folks, I didn¢t mean to be a killjoy.
Date: 2003-07-10
From: Pochuck Shelter

To: Vernon,NJ
Miles today: 6.5

Another town day today ¢ I¢m spoiling myself as it has only been 5 days since I did laundry and showered in Wind Gap but I guess I can indulge myself and do it all again even if it is so soon.I¢d left myself my usual short walk into town which, in addition to not hanging around camp this morning (the bugs weren¢t very hospitable), meant I was at the road to town by 10am.It was abuot 2 miles along the road to town and I walk these sorts of distances rather that hitch. Almost to a man my fellow hikers seem to consider me mad when they find out. However, I am equally baffled by people who claim to love walking enough to set off on a 2,000 plus mile trip but who see no alternative to the car whenever it is available, considering 2 miles to be too far. It wasn¢t too far,however, and 35 minutes later (and 3 dead deer by the side of the road) I had made it to the hostel.Once again the hostel was really nice. You just slept on the floor but there was a shower, laundry, e-mail and TV. I still feel a little uncomfortable acceptin such charity but it certainly seems to be offered and given most genuinely by people trying to do what they can for others and to help the communities they are part of ¢ even transient communities like hikers.I had a great time so thank you and I can only hope that I will be able to ¢pay this kindness forward¢ in my future life (by that I mean the later part of this life). I was just heading out when Pastor John arrived. He¢d planned on walking farther today but it appears the lure of town was just too much for him. We arrange to have dinner as I headed out to get a snack and my photos developed.The photo shop had a signed picture of Roy Jones Jr. on the wall and it turned out he had his passport photos done here (it¢s a small world isn¢t it?). The AT is certainly an autograph collectors dream from Dolly, the Munsters, to Roy and to who knows next.Dinner was nice and then we argued abut who was going to pay but the toss of a coin had me accepting yet more charity ¢ Thanks John.I still had my grocery shopping to do so that was next on the agenda. However, going shopping on a full stomach is never a good idea and suddenly, despite a wide choice, there was nothing there I fancied. I suppose 86 days of this sort of food is finally getting to me.
Date: 2003-07-11
From: Vernon,NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

If I wouldn¢t go so far as to describe this as a bad day then it certainly wasn¢t a good day.It didn¢t start too well as I had had a fitful night¢s sleep and didn¢t feel terribly rested as I set about a couple of chores in return for my board but it was only when I hit the trail that it really turned into a long, hard, bad day.I think I talked myself into it a fair bit as since Allentown Shelter on the 2nd of July things have felt like they were getting harder (slowly but definately steadily) with the walking and the bugs.I had decided to wear my rain jacket to combat the bugs. I don¢t mind getting bitten but I hate the itching and scratching that follows it for the next 3 or so days. However, as a result, I was hotter, sweated more and needed more water. Then,of course, I started running low on water and there wasn¢t really another source until I reached the shelter.On top of all this the trail was quite tough today ¢ up and down over slippery rocks. I¢ve been wearing my sandals now for about 450 miles and that has taken its toll on their tread. They are stll real good but I just don¢t trust them like I used to.   So I was going slowly but find myself committed to getting to Kent ,CT by the 16th which is a fairly challenging target in the first place but seemed almost implossible given my current state. Don¢t get me wrong I¢m fine just dragging a little.These cycles of steadily improving days then a period of steadily harder days seem to characterise my hike so far so there was nothing much more to do but carry on and hope this was the bottom of the down cycle. Inevitably I ran out of water with 3 or 4 miles to go but this was manageable and I trudged into the shelter thirsty but none the worse for wear. Pastor John and Gray Jay were there already and it appeared they found the day hard as well, so maybe it wasn¢t only me.Oh yeah, and the bugs didn¢t turn out to be so bad after all. In fact hardly noticeable so maybe I just need to worry less.
Date: 2003-07-12
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: few clouds

Chalk and Cheese, Black and White, Good and Bad, Yesterday and Today.What a difference a day makes ¢ that and the decision to do a nice short day rather than the 20 miles I had originally planned. I knew last night that it wasn¢t on and I¢m really glad I did.As a result today was a breeze, or rather, it was accompanied by a cool breeze and mild temperatures and included an appetising mid morning stop at a deli just off the trail. Soda, milk, cheeseburger, ice cream and a newspaper ¢ it¢s not a bad life.I took lots or decent breaks and read a fair chunk of my book while working my way through my snack bag and generally chilling out.The miles were never in doubt and I strolled on into the late afternoon when I met Pat, a trail angel, who had come out to do a little walking and hand out some soda and snacks. I did my duty and gratefully accepted the beer he offered me for the road.Well I didn¢t want the beer to warm up so I had to stop one last time to savour it and knock of another couple of chapters before the final push to the shelter.This section included the Lemon Squeezer ¢ a narrow gap between two rocks, one or two bits of clambering over other rocks and the first of the day¢s noteworthy mosquitoes. I put my rain jacket on for the last 30 minutes of walking after being bitten a couple of times but really it wasn¢t bad at all.I arrived at the shelter to find Pastor John. We chatted as the light faded and then headed off to bed. Looks like it¢s just us here tonight despite being the weekend.