morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-09
From: Eckville Shelter 

To: New Tripoli Campsite 
Miles today: 13.1

After a couple of short days it was time to make miles. The hike from the Shelter which was off trail about a quarter of a mile was a good warm up for the climb back up the mountain. Maybe too good! Wow...what a long steep and rocky climb...over hour, maybe about one and one half's worth! Our goal today was to begin increasing miles and to reach Palmerton in 2 days. And that my friends is the location of the toughest section of PA rocks...the Lehigh Gap! Additionally we were entering a long stretch with sketchy water...and expected good weather and increased temperatures. Personally I'm continuing to get my confidence back in these rocks after the fall and day off a few days back. We aim today for what we have heard is a nice established campsite about half-way between the 25 miles to Palmerton. At the trail marker to the New Tripoli Campsite we learned it was not only 3 off the trail, but also downhill! That of course means 3 back up tomorrow am. Once down we found a nice spot and awesome spring water gushing from the ground. Nothing better than cold mountain spring water. We set up camp, ate dinner, hung food, and hit the sack. Blessings,
Date: 2017-06-11
From: Palmerton, PA and Bert's Steak House Hostel 

To: Delps Campsite 
Miles today: 10.4

Unfortunately it was Sunday. Unfortunate because the Bert Steakhouse would not open for breakfast until 8 and the shuttle they provide would not deliver us to the trailhead until about 9:15. We wanted a good breakfast before tackling the most difficult climb out of Lehigh Gap but also concerned about the heat. Today was to be the hottest day of the year so far. Filled with energy providing fuel and with full loads of water (not exactly what one wants before this particular climb or any other for that matter) we headed up. Now this climb is for the most part wide open to the elements...no forest cover...and requires one to stow sticks in order to be able to use both hands!  So much for yesterday's shower, I was soaked within minutes, including my bandana headband. Now friends I don't have good pics to show and description is hard...one must experience this to understand...but I will try. Picture taking while using both hands to cling to this trail would be dicey! On a ledge I did get a few of the awesome gap we were hiking above. Imagine climbing on a jungle gym with a 40 lbs pack...upright, sideways, reaching full out to grab a hold, minimal footholds often, using knees, butt and any other odd position to hike!!! Actually it was a fun challenge. Let me tell you though, once up this guy was exhausted and still a long day of hiking and rocks ahead. After such exertions it was necessary to drink and not conserve water. The next water would be 9 miles away at camp...unless we got trail magic at the only road crossing of the day. We had heard that local folks often provided and we prayed for that. Once up out of Lehigh Gap the trail was basically rolling with only short ups and downs. The openness to the sun was the issue. It seemed I stopped to cool in about every shady site. Finally as we approached the road crossing, Bloodhound and Fiddle were ahead of me. When I arrived they were about to cross the road, but I saw water jugs they had missed!!! PTL there was one gallon remaining. We divided it between us, hoping it would take us to camp still almost 6 miles and 3+ hours ahead. We struggled up one more climb after the road crossing. The climb included a boulder field that slowed us down considerably. Finally at the campsite water was .4 miles downhill. I was elected to stay at camp to watch gear and did not complain a bit. Bad news is that after such a day of exertion I had no appetite...not good. I had a bit of dried fruit, apricots and pineapple, and some lemonade I had carried from town. We all needed a good night of sleep to rejuvenate for what was sure to be another challenging day and again with water issues. Several others arrived after us to camp at this location. Blessings,
Date: 2017-06-12
From: Delps Campsite 

To: Campsite 1.2 Miles South of Wind Gap
Miles today: 9.4

Refreshed this morning after the hard day yesterday, the plan was to get to the next shelter, water up and then proceed another few miles to just south of Wind Gap. We again would be camping without water so we would carry extra from the shelter. Tomorrow would require a hike of over 6 miles before a spring known to go dry early in the year. With the rain we've had it was doubtful that water there would be a problem. Regardless we would conserve tonight. About halfway to the shelter and water source it happened again!!! I tripped on a rock and hit my head. Enough this time to produce a cut. Luckily the three of us were close together and Bloodhound and Fiddle quickly came to my assistance. First I got to my knees...not done quickly with a pack on. Then Fiddle coached me through removal of my now blood soaked bandana and help with cleaning the wound. The small cut was easily covered with a regular bandaid. For the rest of the day these friends stayed close, one in front the other behind, to keep an eye on me. Of Course I appreciated that. Hikers take care of each other like this. After resuppling with water we headed on for tonight's campsite. For tonight's dinner I knew I needed to eat and maximize limited water use. Thus, the meal of choice was one of my favs... a peach fruit smoothie! Almost 500 calories and only 8 ounces of water. Nevertheless we all wanted more water than we dared to drink before tomorrow. Two more days and my hike for this section would end at the Delaware Water Gap. Blessings,
Date: 2019-04-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Friends, after a rough 2018...no hiking on the AT...I'm in preparation now for what I hope will be the second to last leg of my journey that began in 2014. In 2014 the plan was to complete the AT in two years (Georgia to Harpers Ferry/Harpers Ferry to Maine). That didn't happen because of injuries in 2014 requiring a trip back home for medical treatment. I did get back out but did not have enough time to make Harpers...only to Damascus. So it goes with the "best laid" plans.  I will be starting this year (and praying that no road blocks pop up) at Delaware Water Gap. Right now as plans are still being finalized, I will be aiming for Hanover, NH. Starting date will be late June/early July.
Date: 2019-06-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello... Planning and waiting are coming to an end for 2019. Mail drops are just about all packed. Travel arrangements have been final now for several weeks, and I'm now into final details...like how to get home once I arrive in Hanover. NH. Per usual I'm looking forward to the trip to Delaware Water Gap. A bit of a long journey by train and bus but an adventure nonetheless. My food planning includes travel food as well...won't have such luxury on the way home...however that's going to happen.Still lots to do in two weeks, including having our granddaughter for several days right before the weekend I leave. My plan is to have most everything done by end of this week.  Including an email to friends and family that this journal is again up and running. Since starting this AT journey in 2014, I have learned many things to streamline my gear, meals, etc.  But as I¢ve been packing the last two days, food and other necessities mostly, it still seems I pack too much.  This time out I plan to purchase more food along the way and mail drop only main courses and other items I know will not be available at trail town shops and small grocery stores (e.g. Larry and Lenny cookies).  Time will be spent this week after all food and other supplies are in boxes, to see what I can remove. A pound here or there will be a benefit. Heading now into the northeast the AT goes through several towns and skirts others within easy hiking or hitching distance.  I just ponder how much time I will have or will want to take in going off-trail, only to need to get back to the trail on the same day to make my next camp spot. At this point my rough itinerary (ie. rough is the final format) includes many ¢short¢ days of 10 miles or less.  I think/anticipate that once I get back into some level of hiking shape (4 to 6 days in hopefully) daily miles can ramp up, especially in Connecticut, where the terrain is more level.  Recently, I discovered a problem with the itinerary in that a mail drop retrieval day was on a Saturday when the local post office closes at noon. The day before that I will push a couple of extra miles to help insure I get there before noon.  I also discovered today that when I changed a mail drop location I had not modified my meals ¢ switching one to the previous box!! Enough said for now.  Really looking forward to what I hope will be my second to last section before finishing next year.  Blessings,
Date: 2019-06-29
From: Lakeside Park, KY

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Final Countdown¢¦Less than 48 hours now before I catch a ride on the Amtrak Cardinal to Philadelphia, PA. Lots of ends to tie up in the last two days. Also a couple of roadblocks that needed removing. Like an air conditioner that decided to stop. PTL that I already had an estimate for this and that work was scheduled the next day (Friday, the 28th). A ¢newbie¢ I guessing at the post office told me I could not mail to ¢General Delivery¢ that I needed a street address! AT Guides don¢t supply that information. Called the PO at Delaware Water Gap to confirm this was an error and followed up by going to a different post office¢¦all is well now. Whew! Thought I might have to redo all my box labels. Not that many but still a pain.Picture attached is looking NOBO from the exact location I stopped at in Delaware Water Gap in 2017. The blaze in the picture (look on the telephone pole) will be the first I pass on this hike.Currently fighting the ¢just one more thing¢ conundrum. Besides stuff I might need, but likely not, for the actual hike is stuff I might want for the almost 32 hours of travel. I get on the Cardinal at 3:27 am Sunday; arrive in Philadelphia by way of Washington DC at 10:30ish and then pick up the Greyhound bus to Delaware Water Gap at 6:40 Monday morning. What and how much reading materials, snacks/meals do I need and can I actually carry in a small backpack? All my gear will be in my Osprey pack in a duffle bag for transport. I don¢t want to be in and out of that at all if possible during the trip. So I¢m stuck with my smallish ¢day pack¢ that when stuffed into its bag fits in the palm of my hand. Certainly all will work out and those little items most likely left behind¢¦and not needed nor missed. It¢s just the thinking about all this that makes me even more anxious to get this trip started. More so to finally be on the AT again.On Friday, we barbequed chicken on the grill; enjoyed some ice cream and today Cath and I will be spending as much time just being together as possible. Only real task outside of the house will be taking my second mail drop to the post office so it will arrive ahead of me in Unionville, NY next Saturday given the short week with the holiday. I will see if that ugly little problem at the PO comes up again.
Date: 2019-06-30
From: Cincinnati Union Terminal

To: Philadelphia, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Early start today. We started off behind schedule, about 20 minutes. By the time we got through W. Va. We were behind by an hour. Potential issue for me was that I was to change trains to get to Philly and two hours to do so. After another delay in Staunton, VA. It appeared likely I could miss.Thankfully this train also goes to Philly and the conductor told me I could stay on board. All that resolved and thankful I had brought along two sandwiches. Initially had hoped to buy food during layover in Washington. Finally arrived in Philly at 30th Street Station, which will be my ¢campsite" for tonight. Actually a nice and comfortable wooden bench found in many of the old train stations. This is quite a nice place and rather busy for late on a Sunday night. Doubt that I will actually sleep but certainly feels safe enough to doze. Amazingly at this time ( about 11 pm) and after a 17 hour trip, I feel pretty good. Did get some napping in today, but a bit concerned lack of sleep will catch up to me tomorrow and/or Tuesday. Stay tuned. Maybe significant ¢butt" time will count toward rest. Haven¢t sat that long ever I don¢t think. Blessings,
Date: 2019-07-01
To: Delaware Water Gap 
Miles today: 0.0

Interesting night¢¦short of napped in brief spurts at the train estation and looking forward to the 3 hour bus ride and an opportunity to sleep in route to the trail head today. The station was quite busy all night. That kept the ¢Wizard of Oz" like voice a constant companion all night. I could barely hear all that it said it was so loud and reverberated off the walls. According to my Garmin Vivosport I got a whopping 1 hour and 4 minutes of sleep last night on the bench at the train station. There weren¢t many others doing the same but I was still surprised at the number. At 5 am I was ready to catch the commuter rail to the bus station. Figuring that out was the first challenge of the day. No employee showed at the information booth to assist and my train was to leave at 5:30. I asked an Amtrak police officer if he could help he seemed very happy to and even advised a different train. Once at the bus station that too was somewhat dicey. Very crowded, very cold and very poor communication with riders and which lines to be in and when. Finally got that sorted out and underway at about 7AM. About 4 stops and 3 hours later I arrived in Stroudsburg, PA. The station actually is very close to Delaware Water Gap, which I knew from 2017, having stopped there before and helping Fiddle catch a bus to get home. A shortish downhill walk to the Gap. Check in time for my motel was 4 PM. Of course I was hoping to get in sooner¢¦to sleep, shower, eat, etc. before starting my hike tomorrow. First stop was the outfitter to buy fuel, which cannot be transported by train. (Don¢t tell anybody but I did bring along an almost empty can. A bit concerned about distance between resupply for fuel so want to carry just a little. Glad I got it through. Actually I saw no luggage checks.) While at the outfitter they assisted with calling the motel as I didn¢t have the local number. I was offered early check-in immediately for $20 or no charge if I waited until noon. Easy decision there. Noon was still 4 hours sooner than advertised!! With that I headed to the PO for my food pickup sent a few days ago and the ¢famous" hot dog and apple pie lunch at the local bakery/deli/vegetable stand. Killed time easily eating outside and watching numerous hikers arriving. Many just off the trail.A shower, nap and repacking the box with my travel clothing, etc and getting back to the PO was completed by 4! Then back to resting, hydrating and hopefully napping more before dinner.Dinner was a very good chicken pot pie and water as I¢m hydrating for tomorrow. During travel I didn¢t drink nearly enough¢¦so now catching up. Final packed my gear for tomorrow and will go to bed very early¢¦.still haven¢t felt as tired as I think I should be. That is a little bothersome with my first day tomorrow including hiking up out of this Gap and carrying a fully loaded pack for the first time in a while. Blessings,
Date: 2019-07-02
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 12.0

Finally underway today. Because of good fortune yesterday, I could start hiking about 7:30. With an early start and adequate endurance today I think 12 miles on day one doable. Delaware Water Gap: remember gap = up. Whenever in a gap the way out is a climb! Getting out of DWG was not too arduous today. First stop was at Backpackers campsite. This is a popular campsite maintained as such vs the many that while identified in guides a spot to camp have merely developed by use over the years. Here I took my first ¢pack off¢ rest at about 6 miles in. I wanted to ascertain that my fitness is good enough to double up and reach my goal of Mohican Outdoor Center. Felt great¢¦helps that almost 3 of the first 6 were road walking to get out of town. I was quite tired and thirsty upon arriving¢¦ran out of water between the trail crossing and the Center, about .3 miles. The place is awesome. Very hiker and outdoor friendly as the name implies. As soon as I stepped into the, but after being asked to leave my pack on the porch¢¦a sign I hadn¢t seen; I was offered a cold drink. Ten bucks for a nice ¢walk in" campsite and shower. Every day they offer AYCE dinners. Every AT hiker, which comprised most guests, opted for rather hefty grilled sandwiches¢¦me too. Another benefit is the lodge room with charging cables, games and showers stays open all night. Met two hiker in my age group¢¦Legacy from Rochester, NY and Death March Dan from Knoxville. They had connected in March back in Georgia. Hoped to sleep great this first night and be ready to roll tomorrow and see how my endurance is. Typically I can count on 4 to 6 days to get ¢trail legs" ready begin feeling comfortable for steady climbs and distance aiming for 10 to 12 per day. Blessings,
Date: 2019-07-04
From: Buttermilk Falls Campsite

To: Branchville, NJ
Miles today: 7.5

Woke up this morning feeling refreshed. A long sleep and restful night was good after yesterday¢s debacle. My campmate hustled off to reach her much needed water. I had plenty to reach Branchville where I would refill. The day started good. Good weather, good trail for the most part and for a while not too much heat. I was looking forward to Branchville where several restaurants and other stores are very near the AT road crossing. A rather short hike to the road ¢ 7.5 miles. For me those 7.5 miles became longer as within less than two I began to feel the effects from yesterday¢s efforts. Plans change, especially hiking plans, and mine did. I hadn¢t checked much about getting off trail in Branchville except for lunch and head on another 3 miles to camp. About halfway to the road crossing I began faltering big time. Stopping frequently, especially on any uphill. Just nothing in the tank. Most likely I had dehydrated yesterday without nearly enough water or electrolytes or time to recover. Similar has happened before. Fortunately, meeting up with two SOBO slack packers, actually husband and wife, whom I¢d met two days ago, provided the answer. A friend had stayed at a motel in Branchville and they thought space may be available. At that point I was less than two miles, maybe about one, from the road. Immediately stopped, found the phone number in the guide¢¦and PTL they had a room and pick up hikers at the trailhead. I¢m here now resting, watering up like a camel and hoping tomorrow bodes better than today. I have several action plan depending on how I feel once hiking begins. Tomorrow may be very short or at most less than ten miles. Right now I feel good, but won¢t know how recovered until feet hit the trail. Waiting for my ride I had a nice lunch. Drank a lot of ice water and tea/lemonade mix (Arnold Palmer). Didn¢t realize until at the motel that I¢d used almost 34 of the water I carried today. From here on I really need to watch my supply and maybe carry more with me¢¦.ugh! Water is the heaviest necessity we carry. Food is second but that varies depending on how many days between resupply. Here¢s hoping tomorrow shows recovery and progress toward getting into hiking shape for this journey.Blessings,
Date: 2019-07-05
From: Branchville NJ

To: Mashapacong Shelter 
Miles today: 8.8

Motel took me back to trailhead, about 2 miles away, at 8:30. A bit of a late start today but because of need to pay more attention to my fitness and recovery from yesterday, I planned less miles. Including an option to stop short. Water is becoming an issue in these parts too. Some very sketchy water sources to be avoided if at all possible.From the outset the day started well. A climb of course to start but once up pretty good going. Still rocky and at this point thru-hikers as well as me (after a year off) are just plain tired of the continuing ¢Pennsylvania¢ rocks. An interesting site today, called Sunrise Mountain. It¢s an open area with an ancient pavilion type shelter. Early 1900¢s I¢m guessing. A place where people apparently went to gaze at the rising and setting sun. One could actually camp in it if they had adequate water with them. It was a hot day but quite comfortable in the shelter. My first stop and alternate final if needed was the Gren Andersen Shelter. Here I decided to move on but due to water concern, I packed out one liter of dirty (unfiltered) water. ¢Only" an extra 2 to 3 ponds to carry. At Mashapacong it is known that local volunteers often supply water. Not knowing for sure that would be available and not wanting water issues again if at all possible¢¦.I carried just in case.Sure enough plenty of water in 5 gallon jugs at the shelter. Still glad I carried the water¢¦.might need to carry it tomorrow if water up ahead is scarce. Really nice tenting area at Mashapacong and privy. When I arrived only one hiker there. A guy hiking south. Not much of a talker and hid in his tent most of the afternoon. I did glean that he is from Oklahoma and was born in Louisville. Within a couple of hours we were getting a good group staying the night. A couple my age, Lolly and Pops, from Spokane were thru-hiking but had taken time off trail and even jumped ahead some to stay on ¢schedule¢ I think. Others: Buck, Strider, and Mr. White their white dog; and Rastice (?) a most interesting guy from Australia. After a good nights sleep it was time to dry some dampness out of my sleeping gear before packing up and hiking. Blessings,
Date: 2019-07-07
From: Mosey's Hostel 

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 0.0

After a rather tough first week back on the AT after a year off and continuing to battle getting into hiking shape, I decided an unplanned zero day (no miles day) was best. A good opportunity arose at High Point SP and coincided with me not making it to Unionville by Saturday noon, July 6. PO closed and would not be open until Monday, July 8. I really enjoyed Mosey¢s Hostel but didn¢t want to pay more when free camping was available at the Unionville City Hall and Park. Arrived there around three with only two tents already in place. A great spot to be in to choose a location. Many more were expected so taking early advantage was a nice perk. Sure enough by nightfall the park of about 2 acres with a play lot, basketball court and short walking trail was full hikers and tents.One popular draw here is Annabels Pizza. And that happens to be located directly across the street. Upon arrival I met one hiker already set up. Shade fron Michigan. She was hiking with her dog, a Vizsla, which I had never heard of. A really well behaved nice looking pet. Also she had been through here before and provided good information on the area. First priority was getting a permit at Horlers General Store, another iconic place in this town. Being immediately off the trail most every hiker stops in¢¦and of course free camping helps to. Wanting to save a few bucks, I ate an early dinner of the last meal in my food bag. And also my favorite trailside beans and cheese burrito. Later I would venture over to Annabels for a slice of stromboli pizza, a drink and to charge my phone. Most every place serving hikers offer charging. Rain is forecast for tonight so after dinner I prepared by ¢tightening¢ my camp and doing what I could to prepare for leaving tomorrow in wet conditions. One good aspect is also that rain will bring cooler weather for at least half the day. Tonight will be interesting also because the park is equipped with large security lights that are motion activated. I tried to set up to account for that¢¦we¢ll see. Blessings,