morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was a day to re-walk the trail over the section that caused me so much pain. I am really surprised how much I can remember from that day, and how it all seems so much easier now. Got to see the sights, Dahlgren Back Pack Campground, Washington Monument and others walking in a big group. Similar to last year, but doing it as a real hiker. It really is nice having these guys around. The more people, the more fun everything is and the quicker the miles go. So I hope this group of 5 at least can travel for a while. Our biggest event from the day was walking late into the evening, totally exhausted, and finding a couple six packs left in the spring by Sasquatch. (A section hiker who I briefly met). He is the man. I can¢t tell you how good that beer was. *New journal entry and photos posted for 4/20
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

Ten weeks in the books and 1,060.5 miles are between Springer Mountain and me. So when I started out, I thought I¢d be around Harpers Ferry and I was close, just ahead a couple days. Also, this is the danger zone for burn out. Just around half way, and trying to compete with that 10-week attention span I have. I hope it won¢t be a problem. Shorter day today, but it was really needed. I¢m pretty sure I did close to 125 in the past 5 days. So an 18 miler is awesome for resting and recharging. Crossed into ¢the north¢ leaving the south for a while. Had an interesting afternoon trying to get some more food. Trailfoot asked some Geocache guys (Note: Geocaching is a treasure hunting game where you use a GPS to hide and seek containers with trinkets in them.) for a lift and we pretty much made the grocery store a new cache. It was neat to learn about the hobby and see his hi-tech gear. The result was $30 worth of gas station snacks and a stomachache while journaling. It¢s only a couple days to a real re-supply though.Finally had a chance to start a new book and relax a little bit this afternoon. It actually feels like hiking and less like working today.
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Got up early to try and beat some thundershowers in the forecast. Made it to the shelter by 3:00. Rain started at 7:00 so there was some time to spare. However, arriving early we thought it would be a relaxing, sun bathing afternoon. But 30+ scouts and 10+ tents including a full shelter said otherwise. At least we scammed some floor space to sleep. Transfat and Double Cheese pushed on 6 more miles to have a quiet shelter. Donkey Legs set up his trap tent, now totally soaked inside I¢m sure. It was good walking today. No pain in the feet. But I am getting pretty hungry for some pepperoni and cheese tortillas and a real re-supply. Gas station food doesn¢t work well for meals. Still have a full day and morning until I can get some food other than Little Debbie¢s and Snickers. (I hope) We are passing the mile-wise halfway point tomorrow which is big. But on days, I¢ve done 71 and expect to do about 50ish more. Half gallon challenge (of ice cream) is tomorrow if Pine Grove Furnace Park is open. The last several parks we¢ve struck out on the amenities. (Such as coke machines). So our hopes aren¢t up, but there is a possibility for delicious ice cream tomorrow.
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain and lightening show was fun last night. Now it¢s all past and the walking was perfect today. Smooth trails, no sun, no rain, and good temp. But Transfat and Donkey Legs didn¢t wait for us like we had planned. And then they didn¢t realize Pine Grove Store was opening at 10:00. So as we showed up at 9:50, we were disappointed there wasn¢t five of us, but definitely had fun with three.In the 50-deg temp, Donkey, Trailfoot and I each bought a half-gallon of ice cream for the challenge. Donkey had mint chocolate chip, and did his in 12 minutes. It was a true show. Trailfoot managed in 1 hour, and I only ate half of my ice cream. Instead of being sick, I picked up a couple hamburgers for lunch. No way I could do a whole half-gallon of chocolate ice cream. Not my thing.Miles went so quick after that. Passed the halfway sign and snapped some photos. Once we made it to the shelter, it was really interesting. Met a couple of guys who made us laugh for hours. I want to remember the 6:00 bedtime, total disrespect for my stuff, and the 2:00 AM disaster.Listened to my second NASCAR race of the trip. It really does melt away the miles.Notes: - I¢ll never forget the awkwardness of the exchanges this evening. I was totally on edge. Oh well, some you mesh with, some not.- Double Cheese got his hand stepped on.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: moderate rain

The rain returned today. We had planned on going all the way to Duncannon, but we made Boiling Springs at 8:30. And as we sat soaked eating breakfast, we decided to make it a shorter day. Trailfoot has had some foot issues and he isn¢t up for big miles. Donkey Legs decided he had more time to spend on the trail, so he doesn¢t need to go huge. So the three of us only made 18.2 miles, Felton and Carl pushed another seven to spend more time in Duncannon.It has been really fun hanging with these guys. Definitely fulfilling something I had hoped for when I started. I¢m not worried at all about finishing by July 1st. Actually, I figured that if I average 20 from here on out, I will be done on June 20th. So 18¢s are fine with me.We had a 15-mile pasture walk today. It was incredible. Any drastic and new change on the AT makes for really enjoyable days. So even though it rained, we were all singing-in-the-rain, puddle-stomping and mud-flinging the whole way. Notes:-        Getting in early today has been so nice. I am laying on a little bunk listening to music and totally just digging being right here ¢ right now.-        Trailfoot stood and dried his clothes by the fire for an hour. Weird. We¢ll be in town in the morning. -        Hit two short-term re-supplies in Boiling Springs. That means more gas station food. I get sick thinking about my diet for the last few days. If kids want it, but can¢t have it (i.e. candy, Twinkies, etc.) it¢s been dinner. -        I snuck a book into Felton¢s pack today that he finished and left at a shelter. It¢s a murder mystery, so I hope when he finds it he freaks out.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I¢ve got to start with the late arrival of our friends from Alec Kennedy shelter last night. Although a little worried, they are entertaining. The only strange behavior was our 5:00 AM wake-up with logs being propped up against the shelter and stomped on. I guess he needed that fire at 5:00 AM for some reason¢¦ bad enough to rudely wake all of us up at that hour.Waking up so early though let us walk our 11 miles and make it in by 10:00 for breakfast. Then we checked into the Doyle Hotel. It is 103 years old and you can tell. Rooms are super cheap and the bar/restaurant has some of the best food I¢ve had on the trail. I ended up eating two meals downstairs, but saved some money because I slept on the floor. It wasn¢t a big deal -- I love my sleeping bag anyway. I¢m not sure I¢ll be able to give it up when the trip is over. So the plan is for a zero tomorrow here at the not so luxurious Doyle. Get stuff done. Already went shopping today so it will be a day to sit and read and heal up. Actually not doing anything sounds pretty good. Day 74 of the trip. I guess it¢s about time for zero #9.The Doyle really is an old dirty place. But I do want to say that Pat and Vicki are the reason so many people stay. They run the place, and are so nice and funny, it makes for a really good time. Notes: - Felton found the book and said he was pretty scared, so that worked as planned. But he said he left it at the Laundromat. So I¢m thinking about walking down there, grabbing it, and doing it again.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Duncannon PA

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was going to use this day to write some things I¢ve been thinking about on the trail, but instead it turned out to be very memorable.In the morning, we decided to try and get a ride from trail angel Mary Parry (real name) to the outfitter. She was busy, but she did lend us her car to take as long as we put gas back in it. First thing to do, sign the top of the car. Done. Next, since none had driven in a while, it was a trip. The suspension on the car was certainly dated and rolled side to side like a boat. We all buckled up and 25 minutes down the road we hit the outfitter. On the way back we stopped at Lowe¢s. And as we stood toward the front of the store, I couldn¢t help but to notice how fast everyone was moving.Continuing home, we took the wrong highway going the wrong direction for about 10-15 minutes. But we salvaged that stop by hitting a McDonald¢s for lunch. I didn¢t really eat McDonald¢s before I left, but it is one of the only things I crave on the trail. Must be the drugs in the food. We finally made it back to the Doyle.D-legs, Double-Cheese and Transfat went ahead and moved on up the trail. Me and Trailfoot stayed another night. Trailfoot¢s wife Johnna paid for our room for the night as trailmagic. That was totally awesome. Thank you so much. Never got a chance to write a bunch of thoughts in my head, but did finish my book. I feel good to have actually sat down and relaxed for an hour.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Duncannon PA

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 28.8
Weather: broken clouds

Leaving Duncannon, Trailfoot and I were treated to a helicopter show. It kept swooping down close the river and the bridge we were on. Which made me think ¢ ¢If he stopped and offered to take us up the trail, would I do it¢? Answer: ¢yes¢, even though we would have missed the miles. Some people do this in cars, yellow-blazing, or in a boat, aqua-blazing, but we would be the first people to heli-blaze. Just something fun I thought about.Miles were actually flat, but a tad rocky. It went quick. Nothing really memorable. I also realized I left my headlamp at the Doyle. Bummer. I hate losing stuff. Not that I can¢t replace it. (I can, and will at the Cabella¢s superstore in two days). Just that I hate being wasteful. Oh well. Sorry Dad (it was actually his). That¢s all for now.
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter 
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a really nice day on the trail. So that means I don¢t really have anything good to say. Funny how that works.I guess I can mention how awesome 501 shelter is. Fully enclosed with a huge skylight, solar shower (icy death) and a big stack of chopped firewood. Also another shelter where pizza delivery is possible. So it was on the menu again -- 16¢ sausage and a liter of sprite. One really important thing happened today just before lunch ¢ Mt Katahdin dropped below 1000 miles away. It is now triple digits. Very nice to look at the companion guide and see 9 - - miles left on the trip. Time really is moving out here.Notes: -        The climb we had today was tough. Bummer. That means my legs are out of shape.-        I feel like I am eating so much. Everyone we pass tells us we don¢t look beat up or emaciated like other thru hikers. I guess this is good and hope I¢ll have some stored energy at the end to get to the top of Mt. K.-        11 weeks, 1181.6 miles
Date: 2008-05-03
From: 501 Shelter 

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: light rain

It¢s Saturday, so that means we passed a ton of people who always give us the ¢you thru hiking?¢ Yes. ¢When did you start?¢ Seventy-eight days ago. ¢Wow¢. Oh well. I asked the same questions when I was out here last year.The most important thing for me to do today is give a huge Thank You to Tammy Scott at Ye Olde Backpacker. They are too nice and just getting started with their outfitter on the trail. We spent hours just hanging out and talking. Didn¢t need to buy anything (they didn¢t have Petzl headlamps unfortunately). But they were so entertaining. And shuttled us into Cabela¢s.The Cabela¢s outfitter is 250,000 sq feet of hunting and fishing stuff. Totally ridiculous walking through there after being out here so long. But it was amusing. Picked up my headlamp (35 bucks ¢ dang) and ran out of the store before spending anymore money.Then after a Frogger-style highway cross, there was another feast. Way too much Wendy¢s. I¢m really going to have to be careful when I come home to try and stay fit (and not poor).Slept in the Port Clinton pavilion. Very nice of the town to let hikers do this.
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Port Clinton

To: Allentown Shelter
Miles today: 22.6

Got a late start today, I had to wait for the guys to get back from breakfast. I had a Pop-Tart and a Lil¢ Debbie donut stick. I figure I need to make up for my headlamp. So by not going out to eat, I saved $10 ¢ only $25 to go. Also this morning being Sunday, I thought I¢d tune into a church service on the radio. Only one the whole morning. No longer in the Bible Belt I suppose. But it was good being a little introspective today.The PA rocks finally got started. And honestly they are not terrible (as I knock on wood). We managed good, quick miles without too much fuss from our feet. Although I guess I should speak for myself. But with only 53.9 miles left in Penn, I think we¢ll make it.The major story of the day was the little flies. They only seemed to attack me and Double-cheese. Even with my hat pulled down low, they were still a pain. I know I killed 40 to 50 just by index finger to cheek/neck/ear smash and then brushing off the remains. Nothing I could do but try and concentrate on my foot placement on the ground and wage war in the air. As much as I don¢t want to use Deet (it is extremely bad stuff), it may come out soon.Note: Resting heart rate: 74 (not sure what it should be). Three mph walk on level ground w/ pack: 84.
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Little Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7

Today I just didn¢t feel like walking. I don¢t know what it was, but my mind was totally bored. Miles went slowly. Had to listen to the radio for a long time. (I figured out it costs about 2 cents an hour to listen to it ¢ definitely worth it). But nothing really helped. I think it actually had to do with the sun being out and not wanting to be in it. But I made it and feel better now that I¢ve stopped. So I¢m not even sure if I enjoy hiking, all I do know is I really like not hiking at the end of the day.The one part of the day I really enjoyed was the part I thought would be the toughest. But the difficult climb out of Lehigh Gap was awesome. Climb is a good word for it. It was sunny, breezy and clear. So much fun, but I thought we were camping at the top (probably why I enjoyed the climb so much). Turns out after extensive zinc mining, the whole mountain is destroyed and bald. So, 5 long miles later we finally found a place to camp. We did lose Donkey-legs before Lehigh Gap. I think he rolled an ankle today on the rocks.Notes: - I am glad I got to try out my tarp setup today. I think it works well, but as more bugs come, my tent will come out too.- Not many bugs today. No idea why, but very thankful- It¢s Cinco de Mayo
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Little Gap Shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter 
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: few clouds

Going to start out by saying ¢901 miles to go -- and that this is my last night in Pennsylvania.¢ Both good things. Today I was feeling a lot better. More things filled my head and was able to think and make time go quickly. It was rocky, but not insanely rocky. Only a couple boulder scrambles. PA is totally manageable.Went into town for some food. Ended up with a ride before I was even through shopping. But forgot water¢¦ so me, Cheese and Trailfoot walked to the trailer park and found a guy who let us fill up. Awesome. I really haven¢t used my water treatment in a long time. Lots of spigots.
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Kirkridge Shelter 

To: Delaware Water Gap 
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was a ¢nero¢ by accident. I had intended to continue on and make it a 20ish day but the Church of the Mountain had accommodations for hikers that were too good to pass up. So after some meals and a peak into the outfitters window,(which was closed on Wednesday), I decided to stay for the night. The outfitter has a pair of Salomon shoes that I¢ve been looking for since the beginning. So I¢ll hit that in the morning. I do want to mention how nice an unexpected short day feels. A nap, and rest is so nice. This morning I listened to the radio all the way in. I¢ll never forget the 2-hour radio program of making a human pi±ata. It was so boring, but I was totally entertained. Amusement on the trail is hard to come by. Note: The outfitter doesn¢t open until 10:00 so is may be a late day tomorrow.
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Delaware Water Gap 

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: light rain

Woke up a little late. But managed to make breakfast by 9:00 and the outfitter by 10. When I went to buy the Solomon shoes, I was told to try on a pair of Golites. They were way more comfortable, so I bought those instead. I guess I¢ll never own the Solomons. But it really does come down to comfort out here. On the trail by 11:30. Crossed into my 8th state of the trail. Saw my first tic today. Everybody had to pull some off except for me. Lucky I guess. Passed a fire tower and climbed it. Scary, but a good experience. Lastly, ended up having a really nice evening and headlamping into camp. It is fun changing up the routine. But, we still made the miles today.Note:-The shoes are wonderful.
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Jim Murray Secret Shelter 
Miles today: 24.9

Had a couple Goods and a couple Bads today. Lots of rain. Soaked and frozen today. Thought I was done with the cold stuff. Also Bad is that the shelter is tiny tonight for 5 people. (This really shouldn¢t be a complaint) It has electricity, heat and a shower. A Good. Another Good is that the rocks finally stopped and right at a much needed time. I was just thinking, in order to be a person who routes the trail, you have to:A)        Hate people andB)        Love making people hate natureSlick rocks are no fun to walk over. Eventually you just stagger and pray you don¢t slide too far. Donkey Legs had a crazy fall through a creek (semi-over a waterfall). I thought he was hurt, the fall was so grand. He slodged across checking his wounds. I stared at the ground keeping it together. I looked up, he had walked a few steps and we both totally lost it. Best fall of the trail. Jersey terrain is Good now. I hope it stays that way until the end. Notes: -The trail teaches you to appreciate the small things. Today, a room with non-100% humidity.-12 weeks, 6 weeks to go.
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Jim Murray Secret Shelter 

To: Just past Wawayanda Shelter (tenting)
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

So much happened today. It¢ll be tough to get it all down. Started with a neat 2-mile stretch into Unionville where we re-supplied and hung out in the park. We then were invited back to the mayor¢s house for a shower and stay. Apparently he does this for hikers. The basement is full of bunks. Didn¢t get to meet him but met another hiker named Thinktank. He decided to zero there. We moved on and actually after yesterday it felt good to want to go back out and hike. If the mind says go, you have to go, now.   We walked all day and made 19.1 miles. Had some really neat boardwalks. When we reached the shelter we realized it was Saturday and it was full of scouts. So we decided to walk a little longer and camp. No problem, it was a good day especially after almost staying in Unionville.It really feels good to be working our way north just a mile at a time.   Soon the 8th state, New Jersey, will be done and on to New York where I can¢t wait to get a glimpse of the skyline. Another thing is that I am just a tad behind on the schedule to finish on June 20th. It is totally doable at only 20 miles a day for the next 41 days. We¢ll see if that date gets moved back some. Either way the trip is 2/3 over. Certainly is going fast now. Note: -Had a snake strike at us today. That was cool.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Just past Wawayanda Shelter (tenting)

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: overcast clouds

If the trail could be wrapped into a single day, it is today. Early morning, beautiful morning. Crossed into NY and got our first glimpse of New York City. (Really far away). The trail then decided to mess with us. Instead of ridge walking, like normal, we bounced up and down all day doing stairs. Very steep and dangerous and gave the quads a workout like I haven¢t had in a while. Everyone was feeling low. But it was Mother¢s Day (Happy Mother¢s Day Mom) and passing families on the trail was a little uplifting. Also ran into Thinktank again, going the wrong way so I got him straightened out. We hit some trail magic today. Daddy O hooked us up with Gatorade, Combos, Snickers, Cookies, Fritos and Soda. He has done trail magic for 8 years and it could not have come at a better time this late in the day. The emotional swings today were crazy. Happy hiking, then ready to jump into New York freeway traffic in one climb. But it was a challenging day, and a fun day.Notes:-        I haven¢t talked about our trek pole band. Me on guitar, Trailfoot on drums, Felton on cello (who knows), Donkey on vocals. We are kind of a hair metal band. But we had practice tonight as we started to go crazy from hiking all day. I¢m sure more will come up later. -799.9 miles to go. 40 days.
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center 
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Some of the oldest stretches of the AT are here in New York. Built in the 20¢s, they go straight up and straight down the hillsides. It wasn¢t until many years later when the ¢switchback¢ was invented that people realized hiking was not punishment. It could be enjoyable.¢Highs¢ and ¢lows¢ again today. Easier trail than yesterday, but the legs were jello. ¢Highs¢ - Walking around a lake and through a zoo. Totally awesome. I forgot about the trail for about an hour and got to see the New York skyline (Thinking about going into the city in a couple days). Crossed the Hudson River where the wind was blowing like crazy. ¢Lows¢ - Hiking after the zoo. I realized I just don¢t want to walk 25-mile days every single day, ending at 6 pm and barely having time to relax. So the June 20th goal is probably going to be sent out the window and it honestly feels good writing that. Probably have to add that to the ¢Highs¢ of the day. I really almost set my tarp up 4 miles early and said adios to the group. Big wall.But, I did make it here to the Friary and had salad, a calzone, and a Philly cheese steak for dinner. Now I feel a bit better. Note: - Donkey found a blue peanut M&M on the trail and ate it. He thinks Double Cheese dropped it.