morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-06-28
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Wow it was a humid day, 17 miles today was way harder than yesterdays 25. I only wished it would rain but that would of just made all the rocks we had today slippery. Last night I had my first issue with mice.So i woke up and grabbed my food bag this morning and it had a hole chewed in the side. Last night i had used my bear line to hang clothes on, when i went to hang my food i didnt want to take the line down so just hung my bag on a tree branch. The mouse enjoyed a krackle candy bar. First part of the day was easy and made the first climb early with no real problems. It was already humid though and soaked in sweat, my clothes never dried from last night either. Took a break before starting the next climb and that one kicked my butt, and everyone elses I talked to as well. It was also the start of a dry 10 mile section. Finally made it to the next shelter and water after several breaks. Was there early with only 4 miles to do so cooked lunch since I didn't want too eat my bread. The last stop it smelled like sourdough and had some mold. Made potatos with the sausage. The last few miles where fairly easy but had some sections of tough rocks. Finally made it to the 501 shelter where an iitalian place will deliver. I ordered a cheeseburger fries and a two liter of Pepsi. Another section hiker ordered two large pizzas for everyone and I had a few slices of that. Took a shower in the solar shower with pretty cold water and prepared for bed. About nine as I was writing a group of previous hikers showed up with sodas, ice and 7-8 half gallons of ice cream for everyone. Yes I had a bunch and have a very full stomach now. Was definitely a very tough day and time to get rest for probably another tough day tomorrow.
Date: 2011-06-29
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton Pavilion
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Long day but felt really good till the last few miles. Stopped in Port Clinton and zeroing tomorrow.So after sweating in the enclosed shelter at 11 last night I grabbed my bag and pad and went outside and cowboy camped. Finally got some sleep but woke up early for a possibly long day. Could do either 15 or push on to 24, only one unreliable water source between. The morning started off with lots of rocks but went away after a few miles. Then Mountain Dew and I hiked the next 10 miles or so very fast. Took a lunch around 12:30 with 13 miles done. Moved on to the shelter and consulted the guide. Found you could stay at the pavilion in town for free. Also tomorrow should be a zero day with my 6 days walking and a zero plan, if I do 100 miles. So it was best just to push into town. The first six of nine miles was probably some of the most enjoyable miles I have hiked recently. Terrain sucked (rocks), had a climb (not big), and it was hot but that didn't get in the way. Was flying and singing and the miles melted away. Then I took a break and passed a pipeline and a road like the book said for three miles left. Then I passed another road a mile later it seemed and then another and at this point I had no idea how far I had left. My feet began feeling like hammered meat and I didn't think the hill down into town would ever get there. Finally it did and that wasn't any better. This hill was a nightmare and I had to stop more than going up one. Straight down it seemed with huge steps. Knees always hurt going down those but not anything major. Finally make it down and head to the peanut shop for drinks for the evening and some peanut butter bars that are so good. At the pavilion I made dinner and setup my bed. Read for quite a bit and then slept. Writing this the day now.
Date: 2011-07-01
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Sheter
Miles today: 26.5
Weather: clear sky

Long day because I screwed up and had to pay for it. Great trail magic with a fairly flat day though a little rocky. Breaks galore that really made me have to grind through the miles.Didn't wake up early like I wanted and left at 7 for about 20 miles to the restaurant. Early on we climbed to the Pulpit rock and astronomical park. Took my first break here and looked around. A few more miles I got to the Pinnacle rocks and took another break at this overlook. Around 10:30 I got to a water source and had lunch and that is about the time I realized I had a problem. The maildrop I forwarded I was planning on picking up in two days. Well two days is Saturday and they are always closed at noon, I wasn't going to be there until later. So now I needed to do enough miles today to make it in there by noon. They are closed on Sunday and then later someone mentioned the holiday for Monday so it would be Tuesday before I can pick it up if I don't get there tomorrow. So now my option is a shelter about 8-9 miles away from town which made today 26.5 miles my second longest day yet. The miles didn't want to go down easily with many view points along the way. I contemplated going into the restaurant at twenty miles just so I wouldn't have to make dinner tonight. Well today that didn't matter because two miles before and eight to go I ran into trail magic. Some 08' hikers where out cooking hamburger and hotdogs along with drinks, brownies, chips, hot sauce and other things. Was great timing and so much for no trail magic in the north. Didn't make the last miles any easier and a half mile from the shelter it got really hard to follow the trail in the rocks. Finally at the shelter I had another issue water. I started down the trail for water and there are signs, spring 1, check it out and its dry. Further down the trail the next two are as well. Get down to another sign that points to another and walk a bit but still don't find water. I come back and see that it says its .2 miles away so go back even further and finally find some water. Was getting pretty worried as I only had about a quarter liter left. So after about a mile of walking I get back to camp and drank two liters I am so thirsty. Only snacked for dinner since I had a big late lunch. I am the only thru here with a section hiker that arrived pretty late.Tomorrow I do actually have to get up fairly early to get to town on time but then get to stay at the Jailhouse hostel. So now I must sleep for a mad dash to town.
Date: 2011-07-02
From: Bake Oven Knob Sheter

To: Palmerton Jailhouse Hostel
Miles today: 8.0

New shoes and after I got them I realized it was definitely time for them. Also staying at the jailhouse hostel in Palmerton for the night after a short day.Since I needed to get to the post office I got up and hit the trail at shortly after 6. The terrain was mixed rocks and somewhat clear areas. The highlight of the trail today was blueberries on the trail, apparently we have passed them before but I have never seen them till today. I ate a few but not too many, they where pretty small. Tomorrow we pass more I hear and I am going to collect them for breakfast. One I got to the road I had to make it 1.5 miles to town, my choices were to hitch on a small road with no where to pull off, walk the highway or down the railroad tracks. Just because I didn't know how long it would take to get a hitch I just started walking the tracks. I made it to the post office by 10 and picked up my package. Sat outside a bit and put on the new shoes and put the food in my bag. While inspecting my old shoes I found that they were not as in a good a shape as i had thought. There was a split about two inches long across the front of each shoe where the leather had split but the inner layer was still holding them together. New shoes were just in time. I then headed down the road to find some eggs. I have really been craving eggs of any sort lately. Found a small place and had an omelet with toast and potatoes. Next stop was to do laundry where I charged my phone as well, afterwards I headed to the police station to check into the hostel. The hostel is inside what I believe is the old police station offices down in the basement. The police station checks you in at night and on the weekends. Its not air conditioned so its actually hot right now and I can't just go outside to sleep here. Took a shower after settling in and Shaka, A Game, and Vegamite showed up shortly later and we went to eat late lunch. Had a pizza, fries, and a banana split, with some leftover pizza for breakfast tomorrow. The rest of the day I just spent resting and reading at the hostel. Tomorrow it is supposed to be hot and we have to walk across the superfund site with exposed climbing and thirteen miles to water. Doesn't sound like its going to be fun, some other thru's that have cars here right now with family visiting are going to drive me to the trail around six so that will be great. With fourth of July coming soon I am trying to decide where the best spot will be to get a view of a town, it looks like I might have one but will have to see how it goes.
Date: 2011-07-03
From: Palmerton Jailhouse Hostel

To: Travel Inn, Wind Gap, Pa
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: light rain

Crazy day that felt like two different days. Early on lots of rain and blueberries. Later it was a mad dash to town. Got up early at the hostel to catch a ride with Zig Zag back to the trail at 6. When I woke up it was raining and that didn't sit well. New shoes and they were going to get broken in fast. Got on the trail about 6:30 and the rain stopped shortly after, which was good because the first mile was a rock scramble climbing to the top of the ridge which was fun. Then it was a few miles down an old superfund road which had good views the whole time back down to Palmerton area. After that I ran into a big patch of blueberries amd spent 30 minutes collecting some for my cereal tomorrow and eating some. Shortly later as I am climbing back up to a ridge line the rain along with thunder and lightning came back. I actually stopped and huddled under my tyvek for a while till the brunt of it passed. The walking was all very easy today with not that many rocks compared to the day I did the 26 which I believe is the worst stretch of rocks Pennsylvania has to offer. At the shelter there was a guy staying there for the day who says he was southbounding. He kind of gave me the creeps a little and I really was hoping for others to show up. Finally everyone arrived and it made it a little better, but another guy and him where basically bantering back and forth causing an uncomfortable atmosphere. I had wanted to go forward a few more miles but with the rain chance I opted to stay at the shelter. After a bit though A Game and Shaka started making suggestions of going to town and getting out of there. Eventually we had enough and the three of us plus Rawdog packed up and made the mad dash to town. That began the second part of the day, with dark looming and almost five miles we took off at about three miles an hour. At the road we immediately got a hitch and were dropped off at Wendys. We had dinner and then checked in at the hotel. Wasn't exactly in the plans for tonight but under the circumstances we all were happy about the choice. Tomorrow I head to the next town in the town hop of Pennsylvania for my last full day in the state, Delaware Water Gap. Veto, Fiber, Hover and Pappy took three zeros there and are actually leaving there tomorrow for a short 10 mile day, so I will actually be catching up to them shortly without having really pushed to do so.
Date: 2011-07-04
From: Travel Inn, Wind Gap, Pa

To: Church of the Mountain Hostel
Miles today: 15.8

Church of the mountain hostel hostel 15.8Happy Fourth of July! From one town to the next, today I am in Delaware Water Gap. Average mileage because I didnt get back out of town, but didn't see any fire works.Woke up at the hotel and had leftover Wendys burgers for breakfast, yummy. Didn't get out until late because I didn't want to wake everyone up. Finally heard the morning time song of Shakas that I have never had the pleasure of hearing. After that I finally started trying to hitch back to the trail around 9 and got a ride about a mile away. Was on the trail at 9:30 and it was another slow day of walking. Towards the later half of the day Shaka, A Game and I walked the later portion of the day into town and the hostel where I decided to stay since it was pretty late. Was going to go out another 6 miles or so to a backpackers campground. First thing I did was go to the gas station to resupply for some lunches. Got a jar of peanut butter, 6 honey buns, a dr pepper and a quart of chocolate milk which I sat in the parking lot and drank. While sitting there Mishka and Mehow walked by and they asked me to come along to the bar for dinner and food a local told them about. Turned out it was 25 cent wing night. Had a couple drinks and twenty wings and fries. On the way back it was so far we tried hitching back. A suburban going the other direction pulled over and asked where could they buy fireworks. Turns out the store is right by where we were going, unfortunately he already had a full vehicle. Somewhere during the conversation it was mentioned Mishka was from Wisconsin. The guy whips a u turn in the road and pulls halfway off the road and jumps out to show his license that he is as well. The guy was pretty wasted and wasn't a good ride anyways, but was a good laugh. Funny thing about the firework store which is in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvanians can't buy fireworks there. We can only assume that it was because you couldn't sell them in New Jersey and can't buy them in Pennsylvania. Finally made it back to the hostel and again it was pretty hot and hard to lay here.Tomorrow is a big day so hopefully I sleep soon.
Date: 2011-07-05
From: Church of the Mountain Hostel

To: Campsite mile 1310.6
Miles today: 25.3

Story for today is bears, I am in New Jersey now and apparently the bears make an appearance again. Caught up to everyone again and all because of bears.So managed to get up and on the trail around 7:30 without even using the shower at the hostel. I just took a shower the day before so why take another right. So the first part of the trail was in town till you get over the Delaware river which flows like crazy and is rust brown. A 17 mile tubing trip takes 3 hours on it. After the river I entered into the DWG park, I believe it is a national park but not certain. It had some great stuff though, early on I passed Sun Fish pond, which is one of New Jerseys seven wonders of the state and a glacial pond. Was a really great looking pond. On the north end people had also made rock structures/piles all over the shore line which was cool. The next great thing was a ridge line that overlooked some great ponds, lakes and rivers. Blueberries were also everywhere again but I didn't eat many of them today. Ten miles in where the others stayed last night I got to the Mohican Outdoor Center where I had a coke and ice cream sandwich. The next ten miles or so where super easy and flew by but the last 5 went back to rocky trails and a lot of up and downs. Made it to the shelter and found out the others had moved on because of the bad bugs. Wasn't sure how far so setup for the night and ate dinner. Denver another hiker came in and was going on so I had him send a message to the others that if they were close to come get me. When I got in my tent to journal around 8 Pappy and Hover both sent messages saying they were a half mile away. Because I had already unpacked and setup I replied I would just see them in the morning. Two minutes after that the evening got real interesting. I heard loud stomping about twenty feet from my tent and looked out to investigate. A huge bear was walking down the ridge behind my tent towards camp, i got out of the tent and started shooing him and banging my hiking poles together but he didnt care and slowly circled around camp. I changed my mind up pretty quickly and was packed in about five minutes and moving on. A short walk later I made it to their camp and was greeted by everyone from their tents since they had all gotten ready or gone to sleep. So now I am finishing my journaling and listening to all the loud noises out in the forest. Bear count 8 now and this one wasn't fun. Today I also passed the 1300 mile mark but again forgot about it till several miles later. Only 871 miles left to go! It is so much but seems like so little these days when I am doing over 100 miles a week.
Date: 2011-07-06
From: Campsite mile 1310.6

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

Survived the night Not so sure about today though, it was a rough one with rocky terrain and really hot. The high point of today was the actual highest point of New Jersey at Highpoint State Park.Started the morning early and sat around and caught up with everyone while packing before getting on the trail around 6:45. The first few miles took me to a road crossing where there was a deli right by the trail. Didn't actually get anything but a coke which I drank back at the trail in the shade. At the next shelter the first of three we passed by I took my first lunch and the others minus Bear Bag and Hover showed up. Drank plenty of water as it was already starting to get hot. Fiber and I left and walked for the rest of the day catching up and talking. The second shelter was a much longer break with lunch and just seven of nineteen miles left by shortly after noon. Although I was drenched in sweat I layed clothes and stuff in the sun and it was all dry within an hour, not that it mattered with more miles yet to do during the hottest part of the day. The water was six tenths away at this shelter but luckily the care taker stocks water so that was much appreciated. At the next shelter, which we didn't bother going to since it was four tenths off the trail, we took another break at the trail intersection. Our next break was shortly later at the park office where we all drank as much as we could. That is when we found that there was a concession stand and beach .3 off trail one mile ahead. That was a no brainer and we headed there. It was one very tough mile having already been drained of energy but we couldn't pass up the chance. Fiber and Veto went swimming and Pappy and I had first dinner. After hanging out till six when they close, we headed back to the trail and last mile to the shelter for the night. Setup camp and had second dinner which was small. Now it is late and I am exhausted.
Date: 2011-07-07
From: High Point Shelter

To: St. Episcopal Hostel Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 19.0

Hot again today and further than we had planned, but tomorrow will be a zero. Walked the boardwalk of New Jerseys swamp.Left camp around 7:30 today and it was already pretty muggy. Got in the first 7 miles in decent time before taking a short break, afterwards we had a three mile flat section that consisted of a roadwalk and a raised dirt road around the Willkill Reserve. It was very hot and open to the sun. Right after that we got to the water source at an abandoned house hikers can use, here we had lunch and a nap. After that it was six more miles with a bunch of climbing thown in to a stream just short of the road to town. About a mile and a half before that we walked about a mile across a raised boardwalk over a cattail reed filled swamp area with a suspension bridge in the middle over a river, it was also all out on the sun. Throught the entire day we would also walk over shorter bog walk bridges and probably walked on boards for a good two miles today. After we did the boardwalk Pappy and I meet Fiber and Veto at the stream where they were pacing around trying to avoid the mosquitos. It didn't list a camsite here and there was no where we wanted to stay, plus the stream was black and that meant no water. So to town we went, at the road we stopped at the farmers market to rest and then started walking and hitching to no avail. We walked the entire 2.4 miles to town plus the 18+ mile day, all in miserable heat. At the hostel we signed in and dropped off our stuff before heading to Burger King for dinner. Then I did laundry and showered which was nice. By that time I was done and went to bed.A zero tomorrow with hopefully very little to do other than resupply. Then after the zero we enter New York!
Date: 2011-07-08
From: St. Episcopal Hostel Vernon, NJ

To: St. Episcopal Hostel Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

Well it was a very good zero and my feet feel much better, hopefully tomorrow they will be ready to go again. Woke up and had Dunkin Donuts first thing early this morning around 6. I then sat around a little while before going to resupply at the A&P grocery store. Sorted my food and such and didn't do much of anything else for a while but read. Later in the afternoon we played poker with a bunch of candy. Everyone ate tons of their money supply during the game and by the end it was about half what it was. Was fun and relaxing and wasted a bunch of time. For dinner I just ate some of the extra food I bought for resupply. After all the excitement I read for the rest of the night. Wasn't a really exciting day but felt great anyways.Towards the later part of the day thunderstorms rolled in so it was a perfect day for a zero. Tomorrow we hike out 17 miles with a creamery 15 miles in to the day. I also hear that Veto has some family or friends coming to meet us Monday with all kinds of goodies for us, can't wait.
Date: 2011-07-09
From: St. Episcopal Hostel Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

17 wildcat shelter tentAfter the last two days of actual walking before the zero, today was a breeze. 17 miles of good weather, terrain and ice cream. So got up and knew I had to try and get a hitch to the trail if I wanted to get there early. While packing up a guy who was visiting someone brought in donuts and coffee, breakfast was accounted for. Walked to the intersection around 6:45 and started hitching and stood there for thirty minutes without a ride. Started walking back to the hostel to get a ride with the donut guy who was going not give rides. While walking back another guy who picked up some others stopped and offered a ride. So finally got started close to 7:30, just before the others. At the first hill they caught up to me and Veto, Fiber, and Pappy and I walked pretty much the rest of the day. Took a nice lunch near the top of a hill with great wind flow and no sun. Later on two miles from the shelter we walked 0.3 miles to a creamery for ice cream where we took a good break. Cruised the rest of the way to the shelter where there are a ton of people tonight. Tomorrow is our big day of this stretch with a 19.6 mile day, ah feels good to have a big day that is still under twenty. Hopefully the weather is as good as today.Tomorrow I want to try and get an early start, I can't wait for the cool weather to come back so an early start isn't so necessary. Its 9 and time to sleep, hopefully its cooler than the hostel was.