morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-16
From: Little Gap

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today is for Jerry¢s mother and father and all the O¢Sullivan family. Rising early with raindrops around 4, I never really got back to sleep. I had not put on the ¢fly sheet¢, so rain would have been disastrous. With water low we ate a small breakfast and Arjuna, Journey and I headed on. There was a spring 3 miles away but when we got there at 8.30 it was dry. Another 2 miles to the road where water was available (but 1 mile off the Trail). When we got to the road I stopped a car and he was going ¢our way¢. Arjuna and I took the water bottles while Journey stayed with the packs. He showed us where the water source was. We would never have found it without his help. We walked the mile uphill with the water and ate a good breakfast. It began to rain ¢ we walked on through very rocky ground. Journey dropped back to join me and we chatted our way to Leroy Smith Shelter for lunch. Like the Goban Saor ¢ a Story Shortens the Road. Arjuna was hurting bad and had to rest up at the Shelter. Journey and I moved on and walked the last 5 miles to Wind Gap. We were passed by Bull, Krazy K and Granite, who is from New Hampshire, the Granite State. He, Journey and Scubaman are walking together. A slow descent into Wind Gap, where Granite, Journey and I had some ¢Mountain Dew¢, caffeine filled soda. They were staying in town for a night and waiting for Scubaman to catch up. A thunderstorm was forecast but very often the predictions don¢t materialise. 14.30 I decide to head up the hill. 9.2 miles to Kirkridge Shelter and the first 6 miles were reportedly the worst section in Pennsylvania. They certainly lived up to their reputation. I stopped for food around 15.00 and walked gently over the sharp daggers. Bull passed by but after 1 hour I came upon him lying in the sun. The evening was just lovely. He went on ahead again. Around 18.30 I came to Wolf Rocks, a series of ridge rocks ¢ something similar to the Cliffs. I was thankful it had not rained. An easier 2.8 miles to the Shelter where Krazy K and Bull were playing cards. I was too tired to cook so I rummaged in the nosebag for whatever I could find. Bull made a lovely chocolate pudding, which he shared. Rumours of Bears in the locality but we did not worry. Tomorrow we would cross into New Jersey. We could see it from our lovely high Kirkridge Shelter (1,500 ft) as we watched a delightful sunset. 23.6 miles today. Wow!!
Date: 2003-07-17
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Today is for the Darmody family, Melbourne. Bull, Krazy K and I shared the small shelter on the hill looking out over New Jersey. A water tap was nearby so that was handy. I left camp before 7, feeling a little stiff from the previous day. The soles of my feet hurt. The constant stopping on those sharp rocks takes its toll. But I was happy. Today I would walk out of Pennsylvania and into New Jersey. Seven states down and seven to go. Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania would be history while New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine lay ahead. Five minutes down the Trail I saw the Bear ¢ he (or she) bounded into the trees. Within the space of 30 minutes, I saw 3. Always running away from me. I walked slowly, savouring those last few miles in Pennsylvania. I had great memories of the State. The walking was mostly flat, if stony. And even the rocks were not as bad as the ¢Prophets¢ had predicted. Krazy K and Bull went past me in a hurry. And still I ¢dandered¢ wondering what I should do. I was tired and thinking that the day called for a special celebration. I thought of calling either John McLaughlin or Eddie Callaghan. The traffic could be heard as I headed down for Delaware Gap and then a long walk over the Delaware River to the Kittatinny Park. The first call was to Eddie and he says, ¢Where are you? I¢ll come and pick you up¢. I gave him directions but he knew the place. While I waited I met several more Thru-hikers including my friend Awol. I called Cliffside Park and John wanted to pick me up. My lucky day. Eddie took me to 99 Highland Avenue, where I washed my clothes, had a shower and wore Eddie¢s shorts while mine were in the drier. Then I removed the beard and hardly recognised the face in the mirror. We went to Kathleen¢s for dinner. Maureen and Shane arrived with more food. Eddie cooked some salmon and I made a pig of myself. Ice cream with chocolate covering rounded off a high calorie meal. I didn¢t realise that I would need all that energy the next day. It was great to talk with you on the phone and to hear that the Blue and Gold walks proudly on. My sympathies to Joe Mac. My eyes were closing by 9 so Eddie and I headed home and I was sleeping before my head hit a very comfortable pillow.
Date: 2003-07-18
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Rattlesnake Mountain
Miles today: 22.4

Early rising at Eddie Callaghan¢s, New Jersey. Eddie cooked a massive bacon and eggs breakfast and soon we were on our way to Delaware Recreation Centre. Eddie knew the place well as he often went there with Mary in the past. Today is for Brian and Mairead Carson who are marrying today in Dundalk. Photos of the new look (hairless and beardless) Paudie and Eddie, and I¢m off again feeling refreshed after a good sleep and excellent food. A slow nice climb to Sunfish Pond, a lovely glacial lake, and then a rocky walk around the lake before heading on to the Mohican Outdoor Centre. I met ¢Carolina Cruiser¢ who is doing a video of the Trail and he wanted me to pose. The day was sultry and overcast with signs of rain in the air. It was 14.30 when I left the Centre. The next Shelter was 14.3 miles away ¢ too far for me. I walked on and around 18.00 I began to think I could make it to the Shelter ¢ foolishly I went for the tough option instead of pitching my tent there and then. 18.30 the rains started and then the thunder and lightening moved in. I had come to a cliff with the white blazes going all the way up. I held back and waited for the lightening to ease off. Then I climbed up to the top of the ridge but I had lost some 30-40 minutes. Still I kept going thinking I could camp if I wasn¢t able to make the Shelter. At 19.30 I passed the sign for Buttermilk Falls. 4.1 miles to go and very few (none) camping spots. I still believed I would get there but the sky was overcast and the night came on quickly. 20.30 and I reasoned I had travelled more than 2 miles. I could do it. But before 21.00, I was having trouble seeing the Trail before me and the rocks were wet and dangerous.   9 and darkness closed in and the forest conspired to make it even darker than dark. I had run out of options. Even though I knew I was near, one false step could be fatal. I wasn¢t even sure if I was still on the Trail. So I dropped my pack on a rock and lay down beside it. I covered myself with the ¢fly sheet¢ of my tent and waited about 10 minutes. The rain stopped. I ate a little and drank some water. Changed into dry clothes and waited to spend a long night in that uncomfortable position. It got cold. Tommy Healy¢s warnings about hypothermia came to mind. I got my sleeping bag and wrapped it round me. Would the bears come looking for my food? I was too tired to worry. Today was a hard lesson but at least I was all in one piece. My first day in New Jersey and I one I will never forget. I had walked 22.4 miles and slept on Rattlesnake Mountain.
Date: 2003-07-19
From: Rattlesnake Mountain

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke at 5 stiff and sore and grateful to be so well. No bear had bothered me during the night and when I looked around I found I had actually slept on the Trail. Today is for Dick Connell, Noard and all the Connell family. I ate a little as I packed my wet gear. Luckily it didn¢t rain during the night. I was warm with my sleeping bag wrapped around me. Incredibly I slept for some few hours as I lay on my rucksack as best I could. I remember waking around 1.30 and a half moon was shedding some light through the trees. The stars were shining in a clear sky. I was lucky. I walked on about 15 minutes through rocks (that would have been suicidal in the dark). Less than 1 mile and I came to the Shelter. So near and yet so far!! The morning was clear as I ambled on. I saw three bears during my early morning walk. They bounded off into the woods. They must all have been asleep last night. I stopped for breakfast and was joined by ¢Stripe¢, a 60-year-old Boston man. All his grandparents came from Ireland. ¢Take-¢er-easy¢ passed by. They were all rushing to some Donut joint down the road, actually at Culver¢s Gap. There I found a host of ¢Hiker Trash¢ scoffing cakes and drinking sodas. Stretch was there, also a girl called ¢One third¢, ¢Tease¢, Bull and Tunnel Vision. The last 2 are brothers from Ohio. Very nice guys. We wasted plenty of time there and reluctantly left the ¢Comfort Zone¢. The day was beautiful for hiking, sunny with a fresh breeze. Stripe and I walked together and chatted. We climbed Sunrise Mountain where we stopped for lunch. I took everything out of my pack and spread them in the hot sun. In 15 minutes everything was dry and my belly full. The terrain was stony, rocky worse than anything in Pennsylvania. I was wearing the Brasher boots and they are still doing fine. Stripe and I hiked together all day. His feet were hurting bad. So were mine from the stones but thankfully no blisters. The rocks continued all day till we reached High State Park. Stripe would go no further but there was no camping so after filling up with I headed for the next shelter, which was still 1.7 miles away. Hurriedly, I headed up the rocks not wanting to have a repeat of last night. About 1 mile up the Trail I came on this Wooden Tower and Bull looking over the balcony. Stretch, 1/3, Tunnel Vision and Tease were camping on the upper deck. We had a massive view of New Jersey from its highest point. Sunset on the Pennsylvanian side was magical. I slept while the ¢Tower Hooligans¢ continued the party.
Date: 2003-07-21
From: Vernon N.J.

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: light rain

Today is for the priest here at St. Thomas¢. Rising early as usual but this morning I can make nice fresh coffee. We watched the ¢Tour de France¢ at 8 in the morning. I see Lance Armstrong fall, recover and take the Stage win and possibly the Tour. I call over to see Fr. Steve, who is going to the hospital for some tests today. Treat, 1/3 and I go with Desperado, a Trail Angel and Mike (not Steve) the Caretaker to Campmore. What a place. I wish I had time to spend a day there. They have everything. But my problem was to get my rucksack fixed. Otherwise, I would need a new one. They were so nice. Took me down to the basement where all the sewing and repairs are done and in 5 minutes the jot was done ¢ free of charge. I bought some Aqua Mira and shorts. I was looking at the boots but they did not have Brasher. We had a massive lunch at a Diner on the return trip and the afternoon was fading. 16.30 I got back on the Trail and on a very hot and humid evening I walked 5.3 miles to Wawayanda Shelter. As usual there was a stiff climb up the Mountain and it was 19.00 before I hit camp. A huge crowd of scouts were camped there and they offered me supper. How could I refuse? Treat and 1/3 arrived soon after and at 20.00, Wildflower arrived as the wind was growing to storm proportions. She just hit the Shelter as the heavens opened and we were treated to a long night of rain. Two misfortunate hikers, who left Vernon too late, arrived looking like drowned rats. The bugs in the shelter are something else. But I slept.
Date: 2003-07-22
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: West Mombasha Road
Miles today: 17.0

Today is for Mary, Rita and Joan Minnehan and their parents. Heavy rain during the night but the morning was bright and clear. I was up early and ready to leave before the scouts fell out of their mostly wet tents. I was happy to be ending my time in New Jersey. Today I would cross into New York. But New Jersey still had something in store for me. A long, rough, rocky climb with some scary steps, especially as the rocks were wet and covered with lichen, a greenish substance which is lethal in the wet. I was joined by two new North bounders; ¢Suds¢ (she makes soap) and ¢Dorm bum¢ ¢ I never got to the ¢bottom¢ of his name. We chatted and crossed the New Jersey/New York line together. We sat and chatted while we exercised the few muscles and then they sped off. They hope to finish the first week of September. New York was a continuation of New Jersey old red sandstone. I saw Dorm bum hit the deck and take a nasty fall. So I was forewarned. I fell twice during the next hour. Each time falling backwards and being saved by my pack. The second time I thought I had done damage to my left hand but, thankfully, I was ok. New York was proving to be difficult and for the next two hours it was slow going over dangerous rock. Prospect Rock was bad, Eastern Pinnacles worse and Cat Rocks was dog rough. By the time I got to Wildcat Shelter I was exhausted. A tough 11 miles, I decided to cook some pasta and see if the energy levels might improve. ¢Wildflower¢ arrived just as I was leaving and she was too tired. So I did not feel that it was only me feeling the pressure in New York. I walked on with another hell of a climb up Fitzgerald Falls to Mombasha High Point (1,280). It¢s not that these climbs are so high; it¢s simply the rough nature of the rock formation. Everybody warned us about the rocks in Pennsylvania; nobody warned us about New York. At 18.30 a very weary Paudie pitched his tent just short of West Mombasha Road and with his gear inside the tent, ready to sleep. Sounds of thunder gave signs of more rain during the night.
Date: 2003-07-23
From: West Mombasha Road

To: East Mombasha Road
Miles today: 2.9

Today is for Eileen Deegan and all the Brigidine Sisters. She will have to forgive me because it is one of the shortest walking days so far. I rose early after enduring a night of very heavy rain. I was so tired I fell asleep with the ¢rain-fly¢ open. I awoke around 10 to heavy rain ¢ some making its way inside my tent. Heavy rain all through the night and I found that water was seeping in where the seams are supposed to be watertight. The morning was fine, so I stuffed everything in the pack and thought of calling my friend, John McLaughlin, at Cliffside Park. I walked through the early morning for about 2.9 miles till I came to the East Mombassa Road. I hitched a ride with the first car to the little town of Southfields, which happens to be right on New York 17, which is excellent for New Jersey. I called John from the local Indian Deli and he was with me within an hour. I was glad to have a ¢quasi-zero¢ day with my St. Patrick¢s friends. A quick drive to New Jersey where I met Mick Morris, Brian Flanagan, Seamie Whelan and Derek Byrne. A good shower and chat before dinner. A rest in the afternoon and then some excellent steak in the evening. John and I burnt the midnight oil drinking Guinness and Tullamore Dew. We are classmates and had a lot of catching up to do. I spoke with John, Tommy Hayden and Michael Cussen. A great day and what a rest from the rocks of New York. Many thanks to all at Cliffside Park. It is a great house and has been a great support to me on this walk. Thanks to Mick Morris for all his help, to Eddie Walshe for his cooperation and John McLaughlin who could not do more. It was just great spending the day with ¢family¢.
Date: 2003-07-24
From: East Mombasha Road

To: William Brien memorial Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Today is for all my friends in the Medical Missionaries. Rising early as usual ¢ it¢s hard to break the habit but the head was a little ¢groggy¢. I wonder why? John McLaughlin and I had a massive breakfast at the Diner before driving back along Route 17 to Southfields. We had a little difficulty finding the exact spot on East Mombassa Road. Just as we arrived ¢Sheepstaff¢ came staggering out of the woods. She wanted a ride to the Post Office at Arden and John was an answer to her prayers. It was 10.45 before I hit the road. ¢Mellow Yellow¢, from Georgia passed by as I slowly got back to the rocks. Luckily, it was dry and I was careful. I met another hiker called ¢Dutch¢ and we both marvelled at just how tough New York was proving to be. Water was also a problem here. I decided to take it easy and go less than 13 miles today, but even that was no joke. The first few hours were slow and I needed all my ¢wits¢ about me on some of the downhills. My knees are getting a good testing on these rocks and people say we are being prepared for the ¢Whites¢ in New Hampshire and Maine. ¢Mellow Yellow¢ passed me again ¢ he works for the Outfitters REI where I bought all my gear in Atlanta. Dutch and I ate a little lunch together. The heat and humidity was awful but once it was dry I was happy. And then we came to the Lemon Squeeze - a cave-like rock formation where we had to climb up inside the parallel wall of rock. I heard shouting and swearing as I came near. I thought Dutch was having a row with somebody, but he was talking to himself as he tried to climb and bitterly squeeze through the narrow space. She had suffered trying to get through, so he shouted to me to take off my pack and pass it up to him. Even without the pack it was not easy. It could squeeze more than lemons if you were not careful. But we had a good laugh. The terrain in the evening proved somewhat easier and I arrived at the William Brien Memorial Shelter around 6. Who arrived on my heels only Jim from Boston (¢Millipede¢) whom I had not seen since the Smokies. What a joy. Then Morph, Cornpatch, Jack on the Mountain, Gazelle, Sketch and Mellow Yellow arrived. Finally Indiana Slim showed up.
Date: 2003-07-25
From: William Brien memorial Shelter

To: Graymoor Friary, Old West Point Road
Miles today: 15.0

Today is for Gerry Kelly and all victims of CSA. Jim was up at first light. He was getting a bus to New York and home to Boston for 4 days but we had a great chat and he will more than likely catch up. I left camp around 6.30. The morning was beautiful and it promised to be another hot day on the rocks. A nice climb as usual to start the day up the face of Black Mountain. Then an adventure trying to cross the ¢Palisades¢ Parkway ¢ the cars kept whizzing past and it seemed like ages before I could cross. Dirty looks from early morning commuters. Mellow Yellow joined me and we walked together for a few miles. At Seven Lakes Drive I stopped to eat and get ready for Bear Mountain, the big one for today. ¢Karma¢ and I walked up the old Appalachian Trail ¢ the Blazes were confusing and I followed him. It was a tougher and more dangerous climb. That¢s the reason they changed the route to the top. But while it was scary in places, it was fantastic. Sweating and panting our way to the top it was somehow disgusting to see the place full of tourists who had driven up in their big cars. A long drop to Bear Mountain Inn on the Hudson River and a visit to the Zoo which is actually on the Trail and free for all Thru-Hikers. I suppose they recognise us by our smell. A long walk over the Bridge in the afternoon heat. Cornpatch and I walked the hard climb out of the Zoo, which is the lowest point on the Trail at 124 feet. We were in a hurry to get to Graymore Friary before 5. Only the first 14 got dinner. I was met at the Trailhead by Brother Leo, who had worked for many years in Brazil. He was waiting for me. Word gets ahead on the Trail. Stripe, CC, Chicken Legs, Gazelle, Sketch, Mellow Yellow, Dutch, Skittles and 2 South bounders were there. A cold shower and clean up we were driven to the Friary where a fabulous meal was served. I camped on the grassy field provided for the hikers. A wonderful day and another 15 miles done.
Date: 2003-07-26
From: Graymoor Friary, Old West Point Road

To: Shenandoah Tenting Area
Miles today: 17.5

Early rising in a field of tents. The scouts were camped all over the place and a lot of Thru-hikers had come in late. Today is for Regina Diamond and all the Sisters of Jesus and Mary who worked with her in Nigeria. A good breakfast of cheese, fresh bread and milk. I left camp at 7.20 with Stripe. We were going to hike together today. But soon I saw he was moving too fast for me, so I let him go. Cornpatch from Iowa passed, also Tinamu from Atlanta. The morning was hot and the day promised to be a scorcher. I knew I was in for a tough day. Gradually I was passed by more and more hikers but from experience I knew I must just ¢hang in there¢ and keep putting one foot past the other. I drank plenty of water and ate but still was without energy. Strange, after a ¢whale¢ of a meal at the priory and a great night¢s sleep, that I should be dragging my heels. But that¢s the way it goes on the Trail. All morning we were up hills and down again to a road. Around noon the gang were stopped for lunch at Dennytown Road. We had walked 8 miles and I was happy to hear that others were feeling just like I did. 4 miles to Canopus Lake where Stripe, Morph, CC and Chicken Legs were going swimming. I decided to conserve my strength for walking. Cornpatch and I walked on around the lake. Karma and Indiana Slim passed and then around 15.30 I got my second wind. I went up Shenandoah Mountain (1,282) as if it was a ¢Fairy Musharoon¢, as Uncle Phil might say. I left Karma, Indiana Slim and Cornpatch, who had run out of gas and made good time as I walked to the Shenandoah Tenting Area. Gazelle, Sketch and Mellow Yellow were already in camp. I had ideas of going on to the Shelter 1.3 miles away but the water here is better and the camping area is a lovely green field. ¢Ruty¢, a South bounder, is here and is telling us some of the things that await us up the Trail. I pitch my tent while the food is cooking and soon it is time to rest a weary body. No sign of the swimmers yet but I¢m sure they will soon show up. 17.5 miles today in spite of the heat and lack of energy. Two more days should see us walking out of New York and the Rocks.
Date: 2003-07-28
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Shaghticoke Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is for Uncle Paddy, Nance and all the O¢Gorman family. Today would be our last day in New York State. There is always great excitement in crossing the State line. Another one done and the end seems somewhat nearer. I left camp early but was soon passed by Morph and Cornpatch, CC and Chicken Legs were going all the way to Kent today. I thought about it as Fr. Joe Rabbitte¢s sister, Mary and her husband Phil live near there and John McLaughlin had told them I was on the Trail, which passes right behind their house. I would see how the day unfolded. A stop for water at a private house ¢ on the roadside ¢ the largest Oak on the Trail. Then a walk through marshy places walking along planks. After some 3 miles we came to the Appalachian Railroad Station where everybody stopped and ate and chatted as if waiting for the train. Some headed for a nearby Deli, but I wandered on in the sweltering heat. Cornpatch caught up with me and together we walked to Wiley Shelter, where Morph, Cornpatch, Skittles and I ate lunch and laughed about your man from Iowa. He looked for Ibuprofen tablets at one stage and everybody kept silent. Morph eventually relented and gave him some but then was afraid that if he (Iowa man) died during the night then he (Morph) could be in trouble.1.30 Cornpatch and I bid farewell to New York and stepped into our new challenge, Connecticut. In fairness the last 2 days since Bear Mt. had not been too difficult. Connecticut welcomed us with a very steep climb up ¢Ten Mile Hill¢ and when I came to the River, a gang of hikers were swimming. Reluctantly, I passed on heading for Schaghticoke Mt. Campsite 5.3 miles away. Again another hard climb but the evening was fine and a nice breeze. I reached the campsite at 6. Mellow Yellow, Gazelle, Sketch, Skittles, Morph and Cornpatch and I were like a crowd of Indians with our tents close together. 18.5 miles today, I was ready for an early bed.