morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-05-07
From: Stealth Camp

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 20.5

Monarch had suggested that I give an indication of how the body is holding up and the problems I encounter. The feet have had x1 blister each and even with the new boots, are doing well. A couple of toe nails are loose but still intact. The L) Achilles that I seriously ¢twanged¢ still gives problems and is the cause of my hiker hobble. It is however improving although I still cannot take full weight on the ball of my L) foot and push off. The major concern remains the calorie deficit, whereby I burn off more calories than I take in.  For me this deficit makes me feel that I¢m walking ¢on empty¢ - you can almost feel the body chewing up muscle mass. The result of this is that walking requires concentrated effort and negatively impacts on the emotional, psychological and motivational aspects of this adventure. The solution is that one needs to get a good fresh calorie intake of non-hiker food every 3-4 days. For me this is important, although I can find it difficult to achieve.  Take today for instance. I got up early and started negotiating a steep decent into Port Clinton because a good solid breakfast could be had there.  But no sooner had I started out, Hiker Brain was attempting to thwart the intended plan because it would require my walking two non-trail miles. Thankfully the other intelligences within the body silenced Hiker Brain and a good big breakfast was enjoyed. On returning to the trail I passed the Port Clinton Peanut Shop.  I of course stopped and put by head round the door and found the place full of almost every conceivable lolly/candy imaginable.  In a previous life I had helped to run a sweet stall on a market - it was a lot of hard work and one actually ate very few.  Not this time though ¢ Yum!Back on trail the difference of having a good breakfast on board rather than an empty tum made the walking most enjoyable. The Rhythms of the Walk were most harmonious.  Monarch Interjects:  Please see: Tuesday 26thMarch journal entry if you¢re confused!However I still made problems for myself, as I¢d looked at the map earlier and gauged that the track would be gentle for most of the day and therefore, I reckoned I should be able to cover 20 miles even though I was only starting out at 10:30 am having gone off-trail for the breakfast.   With still 2.5 miles to go, I scanned the app to see if there was much elevation lift coming up.   I squinted at my mobile phone, as I was too lazy to get my glasses out. Unfortunately, I read the miles as the elevation and deciding that it was flat, I¢d be okay.I came across a stream and took the opportunity to have a wash and then I started out on my ¢flat¢ walk.  However I soon found myself climbing some 800 ft. and sweating profusely - clearly learning had not occurred!  I am now in camp and as I write this journal, there is now a full-blown thunder / lightening storm happening.   I do hope my food bag, which has been strung up in a tree to keep the bears from rummaging through it, stays okay!  Oh well, here¢s to a good nights sleep, I¢ll catch up with you all tomorrow.Nite-nite!
Date: 2019-05-08
From: Stealth Camp

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 22.1

It felt good to step out onto the track at 7am this morning. I¢ve been walking along woodland trails today, which were interspersed with difficult ridge lines and the occasional stretch of boulder hopping. By mid afternoon the trail emerged from the woods into an open space.  What a joy it was not to feel enclosed by dense woodlands.  Monarch will understand what I mean, as she loves looking up into the blue and is an avid member of The Cloud Appreciation Society.The big news is that Steve sent me photos of Mountain Goat¢s rucksack to show that the badge I gave him (marked Vortex and Angels Rest Hikers Haven); is now stitched onto his sack. Monarch Interjects:  If you¢ve not met Mountain Goat then you might like to flick back to the blog posted on 4thMay.  The other badges show that Mountain Goat has walked every inch of the AT in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland. Still in awe of this young man!
Date: 2019-05-09
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I caught up with the Mini Bubble Crew who were camped just before the shelter. They were in good spirits and enjoying each other¢s company. The shelter was full last night and we all got an early start this morning.  The descent into Lehigh Gap was short and a road walk across the Lehigh River placed me at the foot of the famous steep climb out of Lehigh Gap.The ascent was indeed steep and in places, required rock climbing skills. Steve tells me that my young inspirational hero Mountain Goat actually did this climb in the WET. To me that is truly amazing (see photo). Congratulations my young hero and well done to Steve for making it possible. We were aware from the information available, that this was a 20-mile waterless section - so we were carrying extra water.  There is however a stream a couple of miles after the climb. This is supposed to have high heavy metal content and is for emergency use only. The trail after the ascent was gentle but for me it was tiring and I was thankful to arrive at Wind Gap. I passed Snow White who had been walking with her friend and now was camped awaiting the arrival of the other members of the Mini Bubble Crew (who were camped near the shelter last night). I managed to get a motel room which was $75 cash with laundry being an extra $10 and a 2 + mile walk to resupply. The room was very poorly appointed so the Gateway Motel is not the best deal.  Anyway having resupplied I am not looking forward to carrying the heavy rucksack. Every time I see likely young day hikers, I offer to pay them good money to carry my sack for me - for some reason they keep declining my offer!Monarch Interjects:  In Northern England where WOW was ¢brung¢ up, the term ¢likely¢ means likeable but it also relates to a boxing expression in Geordie slang hence ¢a likely lad¢. ¢ I don't know if this explanation makes this sentence any clearer but I can tell you, that the first time I set eyes on WOW some forty years ago I can remember thinking ¢now there¢s a likely lad, if ever I saw one¢!
Date: 2019-05-10
From: Wind Gap

To: Backpackers Camp 
Miles today: 20.2

Hiker Brain Pickings from the 1300.2-mile marker.   In the microcosmic world of a Thru-hiker what is important at the 1300.2-mile marker is as follows: Maintaining and polishing the connection with Monarch through, the blog and frequent phone calls. Without this connection life would just be a monochrome dance of shadows.Dear reader, thank you for reading along with me as I walk these miles. Your company is much appreciated. Big shout out to Hound who takes the trouble, despite being 100+ miles ahead, of messaging me about the best places to go and places to avoid. Many thanks young Hound.Power¢s grandmother is in ICU following a CVA. Here¢s hoping that life gives Power the understanding  to deal with whatever the outcome may be.As always it was great to catch up with the Mini Bubble Crew who were heading towards a taxi to find some resupply. For the last few days there has been talk of the Friday Music Night that many were going to.  However, there is a $15 cover charge, which has put a dampener on the idea for a few of them.  Also, I do tend to forget that the legal drinking age is 21.After the climb out of Wind Gap the trail was gentle but the rain and cold temperatures have turned this rocky terrain into an ice-skating rink. It took its toll and as I descended into Delaware Gap I was beginning to consider getting a room and just relaxing for a while.  I needed to go into the Outfitters for a new gas canister anyway and then as if to help with my decision-making, Hound had suggested (via phone) a visit to the bakery. So there I was in a nice warm bakery.  The waitress rocks up and I asked for a toasted cheese sandwich.  She then asks me ¢What cheese would you like in that¢? Seeing my opportunity I replied ¢East Guatemala Yak Herders soft cheese please¢.  Without missing a beat she said, ¢We don¢t have that cheese¢.  I was hoping this quick repartee would lead into a Monty Pythons Cheese Shop sketch but she was too young to know them ¢ a missed opportunity!Monarch Interjects:  WOW you¢ve just said Hound is 100+ miles ahead of you, so not too sure how you¢re now sitting down with him, munching the tucker and being lippy with the waitress!  - Please Explain!!  - p.s.  I love you too!!!Dear Monarch - problem fixed  I was using the royal ¢ we¢ again ( after all I am married to Monarch!!!) Hound messages me his suggestions - please forgive old hiker brain ( ok that¢s enough grovelling!!!!)While I was eating my way through one of their large apple pies, Hobo aka Silver Streak came across and we talked trail. It turns out he started on Feb 17th but has had two weeks off trail with leg issues and is now back on trail heading NoBo.  That¢s impressive considering he is 66 yrs. old.  He too is keeping a trail journal blog.   Having eaten I felt like a new man and happily continued for another few miles much rejuvenated.Today, while crossing the long Delaware Gap Bridge, I walked out of Rocksylvania and into New Jersey. Bye-bye Rocksylvania my ankles and knees will not miss the rocks!
Date: 2019-05-11
From: Backpackers Camp 

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Up early and on trail by 06.30 am. The reason for the slightly earlier start is because I was reliably informed that Mohican Outdoor centre has a breakfast. Unsure whether I had to book or not, I phoned en route and was told by Josh that breakfast would start in 15 minutes. Trouble is, I¢m still 3 miles away!  Josh was sympathetic and said he would do his best to hold onto some the supplies for me. I moved quickly and arrived just as everyone had finished. Josh is an executive chef from New York and was good on his word.  He made a fabulous breakfast for me and in between prepping for the lunch he took time to explain each dish he was creating. So, with freshly baked bread and a bottomless cup of coffee, I spent the next 90 minutes eating and drinking.   Josh also brought me some biscuits and cakes he had made.   Lucky, lucky me! The trail today was stunning and with an open canopy this time. The rocks were also ¢friendlier¢ and the vista¢s terrific.  What a joy!  Even crossing a beaver¢s dam was like a walk in the park. Then as the afternoon kicked in, it started to get hard going, as the strenuous push to get to breakfast earlier this morning was having an impact. Never mind, as I arrived at the shelter, the Mini Bubble Crew turned up and were quickly followed by Silver Streak, both having come in from Delaware Gap.
Date: 2019-05-12
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Secret Shelter
Miles today: 25.0

We all stayed in our sleeping bags this morning, listening to the rain, which had been pouring down all night.  Imagining how awful it was outside, no one wanted to move. Eventually someone brave soul stirred and reluctantly everyone else followed suit - these miles won¢t walk themselves. Like a turtle, I tried to tuck my head well back into the hood of my jacket and every bit of waterproof gear I had was put on. There¢s nothing to be done really, you know your going to be soaked through.   As I left the shelter a line from ¢Duck¢s Ditty¢ The Wind in the Willows, came to mind:Everyone for what he likesWe like to beHeads down, tails up,Dabbling free! Tally ho and all that!Well it wasn't long before some of the Mini Bubble Crew scrambled past me. When I arrived at the first shelter they were all trying to get warm.  I continued not wanting to stop, as I knew I would cool down. By mid-afternoon Silver Streak passed and talked about heading for the Secret Shelter which is on private land, owned by a previous AT thru hiker.The torrential rain had turned the trail into quagmire and in some areas a flowing river!   There was no chance of avoiding these stretches and aquaplaning was all the go!With Silver Streak setting the pace, we finally arrived at the shelter and it was well worth the push.  The shelter is an outhouse with power and very well insulated.  There is also an outside shower which none of us tried.  It was so good to get the wet gear off and get ourselves warm and dry. Imagine what it would have been like if we¢d had to crawl into our tents!We met up with Perk who had been on trail since early February. Then, Hound sent bad news: a bear has made off with his food bag!¢ We¢re all hoping the situation turns out alright for you young Hound and that you¢re not too far from somewhere you can re-supply.
Date: 2019-05-13
To: NJ Route 94 Trailhead
Miles today: 13.5

All three of us, that is Silver Streak, Perk and myself, needed to resupply and given that rain was forecast for about midday, we were up early and moving. The trail felt like it was passing through suburbia and farmland with many sections requiring boardwalks and elevated walkways due to the ¢bogfest¢ underfoot, akin to some tracks back home in Tasmania.We covered the 13.6 miles by 11am.   Silver Streak had book rooms at the Appalachian Motel, who provide a free shuttle to and from the trailhead. The motel is very well appointed and we were able to do laundry ($10 a load) and shuttle to town ($5 each return) to eat and resupply. It is a whole different experience to the Gateway Motel at Wind Gap. There are some interesting developments occurring associated with Silver Streak. I will keep you up dated when / if the situation firms up. Watch this space.   The rain did come at about 12-midday and had been very steady all ¢arvo¢ (Aussie word speak for afternoon).   Not that it bothered me as I¢m sitting back on a very comfortable bed, fully showered in clean dry clothes having just eaten.Lucky, lucky me!
Date: 2019-05-14
From: NJ Route 94 Trailhead

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We were dropped off at the trailhead at 07.30 hrs. The trail was like a small roller coaster with some rocky ridge walking which did give some vistas. The target for the day was a hotdog stand at NY 17 A. Unfortunately it was closed, as we were too early in the season.  Never mind, it did its job as an edible target to work towards!So we compensated and went to the Bellvale Farm Creamery.  I just wanted a descent cup coffee and seeing it on the menu asked for a cup but alas, it was coffee ice cream!While eating the ice cream it started to rain, so the race was on to get to the shelter as quickly as possible as there were a number of hikers on the trail. The shelter filled up quickly and there was much trail talk, which helped me keep abreast of where people are on trail.  It¢s always good to be in a shelter when it¢s raining outside, even if we're packed in like sardines!   All in all, it was a good day.
Date: 2019-05-15
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 22.9

Up early and on trail by 6am. New York State is green and beautiful but has more ups and downs than the roller coaster section that I did a few weeks ago. It was like trekking in a mini Himalayas. Most ascents were on rock and required climbing / scrambling skills. At one stage we ascended through a rock fissure known as the ¢Lemon Squeezer¢.For the record we did not take our sacks off, nor did we take the easy route around the rock climbing boulder problem, which one encounters just after it. We did pause momentarily and had a moment of silence as we passed the Fingerboard Shelter where Hound had his food bag taken by a bear.We met a young Brit going south with a huge sack, who was complaining about the rugged terrain he had just come through. (For the record, Americans call Englishmen ¢Brit¢ while Australians call them ¢Poms¢).  We ¢reassured¢ him, where he was about to go the trail was about to get a whole lot harder!The shelter we were heading towards had no water, so we thought we had better ¢camel up¢ with a supply from the base of the final climb for the day. Given the recent rains and early season we passed about 5 x viable sources of water on the long ascent !!!!We started for the shelter (about .4 non-trail miles) where it is said, you can get good views of the New York skyline but lost interest when we came upon a campsite with views. (the NY skyline would be too far away, to capture on camera anyway and we had managed to catch a glimpse of it from one of the overhangs).    We set up our tents and other hikers who had been with us at the last shelter, came along and joined us.  All stated that they had found the day hard but had enjoyed the challenging climbs.  At least we were rewarded with wonderful vista¢s, on top of each hill.We had to cross the Palisades  Interstate Parkway. It¢s one lane at a time, as it is a fast stretch of road only 30+ miles from New York City.  Can it be any worse than crossing the 10-lane traffic circling the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, I ask myself ¢ (Every visiting Pom¢s nightmare)! Well its ¢Good Night¢ from us happy campers breathing in such beautiful clean air and so close to the city.
Date: 2019-05-16
From: Stealth Camp

To: Appalachian Market @ Route 9
Miles today: 12.6

Up early and moving with the promising temptation of breakfast at the Bear Mountain Hotel. The hotel is very hiker friendly - they even allowed us to take our sacks with us into the restaurant. It was indeed a very salubrious setting for us thru hikers to have breakfast.We continued on, bypassing the zoo as it was not yet opened and walked across the Bear Mountain Bridge, which crosses the Hudson River.Finally we arrived at the Appalachian Market on route 9. We (Silver Streak and myself) have decided to walk together and needed a Nero day to synchronise our resupply.  We did this with the help of Najee and Woodrow from GCHH.org - Check out their web site. More about this later as plan firms up. We stayed at the Bear Mountain Bridge Motel who are very hiker friendly and do provide a shuttle. Tomorrow Woodrow will also be walking with us - here¢s hoping he goes well.
Date: 2019-05-17
From: Appalachian Market @ Route 9

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: broken clouds

Back on trail with Woodrow from GCHH (Gold Canyon Heart & Home), who was walking with us for the day - his first day on trail. We (Silver Streak and myself) walked with him till about 14.30 hrs.  Then we helped him to set up his camp and hang a bear rope. Ensuring he was happy, we headed out to gets some miles under our belt to maintain our desired average of 20+ miles per day. When we arrived at RPH Shelter the place was full of hikers and large pizzas were offered and consumed with much trail talk, as the Mini Bubble Crew were back in town! Yeah!!This shelter is also known as the ¢Hiker Hilton¢ as it has lounge furniture, picnic tables, plaster walls, clean floor, working windows and a nice privy and yes, a takeout delivery service, hence all the Pizzas!If you want a laugh, check out the legs coming out of the ceiling in today¢s photo. Monarch Interjects:  So that¢s what you mean when you say ¢the shelter was packed to the rafters¢!  Ha!It was great to catch up with the crew and others.
Date: 2019-05-18
From: RPH Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We were awake and up to hear the beautiful melody of the first songbird for the morning and headed out on the trail soon after.   There were many ups and downs to the day. For a start, we were gradually overtaking other hikers who obviously had left the shelter before us - and here we were, thinking we were first on trail!  The aim was to get to the Garden Centre so Silver Streak can get a new pair of shoes. Silver Streak is a tri-athlete and has only one speed - flat out, which is detrimental if he does it day after day. Well clearly the excitement of getting new shoes was too much for him and he made a dash for it, saying that he¢d meet me later at the Centre. As I approached, I found a rather new looking iPhone in the marshes.  If anyone is looking for it, I¢ve left it with the women at the Garden Centre. Well obviously the Garden Centre was the place to be today as no soon had I arrived, Frosting and Dr. Thunder came on in, as they had been offered a zero by a trail angel who was going to pick them up from there.  Lucky, lucky them!  The Honeymoon Couple also arrived and said they were going to camp a bit further down the trail. Sadly, I didn't get the cup of coffee that I was so longing for today, as they simply don¢t serve any here ¢ be warned!  We pushed on to the Wiley Shelter, which was surrounded by camping groups but the shelter was thankfully unoccupied. Turned out to be another good day on the trail after all.
Date: 2019-05-19
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 22.9

Well this Hiker Brain, who seems to be my constant travel companion, insists that I start off this blog with ¢CONNECTICUT IS NOT FLAT¢.It was way back down the trail that it had listened into someone else¢s conversation and had picked up on this little bit of information about the walking being relatively flat through Connecticut.So naturally, as we said our goodbyes to New York State this morning, Hiker Brain was fully convinced we were heading for some easygoing flat terrain. Now how Hiker Brain manages to listen into a stranger¢s conversation and create an enormous ¢expectation¢ from a throw away line, beggars belief!  So now I have to walk with this companion for the rest of the day whilst it whines on about how disappointed it is, and how ¢the other person¢ set him up!Poor old Hiker Brain, learning has not occurred! So what was it like today?Well the trail was hard, although there was a little flat section whilst the trail followed a river. However, there was a steep and at times, tricky descent from St Johns Ledges which would have been very difficult in the wet, given the leaf litter covering the stones.Monarch Interjects:  Well I hope Hiker Brain was grateful, that it wasn't pouring down! On top of the mileage we covered today, we did walk an extra 2 x non-trail miles into Kent for non-trail food, sandwiches and coffee. This was a great psychological boost for both of us. Monarch Interjects:  Dear Reader, please understand that WOW is talking about himself and Silver Streak now and has gotten over his hiker brain moment. Kent is an artisan town with a huge number of motorcyclists parading backwards and forwards, many without helmets.   This was a bit of a surprise as in Australia it is illegal to do so and if caught, you¢ll be out of pocket some AU$100 each time.  While we were walking the flat river section, we came across Trail Clown / Cloud (I am going deaf).  He was with his wife and was himself a section hiker that has almost finished the AT and it was great to see the passion that the trail evoked in him.  They very generously gave us fruit, beer and water. Many thanks! We arrived at an empty campsite and using the hand pump to access water, we were able to wash. The water must have come from the bowels of the Earth because we had to spend a fair time pumping before any grey water arrived.Rain is forecast, so we are set up under the roofed pavilion.Hankster, thanks for your comments - both Silver Streak and myself remember meeting you and as we walk, the spirit of the Hankster is with us - we feel you.Todays photo is of a piece of artwork I spotted in Kent. Now, I¢ve been going on about the weight loss and calorie deficit but this is clearly taking it a little too far!