morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Gravel Springs Gap

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

Late start today. Clayton got me back to Gravel Springs Gap around 1PM. Weather was pretty beautiful all day. Much cooler than the day before, perfect for hiking. Trail was pleasant. Ups and downs all day, nothing particularly exciting. Did meet up with Spam who got a late start as well waiting out the morning rain. We hiked the rest of the day to the shelter together. Real nice shelter with a cool porch and cooking pavilion. Two SOBO section hikers in with us tonight, Eric and Jim. Short day tomorrow too. I think Spam and I have similar schedules and will be hiking to Harpers together.
Date: 2011-05-05
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Another beautiful day today. Trail was real pleasant and weather couldn't have been better. Nothing spectacular today but the forest was gorgeous. Tree canopies are finally out and everything is lush green. Hiked with Spam The whole day. Took breaks at both shelters and I took a decent nap at Dicks Dome shelter. At the shelter with a few SOBO section hikers tonight. The 'Roller Coaster' tomorrow, I guess 10 ups and downs over 13 miles or something. Apparently it isn't as bad as it is hyped up to be. Looking forward to seeing some friends in Harpers Ferry soon.
Date: 2011-05-06
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well the roller coaster wasn't that bad. The ups and downs were more annoying than anything because they were ridiculously rocky. I just walked straight through it to Bears Den Hostel where I ate lunch and read a bit of my book, then continued on. I hiked off and on with Spam during the day. We came into the shelter together and got a bit of rain. I think we were just on the edge of a huge thunderstorm. Some more rain moved in once we were settles in the shelter. Makes the shelter seem even more cozy with the rain on the roof and the warm breeze from the storm. Two big milestones on trail today though! Out of VA and into WV (finally!) and the 1000 nile mark! Into Harpers early tomorrow, think I'm doing two neros Sat and Sun..
Date: 2011-05-07
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

Cruised into Harpers Ferry this morning. Easy 8.6 miles in. Walked in with Spam and we stopped by the ATC git our pictures taken and signed the book. We went to Teahouse Hostel, a brand new hostel opened by a woman named Laurel. It's a super clean and super nice hostel, it'll no doubt be in the Companion for years to come. Tons of good company at the hostel too: Spam, Face, Sensei, Katmandu, Stillwater and Niners. The Bears are in town too. Plan to head out tomorrow evening and do the 'Maryland challenge' hiking through the night. It'll be like 40 some miles in one go, may be regretting it halfway through but it will be a cool challenge!
Date: 2011-05-08
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

Slight change of plans today! Did my resupply and what not this morning and ended up sticking around longer than expected. Left with Spam, Face and Sensei and just did the miles to the first shelter in MD with plans to push to PA tomorrow. First or second shelter will still be a solid 39+ miles so in bed early tonight. We'll see if the others feel like pushing to PA or not but I'm pretty set on the challenge now. We're calling it the 'Poor Mans MD Challenge' =P
Date: 2011-05-09
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Raven Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 29.7
Weather: broken clouds

Well once again I decided to shorten the mileage. This time because...well I didn't feel like walking 40 miles! Haha. Felt real sluggish for the better part of the morning but after an accidental 2 hour lunch break with a nap on top of a picnic table in the sun I felt way better! Ran into a section hiker named Kermitt (I think it's two 't's) who is finishing up a piece of her 09 thru she missed. It was cool because when I told her my trail name she said she had been following my trailjournal and asked how hiking with my brother in Shenandoah was =) Got to the shelter around 830 and cooked dinner, I was considering pushing to PA because I still feel real good but decided it wasn't worth it.  Also I want to get a pic of the official halfway point in the day. Not sure if Spam, Sensei and Face are coming here tonight or not. Its about 920 now but them may night hike in. It was their plan to make it here so we'll see. Last note is the Raven Rock Shelter is amazing! Built in 2010, bear cables, two decks of bunks and really clean. PA tomorrow! Looking forward to another state down but not the infamous 'PA rocks'.
Date: 2011-05-10
From: Raven Rocks Shelter

To: Rocky Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

The weather has been unbelievable pretty much this entire trip bit especially the past few days. Another beautiful day today and passed into PA! Overall the day was good. Trail wasn't too tough although I was quite tired by the end of the day, I think it was a combination of being tired from yesterday still and a bit dehydrated today. I was looking forward to passing through Pen Mar county park because they supposedly had bathrooms and a concession stand but found both of them closed when I got there which was a bummer. Took another long lunch and a nap today at Antietam Shelter. Also soaked my feet and took a little bath in the stream out front which felt great in the middle of the afternoon. No other thrus today, Face, Spam and Sensei must be just a bit behind while Corsican, The Bears and Dart must be just ahead. Think I'll try to catch the guys ahead over the next few days, hopefully by Duncannon, PA. I saw that there was a grocery and a pizza place 0.7 and 0.3 miles off the trail early tomorrow and think I'll make a stop for some pizza and a small resupply! =)
Date: 2011-05-11
From: Rocky Mtn Shelter

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: clear sky

Another perfect day weather-wise and the trail was excellent as well! Small ups and downs and not too rocky. Lots of pine forest and sandy trails. Went into Fayetteville today, or at least the outskirts for a small resupply and to get some pizza at a little Italian place. Yum! It was only 0.9 down the road but a guy driving by offered to give me a ride and I wasn't even trying to hitch, nice surprise. Closing in on The Bears and Dart who are apparently taking a zero (today I think?) according to the register. No idea where Corsican is. Haven't seen him in the logs for a while. It's possible he went into DC near Harpers and in that case is likely behind me somewhere.
Date: 2011-05-12
From: Toms Run Shelter

To: Boiling Springs PA
Miles today: 22.9

Today felt a lot longer than it really was for some reason. Planned to get up early...and did but then fell back asleep after eating breakfast haha. So started around 930. Nothing too spectacular today. Mainly flat and pretty rocky. Did get to stop in Iron Furnace State Park and grab a Coke out of a machine there which was nice. One section was pretty cool, super rocky. Lots of scrambling and climbing. Slow going but it was fun. Got into Boiling Springs around 7 and ran into The Bears and Dart. They told me about a lady who let people camp in her yard so we all headed there. I picked up some snacks on the way. Currently getting destroyed by mosquitos so have to end this quick. Blah! EDIT: Also completely forgot to mention I passed the official halfway point today!!! =) More trail behind me than ahead of me now!
Date: 2011-05-13
From: Boiling Springs PA

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up super early today to try to get into Duncannon early-ish. The first like 15 miles were basically all farmland which was flat and easy so I knocked those miles out before lunch. Got up onto a ridge eventually and it got real rocky for quite a while. Met two section hikers, Thing One and Thing Two who are super hippy but real nice. Descending from the ridge came to a cool overlook at Hawk Rock. From there it got even rockier on the steep descent to Duncannon. Duncannon is a little sketchy but not too bad, real old. Checked in at the Doyle Hotel which is one of the most unique places I've stayed so far. The hotel is 100 years old and it definitely shows but I really like it. The owners are super nice and make you feel like family. Got my resupply, shower, etc. Short day tomorrow...looking forward to it after the long day today. Also Thing One and Thing Two are at the hotel as well as a few other section hikers.
Date: 2011-05-14
From: Duncannon PA

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Real short day today. Woke up early and did a quick run to the post office to mail out something for a friend. Then went to breakfast at Goodies across the street. Breakfast was good and the pancakes were insanely big. Not even my thru-hiker hunger could handle them! Then went back to the hotel and took a short nap before checkout. Just as I was leaving The Bears and Dart came in so I ended up doing lunch with them at The Doyle. I just had a few beers cause I was still full from breakfast. Did the short miles with them to the first shelter and will probably hike with them for a while as we're doing similar distances. Weather is getting worse, chilly and drizzly right now and good chance of rain all week. Maybe we'll get lucky though!
Date: 2011-05-15
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well definitely didn't get lucky with the rain haha. Woke up to a steady but light rain. I slept in a bit hoping it would die off but it never did. So ended up taking down the tent in the rain, fun fun and heading out. Trail was amazingly boring today haha. Looked the same for pretty much 24 miles straight. Luckily was relatively flat and not too rocky except for a few places. The Bears and Dart got in earlier than me and when I rolled in I found them all tenting...shelter was full =\ Pretty much the one day I was hoping for some shelter space, oh well. Set up the tent in the rain and cooked in the vestibule. Dinner tasted super good tonight. Some cheesy broccoli pasta with hickory smoked tuna and extra cheese melted over top, oh and a bit of Tobasco. Yum! Shorter day tomorrow. Rain is slowing as I write this. Maybe it'll be better in the morning.
Date: 2011-05-16
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

Pretty short day today and nothing too interesting on the trail today. Still relatively flat through PA and some bad rocky sections and other nice smooth sections. Slept in a bit this morning hoping the rain would stop and eventually it did. Packed up a wet tent again though. One section of the trail did have these little inch worms that were dangling from silk threads right in the middle of the trail and EVERYWHERE. It was really annoying to constantly be pulling essentially invisible threads off of you and flicking little worms off. In a 5 mile stretch I must have walked through hundreds. I'm guessing it had something to do with the rain in the morning and sun in the afternoon. Anyway, in the 'shelter' with Dart and The Bears tonight. It's basically an enclosed cabin and right next to a caretaker's house. Really nice to dry some gear out. Endless rain in the forecast =\ Passed the 1000 mile mark to Katahdin today! Only 995.7 mi left haha
Date: 2011-05-17
From: 501 Shelter

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

Real short day today but not too pleasant. Rained hard a lot of the day and would let up a bit occasionally but not often. Trail was pretty rocky early on and when it wasn't rocky it was a flowing stream a lot of the time haha. Luckily the shelter is decent and dry. The Bears and Dart and I are on here now. Definitely the earliest I've been in camp this trip. Resupply tomorrow in Hamburg. Hopefully rain slows down some tomorrow!
Date: 2011-05-18
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: broken clouds

More wetness today. Blah! Woke up to rain and it was basically off and on all day. Horrible drainage on the PA section of trail so there are lots of places that are seriously flooded. And of course this means my shoes were soaked all day...actually shoes and socks still wet from yesterday. Hit some seriously rocky sections today. Some big boulder fields and other sections of sharp, jagged and small rocks. Of course made more difficult by the rain. Oh well. Eckville Shelter is basically in a caretaker's backyard so flush toilet and no need to treat water tonight is nice. The Bears and I also ordered some pizza from a place that delivers to here. Pizza tasted real good!
Date: 2011-05-19
From: Eckville Shelter

To: The Jailhouse, Palmerton PA
Miles today: 25.1

course it was wet and foggy the while day like it has been this week and the trail was rough. We finally hit some serious 'PA Rocks' today and they were slimy and slippery due to the rain. Quite dangerous! One section in particular called The Knife Edge was really sketchy. Big drop on one side and of course to make things worse there were 3 huge black snakes sunning themselves along that section! (probably a 5 minute spell of sun by the way). After that section a thunderstorm hit hard and it poured the rest of the day. Finally made it into Palmerton PA and came to this hostel called The Jailhouse which is real nice. Plenty of space to dry stuff out and a shower as well. Got dinner and resupplied. Delaware Water Gap in 2 days. In the hostel with The Bears and Dart, also.
Date: 2011-05-20
From: The Jailhouse, Palmerton PA

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Well the rain continued today for a lot of the day =\ But it decided to wait until we left Palmerton and got on the trail to really pick up, of course. The climb out of Palmerton was real cool but pretty tough. Super steep and really rocky. Basically scrambling most of the way up. All the vegetation was killed from pollution from a zinc plant back in the 70s so it's a real unique looking area. Most of the trail was small sharp rocks today with a few sections of big boulders. I'm really looking forward to some trail that is dry and not so rocky! The sun came out for a while and let us setup camp but it'll no doubt rain tonight. Delaware Water Gap tomorrow with The Bears and Dart. Dart's dad is coming into town to visit and I think take us to a nearby outfitter where I can hopefully pick up some new shoes.
Date: 2011-05-21
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap PA
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: light rain

Finally some sunshine today! Real good day overall, actually. Got on the trail early and it was lots of sharp rocks like usual. But about 3 miles in my Uncle Jim surprised me and was coming southbound down the trail! He had been following my journal and found me a few miles before Wind Gap.  So I hiked with him a good part of the day and he gave me and The Bears some homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies which were delicious. Zeroing tomorrow in Delaware Water Gap and he's going to try to come visit again (lives in Allentown PA). So that was definitely the highlight of the day. Once in town Dart's parents came and visited and took us out to eat, do laundry and resupply which was awesome too! In the hostel now and just had a second dinner at a delicious pizza place down the road. Looking forward to a real zero tomorrow. Haven't had one since Waynesboro VA. Then into NJ the next day!Also, just wanted to say thanks to all the people following my journal and also to the ones writing in my guest book! Helps keep me motivated to hike as well as keep the journal up to date and hopefully write interesting entries. Thanks guys! =)
Date: 2011-05-22
From: Delaware Water Gap PA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Relaxed today. My Uncle Jim and his girlfriend came into visit also and he took me out to eat for lunch which was awesome. Good to see him again. Also checked out the outfitter and picked up some fuel and a new Platypus bite valve. Ordered my new shoes and shipped them to a town in NY which I am going through in 4 days or so. NJ tomorrow! Psyched to get into New England and start knocking out some more states. Dart and Kodiak figured out about how long it would take to finish and it looks like if you were to keep a 15MPD average you would finish July 20th. So I think late/mid July is a pretty reasonable guess for my finish date. Obviously assuming I have no unexpected injuries or setbacks. Strange to even be considering Katahdin for real. It seems tangible but also still really far off.
Date: 2011-05-23
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: moderate rain

Into New Jersey! But, more rain today...unbelievable. A constant drizzle most of the day followed by general cloudiness and fogginess the rest of the day. Trail was pretty miserable a lot of the way but not quite as bad as PA. More wet and slippery rocks all day. But the day got better as it went. Small shelter tonight but luckily there's some room for The Bears and us. Dart is on a mission to hike through NJ in two days without having to actually sleep in NJ (there's one shelter in the NJ section that is actually in NY just over the boarder.) So he left last night at 11PM and is doing a 50 mile day/night and then a zero at the NY shelter and then another 30 the next day. Pretty silly to me but he's determined!
Date: 2011-05-24
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Jim Murray Property
Miles today: 24.9

Finally some better weather today! Woke up and it was actually warm and there was some sun out! The sun didn't last long and then it started to sprinkle haha. But it quickly cleared up and got sunny the rest of the day. Trail wasn't bad today. Still pretty rocky but not like PA. Hiked with The Bears all day as Dart is still on his 'NJ Quest'. We are now staying on a guy's property who thru hiked in 1989. He has a little cabin for hikers and water pumps so it's quite comfy. Definitely in tick territory now. Teddy found 4 on himself today (2 embedded). I checked and didn't find any today but am a bit worried about Lyme disease. Definitely getting tested when I get back.
Date: 2011-05-25
From: Jim Murray Property

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful day today but I was quite sluggish after the back-to-back 25 mile days. Some pretty unique sections. One of which was a 0.8 mile boardwalk through a swampy area. A lot of the trail was still muddy from all the rain but I managed to keep my feet dry for once. One good sized climb at the end of the day up Wawayanda Mtn. Shelter is pretty nice and it's just me and The Bears and Dart tonight. He decided not to go on to NY and would spend the night with us instead. Short day tomorrow and a resupply as well. But most importantly my new shoes at the post office! Psyched for them. Hopefully not much break in time. For anyone that's wondering I got Salomon XA 3D Ultra 2, the low-top, non-Goretex ones.
Date: 2011-05-26
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Not a bad day today but it was longer than the actual 12 miles. Also it was crazy hot today, had to be upper 80s which we really aren't used to yet. The day was short because we went into Greenwood Lake for a small resupply and for me to pick up my new shoes at the post office. Shoes feel fantastic so far! The trail into Greenwood Lake was a super steep 1 mile trail down off the ridge and then obviously the climb back up. Greenwood Lake was the first little town after crossing into NY. Awesome to have another state down! In town we got some Subway and did a small resupply to get us a day and a half to Bear Mtn, NY. Teddy's parents are going to meet us there so I think I'm going to get a cheap or free hotel room, which is nice. Hot again tomorrow but no rain so I can't complain. ***quick edit: I notice some people are posting questions in my guestbook, I'll do my best to answer them in the guestbook, under 'Ghost' whenever I can. Thanks for following my journal!!***
Date: 2011-05-27
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

Well today was quite an eventful day. Not to mention quite grueling! 19.6 miles seemed like a pretty easy day but the terrain was really rough. Teddy said the elevation profile 'looked like a lightning bolt' before we left camp today and that was pretty much right. Lots of short but real steep and rocky ups and downs. A really gorgeous section though. The trees are real spread out in lots of places with grasses growing on the forest floor. Lots of pines too and exposed rocky sections on the ridge, tons of variety. Another scorcher today though. We went by a glacial pond (more like a lake in my opinion) at one point as all went for a swim which was super refreshing on such a hot day. Then not long after that we ran into a day hiker who was doing trail magic so we went to his car in a parking lot and got ice cold Gatorades, donuts and he even cooked up some hot dogs. Then of course we were stuffed and had to walk 4 more miles to the shelter which was rough on a full stomach. Tenting tonight cause the shelter is kinda small and gross. Looking forward to a short day tomorrow and a shower, resupply, etc.
Date: 2011-05-28
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Bear Mtn NY
Miles today: 9.7

Short day today but another rough one. Lots of ups and downs again and super humid. Bear Mountain was the highlight of the day. There was a tower on top which would have had a better view if it weren't so hazy. Descended and walked through the Zoo/Museum near the base of the mountain which is actually on the trail. Teddy's parents picked us up there and took us to a hotel for the night. We're staying at The Castle on the Hudson which is wayyy too nice. We showed up and our rooms weren't ready so we swam in the pool for a while. Teddy's parents treated us to lunch at the pool and dinner at a Greek restaurant in Terrytown, NY. Terrytown is actually right next to Sleepy Hollow NY and we saw the actor Jessie Eisenberg while eating, real random. Did laundry and resupply as well. Nero tomorrow too. After enjoying the pool and hot tub some more.
Date: 2011-05-29
From: Bear Mtn NY

To: Graymoor Spiritual Center Pavilion
Miles today: 6.1

Short day today. Spent the morning doing some touristy things with Teddy's parents around Sleepy Hollow/Tarryville. We went to one sustainable farm that had real good breakfast stuff and great coffee. Then did Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and Old Dutch Church. Lastly a little walking tour through Philipsburg Manor. Then ate lunch at Sweetgrass Cafe in Tarrytown where I had a great peanut crusted tofu sandwich with bleu cheese and a mango sauce. We headed out in the afternoon and got back on the trail. Only 6.4 miles to where we're staying. It's a pavilion near a soccer field that's part of a 'spiritual center'. Has outlets, trash and water so that's good. Also stopped about a half mile before here and ate dinner at a deli at a road crossing. Apparently there are lots in NY that we're passing.
Date: 2011-05-30
From: Graymoor Spiritual Center Pavilion

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Not a bad day today. Nothing too exciting. Trail was nice and it was crazy hot again. This morning there was a big thunderstorm we waited out and got a late start. Highlight was probably 'swimming' in a stream right before the shelter. Really just layer down in a pretty shallow stream but it felt so good. Shelter is real nice. Basically a cinderblock cabin with a wall missing and a nice porch. Short day tomorrow and I think another deli 5 miles into the day! =)