morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

After a late arrival at the shelter last night, we left later than usual thinking it woud be an easy 9.9 miles to Bears Den Hostel, ( big mistake ), we had the roller coaster to do, a set of hills that looked like a roller coaster just as the name implied, it was a hard days hike and we were happy to reach the Hostel, what a lovely building, made from stone and resembles a castle, it is owned by the ATC and is clean and friendly, with other hikers to compare sore feet with after pizza and ice cream also a soda, we settled into bed, how nice the day felt, it's the little things in life that give you the greatest pleasure.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Well today is the day we cross into West Virginia, it's pretty exciting leaving our 4th state and soon to be our 5th, it's been another huge day 20.5 miles, although I must admitt after getting the last of the roller coaster out of the it was pretty easy going, the day was uneventful and after calling into the ATC HQ and signing in, having our photo taken for our 1000th mile, we are now enjoying some airconditioning at the historical Hilltop House Hotel, so thats it from me untill we hit the trail on Friday 8th.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Dahlgrin Backpackers campground
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

5am and the alarm went off signaling the end of our zero day and the ringing in of a new phase in our hike, the state of Maryland, state number 6, it wasn't a hard day as far as the trail is concerned, as it was relatively elevation free, it was hard because of a combination of heat, humidity, new shoes for both of us, plus a new backpack for Barbara, we are staying at a free campground with hot showers, it's hard to believe something could be free in this day and age, we have a hare or rabbit running around camp at the moment it's a bit skinny but still full of bounce, the light is fading and time for bed, it looks like rain.
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Dahlgrin Backpackers campground

To: The Free State , Hostel , Maryland
Miles today: 15.0

I woke early this morning inside a very wet tent, just before dark it started to storm, being in my tart tent I thought i'd be ok, it sagged in the middle and filled with water, all I could do was lay on my back and hold the sag up with my feet to stop it from filling up with water, the rain did not last long, so I tightened up the tent, it was too late things were damp, but I slept ok, off and on for the rest of the night.We are here at a new Hostel called the Free State, it's new this year and is owned and operated by a 06 through hiker, it has every thing a hiker needs, so it's another comfortable night for two weary, smelly, but happy hikers.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: The Free State , Hostel , Maryland

To: Dear Lick Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

After a wonderful night in the hostel and showers 4 days in a row plus the bonus of yesterday, getting to Washington National Monument and taking photo's, it was only 50ft from the trail and something not to be missed, anyway we left the hostel with cold pizza in hand, which was our brekky, back on the trail it was hard going with lots of rocks and boulders for most of the 10 miles to Pen Mar park where there were a lot of Sunday picnic's happening, it was a lovely place, lot of uner cover seating and tables, a huge area for live entertainment, which there was and people dancing also, there was a concession stand where we got a cold drink, thee was a family reunion going on under one of the covered areas, a lady came over to us and told us we are welcome to come a get bottled water and some desert, so as any long distance hiker would know, you don't pass up a chance like that.After about 2 hours we put on our boots and packs and headed down the trail, but only for a short distance, there it was, the Mason Dixon line, although there was no sign we took a photo anyway, so now we are out of Maryland and in Pennsylvania and will fast be moving through the states and closer to Maine, we continued on to the Deer Lick Shelters, it's the first time I have seen 2 shelters at one site, the mozzies are voracious, time to spray and get ready for bed, the chip monks are active around the shelters tonight, cute little critters,it's been a really nice day.
Date: 2007-06-09
From: Dear Lick Shelter

To: Qurray Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

After a good night sleep we were on the trail by 6, it was a rocky day in as much as the trail was concerned, climbing and hoping for most of the day, we reached Rd US 30 , to the right 13 miles thee was Gettysburg and to the left .9 of a mile there was a store, so not wanting a chance at a cold soda we walked the 1.8 return and it as worth it , just before 4 we arrived at the Quarry Gap Shelter, and man, what a shelter, hanging flower baskets, games, a wooden deck painted, the caretaker in charge takes pride in his charge, I'm washed and ready for dinner, I'm already for tomorrow as well, it's the half way mark, yaaahooooo.
Date: 2007-06-11
From: Pine Grove Furnace store front porch

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, what can I say about last night, we couldn't get into the hostel because it was booked out, there was a thunder storm for most of the night, then around 10 pm the rangers came and asked us to leave, I couldn't believe it, 10pm in a thunder storm and pitch dark, where was their duty of care?, Just as Barbara and I were ready to leave, Castanets came over to us he had spoken to the woman at the hostel she said we could sleep on the front porch, I might be wrong but the size of the hostel, ( two storey ) tells me is more than 12 beds there, it's pretty darn mean that they should be empty when there were paying guest sleeping on the porch , oh well you have to take the bad with the good on the AT.Anyway we got the chance to two soda's today and took advantage of both, also we took photo's of the half way marker, which isn't the true half way, we also reached our 1100 miles today, waaahooo, over half way, it's a good feeling, but we still have some hard miles ahead before we reach Kathadin, feeling good and ready for bed.
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

W left the shelter at 6:20, Tom Dooley, Pooch and Roxy were still asleep, we made it across the crops of corn and what looked like Barley to Boiling Springs and signed in at the ATC office, then at 9am we went to the little cafe and ate brekky while being entertained by the state police who were booking two drivers, on had is car taken and the other being a sticky beak was pulled over for not having his inspection sticker, this lasted until we finished eating, we then saw Rodo and GG heading for some brekky as well, it was an easy walk to the shelter with a short steep climb at the end, it's cool and i have my feather down jacket on, 6:45 AND i;'M READY FOR BED, it's resupply day in Duncannon tomorrow.
Date: 2007-06-13
From: Qurray Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace store front porch
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: moderate rain

We woke at 5 and walking at 5:45, it was relatively flat apart from a few small elevations, the humidity was high and the temp up, we stopped for a break and along came Chico and Green Hornet, we finished our break and all continued our hike to the Iron Master Hostel,we arrived at 2pm and waited until 5 for the hostel to open only to find out we could not stay there, they were booked out for two days, then it happened, a thunder storm, there were 9 through hikers sitting here on the store porch waiting for dark so we can camp here out of the rain, the hikers are country corn, wolf, castanets, chico, pooch and her dog roxy and tom dooley, we have our fingers crossed the ranger doesn't ask us to leave, oh well it's all part of being on the AT.
Date: 2007-06-16
From: Duncannon

To: Peter Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

We had a lazy start to the day and didn't get onto the trail untill around 9am, we only did 11.8 miles to the shelter, we passed a section hiker going south, he warned us there were 5 rattle snakes just 3 miles north of the shelter, they have been there a number of days, as there is mention of them in the shelter log, tomorrow the temp is expected to be 90 degree's or hotter for the early part of next week, all that means is we have to have and drink plenty of water, we are at the shelter with Chico, Mike, Rhodo, Gg, Roxy the dog, Pooch and Tom Dooley, time for bed.
Date: 2007-06-17
From: Peter Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

There were 10 through hikers in the shelter last night, it was a big shelter so plenty of room for all, it was a good hike although with the rocky ground our feet wre sore, but thats par for the course on the AT, so we accept it graciously.
Date: 2007-06-18
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

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

Up and on the trail early, knowing it was going to be another very humid and hot day, we reached the shelter raggered and totally washed out, there wa a bonus though, a shower, even though it was cold it was very refreshing, it's been all rocks which is very hard on the feet, I have developed a new blister on my left little toe, it should heal after getting into Pt Clinton, time for bed, I'm washed out.
Date: 2007-06-19
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

We were up and on the trail early, with 15.1 miles to do today, which is not a long day, it was however humid and hot with very sparse water opportunities and lots of hopping over rocks with the worse to come as we get further north in the state, it has however been another good day.
Date: 2007-06-20
From: Eagles Nest shelter

To: Pt Clinton
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

We didn't need any encouragement to get up this morning, it's town day and at 6:30 we left the shelter, it was still drizzling rain a little, after a night of thunder storms, the air felt good with the humidity down and the suns rays peeking through the wet trees, maybe the rain has washed away all the creepy gypsy moth catapillars, they are in plague proportions here on the trail, leaving some areas of trees totally void of any foliage, it looks more like mid winter than spring / summer, they make the forrest sound like it's raining with the falling leaves, there constant pooping and munching sounds and if that weren't enough, they then drop onto unsuspecting hikers such as us, which can be a funny sight with even the guys having girlie moments when they do, whooping and jumping around to get them off.We arrived in Pt Clinton at exactly 10:30 am and headed for the Pt Clinton hotel whre we had intended to spend two night, that changed, although cheap with two people sharing, the people were not friendly at all, in fact the woman was so abrassive I told Barbara she hat the personality of a sheet of 40 grit sandpaper, we went to the post office to collect our re supply box's then back to shower, wash and eat, then later back to the PO to post my tarp tent off, it's not good in the rain, whilst at the PO again the lady serving proceeded to tell us all the local gossip, which I might add concerned the lady at the hotel, I now know one of her reasons for being so abarassive is the fact she is fighting Hodgkins Lymphoma, I now have a better understanding for her mood.Well time for bed, we are going to the free hiker hostel called the Ye Olde Backpacker, we only found out about it this Arvo.
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Zero day , Pt Clinton

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

Our shuttle arived at 7am and not ling after we were on the trail, it's been rocky for most of the day, except the last 3 miles or so, that was mostly dirt road, the weather was beautiful, sunshine, no humidity and surprisingly a cool breeze, the shelter is a garage in the yard of a volunteer, what a grat place, flush privy, and depending what time of day the sun is on the water tanks determines if the water is hot or cold, mine was cold but it was wonderful anyway, time for dinner, I'm feeling great, NO PAIN.
Date: 2007-06-23
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bakeoven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

After being the only one in the shelter over night and having a good nights sleep, the other hikers all opted for tenting, after rock hoping all morning we reached the Blue Mountain Summit hostel and Restaurant, we ate lunch and proceeded down the trail, lots of rock climbing and butt sliding down it was very steep and most of the sheet rock was at an acute angle, it was a good day regardless of the sore feet, time to settle for the night, it's bee a great day.
Date: 2007-06-24
From: Bakeoven Knob Shelter

To: Jail House Hostel, Palmerton
Miles today: 7.7

I spent the night alone in the shelter again last night, Barb, Dealer Dan, Sheep head slept in their tents, I could spread out again so I did the night before, we left at approx 6am and it was straight onto the rocks, which I might add I enjoyed, they were big one's sot it was easy to traverse them, along the way I saw a piece of paper under a rock with one word written on it, BLUEBERRIES, you don't have to guess what I did next, Yep, out with a plastic bag and I priceeded to pick one for the bag and two for my mouth, they were delicious, I arrived at the gap about 40 minutes before the others and polished off the rest of the tasty little blueberries.We got to the police station and signed in, we showered and I washed my clothes in the shower and hung them on the stair rail of the church next door, I left them and went to the grocery store, when we arrived back the church was having chior practice, I went to retrieve my clothes and was mortified to see the door wide open with chior looking out , I backed down into the hostel, all I remember seeing was my laundry, undies and all just hanging there for all in the church to see, one of my fellow hikers ( Dealer Dan ) came to the rescue ( thanks mate ), There are two morals to this story, don't was on Sunday's, or, don't wash your undies.This has been a memorable day in more ways than one, but still a wonderful day on the AT.
Date: 2007-06-25
From: Jail House Hostel, Palmerton

To: Le Roy Smith Shelter campsite
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

8 people spent the night in the hostel last night, I woke at 5:45 and packed my things, our ride was coming at 7am to take us back to the traio head, what a friendly town Palmerton is, we had free accomodation, apple from the IGA, free band playing in the park and a free ride back to the trail head, also on of the local businesses donated heaps of new wraped tooth brushes and small travel size toothpast, so all in all it was a memorable, I am camping in my tent tonight, 2 brothers hiking together, Dealer Dan and sheep head are using the shelter, boy, can they snore. even ear plugs don't drown it out when they both start together, it's been all rock today with some pretty stark scevery on top of the hills, desolation in one word that best decribes it, rock and fallen dead trees, the end product of zinc mining in which I believe was halted in 1999, we can only hope they have some long term rehabilitation programmes in place and are actually implimenting them, well off of my soapbox, time for bed, another hard day ahead tomorrow.
Date: 2007-06-26
From: Le Roy Smith Shelter campsite

To: Delaware Water Gap Church Hostel
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: few clouds

5:10am and I was up and packing my things ready for another day, I could tell it was going to a ripper of a day, the air was already thick with humidity and at that early hour I was sweating like a racehorse, we set off still a lot of rocky miles ahead of us, after about 5 miles we came across on of the thru hikers, Stubble, his wife Dianne was doing some trail magic while he did some slack packing during her 5 day visit from Georgia, it was a long hard and very hot and humid day, 20.2 miles into the Hostel, we arrived at 5:30pm, it was heaven to get into the shower and out of my drenched clothes.I finaly met the other Aussie on the trail, his name is Jerry and he is from Melbourne, there is he said, another Aussie behind us as well, we are going to stay here tomerrow as well, we need to re coup, there are some hot days of hiking ahead.
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Delaware Water Gap Church Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After a restless night I got up and as there was no laundry here or in the town, I got a bucket and hand washed my clothes, then we took a stroll to a local diner, I am concerned at the lack of and also at the total disrepair of the pay phones in the towns we are going through, there in one across the road but it does not work and hasn't for a very long time, so the hikers who don't have cell phones can't contact family or friends, also the lack of internet for journal posting and keeping in touch via email, so who knows if it will change for future hikers, lets hope so.Well nothing else to report, it's back on the trai tomorrow and 2 miles from New Jersey so it's goodbye to Pennsylvania, but I know not goodbye to the rocks.
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Delaware Water Gap Church Hostel

To: AMC Mohican Outdoor Center bunk house
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

We were as usual up early and walking at 5:50am we stepped onto the Delaware Bridge in Pennsylvania and stepped off in New Jersey, we had a good 10.5 mile wald and I might add the rocks don't abide by man made borders, mother nature has her own, but I have to admitt once again , although foot sore, the hike wasn't too bad, we wre going to pitch out ents but a thunder storm put paid to that, so we are in the bunk house, we saw our first rattle snake today, just down from where we are staying , there a number of hikers staying here tonight, Barbara and myself being the only thru hikers, the other hikers were Lab, a 9 year old girl and her aunt Red, Walrus, Girl Scout and 3 others.Time for sleep it's storming outside.
Date: 2007-06-29
From: AMC Mohican Outdoor Center bunk house

To: Brink Rd Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 14.3

It was nice to have been able to stay dry through the night, it makes packing up a lot easier, also there is no extra weight to carry because of the eater on the tent, we were about half mile from the shelter when we saw a bear, it wasn't afraid of us but kept a healthy distance between us while it continued to feaston Blueberries, I can't say I blame him we also have been feasting on them, as well as Mulberries, Blackberries and the raspberries are beginning to ripen, I can see I would make myself sick on them if I ate too many of the tasy little morsals, Lyme disease is affecting a few of the thru hikers, the ticks are pretty bad here in New Jersey, we have sprayed our pack, shoes and clothing with a repellant called Repel, that combined with 100% deet seems to be doing the job, I have only pulled 2 ticks off during the time I have been on the trail, it looks like it may rain again tonight so I will be sleeping in the shelter, it's not a nice one, pokey, dingy and full of unidentified flying insects, as long as they don't dive bomb me throught the night, all will be well, time to eat dinner, OMG , someone has just spotted a skunk, it's about 20 feet away and it's just a baby, it's very cute and we are keeping our distance so as not to scare it and create havoc, it would proberly mean moving camp if we did, a bear, skunk and 2 deer in one day thats the most wild life since the Shannies.
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Brink Rd Shelter, NJ

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

Well last nights skunk sighting turned out to be 3, all very cute and not at all bothered by our presence, then again if I were a skunk armed with that defense, I inagine I would not be afraid of much either, we were on the trail at 5:45 with intentions of reaching the shelter at 15 miles when we got to the buue blaze we changed our minds, it was straight down the rock face and a further .4 milesso we decided to go the extra 4 miles to theis shelter, we are happy we did, although foot sore and very tired we now have on ly 7 miles into twon for our next re supply tomorrow, 2 miles before the shelter there was an observation deck, you are supposed to be able to see NY city from there, there was a good view but too hazy to see the city, the weather has been beautiful one day and perfect the next. so it really doesn't get better than that on the AT.
Date: 2007-07-01
From: High Point Shelter

To: Unionville, Memorial Park
Miles today: 7.0

We were supprised when we arrived in this little out of the way village, the park was in the middle of the main street, a man greeted us and told us he worked for the Mayor, he said if we needed showers and to do laundry, the Mayor would pick us up and take us to his place, so we acceped to kind offer and there he was, the Mayor of Unionville, he took us back to his place, we showered and washed our clothes and drank 2 glasses of apple juice, I can't beging to express just how generous and friendly everyone has been on this hike, I am truely awstruck by it all.
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Unionville, Memorial Park

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

It was as usual a hard slog today, with lots of climbing and rock hoping, hot and humid, not a lot to see apart from the ground and my feet, a look for a split second could mean and usually does mean a slip or fall, with the hand over hand climbing it takes all the concentration one has to stay on our feet. I am off to bed.
Date: 2007-07-03
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

We were again on the trail early, although not big miles, they are long days because of the the rock climbing and hoping, along with the hot humid weather it makes for some really tough days, everyone is enjoying the climbing but at the same time, we are all feeling it by the end of the day and just want to get our shoes off, eat dinner and crash, thats about what I am going to do now.
Date: 2007-07-04
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Finger board Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

It was already getting warm when we left the shelter and it was also overcast for most of the day, we never did get to see New York city from the vista's it has been far too hazy and overcast, we have seen some beautiful close scenery it's amazing me just how unpopulated country upstate NY is, just about everyone must live in or near the city, this certainly is a big country and a spectacular one at that, I count my lucky stars to have been able to experience it and to see and meet the true everyday American, bloody marvelous.
Date: 2007-07-05
From: Finger board Shelter

To: Fort Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 14.8

Here I am at just about midnight, after getting into town and having to wait hours for the power to come on in the town after what I am told was a lightening strike to one of the transformers, finally able to post my journal, today has not been any different to any other this week, hot, humid, rocky, wet, slippery and dirty,, but hey, how could I not love it,, good friends, wonderful hiking and lovely towns people, it's what makes the AT the AT.