morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Winsor Furnace Shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: few clouds

Today ended up being a fairly miserable day. My water filter has died. I wrestled with it all morning, luckily I had carried lots of water from town. When I got to the Eckville Shelter it is supposed to have a care taker so I thought I might be able to get a ride to an outfitter. The caretaker was no where to be found so I tried to hitch a ride on the road where the shelter is but gave up after an hour. Then I was thinking the way I look with the beard and all I wouldn't pick myself up hitch hiking. I walked down the road a little to see if anybody was around and saw some lady who said I was so far up in that I should bag getting a ride. So I did. Luckily the Eckville Shelter has running water from a spigot. I prepared myself for the fact that I might be using bleach to purify my water for the next few days until I can get a new filter. I pulled into this place late around 8 PM after a very sweaty hike through rock infested terrain to find a grandmother and her 4 young grandchildren occupying the shelter. I was going to tent anyway so as I was looking for a tent site another hiker walks in and says "You were here first so you pick a site first" as he sets his stuff on the only rockless site. So I'm tenting on a rocky area where I broke a tent stake because I couldn't drive it in all the way and stepped on it. I also saw a timber rattle snake today, it rattled at me when I took its picture. So in conclusion today I would say it was definitely an off day for me. Oh yeah I forgot to mention as you are walking through this part you are in a constant swarm of all types of bugs buzzing in your ears and your eyes, mosquitos, flies, knats, just about every kind imaginable. Better days are coming.
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Statington, PA (Fine Lodging Boarding House)
Miles today: 17.4

This morning I woke to another soft air matress, so this one is starting to leak too. This hike is a very good test for equipment. This morning I also had to use bleach to purify my water. I loaded it with gatorade so I wouldn't taste the bleach. I stopped at a B&B to get water once I got to the road. I also took an unfiltered drink from a piped spring today. I'm not really into this, you never know what you're getting. I decided to get to a town which is where I am writing this. The town is Slatington, PA. I'm in a boarding house, the owner gave me a ride (not free) to an outfitter who replaced my broken water purifier. They warranteed it and let me keep the new cartridge I just bought. Looks like this problem is settled with the water filter. Just as I came out of the woods today it started to rain. We need the rain, the springs are starting to run dry! Tomorrow there is a stretch 16 miles long with no water. Should be interesting. Can't wait till Saturday I get to see my darling.
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Statington, PA (Fine Lodging Boarding House)

To: Gateway Motel - Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: few clouds

It was nice to wake up and go next door for breakfast at the old local diner. After breakfast I packed up all my stuff and the owner gave me a ride back to the trail with a quick stop at the P.O. I was back on the trail at 9 AM which was a good time considering my dealings with the water filter. It is a good feeling to have a new one. As soon as I started hiking I could feel the humidity, it was hot and making me sweat so much. Water was a little sketchy today with some long gaps without any, but some former thru-hikers were leaving water jugs at some of the road crossings. The last shelter back had water but it was 1/2 mile walk to get it. When I got near that shelter it was early enough to make it here and I still had enough water. I was a sweaty mess when I got here. I got a room ordered Chinese food and the motel owner gave me a ride to pick it up. This place was a really good move for me. Closing in on the end of PA which for me couldn't come soon enough. The Northern part of PA was rough for me between the rocks, bugs and equipment problems.
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Gateway Motel - Wind Gap, PA

To: Ramada Unlimited - D.W.G., PA
Miles today: 15.6

I decided to sleep in today so I stayed in my room until 11 AM. It was going to be a late day. I stopped at the last shelter for water which was out of a spigot, very nice. Most of the day it was threatening thunder showers. It did start to rain for a little while in the afternoon. I made it to town just before it let loose with the real rain. I stopped at the Hostel which was full so I walked in the rain to here and got a room. This marks the spot where I have now hiked the entire A.T. because I have section hiked from here to Mt. Katahdin. I will be repeating all of the sections again so I can reach thru-hiker status. It is still a great feeling to know I have now hike the whole A.T. and it also feels good to be close to home.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Ramada Unlimited - D.W.G., PA

To: Catfish Fire Tower - Campsite
Miles today: 12.9

Sure is nice waking up in a bed 3 mornings in a row at 3 different places. I hit the trail after a nice breakfast at the Water Gap Diner. Another real late start but today was low miles so I hung around at Sunfish Pond watching the giant man eating bull frogs. I stopped at the M.O.C. for a sandwich and 4 sodas, then I headed up to this place. I have seen 2 bears today and got pics of both. I'll be sure to hang everthing tonight, don't want a furry visitor. It sure is nice to be out of PA and I remember some of this when I hiked it before. I'm tenting just past the fire tower along with OC-1. The bugs are very nasty tonight so I'm staying in the tent. I can hear thunder in the distance, could be a wet one tonight. I better lock down the hatches. I'm very excited, tomorrow I get to see my wonderful girlfriend who I miss so much.
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Catfish Fire Tower - Campsite

To: Culvers Gap - Meyers Motel, Milford, NJ
Miles today: 16.5

Well I never did see any rain last night but it was very foggy this morning. I got a decent start to the day and the terrain was mild. I took my time and kind of meandered my way out of the forrest. I stopped at the Sunset Grill where I would wait for Julie to pick me up. I had a burger and a couple cold ones. It was going to be a 4 hour wait. After a couple hours I got hungry again and joined another thru-hiker, Hal, for a prime rib dinner which was awesome. My plan for the next couple of days is to zero until Monday. Julie arrived at about 8:30 and we headed to Milford to Meyers Motel. Time to crash!
Date: 2005-07-02
From: Culvers Gap - Meyers Motel, Milford, NJ

To: Newton, NJ - Econo Lodge Motel
Miles today: 0.0

It sure was nice to wake up in a bed next to my darling. When we left the motel we went to do laundry and then visit the local outfitter where I got a new shirt. (Note from Julie: When we went back to the laundry we had a real nice talk with the owner, Daryl, who had done some hiking of his own, made the time waiting for the clothes to dry go by a little quicker. There was an ice cream shop right next door, but after the Half Gallon Challenge I think Draggin has lost his appetite for ice cream right now) After leaving the laundry we rode around trying to find a hotel with vacancy. We ended up here at the Econo Lodge in Newton, NJ. Most of the day we just kicked back to relax. I really needed a good rest. I plan for a push all the way to MA so a rest will do me fine. We went out to dinner at a diner and the portions were so large, even I couldn't finish my dinner. Time to chill!
Date: 2005-07-03
From: Newton, NJ - Econo Lodge Motel

To: Newton, NJ - Econo Lodge Motel
Miles today: 0.0

Very low key rest day. Stayed at the motel for the morning and watched some of the Tour-De-France. Took a ride up to the top of Sunrise Mt. with Julie and did some trail magic for some hikers coming through. We went back to the motel and started the habacci, who says denatured alcohol won't light charcoal? We had a little cookout and then chilled for the rest of the evening. I really have enjoyed the rest.
Date: 2005-07-04
From: Newton, NJ - Econo Lodge Motel

To: Secret Shelter - Murray Property
Miles today: 21.3

Last day waking in the motel, time to head back into the woods. Julie joined me for the first 5 or so miles up to Sunset Mountain. It was very hard to say our good byes but soon I will be passing by home. I'm very lucky to have Julie in my life, she has helped and supported me on this whole journey and continues to be a driving force for me. I headed North up the trail and Julie hiked South back the other way. I decided to push on to here, sounded like a cool spot. It was a good move, the place has a hot shower and a shelter. I'm in the condo. The mosquitos are huge and I also wanted to try out my new air matress. I have already been through two O.R. Matresses, so lets try the big agnes. I got here just before dark, showered and I'm ready to crash. As I'm writing this journal there are a couple of donkeys going nuts out there in the field. Sounds pretty crazy! Happy Independence Day to all!
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Secret Shelter - Murray Property

To: Vernon, NJ - Hostel
Miles today: 13.6

Wow those donkeys were very loud last night, sounded like they were throwing fits of rage all night. I was up early for a short day into Vernon, NJ. I had some pretty decent climbs today for NJ but still managed to make it here in the late afternoon. This hostel is in a church, it is very nice, very clean and very well organized. It is one of the best hostel type places on the trail. I finally got to a computer to check email and stuff. I got my re-stocking done and went to the Inn for a prime rib. At the hostel is just me and two others. One of the hikers here is from Japan, Masa, who speaks very little English but I enjoy talking with him. Very cool. He is a small person carrying a huge pack. He is very couragous coming over here alone and hiking the whole AT.It has looked like rain most of the day and is just starting to sprinkle a little. Once again I wasn't very successful today hitch hiking so I started to walk the 3 miles to town and after walking 2 miles a guy stopped and gave me a ride to the hostel. Very happy to be in New England!
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Vernon, NJ - Hostel

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

I started the day off very well by getting a ride back up to the trail without even hitching. Masa and myself just got to the road where we were going to hitch and a vehicle (Spunk 6) pulled over and offered us a ride back to the trail. This guy thru-hiked in 88. It was a very tough day today with lots of short rocky climbs. About 2 miles before this place I stopped for ice cream at a road crossing, it sure hit the spot. We are in big time mosquito country. I managed to get my tent set up quickly and after doing all my chores I climbed in it and could hear all the mosquitos buzzing outside, very loud! On the screen of the tent there are 20 or so waiting to sink their teeth into me when I come out. It seems to be very damp around here compared to down South. Mosquitos are very smart, it never fails whenever you got your pants down doing your business they start in with their biting and by the time you get your pants up you have about 15 bites all over you.
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Palisades Parkway - Campsite
Miles today: 21.7

Nothing changed last night, when I woke this morning the mosquitos were still there waiting for me to emerge from my tent. DEET!!! Once again I underestimated the difficulty of NY. It was a very tough day with lots of jagged short climbs. One nice thing about today was that some trail angels were leaving water at some of the trail crossings. I pulled into the William Brien Memorial Shelter fairly late in the evening to find no water and a group of summer camp kids. I decided to push on. I'm presently tenting very close to the Palisade Parkway and it is starting to rain so it looks like a wet day tomorrow. The place where I'm set up really wasn't a tentsite but it was the best I could do in the dark. I also found a small stream and was able to filter a bottle of water. I'm exhaused, got to sleep.
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Palisades Parkway - Campsite

To: Graymour Friary
Miles today: 13.1

I woke to the sound of rain, very hard rain. Picking up the tent was an experience and very wet, but the springs are going dry so we really need the rain. When I first set out this morning, my intentions were to get a motel room in Ft. Montgomery. I headed over Bear Mountain and walked through the zoo, the AT goes right through it. I felt sorry for the animals, especially after seeing so many in their natural habitat. I walked the mile or more into Ft. Montgomery to find full motels, both of them. So plan A was out. I thought I would re-supply but the stored had very little in the way of hiker food. I picked around and came up with a day or two of food. I did manage to chow down a sub and fries while there. Don't use Ft. Montgomery for re-supply unless you are doing a maildrop. I went with plan B to slosh my way to here to the Firary. It was a very long wet day but I did manage to make it in by 4:30 so I got to eat dinner which was just adequate. I'm in a pavillion with 6 others. We are all trying to dry out our stuff. I'm going to sleep on a picnic table. I hope the bugs are not too bad.
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Graymour Friary

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

It turned out last night that the bugs were bad so I deeted myself before I went to sleep. i had a very poor sleep last night, no pillow. Not long after waking the sun came out which was a very pleasant sight after such a rain. I packed up and got going with a fairly decent start considering how wet and miserable it was yesterday. Yesterday I saw a sign about food at the RPH Shelter, I wasn't sure what it meant but I was headed there anyway. I pulled in about 5:30 PM to find plenty of food for all. There was a group of people who were having a trail work bee, their 7th annual, which includes feeding the hikers. There was steak, chicken, pork chops, soda, cole slaw, potatoe salad, hot dogs, chips, cookies, etc. I walked in and sat right down to some grilled chicken. It keeps getting better all the time out here. The states are dropping one by one, I can see light up ahead now. I must say again I underestimated NY. It is very tough, small choppy mountains, rocks and it is wet. I'm glad to be in my tent tonight!
Date: 2005-07-10
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneer Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Bacon egg and cheese on a bagel, sausage egg and cheese on a bagle, 2 donuts, 1 blueberry muffin, 1 qt of milk, 2 qt of gatorade and 1 coffee. For some reason I ate this for breakfast today. Pretty sad when you can spend $30 at a convienience store/deli and eat most of it right then. Today was a very nice day, plenty of sun and a nice breeze, couldn't have asked for a nicer day. I really took it easy and meandered my way here taking all day to do it. It was nice doing a shorter day. I made reservations at a place in Kent, Ct. where I will be staying on Tuesday. There was a phone at the convienience store. This place has some very uneven tent sites which is going to make for an interesting night of sleep. I will probably wake up with everything slid down and piled up on one side of the tent. This was my last full day in NY. I will be in CT tomorrow. Getting close to my home state. Can't wait!
Date: 2005-07-11
From: Telephone Pioneer Shelter

To: Ten Mile River Campsite
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Of course everything including me slid to one side in the tent. It was tough most of the night to stop sliding. Every time I rolled I would move down a little more. Today was a very short day for me so I decided to take a .5 mile walk down Rt. 22 to another deli for breakfast and lunch. It was very good. I got to this campsite in the early afternoon, it is a very nice site with a water pump. The 10 mile river intersects the Housatonic River. Nobody was here when I showed up, but that didn't last long, some sort of a group of youngsters with leaders showed up so this could be another night from hell. I just got done swimming in the 10 mile river, it was very warm and was moving very fast. I also washed my clothes out. I'm in CT now, another milestone for me. At least tonight my tentsite is nice and flat.
Date: 2005-07-12
From: Ten Mile River Campsite

To: Pife & Drum Inn - Kent, CT
Miles today: 8.6

I ended up talking to a group of young girls last night. They had lots of questions about thru-hiking, it was fun to answer them. I got a real early start today and stopped for breakfast at a small convienience store. I got into town just about noon. I had to go to the outfitters and replace a stuff sack and get another new shirt, my 5th one. It turns out the laundry place is closed here in Kent so I had to hand wash my clothes, bummer. This room is very nice but pricey. A group of my motorcycle riding friends (Dick, Judy, Al, Bette, Dana, Rose, Don & Mary) along with my girlfriend, Julie came to visit me and took me to dinner at the pizza place. This was very special to me and it felt great to see my friends again. Thanks you so much for coming out in the rain and all! It also made me want to ride my bike.
Date: 2005-07-13
From: Pife & Drum Inn - Kent, CT

To: Sharon Mt. Campsite
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning it was thunder, lightening and raining so I waited it out and took my time packing up. I stopped for Breakfast and then started to walk to the trail when Hot N' Sweaty was driving by and gave me a ride. he is healing his feet and was in the area. Very cloudy today all day. I stopped along with Thirsty Boots at the last shelter and made dinner, then hiked to this place which was a good move. This campsite is very thick with bus (squitos) millions of them. They would eat you alive if you didn't have a tent or net. Also today I came across another cooler of soda (from Millipede '04'), it hit the spot. Very tired, many miles tomorrow, good night!
Date: 2005-07-14
From: Sharon Mt. Campsite

To: Sages Ravine Brook - Campsite
Miles today: 20.8

I put on the old deet before emerging from the condo. I got a early start this morning. I was hiking at about 6:15 AM. Made a stop at a small diner for breakfast. I called Julie (aka: Jewels) to see if she could call tarptent, my tent is coming unsewed. It takes a beating using it every day. I stopped for a long break near Salisbury, CT., then headed to here. I'm in MA now and it feels good to be in my home state. There is a care taker here, I stopped and talked with him for a while. I'm very tired, so I'm off to bed!
Date: 2005-07-15
From: Sages Ravine Brook - Campsite

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another tough night of sleeping. The ground was very uneven causing me to slide to the bottom of my tent all night. I got on the trail bright and early. Massachusetts can also hold its own as far as toughness goes, it sure beat me up with all the humidity. When I got to Rt 7 I went off of the trail .1 to a greenhouse which sold ice cream and cold drinks and I got water there. I got to here and it was empty to I made my way to the tent platform and started to set up my tent. After about 15 min I walked back to the shelter to find Julie already sitting in her tent. She moved out to the tent platform with me. She will be hiking the next couple days with me. She brought dinner which made my eyes light up. It is good to be close to home!
Date: 2005-07-16
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: scattered clouds

The mice were alive last night and decided to attack Julie's and my food bags. It was able to chew a hole in Julie's bag before I scared it off but it didn't seem too scared of me. Other than that there was just a few sprinkles last night and we got a good start but it was pretty tough terrain. We stopped at Benadick Pond so I could swim while Julie sat and took pictures of me. We went through lots of water today. The sweat was just pouring off of us. Julie did real well today, it was a very long and tough day. We made it here and both jumped into Goose Pond. It was nice to meet up with Krazy Katie and Radio, some thru-hikers that started the same day as I did. We are sleeping in the cabin which has a care taker. The bugs are still thick as they have been all day. Deet is my friend.
Date: 2005-07-17
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Gulf Road - Dalton, MA
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: moderate rain

Wow Blueberry Pancakes today after a moment of roudiness last night, ask Jewels about it. Jewels and I headed out and within a mile I started to get light headed so I reached deep into the snack bag and ate a bunch of food. After about an hour it started to rain and rain it did, poured actually! We stopped at October Mt. Lean-to until it let up a bit. (Krazy Katie, Radio and another were also there doing the same) We pushed on to Washington Mt., thank you Roy and Cookie Lady for the cookies. Jewels got off there and I kept going, I reached Dalton and cruised into Angelina's for dinner. I headed to the park, ate and drank lots of fluids. I ended up pitching my tent just out of Dalton, too wet, dark and too tired to go on.
Date: 2005-07-18
From: Gulf Road - Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire, MA - My house
Miles today: 8.3

Early rise this morning after a very nice sleep last night. I'm glad I stopped and slept. I was tempted to hike right in to Cheshire. I stopped at the Cobbles and took some time to reflect on what I have done so far. It is a strange feeling to hike right through the town you were born and raised in. It almost seemed like I could sense a change in the smells in the air as soon as I walked into Cheshire. There really is no place like home! When I was sitting on the Cobbles a fairly large group of men called the Monday Men's Club came up and I chatted with them for a while. When I got to my house I decided I needed a rest. Later on in the evening Julie took me, Krazy Katie and Radio out to the Oriental AYCE Buffet. Radio and Krazy Katie are staying at the Church Hostel across the street. We also stopped at the EMS and had our photos taken.
Date: 2005-07-19
From: Cheshire, MA - My house

To: Cheshire, MA - My house
Miles today: 0.0

Even though I was in my own bed I still woke up at the usual trail time of 5:30 AM. Today I cleaned and checked out all of my gear and made a list of things to do while I'm home. I need to get another pair of shoes which will be my 4th pair. Later in the day Boots & Blue LIght came over to my house and took showers and did laundry. Julie came over and we cooked a steak dinner, Boots and Blue Light joined us. Julie and I then planned out the rest of my hike and came up with a projected finish date in early September.
Date: 2005-07-20
From: Cheshire, MA - My house

To: Cheshire, MA - My house
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a day of running errands before I head back out. I got my new shoes, love those price match policies. EMS took care of me. I got all set up for a little shin dig called the Hiker/Biker Mingle. Also know as trail magic. I put up a few small signs near the A.T. to attact any hikers that might be in the area. Julie (aka Jewels) posted a note on the H.O.G. website to invite my biker friends. We had plenty of food and I also deep fried a ham. The priest that runs the local hostel came too. It turned out to be a small managable crowd. Very nice! A big thanks to our friend Monica for staying late and helping clean up everything, never mind killing flies. I'm thinking about making this an annual event. I mean the mingle not the fly killing.*Thanks to Rose, Mac, Al, Bette, Bear, Dana, Doug, Monica, Judy & Theresa (mom) for helping with the food. And thanks to Cycle Hiker, Frog Caller, Method Man, His Brother and Soega for helping to eat it! Draggin & Jewels