morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Tent site

To: Tent site @ Pocahontas Spring
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

I was up and gone before I saw Obie One. The thunderstorm last night had left the trail soaked. A lot of the trail was overgrown and all the bushes quickly got me soaked. As the day wore on and it got hotter I dryer out except for my feet. I had been pushing the few days to be sure that I could get into Port Clinton before the post office closed. That worked with a couple hours to spare. As I was just coming into town, the trail became crazy hard. It was very steep, with gravel thrown over hard packed clay. It was like trying to walk on marbles. Obie One caught up to me as I was sliding down the hill. He had a mail drop also and we walked over together.We both headed to the post office. Obie asked a guy coming out of the post office if he was going towards WalMart and he said yes. We resupplied and a grabbed a Subway sandwich after polishing off a pint of Ben and Jerry's. We headed back to the highway and hitched a ride back to the trail. My feet were hurting from being wet all day so Obie hiked on and I limped on to a tent site a couple miles from the road. As I was finishing up my journal and getting ready to turn in Bud and Bud Lite came and set up their tent. Always good to see them, they turn up at unusual times. Other than my feet a really good day.
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Tent site @ Pocahontas Spring

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Was up and out before Bud and Bud Lite were up. Another hiker had come in and tented right before dark. I think he said his name was Rise. It was very hot and humid early, and I had an eight hundred foot climb. I was soaked with sweat and panting for breath near the top when I came upon Miles from Nowhere. (She's on trail journals, check out her journal). We passed each other a few times, she hiked much quicker than me but stopped to take in some views. She mentioned that she was slack packing and that her husband would be meeting her and was doing trail magic. That quicken my pace. When I caught up to them at Hawk Mountain Road they were downing coke and cookies the conversation turned to my feet. One look at a foot and they insisted on taking me back to Hamburg where there is an outfitter for new socks. What great people. They also ran me to a drug store so I could pick up some rubbing alcohol, which turned out to be no easy feat. My feet will surely be grateful tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bank Oven Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Got an earlier than usual start. I had slept in the shelter rather than tenting and thought I had the place to myself. Two hikers came in about ten.Eckville Shelter is run by the ATC and has a caretaker on site. It is really pretty neat. Good that I got going early, it was probably the hardest day in Pennsylvania. There were some boulder climbs that were pretty hard along with rock trail to wade through. So I feel pretty accomplished. My feet held up well. The new socks and doctoring I did paid off. I'll retreat tonight and hopefully that'll take care of it. One other hiker at the shelter, Rise who I'd meet in Buena Vista.
Date: 2015-06-18
From: Bank Oven Knob Shelter 

To: Tent site
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

It started to rain sometime in the middle of the night. It drizzled till mid day. It was actually nice as it kept the temperature cool all day and kept the Gnats and Flies away. Made it hard to get any photos as even when it quit raining I was still walking through a heavy mist. Made the next shelter about eleven where I met The Kid. He was taking a zero at the shelter because it was raining. He said he was only going to be out for twenty days while he decided what to do with his life. He was waiting for Divine insight and was sure it would be coming soon. I ate my lunch hurriedly and hike on. After figuring out how to cross route 873 I ran into Wye Knot. He hat missed the turn to climb up and was coming back to where I was. This happens a lot with him as he is vision impaired and has a narrow field of vision. This happened again later up the trail.I was faced with a very steep climb. The higher I climbed the rocker it got. Eventually it changed to boulders and I was no longer hiking, I was climbing. Eventually I reached the summit but there was still many rock fields to negotiate. I passed through a toxic chemical superfine clean up, where the AT had been rerouted around it. It was the only decent section of the trail I hiked today. Wanted to get another three miles in, to a creek and campsite but it didn't happen. It was just too slow going today and I pitched my tent on a nice site and called it a day about five thirty.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Tent site

To: Tent site
Miles today: 17.0

Cloudy morning quickly gave way to clear skies and sunshine. Came upon Wye Knot packing about three miles down from where I had tented.Made Leroy Smith shelter to have lunch and resupply my water and Whyknot was there also. Dryed my tent and a few other wet things while I eat. Kiawon hiked in as I was about to leave.The rest of the day was just inching along trying to get close to Delaware Gap for a short hike in tomorrow. Didn't make near the miles I wanted to. The trail for me is very hard. I inch along trying not to turn an ankle or fall, so it's very slow going.Hiked till six and was ready to call it a day.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Tent site

To: Delaware Water Gap Church Hostel
Miles today: 11.7

Finally the day to hike out of Pennsylvania. Of course it was a day of rocks and boulders and it was very slow going.Truly I am so glad to be through the state. I don't want to be to negative. The trail just gives you different challenges some more difficult some more boring. But Pennsylvania gave few rewards, not many great views or spectacular mountains. It really wasn't all that rocky, at least the first half. But it was flat and had more rock than not, so I'm glad to move on.Got to The Church of the Mountain hostel. It had a nice common area but no pads for the bunks. Got up in the middle of the night and blew up my air mattress. Didn't get much sleep as many stayed up in the common room playing music and games. Around two the bar gang came back in pretty drunk and loud. Thirty Rack, a kid who is nineteen was very sick from drinking too much. Hostels sometimes don't work out well. I was at least able to resupply and get my laundry done, just did not get much sleep.
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Delaware Water Gap Church Hostel

To: Tent site
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

It was slow going getting out of the hostel. Finally got hiking around nine thirty.For me, it always fun to walk out of a town. The noise of cars racing by, often like today a bridge to walk over until you finally get to the forest's edge and escape into the cool and usually moist woods like today. You slowly walk out of all that city chaos.As I was hiking up to Sunfish Pond and four section hikers caught up to me. They were a delightful group, very curious abut the AT and I felt very useful giving them advice and my thoughts. After having lunch and talking it was finally time to hike on.Today is the summer solstice, traditionally the day when through hikers hike in the nude. Roman John obliged and passed me in full glory. He said his goal was to do all the way around Sunfish Pond.I got close to Mohican Outdoor Center, but came upon trail magic just before getting there. It was being provided by Irish, a triple crown hiker who was doing the AT again this year but had to quit for a medical problem. Met Mile Marker, Tree Beard, Ta Toe, Periquine, John Dark Chocolate, and Roman John there.After a couple of cold drinks I hiked on to the out door center and had dinner. Decided to hike a mile and a half more and got to a really nice camp site on a ridge over looking a valley below. As I was setting up my tent Bud and Bud Lite passed on the trail above and said hello. They were only going about a mile more to a site with water so I guess I'll see them tomorrow as the are usually late risers.
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Tent site

To: Gren Anderson shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hated to say goodbye to my campsite this morning. It was one of the best I've had. Spectacular views from my tent as I watched darkness fall in the valley below last night. And early morning sunrise that was also awesome. Passed a small pond early and To Tae passed me as we went around the pond. He said it reminded him of some in Finland where he is from. There was a beaver home out in the middle. Later in the day when Die Hard passed me; he said he had seen the beaver last night. No such luck for me, but I did see, early in the afternoon a wild turkey (not the drink).Had a mix of good trail and rocky trail with probably more good than bad. Even the rocky parts don't seem as bad as Pennsylvania, there just doesn't seem to be as many sharp edges and it seems they are often spaced apart to get your feet between.Made such good time and miles that at Culver's Gap three miles from the shelter I hiked down the road a tenth of a mile to a bar and had a burger and a coke.Made the shelter a little before seven and set up. Bud and Bud Lite came in a bit latter. No one else at the shelter tonight.
Date: 2015-06-23
From: Gren Anderson shelter

To: Jim Murry shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Thought I'd been teleported back to Pennsylvania all morning. Rocks made it slow going all morning. There were numerous small ups and downs that at first weren't a big deal, but after twenty or so begin to take a toll.Passed High Point State Park and climbed their observation platform for some good shots.After I passed High Point Shelter the trail got much better and I made the last five miles in good time. Jim Murray Shelter is a private shelter about .2 miles off trail built by a previous thru hiker. It is well done and had several people staying there. Boxcar & Kudzu zeroed here, Roman John came in late and Bud and Bud Lite came in also.Want to get into Vernon as early as I can tomorrow to resupply and get some real food, but have to knock out fourteen miles to get there. Hoping for good trail but not holding my breath.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: Jim Murry shelter

To: Pinwheels Vista camp site
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

The morning was actually easy. Started with a hike through the woods with little rock and a few small climbs. Exited onto State Line Road and walked almost a mile down the highway. Turned off to walk a flat path around Wall Kill Reserve, a kind of bog swamp. Then a short walk through woods and onto a long wooden platform walkway over marsh ground. After crossing Route 517 there was another long walk on a much nicer constructed foot bridge the Pochuck Boardwalk. Got to Route 94 by one and hitched a ride into Vernon. Resupplied at the A&P, had lunch at Burger King. Walked over to the church where I had planned to spend the night but found no one there.So I hitched a ride back to the trail head and hiked to the top of Wawayanda Mountain to a side trail vista to watch the sunset. A lot of local kids there to watch also.
Date: 2015-06-25
From: Pinwheels Vista camp site

To: Wildcat shelter 
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Crossed into New York mid morning. My guides both said this section was difficult, and proved correct. There was a lot of climbing up pretty steep rocks. One place the climb was so sheer that there was a ladder placed there. Made for pretty slow going, but fortunately it was a short day scheduled. Passed a hiker, Trek who told me he had hiked the trail three times, in 77,87 and 2000 something. He said he was 71 and felt like he had one more in him.When I got to route 17A I made a short side trip to a hot dog stand which was just about to close, but I was able to get food before he closed. Went a little further down the road to the Bellville Creamery and had lots of ice cream.Got back to the trail and hiked two miles to the shelter and was first there. Shortly Whorton, Fourteen, and Wye Knot came in. They all are close to my age, so a lot in common. A bit later Bud and Bud Lite came in. Made for a good group and we shared some laughs.
Date: 2015-06-26
From: Wildcat shelter 

To: Fingerboard shelter 
Miles today: 14.3

Another long hard day. This one worn on me more than yesterday and seemed harder. Most of us got out about the same time. Found a stream nearby and everyone watered up. Fourteen, Whorton, and Wye Knot quickly left me behind. About an hour later I saw my fourth bear ambling across the trail as I waited patiently for him to go his own way.Had many difficult hard climbs and the day went by slowly. Hiking down a highway section a pickup came by and the driver introduced himself as Patio, a former thru hiker who does trail magic now. Had a nice talk and a cold Pepsi.Early afternoon and Yellow Bird who had also been at Wildcat passed me.Got to Fingerboard an old CCC built shelter but everyone else from Wildcat had hiked on. It was late enough and I was tired enough that I called it a day. A few section hikers were here.
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Fingerboard shelter 

To: Tent site
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

Strange day on the trail for me. I had received an invitation to spend a night free at a resort that wants to cater to thru hikers. Around nine I got a hold of the director and he suggested coming off a few miles early at Seven Lakes drive. That would make for a short day of hiking but the weather was suppose to turn to rain and thunderstorms starting early afternoon, so the more I hiked the better it sounded. If things had gone correctly I'd be there by two and beat most of the rain. Things just didn't go correctly. First I did something I haven't done much of, and that was to basically get lost. Not so much lost but confused on the trail, as white blazes look the same going north as they do south. About two miles from Seven Lakes drive on West Mountain ridge they had combined a blue blaze trail with the AT white blaze. Long story short I got confused and turned around and hiked south. What really bums me is that I could hike two miles and not realize I had just hiked it going north. My excuses are that it was raining and I was hurrying to get to the road and that I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer.It cost me about three hours, but about a half mile from the road I called the director of the resort and he seemed happy to come out to pick me up. Got to the road but he wasn't there. Finally got a text that he was delayed by a traffic accident but to hang in there, he was coming. More problems though, as he had said the cell signal wasn't very good at the road, my phone was not wanting to work well in the rain, and I had almost no battery left. After waiting almost an hour, the rain and inactivity was chilling me. I couldn't get a call out and my battery was just about gone so I hiked on.Got about a mile and by now I was worrying about hyperthermia so found some level ground and threw up my tent.I guess some things just are not mentioned to be.
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Tent site

To: Fort Montgomery 
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: clear sky

It actually felt cold last night. The rain & wind made everything damp. I snuggled into my sleeping bag and stayed warm the best I could. It's always hard to get going when it's raining and you're trying to pack up. Packing a wet tent in the rain is not so much fun.The hike into Fort Montgomery and the Bear Mountain recreational area is really pretty easy. The CCC had laid and cut granite steps into much of the climb up Bear Mountain and the trail was graded pathways for the most part.I got to the Trail Side Zoo and museum about an hour before they opened. An employee came by and let me use his phone and I shuttled to a local hotel to spend a near zero day drying out and resupplying. dayPlan to get an early start tomorrow as I try to get some miles in.
Date: 2015-06-29
From: Fort Montgomery 

To: Canopus State Park campground 
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: clear sky

Happly birthday to my son, hope you have a great day and I really miss not being there.Got an early start. The owner of the hotel had to take his daughter to the airport for an early flight so it was fine by me to get started early.Hi light of the day was coming up to a road and finding a Shell gas station with a deli. Two doughnuts coffee and a BLT later and I was hiking on.Most of the trail was good today until the end, which seems too often be the case. Long walk off trail to get to the park camp ground. Found Whorton here, which I was glad to see.
Date: 2015-06-30
From: Canopus State Park campground 

To: Morgan Steward shelter 
Miles today: 14.0

Just a personal note today.You have a lot of time to think while hiking and I had a lot of time to think about what I'd write today.Today would have been mom's 89th birthday. She passed away in December.Last year when I told her I'd be gone for six months she was of course sad that she wouldn't be seeing me but I think she understood how much doing this meant to me. I would try to call from the trail, but her hearing was failing and for the most part it was futile. One of the last times I got through and she knew it was me calling, she asked "Are you on top of a mountain?"Today, yes mom I'm on top of a mountain. I sat down and took a long break thinking about you. A few tears fell and I finally got up and hiked on.Miss you mom and mostly miss the way you were able to live life to its fullest.Maxie and Dan sing Strokin: https://youtu.be/PQnIuYRjsjk
Date: 2015-07-01
From: Morgan Steward shelter 

To: Wiley shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up early to try to push closer to Kent so I'd have more time in town. It was raining but had slacked off. Rain made it pretty dark and I went out to find where I'd hung my food bag. Thunder started and I stumbled around and couldn't find it. Rain started and I retreated to my tent. So much for getting an early start.Got started about a half hour later than normal as I let the thunderstorm pass before taking to the trail.Three miles later at Old Fort Road my day got much better as I came upon trail magic. Usual thing when you come upon a cooler on the trail it's been cleaned out and is empty. These were fully stocked and the drinks icy cold. I gladly helped myself.Hiked and passed a very nice lake. Why it's called Nuclear Lake I don't know but it was very pretty.Took lunch at about one, but had I waited fifteen minutes I would have been able to eat at a seat on a very nice boardwalk. Oh well.Got to Wiley shelter about five and Whorton was finishing up his dinner. Had a pleasant conversation about the trail, but he decided to make for the next shelter about four miles further. I decided to stay here for the night. I'll make another attempt at an early start in the morning but in any case, should make Kent by mid day. A mile away from Connecticut!
Date: 2015-07-02
From: Wiley shelter

To: Tent site
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

First time I've been at a shelter and no one else be there. Had the place to myself. Got an early start and was hiking by six. Wanted to get to Kent in time to get to the post office before they closed.Mid morning Whorton passed me. Asked how that was as he had hiked to the next shelter about five past Wiley where I had been. He said there was a restaurant half mile off trail where he'd had breakfast. I miss so much.As I passed ten mile shelter I saw Rise up ahead and said hi. Ten Mile river is absolutely awesome. The river is all white water rapids as you hike by and the roar is unbelievable. Toward noon I heard Whorton and Rise talking. They had found a great over look a little off trail and were having lunch so I joined them.Got to route 341 the road into Kent about two. Almost a mile walk into town. Stopped by the outfitter and bought a couple supplies enough to get me to Salisbury. When I got to the post office I discovered I'd gotten the town wrong, my mail drop I'd had sent to Falls Village about 25 miles further up the trail. Things would have been fine except I can't get there until Saturday which is the fourth so it'll be closed. Have to bump it further up the trail somewhere. Logistics is my biggest problem I think.
Date: 2015-07-03
From: Tent site

To: Tent site
Miles today: 17.3

Had a very long run of flat soft trail early, as the trail paralleled the Ten Mile river. Gave way finally to some farm fields then into the woods. Connecticut so far has had mostly nice hiking trail, much like Georgia. The climbs though not a lot of elevation change are pretty steep and there have been some rock climbing though not a lot.Saw only one thru hiker who passed me mid day and one day hiker who seemed a little lost. Had lunch with him on a nice overlook and he decided to retrace his hike in.Got to where I'd planned, close enough to Salisbury that I should be able to get in early afternon. Turns out there's a race track in the valley below and the roar of race engines is pretty loud. Hope I can set to sleep.
Date: 2015-07-04
From: Tent site

To: Bearded Woods hostel Salisbury
Miles today: 12.0

I had worried that I'd have to listen to racing all evening but they shut it off at six. They started it up at nine and I could hear racing almost all the way into Salisbury.They had a detour around the Iron Bridge as they were doing a major repair of it, so I didn't get to cross over it.Passed the Great Falls which was awesome. Hiked to Undermountain road where I got picked up and taken to his hostel Bearded Woods. When the rain cleared, he packed up everyone and we headed out to the racetrack where the fireworks were being set off. Big Lu had prepared a picnic and we eat before dark. We were treated to a nice display, and with the surrounding mountains it gave a nice echo effect.Beat most off the crowd and got back to the hostel early enough to get to bed early.
Date: 2015-07-05
From: Bearded Woods hostel Salisbury

To: Slack packing back to Salisbury
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

I was going to zero the day, but Hudson did a good job convincing me to use the day to get some miles in. After a nice breakfast, he dropped off Conundrum , Pizza Man and me off about seven miles north. After a short hike to the trail they headed north and I headed south back to town. Passed a bunch off north bounders, probably at least fifteen on my seven miles hike. Was delighted to come upon Bud and Bud Lite at a stream getting water. I keep running into them.
Date: 2015-07-06
From: Slack packing back to Salisbury

To: Bearded Woods hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Not much going on today, just relaxing and enjoying the day. Had Hudson shuttle me to Falls Village post office for my mail drop. Got back and got my pack in order best I could.Called Mountain Goat outfitter in Vermont about eight days from here and had a pair of shoes set aside for when I get there. Hopefully this pair lasts that long.Tomorrow back to the trail.
Date: 2015-07-07
From: Bearded Woods hostel

To: Tent site
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

Said goodbyes to all at Bearded Woods, Hudson, Big Lu, Ed, Eddie, Next Year and his wife.Hudson shuttled Thru Walker to Salisbury where he left the trail and me because of my slack pack an hour ride further out of town. Had to hike an access trail to get to the AT, so I really didn't start hiking until 9:30.Climbed Mt. Race and Mt. Everett, both steep climbs. Was rewarded with some marvelous views when I summitted.Started to rain a little before noon. Lasted long enough to get the trail very wet and the air very humid. Another shorter climb and I was atop Mt. Bushnell. It was all downhill from there. The wet rocks and the steep decent and my feet came out from under me a bunch of times. The last one was the worst as I snapped the end off of one of my trekking poles. I use my pokes to hold up my tent so it a bit of a problem. Nine days before I get to Manchester Center Vermont and Mountain Goat outfitter.