morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-09
From: Port Clinton, PA / Port Clinton Hotel

To: Port Clinton, PA / Port Clinton Hotel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up intending to leave late in the day, but you know how that always changes. I skipped breakfast, and waited for lunch at the hotel bar. A few of us were looking forward to watching the final game of the world cup soccer tournament. Birkenstock arrived, who I havent seen since Ms. Janets in TN. We got along real well when we met, and it was good to see he was still hiking. He was infront of me most of the way, but came down with Lyme disease and was off the trail for 12 days.He convinced me to stay another night, so we could hike out together to Delaware Water Gap. My blisters were just about healed, so I was out of excuses until he came along. The plan is Delaware Water Gap in 4 days, Thursday. I cant wait to hike again and reach my home state of NJ. The Delaware Water Gap, on the NJ side, is the first place Ive ever hiked before.
Date: 2006-07-10
From: Port Clinton, PA / Port Clinton Hotel

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up early to go to breakfast before heading out onto the trail. Had breakfast with Johnny K, and made it back to the hotel by 8am. I was all packed up, so I left behind #2 and Birkenstock. I passed them in the first few miles, and refilled on water at Windsor Furnace State Park. It was a warm day, but not as bad as it could be.I did a nice push from Windsor Furnace to Gold Spring for lunch. I had already gone about 12 miles. One more stop for the day at Dan's Pulpit overlook. There was a tough climb getting up there, and it was hot at this point. Luckily there was a nice breeze blowing at the vista, and the mosquitos were only slightly bad. Took a break with Birkenstock, Lucky Dime and Sue. It was 4.5 miles to the shelter from here, and no more climbs until the uphill at Lehigh Gap some 30 miles away.Arrived at the shelter to find Kentucky there. I met him the previous day at the hotel bar. The water was .3 down the mountain, so I put off getting it as long as I could. By the time I went down there, Birkenstock and the gang showed up. Brighteyes made it too, I wondered if she would make it this far out of town. I tented below the shelter, avoiding the bugs. Tomorrow Ill be in Palmerton, PA. Once leaving Palmerton Ill be on familiar ground, having done the section from here all the way to Bear Mountain, NY back in the mid90s. Of course Ill take the punishment again from the rocks, but my boots are working out great now that my blisters are healed.
Date: 2006-07-11
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Lehigh Gap, PA / Palmerton Hotel
Miles today: 17.4

No rain overnight, and we had a nice full moon. The trees blocked it out early in the night, but I could tell by the reflection on my tent that it was out in the middle of the night. I was off and running around 9am, heading to PA309 roadcrossing where I could fill up with water. I made it there, and saw Sue and Lucky Dime. After I was finish filling up on water I headed out, it was definitely getting warmer and more humid.I traversed the cliffs, and bear rocks, and met up with brighteyes just before bake oven knob. I passed her, but she caught back up to me while I was taking a short water break near bake oven knob road. A local man and his son came over to us and started talking to us. He was real nice, and quite sympathetic towards thruhikers out in this humidity. He asked us where we are staying tonight, and we told him probably in Palmerton. He offered us a ride into town around 430pm which was perfect. Supposedly this is a tougher hitch than normal and its a 2 mile stretch thats miserable to walk. We met Birkenstock at Bake Oven Knob shelter and told him of the plan. He left first, and waited for us at George W. Outerbridge shelter just before the descent into Lehigh Gap.Once at the bottom, Dan was there waiting for us with his son and had no problem letting Birkenstock come along for the ride. At the last second, a woman offered us a ride also, so Brighteyes got in with her. We all got dropped off at the Palmerton Hotel. Another nice bar/resturant/hotel, this is what I call camping!
Date: 2006-07-12
From: Lehigh Gap, PA / Palmerton Hotel

To: Wind Gap, PA / Gateway Motel
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

It was a warm night in the room with no air conditioning. We woke up to the alarm I set around 530am, and I took a quick cold shower since I was so hot sleeping all night. The plan was to take trail angel Dan up on his offer to give us a ride back to the trail, only we would take him out for breakfast first. I called him around 630am, and he was at the hotel 10 minutes later. A quick breakfast at the local cafe, and we were ready to go. We saw Kentucky at breakfast, and Dan had no problem letting him jump in for the ride up to Lehigh Gap.We picked Brighteyes up at the hotel before heading out, and we were back on the trail around 815am. The climb up Lehigh Gap is like no other climb we have had so far. It is totally exposed, and very steep. The whole time you can turn around and feel like you look straight down to the Lehigh River. We met a man up near the top who was planning on thruhiking next year. He asked us some questions, and was on his way. The mountain top above Lehigh Gap is totally dead from the zinc plant that used to exist in Palmerton. Barely any vegetation exists, and its mostly smashed up rocks. I saw a nice rattlesnake slithering across the trail, my 2nd in the past week. I stopped at the campsite I used with my friend Dennis and Rob over 10 years ago, then made my way down to Little Gap. Luckily, a local had dropped off jugs of water for us since this is a very dry section of the trail.Brighteyes, Birkenstock and I took a break at Delps spring. The thunder had been rumbling for the past hour or so and rain looked iminent. Dan even called me to let me know storms were supposed to pass through. Our plan was to pick up Kentucky at the next shelter, and talk him into splitting a room with us at Wind Gap. That would only leave us about 15 miles into Delaware Water Gap.I arrived to the shelter first, and had no trouble talking Kentucky into joining our plan. We made it down to Wind Gap and got a room at the Gateway Motel. Pete who runs the place drove Kentucky and I into town to pick up dinner, beer, and new shorts for me at Kmart. The rest of the night was spent enjoying lots of food, and the air conditioning. The storms finally did come, but the rain was lite, it was mostly thunder and lightning. Birkenstock, Kentucky and I stayed up late trying to solve the world's problems and finally hit the hay way too late. Late start tomorrow for sure.
Date: 2006-07-14
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA / Super 8 Motel

To: Rahway, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

Linda and I left the Super 8 motel to head back to Delaware Water Gap, PA to run a couple errands. I had to stop at the post office to pick up my bounce box, and see what the outfitter had. Seems like they had a bad flood during all the rains of the past few weeks, and they were in shambles.We instead drove to Campmor on the way back to Linda's apartment. They replaced my 2L Platypus water bladder since it had a hole in it, and also gave me a new pair of trekking poles since my Leki's had major issues. I purchased some new boots, along with a couple other odds and ends.Once I got back to Linda's apartment, I called Brain at ULA Equipment about my pack. He said to mail it back to him ASAP, so he can look at it and get another one out to me right away. Im going to have to continue to use it till I can have my spare pack mailed to me in about a week. Hopefully the hole wont get worse, and ULA will warranty it and either fix the problems or mail me a new one.Im enjoying relaxing with my girlfriend and dog for the weekend, and tomorrow Ill get to play golf. The weather all weekend and next week is supposed to be real hot. Im going to soak up all the air conditioning I can the next couple days.
Date: 2006-07-15
From: Rahway, NJ

To: Rahway, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up early to go play golf with my girlfriend up near Vernon, NJ. We finally found the course and enjoyed the day together. The weather was cloudy with a couple light showers during the day. Needless to say it was nice to be out on the links with my woman. I played bad, but to be expected. I talked to my friends Heidi and Mark, and they said they could drive up to see me at Linda's place after we are done. Im excited to see friends for sure.On the way home, I got a call from Bud and Carnivore. They were in Unionville, NY at a bar just off the trail. They convinced Linda and I to come pick them up, about 35 minutes away. We got there and loaded Bud, Carnivore and Jukebox into the car to take them back to Rahway also. Once we got back, Heidi and Mark were already there waiting. We had a little party for a couple hours until Bud, Carnivore and Jukebox decided to take the train in NYC for the night. Heidi and Mark left shortly there after to make the drive back to home. Linda and I went to dinner at the Irish Pub in town.Tomorrow we will get back on the trail in Unionville, NY with only 30ish miles left to go till NY. The weather is supposed to be horribly hot and humid, so who knows how far Ill go in the next few days. I need to get to Bear Mtn to see my friends Mike and Lisa no earlier than thursday night.
Date: 2006-07-16
From: Rahway, NJ

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 0.0

The plan for today was going to be getting back on the trail, with a stop at the outfitters again before getting to Unionville. Unfortunately they are closed on sundays, so we would just drive straight there. Bud, Carnivore and Jukebox called from downstairs to be let in the apartment building by 830 after spending the night wandering around NYC. They slept a couple hours in central park, cowboy camping.They were exhausted needless to say, so they spent about 5 hours laying around in the air conditioning resting. It was tough to get them motivated around 4pm to leave, but the time had come. It was really hot out still, and only to get worse throughout the week. Just before getting dropped back off at the Backtrack tavern, we saw Puffy and Cheeto on the side of the road where the AT crosses. We wondered if they would come into town to the bar.The bar had great pool tables, and lots of free drinks, and most importantly an air conditioning. We decided we would hike out in the morning. A local retired NYC firefighter asked Bud, Carnivore and I if we wanted to crash at his place just out of town. He had a pool, hottub, and air conditioned house for us to use. We were there! Hopefully we will head out tomorrow and not die in the heat.
Date: 2006-07-17
From: Unionville, NY

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

We were all a little hurting the next morning after too much partying the night before. Trail Angel Brian made us coffee and put out cereal for us, before he took us back to town. We arrived in town to find Jukebox sitting outside the soda shop cafe, wondering where we had been. We told her our story, and then went inside to enjoy the air conditioning.The weather was just plain aweful. The heat index had to be in the low 100s, and no one was motivated to leave in that weather. The lady running the cafe told us about the waterpark in Vernon, NJ and we all started thinking. Next thing you know, she gives us the phone number of a local trail maintainer who would drive us there for free. I called him, and he said he could drive us there in a couple hours. We waited inside anxiously for his arrival.Once he showed up, he drove us to Vernon where there is a hiker hostel run by a church. We dropped off our packs, and got back in the car for the ride to the waterpark. The rest of the day was spent going on rides and sitting in the wave pool. This sure beats hiking!!We got back to the hostel and hung out for a bit. Puffy, Cheeto, Home cookin, and Doublezip all were jealous of our fun in the sun. They are all staying at the hostel, and leaving in the AM. We decided to tent next to the firemans pavilion for free. Hopefully the weather wont be as dreadful tomorrow so I can actually start hiking again...
Date: 2006-07-18
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up around 7am to 90 degrees in my tent, I was baking. Bud and I were up first, as we were ready for Dunkin Donuts. I told him they should slack pack today, the miles between Unionville and here that they skipped yesterday. Once Jukebox and Carnivore joined us at Dunkin Donuts, they all agreed. We went to the church hostel, and Trail Angel Bob Boyle was there a short while after. I was going to hangout in the hostel all day, try to get caught up on some journal entries, and avoid the heat/humidity outside.I talked to Birkenstock from where he and brighteyes were camped. I will most likely catch up to them tomorrow on the way to Wildcat Shelter, 18 miles north of Vernon. I cant believe they have been hiking in this heat, or anyone for that matter. Most people that Ive talked to who hiked in this weather have only been able to do 1/2 of their normal mileage.Bud, Carnivore, and Jukebox arrived back and looked dead. Carnivore went straight for the all you can eat pizza, while Bud and I continued to rest. We finally walked over for pizza, and it was painful. Walking on the pavement in this heat was torture.Tomorrow we will head out, trying to do 18 miles. Its supposed to be less humid so hopefully I can find my hiking legs for the first time in quite a few days. A bear is tearing apart a garbage can in the parking lot right now. Im out.
Date: 2006-07-19
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

Got started later than I thought, but whats new. The heatwave is over, thats the good news. Burkenstock and Brighteyes left a note for me at the trailhead saying they would wait for me during their lunch stop at Wayawanda State Park Headquarters. Not having my trail legs under me yet, I rolled my ankle once and fell once while walking to Wayawanda Shelter. The new footwear feels great, I just wasnt used to walking again. And, it felt weird getting on the trail not where I left off previously. Ill probably regret my decision to skip ahead and leave most of NJ till then end, but whats done is done.Took a short break at Wayawanda Shelter with Bud. Jukebox and Carnivore showed up, and we headed down to the State Park Headquarters. Burkenstock and Brighteyes had already left, so I guess Ill either catch up with them later today, or tomorrow. Next break was at the NY/NJ state line. This was a short one though, since I wanted to get to NY17A where there is an ice cream store. I practically ran that 6 miles, getting there in about an hour and a half. Thats where I caught Burkenstock and Brighteyes. I ate a quart of ice cream in about 10 minutes, and then headed out to Wildcat Shelter. I remember staying here with Dennis back in the day, and we had thruhikers staying with us.Burkenstock and Brighteyes showed up a little after me. Bud and Carnivore hitched into Greenwood Lake to get a 12 pack of beer. They didnt show up till almost dark. The mosquitos here are brutal, so it was an early night into my tent. Its good to be in NY, and close to my friend Mike and Lisa Laudien. Im looking forward to spending a couple days there.
Date: 2006-07-20
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Orange Turnpike / Haverstraw, NY
Miles today: 8.1

I woke up to the sound of buzzing mosquitos outside my tent. If that wasnt enough, it was hot again. Definitely not as bad as last week, but still hot enough to drench your clothing with sweat in no time. I was up and out by 830, along with Bud, Jukebox, Burkenstock and Brighteyes. First stop was a waterfall a couple miles up the trail.I soaked my head at the falls, and took some pictures as everyone else was arriving. Still no sign of Carnivore, I guess he really slept in. Brighteyes wasnt feeling good, so she stayed behind as the rest of us moved on.I saw Bud at the Orange Turnpike, and he mentioned hitching to a deli. I was hot, soaked in sweat, hungry so I didnt need convincing. We waitied for Jukebox, and she joined us. We got a hitch really easily, and ate lunch at the deli. I called my friend, knowing he lived kind of close.I hit a wall knowing I was so close to my friend Mike's house. The heat and bugs also didnt make things easier. I decided to check myself into a motel room, and wait for his call. It was a total waste of money, but I just didnt feel like being on the trail, or out in the heat for that matter.I passed out within minutes of getting in my room. The air conditioning and comfortable bed did me in. Luckily I heard my phone ring a couple hours later. It was Mike, saying he was coming to get me. We went back to his house and ordered some good italian food, and shared stories of my trip.Tomorrow I zero, lets see if it motivates me to trudge on northward.
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Orange Turnpike / Haverstraw, NY

To: Haverstraw, NY
Miles today: 0.0

Today is time to get my head straight. I woke up early to watch the British Open golf tournament. Mike had golf lessons to give, but luckily it was stormy early on, so he cancelled the early one. He left in the mid morning, while Lisa and I went food shopping.It felt good to lay around and do nothing. Mike was home by mid afternoon, and the question of what my schedule was came up. He said if I skip the 20 miles between Orange Turnpike and Bear Mountain Bridge, he will do the miles with me when Im finished. I contemplated it, but ended up asking him to slackpack me tomorrow, northbound from where I got off yesterday. Even though I skipped 50 miles in NJ with the intention of doing them when I returned from Maine, I dont think I could skip anymore without feeling like I should just quit. I already wish I didnt skip NJ, but whats done is done.Tomorrow I will get up early with Mike, and get dropped off at the trail around 730. Hopefully the day will go fast, and Ill feel good being out there. Humidity is still high, but the temps have stayed near 80.
Date: 2006-07-22
From: Orange Turnpike / Haverstraw, NY

To: Bear Mtn Bridge / Haverstraw, NY
Miles today: 20.4

Today was my first ever solo slackpack. I was on the trail at 730am, under grey clouds and humid air. Chance of showers all day, so I wanted to make good time. Since Im slackpacking northbound, I shouldnt run into many people to slow me down. Usually while slackpacking southbound, Id pass northbounders who wanted the whole story on who was slacking me, and how far. Not today though. Infact, I didnt see one thruhiker for most of the day.Ive done this section with Dennis years ago, and remembered most of it. I took a nice break at Island Pond, before the lemon squeezer. The lemon squeezer is a large split rock formation that you must pass through. The narrow passage forces some people to turn sideways and walk, but not skinny people like me. My next break was at William Brien Memorial Shelter, which was littered with trash. I guess thes locals come up here and enjoying trashing their woods.The trail then heads downhill to cross the Palisades Parkway. Sometimes it can be tough to cross the high speed traffic, but there wasnt much traffic today. The rain started while I was ascending West Mountain, and continued for the rest of the afternoon. Because of this, I didnt break again till I was on the summit of Bear Mountain. I was able to stand under a little roof, and get some sodas from the vending machine. I passed the only thruhiker I saw all day while ascending Bear Mtn, Baltimore Bill. I called Mike from the summit to let him know that Im 3 miles from the bridge, and from being finished for the day. He was surprised I was so far along already, since it was only 1pm.Lisa came to get me after I descended Bear Mountain, and made my way through the zoo. The trail passes right through it, where the lowest elevation for the whole trail is (135ft). It felts great to do the miles I did today, although it seemed very lonely out there. Today was the first time this whole trip that I was alone in the woods. Maybe Ill start doing big miles till I see familiar faces again. I wonder what Bud, Carnivore, and Jukebox are up to??
Date: 2006-07-23
From: Bear Mtn Bridge / Haverstraw, NY

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 25.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The plan was to get started early since Mike had to be at work by 530am. The Laudien's always come through for me, but this time was extra special. I showed up feeling beat down, and left feeling more energized than I had been ina while. Lisa's great cooking and hospitality really sparked me to start making up miles.I walked over Bear Mountain Bridge around 530am, while it was still dark and damp. I hoped the rain would hold off, and it did. I made a good first push to US 9, about 6 miles before 8am. I felt good, just felt alone since I didnt see any other northbounders. Made my next push to Canopus Hill vista, about 5 miles up the trail by 1030am. Still no other hikers.I stopped for lunch and water at Dennytown road. This was to be a long break since I had already come 14 miles and it was only noon. Wiggy showed up, who I hadnt seen since the Delaware Water Gap in PA. It was good to see a familiar face. I called home to talk to Linda, and while I was on the phone a man showed up with his dog and a cooler of beers left over from a family picinic. He figured their would be hikers at the road crossing, and luckily I was there. Wiggy and I had a couple beers, and relaxed before heading out.I took one more break at the trail register near Canopus Lake. I saw that Burkenstock and Brighteyes were only a day ahead, maybe I can catch them. We made it to RPH shelter and had the place to ourselves. I could have ordered pizza from here, since we are right next to a road but I felt like eating some weight out of my food bag. I tented due to the mosquitos, and plan to get an early start again tomorrow. Probably not as early as today, but hopefully by 630am.
Date: 2006-07-24
From: RPH Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: clear sky

It was a pretty chilly night sleep without my sleeping bag. Ive been sleeping with just a silk liner since getting back on the trail in NJ. Problem is Ive only spent 1 night in the woods since then, and didnt realize it would get cool this quickly. When I got up around 540am, it was 52 degrees.I made it out by 630am, and had a 700ft elevation gain to start the day. I love uphills in the morning, they really get my lungs open and legs warmed up for the rest of the day. I planned on not stopping for 9 miles till I got to the next shelter where I would break.I arrived at Morgan Stewart Shelter at 9am, and was shocked to see Burkenstock and Brighteyes. I figured I might catch them today, but figured it wouldnt be till later on. They were getting a late start to the day for sure.Brighteyes invited me to join in on their slackpack of CT, staying at her parents house for a few days. I never pass up a good slackpack, so I was in. I just had to keep up with them today, another 25 miler for me. Feels good making miles after some time off.I polished off the next 16+ miles with no problem. I was a little tired, but was revitalized from a visit to a general store late in the day. I walked an extra mile to make it to the store and back, but it was worth it.Another chilly night, so Ill need to get my sleeping bag back when Im done slackpacking CT. It will be nice to not carry a full pack for the next 52 miles.