morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-18
From: Blackburn Trail Centre

To: Harpers Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

Can't believe I've actually passed the 1000 miles mark!!! We got into the AT Conservatory at about 12.30 and all had out pictures taken and entered into the registery. I am now an official AT through hiker!!Harpers Ferry is an old historic civil war town and unfortunately very expensive. We managed to get a cabin at the Koa campground out of town. $130 - five ways is not too bad. We resupplied and got a shuttle back to the campground. It was a tiny cabin but had A/C thank God and it is getting awfully hot. We had Sugar Ray, Fireball, Red Lobster, Stix and myself sharing the confined space.Once set up, we went out for pizzas and had a relaxing afternoon sitting around, yes, yet again. This campground is like nothing I've ever seen before, it's full of huge RV's and caravans, some of them are like mini homes and all jammed in together like a ghetto. Sort of defeating the purpose of getting away from suburbia!!
Date: 2010-06-19
From: Harpers Ferry Shelter

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Forecast for today is in the mid ninties so Stix and I decided to take a zero. Fireball left early, Red Lobster had some friends picking her up to stay with them for a few days and Sugar Ray planned to leave about 5pm after heat subsided. We booked into a tent site and Red Lobster's friends gave us a lift into town for a bit of sightseeing. Lots of history in Harpers Ferry, but it is very touristy, seems strange after the quietness and solitude of the forest. Stix and I got back to the camp ground around 5pm, sitting around relaxing with a few beers and talking heaps till dark, as we seem to have much in common with similar interests and most importantly, he also has a very funny sense of humour.
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Harpers Ferry Shelter

To: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

Late start, hitting the trali at 10am after a decent breakfast. Almost immediately my foot started hurting and didn't stop all day despite the various chemicals ingested. It seems t hurt after every rest day I take. The tendons in the foot must tighten up when not used excessively. I also managed to break my reading glasses in two and this is the second pair I've gone through here. Stix saw me eating vegemite on my bagel for lunch and asked what the hell it was? Gave him a taste and his look was priceless, almost instantly crying out - God dam!!! in a rich Tennessee accent and instantaneously spat it out. He said Australia must have a potato famine to eat this shit!Despite the heat, the terrain was easy as we passed through a number of Civil War battle grounds. Would have enjoyed it more if my foot didn't hurt so much. We eventually reached the campground and we're spoilt for a change with a flush toilet and shower - such luxury! I pitched my tent without the fly so I could watch the stars as it was an absolutely beautiful night. The campsite in in a small meadow and I was able to watch the fireflies come out blinking their their lights whilst I listened to music - this was one of the magic moments on the trail.
Date: 2010-06-21
From: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

7.30am start after a good night's sleep. Must have slept too well, as I was feeling rather sluggish. Stix is a great hiking companion, we travel at about the same speed, don't spoil the atmosphere with too much talking as we hike the miles.Having no reading glasses is a major problem as I am unable to read the map. At the 15 mile mark, we approach Smithsburg, about three miles off the track, so I decided to hitch into town. It proved a really difficult road to hitch on, double lines and no shoulder, so I resigned myself to a long hot hike into town. After about 3/4 of a mile, a car travelling in my direction pulled up alongside. The passenger window came down and from within someone called out - "Hey Boomer". I nearly fell over. It was an ex through hiker called Corporal who had given me trail magic about three weeks ago. Turns out that he lives nearby. Gave me a lift to the pharmacy so I could get my glasses, and then onto the supermarket to buy some goodies - it was true trail magic!Finally made it to the shelter only to find that it hadn't been built yet. We were too tired to walk on, so we pitched out tents on the ridge. Water was nearly a mile down the side of the ridge. It was a bad site compared to last night's idyllic setting. I think tonight is the tiredest I've been on the trail, but at least I can read again.
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Rocky Mt Shelters
Miles today: 19.8

Totally uneventful day. Only point of interest was crossing the Mason Dixon line into Pennsylvania and meeting up with Eric the Red at the Pen Mar Country Park. He keeps popping up all over the trail. Can't understand it, as he's one of the fastest walkers on the trail but seems to drift along with some slower guys.
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Rocky Mt Shelters

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

Today was one of those days when I wish I wasn't on the trail. Hardly slept the night before and woke up with a headache and feeling lethargic. The day was hot and my foot was hurting as well. If I had other means of transportation to an airport, I would be back home in a flash. I spoke about it with Stix that night and he said that it was typical to feel that way, as each day you face, you've got the constant long, hard miles ahead of you, wearing down the body and sometimes deflating the mind. I must think of what I'm achieving and where I'm heading, the satisfaction of completing this trail and that this is a once in a lifetime experience which I know I won't be repeating again. Enjoy the day.
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Toms Run Shelters

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Much better today, passed the official halfway point, which lifts the motivation, and stopped at Pine Grove Furnace for the half gallon icecream challenge. Erik the Red, King Crowler and a few other hikers were already there. KC and Erik attempted the challenge but only got halfway through. I wimped out and finished a pint. After the icecream contest I took a dip in the Pine Furnace Lake, the water was absolutely invigorating and, strange, but I started to get a whole new outlook on life. Funny the way the trail does that. One day you are having the worst day of your life and the next, not only do you feel great, but you've discovered new revelations about the oddest things, with a new perspective on what matters in life. Good to get such moments.
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

We must be in the midst of a heat wave, another scorching day. Stopped at Boiling Springs with King Crowler and had one of the better coffees I've had on the trail so far. Boiling Springs is a charming and attractive little tourist town and I regretted not staying with Stix and walking in last night. Had a leisurely two hours stroll around the town, then hit the trail. This is probably the easiest section of the whole trail, dead flat and mostly through farmland. Would have enjoyed it more if not for the oppressing heat, especially when hiking through exposed fields. Caught up with Stix again at Scott Farm and finally made camp at Darlington. Looking forward to getting to Duncannon tomorrow and a chance of laundry, shower and restocking. After seven days it's absolutely horrific the smells that emanate from your clothes and body.
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

Short hike, but oh boy! the rocks!! The Pennsylvanian rocks have a folklore all their own and I can understand why. Arrived at Duncannon at 12.30 and headed straight for the historical Doyle Hotel, which is one of the 'must stays' on the trail. It's an old pub about 100 years old which has definitely seen better days. There's a hiker/biker bar downstairs and $25 a share room upstairs. Very basic accommodation. Met up with Sugar Ray and Fireball along with about twenty other hikers there. Turns out that USA was playing Ghana in the FIFA World Cup and everyone waited to see the game. Had a great afternoon catching up with people I hadn't seen for a while, over a few beers.
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Duncannon

To: Table Rock
Miles today: 10.3

I'm writing this about a week after the event (I hate writing journals) so I'm relying a lot on memory here. Had a really late start as I rang home, resupplied and took care of other incidentals. Also I got a big shock as I weighed myself - 71kg - no wonder I am always so tired and feeling exhausted - losing too much weight. Had a huge American style deli roast beef sandwich and a pint of ice-cream for brunch, then headed back to the Doyle and waited for it to cool down before starting to walk. It's really hot and humid, about 95F!Finally left Duncannon at 4pm after resupplying, laundry, etc. Still incredibly hot with a three mile walk along roads and bridges before I even get to the woods. A really hard climb up to the ridge in sweltering heat, but eventually made it to Table Rock outlook by 8.30pm and decided this was a nice place to camp as the views were beautiful across the valley with a welcoming breeze. Decided to leave the tent fly off to take advantage of the views.
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Table Rock

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Big mistake, shouldn't have left the fly off the tent last night, even though the fireflies and stars provided a magnificent canvas to look at, I was woken up about 1am with teeming rain coming through the mesh. Took about five mins to get the fly up and by that time, I was toally soaked and the tent had about a quarter inch of water in it. Needless to say, I didn't get back to sleep that night.
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove, 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Typical day in Pennsylvania, hot, rocky and pretty boring. Met up with Seual Patch yesterday so walked on and off with him all day. The group I've been walking with for the past two weeks have all gone. Red Lobster met friends back in Harper and got off the trail for four days; Stix met his wife in Duncannon and Sugar Ray and Fireball are a couple of days ahead.Met Seual Patch about a month or so back, and sometimes joined by Wizard, a Bostonian who's about my age; and Mountain Man who's about 6'5" and looks like Paul Bunyon. It's good to have company every now and then, as the scenery can get rather dull and with the heat bogging you down, it's good to have conversations to make the time go faster.
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Pine Grove, 501 Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Antoher uneventful day wih lots of rocks and heat - I'm beginning to love Pennsylvania.As not much is happening on the trail I thought I might let you all know what I eat during the day. Breakfast consists of two packets of instant rolled oats and cocoa. This usually lasts me about 1 1/2 hrs and then I stop for a trail mix snack which I concocted myself and consists of peanuts, almonds, cashews, raisins, cranberries and of course - m + ms.Lunch is not much better, usually a bagel with packet tuna or cheese and vegemite with more trail mix. Afternoon snack is more of trail mix and an energy bar. Dinner is little more exciting - instant rice with dehydrated vegetables and peperoni sausage.Given that we burn up to 5000 calories a day, you can see why we all lose so much weight on this trail. Hikers are also legendary when it comes to eating in towns, with "all you can eat" restaurants being a top favourite. I'm sure the restaurants lose money when we descend upon them as they're not too happy when they see us coming.
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: few clouds

Made it to Port Clinton and picked up my mail drop, hmmm, anti inflammatories and Vegemite! You can tell a lot about a person from their mail drop contents.Got a lift from a passing Masonite into Cabelas at Hamburg. A word about Cabela's - advertised as 250,000 sq ft of hunting, fishing and camping ground. There were enough guns and ammo to start a WW3!! Met up with Mountain Man and Wizard and had lunch there.About 5pm I gave Sprawl a call (he lives about thirty miles from Port Clinton) and got his voice mail, so left a message saying where I was and that I would call back in 30 mins. I then had one of those moments that occasionally happen to you on the AT. About five minutes later, I got paged over the PA system and was told to go to the info desk where I was approached by a lovely woman who asked if I was Boomer? She turned out to be Sprawl's wife Marion - I nearly fell over! Turns out she was getting petrol opposite Cabela's on her way home when Sprawl rang her.It was good to catch up with Sprawl again. His lovely family put on a delicious BBQ and after dinner, Sprawl's daughter Paige let me use her pc and I skyped Krystyna and chatted for some time. Sprawl and I then went out the back and reminisced till the early hours of the morning. When we finally called it a night all I could think of was how good it was to sleep on a soft mattress again!
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Port Clinton Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Sprawl drove me back to Port Clinton where we had lunch and a farewell beer and I hit the trail about 2pm feeling pretty seedy! Life on the trail is mostly alcohol free, with the exception of trail magic sometimes providing cold beer, or when you hit town and have a few, so when an opportunity to enjoy the luxuries of a friend's home come your way, you don't realise its impact until the next day!Not much to report really, same rocks, hot and flat. Eckville shelter is one of the best on the trail - showers and flushing toilets!!! And I was also able to push my pegs into dirt without hitting rocks for the first time in three weeks. You really appreciate the little things in life!
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Blue Mtn Summit
Miles today: 11.5

This was a really bad day, it was already 105F and the rocks were so treacherous, one wrong step and your ankle's fractured. On top of all that, I was feeling lethargic and flat all day so decided to stay at the Blue Mtn B&B as the owner offered me a great deal - a king size bed, spa and a home cooked dinner - luxury!
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Blue Mtn Summit

To: Palmerton, Pa
Miles today: 13.8

Part of the deal with the hotel was to be out by 7am, so it was an early start. As it was the 4th of July I wanted to be at a town for the celebrations and decided on Palmerton which was about 14 miles away. Arrived there about 3pm and was lucky to hitch a lift into town. The old goal has been turned into a hostel so headed there. Gravy (the male half of Biscuits & Gravy) was there recovering from Lyme's disease along with a few others, including Snoopy & Warrior. You see the Outback Restaurants chain in most towns and I was looking forward to a good meal, as these places have an Aussie flavour, but Palmerton was a bad choice as the town was absolutely dead with nothing happening at all, everything was closed for the public holiday and you couldn't see anyone around, I'm sure they were all in their back yards having a barbie. So the few hikers made our own celebrations with what little we had to share around, I mean, we didn't even have a beer to cheer the night in. Early next morning whilst showering, I noticed a painful lump on my ankle and couldn't work out how I got it. Anyway, life bounced back into the town and we restocked, especially with water and headed out for the trail.
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Palmerton, Pa

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Brutally hot from day to day accompanied by horrible rocksand a steep hard climb up Lehigh Gap and with very little water as most of the springs have dried up with this heat wave. Met Lorod today (he talks just like Billy Bob Thornton) whom I haven't seen since Georgia. He has slowed right down, another victim of Lyme's disease. Seems like half the people you meet either have it or are recovering from it. I'm getting worried about the thing on the back of my ankle which has now become an angry rash, painful and hot and is spreading up my calf.Stayed at Leroy Smith Shelter and had to walk a mile each way to get water!!
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was the hardest I have spent on the tral so far (don't know how many times I must have made this statement). Before even starting, it was already 105F; most of the springs had dried up so you were forced to carry loads of water; this section had the worst rocks of the trail and the infection on my calf is now spreading up my leg, so what else can go wrong! The entire day has been a blur of pain. Walked for a while with Lorod but he got off at Wind Gap to pick up some medication for his Lyme's. Met two young guys ar Kirkridge Shelter about seven miles before Delaware and one of them was vomiting due to heat exhaustion. I slept there until about 5pm to escape the worst of the heat and then headed to Delaware. I calculated I had drunk eight litres of water during the day.I booked into the Hostel/Church at about 7.30pm and when Karen the Pastor took a look at my leg, she announced that she was taking me to the doctor first thing in the morning. That presented a problem as my travel card was low on money and there was no internet access in town.Had dinner with Grey Wanderer whom I hadn't seen since Georgia days. On the way back to the hostel we met a lady out walking her dog. She asked if we were hikers and it turned out that she hiked the trail in 2001. Texas Red invited me back to her house to use her internet when I told her of my dilemma. Whilst we were chatting, I happened to mention that my sleeping mat was too thin, hence the bad back and without a second thought, she gave me her thermorest from her hike. She would not take no for an answer. So thank you TEXAS RED, it's so much better than my old mat.
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Went to the doctor this morning and my condition is called Celluitis. The doctor put me on an IV antibiotic drip and wanted to admit me into hospital as it was quite advanced. I didn't like that idea so she prescribed some super strong antibiotics, strongly recommended rest with elevated foot and back and to see her back in three days time.So began my three days staying at Delaware Gap. In one way it was good as there is currently a heat wave on and I didn't have to trudge in such conditions. On the other hand, I was losing time. Also, I was not getting much rest in a hiker hostel with all the commotion and constant noise, but on a positive note, it was good to catch up with many people I hadn't seen for a while, as just about everyone stops here on their way through.
Date: 2010-07-10
From: Zero Day

To: Mohican Outdoor Centre
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: moderate rain

Got my "get out of jail card" and hit the trail at 3pm. Leg has cleared up but still a bit sore. But oh boy! the antibiotics are making me sick and dehydrated. Found it really tough going. Walked much of the day with Wookie, a 27 year old guy.I had ordered new tips for my hiking poles to be delivered to the Mohican Centre but guess what? They weren't there. My socks which were drying on the outside of my pack had fallen off sometime during the day and MP3 player died - always happens in three's. The Canadian Geese an older couple (she's a nurse and also a marathon runner) were here as well so it was nice to catch up.
Date: 2010-07-11
From: Mohican Outdoor Centre

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

A hard and hot day with lots of rocks, only 14.3 miles but feels like double that. Am having real motvation issues at the moment. The trail is really starting to get me down. It's good to meet others on the trail: Unicroc & Scot Tracker, a young couple from Michigan whom I'm hiking a lot with as they're full of fun with interesting banter (and I need all the inspiration I can get at the moment); The Canadian Geese, an older couple who have settled in North Carolina and whose daughter is married to an Aussie and lives in Sydney, so they visit Down Under at least once a year; and On the Loose (a girl from Georgia) - they're all good hikers and great company.When we arrived at the shelter, I found Eric the Red there with his father John. He is out hiking with him for a couple of days. We were chattting over dinner when a right nutter calling himself Whirlwind arrived. He sat down at the bench and just stared straight ahead with a stupid grin on his face. This was a bit of a conversation killer so we all hit the sack. Later that night he started up loud chanting that went on well into the night. First thing in the morning he started up again. I was glad to get out. I heard later that he almost got evicted from the ousthouse at Unionville for freaking out the hikers.
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Left early to get away from the nutter and basically walked all day alone. Day was very hot and with minimal water on the trail, decided to stop at Rutherford Shelter which also, was a mistake, as it went steeply down for five miles ad it looked like no-one ever came there. Spent the night alone except for the 50,000 mozzies who kept me company. Still having motivation issues and considering getting off the trail. Will hang on until I've completed the antibiotics to see if it makes a difference and then make a decision.
Date: 2010-07-13
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Unionville, N.Y.
Miles today: 11.4

Unionville has a population of approx 400 people and the Outhouse in one of the best hostels in town, all the hikers on the trail stay there. It used to be the Mayor's house and is managed by three guys, Dick (the ex Mayor), Butch and Bill and his dog Shadow. At $10 for a bunk, dinner, breakfast, internet access and free shuttles - it's a great deal with great company. Over a beer I mentioned my lack of enthusiasm and they suggested I take a day off and go into New York - that would fix me. Spoke with Butch and he offered to drive me to Middle Town tomorrow where I could catch a train to N.Y.
Date: 2010-07-14
From: Unionville, N.Y.

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

New York, my God, what a place!! I was in culture shock after going from the tranquility and quiet of the trail to the bustle and chaos of the busiest city in the world. I basically spent the entire day walking (still) trying to take it all in. I didn't realise it was so big (most probably the biggest understatement of all time)!
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Wild Cat Shelter

To: Island Lake
Miles today: 13.0

Everyone on the trail that day - On the Loose, The Canadian Geese, Knees & Curio, Unicroc & Scat Tracker - all agreed that today was the hardest on the trail so far. Constant change of gradient, up and down, steep ridges which involved rock climbing and scrambling, horrible terrain and around 95F with high humidity and no water. I was walking with On the Loose when we came upon a beautiful outlook across a lake. There was a wonderful breeze blowing off the lake and no bugs for a change. "I'm staying here" I said. "Me too" replied On the Loose. We set up camp and spent the rest of the day swimming the lake and talking with some Russians from NYC. They couldn't believe what we were doing. I slept like a baby that night!