morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-26
From: Duncannon, PA (The Doyle)

To: Peter Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

The first thing on this morning¢s agenda was breakfast so a few of us ate at a little diner called Goodies across the street from the Doyle. It wasn't a very big place but had a pretty decent breakfast and best of all a good cup of coffee. When we were done eating we made a few stops around town. Then returned to the hotel to finish packing our still wet gear. On our way back up to the room I stopped and talked to Mule and Homeward for a few minutes because they night hiked into town last night. When they got here all the rooms were full so they just slept out in the hallway. Like I said this place is so hiker friendly they didn't even care where you sleep. I don't know of any other hotel that would do the same. Jane, Baro, and I hit the trail out of town at the same time headed for Peters Mountain Shelter about 11:15am. Since the shelter was only 12 miles away we decided we could take it slow and still be there way before dark. Just before getting out of town we crossed the Susquehanna River, which is the longest river that we cross during our hike. Once over the bridge and on top of the ridge ahead we stopped for a quick break at an overlook area that was decorated with rock furniture. There were several chairs built including a loveseat all with ottomans for us to sit on and enjoy. The section of trail from here to the shelter introduced us to some more of the Pennsylvania rock. To make things a little more exciting an afternoon thunderstorm blew in just before we reached the shelter and soaked us again. It looks like it is going to be another wet night on the trail. When we got to the shelter there was plenty of room inside, but Gringo, Baro, Jane, and myself decided to tent so we went out back of the shelter and pitched our tents. Since there were so many people at the shelter I spent most of the afternoon over sitting around the porch talking to some new friends that I met in town last night. When darkness came it was off to a rainy nights sleep.Tonight: Brain Freeze, Jane, Baro, Gringo, Silverfoot and her mom, Cake, Pie,Identity Crisis, Lysle, and a few others
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Peter Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Up to another wet and wonderful day on the trail. This morning it was still raining so all of us that tented last night were the last ones to leave. Most of the people that were in the shelter last night are part of the group that never tents and will leave out of a shelter in any condition just so they can make it to the next shelter before all the spaces are taken. So this morning Gringo, Jane, Baro, and myself finally rolled out at 11:00am with it still raining. Our first couple of miles weren't bad even with the rain but as soon as we crossed PA325 to Clarks Creek everything changed. Due to all the rain the creek had flooded and we had to forge the creek. The water level at the deepest spot was mid thigh deep and moving really fast. In occasions like this it is better to cross with your boots on for traction and to loosen all of your straps on your pack incase you loose footing and go down. We were able to cross the creek safely but now had soaking wet boots. Just as we were about to take off Baltimore Jack and trail angel Mary showed up with some rope to string up across the creek to help everyone behind us cross. We stayed around and helped them get everything finished before heading up Stony Mountain. From this point on it did nothing but rain. It ended up raining so much that most of the 10 remaining miles to the shelter was hiked in water anywhere from ankle to shin deep. The trail turned into a creek and it was the only route to where we planned on camping for the night. Just before the shelter Rausch Creek was a raging furry through the valley below. Thankfully we didn't have to cross it. When we got to the shelter of course it was full so several of us set up camp on the hillside above the shelter. Everybody was in for a really wet night because everyone¢s tents were soaked by the time they got them put up. Many were already soaked from the night before. Well it¢s off to a wet nights sleep as my hair is still dripping, my sleeping bag is soaked, and the rain continues.Tonight¢s group of wet tenters: Gringo, Baro, Hot Springs, Silverfoot and hermom, Brain Freeze, Donkey, Jane, and myself.
Date: 2006-06-29
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: few clouds

Thankfully last night was the first night in more than a week that it did not rain. Although it didn't rain most of everyone's gear is still wet and hopefully when we get to Port Clinton can dry it out little. Donkey, Baro, and I decided to leave the girls behind and try to make it 24 miles into towntonight while the girls planned to make it to the next shelter and roll into town tomorrow around noon. We all planned to meet at the pavilion in town tomorrow at noon so we can celebrate H-Bomb and Jane's birthdays. We hit the trail just before 9:00am and hiked for about 9 miles before taking a break. This was mostly due to the swampland left behind by the storms. Even though the rain has stopped the trail continues to be a creek of mud and provided very few places to stop for breaks. Pennsylvania is not normally known to thru hikes as flood land but as the land with many rocks. Most of what we have been hiking on for the past few days is extremely rocky and the word is that it gets worse in northern PA. So to make things short most of today was spent hiking in wet boots in search of Port Clinton. A few miles before town we crossed the 1200-mile mark and took pictures of our rock numbers marking the spot. When we got into town we noticed that the Schuylkill River had flooded most of the houses and the water crossed the road and almost made it to the pavilion. Thankfully it didn't and gave us a clean dry place to sleep for the night. When we got settled in, Peter Montgomery showed up and gave us a ride into Hamburg to the Cabela's Outfitter and then to the grocery store to resupply. When we got back to the pavilion we settled in for the night and listened to Slick-B play a little on his mandolin. Tonight at the dry but noisy pavilion: Baro, Hot Springs, Donkey, Rush Hour,Indiana, Slick-B, Teck, Old Drum, Bama, Nick, Baufous, Cool Hand Luke, and myself
Date: 2006-06-30
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

It was up early this morning due to the road noise that echoed through the pavilion from the adjacent road. It worked out well because it was sunny and allowed us time to start drying a few things out before going off to the post office and stopping for some breakfast. Even through we had been eating a lot of junk food all morning some breakfast and a big cup of coffee was great. Most of the Junk food came from a very impressive mail drop sent to me by Freeheel and Motorin (thru hikers 05'). It was full of home made cookies, snacks, Gold bond, real velveta mac and cheese, and a nice letter of encouragement. Can't say thanks enough guys. It was a great boost and everyone enjoyed. Not long after we got back to the Pavilion the girls showed up and were all excited about the Baskin and Robbins here in town. Jane and H-Bomb have wanted an ice-cream cake for weeks. Since they were starving and wanted a bite to eat right away they wentdown to Three C's where we had eaten earlier. When they returned and got ready to head into town we gave Cabela's a call and they sent the shuttle out to pick us up for a ride into town. Since they dropped us off at the front door we decided to tour through the store once more before heading over to Cracker Barrel. When we got over there a few of us sat on the porch in the rocking chairs while the rest that didn't get to resupply last night went to the store. This worked out great because one of the girls that work at Cracker Barrel was getting off work and gave them a lift to the store. When they returned we went in for a good dinner and finally some sweet tea. Something that Baro, Jane, and I haven¢t had since Troutville, VA. All stuffed we then walked over to Baskin and Robins where we had an ice cream cake ready for the two birthday girls. H-Bomb had blow horns and candles that she had gotten in her mail drop so we had a little party before returning to the pavilion for the night.Tonight: Silverfoot, Jane, H-Bomb, Shasta, Donkey, Hot Springs, Baro, Teck,Cool hand Luke, Slick-B, Gringo, Boughfas, and me.
Date: 2006-07-01
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Well after a zero day in Port Clinton yesterday and a good night's sleep in a lounge chair last night we were up packing for another day of hiking. Just outside town the ascend up on the ridge wasn't as bad as the descent down into Port Clinton. Our first big stop was at Pulpit Rock for a group picture and a short break before heading up to The Pinnacle. The trail between the two was mostly boulders but what else is new in the state of Pennsylvania. When we got up to the Pinnacle we kicked off our, still wet, boots for lunch and a nap. It was a great area for this with plenty of views and warm sunshine. It isn't everyday, especially in this state, that we have good views combined with good weather so we enjoyed it. When we left most of the remaining trail for today was on old forest service roads so it gave us a little break from the rocks. We made it to Eckville Shelter for the night along with many others. This shelter is somewhat different from most because it has a caretaker that lives on site. He has a pretty cool set up with solar panels on everything. We were also treated to running water, a place to charge things, flush toilet, and a solar shower. Since we made it in pretty early we decided to set our tents up in the designated area across the street instead of bunking in the shelter. This was also very nice because the caretaker keeps the grass cut in the tenting area and had a picnic table for us to use. When we all got settled in for the night we had a nice 10-tent site going with a few others across the street sleeping in the shelter. Just before dark Jane and I tossed the Frisbee for a while with Boughfas while Slick-B played on the mandolin. When we all got into our tents for the night the nearby town was having their 4th of July fireworks celebration so we listened but unfortunately could not see any of them.Tonight: Slick-B, Boughfas, Labouski, Cool Hand Luke, Tec, Sleepy the Arab,Shasta, Jane, Silver foot, Gringo, Baldy Locks, Baro, Brain freeze, Outbreak,Morning fit, and I.
Date: 2006-07-02
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Everyone started stirring pretty early this morning but it didn't help us get out on the trail any earlier than normal. It was fun though because most of the time we wake up and hit the trail as soon as possible and this morning we sat around the picnic table and ate breakfast and chatted for a while. We ended up hitting the trail about 8:45am and shortly after we had our biggest climb of the day up to Dan's Pulpit. Even though we were only about 3 miles into today's hike we stopped for a quick break. The next section of trail down to Allentown Shelter was really rocky and made for slow hiking. When we got there Baldy Locks along with everyone else that had signed the register vented about how much they really disliked Pennsylvania. After all we have been walking on rocks for days and days now. We stopped at PA309 to pick up H-Bomb because Charles had picked her up in Port Clinton on Friday and had planned to meet us there sometime today. When we got back on the trail the next section known as the cliffs was ahead. The terrain went from small rocks all over the trail to very large boulders that covered the trail. It was slow going but a lot of fun. Just past the cliffs was an area called Bear Rocks off to the west side of the trail. We dropped our packs at the bottom so we could climb up for the view. It wasn't a 360-degree view but definitley close. While Shasta, H-Bomb, and I were sitting on top we could hear thunder off in the distance headed our way. We scrambled down and met up with the rest of our gang so we could head on down the trail. It was only 2.5 miles to the next shelter and camping area, but once again we were faced with a ton of large rocks to cross. Gringo and I made it to the shelter just before the storm hit but H-Bomb, Shasta, Jane, and Baro didn't so they got a little wet. The shelter was extremely old and small with very little camping so we stayed up on the hillside just on the other side of the trail. After the long day we ate a quick dinner and headed off to bed with plans of an early start tomorrow morning. Tonight we can hear fireworks off in the distance but cannot see once again.Tonight: Sleepy the Arab, Baldy Locks, Gringo, Jane, H-Bomb, Shasta, silver foot,Baro, and myself.
Date: 2006-07-03
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Leroy A Smith Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: few clouds

Last night it rained off and on for most of the night and was still sprinkling morning. Jane, Shasta, H-Bomb, Silverfoot, and I got off to an early start while Baro and Gringo stayed behind to sleep for a while. Not long after starting we hiked over the Pennsylvania Turnpike that was 800 feet below the trail in a tunnel through the mountain. The best part was on the ridge above the tunnel was our first big patch of blueberries that we have encountered while on the trail. We had to stop for a while and eat second breakfast. On the way down from the ridge we met up with Donkey and Hot Springs at the George Outer Bridge Shelter. From the shelter down to Lehigh Gap the trail was pretty steep and rocky but pleasant. On our way across the bridge at Lehigh Gap Jane, Shasta, and I were making fun of the steep incline just on the other side of the river. I jokingly said ¢I think I see white blazes up there¢ and sure enough the trail went strait up to the top. The trail turned into a climb almost straight up the mountain. The more we climbed the better the view because the ridge was completely open. Off in the distance you could see Palmerton, PA, which allows thru hikers to stay in the basement of the old police station known as the jailhouse hostel. This sounds like one place I want to stay away from if possible. I can just see myself on dumb crook news now; ¢Hiker checks himself into jail and is kept after background check¢. We continued to climb up the ridge and since there was no shade the sun got unbearably hot. When we got to the top and started across the ridge it continued to be open and the surrounding landscape was like no other that I have seen on the trail. From what I gather it is an old mining area and it is still in ruins. It was nothing but rock and old dead trees across the top. When we crossed Little Gap Jane, Shasta, and I caught up with H-Bomb for lunch at a small lookout. To this point we have not seen Baro or Gringo since leaving camp this morning and have no clue what happened to them. Just after eating we pushed on another 11 miles to the Leroy A Smith Shelter just outside of Delaware Water Gap. Silver foot, H-Bomb, Shasta, Jane, and I ended up camping just up the hill from the shelter because it already had a lot of people camping around it. Baro and Gringo never caught up with us today so they must be just behind us somewhere. We quickly ate dinner and went directly to our tents due to our long day of hiking. Just after getting settled in for the night a storm rolled in and it started to rain. Around 4:00am the storm hit our camp pretty hard with some intense lightning but I just rolled over and continued to snooze. Tonight: Silver foot, Jane, Shasta, H-Bomb, Baldy Locks, and I
Date: 2006-07-05
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

This morning we were all moving a little slow because we were planning on taking a zero day here in Delaware Water Gap. The first thing on our mind, as always when in town, was food. There was a little dinner just across the street from the Hostel named Trail¢s End Caf© that we decided to check out. We went in and ate but weren¢t in a hurry to leave because once again it was raining. This gave us some time to plan out everything that we needed to do while in town today. After couple of refills on coffee and a plan in place we decided to head back to the hostel. Since the hostel is short on bunks several of us decided to get a room for the night. Everything in Delaware Water Gap was flooded including the Ramada Inn so we had to go over to Stroudsburg, the neighboring town, just to get a room. We packed up and ended up catching a shuttle from the Pack Shack Outfitters over to a motel. Our room was ready so we dropping our packs and walked around town to start doing some chores. I checked out the local outfitter for a new pair of shoes, washed a load of cloths and the laundry mat, resupplied at the general store, went to the library to check email and catch up a couple of past journals, and then met up with Donkey, Shasta, H-Bomb, and Jangles at the Applebee¢s in the local mall for lunch. The rest of the after noon was spent burning pictures to disks at the drugstore so I could send them home and make more room on my camera. That evening everyone gathered back at the motel and decided to go out to the local pub for a while. Lets just say it turned into a big party that was a lot of fun. We all lost track of time and ended up closing down the place. By this time the city bus system had stopped running and it was nearly impossible for the guys that planned on staying back at the hostel tonight to hitch a ride. The only option was to cram into the one room that we reserved earlier that day and sleep whereever you could find a place. Everyone settled down pretty quick but Silverfoot and The River Weasel kept us awake flirting with each other. He would spray her with fabreeze and she would giggle¢¦     Tonight: Hot Springs, Donkey, River Weasel, H-Bomb, Shasta, Jane, Silverfoot,and I
Date: 2006-07-06
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

After last night our room was a little crowded this morning. It was a 4 persons room but this morning there were nine of us inside. We were going to squeeze in 6 but Donkey, Hot Springs, and Baro couldn't catch a ride back to Delaware Water Gap so they ended up staying the night with us. I got up this morning and showered early so I could leave out heading over to Dunkelberger's. It is the local outfitter here in town and I needed some shoes. My boots still have a few miles in them however I need to swap them out. One of the soles has come unglued and has been flopping for the past 400 to 500 miles. When I left the room Donkey and Jane came we with me while everyone else stayed behind waiting on the shuttle back to Delaware Water Gap. Donkey needed a few things from the outfitter and Jane wanted to go back to the library. I ended up finding a new pair of shoes that are a lot different from my original ones, but hopefully they will do. I am trusting North Face to get me to Mount K now so we will see how far they take me. After my selection I walked up to the library to meet Jane for lunch. When I got there she was ready to go so I went in to check the bus schedule. I was informed that the nearest station was over at the mall. While on our way to the mall we stopped at the grocery store for a few supplies. I was standing out front when a lady named Mrs. Covington stopped to ask about the trail. She is a local to the Gap and knows several people that have hiked sections of the trail over the years. After talking for a while she decided to give us a ride back to the Gap so we wouldn¢t have to wait on the bus. She dropped us off at Doughboy's Pizza Shop where we ate lunch with The River Weasel. Everyone else was already at the hostel packing to hit the trail. After lunch we joined them and was shortly headed back to the trail and on our way out of Pennsylvania. Shortly after hitting the trail we crossed over the Delaware River into our eighth state of New Jersey. The hike out of the Gap was nice and much better then the last 75 miles of PA and when we made it up to Sunfish Pond (41 acres) we took a break. It is called the seventh wonder of the state because it is the southern most glacial pond in the area. Due to the high PH of the water only two species of fish live there and the water is crystal clear. On our way to tonight¢s campsite we saw a lot more blueberry bushes so naturally we slowed down for a while and enjoyed them. Tonight we ended up staying at the Mohican Outdoor Center a short quarter mile off the trail. Since the girls were already there when we got in they showed us around and then settled in for the night. I ended up tenting without my tent fly on because the weather was so nice. To top the night off the nearly full moon was rising over the trees. Tonight: Baro, Jane, Shasta, H-Bomb, Silver foot, Donkey, Mike, Zan, and myself.
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Culver Fire Tower
Miles today: 19.8

Had a very good nights sleep last night due to the good weather and a dry sleeping bag for once. It always pays off to spend an extra quarter at the laundry mat to dry things out. Sometimes by the second night it is already damp again but that first night it is great. After getting all packed up my goal was to hit the trail before Silver Foot. This is because she has a way of picking all the blueberries if she gets out on the trail first. Just after starting a few of us stopped at Catfish Fire Tower for a climb to see the views. This is the first fire tower that we have come cross in a while so it was a treat to get a 360-degree view. The view provided for a few good pictures. The next section of trail was really weird because there were thousands of gypsy moths that had eaten the leaves off of the surrounding trees. So, once again my shoulders got a little pink and hopefully will turn into a tan someday. Right around this area we hit mile 1,300, which leaves us about 875 to go to Mount K. To celebrate we stopped at Culver's Gap for dinner. The first little sandwich shop was just off the trail however the owner wasn't very hiker friendly. A few of us stopped there to wait on the others and he came out and told us to get moving on we weren¢t welcome. Even though he was closed we were not welcome there and quite frankly I didn¢t want to be there. Just curious though about when his shop would be back open I asked him what is hours were and he told me "what ever I feel like". So with the damage done we left and walked down to Gyp's Tavern. The staff there was great. They let us pile all of our packs out back and take a table out on the pouch overlooking the lake. We (Shasta, H-Bomb, Jane, Silver Foot, Donkey, Baro, Mike, Zan, Bare Bear, Jelly Bean, and myself) ended up staying for a while and just talking to some of the locals about the area. We were warned about the bear population around this area and that we needed to start hanging all of our food on bear lines if were not already doing so. We ended up leaving Gyp's just in time to hike another 2 miles to Culver Fire Tower to watch the sun set. Once again we had 360-degree views and even got to see the sunset. Since it was so nice at the tower we decided to stay there for the night in hopes that we would catch the sunrise on the other side in the morning. Off in the valley below there were a few fireworks being shot that we enjoyed since we had missed all the ones before the 4th. Donkey and I ended up climbing the fire tower and sleeping on the platform just below the top. It was only about 40 feet up but was just enough to catch a strong breeze all night and around midnight got really chilly. The ridges in New Jersey so far are beautiful and can¢t wait to see more.Tonight: Jane, Silver Foot, Shasta, H-Bomb, Baro, Donkey, and I.