morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-16
From: New Tripoli

To: Eckville
Miles today: 221.9
Weather: scattered clouds

The shelters in Penn. are horribly placed. If you depend on staying in lean-to's like I do you are left with options such as hiking 13 miles or 26 miles... I don't want either of those numbers. A comfortable hike for me is somewhere between 16 and 20 miles. However, unless I want to wilderness camp rolled up in my tarp on the forest floor... I have to choose, and today I (and the rest of the crew) chose 13 miles. My stomach issues have just about passed. I definitely still feel remnance of an upset stomach but have managed to ignore it and power through the nausea. I am just thankful that the spell didn't come with a headache or fever... I can hike with nausea but would not be able to with a temperature.We are at Eckville Shelter tonight. This shelter is on the property of a large farm house with a caretaker who lives inside. Mick (the caretaker) also cares for the AT shelter. When we arrived Mick came out to introduce himself and threw us some frozen ice pop's... heaven I tell you... little frozen water and sugar sticks... heaven!The shelter is really cool. It is fully enclosed with 4 walls and a large barn door. There is electricity powering the single bulb that hangs from the center of the ceiling. There is also lot's of information posted on the walls about local snakes, birds and attractions on and off of the trail.It is only our crew here tonight. Mick was telling us that all of the north bound AT hikers have already passed! I am excited about that because toward the end of the pack many of them seemed disgruntled and argumentative about difficult parts of the trail. Each of us would explain the terrain that we just passed over and for some reason some of the north bounders were getting confrontational about who's section was more difficult... it was stupid little things and I'm just glad we will have shelters to our selves from now on.We all did out 500 abdomen exercises together and also did our regiment of stretches / yoga. Mango, Cubby and myself also did pull-up's on an overhead 2x4. I know my body is healing well when I have the energy and drive to do this after out hiking.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-17
From: Eckville

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We hiked in to Port Clinton PA. In the thru hiker guide books it said that someone from the Cabela's in town would come to pick you up if you gave them a call. We did and sure enough they sent a gentleman in the Cabela's van to get all five of us. Cabela's was out of control. It is probably one of the largest stores I have ever been to in my life... and that includes Bass Pro Shop and all wholesale stores. Cabela' has an aquarium, a safari (dead lions, gazelle, elephant, buffalo, crocodiles, zebras and more), a deer trophy room (over 100 dead deer worth displaying because of their size... baby deer were included to add to the "life like" scenery), a rifle library / museum, a huge cliff / ice burg displaying 100's of dead deer, elk, moose, antelope, buffalo, reindeer, foxes, wolves, brown bear, black bears, grizzly's, polar bears, wolverines... it goes on and on and on. Cabela' is not just a hunting and fishing outfitter, they are a museum of dead animals from around the world. Bordering the second floor were over 100 heads of different game animals displayed with a plaque identifying their species. I found it interesting and took my time walking around, but I definitely felt like it was a bit of overkill.The hiking department of Cabela's is minuscule compared to hunting and fishing, but they did have the hammock that I was looking for. I have not had a tent for months and am apprehensive to wilderness camp because my tarp is not very comfortable and not the greatest protection from rain etc. A hammock allows me to hang between trees wherever I'd like without finding flat ground or worrying about leaving a trace in the woods. I will keep my tarp and string it up over the hammock in such a way that it acts as a rain fly and fully protects me. The hammock was listed as $44... it rang in at the register for $26! Cubby was upset because he had just purchased a smaller version the previous week for over $50.We are staying in the basement of another one of Mango and Grettle's friends. Tim picked us up from Cabela's.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-18
From: Port Clinton

To: rt 183 PA
Miles today: 0.0

I ran into my first issue with a serious shortage of water today. I have been drinking anywhere from 140 oz - 200 oz per day on the trail. That is allot of water and requires filling up my camelback 2-3 times. The only place to get water on the trail is pumping from a spring, stream, brook or lake and pond if needed. Today there was NOTHING. I ran out of my first bladder of water less than half way through the hike. The maps showed that there were over five opportunities to hit springs and streams... they were all dry as a bone. I got desperate at one point and followed a stream bed for almost one mile trying to find even a trickle to pump from... nothing. Spoon, Cubby and I stayed close together and shared water. We continued to look down side trails for springs noted on the maps but again they were all dry.We only hiked 15 miles. If it were a bigger day it would have been a bigger issue. I knew I wasn't going to die or pass out or anything so I used the opportunity to study the effects of dehydration within myself. I went from feeling like I could push on without the water, to having a dry mouth and throat and feeling exhausted, to getting a second wind and pushing on hard, to becoming irritable and admitting my desire to drink. I could feel my body getting thinner as we pushed on. We ate many blackberries along the way because they had some moisture in them. Otherwise we never did find water. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-19
From: rt 183 PA

To: Rausch Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

A new record today... 27 miles. I felt good. My stomach was back to normal for the most part, I drank 200 oz of water and during short breaks I did stretches. I am trying to prepare myself for doing a 40+ mile day. I will be making an attempt at hiking the entire state of Maryland in one day (which is just over 40 miles). 27 is a long way from 40, but as I learned today... you just sort of go numb after a while. As long as I have enough water and some snacks in my pocket... my mind drifts and time passes. The pain never goes away but at this point I have developed a relationship with it and just deal with it. I actually find myself making deals with my pain. For example I beg that my leg muscles hurt rather than my back... or my shoulders rather than my feet. They all hurt just the same all of the time, but over a period of 10+ hrs of hiking, I need to convince myself that it could be worse or at least so and so isn't so bad.I enjoyed the big miles. I enjoy where my mind goes. I become engulfed in my surroundings. I find that my hearing becomes very keen and I can focus on what's ahead as well as what's under my feet as well as look around me at the trees and animals and bugs and plants and rocks. It takes a certain amount of breaking in for my body to run on motor skills alone which allows my mind to hyper focus on the present. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-20
From: Rausch Gap

To: Reading PA
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day in PA... I resupplied at a natural store. I got Pro Bars and some GORP, otherwise I still have some dinners left. Did laundry, took shower...Gear check mid hike... (everything in my pack)Granite Gear pack70 oz water camelback2/3 body sleeping pad55 degree sleeping bagTherma Rest camp pillowJet Boil cooking system   -Jet boil 64 oz cup   -sm. 4 season fuel (fits inside   cup)Nylon Hammock6'x5' tarpfirst aid emergency kit (stripped down to Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment and gauze)Gear emergency repair kit (stripped down to patch kit and 4 zip ties)50 ft. rope1 book "The Soldiers Tale" by Samuel Hynes (318 pg)2 t-shirts (ultra light / quick dry)1 T3 pullover (ultra light fleece)2 shorts (ultra light / quick dry)2 socks1 underwear2 bandannas1 set of exercise rubber bands (35 lb resistance weighs less then 1 lb)1 pair crocks (water shoes)1 pair of gator's North Face "boa" system hiking boots (2 lb)1 Smith & Wesson Knife1 pack rain coverHead lampHiker Pro water pumpHygiene bag   -glasses   -contact case w/ solution   -tooth brush w/ paste   -fingernail clippers   -floss   -Baby powder   -Q-tips    -10 squares of Toilet paperMen's one-a-day whole body vitamins (tablet)Glucosamine supplement (tablet)Creatine supplement (powder)Argenine supplement (tablet)Glutamine supplement (tablet)Core pack weight = aprox 28 lbFull camelback of water = 4 lbFull 3 day food = aprox 10-15 lbI have forgotten nothing in my gear list. If it is not included... I do not have it. I sent home some items that are considered essential by some. I have also sent home emergency gear that may seem unsafe not to have. After being on the trail for over 83 days... this is what is essential to me. I am still sending gear home at every post office that I come across. I just sent home my rain pants (rain coat was sent home 4 weeks ago), socks and a liner for my sleeping bag. The total weight of the gear was over 1 lb. This means either I hike lighter and faster minus that 1+ lb, or I can now add 1+ lb of food or something else that I will utilize better than what was sent. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-20
From: Rausch Gap

To: Reading PA
Miles today: 56.3

Zero day in PA... I resupplied at a natural store. I got Pro Bars and some GORP, otherwise I still have some dinners left. Did laundry, took shower...Gear check mid hike... (everything in my pack)Granite Gear pack70 oz water camelback2/3 body sleeping pad55 degree sleeping bagTherma Rest camp pillowJet Boil cooking system   -Jet boil 64 oz cup   -sm. 4 season fuel (fits inside   cup)Nylon Hammock6'x5' tarpfirst aid emergency kit (stripped down to Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment and gauze)Gear emergency repair kit (stripped down to patch kit and 4 zip ties)50 ft. rope1 book "The Soldiers Tale" by Samuel Hynes (318 pg)2 t-shirts (ultra light / quick dry)1 T3 pullover (ultra light fleece)2 shorts (ultra light / quick dry)2 socks1 underwear2 bandannas1 set of exercise rubber bands (35 lb resistance weighs less then 1 lb)1 pair crocks (water shoes)1 pair of gator's North Face "boa" system hiking boots (2 lb)1 Smith & Wesson Knife1 pack rain coverHead lampHiker Pro water pumpHygiene bag   -glasses   -contact case w/ solution   -tooth brush w/ paste   -fingernail clippers   -floss   -Baby powder   -Q-tips    -10 squares of Toilet paperMen's one-a-day whole body vitamins (tablet)Glucosamine supplement (tablet)Creatine supplement (powder)Argenine supplement (tablet)Glutamine supplement (tablet)Core pack weight = aprox 28 lbFull camelback of water = 4 lbFull 3 day food = aprox 10-15 lbI have forgotten nothing in my gear list. If it is not included... I do not have it. I sent home some items that are considered essential by some. I have also sent home emergency gear that may seem unsafe not to have. After being on the trail for over 83 days... this is what is essential to me. I am still sending gear home at every post office that I come across. I just sent home my rain pants (rain coat was sent home 4 weeks ago), socks and a liner for my sleeping bag. The total weight of the gear was over 1 lb. This means either I hike lighter and faster minus that 1+ lb, or I can now add 1+ lb of food or something else that I will utilize better than what was sent. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-21
From: Reading PA

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We had some difficulties getting out of Tim's place. Since we slacked packed so many miles we were now almost 2 hours away from where our trail is. In the end Cubby's dad came to get us.Cubby's family came in to town this afternoon. He has been trying to figure out how to arrange the whole thing for weeks now. Cubby's mother and father are here for a couple of days and he wants to spend a few additional days with his girlfriend. Wayne, Cubby's dad came all of the way out to Reading PA to pick us up and bring us 1.5 hours out to their hotel. Only Spoon and I would fit in the car. Mango and Grettle went in one of their friends cars.Cubby's family spoiled Spoon and I. We ate an unbelievable dinner and were fed fresh fruits and vegetables and juice and baked goods. Spoon and I agreed that we both felt too spoiled over the past week. The woods were calling.Staying with Cubby's parents reminded me allot of staying with my own in Great Barrington MA. Spoon, Wayne, Nancy (Cubby's mom) and I had conversations late in the night about ambitions in life, the AT, why Spoon and I chose to hike and life in general. I had a great time with his family and appreciate everything that they did for us.I am on the floor at Red Roof Inn. Spoon and I decided that no matter what, we are sleeping in the woods tomorrow and toughening ourselves up a bit more... we feel that PA has softened us with all of these luxury's.It looks like Mango and Grettle were caught in traffic and ended up staying at a motel near by.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-22
From: Duncannon PA

To: US 11 PA
Miles today: 0.0

Looks like Mango and Grettle stayed at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon PA. We had heard about the Doyle since MA. People had been saying that the accommodations were less than acceptable even at a low standard, however the people there were awesome and the food wasn't bad. Mango and Grettle confirmed just that. They said that the place was in shambles but the staff took them in like family and entertained them all night.Half way through our day today another one of Gtrettle and Mango's friends called. Brandon (Crotchy) met us on the side of the road in a construction zone. It took Crotchy over 1 hr to get to us. I had my hammock hung between 2 trees and some yellow caution tape. It was 85+ degrees and the sun was blazing. The hammock managed to give me enough shade to comfortably pass out for 30 minutes while waiting. Crotchy's mother only lived 20 minutes away. When we got to her house his whole family welcomed us lovingly. They offered us cold drinks, a shower, laundry and anything else we needed. Within the hour we were eating BBQ burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, ice cream, fresh baked cookies and more. We had never intended on meeting up with Crotchy today... we just get ourselves in to these situations... and how can you resist. People have been so nice to me. I have been welcomed in to so many homes and eaten at so many different dinner tables with all of these family's. I have gotten the opportunity to have a detailed glimpse of how so many different people in so many places live. Everyone that I have met has overwhelmed me with kindness and selflessness. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-24
From: Pen Mar State Park

To: Rocky Mountain Shelters
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

23+ miles to Rocky Mountain Shelters today. These are 2 lean-to's directly next to each other, each sleeps 4. Spoon and I hiked fast today (over 3 mph). We got here at 6:30ish. I passed over some of the most beautiful trail that I have seen yet. It was a bit artificial but still amazing. We checked out the Quarry Gap Shelters at about the 18 mile mark today. They were maintained meticulously. Everything was fresh painted and coated with shiny protectant. There were flowers hanging from the rafters and flowers landscaped around the shelters, they were flawless lean-to's. For about 2 miles beyond the shelters the path was perfect. The care taker had removed the rocks from the trail and built intricate walls and erosion barriers out of them. There was also a 100 yd strip where the trail was literally cut out of a dense cluster of Rhododendron Trees. The trees were dense enough where there was a full tunnel passing through. It looked like something that would be put together for a outdoor wedding. This was the best trail maintenance that I have seen. Again it was beautiful, but almost unnatural looking. I made a note to revisit the area some time when the Rhododendrons were in bloom.Today was a good break in for the 40 miler coming up. I feel great and can't wait for the challange.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-25
From: Rocky Mountain Shelters

To: Pen Mar State Park
Miles today: 0.0

The Mason - Dixon line. The line which separates the north from the south. This is where I camp tonight. I am just outside of Pen Mar State Park. I went to the park to fill up on tap water and relax on the picnic tables. There was a small hut with a museum of the parks history. The museum was minimal but very interesting. There were pictures of train wrecks and amusement parks and live music from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Pen Mar was a very popular place 100 years ago. Now it was just the park which consisted of some pavilions, a playground and the museum.Spoon, Mango, Grettle and I pitched our hammocks deep in the woods. Our books said that if you were caught camping in the park you would be fined $500.We all stayed in Pen Mar as the sun went down. It was by far the most impressive sunset I have ever seen in my life. I took pictures and video. I can not justly describe the amazing blend of oranges and reds and purples... I won't begin to try, it was just spectacular and breathtaking. We then retreated to the woods.40 mile day tomorrow. I am not concerned. I am excited for the challenge. I feel good.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-27
From: Harpers Ferry WV

To: Harpers Ferry WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Harpers Ferry, the official Appalachian Trail Headquarters. Also another 1/2 way point so to speak. This is where you register at the headquarters as officially being 1/2 way done. A picture is taken of you and you are entered into the years master log of thru hikers. I am #9 southbound thru hiker. That means out of all of the people in the world that are hiking this trail all of the way through (southbound)... I am #9. To me that is crazy. Statistically only 30-40 people total finish the trail south bound each year. Registering at the ATC reminded me of how rare and special what we are doing is. We have heard about some of the people behind us but will likely never meet them because we are all separated by so many miles and so many days etc. Every once and a while someone who is banking lots of miles every day will pass us, but for the most part the pace has been set for the majority of us and we will not be catching up or slowing down for others. This also means that my crew will remain for the long haul... they are my trail family and that is how I have come to know them, I love them like my family or like a life long friend. We have woven a tight relationship in only 3 months.Speaking of the crew, Cubby returned to us today. He hiked extra hard and managed to get us in Harpers Ferry. I missed him and am glad to have him back. Evidently he has chosen not to spend one week with his girlfriend off trail. Part of me was concerned if he would recover from that kind of time off. Once the comforts of the real world set in and you are surrounded by loved ones once again, it is a toss up if people make it back on the trail.Today was a zero for all of us. I visited the outfitter and purchased a new ultra-light tarp that will actually spread the length of my hammock. I also purchased new boots because the North Face ones gave out on me. I am returning the North Faces to the supplier because the "boa" lace system snapped on me after only 150 miles of hiking. My new boots are ultra-light Vasque trail runners. They are not the most durable hiking shoe, but they are so light and flexible. This is what I have chosen to hike my next 600 miles or so in. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-28
From: Harpers Ferry WV

To: Blackburn Trail Shelter
Miles today: 165.3

I am at the Blackburn Trail Shelter. This is yet another unique shelter. There is a huge log cabin at the center. Two caretakers look over both the cabin and thru hiker shelter. We set up camp in the shelter/bunk house as soon as we got here. There were no signs of the caretakers upon arrival, so we assumed that they went home for the year (all north bounders are finished coming through these parts). At 7:30pm the 2 caretakers arrived. They offered to cook us a spaghetti dinner! The food was excellent and they served us hot brownies to top it off. I excused myself from the table early to tend to my feet back at our shelter.My feet are still open and raw from the rubbing on my North Face boots. I am treating them with triple antibiotic ointment and also applying New Skin liquid before hiking. I have no doubts that my feet will heal quickly. They have no choice... I am willing them to heal.We lit the wood burning stove that is in our bunk house. It proved to be a horrible idea. The heat is ridiculous and the shelter is sweltering now.Today I saw 11 deer. One group had 5 all eating together.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-30
From: Blackburn Trail Shelter

To: Bears Den
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We hiked from Blackburn Shelter to Bears Den Hostel today. Bears Den Hostel is awesome. There is an entrance specifically for hikers. A note on the door directed us to look in our thru hiker data books for the combination to open the door. We entered in to a hikers paradise. The place is clean, durable and there are over 10 beds or bunks. The walls are covered with murals of the AT and signs from previous years hikers. There was a large 2008 AT sign and everyone in the crew found a place to sign their name (all of the years were covered in drawings and signatures of all of the thru hikers that passed through Bears Den). The hostel has also provided us with Internet, laundry and showers. I got the "hiker special" when paying for my stay. The hikers special was $25. This includes a bunk, laundry, one large Tombstone pizza, one pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and one soda... bargain.Two more south bounders have joined us this evening. Moose (Pennsylvania) and Ducky (Massachusetts) have been hiking hard over the past week or so and managed to catch up to us. They are awesome people and I hope they enjoy our company and stick with the group for a while.This morning Cubby and I saw another bear. It was just us two in front, we heard some crackling of sticks to our right and when the sounds stopped we kept walking. Seconds later a large black bear came out of the thick brush and ran right in front of us across the trail. The bear was at least 200 pounds and didn't make a sound while running back in to the woods on our left. The whole incident was too fast for me to shoot a picture. The bear wanted nothing to do with us and never turned back.Cubby, Mango and myself did 100-125 push-up's, abs and stretches.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"