morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-31
From: boiling springs

To: cove mtn shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Did 22.6 today, mostly through farm country. The trail switches from one ridgeline to another about 14mi away, so the walking today was fairly easy. It was a little hot since I was in the open most of the day. I did 22.6 total. I wanted to be close to Duncannon so I could have time to get things done and relax. Saw a deer today, it's been awhile. I didn't see it inthe woodline. It jumped on the trail in front of me and lazily jogged down the trail for a good ways before it jumped back off. Had lunch where you go over one of the major roadways I crossed today. I had to walk a mile to get there but it was worth it. Especialy the pecan pie with whip cream. Ther were a few nice veiws that came at convient times for brakes. The shelter I'm at didn't have any good places for putting up my hammock, so I decided to string it up in the middle of the shelter. There is a warning on the shelter about porcupines being in the area. I didn't think I was far enough north yet to see them. An! other thing to mark off the list if when I see one.
Date: 2005-06-01
From: cove mtn shelter

To: shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: moderate rain

I got up late and took my time getting into Duncannon. There was a nice veiw of town from a sheer vertical cliff face. I got a room at the Doyl. The only hotel in town. It was built in 1907. Very fair rates and the people were nice. They didn't charge me anything extra even though I didn't leave till around 14:00. The reason for my late start was I did a bit of drinking. Well more than a bit. I just went in to the bar to pass a little time and play some pool. One of the gentlemen at the bar bought me a drink, I bought a few more, than stick and flying turtle showed up and thats when the shots of tequilia came out. Then it was yeagermister, jack, and something else I think, it got a little blury from there. I managed to make it back to my room and not vomit. Stick and Turtle left well before me and decided to do some drunken night hiking. I caught up with them today.Everyone in town was very freindly. Boiling Springs was much prettier but not very trail friendly. Duncannon wa! s the oppisite. I'de take Duncannon any day. There are always suttle changes on the trail. As the season and temp's change things change day to day. Now it's worm season. It's eaither those silk worms repeling from the trees obove you, trying to catch a free ride, or catapillers and inch worms. I guess there better than ticks. I wish instead of turning into butterflies, they would change to something that would help eat all the bugs.
Date: 2005-06-03
From: shelter

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Wasn't going to write anything for June 3rd, because nothing much happened. It was raining when I woke up, and it rained until the next day. Right as everyone was falling asleep. A couple houligans from town showed up. I guess they decided that it would be cool to walk through the woods at night in the pooring rain to cook some steaks. Their packing list included, a iron skilet, a large tuperware container w/2 steaks, a 1/4 full bottle of Vodka, O.J., fire works a bunch of other crap. In the morning they packed up and walked 4mi back to the car. I guess there isn't much to do in PA. They did give me a piece of steak and it was incredibly good. I thought they were doomed for failure but they pulled it off. I did 17mi again today. I'm at 501 shelter tonight. It's totaly inclosed,and has running water in the back. The caretacker lives next door. Stick, Turtle and I hitched into town had dinner and are now completly full and ready to rack.
Date: 2005-06-05
To: eagles nest shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The Rocks have begun, and there only supposed to get better. The good news is there supposed to stop in New York. I only did 15 but that was plenty. I think I screamed in pain about 29 times today. If pain is weaknss leaving the body I should be pretty strong buy know. Their are some more locals at the shelter tonight but these are the nice kind. So far I scored some baked beans and some rice. It's not like I don't have enough food but there is something about eating food that I didn't pick out. Staying in Port Clinton tommorow, after I do the 8mi to get there. There's not much there but I hear there is good food. Thats good enough for me
Date: 2005-06-07
From: port clinton

To: dan spring
Miles today: 19.5

Yester day I did the 9mi to Port Clinton got my stuff from the PO and hitched into Hamburg. Home of the biggest Cabella's in the world. It mainly a hunting type store. If it has to do with killing or catching animals they got it. 260,000 square feet of Death. They have about stuffed animals or heads of animals. Everything from sea otters to bighorn sheep.Although, I couldn't find anything that I needed. One of the hunting cabins they sell out front would have made me a nice house. I had a few first sitings yesterday and today. A turtle, a groung hog, and a racoon. I just saw the racoon a few minutes ago. I have a feeling he will be back later, to try and pilfur my stash. I had only planned 13mi today but was feeling good and did 19.5. The new pain killers I have are working great. It makes a big difference. I did notice they make me a little sleepy, but it's a small price to pay.
Date: 2005-06-08
From: dan spring

To: overbriton shelter
Miles today: 20.0

I did 20mi today. The last 7 were horible. Wingnuts book was wrong again and the springs were nonexistent so I ended walking with no water in 90 degree heat. I was so bad off that I was hoping to maybe get some water from a hiker going south. A few minutes later I came across somebody, but he had no clothes on. He did have maybe a swig left in the aquqfina bottle he was carying but I decided I wasn't hurting bad enough to try and talk a naked guy out of his last swig of water. It was pretty hot today but I never felt I neede to take of all my clothes. I saw the biggest spider I have ever seen(in the states)in the shelter with me. There is also a big black snake that lives here so hopefully I don't get eaten.
Date: 2005-06-09
From: overbriton shelter

To: leroy shelter 
Miles today: 17.0

Today started out with a little rock climbing. The entire climb up from the gap was open, No trees for shade. I'm glad I did it in the morning. This was probably this steepest ascent so far. It wasn't to long and it stayed fairly level the rest of the 17mi. It has been in the 90's lately. I used to wear boxers and shorts and a T-shirt. I switched to running shorts(soffes), but they were chaffing me. Know I just wear the boxers and T-shirt. I found out hitch hiking is much harder when your wearing underware. I had to walk into town for water and the added benefit of lunch. I put my pants on and got a hitch back to the trail head. The bugs are getting worse. I don't nderstand the motivation of some of these bugs. One type just feels the need to fly circles in front of my eyes until it works up enough courage to fly his kamakazi run into my pupil. Then there are the big black flys that just want to see how many times they can land on you in the most annoying places. Neck, go, H! air, go, Ear, go. Over and over again. Their a buch of others that seem to have no other motivatio except annoyance but I will stop. Their is one bug that is nice. It's a black and gold one that hovers around, check you out and lands on either your leg or arm and sucks the salt of your skin. It makes a high pitched noise as it works. Its fun to watch them. Watching animal behavior is one of the things that I enjoy the most about being out here
Date: 2005-06-11
From: leroy shelter 

To: Delaware water gap
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

I managed to make it to Delaware water Gap by 22:00. The rocks were the worst yet. They didn't let up all day. My shoes were wet most of the day as well and that dosn't help. It went from no thru hikers around to a gaggle. There are about 15 at the hostle. Some of whom started in April. Got a ride to the mall in the next town watched a movie and picked up a book. Had a great dinner tonight at The Deer Head Inn. Fresh vegetables and everything. Had to pay a cover because of the jazz band that was playing, but it's cool, I can dig it. I start into NJ tommorow, and New Yorks not much further. I realy feel like I'm getting closer to ME now. One of the locals from across the street envited us over to hang out(the night I got here). They were nice to talk to and they new MJ. This is another town that's hard to leave.
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Delaware water gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.0

Todays walking had nice veiws and the rocks were only 50/50. I saw my first NJ deer and my first NJ Timber Rattler. I almost got to close of a look. It was in a rocky section and I was just looking at the small area of ground were I'm going to place my foot, and there he was one step in front of me, right in the middle of the trail. He was big. If it was a bass it would have been a 15 pounder. I had my headphones on so his rattler wasn't going to help me out. I took off my headphones and he wasn't making any noise even after I used my poles to get him to pose for the pictures. I also found a total of 10 ticks on me today. None of them were dug in. Most of them were on my socks. I went by a very pretty blacial pond on top of the mountain. People were swimming in it. The water looked great, but I already got a late start(11:00) from Delaware Gap so I didn't stay.
Date: 2005-06-13
To: gren shelter
Miles today: 12.0

It was hot as hell toady. Not much wind, and lots of open areas for the sun to beat you up. So far NJ has been marked very poorly. I had to back track a few times. There have been a few beer sitings and lots of warnings around. I only did 12mi today because there isn't much water after the shelter I'm staying at. I'm going to start about 5:00 tommorow so I can beat the heat. I go along the NY,NJ border tommorow and there is also a spot you can see NY city. I saw a doe and her fawn. The fawn was the smallest I've seen before, but he could still scoot. I think the only animal I won't see before ME is a buck.
Date: 2005-06-14
From: gren shelter

To: unionville newyork
Miles today: 20.1

Near record tempatures again in NY. It wasn't to bad. There was descent cloud cover and a good breeze all day. I stopped at High Point state park, had lunch and went swimming in the lake. I went to the platform to see NY but I didn't see anything, nice view though. I walked 20mi today to get to Unionville NY. The only resteraunt in town closed down so it's either junk food or trail food. I have eaten at so many places, I still have almost the same amount of food I started with from PA, so I'll eat trail food just to get the weight of my back. I saw three deer, two doe and a fawn.
Date: 2005-06-15
From: unionville newyork

To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.0

Today was a good day for animal sitings. The morning started with two groundhogs chasing each other all over the park. I have never seen groundhogs playing before but it is pretty funny. I found another turtle on the trail, and shortly after a snake. I thought I was being atacked by the snake for a second. I didn't see it until it was trying to get away from me, and since it was higher up the hill than I was it came down the hill right by me. I wen't through a buetifull wetlands section. There was over a mile of wooden bridge to walk over it. I didn't see the second snake of the day. It was in tall grass and the only thing I saw was the grass bending back and forth as it escaped. I have been getting up early so I can beat the heat. It's finally cooling off so tommorow I'm sleeping in.
Date: 2005-06-16
To: Buchman mtn
Miles today: 18.0

I forgot to mention the other day that I walked up to a turkey and her 4 chicks. She was laying down, I think trying to hide. Unfortunatly she was a foot of the trail. She just did alot of clucking and ran off. Some of the chicks ran off with her and two flew into the trees. I was surprised how well the chicks could fly. One tryed to go a little to high into a tree. I could tell it was realy stugling to gain altitude. It was almost hovering for a second but it made it to the branch. I was glad I wasn't attacked as another hiker had been.(I don't have a good history with bird attacks). It wasn't a serious attack but I think she(turkey) was probably letting him know she wasn't going down like a punk.I just got done eating dinner. A food bar and a nutrigrain bar. I changed plns about stops at the last minute so I have to stretch out what I have a little. It helped that there was a Ice Cream shop a tenth from the AT today. A bannana split is great energy food for hiking. The thu! nderstorms were today were the strongest so far. The rain was heavy and lasted for an hour. There are somemore coming. It may not have been a good idea to camp on top of this mountain but I knew if I didn't set up know I would be getting wet again. So when it starts lightning I'll just put my earplugs in and hope for the best. My poncho has been midewed once or twice before. So know whenever I use it I smell like a livewell in a bass boat. It's OK though, it reminds me of going fishing. It was neat walking in the heavy rain. At one point when I was going up hill, a huge rush of water started to come. It was like a tiny dam had just broke. I supposed to do the same thing tommorw. If it does I'm walking all the way to the hotel. Raisin is going to meet me again. It's a nice surprise I didn't think I was going to see her again until I was done.
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Buchman mtn

To: brien shlt
Miles today: 14.0

Just after I got up today, a doe walked up to within 20ft of me. She didn't seem like she did it on purpose because she didn't waste time getting away from me. I get the sense that the does aren't to bright. NY is without a doubt the prettiest place so far. It has a little of everything. The water is easy to come by again, but unfortunatly so are the mosquitos. Misquitos don't fly very fast, but the do fly faster than I can walk. I know I've tried, unsucsesfuly. I walked 14mi today partly because I found a spot me and Raisin can meet easily, and partly because I'm always looking for a reason to not walk very far. The walking is starting to get more difficult. The mountains are not very tall yet, but you go staight up and straight down alot. Just to do it over again. It still beats PA by a long shot. I'm happy to be eating a hot dinner tonight. I haven't had anything hot in awhile. I have been taking some joint fuel stuff made by GNC. It works realy well. Things that usualy c! ause me alot of pain, like catching my toe, don't hurt nearly as bad. My ankle keeps getting better the more I learn how to deal with it.
Date: 2005-06-18
From: brien shlt

To: bear mtn
Miles today: 9.0

I decided to go a little further. I woke up early, so I figured It would make more sense than just sitting around for 6 hours waiting for Raisin I'm at Bear Mtn Inn. It's a big recreation area. It's Saturday and everyone is out. There is a big field and people are playing soccer, footbal, frisbie all that kind of stuff, and paddle boating on Hessein lake. There are at least 500 people here. It's almost overwelming being around so many people. When I go into towns or take breaks It's easy to switch gears into the populace world. When your not ready for it, it's almost overwelming. Its like falling asleep and wakeing up in another country. Espeacialy since almost everyone here is from another country.After driving around NJ for an extra hour or two, Raisin finally got here around 16:00. Out of convience and just wanting to have the day over with we endedn up staying at a Holiday Inn express. After the AAA discount the room was an excrusiating $126 a night. I always have to get t! his and that when I get to town, and we went to the Palisades mall.After trying to park at the mall, it's not hard to see why the rudnes factor goes up in Big Citys. I had another great bit of time off though. My joy at getting my new shoes quickly wore out today. I was getting a hot spot on my heel after two miles so I stopped and put a blister bandaid over it. I only did 9mi total today because I didn't start until 12:00, but after those 9mi I took my shoes off to check my heel and the entire right side of my heel has been worn off, so I have a nice big circle of fresh pink skin. I called Montrail and they are going to send me another pair of shoes. I still have to get to Kent CT to pick them up so I don't know how well that's going to go. Hopefully I'll have some heel left when I get there. If I have to I'll hitch in to the next closes town to buy some cheep running shoes from Wallmart or something like that.Know I wish I would have bought some crocks(camp shoe).
Date: 2005-06-21
From: bear mtn

To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.0

Today was a long slow day. I started walking at 10:00 and finished at 23:45. I walked 20mi, only because I have used most of my blister stuff and wanted to do as much as possible in case the stuff comes off and I have to walk without it in these crap shoes. I did the best I could with the blister. It's has a blister band-aid and duck tape with steri strip holding it down. Hopefully it will hold out for two more days. I saw 2 baby gardners and a baby diamond back. I keep trying to catch the gardners but I'm not touching the diamond back. I had another Turkey encounter. It was alot like the last one, except this time I almost steped on one off the babies. Just as was holding myself up with my sticks to try and figure out what I almost stepped on mama juped about 3ft in the air, made a big ruckus and started to run off and there were chicks running in every direction. These were to small to be able to fly. I met 3 new thru hikers at the last shelter. I can't remember their name! s though. I just ate dinner and packed up to walk. Today is the first day of summer and as expected there were a few people celebrating by walkin naked. Unfortunatly I only came across a dude. Two thru hiker chicks I havn't met yet passed me while I was still in my hammock and they walked naked but ofcourse I didn't see that. I just herd about it from naked guy. He was nice though, left some cokes for everyone in a cooler near the road. Right about the time I thought I found a good place to stop for the night I see a couple sets of eyes looking at me. I can't figure out what it might be so I bang my poles together but it didn't flinch. I yelled at it once made a few quick movements but I cant tell if it moved. I just decided to walk tword it and see what happens. It was reflective tape off of someones tent. It probablt would have needed to make a bit more noise to scare the tent away. I hope whoever was in it was asleep so I don't catch any crap for getting spooked by their! tent.
Date: 2005-06-22
To: pawling ,ny
Miles today: 0.0

It's 16:00 and there was what sounded like a big thinderstorm headed my way. I decided to quickly set up my hammock before the storm hit. I think just because I wasn't looking or becuse I was ready, it miraculously disapeared. Now I hear planes flying aounrd above me. I'm going to wait at least thirty more minutes incase it changes. The rain gods are alway trying to pull a fast one on me. This morning I found out what that snortng sound I've been hearing, was indeed a snorting sound. It has been deer. I think they are smelling me and are pissed that I'm in their area. One of the two deer that walked past me this moring kept making that awfull sound as they went by about 50ft from me. One even came closer to piss on a tree closer to my location. Again reinforcing how simillarly they act to dogs. I also was taking a break near a road when a deer popped out about 10ft from me and crossed the road. It made that familiar clomping of it's hooves like horses make when it was on th! e road. If anyone was wondering if ticks sleep, they don't. Their up all night, just like little vampires waiting to pounce on you. But instead of giving you any special powers when they bite you, they just give you lyme disease. I decided to hitch into Pawling NY. I figured I can eat dinner stay in the park and eat breakfeast at a deli on my way out.
Date: 2005-06-23
From: pawling ,ny

To: shaghticoke campsite
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

I got up early thia morning only becuse I was to cold to sleep. Sending my sleeping bag home was a realy bad idea. I though the good part would be I would get an early start. I hit the backery, CVS, and finaly the deli before hitching a ride back to the trail head. I had my blister taped up pretty good so It didn't bother me to much today. I did 17.5mi, a few miles short of Kent CT. No more NY. NY was a nice state to hike in, except for the marking of the trail. It was the absolute worst. A few pepole commented on it. I went past the Appalachian trail station today.. It was just a small wooden platform out there by itself. You could ride into the city if you wanted It would have been something fun to do if I wasn't by myself. I did consider riding over to New Paltz to make some skydives at The Ranch(DZ).
Date: 2005-06-24
From: shaghticoke campsite

To: silver hill campsite
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hitching a ride into Kent was impossible. I don't think there was enough room in anyones Porsche for me. You walk past Kent College on the way into town. Perfectly manicured grass, nice brick entrence. The town was even better than the college. Lots of resturants, a big money town. I even saw a famous actress. Not to famous, otherwise I would be able to tell you her name. The peole in the outfitter were trying to figure it out. They said a name but I couldn't remember what it was. I had lunch at the sushi restraunt. A little spendy as expected but one of the best I have been to, except for Japan. My replacement shoes were there, and they are much better. I may try to make up some miles tommorow. I also got my sleeping bag back. Of course the overnight lows are back in the 60's. But hot is better than to cold to sleep. Only did 13mi becuse of the amount of time I spent in town. But it was very enjoyable. I also picked up a book. Another pounder, but it's supposed to be good(T! he Kite Flyer). I'm reading "The Stranger", but like most clasic type books I have read, it's not very good.
Date: 2005-06-25
From: silver hill campsite

To: prospect mtn?
Miles today: 0.0

I have been meaning to correct the deer sightings. I didn't see any today but with all the ones I forgot to mention just add 5 more. Did some more night hiking tonight. I finished at 22:00. There were lightning bugs everywere. The smells are alot nicer up here as well. I had dinner at The Falls Inn. It was so good I would have paid $50 for it. Ohh, that's right I did pay $50. One of the best so far. I found a cheap place to stay in Salisbury CT. She even said I could do my laundry there. None of these towns has laundrymats. I guess it's because if you can't afford a w/dryer you can't afford to live up here. There was a train that had ran off the tracks right next to the trail. It was full of 2x8 boards. There was wood all over the woods(he,he). I bet some hiker was scared shitless when that train went on it's side. I figured out how I'm getting home. I'm going to buy a cheap scooter and have raisin send me my helmet and I'm going to scoot down the east coast. I think it will! be cool. I will have went up walking through the mountains and back down checking stuff out along the roads. I'm going to go on back roads for the most part, I don't want to go I-95 the whole way. Still have a month to go still. Looking forward to a shower tommorow. The book "The Stranger" was actualy pretty good.It was just slow in the beggening. The correct title of the book I bought was "The Kite Runner".