morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

Last night¢s meal included 4 _ plates full of spaghetti, 3 salads and close to a loaf of garlic bread washed down with 2 glasses of lemonade and 2 brownies. I guess I just thought that it¢s physically impossible to consume that much food. But then again, I¢ve also been attacked by a grouse.We played scategories with some nice sections and then battled the no-see-ums while trying to sleep. Overall a great night of relaxing at this hostel. This morning we got up early with one thing on my mind: Harpers Ferry and reaching the psychological halfway point. So I hiked fast thinking about the order of agenda I¢ll do in town. Then the most unexpected turn of events happened. After entering Keys Gap I turn to my left and see my brother Chad, my cousin Derek and my friend Kelly standing around a grill making burgers and dogs at 9:00 in the morning. Absolutely stunned, and having video cameras pointing at me, I sheepishly asked them what they were doing here. They got me. Traveling hundreds of miles to visit and give out trail magic to show love and support to the hiking community. Did I say I was shocked? We all hung out there celebrating 1000 miles completed. It was some amazing times.After a couple of hours we locked the car up, packed our backpacks and walked the last 6 miles into Harpers Ferry. Derek and I chatted as I thought this couldn¢t be possible. But I was going to ask him to pinch me. We got into town, established our weekend residency at the Hilltop Hotel which brought an amazing view and then ate pizza and calzones. I then signed my name and got my picture at the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conference) headquarters and was the 271st person to arrive there this year. It was cool to introduce my family to some of the thru-hikers and feel appreciated for giving out trail magic. After showers, naps, and second winds, we hit a pub which followed to a bar where we met this old guy we called Kavorkian, because of his evil laugh. It was a great feeling having them out here. It makes me truly realize how much I miss everyone back at home, but also know how much support I¢ve been blessed with all my life. With that said, I¢d like to thank the following people for sending me packages to Harpers Ferry and those responsible for making the weekend one I will never forget.Aunt Jane and Uncle RalphHeather TeichmanBumpsThe grinds brothersAnd KellyThank you all for the messages, the emails, the thoughts, and the prayers. These are all things that made my first ever 1000 miles of hiking possible.
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Daulgren Back Pack Campground
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

After about 14 hours of sleep last night, I finally hit the trail around 11:00. The terrain was pretty easy all day. I stopped for lunch at the first shelter and thought how amazing it was to have Chad, Derek and Kelly come down this past weekend. Good times. After eating some lunch I continued my trek and found trail magic at Gathland State Park. I forgot to mention that I finished yet another state- West Virginia. So, in Maryland, at Gathland Staqte Park, Cooker Hiker was grilling up some burgers and dogs. This park has some Civil War history around it so I took some pictures of the monuments and signage. After saying my thank-yous I took my stuffed belly back on the trail and soon ran into Squarl, Plunger, Yukon and some other hikers. We decided to stop at a nearby campground because it was free and has hot showers. Overall it was an easy day with not much going on. I¢m thankful for the beautiful weather we¢re having.
Date: 2006-06-13
From: Daulgren Back Pack Campground

To: Devils Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 18.8

I went through the morning rituals (woke up, ate pop-tarts, packed tent) and hit the trail. Only a couple of miles in I saw an amazing view. In the background was the Antietam battlefield, but it was a little too hazy to see 8it. I stopped at Pine Knob shelter for lunch and had trouble leaving the picnic table. But after I stood up and started walking and started getting a stomach cramp from my full belly. Onward I went anyhow, and I reached another view at the Black Rock Cliffs. I was a little stunned by a green lizard with red eyes sitting on a rock. I looked at it and took my camera out to capture this new species. Approaching it cautiously I noticed three of his legs were off the ground. It was at this point when I realized it was a plastic toy. I took a picture of it anyway for the humor and told other hikers that were heading to the cliffs to watch out for it. It could be poisonous. I arrived at Devils Racecourse shelter around five and made Mexican rice, tortillas with cheese and Tacobell sauce. Mmmm¢¦ good eatin¢.
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Devils Racecourse Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was one of the more interesting days. Plunger woke up with a round 4 inch diameter bite on his back. It looked like a spider kept biting him. I caught up to him and Yukon later on the AT and Plunger was nauseous with a fever. We pushed on through to Par-Mar Campground where the ranger looked at while Yukon and Squarl were playing on the swings. They put some ice on his bite to calm the swelling and he¢ll be staying in town for the night with Yukon. I was proud to walk Squarl across the Mason Dixon line which is the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Because he kept calling me Yankee Doodle, I peed one more time in the South as Mr. Johnny Reb took his first in the North. I¢m proud Squarl. He¢s 19 years old, each step he takes north is further than he has ever been from home. He¢s never flown in a plane so his highest elevation he¢s been at is Clingman¢s Dome in the Smokeys.I left Squarl at the border and a strong emotion came over me. It just feels good being in the North again even though I enjoyed the South. There have only been a couple of points of this trip that really hit me emotionally and today was one of them. I used it to my advantage and hiked hard passing shelters. I decided to push over 20 and head to Caledonia State Park Campground thinking there would be thru-hikers swimming in the pool. But of course, the one chance I get to swim the clouds began to rumble. Not seeing one thru-hiker I headed out as the rain fell. It was funny as I saw all these tourists running out of the woods as I was running in. Lightning hit twice very close to me as I ran up a mountain. I felt like the guy in the movie the Great Outdoors who got struck by lightning six sixty sixty sixty six times. Anyway I arrived to find Rematch and compost with some other hikers at the shelter. Overall, a great day, but my feet are absolutely killing me. I need to get them in some new shoes.
Date: 2006-06-15
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace Campground
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Ladies and gentlemen, I finally reached the halfway point of the trail. Yah! I know, it¢s about time. But does this mean I start counting down the days? Today didn¢t come easy though. The terrain was nice, but I saw two snakes including one diamondback rattler coming towards me as I shot video. Either way I figured I share with you some things I¢ve learned from being on the trail. Although you may agree or disagree this trip has brought new ideas and altered my thought process. By the way, those are in no particular order.1. Overall, life is good. It may be easy to look at life optimistically from my point of view, but happiness is contagious with the smiles it brings. I¢m trying to live my life to the full.2. There re good people in this world. Besides all the wonderful support I¢ve received from friends and family, people that I don¢t even know give us water, food and a place to stay. It¢s amazing when people work together.3. A simple life, for me at least, is a better life. When all you need is on your back, there are no limits. Luxury items, for example a camera, are fun to have, but aren¢t necessary to live a successful life.4. Finally the amount of food I can consume is quite disgusting.After reaching our halfway point there was a concession stand at Pine Grove Campground that offers the half-gallon of ice cream challenge. The record was set three days ago by Mystic. He ate 4 pints of vanilla in 2 min 38 sec. I, on the other hand, ate mine in 32 min 13 sec. It was a lot of ice cream. We stayed at the campground after swimming in a lake to cool off. Dub, Scout, Squarl and I relaxed by the fire as we recovered from eating all that ice cream.
Date: 2006-06-16
From: Pine Grove Furnace Campground

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: clear sky

I got a late start after breakfast, but heard that Rematch¢s fianc©s was coming out to do trail magic. The terrain has been pretty flat lately, so miles come easy. Kate brought a bunch of food along with cold drinks. She also talked us into walking all the way to Boiling Springs where she would pick us up and drive us to Duncannon to surprise Rematch and another thru-hiker, Compost. We ate burgers, chicken, and chips and just hung out. The past couple of days have just been amazing.
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Boiling Springs

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It didn¢t take much of an arm twist to take a day off. Kate offered to buy a hotel room in Harrisburg and go swimming. So, we took the day off and enjoyed a day of non-hiking activities. Swimming in a pool, sitting in a hot tub, watching the Breakfast Club on TV and playing Taboo were the scheduled events. Today was great.
Date: 2006-06-18
From: Boiling Springs

To: Campground
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

The heat came in today and I didn¢t start hiking until 12:30. It¢s been dry in PA so carrying extra water is a must. I spent most of the day hiking thru farm fields and tick-infested grease, but it¢s been level which is most satisfying. I ran into some section hikers, Crisco and Itch and decided to camp with them. It was a loud night while playing ¢guess this son¢ while playing the harmonica. The days have been nice, it¢s amazing how fast we¢re moving.
Date: 2006-06-19
From: Campground

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

I had every intention of walking through Duncannon after a rocky 7 mile morning, but cheap cold Rolling Rocks, World Cup Soccer, game 7 of hockey and hikers I haven¢t seen in a while kept me here. It was a free room so I didn¢t loose much money. Taking a nero gave me a chance to order yet another set of trekking poles since mine broke, talk to some friends from home and resupply.
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Duncannon

To: Peters Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 11.4

After a late night phone conversation and sleeping in a two foot aisle between two beds I woke up extremely tired. I spent the morning and half of the afternoon relaxing and fretting the heat. After a late lunch I headed out around 3:30. Before I got out of town, however, a long freight train passed through slowly with empty boxcars. I wondered where it was going and if I should jump on. I think I made a wise decision. The climb out of town was steep but once I hit the ridge the terrain was great. I saw a couple of little snakes. It¢s amazing how many are out here. I can¢t focus on anything it seems, except to step on the right rocks and watch out for snakes. I ran into some trail magic which is always a mental booster. I arrived at the shelter in time to descend and then ascend 800 for water. Any steeper and the trail maintainer would need to supply us with a ladder. The shelter here is two stories. I always like to take the top. It¢s darker and I can sleep better usually. Heading to bed though. I¢m hoping for an earlier start tomorrow.
Date: 2006-06-21
From: Peters Mtn. Shelter

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 30.8

Today was my first 30 mile day. It only cost me at least 2 ticks (I haven¢t checked for more) a bumbed ankle, and a couple scary snake sightings. I¢m basically too tired to write tonight. Instead I¢ll give you a fun fact from the author of my databook, Dan ¢Wingfoot¢ Bruce.¢On a hike from Georgia to Maine (or vice versa) a thru-hike will climb and descend a total of about ninety-one miles, the equivalent of going from sea level to the summit of Mt. Everest and back more than sixteen times!¢
Date: 2006-06-22
From: William Penn Shelter

To: Hertlein Campsite
Miles today: 9.7

I was suppose to hike twenty miles today but after hiking thirty yesterday my body said ¢I don¢t think so.¢ The Pennsylvania rocks are becoming more and more difficult and making me hate this state even more. It¢s hard to enjoy when there are trails going all over the place, overgrown poison ivy and ticks and snakes jumping all around. The heat is high but my attitude is still good although my fellow hikers are beginning to call me Uncle Grinds because I¢m not too friendly in the morning. I took a light day today to rest my ailing body and dry my tent from this morning¢s showers. I¢ll be heading into Port Clinton tomorrow for resupply.
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Hertlein Campsite

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

After Squarl¢s last night smile pizza delivery and then rope swinging in the nearby pond I was excited for an early start this morning. My body said no though. At 5:00 am I was what many people would say burning the candle at both ends. My body was sore and tired, but I had to get to Port Clinton. After I got sick, I fell back asleep until 8:30. I then tested my stomach by eating two chocolate chip pop tarts. Part of a complete breakfast. I set out and slowly put the miles in until I felt dizzy coming up to the next shelter. I stopped by a spring and ate some tuna. Still feeling dizzy though I set up a little nest on the trail¢¦ I woke up an hour and a half later. I¢m not sure if I was passed by any other hikers, but they would have had to step over me. The terrain in this state is terrible. It¢s a broken ankle waiting to happen, but the last hill going down to Port Clinton was the steepest I¢ve seen. We dropped over 1000 ft in less than a mile. Anything steeper and I would have to go down backwards. But I made it. I couldn¢t believe it. Today is my half-birthday and my 100th day on the AT.
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Port Clinton

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up feeling much better after getting 14 hours of sleep. I was just going to relax, but instead participated in jumping off a 35 foot cliff into a river, playing three games of volleyball, tossing the Frisbee, eating at an Amish sponsored pig roast and hanging out with a hiker group called Billville. I honestly don¢t remember the last time I did so much in one day, but I was exhausted by the end of it. It has been raining on and off and they¢re calling for more throughout the week.
Date: 2006-06-25
From: Port Clinton

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Due to heavy rains and thunderstorms we¢ve been strongly recommended to stay off the trail. So, today we all went to Cabelas sporting goods store. This place is absolutely humungous. They have an aquarium, mini museums, cafeteria, and a lot of award winning stuffed game. This makes Dicks Sporting Goods look like a playground. It¢s just another day of relaxing which I think my body needs because I¢m feeling strange aches and pains in my shoulders, back and legs. I will continue the healing process.I¢d like to thank Heather Teichman for the card and Grandma Blomgren for the cookies and spiced tea.
Date: 2006-06-26
From: Port Clinton

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: moderate rain

For those of you who have been praying for rain in Pennsylvania because of their ¢drought¢ we thru-hikers can thank you. It hasn¢t stopped in three days and they¢re calling for more throughout the week. In total about 20 inches. Luckily I was able to get to Port Clinton before it started three days ago, but I can¢t stay here forever. I decided to move on with Rematch and found out early that the trail was no longer dirt and rock but a fast moving stream of water that was two feet deep in parts. Throughout the day it rained on and off, but I was more in awe about the power of the water coming from the mountain. Simply incredible as I trudged shin deep for miles. Temperature was perfect. No bugs or humidity but the big rocks were wet and slippery. The story of the day, however, was when Rematch was using the privy at another shelter this afternoon while I was eating lunch, when he yells for me to come over. I guess a bear spotted Rematch sitting on the can, grunted and ran off. How¢s that for animals near your bathroom. I missed seeing it, but I guess Rematch was pretty startled when the bear caught him with his pants down.
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Allentown Hiking Club

To: Palmington
Miles today: 17.9

The rain continued to pour last night and today as Squarl, Rematch and I aqua blazed though the river trail. The terrain continued to be slipper and rocky, but we were able to get a hitch into Palminton. Rematch¢s fianc©e, Kate picked us up and dropped me off in Hoboken, NJ, home of the Brian Gauder. Brian¢s a colleague of mine, also known as the Sour Apple of our European trip. Although, the votes were questionable. It¢s great to see NY from his rooftop. Absolute stunning view at night. Thanks to him for letting me dry and clean my stinky body and gear.
Date: 2006-06-29
From: Palmington

To: Palmington
Miles today: 0.0

I had the greatest day! Relaxed in air conditioning and watched Ocean¢s 12, The English Patient and Cinderella Man. Thank you Gauder for the hospitality. Kate Rematch and Squarl picked me up around 5 and took me back to Palmerton where Squarl and I stayed at the ¢Jailhouse Hostel.¢
Date: 2006-06-30
From: Palmington

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 29.6
Weather: few clouds

I woke up to two trail angels looking to give hikers a ride back to the trailhead. I packed up quickly and headed to eat pop tarts along a highway. The climb out of Palmerton was pretty much vertical rock climbing. It was kind of scary at times, but the sum was shining and it felt good to be back. I ran into Miss Parkay at a shelter and had lunch. We discussed art and photography and how to make money. We headed out and stopped at a couple of vistas on our way to Wind Gap where she was meeting her dad to go home for the weekend. I moved on and quickly ran into Yukon, Plunger, Heald, Parkay, Chow Chow, and Squarl. Yukon and Plunger were handing out beers for trial magic. Gotta love that. After chatting for about an hour, I hiked on to hear thunder in the distance. For it not to rain in PA for 24 hours would be a gift of course it poured, but only for a short period of time. I arrived at my nightly home made dinner and now I¢m off to bed. Tomorrow is an easy day. Yippee!
Date: 2006-07-01
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

This journal is brought to you by cousins Sarah & Andrea Victor.Andrea:I went to pick up Grinds today in DE Water Gap and I didn¢t even recognize him! I was even more surprised after our cut-short hug. The cologne he had on was a little strong for my liking. On our drive back to NYC we stopped at Dairy Queen. I had expected Grinds to order a number two, five and seven, but I think I ended up eating more than him. Upon our arrival into the city we threw him into the shower. Shortly after, we went to pick Sarah up from the airport, who had not surprisingly missed her earlier flight. Ahh Sarah as she came out of the airport Grinds approached her and asked her for some spare change. Just a little earlier that day, Todd thought he saw another AT Thru-hiker a block away from my house ¢ I had to break the new, ¢Grinds, he¢s homeless.¢ We had a great time eating at Caf© Habana followed by a few drinks at the Belgian Beer Bar ¢ a place Todd and I had frequented on his trip a year or so ago. Although that trip was definitely a little fuzzy for the both of us. So glad Grinds could take a few days to see us. We had a blast.Sarah:I flew into JFK (after a long and sort of round about kind of day, but no need to go into details here) and was immediately asked for spare change. Upon closer inspection, I realized this crazy looking guy with the raggedy beard was none other than cousin Grinds. He smiled and still had all of his teeth though, which helped ease my sense of Aston. We hopped into the car that still smelled of Grinds¢s gear that had been removed a few hours before and headed into the city. We went to a hip Cuban caf© on the lower east side. Grinds clad in rain pants and shower shoes with his beard ensemble and laid back air he almost seemed like the coolest person around, setting a new sort of ¢Urban Woodsman¢ look. Maybe we¢ll see Grinds on the cover of the next month¢s Village Voice. We had a few beers at the Belgian Beer Bar down the street and headed home. Every time I see Grinds, walking silently up ahead and starring out at the city, I can¢t help but think of the Marlboro man. I also feel really safe because I doubt anyone would ever try and mug us there are some misfits to looking like an untamed and maybe homeless man in the big city. Seeing Grinds has been great and we¢re all so proud of him!
Date: 2006-07-03
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Brink Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: scattered clouds

After an awesome time in NYC with Sarah and Andrea, they drove me back to DWG last nigh. After they left, I hung out with some locals and discussed the damaged building in the gap caused by the massive floods. Fortunately, the damage isn¢t as severe as first thought. I hung out at the church hostel and listened to a local blues band. They sounded great as they played in the sanctuary.Woke up this morning after dreaming about being attacked by a dog. I hit the trail with a great attitude: I am out of PA. NJ however is pretty much the same however. Rock terrain with ups and downs. I passed Sunfish Pond. It¢s the first glacial pond encountered going north on the AT. It was almost lost years ago when a power company wanted to use it as a cooling pond to save a few dollars, rather than build a cooling pond near their power plant. Publicity and the resulting public out cry prevented that from happening. I moved on and later on the day, I slowed down, because I was climbing Rattlesnake Mountain. Surprisingly, though, I didn¢t see one of them. I arrived at my shelter home tonight and was attached by mosquitoes. The bugs are outrageous these days because of the heavy rains. Good day overall though. Hopefully, I¢ll have better dreams.