morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-01
From: uncharted campsite

To: campsite mile 1170
Miles today: 20.4

Last night I stayed in my hammock for the first time. It's pretty slick. Hennessy didn't have a "Hyperlite" model on display at trail days, (they were sold out). I remember trying the "lightweight backpacker" model instead. One thing I've noticed is that the hyperlite is smaller which doesn't allow you to lay down quite as flat diagonally as in the slightly bigger lightweight model. You sleep in the "hammock" position with this one. This hammock doesn't take up very much space in my pack. I put my inflatable mattress in the bounce box since I will no longer need it for hammock camping. However, I still need some insulation under me on cold nights. Hennessy sells Mylar coated bubble wrap for $15, it's the same material used to make car windshield reflectors. You can buy those at Walmart for $5. They also fold into a nice rectangular shape that makes a perfect backpack "frame". With the windshield reflector folded up inside the pack I no longer need the aluminum stays to keep it rigid. The hammock has saved me 12 ounces by getting rid of my air mattress. I didn't really add any weight by carrying the windshield reflector because it now also functions as the pack frame. In addition to adding warmth to the hammock and rigidity to the pack, the reflector can also be unfolded to provide a place to sit.Today's walk was nice. I stopped at a river for lunch and a swim. Later in the day I sat down on a rock on the edge of the trail for a snack. As I finished the Swiss cake rolls and started in on the Cheetos I heard something moving through the woods. It was bigger then a squirrel. I stood up and looked down the trail. A fairly good sized black bear came lumbering out of the woods and onto the trail. That's the 7th one I've seen. No doubt it smelled my snacks and came to investigate. I started growling and it ran off into the woods. This one was much more well behaved than that last one in Shenandoah. There are signs up everywhere saying that the Rausch Gap Shelter is closed for repairs. Haha, now that I have a hammock I could care less. I found a secluded place to make camp away from the trail on the other side of the river. I think I might have had this hike all wrong for the last 1,100 miles. Having the ability to find solitude away from the shelters is great. I have my own little spot by the river, with plenty of easy to find firewood. This is peaceful.
Date: 2012-07-02
From: campsite mile 1170

To: trees, mile 1178
Miles today: 8.0

I slept in listening to the river. I thought about staying here all day but I'm going through my food faster then I thought. If I stay the night here again I'll be running on empty on my way to town tomorrow. I packed up camp and started walking at 7:30pm. It was only 6.2 miles down the AT and 2.5 miles down a side trail to get to Lickdale. It was late when I arrived but the guidebook mentioned a truck stop that would be open. I got a couple hot dogs to eat right there and a bunch of other stuff for the trail. After loading up I took the 2.5 mile side trail back to the AT and walked a little further. Walking at night is kinda nice, the bugs aren't so bad and it's much cooler. The thought of becoming nocturnal occurred to me but I can't see anything that isn't right in front of my headlamp. It's now early morning and I'm getting tired. Having the hammock is nice, I can crash anywhere there is two trees.
Date: 2012-07-03
From: trees, mile 1178

To: Hertline Campsite
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Pennsylvania is living up to it's reputation, the trail is starting to get rocky. I stopped at the Hertline Campsite this afternoon. They have a nice pond here. I hung my hammock right next to it. After taking a bath, I washed my socks and hiking clothes. A hammock has the added benefit of clothesline space at the ends where you tie it up..I saw a couple fish in the pond so I made a hook from a can pull tab, I used a penny with some duct tape for a sinker, dental floss for line, and a piece of wood for a bobber. They weren't hitting on leftover ravioli from the gas station. It was fun making the tackle anyway.What's not fun is the scissor spring on the Leatherman broke again today. I've only had the stupid thing back 4 days! Why would they put out such a crappy product? By now they should know it doesn't work. This time when I return it I'm going to ask for a different model.
Date: 2012-07-04
From: Hertline Campsite

To: Hamburg
Miles today: 18.8

I saw the Troverts on the trail this morning. It was really nice to finally meet them. They have a trail journal on this website as well, check it out.The watering holes seem to be getting further apart and it's getting hotter. I've been drinking more water. Now I carry a 20 ounce soda bottle in addition to the one liter bottle I've been carrying.In Port Clinton the AT meets the Schuylkill River Trail. I took that trail 2.4 miles into Hamburg. The trail comes out near an area of big box American highway sprawl. I stopped at the Cracker Barrel for dinner. I was dirty and smelly, I hope I didn't make anyone sitting near me uncomfortable. The food was great. I wanted to go to Cabela's afterward but I figured they'd be closed by the time I crossed the highway and walked a mile or so through all the parking lots. Instead, I got a room at the Microtel. I'll go to Cabela's in the morning. The room is comfortable but expensive. There may or may not be fireworks going on in downtown Hamburg tonight. I'm not leaving the air conditioned comfort of this room either way. Instead I watched the fireworks on TV. Happy 4th of July everyone!
Date: 2012-07-06
From: trees mile 1221.8

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 28.9
Weather: clear sky

I came up on a black snake on the trail this morning. It's not unusual. As far as I know they are non venomous, but I still don't want to get bit by one. I nudged the snake a little with my pole to encourage him to get off the trail. It wasn't a very nice snake. Instead of retreating it came at me in an aggressive way like it wanted to bite. I backed off and gave him some time, but the stupid thing wouldn't budge. I tapped it's tail again with similar results. After a while it finally started to crawl off the trail towards the bushes. It looked like my opportunity to get past. As I tried to walk by the thing came at me again and I lost my patience. I whacked the snake a couple times with my trekking pole and killed it. If I wasn't in such a hurry to get my mail in Palmerton I might have tried skinning the snake and cooking it over a fire. Instead I tossed it off the side of the trail for something else to eat.In the middle of the day I had a nice chat with a fellow named Nate who was out day hiking. We talked about thru-hiking and ultra lite backpacking gear.Later on I crossed some more boulder fields. A few spots had me using my hands and feet to climb up, down, and around the rocks. How the hell did a blind man with a seeing eye dog make it through here?I camped at the shelter just south of Palmerton, I was pleasantly surprised to see a south bound section hiker already had a fire going. I cooked up a dried chili dinner before hanging my hammock and going to sleep.
Date: 2012-07-07
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 1.1

I walked 1.1 miles up the AT this morning to the superfund trail head. From there I walked another 1.5 miles into Palmerton. I got into town about 8:00am. I asked a local where I should get breakfast and he suggested "Bert's Steakhouse". When I got down there guess who I saw? It was "Cheese It"! He was sitting at a booth by himself and hadn't even ordered yet. I knew I would catch up to him eventually, but I didn't think it would be this fast. The waitress came by and took our order. While we waited for our food I told Cheese it about staying in Harpers Ferry, going to DC with Cindy, and getting Lyme disease. He told me about meeting with his family and some recent back pain he's been experiencing. Please include him in your prayers.After breakfast Cheese it went back to the hostel to rest and I went to run some errands. My first stop was the pharmacy. The doctor called in another 14 days of Doxycycline for me. When I was done at the pharmacy, I went to the post office. My bounce box was there as well as another box with additional gear. I opened things up on the lawn next door. I took out what I needed and left what I didn't. When I was satisfied I went back into the post office and sent the box ahead.I met Cheese It at the hostel and got a shower. They call this place the Jail House Hostel because it's in the basement of the old police department, (it was never actually a jail). They do have an underground shooting range next to the bunk room though.We got Chinese food for lunch. The weather on my phone says 99 degrees today. I'm glad I'm not humpin' my pack up some steep incline right now. Cheese It and I went back to the hostel to relax for a bit, but the hunger came on fast. So we went out for pizza about 4:30pm.We left the air conditioned pizza place and walked into the furnace outside. There was some dark purple clouds in the sky. The weather rolling in looked intense. Cheese It said we'd never make it back to the hostel, so we ducked into the Right Aid. The rain, wind, and lightning came in fast. It wasn't even 6:00pm but it was pitch black outside.The lightning was hitting close and the power went out. We waited inside the Right Aid for the rain to let up, then walked back to the hostel. Most businesses were closed. Later we found a gas station that would take cash. We tried to offer half price for melted ice cream, but the owner showed us it was still pretty solid. So we payed full price. It was a nice treat since it was so hot. I noticed that the fan was running again about 1:00am, so I layed down in front of it.
Date: 2012-07-08
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We walked through the Palmerton superfund site this morning. They smelted zinc for 60 years here without much regulation. It killed all the trees in the surrounding area. Since the EPA stepped in 30 years ago some bushes have started to grow back. But it's still pretty bare along the ridge. It makes for a nice view but there was no protection from the sun.The climb up to the ridge was rocky and steep. We had fun climbing up it, the view was great. There should be more climbs like this on the trail. It felt really good to get to the top.It was a short rocky walk to the Leroy A. Smith Shelter. We walked down to the 2nd spring at the shelter, the first one was dry. I might start carrying a water bladder in my pack. The water sources are getting further apart and not as convenient.I cooked, washed, and filled my water bottles at the spring. After dinner, Cheese It and I set up our hammocks at the tent sites at the top of the hill.
Date: 2012-07-09
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: broken clouds

This morning Cheese It and I planned on walking 20 miles to Delaware Water Gap. But somehow we talked each other into walking 5 miles to Wind Gap and getting a hotel room. It's hard to refuse a bacon cheeseburger. Between the two of us the list of excuses was long. Honestly though, I feel a little bit like a slacker. We hitched from the road into Wind Gap. Our first stop was the hardware store. I got a thinner o-ring for my squeeze filter, tube of shoe goo for Cheese It's shoes, and some tiny shackles for an experiment, (faster hammock setup). Cheese It bought a jug of bleach and I don't know what else.We stopped at the health food store and I got a fresh juice, probiotic supplement to offset the antibiotics I'm taking, and a tube of Arnica to mix in with my Tiger Balm.After that we stopped for lunch at a burger place and walked across town to the Red Carpet Inn. We did manage to get some things done. Our backpacks smelled totally awful. So we filled up the tub with bleach water and soaked them. I scrubbed my pack till it was almost white again (it was so dirty it had turned brown). We also soaked our hiking clothes, (they were bad enough that regular washing wasn't cutting it). I also glued Cheese It's shoes back together.We had lunch at a Chinese restaurant and dinner at a steakhouse. Cheese It has Netflix on his phone, so we watched a few episodes of "Workaholics" at the hotel. The show is about 3 idiotic telemarketers. It really is pretty funny.Later in the evening Cheese It got a call from a friend of his that he had started the trail with. I guess his friend had a foot problem and was off the trail for 5 weeks. He's hiking again now but not making many miles. Cheese It invited him to walk with us. His Mom drove him up to the hotel. I think he was in Maryland. He got in about midnight.I think it's really good that Cheese It is supporting his friend like that. But it sounds like a 15 mile day is pretty big for him because of his foot problems. I'm starting to think about separating from these two. They won't be comfortable with the mileage I want to do.
Date: 2012-07-10
From: Wind Gap

To: Stream, mile 1295.2
Miles today: 23.2

I opened the curtains to let the daylight in and wake everyone up at about 8:00am. Cheese It said I was mean. I said I didn't make the light, God did : ) We were checked out and walking back to the trail by 10:00am. There was a 2.5 mile walk through town to get to the trail. Those guys fell behind in the first couple miles. I didn't wait for them because I wanted to catch the outfitter at Delaware Water Gap before they close. I got into town about 4:00pm. I stopped at the outfitter and purchased a 1.8 liter Platypus bladder with drink tube. I know I poo pooed water bladders on my gear page but I'm finding that as we get into the summer I'm needing more water. The snow melted a long time ago and the springs are running dry. Bladders are useful now and the Platypus only weighs 3.4 ounces. Now I can carry a lot of water, almost 4 liters. While I was at the outfitter I also got some freeze dried food, ramen noodles, energy bars, and seam tape.When I was done at the outfitter I walked around the corner to the bakery for dinner. The food was great and made me feel like walking a few more miles. I emailed Cheese It as I crossed to river to let him know that I decided to push on. Then I made my way back up into the hills.
Date: 2012-07-11
From: Stream, mile 1295.2

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 29.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I saw my eighth bear this morning at about 9:00am. It had a blue tag on its ear. It wasn't a very good picture opportunity though. By the time I had my camera out he just looked like a fuzzy black thing in the tall grass. I'm not gutsy enough to walk up closer for a better shot.I had to get a check in the mail today to pay for my property taxes. According to the guide, I'm 20.8 miles from the next town. And the post office is 3.5 miles off trail....eeeek! I have no choice, I've gotta go in. (I forgot to mention that I crossed into New Jersey yesterday.)Anyway, I came to the road that goes into Branchville, NJ at about 4:00pm. How am I going to make it before the post office closes!? I started walking to town with my thumb out. At least sixty cars went by. I really started feeling discouraged, especially when I considered it will be a 7 mile round trip if I have to walk the whole way. I pictured myself getting to town just as the post office was closing. I decided to have a quick conversation with God. I really needed to send this money out ASAP. I asked God to please give me a ride. He showed mercy on me and sent a trail angel in a Jeep. Not only did he drive me down to the post office but he waited outside and gave me a ride back to the trail afterward. What a blessing! He saved me from a 7 mile walk that would have taken at least 2-3 hours!!The more I get to know God, the more I love and trust him. He's taken really good care of me out here <3 The world needs more hearts filled with God's love.There is a steakhouse where the AT crosses the road. After getting dropped off I decided to stop in and load up. I ordered the fish and chips, ice tea, and a massive brownie with ice cream. The food was great, but expensive. The late day energy carried me a little closer to Katadin before setting up my hammock for the night. It was a great day : D
Date: 2012-07-12
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Pochuck Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 19.6

I was out of water when I rolled into the shelter last night. The last water stop was a mud hole so I didn't even bother. I hoped to Yogi some water from a group of young people who had overnighted at the shelter. But I got denied. Today's hike would have a thirsty beginning....or so I thought.A quarter mile down the trail I met up with a German thru-hiker named "Socks". I had met her earlier on the trail going into Damascus. Socks had also run out of water the day before. She was so thirsty that she called a taxi and stayed in a hotel. When they shuttled her back to the trail this morning she brought out 6 gallons of trail magic water for the hikers. Socks, you saved the day!!Things show up at exactly the right time out here. Even people that don't believe in God believe in trail magic. These little miracles are happening all the time off the trail too. But most of us are so busy and distracted we don't notice. On the trail things can sometimes become a little more urgent. Continuing on with this philosophical train of thought. I've experienced levels of gratitude out here that are hard to explain. In a country like America, we don't typically appreciate such small acts of love because we never have to go without. In order to be brought to tears by a Dr. Pepper you need to be from a 3rd world country or really subject yourself to some deprivation. The trail has the power to straighten a person out. It un-spoils you and renews the spirit. Earl Shaffer (known as "The Original Crazy One") was the first person to thru-hike the AT. He said he did it to recover from stress he experienced in WWII. It's good medicine, but don't kid yourself. The trail is a big pill to swallow that often tastes bitter.In the last few days I've begun to get some perspective on my life and what I need to do after I summit Katahdin. This must be the mental clarity that people on the trail refer to as stage 2.  Knowing that I have 840 miles to go from here is exciting, it doesn't seem that far anymore.
Date: 2012-07-13
From: Pochuck Mtn. Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 6.5

I realized last night that I wasn't going to be able to walk fast enough to catch the post office in Fort Montgomery, NY before it closes Saturday morning. I sent my bounce box there. I'm also hoping to receive the cookies that my friend Dawson's wonderful wife Kelly sent!Since my cell phone battery is about dead and I'm in no hurry I decided to do a nero day into Vernon, NJ. The Episcopal church has a hostel there.I was a little discouraged when I got to the road. There wasn't much of a shoulder to walk on and the cars were zipping by. I decided my best bet was to hitch hike. I started walking back up the road looking for a spot my ride could use to pull over. Just then an SUV driving in the opposite direction stopped in the middle of the road. The driver's window came down and a young man asked if I needed anything. I said "yah, I need a ride into Vernon". My new friend's name is Ben.Ben is a school teacher and has the summers off. I asked him what he was doing today and he said "I was looking for you." Actually, he was out killing time while his air conditioner was being repaired. He offered to let me crash at his place. But first we stopped at the grocery store. We got 2 tubs of ice cream, granola bars, and coconut milk. Then we went and got lunch. On our way back we met a group of hikers coming off the trail, we sat and shared our ice cream with them. It was the "In-Laws" that also post on trail journals with their posse. We had a fun visit.Back at Ben's place I got a shower and changed my clothes. He offered to take me to the theater or the pool, but all I wanted to do was relax. We watched some TV and talked about hiking. Compared to sitting on a rock or a bug ridden log this comfortable recliner in Ben's living room is like heaven : ) For dinner we barbecued some chicken. I slept on the couch. During the night Ben's dog "Falcor" jumped up and slept on my feet : )
Date: 2012-07-14
From: Vernon, NJ

To: NY17A (3D's house)
Miles today: 15.0

This morning Ben and I had a nice breakfast before heading back to the trail. The trail goes up Wawayanda Mountain from the parking area. Ben and his dog Falcor (as in the Never Ending Story) hiked up the mountain with me. At the top we met Ben's friend Kyla and her dog Arrow. The view from Pinwheels Vista was beautiful. After visiting for a little while and having a snack, I continued on.I met back up with "Socks" just before the N.J. / N.Y. border. Which was cool because we were able to take pictures of each other. I would share the address of her blog but it's written in German.When I was at Trail Days I met a fellow named "3D". He gave me his contact information and told me to get a hold of him when I was in New York. We've been emailing back and forth and I'm going to meet him today where the trail crosses NY17A. The trail's introduction to New York included boulder scrambles and beautiful views. I tried to keep up a decent pace in order to make the road crossing on time.Seeing 3D again was great. He lives right in the middle of a huge wilderness area only 35 miles from New York City. There must be a couples hundred miles of hiking trails going through here, including the AT. Back at his house, 3D and his family really spoiled me : D We had barbecued ribs and I got to swim in their pool. They might have a hard time getting me outa here! Later in the evening we watched a documentary about the AT which had me feeling strangely nostalgic even though I'm still out here walking. I guess it was seeing all the places that I've already been through... 3D also showed me a VLOG on YouTube he's been keeping up with from a thru-hiker named "Loner". I was pretty sure that I had met Loner back in Gatlinburg. After watching one of his videos I realized that sure enough, it was the same guy. When I saw in his most recent post that he was just in Vernon, NJ I figured 3D and I might see him while we slack pack the next section tomorrow.