morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-12
From: Boiling Springs

To: US 11, Appalachian Motor Inn
Miles today: 8.0

Just as predicted, a thunderstorm arrived at precisely midnight with a very heavy downpour during the night. My tent either has a lot of condensation or a slow leak because there was some water on the floor of the tent in the morning. But I'd managed to keep my stuff all dry. I packed up my stuff, took it back to the porch of the ATC office, then went to the Getty station to use the bathroom and buy some orange juice. Phew, what a relief! Gabby's in a rush to get to Rte 501 by Thursday or Friday so he can get to a rental car that will drive him to Connecticut for a wedding. He and Pokey left after breakfast. I told Gabby I'd meet him at the 501 shelter next Sunday. Pokey wasn't sure what his plans were.In the meantime I'll be hiking with Fancy Free and T-Bott. We hung around town till 3:00 waiting for the express mail to arrive that was supposed to have the shoes her mother's sending her. It was very pleasant to sit on the porch of the ATC office watching the rain fall. Hikers came and went. We had calzones for lunch at the Italian restaurant as it poured outside. Unfortunately, Fancy Free's shoes didn't arrive, so she decided to hike 8 miles to US 11 today and get to an outfitter tomorrow where she'll have some options for new shoes. So the three of us set off at 3:45. This is the longest stretch of the AT that crosses a wide valley. The hiking was virtually flat with the trail running beside corn and soybean fields, through pastures and small wooded areas, and across many roads including the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Which woul have been a pleasant diversion from our usual hilly wooded hikes except that we got caught in a VERY heavy downpour that the Weather Channel later associated with flash flood predictions. I gave up any last vestiges of trying to stay dry and gleefully splashed along the flooded trails. Poor Fancy Free was struggling to hike in her crocs on very muddy, slippery trails. AFter she fell twice she told T-bott and I to go on and she'd arrive later. But when it started to thunder in long, low rumbles, T-Bott wanted to wait for her knowing she's afraid of thunder and lightening. So we waited for her at the side of a field, eating incredibly delicious raspberries and presenting some to her when she came around the corner. We continued on together, me in front, then Fancy Free, then T-Bott. In spite of the mud and the crocs we made good time and arrived at US 11 at 7:00. We walked down the busy road to the Appalachian Motor Inn. It was SO great to be able to be indoors, get a shower, and put on dry clotehs after a thorough drenching. We went out to supper at the Middlesex Diner with great home-style food. I got salmon croquettes, salad, and veggies for $6.95! It's T-Bott's 53rd birthday so the waitress brought his cheesecake with a candle in it and several other waitresses to chime in singing "Happy Birthday". A great way to celebrate! So now I'm doing laundry for the three of us. At least we'll start the day clean and dry tomorrow. Thanks to Biggie and Sunshine Suz for helping make nights like this possible!
Date: 2004-07-13
From: US 11, Appalachian Motor Inn

To: Duncannon, the Doyle
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Fancy Free had to wait till 10:00 to get a ride to the outfitter for new shoes. I was concerned that if the trail became rocky the 17 miles could take me a long time so I said goodbye and set off just after 7:00. Walking back US 11 to the AT was a bit challening, with cars and semis racing by. What's the hurry? I hiked through the last 5 miles or so of the Cumberland Valley. The day was a big improvement over yesterday--overcast but neither pouring nor baking sun, but still really humid. I crossed over a concrete bridge with a separate pedestrian walkway, finding four young hikers camped out on the sidewalk--the dryest place they could find after yesterday's downpour. Ironically, if they'd hiked 200 more feet they'd have arrived at the ATC Scott Farm Trail Work Center with water, picnic table and a big old barn. Conodoguinet Creek was overflowing from the rain, flooding the trail that passed under the bridge. But I found a side trail that quickly returned to the AT. The trail followed the rushing, muddy creek for a while, then returned to the hills. I stopped for an early lunch at the side of the former Darlington shelter, then continued down the hill and across the small valley, delighted to find a bit of trail magic from Kandyman in the hay field. The huge bales of hay in the pastures made their own beauty. Then up to the ridgeline where the trail became quite rocky, slowing my progress. I had hoped to stop for a break at the Cove Mtn. shelter at 3:00 but didn't arrive till 3:30. My feet were wet again for the second day, but the "good news" is that the constant wetness softened the calluses and a dead toenail that I was able to remove. I know that sounds awful to non-hikers, but it was a relief to me. Then I continued the last three miles into Duncannon that was extremely rocky and slow. The view from Hawk Rock was very hazy. I passed the hikers I'd seen on the bridge on my way into town and we walked to the Doyle Hotel together, arriving about 7:00. The Doyle is a 10 yr old hotel that offers cheap rooms to hikers and a lively barroom scene. T-Bott and Fancy Free arived after 8:00 as I was eating supper, having made excellent time with Fancy Free's new hiking shoes. There were a dozen hikers in the bar, including Nightrider and his brother, Puck Finn, Doc, Hiker Bear, Sweet Leaf, Kip, Buck Wild, Cowgirl, Nine Monkeys and the rest of us. We celbrated T-Bott's birthday again and had a great time singing along to terrific music on the juke box. It's amazing that these "kids" know the great music of my generation, all of us belting out "Truckin'" and "Bobby Magee" together. Another great evening on the trail. Nightrider said he wished Gabby and Pokey were here, too.
Date: 2004-07-14
From: Duncannon, the Doyle

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain. T-Bott, Fancy Free and I decided to take a zero here. They'd partied harder and later than I and needed some recovery time. I was just happy to be here, being in no particular rush to get to the 501 shelter by Sunday to rendezvous with Gabby and Pokey. So it's been a quiet, slow day of getting my mail drop, organizing food, buying a few additional groceries, getting on the internet and phoning home. The local grocery store has a shuttle service at 4:00 from the Doyle for hikers needing groceries. Sweet. And I managed to get my mop of hair trimmed at a place a few doors down that takes "walk-ins." There have been at least three major thundershowers that have moved through today, making me very grateful to be here. I took a relaxing bath in an old claw-foot bathtub with body gel used as bubble bath. Ahhh! The three of us just returned from supper at a pizza place. So it's earlier to bed tonight and up early in the morning to hit the trail. Life is good!
Date: 2004-07-15
From: Duncannon

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

A great hiking day! Mostly easy terrain, moderate rocks, good weather, a few nice views, and only eleven miles so we were at the shelter by 4:00. Fancy Free, T-Bott, and I left the Doyle at 7:15, stopping at the truck stop for fuel, coffee, and breakfast for Fancy Free. Then a long walk across the wide Susquehanna River, across a road and railroad tracks, and finally back into the woods. The trail climbed steeply up to a view through the trees, then up some more to the top of the ridge where we walked along the ridgeline for the rest of the hike. There was one brief rock scramble and some sections that were pretty rocky, but overall it was fine. We stopped for some nice views and to pick a few blackberries, a pretty leisurely hike. This shelter, with a sleeping loft and eating area, is nice. There's also a small shelter near here built by Earl Shaeffer. It's nice to be back in the woods. We're here with Sweetleaf, Chuggs, Skywalker and two section hikers headed to the Delaware Water Gap. Yum -- mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy (with textured vegetable protein)for supper followed by chocolate protein drink.
Date: 2004-07-16
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It amazes me that I can arrive at a shelter at 6:00 after hiking seventeen miles feeling incredibly sore and tired and an hour and a half later I'm feeling fine. I was up at 6:00, waiting in bed for half an hour so others in the shelter wouldn't be too mad at me for getting up so early. I knew I'd need to get an early start if i wanted to get to the next shelter by supper. The trail followed the ridgeline, then descended to the valley. I stopped by the stream for a snack where Fancy Free and Sweetleaf caught up and joined me. Chuggs and Skywalker had blown on by me, of course, just before that. Then I began the long ascent up Stony Mountain. The trail followed an old road bed, thank goodness, because the hillside was covered with huge, jagged boulders. I was glad when T-Bott caught up to me. We stopped at what I called Rusty Spring for lunch. The map indicated there was only one water source on the mountain before the next shelter so I filled my Platypus hydration bladder even though the spring appeared to be spewing forth bright orange mud. There was an orange trail from where the water emerged from the hillside and the stream crossed the road and continued down the hill! But half a mile up the trail there was a small "normal" spring so I gladly exchanged the water. The trail ran for the rest of the afternoon along the ridgetop with some rocks and roots to clamber over but nothing too bad. We were startled at 1:30, and again at 2:30, when we heard many small jets flying overhead from southeast to northwest. It was only later that I looked at my map and noticed a large purple area southeast of the Appalachian Trail labeled "military reservation". The jets flew very low and were incredibly loud.We arrived at the shelter just before 6:00, greeted by Fancy Free, Sweetleaf, Chuggs, and Skywalker. The shelter is a stone lean-to set into the hillside with a piped spring pouring into a stainless steel trough and a round steel table around a tree! It's been an uneventful day, but that means no pouring rain, no sweltering heat, and no boulder hopping.
Date: 2004-07-18
From: 501 Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A perfect place and day for a zero. I had planned to wait for Gabby and Pokey here, whom I'm expecting back from Connecticut probably tomorrow. It rained during the night and off and on during the day, so I felt quite cozy sitting under the skylight, snuggled in my sleeping bag reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston with Guy Noir, the black shelter kitten, curled upon my lap. I went to the nearby parking lot on 501 at 10:00 thinking the Puck Finn contingent might drop by and I could get a ride for some groceries. They didn't show, but I talked with Ken Weir, a member of the local hiking club who had come for a trail maintenance event that had been cancelled due to the rain. He wanted to hike for a couple of hours then promised to take me for groceries. T-Bott came by to say goodbye; Fancy Free and Sweetleaf left from the next shelter. I've had a great time hiking with T-bott and Fancy Free and will miss them. But who knows, maybe we'll meet up again!In the afternoon Ken literally went the extra mile and drove me eleven miles to a "real" grocery store. I enjoyed observing the scenery of old stone farms interspersed with surburban-type homes. We got back to the shelter and I realized the check-out person had put my food in two bags, but I had only picked up one bag. So Ken generously offered to take me back. Thanks, Ken, so very much!I read my book for the rest of the afternoon, then was joined by Sheriff at suppertime. Gizzy (spelling?) and a friend showed up looking for Fancy Free -- they hiked together for part of their 1996 thru-hike. They left apples and soda for us! Thanks! As we were eating and chatting, Burny and Katie arrived!! I hadn't seen them since Harper's Ferry. It's so great to see them. So "all's well with the world".
Date: 2004-07-19
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

The best part of the day was the laughter and camaraderie this evening at the shelter after Gabby, Pokey, and Impulse arrived (at 8:30) and joined Amanda, Burny, Katie, and me. The Happy Brigade is reunited again!Since Burny and Katie were leaving this morning, I decided to start hiking with them. Burny, being a late riser, was ready at 9:45, so we headed out with the trail becoming rocky immediately. It was great to hike with her since we both hike slowly on the rocks. There was one stretch of large jagged boulders. Fortunately the terrain was fairly level. We stopped for a break at a hazy view of farmland, then for lunch at 1:00 at another view. The Brew-hikers passed us and told us that Gabby and Pokey were on the trail. Yea! We continued on, arriving at a small pond. Burny decided to join Katie in a swim and I travelled on. The trail was mostly not too rocky for the rest of the hike, but I got very tired and somewhat grumpy with myself, grumbling, "Now, remind me why I'm out here doing this?" I arrived at the shelter just after 7:00, cooked my macaroni and cheese and did my chores. I was so tired I got into my sleeping bag just after 8:00, but was so pleased when Gabby, Pokey, and Impulse arrived. All's right with the world. Lots of laughter and commotion.Gabby announced he's a grandfather-to-be!
Date: 2004-07-20
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Just as before, Gabby, Pokey, and I were the first up and out this morning. We hiked along, chatting and catching up on our lives over the past week. Pokey described waiting to rendezvous with his cousin at the Stamford Mall in Connecticut and being followed by security guards -- he was carrying his backpack and had a scruffy black beard. They probably thought he was a homeless terrorist! We stopped for a sunny break at a road crossing where the rest of the crew caught up and joined us lounging on the grass. Then back to hiking over the infamous Pennsylvania rocks. I headed out first, stopping briefly at a view, then heading on with a very steep descent into Port Clinton, a small town with a road, river, and railroad moving through it. There are limited hiker services here, but the town lets hikers sleep in a park pavilion. Some of us went for a dip in the river, quite refreshing. Local trail angel Fred stopped by and chatted. I fixed my supper here. The rest of the "gang", including Sheriff, are up at the restaurant for supper. It should be an interesting night with the cargo trains going by.
Date: 2004-07-21
From: Port Clinton

To: Eckvile Shelter--Hawk Mtn. Rd.
Miles today: 14.5

The best 5.3 miles of the AT in Pennsylvania was on the way to the Eckville Sheter--mostly on a dirt road that services the hunters with lots of downhill. Quite a contrast from the previous 10 miles from Port Clinton to the Pinnacle--full of rocks large and small.It wasn't exactly a peaceful night's sleep at the pavillion which was about 50 feet down a slope from a very busy state highway with semis and cars whizzing by all night. I woke at 5:30 and got going before 7:00 while it was still cool. The trail ran along the river, under the road, then ascended to the rocky ridgeline. The hiking was slow and tedious. The temperature rose with the humidity so I took a dunk in the creek at Windsor Furnace which was a welcome relief. After cooling off I ate lunch at the nearby shelter. I met up with Amanda at the Pulpit as I was enjoying the hazy view. The two miles to the Pinnacle were arduous, especially in the 90 degree heat. There was a group of teen girls there who were day hiking--they were proud of their achievement of reaching the vantage point.The Eckville shelter is a hiker's oasis--a small bunkhouse, solar shower, fridge with cold drinks and ice cream. I feel so much better after a shower and supper. Pokey, Gabby, Burny, Amanda, Impulse, Katie, and I are sitting around the picnic table enjoying food and talk.
Date: 2004-07-22
From: Eckvile Shelter--Hawk Mtn. Rd.

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Sometimes there are small miracles on the trail. Today was one of those times. We had heard that the last three miles of today's hike would be over boulder fields. So Gabby and I set off before 7:00. The hike across the valley and up to the ridgeline of Blue Mountain was hot and humid, but otherwise uneventful. But then the trail became rocky, with sections of smaller and larger rocks, but nearly continuous rocks. The exciting event of the morning was seeing two rattlesnakes beside the trail; one surprised me with a shake of a rattle as I approached. I backed off to a safe distance and watched them. One seemed to be nearly dead, only flicking its rattle weakly a couple of times. The other snake investigated it, then gradually moved off after I suggested that it might prefer to be about ten feet away from the trail. The Happy Brigade arrived at the Allentown Shelter for lunch at 1:30. We'd only come seven miles and had ten more to go. It was very hot and humid. I felt despondent, not being able to see how we could possibly make it ten miles, that included three miles of boulders, by dark. I ate, drank water and rested, hoping my attitude would improve. I set off at 2:30. But then the trail followed a rocky old road so I was able to hike at a fair pace. I began to feel hopeful. Impulse caught up to me. At the tent site I asked him if he would hike with me over the boulders, explaining why rock hopping is hard for me. He generously agreed and we set off together. The trail grew rockier and rockier, with bigger and bigger boulders. But the most challening part was the "Knife's Edge," a steep outcropping of jagged boulders on the ridgeline about three hundred feet long. I was terrified, but was able to carefully follow Impulse whose calm, gentle presence was reassuring and kept me moving. I was able to literally follow in his footsteps. After the Knife's Edge the "regular" boulders seemed easy. There was some more walking on the dirt road to Bake Oven Knob where once again we were scrambling over boulders. It was 7:30 by then. We continued on and arrived at the shelter about 8:15 as dusk was nearing. I was so exhausted. I ate granola and went to bed. But we made it, a small miracle, with the whole group arriving safely before dark. Thanks to Impulse I was able to do the boulder scrambling.
Date: 2004-07-23
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Lehigh Gap
Miles today: 7.5

After yesterday, hiking over boulders in the rain seems like a piece of cake. I slept late, setting off with Gabby at 8:45 am while the others were getting up. We faced another boulder scramble for a while, then the trail became just the typical Pennsylvania rocky trail, slow going but passable. It drizzled off and on. We went through an area of partly open fields, pine trees, and blueberries, stopping to eat the blueberries on the way. I felt briefly as if I was home in Maine. As the hike continued the rain picked up, but we were looking forward to meeting Gabby's friends, thru-hikers Goosebump and her husband Rainbow Slick, who with their hiking friend Underpants picked all seven of us up at Lehigh Gap and brought us back to their home near Allentown. So here we sit eating burgers, corn, salad, and chips after a nice hot showers. It looks like they're going to slack us tomorrow, which will be nice. I feel sleepy but quite content, enjoying the good company of our expanded Happy Brigade and our generous hosts.
Date: 2004-07-24
From: Lehigh Gap

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I managed to "knock off" twenty miles of Pennsylvania rocky trail today thanks to Goosebump and Rainbow Slick (AT 2003). I was feeling really discouraged Friday evening. My nerves felt fried from the rocky trail, but especially from the fear I'd experienced on the Knife Edge. But Goosebump, Rainbow Slick, and their friends Tiny and Underpants offered to slack us (day hike) the 20 miles today. Underpants cooked a huge batch of French toast for the crowd and then they drove us back to Lehigh Gap. I knew the ascent to the top was steep, exposed hand-over-hand rocks so I opted for the "winter trail," a series of switchbacks over barren scree slopes but not terrifying to me at all. I rejoined the group at the top and we continued on an old road. Because of the devastation of an old zinc mine, the trees are dead and the landscape barren, creating spectacular views of the Lehigh valley. It rained hard last night, pushing through the heat and humidity and presenting us with clear skies and somewhat cooler temperatures. Tiny had driven here from Virginia for the weekend. He and Underpants joined us for the day's hike, the remainder of which was practically level along the ridgeline with a brief rocky dip into Little Gap. We were able to hike fairly quickly, although the trail continued to be covered most of the way with a variety of sizes of those damn rocks. We stopped for three half-hour breaks during the day. I walked out of the woods at Wind Gap at 7:30. The rest of the group was waiting at the cars for Gabby, Burny, and me. Rainbow Slick had met us at the shelter and hiked back out with us; Goosebump joined us at Wind Gap. After a brief stop at the apartment,we went to the Old Country Buffet, a huge buffet-style restaurant that was truly hiker heaven with all-you-can-eat fare from salads to desserts. The perfect end to a productive hiking day. Now, only 15 miles left to Delaware Water Gap and the END of Pennsylvania. Hooray!
Date: 2004-07-25
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

A second day of slack packing thanks to Goosebump, Rainbow Slick, and their friends, Tiny and Underpants. The group slept again on the living room floor.After a terrific breakfast of eggs, bacon and Texas French toast cooked by Rainbow Slide, I headed off with the first carload back to Wind Gap. The weather was cooler and overcast, a perfect hiking day. Most of the trail was rccky again, but I was just counting down the miles to the end of Pennsylvania with a feeling of satisfaction that I have managed to overcome those damn rocks. I realized that what hikers say about the hike being more mind than feet is true. My body can now fairly easily hike fifteen to twenty miles a day even on Pennsylvania rocks. But it is my psyche and soul that have taken such a beating going through Pennsylvania. So I was looking forward to getting to Delaware Water Gap where I am going to take a zero and meet Homebody who is coming to visit me! There were several nice views along the ridgeline, especially at the last rest stop where we could look down on the Delaware River. Then the trail descended to the Gap. I said goodbye to the group, who stayed at the Church of the Mountain Hostel, while I met Homebody at the Ramada. Ah, home, sweet home!
Date: 2004-07-26
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Zero day at Delaware Water Gap. The best zero of all! A day of typical town chores combined with a wonderful visit with Homebody, the first since I left home in April. We did laundry for Gabby, Pokey and Amanda since the laundromat is out of town. Ah, the conveniences of automobile transportation. We had a lovely stroll on part of the Appalachian Trail that was near town, walking past spruce, hemlock, and rhododendron. The day ended with inviting Pokey, Gabby, and Impulse to join us at a Thai restaurant for supper with a beautiful view of the ridgeline we hiked yesterday. And now it's on to New Jersey!