morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-18
From: Pen Mar park

To: campsite near South Mtn
Miles today: 12.9

Slept in late , packed up and went to stream to get water and make coffee. Welcome to PA and the trail did become rocky and the weather was hot and humid.Just before Tumbling Creek shelter we ran into the overseer for that shelter, Toe Jam George Finney. He offered us some of his cold sodas and clued us into some spots on the creek deep enough for soaking.We had already dunked our heads in cold cold spring water down the trail but this sounded great and it was. A person sized pool just deep enough to submerge your body. So cold it hurt your feet but it was fantastic.After cleaning up we headed back up the long rocky trail. We passed the last shelter before town and still had plenty of time so we hiked closer knowing we needed to get in and out of town rather quick the next day.We found a flat spot off the trail to camp. It was kind of swampy nearby so there were lots of bugs... most annoying were the midges and mosquitoes.We set up the tent, got dinner going, made some drinks and hit the tent to get out of the bug range.Owls seranaded us all night into the dawn.
Date: 2006-06-19
From: campsite near South Mtn

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

>After a very buggy night we got up early and hiked into South Mtn. to pick up a mail drop. After packing we headed out. At Caledonia State Park we decided to take advantage of the facilities and make phone calls and take hot showers! Talked to Mom and left messages for a few other folks. Thunderstorms rolled in about mid day and before leaving the park we ran into Banjo Man, Indiana, Map Man, Robin, and a new hiking friend of theirs Head stand.We headed back out into the rocky hills of Pa. Luckily for me the rocks weren't too bad today as we finsihed our 15 miles at the second shelter Birch Run. There was a couple and their two kids from Conn. section hiking. Greg and I cooked dinner with them at the shelter and camped out in the tent near the stream....ahh this is the 3rd day in a row that we have had somne kind of shower or bath. Heaven.
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Tagg Run campsite
Miles today: 16.9

Last night or very early this evening Greg woke to the sound of thunder. He listened to the rumblings until he was sure the lightning was getting farther away but then lightning returned this time with strong winds. It was time to get up an put the rainfly on the tent. Just as he got back in the tent, the skies opened up and it stormed and rained until morning.When it sounded as if the rain had stopped we got up to cooler temps and cloudy skies with patches of blue.Today was mostly an easy hike with less rocks and more ridges. A cool breeze kept us comfortable in the morning. At one point the trail overlapped with a state forest road and we saw bluebirds defending their turf from other marauding birds and a red fox crossed our path. At one point we were walking through a sea of butterflies all landing on the damp soil in front of us.By midday we arrived at the Pine Grove General store, home of the infamous 1/2 gallon challenge. Eat a half gallon of ice cream (not sure what was the time limit but the time to beat was under 3 minutes). Some folks were already there waiting to get into the youth hostel and some more soon showed for the hostel and or the challenge.Identiy Crisis, Kilgore, Indiana, Slick B decided to try it while Brainfreeze, Mapman, Robin, Banjo man, Little Wing, Otter and Cohiba and us declined. We were going to hang around to check it out but the participants wanted to wait until a possible late afternoon delivery gave them more flavors to choose from.By 4 we hit the trail and encountered more typical Pennsylvanian AT terrain...rocks of all sizes at all angles. Still we hiked alittle over 7 miles in less than 3 hours.And we passed the mid point (and then some) today and it just happens to be 3 months from the day we started...half the distance completed in half the time alloted.
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Darlington shelter

To: Duccannon
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got into town, hit the laudermat and saw Louie through the window. We changed clothes, cleaned up, and bagged our laundry to take to Lou's to dry. Got picked up by Louie and went over to the local hotel, the Doyle, for a couple beers.Hooked up with Brainfreeze, Krazy and Identity Crisis and after a few beers we all went back to Lou's for the weekend. After we got to Lou's in Myerstown, Danny, medium Steve and Big Steve arrived shortly thereafter. It was a wonderful night just hanging out with friends in Lou's backyard, drinking beer, eating pizza and catching up on old times.
Date: 2006-06-26
From: Doyle hotel

To: Peter's Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 11.4

Woke up in our tiny room at the Doyle Hotel to pouring rain, so we decided to sleep in alittle longer. By the time we woke again it was more of an average rain. So after breakfast we had no excuse but to hit the trail. Rain stopped but with the lingering humidity the trail was a sauna, a rocky sauna. Afternoon storms rolled in and with 3 miles top go the skies opened up. Needless to say we decided to stay at the shelter. Also there were Tecumsuh, Krazy, Identity Crisis, Brainfreeze and several new folks we hadn't met yet.
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Peter's Mtn. shelter

To: Rausch Gap shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Storm of the century! We had no idea when we left the shelter that morning what was in store for us. However when we hit the low water bridge at Clarks Creek it was evident-this was a big storm. Water was roaring over the bridge...the only way over the creek and to the AT.Baltimore Jack was there with Mary rigging a line across the water for people to use for support to cross (since many hikers were crossing it anyway). I went first. The brown water rushed past me as I scooted as fast as possible as Baltimore guided me to the other side. Greg went next without the aid of Baltimore. The water was past our knees and quickly rising. Later we heard from other hikers that the line didn't hold for very long and Brainfreeze was probably the last to get over the bridge (by then the water was probably mid thigh level). Other people got over earlier with the help of logging vehicles and such.We hadn't bothered taking off our boots and were glad since the next part of the trail uphill was more like a rocky stream. Rain and thunderstorms continued on and off throughout the day bringing more water to already soaked areas. By afternoon we were slogging our way through ankle to mid calf high water. There was no staying dry no matter what kind of rain gear you were wearing.We finally reached the shelter by about 6 or 7...and got the last two spots. This was not necessarily much better than tenting out since everything and everybody was soaked and muddy. The shelter was actually built in an area dug out and lower than the trail with stone steps leading down it. The steps now were now creating a waterfall channeling more water in front of the shelter. The piped spring blasted water at a force that would take away your water bottle if not held tightly enough. Our shelter mates were Identity Crisis, Krazy, Montreal, ER and Another guy. Brainfreeze came in late and stopped in to eat and hang her food bag.
Date: 2006-06-28
From: Rausch Gap shelter

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: few clouds

Actually woke to some sun so we dried out as much as possible and then started slogging it. Water was literally pumping out of the mountain as the ground was so saturated. Boots, socks and feet are also saturated and blisters are running rampant.Once off the mountain we were able to bypass some high water on the trail (about 6 feet) but then we came to the Swatera Creek. It was swollen and eating away at the small roads nearby. We had to go under Interstate 81 via one of these roads which was underwater. A large group of hikers were all stopped at this point trying to find other ways around. After determining that all other road crossings of the creek were also impassable, there was only one way... climb up to I-81 and cross the creek there.Greg, Outbreak and Montreal climbed up the gravel scree onto the Interstate and said there was a wide shoulder so I began climbing up. Halfway up, Morning Fit called to me that she had a ride over the interstate with someone she and Outbreak had met the day before. So she, Brianfreeze, Identity Crisis and I hitched a ride as the guys quickly walked across. As soon as we got to the other side we climbed down under the Intersate and caught back up the AT. It was still more of a stream than a trail. The good thing about all this rain is that the springs are full and that means lots of drinking water in an area known for its dry springs. And the snakes, slamanders, frogs and turtles are loving and are out and about.It was a miserable climb out of Swatera gap (lots of rocks and poison ivy) and we quickly ran out of water and filtered water out of the trail/stream until the next spring about 5 miles away. When we finally got to the road crossing right before the shelter. Louie was waiting in the parking area with cold beer! We hung out there for alittle while, Brainfreeze stopped in to, then it was off to the local pizza joint for dinner. We brought beer and pizza back and Greg invited other hikers from the 501 shelter down for a late night snack.
Date: 2006-06-29
From: 501 shelter

To: Eagles Nest shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

Woke up at the 501 shelter early after an unrestful night. Got right back on the trail heading for Eagles Nest shelter about 15 miles away. Lots of water still running and I slipped and fell while attempting to cross the first stream. Hurt only my pride. Kept going on through the rocks until finally the trail changed. The rocks subsided but now we were slopping through and around blueberry bogs.The trail threw everything it had at us today but we reached the shelter by 5:30. We set up our tent and before dinner or drinks a thunderstorm ran in.There were a bunch of folks at the shelter (IC and a few others we knew from the other day plus, Morning Fit and Outreach) as well as the Aussie entourage. Everyone was ready for bed early and we hit the tent by 9:45. It was a great night for sleeping out. Lots of cool turtles, slamanders and frogs about today.
Date: 2006-06-30
From: Eagles Nest shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Woke to cool winds and clear skies! Great day for hiking - too bad we are only hiking a short distance. The southbounders that stayed here last night (Aussies; Knock knock, Mudflap and Daisy) are going south because they could not pass creeks or rivers out of Duncannon. Baltimore Jack and Mary were shuttling people stuck there. So they were dropped off north of here probably Port Clinton to hike back to Duncannon. Once there, they will have to get a ride back up to Port Clinton to continue.We hiked on and off during the day with Morning Fit and Outbreak on pretty easy (or at least easier and drier) ground and finished the 900 foot downclimb into Port Clinton with Krazy. Nothing was open in town food-wise, so Krazy went back on the trail. We completed 1200 miles today! We hitched a ride to Hamburg where our maildrop waited for us at the Microtel hotel. We got a room, showered, did laundry and started updating the site. Louie came up and we hit the bar downstairs for beer and pretty good bar food. It was a late night of drinking and updating.
Date: 2006-07-01
From: Port Clinton

To: Windsor Furnace shelter 
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: clear sky

Spent the night at the Micotel getting mail drop organized, stopping at Cabela's for K'ache's new shoes and some odds and ends and then getting "Cracker Barreled" for brunch!Louie took us back to the tailhead and we headed through the flood debris up and out of Port Clinton. It was 5pm when we hit the first shelter and another 9 miles to the next with no camping allowed in between so we pitched our tent near the first shelter next to a soothing running brook. Ran into Chuck a retired guy we met back in TN or NC and another guy from earlier times who remembered us but I did not remember him. We decided to try and get things done early this evening get to bed early and get an early start tomorrow to make up for miles we didn't do today. This is a busy area for locals. You can hear bikes and cars and radios. Oh yes ...the wilderness experience.
Date: 2006-07-02
From: Windsor Furnace shelter 

To: Allentown shelter
Miles today: 16.5

Since we got into PA we've both ranted about how the conditions of the AT here really suck. Well now it's personal. Today started out like so many others ...some ok ridge walking with cool breeze then down into gaps where it was hot and sticky. Soon enough it was pretty much hot no matter how high or low the elevation.We still had about 9 miles to go and plenty of time to do it when it happened....I'd been dreading this possible moment for the past few days...as I was almost done negotiating a small rock garden, I tripped and was unable to catch myself before the rocks came up to meet me. I knew before I hit, that it was going to be bad. I screamed out and did a perfect face plant. Greg came over immediately and told me I was OK but blood was flowing and I was sure I had broken my nose. Luckily after all the cleanup it turned out I had two small cuts on my forehead and some scraping, a small cut on the bridge of my nose, and some bumps and bruises here and there. Ater examining all the cuts Greg thought that closing them with Krazy Glue would be better than trying to close them with butterfly bandages that probably wouldn't hold especially with all the sweat. So after he patched me up, we got back on the trail and headed at a slow pace to the closest shelter, arriving just before today's thunderstorm. Needless to say we decided to stay here for the night. I'm expecting a headache any time now!
Date: 2006-07-03
From: Allentown shelter

To: Outerbridge shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: few clouds

Woke to drizzle that quickly cleared. I checked my injuries this morning and except for the puffy eye and colorful swollen upper cheek, I didn't look that bad. The glue held and the cuts looked fine. I was surprised I didn't even have a headache! Today was another grueling day on the trail with most of the day spent rock hopping or avoiding. We had two huge rock piles that we had to climb that were awful for me...and I found out later, awful to a lot of other hikers.Our mid day stop turned out to be a long leisurely break as a lot of hikers we thought were ahead of us also stopped for a break, it was great to see them all: Tecumsuh, Slick B, Sleep Ninja, Brainfreeze, Feng Sui, Outbreak, Morning Fit, Cool Hand and more. We hung out for a long afternoon rest catching up on where everyone's been and their personal adventuresWe left about 4 pm with 6.8 miles to go and were only hoping there were no big rock piles to contend with. It was rocky but manageable. Once we got on the ridge we discovered the blueberries! Greg and I and Sleep Ninja stopped, took off our packs and proceeded to devour all the blueberries in our reach. We decided to take a quick rest too. In an earlier journal I think I mentioned the rewards of the AT. Well the horrible hiking I did today was fully rewarded by sitting and picking blueberries.We arrived at the shelter alittle past 7 and although it's kind of dumpy, it looked like it was just going to be us and Sleep Ninja. Trying to make it an early night and early morning start tomorrow (apparently Lehigh Gap is supposed to be a bear).
Date: 2006-07-04
From: Outerbridge shelter

To: Leroy Smith shelter 
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Another long tough day but not as bad as yesterday. Climbing out of Lehigh Gap was hard but not as hard as everyone said. It's a steep 1000 foot elevation in a mile or less and an exposed rock climb all the way but I could deal with it.When we got to the top of Blue Mtn we got to the Superfund site, a zinc smeting plant basically killed off the entire vegetation of the mountain with the air pollution it generated. But we all had to agree that the hike through the site was a lot easier and flatter than anything we'd done in PA. By 2 a thunderstorm hit but we kept going. Got to camp around 6 very tired. We tented out as did Sleepy. Krazy, Sleep Ninja, Brainfreeze, IC, Nick, Bama, Little Wing, and a couple other folks stayed at the shelter. Sleep Ninja packed in hotdogs, rolls, chili and potato salad to help everyone celebrate the 4th. IC brought sparklers. We were in the tent by the time we could hear fireworks in the distance.
Date: 2006-07-05
From: Leroy Smith shelter 

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: light rain

Woke up to rain that wouldn't stop. We hung out in the tent until we couldn't sleep anymore. So we went down to the shelter where a few other folks were still hanging out (Brainfreeze, IC, Indiana treehouse, Ewok, Krazy).We basically waited for the rain to drizzle out before we left to hike the 4 miles into the next town, saving the bad hike for tomorrow. Had a few beers in the room, and a good rib dinner.
Date: 2006-07-06
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well finally we had a nice day in PA. The weather getting up was cool and dry and stayed that way all day. We had a steep climb out of Wind Gap (hence the name Gap....you have to climb out of it) and most of the day was rocky but it was no where the 9 miles of straight boulder field that had been predicted. By mid-day Greg was worried we might not make it to town before the PO closed so he decided to ramp it up to pick up the package. I continued at my usual rate.ROcks weren't bad, there was a constant cool breeze, it never got into the 80's and I pretty much had the trail to myself. When I got close to the Gap where I could here traffic below and see the Delaware River, I slowed up figuring I was close. The trail dropped me out into the quaint town Of Delaware Water Gap...old victorian houses, artsy stores and small streets. I went directly to the hiker hostel at the Presbetarian Chrurch. It was full but we were allowed to camp on the property and tonight they were hosting a pot luck dinner that was stupendous. Church memebers have for the past 20 or so years been hosting a free dinner for hikers once a week...we just happen to come into town the right day of the week. So after a quick shower and going through our mail drop, we feasted on hamburgers and hotdogs, corn on the cob, salad, chili, cuc salad, beans and rice, hard bread, veggie delight, spinach casserole, cheese and broc casserole, and more. Then there were the desserts - several brownies, peach, raspberry, and apple pies, pudding, fruit salad and more. Wow and the people were just so friendly and so giving! We met some new friends Ork and Beans and Rip and Tree hugger as well as a few old friends Brainfreeze, Gwalk, Sleep Ninja and more. We all ended up at the only place in town functioning after the flood for entrtrainment a small pub/restaurant serving Sam Adams Summer Ale for $2/pint. After about 3 we walked back to the church and our tent for a cool night's sleep (suppose to get down into the 50s tonight...how fantastic for July).
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Coppermine Spring campsite
Miles today: 9.7

After a fine breakfast at the coffe shop so conveniently located across the street from the church, we headed out of town and out of PA. They talk about hikers getting the Virginia blues, but I think getting through this state was both mentally and physically more challenging! It was a good feeling hiking along I-80 crossing the Delaware River. Rocky conditions continue in NJ but there are vistas and open areas so you get rewards for rocky climbs. And we were rewarded handsomely today. All day we kept leapfrogging with a section hiker named Dirty Harry and then hooking on and off with Mule, FDR and River Weasel. We stopped on top of Kittatinny Mountain for a late lunch and basked in warm sun and cool breezes watching glider planes and birds ridng the thermals...It was great! We made a good choice to hike today. Some hikers decided to slackpack 17 miles and then stay back at the church. They asked the local outfitter (damaged by the floods) to shuttle them 17 miles up the trail and then they hike back with just day packs. Apparently one of the roads crucial to getting them to the road dropoff was closed due to flood clean up. So not only did they not get to slackpack but the driver wanted $10 from each of them since he drove them partway there and back. Needless to say they were not happy campers.We decided to camp alongside a spring running into a creek. Its a little rocky but nothing our thermarests can't handle. We were going to go a tiny bit further to an AMC outdoor Center that lets thru hikers tent on the property for free, but we really didn't want to tent out on a lawn when we have these wonderful woods.
Date: 2006-07-08
From: Coppermine Spring campsite

To: Viewpoint Campsite 
Miles today: 17.7

Hiked through clouds of what we could only deduce as gypsy moths. For the past 2 day as we have walked though areas of fluttering brown moths. They neither land nor do they fly away ....they just flutter around. Anyway our 2nd day of NJ was pretty pleasant, lots of berries, blue and rasp, excellent weather and realtively easy rocks, well we had a lovely 8.5 hours walk in the woods. We saw Bama, Littlte Wing, Old Drum and MRE at the first shelter. Old Drum mentioned that folks were worried when they heard about me. How sweet! Since there were so many "hoods in the woods" youth groups heading to the shelter, we decided to go a few miles further up the moutain and along the ridge to camp looking down and over valleys and lakes. Until now, our only memory of NJ had been the NJ Turnpike, but so far the scenery is incredibly different than any preconceived notions of what NJ is. Hermit thrushes are jamming as are scarlet tanagers.
Date: 2006-07-09
From: Viewpoint Campsite 

To: High Point shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Had breakfast at a little deli in Culvers Gap. Ran into Bama, Little Wing, Old Drum, and Dirty Harry. Little Wing said she saw a porcupine this mornng. NJ is suppose to be populated with bear but we haven't seen any although have seen signs of bear activity. So far its just rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks. The day was warm and with all the gypsy moth activity in the area, places that should have been cool and shady were exposed to the sun since the trees had been defoliated by the caterpillars. We also ran into patches of tough rocks reminisccent of PA which were taking a toll on my feet. On and off we ran into Ork and Beans and Rip and Tree Hugger but because their pace is a lot faster (at least faster than me) we were unable to hike with them for the whole day. The afternoon turned tougher as the sun got hotter, the rocks more frequent and now mosquitoes have popped out. By the time we met back up with Ork and Bean and Rip and Tree Hugger at an observation platform near NJ's high point I was pooped. The four of them decided to go past High Point shelter and hike another 6. We decided to stay at High Point shelter and Greg hiked the side trail to the official High Point while I set up camp and filtered water. The mosquitoes continued to become more aggressive, so we spent the evening in our tent. Summer is here!