morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Starting Time: 8:40Starting Location: Rausch Gap ShelterEnding Time: 4:10Ending Location: 501 ShelterMiles: 17.4Morning Weather: sunny and warm (70's)Afternoon Weather: hot and muggy...first day that seemed like I was back in ATLBreakfast: CIBs and Gung Ho granola Lunch: bars and gorp Dinner: Tuna and berry bars as appetizer, pizza and stromboli from pizza joint in Pine Grove Trail Description: Nice section in the morning down to Swatara Gap. Steep climb up Blue Mtn., then flat, flat, flat to the 501 Shelter.People: TRex, Eric, local punks at 501 on trail on bikes (who I lectured with an emphasis on FOOTpath), punks on rock lookout with fully tatooed backs, smoking, and drinking malt liquor Animals: Rattlesnake #2!!! TRex "discovered" this one. I was 10 miuntes behind, but he and Eric were still there taking pictures. He was a carbon copy of the one I saw a few days earlier. We moved him off the trail and left a note for NOBO's.Money: 8 for pizzaComplaints: noneThoughts: PA is now boring. I've not seen any rocks to freak out about, although today for the first time hit a cool rock section. The flat ridges are OK, but it gets really uninteresting after 10 miles of it.The weather, however, is rocking. We've had a great run for two weeks or so. Just tonight, while at the pizza joint, did it rain. I had laundry hanging on a line outide the shelter, so it's nice and wet now. Late night update: a thunderstorm came in around 9 p.m. and it has been pouring ever since..crazy. Good thing I'm in a four-sided shelter.The 501 shelter is awesome. It has a solar shower that I used to get three days of sweat and grime off. As mentioned, I also did some laundry using the spigot at the shower. Eric is ending his section today, so he had a car here...hence the pizza run in town. Very cool. The lady at the pizza place asked us, immediately, if we were at 501, and told us they delivered. I was slightly offended that she presumed a burly-bearded, emaciated, overly tan, and generally disheveled person like me was automatically staying at the shelter. This is Eric's last night with us. He's the man...11, 17, and 17 are three impressive mileage days. He does have, however, some nasty heel blisters that ought to be fun in the coming days.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA (Pavilion)
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting Time: 6:50Starting Location: 501 ShelterEnding Time: 5:00Ending Location: Port Clinton (Pavilion)Miles: 23.7Morning Weather: niceAfternoon Weather: nicerBreakfast: CIBs and cereal barLunch: bars and gorpDinner: Yuenglings, Rueben, chips, and a HUGE plate of fries at The Port Clinton Hotel Trail Description: A real downer of a day...trail was flat and basically boring all day. At times I almost felt claustrophobic due to being up on that ridge so long - there was just no way down.People: TRex, Odyssa, Earthworm JimAnimals: Red frogMoney: 18 at Port Clinton HotelComplaints: See trail desc. aboveThoughts: The stay at the Port Clinton pavilion led to an interesting evening. The four of us went to sleep around 8, and at some point I heard some people talking. It turned out that three young drunks/potheads were on the step of the pavilion. One was talking in such a slurred manner that he sounded severely, if not irreparably, impaired. I was immediately on pins and needles and was waiting for them to come in and start a fight with us. They never did, and less than five minutes later they were gone. However, I stayed awake for the next hour or so from the "fight or flight" response that I had. TRex and I talked later and we were both ready to rumble with these guys...thankfully nothing came of it. The funny thing was that I thought it was 2am or so when this happened, but it turned out to be only 10pm, such was my fatigue. So, I don't recommend the Pavilion in any way, shape, or form...EVER.Oh, and PA must have heard me talking bad about it, because I hit plenty of rocks today.
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Port Clinton, PA (Pavilion)

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: broken clouds

Starting Time: 9:00Starting Location: Port ClintonEnding Time: 7:00Ending Location: Allentown Hiking Club ShelterMiles: 22.6Morning Weather: partly cloudy, coolAfternoon Weather: cool but sunnyBreakfast: Eggs, sausage, hash browns, pancakes at 3 C's Lunch: bars and gorp Dinner: Modified ramen and tuna Second Dinner: Pasta Roni (garlic asian something) and tuna, misc bars until stuffed Misc. Food: Mtn. Dew and ice cream sammich at Eckville shelter Trail Description: Great day! The climb up to the Pulpit was awesome! The view was well worth it. The ridge over to the Pinnacle was cool. Coming down into Eckville was a snap...a road walk that went downhill for 4 miles. Rocky out of Eckville to the Allentown Shelter, but fun. One section was a small rock run of at least 300 yds.People: TRex, Odyssa, class on Pinnacle (led by Mr. Taylor) Animals: tons of hawks everyhere...I think this area is a sanctuary for them)Money: 11 at breakfast, 1 at EckvilleComplaints: My right pinky toe is jamming into the ring toe, causing callous on the ring toes and general discomfort on the pinky toe. I've had it for several days, but this is the first time I'm complaining about it.Thoughts: What a great day! After a pseudo-bad day yesterday, capped off by the miscreants at the Pavilion and the resultant lack of sleep, I worked hard on staying on track. My mantra today was "slow and steady, patient and positive," I brainwashed myself with this every 20 minutes or so, and it worked!I'm looking forward to Palmerton and a shower!
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 17.7

Starting Time: 6:30Starting Location: Allentown ShelterEnding Time: 1:20Ending Location: Palmerton, PAMiles: 17.7Morning Weather: awesome...sunny and 60's Afternoon Weather: awesome-er...sunny and high 70's Breakfast: balance bar Lunch: bars and gorp Second Lunch: Foot-long Subway sammich, cookies, ice cream Dinner: Steak, tater, yumminess Trail Description: Flat day, but several large rock outcroppings at Bear Rocks and Bake Oven Knob. I took a slight spill on the first knob...ouch.People: TRex, Odyssa, Beverly, Don, and family Animals: none Money: 10 Complaints: none Thoughts: Palmerton is a GREAT town. Everything is located very close together, with the exception of the PO. The "jailhouse" hostel seems cool, even though I'm not staying there. Instead, I'm staying with my neighbor's family in Palmerton. They're super nice and have rolled out the red carpet, including the loaning of a car for errands. TRex, Odyssa, and I drove all over and had a great afternoon.The hike was great today...we put the pedal to the metal and burned the nearly 18 miles. It felt great and made the ice cream all the more wonderful!
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Wind Gap, PA (Gateway Motel)
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting Time: 9:00Starting Location: Palmerton, PAEnding Time: 5:00Ending Location: Wind Gap,PA (Gateway Motel)Miles: 20.4Morning Weather: sunny and warmAfternoon Weather: warm and cloudyBreakfast: Ham and cheese omelet, pancakes, OJ Lunch: cookies and muffins (from John and Suzanne) Dinner: Burger and Basses Misc. Food: Cookies from Marienne Trail Description: GREAT climb up and out of Palmerton. The rocks were challenging and a little scary every now and then. The ridge walk immediately afterwards was cool. The last 13 miles or so was boring, rocky, ridgewalk.People: Beverly, Don, TRex, Odyssa, Big Daddy D Animals: Cool maroon-ish snake climbing up tree.Money: 60 for motel, dinner, and breadComplaints: Rocks make my ankles tired.Thoughts: Beverly and Don continued their trail magic by buying breakfast for TRex, Odyssa, and me at Bert's. Thanks so much!!!The three of us dumped into Wind Gap and the motel here. Tomorrow we may stay at Delaware Water Gap hostel...very luxurious nights we're having! It makes up for all the rocks...
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Wind Gap, PA (Gateway Motel)

To: Delaware Water Gap (Church Hostel)
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting Time: 7:30Starting Location: Wind Gap, PAEnding Time: 2:30Ending Location: Delaware Water Gap (Church Hostel)Miles: 15.6Morning Weather: sunny and 60'sAfternoon Weather: sunny and 70'sBreakfast: CIBsLunch: bars, gorp, Indian (see thoughts below) Second Lunch: Hot Dog, Apple Pie, Donut Dinner: Shrimp, Onion Soup, Trout with veggies and salad, Pie!Misc. Food: Guiness at Tap RoomTrail Description: Rocky! PA wasn't gonna let me off easily. There were approx. 5 miles of rocks this morning, followed by a brief respite of a road, followed by worse rocks for 7 miles or so. Crazy.People: TRex, Odyssa, Lights Out, day hikers w/ an Irish Setter (that bit me) Animals: Bad Irish Setter!Money: 12 at Tap Room, 1.50 at BakeryComplaints: Rocks hurt my feet, but I think they are almost over as they are currently represented.Thoughts: Do you want to know how to make Naan (Indian flat bread) for backpacking? Go to your local MinitMart, buy el cheapo hot dog buns, put in pack, and cinch pack straps down. Voila! Flat bread!My brother sent me two more of those yummy Ashoka Indian meals. I'm not sure whether to hug him or punch him, given that they are so heavy. I stopped at Kirkridge Shelter and feasted on Indian, gorp, etc. I was glad to be eating something out of my pack, given all the towns I've been hitting recently.Delaware Water Gap is prety cool. The hostel is great! Sofas and recliners, showers and CD's, all free. Trex and I walked down to the bakery where they had tons of pies...will buy one later for gorging on.
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Delaware Water Gap (Church Hostel)

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Starting Time: 6:50Starting Location: Delaware Water GapEnding Time: 11:50Ending Location: Mohican Outdoor CenterMiles: 10.5Morning Weather: Rainy and cold (50's)Afternoon Weather: Overcast and coldBreakfast: None Lunch: Indian and "Backpacker's Nan," gorp Dinner: Ramen with cool sauce, Hummus and bread Misc. Food: Snickers and Pepsi from MOC Trail Description: Great walk out of DWG through Worthington Forest. Lots of rocks in general. The trail was tight and had bushes rubbing on you on both sides, so it was very wet walking.People: TRex, YoplaitAnimals: DeerMoney: 20 at MOC for stay, snacks, and breakfast Complaints: Not the mileage I wanted, and I'm not as tough as I used to be.Thoughts: Today I sort of wimped out on the rain and chilly weather. TRex and I were thoroughly soaked and started thinking that taking a short day and staying at MOC sounded better and better. The deal was sealed when we learned that the hiker cabin had a wood stove. We got that baby roaring and dried out all of our stuff in no time. It will be a relaxing afternoon, for sure.
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting Time: 8:45Starting Location: Camp Road (Mohican Outdoor Center) Ending Time: 6:10 Ending Location: Gren Anderson ShelterMiles: 20.9Morning Weather: Sunny and coolAfternoon Weather: Sunny/Rainy mixBreakfast: Pancakes and baconLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Cheesesteak and fries, Newcastles Second Dinner: Mtn. House Spaghetti Trail Description: Great hiking today...rocky ridge walks looking over NJ valleys - very pretty.People: TRex, Charlie, Doug, and KieranAnimals: Snake flailing down the ridgeMoney: 20 at Delmonico's Steak and AleComplaints: Poor blazing and tons of blowdowns throughout the day.Thoughts: Sometimes we thruhikers try too hard to "correct" the trail, when maybe what we should be doing is submitting, accepting, and hiking the trail as it lies before us. It is not up to us to re-make the trail as we see fit, rather, we should experience it as it is. The time and place for trail maintenance and relocation is not during one's thruhike.
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: "Secret Shelter" on Jim Murray's Place
Miles today: 18.3

Starting Time: 6:30Starting Location: Gren Anderson ShelterEnding Time: 3:00Ending Location: "Secret Shelter" on Jim Murray's PlaceMiles: 18.3Morning Weather: Rain rain rainAfternoon Weather: Rain rain rainBreakfast: CIBsLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Tuna, Modified Ramen, CouscousMisc. Food: Beef JerkyTrail Description: Swampy in places. High Point State Park was cool...we had a good view of the tower monument (although we didn't go by it).People: TRex, Chase, ShuaAnimals: Tons of newtsMoney: 0Complaints: NoneThoughts: I was all fired up for today to be my first 30 miler, but rain and my feet kept me from it. I have a goal of hitting the Conn. border by Saturday, and thought I needed the extra miles behind me. It turns out I figured wrong and don't need the miles anyway.The secret shelter, while not so secret due to Wingfoot's book, is great. It has a warm shower, a huge sink where I rinsed out my wretched clothes, and heaters that I'm using to dry said not-so-wretched clothes.On a sad note, yesterday morning Odyssa discovered a body in the Sunrise Mtn. Pavilion. A young man hung himself on Friday night. This morning TRex and I hiked through the pavilion. Several flowers were placed under the center beam. It was a sad moment for me, and I think TRex as well. I am very sorry for the family and friends of the young man - it's just a horrible thing. I can't imagine how Odyssa is dealing with the experience...I hope she's ok.
Date: 2005-05-23
To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting Time: 7:40Starting Location: "Secret Shelter" on Jim Murray's Place Ending Time: 4:00 Ending Location: Wawayanda ShelterMiles: 18.9Morning Weather: Overcast and high 50'sAfternoon Weather: Overcast until 4pm...then sunshine!Breakfast: Cereal BarSecond Breakfast: Pepsi, Foot-long ham and cheese sub at "The End of the Line" Deli Lunch: bars and gorp Dinner:Penne in a herb butter sauce (Pasta Roni style), Tuna, hummus and backpacker nan Misc. Food: Ice cream, Powerade, and blueberry crumble muffin from Heaven Hill Farm (bought three more for next two days) Trail Description: Great day of hiking! It was way easy until the climb up Pochuck Mtn., which wasn't that bad and pretty fun. After Pochuck, there was a great section of swamp area that had a raised boardwalk for the trail - for at least a mile. That was a ton of work. Lastly, the climb up Wawayanda Mtn. was awesome. Lots of rock stairs and steep stuff. I would call it fairly difficult, but I busted up that mountain as fast as I could and had a great workout. I saw some weekenders struggling up the climb...poor them. The view from Pinwheel Vista was well worth the extra tenth of a mile.People: TRex, Chase, Shua, Yoplait, Bob (trail maintainer) Animals: Cool birds in swamp areasMoney: 8 for sub, 8 for ice cream and muffins Complaints: None Thoughts: My toe is almost healed!!! Last night I started cutting my gnarled pinky toenail, and it just kept coming off. I pretty much cut the entire nail off, thus relieving the source of the pressure in the shoe toebox. I still have a little tenderness where the pinky is rubbing into the ring toe, the callous there having been created by the gnarled nail. Hopefully with the nail gone the callous will subside, leading me back into healthy feet nirvana. Doubtful.I left TRex behind today. He had a friend join him, so he slowed down a bit for him. He'll catch back up in a week or so, though, as I slow down when Amy starts. It's probably best that two robust snorers like TRex and I separate for awhile.
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: East Mombasha Rd.
Miles today: 18.7

Starting Time: 8:40Starting Location: Wawayanda ShelterEnding Time: 5:00Ending Location: East Mombasha Rd. (Stealth camp)Miles: 18.7Morning Weather: rain, then overcast and cool Afternoon Weather: overcast and threatening rain Breakfast: CIBs and blueberry muffin Lunch: Bars and gorp Dinner: Tuna, beef jerky, banana nut muffin...didn't cook because no spare water and I'm stuck in my tent due to rain Trail Description: In the beginning it was lots of cool moutain tops that were basically huge rocks. It was fun scampering over them. Then came at least 4 short climbs up steep rocky hills, which was tiring and slow. They were cool, but I hadn't planned on being slowed down like that.People: Jack and Jill! It turns out that he skipped north (Conn. line?) from Harper's Ferry and is now heading south. It sounds like his hike is going great. Jack the dog was as cool as ever.Animals: Jack the dogMoney: 0Complaints: Hmm...not as good of a day a it started out being...is that a valid complaint?Thoughts: It rained ALL night last night and stopped around 7:00 a.m. I decided to wait in the shelter until the rain stopped, which turned into me sleeping in the shelter until the rain stopped, hence my late start. After that I was slowed down on the rocks. After that, it began sprinkling around 5pm and I wasn't anywhere close to a shelter, so I pitched my tent and called it a day. I didn't get the miles that I wanted, but I'm dry and that makes me happier than miles.The bad side is that I've either got to push tomorrow to make my Fort Montgomery food drop, or I'll be eating rather skimpily tomorrow night. It was VERY COOL seeing Jack and Jill. A zillion memories came flooding back when I saw that dog coming down the trail. I was only with them for 3 days in the first two weeks of my hike, but I remember it like it was yesterday. It seems so long ago, yet it is so clear in my mind. Weird.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: East Mombasha Rd.

To: NY17/Arden Valley Road
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: light rain

Starting Time: 8:35Starting Location: East Mombasha Rd. (Stealth camp) Ending Time: 10:15 Ending Location: NY17/Arden Valley Road (Tuxedo Motel)Miles: 3.2Morning Weather: Overcast/rainy/cold/NOT SUMMER Afternoon Weather: same crap Breakfast: Blueberry muffin Lunch: Meatloaf and veggies Dinner: Turkey sub Trail Description: Rocky People: Cado and Wells, TRex Animals: NoneMoney: 25 for stuff, 45 for motelComplaints: WhateverThoughts: Wimped out today due to cold and rain. Apparently other hikers had the same idea as they kept pouring into the motel. When does the north actually realize summer-like weather? Poor Yankees...
Date: 2005-05-26
From: NY17/Arden Valley Road

To: West Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 12.8

Starting Time: 9:30Starting Location: NY17/Arden Valley Road (Tuxedo Motel)Ending Time: 3:30Ending Location: West Mtn. ShelterMiles: 12.8Morning Weather: Overcast, chilly, and windyAfternoon Weather: same, but with sprinkling rainBreakfast: Sausage, eggs, hash brownsLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Modified ramen, instant potatoesTrail Description: More rocky ups and downs, although somewhat easier than previous daysPeople: TRex, his buddy MikeAnimals: noneMoney: 5 for breakfastComplaints: Get ready for a volley of negativity. I don't like NY. I wasn't prepared for how challenging it is. I wasn't prepared for all the ups and downs, coupled with the rock scrambles and near-straight-uphill climbs. Add to this the crappy weather we've been having, and NY is bringing me down. This is part of the reason that I took yesterday off - I'm just a little down, which is funny, because the coolest thing in the world is about to happen. Amy joins me in less than 48 hours. And NY is still getting me down.The weather pattern we're having is called a "Nor'easter." You know it's bad when the Weather Channel is using this regional term instead of some slick, market-savvy type of name.Thoughts: I am an AT purist. A purist, for those who don't know, is someone who attempts to hike past every white blaze. Some hikers might "blue blaze," which means taking alternate routes which are often marked in blue. Some hikers walk roads instead of the trail, for example Skyline Drive in Shenandoah. Purists, though, walk the white blazes only, and they don't skip sections. I also will not "slackpack," which is hiking a section without pack (leaving it at a hostel for the day, for example). I'm carrying my pack with me the whole way.The reason I'm writing this is that this morning a man gave me a ride back to the trailhead. The man said he was a hiker and was experienced in The Whites in NH. When we arrived at the road crossing, I said "here is fine, this is where I need to start." I had left th trail at this crossing the previous morning. He said, "No, I'll take you back to the parking lot." He proceeded to drive me about a half mile back along a road to the trailhed parking lot, which had a blue blaze route to join back up with the AT. I protested and said that I needed to walk this section. He sort of roared back (in a NY kind of way) "What's to hike here? There's nothing to hike!" Well, that is his value judgement, and he is obviously entrenched in his opinion. I let it go, let him have his opinion, and when he dropped me off I put on my pack and walked back south to the road crossing, turned around, and walked back north to the parking lot. I am a purist, and that made me feel so good.Lastly, this shelter is cool. Its coolest feature is that over the tops of my toes (as I lay here) is a view of New York City about 35 miles away. It is a full view almost due west of the broadside of the city - beautiful. The ATC companion also claims that there is a resident rattlesnake, although I think (and hope) it's too cold for him to come out.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: Tenting on stream north of South Highland Road

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 5:40Starting Location: Tenting on stream north of South Highland RoadEnding Time: 10:15Ending Location: RPH ShelterMiles: 13.4Morning Weather: sunny and 60'sAfternoon Weather: sunny, then steady rainBreakfast: Cereal barLunch: bars and gorpDinner: Pizza, salad, and Basses at Kent Pizza GardenMisc. Food: Ice Cream in Kent (yum)Trail Description: I walked through some beautiful forest today. More poor blazing, except for one notable setion from Canapus Lake to the rocky vista a mile or so later...obviously the one NY maintainer who is on their game.People: TRex (camped 1.5 miles ahead of me), AMC Wilderness Medicine class at shelter, Glen and Talley, PokeyAnimals: Crows at rocky vista who screamed at meMoney: 50 for dinner, 35 at outfitterComplaints: NoneThoughts: Today Talley and Glen, who are old and good friends, brought me my wife! We all met at RPH, then drove to Kent for some pre-hike fun. We visited the outfitters where I had my poles repaired (new tips, cleaned out gunk, etc.). Very cool service in an an otherwise touristy outfitter. We followed this with tasty food and ice cream, then returned to RPH, where we sat in the shelter while it rained pretty much all evening. Grover is their chocolate lab, and he is the coolest. He is trained well and shows it. I can't wait to hike with a cool trail dog for a day!
Date: 2005-05-29
From: RPH Shelter

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting Time: 7:45Starting Location: RPH ShelterEnding Time: 3:30Ending Location: Morgan Stewart Shelter (tented)Miles: 9Morning Weather: Partly sunny and warmAfternoon Weather: Thunderstorms and off/on rainBreakfast: CIBLunch: Bars and gorp and a Pink Lady appleDinner: Mtn HouseTrail Description: Lots of up. Several sream crossings that Grover dunked in, very cutely I might add.People: Glen and Talley, Pure Luck, PokeyAnimals: Grover the dogMoney: 0Complaints: Talley rubbed some nasty blisters...I feel badly for her.Thoughts: Good low-key day of hiking. Grover was sooo cute and was all over the place, until the end of the day where he pretty much passed out from exhaustion. We tented near the shelter and had two episodes of rain. Glen fashioned a roaring fire out of wet wood and we had a great time chatting and catching up. Good peeps, that couple. I'm VERY excited to start my new "Biscuits! and Boomerang" life on the trail. Tomorrow it will be just us...