morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Duncannon, PA

To: PA 225 mm1150.2
Miles today: 8.1

I decided to take a short day so I could clean house for Waldo's birthday party tomorrow. His family will all be there and our house hasn't been lived in for 3 months. I even found cobwebs in a cabinet! We dropped Runny Nose and Joe off and Hwy 325 so they could slack back to Duncannon. Then I started hiking at PA 225. I told Waldo I would be at the Doyle by noon. It was rocky but I enjoyed hiking south and seeing a lot of my friends. I even ran into a group of hikers from the local hiking club. I recognized one of the girls and it was fun catching up with her. I'll probably join their club and hike with them next year. As I was walking into Duncannon I ran into a couple I know and I gave them a couple of sodas I had been carrying for trsil magic. They were so excited you would have thought I gave them $100. I walked into the Doyle and was greeted again by a large group of our friends, including Waldo. Neon was there,. I thought he was way behind us. Glad to see him again. Looks like I'll be hiking around a lot of great people when I leave home.
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Home

To: Hwy 325
Miles today: 9.6

Today I slackpacked a short day above my house so I could do errands and appointments in the afternoon. I've hiked this section 50 or more times but felt I had to do it again to complete my through hike. There were two notable things that happened. One, I ran into Toasted Toad, an older man from Massachusetts. He showed me a picture of a black rattlesnake he had just seen at an overlook I had no idea we had black rattlesnakes! Then I ran into a section hiker from NC I have known for 7 years named Blue Butterfly! I met her in 2008, then ran into her again in 2011. I knew she was hiking this year but had no idea she was on the trail so close! What are the odds of that! We will definitely stay in touch now. She is such a positive upbeat woman, who loves to hike!
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Hwy 325

To: PA 72
Miles today: 17.4

I decided to slack back from PA 72 to 325 to give Waldo a break. He dropped me off at 72 and left trail magic at the bridge. He then took the motorcycle for repairs. I enjoyed hiking south seeing all my friends. Ran into Blue Butterfly again! I have hiked this section numerous times. But today they were training fighter pilots near Fort Indiantown Gap. The planes were going right overhead and shooting targets onghe base. It got so loud I couldn't hear my Ipod. A young hiker came down a hill with wide eyes, asked me what happened. I told him it was just training. He said he was from Ohio and the last time he heard planes like that was on 9/11 when they deployed jets from a base near him. He thought we were attacked again! I finished the hike and met a man doing trail magic in the parking lot. He does it once a week for a month or so every year. Puts on a nice spread. I drove off to go home and wouldn't you know it, a tree fell down across the road about 6 miles from my house. I had to wait about 45 minutes until the fire dept sent people up to clear it. Life is so much simpler when you just hike north!
Date: 2014-07-02
From: PA 72

To: Hertline campsite
Miles today: 17.0

Time to get back out there. I took my full pack and hiked north. I won't see Waldo for 4 days. It was hot, humid and buggy. Around 10 I ran into Hoyt on the trail. We hiked and talked for several hours. He was calling Waldo to get picked up around 2. Since I was with him I got to see Waldo one more time! Since today is our 9th wedding anniversary that was a nice treat. Seemed wrong that Hoyt was going to spend the night with Waldo on our anniversary, not me! Oh well. I hiked on to the sound of thunder. The storm held off until about 4pm. And when it hit I was so hot I didn't even bother with the rain gear. It felt great. I hiked in rain for 45 minutes and finally found a campsite about 6:30. One other hiker came in right after me and asked if I saw the rattlesnake on the trail. I probably walked right by it, thinking they don't usually come out when it's wet. I went to bed early, wanting to start early tomorrow.
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Hertline campsite

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 18.5

I knew it was going to be a tough day so I started hiking at 6am. It was already 72 degrees. My boots and socks were wet and my pants got wet from the overgrown plants by the trail. I started out climbing and I was sweating right off. The bugs got bad too so I put my bug net on my head. It just went downhill from there. The trail was very rocky and I was pretty miserable. I was carrying extra water because the water sources were not easily available (to far off trail). So my pack was heavy and pinching a nerve in my hip. In a nutshell I was miserable! I made it to Port Clinton by 3:30, only to find that the hotel was closed for the week. I was trying to find a shuttle to Hamburg, setting outside the Peanut Shop next door, when I met a young man who wanted to know about my hike. I told him about through hiking and that I was trying to get to a hotel before the storm hit. He and his wife offered me a ride. That's called yogying (like Yogi Bear). I checked in the hotel and a guy came up to me, introduced himself as Dad (a former hiiker), said he was doing shuttles. I arranged a morning pickup. Funny how things work out! I took a shower, washed my clothes, had dinner with a couple we know from the area (Becky & Erv). Had a great evening to offset a lousy day!
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Port Clinton

To: Campsite near Dans Pulpit
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

It was raining when I got up and much cooler than yesterday. I considered this a blessing. I got to the trail around 7:30 and was faced with the first of 3 large climbs. But no heat, no bugs! Whats not to love! I climbed up to the Pulpit, a rock formation that people like to pray at. Met Toasted Toad there and he said Blue Butterfly was behind me. They all stayed in the shelter until thd rain cleared. I got a text fromher and hoped I would see her during the day. I hiked on to the Pinnacle, another popular rock formation. PA is proud of their rocks! All in all, it was a very rocky day but it wasn't hot, bumid or buggy. Plus there were a lot of day hikers so it was entertaining. I developed a sore toe on my left foot. I stopped several times and put duct tape on it but my feet were wet so it wouldnt stay. I got to the campsite I had planned on staying around 4 and decided I had more miles in me. So I climbed another mountain. I found a nice camp on top, hoping to see some fireworks. Kind of lonely not being with Waldo for holidays. Fell asleep before any fireworks went off anyway!
Date: 2014-07-05
From: Campsite near Dans Pulpit

To: Lehigh Furnace Gap
Miles today: 17.3

What a rocky day! I know why they call PA Rocksyvania now. The trail went over every rock scramble they could find. It started at Dan's Pulpit, then we had Knife Edge, Bake Oven Knob and many unnamed rock formations. At least the weather was cooler and a little windy to keep the bugs away. There were a lot of people on the trail, being a weekend after the 4th. I didn't see another thru hiker. Did see one big black snake. Was hoping to see Blue Butterfly. I finished around 3:45 at the road where Waldo was picking me up. There was a very nice guy doing trail magic. We talked for a while then Waldo drove up. So good to see him, he always makes it all better! We are camped in Ashville, PA. Tomorrow when he takes me back to the trail he is going to pick up Blue Butterfly and take her to her car. Sad I won't get to see her. But with our history I know I'll see her again!
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Lehigh Furnace Gap

To: Kittany Visitors Center mm 1290.9
Miles today: 42.6

I'm summarizing the last few days so I can get caught up. Besides one day seems like the next on the trail in PA!Ok, my mom taught me if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything. But I can't come up with anything nice to say about the trail north of Port Clinton. It is rocky, more rocky, buggy, hot, humid, not well marked, overgrown with thorny vines and stinging nettle, and did I mention rocky? There were little to no water sources and lots of sun exposure. Finally one day after getting lost several times I had had it. I decided to hike to the next road crossing and call Waldo. I needed some time off. So I hiked to the road and guess who was setting there with a cold coke! My hero - Waldo! After a short cry we decided I was suffering from heat exhaustion and just plain exhaustion and needed some time off. I hopped on the back of the motorcycle and we went home to pick up Waldo's new dual sport bike. We bought it so he could get to me in the more rural areas coming up north. The break was just what I needed, some rest, some fun and time off my feet. I came back to finish the PA trail with no complaints. I'm officially in New Jersey and will cross the 1300 mile marker tomorrow! While I set here writing this Waldo ran out of the motorhome to video a young bear walking by. He was out there a few minutes and then came running back, trying to shut the door. The bear had turned around and was coming back up the hill toward Waldo! We laughed because the bear wasn't agressive or even that interested in us as we filmed and watched him. Guess they are used to people around here.Also I heard today that a thru-hiker I met a week or so ago near Harrisburg named Mocha took a bad fall while trying free style rock climbing near the Pinnacle. He was life flighted out after a lengthy rescue attempt but will be ok. He suffered broken ribs, concussion, and many cuts and bruises. He faces a long recovery period and won't be back on trail this year. We are all thinking of you Mocha!
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Kittany Visitors Center mm 1290.9

To: Millbrook Rd mm 1303.8
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: broken clouds

Nice day to hike. Waldo hiked in to Sunfish Pond with me. Our neighbor and good friend is from NJ and he has told us of Sunfish Pond so Waldo wanted to see it. Beautiful, peaceful, amazing to think this pond was created by glaciers and is one of few acidic ponds in the country. After a short break I hiked north and Waldo hired south. He enjoys that because he gets to talk to all the thru-hikers behind me. My hike was rocky but the weather was so nice I didn't mind. I saw a buck on the trail. I talked to him as I approached and he moved a few feet but the trail turned and I ended up about 20 feet from him. I took 5 pictures and he wasn't even phased! Guess this area is like the Shenandoahs, wildlife isn't hunted and feel safe around us. I hiked into Mohican Outdoor Center and Waldo was waiting. We gave Fiffy Shrimp (a nice 50 year old hiker from Baltimore I met yesterday) and Nora V a ride up the hill to the center. They got sandwiches, we ate in RV and Waldo drove me 3 miles further on the bike so I could finish my day.I hiked back, meeting Mad Jack, Fiffy Shrimp, Toasted Toad, Swiss Miss and Nobody. Fun to hike south and see friends. As I came into the Mohican Center I got a call from Waldo. His motorcycle stopped running back where he dropped me off. I went into the center to inquire about a ride/shuttle for Waldo but before I could even make a call he showed up. He got a quick hitch. We drove the RV to get the bike and camped for the night. Got another rain storm. I must admit my hiking style is working for me. I hike early and finish before 4pm. The rain always comes in after 4! But my shoes and socks get wet every morning from the wet trail and vegetation. So they stink!Crossed 1300 miles today!
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Millbrook Rd mm 1303.8

To: Culvers Gap mm 1318.3
Miles today: 14.5

I am loving this weather! It was almost cold when I started hiking this morning at 6:30. The trail was rocky but I'm learning to just slow down and accept it. I saw Toasted Toad, Swiss Miss and Nobody still having breakfast so I stopped to talk. Swiss Miss and Nobody are from Switzerland. Very nice young couple. I hiked on, saw a few southbound hikers. Saw Fiffy Shrimp still breaking camp at 9am.He likes to sleep in and hike late. Works for him except he is getting rained on most evenings. I climbed Rattlesnake Mountain, watching every step for rattlers. They are bad in NJ but I haven't seen one yet. Waldo met me about 2 miles from Culver Gap and we hiked in. He parked the RV in a nice shady lot just off ghe AT. We set up our outdoor chairs, had lunch and several of our friends stopped by for a soda/beer. I finally met Sherpa, a hiker I had heard a lot about. He is from PA too, not far from us.Later we saw a momma bear and three little cubs walk by in the woods by us. I was taking pictures and saying how cute they were. The momma looked at me and just kept on! Guess we areb backin Shenandoahs!Waldo's bike is in the shop. Hope it's not too serious. We'll be ok without it for a few days because there are so frequent road crossings in NJ.
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Culvers Gap mm 1318.3

To: Greenville Rd mm 1335.3
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

Waldo & I started out at 6:45, a little later than normal. But it was nice and cool. We climbed up to the Culver Fire tower where we met Obsidian and Racewalker. They had camped there last night. We visited for a while and hiked on. We stopped at Stony Brook and got water. Waldo stayed to visit with Obsidian and Racewalker again while I headed north. Waldo had to get in town to do laundry today. The trail was rocky but I just took it slow, took breaks and pushed through. I ran into Toasted Toad, Swiss Miss and Nobody taking a lunch break. They are always upbeat and fun to talk to. I took off hiking with Toasted Toad. I got a text that Waldo was at High Point State Park waiting for me. I told him to have sodas ready for my friends. We hiked in and there was Waldo, motorhome, chairs out and cold sodas. The park office also gives thru-hikers a free soda so we pigged out! Then they hiked on and Waldo took me forward 3 miles so I could hike back. I pushed that 3 miles up 2 big climbs and very rocky. I thought we had rain coming so I almost ran it. I was hot, sweaty and tired when I finished. Now we are parked in backpackers parking lot chilling out. The rain never materialized but it cooled off nicely. We are expecting a few days of rain and then a nice cool off. Life is good on the trail!
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Greenville Rd mm 1335.3

To: NJ 94 mm1352.9
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Waldo dropped me off about 6:45. The terrain was nice, not rocky. I walked thru farm fields, crossed lots of small roads. I made it to the outskirts of Unionville in about 3 hours. The trail doesn't go into town. Then I walked by a big wildlife preserve. It was just a swamp really but I guess that is home to a lot of birds and animals. I did a lot of boardwalks today over swampy land. Last time I did this section the water was higher and the boards were slick. I fell and had a big bruise on my leg. So I was glad the water level was lower this time. No wet boards to worry about. Wonder what the lack of swamp land means for New Jersey. I met Toasted Toad, Swiss Miss and Nobody setting on a rock. We talked and I went on. Came to a road crossing and who was setting there but Waldo. Since his motorcycle is in the shop, he rode his bicycle out to meet me with cold sodas! Toasted Toad and gang hiked up, we had a break and hiked on. More board walks, swamp walks and I arrived at the motorhome. Felt like an easy day, hot and getting humid, but not too bad. All evening we waited for the storm to roll in and cool things off. It finally hit around 10.Waldo met a couple named Coyote Crew from MI. He gave them a ride to Vernon, NJ. The man is suffering from Lyme disease. It gave him Bells Palsey. Scary stuff! Hope he recovers quickly! We went to the grocery store tonight and ran into them so I got to meet them too. Very nice couple.
Date: 2014-07-14
From: NJ 94 mm1352.9

To: NY 17A mm 1367.9
Miles today: 15.0

You know it's going to be a tough day when you start hiking at 5:40 and the temperature is already 70 degrees with close to 100% humidity. Guess the rain last night didn't help. I started climbing Wayanda Mtn and was dripping sweat in minutes. Waldo was going to meet Swiss Miss and Nobody at Warwick Turnpike to slackpack them over a difficult section. I met Waldo at the Turnpike around 9 and took a short break. Then I hiked on knowing what I was facing. The next section was very difficult. It started with a lot of flat rocks that you walk over. The rocks were wet from drizzle several times that morning so I had to be very careful not to slip and fall. Then we went over several miles of boulder climbing where I had to throw my poles up, grab hold of rocks and pull myself up. There was even a spot where you had to climb up a ladder fastened to a huge boulder, I took it slow, didn't fight it, and came in around 2:30 to find Waldo entertaining a bunch of hikers under our awning. Met two new hikers today: Peaches (young girl from CT) and Hey Everbody (40ish man from SC). Now we are headed to a campground for the night and it's raining buckets. Feel for all my friends still on the trail!
Date: 2014-07-15
From: NY 17A mm 1367.9

To: Arden Valley Rd mm 1385.4
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I startdd hiking around 8am. Got a late start because we had to drive 26 miles back to the trailhead from the campground. It was alfeady getting hot and humid. I did two rock formations, Eastern Pinnacle and Car Rocks. I'm actually getting pretty good at free style rock climbing. But when you add wet rocks to the equation it gets tricky! I met Obsidian and Frankie the Sleeper at breaks on rocks. Waldo called me and said he was waiting up trail with Hunny Pie ( a 2012 thru hiker) with trail magic. Frankie and I took off with visions of cold drinks in our head! Amazing what we will do for a cold soda. At one point we got off trail and found ourselves on a knive edge of rocks. As we were working our way back we ran into Toasted Toad and Nobody, also lost. They joined our quest and we all finally found Waldo in about 2 miles. I misunderstood where he was. We gook a break, ate & drank. I was anxious to get on, knowing I had 5 more tough miles and rain was predicted. It was tough. I did the lemon squeezer which is a series of boulders you go under and between. No problem for me, being small and slack packing. But Frankie and Scout needed help getting through with their packs. Then we came to a 15 ft high boulder we had to climb. It was like vertical layers but no spots to put your hand or foot easily. Scout looked at it and said No Way! I stepped up on a rock, threw my pole to the top, wedged my hands in a crevace, and started pulling myself up. Once I got to the top I set on the ledge and pulled Frankies poles and pack up. He followed my lead. We got Scout up the same way. We finished out our hike, Frankie and Scout went to the shelter while I continued 1 more mile to Waldo. That night I suffered from cramps and a strange allergic reactiom. All caused by the heat and dehydration. Tough night. It rained all night too.
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Arden Valley Rd mm 1385.4

To: Manitou Rd mm 1402.1
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

It was still raining when we woke up. And I was still tired so we slept in a bit. I didn't start hiking until 8am again. By then the rain had stopped. The trail wasn't bad but I had to watch my footing on wet rocks. I met obsidian at the first shelter. He said he was the first one out today. Guess I wasn't the only one suffering from yesterday. I hiked onh and made it to Bear Mountain State park shortly after noon. Waldo was meeting me there. The trail through the park is amazing, lots of stone steps and cobblestone walkways. I met Waldo on the way down, we walked through the zoo and over the bridge. I continued on 2 more miles. Had 2 double cheese burgers, fries, gatorade and ice cream sandwich for supper! I slept great!
Date: 2014-07-17
From: Manitou Rd mm 1402.1

To: NY 301 mm 1417.9
Miles today: 15.8

Finally an easy day! It was cool (74 degrees), less humid and not buggy! Still had lots of hills to climb but I'm used to that. Met another hiker named Wet Dog, a marine Vietnam vet who has done the trail twice before. We hiked together for a while. Met Waldo around noon. He had chairs out, awning up and was entertaining hikers. We sat, drank 2 sodas each, then hiked on. I came to a creek that was flowing strong, over the walking stones. So I took off my boots and socks, rolled up my pants and forded it. Just as I was redressing a young girl came up. I told her how I crossed and she seemed leery, so I stayed with her until she made it across. Her name is Styles and she knew Waldo. Still think I should just change my name to Waldo's Wife! I finished early and we are camped by a lake. Waldo grilled steak for dinner. Love this first class hiking!
Date: 2014-07-18
From: NY 301 mm 1417.9

To: Depot Hill Rd mm1435
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Started hiking around the lake. It was nice, kind of chilly, but who is complaining! I met Wet Dog and we hiked up Shenandoah Mtn. There is a flag painted on the rocks up there as a 9/11 monument. Right after that we discovered blueberries! Picked our fill and pigged out. I hiked on and came to the RPH shelter. It is an amazing shelter with bunk beds, a desk, a covered eating area, outdoor seating area and an old hand pump for water. I hiked on over Hosner Mtn. The trail maintainer in this area sure made this walk more enjoyable. He put up a sign about the water sources, recently blazed the trail, and even painted all the little rocks that stick op on the trail! The footbridges were all new and the trail was switchbacked! I hiked to the parking lot off Hwy 52 because Waldo texted me saying he left a cold coke by a tree (he couldn't park the RV there). But when I got there it was gone. Oh well, I ate my lunch and hiked on. Made it to Depot Hill Rd early and Waldo and I were just setting in the RV relaxing when a car pulled up and my dear friends from my 2011 hike, Chico and Sketcher, got out! They live in South Carolina but were on their way to Rhode Island. They read my journal and figured they would try to find me. I was so shocked and happy to see them! We drank a beer/wine, had a little dinner and caught up. I still can't believe they found us up that gravel road in the middle of nowhere. They camped out by the RV and saw me off the next morning. I am feeling so blessed to have so many great friends from the trail, all like family to me.
Date: 2014-07-19
From: Depot Hill Rd mm1435

To: CT 55 mm1452.3
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It was chilly enough when I started hiking I wore a long sleeve shirt. That didn't last too long but it also protected me from the mosquitoes. I was walking by a swamp for a while. I crossed a few roads then went back into the wilderness. I hiked around a beautiful lake named Nuclear Lake, by more swamps through some farm fields and then just before I crossed the last swamp boardwalk I saw a big bear in the middle of the trail. He just turned and looked at me. I could tell he was limping, had hurt his front left leg. A hiker came up behind me and we talked about the bear. I took several pictures. Finally the bear limped off. I felt sorry for him. Hope he's not hurt bad. I hiked with my new friend (can't remember his name) to the NY Metro train station. We sat down like we were waiting for the train and had a snack. I texted Waldo, teasing that I was waiting for a train, and he said "Why not just cross the road and have lunch with me?" He was just across the street! We hurried over there and had lunch with him. My friend and I hiked on, talking so much that the miles just melted away. I was done before Waldo made it to the next spot. He stayed back at the train station to entertain Obsidian, Wet Dog and Frankie the Sleeper. We are now in Connecticut. Another state down!BTW, my new friend just got back on the trail after suffering a snake bite on his leg. He didn't see the snake but his leg got red, swollen & infected. He was bitten in New Jersey. Wonder if it was a rattler.