morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-02
From: Campsite

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: light rain

From the stream, a cool morning before the heat. Found my way through the rock maze and down into the Cumberland Valley with wide, sweeping farm fields. Large clouds swell in the sky and show rain but never supply. Only a short spit to cool things off then making it even more hot and muggy than before. The trail follows through the valley for about 14 miles as it crosses to another range. Before the death march, i come to Boiling Springs. A surprisingly nice town with a little man-made lake. People are out and about. I hear some buzz about a place to eat, the Cafe 101. So i stop in and get the hiker breakfast. Again, two pancakes, eggs, toast, home fries, sausege, and endless coffee. Im wired, and smelly. I am that guy in line that you back away from because of his al naturale aroma. I tuck myself in a corner away from most others in the crowded little cafe, and commense in stuffing my face. With a few miles to go in the valley, I am ready to be back up the hill, even if i have to climb up it. The valley is intertwined with roads with loud trucks truckin' by. I see some menonite/or amish...playing in a creek with full garb on. I wonder how refreshing that could actually be. Darlington shelter is full as we wait some rain that still only tempts to cool off. Only short spits.
Date: 2013-06-03
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

Onto the trail and onto the rocks. Into Duncannon, 12 miles by 10 am. The trail skirts right down main st. and the Doyle Hotel is a popular stop for thru hikers. Unchanged for many years, and un-refurbished. The hotel stands as it did in its hay-day..but alot less sparkly. The rooms i hear are one of a kind. For 25$, is it too much or a fair price? Though the hotel is run by a extremely nice couple who cater to hikers, very hiker friendly. And a group of us sit in stools around the bar and order decently priced 22 oz brewskies. My mom sent a mail drop here so i open up and reveal its contents. A good drop. As the beers keep pourin' and time keeps rollin', the likeliehood of me shellin' out the change to get a room is getting higher. I escape the vortex however, and stumble onto the trail. Across the mighty Susquehana River, over some train tracks, and up the hill. With a partial hangover starting already and dehydrated, climbing up the vertical rocks is a tough, self-induced challenge. I get the the shelter 5 miles out of town, happy i made it. I find a small tick on my leg.
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Raush Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.7

Best night sleep in a shelter so far, maybe its because i shared it with only one other hiker...who's deaf. But Grrrr, as his name is, is a very nice man. He sneaks out in the morning without my notice. A beautiful breeze across the ridge and friendly blue skies. Suffering from sore feet and an increasingly sore left knee. I think stepping on and over the rocks is tourqing my knee strangely. The miles drag on and on, and when there is no real reason to accomplish a big mileage day like this, it is difficult to stay positive and motivated. But i ignore the discomfort and distance left and just keep walking.In a day like today, 24+ miles, you can see alot, or just more of the same scenery. The trail goes along some old coal mining territory and sites of old towns that were once nestled in these woods. I see some acid mine drainage coming out of the side of the hill; orange water. I think the guide book has this marked as a water source...not so good water. Towards the end i start to get antsy and check the guide book whenever i come to a distinct identifier in the trail; a stream, road, side trail, something of that nature. i count down the miles left; 4, 2..the last two miles though, they are the toughest today. I stumble into the campsite just before the side trail to the shelter. Fortunately for tonight, there are some other hikers to share in the reward of being done after a long day.After all, the common mantra; you know why we hike?..."because it feels so damn good when your done".
Date: 2013-06-05
From: Raush Gap Shelter

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

A shorter day today with a motivator; the 501 shelter where you can get pizza delivery! When the motivation is strictly that end of the day payoff, the middle of the day dwarfs in significance. So i dont have much to say about the day. It was a nice one weather-wise, and it had a few nice views, but i was more conserned with just being done and having pizza, and a 2 liter of coke. The pizza, tho it could have been better, was ok. I eat to the point of fullness but not beyond. Instead, i save two slices for tomorrow. The last of the red pepper packets i have had since Daleville come into good use..(big thanks to Northern for the supply of em). Upon returning to the trail a number of days ago, my gal Kelly and I planned to meet up and do a few miles from Port Clinton, Pa. With two days till we meet up, i have two short days ahead as i am not far from town.
Date: 2013-06-06
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

A sideways mist persists throughout the day, and it pours when the wind knocks off the accumulated dropletts off the leaf canopy. The rain does not bother me today however. Believe it or not, hiking in the rain CAN be a nice thing on occassion. It can however, become a nuisance quickly. Fortunately, i only planned to do the 15 miles to the next shelter to put me only 9 outside of Port Clinton. I hike almost nonstop with only a short break to shovel down that left over pizza. I get the the shelter as the rain starts to pick upThe shelter soon packs up with hikers.
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

A light rain throughout the day, but i know i will not be in it for long and will have a dry space to live in while in town. The miles melt by quickly and i get to the very steep drop off into town. Running, skidding, and slipping down the hill. I get into town wet and cold, and therefore want to be warm and dry. So i get a room at the quiant Port Clinton Hotel equipped with bar on the first floor. A fellow hiker named Patriot had a guy meet him; a section hiker he met along the way who lives nearby. He had a cooler with beers and soda, and snacks. He also shuttled us to Cabelas where i get some new insoles for my shoes, i figure thats why i have had the foot and knee pain. When i get a hotel room, i want to enjoy my money's worth. So once i climb in the room, i do little else. Other hikers fill into the pavilion at the edge of town.And tomorrow Kelly will endure a few days of me and Pa rocks.
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Port Clinton

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Alas! She is here! It was strange, but a nice change, to invite my girlfriend out into my trail-world. If anything, it felt like a short weekend trip we were on. She parked her car about 26 miles away at the Blue Mountain B&B and my dad gave her a ride to Port Clinton where we began.Up the hill. I knew it would be steep and a challange for her. Of course, slow n steady. No rush. I was alarmed when she slipped on the wet rocks two times in the first bit. Falling must have been discouraging but she pulled through. The trail is pleasant in some sections; the mountain laurel are in bloom. Clusters of pink and white flowers cling to the branches with dark green leaves. We come to a section where a buddy and i got lost at last year..we were idiots. A few nice views along the way including the Pinnacle with a panoramic view over some farm fields and stretching mountain ranges. It is amazing to reflect on how much the scenery has changed since the start of the trip.The cicadas are in bloom as well. All over the place these large, weird looking bugs crawl out of the ground, fly into things, make noise, and die. They sound like a crowd of girls a Justin Bieber concerts..well..what i imagine it would sound like.Being her first day out, 15 miles was impressive and unexpected. She was hurting by the end of it and was just as happy as i to be done with the day. Still, one of the best days one the trail.
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Blue Mountain B&B
Miles today: 11.5

The trail in Pa becomes increasingly rocky as you travel north on it. Kelly deals with the rocks and the "frustrating and monotonous" terrain. Ah yes, so she is experiencing the AT! For about 3 miles our feet did not touch the ground, only large rocks which you have to dance over. With 2-1/2 months of walking on my legs, it is much easier for me than it is for her. But again, her strength prevails. Because we did 15 yesterday, only 11.5 remains. So we figure we can knock it all out in a two day span then head back to Hamburg/Port Clinton for a zero. At the end of the hike, with about 2 miles to go, we can hear the traffic of the road and live music. A party to greet us! We pop out of the woods to a lawn and a number of people sitting outside at the bar. We waste no time. Summer Shandy on draft..The B&B lets hikers tent on the lawn, so we do. And we have her car to pack into for the morning. Certainly some of the two best days on the trail..i think this was probably one of the best ends to a day iv had.
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Hamburg

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: few clouds

So she drops me off. The last "goodbye" till Maine. A good thing i did not do this next section with her, or on wet rocks. The knife edge as it is called is a boulder hop on slanted boulders. A long way down. Good views tho. And again, the same type of boulder walking on the crumbling ridge later down the trail on Bake Oven Knob. I meet up with some hikers at a shelter and we come across some trail magic. The trail magic was good, but impractical. Water-good. Apples-good. But the rest of it was cans of things; tuna, chili, ravioli. Oh well, one guy had a can opener at least and i shovel down a can of chili. But OH!..man did that get to me later..i was hurtin'. I get to the Outerbridge shelter with plenty of day left, but i have no need to hike into Palmerton as many others do and there is nowhere to go but up, up, up after that. So i stay put, and enjoy a lazy afternoon.
Date: 2013-06-12
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 24.0

Once thru hikers hit the Lehigh gap, its a nearly vertical climb up to the Palmerton superfund site where the deforested ridge is still effected by zinc smelting from 1898-1890. Once i get to the top however, there is a detour sign to take me around a revegatation project. So i go down a bit from the top of the ridge and walk an anticlimatic and boring walk through tick-covered grass. It is growing increasingly rocky, the legend of Pa's rocks is true...for this last stretch at least. The southern part of PA was beautiful. Not until Duncannon do some of the major rocks appear. I get to my destination, Wind Gap, and head one mile down the road to Beer Stein where they let hikers camp in the lawn behind the bar. I have a few, and some pizza that i really didnt need. Then i catch word of this storm that's supposed to be real bad. As i sat there at the moment, i was 15 and some change away from the Delaware Water Gap. Conserned about the weather, i head back up the hill and try to accomplish a few more miles in order to decrease my hike the next day. I dont know how many i actually filled in, but im guessing it was about a 24 mile day over rocks that made my feet feel like they went through a coffee grinder.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Campsite

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 12.0

I try to wake up and hit the trail early to try to beat this storm thing. The rockiness of the trail inhibits any fast or even consistent pace. I thought i was beating the storm, but when i heard the grumble of thunder i knew i was at least going to get wet. It starts to drizzle, then i climb the Wolf Rocks. I'm sure there are worse places to be when the sh*t hits the weather fan, but this was bad enough for me. The rain and wind picked up as i delicately manuever across this rock ridge. The rain jacket comes out. Although it doenst keep me dry, it keeps me warm. I come across a trail magic bin that has a piece of paper that reads "7 states to go, savor every mile, every blaze". There i am, soaking wet beyond soaking wet and this thing is telling me to savor it. Well, i can honestly say that helped my situation alot. And i look back on it and consider that a very fun and eventful day. I was lucky enough to get into the Delaware Water Gap and into a free hostel run by a church there. Warm and dry is and indescribable feeling after walking hours and miles in sopping wet clothes. My parents stop for a visit and treat to some top of the line food and resupply. I have one of the heaviest food bags i have ever had. 10.5 pounds of food, but full of goodies that i cannot complain about. The next day il walk into New Jersey.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: New Jersey
Miles today: 72.1

Well..I guess it's been a while..I stumbled into New Jersey across the Delaware River. I had a nice resupply, and made a slow walk into the next state with a few others. It is amazing how two neighboring states can differ so much in landscape and appearance. I was eager to see if NJ really was the end of the rocks like Pa's last 50 miles, and sure enough, although there were still rocks, there was at least some dirt to step on in between them; so my feet were happy. The ridgeline in New Jersey was very pretty. Some long grasses and spread-out trees across the large rock slab ridge. It was easy to wonder off trail in some spots. New Jersey also offered some views of unbroken green space- something Pa was not able to do, and I picked a small handful of ripe blueberries near Kittatinny Mt. So I went through the state in just over 3 days. In fact, I walked into New York the morning of the 4th day. I did a few big days.So when I walked out of the Delaware Water Gap I couldn't help but feel refreshed and excited; a new state has a way of doing that. hiking alone and enjoying the scenery when I stumble into this guy who we all saw at the church hostel in town. This guy was strange, somewhat off-putting about him. When someone signs their name as "Lucifer" in a church hostel it'll raise a few eyebrows. The type of guy you didn't really wanna run into on the trail, or have come into your camp. Not a thru hiker. So when I saw him I was like "aah man I don't wanna put up with this" type thing. And when I saw him the next day as well I figured I'd do a few big miles, miles I know he wouldn't walk, to put some distance between us. Sure enough it worked. Thus was my motivation for cruising through NJ. It was nice to hike with a few people; Little Rock and Bean. Our days seemed consistent as well as hiking pace. They introduced me to waking up and hitting the trail earlier, like 6-6:30. This made more miles in the morning possible, before it got real hot in the afternoon. 10 before 10 became the norm...that is, 10 miles before 10am. I could also get done earlier in the day or take longer breaks during the day. Some highlights of NJ were getting to hit up ice cream places nearby the trail, and the swamps and marshlands. There were a number of boardwalks over the swamps, the boardwalk over the Pochuck swamp is the most well known. What I also remember about NJ is the wet feet; I had wet feet nearly all the time, which turns them into a pruned mess by the end of the day. This would become a theme again a little further north as well. While New Jersey was much of what I expected; slimy with all the mud, hot, muggy, swampy, wet, and full of stumbling day hikers and creeps, it was also a nice state to walk through.
Date: 2013-06-22
From: New York

To: Connecticut
Miles today: 46.2

And so I follow the trail into Connecticut, interested to see what this little state has to offer. This was during a period of very hot and humid conditions. I remember the humidity would sometimes be at 95% or something like that. Not the best hiking weather. The weather is draining; physically and mentally, and makes it difficult to enjoy the hike. I daydream about other summertime things that I could be doing if I was not hiking; bummin at the beach, grooving at a music festival, or just doing absolutely nothing. These daydreams are some of the only escape from the heat. I make a stop at the Bearded Woods Hostel run by Hudson and Big Lu on their isolated property near West Cornwall. Hudson picks Bean and I up, sweat soaked after a very quick 15 miles (I was in a hurry). Not to sound gross, but I hadn't had a shower, done laundry, or slept on a mattress since the Water Gap (and even then I didn't do laundry). Their hostel really was one of a kind. The bunkroom is in their basement and is comfortable and clean. Big Lu serves up a huge dinner of BBQ chicken, and several other hikers and I eat until we are full. She kindly puts a leftover piece of chicken in a brown bag for dinner the next day. I leave the hostel on another grossly hot and humid day. Sweat pours off my face before the first mile is done, but even then, I was not prepared for what lie ahead. Coming out of the section of trail by Falls Village, CT, I was swarmed by hundreds, maybe thousands of merciless mosquitoes. I throw my pack down and reach for my bug spray only to find out its empty. I trudge on, as quickly as I can, covered in sweat and mosquitoes. The standard swatting motion is no longer effective. I must now just swipe them off my arms and legs. There is not even enough time to wipe of the guts of previously smashed bugs before having to swipe off more. They can pierce through your clothing so they can get on your shoulders where its difficult to get em. There was literally no escape from these things. Finally however, I get to the top and other side of the mountain where the swarm did die down. I check out two towns while I'm in the state; Kent and Salisbury. Both are less than a mile off trail and have some places accommodating to hikers. Other than that, CT did not have much else that I enjoyed. The highlight of CT was probably Bearded Woods and Bear Mt, the highest point in CT. I got there on the morning of a cool day after a night of thunderstorms and sat on the top for a refreshing while. With only 46ish miles, I was through the state in 2.5 days.
Date: 2013-07-12
From: Vermont

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Short and Sweet hooks the four of us up with a friend/neighbor of hers that also lets hikers stay in his house. The hospitality and trust of these people is amazing and inspiring. I spend the day in the town of Hanover, NH. A bus ride down a few miles to the motel where my shoes were finally shipped to. A fresh pair of shoes for my feet!; the contrast between my old and new ones is pretty wild. the tread on the bottom of my old ones is virtually nonexistent, the holes I guess have some benefit- breathability and they let my toes spread out, but they let the mud, dirt and rocks float right in. The post office has two packages for me; one from my mom and one from Kelly. I also ship back my old shoes to the shoe company like they asked. I just hope they open the box outside or in a well ventilated area. The town is centered around Dartmouth College (or University?). I walk around town and collect on the free stuff that's offered to hikers; a free slice of pizza, a free bagel with cream cheese, and later on I find a free wine tasting. The general store was out of free sandwiches, but the worker gave me an almost full pack of cookies. New Hampshire had a very kind welcome. In a few days I'll climb some of the most challenging and beautiful mountains on the trail, the Whites.
Date: 2013-07-13
From: Hanover, NH

To: Moose Nt shelter
Miles today: 10.1

I leave Hanover in the afternoon; no rush, and I arrive in the evening at Moose Mt shelter 10 miles away. I feel relutant to leave Hanover. The college town makes me sentimental feelin on my college years that feel way behind me even tho thei not. The first miles into the woods of NH are relatively easy. The pine neeldles are. Like a carpet on the trail; a familiar and highly enjoyable walk. There are also however, some still very muddy sections, and while this mud is not as bad as VT, it has its drawbacks, mainly the mosquitos an bugs. Also, while these bugs aren't as bad as in other areas, they quickly that smile of a nice walk to a frustrated grimace on a march. The hardships of the trail; I won't let a few bugs bring me down. The moose mt shelter sits appropriately on moose mountain. The shelter is full, well mostly full, with a family andd section hiker with her dog. But I prefer to tent anyway; a much better sleep that way. It is nice to finally be hiking in the sun again, and to have dry boots, and not to have to put on cold, wet socks in the morning.
Date: 2013-07-14
From: Moose Nt shelter

To: Bill Ackerys house
Miles today: 6.6

Sometimes you just have to stop hiking and stop by at Bill Ackerly's house for a round of croquet. The trail intersects a road where there is a sign indicating Bills house. He invites hikers to stop in, refill on water, sign the register, enjoy an ice cream bar, and if one feels so inclined, to play a round of croquet. I take the short side trail to his house and am instantly greeted by Bill. Not soon after i am being introduced to the exciting game of croquet. Some other hikers soon show up; Rash, Clamny, and Brietside. My short break then turns into a full day of simple enjoyment and my hiking day is over after 6.6 miles.I would not even think to regret this decision however. Even though my hiking motivation has been dwindling, and perhaps i have grown lazy, there are sometimes when it is completely appropriate. I saw many hikers just stop by for a short sit and some not even stop at all. It is always important to take advantage of the little gems on the trail; like the one and only trail-side croquet course.
Date: 2013-07-15
From: Bill Ackerys house

To: Brackett Brook
Miles today: 14.4

The sun is already making it toasty by 8:00 when i head out. I start with the climb up Smarts Mountain; probably one of the more difficult climbs in a long time. Up-plateu-then up again. Halfway up i can see the summit equiped with firetower, where im heading. I dont know if i felt excited or discouraged after a tough climb and being only halfway up. The summit was worth the climb however. A beautiful clear day with a nice wind blowing across the firetower, and the view was great. The climb down was much more gradual, then its right back up to Mt Cube. The summit of this mountain is without many trees and if they are there, they are very small trees, and i was desparate for some shade on this hot day. The sun just bakes the rocks, cutting my view enjoyment short. Also, the need for water drives me down the hill. While hiking down the mountain, i stop at Brackett Brook about halfway down. I figure this is the perfect place to stop even though there is still daylight and i only going 14.4 miles. And after i crack open the first of three beers and sit in the brook for a bit i know im not hiking on. I already had the foresight that i probably should have continued on in order to position myself closer to climb Mt Moosilauke the next day. But i was just too damn content on where i was.