morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-17
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry(Tea Horse Hostel)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I spent the day walking around Harpers Ferry where there is not a level street in town. You have to either walk up or down hill wherever you go. The Tea Horse Hostel is in the upper part of town near Bolivar Heights, all the shops are in the lower part near the river. I went to the Wal-Mart in Charlestown to get food supplies. Then I went to the outfitter in Harpers Ferry and bought new shoes, shorts and storage bags. I have been wearing Keenes mid top boots. I bought some Vasque trail shoes. Hopefully these will be cooler and will dry out quicker than my old boots. I have not had any twister ankles or blisters with my boots. I'll have to see if these new shoes do as well.I have been waiting till I get to Harpers Ferry to decide what I was going to do next. After much dithering, I have decided to continue to hike north through Maryland & Pennsylvania. The other options were to skip those states and go to Bear Mountain,NY and continue north from there. Or to fly to Maine and hike south from Katahdin. Both those options didn't appeal to me. I have decided I will try to hike to at least the Delaware Water Gap and maybe through New Jersey this year. Then I will pick up next year where I end this year. For me a two year northbound (2YNOBO) is my best option. I think I'll start around April 15th. My daughter will be getting married next June, so I'll have to take a break for that.Two years of hiking the AT, how fun is that? As one other older hiker told me, "Hey its your hike, do what you want to do." AT the ATC, I had my picture taken and given number 1078. I was 467 in GA. So much for progress (LOL).
Date: 2013-07-18
From: Harpers Ferry(Tea Horse Hostel)

To: Crampton Gap
Miles today: 11.3

Early in the morning, I packed up, had another good breakfast at the Tea horse Hostel, then walked down to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to have my picture taken. Then I headed out of town. I crossed the Potomac River and entered into Maryland. It was a hot & humid day! The hike along the C&O Canal was a scorcher. The climb up to Weverton Cliffs was quite a chore in the heat. There was no water at the Ed Garvey Shelter, so I continued on to the Crampton Gap Shelter. I only covered 11 miles,the heat really took its toll. Thankfully, there was trail magic just before Gathland State Park. Good cold sodas. Thanks, "Big Foot." You're the best!
Date: 2013-07-20
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up early,5AM, to try to beat the heat. I got to the Ensign Cowall Shelter at Noon and sat out a thunderstorm for an hour. It was touch cooler in the afternoon but the heat still really sapped my energy as the day continued. I was the only one at the shelter, so I hung my hammock on the shelter's front porch. It rained throughout the night, but I was high & dry. The Raven Rock Shelter is a nice new shelter but the water source is .6 miles down a steep hill. I carried water up from another spring along the AT. So the climb up to the shelter was difficult with the heat and extra water weight.
Date: 2013-07-22
From: Waynesboro, PA

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Had breakfast at the Burgundy B&B. A good full meal. Then Dave shuttled me back to Pen-Mar park. Hiked to the Old Forge Picnic Ares where there was fresh water and tables for lunch. Since the water source for the Rocky Mountain shelter is .5 miles away, I stopped at the Mountain Quest youth program camp and filled up there. Its a camp that juveniles are sentenced to for various reasons, mainly drugs. At least they had good cold water.
Date: 2013-07-23
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter

To: Toms Run Shelters
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: broken clouds

I'm half way there! This was a good day hiking. A little cooler and lower humidity. The 2013 midway marker is at a camp site just off a gravel road between the Birch Run and Toms Run shelters. There's another marker based on 2011 mileage further down the trail. The midway point changes every year as the trail is improved or rerouted. So far the shelters in PA are the best yet. One even had hanging flower baskets! But water is getting scarce at places. Even with all the rain we have been having, some streams are drying up as the summer progresses.
Date: 2013-07-24
From: Toms Run Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 5.0

What can I say, I'm having a lazy day. I hiked 5 miles to Pine Grove Furnace State Park and decided to stay at the Iron Masters Hostel. For $25, you get a dinner, breakfast, shower and bed with sheets in an air conditioned room in a house that dates back to the 1800's. In the basement is a hidden room that was used in the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. The park is the site of a Pre-Civil War Iron Furnace. Now it has camp grounds, a camp store and swimming lakes. The camp store is the site of the half gallon challenge for thru hikers who have crossed the half way mark of the AT. I didn't do that, too much sugar for my system!
Date: 2013-07-25
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Alex Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

After restfull day at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, I was ready to put on some miles. I ate breakfast at the hostel and got started at 7:30. By noon, I got to the Green Mountain Market and had a good sub sandwich. They are only .2 miles off the trail and about a half dozen hikers were having lunch there. I got to the shelter about 5:00, other hikers showed up about 8:00. Crossed the 1100 mile mark today, the miles are just piling up.
Date: 2013-07-27
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Doyle Hotel, Dunncanon, PA
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Hiked into town and got to the hotel around 2 PM. Had lunch (off course, a cheeseburger!) Need to do laundry and groceries, then eat dinner and get some sleep. Life is so complicated on the trail. Hot hiking to day with lots of bugs. Hopefully the rain predicted tonight will solve both problems.
Date: 2013-07-28
From: Doyle Hotel, Dunncanon, PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

I have to say, I found Duncannon a depressing place. The Doyle Hotel was dirty. The owners were nice and the food and bar area were OK, but the rooms and bathroom were terrible. I went to Sorrento Pizza, it was much cleaner and everyone was very friendly. This morning I went to Goodies for breakfast. The food was alright but several local guys at the counter were very vocal and very negative about everything. When I finished breakfast, I just wanted to get out of town. I hiked up to Clark's Ferry Shelter, got water and continued to Peters Mountain Shelter. There's no water here but I carried enough in to make it through the night.
Date: 2013-07-29
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

This is a brand new shelter with nice stone work and a piped spring in front of it. It is a log cabin structure and is nice to stay in. On the trail, I saw three snakes today; one rattler and two copperheads. I almost stabbed one with my hiking sticks before I saw it. They were sunning themselves on some rocks along the ridge. I walked around them, giving them a lot of room. The trail was pretty empty today. I met two SOBO's but no NOBO's.
Date: 2013-07-30
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

No snakes but lots of rocks and bugs along the trail today. The bugs hovered around my head all day and were quite annoying. I cover my ears with my buff,but they still fly into my eyes and nose. The 501 shelter is more of a bunk house than a shelter. It has a outdoor shower, bunk beds and windows and doors! To top it off, pizza is delivered from a pizza place down the road. I had a good fresh salad and a Italian Sausage pizza. A nice break from normal hiking food.
Date: 2013-08-01
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 9.0

Woke up to rain, it continued to rain all day. One nice thing about the rain, is that it keeps the bugs away. I rather hike in the rain than have to endure these bugs. Once I got to Port Clinton, I got a room at Port Clinton Hotel, went to Wal-Mart, got a haircut, did my laundry and had a good dinner at the hotel.
Date: 2013-08-02
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I wasn't able to find a place in Port Clinton that served breakfast. There's a business opportunity for someone. So I had a granola bar and started hiking. The climb out of Port Clinton was steep but the morning was cool. Since all the grass was still wet from yesterday's rain, my shoes were wet almost immediately. Until 2PM, there were no bugs, but they eventually found me. The day's hike took me over Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle. Both had great views. Eckville Shelter is a bunkhouse but smaller than 501. And no pizza delivery. Two SOBO's were there with me. They were averaging 20-24 mile days!
Date: 2013-08-03
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bakers Knob
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

It rained all morning, but cleared up in the afternoon. Tough climbs over rocks today. Both Knifes Edge and Bakers Knob were very difficult for me. The Knife Edge is a ridge where you are at the very top on very large boulders. Bakers Knob had a difficult decent over boulders. On the bright side I had a great lunch at the Blue Mountain B&B.
Date: 2013-08-05
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 20.1

The day started with a search for a shuttle out of town. We found a lady who drove us up to the trailhead and saved us a 1.5 mile hike out of town. Our hike started with a 1000' climb out of Lehigh Gap, straight up! Hand over hand up a vertical rock face. It took me about an hour to climb to the top with my pack. Once I was at the top, I hiked through the Palmerton Super Fund area. This is an area where zinc as mined and smelted. All day the trail was extremely rocky. The rocks were just big enough to prevent me from maintaining a steady pace. By the end of the day, my feet felt like hamburger. When I got to the Leroy Smith Shelter, I decided to hike 5 more miles into the Town of Wind Gap. So after a 20 mile day, I'm enjoying a hot showed and s nice bed in Hotel.
Date: 2013-08-06
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 16.0

My last day of hiking in PA. I hitchhiked out of Wind Gap and was on the trail before 7:30. The hike started with a climb out of the gap onto a ridge which was covered in rocks. The trail was rocky throughout the day with only a few stretches of smooth walking. There are other rocky areas in other states, but nothing can beat Pennsylvania's rocks. Overall, the trail was not well maintained in eastern PA. Often it was overgrown with weeds, many of the white blazes needed to be repainted, and the shelters were in need of a lot of cleaning and maintenance. The local clubs must need a lot of help. I' m sure they would appreciate some volunteers. My hike ended along a ridge up Minsi Mountain. The blazes were very faint and there were big gaps between them. I doubled back at one point thinking I had missed a turn off. It was a confusing section of the trail, just what I didn't need at the end of the day. When I got into town, I checked in at the hiker hostel run by the Church of the Mountains. There are 6 of us here, in the basement of the church. A nice setup. Tomorrow, I hike across the Delaware Water Gap Bridge and go into New Jersey. This is something I have been waiting for since I was in this area last October for Hurricane Sandy power restoration work.
Date: 2013-08-07
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

1300 miles! The miles just keep rolling along. Today, I hiked across the Delaware Water Gap on the Interstate Bridge and entered into New Jersey. The trail was rocky, but not bad compared to PA. The views of the river from the ridge were great but the day was cloudy & raining. I decided to stay at the Mohican Outdoor Center which is run by the Appalachian Mountain Club. They are the trail club for this area. The Center is on the site of an old Boy Scout Camp and now is used as a conference center. They provide a bunkhouse for thru hikers. Nice & clean!
Date: 2013-08-08
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I saw no one on the trail today. But a ridge runner and another NOBO slept in the shelter with me. The ridge runner told us several stories of people coming out to the Delaware Water Gap area not prepared for hiking and getting into all sorts of trouble. Folks from NJ & NY often come trail ill prepared and get caught in the rain or get lost. The ridge runner is more or less a safety officer for the trail. He often hikes miles to get people safely home.This is a very old shelter and a new one to replace it is under construction. It started to rain before midnight and continued to rain throughout the night.
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: heavy intensity rain

It rained all morning to the point where I was completely soaked. I syopped by Joes to Go outside of Branchville, NJ for a breakfast sandwich and coffee. In the afternoon it stopped raining and I was just getting dry when a big thunderstorm dumped a ton of rain on the trail. In some parts, the water was hip deep. I was hoping to hike further, but I was ready to get out of the rain by the time I got to Rutherford.
Date: 2013-08-10
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Pochuck Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

My clothes and hiking shoes were still wet from yesterday when I started hiking today. But the skies were clear and gradually everything dried out. I stopped by the rangers office at Highland State Park to sign in as a through office, they give you a free Coke for stopping by and signing their trail log book. Then I hiked on to Unionville,NY to eat lunch and resupply. Finally I got to the shelter around 6 PM to settle down for the night. A good day for hiking.
Date: 2013-08-11
From: Pochuck Mountain Shelter

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Got an early start and hiked to NJ 94, the road to Vernon,NJ. Had lunch at Heaven Hill Farm, a farmers market & deli. Got some fresh fruit for breakfast and lunch. And a good Italian sub for lunch. Then I tackled a steep climb onto Wawayanda Mountain. There was an outdoor concert at the base of the mountain, so I could hear the music all the way up the hillh
Date: 2013-08-12
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Happy Birthday, Mom. The hike today had lots of high rocky ridges. Thankfully, it was dry so the rocks were not too slippery. Stopped at Bellvale Farms Creamery for some great locally made ice cream. NJ certainly had some great places to pig out.
Date: 2013-08-13
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Woke up to rain and it continued to rain until after lunch. The hike was over multiple rock ridges with steep climbs. So many I lost count. At the end of the day, I got through the Lemon Squeeze. This where the AT goes through a crack in the rocks that is so tight you have to take off your pack and carry it in front to get through. By the end of the day, I was exhausted.
Date: 2013-08-14
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Fort Montgomery/Bear Mountain
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After yesterday, I expected a rough day of hiking. But it was cool and dry and the trail was steep but manageable. From the top of Black Mountain, I was able to see the skyline of NYC which is about 50 miles away. Then I crossed the Palisades Parkway. My grandfather helped build that road in the 20's. Now almost 100 years later, I'm hiking across it. I thought Bear Mountain would be difficult. But the trail is groomed for lots of people from Bear Mtn Park. So the hike was smooth sailing all the way into town.
Date: 2013-08-15
From: Fort Montgomery/Bear Mountain

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 6.0

A short day of hiking. The owner of the Bear Mtn Bridge Motel drove me back to where the AT meets the bridge. From there I crossed the Hudson River and hiked to the Graymoor Spiritual Life Ctr. This is a large Franciscan Monastery that provides a camping area for AT hikers. There's s covered pavilion, privy, showers and plenty of room for tents.
Date: 2013-08-16
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: Shenandoah Mtn Camping area
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I expected to hike to Fahnestock State Park and to camp there. I got to the park at 4:30, the grill closed at 4. After eating a few snacks, I walked about a mile to their campgrounds. When I got there, there was no attendant at the registration office. After waiting about 40 minutes, I decided to hike on to a campsite along the AT. In all I had to back tract about 2 miles over some rocky terrain. Luckily the weather was cool and clear. There were 2 other section hikers at the campgrounds so at least I wasn't alone.
Date: 2013-08-20
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Duchess Motor Lodge, Wingdale 
Miles today: 1.2

Crossed the state line into Connecticut. Then I turned west and walked into Wingdale to get a hotel room. I'll clean up and get my clothes washed and get ready for my flight home. I've been hiking since March and it's hard to quit now. I'm looking forward to next May when I will complete my hike to Maine. I wish the best of luck and good hiking to all those still on the trail. Thanks, its been fun.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5nepKk6jls
Date: 2013-03-17
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawks Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: few clouds

My first day on the trial wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, however, I did no training before this epic hike and am very sore. 2 blisters, one on the ball of my foot and one on my 4th toe, my legs are killing me, throbbing, my shoulders kill and my naproxen is in my bag that is hanging up already and I am in bed! Soooo, I am getting dressed again to go get my anti-inflammatory or my second day may be a zero day. Met a lot of nice hikers, lots of late teen early 20's out here. Met up with Knut! Will write again tomorrow if I have cell service!The road less traveled.....
Date: 2013-03-18
From: Hawks Shelter

To: Gooch Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, today was not a good day. Misty and rain all day. Started off with 0 sleep due to pain in legs, shoulders and back from my too heavy pack which gained about 10 lbs being wet. Started the day poorly hiking up a mountain that was not part of the trial then hiking back down to find the AT which was right in front of the shelter! My camp stove which I tested twice at home quit working yesterday so nothing hot and it's in the 40's. Wore gloves and ski cap all day. Thank god for trail angels!!! 5 gallons of water right at a road crossing when I was down to my last half bottle!! Thank you whomever you are, you saved my behind today. What I wouldn't give for a hot cup of coffee. My sleeping bag is wet, the wind is howling and the rain has not stopped. Hope I can sleep after I quit shivering. Debating trying for Neels gap tomorrow, that would be 16 miles including Blood Mountain? No way.
Date: 2013-03-19
From: Gooch Shelter

To: Woody's Gap
Miles today: 7.3

Well, had a good day on the trail today. The sun shined and dried out his gear, beautiful views and Knutt gave me hot water to have coffee this morning, first hot food since starting on Sunday! Very happy about the coffee. Beautiful vista's all day, heard about a bear and it was right where I thought about checking for a camp site!! Then....trail angels with Trail Magic at the end of the day, two older women with a pick-up truck, Hostel, pizza, beer and a bunk for the night, hot shower and they did my laundry too!! All for $20.00 (well the pizza and beer were buy your own but everything else) Plus sausage gravy and biscuits at 730 a.m. They gave us a ride to this little town and put us up for the night! Thank god for trial angels!! Georgia is the best. Thank you folks for everything, including the ability to charge my phone! All in all a great day to be walking the trail. Heading out tomorrow for Bird Creek or Slaughter Creek tomorrow night, then over Blood Mountain and into Neel's Gap for new camp stove and bed/shower/resupply on Thursday before the big storm/snow, ice arrive on Friday.
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Woody's Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 11.2

Today was another beautiful day for hiking. Had enough energy to hike from Wood's Gap past Lance Creek where I was going to camp, over Blood Mountain (the highest mountain in Georgia!!) and on to Neel's Gap, 11.2 miles. Rented a cabin for the next two nights with Noodles and Knutt, have my very own queen bed in the loft and tonight I am going to sleep. Couple cool things from the trial today; Wounded Warriors (a group of 13 or 14) are thru hiking. Hits very close to home with Sean Eichel in Afghanistan now and his unit loosing 7 soldiers this week. My heartfelt thanks for their sacrifices and dedication to their service. Also met Sanka, who is a singer by trade and on entering Neel's Gap he had a group of young ladies from a college on spring break sing with him one my favorite songs Amazing Grace in perfect harmony! Awesome day all in all. Will go to the Walasi-Yi Center tomorrow for a new camp stove and have the experts go thru my pack to see if I can loose about 20 pounds of weight. Feet are holding up fine, Knutt has blisters bad.
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 7.8

Hike today was ok until Cow Rock which was very strenuous. Overcast all day but luckily no rain or snow but cold, all in all not a bad hike 7.7 miles to our camp. Still with Knut, Noodles (did I mention that Noodles is also a chef? Woke up to Noodles whipping up a Chicago style breakfast, souffle with bacon, onion, green papers. Now he's making Mac & Cheese for dinner and I am out hunting firewood as we have decided to camp away from the shelter full of kids tonight. Views were spectacular today, beautiful scenery. Tomorrow-on to Low Gap 5.8 , then Unicoi Gap 9.7 city of Helen, Ga for new battery for my phone so I have a back up. Reception is really bad here, so no pictures until I get to Helen, Ga.. BTW showed to Flag picture to the Wounded warrior group and they went nuts over it, sent it to them for the website! Very cool. Seeee yaaaa for now
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Low Gap

To: Unicoi Gap/Helen GA
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: snow

Wow, what a night at Low Gap, built for 6 had at least 12 in there, didn't sleep at all. Cold, started out early, before anyone else was awake. Got going and felt fairly strong, 2 beautiful waterfalls, but no battery for the camera, damn it. Visibility was not good today, foggy, wet, muddy, I really had to watch my step going down the mountains. I trucked, went as fast as I could because I want to get to a hotel and get clean, restocked (I had one pack of tuna left, not smart) met a thru hiker from 2006 who had hiked up to take pictures and said he and his family would give me a ride to Helen when he came down, but I beat him down and there she was, a trail angel to give me a lift right to a hotel (Quality Inn) so I am showered, had a steak, baked potato and am feeling really exhausted. Will get a good nights sleep and see what tomorrow brings. May take a day to do laundry, restock and just warm up if the weather is bad, will wait and see. Still waiting for this to be fun. LOL Oh yea, made my 50 mile mark! And no one can remember GBman so most are just calling me GMan, which sounds like a fed, which I am definitely not, LMAO.