morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-03
From: Peter's Mr. Shelter

To: Rausch Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I haven't been commenting much about the trail itself but today was a great day on the AT. A hot day with working up a a sweat only a long and gradual incline as I hiked in the forest shade. I haven't seen any deer or bears (which is good!) since I started.Had another instance of trail magic today with a tote of pop and snacks marked for hikers placed near a highway and parking lot. Enjoyed a ginger ale and some Keebler chocolate chip cookies. On the top of the lid was a bulletin announcing a free dinner at the "501 Shelter". This shelter is another 17.5 miler from here. So I plan on attending this party event with another long day. I will back off these longer days Saturday with only 14 miles on Saturday and only an 8 mile day on Sunday entering into my next resupply town of Port Clinton, PA. Will rest and hotel it Sunday afternoon/night. I have to wait until the Post Office opens on Monday to retrieve my food box so this sort of plan revision will work out just fine. I look forward to finishing up PA next week, then into New Jersey for only a few days of trail time.As of today, I have 1166 miles behind me on this Appalachian Trail, sometimes called The Green Tunnel. I have completed 222 miles since this year's start 15 miles south of Front Royal, VA. After tomorrow's walk in the woods, I will have less than 1,000 to go, still a huge number. I'm thinking more along the lines of completing each state. I have 7 to go after PA. The next 4 states (NJ, NY, CT, and MA) are all less than 100 (I think), VT, NH, and ME are the last 3. NH and ME are the toughest with The Presidential in NH (including the infamous Mt. Washington) and just up and down mountains in ME, very steep. Hoping for a lot of switch-backs (zig-zags) in those challenging mountain ranges.Nice night tonight but hearing a few thunder rumbles in the distance. Better call it a night. I'm inside a shelter and safe.
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Rausch Shelter

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

Interesting day today. I hiked all day today with new hiker friend "Cob", a 58 yr old seasoned hiker from Sykesville, MD, west of Baltimore. Nice guy, I hope to hike with him more.The trail today was a true mix of smooth, and rocky, with a couple of steep but short climbs. Its quite humid and after the climbs, I literally wrung out my shirt and copius amounts of moisture (sweat) dripped to the ground. We crossed one boulder field with rocks as big as bath tubs. As usual, we had to calculate each step.We had our trail magic dinner at the shelter as I mentioned yeaterday. A former thru-hiker lady, Stacy, brought in (I stll can't believe it!) a pan of chicken lasagna, veggie lasagna, a rice and cheese casserole, hot spinach dip with chips, apple juice, a box of Capri Sun lemonade, and a pumpkin pie. Wow, what a dinner and treat. Stacy is a Spanish teacher and has summers off so she enjoys doing trail magic and visiting with hikers. Also tonight, we had a "fire twiller" show where a guy came in and twirlled (like a baton) a "both ends burning" pole over his head, behind his neck.... you know the drill. He had long dread-locks and we all thought he would catch his hair on fire, he didn't. A truly unusual night at the 501 Shelter.From this 501 shelter into Port Clinton is a 24 mile walk. I'm not ready for that kind of miles-per-day, yet. Most of the hikers are planning on the big-mile day. I will do a 15.5 day, and a short 8.5 day Sunday into PC and take the afternoon off and shower, rest, and enjoy a cold one... or two.Almost forgot to mention southbound hiker Cyron and and his pet, Moe. Moe is a full grown iguana. Cyron says Moe loves the trail; he hangs on his back and sits on his shoulders as he hikes along. Beats a cage I guess. Have met some unusual folks a critters so far this year. Some of the hikers tonight, trail names: Silver Back, First Man, Apple Juice, Moose, Hobbs, Peanut, Samuri, Tumbleweed, Utah, Emily, Hollywood, Nature, Robo Jesus and his dog Patches, Pack Rat, Why Not, Trail Trash and his dad Easy Hiker, just to name a few. Oh, and of course, Repack.
Date: 2010-06-05
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

From 501 Shelter to Port Clinton is about 24 miles and most of the thru-hikers are doing it all today. The town has a huge pavillion in town where hikers are welcome to stay. Twenty-four is a bit much for me, now, so I'm headed for the next shelter 15 miles out and will finish Sunday morning into PC and enjoy a half day off.Hiked the day again with Cob. We parted a few miles out from the shelter as he made plans to meet his wife at a road crossing, so he put it in high gear and I lost sight of him in no time.. there was no need for me to hurry. I hope we can hook-up again as I can learn from him and he an ok guy.Found a clearing a few miles out and had lunch with a boots-off break. My feet start to bark after 10 or so. Its amazing how well I felt after a foot rub and just letting them air out. Socks in the sun for a few minutes dries them out a bit, too.Another trail magic day.. a guy named Fiddler left sodas chilling in a stream. Really seeing a lot of magic this trip.Into the shelter just after 4:00 as planned, tomorrow a shower.
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

Got a 7:15 start this morning and into PC about 11:30. The trail was more or less routine with the exception of the last half mile coming down off a mountain. It was the steepest descent I think I've experienced on the trail. Baby steps all the way with hiking poles out in front. Whew, sore feet after that one.Went directly to the PC hotel for shower, laundry, burger and a beer. compared to the Doyle in Duncannon, this place was a real cut above with air conditioning and a TV. The common bath was right next door and I later learned I was the only tenant for the night.Port Clinton has a peanut shoppe that sells old fashioned candies like Zagnut bars and Necco wafer plus all kinds of other goodies. I had a caramel turtle and some sesame mix.I saw some of the hikers from previous days at the bar. They came in last night and were getting ready to head out that afternoon. they will be a day ahead of me and I doubt I'll run into them again.There is a post office here an I have a food drop coming here. The problem with using post offices is Saturday p.m. and of course Sunday when they're closed. Arrive then, and you wait until Monday at 8:00. So that's why I decided to take half Sunday off. I had to wait till Monday a.m. to get my box anyway. All other drops I have scheduled are prearranged going to outfitters and hotels along the trail where I plan to stop over.So chilling out this pm and getting some rest.The photo is of the trail, on rocks, going down.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

As planned, got my food drop at 8:00 just when the post office opened. Repacked and was back on the trail by 9:15, a couple hours later than normal. I knew I'd be at the shelter by 5 or so as I usually arrive well before then for 15 mile days.This shelter in unique in that it has a full time caretaker (like the 501 shelter from a few days ago), a cold shower, and, a flush toilet! I met the caretaker (a volunteer). He's been doing this since 1992.Every shelter has a log book where hikers can leave a record of their visit or note for someone behind. I see a number of hikers I've met over the past week were here the last couple days. Cob was here last night so I doubt I'll catch up with him.Met a guy named Howard a little while ago, he stopped in to see if there were any AT maps here. There were not. We talked for a while and I told him where the next couple of road crossings were. He took me to the local convenient store for a pop and ice cream. Another trail angel.....I'm the only one here tonight, have the place to my self. Just a few more days in Rocksylvania.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Eckville Shelter

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

Not a good day for me today.First off, it was a good evening for me last night. Had some pop and ice cream and the place to myself. Got started about 7:15. I talk about the trail conditions on occasion, don't complain much but here's the exception. Had about 200 yards of nothing but boulder climbing today. See some of the photos from previous journals and you'll see what I mean. This stuff is rock to rock to rock. Balance and surefootedness are required. First, study the next few possible steps, take a couple, then recaluculate. Miserable, and dangerous to say the least. This is what give PA the reputation for "rock" hiking and no one has a good thing to say about it. It takes away all the good there is to say about the state. And there are good parts. But bad is bad, and they say there's more like it in New Hampshire. Can't wait.Then, this afternoon, my right leg starts to get sore, the same feelings that took me off last year. So I stopped and rested in the back yard of a B&B right off the trail. Took 4 ibuprofen, boots off, and lay in the sun for a while, actually dozed off for a few minutes. My leg seem to settle down and I was off again with some soreness throughout the day. This little episode convinced me to continue with my plan for a half day (nero) off at the next town, Palmerton, PA. I will continue on with reasonable mpd, rest, and lots of meds.Another night on my own at the Bake Oven Knob Shelter. In order to get here, I had to come down another rock field... unreal. Very little water here. There were three streams to retrieve water. The only water I found was a small puddle like thing in a dried up bed. Was able to get enough for the nignt and normal coffee and dinner. I double treated it, kind of yukky but clear.Don't have a picture relative to today so will add a nice scenic view of PA farmland.
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 7.7

Again, the only one in the shelter tonight. I'm fine with that, I actually like the peace and quiet. I think it's getting light earlier. I was up well before 6:00 and out of there about 6:30.I could feel my knee right away but took my time and nursed it along. It acutally is more sore as I walk flat vs. up or downhill.. go figure! Had one short boulder field and the usual rockiness of the path but with some good smooth spots. I figured about 4 hours for the short 7.7 miles at my slowed-up speed. The map showed an intense downhill into Palmerton. It was a bit steep but not bad. I could here the traffic from a busy highway on top of the descent. Hitched a ride in with an insurance adjustor, Mr. Roman. Thanks very much, sir.Staying at a hostel tonight which is in the basement of the old police station. It's called the jail-house hostel and the town supports it with a goodie bag and towels for the shower, which is in the gym upstairs. Everything here a hiker could need for resupply, laundry, beer and burgers, Rite Aid, and an IGA. Had Chinese for lunch while doing my laundry and the towels from last night. Obviously in a better mood today. Palmerton has a reputation for a tough hike through a rock field northbound out of town. It seems from 1898 to 1980, there was a zink smelting plant located here. The polution killed most all the vegetation on a mountain side (Blue Mt.) just outside of town and it looks like a Phoenix Arizona mountain, no green and barren. It's a steep climb with boulder hopping. Will find out in the morning. I caught up with some hikers who are taking a day off with some blisters and and a foot infection. Other hikers here are Apple Juice, Emily, Tumbleweed, and her brother Sky RocketRaining today, that's good, not a lot of water sources on the trail. Supposed to be nice tomorrow. I hope to be in Delaware Water Gap, PA in three days, Saturday. I believe I have enough food to get me there. Don't really want to take time off there as it's only 36 miles. We'll see what the rest of Rocksyvania is all about. Next state, New Jersey. Seventy-two miles rated 2-5. One is mostly flat, 5 is strenuous ups and downs, some flat; and a 10, look out, some use of hands required and fear of heights not a good thing.. oh, my goodness!
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Palmerton was a great trail town. I'm glad I took the half day off, especially since it rained most of the day and night.Palmerton is located in Lehigh Gap, along with a couple other small communities. As I mentioned previously, a zink smelting plant was in operation there from 1898 to 1980 when the EPA shut it down. The polution emitted from the plant over all those years devastated the enviornment on both sides of the gap, for miles, Blue Mountains I think they were called. It wiped out any and all vegetation. A reforrestation program is now in effect and there is some ocassional green to be seen but not much.The AT runs right through some of this barren and naked mountain. Part of the trail has been rerouted, however. For about an hour today, I hiked on nothing, I mean nothing, but rock and boulders that were marked with AT white blazes to show the way. This section takes the #1 spot, by far, on my list of extreme, arduous, and just damn difficult sections of the trail. Boulder to boulder, rock to rock, hiking high above the valley/gap below. I sometimes used my hands to steady my steps. There was no "ground" or "earth" to step on. I looked down into the gap only once and that was enough... eyes forward and concentration all the way. Just utterly unbelievable. I'm thankful the rocks were dry. I thanked God when I got through that shamble of stone.My hiking pal, AJ, has a different handbook than mine and I quote one paragraph in there on this area: "Palmerton EPA Superfund Site".. The devastation along the Blue Mountain area of Lehigh Gap is the result of nearly a century of zink smelting in Palmerton, PA. In 1980 the EPA shut down the furnace and in 1982, put the affected area on the Superfund clean-up list. A product called Ecolan - municipal waste sledge, fly-ash, lime, fertilizer and seeds has been spread on the slopes (some of the big degree slopes remain greenless as the rain has washed all the reforrestation process away). Zink is used in countless products from grommets, zippers, and even facepowder. The scramble up and down the denuded rocks is among the most challenging on the AT south of New Hampshire (boy, I can't wait to get there!)." Some progress is being made a smaller trees, grasses, and bushes have begun to reappear. Photo shows an area where there is some green but still looks like a war zone.Moved on after that climb through true-to-form rocky Pennsylvania trail taking numerous breaks and meds to settle my sore leg (no doubt, after that climb!) Arrived at the shelter about 5:30, kind of late for me. To top off the day, there was a good water source at the shelter area, .5 miles down the hill. Just what I needed, another mile to walk.My friend AJ was at the shelter when I arrived back up from the stream. Guess what we discussed most of the evening. A long, long, day and hope for not too many more like this. Guess I'd best be expecting some more come New Hampshire.
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Well, with yesterday in the past and today mostly flat (but still rocky), I looked forward to a lesser mile day and no serious climbing.Kirkwood Shelter is only 6.4 miles south of Delaware Water Gap, PA on the border of New Jersey, crossing over the Delaware River. DWG is a popular stop for most hikers as there is a free hostel and shower at a local Presbyterain Church so most hikers will take the 6.4 additonal miles and go in from Leroy Smith Shelter. I took only the 13.8 to Kirkwood to stay focused on resting and finishing up on Saturday for a most of the day off nero day in nearby Stroudsburg as there's not much for hikers in DWG except an outfitter.Today's hike was flat and not bad except for the constant looking down to watch just about every step.After 5 miles on the trail, there was a road crossing (RT 33) that lead into Wind Gap a couple miles east, and with an independent hotel .1 mile in the other direction away (I could see it coming out of the woods and onto the road) that advertised sodas for sale and water for hikers. I'm there in a heartbeat! The lady at the hotel was kind enough to cook me some hot water for my instant coffee and I sat in the sun while studying the next few miles. So I had a Sprite, a coffee and snack, and another Sprite (in that order) before returning to the trail. There is just something about a cold lemon-lime drink vs. a cola on the trail....Got into the shelter early, 3:45 and was happy to have some extra time to relax and do some journaling. AJ showed up a bit later, and a family of 5 (boy scouts) also stayed the night. The shelter had a spigot with fresh water just behind it, as there were some buildings (a Christian home, I think) behind. So didn't have to treat the water today and enjoyed a bandana bath, but not totally. I'm sure you can imagine spashing cold water over your face and neck after a long walk.The shelter seemed to have a local chipmunk as a moocher. I've seen a lot of chipmunks on the trail. This one was not timid and would run through the shelter site and look at me and scamper off. My leg was without discomfort all day. Must have been that #@$%!# climb from yesterday....
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: broken clouds

Ahhh, a night in a hotel, with a hot bath awaiting upon my return from the library. The 6.4 miles went quickly as I arrived just after 3 hours of hiking. I walked by the church hostel in DWG and stopped in to see some former hiker friends getting ready to hit the trail. They were: Redwing, Little Dipper, Nature, Robo Jesus and his dog Patches, First Man, and Night Crawler. The hostel has bunks and a shower but no laundry and no laundromat in town. I'm sure those folks showered but I doubt they washed their clothes from 3-4 days on the trail... whew... stand back!Stopped in at the local outfitter for my mail drop and a canister of fuel and made a B-line for a shuttle, which, wasn't operating today. So got a Sprite from the gas station/C store and yogied a ride into Stroudsburg from a nice guy who overhear me when I asked (loudly)the clerk how I could get into town. Nice fellow, his name was Don Smith. My age, just retired, and plays a lot of golf. Thanks Don.Tomorrow I'm in New Jersey. I'm told still another 20-25 miles of dealing with rocky trail but the end is in near. No significant picture for this entry so another rocky view of the trail in PA. Adios Pennsylvania.
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Conference Center
Miles today: 10.5

Today's hike out of Delaware Water Gap Pa into NJ started out crossing the Delaware River. Below, in the river, were kayakers and the river seemed almost still.New Jersey, they say, is just as rocky as PA for the first half of the state's 72 trail miles. I believe it as it seemed no different than the other side of the bridge. The first climb went up to Sunfish Pond, a popular Sunday uphill hike for many day hikers and exercise enthusiasts. The pond was pleasant but the trail going around half the pond was, once again, ankle busting rock and root. I saw my first bear sighting in the area. Up close, 100' maybe, a big one popped out of the brush on my left, and thundered down the the hill to my right; sounded like a huge hoofed animal as it ran away quickly. I think we were both scared.Rained much of the p.m. and I got soaked during a down-pour. Coming out of the heavy rain, just up a road was the Mohican Conference Center, a place just for that and some vacationing and canoeing. I didn't feel much like going on after being drenched so took a cabin and shared it with two ladies and met thru-hike Rafi (Rafael from Puerto Rico origianlly). Was to hook up with Rafi 4-5 evening after that, just a super nice guy. One of the ladies was soon to have some serious surgery for removing some bad cells and tissue. We enjoyed the evening with chatting and drinking decaff coffee.It was great to get out of the wet woods and take a shower and cook coffee water on a regular stove.
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Mohican Conference Center

To: Brink Rd Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Not much going on today. Rafi and I started out a few minutes a part and had planned on meeting at Brink Rd Shelter, even though only 14.3 miles out. We were still somewhat wet from the rain yesterday and a short, sunny day would help dry things out, and it did.We stayed between 1300' and 1500' elevations today so the climbing and descending wasn't to bad, legs feeling a bit used lately. Came across a road crossing with a water pump just off the trail so took a break, washed my face and neck, and watered up with the cold and refreshing well water. Tasted pretty good actually. Passed by a nice looking but stinky and noisy (ribbit!) pond. Ech!Two 19-20 miles days planned if hikeable and good weather. Tomorrow is a longer day planned, almost 20 miles (will take a lot of breaks), then the day after, into Vernon NJ for a resupply, shower and laundry at a church hostel.
Date: 2010-06-15
From: Brink Rd Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: few clouds

Long day today with some interesting occurrences. Second bear sighting! Got off the trail at a road crossing to get a soft drink a short walk away and while looking up a highway up Sunrise Mt. at Culver Gap, was a long-legged black bear just sauntering across the blacktop, probably 300' feet away. Couldn't get my camera out in time and he saw me and took off. I'm glad they take off.Passed by three other shelters with no water source today to get to High Point. High Point state park is nearby and I could hear folks swimming and having a good time from the trail, although I could not see the park. By arriving at High Point today, it left us with only 18.9 into Vernon to what would probably be the easiest day so far, with only one 400' climb and word that the AT was the flattest to date. High Point MOuntain, the highest elevation in the state with a monument to something... my guide book didn't say. Rafi and I were again by ourselves. He prefer's his tent vs. the wood shelter structures.Much of the trail still rocky and lots of ridges over slopped boulders with some good views today. Feet and legs a bit sore again today but seem to recover each morning.