morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Leroy Smith shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8

June 16, 2014Quicksilver served me hot chocolate in bed (sleeping bag in tent) this morning. It was delicious! It's cool, too, probably low 50's. Beautiful morning!Quicksilver and I hit the trail at 7:50. The hike started with an even grade, but with oodles of rocks. This type of trail wears out our feet. It continued for the first four miles. We descended a little bit to the burrough of Wind Gap (pop. 2,700).The climb from this gap was straight up for 500 ft. Once we got back on the ridge, it was level, but continued rocky.We finally got to Wolf Rocks, which were about .3 mile of stacked boulders we scrambled over. No real views.The trail from Wolf Rocks was very different from this morning. It was amazingly free of rocks for 2 miles. Otherwise, we have been literally stepping from rock to rock for miles; very tough on the feet and boots. In fact, Quicksilver's boots have hiked their last: "I'll have to put them down in Delaware Water Gap."We arrived at the Kirkridge Shelter at 3:30. We found a bag of trail magic loaded with candy. Two hikers were already there. They were just out for 5 days going south. Real nice young men. Lou and Austin. They've known each other since 2nd grade.Several hikers stopped in for a quick rest and water before continuing to DWG. QS and I had dinner and retired for the night.We hiked 13.8 miles today.
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 6.8

June 17, 2014We awoke at 5:30, ate, and hit the trail at 7:00.The rocks were much less a problem today than the last two days; in fact, the stretch from Palmerton to Wolf Rocks was the rockiest of the entire stretch through PA. From Wolf Rocks to the shelter was an easy section of trail, and the trail from Kirkridge Shelter to DWG was a lot less difficult than we'd been led to believe.Interesting fact about Wolf Rocks: it is the southern-most point for glaciation during the last ice age. That may explain the deposition of so many rocks in the area.The trail was generally level and rock free, especially a couple of miles that followed a gravel road to Mount Minsi.The descent into DWG was pretty: nice switchbacks that went through hemlocks and rhododendron hollows. The trail reached town on a gravel road that dumped us right on the Main Street of town. We stopped at the outfitters to pick up our box from home, ate breakfast, and checked into the Pocono Inn.The afternoon was spent getting really clean, doing laundry, and generally relaxing.We walked to the Sycamore Grill around 3 and had an appetizer. M¶bius was there and so were Dirty Harry, Bug Bear, Jet Cat, and Shivers.M¶bius said he'd like to meet us at 6:30 at Tony's Pizza. The pizza was awesome!We walked back to the Inn, read some and went to bed.We hiked 6.8 miles.Today concluded our AT hike for 2014. We hiked 276.8 miles in 22 days. Our average was 12.6 miles a day.Thank you for following our journey.Quicksilver and Peach
Date: 2015-05-21
To: Trenton, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

May 21, 2015Craig and I boarded the Amtrak train last night in Atlanta at 9:30 p.m. We had a sleeper car this time and it was totally awesome! We even had a porter who took care of us.This morning we took showers located at the end of our sleeper car. It was a challenge with the rocking and rolling. Towels and soap were provided. There was even a toilet and sink in our unit.We had a great, filling breakfast-omelet, bacon, potatoes, and biscuit. Yum!Went back to our car and read and watched the scenery go by. Today we passed through Waahington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Wilmington, DE, Philadelphia, PA, and then Trenton, NJ. We had rain all day.We arrived in Trenton, NJ, at 3:00 p.m. We rented a car and drove to a Sheraton in Langhorn PA. Had dinner at University Grill at the hotel.We had an early bedtime.
Date: 2015-05-21
From: Atlanta, GA

To: Trenton, GA
Miles today: 0.0

May 21, 2015Craig and I boarded the Amtrak train last night in Atlanta at 9:30 p.m. We had a sleeper car this time and it was totally awesome! We even had a porter who took care of us.This morning we took showers located at the end of our sleeper car. It was a challenge with the rocking and rolling. Towels and soap were provided. There was even a toilet and sink in our unit.We had a great, filling breakfast-omelet, bacon, potatoes, and biscuit. Yum!Went back to our car and read and watched the scenery go by. Today we passed through Waahington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Wilmington, DE, Philadelphia, PA, and then Trenton, NJ. We had rain all day.We arrived in Trenton, NJ, at 3:00 p.m. We rented a car and drove to a Sheraton in Langhorn PA. Had dinner at University Grill at the hotel.We had an early bedtime.
Date: 2015-05-22
To: Trenton, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

May 21, 2015Craig and I boarded the Amtrak train last night in Atlanta at 9:30 p.m. We had a sleeper car this time and it was totally awesome! We even had a porter who took care of us.This morning we took showers located at the end of our sleeper car. It was a challenge with the rocking and rolling. Towels and soap were provided. There was even a toilet and sink in our unit.We had a great, filling breakfast-omelet, bacon, potatoes, and biscuit. Yum!Went back to our car and read and watched the scenery go by. Today we passed through Waahington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Wilmington, DE, Philadelphia, PA, and then Trenton, NJ. We had rain all day.We arrived in Trenton, NJ, at 3:00 p.m. We rented a car and drove to a Sheraton in Langhorn PA. Had dinner at University Grill at the hotel.We had an early bedtime.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Trenton, NJ

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.8

Peach and i (Quicksilver) woke up today was 5:45 and we left the hotel at 6:45. Took the back roads to Stroudsburg, PA, to return the rental car. The Enterprise people shuttled us back to Delaware Water Gap, PA.We hit the trail at 9:45 under cool, sunny skies. We crossed the Delaware River and entered New Jersey and the DWG National Recreational area. We hadn't hiked 2 miles when a couple drove up and asked if we would like a ride to Mohican Outdoor Center. They had seen us walking across the bridge, and just thought we might want a ride. Our first trail magic!!! We politely declined and hiked on.The AT through DWG follows the Delaware River valley along a 1500 foot ridge. We recalled a comment someone made to us last year: "The rocks don't stop just because you reach the PA/NJ line." She was right: several stretches were as rocky as in PA.Didn't see too many thru-hikers today (2), but encountered several day hikers.Nice views generally along a long, fairly consistent ridge. We came to a glacial pond: Sunfish Pond is a 41 acre natural remnant of the ice age. We skirted it and continued across very rocky trail.After hiking 10.8 miles, we came to the road leading to the Mohican Outdoor Center. We checked in, only to discover that a "campsite" cost $16 each-no shower, nothing. We paid and set up camp.After eating, we cleaned up, loaded packs & put our food into bear boxes, then turned in for the evening.10.8 miles on Day 1. BTW, we crossed the 1,300 mile mark today on the AT.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 14.8

May 23, 2015Last night we were serenaded by at least two whippoorwills. There also are lots of Rufous-sided towhees.Quicksilver and I hit the trail today at 8:15 am. The start of the hike today was uphill of course, but it wasn't too bad. Next we had a lot of ridge walking. There were awesome views and fairly level trail. We came to a beaver pond early this morning; it had a large lodge out in the middle of the pond, and they had built a fine dam to hold back the water. And all around the pond, they had felled trees as big as 8" to 10" in diameter. We encountered lots of day-hikers today, but no thru-hikers. The weather was perfect: no clouds and mid-60's. Well, the rocks returned today. Around 11a.m., we got into more difficult hiking. At one point we had to scale a rock face. There were lots of boulder crawls and exposed rock on open ridges.Finally, we arrived at the Brink Road shelter. It was brand new but QS and I opted for a nice tent site. We got set up and walked down to get water. There were two guys and a lady sitting at the picnic table. We fixed dinner at the picnic table with our new friends, Kate, Carlos, and Mike. Kate and Carlos are married and Mike is engaged. This was there first trip out. Very nice people!After dinner, we retreated to our tent, crawled in, read, and went to sleep.Today we hiked 14 hard miles.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 15.0

QS and I hit the trail this morning at 8:05. It was another beautiful and coolish day. It was 48 degrees. The hike today wasn't quite as difficult as yesterday but it was tough and LONG.We had been hiking for about two hours (almost all uphill) when we had to cross a road. As we walked down to the trail, QS spotted an open restaurant. This was at 10:15 on Sunday morning! We walked about .02 miles to Gyp's Tavern. The sign out front said Hikers Enter Through Gate. So, we walked around the back where there were tables that opened out to a beautiful lake - Kittatinny Lake. We were in heaven! We ordered pizza and cold drinks and ended up staying there for about 45 minutes.We met an older thru-hiker who was at the Brink Road shelter with us last night. He is from Canton, GA. What a small world. His name is Old Scout.There were two other guys. One guy asked, "Did you guys really walk here from GA?" He seemed interested in trying the hike himself.Back on the trail, it was uphill. We passed by Culver Firetower. Nice view!We hiked over more exposed rocks and lots and lots of boulders. We stopped at Mashipacong Shelter. There is a volunteer who brings bottles of fresh water for the hikers, since there is no water at the shelter. We met a ridge runner here. He was from Charleston, SC, and worked in NJ during the summer season. He said after High Point shelter, (4.6 miles from where we are) the rocks go away. Yea!!!!Finally, we got to the Rutherford Shelter around 4:50. It felt like it was a mile from the AT to the shelter.QS and I set up the tent and went for water. The water source was a very small stream but we managed to get what we needed.There are 4 young men here at the shelter, too. They are first year med students at Penn.We fixed dinner, ate, crawled into the tent, read and went to sleep.Today we hiked 15 miles.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 11.8

May 25, Memorial Day, 2015Peach and I awoke early and were on the trail at 7:05. (62 degrees). We did 4.6 miles before reaching High Point S.P. in NJ. We went past the memorial on the highest point in NJ.which was about 1,700 feet.Once we left High Point , the trail descended and became a hiker's dream: downhill and level. Although there were interspersed periods of uphill climbing and of course rocks. We crossed through lovely forest. As we came around a bend, we saw a mama bear and her two cubs. They didn't want anything to do with us which was fine with us.We crossed through low areas that had boardwalks across the boggy areas. We crossed the boggy areas. We crossed open fields with spectacular views. We came into Unionville, NY, with approximately 600 people, and set up camp in the municipal park. We set up our tent adjacent to the basketball court, with lots of kids playing around us. We wandered up to the Wits End Tavern for cold drinks and some hot wings....Yum!Last night, we saw a strange creature up in a tree at the shelter. We couldn't i.d. It, but it looked like a cross between a sloth and a monkey. It was a fisher, something like a weasel, according to the High Point S.P. Ranger. Really odd.We went back to Wits End Tavern for dinner and had great burgers.Back at the park, kids are still playing basketball right outside our tent; fortunately they left right as darkness fell. Three hikers came in late, and QS spoke with them for a few minutes. Then we hit the sack under bright streetlights (one disadvantage of being in a public park!).
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Unionville, NY

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 11.8

QS and I left the municipal park at 6:30 and stopped at a really cool store called Horlers. We got breakfast and coffee there and sat on the front porch and enjoyed. The proprietor asked me what I wanted and I said a sausage biscuit. He looked at me and said, "We don't have biscuits like they do in the South." So I got a sausage and egg sandwich on a roll.QS and I hiked a half mile before getting back on the AT. The morning began warm but pleasant. We started out walking on good trails through open, rolling fields with beautiful views of the mountains. The trail dumped us out on roads for .7 miles and then left the road and entered the Wallkill NWR. This marshy refuge is only 380 above sea level. The area was wide open with lots of birds. It was out in the sun. (In fact, much of today was hiked in the sun.)Once we left this NWR, we began to climb Pochuck Mountain. We ascended 700 feet in less than .5 mile. After a brief break in the climb, we headed straight up again another 300 feet in .2 mile. The rocks returned so we did the boulder scramble......again. Combining the up and down trail with the heat and humidity of the day, we were both soon soaked with sweat. We descended back to around 400 feet elevation and began walking across the Pochuck Boardwalk. This area was so incredible. The 4 foot wide boardwalk is built over the marshland and goes on for about two miles although it seemed like forever. It was so pretty. Saw lots of birds, orange winged blackbirds and meadowlarks to name a few.This Boardwalk differs from the other ones that we have hiked over which are usually 2 x 8 boards over wooden supports through marshy areas. The last few miles today we hiked across these low Boardwalk and fields.We had reservations at the Appalachian Motel in Vernon, NJ. (notice that last night we were in NY. The trail zigzags between the two states.) Kunal from the motel picked us up at the trailhead at 1:00.We showered (Yea!!!!) - our first in five days. Kunal did our laundry for us. (Brave man!) We walked to town and had pizza. Later Kunal drove us to the A&P where there was a Starbucks. We resupplied and got dinner there.Returned to the motel, ate dinner, and chilled for the evening.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 6.0

Peach and I slept in a bit this morning at the motel. Kunal shuttled us to Mitch's Roadside Stand where we got hot dogs, chips, and a drink. After lunch, we walked about .2 mile to the trailhead. The trail started ok with fairly level "rock hiking." After another .2 mile, it ascended 1,500 feet in only a mile and a half. By the time we got to the top of Wawayanda Mountain, we were soaked in sweat. From here the trail was really pleasant. We stopped at a lake and took a break.The Wawayanda Shelter was only a mile from here. At the shelter, there were three young thru-hikers who were just resting. Pack was here, too. We met Pack in Unionvlle a couple of days ago. Peach and I found a campsite and set up the tent. We had to walk .8 miles r/t to the Wawayanda State Park to get water. So, off we went, without backpacks though. Pack went with us.Once we got to the park, the ranger told us they only had bottled water. Their electricity had been out for a week and it affected the water pump. We took the few bottles he had left and emptied them in our water bottles.Hiked back to the shelter. Old Scout had arrived. Esquire was there, too. (Esquire, formerly known as Playboy, was renamed by Peach because we all agreed the name didn't fit him). A hiker who is out for a couple of days, Tom, came in later.We cooked dinner and we dined as we watched it rain. There was even thunder and lightning. We were cozy and dry. Peach and I sat on the edge of the shelter while the other guys hunkered down inside. We visited for awhile.Rapunzel and mmBop came in. They had to hike in the downpour. They were hoping the spring that is .1 mile from the shelter was a good one, but unfortunately it is not. mmBop had to hike back down to the lake that was about a mile.Today we did a Near-o day, which means we slept in and hiked next to zero (but it sure didn't feel like one!) We hiked 6 miles.
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Wild Cat Shelter
Miles today: 12.1

Peach and I woke at 6:00 and broke camp. We had little water, so we skipped coffee and hit the trail at 7:00. The trail started out nice for about 4 miles until we hit the NJ/NY state line. The trail turned from its SE course to a more NE direction, and the rock climbing began again. Only this time it was very intense: we squeezed through cracks, and scrambled over sunny, hot exposed rock ridges for miles. Peach and I were completely soaked with sweat by 10:00. And when I say soaked, I mean the sweat even soaked my socks!The trail parallels Greenwood Lake for miles, but we only had limited views. We passed a flag flying atop the highest point on the trail in NY. We saw a huge turtle on the trail.We reached Hwy. 17A in NY and took a .1 mile detour to the Bellvale Creamery for ice cream! It was incredible; a milkshake for Peach, and a large cup of snicker doodle ice cream for me, washed down with water and an orange soda! Heaven!On the way back to the trail, I had to have a hot dog from a roadside stand.Back on the trail, we continued 2 miles north to Wild Cat Shelter. Old Scout came is as we set up our tent quickly as it was raining. We watered up and settled in for the evening.Today we hiked 12.1 miles.
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Wild Cat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

Quicksilver and I left the shelter at 7:15. It was 58 degrees. The day was beautiful. The trail jumped into high gear almost immediately. There were steep ups and downs but in shorter distances. We stopped at the top of Mombashi High Point to take a breather and have a snack. It was a nice spot with a breeze. Old Scout joined us.Then the real roller coaster began. We hiked from 200-500 feet up and then right away the trail would go back down. The day was warm and there were few water sources. Some sections of the trail were rock faces nearly vertical that we had to ascend. One place we even had to climb a ladder to get to the next boulder. This went on for the next ten grueling miles.The trail began a sharp descent down to NY 17 and I-87. It was a heart stopping descent. It seemed to last forever.We ran out of water about two miles before our campsite. We passed by Island Pond and got a little water. The "Lemon Squeezer" was next. This area is filled with massive boulders. The trail goes right between several of these boulders. The lemon squeezer was literally a slot we had to squeeze through with our packs on. It was about two feet wide and fifteen feet long.The trail went through an area that was real boggy and swarming with mosquitoes.We came to a pretty brook before the shelter and decided to stealth camp tonight. The shelter was .7 mile further and there was no water source or a privy.We hiked 14.3 miles today.We set up camp and had dinner. Crawled into the tent, read awhile, and went to sleep.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Bear Mountain Inn, Ft. Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 15.0

Peach and I awoke at 5:30, broke camp and left our nice stream.....and headed uphill. We passed Fingerboard Shelter across open, grassy ridge top. Lovely morning, but still humid.The trail has more of the up and down terrain as yesterday, but seems nicer for the first few miles.Then we come to the sharp ups and downs again; this goes on over an unnamed mountain, then Black Mountain. (From which we got our first good view of the Hudson River and a faint NYC skyline 35 miles distant.) Next came West Mountain, with its endless "false summits".When we finally reach Bear Mountain, I was just about done; don't know if it's the heat, the dread of another uphill, or too little in my stomach, but I'm so ready to be off the trail for a zero-tomorrow!! Peach is holding up better than me!We descend Bear Mountain in a wide, popular trail containing hundreds and hundreds of stone steps. The trail drops 1,100 feet on these steps.Then the trail comes out of the woods into a beautiful lake and state park, where the Bear Mountain Inn sits. The grassy grounds are covered with people, many from NYC seeking escape from the city. Every ethnicity known to man is here, and the smells from picnic grills is mouth-watering. Wish I could sample them all! Bear Mountain Inn was built in 1915 in the style of Great National Park Inns: stone construction, exposed wood beams, soaring ceilings. It is center pieces by Hessian Lake, with paddle boats and picnic tables. We enjoy a room in one of the stone cottages.We had an awesome dinner (real food!), then strolled back to our cottage for the night.
Date: 2015-05-31
From: Bear Mountain Inn

To: zero
Miles today: 0.0

It rained all day but that was okay because we took a zero day today. QS and I slept in and relaxed for most of the morning. Walked down to the Inn and enjoyed a fabulous brunch.Afterwards, around noon, QS asked the lady at the front desk to call a taxi for us. The first one she called was going to charge $40 one way for a 4 mile trip. Wrong! An hour and a half later we had West Point taxi pick us up and take us to Highland Falls Laundromat which, fortunately for us, was just down the road from a grocery store for $10.This laundromat was tiny and squeezed between other businesses and residences. Really a cute area.While our clothes were drying, we walked (in the rain) to the store.QS asked the taxi driver to come back at 3:30 and he said, "No problem." Well, 3:30 came and went; 4:00. He drove up at 4:10. We were just about to start walking back. Turns out he fell asleep.Back at our cottage, we loaded up our resupply. Had dinner at the inn and it was great.
Date: 2015-06-01
From: Bear Mountain Inn

To: Graymoor Spiritual Center
Miles today: 7.0

What an awesome night's sleep! We couldn't have picked a better place and time for a zero day. We slept til 7:00, then went for breakfast. The folks at the Bear Mountain Inn were very gracious and accommodating.We left the inn at 10:15 with the threat of rain. It didn't take long.We walked through the trailside zoo, then across the Bear Mountain bridge over the Hudson River. As we ducked back into the woods, the rain came. It rained steadily for 15-20 minutes, then became a drizzle.We arrived at a busy convenience store at US9/NY403. Time for cokes and pizza!! We bought a Philly cheesesteak to eat for dinner.We hiked the remaining mile to Graymoor Spiritual Center, a Friary of Franciscans that allows hikers to camp under a pavilion on the property. We got our tent set up and the rains came in sheets.Several other soggy hikers dashed into the shelter (Danger, Frodo, Sunshine, Big Ben, Hermit, and Batona). It is cold: 54 degrees with blowing rain.So we are hunkered down in our tent in the sleeping bags to stay warm.Today we hiked 7.3 miles.