morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-08
From: just north of The Pinnacle

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 36.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Two more bear sightings today, my last day in SNP. Both were early in the afternoon, about an hour apart. Both were smaller than yesterday's bear, and they both ran away from me. (The bear yesterday didn't seem bothered by my presence remotely, and he was certainly the biggest bear I've seen in the wild, around 400 lbs maybe?)Long day today. I'm trying to make Snickers Gap (mile 989) by tomorrow night, so I can spend the weekend with some old friends in Leesburg and Purcellville, VA. The terrain through the park has been pretty nice, so I was able to do the miles in daylight even though I took over an hour lunch break at the Elkwallow Wayside in the park.The shelter I'm at tonight has city water running to it, and a solar shower! Very nice indeed.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Snickers Gap
Miles today: 28.8

There was one thing on my mind today: getting to Snickers Gap so I could be picked up by friends and enjoy all the creature comforts I've been doing without. When I got to town and enjoyed fast food, a hot shower, and walking on a clean carpet in bare feet, words like "indescribable," "delightful," and "heaven" came to mind. Yeah, it was nice. I'm going to zero here for the weekend, and start back up Monday.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Snickers Gap

To: couch to kitchen. maybe! =)
Miles today: 0.0

Right now I'm sitting in my friend Greg's loft, using his computer, and eating his snacks. I did laundry, cleaned up and organized my gear, and watched some TV. It's like another world to me, although my achy body reminds me that it's only temporary. Tomorrow I look forward to going to church for the first time since I started out, and maybe going swimming at a another friend's pool! stay tuned... =)I weighed myself on two different scales, and I've definitely lost some weight, although not a whole lot, and I feel great. I'm at 154 or 156 (depending on which scale I use), whereas I was between 160-165 pre-hike.
Date: 2006-06-12
From: back to couch? =)

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

The good news is that I did manage to get back on the trail today. The bad news is that it wasn't 'till 5:30 pm. You soccer fans know that the World Cup is on right now. It comes around only once every four years, and the US was playing its first game against the Czech Republic. The temptation of soccer + pizza + air conditioned living room with couches + the company of old friends proved to be too much, and I stuck around. After the US vs. Czech game (we lost), there was another game, which I also stayed and watched. Does it seem like I'm making excuses for not hiking? You bet. I do enjoy hiking and backpacking, but variety is nice too =).
Date: 2006-06-13
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Turners Gap, US 40A
Miles today: 30.1

First full day back on the trail after a weekend off. It was a treat to be able to meet up with some old friends who hiked about 7 miles of trail with me this afternoon. The Howard family does a lot of hiking and biking (six year old Katrina recently completed a 23 mile ride with the rest of the family!), so I didn't really have to adjust my pace when they joined me at Gathland State Park for the last leg of the day. Thanks guys- I really enjoyed catching up with you, and the snacks/drinks were appreciated too!I spent the night at Dahlgren Backpack Campground, a unique facility because it's designated exclusively for backpacker's use. It looks like any other campground with developed sites and a typical bathroom/shower house, except that there are no roads or parking spaces. It's the only place on the trail where hikers can enjoy state-provided free hot showers. Oh yeah! How could I forget! I hiked out of VA today. I'M DONE WITH VIRGINIA. Score: Sean, 1. Virginia, 0. Yeah baby! I'm sorry, I'm a little excited. It's just that VA is such a huge state- it alone comprises a quarter of the entire trail. Oh, and scratch West Virginia too. It hosts only a handful of trail miles, but it's a state, ya know? I'm on the Maine train now. Boo-yah! (They say Harpers Ferry, WV is the psychological halfway point. Must be true cuz I'm psyched.)Harper's Ferry was cool. When I lived in this area I drove right by it on Route 340 countless times, but never actually checked out the town. I did waste some time trying in vain to locate the Appalachian Trail Conservancy head office though. It's ironic how I can hike hundreds of miles through designated wilderness areas and never lose my way, and then get completely turned around in town. It's true though- the easiest places to lose the trail are in towns and other developed areas. In the woods the white blazes often stand out like a sore thumb, but in towns finding them amongst all the signs, sounds, and sights can be like playing Where's Waldo. Anyway, I finally got where I needed to go, but as a result, I had to book it to make the state park by 5, when I had said I'd meet my Maryland friends. It was almost 3:00 pm when I left town, and the park was still 10 miles away! As it turned out, we both were a little late, so everything worked out fine.
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Turners Gap, US 40A

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 28.2
Weather: clear sky

Maryland's behind me, and I'm into PA!I recently relented and splurged on a 1 oz inflatable pillow. Up 'till now I had been using extra clothes or my pack, but it really wasn't all that comfortable (my pack's not very substantial, and my "extra clothes" is basically just shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of socks (usually totally nasty/stinky too). I sleep on my side mostly, so I really like having a nice thick pillow.THE SHOE SAGA CONTINUESI don't remember if I mentioned this before, but I guess now's a good a time as any. I probably didn't, cuz I find it somewhat embarrassing, but my older brother says it should be posted, and he trained me to obey from an early age.In Damascus, VA I received the new shoes Montrail had sent me to replace the defective ones I had called them about. The old shoes were quite snug, and I had been hearing a lot about how your feet swell on long trips, so I took the new shoes to the local outfitter before I opened them and talked them into letting me exchange them for a half size larger, even though I didn't buy them there. After a couple of days on the trail though, I regretted it. They just seemed like ski's on my feet, and I didn't feel as stable or nimble. I couldn't really do anything about it though, so I just tried to ignore it. (A difficult task when all you're doing is staring down at them all day long, thinking, "you idiot. why didn't you just keep the old size?" Anyway, while I was at my friend Greg's house I had the brilliant idea of dunking the shoes in some boiling water, and throwing them in the oven to dry. I suspected this "boil 'n bake" technique would cause the shoes to shrink a little and hence, fit better. My suspicions were right on as to shrinkage, and not so correct as to fit. The shoes are now way tight. They must have shrunk a full size or size and a half. So now I'm hiking in shoes that are cramping my feet, causing considerable pain. I'm going to have to have to come up with some creative "stretchnique." Worse still, Greg and his roommates are nonplussed by their foul-smelling kitchen! The good news? At least my shoes are now sterile...I had a terribly slow start today. By lunchtime I had done a measly five miles, mostly because my feet were hurting like none other. In the afternoon I loosened my laces and got some relief. I Sat out the worst of a thunderstorm in a local park shelter near the Mason-Dixon line, and then had not one, but TWO shelters (side-by-side) to myself overnight.
Date: 2006-06-15
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 33.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is significant in a few ways. First, it's my two-months-on-the-trail anniversary. I also passed the actual halfway point on the trail near mile 1,087. And most importantly, I reached the home area! Mom, Dad, and my sister and her family met me at the state park with clean clothes, fresh food, and lots of smiles and hugs all around. It was fantastic. I even met my beautiful new niece for the first time, since she was born while I was hiking in North Carolina. And as a special treat, I'm going home overnight to sleep in my own bed. wow.I didn't do the "half gallon challenge" (eating an entire half gallon of ice cream from the park's general store to commemorate completing half the trail), since the fam had brought down all sorts of food for grilling/picnicking. Besides, ice cream holds a special place near and dear to my heart, and I wouldn't want to jeopardize that by doing something that would make it revolting to me for the next 1000 miles!After being blister-free for the last 700 miles or so, my right heel is sporting a big one (see "shoe saga" from yesterday =). At least I'll be near home for the next couple of days so I can make adjustments to gear or mileage if I need to.
Date: 2006-06-18
From: home

To: nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the plan was to NOT take any actual zero days at home, because it would be too tempting to just stay and not finish my hike. (for those who don't know me, I live like 15 minutes from the trail here in PA.) It was probably a good plan, too. I took the weekend off, and loved every minute of it =).The last three days have been filled with such delights as eating fresh foods that don't need water to be reconstituted, sleeping in my own bed (with sheets!), sitting on comfortable chairs and lying on comfortable couches, and sticking my face three inches in front of air conditioners on "high." I've also enjoyed the wonders of modern plumbing, such as the flush toilet, and potable water on demand. Yes, life is good. It's probably tough to imagine being enthralled with such everyday things as a padded chair, but for me, they're anything but "everyday."Okay, I also did some things the rest of you might consider entertaining as well, like going to Starbucks and a movie, playing video games, and visiting with friends and family. I even made it to church today. But all good things must come to an end, and in fact, I'm not dreading my return to the trail like I worried I would.
Date: 2006-06-19
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.4

Okay, I'm back at it, although I'm still going to have my folks pick me up tonight so I can sleep at home. I mean, why not? Home is only a short drive away. There will be plenty of opportunities to sleep on the floor when I get further north. I'm going to do the same thing tomorrow and the next day too, until I get out of the home range. I figure it'll be a good way of transitioning back to trail life.Oh, I saw a red fox Thursday, which I forgot to mention earlier. First wild fox on the trail. It jumped out onto the gravel road the trail was on, saw me, and high-tailed it (literally =) back into the woods on the same side it had come from. Cute little thing.
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: PA 850 (near Shermansdale, PA)
Miles today: 16.6

My mom met me at a road crossing 4.3 miles short of my destination for the day, and hiked the last leg with me. It was lots of fun (thanks Mom! =). It sure differs from hiking solo. As much as I like being able to go at my own pace and stop where/when I want, it's certainly nice to have good company to share the experience of the trail with. I suppose that's part of why I'm journaling like this too- to be able to share my experiences, and in sharing them with others, appreciate them more fully myself.
Date: 2006-06-21
From: PA 850 (near Shermansdale, PA)

To: PA 225. (near Halifax, PA)
Miles today: 17.5

So my dad got envious of Mom hiking with me, and wanted in on the action. Not only that, but he had to go twice as far as her too, at 9 miles! Not really, that's just how the mileage worked out. We had a great time, and Dad kept up just fine. I'm sure he'll always cherish the memory of swatting bugs and clearing cobwebs with me for a morning. Mom met us in the trail town of Duncannon for lunch at our favorite pizza joint. Then, my sister picked me up with the kids a few miles further up the trail, and we all went to the local pool. I gotta say it: yep, it's nice being near home!
Date: 2006-06-23
From: PA 225. (near Halifax, PA)

To: Rattling Run
Miles today: 13.0

I'm back on the trail for real now. Funny though, I couldn't help thinking as I hiked past every road crossing, "I could get picked up here and spend one more night at home..." But no. I've told myself that from now on the quickest way home is North. It's not that I'm not enjoying the hike anymore- it's just difficult sleeping out in the rain when you know your bed is a short drive south (after being out of reach for so long).I camped tonight beside a beautiful little stream on a mountaintop. I normally hike later, but tonight I didn't feel so inclined. I used the extra time to gather some good wood and made myself a roaring campfire. It was hot, but I figured it would keep the bugs away. I set up my tarp a few yards downwind, and it was nice falling asleep watching the light of the flames flickering on the tarp above me. Around midnight I woke up to rain, and closed up the vestibule before falling back asleep. I woke up dry, which is always a good thing, so I'd say it was a good night.
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Rattling Run

To: PA 501 Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: light rain

Wild blackberries were definitely on the menu today. I passed several patches, and stopped at each one to eat as many as I could. I've been seeing the plants for about a week now, just waiting for the hard green berries to ripen. The 501 shelter (named for the road nearby) is awesome. I had been thinking about going farther but after seeing the shelter I promptly scrapped that idea. It's a fully enclosed cabin with screened doors and windows, bunks and tables inside, and a huge skylight in the middle of the ceiling. You can order pizza and have it delivered to the nearby parking lot. When I arrived the other hikers had already ordered pizza, and generously offered to share it with me since they'd ordered more than even hungry thru-hikers could manage. It was great. And it was nice not having to worry about bugs for a night.
Date: 2006-06-25
From: PA 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: moderate rain

It started raining steadily right after I started hiking this morning. It's been rainy for a few days now, but today the rain settled in for good. I was hiking with "Mr. K." and John, both high school teachers from York, PA. After a few hours we were splashing through ankle-deep water in many places along the trail. At first you try to avoid the water by stepping around, or shielding your face from the rain, but after fighting this losing battle for a while you simply embrace the wetness. I was worried that my feet would get torn up from sloshing down the trail in saturated shoes and socks for hours on end, but at the end of the day when I peeled everything off, they looked like firm, healthy prunes. No blisters. I've discovered that my pack cover doesn't keep my gear dry in prolonged heavy rain. I'll need to make some adjustments to avoid damp sleeping bags in future.Mr. K, John, and I made it into the small town of Port Clinton by about 4:30. Not much to this place, just a hotel and a candy shop. I was disappointed to find out that the outfitters in town had gone out of business. I can guess why- just a few miles down the road near Hamburg, PA, is the monstrous Cabella's store that went in a few years ago. I've been there a few times, but I didn't get to go today, because the Cabella's van had already shuttled a group of hikers to and from the store a couple of times. I just need food, enough to get me to Palmerton, at least, or maybe even Delaware Water Gap.The town pavilion has long been used as a shelter by thru-hikers, and that's where I'm staying tonight, along with 15 or 20 other hikers who are waiting out the rain. Some have been here a couple of days already. (They had a big annual pig roast last night here, which probably enticed some hikers to stay.) I don't plan on zeroing here, but the rain really is coming down! If the Schukyill river in the park here rises a couple more feet, we might have to evacuate. Hmm, that could be a good thing- hot meals and showers courtesy the Red Cross!
Date: 2006-06-26
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Allentown Shelter
Miles today: 22.6

Okay, I'm calling this THE PORT CLINTON FLOOD OF 2006. That makes it official. I have no idea what's really going on in rest of the area, but I know it's been raining hard where I am for several days, and the rumor is that it's going to continue. I predict massive amounts of water heading for the Susquehanna Valley.Remember when you were a kid and you would throw on a pair of old sneakers and explore the creeks near your home? You'd happily splash amongst the rocks, or perhaps follow the creek upstream to its source, or downstream, where the water became deep and sluggish. Well, that's what I've been doing for the past few days, only I'm on what's supposed to be the Appalachian TRAIL. And when you were a kid, after you got bored you'd take a hot shower and eat bread pudding that your mom just pulled piping hot from the oven. I just dream about that luxury. The ground is so saturated that all the rain continuing to fall is becoming runoff. The trail is often a perfect channel, and I've been slogging upstream and downstream through muddy water, guessing what the trail surface is like beneath, and hoping to avoid the sharp rocks. Some spots are actually raging torrents, where I have to be careful not to lose my footing. In other spots you'll see a bridge in the middle of a lake of trees, presumably for crossing what would normally be a small stream below. Yes, it's wet. We call it "aqua-blazing." It's miserable, but at the same time, it's exciting because it's so unlike what I've experienced up to this point.The flooding has almost eclipsed what would otherwise have stolen my attention: the rocks. Yes, PA is famous for them. On the AT, PA is known as "Rocksylvania," and "where boots go to die." They weren't bad until after Duncannon, but now it's amazing. We're talking about boulder fields, jagged slabs and sharp pointy fiendish stones and grapefruit sized rollers, with no place to put even a foot between. The only thing to do is hop from rock to rock, but it slows you down and you have to focus all your attention on the trail immediately in front of you. Normally I enjoy rock hopping, but the rain has made some of them slick. At one point today I came up on a spot where the trail dropped maybe twenty feet, over maybe a half dozen boulders. They were giant slabs perched at precarious angles. I stood there and looked at it incredulously, thinking to myself, "this is downright treacherous! what were they thinking when they routed the trail through this?" I wanted to take a picture but it was wet and it's a miracle my camera hasn't failed already given the amount of water I've exposed it to. Anyway, I managed to somehow negotiate the route, right up until the last slab. I was standing on it trying to figure out my next step, when my shoes lost their tenuous grip and I went down hard. That was my first big fall of the trip, and the trail drew first blood. But thankfully, it was just a matter of a scraped up hand and arm; no broken bones, twisted knees, or sprained ankles. My hike will go on!
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 17.7

I'm in jail for the night. Yep, the municipal building in Palmerton (formerly the jail) allows hikers to stay in the basement, and it's known as the "jailhouse hostel." oh shoot, they're about to kick me off the library pc here. I'll have to update more in Delaware Water Gap, probably Thursday. I'll be able to add pics then too, and tell you about the bear I saw today. stay tuned!***[LATER]***So anyway, I¢m staying here in the basement of the municipal building. It¢s just got block walls and a concrete floor, with pipes and ducts in the ceiling overhead. Everything is painted a drab grey. But there are bunks and chairs, a couple of tables, with plenty of room to spread out. They leave the furnace room open so hikers can take advantage of the heat to dry out wet gear, and they even have a few old copies of Backpacker magazine. I couldn¢t have asked for more. After checking in, I got a shower, cleaned up some gear, laid out some more to dry, and then went out to hit the town, visiting the grocery, library, Laundromat, and diner. Back at the hostel, I met Happy Feet and Chocolate Bandito, two other thru¢ers.[LATER STILL] Sorry, forgot to finish the bear story. Wasn't much to it really, just another bruin that lumbered out onto the trail ahead of me, saw me, and took off. This one ran fast though- faster than I'd ever seen a bear run. I've always heard that you can't outrun a bear, and after seeing this guy move, I believe it. Also, it was raining hard at the time, so he looked all soggy and even skinny cuz his hair was plastered to him. He ran down the trail ahead of me, and I thought that maybe I'd get another glimpse as I continued hiking, but I never did. This makes 7 bears seen total, in 5 sightings. yeah!
Date: 2006-06-28
From: Palmerton, PA

To: near Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

I left Palmerton around 11 am, after going back to the library and wrapping up a few other odds and ends. I bought a bag of plums from a curbside fruit stand, which was a treat. In my experience Palmerton has been the friendliest PA trail town. I had easy hitches in and out, the municipal building provided a welcome respite, and even the grocery store gives each hiker a free apple. I was still walking through a lot of water and mud today, but at least the sun was shining. I was beginning to wonder where it was lurking. I saw only one other hiker on the trail all day, and he was heading southbound. Definitely a lonely stretch of trail, but the climb out of Palmerton provided stunning views. Apparently the top of the mountain is an officially designated ¢super fund¢ site. I have no idea how that¢s spelled or what it means, but that¢s what Happy Feet told me. Really though, it¢s rather desolate, with lots of dead trees and little vegetation, sort of what I¢d imagine a nuclear war zone to look like.I begged two liters of water from a motel just off the trail late in the day, and set up camp by myself about a quarter mile in from the road.Ps. Keeblers Peanut Butter Cup cookies are awesome. Also, I¢m still loving my new inflatable pillow- thinking about using a second one to elevate my feet.There¢s something else that I¢ve been thinking about lately that I wanted to express. One of the things I can¢t help but realize out here on the trail is how blessed I am. I have a family that loves me, great friends, and I have the time and resources to pursue a long-held dream. And I live in a beautiful country which allows me the freedom to walk its mountains and valleys in relative peace and safety without reporting to anyone. I¢m one lucky guy! I really want to thank my parents and my sister and her family for making the few days I had at home so enjoyable. You guys are the greatest!