morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Rattlesnake Spring Campsite

To: Glen Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

A much better day today. The terrain wasn't that much different, but my attitude and rhythm were much improved. I realize there is an attitude which comes from hiking everyday that is very different than off the trail. You only have one thing to do and, no matter how you approach it, it's going to take all day and the trail is what it is. If you allow it, a certain kind of calm happens. My calm was disrupted by my injury and all the anxiety of figuring it out, including being off the trail for ten days. And I was tired and not acclimated to trail conditions (food, water, sleep, temperature, effort, etc).So today I just tried to remain calm. The rocks did seem a bit friendlier and there was more diversity in the trail. There were sections along old ridge roads which were gravel (easy). There were several ridgetops which were slabs of rock (granite) slanting along the hillside which the trail followed. It reminded me of Maine on a smaller scale (without the roots). There seemed to be more space between the rocks and more sections where walking wasn't constant rocks. This morning there were entire hillsides covered in grasses in full seed. It looked like baby's breath in an ornamental flower vase for acres. Later there were sections of laurel in full bloom. This afternoon I saw a bear scampering away through the woods. They really are beautiful creatures. So, it is truly good to be back on the trail. I imagine tomorrow will be even better. I just hope my shin finally heals and I'll feel normal again. Two more days of antibiotics. We'll see.
Date: 2016-06-16
From: Glen Anderson Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

New Jersey is really neat. Today's hike was small ups and downs from rock ridge to ridge. I finished in high point state park from which I'm told you can see the skyline of NYC. I wouldn't know because it rained virtually the whole day. Made rock hopping a bit precarious but I just slowed down. The big issue for me today is my leg. I don't want this journal to be a recitation of woes, but I also want to highlight what's going on so here it is. My shin still hurts pretty badly and the infection just doesn't seem to be going away. It gets progressively worse as the day goes on and the swelling increases around it. Today felt like Thursday two weeks ago. Tomorrow morning is my last antibiotic so I'm pretty convinced it didn't work on this infection. So what's next? I cannot continue with this degree of pain. The doc said if it didn't improve to call her and she'd prescribe a different antibiotic. I'll be close to a pharmacy in a couple of days so that's a likely scenario. Meanwhile I'll try to go easy and take more ibuprofen. It's a drag to hike in pain. In spite of that, I did enjoy the scenery and terrain today. Hopefully I'll get this figured out and I can keep going. I'm seeing very few thru hikers. I've been leapfrogging one group of four but that's about it. There are maybe six local hikers each day. So it's mostly just me and the bears and birds. I did see a beautiful male turkey two days ago.
Date: 2016-06-17
From: High Point Shelter

To: Pochuck Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today was excellent. I was on the trail by 6:10, heading for Unionville, N.Y. The trail straddles the NJ/NY border for 20 miles or so. First, we descended high point mtn, the end of the wild part of NJ. Then there was a series of short climbs and descents across rolling hay fields and quite a bit of boardwalk through mostly dry swamps. The fragrances of the lower elevation were alluring. Wildflowers, hay, wet woods. And the weather was perfect. Then I went into Unionville. At the post office, I picked up my package from Leki (trekking pole company). Not only did I get a replacement lower shaft for one pole, I got both lower shafts, each with new tips. Score. I had an excellent sandwich at the General store, resupplied, and charged my kindle. I also ordered a 2nd antibiotic for my leg to be picked up Sunday. Then I walked the rest of a short day through more fields, a mile and a half along a levee through a natl wildlife refuge, along a long section of boardwalk, and up a steep climb.I'm operating under a plan to do short days until Monday, when I'll be going to stony point center for three days of rest and slack packing. If I use ibuprofen and take it easy (slow, 12-mile days), the pain is tolerable. By next week I hope to have my leg back and I can crank up the miles again. I have a contingency plan, but I hope I don't need to trigger it. I felt another shift in attitude today. I am more focused on things other than walking. Probably because the terrain was so much easier and diverse, it is a good feeling to not feel like I'm completely absorbed in rock hopping or pain management. So I'll enjoy the slower pace for a week or so.
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Woodchuck Mtn Shelter

To: Waywayanda Shelter
Miles today: 11.5

What a great day, full of surprises. Last night not a single hiker even passed the shelter where I camped, let alone stayed there. An unusual occurrence, probably because there were hostels a little behind and a little ahead. No matter to me. Up early, I walked across and then down pochuck mountain and then ambled up and down some moderately strenuous undulations. After crossing the first of three really nice creeks today, there were several sections of boardwalk. Then, after some farm fields, I came to what must be the most photographed boardwalk on the trail. This about two mile boardwalk/bridge system was built by the N.Y./N.J. AT group to eliminate a long road walk section through Vernon. It took 14 years to complete (7 to permit, 7 to build) and included a really cool suspension bridge. I met the guy maintaining this section and we had a good talk. Then @ a road crossing I saw a note for a freshfood market nearby. Perfect timing as I was already finished my morning snack and I was hungry. So I had watermelon, coffee, and a wrap, followed by a milkshake and an apple. Maybe that's why the last couple of days have been so enjoyable, that is, because I found places for good food for early lunch/ second breakfast. Anyway, it was a good thing I fueled up because next came 'the stairway to heaven', a challenging approx. 1000' climb that include lots of rock steps (I didn't count them but it was vigorous). There were lots of town folks out for the challenge of climbing this imposing looking rock face and that was good to see. About halfway back down the backside of the mountain, I passed three college-age girls and they asked if I knew if we were to the overlook yet. I directed them back up the mountain to where there had been a sign which said View on it. Seemed like the fact we'd been going downhill for quite awhile would have been a clue but they were having fun. One girl asked where this trail went if they kept going. I told her: Maine. Later I came to another beautiful stream where I washed and cooled off. Several climbs and descents today were challenging but fun. Now I'm camping at the last shelter in NJ. Just like I wasn't going to complain about states (if I was it'd be PA), I won't pick favorites. But if I did, NJ would be on the short list. It is a really cool state to hike, with lots of diverse trail types, some surprisingly rugged, lots of wildlife, and lots of good amenities near road crossings. It also is surprisingly wild, given how close we are to millions of people. Part of it may be there aren't any major highways in earshot. Anyway, I do like the trail in NJ. I'm sticking to my 12 mile/day healing plan and the leg pain is bearable.In AWOL's guidebook, it says of tomorrow: Despite its unimposing profile, rocks and abrupt ups and downs make this section challenging. Oh boy.
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Waywayanda Shelter

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

What a great day. New Jersey finished with a bang and new York started with an even bigger bang. Per the warning in the guidebook, there was very little change in the profile but the rocks and abrupt ups and downs made for lots of challenges. But these were not rocks that test your patience. These were long, low slab rock ridges we were crossing perpendicular to the ridge. So up and down we went, each time a challenging, somewhat technical climb or descent. Never more than 50 or 100 feet, but always a challenge. Poles were abandoned in favor of balanced rock hopping and hand climbing. At one point there was a rebar ladder. On the tops, sometimes you'd traverse the top of the ridge (like being above treeline) for several hundred yards. It was great fun. And did I mention it was challenging?I hiked part of the way with a couple I met way back in the Shenandoahs and ran into another guy I hadn't seen since va. It is fun to see people again and catch up on things and compare experiences. I was out of camp before 6 and took a spur trail down into town at about 11. I had to go to town to pick up antibiotic #2. So of course I had to have a bacon cheeseburger and fries and coffee followed up with a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. I bought enough food to get me through tomorrow and headed out.So here was a classic hiker dilemma. Should I go backwards through town and back up the spur trail to where I got off or road walk north the 1.8 miles to complete the triangle to get back on the trail. Absolute purists (I know that's redundant) refuse to miss a white blaze and go backwards and up the spur trail, an extra 1.5-2 miles. Pragmatists reason that taking the road (yellow blazing) covers more miles than not having come into town at all (it is two sides of a triangle) and take the road. I chose the road this time. And it was no cakewalk. It had gotten hot by this time (I dilly dallied in town til 2),it was the same uphill, and the shoulder was narrow on a very busy road. I had to stop and cool off when I made it back into the woods. So you hike your own hike; I'm completely at peace with that decision today. So about the antibiotic; I really don't want to take anymore. I'm painfully aware of how much trouble they caused Dad and the side effects can be pretty debilitating. So I'm thrilled to say that, while my leg is still painful and swollen, it is improving. My intention is to wait and hope for continued improvement, in which case I'll pass altogether on the second round. Fingers crossed. I got kinda sentimental today thinking about Dad (it is father's day). I found great relief and joy when a flock of crows started squawking and I remembered how Dad used to love to caw like a crow and have a good laugh. He had such a simple joy in things like that, I laughed out loud there in the woods, sharing the moment with him. It was a good laugh. Today was a good day to be hiking the AT and I'm grateful to be here.
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Arden Valley Rd 
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

New York is tough so far. Fun, but tough. For a low mileage day with modest cumulative vertical, I was tired. Of course it was 90 degrees and humid. It was more progressing perpendicular to a series of low (50- 200 feet), rocky ridges. Sort of like an ant walking across a ruffles potato chip. Up and down and up and down. And many of the ups and downs were vertical. Lots of hand climbing and rock hopping. Some long slabs along sections of ridge. But all fun. I really like new York so far. There were 2-12 gallon jugs of water at just about every road crossing. Plus some Gatorade and fruit trail magic. Natural water sources are scarce and often outlets from ponds which seem kind of sketchy so the jugs are very welcome. I've been in a bit of a bubble the last several days and enjoyed lots of good camaraderie. But the best part of the day was getting picked up by the shuttle at the Stony Point center where i'll be most of this week. They have reasonable accommodation, good food,and offer slack-packing shuttles. So while friend betty is here from Florida, we will enjoy a different way to hike a section of the trail. My leg did well today and the swelling continues to improve so I'm staying on the go low go slow course to healing. As long as the trajectory is favorable, that's my plan. So another section done (90 miles this week) and the countdown continues. I'm at about 450 miles left and working on figuring the best way to get to the three separate sections I have left (here to Mass, skipped PA, and 2 weeks in Maine) . Travel decisions to follow; slack packing this week.
Date: 2016-06-21
From: Arden Valley Rd 

To: Stony Point center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Zero Day. I reserved a 7 am shuttle. After waiting til 8:30 and texting twice, I realized today was not for hiking. I knew the young man who was supposed to pick me up overslept so I went to breakfast. He finally came to @ about 9 and I told him it was fine; we'd call off today. Breakfast was good and I enjoyed resting, reading the paper, doing laundry, and shopping for day food for the next couple of days. I'm enjoying this conference center and the chance to take it easy for a while.
Date: 2016-06-22
From: Stony Point center

To: Palisades Pkwy
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a top ten day. Slack packing. Cool weather. Low humidity. Moderate tread. Relatively flat. Jaw dropping beauty in the forested meadows occupying the ridges coupled with the open slab rock bands on top. The sky was blue. The breeze was stiff. The Lemon Squeezer was fun. And I had my first wild blueberries of the year (one bush was just early). Harriman State Park is the first section of the AT laid out and some of the oldest rocks in the world. It is spectacular not for its vistas (although at one point I could see the NYC skyline 35 miles away) but for its sheer beauty. The grasses swaying in the wind amongst the baldrocks and the mature northern forest was photographic. The second half of the hike was a bit rougher but still very enjoyable. And my leg barely hurt. Things are looking up.I've decided to go back to PA this weekend and finish the 75 miles I skipped; every week I wait it gets hotter and drier. And if I do it nowI can return carols car to Ohio and ride with Charlie back to New England. Ill slack pack again tomorrow and then head for PA Friday.
Date: 2016-06-23
From: Palisades Pkwy

To: Peekskill, ny
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Another pleasant, fairly easy day. Two big ups and two big downs, this was more like the south in elevation profile. It was different in that it was highly groomed, including lots of steps. Some of (the?) the best steps on the AT. Today I hiked bear mtn, the last mountain west of the Hudson River on the trail and the earliest blazed section of the trail. At the bottom of the mtn was the lowest point on the AT, where we walked through a zoo. I ran into two of the hikers I did the half gallon ice cream challenge back in pine grove furnace, pa. We had fun walking and talking for awhile this afternoon, making the miles go quickly. The hiker community really is nice to be part of, drifting into and out of familiar faces. I've enjoyed this respite this week: one zero and two slack pack days. This Stony Point Center is a cool place to base and it has worked out great for Betty's visit. It's been a welcome mid-hike break and I'm stoked to get back on the trail full-time. Tomorrow I head back to PA to bite the dog that bit me. I'm determined to finish PA and, by all means, not finish in PA. The weather there is going to be as good as it will be the rest of summer and water supplies are dwindling quickly. So I'm going. I'm down to only 418 miles left.
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Peekskill, ny

To: Lancaster, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Travel day today. Left the Stony Point Center at 8 am. After two train cancellations, they sent a bus to transport all the train waiters to Hackensack to get back on track. The bus filled up with discontent locals wanting to get into NYC for their Friday. As the bus was just getting ready to pull out, a train comes from the north, stops and opens its doors. All the locals scramble off the bus and run onto the train destined for who knows where. Betty and I stayed with the bus and we wound up getting a chauffeured ride all the way to Hackensack in a full size bus. Just the two of us. She chatted up the driver and it was fine. Then we trained on in to NYC and I got the Amtrak to Lancaster, PA, where cousin Cynthia picked me up. My support team (extended family) has been incredible through this trip to get me from point a to b and provide me food and shelter. Thank goodness for family. Back on the trail tomorrow to finish PA, then a road trip to Ohio and then Massachusetts or New York.
Date: 2016-06-25
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Hawk Mtn stealth
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm so glad I decided to return now to PA to complete the 75 miles I skipped a couple of weeks ago. Having a gap to fill was weighing on my mind and this way I'll be able to return Carol's car and not have that dangling out there. Plus I just couldn't get comfortable with the idea of finishing the trail in PA. Got started at 11:30 today so I was uncertain how far I would go. My original target was a shelter at about 15 miles. The first 5-6 miles were pretty comfortable; only occasional rock fields and the one climb was well graded. I was feeling much more positive about PA. I'm not saying I particularly like it; I just have a better attitude. Part of that is feeling better physically and part of it is knowing it's only 75 miles. The weather should be reasonable this week and water sources seem like there's still enough to collect it. I think new york is already drier than here. After a late lunch, I climbed to The Pulpit, a popular vista. There were lots of people enjoying a weekend outing. Seems like they get out here and are surprised at how difficult it is but most of them make it to the top. It was a good, challenging climb. Then came over a mile of rock hopping. It was difficult and really slowed me down but I kept my cool (only 75 miles). Then the trail took a sharp left turn onto a woods road and followed it in a westward direction for 2-3 miles. It felt odd going 'backward' but the gravel road was a welcome break. There was one stream all day and it was really nice. I felt like I could make it to the shelter by 7 so I kept going. Unfortunately, I didn't realize the shelter was at a road crossing so I kept going. By the time I figured out I had passed it, I was 0.5 beyond. It was getting late, my water supply was low and I was approaching another climb. This is not a situation I like to put myself into. But I reasoned my way through and kept going. I didn't want to go backwards, especially because it had gotten rocky again. Sure enough, on the summit of the mountain 2 miles beyond the shelter I found an ok stealth spot to set up. I was set up and in my tent by 8 with a second lunch (so I didn't have to use water to cook). I should be ok tomorrow as there is a spring within 4 miles. Ill eat a dry breakfast too and ration out my remaining water. Kinda sketchy, but I'm within the safety margin so all is well. It's really good to be back on the trail after a mini-vacation of slack packing. I am getting excited about finishing the AT. Miles to go: 401. Let the countdown begin.
Date: 2016-06-26
From: Hawk Mtn stealth

To: Bake Oven Knob Shltr
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Pennsylvania rocks. I just had to say that. Today started out with uncertainty. I was almost out of water and the next spring was labeled 'unreliable' as are most of the few springs in this area. Things started off at a slow pace as it was pretty rough going with lots of rocks. But the spring was good so I stopped and had breakfast and got restarted from my unusual night last night. I felt normal again and the rocks didn't bother me nearly as much. Yesterday was easy hard easy. Today was hard easy hard. After five miles or so, I was on old woods roads for the middle five. I stopped at a road crossing tavern and had a burger, fries and a beer. It was pricy but worth it. I watered up at their faucet(there's almost no water out here) and headed out. Then I hit the third third and it was rough. They seem to have a thing here where they call sections things like Pinnacle, Knifes Edge, Bear Rock, and Bake Oven Knob but they are all just enormous piles of giant rocks over which you have to rock hop. It's kinda fun but today reminded me that I am not fearless. Navigating car size boulders all topsy turvy piled up can be unnerving. Some sections reminded me of mahousac notch in Maine, which is said to be the gnarliest mile on the AT. It's tough when these features just appear and you don't know what to expect or how long you're going to have to deal with it. Anyway, I made it to the shelter. Originally I was going to go on for a few miles to make the next couple of days line up better but I was ready to stop. It turned out the first two springs down the hill were dry. I had to go over a half mile through overgrown brush to get to spring three. It was excellent, flowing water and that's just what you have to do for water in PA in the summer. It was sorta hot today but not brutally so. I think it's going to continue to not be oppressive my last three days in PA. I'm glad to be here and remaining calm about whatever PA has to offer. 385.8 Left to go.
Date: 2016-06-27
From: Bake Oven Knob Shltr

To: Little Gap Stealth
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

For a short day, it sure was hard. But enjoyable. Probably the best day in PA so far, mainly because it was diverse. Lately it's been green tunnel rocky roads with intermittent gnarly rock sections. Not today. The day started pretty much the same rocks and roads. But then I went down a bit and started having open meadows of ferns or bushes with woods in between. It wasn't too bad walking and I started to see some different plants. And then, score, I found ripe blueberries. What a treat that was. After about 6 miles, I came upon the only water for the day. It was near the Lehigh Gap so it was time to get ready for some challenge. I'd read about the climb out of the gap: 1000' in 0.9 miles up a steep pile of rocks, all exposed in the hot sun. I had a snickers bar and camelled a liter of water and went for it. It was hot. It was steep.It was mostly in the exposed sun. It was windy. And it was a pile of rocks. The first half or so was small rocks and mostly just a tough climb.The second half was all rock hopping over huge and small rocks. It was well marked, and there were several required hand lifts although no rebar and nothing too daunting. Knifes Edge yesterday was scarier. It was actually a pretty fun climb. But then we got to the top: the palmerton superfund site on former zinc mined land. There was a 4-mile diversion around the restoration area. About 2 miles was along an old road, easy walking but hot in the open sun. I stopped for lunch near the end of that when I found some shade. Then it was 2 miles of tough rocks. Since there are essentially no water sources, I decided to hike into town to get a few food supplies and some water. The forecast was for rain at 3 and I'd read about a place you could pitch your tent so I did. I got everything set up by 3 and ate my pint of ice cream in my tent as the rain began. It is a good, soaking rain and I hope things will be dry tomorrow. I'm not sure of the forecast. So I had a nice afternoon nap with the rain tapping on my tent. Tomorrow I hope to carry out a bunch of water so I can make 15 without going way off the trail for water. Then Wednesday I should finish PA. Ill probably stay in the hostel in Delaware Water Gap and get in the car early Thursday to head for Ohio. I can almost see the end of PA. I'll just have to remain calm, much easier when you know you're almost to the barn. Countdown @ 373.1 miles left.