morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-08
From: Rauch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

I woke up early and had an interesting conversation with Todd, a section hiker. Me: I get to try out my new rain skirt today. (a drawstring trash bag)Todd: Shouldn't you call it a kilt?Me: (facetiously) Why? I'm a girl; it's socially acceptable for girls to wear skirts. Todd: I thought you were playing the other role. He apparently thinks one woman in a lesbian relationship must be the "man." This made more since of why he thought I should have been the one to stay at home paying the mortgage while my wife got to hike the trail. Ah, misguided stereotypes. The hiking after the shelter was super easy and I passed through a nice clearing chock full of aromatic wild roses just before I started raining. I donned my rain gear (including my skirt) and walked on until taking a break under a road. I hiked in the rain for about 2 hours before it stopped just as I arrived at the I81 overpass, where I took a break to de-prune my tie and check my e-mail. Osprey decided to send me a new pack (mine was broken on the Greyhound bus), which is great because the one I am using is horribly uncomfortable. Afterwards, I hiked through periods of rain, followed by periods of sun, followed by periods of rain & sun. I took a break at William Penn Shelter to again dry my feet, which had begun to ache considerably by this point. I took some aspirin for a headache caused either by my pack or the mile-long rock stretch before the shelter. I pushed on to 501 Shelter and only experienced one rocky section. 501 was packed! I ordered a Stromboli at the suggestion of another hiker and walked to the trailhead parking lot to pick it up. A young woman sped into the lot blaring music, so I assumed she must be the pizza delivery person (ah, misguided stereotypes). Instead, I walked up upon a teenage girl having an emotional breakdown, so I backed away slowly...After receiving my Stromboli from the real pizza delivery person, I headed back to the shelter, where I stuffed my face while watching Game of Thrones on my phone. I didn't sleep well (night # 2 of bad dreams). P.S. Found my first tick today.
Date: 2016-06-09
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

I ate leftover Stromboli and hiked over jagged rocks for what seemed like an eternity (in hell). I took a break at Hertline campsite and received some homemade turkey jerky from a former thru hiker and contact information for one of her hiking partners who was a farmer and offered to help me become a farmer (I had mentioned this may be what I want to be when I grow up). It was quite precious; she didn't have any paper, so she wrote her info down on a page of the bible which contained her favorite scripture. I need to find someone who knows about bibles to tell me where the scripture begins. While sitting and chatting with the farmer girl, I was hit by a fallen tree limb, then left going down the wrong trail. These were foreshadowing events for the emotional breakdown of my own that would soon occur. I missed my wife and was sick of the pain in my head and my feet. Transitioning back to trail life is difficult; going from one extreme of comfort to the other of deprivation. It was this deprivation which caused me to yearn to the repose I feel when with my loving wife. One goal I have for myself while being on the trail is to live independently. While I have done this financially for years, I've never been without a partner since becoming an adult, so I've always had someone to lean on for emotional support. Although a therapist would say it's healthy to turn to others for support during times of need, there's a fine line between support and co-dependence. Either way, I want to be able to learn to look within myself more for strength during trying times. I told myself not to cry; it would blur my vision, undoubtedly resulting in a crash collision with the rocks below. I finally decided to put my earbuds in and drown out the "I miss my wife" mantra in my head. I stopped to fill up before the shelter, where I met Homeward, who was continuing northward since the shelter was empty and he wanted to be closer to Port Clinton. After discovering an explosion of shit in the privy, I considered following suit, especially since I knew the negative son of the father/son section hiking team I had been sharing shelters with the past few nights was one more smart-assed comment away from being told off, but I chose to stay to give my legs a small break and to hangout with Tinker, a 70 year old thru-hiker who slightly resembles Gandolf and laughs at all my jokes. The boys eventually arrived and though I didn't actually go off on the son, I did let a few snide comments slide out. Whoops.
Date: 2016-06-10
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

I woke up to discover I had started my period a few days early, which partly explained the tears of yesterday. I took some aspirin in hopes of warding off the extreme cramps, but was unsuccessful. The tears returned and I decided I needed to pamper myself with a hot bath at the Microtel in Hamburg. The hike downhill into Port Clinton was extremely steep; you'd think with all the damn rocks, they could have built some stairs. The barbershop in Port Clinton was truly epic, with a pet chicken hanging outside and coffee and donuts inside. The caretaker from 501 showed up and offered me a ride to the motel, but another man (Steve) said he'd take me. I discovered the hotel was full and Steve wanted $5 to take me to Walmart to resupply, which was not 5 miles away...I held back the tears of disappointment and accepted the shady offer with Steve boasting about how he was a "trail angel" who only charged half of what shuttle drivers charged. I thought Trail Angels did Trail Magic without expecting anything in return, but perhaps I was mistaken. I resupplied and charged my batter bank while eating Subway at Walmart. Afterwards, a "true" Trail Angel offer me a ride back to the trail, lifting my spirits a bit. When I offered him a few bucks for gas he said "Hell no!" The hike out of Port Clinton is just as steep as into t and again with no stairs. I ran into Tinker and hiked with him for a bit before passing him. I stopped to call my wife, as I no longer had internal strength reserves from which I could call upon (damnit!), which made me feel a bit better. Being the eternal optimist, she suggested my tears may be a sign of a new growth for me and that happiness was just around the corner. Ah, the power of suggestion! On the way to the shelter, I came across two treasures: a collection of super shiny blue and green rocks and a three gallon jug with a spigot. After dumping my stuff at the shelter, I proceeded to fill said jug, ignoring the negative comments of the son, and proceeded to take a sponge bath. Oh to be clean(ish) in the woods... What a glorious feeling!
Date: 2016-06-11
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

I wrote a poem today about the rocks:"FUCK. THESE. ROCKS!"Fuck these rocksFlat and roundFuck these rocksLittering the groundFuck these rocksSmooth and squareFuck these rocksThat are everywhereFuck these rocksBig and smallFuck these rocksFuck them allAnd fuck the gnats tooIt was a bit of a rocky hike to the Pinnacle, which I would have missed if there weren't an odd late pile of rocks which caught my attention. Being of a curious disposition, I investigated and found some cliffs with great, though hazy views. Tinker told me everyone who lived in the area (he was from around there) had been to the Pinnacle at least once, which made the large number of day hikers more understandable. We saw a rattlesnake subbing in one of the cliffs and I got some cool pics. The hike down was on a gravel road, so I was able to maintain a decent pace and passed a man wearing sunglasses hiking up at 9:30 with a beer in hand. I stopped for lunch at Eckville Shelter, which was pretty cool; it has a solar shower, flushing toilet, and trash receptacles. The hike after the shelter was again steep and rocky, and I was soon dropping with sweat. The afternoon thunderstorm predicted was nothing more than a sprinkle, so I decided to watch the clouds pass by as I elevated my throbbing feet. I hiked over 5 miles of rocks to the shelter, where I met Layers & Patriot and was joined by Tinker, Homeward, and the section hikes. A group of boy scouts was camped out below us and brought leftover chicken, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. YUM!
Date: 2016-06-12
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: campsite @ 1261.5
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: clear sky

One of the Boy Scout leaders told us we were about to hike the last nice 4 miles of PA, which turned out to be bullshit. Not that there were many particularly "nice" areas, but there were some miles not completely littered with rocks or boulders. I stopped to fill up with water at Blue Mountain Summit B&B. Knifes edge was a super cool scramble; Bake Oven Mountain was not super exciting. I stopped and had lunch with the section hikers and Layers, who seems like a cool chick, and picked up a super awesome "rice hat." (It is conical and looks like what people who pick rice wear.) I passed by two cell phone towers, which sounded like airplanes and stopped at George Outerbridge Shelter for dinner, where I learned it was raining caterpillars...and not the cute kind...the kind with stingy hairs that eventually turn into tree-consuming moths. I decided to push on another 5 miles to a campsite I hopes of getting to Delaware Water Gap sooner, and 3 other hikers thought this to be a good idea, including Layers. The climb out of Lehigh Gap is super intense and involves legit rock climbing. I love rock climbing with a pack...with 30-40 mile per hour wind gusts...it really is quite exhilarating! Layers and I caught a beautiful sunset before walking 3 additional miles with no trees (due to zinc smelting) and only a few rocks at the end (due to the grace of God). We arrived at camp after dark exhausted and only somewhat sheltered from the high wind gusts.
Date: 2016-06-13
From: campsite @ 1261.5

To: campsite @ 1283.2
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up early with no birds singing and being very tired; I didn't sleep well because of the wind gusts, a sore body, and the crazy slant I had to pitch my tent in. I made okay time despite the rocks to Leroy A Smith shelter for lunch and water, which was way the fuck away downhill, and ended up taking a 2 hour lunch. Afterwards, there were more rocks and condoms sitting on a log. Trail magic? I had steep climbs out of Danielsville and Wind Gap. I had hoped to make it all the way to the shelter, but my feet died on several occasions and I could not resuscitate them to make the additional 3.3 miles. Tired and not wanting to cook, I ended up eating a Thai tuna and Cheeto wrap for dinner.
Date: 2016-06-14
From: campsite @ 1283.2

To: Delaware Water Gap (Pocono Inn)
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up early, excited, and refreshed. I packed up at lighting speed and set a new personal record for leaving camp: 45 minutes! (Though I did skip coffee and only ate a Cliff bar for breakfast.) The hike out was pretty sweet with some rocks before Wolfe Rocks, but nothing too major afterwards. I stopped at the shelter before Delaware Water Gap for water which came from a well outside a private retreat and tasted very metallic. I was in a super pumped headspace when I left and stopped shortly afterwards to take in the vista of the valley below, accented by the Salem Nuclear Power Plant. A hiker complimented me on my awesome rice hat and when I explained I had found it at a shelter, he said he thought it was his, so I was able to return it to its rightful owner. I damn near skipped into town with a huge smile on my face. 150 miles in 8 days! I was about to give my feet a much needed rest. I stopped by the hostel, which was for donation and very minimalistic before getting a text from Layers with our hotel room number. I stopped by the PO to pick up my blonde boxes before heading to the Pocono Inn. The overgrown parking lot was a precursor to what I would find inside: dirty walls and floors (at least on the second floor; the first floor was boarded up), broken electronics, a Plant Room (I suppose if you wanted fresh air?), and a smell (weed/funk mixture) which permeated the premises. I showered and went into town for food with Layers, stopping first at the Apple Pie Bakery for a hot dog and a slice of pie for only $2.95. Two other thru-hikers were there, one of whom made some judge mental remarks about the length of my thru-hike, which I was able to politely ignore. I feel the AT thru-hike isn't solely about putting one foot in front of the other for 8-12 hours a day; it's not solely about getting to Kathadin; it's not solely about the miles you average. These are only part of the multifaceted experience that is thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. There's also the towns you visit, the vistas, the people, the parties, the pain & sickness, the injuries, the loneliness, the gear, the blazes (white, blue, Aqua, yellow, pink, green, etcetera) and (most importantly) the food. If all I did was hike for 5 solid months, I'd go insane. Hiking gets BORING. Sometimes ya gotta spice it up a bit. This is why the motto "Hike Your Own Hike" is so important. It's a journey; everyone is different and what people need from their own personal pilgrimage will be as unique as they are. Afterwards, Layers and I had lunch at the pub (can't remember the name) near the outfitters (which sucks!) and had burgers, fries, and beers. All but the beer were great. We bought some beer at the pizza joking on the way back to the motel since you cannot buy beer at a convenience or grocery store in PA. I washed my clothes and organized my gear while drinking and chatting with Layers.
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Delaware Water Gap (Pocono Inn)

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It's crazy how you invariably wake up at your regular time even when given the opportunity to sleep in! Layers and I ate at the Apple Cafe, not be confused with its neighbor: the Apple Bakery (which is a better choice). We got a lift to Stroudsburg from Ken so Layers could resupply at Walmart and I could watch a movie (The Jungle Book). The movie was as fantastic as the buttered popcorn and cherry coke and I found myself teary eyed several times. I decided to catch the bus to Walmart afterwards, which took about an hour. While waiting, a woman sitting next to me commented on the strange smell of the bus stop...so I informed her it was likely me...and she agreed. I eventually found my way to Walmart, resupplied, and caught a lift back to the motel with Ken, where I treated my clothes with Permethrin, drank, took an Epsom bath, and watched Game of Thrones.
Date: 2016-06-16
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: campsite @ 1309.6
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I had a delicious breakfast sandwich at the Apple Pie Bakery before mailing my bounce box and hitting the trail. There was a crisis number posted on the bridge over the Delaware River warning of the tragic results of jumping and the availability of help. The rumors, sadly, were true: the rocks did not end in PA. The rocks seemed to surround the Sunfish Pond area. Sunfish Pond is a glacial lake (huh?) whose high acidity enables only two types of fish to survive in its waters. It was designated as a water source in both the AWOL guide and Guthook app. No thanks! The ridge line walk after the backpacker campsite had some amazing views due to the mere smattering of trees. I was caught in a brief rain shower which turned the trail into a torrent of water, so I stopped at the Mohican Outdoor Center to dry off, eat, charge electronics, and catch up on my journal. A section hiker grilled me several times on where I planned on camping for the night; he didn't want to stay at a campsite in serious bear country alone. First off, I'm a chick hiking by myself and I've never met you...so...hell no I'm not about to share my travel plans with you. Second off, I honestly hardly ever know for sure my final destination, especially when I can camp anywhere. Thirdly, grow a pair. I ended up taking a blue-blazed trail for a bit that intersected with the AT Andean a very cute pond with lilies; I also became re-soaked since it was overgrown in several areas. Just as I rejoined the AT, I ran into two girls who had just started and were lost. I walked them to the campsite they were looking for and shortly thereafter ran into the section hiker, who reported he had seen a bear and insisted I hang my food...as if that weren't already my intention. I directed him to the campsite where I had left the girls and hiked on, passing a beaver pond (which smelled like fart and was a designated water source), a rabbit, and a male deer before arriving at my campsite. I immediately took off my sodden shoes and set up camp for the night be firing enjoying a beautiful sunset.
Date: 2016-06-17
From: campsite @ 1309.6

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

I was highly unmotivated to get up this morning and didn't leave until 8:30. It was a pretty hike and I only passed two other people on the morning. I foraged for wild blueberries and mountain sorrel to add to my peanut butter wrap for lunch, which I took under a tree with a great view of Kittitany Lake. Even though I can smell the raspberries, they aren't ready just yet. I decided to get a gatoraid at Culvers Gap and was sucked into the vortex that is Gyps Tavern, where I had some great conversations with Butterscotch, Sunshine, and Grassman. Sunshine was conflicted about her relationship with her hiking buddy she'd had since beginning at Harper's Ferry. The concept of "trail families" is something I've been thinking about a lot recently. When I first got back on the trail, I longed for a group or a partner; people who would consistently be in my life and with whom I could develop deep, long-lasting relationships; people to support me through the hard times and celebrate once those times had passed. I enjoyed the four days I spent with Layers, but I think I will always just be a solo hiker. I find it difficult to conform to the ideas of a group. I enjoy the freedom of hiking as fast/slow and as far/or not as I choose. I love being able to change my plans 10 times a day as various opportunities present themselves, or to have no plan at all. Besides, I get to meet new people everyday and invariably come across those I've already met, which almost always fills my heart with joy. Today I planned on hiking 20 miles, but instead I found a bar on a lake. For the first time in a long time I am able to concern myself with the whims and wants of only me. I get to be selfish instead of selfless. I love it!PS. I discovered the owner of the sweet Opinel knife I had found at a shelter (and recently mailed home to myself). I promised Tea Time I would return it to him when I had the opportunity to do so. PPS. Met my first ridgerunner today!
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

Didn't sleep well and again was tired when I woke up. I set my eyes on a beach 11mikes ho the trail as a great lunch break destination. My first mile was great, but I became tired quickly and with each hour, my pace dropped and I had to take breaks just to cool down. I didn't believe it when my thermometer only read 77. I stopped by the High Point State Park Headquarters, registered, got a coke & candy, and chatted with Grassman before heading towards the beach. I got a bit lost going to the beach, but eventually found my way to the concession stand and ordered a hot dog, fries, and onion rings. After stuffing my face, I plunged into the ice cold water with my hiking clothes on and had the air expelled from my lungs. Less than a minute later, my teeth were chattering uncontrollably so I cut my swim to a dip and took a hot shower in the bathrooms, washing some of my clothes as well as my body. I figured my bra and underwear looked enough like a bikini, so I payed under a tree for a bit and worked out a plan to hike 18-12-22 mile days to get to the shelter with the NYC overlook. That plan fell through within 30 minutes of hiking when I decided to stay at the shelter rather than pushing for the full 18 miles. Because of this, I was able to meet Mass, a thru-hiker from MA (though that's not how he got his name) who hooked me up with some safety equipment he had found on the trail. Trust your intuition; listen to your body; have faith. The trail provides.
Date: 2016-06-19
From: High Point Shelter

To: Pochuck Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

Despite the scurrying in the leaves surrounding my tent, I slept well. Within 30 minutes of hiking, I was gifted a donut, Apple, and bottle of lemonade from the parents of a former thru hiker. I stopped in Unionville, NY and spent the afternoon at Wits End Tavern until the day cool off. Since it didn't open until noon, I stopped into Horler's Store to pick up a few items at inflated prices. I had a great breakfast sandwich, but the rest of the resupply options were fairly slim. After eating and charging my phone, I headed to the tavern and had a beer with Massasoiet (aka Mass) and Tea Time. Mass left after a beer and a salad and Tea Time left soon after. I called my dads to wish them a Happy Pappy Day, ate a salad and wings, and hung out with Tea Time, who had hiked only a mile up trail before returning to the tavern (he said his stomach hurt). I had one more beer and chatted with a local (Tracy) at the bar, who bought me a shot of Peach Dog Whiskey (yum!). Afterwards, I road walked to where the trail picks up at the Walkhill Reserve and felt as if I were in Florida. The Reserve was amazing and beautiful, but the hike uphill to the shelter was not. After conversing with the young men at the shelter, I decided to set up my tent.
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Pochuck Mtn Shelter

To: campsite @ 1367.4
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

All the days are blending together into a green and brown blur. It's getting hotter and they creeks are drying up. Luckily, there are many Trail Angels in the area leaving water at trail heads. The NJ boardwalk was spectacular and I was able to meet Bambi, a super sweaty and inquisitive, though not game to let a human pet her. I climbed the Stairway to Heaven and met some firefighters who had to haul a hose up the steep and rocky path to put out a log that had caught fire. Bless their hearts. I stopped at the Pinwheels Vista for a brief break and saw my first (and only) NJ bear shortly after returning to the trail. It was if large stature, but scurried off when it heard another hiker approaching. I took an extended lunch break at Wawayanda Shelter, cooking some couscous (yum!), rehydrating as much as possible, and taking a short nap. The privy was full, but I used it anyway. Afterwards, I set my goal for the NJ/NY border. It was 6 by the time I arrived in NY, so I knew I wouldn't make it to the next shelter. I found a stealth site and set up camp, a little nervous about being alone for the first night in a new state. It's funny how each state really is different in terrain, views, shelters, campsites, water sources, people, resources, and weather.