morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-15
From: Little Gap (Mile 1263.8)

To: Wind Gap (Mile 1279.2)
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Joined at breakfast by Iceager (learned his trail name from a mountaineering group with whom he attempted summitting Denali) was now staying in B&B for two days and slackpacking with me. Breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon and toast was fortifying. Since Little Gap close we were on Trail by 7:10am. Hiked and chatted for first two hours then Iceager, a faster hiker, went ahead. Didn't see him rest of day. The weather was nice - sunny, 50s and 60s. Pretty rocky trail today. Actually very boring. Flat, no views, no water features, just endless rocks. Later in day took a side trail for some spring water, just to break up monotony. Cold, pure (after filtering), refreshing! Gave Kathy 1 hr pickup notice at 3:45pm. Just then a major storm moved in. Dark sky told me to get phone, pack and me under wraps. Just in time. Wind bursts, sticks flying, heavy rain hit. Then lightning and thunder. Finally, Trail was not boring! Hiked hard and made it to meeting spot, Wind Gap (yes there was wind!, in time, in pouring rain. Iceager was already there. On way back to B&B Kathy had to drive around downed trees and traffic backups from loss of power to traffic lights. B&B had no power so ... time to improvise. Ordered food delivery from a local place, and broke out a few leftovers to await delivery. Made it in good time (they had power at restaurant) and we moved out onto the porch where there was more light. Sitting there, on the porch, with our great food (my Veal Marsala was the best I¢ve ever eaten), we felt like we didn't even mind the power outage. We felt like Big Dogs! I ended my gourmet feast with some Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream. Oh my, who cares about a power outage? The power came back on at 8:45pm as we are prepping for our hiker bedtime hour. What a day! Definitely turned out to be a non-boring day! Turns out I had been out in a major East Coast storm. And was none the worse for it. Great end to a challenging day! Yes, overcome. We did it!
Date: 2018-05-16
From: Wind Gap (Mile 1279.2)

To: Delaware Water Gap (Mile 1294.7)
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Last morning in the Filbert B&B. Exquisite, filling breakfast, as always. Kathy took our pictures on the porch for her photo album and she then shuttled us back to Wind Gap. Said our goodbyes and were on Trail by 7:45am, the beginning of what was to be a very long day! Overcast skies started to rain at 9:30am and really never quit all day. Very boring, rocky  trail again. Then ... it got exciting. I hit Wolf Rocks. Up and over lots of boulders, in the rain. Why not? Then I felt a chill coming on since I was soaked so did the unlayer change out like a couple days previously and felt revived. Pouring rain continued. A little later started feeling hypothermia so hiked harder to warm up. This time on a service road, albeit flooded in spots, that provided an easier trail surface. Then, late in the afternoon,  the downgrade into Delaware Water Gap started. Steep, treacherous path with a water torrent down the middle. Only fell  a couple of times with minor knee scrapes. Lots of out-loud self talk to be careful, don¢t slip, focus on foot placement. Tough going, especially 10 hours into my hiking day. At 6pm I finally walked into town to, amazingly, a church carillon playing beautiful music. Morale boost. I was right at the Deer Head Inn, my night¢s lodging, but  ... all doors locked and nobody home. What???  Luckily an employee appeared and called owner who was away checking email at library since her internet out due to storm. I sat on porch advancing in hypothermia just as owner appeared. She quickly gave me a room and I hit the shower. Turns out I was able to get Iceager a room in the Inn as well. We later walked down street to Sycamore Grill, a delightful local restaurant, with beer! Enjoyed a tenderloin dinner and remarked how a tough day ended pretty well. Whew!
Date: 2018-05-17
From: Delaware Water Gap (Mile 1294.7)

To: Dunnfield Creek Trailhead (Mile 1295.3)
Miles today: 0.6
Weather: clear sky

Great to be in a warm, dry place. Was still raining in the morning. Woke up early to get a load of laundry in early. Was in and out of washer and dryer before 7am. Clean is good! Iceager was ready to go to breakfast at a local bakery that gets  great reviews. On our way we saw part of devastation by recent storm. Deer Head Inm had two major trees down in backyard, One of homes along Main Street had a huge tree down right on its roof.  Lots of utility line trucks and tree company trucks out on the streets. Great coffee and pastries at the bakery.  Also enjoyed a conversation at breakfast with a bicyclist on long distance ride now in his town stop. Always very interesting stories. Later, after lunch at Sycamore Grille (again!),  I completed last unhiked portion of trail over I-81 bridge over Delaware River. Lots of fast moving traffic and a literal bouncing bridge when large trucks passed. Little scary. Was at trailhead in 35 minutes. Effectively closed the loop to last year¢s starting point in NJ. AT mileage changes from year to year. It was 1.5 miles but using shorter distance for math to match up with last year¢s stats. It was a Near Zero Day,  A Nero. Hiked back over bridge to Inn and rested before Iceager and I headed back to Sycamore Grill for another fantastic meal. For a hiker it¢s always about food and getting calorie intake.  Iceager and I returned to Inn and said our goodbyes. He was hiking into NJ early next morning,  I was headed home. So glad our paths crossed. Great company for my last days in my section hike. Great feeling to have accomplished my section hike goal. Actually finished 3 days ahead of schedule. Overcame falls, injuries, aches and pains. In the end I felt physically and mentally strong and very proud of my stamina and determination in finishing. Mission Accomplished for this year¢s section. Bionic Man is going home!
Date: 2018-05-18
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Grand Rapids, MI
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The Deer Head Inn was built in 1853. Very historic and full of charm. It is the oldest running jazz club in the US. Had jazz entertainment last night but I was too tired to go listen. My 4th floor room was quiet, comfortable and a perfect way to end my AT section hike for this year. I was on my way at 7am for my first leg of my 11.5 hour trip home. Had a ticket on the local bus line, Martz, into New York City's Bus Terminal. Walked the 0.6 miles to nearest bus stop in Delaware Water Gap to learn that bus only stops there on weekends.  Before I coild panic the bus rep called a cab and in 15 minutes I was at correct bus stop. Whew! 8am bus was in downtown NYC at 9:55am. I walked the 0.6 miles to the area near Grand Central Terminal grabbing a Starbucks breakfast sandwich and coffee on the way. The Airporter bus picked up at 11am and I was on my way for a 1 hr trip to LaGuardia airport for my 2:30pm flight to Grand Rapids via Detroit. My schedule had enough play in it that all connections were stress free, All flights on time and my bag (duffle with backpack inside) made it too. Back in GR by 6:30pm after a long day and also 47 days away.  Glad to see Susie, my wife. She held the fort down while I was away. We celebrated at a local Sicilian restaurant with a great meal and bottle of wine. Great to be home! Over the next couple of weeks I will publish an Epilogue to put this year¢s section hike in perspective. Thank you for your readership. Hope you enjoyed the journey along with me. Thank you also for your comments, thoughts and prayers!
Date: 2018-06-02
From: Grand Rapids, MI

To: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Three weeks to reflect on this year¢s Section Hike. Almost healed!! High point- time with my son, D-Rex! Cherished it!!Stats: 2017 ¢ 855  (739 -Tenting/Full pack, 116 - Beds/Slackpacking), 72days(10 zero days), 33 Days in row max2018 ¢ 500  (330 -Tenting/Full pack, 170 - Beds/Slackpacking), 46days(5 zero days), 46 Days in row maxTotal to Date ¢ 1,355 (62% of AT)8 States done, 6 States to goRemaining ¢ 800Difference 2017/2018More experience, easier to get into rhythm and food cadenceMore relaxed, not intent on a thruhikeMore realistic outlookBetter footwear ¢ Oboz Boots, vs Salomon Trail shoesNo foot problems, no moleskinBetter weatherAhead of thruhiker bubble ¢ fewer crowds, less resource competing, service providers less burned outMore slackpacking, fewer zero daysNo breaks this year ¢ less restart problems but missed home a bit moreFalls ¢ Some last year, one major that tore my left rotator cuff (had shoulder successfully replaced in the off-season), two major this year (no long term damage)Gentler grades but more rocksMore towns, signal, civilization, fewer dry countiesSame 15 lbs weight lossSummaryEnjoyed journalistic aspect ¢ photos, day storyEnjoyed town people and occasional section hiker (usually older)Really enjoyed alone time (less sensory assault)As it did last year, the AT provided a variety of adventure, challenge, struggle and endless beauty and serenity in this beautiful country of ours.All the things I sought.Hope to be back next year! See you then! Thank you !!!!
Date: 2020-07-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Finally!! Back to the AT after a year off! Next section is a hopeful 425 miles from NJ to NH. Been training! Been watching Covid indicators! Been praying! Been packing! Gotta go. Lost a Navy Buddy to pancreatic cancer this March. He agreed to be my Wing Man before he passed. This section is dedicated to Bob, my wing man. One of the finest officers with whom I had the privilege to serve!  Will be a fine companion! His photo will be on my backpack. Onward in a week!
Date: 2020-07-15
From: County Road 565 ( Mile 1355.3)

To: Wawayanda Shelter 
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

Wow! After two years off here I am again on the AT. Mixed emotions. Excitement, angst, joy that I¢m still able to do this. Susie, my wife, dropped me off on her way home to MI after we¢d visited family in Va Beach, VA. Humid day so sweat started early and didn¢t quit all day. Hydration will take constant vigilance. Long walk over boardwalk in wetlands. Lots of day hikers. Tough to distance but tried to move off trail to let all pass. One young man saw my Navy ball cap and said, ¢Seabee?¢. How did he know? Prior to a very challenging up saw a Mama bear and cub. 100 yds away and moving away. Day hikers were very excited to see. All taking pictures of the distant black dots. :-) The challenging up was labeled ¢stairway to heaven¢. Very tough for first day! Luckily had planned a shorter first day so got into shelter site at 5pm. First one there so picked nice spot and had to walk a bit to nearby park building for water. A spigot provided lots of cool potable water and a chance to rinse head and body from sweat. Backpacker meal for dinner was nice! Met Lucky, a older thruhiker,  who got name from an unlucky experience. Was wearing a Lucky Charms T-shirt. Very challenging first day especially due to the heat and humidity. With time I¢m sure I¢ll get my trail legs back.
Date: 2020-07-16
From: Wawayanda Shelter 

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

First night in tent went OK. Earplugs and fatigue helped. Was off at 7. Good thing since it was a long slow day. The terrain on my trail maps looked flat but ... lots of up, along and over rocky ridges. Exposed, so very hot. One place even was so vertical that iron bars were drilled into the rock for climbing. With a backpack! Yikes! More day hikers , some with masks. Crossed over into NY from NJ. Nice sense of forward progress. Met thruhikers- Due North and El Presidente. Got into shelter site at 5pm. Needed that. Lots of clear cool water to filter and dump over head. Tough, warm, long, sweaty day but just kept plugging along. A backpacker meal, plenty of water, cooling down and then laying down. Ahhhh!  Nice site to spend the night.
Date: 2020-07-17
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Stream near I-87
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Commotion overnight in the site. Thruhiker Pretty Boy chased away a juvenile bear sniffing for food. All of the hikers food was stored in a large locked metal bin but still amazing how habituated the bears are in this stretch. Rain threatening all day but only sprinkles. Put my pack cover on but no rain jacket - too warm. Planned in a 14+ mile day. Was not to be. Lots of vertical rock climbing. Was leapfrogging Due North all day. He kept cursing the trail people who laid out the route. Says he signed up for trail hiking, not rock climbing. Helps to rant sometimes! :-) Anyway we buddied up and headed for the nearest water source at 6pm both hot and exhausted and far short of our goal. Got tents set up just in time for an unexpected downpour. Ended up cooking in our vestibules and staying hunkered down until the rain tapered off at 9pm. I wandered out in the humid night air, fought off the mosquitoes and hung my bear bag in the dark. My tent after that was a sauna. Amazingly after falling asleep in a pool of sweat, I had to pull the sleeping bag over me in the middle of the night since it had cooled down. What a study in contrasts! Was way outside my comfort zone today. Strenuous, hot, tough terrain, ran low on water. The perfect meal memory from the previous night is shown in the pic. That sustained me today. Tomorrow will be better.
Date: 2020-07-18
From: Stream near I-87

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Based on yesterday¢s experience decided to dial back today¢s mileage. Worked out great! Had water sources regularly so ¢cameled¢ up at each. Filtered multiple bottles and chugged each. Avoids weight of carrying it. Also always keep my inner pack 2 liter water bladder full. Terrain not as daunting today but a few surprises. One of them labeled ¢ lemon squeeze¢. Trail goes through rick fissure that narrows to the point you have to take off pack to get through. Sunny, a little cooler, breezes. A better experience today. Ate a few wild blueberries. Smaller, less juicy than domesticated but tasty and fun to pick them in the wild. Since they are as small as the end of your little finger you wonder how bears get enough. Guess it is not a mainstay in their diet. Shelter site nice. Got a prime location for tent. Was able to air out wet tent and gear. Shelter was an original Civilian Conservation Corps - built structure. Solid, enduring. Water source was interesting. It was a well. Water perked in this circular stone structure about 5¢ below ground level. You reached in, scooped out water and filtered it. Cool, clear with a hint of sulfur. Not bad actually. Yet another unique experience along the trail. A good hiking day!
Date: 2020-07-19
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Bear Mountain Inn
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

Best night¢s sleep yet. Cool, quiet, gentle breezes. A couple groups (non- hikers) in the shelter area were very quiet. Off by 7am. Temps started in the 70s but quickly climbed to the 80s then the 90s later. Very intense when not in the shade. Very few water sources along this stretch. Stopped at what was last water source stream of the day and cameled up. Eeby-Jeeby and Star Lord (thruhikers) had camped there late in the night and were still getting going, Last intense upgrade of the day was in the heat of the afternoon when I was low on water. Got rubbery legs but decided that was from lack of calories. Put down a Snickers bar that gave me a little cotton mouth but did help with energy level. Lots of breaks going up. Amazing nature show on the way up. Heard fluttering about 10¢ off side of trail. At first looked like a hawk had entangled its talons in a branch. Instead it had attacked a snake sunning itself on the branch and was holding it down with it¢s talons as it pecked at it with its beak. And just like that it flew off with its prey. Wow! Just as my water ran out I got to the top of Bear Mountain. Beautiful views of the Hudson River and West Point Military Academy. Luckily there were vending machines at the top. They were thronged with day hikers but I managed to get several cold bottles out - water and Powerade. Machines took credit cards too! The Observation Tower was closed due to Covid but lots of folks were still there enjoying the views from places along the top of the mountain. Then the long hike down the other side of the mountain. Probably a thousand steps. But ... at the end was Bear Mountain Inn. I had reservations and decided to add on a night and take a zero (no hiking) day tomorrow. The a/c, shave and shower felt great. Dining room closed so I had pizza delivered. Add a couple of beers purchased from the front desk and I was in heaven. Aired out the gear, did some basin clothes soaking and washing, got a phonecall into Susie as opposed to texts over last couple of days and called it a night. Nice to be in a bed. Got delayed getting here by a day bit it worked out. Tough day, had my doubts at times but made it and prouder for it!
Date: 2020-07-20
From: Bear Mountain Inn

To: Bear Mountain Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Slept soundly for 6 uninterrupted hours. That hasn¢t happened in years. Guess fatigue and dehydration are the key! :-0 Cobbled together a breakfast of extra oatmeal, coffee in room and a slice of yesterday¢s pizza since, again, no food service in hotel. Planned my day to include changing reservations in next town visit since I¢m delayed. Proprietor was super nice about it. Also bundled up extra clothing base layers since will NOT be needing that. Think I¢ll save a pound there! Visited Post Office on State Park grounds. Very small but took care of me. Did my blogging so got to relive the last 5 days. What a rugged start back onto the Trail! Decided to take a taxi into West Point to the historic Thayer Hotel there along the Hudson River for a birthday dinner a day early. Beautiful old hotel. The food was amazing- a perfectly done beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes better than I make them and saut©ed spinach that was better than I¢ve ever had. A couple of beers and, well, the best birthday dinner you can have alone. But my Navy son actually called during dinner so that phonecall was part of the celebration. (Ironic to have two Navy guys talking on the West Point campus!) A walk down the street to an ice cream shop for dessert and the evening was perfect. It was a great day to take a zero with heat index approaching 100 today.  Recharged and ready to get back out there tomorrow. Onward!
Date: 2020-07-21
From: Bear Mountain Inn

To: Brook near Canopus Hill Road
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Rested, refreshed, fortified with some room coffee and I was off at 6:30am. Great start to my birthday. First part of today¢s hike was over the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Memorial Bridge. A suspension bridge built in 1924. To a civil engineer hiking over a historic bridge early in the morning under clear skies with breezes wafting down the Hudson, this was sheer heaven! Met two GA older section hikers - Pokey Stogey and Sugar Bear. Liked to chat! Lots of very thoughtful birthday wish txts thru day! Passed by a spiritual center at 1pm just as their bells were sending out an interlude. How magical that was drifting through the woods. My birthday treat! Had a chat with Faithful (she) and Renegade (he) . Thruhikers from TX and have been in the trail since Mar from GA. Steady and undaunted by Covid. In fact, they¢ve loved having the AT to themselves. All day pretty rocky, lots of ups and downs, pretty warm. Finally at destination. Pitched tent and then saw a hornets nest. Decided I¢d try to relocate it. Bad mistake! Got attacked. Ouch! I¢m non reactive so it was OK but scary! We¢ll peacefully coexist! Dinner then bed. Still building strength.
Date: 2020-07-22
From: Brook near Canopus Hill Road

To: Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 9.5

Heavy rain overnight but just put in the earplugs and slept great. The humidity was intense in the morning so I skipped coffee and went straight to the Crystal Lite caffeinated bev. Just as I was packing up and pulling up my ground cloth those pesky hornets attacked again. I¢m outta here! Temps quickly into the 80s with humidity. Passed a hiker who introduced himself as Bri-Face (term of endearment from daughter for her dad, Brian :-) ). Said he had set up Trail Magic a bit up the trail and was now getting a hike in. Sure enough there was this amazing setup of tables and chairs to sit in, cold drinks, bagels, juices, bananas, chocolate. Out of the kindness of his heart. He¢s a teacher for autistic kids, has summers off and well, spreads the love. Indeed magical! Hiked on to the Canopus Beach in Fahnestock State Park and the concession stand there that serves burgers but closes at 4. I hiked hard but made it at 4:30, but they were still open to serve cold drinks. Gatorades were great! Free camping nearby in the State Park, lots of water in the bathhouse for rinsing down and filling up water containers without having to filter. I put up my tent and had a backpacker meal, one of the best yet. Good as a burger. Kinda tough day on rocks, ups and downs and humidity. Moving forward!
Date: 2020-07-23
From: Clarence Fahnestock State Park

To: NY Highway 52
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Hot and humid at start of overnight then the welcomed cool down. Cool enough in the morning for a hot coffee/ hike cocoa mocha combo, oatmeal, meat sticks and nuts . Health check- watching big toe blister and treating to avoid infection. Also had inner thigh flame-red chafing. Lubed that up overnight. Good to go. I¢m ready. The trail was quite nice with no rocks and gentle grades for quite awhile. Passed over top of Mt Shenandoah with views and a painted flag. Cool! Met Crunchy (ME) and Braids(TX) . A he/she that met on trail and now hiking together.  Nice kids. Stopped by one shelter for water. Amazing - bunks, a library, and you can order deliver from Panera and many other places delivered to nearby road trailhead! That¢s roughing it. Prior to trip I purchased a cutesy clip-on doctors coat looking thing to hang my hand sanitizer. Not built for the rugged use out here. Kept falling off. I did what any self respecting backpacker does with a problem. I did a workaround. I took out the sanitizer insert and threw that cutesy thing as far over the hill as I could. (Like Katz in the A Walk in the Woods book) . Put the insert in my pocket and felt REAL good. Made it to the highway at 4:15 then hiked a half mile to a deli that advertised great food and free camping out back. It was perfect. Open grassy area, a hose spigot and great sandwiches and drinks. The Reuben and chips and a couple of chocolate milks were a supper that put a smile on my face. They even had lawn chairs where you could finally sit down on something besides a rock. Talked with both of my boys by phone while sitting there cozy in my lawn chair. Who could ask for more?