morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-06-12
From: Bear's Den hostel

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept until 7:00, then went upstairs and made 7 pancakes. I did my laundry, and then sat around trying to decide if I was going to stay another night. I packed up my food drop and got everything ready just in case. Then sat in the lounge area and watched a couple of AT documentaries. Then at 2:30 p.m. I decided to hike on to the Blackburn AT Center.   I went down to Bears Den Rocks and took some pictures of the views. Then I went about two miles, and a thunderstorm hit. I stopped and put on my packs rain cover, and then 50 yards further, it started pouring. So I stop and put on my rain gear. Five minutes later, lightening is popping all around me, rain just hammering me, and then when it can't get any worse...it starts to hail. But, in true thru-hiker fashion, I am thinking about eating. So I stand there catching pea sized hail in my hands, and eating it as fast as I can. And it's surprisingly tasty!    The PATC (Patomic AT Club) bought the Blackburn place from a Washington DC doctor, who used it for a summer home back in the 1800's. They have restored the log house, and it's a fantastic place. They fed me a huge pasta dinner and enormous salad, which looked as if it was on the cover of 'Bon Appetit ' magazine. Also had two large glasses of milk and was offered pie but I was too full.    I passed a group of 18-20 hikers after the storm, and all the kids except three were not happy.   I have a bruise on my arm from the fall in the creek yesterday. It's sore, and I hit the rock pretty hard, I guess.   I finished the roller coaster today. And went over a 1000 miles today! !!!!!!
Date: 2011-06-13
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: The Teahorse Hostel in Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

I left the Blackburn Center at 7:00, and was back on the trail at 7:15. I immediately saw two different deer. Then it was on to Loudin Heights, where Stonewall Jackson besieged Harpers Ferry, which wasn't a siege really because it only took 2 1/2 days to capture 12,000 Union soldiers.   I got into Harpers Ferry, and went to the AT headquarters. I hung out there a couple of hours, and got my traditional picture taken in front by the sign. Then I heard about this new hostel, so I go there. It's really clean and nice. Laurel does a great job. I went to the 'Country Cafe' for a late lunch. I had a cheeseburger, fries, and a root beer. Then I went back to the hostel and talked to Baggins and Aaron. Later, we decided to go get a snack dinner and a refreshment. So we start walking down to the lower part of town, and guess who I see walking up the street? Doc and Do What! Wow! Back hiking together after 5 or 6 weeks of them being behind.    Gonna try and push through Maryland and Pennsylvania (300 miles) in 3 weeks. Finished Virginia!!!!!!!!
Date: 2011-06-14
From: The Teahorse Hostel in Harpers Ferry

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I left Harpers Ferry at 10:45, after eating two huge breakfasts at the Country Cafe.   I finished another state today ... West Virginia!!!   I walked over the footbridge across the Patomic River, which is just above the confluence of the Shenandoah River. The footbridge is actually a lane of a railroad bridge. As soon as I crossed the river, I walked along the old C & O canal towpath. Then I hiked up to the ridgeline, and stopped at the Ed Harvey shelter. I talked with Moonshine, (2010), who is a ridgerunner. Then I hiked through mostly great trail except for a 4 mile section of rock scrabble. It was pretty tough.    This campground is a nice place. Half a mile from the road, and has a lighted bathhouse and hot showers. Fire rings, picnic tables, tent pads, and bear poles.
Date: 2011-06-15
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: Ensign Cowall shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

I left early after a 25 minute hot shower this morning. I crossed US Alt. 40, and there was a neat, medival looking, stone church. Very old. Then saw four deer early. Around 8:00 I was at the Washington Monument. The first Washington Monument. Built in 1827, out of stone of course.Talked to Kelly before she went to work.    Got to Annapolis Rocks at 10:45 and had lunch there with Doc. Shoes off break right out on the cliffs. Then I walked with him that afternoon through a wicked rock field of about a mile in length.    I picked up my maildrop at the Free State Hiker Hostel. And there was a package on top of my package. I moved it to get to mine. About 20 minutes later, I walked by it and asked, why was that on top of mine? I checked it and it's for me. Thanks to brother Dave and his wife Loyce. It had goodies, a 'southern snake bite kit', and a picture of my Dad. Doc and I waited on Do What for a couple of hours. I left first for the shelter. It is only the three of us tonight.
Date: 2011-06-17
From: Tumbling Run shelters

To: Birch Run shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

We hiked about 10 miles to Caledonia State Park and had lunch. We also got the concession stand people to open the stand and sell us some ice cream and a gatorade a day early!    Started up a hill and spooked a spotted fawn laying near the trail.   Lotta miles and my feet are sore. We have been hearing of a hiker feed at the AT Museum at Pine Grove Furnace St Park. That's also where we'll be doing the halfway challenge. Eat a half gallon of ice cream in 2 hours I think.
Date: 2011-06-18
From: Birch Run shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace St Park
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I left camp at 7:05 and walked to the state park in about 4 hours. I immediately set about the halfway, half gallon challenge. That's where you eat a half gallon of icecream. The flavor is yours to pick. I got vanilla with chocolate mix, and finished it in 42 minutes. I would have finished quicker, but I had to wait on it to thaw.   I took pictures with Doc at the halfway sign this morning. A major milestone in this adventure. Met a father (Adam) and son (Aubrey) out hiking for a few days. Wow! The kid is a fast hiker.    After the ice cream challenge, which I got a souvenir wooden spoon, I checked out the AT museum. Lots of neat exhibits and memorabilia.   Then it was back to the store, where a nice young guy with two small toddlers, bought Doc and I lunch. Had a cheeseburger, fries, and a root beer.<_br>   We set up camp, and then went to get a hot shower. Then 'Slick' gives us the 2nd gatorade of the day, and a bag full of fresh cherries. I went to the store again to charge my phone. Then to the campground for the hiker feed that the AT museum was hosting. Famous trail angel Mary did the cooking. So I am full, and in my tent early.
Date: 2011-06-19
From: Pine Grove Furnace St Park

To: Alec Kennedy shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Left at 6:30, and walked along the paved path for a mile. Then along a gravel path for a half mile. Those paths were easy walking. The hike goes up a long graded hill. When we get to PA 34, we go .2 to a country store. I bought a philly cheese steak sub, chips, and a root beer. Then bought some slices of cooked roast beast and some Amish made sharp cheddar cheese. I had some of that tonight on tortillas...outstanding! Then after eating our lunch on a picnic table out front of the store, we people watch for another hour while we rest. After getting back to the trail, we climb through two different rock mazes. That was fun, and different. Challenging, and I had to throw my poles up a couple of times, and climb with my hands. Feet were pretty sore today, so we stopped early at 15.6 miles.
Date: 2011-06-20
From: Alec Kennedy shelter

To: Darlington shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

I hiked the 4 miles down into Boiling Springs. Saw many rabbits in the fields before town. Stopped off at the ATC Mid-Atlantic office, looked around, and dropped our packs while we went for breakfast. First, I mailed a few things home at the Post Office. Went to Cafe 101, where I had OJ, coffee, pancakes, toast, eggs, bacon, potatoes, a sticky bun, and a cheese danish. Huge fields of com, soy beans, and wheat. We either walked through them, or a corridor of woods between them. Very flat for 11 miles. It was only about 50' of elevation change. Then an 800' climb at the end. And right near the top was a viewpoint of everything we had hiked today.   I stopped off at the Scott Farm Trail Work Center, and talked to 'Mitch' '08, who works there. They use the center for all trail work, and store all their tools there.   Frostie, a young thru-hiker, brought his Mom out to hike a few days. I met Frostie at the shelter before Pine Grove Furnace St Park.
Date: 2011-06-21
From: Darlington shelter

To: The Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, Pa.
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today marks the summer soltice. We left camp at 6:20, trying to get into Duncannon early. We did the 11 plus miles in a little over 4 hours, and that was with a six mile stretch of pure rocks. Got into Duncannon, and ate a late breakfast at Goodies across from the Doyle. Then we checked in at the famous Doyle Hotel. It was one of the original chain of hotels that Budweiser built in the early 1900's. Then I picked up my maildrop, and did laundry. Bad experience again with the post office (and I am a retired Postmaster). I won't go into it because the post office has good and bad points as far as maildrops go.   Around 3:00, we finally got to relax. Ate dinner there, with several thru-hikers. Adam came back to hike with us a few days. Played some pool...and then it happened...hiker midnight hit. It does not discriminate whether you're in town or on the trail. 9:00, and it's bedtime.
Date: 2011-06-22
From: The Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, Pa.

To: Peters Mtn shelted
Miles today: 11.3

Got up and started packing, but then went and had breakfast at Goodies again. Then went back and finished packing. I actually went through everything I had to purge more weight. Doc left after breakfast, and Do What and I left around 10:30. We hiked along the trail on High St. and right on the edge of town a constable passes. I wave as I always di in the south, and he u-turns, parks, and watches us until we're out of sight . Hey! I have a beard, but it's not 1960 something, and I'm not a hippie.   We went up a 900' hill after crossing the Juanita and Susquehanna Rivers. Then through a neat boulder jumble. Saw a rattlesnake in the jumble, right on the trail. The rest of the hike was along the ridgetop.   The water at the shelter tonight is down 308 steps. Straight down the hill. But you gotta have water.   A young thru-hiker I met earlier, Frostie, brought his mom out for a few days. Nice to see someone interested in what their kid is doing.
Date: 2011-06-23
From: Peters Mtn shelted

To: Rausch Gap shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Got up at daylight, and cooked breakfast of oatmeal and hot chocolate. On the trail at 6:20. I saw a huge buck in velvet. The antlers were already outside his ears, which is quite large. Pretty good trail today. A few rocks, but not bad, because it was level. Had one up and down of 1200 feet.   I saw a fatter snake and a rat snake. Walked through abandoned coal mine operations. Roads, piles of coal, etc.Doc decided to hike further than 18 miles. He has decided he wants to finish by his birthday, on Sept. 7th. Do What doesn't want to push big miles, and I'm not going to. As you can tell, when I do big miles, I don't write much. That's because it takes all my concentration and energy.    I stopped at the trail to the shelter, and talked Do What into going and talking with his dad 'Doc'. I decided to stick with what works.   Hiking with Denver '08, Daydreamer, and Adam. Denver came back over to experience the trail again. He's from Great Britain, and got his trail name when his pack got routed to Denver instead of Atlanta.
Date: 2011-06-24
From: Rausch Gap shelter

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I am so glad that I decided to stay in the Rausch Gap shelter last night. It rained long and hard last night. Got up, cooked breakfast, and was on the trail at 7:10. I powered through the first 4.7 miles. Around 4 miles in, I saw a cell tower in the distance, and called Kelly. While walking along talking, I saw a baby rabbit. Then a few hundred feet more, another one. Climbed 500 feet, and descended to find a sign for trail magic. I noticed the sign wasn't splattered with mud from last nights rain, so I knew it was fresh. Got to the parking lot, and there it was. JZ ('76)does this 2 or 3 times a week during thru-hiker season. I was the first one there, and had two cheeseburgers, two hashbrowns, two root beers, and a piece of blueberry pound cake.    Then I hiked up a 900' climb. That was the last of the two climbs for the day. The rest was a ridge walk. I stopped at the William Penn shelter for a long 1 hour break. I left there at 3:00 for the final 4.1 miles.   When I got to the shelter, I had a cold 'solar shower'. Then I ordered a pizza and a two-liter pepsi, and shared what I couldn't eat. This shelter is fully enclosed. Very nice, with a caretaker.I went under a thousand miles to go today!
Date: 2011-06-25
From: 501 shelter

To: Eagles Nest shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Woke with a pretty bad sinus infection, that I have been battling for a week. So I am feeling rough.   Saw some neat frogs today. One looked like a bullfrog and had a lighter leopard pattern. Lots of rocks today, but nothing like what's coming, I hear. Trail profile was relatively flat, but the rocks slow your progress just like hills do. So another long day with temperatures in the 80's.
Date: 2011-06-26
From: Eagles Nest shelter

To: Port Clinton Hotel
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: broken clouds

An easy hike except the downhill into Port Clinton. That was very steep! I got to the Schuylkill River, and after crossing it and the Little Schuylkill River, went to the Union House B & B. There was no answer, so I went down the street to the Port Clinton Hotel. I got a room, shower, laundry, and then lunch. After a short nap, the Cabela's shuttle came at five. I didn't buy anything, but had supper at their Campfire Grill. But I looked at all the displays. The stuffed animals and aquarium were huge displays. They had an African display, and a huge American (mostly local) animals. Very nice to see. Said goodbye to Denver. He said we may see him later up the trail.
Date: 2011-06-27
From: Port Clinton Hotel

To: Dan's Spring campsite
Miles today: 18.5

I ate at 3C's Restaurant this morning, and then began the trail at 9:15. Lots of climbing and rocks to start and finish the day. Three very good view points. The Pulpit, the Pinnacle, and Dan's Pulpit.   I am on day three of antibiotics for the sinus infection. Between that, the rocks, the heat, and the long days, I don¢t have much to tell. Just trying to hike through this crud.   And I fell today. Just not paying attention to the rocks on the trail, and in a split second, I was on the ground. I fell on some rocks and will have a nasty bruise on my forearm. I did remember to keep my head up as I fell, so I didn't hit it thankfully. Any fall could end this adventure.
Date: 2011-06-28
From: Dan's Spring campsite

To: George W Outerbridge shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Yes, 20.6 miles while feeling poorly. But Denver ('08), had told me to do the climb out of Lehigh Gap in the early morning. So I was staging to get there.   All I can say is the PA rocks kicked my butt today. Welcome to 'Rocksylvania'. All sizes of rocks. From huge house-size boulders to pebbles. And all shapes too. That included the 'Knifes Edge', which was a narrridge crest with boulders turned all different ways imaginable. Then the other landmark was Bears Rock, which was an optional blue-blazed trail. Then the same boulders at Bake Oven Knob, just heaped up in a big pile-like mountain.   This was the 2nd day in a row that I had to go a 1/2 mile one way after water. Saw a deer again today. Acres and acres of blueberries! I ate and ate, which made a longer day.
Date: 2011-06-29
From: George W Outerbridge shelter

To: Leroy A Smith shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I made the decent off South Mtn. into Lehigh Gap very early so I could make the climb back up while it was still cool. Denver ('08) had told me that it is treeless for several miles. And it started up the sheer cliff. I had to throw my poles up ahead of me a few times. And then climb with my hands and feet. After the harrowing cliff, I took the AT bypass trail that goes around the Palmerton Superfund site. That's the government cleanup project of a zinc smelting plant, which killed all the trees downwind of the plant. Actually, the toxic fumes killed all the plants. The word 'smelting' just sounds bad. The top of the mountain been reseeded with grass, and a few scrub trees have began growing back in places.   Got to Little Gap and walked 3/4 mile downhill to the Blue Mountain Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor. I had breakfast of coffee, OJ, pancakes, and an omelette sandwich. Then a vanilla, chocolate, and caramel sundae, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Yum!   Later, back on the trail, I came within 4 feet of stepping on a rattlesnake laying in the trail. I put on the brakes, and gently nudged it off the trail with my hiking pole. It wasn't aggressive. Later, Daydreamer says,'I saw the snake, and was scared, so I went way around it in the woods.' I said, 'you should always move them off the trail with your hiking poles.' Wow, I got a look for that statement, like uh uhh! Not me! Saw a small buck. Then a pitiful looking spaniel dog was walking up the trail. I felt really bad for it.   My feet are in bad shape. Especially the toes. My boots got wet this morning in those miles of grass. So my feet were wet all day and I didn't realize it. Bad mistake that I didn't catch. Will take a few days to mend if I care for them.   And to top that...gnats flew in every orifice today except one (that one was covered) today. One even got stuck in my throat, and I couldn't get it back up, so I had no recourse but to wash it down.
Date: 2011-06-30
From: Leroy A Smith shelter

To: Mt. Minsi campsite
Miles today: 17.7

Very rocky again today. Cool around 77 degrees,and breezy. It got to 54 last night. It should get that low again tonight. Nice for sleeping out! The breeze helped get rid of the gnats and mosquitoes. Not much scenery as I hiked through private land this afternoon. But there is a gorgeous view at camp tonight of the Delaware River, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.   My feet are still sore and torn on the bottom of my toes.
Date: 2011-07-01
From: Mt. Minsi campsite

To: Pocono Inn at Delaware Water Gap, Pa.
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: clear sky

Hiked down from Mt. Minsi to Delaware Water Gap. Then straight to the Water Gap Diner for breakfast, where I saw Radar and Peru. I met Peru way down in Georgia. After breakfast, I checked into the Pocono Inn. I showered and rested a bit before taking the Pack Shack shuttle in to Strousburg for laundry. Got a few items from the Shop Rite grocery and the outfitters. I still can't find the right insoles. No Superfeet, or any other similar hiking insole. They only had smaller sizes left. Then take the shuttle back to Delaware Water Gap, and go to the Post Office and retrieved my maildrop. Also received a package of Shaklee Cinch Energy Tea from my Aunt Margaret. These tea mixes are awesome. I usually have one around noon or early afternoon.   Ate a late lunch at Doughboys Pizza. And then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in my room catching up on journals. New Jersey tomorrow!!!!
Date: 2011-07-02
From: Pocono Inn at Delaware Water Gap, Pa.

To: Catfish Firetower
Miles today: 12.7

I got up around 7:15, and packed up my maildrop and took a shower. I don¢t know why cause as soon as I'm walking I'll be sweating again. Stopped by the Water Gap Diner again for another breakfast meal. I got the same thing as I did yesterday. Then stopped off at the outfitters to get two more soft 1 liter Platypus bottles. My old ones I started with, have something growing in them. Then I mailed home about a pound of stuff from the Post Office.   I hit the trail around 9:15, and it was pretty smooth until right before Sunfish Pond National Recreation Area. It is the southern-most glacier created pond on the continent. It was created during the last ice age.   I was gonna stop and camp at the Mohican Outdoor Center, but the guy said they were full. Even the A T guide said we could. But I got a coke, two ice cream sandwiches, and a gatorade, while talking with Peregrine. After a short time there, I filled a water bottle and hiked on.   I climbed the firetower after dinner and watched the sunset. Beautiful!!!! Now there are 3 young couples up there from the local area, yapping and watching fireworks all around the area. I saw a few, and can hear them. They either sound like canon fire or thunder!   New Jersey has the most black bear per square mile of any state, so should be an interesting night.   Also saw a small Copperhead on the trail today.
Date: 2011-07-03
From: Catfish Firetower

To: Cobmin Ridge Motel in Branchville, NJ
Miles today: 15.7

I woke at 2:00 a.m. to big drops of rain hitting my tent. I quickly got up to pee before the rain got harder. Well, it was pouring before I got back into the tent. And it rained all the rest of the night. It stopped for about 30 minutes around 6:30, so I went back to sleep until 9:00. That was some great sleep with the rain coming down on the taut, tent fly.   I packed up and left at 9:37. Around 10:30, it started raining again, and didn't stop until 5:30. This was no light rain, with lightning in the first half and just steady rain throughout.I saw a baby rabbit, a huge bullfrog, a bear, and a turkey hen which was trying to draw me away from her poults. The bear was a large male, the largest bear I've seen so far. It just ambled and waddled down the trail in front of me. I was able to walk up on it because of the rain. I clacked my poles together, and then barked like a dog. Still, the bear just kept slowly walking down the trail. I followed it for another 100 yards, then yelled "hey bear, hey bear". It finally disappeared into the thick underbrush.   I am drenched, and everything I have is soaked. If you are reading this, and plan on hiking the AT one day, you WILL have days like this. You have to walk in the rain, because there are too many rainy days to sit out. And your rain gear will fail after so many hours!    We hitched into Branchville with a younger guy named Frank after trying for 30-40 minutes. Thanks Frank! Ate at the Mexican restaurant next door to the motel. And have all my gear spread throughout room trying to dry it out. My feet look like prunes!
Date: 2011-07-04
From: Cobmin Ridge Motel in Branchville, NJ

To: High Point shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept in until 7:15. Went across the street to 'the Yellow Cottage Bakery & Deli' and had breakfast. Then went back to the room and packed up. My gear and feet were surprisingly dry. I had gear hanging all over the room last night.   Got a ride back to the trail with the motel owners son. I started hiking at 9:30, and hiked hard until the Maahipacong shelter and had lunch at 1:30. Then pushed hard again to get to High Point State Park concession area. Aaahh! Made it by 5:45 and got a root beer, gatorade, and ice cream.   The shelter tonight is surrounded on three sides by streams. Happy 235th birthday America!