morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-29
From: Ashby Gap/US-50, Mile 985.6

To: Blackburn AT Center, Mile 1007.1
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

I got up early and was gone before anyone else was up. Today I entered a 13 mile section of trail known as the "Roller Coaster." Looking at my AT Guide, I saw the trail just goes up and down about 500 feet at a fairly steep pitch, without much level ground. Not too bad, I thought, the trail's gone steeply up and down a lot before but with a couple thousand feet elevation change. What I can't tell from the guide is the trail condition. Lots of rocks! It wasn't particularly hard to hike, but it wore me out! I got a break about 10 miles into it when the trail crossed VA-7 and Linda was waiting for me with lunch! A huge turkey sub she had made, blueberries, strawberries, chips... Plus she brought some resupply goodies for me and a new pouch for my shoulder strap I had ordered. She also made me a second big sub sandwich to take with me! She had gone to church this morning and stopped by to see me on her way to NY to see her family in Albany and go to a wedding in Buffalo on Friday. After our picnic lunch, we stopped by the little Pub nearby for some sodas before she headed north. Mike and Natalie (from Alexandria, VA, where I grew up), were there eating lunch with three other thru hikers I'd been leapfrogging with this morning. I'll get to see Linda again on Saturday when she's driving back home from Buffalo! :-)My goal for today was the Blackburn AT Center, a nice house with outbuildings that the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club renovated years ago for thru hikers during the season and to rent out the rest of the year. They keep a full-time caretaker there year round. As I was approaching the side trail to it, an older looking guy came racing up from behind. Rowdy was heading for the same place, so we hiked down the side trail together. Carol and her husband Chris are the caretakers and immediately offered us sodas, showed us where we could sleep on the wide wrap around screened in porch or go up to the bunkhouse, then asked if we wanted any spaghetti! Yes! Yes! After a big plate of spaghetti with a side salad, out came the blackberry pie with vanilla ice cream! Want a second piece of pie? Sure! There was no charge for anything, but a box on the wall for donations.Rowdy and I were the only hikers there, so we had a good time chatting. He's the Academic Dean at a Christian K-12 school in Dayton, Ohio. He's still working there, but was given time off to hike the trail. Pretty cool! Carol and Chris hiked the AT after graduating from college a couple of years ago and are working on their certificates to teach high school - ESL for her and Earth Science for him. They majored in Anthropology but figured out they didn't want to work in that field. They are certainly great hosts! As it started to get dark, several more hikers came in and got the leftovers. We all ended up sleeping on the porch, either on the floor on on benches. I highly recommend the Blackburn AT Center as a place to stop for the night. I also highly recommend Linda's sub sandwiches!
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Rocky Run Shelter, Mile1035.0

To: MD-17, Free States Hostel, Mile 1050.5
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

I was up first, but Survivor's dad was up right after me and Dos Lekis got up shortly after that. So I had breakfast before heading out. Survivor was still sleeping then and Dos Lekis had gone back to sleep!I was still a bit tired from the long day yesterday. Although the elevation gains were minimal, there were some pretty rocky sections of trail and I was pretty tired by early afternoon. I had planned to do a 22 mile day yesterday, leaving a 20 mile day today to get into the Free State Hostel in time to see the World Cup match today at 4:00. Fortunately, yesterday's longer than planned day left me with only about 15 miles to do today. I arrived at the hostel about 2:15 with plenty of time to see the match.I met lots of kids hiker groups today. Must be a good week for summer camp. Boy Scouts and other camp groups. Most seemed to be having fun, some looked like backpacking was definitely not their thing! It was hot and I was constantly soaked with sweat but I drank a lot of water. The trail went through several parks where I could get water, so I only had to filter it out of streams a few times. When I got to the Washington Monument (not the one in DC), the ranger was just opening it so I got to chat with her a bit and tell her how nice the parks were.There were two guys southbound and a young couple northbound at the hostel when I arrived, but they were all just picking up mail drops, getting a shower, and moving on. There was no TV, as I suspected, but there is a laptop, so I kept up with the soccer match on it. Seemed like the U.S. put up a good fight against a better team, and we lost in overtime. I made up for it by ordering a large pizza and a grilled chicken sub, delivered from the nearby town. Ate half the pizza tonight, will have the other half for breakfast, and carry the sub with me for lunch tomorrow! :-)It's been great having a laptop to catch up on my journaling. I had hoped to catch up on my email, too, but it's late and I'm off to bed.Thanks again to everyone for all your prayers and support!
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter, Mile 1075.4

To: Ironmaster Mansion Hostel, Mile 1079.9
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Three miles into my hike this morning I reached Caledonia State Park. I remember coming here at least once when I was a kid. My Aunt ant Uncle lived in Chambersburg, where my Dad grew up, and we would visit them once or twice a year. The only details I remember about the park are the big swimming pool and that the Appalachian Trail passed through the west side of the park. My folks let me go over to the trail and walk down it a short ways.When I got to the park I immediately hiked over to the pool. It looked like I remembered it. It was still early so nothing was open. I took some pictures, refilled my water bottles, and hiked on. Fun memories! :-)My goal for the day was the Ironmaster Mansion Hostel right on the trail in the Pinegrove Furnace State Park. Built in the early 1800's, it was refurbished about three years ago as a hostel and special events venue.Mid afternoon I heard thunder and it started to sprinkle lightly. I figured I'd get soaked soon, but the rain stopped for a while. When I got to Toms Run Shelter, it started to rain again, so I sat in the shelter and it poured - good timing! Sarah and I camped in the park a few years ago and day hiked here. There were two small shelters here then, but one of them burned down a year ago. No sign of it now, so the trail maintainers did a good job cleaning up the debris.A short distance later is a big sign marking the halfway point a few years ago. I had already passed this year's halfway point and there's no marker there so I took a picture of this one. Sarah and I took a picture of it when we were here before. Former Half-way PointRoger and Kathy are the hostel's caretakers, and do a wonderful job making guests feel welcome. Good conversation, too! There's a small store next door where I got a pint of ice cream and some snacks just before they closed. Roger and Kathy had a pizza waiting for me, so I didn't even consider the traditional half gallon challenge (eating a half gallon of ice cream) at the store. Plus there weren't any other hikers around to have fun with it.MacGyver and a couple of Canadian young men showed up later, so there were just 4 of us in the bunk room. I wonder what it's like when all 16 bunk beds are occupied! The Canadians are on a road trip around the US, starting with Chicago, Kentucky, Nashville and some other points. Going to Gettysburg tomorrow, then home. There is a computer I could use so I spent a little time updating my journal. So much easier with a keyboard and big monitor! I slept under an open window and thoroughly enjoyed the cool night air - had to pull the blanket over me! Nice change. Looking forward to cooler temps the next few days!
Date: 2014-07-05
From: PA-641 Trindle Rd, Mile 1121.6

To: Millers Gap Rd, Mile 1133.7
Miles today: 12.1

I went down to the lobby early and stuffed myself at the hotel breakfas bar. I knew Ken would be a little later since they were out last night. As I headed back up to my room and the elevator doors were closing I heard someone call my name from the lobby. After a nice ride up to the 3rd floor and back down, I discovered it was Mountain Momma! They were using this hotel for this phase of her slack packing. After a while Ken, Kolton, and Landon came down and I had second breakfasts with them. Then Ken drove us back to where he had picked us up. Thanks, Ken, for your prayers! Landon is going to spend the night on the trail with Kolton and I'll be getting picked up by Linda, so we all had full packs. I hiked twelve mikes with them to where Linda was waiting for me and we said our goodbyes and they hiked on. Ken will be picking up Landon tomorrow and heading back to Ohio, and Kolton will resume his high mileage days. Due to our late start, it was now after 3:30 and Linda and I were both tired. My plans were to get a room at the Allenberry Resort back in Boiling Springs, walk around town, have dinner and go to the musical playing at the resort - 42nd Street. Of course, the room and show tickets would be at their thru hiker rate! When we finally got to the resort, we decided to just get a room, go to dinner and spend the remaining evening talking with each other rather than staying up late watching the show. The thru hiker rate room turned out to not be exactly "resort" quality. I'd have done better to have just kept my room at the Hampton Inn. But we had a very good meal at the local tavern, resupplied at the grocery store, drove around town, and enjoyed each other's company.Linda had said earlier in my hike that she liked my beard, so I had been waiting to see her again before shaving it off. She agreed with me it was time to get rid of it. It takes a while to shave a beard off with a comb, a pair of tiny scissors and a throw away razor! I did keep my moustache though!Note: A couple of days later, Hob shared with me his experience at the resort on July 3 and 4. They mistakenly gave him a two day reservation although the building with thru hiker rooms was totally reserved by a family for a reunion on the 4th. So, they put him up in a different building for the 4th, which he said was very nice. He also enjoyed the show.
Date: 2014-07-06
From: Millers Gap Rd, Mile 1133.7

To: Tenting, mile 1149.6
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: few clouds

Linda and I drove around a bit looking for a place to get breakfast on a Sunday morning on 4th of July weekend. Giving up we stopped at a Sheetz where I got some breakfast burritos. Then enroute to the trail, we passed a diner!Linda dropped me off at the trail and I had one ridge to hike up, along and down to get into Duncannon. The AT Guide had a note about how rocky it would be. With those expectations, I found it to be not too bad. Lots of day hikers out. A dad and his young son were hiking southbound and gave me a Tasty Cake when they found out I was a thru hiker. Good to be in PA! On the way down into Duncannon, I came up on Mountain Momma and Sarah taking a break. This was her last section of slack packing. I hiked with thwm into town where we met Sarah's husband Jeff who hiked with us to their car. A bridge was out so the trail had a little detour on the edge of town before we got to their car. I said goodbye and hiked on through town. I had wanted to stop in and check out the Doyle - a hiker famous old run down hotel - but soon realized I had already passed it on our detour. I hiked to the other side of town and made a little side trip to the Pilot truck stop where I got some resupply and a big Subway sandwich - half for now and half for dinner later. I sat there in air conditioned comfort for an hour or so updating my journal.Approaching the top of the next ridge, I came up to Naturally Hob! We last saw each other in the Smokies! We hiked on together for a while and found a good place to pitch our tents. The trail had its rocky ups and downs today, but the only hard part was saying goodbye to my sweetie again!
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Tenting, mile 1149.6

To: Campsite, Mile 1172.1
Miles today: 22.5

Today I decided to hike with Hob all day. He hikes a little slower than I, but my feet were enjoying the slower pace over the rocks and I was enjoying the conversation. He also likes to get up early and hike all day. Hob and his wife are retired school teachers and love to hike and bike. They hiked the AT 24 years ago and have hiked and biked thousands of miles along many trails around the world. Fun to hear about their adventures! Deb will be joining Hob at Dalaware Water Gap and finish the trail with him.Hob told me that Tim had hiked quite a ways since I last saw him, but gotten off the trail, I think for some medical issue. Sorry I didn't get to see him, too!About lunch time we came to a road crossing. Trail Magic! Webclearer (or something like that) and Linda each had tables set up. They normally do separate days of the week, but were both here today! I got deviled eggs, canned oeaches, salami sandwich, Tasty Cake, Gator Ade and even some black jelly bellies. Yum! Thank you trail angels!!!In the afternoon we leapfrogged with both Marathon and Sloth, two hikers Hob already knew. We chatted a bit with them during a break about some religious cult the had met in Harpers Ferry. Lots of red flags for me, but they seemed to be wary also and asking good questions.As we started looking for a campsite, we entered an area that felt strangely odd. The terrain around us, although forested, just didn't seem natural. We then passed a spring that had orange water - not gonna drink that! Opposite the side trail to a shelter we found a nice campsite next to a stream where we pitched our tents for the night.
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Campsite, Mile 1172.1

To: Hertline Campsite, Mile 1195.2
Miles today: 23.1

7/8 Hertline campsite mile 1195.2 23.1Shortly after starting out, Hob and I passed a sign saying this was an old coal mining town and railroad train repair facility. That explains the odd looking terrain!After 6 miles, we passed the road leading to Lickdale and Hob had already planned to hitch into town to eat. He's got his miles planned between here and Dalaware Water Gap, and after yesterday, he's ahead of schedule. We said goodbye and I hiked on. Hope I see him and Deb later. Hob Crossing StreamI leapfrogged some more with both Marathon and Sloth. I also met Magic Hat at a shelter where we had stopped for a break. I was also leapfrogging with a couple of women whose names I initially didn't get. When I passed them again a little before the 501 shelter, I realized they were the pair Hob had been talking highly about - Hobo Nobo and Caddy Shack. They were planning to stay at the 501 shelter. I told them how much Hob had praised them and that he was planning to spend the night there, too. I stopped in to check it out - fully enclosed with bunk beds and a caretaker next door! Watch Your Step!I hiked on with the Hertline campsite my destination. The trail was especially rough those six miles and my feet were happy to finally get there. I ended up campimg with Magic Hat down a side trail at a site with a picnic table next to a pond. While setting up my tent, I heard Magic Hat holler as he swung from a rope into the pond. He didn't stay in long. I went in after setting up, but eased myself into the water - it was c-c-c-cold! But it felt great, especially for my feet! :-) C-c-c-cold Swimmin' HoleI had dinner and crawled into my tent just before a thunderstorm came through. Good timing!
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Hertline Campsite, Mile 1195.2

To: Port Clinton, Mile 1213.7
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

Magic Hat hadn't stirred when I left a little after 6:00. I didn't see any one on the trail until I stopped for water 9 miles later. Thru hikers Why Wait and Rob Stable were just finishing getting water. An older couple from the Sacramento, CA area. The rocks were pretty rough today. The picture in the Photo section doesn't fully convey the sharp edges and points we have to walk on. The best way I've thought of to describe them is imagine a lot of books of all different sizes from paperbacks to big dictionaries. Now make them out of rock. Bury them about half way to two thirds into the ground with a corner pointing up. You might want to sharpen the edges, too! There are sometimes fields of large boulders. Those are fun to hop across, but tiring. Oh, My Aching Feet!I don¢t think I mentioned the cool experiences I¢ve had with butterflies along the trail, mostly in the early days hiking through NC. Several times I¢d be hiking along by myself, getting tired and slowing down, when a butterfly would appear in the middle of the trail about four feet in front of me and three or four feet off the ground. It would then fly down the trail ahead of me for several feet, then stop and fly back toward me a short distance. Then it would fly down the trail ahead and back again, repeating this several times before flying off ¢ sometimes replaced by another butterfly doing the same thing. It was if it were encouraging me to keep going down the trail. ¢C¢mon Guy, you can do it! C¢mon!¢ I decided it was the Holy Spirit encouraging me! About noon I was getting tired so I stopped for a lunch break amid a pile of rocks where the trail was going uphill. A butterfly joined me, I suppose to perk me up. It fluttered around me quite close and landed on my pack shoulder strap right next to me. It would flutter around some more and land back on my pack. When I stood up and put my pack on to hike on up the trail, it landed on my shoe until I started walking. Pretty cool!When I got to the top of the ridge, Why Wait and Rob Steady were sitting under a tree having a lunch break. We chatted a bit more before I moved on. Seem like good folks!I headed on down to Port Clinton and checked into the hotel. Just a few rooms over the restaurant/bar. I got a shower, did laundry, got some trailmix at the candy store (not a very good resupply!) And then went to the bar for a Philly cheese steak and a Pepsi. Not a particularly good cheese steak, but large and filling - and that's what counts for a thru hiker! :-)Also chatted at the bar with a section hiker from Chambersburg PA, where my Dad grew up. Nice guy, as I reckon everyone from Chambersburg is. :-) There was a German thru hiker there, too, who just discovered Germany beat Brazil yesterday - he was happy!
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Port Clinton, Mile 1213.7

To: Allentown Shelter, Mile 1235.9
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a tough day for my feet! Rocks! Rocks! Rocks! I started hiking at 6:00 and stopped a little after 5. I had wanted to go a little further but my feet had had enough. So I'm snug in my tent at 6:30 and my feet are happy now! Way earlier than I usually settle down. Several other folks here, including Magic Hat.Five miles into the hike I passed Reservoir Road. This is where Linda, Sarah andI parked and day hiked up to Pulpit Rock a few years ago. Later, Linda and I did a loop hike to the Pinnacle. The AT goes east from Reservoir Rd to Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle then heads back west passing just 1.5 miles north of here. There's a blue blazed trail connecting here with there. I suspect some thru hikers just take the blue blazed trail and cut off about 5 miles, but they miss Pulpit Rock, the Pinnacle, and 5 miles of the AT! The Pinnacle from Pulpit Rock (middle of photo)Approaching the Pinnacle, I met a group of 6 college students hiking back down. Smiling, joyful faces and personalities. They're from WI and MN and are on a summer project for Campus Crusade for Christ. They hiked up very early this morning and watched the sunrise from Pulpit Rock. Good folk! The CRU Crew! Hawk Flying at the Pinnacle Huge Cairn at the Pinnacle (note hiking poles in the front)This afternoon a southbounder stopped and recognized me but couldn't remember my name nor I his. Brian attends the same church where Linda and I worshipped when we lived in PA. He's on a short section hike with his son Jake. He had heard from someone at church that I was out hiking the AT.Lots of butterflies flying around me today. Made up for the rocks!
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Allentown Shelter, Mile 1235.9

To: Campsite, Mile 1263.4
Miles today: 27.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It's hard to believe all I did today was just today! Shortly after leaving the shelter, the trail followed an old dirt/gravel road for about 6 miles and I made excellent time. Then it came to huge bouder fields and I slowed way down! For a while it followed along about 20 yards below the ridge, which I could see was all big rocks. Then the trail went up along the ridge! They call it the Knife Edge. It was fun, but there were a few spots where I thought it was a bit precarious for someone with a big pack on their back. Fortunately, I have a smaller pack! :-)The rest of the morning and early afternoon was a mixture of pointy rock trail and boulder fields with a few short sectiins of comparitively easier trail. After 17 miles I loaded up on water at the shelter before descending into the Lehigh River gap and climbing up to the ridge south of Palmerton. Palmerton was a big zinc processing town years ago and the side of the ridge facing town was devoid of any life. They've worked hard in recent years to reforest it, but there are no good water sources for many miles. Climbing out of Lehigh Valley (the AT crosses the bridge)The climb up the ridge was grueling in the hot sun. I had to use my hands to climb up the rocks in places and took several rest stops. But once I finally got to the top, what a difference! For a couple of miles it was the most enjoyable section of trail so far. They've done a great job bringing this sectiin back to life! The trail is soft and grassy with lots of wildflowers blooming along the sides. The view on the left is open, looking north across the valley. There was even a small thunderstorm on the southside of the ridge providing shade from the sun and a cool breeze, but no rain on me except an occasional drop or two. Nice Trail above PalmertonThen the trail turned back up to the ridge and it was more rocks which continued for the rest of the day. I camped at a campsite which the guide said had an unreliable spring 0.4 miles down a steep trail. Someone had put a note on the sidetrail sign that it was dry. I have enough water to make it to the next source tomorrow, although I'll be a little dehydrated. Several other hikers came in and set uo their tents, including CAT an older guy who borrowed my lighter to start his stove. One of the younger guys went down to check out the spring - yep, still dry.Hard to believe I hiked so far today in such conditions. I must be getting into shape! :-)