morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-27
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Camp Rd.; Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: moderate rain

Ah, a roof over my head while it's pouring rain outside, a belly full of Lipton dinner and TVP, and good trail friends to chat with. I wasn't so sure this afternoon that things would turn out this nicely.I tried to focus on doing my morning chores and packing everything up so I wouldn't be too sad saying goodbye to Homebody. We stopped by the convenience store after checking out of the Ramada. AS I stood at the register a male voice called "Rainbow?" It was Stickman whom I hadn't seen since before Pearisburg. It ws great to see him again. He explained that Kristen is off the trail. We offered him a ride to the hostel where I was meeting Gabby and Pokey. Stickman was hoping to find T-Bott who was still at the hostel. After saying goodbye to Homebody, I headed out with Gabby and Poky. There was a pedestrian walkway on the I-80 bridge over the Delaware River that felt somewhat treacherous with cars and trucks speeding past so nearby. Then we finally began the ascent up the Kittatany ridge as it began to rain. The rest of the hike was a not-so-fun combination of solid rain on the remainder of hard-edged Pennsylvania rocks, even though we're officially in New Jersey. I heard from a southbound hiker that the AMC's Mohican Outdoor Center was full so I dejectedly walked the last half mile or so to at least find Pokey and Gabby. But Fancy Free and Sweetleaf were in a small cabin and I've been able to join them. The rest of the crowd were able to get into a nearby cabin that wasn't full of "regular" guests. So we're all warm and dry tonight as the rain continues to pour.
Date: 2004-07-28
From: Camp Rd.; Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Brink Rd. Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

Today was a definite improvement over yesterday. It didn't rain all day, making the hiking much more pleasant. I set off with Fancy Free and Sweetleaf, but they soon moved ahead. The morning was foggy/cloudy as we climbed the ridgeline then turned increasingly warm and humid as we treked along the ridgeline. I stopped for lunch at a pile of rocks. Gabby, Katie, Amanda, Impulse and Pokey caught up and we all had an enjoyable lunch as we tried to dry out wet shoes and socks from yesterday. Then continuing on for the afternoon, arriving at the shelter at 6:00 with Katie and just after Amanda. Pippin and Cowgirl are tenting nearby. Four section hikers just arrived, too. It's starting to rain. Gabby's putting his tarp up over the picnic table to make room for two boy scouts and their leaders. I'm glad again to have a roof over my head tonight. I feel a shift in how I see the distance of this hike. The half-way point at Pine Grove Furnace felt as though the second half was still an interminable distance. But I've now passed my own half-way point at mile 1222, and more significantly it's less than 1000 miles left to go to Katahdin. Actually, it's 800 something left. And we'll be passing through four states in the next couple of weeks. So all of a sudden the hike feels quite finite and therefore do-able. And I'm encountering more and more signs that we're gradually moving northward: ponds and lakes that were absent further south; white birches; more and more blueberries and pines. I really am walking home!
Date: 2004-07-29
From: Brink Rd. Shelter

To: High Point Observation deck
Miles today: 19.1

Today's a great example of experiencing both the joys and challenges of the trail simultaneously. The challenges were the "usual:" heat, humidity, and rocks, rocks, rocks. But wonderfully offset by the joys. Gabby's friend Linda and her daughter Meredith offered to slack us. We hiked 3 miles from the shelter to US 206 where we met them. They had an incredible breakfast spread for us that they served from the tailgate of their car: bagels, muffins, brownies, cookies, iced tea, and soda. We ate our fill and filled ziplocs with snacks. Then we headed off for a 14 mile hike to High Point State Park Headquarters on Rte. 23 with enjoyable stops at a firetower and a picnic shelter on Sunrise Mountain. I was the last to hike in to Rte. 23 at 6:30 and was so grateful to be met by Linda and Meredith with our packs and another spread of fried chicken, veggies, rolls, ice cream and brownies and cookies. It feels so good to be full after a long hike. We headed off at 7:45, arriving at the High Point observation deck at dusk as the full moon was rising. We decided to stealth camp here, so here we are under Gabby's tarp enjoying the full moon and lights in the valleys to the east and west. A great end to the day!
Date: 2004-07-30
From: High Point Observation deck

To: Pochuck Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 12.9

The heat is really getting to me, but it's getting to everyone else I encounter as well. The six of us woke up in time to watch the sun rise above the eastern haze just before 6:00. It was a great place to spend the night, but I had a hard time sleeping because my feet hurt from the day's hike. The trail was rocky going downhill to the shelter where we stopped for water and met Fancy Free, T-Bott and Sweetleaf. I continued on, hiking briefly with Fancy Free and then T-Bott. I felt tired from yesterday's hike and the increasing heat drained my energy. I hiked the 0.4 mi. into Unionville to get my maildrop, then got groceries and lunch at the grocery store that had a picnic table out back where I could eat and organize my maildrop and food. I ate a turkey and cheese sandwich and a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Yum! Then back on the trail and return to the blazing heat. With a full pack I was going slow, arriving at the shelter after 4:30 with Katie. Amanda arrived a bit later. We decided to stay even though Gabby and Pokey had left an hour before to go to the hostel in Vernon. We thought the three of us would have "girl's night" at the shelter, but we've been joined by four male thru-hikers and two section hikers, all fed up with the heat as well. And then Crazy Legs and Tall Tales arrived, back on the trail after a week and a half of wedding planning. They were carrying Pokey's Tevas that he lost several days ago! Another trail miracle. I hear distant thunder. Maybe rain can wash the heat away.
Date: 2004-07-31
From: Pochuck Mtn. Shelter

To: NJ 94; Vernon
Miles today: 6.5

Amanda (who is now calling herself Gorbachev because of the birth-mark-like marks on her leg from poison ivy) and Katie (who sometimes calls herself Pebbles because she sometimes pulls her hair up in a pony tail on top of her head) and I got up just after 5:00 am to beat the heat. We were on the trail by 6:15, hiking up and over Pochuck Mtn, then down into the valley where we enjoyed walking across a large wetlands area with a long boardwalk trail through it that was quite enjoyable and a pleasant change. When we got to Rte. 94 we stopped at a nearby garden store and yogi'd a ride in a pickup truck into town. I'm now at St. Peter's Episcopal Church that generously has a hostel in the basement. Pokey, Gabby, Sweetleaf, T-Bott, and Fancy Free are here. I feel human again, having showered. It's amazing how restorative town amenities can be.
Date: 2004-08-01
From: NJ 94; Vernon

To: campsite, about mile 75.0
Miles today: 11.9

The day started off well enough. It was raining at 5:30 when I woke up, but it had stopped an hour later. I walked to the nearby Dunkin' Donuts and bought donuts and coffee for all the hikers. Gabby, Pokey, Sweetleaf and I got a ride to the trail from a church member after the 8:00 service. We stopped at the lookout near the top of the mountain for a bit. I headed on to the shelter where I had lunch with the rest of the bunch arriving later.In the book Dune the young Prince Atreides recites the Litany against fear that begins "Fear is the mind killer." Although my body is mostly healed after the accident, I go so easily to a place of intense fear when faced with potentially dangerous rocks. The trail became increasingly rocky, with climbs up steep rock faces, past a turkey vulture with white feet standing nonchalantly nearby, up a small wooden ladder to the top of the ridge. Amanda, Impulse, and I briefly celebrated as we crossed the painted line on the rocks indicating the border between NJ and New York states. The granite here has been rounded by the glaciers. At the top of Prospect Rocks we were surprised to see the skyscrapers of NYC away on the horizon. But the excitement dimmed after that. We got to a section of trail that was a large granite outcropping sloping at about a 45 degree angle with a steep drop down and no alternative ways to go. Impulse just sort of danced across, but I became filled with intense fear, reliving the accident last fall. I began to cry and panic. Impulse was very patient with me, but it took me probably 15 minutes to calm down and then follow his suggestion to put my feet along a crack and my bottom against the rock and slide sideways. I made it, but cried a lot afterwards, partly because Amanda had dropped her pack down as I had last fall. We continued on, stopping for a snack, then crossing more granite that was precarious. As the trail came down from the ridgeline Amanda and Impulse moved ahead. I stopped at a small spring for water, then walked another 10 to 15 min. to find them and several other hikers getting water from a tanin-filled stream next to a mossy, flat campsite. It was almost 6:30 and we estimated there were 5 miles left to the next shelter. I knew I couldn't make it by dark, especially if the trail continued to be rocky, so I decided to stay as did Amanda. The others went on. I set up my tent and Amanda set up her hammock. We cooked supper, hung our food bags and treated ourselves to the comfort of a campfire. It felt great to go to sleep in a bug-free tent. Gabby, Pokey and Katie never showed up. We were a bit worried, but knew there was little we could do tonight. I just want to hike, to put one foot in front of the other, NOT to scramble over rocks that re-traumatize me again and again.
Date: 2004-08-02
From: campsite, about mile 75.0

To: near Mombasha High Point
Miles today: 9.2

After breakfast I offered to take Amanda's folding bucket back to the spring for water, also hoping I might find Gabby, Pokey and Katie, which is exactly what I did. They had camped near the spring only 10 min. from us, arriving there after 8:00 pm. They had hiked slowly after Gabby fell on the rocks and hurt his knee and sprained his ankle. But he was ready to hike. We returned to the campsite where Amanda and I packed up then we all headed out. There was one climbing section, but otherwise "normal" trail to Rte. 17A. Gabby and I hiked slowly then waited for the others to catch up--they'd been talking to a SOBO who had described the next section of trail as very rocky. I felt scared again, not knowing what to do. I told them I'm here to enjoy hiking, not to climb on rocks and be terrified. I wish I could get accurate information as to where the steep rocky sections are located so I can make better decisions. I debated yellow blazing around the next section, but the logistics seemed hard. So, when in doubt, eat. There was a hot dog truck nearby so we got lunch there then walked a bit further down the road to an ice cream place. Mint chip ice cream with hot fudge sauce--yumm! I decided to stay on the trail. We hiked to the next shelter and stopped to get out of the afternoon heat. Gabby did his usual break routine of shaking the sweat out of hsi shirt and hiking kilt, leaving him in his underwear. Pokey announced that he saw a woman approaching in case Gabby thought he should get dressed, so was quite surprised when the woman walked up and hugged sweaty Gabby! It was Gabby's friend Mrs. Gorp who had just got on the trial at Rte 17A to hike a section. She had brought mocha brownies that we all practically inhaled. We cooked and ate our suppers hoping to wait out the afternoon heat then hike a couple more miles. We left about 5:30 and hiked till 7:00 up to the ridge towards Mombasha High Point. We found a large flat rock where we decided to camp. Mrs. Gorp tented at the base of the rock, Pokey and Amanda hammocked and Katie, Gabby and I slept on the rock. I loved seeing the moon and stars above me when I woke up during the night.
Date: 2004-08-03
From: near Mombasha High Point

To: Arden Valley Rd.
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: few clouds

Another hazy, hot and humid day. Gabby, Mrs. Gorp and I headed out at 7:00 with the others catching up to us later in the morning. There were a number of steep, rocky ups and downs. We were so grateful for local trail angels who left bottled water near the road crossings. And then we arrived at Island Pond and joined other hikers for a leisurely afternoon swim in the pond. It felt so good to cool off and feel the sweat wash away. We left late in the afternoon, encounting the Lemon Squeezer, a very long narrow cleft between the rocks through which the trail, and therefore the hikers, passes. We all helped each other get through. Most of us had to take off our packs and hand them up to someone then crawl through and up. Then another steep climb up to the "highlands" of Harriman State Park. it was very beautiful, with tall straight deciduous trees and long waving grass between the large rocks. We headed to Lake Tiorati, hoping to swim and/or shower, but it had already closed for the day. But we were blessed to encounter trail angel Paddy-O who had great drinks and snacks in his pickup truck. I cooked my supper at the picnic table and enjoyed Paddy-O's treats, especially Mango Tango drink. It was nearly dark when we piled into the back of his pickup truck for a ride back up the road to the AT. We found a flat place to stealth camp and quickly se up tents and hammocks and went to bed.
Date: 2004-08-04
From: Arden Valley Rd.

To: Fort Montgomery
Miles today: 13.1

I slept fairly well with my tent pitched over a bed of moss last night, much softer than a shelter floor. Gabby and I left at 7:00. Mrs. Gorp had left around 5:30. The hike started as a lovely stroll through the park-like terrain of rolling hills, trees, grass and large boulders. We stopped at the Brien shelter for a while, a beautiful old stone shelter near surrounding rocky terrain. Then the fun began--up and over three mountains in the heat: Black, West and Bear Mountains. It was hazy, hot and humid again, of course. The hiking could have been pleasant if it had been less humid and hot. It's been a long time since we've hiked up and over three mountains in a day, so it was a long 13 miles even though the terrain was beautiful. The views from the top of West and Bear Mountains were lovely, but we couldn't see NYC from Bear Mountain because the observation tower was closed. We could see barges on the Hudson River far below. Gabby's doing an amazing job of hiking on his sprained ankle, but it's definitely slowing him down quite a bit. So he and I reached the base of Bear Mtn. about 5:30. It was quite a contrast to walk into a park filled with families of various diverse backgrounds enjoying a warm summer day next to a pond. Gabby shocked a couple of families by telling them he'd hiked there from Georgia. Gabby had phoned his friend Regon earlier and she met us and drove us to the Holiday Inn Express. Ah, shower and clean laundry! We went out a Mexican restaurant for supper, Yum! How are five of us going to sleep in two beds?
Date: 2004-08-05
From: Fort Montgomery

To: Fort Montgomery
Miles today: 0.0

We decided to take a zero today to let Gabby's sprained ankle heal better before we continue on. The weather cooled some, which was nice. I headed out after breakfast to walk the mile or so back to Bear Mountain to get my mail drop, but was fortunate that trail angel Gene picked me up and drove me the rest of the way and back to the Holiday Inn Express with my box of food. Thanks, Gene! I had all the food and supplies I need to get to Kent which is great because there's not much for resupply around here. I hung out with folks, sat in a lounge chair next to the pool and read for a while, then decided to walk back to the Trailside Zoo for the afternoon. As the Companion hinted, I was indeed moved by Walt Whitman's words that were next to his statue. I had mixed feelings seeing many of the animals I've seen on the trail behind bars. The zoo makes a point of saying that all the animals there were either injured or orphaned and therefore raised in captivity and prides itself on the longevity of the animals. I hope it helps people who would not get out on the trail to understand and appreciate the natural world better and therefore support sustaining wildness. Pokey left in the early afternoon to spend the night at the Friary where we'll stop by tomorrow. That left Gabby, Katie, Amanda and I to share the cost of the room together. They all love watching TV so spent the day and evening watching it nonstop. We did go out to supper to a nearby steakhouse where my "Bowtie Michaelangelo" was fantastic if a bit pricey (but within easy walking distance for Gabby). Overall it's been a good zero. Tomorrow it will be on to Kent and New England!
Date: 2004-08-06
From: Fort Montgomery

To: Old West Pt. Rd.; Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 6.4

Trail angel Gene picked us up at the hotel at 9:00 and drove us back to Bear Mountain where we strolled around till 10:00 when the Trailside zoo and museum opened. The AT goes through the zoo so we followed the white blazes past the caged bears, otter, porcupines, foxes, and coyotes. We spent an hour there, then followed the blazes out the back side of the zoo and across the Hudson River on the suspension bridge, then back to the woods again and up the hill. We walked slowly since Gabby is still favoring his sprained ankle. We stopped for a late lunch at a small overlook then continued on slowly. So we arrived at the Graymoor Friary about 3:30. We decided to stay for the supper the brothers at the Friary prepare for the hikers, then decide if we could hike a few more miles till dark. We were greeted by Brother Leo and met him just before 5:30 up the hill at the Friary. (The hikers can tent on the ball field down the hill.) We were joined by four other NOBO hikers as well as four SOBO's who were at the ballfiel picnic shelter with us. Supper was served in a large dining hall that could hold a couple hundred people. After supper Brother Leo gave us a tour of the Friary, including a chapel that has a 250-year-old Italian marble altar. From the nearby hilltop he pointed out that we could see the top of the Empire State building in the distance. When we returned to the ballfield, Gabby said he wanted to rest his ankle and stay here for the night. So here we are: Gabby, Amanda, Katie and I with four other hikers. It's actually quite cool, a blessed relief from the heat of recent weeks.
Date: 2004-08-07
From: Old West Pt. Rd.; Graymoor Friary

To: NY 301; Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 11.8

Cool temperatures and lovely surroundings make for a good hiking day. Gabby and I left the Friary just after 7:00, not sure how far we'd be able to go, given his sprained ankle. But he's a good sport, always trying to be positive and never complaining, just steadfastly marching along. He was disappointed when we stopped for a break after two hours and realized we'd only hiked a little over three miles, quite a bit slower than the usual two miles per hour that we usually manage. But we kept on, walking up and over small hills strewn with boulders left by the glaciers amid tall deciduous trees. We arrived at the Dennytown Rd. about 12:30, having covered 8 miles in 5.5 hours. But there we had the good fortune to encounter Auggie, a day hiker out with his two dogs, who gave Gabby ice to put on his swollen ankle, a beer for Gabby and Amanda and juice for me. And then he graciously offered to drive Gabby's pack to Fahnestock State Park campground so he wouldn't have to carry his pack for the next 4 miles. (I gave him my pack, too.) Gabby was able to hike at a much more normal pace. At 301 we had to walk down the road about a mile to the campground. Our packs, along with a bag of trail mix, were waiting at the campground office. Thanks, Auggie! Amanda arrived and we walked down to the lake, but the concession stand was just closing. We managed to buy some ice cream bars anyway. After Katie arrived we set up tents and hammocks in the thru-hiker area and fixed supper just before a brief rainstorm. I just never know where my tent is going to get pitched next.
Date: 2004-08-08
From: NY 301; Fahnestock State Park

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

In addition to the trail miles hikers walk, we also walk a lot of other miles--to get to the trail, to get to and from shelters, and around town doing chores. It would be interesting to know how many of those miles I've walked. Today Gabby and I left the campground at 8:00, but it took half an hour to walk the mile back to the AT. We stopped at an overlook at 10:30 with a view of the lake. I doubted at that point that we'd make our goal of 16 miles since we didn't leave there till 11:30. But the hiking was fairly easy today, with some not too big ups and downs and an occasional rock pile, but nothing too strenuous. Katie and Amanda moved ahead to the RPH shelter for a late lunch. We arrived about 2:00. I cooked fried rice for lunch. We left at 3:00, hiked 5 miles by 6:00. We stopped for a snack and short break and decided to "hoof it" the last 4 miles to the shelter. We were rewarded with a beautiful sunset at the top of a rocky climb, then only another five minutes' walk to the shelter as dusk was falling. Hooray! I've eaten some snacks and am happily settled in at the shelter. We're a mixture of NOBO's and SOBO's, sharing information about the trail ahead in either direction. I'm impressed that Gabby was able to hike 16 miles with the sprained ankle, but it seems to be healing gradually.
Date: 2004-08-09
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Gabby and I left just after 7:00 hoping to avoid the heat (mid 80's predicted today). We stopped for a break at Nuclear Lake. I left after half an hour heading for the next shelter for lunch. Gabby was contemplating a swim. The hike was uneventful. At the shelter I cooked Annie's pasta for lunch. Gabby and Amanda arrived and joined me and SOBO Sweetleaf. WE took a bit of a siesta to avoid the heat, heading back on the trail after 2:00. Gabby and I stopped for a break at the AT train stop, then walked towards the road and saw a hot dog stand so of course we had to stop there, too. We then hiked through hot fields to get to the next ridgeline, but managed to hike the last six miles in 2.5 hours. I was glad to find Katie and Amanda at the shelter. They were about to leave to go 3 miles to the next campsite. But I burst into tears when I saw them. I told them I've been feeling increasingly empty this last week, ever since I felt so scared on the rocks. It's as if any will to hike has leaked out over the last week and there's nothing left. I just feel empty. I don't want to hike any more. When I describe my fears to people they say that the rocks are going to be much worse in the Whites and Maine. So what do I have to look forward to? Just being terrified. My body has healed (mostly) from the accident, but my psyche and soul have a long way to go. I'm getting incrasingly afraid, not less. I imagine sitting on the deck at home, feeling safe and clean and that's what I long for. I miss home and family. I don't know what will happen next.