morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-13
From: US 11 Carlisle, PA

To: US 11 Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I keep forgetting to put the most important thing in my journal. Thank you Barb ( my sweet and loving wife) for doing everything you have done to allow me to make this most expensive journey. Taking care of the house, very big yard and dogs, mailing me my food boxes and countless other items, visiting me in Waynesboro, VA, and encouraging me along the way . I hike fast to get home to you!No picture because I have only been to Denny's and moved to a much better motel across the US Hwy 11. It is so much nicer for only $5 more a day . The guy let me in at 9:00 am. They truly have a deep discount for hikers. Very friendly and accommodating. Now I have a fridge, microwave and quit AC unit. Glad I moved.I am actually five miles from the town of Carlisle. Good thing because this is the first time I have truly rested on a zero day. My feet feel so much better. I have been taking Ibuprofen daily for the pain from my blisters. There are just two, one on each foot now, but they were getting worse. I researched online and it is probable that The Ibuprofen is actually hindering the healing of my blisters.Have to eat on zero days too. I finally ate my way thru the extra food I had so it is back to Denny's.I am done journaling at 7:08pm a record for me. I can get to bed early and think about changing my name to Eight to Eight. Office hours on the trail.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: US 11 Carlisle, PA

To: Campsite mile 1152.4
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: broken clouds

Rained last night while I slept in a motel. Tent is dry but my feet got soaked as soon as I got on the trail. My shoes stayed wet all day. No value in changing socks.Got to Duncannon at 2:30. Had diet Pepsi and ice cream sandwich at the first gas station.Got to the Doyle Hotel a few minutes later. It is the same in every town, all the hikers hanging out eating town food, getting a cold beverage and stocking up on food supplies.I got my boxes from the Doyle and sorted my food out on the sidewalk in front of the Doyle in the shade. Other hikers occupied the limited seating. It was too early to stop hiking so I hiked on. Some hikers had people picking them up there, others were staying at the Doyle and a few of us hiked on.Got to a shelter for water just as the rain started. Chatted with some hikers then hiked in the rain. Found a very nice campsite about 1.5 hours later. No rocks! Level with a nice bed of leaves. I had to hint to find 4 rocks to place on my tent stakes because the dirt was so soft. It is possible for those stakes to pull lose and the tent to collapse if it rains too much on soft ground.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Campsite mile 1152.4

To: Campsite next to Rausch Creek
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: few clouds

Wet vegetation, wet shoes. Saw a copperhead snake. Heard then saw a black rattle snake. Jumped off the side of the trail for that one. Not safe for picture. No place to escape to. Saw another box turtle.Lots of rocks.Stopped at Peters Mountain Shelter to dry my tent. Took my shoes and socks off to give my feet a breather. Other hikers stop by for a snack and privy break. Chatted with PO Boy from New Orleans.Next stop was hours later at a spring and campsite. I am first there. I take the best rock available and use my sit pad, have lunch while airing my prune like feet again. Other hikers trickle in for water, food and rest. Most have been startled by the same black rattler and jumped off the trail. No one took pictures. Some of these hikers started from Springer Mtn. GA March second. Wow I could not stay on the trail that long.It is a hot & humid day but I hike on as I get my smiles from my miles. I find a nice large campsite right by A very loud Rausch Creek where a large tributary stream adds to the rushing water sound. I am the only one here. Rausch Gap Shelter is just three tenths of a mile down the trail so most hikers will go there.While eating my supper, Lightning shows up. He and another hiker prefer camping by streams too so they are kind enough to ask if I mind if they camp there. The place is huge so it is no problem. We all make a trip down to the cold Rausch Creek to rinse off the days sweat and salt.A Blackhawk helicopter flys directly overhead jus above the trees. Of course since that was my job in the Army I was thrilled to be buzzed by a Blackhawk.
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Campsite next to Rausch Creek

To: Campsite mile 1204.0
Miles today: 28.2

It rained last night. I stayed dry but I spent a while drying the tent off with my all purpose pack towel. Also the vegetation is wet do it will be another day of hiking in wet shoes.Lots of rocks. I now understand the term Rocks-alvania. It is the hikers nickname for Pennsylvania.At the 501 shelter are two hikers that I have hiked around for several weeks. Others show up. As evidenced by the stack of pizza boxes inside the shelter, pizza can be delivered to a nearby parking lot. I decline to order on but everyone else does. I am still on the trail and just eat my trail food. Besides nobody makes pizza as good as my Barb!I wash up, eat lunch, air my feet and shoes, change socks, visit with the other hikers and hike on, the sun is shining. Great!45 minutes later I get soaked by an isolated thunderstorm. I quickly Chang out of my semi-dry socks to my wetter socks and hike on.I pass several hikers on the way to my 8:00 campsite. I chat too long with Tinker Bell who I met days earlier. She is a good young girl that is having a few minor problems slowing her down. Her family is going to meet her tomorrow do she will get a needed break. Nice to see those situations on the trail. She is one of several hikers that are hiking home to Maine. So cool.I reach my evening campsite after 8:00 and walk the 1/4 mile downhill to get some great spring water. Back at camp, which is mine alone, my feet start to hurt pretty bad. Crazy how they hurt worse after the days hiking is done.Tent up, clothes line hung, shoes and socks off. Oh my! I am shocked at the sight of my feet. Tops and bottoms of toes are swollen and red. Both heels have major blistering. The soles of bothy feet have blistering in the same place. The pain worsens. I am concerned that me feet will be too sore to walk 13.5 miles to Port Clinton. I can hike back a fee miles to a road in the morning and call a shuttle. Have to see what the morning brings. I know I will have to take a zero to let my dogs heel before I can hike the remaining 75 miles of Rocks-alvania. So I have my home team check motels. Nothing nearby. A serious challenge heading my way.
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Campsite mile 1204.0

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

The night was clear, a little cooler and no rain.My feet feel much better than last night so I can hike 13.5 to port Clinton. They still hurt and have to have at least a zero to recover.I use all my band aids and some tenacious tape to protect the blisters for a while.The trail is a mix of rocky areas and clear spots. I stop about 11:00 for lunch and a foot breather. It was a nice view spot for enjoying lunch and great sitting rocks. The band aids and tape were mostly off and floating around my socks. It may have helped for a few hours. The last section of trail was a very steep descent.Amazing only seeing one hiker on the trail and the town just fills up with backpacks quickly. There are usually packs laying around without a hiker in sight. They all move inside for food, drink and cooler air.I got my two boxes of food and a box with new shoes at the post officer. A shuttle driver that I arranged for just ten minutes earlier came in the PO looking for me. She helped me find a rental car agency a d shuttled me to get a car. Spent some time with Barb's help finding an adequate motel. I really needed the car to get to a good place and keep off of my feet for a few days.
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Wind Gap

To: Stealth campsite mile 1301.8
Miles today: 24.0

3 mile walk to trail to start the day. Saw lots of hikers. Lots of rocks. Picked up mail drop from PI in Delaware Water Gap. Took to Church of the Mountain hostel to sort food. The hostel had food for trail magic. Lots of hikers there. I was the only one to hike on.Lucky move for me on hiking. I saw two large bears as I was selecting my campsite. I might have stayed but these bears did not run. One walked away and the other stood up and we stared at each other for a while. I hollered at him and he eventually moved away. Found another spot down the trail. Others are camped between me and the bear sighting.Went over 1,300 miles. Left PA and entered NJ where there are plenty of rocks.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: campsite mile 1324.7

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 20.2

On trail at 7am. Very good trail conditions today. Lots of good views. Cooler in morning but hot afternoon.Stopped in Unionville, NY to get food drop at PO intending to hike on. But a nice restaurant, hose to rinse off and free camping convinced me this was the place to stay the night. The general store opens at 6am and has breakfast sandwiches. Big change from yesterday.
Date: 2015-06-25
From: Unionville, NY

To: campsite mile 1373.9
Miles today: 29.0

Had a great breakfast at the General Store. Cream filled chocolate frosted pastry, 2 cups of coffee, hash browns, and a ham-egg-cheese on a croissant. New Jersey was a great state to hike in with nice trails and views. Crossed over into NY and the trail was much harder like NY had something to prove to the hikers. Over every boulder and hill they could find. The best part of the day was around 7:00pm when I stopped at Bellvale Farms, an ice cream joint. Had a very large chocolate malt, filled up on water enjoyed a great view and visited with some locals. Actually one was from Israel.Got to camp just before dark. What a great day.
Date: 2015-06-26
From: campsite mile 1373.9

To: Ft. Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 29.7

The day started out with tough trail conditions and I never expected to make it to Ft Montgomery. After the lemon squeezer the trail was gentler and I was making very good time but did not decide to push on to town until around 5:15. I was able to make a reservation at the Holiday Inn Express for a great hiker rate so I bought the hike would be easy with a room waiting. When I got to Bear Mountain I expected the trail to go up, over and down the other side. No this is NY and things must be frustrating. Very nice trail made for the tourists but it winds all around the mountain top then down the other side. When I got near the bottom I was diverted off trail because they were blowing off fireworks in 45 min to an hour and the trail went right thru where they would be set off. That was a challenge to find the trail again. Mostly because it was late, I was tired and there were thousand of people attending the festival in the park. Made it to the motel about 10:00pm. There was a BBQ place right next to the motel and the 29.7 trail miles plus 2 miles to the Motel made me very hungry. Right as my order came the three people at the table next to me were leaving and the guy asked if I was hiking the AT. He wanted to ask about the trail and my hike. I said he could ask as much as he wanted to. We talked at length. He is a future Thru Hiker. I found out after he left he picked up my tab. That was very nice.Saw two bears, many deer, and a family(Tom, hen and around16 baby) wild turkeys today.
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Ft. Montgomery, NY

To: campsite mile 1417.9
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

Late start. Almost one pm. Hiked in rain whole day. The later it got the harder it rained. Saw lots of Boy Scouts hiking. Stopped at the Appalachian Market for a diet Pepsi and nutty butty ice cream cone knowing it will be days before my next chance. One guy set his tarp up right over the whole trail. Wow he could have found a nice spot 100 feet down the trail. Strutted getting chilly and was surprised it was already 6:30. Found a great campsite. It was nice hiking in the rain. It will rain all night and part of tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-29
From: campsite mile 1440.5

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 26.6
Weather: overcast clouds

No rain today but still got wet from walking thru the dew laden grass and bushes overhanging the trail during the morning.Did not see any other thru hikers until the very end of the day and they were at the Mt. Algo shelter just before Kent. Did not stop, kept walking into Kent.Went to the Backcountry outfitters to pick up two boxes, one food and the other new shoes. I inquired about lodging. Lucky me a family rents a room to hikers. Great people. Did laundry, showered and great night sleep.
Date: 2015-06-30
From: Kent, CT

To: campsite mile 1493.6
Miles today: 26.5
Weather: light rain

The miles and states are going by quickly. Hiked late. As I walked down a detour road because of bridge construction, it was getting dark. The the houses with inside lights reminded me of the Noan Rockwell paintings. How warm and inviting to a tired hiker.I did not find my spot until the sun had set and had to use my head lamp to put up my tent. The mosquitos were ferocious.
Date: 2015-07-01
From: campsite mile 1493.6

To: Great Barrington,MA
Miles today: 27.4
Weather: light rain

Tough day. A bear came snorting near my tent at leas two times last night. It rained last night but stopped long enough in the morning for me to pack my bag and dry my tent off. It started to rain as I started hiking at 5:30 am. Heavy thunderstorms for 1.5 hours as I walked to Salisbury, CT. Nice town and great people. Charming and friendly. Ate breakfast, got food box, bought fruit and headed out for a tough hike.The rain turned the trail into a small river for most of the day. Lots of slipping and sliding. Steep climbs. Good views. Passed 1,500 miles and entered the 11th state on the trail, MA.
Date: 2015-07-02
From: Great Barrington,MA

To: Campsite mile 1534.8
Miles today: 13.8

Stayed in motel until check out time. Ate at Subway and found some ice cream. Just took my time heading out of town. That is a first for me. Was going to take a zero but decided to do a low mile day instead. Hitched a ride to the trail and started hiking at 1:30pm. Talked to a few other hikers and two locals. Still did 13.8 but it was a pretty easy day. Waiting for the bears to visit tonight.
Date: 2015-07-03
From: Campsite mile 1534.8

To: Campsite mile 1556.3
Miles today: 21.5

No bear visitors last night.Just plugging away at the miles. Trail is muddy in a lot of spots and more than enough roots.I passed a local guy and his wife talking to a thru hiking couple. The mrs thru hiker was holding a PopTart. The local guy offered me one as I passed by. I declined. He seemed surprised that I did not take it. I could not eat another Pop Tart on the trail.I stopped at the PO in the town of Tyringham, MA to get my food drop. Smallest post office I have been to. There are no businesses in this town. I sorted my food right on the porch of the PO. I think most of the people in town came by while I was there. They do not seem very friendly towards hikers. Lots of stares. Lots of day hikers but only two other possible thru hikers and a section hiker heading to Harper's Ferry, WV to complete his hike of the AT. I will get into Dalton,MA tomorrow morning where I was to get a food drop at the PO. Since it is the 4th the PO is closed. Have to buy food at the store. Not waiting til Monday for 2 days of food.I can hear some citie's fireworks going off. Could be Dalton. Maybe I can see some tomorrow night.
Date: 2015-07-04
From: Campsite mile 1556.3

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: moderate rain

It rained for most of the morning. I was planning on getting two days of food and hiking on but was very tired. I checked for rooms at the Shamrock Village Inn but being the 4th of July they were full. The owner offered me the lounge for $20. Comfortable sofa, shower, $5 laundry, I was so blessed to get this place even if it is a common area until 8:00pm.The trail was very muddy and slippery and I still tried to hike my normal fast pace. Fell a few times but caught myself with my hands so I never fell all the way to the muddy ground.Mt. Grey lock, the highest point in MA, is about 17 trail miles away so I hope to see it tomorrow.
Date: 2015-07-05
From: Dalton, MA

To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 23.2

Ate big breakfast at Dalton Restaurant. It was foggy but cleared off quickly to become a very nice day. The trail conditions were very good, especially compared to the trail leading into Dalton, Made good time getting to Cheshire where I stopped at a Shell - Dunkin Donuts for real food. The trail is so much easier with a good meal on board. It was a long and steep climb up to beautiful Mt. Greylock. I spent quite a bit of time on top enjoying the view, relaxing and visiting with a hiker from Norway. I have seen him several times over the last two days and enjoyed his company. There is a cheap but nice motel in Williamstown so I made my way down from Mt Greylock, the highest point in MA, to Williamstown in just over 2 hours. It was a quick 6.3 miles and 2,831 foot descent.Glad to be in a room again.It was a very good day. Not a whole lot of hiking days left on this journey.
Date: 2015-07-06
From: Williamstown, MA

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

Thank you RC Slowpoke for signing my guest book.I did not get on the trail until 9:00 this morning so I had to hike fast to make it to Bennington,VT by 5pm yo get to the PO to pick up my next food box. It was pretty hot but I was able to meek good time despite the abundance of muddy sections. The highlight of today was entering Vermont, aka Vermud for all the mud. Passed several younger thru hikers. I rarely pass other thru hikers anymore. There were others hiking southbound but since I was in a big hurry I just said hi and kept moving. I selected a motel near a Pizza Hut. Had a good meal with a good salad bar.
Date: 2015-07-07
From: Bennington, VT

To: Campsite mile 1631.1
Miles today: 20.0

Today is twelve weeks on the trail.As usual when getting on the trail from a night in town I did not get hiking until 9:15. The hike out of town almost always starts with a pretty steep climb. Today was no exception. I like climbs so it did not bother me. What I get tired of is the muddy trail and relentless biting deer flies. Lots of new faces again today. I am surprised at the amount of people that section hike just in Vermont. The Long Trail runs consecutive with the AT for around 100 miles so the trail is more crowded here. There are few camp sites and shelters in this section so they are very crowded. As usual I find a stealth campsite to have my privacy. I stopped around 6:45 today which is early for me but the stealth spots are few and far between so I took what was available. After I set up another guy came into the woods to hang his hammock then moved on when he saw me. Not sure if he wanted his own space or respecting my space. We talked for a few minutes, mostly about the hikers at the last shelter. We agreed they were an odd bunch like many that take over the shelter for the night. They tend to be unfriendly to newcomers even if all you want is a place to eat a meal. That is the hardest part of the hike for me.It was a good day of hiking. The Mosquitos and flies pestered me as I set up my tent and hung my sweat drenched clothes. As I am inside my tent eating the bugs are all over the outside of my bug netting looking for a way in. This is a every night occurrence when tenting. If I go out I get bit and some bugs get in. I love hiking but tolerate the camping.
Date: 2015-07-08
From: Campsite mile 1631.1

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 20.0

Rain was in the forecast for last night and today. The wind blew hard in waves last night. I woke up several times thinking I heard rain. I did not want to pack up a wet tent so I got up at 4:00 am. I was well rested since I went to sleep a few hours earlier than normal. Got hiking at 5:15. Sprinkles started falling soon after I was on the trail.It was a good call to stop where I did. There were mo stealth spots. The next place to tent was the designated campsite a fewiles down the trail. There were tents all over the place. One was set up on sloped ground that my tent would slide right off of. Many hikers were up and getting ready to hike. More were still in their tents.Today's major climb was 1,720 feet up Stratton Mtn. The climb was up into the fog. There is a lookout tower. I could barely see the top so I did not climb the tower. Benton Mackaye was inspired to propose creation of the Appalachian Trail on this summit. Due to he low visibility I was only insured to sign the trail log and hike on. I would hav loved to been able to see Vermont from the top of the tower.The rest of the days hike was muddy and frustrating. I was way over due for a zero day. This was the first day I did not love being on the trail. I liked it but it was not great like a regular day. My whole focus was getting to town, getting my food box and getting a great place to zero. I got the highway and hitched a ride in about ten minutes from a young guy that is interested in the trail. Many of the locals hike so hitching is easier here. I ended up taking a $2 bus ride to Rutland for my zero. It was a mile walk to the town hall bus stop to catch the bus but I got dropped off right in front of the motel. Just more options in Rutland and a cheaper, probably nicer motel with laundry 30 feet from my room. Denny's next door. Grocery across the street. I don't like to walk much on my zero day.
Date: 2015-07-09
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Manchester Center, VT (Rutland)
Miles today: 0.0

My last zero day was in Port Clinton, PA. That was twenty days and 432 miles ago. Whoa! No wonder it wasn't that much fun hiking in the mud yesterday. There are only 538.1 miles left of the trail. I should not have more than two or three zeros left but anything can happen and there are some big mountains left to climb.I am taking today to make sure I have all I need to get thru the White Mountains. I will likely need another pair of shoes before the hike is over. My shirt is close to failure on the right shoulder and has lots of holes in it from thorn snags. It is so thin now that it is about see-thru. Best to order a new one and look like a day hiker with new shoes, a new shirt and no beard. I experienced a pretty bad chaffing yesterday where my hip belt rides and I contribute that to sweat and a worn out tee shirt. New gear on the way.Thanks Brendon from Aukland, New Zealand for reading my journal and commenting in my guest book. You inspire me to keep up my hiking pace and keep a more detailed journal. I am not sure how internet connections will be as the trail takes me further North, but I will do my best to share the experience.