morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-04-16
From: Days Inn, Lickdale,PA

To: 501 Shelter, PA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

AT Mileage Done/mile marker 1195.5Before today¢s info, something I forgot 2 days ago.  On the 18 mile day(last Sunday) it was the first shelter this hike without a bear box, bear pole or a bear bag pulley system.  Between rain showers I looked around for tree branches suitable for a bear bag hang.  Could not find any.  So for only one of a handful of times on all my AT nights, my food bag was within easy reach for Mr or Mrs Bear if they showed up.  Obviously I would have mentioned it sooner had a problem occurred.As for today my 11.4 miles was done by 1:30pm after starting at 7:30.  Had breakfast at the motel, hitch hiked(only 5 minutes to obtain) the 2+ miles to the trailhead and was on my way.  Shortly thereafter I missed a trail turn as it went under I-81.  Lost about 30 minutes by the time I realized I hadn¢t seen any white blazes and back tracked.I had notes from my buddy Paul Bunions¢ journal that today¢s hike had the first of PA¢s rock scrambles.  It did have 2 but they were not that bad verses the plethora of smaller rocks on the trail.  Just to even things out, there were several long sections of nice flat, smooth trail.  And unlike the past 2 days the trail was almost totally dry.Was planning to stop at a shelter about 7 miles in for lunch.  But, somehow I missed seeing the sign for the side trail.  Thought it was taking a long time to get to it when a highway crossing appeared that was several miles beyond it.  A nice surprise.Tonight¢s shelter is one of the classics on the AT.  A totally enclosed building with 12 wooden bunks, a 10¢ wide octagon sunroof,picnic table inside, comfortable chairs to sit in AND pizza can be ordered and delivered here since it is close to a highway.  Also due to that fact there is an on-site caretaker to help out and assure non hikers are not using it as a party place.So far it is just Marco and I here.  Two high mileage north-bounders did pass me today and are going past this shelter.  Also saw Bob&Cathy from NC again today.I was curious today while hiking how far it is to my home state of NJ.  Ironically when I looked it up it is exactly 100 miles from here.  Then it is another 64 miles to the nearest AT point to my hometown of Newfoundland, NJ.Today¢s pic is a glimpse of the inside of this fabulous shelter.  On the far wall in the lower bunk is my air mattress(yellow), sleeping bag(blue/green), various other items on the top bunk and my backpack hanging from the string.  In all shelters are the strings hanging from the ceiling with an inverted plastic bottle top or tin can.  This is to prevent mice from climbing down the string and getting into your pack.  It does not always work and hikers are smart to leave all zippers open to prevent the critters from chewing through.
Date: 2019-04-17
From: 501 Shelter, PA

To: Eagles Nest shelter, PA
Miles today: 15.1

AT Mileage Done/ Mile Marker 1210.6Another good day on the AT.  A cooler and overcast day that was good hiking weather.  Started out at 6:40 and completed 15.1 miles at 3:30.  Not much elevation changes today that should lead to quick hiking.  But the ongoing plethora of rocky trails make  a slower cautionary pace necessary.Were a couple of nice views of wide valleys and beyond.  Basically we were on a top of a ridge line all day.Had a slice of leftover pizza for breakfast along with my standard Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed with water.Hiked with Marco a lot today.  We are joined tonight by 3 other north bounders we passed on the trail during the day.  A man from PA and 2 woman from England.Today¢s picture is showing how I have a small water bottle handy on the front of my backpack.  This is the first year for this.  I was always frustrated that whenever I wanted a drink I¢d have to take my backpack off to get one of my 2 water bottles out from pockets in the sides. Then of course replace them, put the pack back on and adjust all the belts/straps again.  Time consuming, frustrating and a momentum breaker.  I have seen other hikers with bottles on the front but never investigated how they did it.  Shortly before this hike Wendy and I were discussing it.  She searched YouTube and found a guy who made his own device that would solve the problem.  I went online with REI found what I needed for about $5.  To make sure I get it on time I paid about $30 in total to have it shipped in 2 days.  The next day I got my backpack out to determine exactly where and how I¢d make the attachment.  OMG, there was a built in strap already there that was made for what I wanted. Got a small size Gatorade and it tested out perfectly and has been a working out perfectly on this hike.  What a DUMMY I was to not have been using it all these years.  It is just one of the reasons I can get more miles per day this year than all others.  Makes me wonder what all those other straps are for on my backpack.
Date: 2019-04-18
From: Eagles Nest shelter, PA

To: Microtel Inn, Hamburg, PA
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

AT Mileage Done/Mile Marker = 1219.6A going into town day- always good!Started at 6:40 this morning and arrived in Port Clinton, PA about 12:30- another NERO of 9.0 miles. Had lunch in the Port Clinton Hotel after not being able to locate Marco who was ahead of me.  Then visited The Port Clinton Barber Shop.  Did not need or get a haircut.  But my AT Guide book said it was a very hiker friendly place.  And so it was.  As I walked in the owner stopped cutting a mans hair and gave me a short tour of free snacks, the restroom, lounge area and asked me sign their hiker book.  As I was led to believe someone there offered to drive me to Hamburg, PA about 2 miles away and a much larger town. And there I met up with Marco again.  Tomorrow we part ways as he is hiking on and I am taking my first zero day.Both of my hiking poles now have the metal tip broken off.  Guess that is due to the rocky trail of late.  And I need one to hold up my tent at the opening.  Last night I borrowed one of Marco¢s.Here in Hamburg is the worlds largest Cabelas store.  Walked over this afternoon and checked it out, fantastic. They did not handle the brand of poles I have and upon looking at mine further discovered that one is now worn down more than just the metal tip.  Came back to the motel and compared new hiking poles on REI¢s website.  So tomorrow is back to Cabelas for new hiking sticks and some other miscellaneous items.Today¢s trail was a combination of some nice trail, many sections of rocky trail, a few rock fields and lastly very steep near 1,000 foot drop into town.  But all in all, not that bad.  Treated Marco to dinner at Cracker Barrel as our last day together ends.  He had never had one of my favorites (at least in my over-weight days) of  Chicken Fried Steak with white gravy.  A big hit for that heavy eating/drinking German. Will miss his company.Today¢s picture is a typical trail of late.  Really have to watch where your are stepping.  And that is not yet what rock fields look like where you seldom touch ground, stepping from one large rock to the next.  ¢Rocksylvania¢ for sure!
Date: 2019-04-19
From: Microcell Inn, Hamburg, PA

To: Microtel Inn Hamburg,PA
Miles today: 0.0

AT Mileage/Mileage Marker:  My first ZERO of this hike (i.e. no miles hiked).Said goodbye to Marco Hollmuller this morning. He is young(27 years less than me) and eager to get many miles done before his return to Germany.  We were together at Cabela¢s yesterday and I overheard him say to a salesperson ¢yes, me and my father over there¢ and pointing to me.  We laughed over that several times later in the day.By 10am today I had all my in town chores done which included walking visits to Walmart and my 2nd trip to Cabelas.  Besides food I acquired new hiking poles and shoes laces.  One holiday item was a solid chocolate bunny to have today as an early Easter treat.  Didn¢t think I¢d have a bunny in the woods, especially a chocolate one.Watching the Weather Channel this morning it looks to be a fortunate decision to lay low today.  This afternoon and overnight have a high percentage of lots of rain, high winds and potential flooding.  Still rain projected in the days ahead but more of the light rain variety.  Either way more muddy trail are sure to be ahead.I really want to express ¢SINCERE THANKS¢ to those of you who have left messages on my trail journal.  On long days of hiking it is so nice to hear from you to brighten up my day.  FYI, I get an automatic Email with the message on my phone(as soon as I take it off of ¢airplane mode¢) to Dave battery life.Pretty sure the 2 woman hikers from England are here in the same motel.  Marco saw them last night in his evening  bar visit.  Hoped to see them today to have dinner together and see if they had plans for a ride back to the trail tomorrow.  But never saw them all day and of course the desk clerk couldn¢t tell me what room they were in.  So, dinner all alone, so sad.Late update, after my dinner I met one of the 2 English ladies in the lobby.  Ended up sitting and talking with them as they at dinner.  Fun discussions.Today¢s picture is a scene from the local (largest anywhere) Cabela¢s store.  Do y¢all think it was a scene from the AT?
Date: 2019-04-20
From: Microtel Inn Hamburg,PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

AT Mileage/ Mileage Market = 1234.4Started hiking today at 6:15am knowing the weather was an issue, had to do nearly 15 miles, had an almost 1,000 foot elevation gain early and who knows how rocky it will be.It was drizzling as I tried to hitchhike back to Port Clinton.  No so lucky today as I ended up walking all the way to the trail.  Until about 1:30 it remained foggy and misty with occasional light showers.  Then the sun came out turning into a nice afternoon.  Hopefully my clothes will dry as I have them hanging out on a clothesline.There is a young, hippie looking guy at the hostel who I see is packing a revolver in a holster and also has a hatchet with him, strange.Being wet and rainy, I never sat down today until reaching the hostel at about 3pm.  Took a few short stand up breaks with the pack off consuming trail mix and water with Propel added.There were 2 noted vista¢s today(with quite rocky ascents) being Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle. However, all I saw was a cloud at each.My cousin Mary from AZ asked a few questions.  Do I hike with 2 poles?  All the time?  Use them for protection or carry?Yes, I always hike with 2 poles although in easy terrain I sometimes carry them with the tips up to avoid having to constantly lift and place down with each step.  Could use them for protection from small animals; but never had a need to yet.  And no I do not carry any weapon except my 1.5¢ pocket knife.Today¢s pic is the shelter tonight.  It¢s unusual in that is right on a public road and on the property of a residence - who is the caretaker of the shelter.  It is small with only 6 bunks.  Unfortunately being the 4th to arrive I have an upper bunk.  Another quirk is that there is a flush toilet in the privy.
Date: 2019-04-21
From: Eckville Shelter

To: New Tripoli Campsite
Miles today: 13.3

AT Mileage/ Mile Marker = 1247.7Happy Easter to everyone from the woods of PA.  A tale of 2 different days today.  Was planning on a 17 mile day today.  After the first half full of rocks( both consistently on the trail and several significant rock scrambles) and a significant elevation climb, I cut back my expectations.  Then suddenly the trail turned into several quite long sections of smooth much less rocky terrain.  But my mind was made up for a shorter day especially since coming up soon is a place called ¢Knifes Edge¢ that my buddy Paul Bunion said he stowed his hiking poles to use hand holds going through.  Did not want to hit that when being tired.Staying at a camping area with a good water source.  Two guys from PA who were at the same shelter last night plus 2 new ones I met this afternoon are here as well.  Glad I was the first one here at 3pm because good tent sites are sparse.....too rocky. Also nice to have chores done and watch others doing there¢s.Met another German hiker today, real nice guy named Captain.  He went on the the shelter I was planning on reaching.Tomorrow night is another trail town with a hostel I¢ll be staying at - Palmerton, PA.Today¢s picture is actually a very large pile of rocks that the AT did NOT have us hike over/through.
Date: 2019-04-22
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: BertÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel, Palmerton PA
Miles today: 12.0

AT Mileage Done/Mileage Marker 1259.7Started out first out of camp this morning at 6:40am.  Never saw the other 4 guys until 2 of them arrived at the hostel.  I¢m not the slowest old fart anymore.  It was a cool(probably upper 40¢s) and remained nice the rest of the day.  Completed hiking at 2:10pm.The highlight of the day was a place called the ¢knifes edge¢.  The picture above does not do it justice.  It was a long, treacherous rock scramble with large flat stones upright at angles. A place where you had to carefully pick foot placements and sometimes hand holds with significant step up¢s and downs.  As I told Wendy on the phone today, I used to dread such sections but now find them exhilarating and a challenge.  A new attitude.There were numerous other rock scrambles during the day.  And as is now common in ¢Rocksylvania¢ , rocks very frequently on the trail with occasional nice stretches .  Makes for slow going and tiresome due to the required attention to detail.Wendy is going to cringe that I post this, but here goes.  For those of you my age that remember the existence of pay toilets in gas stations and stores, you¢ll probably remember the jingle ¢here I sit broken hearted, paid my dime & only farted¢.  Based upon my experience today I¢ve got a new one.  ¢Here I squat full of woe, dug my cat hole and couldn¢t go¢.First snake sighting today.  Was not a copperhead or rattler.  So was a harmless one.I¢ve showered, completed a minimal food resupply and will be going out to dinner with Eric and Jay the 2 other hikers here. Tomorrow may be a long day.  A well know steep and rocky assent (meant for mountain goats, not hikers) out of here and over 15 miles to the next shelter.  And sparse water sources.
Date: 2019-04-23
From: BertÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel, Palmerton PA

To: Leroy Smith Shelter, PA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

AT Mileage Done/Mile Marker 1275.3Wow!  What a day!15.6 miles does not sound impressive.  But if you could have experienced them you might change your mind.  Had breakfast at Bert¢s (same place that runs the hostel).  The waitress (Tracey) that opened the place at 7am is also the shuttle driver.  She got us to the trail head at 8:30.  Right out of the box is a seriously steep climb of about 1,000 feet.  Numerous places required using hand grips on rocks and leg strength to boost yourself up to the next rock level.  I found it very intense and at the same time exhilarating.  Was quite proud of myself in maintaining concentration and a good attitude of seeing it as a challenge. There were several other rock scrambles that were similar today but not as intense.It was a warm day today.  Would have liked to start out much earlier to avoid some of the heat.  Besides the exertion of the climbs and quite rocky trails often, a lack of water sources was a concern.  I started out with my max of about 2.5 liters not sure if it would be enough.  Fortunately there was an unplanned source that was sure nice to allow proper hydration until reaching the shelter.  All day long I added Propel to my water and ate Gaterade chews to maintain electrolytes.  I have to be careful because I perspire so much.The mountain climbed early today was on the boundary a SuperFund site for toxic levels of Zinc sludge.  Read about it last night.  Over the course of 70 years (ended about 1930) they dumped over an area 2.5 miles long, 50 feet high and 50 to 100 feet wide.  Hikers are cautioned not to drink water from that area.
Date: 2019-04-24
From: Leroy Smith Shelter, PA

To: Kirkridge Shelter, PA
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: light rain

AT Mileage Done/Mile Marker 1289.0A little bit shorter day today at 13.7 miles; but, still physically and mentally taxing.  I think today had the least amount of smooth, non-rocky sections of any day thus far.  There was one incline of about 600 feet at mid-morning that was a snap.  However most of the day was a rock strewn mess.  That makes the day a long one with having to be so careful all the time.  There was one rock scramble called ¢Wolf Rocks¢ that I enjoyed stepping/jumping between big rocks high on a ledge.  Just like on the big climb yesterday, the AT has an alternate bad weather side trail that goes around the area.  Glad I did not take the easy option either time.  But, I can sure understand how dangerous they would be in wet weather.  I am surprised myself how I am enjoying them.In the AT Guide I and most hikers use for trail info says the shelter here has a faucet that is turned off in the winter.  Much to my surprise it is not turned on even though I consider it well past winter.  I arrived with very little water counting on the faucet.  There was a southbound hiker here when I arrived.  He told me that near the shelter there was a communications tower crew that gave him 3 bottles of water.  I went over and they also gave me 3 bottles.  When the southbounder left I asked him to alert the 2 hikers behind me so they could fill up at a spring about a mile back. Then I called the Appalachian Trail Headquarters in Harpers Ferry to make sure they knew of the problem for the benefit of future hikers coming through.The 2 hikers behind me are Pilgrim and Mosey(both fromPA) who I¢ve been seeing for several recent nights.  Since I was ahead of them I decided to play a little trick on them.  At a remote road crossing I left the 2 M&M¢s (in photo) in a place where they couldn¢t miss them.  When they get here I¢ll tell them it was a gift for friends.  Awhile later I also left a single M&M that they¢d be sure to see.  I¢ll tell them that was s test of the friendship between them.A few comments from yesterday that I missed mentioning in my journal.  At the shelter last night we were talking about the big, dangerous climb out of Palmerton.The general consensus was that if you fell you would be like the ball in a pin/ball machine bouncing around all over the place.  Also forgot to mention going over the 200 mile mark for this hike.Also the last 2 days I¢ve averaged only about 1.6 mph.  Walking on smooth non-steep inclines I can count on between 2 to 3 mph.  These conditions are not conducive to short days and/or big miles.
Date: 2019-04-25
From: Kirkridge Shelter, PA

To: Delaware Water Gao, PA
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

AT Mileage Done/Mile Marker = 1295.4Another NERO getting into the town of Delaware Water Gap, PA about 10:20 am.  Staying at The Church of the Mountain Center. It is like a hiker hostel run by a local church that only asks for a suggested donation of $3 per night.  A free shower, several good eating places, a nice place to sleep and the trail goes right through town.  However food resupply is limited to gas station convenience store junk food.Pilgrim & Mosey are with me again.  We¢ll do dinner together tonight.  They are a fun  duo who are staying another day here since their families are coming in for a visit.  We may very well see each other again as we¢re all headed north.Early tomorrow I¢ll enter my home state of NJ.  Then it will be about 6 days to reach the nearest point to my home town and a day or two off the trail.The last week or so PA has been like a lion with millions of rocks.  The last day it went out like a lamb with an easy trail down into town.  Since I have time to kill today, a 20 day recap.  I am pleasantly happy with my results thus far.  I¢m averaging over eleven miles a day (verses 8.8 on all my other hikes) without exhaustion experienced on previous hikes.  Uphills are no longer dreaded.  The difficult rock scrambles have been challenging and actually fun.  Am having fun meeting other hikers and in several cases having multiple day interactions.  All is well-including my body and mind.To what is this attributed?  Well, being more than 50 pounds lighter and physically stronger has to be the biggest factor.  However there are a few others.  Using an inflatable mattress in allowing me to sleep much better.  Also I am eating more and healthier when in towns(less burgers and pizza, more salads, etc).Again thanks to all who are leaving messages on my journal.  Love your questions, comments and encouragement.Talk to you next from ¢The Garden State¢.Today¢s picture was my first good look at the Delaware River.  Left if it is NJ, right is PA.
Date: 2019-04-26
From: Delaware Water Gao, PA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ
Miles today: 10.8

AT Mileage Done/Mile Marker = 1306.2The great state of NJ did not throw out the welcome mat for one of it¢s native sons.  Started out at 6:40am and at 7:02 crossed the state line over the Delaware River from PA into NJ.  It was a long, but gradual climb out of the gap back up to the mountain ridge level.  At 9am just as I approached Sunfish Pond(a 41 acre, glacially created lake), it started to rain.  Soon thunder made its arrival as well as occasional strong winds driving the rain.  The thunder stopped soon; but, the wind and rain continued on and off until I stopped hiking at 12:40.The rocky conditions did not suddenly cease at the state line.  Even though there were no big rock scrambles, the trail was still often strewn with copious quantities of rocks.  This made hiking harder in that it was not safe to step on any angled wet rocks and risk slipping.  So, it was slow and steady going.It got a little chilly wearing shorts, tee shirt and rain jacket.  Had to keep moving to avoid getting cold.  I stopped a little short of today¢s goal when reaching the Mohican Outdoor Center, a woodland resort type place.  Scored a private cabin for the price of a bunk in the bunk house.  They didn¢t say why and I didn¢t ask.  So now I¢m in dry clothes, had some hot Roman noodles and an comfy in my sleeping bag.Some milestones today:*7th state completed on the AT(7 left)    GA,NC,TN,VA,WV,MD,PA    (NJ,NY,CT,Mass,VT,NH,Maine)*Over 1300 miles of the AT done Suppose to be nice weather tomorrow.  But then several more rainy days coming up - but not thunderstorms.  Special comment just for Wendy, ¢At 7:02, I came to New Jersey¢.
Date: 2019-04-27
From: Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

AT Mileage Done/Mile Marker = 1326.8A big day!!!  My previous biggest AT mileage day was 18.0 miles back on 4/14.  That was significantly eclipsed by a whopping 20.6 miles today.  And it wasn¢t all that bad, although I was glad when the turn off sign for the shelter appeared.Started hiking the AT at 6:30am after a half mile from last nights cabin back to the trail.  Got to this shelter at 5:30pm.  It was a cool start and remained cool most of the day( no shorts today).  That was especially true when very strong gusty winds were coming up the ridge lines.  Some nice panoramic vistas today.  From one I could see the tall monument at High Point State Park which was about 30 miles away.  I will reach that at the end of tomorrow¢s hike.The picture is a nice flowering bush right on the trail.  Trees are just starting to bud out at the higher elevations.  Looking forward to the natural sun screen of leaves when temps start rising.  Speaking of temps, going to be in the 30¢s tonight and thankfully the winds are suppose to die down.  And calling for rain tomorrow, yikes!Two army guys just showed up at the shelter based out of Fort Dix, NJ.On a personal note, today is the 50th anniversary of my Mother¢s passing from cancer.  Thought of her often today.  And how I am so thankful of how her and Dad helped set my course in life.