morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Cove Mtn Shelter

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Cove Mtn to Duncannon"Boy am I glad we didn't do THAT last night"Everyone was stirring early in the shelter, and we were all on the trail by 7 am.  A short walk in to town and we were seated for breakfast by 8:30.  Turns out the only "Hotel" in town was completely full with hikers and AC is just not on the list of amenities (in fact, that list is short - rustic is the nicest way to describe this hotel.  Another way to describe it is you get what you pay for and this was $25 for a room for both of us!)  Wow was I glad we didn't try to make it in the night before!The Doyle is a rather interesting bar/hotel with a lot of history.  But mainly it is just old.  The rooms were clean though, as was the shower. Unfortunately it was still very hot and a tough night to sleep.  Hopefully this heat and humidity will break soon.  Constant stickiness gets on the psyche.Gravity
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Duncannon

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

Duncannon to Peter's Mountain ShelterSlow waking up and getting out of town this morning, but no worries since only 11 miles to do.  We had breakfast and felt as though we were in a ghost town compared to yesterday's reunion-esque atmosphere with all the hikers around.  I guess everyone got going early to do the 28 to Rausch Gap, but no way were we going to do that.  I was happy as a clam with the shorter option which still took the full day.After one last reprieve drinking Arizona Iced Tea in the air conditioned convenience store, we headed out.  It was the longest town walk yet, the AT must have gone 2 miles through Duncannon.  The walk across the Susquehanna River on Clark's Ferry Bridge was long, hot and intense with all the traffic zipping by.We took a nice long break in the shade nears Clark's Ferry Shelter.  Very hot and humid again today so these breaks in the shade are both appreciated and essential.  We saw Hike-U with his friend who's out with him for 2 days and chatted some with them.About 45 minutes after leaving the shelter, the sky got very dark and thunder clapped.  We were grateful for the refreshing rain, but not thrilled about the thunder.  The storm did pass after some time and we were relieved to be away from the thunder and lightening.  Unfortunately that wasn't the last of the storms for the day and another one was soon coming upon us.  We picked up the pace and sooner than we expected, Peter's Mountain Shelter appeared through the fog.  The storm hit shortly after we got settled in the shelter and Gravity had a chance to get water.  Although the first one was refreshing, we were happy to avoid this one.The shelter is a large 2 story job with a loft and deck area with capacity to sleep 20.  We're here with Red Rover and the ridgerunner, Lauren.  Strange but nice to have this huge shelter to just the 4 of us.  The rain has been going for hours, I suspect it will go all night.  I sure am happy not to be out in it!Danger
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter

To: Raush Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Peter's Mtn Shelter to Raushe Gap Shelter/CampsiteLong hot day today.  The terrain wasn't bad and we made good time but the bugs swarming my face as I walk and heat are tiresome.  We were thrilled to find a beautiful campsite along Raush Creek, just before the shelter.  It was cool beneath a stand of tall pines with soft pine needles covering the ground.  A dip in the icy creek was sorely needed and thoroughly enjoyed.  I am very happy to be tenting, just the 2 of us, in this lovely, quiet, cool spot tonight.  The bugs can't get me in the tent and the stream water cooled me off.  Now, if only T could stay in the very spot forever...Danger
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Raush Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Rauch Gap to 501 Shelter* roughly to the tune of "Twas the Night Before Christmas""501 Shelter Song"'Twas the walk to the 501 shelter one dayAnd all through the forest the hikers did playO'er the hills and through the rocksUpon a road they came to crossThey followed blue blazes to a shelter that was nearAnd in it a sky light from which a spider did leerFrom upon a hill a person was callingWhile hopes for delivery the hikers did cheerWhen what to our wondering eyes should appearBut a table full of pizza, breadsticks and beerOn pepperoni, on sausage, on mushroom and green pepper!On anchovies, pineapple, garlic and cheese!On crust, on sauce and all toppings please!The hikers all devoured and feasted with gleeWhile tat spider watched on, jeering at me.Danger
Date: 2005-06-12
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

501 Shelter to Eagles Nest Shelter"I like being done by 3:30"It has been a while since we had a hiking day that has pushed our comfort level.  Seems like this was the first one in months.  It was nice to get to camp with some time to relax.  It's really surprising how much work thru-hiking is.The heat backed off some after a huge thunderstorm last night and it feels like the humidity also dropped a bit.  Now it is only like 1,000 degrees F.  Spent most of the day playing tag (figuratively - no hiker actually has the energy to do that literally) with Red Rover.  Danger likes having another woman around.  We are camping tonight again to keep out the bugs and it seems to keep us a bit cooler.  Tomorrow off to Port Clinton for resupply and a good meal.Gravity
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Hawk Mountain Road
Miles today: 15.2

Port Clinton to Hawk Mountain Road"Just Like Family"Fabulous day slackpacking with Throw and Fetch!  We all wakeup fairly early and headed back over to the 3C's for breakfast where we saw a few other thru-hikers also dining.  Red Rover was there with Hydro Horse, Jubilee, Beta and Kitchen Sink who we first met.  The slackpacking offer was extended to all by Throw, but since there were no takers it was just the three of us.Throw's parents kindly dropped us at the trailhead to walk south back towards Port Clinton for the day.  It was quite enjoyable walking with Fetch (Annie dog) to throw the stick for and Throw to talk with.  Throw has an endless variety of wonderful stories that he tells in such a compelling way.  He's also a wealth of information for which I have very much enjoyed picking his brain.We met two day hikers on the Pinnacle, supposedly the best view in PA, where we also saw a big fat rattlesnake resting in a crack.  One of the day hikers who we discovered missions in Ecuador had it in her mind to get the snake out and up onto a long stick.  We wanted no part of that and fortunately she was temporarily satisfied with observing from afar.  The snake was actually quite out of the way in a crack between two large rocks and looked as though he was trying to digest a recent meal judging by the large bulge in his midsection.The view from the Pinnacle was nice albeit hazy and I enjoyed watching the vultures (and perhaps a couple of hawks) riding the thermals.  We snapped several pictures, delighted in Throw's mom's homemade fruit cake that she packed along with each of us and were soon on our way south.  We encountered several hikers as we walked in the opposite direction as usual, meeting a few new ones and briefly catching up with familiar others.We passed the day quite leisurely actually, and rolled into town to rendezvous with the Rodens a little before 4.  I can't begin to describe the joy of coming down off a mountain in 88 degrees, salty and sweaty to step into a cool air conditioned vehicle to be delivered to a cool clean hotel room to take a warm shower.  Then, all cleaned up we're handed ice cold beers and served up a delicious picnic dinner of rotisserie chicken, 2 kinds of salad (Asian and Ceasar) only to be followed by fruit cake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream for dessert. Delight!  The fun for the evening was playing cards where we learned a new game and Gravity missed the win by just a few points.  I of course played sweep, bringing up the end.  We had such a good time with Throw and his parents who told us more wonderful stories from Throw's childhood.Another night in a soft bed tonight and a bit longer of a day planned for tomorrow.  I just can't believe our flow of good fortune.  It is hard to know how to say thank you in a way that completely conveys our appreciation and delight to have this opportunity to share good times with such a gentle family and receive so much generosity.  We are quite lucky and will have to "pay it forward" every chance we get.Danger
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Hawk Mountain Road

To: Ashfield Rd
Miles today: 19.2

Hawk Mtn Road to Ashfield RoadAnother fabulous day unburdened by our packs.  Once again it was up and off early with the Roden's (Throw's parents) to breakfast.  We decided it would be best if we tried to find Ashfield Rd first as a group rather than letting the Roden's drive around for hours with the chance of it not being a driveable road, so after breakfast and a few good natured jibes ("oh Gravity, did you stay up all night thinking that you should lead with hearts?") we were off.  After realizing that Ashfield Rd was in fact Blue Mtn Rd we found the trailhead and were off for another day heading south.The day went well with the exception of some rather large boulder fields, but Annie dog and her constant interest in fetching as well as Throw's fascinating views on life kept us more than entertained for the entire day.When we arrived at Hawk Mtn Rd, Don and Tammi were waiting with cold sodas and beer.  We relaxed and recovered for a few minutes and then it was off for another shower and dinner and a night in luxury.  Unfortunately we didn't have the energy for cards that evening, even if I had been thinking about it all day.  We drift off to sleep tired, happy and feeling very much indebted to Throw and his parents for treating us so well.Gravity
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Ashfield Rd

To: Smith Gap Rd
Miles today: 17.6

Ashfield Rd to Smith Gap RdHow can things be any better?  We hear Throw get up to walk Annie around 6 am and we start stirring and put ourselves together for another day of slacking.  We go over to the restaurant with everyone for breakfast and enjoy another morning with coffee.  One of my very favorite things about the Roden's is that when they say they will be ready at 7 am, they are in fact ready by 6:30 am.  Don is, apparently, habitually early (some would say neurotically, but only in the kindest way - they said that some people invite them to parties an hour later than the actual start time so that they don't show up too early).Some people are very thoughtful and unselfish. Every morning and every evening Throw makes it a point to leave the room in order to give us time to shower and get ourselves together without the inconvenience of having to worry about clothes. I mean, his parents are carting us around, feeding us, treating us like family, we are the ones imposing, we should be giving HIM time alone in the room. I just can't get over how thoughtful some people can be, especially when it is a CANADIAN(joking!!!).By now we have quite the routine. We say we are going to be ready by 7 am. Don is ready by 6:30 am as is everyone else while Danger and I are trying to keep up. It's refreshing to be with people who are habitually early where usually trying to get several thru hikers together at the same time is a bit like herding cats, except herding cats is easier.Today is a shorter day than yesterday and we plan on meeting up a but earlier. The miles go by fast chatting with Throw again and although the rocks are there, the terrain is generally good and we are focused on the goal of getting to the beer and sodas.Tonight the Roden's once again put down an excellent picnic spread in the room. They are truly trail angels extrordinaire! What are some of the toughest miles on the AT have been made into our best experiences thus far.Once the food has been devoured, we clean up and get the cards out. Danger is too tired, but the 4 of us do a number of hands. This time I don't do quite so well and am teased good naturedly once again. I try not to take the card game so seriously but it's tough. I really like to try hard. Okay, I like to win! Off to bed, trying not to replay the hands...Gravity
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Smith Gap Rd

To: Fox Gap
Miles today: 16.7

Smith Gap Rd to Fox GapOnce again our mileage today is a little lower, and it's a bit sad because we know this is the last day hiking with Throw and Fetch as we will be visiting  friends for 2 days in the Delaware Water Gap , and although his parents will slack us one more short day, Throw will be hiking with a friend and her baby.  Once again the miles go by easily, and we are well powered from another town breakfast.  It will be hard readjusting to normal life on the trail after this stretch of slackpacking and 2 zeros with friends.  It's been really nice to go to breakfast each morning early, start hiking with a full tummy, a great person to talk with, and a dog to keep us smiling and busy throwing sticks, a car to greet us and 2 wonderful people to cart us around and do our laundry.  It's been a great break from what can start to feel like a job.  Thanks so much Throw, Don and Tammi!We are still 7 trail miles from DWG but we spend the night there at the Ramada, once again Throw generously sharing his room.  I pick up 2 pies from the local bakery (cherry and pecan) for dessert and we get pizza and salad for dinner.  After a rather glutinous meal (at least on my part) we all play cards again.  This time I don't have to be ashamed to come in 2nd to a Canadian (joking again) nor do I have to face the friendly ridicule in the morning.  In fact, I finally get to make a few pokes myself!  Dessert and then it is off to bed.Gravity
Date: 2005-06-18
From: Fox Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Fox Gap to Delaware Water GapTHe last morning with the Roden's.  At breakfast we talk and talk, sad to leave them, and not really wanting to.  They've been so good to us and so much fun, but all the food gets eaten and it's time to go.  The Roden's drive us up to Fax Gap while Throw waits in the DWG for his friend.  Once again, their thoughtfulness showing, as rather than wait for the friend and shuttle us all at the same time, they let us get an early start.  They drop us off and we exchange contact information.  They have left a big impression on me, and the type of parents and people that I hope to be similar to one day (except for the Canadian part hehe hehe...)THe seven miles go fast and we are back in the Gap before we know it.  We call our friends and they pick us up and whisk us off the comfort of their home for the evening.Gravity
Date: 2005-06-20
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: East Stroudsburg
Miles today: 0.0

East Stroudsburg ZerosFor the next 2 days we do a lot of sitting, eating and talking and very little walking.  Our friends Jon and Nicole are a lot of fun and we always have a great time with them.  We had planned to go to their wedding in July, but unfortunately plane tickets were outrageously expensive and it doesn't look like it will work.  It's sad but it's really great to spend a few days with them.Gravity
Date: 2005-06-21
From: East Stroudsburg

To: Blue Mountain Lakes Rd
Miles today: 17.6

Blue Mtn Lakes Rd to Delaware Water GapYes!  Our friends agreed to slack us one day so that we could have another evening with a shower, food and a bug-free environment.  They dropped us off at Blue Mtn Lake Rd and we hiked south back in to Delaware Water Gap.  It's always fun hiking south as we get to see who is around us.  We ran into the Brits pretty early on and enjoyed a good conversation about DEET and 100% repellant things.  We wish we could hike more with them but somehow we are always just playing tag.  Then Biscuit, Cola Dog, English Bob and Mountain Dew stroll by.  We hit Cat Fish Fire Tower and strike up a conversation with the ridge runner, A-Train.  Turns out we both recognized each other from an online AT forum (www.whiteblaze.net) and have had some contact thru that.  Great to put a face to a name.As the day wore on we started to get low on water, I tell Danger to continue on while I run down to the spring off a side trail and then catch back up with her.  Down, down I go, straight off the ridge.  Have I gone 600 ft?  Hard to say.  Down, down, down.  Oh it's been 10 minutes, almost 1/2 mile at this fast pace, but no sign of water.  Finally I turn around, tortured with the though that the spring was "just around the next bend" when just a short time before I rejoin the AT (and much huffing and puffing from the 1 mile and who knows how many vertical feet I went out of my way) I see what looks to be the spring - bone dry.  My first hint of what is to come in NY as the hot, humid but rainless weather dries up the water sources.  I rejoin the AT and my disgruntled attitude is quickly changed as I come upon Sunfish Pond with all the Mountain Laurel in bloom.  It's breathtaking.  The lake is cradled in the flowers on the top of the ridge and is the southern most glacial lake which the AT goes by, carved out thousands of years ago.  I found Danger reclining by the lake wondering what happened to me.We hopped in to the lake to cool off and got freaked out by the LARGE tadpoles that we didn't notice until the squirted by our feet.  We are lunch and enjoyed the double treated water (not our favorite).Then we were off down the trail.  After a little bit Danger was cruising along when all of a sudden we both hear a "Brrrttt" and she stops dead in her tracks.  Two feet in front of her I see the rattlesnake that she still hasn't noticed, but which she knows is somewhere close by.  I pull her back as I point him out.  He's a beaut as Steve Irwin would say!  A few locals gather around as the snake moves off into the bushes and we move off down the trail, hearts beating much faster.We run into Quarter-the-way who skipped over PA to hike with his sister.  He has a hernia and needs to move slower, but the doc said he could keep hiking.  Then it was down to the Delaware, where we made the Great Crossing on a very long I-80 bridge, and went back to the bakery in DWG where Danger had a hot dog and we waited for our hosts to pick us up once again.  Jon and Nicole, thank you so much!Gravity
Date: 2005-06-22
From: Blue Mountain Lakes Rd

To: Gran Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Blue Mtn Rd to Gren Anderson ShelterWe got a late start this morning after a tough time getting motivated to leave our friends and go back to carrying full packs.  It had been 1 week since we had last carried our full packs and we weren't looking forward to it.  It was also predicted to be hot and humid for the foreseeable future.  Tough to leave the comfort of a home with running water and A/C with that forecast.  But all good things come to an end.We finally got out of the house with promises of iced coffee drinks on the way to the trailhead and we were caffinated by 1PM and hiking by 1:30PM.  We hiked for 10+ miles without a break at which point we got to Culvers Gap and decided to get dinner at the Sunset Grill, just .1 mi from the trail.  No thruhiker with cash in his pocket can pass that up!  We were informed that we had to site in the bar area, as we might have ticks and such on us.  We weren't too excited about that, as it was also the smoking area and Danger's asthma can be triggered by smoke.  They were firm that we must sit in the bar area, but they would try to keep the smokers away from us.  We go potato skins, burgers and side salads, which were all quite good, even if no effort was made to keep the smokers away form us.After leaving Culvers Gap fill and smelling like smoke, we climbed to a fire tower and enjoyed a beautiful view of Kittany Lake and a nice evening.  We slowly meandered to Gran Anderson shelter and set up the tent as dusk was turning to night and the NJ mosquitoes came out to find out how Colorado hikers sweat tastes.Gravity
Date: 2005-06-23
From: Gran Anderson Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Gren Anderson Shelter to Campsite at pondFirst full day back in the saddle today. After 5 days of slackpacking with 2 days off with our friends John and Nicole plus one more day of slackpacking, this thru hiking thing feels all new. That week of vacation and visiting was a joy and opportunity to catch up on some R&R. Nonetheless, getting going again is slow. Inertia is powerful!Slept in fairly late this am which was luxurious, but resulted in not getting going until after 9:30am. I was grateful to have a cool clear morning to mitigate my lethargy. Gravity made the brilliant suggestion to listen to our MP3 players and we were delighted to find an NPR station that had both good reception and good programming. I was able to catch up on world events while also being distracted from my low motivation.We took a nice lunch break at Mashipacong Shelter. Though the shelter itself is old and not particularly inspiring, it is located in a serene grassy clearing encircled by large shade trees. So we sat and lounged on the grass in a shady spot for a full hour.The terrain got a bit more rocky and hilly as we approached High Point State Park. Though sunny and blue all day, it never got above 80 degrees which made for a spectacular afternoon. The weather wasn't opressingly hot, but it was still warm enough to go swimming. And go swimming we did along with a long indulgent break and early dinner at the park's concession stand. The lake and park grounds are an unexpected gem hidden among the hills of New Jersey.After 2 hours of swimming, relaxing and fun at the park we decided it was time to embark on the final push for the day. We had a fantastic view of the High Point Monument from the ridge. It is a beautiful stone tower with clean geometric lines.Not much notable on the trail between the monument and our campsite for the night. After coming to an initial farmer's field we climbed over a style reminiscent of Virginia. We walked down hill to another smallish field that had recently been mowed for hay. The field is divided into long lines of hay piles separated by strips of the cut grass. We managed to find a fairly level spot in on of those strips.I write now by the golden blue twilight, nostrils full of the sweet hay smell. I hear birds chirping. Birds and a truck nearby. Hmmm, I sure hope this farmer doesn't prefer doing his hay harvest at night! Can't you see it: hay rolls with hiker arms and feet sticking out the sides! Think I can live without that experience.Danger