morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-09-08
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Cascade Brook
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

9/8/2015Treadway: 7/10Weather: extremely hot and humid 8/10Stats:19.66 miles 7:59:022.5 miles per hour 1597 c4468 feet up 4537 feet down 41975 steps Narrative:It was so hot that it did not even occur to me to get out my sleeping bag. Up at 5:30 am, on the trail at 6:30 am. The hike was straightforward for the first 2.7 miles until I reached the Lemon Squeezer. This is a narrow passage between two rock walls preceded by a sheer 10 foot drop. There is a blue blazed bypass route with a sign that says ¢easy way¢, and I was tempted to use it, but then I thought, what if my youngest granddaughter, Ava, asks me if I went through the Lemon Squeezer when I hiked the AT, and I would have to respond, ¢Ava, Grampy didn't do that, he was shoveling s$&t in Louisiana while all the other thru hikers were going through the Lemon Squeezer." So down I went. I had to take off my pack and drop it below to manage the initial descent. Then I moved through the Squeezer very slowly to avoid ripping my pack. After that, I passed Island Pond and got 2 L of water. The hike to the road to Arden was easy. Then I began the steep and rocky climb up Arden Mountain. In the heat, this was unbearable. I had to take off my swimsuit and replace it with my more breathable long johns hitched up above my knees. That's what I hiked in for the rest of the day, and it looked like I was wearing a big blue diaper. The way to Wildcat Shelter was generally rocky and hard, then the trail improved to the road to Bellvale Farms, where I enjoyed a strawberry shake and root beer float in glorious air conditioning with electrical outlets. I also signed the trail journal and filled up my water. Back at the trail head, I hiked another 2.8 miles to a hard site next to the dry stream bed for Cascade Brook and stealth camped there.
Date: 2015-09-09
From: Cascade Brook

To: Unionville
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: clear sky

9/9/2015Treadway: 6/10Weather: extremely hot and humid 8/10Stats:24.12 miles8:57:152.7 miles per hour 1980 c4028 feet up 4471 feet down 50096 stepsNarrative:Another brutally hot and humid day for hiking. Up at 5 am, on the trail before 6 am. The first 3 miles to the New Jersey border were rocky and hard. At the border, I took a picture of the line painted on the rock showing the state line. The next half mile down was rocky and hard, then it was easy to the road, where I met Georgia and Nightmare, who were slacking northbound that day. The next 2 miles to the park office were easy. There, I filled up on water and took advantage of the air conditioning and electrical outlets. The trail after that continued to be easy until I descended the infamous Stairway to Heaven going down Waywanda, which was rocky and steep. The rest of the day I just tried to survive by hydrating regularly. Late in the afternoon, I hiked the perimeter surrounding the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, a fancy name for a big fat swamp, and I imagined that this would be a perfect place for King Kong to be playing Frisbee. By 5:30 pm I was in Unionville, got a permit to camp at the park, and had a huge meal of minestrone soup, bread, chef¢s salad, spaghetti with meat sauce and a deep fried ham calzone.
Date: 2015-09-10
From: Unionville

To: Culvers Gap
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: scattered clouds

9/10/2015Treadway: 7/10Weather: cool and overcast for most of the day, then heavy rain last 3 miles 7/10Stats:23.34 miles8:31:012.8 miles per hour 1942 c3776 feet up 3353 feet down 48266 steps Narrative:Yesterday, I was dangerously close to getting heat stroke. Today, it was hypothermia. It rained last night from about 12:30 am to about 2:30 am. Thankfully I and my gear stayed dry in my tent. Up at 5:30 am, on the trail around 6:30 am. It was a bit humid starting out, but much cooler than yesterday. About 4 miles into the hike I was able to see the High Point Monument from a distance at a road crossing. At 8:16 am I saw a tortoise on the trail. The way to High Point Shelter was easy. After that the trail generally was hard and rocky for the rest of the day. Half a mile past the shelter I took the blue blazed trail to the monument and was very impressed with it ¢ quite an imposing obelisk. About a mile after that I made it to the High Point Office. The lady was very nice and stamped my AT Passport and gave me a Pepsi. There was a trail journal, and I signed it. I also picked up my resupply box and had lunch and filled up for the next 14 miles to Culvers Gap. The weather held up until I made it to the cutoff to the Anderson Shelter. After that, the heavy rain came down and socked me for the next hour and a half. When I got to Culvers Gap, I desperately waddled to the Stokes Steakhouse and called the Forest Motel and got confirmation that they would hold a room for me and pick me up and take me back to the trailhead in the morning. Relieved that this arrangement was made, I relaxed and had the calimari, a huge burger with fries and a Stella on tap. I met another SoBo there, Rosie Eagle, and he stayed at the Forest Motel. It was really coming down hard and on the television the local news station had coverage of serious flooding in the area. As I was having my meal, I started shivering and had difficulty writing when I signed the bill. Once in my room, I washed my socks and long john bottoms and then wore them to let my body temperature dry them. I also used the fan to dry my rain fly, shoes and pack. I also ordered a new swimsuit to be sent to me at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon. I also called REI and made arrangements for getting a new neoair to be sent to the Doyle as my neoair has been getting flat ever since Moose Mountain Shelter in New Hampshire. My swimsuit is falling apart on me, that's why I need a new one. It is amazing how the trail pulverizes everyone and everything that dares to complete it.
Date: 2015-09-11
From: Culvers Gap

To: Backpacker Campsite
Miles today: 23.6

9/11/2015Treadway: 5/10Weather: overcast and humid in the morning, sunny and warm in the afternoon 3/10Stats:23.84 miles 8:30:302.8 miles per hour 2000 c3605 feet up 3152 feet down 46178 stepsNarrative:Finally, a day of enjoyable hiking. Up at 6:30 am and on the trail around 8:45 am. A steady climb up to the Brink Road Shelter, with rocky stretches off and on but also some fairly long stretches of flat trail with good tread way on which I was able to zip along. The sun was out by late morning, and in the afternoon I was on top of the Catfish Fire Tower, with nice views in all directions. Two miles later I was at Mohican Outdoor Center, where I had 2 cokes and a Powerade and bought a new fuel canister for my stove. Amazing that the one I got in Millinocket lasted this far. As I was hydrating, I met the Sheilas, two Australian young ladies hiking from southwest Virginia to Bear Mountain. We had a nice conversation about Australian films. The 5.5 miles from Mohican to the Backpacker Campsite was easy except for the rocky stretch along Sunfish Pond. Backpacker Campsite was a magnificent location right on the ridge and I enjoyed a nice sunset while cooking my dinner.
Date: 2015-09-12
From: Backpacker Campsite

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

9/12/2015Treadway: 6/10Weather: overcast in the morning, then light rain, then heavy rain as I was finishing 7/10Stats:22.90 miles 7:24:593.1 miles per hour 1847 c2667 feet up 3011 feet down45373 stepsNarrative:Another flash flood making this day still another challenging one. Up at 5:40 am, on the trail about an hour later, and it was so easy getting to Delaware Water Gap that I arrived at the post office 15 minutes before it opened. I picked up my resupply box and got my AT Passport stamped, then went to the diner and sorted out my box while having ice water, orange juice, coffee, an omelette, potatoes, corned beef hash, buttered toast, pancakes, 2 eggs over easy, ham, sausage and bacon. I decided not to nero and push on instead to Wind Gap. I also stopped at the outfitter and bought a new pair of Darn Tough hiking socks. I asked the owner if he hiked the AT south and he said no, it was rocky so he avoids hiking in Pennsylvania and instead hikes north in New Jersey. I also passed a cop as I was getting back on the trail and he volunteered that the trail was ¢rocky as $&@t¢. But I was surprised how easy it was getting out of DWG. There was a climb, but it was steady and up generally good trail for about 7 miles until I reached Wolf Rocks. That's where Rocksylvania really began, and although it was rocky from there to Wind Gap, this was manageable. It started raining lightly, then not so lightly, then heavily as I reached the trailhead. I tried calling a taxi, but I could not get my phone to work as it was too wet. I tried turning it on inside a plastic newspaper cover under a mailbox, and the irate owner who was viewing me suspiciously came out and demanded what I was doing. I explained that I was trying to keep my phone dry and he left me alone. Just then I had a stroke of good luck as two section hikers named Fancy Pants and Stoolie drove into the trailhead parking and agreed to drive me into town. I asked them to drop me off at the McDonalds, which they did. A double quarter pounder with cheese meal later, I reserved a room at a local motel. It was only a five minute walk away but there was a flash flood warning in effect, the rain was coming down harder than you could believe, and I had to wait a long time for the rain to abate so I could walk there without getting drenched. This was one of those motels with an owner behind a glass plate window through which I had to pass my drivers license and payment (cash only, of course). I was clever enough to ask for a hair dryer and made good use of it drying my shoes and socks. I walked over to the local Kmart to get lithium batteries for my SPOT but Kmart had none. Like Tom Cruise said in Rain Man, Kmart sucks. Fortunately there was a Radio Shack in the same shopping center and they carried the batteries I needed. Then I resupplied for the next three days (Pringles, Cheese Its, Snickers, pepperoni). Then I went to the pizza place and had a meatball parm sandwich, spaghetti, perogis and fruit punch. Then I went back to my room and dried what I could for tomorrow.
Date: 2015-09-13
From: Wind Gap

To: George Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.3

9/13/2015Treadway: 6/10Weather: cool and overcast 3/10Stats:21.79 miles8:13:302.6 miles per hour 1809 c3061 feet up 3087 feet down 43807 stepsNarrative:My first bear encounter on the trail. Slept in and was not motivated to hike today, but I also was not motivated to stay at my dreary motel or linger in charmless Wind Gap. After a corned beef hash omelette with buttered toast, potatoes, orange juice and coffee for breakfast at the Gap Diner, I got a taxi ride to the trailhead and was on the trail by 9:45 am. About 7.5 miles into the hike, I saw a bear about 100 feet ahead of me on the trail and stopped. After a brief standoff, the bear turned around and continued south on the trail. After giving the bear a good head start, I started heading south too, following the bear. It did not take long for the bear to figure out I was following it, and it then went off the trail into the woods. The highlight of the day was the easy, rock-free hike along the superfund detour above Palmerton, which was then followed by the steep, rocky and wretched descent into Lehigh Gap. It was a hard day, and when I rolled into Outerbridge Shelter around 7 pm, I was beat. Right before I reached the shelter, I ran into a lady hiking in the opposite direction. She asked me, "How are you?" I said, "Lousy." She said, "I know." I must have looked like death warmed over. At the shelter I met SoBos Milk Man, Sunny Side, Blackbeard, Chick Pea and Pabst.
Date: 2015-09-14
From: George Outerbridge Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: clear sky

9/14/2015Treadway: 7/10Weather: cool and crisp in the morning, sunny and warm in the afternoon 2/10Stats: 23.47 miles 8:56:292.6 miles per hour 1939 c2929 feet up 3382 feet down 45201 steps Narrative:A hard but productive day. Up at 5:30 am, on the trail at 6:17 am. Off and on rocks, with Bake Oven Knob, Bear Rocks, Knife¢s Edge and Dan¢s Pulpit as the particularly rocky sections. I was very thirsty at the end and drank at a stream half a mile before the shelter. The caretaker at Eckville was very nice and drove me to a pizza place where I picked up 3 large pizzas for me, the caretaker and 5 other hikers. Back at the shelter, we had pizza with the caretaker, and he gave us each a beer. At the shelter, I met SoBos Swampy, Woodstock, Desolation Row and Baby Blue. There was an extra beer, and I proposed to the other hikers that the first of them to guess what Yoseki means gets the beer, and if no one guesses correctly, I get the beer. After I gave countless hints, no could figure it out, so after I was awarded the beer I told the story about how Kings Canyon became a national park.
Date: 2015-09-15
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

9/15/2015Treadway: 6/10Weather: Sunny and warm 4/10Stats: 15.3 miles5:23:552.9 miles per hour 1274 c2447 feet up 2656 feet down 32495 steps Narrative:A relatively easy day after 5 straight 20+ mile days. Up at 5:30 am, on the trail by 6:15 am. The 5.3 miles up to Pinnacle Rocks were easy. There I met Foxtrot, Woodstock¢s boyfriend. After Pinnacle I hiked past Pulpit Rock and it was generally rocky with a few smooth stretches to Port Clinton. At Port Clinton I accomplished a number of important tasks. First, I picked up my resupply box and sorted through it. Next, I called the post office in Boiling Springs and was able to get my box there forwarded to Duncannon, so now I don't have to worry about making it to Boiling Springs before 11 am on Saturday. Then I hanged out at the barber shop and scored some free sardines and cake. Then I checked into the Port Clinton Hotel, cleaned up and had fish and chips and 2 beers for lunch. By spending the night in Port Clinton, I avoided the steep rocky climb back up to the ridge in the afternoon heat, and now I can do that climb early tomorrow morning when it will be much cooler.
Date: 2015-09-16
From: Port Clinton

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: broken clouds

9/16/2015Treadway: 7/10Weather: Sunny and hot 5/10Stats:24.3 miles8:48:4121:45 pace2034 c3373 feet up 2274 feet down 48745 stepsNarrative:Another day in Rocksylvania. Up at 5:30 am, on the trail around 6:30 am. The climb out of Port Clinton was nice in the cool early morning. After that it was off and on rocks, not so bad, until the Hertlein Campsite, and then the last 5.5 miles from there to 501 were truly quite dreadful. Two section hikers also stayed at 501, Kraut and Long Pole. They started from Port Clinton and this was their fifth day. We all ordered pizza ¢ I got a large pizza with the works, a large super Italian sub for breakfast, and a 2 L bottle of Pepsi. I ran into Wayfarer a few times on the trail.
Date: 2015-09-17
From: 501 Shelter

To: Campsite 1.6 miles south of PA 325
Miles today: 30.4
Weather: broken clouds

9/17/2015Treadway: 6/10Weather: Sunny and hot 5/10Stats:30.79 miles9:49:1319:08 pace2671 c4249 feet up 4111 feet down 62565 steps Narrative:A big day. Up at 5:30 am, on the trail at 6:30 am. Just past William Penn I went over 1,000 miles. It was off and on rocky, mostly not rocky to the trail register, mostly rocky after that to PA 325, then a good climb to the campsite, which was well situated high on the ridge.
Date: 2015-09-18
From: Campsite 1.6 miles south of PA 325

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

9/18/2015Treadway: 6/10Weather: Sunny and hot 5/10Stats:21.03 miles7:19:492.9 miles per hour 1733 c2969 feet up 3202 feet down 43201 steps Narrative:A relatively easy day. Up at 5:30 am, on the trail around 6:30 am. Mostly rocky until the road to Duncannon, then easy road walking to the Doyle Hotel. I stopped at Clarks Ferry Shelter for 2 L and met Solo, a section hiker from Columbus, Ohio who started in Damascus and finished a bit past Duncannon. At the Doyle, all four boxes were waiting for me: resupply sent to Duncannon, resupply sent to Boiling Springs and then forwarded to Duncannon, my new swimsuit and my new neoair. It took some time sorting through all this and I had a nice lunch of half-pound cheeseburger and cheese fries with a coke and ice water. I met SoBos Walrus, Nat Geo and Fireball and ran into Pabst, who went off trail to meet a friend and will go back north to continue his hike. I went to the post office to mail back my old maps and return my old, defective neoair to REI. I also had my AT Passport stamped at the Doyle and at the post office. At 5 pm I hit the trail and after a nice climb with a full pack I made it to Cove around 6:30 pm.
Date: 2015-09-19
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 21.6

9/19/2015Treadway: 4/10Weather: Sunny and hot 5/10Stats:21.66 miles 6:49:323.2 miles per hour 1807 c2214 feet up 2726 feet down stepsNarrative:Another relatively easy day. Up at 5:30 am, on the trail around 6:30 am, ran into a big ol¢ porcupine about 10 minutes into the hike, kept my distance and banged my poles to incentivize it to leave the trail, which it did. It was mostly rocky from Cove to the descent of Hawk Mountain, then off and on rocky descending from Darlington, then easy after that. At 11:00 am I had a half hour lunch break at Scott Farm. By 2:30 pm I was in Boiling Springs. I walked .4 miles off trail to the Allenberry Resort, checked in, cleaned up, did laundry, and chilled while waiting for the 6-8 pm dinner buffet. When dinner time arrived, I walked over to the dining hall and had two plates of Rosemary Chicken with potatoes, catfish and salmon, cheese and crackers, cherry tomatoes, olives and pasta salad. Then for dessert I had two helpings of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sprinkles, a slice of chocolate mousse pie and a slice of Boston Cream Pie. Before I began this feast, my body felt dangerously glycogen depleted. After dinner, my body felt restored. Although I ate a tremendous amount of food, I did not feel full. I must have had a serious calorie deficit before eating.
Date: 2015-09-20
From: Boiling Springs

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 29.1
Weather: scattered clouds

9/20/2015Treadway: 6/10Weather: Sunny and cool 2/10Stats:30.13 miles 9:36:583.1 miles per hour 2517 c5164 feet up3937 feet down 61602 steps Narrative:Big day. Off and on rocky throughout the day. Stopped at Pine Furnace for the half gallon challenge but actually it was only 3 pints.
Date: 2015-09-21
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Raven Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 32.8
Weather: overcast clouds

9/21/2015Treadway: 7/10Weather: cool, rain in afternoon and night 6/10Stats:32.62 miles 11:18:062.9 miles per hour 2722 c5213 feet up 5377 feet down 59224 steps Narrative:Miserable day of my own making. Mostly rocky for the 23 days after Caledonia. Went up Quirock Mountain in the dark and the rain, very scary.
Date: 2015-09-22
From: Raven Rocks Shelter

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 29.7
Weather: overcast clouds

9/22/2015Treadway: 5/10Weather: cool and partly sunny 2/10Stats:29.95 miles 9:56:493.0 miles per hour 2469 c4891 feet up 5370 feet down 57978 steps Narrative:My third straight 30 plus mile day, fifth and final time for the trip. Rocky starting out, then mostly smooth from Pogo to Garvey. Made it to the shelter before sundown.
Date: 2015-09-24
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

9/24/2015Treadway: 5/10Weather: Sunny and warm 3/10Stats:18.08 miles 7:02:052.6 miles per hour 1472 c4757 feet up 5255 feet down 38404 steps Narrative:Three major milestones today. First, I entered my 11th state, Virginia. Second, at the end of the day I had less than a thousand miles to go to Springer. Third, I made it through the infamous Roller Coaster. Up at 5:40 am, on the trail around 6:40 am. About 4 miles into the hike I started the Roller Coaster. About 8 miles into the hike I reached Bears Den Hostel and stopped there for a great break. The caretaker was very nice to me. He was watching the Pope on TV and let me in and sold me two Cokes, a pint of Ben and Jerry¢s (I picked Red Velvet), 4 snickers bars and 2 peanut butter and cracker packs. After the break, I stopped at the Bear Rocks and enjoyed the view. After that I hiked 6.3 more miles to Morgan Mill Road, where a former thru hiker working on a documentary about the AT interviewed me and gave me trail magic (I chose two cans of Dr Pepper, cheese puffs and lots of potato chips). A few miles later, I was done with the Roller Coaster and rolled into Rod Hollow around 4:30 pm. The Roller Coaster felt easy, off and on rocky, and I enjoyed the up and down climb. Bee Sting also stayed at Rod Hollow that night. He lives about 40 miles from Philadelphia and has lost almost 70 pounds since starting from Katahdin. He had no backpacking experience when he started. I also met section hikers Grandpa and Grandma, a young couple who started in Harpers Ferry and are going to the Tennessee border. I also met section hiker Scratch, who is heading north.
Date: 2015-09-25
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 23.6

9/25/2015Treadway: 2/10Weather: Overcast, damp and gloomy, light rain in late afternoon 4/10Stats:22.11 miles 7:08:323.1 miles per hour 1855 c4186 feet up 4163 feet down 46994 steps Narrative:This was the day my body told me I was overdue for a zero. Up at 5:40 am, on the trail around 6:40 am. The trail was unbelievably smooth almost the whole way, and even though my total climb and total descent both exceeded 4,000 feet, I was moving well throughout the day. However, about 7 miles into the hike I started to notice a nagging, dull ache above the inside of my left ankle. Not my Achilles, but it felt like I strained something. I took stock of my situation. I had not taken a rest day in over 800 miles. Front Royal was coming up. So when I detoured to Linden to pick my last resupply box to be held at a post office, I called to reserve a room at the Quality Inn in Front Royal. Next to the post office, I asked a local named Josh to confirm that the road to the left was the 638, as I intended to walk up it to rejoin the AT. Josh offered me a ride instead, which I gladly accepted. It was gloomy with no views during the entire day, so the photo for today is one I took the day before a few miles into the Roller Coaster. I finished my hike at the trailhead on US 522 and got a taxi ride to the Quality Inn, where I checked in and then enjoyed a sumptuous dinner of fried calimari, soup, stewed eggplant and a Singha Beer. Then I went to the convenience store and had more beer, potato chips and Gatorade.