morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2021-06-21
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Pine Knob Shelter (1049)
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today started out great with donuts and muffins for breakfast and a cruising trail. Wendy drove MoJoe and me to the spot where we left off in old town Harpers Ferry and picked up Kitty Hawk from his motel along the way. We started off with 2-1/2 miles of flat trail following the old C&O Canal along the Potomac River. Crossing over the bridge we left wild and wonderful West Virginia and entered Maryland. Kitty Hawk hiked with us the whole day.The climbs were easy, and we even ran into trail magic twice around lunch time. The first was drinks and snacks and the second was from Brick, who set up along a road just as we got there. Brick had come off the AT for a few days and was trying to surprise some hikers he knew. After several minutes, he decided to pack up and move to a different road crossing, so we were the only hikers who got magic from him at that location. Thank you Brick. Later in the day we saw a long black snake. We arrived at a hiker campground, and it even had a shower with hot and cold water. With the high temps and humidity, we all took a quick cold shower even if it was only the upper body. We went to the first Washington Monument which has stairs you can climb to the top and were rewarded with a great view of thunderstorms coming in from the horizon.We made good time all day, and I was even entertaining going on for another hour when we started to hear rumbles from thunder. The rumbles got louder as we neared the shelter. We started to see lighting just as we got to the shelter but still no rain. So I told the guys that I¢m going to rush to put up my tent before the rains. I picked a spot in a boxed tent area and started to put up the tent. Then the rains came.There was no starting rain or drizzle, it just let loose instantaneously. I had my fly up so I threw the tent under it and ran for the cover of the shelter. After about 10 minutes I thought I should check the tent because of the rivers of water flowing around the shelter. I took off my shoes and shirt and put on flip flops and went out into the torrential downpour. Well, the tent box had filled up with water and muddy water with debris was flowing through my nice new clean tent. I picked the wet blob up and moved it to another location and set it up since it was already soaked. When I went back to the shelter my pack had been knocked to the ground, so it was also dirty after my cleaning in town the prior day. I threw the pack in the tent and smeared mud everywhere. And there I sat, in wet running shorts, covered in dirt, in a tent filled with puddles of water and dirt. Then I started to get a rash on my legs, from what, I don¢t know. All the things I tried to avoid with the new tent happened. So I¢ve had a reversal of fortunes in a matter of minutes. I don¢t know what I¢m going to do tonight to try and prepare for tomorrow. I should have known the long black snake on the trail was an omen.
Date: 2021-06-22
From: Pine Knob Shelter (1049)

To: Deer Lick Shelter (1071.7)
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up in the cold wet tent in the morning rain and hiked until about 1:30 pm in the rain. Some of the trail was rocky and you needed to be especially careful not to slip on the rocks. It would be a quick way to end your hike. It was not a nice day.We did leave Maryland and entered Pennsylvania at the Mason Dixon Line at a nice park and overlook. We took a few minutes to dry our tents in the wind. A lot of bloody civil war battles took place in and around where we hiked. I think we also saw some old stone fortifications.Kitty Hawk walked into camp as we were ending dinner. He left after us in the morning and hung out at a shelter for part of the rain.
Date: 2021-06-23
From: Deer Lick Shelter (1071.7)

To: Birch Run Shelter (1094.9)
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

The storm from two days ago keeps on giving. We hiked through a forest section this morning that had a lot of leaf litter (broken off ends and branches) littering the trail. Also, there were dozens of trees that had been snapped or uprooted along the trail. We kept needing to detour around the trees for about an hour. Looking off into the forest there were even more snapped trees. Time to get the maintenance trail crew out.We hiked a quarter mile at one road junction to go to a cafe for lunch at 11:30. We also met up with three other hikers doing the same. When we got there, the cafe was closed even though they were suppose to open at 11:00. The younger hikers kept walking hoping to get a 2 mile hitch to a restaurant (note I¢ve read it¢s illegal to hitch in Pennsylvania).We decided to spread our wet stuff and tents out to dry and wait a little longer. Sure enough here came a couple of employees, and they opened the cafe for us. I got a burger with fries, a hot dog with fries and a black raspberry milkshake. MoJoe and Kitty Hawk got even bigger lunches.Later we came upon Quarry Gap Shelter which is the prettiest shelter we¢ve encountered so far. The shelter is very well maintained and has flowers planted in numerous spots.We are camped at a nice clean shelter next to a creek with lots of tenting spots. It is very mild, and the humidity is low. Yeah!
Date: 2021-06-24
From: Birch Run Shelter (1094.9)

To: Creek Camp (1116.0)
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

Today was a special day because we passed the Appalachian Trail halfway point. We hiked this far just short of 60 days, which I think is pretty good. Soon after passing the halfway point, you arrive at Pine Furnace Creek park and the AT museum. There is a small store that also hosts the half gallon ice cream Challenge, which is to see how quickly you can eat a $10 half gallon (get it, half) of ice cream. MoJoe and Kitty Hawk took the challenge, but I unfortunately did not. For two days I¢ve been dealing with a scam company that double booked me for our hotel in Hamburg PA, including a non refundable room. This caused me to sit along the trail and have unpleasant conversations with scammers the last two days. I got to the store late and wanted to move on, besides now not being in the mood. Long story short, I am now trying to take part in a class action lawsuit. Also, never click on the first phone number on Google search. Thanks to Donna today for making additional phone calls and trying to fix all this.I got a comment today that I should describe the trail more and talk less about food. But the days amount mostly to breaking camp, filtering water, eating and making Camp while hiking 9,10, or 11 hours in a mostly dense hardwood forest. Because the trail tread is usually rocky and root bound, most of the day is spent looking 4 to 10 feet in front of you so you don¢t trip. When it rains you are even more focused. When you look around you generally don¢t see further than about 200 yards. We get very excited when we cross high voltage power line corridors because you can see a distance. That¢s how it¢s been 80 percent of the time. I¢ve attached some photos as examples. They don¢t call it the Green Tunnel for nothing.I found a penny today but Kitty Hawk found an unopened beer next to a tree in our camp tonight. Since I had a hard day, he gave it to me. Thanks Kitty Hawk!
Date: 2021-06-25
From: Creek Camp (1116.0)

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: clear sky

We had a good night by the creek and continued our hike through the woods. Here¢s where my story that I wrote yesterday changes; we are hiking a whole new trail today.As we dropped down into the Cumberland Valley, we started seeing large 30 foot diameter by 8 foot deep pits in the forest. Then we broke out into wheat fields with crop circles, coincidence, I think not.We hiked through wheat files, corn fields, by mulberry trees, wild strawberries, and black raspberries until we reached the beautiful town of Boiling Springs. They have a clear pond with ducklings, mowed grass, a town clock, people on ebikes, and flower boxes. This was not the regularly schedule program. Boiling Springs comes from the cold 58 degree clear water that at one time appeared to be boiling out of ground near the town center. We stopped to eat brunch at Cafe101 which was excellent. Kitty Hawk bought two specials and a side of bacon. I had the backpackers special with added strawberries. We did a quick 1 day resupply across the street at a well stocked small convenience store (I also bought ice cream to go). Then we cruised across the 13 mile valley at warp-speed stopping briefly at a farmer's pond for a bite.Along the way, we ran into Syrup and Maple (a dog) that we saw 4 days ago. We also ran into Reckless Abandon who has his own YouTube channel and is preparing to apply for Survivor. We also crossed the Pennsylvania turnpike. The tenting at the top of the mountain is good and flat and there are about a dozen tents. Tomorrow it¢s on to Duncannon for another resupply before the final push to Hamburg / Port Clinton, PA and a resupply box. BTW, I think the pits were for charcoal to make iron and the crop circles was damage from the thunderstorms.
Date: 2021-06-26
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Peters Mountain Shelter (1160.6)
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: broken clouds

I had a hard time falling asleep last night and woke up at 5:25 a.m. I was packed and walking an hour later, including using the privy and making mocca-coffee. We headed down the mountain and as we got to the bottom, there was trail magic waiting for us, and we were the first to partake. (I think this is the fourth or fifth time). Since I was lucky, I had a Lucky Streak beer and bacon dogs. Thank you Darrel for the trail magic!On to Duncannon where the first stop was the outfitters store for resupply...and a shower. The outfitter has a small bunkhouse in the back, and for $5 you can take a shower. Kitty Hawk threw some laundry in at the next door laundromat, and I got my socks and bandanna washed too. I washed my shirt in the shower.We stopped at Doyle¢s for a beer and burger. It is a very old renown tavern. To celebrate our two month hiking anniversary I bought a beer for MoJoe and one for Kitty Hawk (for finding a beer). We are in Pennsylvania and I¢ve seen Amish folk walking around town. As we left town, we stopped at an ice cream store and got milkshakes. Duncannon is a nice small town that dates back to the 1700¢s when they established a ferry to cross the rivers.We then crossed two rivers on long bridges, the larger river is the Snoquahanna, and then began our 1,500 foot ascent back to the ridge tops. Our shower and food binge were soon a distant memory as the temps and humidity were high, and we were sweating like hogs. Once on the ridge, the trail was mostly very rocky and difficult and slow to walk. We didn¢t get to camp until almost 7 pm. We caught a couple of views including one to the east that had tall cooling towers, could it be three Mile Island?There is not much water in the ridges, and the water source at this shelter is the hardest by far to get to. I think it has 590 steps down a steep mountain. You need to get two liters of water, but then you need to drink a liter just to climb back to the shelter.
Date: 2021-06-27
From: Peters Mountain Shelter (1160.6)

To: Dry Camp (1184) Near I 84
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: overcast clouds

There was a warm, very humid wind last night and temps and humidity rose throughout the day. I think tomorrow it¢s suppose to be 90 degrees and like 85 percent humidity. This leads to sweating rocks, or rocks that have water on them. I think it has to do with the dew point and the rocks being cooler because of the ground.One thing about thru hiking is that you are always on the lookout for a trash can to get rid of the trash you carry. We came to a road crossing where the trail magic cooler was empty, but the sign said it was ok to leave trash in the cooler. That¢s a form of trail magic. Woo hoo.Later as we were hiking, we ran into three women, a mom, her sister and adult daughter (Zee, Ann & Sarah), who had there stuff out by the trail packing up after finishing a hike on an AT spur trail. They were going to their car so they gave us their extra bars. Real trail trail magic, thank you.Of things I wasn¢t expecting was running into a beaver dam and pond. I didn¢t think this forest and this far south near metro areas could support beavers. But, we had to cross the mushed up dam that hikers had thrown extra sticks on top of so that we could walk across (otherwise the trail was flooded). We made it across with dry feet. Later we got to within 4 feet of a turkey hen that thought it was hidden, and we saw a very large rattlesnake that I walked right pass.I also met Country Boy, a man in his sixties, who supplements his meals by foraging for food. He showed me tea plant (tastes like wintergreen and can be used in teas) and tried the leaves. I tried Silex which tastes like asparagus, and Indian Cucumber, which the root tastes like cucumber. I also saw Trilium without flowers, but all the plant parts can be eaten.When we got to our planned camp site with ¢seasonal¢ water it was bone dry, so we kept hiking until we got to a road about a mile away. A car pulls up and a guy asks us if we want trail magic. Of course, so I got an ice cold drink and an apple. Very good. Thank you Trail Angel. All and all a very good day in spite of the heat and humidity.
Date: 2021-06-28
From: Dry Camp (1184) Near I 84

To: Black Swatara Creek Campsite - Dry Camp (1184.0)
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I read last night that the heat index, a combination of temperature and humidity, in Harrisburg, PA was going to be 102 degrees today. It felt that way today, sweating almost from the moment we started walking, it only got worst throughout the day. The weather forecast was for nighttime lows to be in the 70¢s.501 Shelter, which is really a cabin, has an outdoor shower, and I used it to wash my hair and cool off. I also soaked and rinsed my shirt until I didn¢t smell like ammonia and put it back on wet. It didn¢t matter because you immediately started sweating as soon as you began walking. We passed the 1200 mile marker today. No trail magic, no real views today, just a few road crossings to spice things up. We did see a small rattler that I walked right past. The camp site is basically a dry camp, but there is a spring about a 5 minute walk downhill and 10 minute walk back to camp. Tomorrow is the hike to Port Clinton, PA and then a walk to Hamburg and our hotel where there are resupply boxes waiting for us.
Date: 2021-06-29
From: Black Swatara Creek Campsite - Dry Camp (1184.0)

To: Port Clinton / Hamberg
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

After another warm night, we were up early and off to beat the heat. It was only 13 miles to Port Clinton, and we got there before noon. We passed by an active railroad and tourist train, Reading Northern, and a bike trail path that we might take tomorrow. There is van that Cabela¢s, a large sporting goods store, runs between Port Clinton and Hamberg, where our motel is located, but we missed the morning pick up ride. So, I got out my phone and found a shuttle driver that would take us to the motel for $5, a deal. I paid him ten because he will drive us to the rail to trail path start for tomorrow.We did our usual resupply and town chores, and I had a Philly cheese steak for dinner since we are not far from Philly. We all seem a little worn out from the heat and humidity, but the weather is supposed to change... to rain and cooler temps.
Date: 2021-06-30
From: Port Clinton / Hamberg

To: Fort Franklin Road (1244.4)
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: broken clouds

A lot transpired in the last 24 hours. We looked at the weather and had another sweltering day forecasted today, followed by rain forecasted for tomorrow. We also wanted to take a shuttle from the hotel back to Port Clinton. We found a great shuttle driver, Dave, aka Sherpa, that could not only do our Port Clinton shuttle, but also is connected to an old orchard and farm where they have an apartment. He could also slack pack us which meant we could hand off our packs to him and hike without the burden of our full weight so it's easier to hike.So, we made reservations for two nights at the apartment, and he took our packs in the morning, today. We slacked packed with one small day pack that Kitty Hawk had, exchanging the pack every half hour. It was very hot and humid today with long dry trail sections. We got a bit of a late start, 8:45 am, and walked until 7:15 pm. A lot of springs and creeks have dried up. The plan is to come back tomorrow to the apartment where we can dry out, and then get a ride in two days to where we leave off tomorrow to continue hiking north. The next three days are the hardest steepest sections of the AT in Pennsylvania with extreme rockiness, so we are also concerned about safety on the slick rocks.I got a bad rash on both my thighs from the shorts rubbing and carrying a water bottle in my short pockets. I took some meds and need to get to sleep. I also found a tick in my hair this evening. MoJoe found a tick on him yesterday.The ¢apartment¢ we are in is an old historic mill, a stone building, in a working orchard farm. They are harvesting blueberries and apricots right now.
Date: 2021-07-01
From: Fort Franklin Road (1244.4)

To: Blue Mountain Road (1265.2)
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was our second day of slack packing. We got dropped off this morning where we got picked up yesterday, Fort Franklin Road, and we hiked straight through Lehigh Gap to Blue Mountain Road. It started to rain just as we got to the Knife¢s edge. The Knife¢s edge is an interesting rock jutting up along the ridge but it is not long. Because of the rain we took the winter alternate up out of Lehigh Gap. With the off and on rain and clouds there wasn¢t much to see.Back at the apartment this evening I went to the local bar and restaurant, Kempton Inn, for take out. Willie Nelson drank there in 1983 and someone painted a huge ceiling mural with him on it.
Date: 2021-07-02
From: Blue Mountain Road (1265.2)

To: Wind Gap (1280.6)
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

We had another very rocky trail tread day. There were no major boulders, just rough tread. The weather was overcast and cooler, and we did not get rain. We had reservations at the Gateway Motel. I¢d say this is a motel in transition. All we could get was a King bed, so I¢m sleeping on the floor on my air mattress. I ordered a pizza so I can save my dinners until we resupply in Delaware Water Gap. I got the idea from another hiker here, Hamish, who gave us some of the pizza that he ordered.Speaking of DWG, the town has the oldest jazz club in the country, and Kitty Hawk and MoJoe made reservations to go for tomorrow night. I¢ve got a swollen throat, maybe from the rash the other day, so I¢m going to try to recover a bit. We have 16 miles tomorrow including some hard bouldering at Wolf Rocks. We hear we have another two days of very rocky terrain.A few catch up comments. Hiking up out of Lehigh Gap we got to go through the Palmerton EPA Superfund site, an area of nearly a century of zinc smelting. Fun, just don¢t drink from any springs you find.The old mill apartment and farm is in the Pennsylvania dutch country. It is beautiful rolling hill farm country with nice stone buildings.
Date: 2021-07-03
From: Wind Gap (1280.6)

To: Delaware Water Gap (1296.1)
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: few clouds

As a kid there were sitcoms where the New Yorkers would talk about the Poconos. I never knew where that was, well now I¢m backpacking the Poconos. Delaware Water Gap is a small cute historic town. We ate at the Sycamore Grill, which is one of the fancier restaurants in town. They had old photos of Jackie Gleason golfing near here and mugging it up. Kitty Hawk looked at the Deer Head Inn which is the oldest continuing operating jazz club in the US. KH¢s father, a former jazz musician, went there in 1956 after playing nearby.The trail today was almost all rocky. We got light rain in the early morning, and we crossed Wolf Rocks wet. MoJoe slipped and broke one of his trekking poles. We hiked most of the day with Jeopardy. Also, the Gateway Motel room next door had the TV on all night. Hopefully I sleep better in my tent.I have my tent set up on the lawn behind the Church of the Mountain (a real church building). They host AT hikers and have a couple of bunks.  Lastly, I¢m next to I-80, I could cross the Bay Bridge and keep driving all the way to DWG.
Date: 2021-07-04
From: Delaware Water Gap (1296.1)

To: Creek Camp (1318.4)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Happy Birthday America. We are celebrating near Scranton, Pennsylvania, by laying down in our tents. Actually we crossed over into New Jersey this morning on a bridge spanning the Delaware River. Followed by passing the 1300 mile sticks.But last night DWG went crazy with fireworks. One of the local hikers told us that Pennsylvania has lax fireworks regulations. Residents can buy their own sophisticated fireworks. The large booms and flashes started at 6 pm and didn¢t stop until midnight. Of course we were in our tents outside the church and were kept up.Since it is the fourth and there are fireworks across the country, I want to mention the evening shooting. Since Virginia, on most evenings, at most camp sites, you can hear gunfire. Sometimes the gunshots are at gun or hunting clubs, sometimes it¢s in people¢s backyards. Sometimes they are close or done in barrages. But shooting when you come home from work appears to be a big pastime in the southeast. One time it went on until 9:50 and then went all out with huge caliber firearms and total barrage and then abruptly stopped at 10 pm. I figure it was a gun club with set hours. I mention this now because as we get close to the suburbs and cities I expect the evening gunfire should ease off.The scenery today has changed. We are seeing more lakes, including clear glacial (dug out mountains from the last ice age) lakes. The canopy is more open and we can see views regularly of the valleys below us. I expect to see more development, but the large area that we can see is very green and forested.We stopped just off trail at the Mohican Outdoor Center Lodge for a huge $12 pancake, sausage, toast and egg breakfast, the Backpacker Special of course. We also climbed the stairs to the top of a very tall lookout tower, lots of fun in the clear skies. Last note, I have not worn my sunglasses since April, but if the weather improves and the canopy thins more, I might have to put them on.
Date: 2021-07-05
From: Creek Camp (1318.4)

To: High Point Shelter (1340.7)
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: scattered clouds

We hiked nearly to the highest point in New Jersey. The actual highest point at 1803 feet high has a huge obelisk at the top of the mountain. To get there would have meant a 0.2 mile hike up a steep hill, we passed. We ended at High Point Shelter, which has two small flowing creeks and ok tenting spots.Earlier in the day we had a second breakfast at Culver¢s Gap at a small deli/cafe at a road crossing. It was very good and I had a second bacon egg muffin order to go for lunch. We then walked 0.3 miles to a parking lot where Moose, a trail Angel, had the most elaborate and big amazing trail magic. He had a battery powering a small freezer for ice cream (I had one). So we stopped and had third breakfast.Last night, out in the woods, we heard another barrage of fireworks. People must have driven up to nearby lakes and lite the fireworks there on the mountain. Lastly, it was a rain free day but the humidity is climbing again.