morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 49.4

As would be a popular statement for this hike, no service for the past few days. Even on the mountain tops. Strange? Anyway here are the rehab digits.6/7 13.2 miles6/8 8.2 miles6/9 12.4 miles6/10 8.0 milesNow for you math majors I know the total miles are off but Ill fix that with this update. Not sure how that happens. Probably user error, just guess'en! The most important thing to cover is the injury update. There is no pain and no swelling! I know some of you are skeptical but it's true. I'm quite antsy about the whole thing myself, and have even started to imagine pain. But, there just isn't any when I hike. I walked at about half speed for the first couple days then took it up to 3/4 speed for a couple more, and today I turned it loose at full speed. I feel great. There is some slight pain when I do my stretching in the morning but none when I hike. So prayer really does work. The highlights of the past few days have been more deer than I can count, 3 fawns, and 6 bears!!! So lets cover the fun stuff, the bears! I was walking into Loft Mountain Camp Ground for trail magic, thanks to T - Square and Momabear, and not 15 yards away there stood a bear! I did exactly what I was suppose to do, although not entirely voluntarly, I froze. The bear ran off which is what he's supposed to do also. So a good encounter I would say. Then not 4 miles later 4 of us walked up on a Mother bear and two cubs standing right in the trail. The cubs ran off but moma didn't budge! We just stood there until she finally walked off slowly giving us the stink eye over her shoulder the whole way. Man she was big. Safety in numbers right? I couldn't get my camera out, mostly because my hands weren't working for some reason! Then today early this morning I walked up on the biggest bear I have ever seen in my life. I froze again, he ran off, and now Im starting to feel a little better about this whole bear thing, as long as they keep running off! Right? Then about 10 minutes up the trail I walk up on another bear. There are sure lots of bear in this park, and the same thing occurs, freeze, bear runs, I finally remembered to breath, everything is good. Some of the hikers haven't seen a single bear and I've seen 6! Go figure. Hope it is the last but somehow I don't think it will be.The trail has been so nice here in the park. So clean and well kept. But then you cant expect all those vacationers to hike on rough weed coked boulder strewn trail can you? It really has been great hiking and it comes at such a good time too with the rehab thing. I will be in the park 3 more days continuing to take it easy for the left leg. I'm planning to slowly increase my miles over the next ten days and see how things go. So keep sending the good vibs and prayers. I have met so many new hikers and as they all speed past with the rehab I guess I'll meet a lot more. It's been fun actually to meet new people every other day or so. Keeps things interesting. Thanks again everyone for all the texts, emails, and prayers, I am blessed to have them all.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Byrds Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Yes, I am the only one here at the Hut. Kind a creepy really. There have been so many hikers at every shelter I can't imagine some will not come in later.I slept terrible last night at the Lodge. I think maybe to many sodas when I arrived. So note to self, less than 4 next time. I woke up at 6 and took another shower just because I could then headed for breakfast in the dinning room. Nothing fancy just eggs bacon and toast with 2 cups of coffee. That should get the day started. I checked out and hit the trail around 8 am. I was planning 14 so no real hurry.I hadn't been walking for long and I saw this really small bear cub running alongside me as I hiked and I thought look at that! My next thought had a few 4 letter words in it and it included "MOMA BEAR!!!". She was easy to find at just 15 yards!!! Yep, need to work on my situational awareness a bit. So as usual I froze, started talking to her, and then started backing up. You could tell she wasn't impressed. I walked backwards slowly and put about 30 yards between us and she finally settled down some. The "2" cubs, didn't see the other one cause it had already climbed a tree, also settled down and regrouped around behind Moma! She sniffed the air and gave me a hard stare then slowly turned and walked away with her cubs in tow. Again for you math majors that's "10" bears total that I've come across since entering the park. Yep, they just like me!!!For lunch I stopped at the Skyland Restaurant and had a BLT. For desert I had blackberry ice cream pie. So good. Then I just took my time and hiked on to where I am now. A good day. Well, except for the fear!Still no pain and no problems with my left leg. Tomorrow I'm planning a 17 miler to stretch it out some. Hope all goes well. I'll also post a few pics from today seeing as how I have such great service.
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Byrds Nest #3 Hut

To: Chester Gap
Miles today: 27.1

This will be a 2 day report. Not to long though.6/12/14 Last night was some kind of storm at Byrds Nest #3 Hut. It was one of the strongest most intense storms I have ever witnessed outside. There were many lightening strikes near us high on the mountain with no delay at all in flash and bang. Totally cool!!! This morning everything I own is wet but it's quite warm so no worries. As I hiked out the first thing I noticed was the woods had been shredded with limbs and leaves every where. The rain continued off and on most of the day. I stopped into the Elkwallow Wayside and stuffed myself. 2 BLT's, fries, 2 20oz Pepsi, a honey bun, and 2 4/pk Mounds for the trail. So so good! It started raining pretty hard as the day went on and just after I arrived at Gravel Springs Hut the bottom feel out. I was quite happy to be inside. It was a good night with lots of hiker chatter and stories thanks to PC6, CPT-D, Walkabout, Ground Score, Achilles, and 50'd Shrimp.6/13/14 I got up early and when I looked outside the sun was shining and it was beautiful. That didn't last long but it was nice for an hour or so then it clouded up and rained on and off the rest of the day. Which for me was only 9.6 miles. Nothing really cool to report today, so far, just hanging out here at the Front Royal Hostel. I have done laundry, dried all my wet gear, packed up my food drop and now I'm just chill'en. There may be a town run later. Hope so.Two things! A shout out to my Comrade Andreas in Germany who is following my hike. And something very very important please pray for my great hunting Buddy of 20 years and his son. His youngest son Josiah was just diagnosed with Leukemia. Thanks guys, you are the best!
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 19.6

I cant believe how good it felt to walk into Harpers Ferry. I didn't get here in time to go to the ATC Headquarters but I'll be standing there in the morning when they open the door. I'll get some pictures standing in front and post them. I tried to post pics last night but they wouldn't load so hopefully after this I can catch up on photos. I can't say enough about how nice the Bears Den Hostel is. The absolute best hostel so far. I got a great early start and I had hoped to make the ATC office before closing but the trail was just to tough. The rocks today were just relentless, and I just couldn't make any time for having to be careful with every step. The morning went well and I made the David Lesser Shelter just before noon. I needed water, and a break. The water was .25 miles down hill from the shelter. More like a cliff really, but I had no choice. I lost an hour there with getting water, eating lunch, and stretching out for a few minutes. My fall yesterday has left me stiff and sore so I needed a good break. The afternoon hike was rock hoping purgatory. Mile after mile of every size rock you can imagine. Each one specially place to throw the hiker to the ground. Just kidding, but it was slow going. As I said though, I was full of energy when I walked across the Shenandoah River into Harpers Ferry. The "official" half way point is 1092 miles which is a few more hiking days north. I will be returning home again on Thursday for 6 days then back to the trail. I still have a lot of hiking to do but I am confident I'll get to Katahdin in time. What an amazing journey! This will all be but a memory some day!
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Gathland State Park
Miles today: 10.9

It was a great morning. I had to wait till 9 am for the ATC Headquarters to open. I had my picture taken for the ATC records and signed in as AT Hiker #628 for 2014. I hung around for a while there and looked for all my original Caravan who have all passed through already. Then I made my way back to the trail.I started hiking about 10 am and walked through the old historic area to the C&O Tow Path. Here I walked about 3 miles on flat trail then turned and headed back up to the ridge line. The hike up was steep and rocky and it was getting hot. But after a little while I was again walking on the ridge top.I stopped at Crampton Gap Shelter for a snack and a short break. While there I rescued a black snake that had gotten it's head stuck in a crack. I don't really like snakes but I dislike shelter mice more. My good deed for the day.I covered the last few miles to Gathland State Park in a little over an hour then secured a shuttle to Charlestown, WV where I am now. I will pick up a rental car in the morning and make my way home for 6 days. Duty calls. I'll be back on the trail next Wednesday.
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Gathland State Park

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: scattered clouds

6/24/14 Gathland State Park to Rocky Run Shelter, 5.4 miles. It was my first day back and brand new boots so I thought I better take it easy. It was a 9 hour drive from home back to Charles Town WV to drop off the rental car. Then Steel Matt (2013) picked me up there and drove me back to the trail. All free of charge! !! Thanks Matt! I hiked slowly to break in the boots and covered the 5.4 miles in just over 2 hours. Then I settled in for the night. Nothing cool to report.6/25/14 Rocky Run Shelter to Raven Rock Shelter, 20.6 miles. I am totally zapped. Most of the trail today was nice trail but some of it was rocky. Like slow you down to rocky. But, it still felt good to cover some good miles. Tonight it is storming and I'm so glad to be in this new shelter that sleeps 16. I got here just before it started raining. Lots of others were not so lucky. Lots of wet gear hanging everywhere. Its been a good day on the AT. The water source is .6 miles down hill. I filled my water bottles with rain water. Then I treated it with Aqua Mira just in case. So glad I didn't have to cover an extra 1.2 miles for water.
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was wonderful. I finally got to walk through some of the beautiful farm land here. I have posted a bunch of new pictures too. Got up early this morning at The Ironmaster Mansion Hostel, had my waffles, OJ, and a Mountain Dew for the road. Headed out about 7:30 for a great day. I hiked steady for the entire morning. I was planning to stop in at a place close by the trail for lunch. I arrived at the Green Mountain Store at 11 am and ordered a Turkey Hoggie, which must have weighted a pound, chips, and 2 20oz sodas. I broke my own rule about eating to much food when there is still hiking to do. I was so stuffed afterwards. I was cussing myself afterwards as I made that first climb. It was really good but I felt like I had a brick in my belly. It took hours for that full feeling to go away. I didn't eat again till dinner.Today I walked through some beautiful Pennsylvania farm land. It was just like a post card. My smart phone pic doesn't do it justice. It was hot hiking out in the open with no canopy but it was worth it. I walked to the Boiling Springs hiker camp site and there I found a note from another hiker, Rod N Reel, who was looking for someone to split a room with. So I called him up and now I'm at the Allenberry Resort for the night for a mere $20. Trail Magic!!! You just never know when it will come.
Date: 2014-06-29
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Susquehanna River
Miles today: 27.5

No, that is no type-o. I have a new longest day. Not sure I'll be able to walk tomorrow but I feel pretty good right now. I'm more than tired but not damaged. The first 12 miles was another wonderful walk through Pennsylvania farm land. Flat land with crops that seemed to stretch to the horizon. It was beautiful. Then came the rocks! Pennsylvania is known in the hiker world as Rocksylvania and today it lived up to it. The rocks just ware you down over time. I though Virgina had rocks, and so did Maryland, but the rocks in Pennsylvania "MOVE" when you step on them. This adds a whole new twist on hiking with trekking poles. I would have fallen a lot had I not had the poles. They saved me many times today. The climb down off the ridge into Duncannon was just plane dangerous. Other hikers agreed with this too. But I survived. As I walked into Duncannon I was trying to decide if I would brave The Doyle Hotel, but when I saw it with my own eyes the decision was easy. I just walked on by. I walked to the bridge over the Susquehanna River and called for a ride to the Stardust Hotel where I am now. My feet hurt!!! Not sure what I'll do tomorrow but setting a new one day record will not be on the agenda. I'm tired, sore, and a little beat up but still having a blast. Thanks guys for following along and for all the prayers and encouragement.d.
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Susquehanna River

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

After a good night's sleep I finally crawled out of bed at 9 am. I wasn't planning a big day anyway so getting started later was fine. The only problem this morning was I couldn't get a ride from the motel back to the trail. So I had to walk that 2 miles back to the trail, and to make things worse it was down a busy 4 lane highway. I had walked about a 1.5 miles and a guy pulled over and offered me a ride. He was a Thru-Hiker with his Mom named Blue. Trail Magic, yes. He dropped me at the Pilot Truck Plaza and I went in for some supplies. I started hiking about noon and made it here to the shelter right at 5 pm. Not very fast I know but the rocks on this ridge were a repeat from yesterday afternoon. There is very little water up on the ridge so when I came upon 3 gallons of water sitting by the trail I was quite happy. I filled up to max of 4 liters and headed to the shelter. The bugs and skeeters are eating us alive so I'm heading for the 100% Deet.
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 60.9

The last 4 days, hummm? Not much time so I'll give you the cliff notes.Rocks, rocks, and more rocks, really slowing me down. Crazy rocks.Ran into another creepy homeless person at a shelter. I packed up and left, again. Came into Port Clinton on the 4th of July, bad day to arrive in any town. Everything closed.The storms have been insane. The rain came down for hours and hours. Nice to be in an awesome shelter.Wonderful trail magic by Wings (2013), thank u so much it was truly trail magic.Lots more to tell but no time. Sorry. Lets just say God is good, all the time.
Date: 2014-07-06
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Tripoli Camp Site
Miles today: 26.9

Good evening everyone. I cant believe I have service down here in this hole, but glad I do.First I want to send out a glad your OK Mocha Pot to a fellow hiker who had a terrible fall while free climbing on The Pinnacle. Broken ribs and vertebrae in his back. He's had surgery and is doing well in a local hospital. Take it easy Buddy, and speedy recovery. 7/5/14 13.4 miles. It was a tough walk and very rocky. The ridge lines were narrow and the rocks sharp. By the time I had reached Eckville Shelter I had developed some pain in my left ankle. So I figured I better stop for the day. I didn't want to push it into trouble again. So I took some aleve went to bed early and prayed for the best.7/6/14 13.5 miles. I woke up this morning with no pain at all in my left ankle. I decided to again make a short day of it just to give the ankle time to heal. I have had no pain today at all and right now I feel great. Im going to give it one more shorter day tomorrow just to be sure before I start stretching it out again. Hopefully this early rehab will save me trouble down the road. Doing well tonight. God is good, and prayer does make a difference. New pics posted too.
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Tripoli Camp Site

To: Palmerton
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

The Tripoli camp site was nice and the water was great too. I walked back to the top of the ridge and the rocks started immediately. There were a few places where there were no rocks but not many. The Knife's Edge was incredible. Really technical. A place where you could really get hurt. All in all a good day. This is day 3 with no ankle pain so Im going to stretch it out some tomorrow. We also had some nice trail magic today as well in the form of 10 gallons of water and tons of treats. Sweet!Tomorrow morning we climb out of Palmerton. A rock climb up for almost a mile. We plan to start early before it gets hot. Hope to have some great pictures to post.
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Palmerton

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

Stayed at Bourgh Hall in Palmerton last night. It's the old jail but no bars these days. It was a bunk house with maybe 20 bunks. Great shower too. Some serious water pressure. Got up at 5 am. Caught our shuttle to the trail at 6:45. Started the climb up to the Superfund mountain at 7 am. 50 minute climb for .8 miles. Straight up at times. Very technical climbing and your trekking poles were useless. Several times I just tossed them up over the rock above me and climbed up by hands and feet. It was the toughest rock climb so far on the trail. I know there are harder ones up north but this one was a bugger.The hike was rocky as usual and it's hard to make any time. This 15.5 miles took 8 hours. Less than 2 MPH pace. Not normal for me. Usually I can do better than this but not today. Everything feels good so tomorrow I'm thinking about a 20 miler. Well see.Good times at the shelter this evening. Potatoes, Smokey The Beard, and The Pope made pancakes for everyone with fresh blueberries they picked today. Storms are coming so everyone is inside the shelter. I love storms. Will post a few pics too.
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 20.2

The morning started early with people in the shelter getting up at 5 am. I completely ignored them! I did manage to go back to sleep for a little while longer and got up at 6:20. Packed up, made coffee, and ate some pop tarts. I was planning my first 20 miler in a while and hoped the rocks would allow it.The rocks did their best to break my spirit but not today. I will be finished with Pennsylvania tomorrow morning in just .3 more miles. I will be glad to be out of the rocks. I'm sure they don't just end at the New Jersey state line, but the word is they do go away soon. This has been the toughest state so far.I made my 20 mile day with lots of energy to spare. Not sure why I felt so good today but I think leaving Pennsylvania might have something to do with it. Nothing really spectacular happened today, with the exception of the bear tracks in the trail in front of me. I posted that picture, along with some pics of the rocks, I mean the trail. Enjoy!!!I'm staying at The Pocono Inn, which has seen better days, just because I need some sleep uninterrupted by someone snoring, or packing up at 5 am. I snore, but I rarely hear me! So I think I'll just sleep till I wake up, then stroll to the post office and mail a few things home. Lighten the pack some you know. New Jersey shouldn't take long to cross. Just need to put my bear radar back on high. More bears in Jersey than anywhere on the trail. Another great day on the AT.
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 31.4
Weather: clear sky

No service yesterday, you know the drill.7/10/14 10.8 miles. Decided to sleep in seeing as the post office didn't open till 8:30. No need to get up early. I checked out of the Pocono and walk to the Quick Mart. I ate 2 sausage biscuits, drank a Mountain Dew and headed to the post office. After I mailed a few things home I walked to the hostel to drop off some extra food in the hiker box. Ran into a ton of people, talked way to long, and didn't get going till 10:30. So a short day, plus storms coming in the afternoon too. I stopped at The Mohican Outdoor Center and rented a tent space. I put up the tent, took a shower, made dinner, and just as I climbed into the tent it started raining. Perfect! I slept so good.7/11/14 20.6 miles. After sleeping like 10 hours I thought I better put all that energy to good use. I must admit I used it all getting here to the Gren Anderson Shelter. Sadly I must report that the rocks didn't end at the Jersey state line. But they are getting better. It took 9 hours of hiking to cover that 20.6 moles. I'm in my tent now. Dinner and chores completed. The skeeters are way to bad here to sleep in the shelter, which is what I had planned. Glad I dried my tent out in the sun at lunch. It's been a good day.
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: The Murray Property
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

Got a pretty normal start for me, right at 8 am. I had originally planned a 25 miler but not to be. The heat and humidity were killers. I made it to my mid-day plan and that was the High Point Park here in New Jersey. There was a concessions stand listed in the guide book that I wanted to hit!!! I rolled up to the counter, spoke my best southern drawl, which made the lady smile, and ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and 3 Cokes. Requesting one of them as I paid, and the other two with my meal. She gave me a coke and I tried to drink it slowly but just couldn't. I picked up my order, my other two Cokes and positioned myself right outside at a picnic table with a huge umbrella. It was perfect! I didn't over do it because I still had lots of hiking to do.After returning to the trail I just didn't quite have the legs I had earlier so I looked at the guide book and chose The Murray Property. Great choice! I'm tenting here but will take some pictures in the morning before I leave. So nice! Another great day.
Date: 2014-07-13
From: The Murray Property

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up early at the Murray Farm. It was just awesome. Made breakfast, packed up and was moving by 7 am. Very early for me.Today was nature day. Ground hogs, wild turkey, deer, deer with fawns, twin fawns by them selves at a creek. They didn't exactly know what to do about the hiker with the bug net over his head. But, when I took it off, they freaked. Was quite funny. It was hot and humid today but all the animals seemed to enjoy it. Not me!I had a tough day and a tough climb near the end of my day as well. As I neared the shelter I was wore out. But my day wasn't done. I still had a .8 mile round trip to get water. So add that to the official miles for today. Storms are coming tonight so I'm in the shelter. The skeeters are bad so I'm about to break out the deet.Im tired, but it was a beautiful day. Stopped at a farmer's market, almost forgot, 2 apples, 2 oranges, and a 20 oz Coke. Good stuff!