morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-29
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Pen Mar Road in Waynesboro, PA
Miles today: 5.0

Thank you Maryland. Sorry to see you go by so quickly. Maryland would be a great place to complete practice hikes. The AT is consistently identified with white blazes and the trail has a good mix of dirt, stone, and boulders. The shelters I saw or stayed at were really nice. The south part of the state is relatively easy but the northern part has plenty of climbs and descents to provide a challenge without being overly difficult. Rambo and I hiked 5 miles today because we needed to resupply for the next several days. Some hikers would probably hike the 5 miles, complete their resupply, and then hike back out for additional miles. We chose to stay in town so that laundry could be done, calories could be increased, and plenty of ice could be applied to my knees.There was lots of eating done today. Initial breakfast before the hike began, another breakfast after we got into Waynesboro, a good all you can buffet at Old City Buffet, and then a burger with fries and a milkshake in the evening. And snacks throughout the afternoon that were purchased at Walmart where we replenished our food bags. We successfully hitched a couple times today. Good thing too because the road walks would've been long and exactly what I didn't want for my knees and legs. Today I wanted to rest. My knees are feeling better and I wanted an off day to continue to reduce the level of stress I put on them in recent weeks. In addition to the kindness provided by our two drivers, we also got well wishes from a number of people as we walked by. As Rambo said in Walmart, we really stick out (due to our appearance and those backpacks and hiking poles that never leave us). Rambo got a message from Brave that she'd come to Waynesboro to have dinner with us. It was great to see and thank her for all she's done for us and other hikers. She had just gotten word that AT hikers could hike through all of Shenandoah National Park so she was busy informing others to enable such hiking. It seems like she's always working on behalf of hikers. I got to talk with Beth and friends from home tonight. That was nice and I wish I could've been there. But I'll hopefully be there soon. I'm now in Pennsylvania as hard as that is to believe.
Date: 2016-05-01
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnace - Ironmasters Mansion Hostel
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Another rainy day; a bit cold too. But it's official, I crossed the 2016 AT Midpoint today so there are fewer miles ahead of me than those already hiked. It feels good, real good.   Today's trail was comparatively easy. There are going to be climbs and descents everyday but most of today's trail consisted of dirt, sand, or soft pine needles. My knees love these types of trails but I still am not able to hike as quickly as I was hiking a few weeks ago. There's probably a lesson there that I am evading.    I began hiking at 6:30 and finished around 3:00. I hiked with the intent of reaching Pine Grove Furnace before the AT Museum there closed at 4:00. The museum was interesting and full of memorabilia about the AT, including stories and photos about the legendary people who originally hiked the trail and those who made their dreams of the trail become a reality.   Crossing the AT Midpoint was an important milestone. It enabled consideration of the 1/2 Gallon Challenge with the opportunity to become a member of the 1/2 Gallon Club. The challenge consists of eating 1/2 gallon of ice cream. Most that know me for any length of time know that I love ice cream. My parents started this many years ago when they'd provide huge bowls of ice cream. In high school, I'd take my youngest sister, Sherrie, with me when I was lucky enough to take a cerrtain young lady I was particularly fond of for ice cream. Back then I was capable of eating a pint without any problem. Today? Nothing, not even an ice cream cone. I was cold as I came off the trail and was anxious to eat anything to warm me up.   Thanks to the anonymous trail angel who left Gatorades in a shallow stream before the Toms Run Shelter. They were much appreciated and I know Rambo got one too.I met a few people along the way today. My favorites were Dumb and Dumber. Gotta love these trail names!
Date: 2016-05-06
From: Swatara Gap - Lickdale, PA

To: PA 501
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

The rain continued today. Fortunately also continuing was the kindness extended by Mr. Nature, who picked me up and drove me to resume my hike. Don't know if I'll see him again but I'll be able to follow his progress through Susan's blog at wifeonthetrail.com. Today's hike began with a 900' climb. Most of the climb's elevation was steep but quite manageable since it came at the beginning of the hike. The first half of today' hike was rockier than the last few days. Within that first half was a boulder field that was all the more challenging because of the rain. Some of the boulders wobbled and made for interesting moments until I realized I wasn't about to fall one way or another. I think today is the last day of Pennsylvania's easier hiking and I expect to see more challenging boulder fields in the coming days. The second half today was shockingly easy as the trail was on what appeared to have previously been a road of some sort. Now it was grassy with the only challenge being the puddles. A couple puddles were more like lakes since they were twenty feet long and stretching across the trail's width. Nothing to do but embrace what's there but being ankle-deep in cold water again put me to the test of that "Bright Side Of Life" theme. Since I was soaked I doubted that anyone would pick me up as a hitchhiker so I called Carlin's AT Shuttle Service and paid Lance $15 to drive me into Pine Grove where Beth is meeting me. While waiting 10 minutes for Lance to arrive, a car pulled up and a powerful looking bull dog jumped out and came straight at me. It was barking in a nasty way just a couple feet away from me when the driver finally got out of his car and said the dog had never behaved like that before. The driver got frustrated with the dog and started to drive away leaving the dog too close to me. The driver apparently had played this out with his dog before and finally left. Seems a bit ironic that one of my most troubled times of this journey comes when I am mixing with non-hikers.Beth arrived safely and brought with her my resupply items so that I am ready to hike out tomorrow morning. Beth's support continues to be incredible. In many ways I think my task is easier - one foot in front of the other and don't fall down doing it.
Date: 2016-05-07
From: PA 501

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

Doubt that I'll ever get used to saying goodbye to Beth. This was a very quick visit that was made possible because the drive is now less than 5 hours - still a very long time, but it gets shorter with each week's hikes. Beth thinks I'm walking much easier now and I think I am too. No rain today but yesterday's rainfall was evident. There was a four mile section in which most of the trail was under water. In some places the water was flowing so quickly that it was easy to hear gurgling sounds typically heard in legitimate streams. The trail was still relatively easy. Rocks are increasingly becoming the trail and there were a couple rock scrambles but today's hike was easier than expected.Saw Mr. Nature again along with hikers I met yesterday in the hotel - Stumble Toes and Velcro. Spent time at dinner tonight talking with Good Doctor. He's hiked in Nepal and hiked to Mt. Everest base camp; places that my son has been as part of his research.Not much else going on today. Replaced my trailrunners with boots and I think the boots helped absorb the impact of hiking on so many angled rocks. Suspect that the rocks are about to show why this state's AT trail name is Rocksylvania.
Date: 2016-05-09
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

I arrived in Rocksylvania today. Please get me out of here safely - and quickly. I got crushed today. Honestly, I'd leave the AT if I had to hike this every day.Today's hike started okay. The climb up Hawk Mountain was no big deal. Pennsylvania's stones, rocks, and boulders began in earnest in the climb to Dan's Pulpit. There were numerous rock scrambles between Dan's Pulpit and the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter, a distance slightly over 4 miles. Swamp Angel and Captain Kirk were on the trail hiking southbound and I confessed that the AT had gotten the better of me today. They told me it was easy hiking to Blue Mountain Summit, a distance of 4.5 miles and they were right. It was easy. I stopped at Blue Mountain Summit Bed & Breakfast but it was closed. The AWOL guide book says they allow their water spigot to be used so I drank my water and refilled two liters. Water is scarce around here and this water didn't require much of a hike to get it. Hiking after Blue Mountain Summit was easy until the New Tripoli Campsite so I had another easy two miles to get there. Then my day changed badly. I didn't expect Knife Edge to be the challenge that it was. My fear of ledges and heights took over and I didn't recover until today's hike was over. Knife Edge required hiking on slanted boulders. Fall to the right and you are in a lot of pain, assuming you are alive or able to feel pain. A fall here conceivably could lead to major agony. I lost my confidence when my hiking pole slipped, resulting in me hugging the slanted rock. No injury except that I was shook to the point that I moved at a snail's pace. I was fine with hiking slowly. I didn't want to fall. I was grateful when this section was done. No Schedule is ex-Air Force and he got dizzy with vertigo while he was on Knife Edge. He said he was more afraid there then when he was being shot at. I confessed that I was hiking on my butt for part of it. Misery loves company and we were both miserable today. The trail was easy again after Knife Edge and Bear Rocks. Easy until Bake Oven Knob when the boulder hopping returns, but this part was easy compared to Knife Edge.I am safely in a shelter tonight. I am grateful to be here and in one piece. I need a good night's rest to put this day behind me.
Date: 2016-05-10
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Little Gap - Stempa Home Of Mechanical Man
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I have been dreading today's Superfund Trail hike. It looked so steep and some previous trailjournal accounts of the climb intimidated me. Given yesterday's difficult experience with Knife Edge, I was more than concerned but began today with a "new day" perspective to take on the challenge. Today, to my surprise, was challenging and fun compared to yesterday's challenging and scary. The hike before the Superfund Trail climb had a couple boulder fields but was pretty easy with stoney trail that was walkable. The Superfund Trail was steep and required work. Yes, I was on my butt at times, okay it was a number of times. I'm sure most hikers would be upright but I was satisfied to get through it enjoyably. There was no time that I felt like I was at risk.Tonight I am at Mechanical Man's home, the Stempa home. We are in the garage and enjoying it. Here with me are Birk (who is recovering here with a leg problem) and a group of 5 who started from Harpers Ferry. The 5 get along great and it was fun to be with them as they laughed and sang. Two are from Switzerland, Mountain Man & Karma. The other three (Bubbles, Sprout, & Smudgy Cheeks) are from Ohio and they hope to finish their flip-flop in November. I saw a video of Sprout walking up to cows and waving them away - I need him to hike with me! They were more entertaining than last night when I had the shelter to myself. Or thought I was by myself. There's a picture of a late-arriving visitor - an ugly porcupine who was gnawing on the shelter's wood just 10 feet away from me. This porcupine wasn't easily moved but eventually left after I banged hiking poles for a while. I was happy today and hugged the rocks like David recommended in his comment. There's a saying that warns hikers not to fight the AT. Embracing the AT today was enabled by the AT showing kindness on this hiker. Thank goodness.
Date: 2016-05-11
From: Little Gap - Stempa Home Of Mechanical Man

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

Happy Birthday Anne! My thinking and experience is that first born children have it tougher than younger siblings while parents learn to be parents. I recall Anne pointing that out to David a time or two. There are benefits too. Anne was my Mom's first grandchild and brought a sparkle to her eye that never went away. I have two terrific children. If someone wrote a definition of why I am a lucky man then having these two would be at the top of the list along with sharing them and their lives with their Mom. The trail doesn't always make it easy either. I was told that the worst of Pennsylvania's rocks are behind me and that seemed to be the case today. But rocks are rocks and easy isn't a word I can use to describe today's trail. The first rock scramble climb came less than a half hour into today's hike. Then the trail messed with me as it was level and extensively dirt-based. Scenarios involving being able to hike more miles today were running through my head and then another rocky sequence appeared. These rocks weren't as difficult as those of the last two days, but they were enough of a problem to slow me down and crush those bigger mile scenarios. Captain Kirk and Swamp Angel came by with Captain Kirk mentioning Groundhog Day since we've been encountering each other like this the last few days. We exchanged perspectives on yesterday's hikes, what we'd each hiked through today, and what we expected later in the day. I am going to miss these conversations when I go off the trail for a few days next week. I saw Swiss Miss again today too. She provided a glazed donut that was trail magic from a friend of Waffles who was hiking with her yesterday after hiking the AT for the last thirty days. Swiss Miss has 65 days remaining on her Visa. It seems we're both hoping to finish in similar time frames. These on-the-trail conversations are important to me since I'm currently hiking alone. The trail is meandering through woodlands. Birds are singing all the time. Bumble bees are frequently seen. But other wildlife seems to be hiding. Enjoying the trail right now comes with fewer miles. It is hard to face that reality but that's where I am at right now in Pennsylvania. Today's weather was great and the trail is dry while the water sources are all flowing. Hiking the AT means accepting what you can't control or change. Seems easier taking that approach.
Date: 2016-05-13
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

No hiking today. Beth is going to her parents house to visit with a couple cousins she has many memories with when they grew up but sees infrequently now. Since I'm now between our home and her folks home, I get an extra visit and she's bringing everything I need to resupply. My stay at the Pocono Inn wasn't good. I like Pennsylvania's rocks more than that hotel. This is the second town in a row that has a hotel to be avoided; several people told me not to stay at the Travel Inn in Wind Gap. Lots of familiar faces stayed last night and today at Church Of The Mountain Hiker Center, a hostel run by the local Presbyterian Church. I visited and caught up with Bubbles, Sprout, and Smudgy Cheeks. Mountain Man and Karma were there too. As I was leaving I heard someone say "You're kidding" and it was Candle Maker, who I thought was far ahead of me by now so I spent a few minutes with Candle Maker. The only reason Candle Maker is here is because he's taken time to tour Washington D.C. as well as some other days visiting with a friend. No Schedule came out of the hostel while I was speaking with Candle Maker. It's fun to run into and catch up with hikers seen in the past. Got a message that Chill-Lax did break a bone in his foot so he'll be off the trail for a few weeks. It's been a good day of rest.
Date: 2016-05-15
From: Brink Shelter

To: NJ 23 - High Point State Park Headquarters
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: light rain

Cold start this morning but once the hiking started the temperature wasn't a problem. Wind gusts were frequent, resulting in the rare need to periodically layer clothing to retain body heat. I didn't expect New Jersey to be this pretty. I mistakenly thought that the relatively low elevations would result in a lack of views. I was wrong. There were many miles today with views galore. My trailside chat with Swamp Angel and Captain Kirk resumed today. I was happy to see them again. There were fewer weekend hikers today and conversation was rare, probably because everyone wanted to keep hiking to stay warm. The trail started off being very easy but became rockier in the afternoon. I found myself eating whatever I could today in order to keep my energy level up. I'm assuming I felt the need to eat more because of the cooler weather. With the temperature forecasted to be near or below freezing tonight, I decided to get into a hotel. It hailed a couple times today and I didn't want to potentially have wet gear with cold temperatures and wind. Am warm and happy to be in the Highpoint Mountain Motel tonight.
Date: 2016-05-18
From: Orange Turnpike

To: Palisades Parkway
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

I am writing this one day after the hike I am writing about now. I am now in my home. Comfortable and far away from the AT. It's an odd feeling. The hike began with a climb up Arden Mountain. The climb came in layers and reminded me of a wedding cake but maybe that's just because my daughter's wedding plans are on my mind. The climb was steep in places but it was consistently blazed. The hike flattened out after the climb and then the climb resumed. This sequence repeated itself several times. The weather was beautiful for hiking and today began much better than the way yesterday ended. The Lemon Squeezer was encountered next. It is very narrow but I inched through it with my backpack on. I didn't expect what was coming just yards after it. There was a rock wall approximately 8 to 10 feet tall. I looked at it a couple times in disbelief. I had seen a blue blaze alternative trail but I've chosen to hike white blazes only. I momentarily thought my hike might be over because I really thought I might not be able to get up and over this wall. I reached up and placed my hiking poles above the wall. Then I took my backpack off and placed it above the wall too.Then I went to the right corner of the wall and found a couple hand-holds to give me the opportunity to rock and lean in and up in order to pull myself above the rock wall. Much to my relief, it was over in a few minutes and I was glad to see flat trail ahead. Weird though how my hike can be moving along and all of a sudden I'm wondering if I can overcome the AT's next difficult challenge. Black Mountain provided a view of the New York City skyline. It was hazy but the outline was there and was great to see. Moments before that skyline view, a 4 to 5 foot black snake vacated the trail, much to my relief. The Palisades Parkway traffic grew louder during the descent from Black Mountain. Beth came to the Visitor Center and we headed home. This will be my longest planned break as Beth and I are celebrating our son's graduation event. I hope to eat plenty of food and come back a bit stronger than I am at the moment. Plans have been made to visit with family and friends too. It's been a little over 3 months since I was home. Should be fun and interesting, just like this trail.
Date: 2016-05-19
From: Palisades Parkway

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

No hiking today but plenty was done. The day began with exchanging messages with Fresh Ground. It was good to catch up. Then it took a while to sort through previously purchased trail food and then going to stores to purchase food for the next 20 days. A quick haircut to was needed to clean me up a bit. I sure am gray. But the big event for today came near the end of the day when Anne and Pat came to preview wedding reception venues. This is an exciting and hectic time. Initially we were visiting just one but we were so close to others in the area that we saw three - and I think one of them will be selected soon. The night ended with a big meal of lasagna, salad, and bread. It was a happy time. Home sleeping in my own bed was a treat.
Date: 2016-05-20
From: Home

To: Austin, Texas
Miles today: 0.0

Great breakfast at home and a few minutes with Pat this morning before Beth and I flew to Austin, Texas. Besides sleeping, I used my time on the flights to update my initial outline of where I'll be on the trail so that I can hike and visit with family and friends as I hike the northeast portion of the trail. There are many great places coming up but my notes remind me of how challenging this part of the trail is too. David and Leigh met us at the airport. We haven't seen David since Christmas and this is our first time meeting Leigh. She's delightful. The two of them seem very happy. Our first stop was to my favorite place in Austin - Sno-Beach - where I got a banana/blueberry shaved ice dessert. What a way to start. We then had dinner at Uncle Billy's. The food and vibe in Austin is vibrant. We ended the night playing one of our favorite games - Ticket To Ride. It is a game we play at a pace that let's us talk with each other as we play. It was way past hiker midnight when I got to sleep but was a day that made me very happy. The trail seems far away and is, but I'll be back soon.
Date: 2016-05-21
From: Austin, Texas

To: Austin, Texas
Miles today: 0.0

Hooding Ceremony Day today for my son David. Beth and I couldn't be prouder or happier for him. I am no different than many of you who are filled with joy by the lives of our children. It was a real pleasure to attend David's graduation event, to spend more time with Leigh, and to reacquaint ourselves with some of David's classmates while also being introduced to other friends David has made during the last several years. A day like this is a memory I hope to remember for a long time; a day filled with such enthusiasm, goodwill, and celebration. My break away from the AT will soon be over. My pursuit of this significant challenge is about to be renewed. Thanks David for giving me a fresh reminder as to what can be accomplished with dogged determination and effort. Thanks for bringing me a fresh reminder of the importance of having wonderful, important people in one's life like Leigh and all those great friends we shared good times with today at your celebration picnic. Thanks for being the person that you've become. I've said it before. I am a very lucky man.
Date: 2016-05-22
From: Austin, Texas

To: Home - South Windsor, CT
Miles today: 0.0

It was a travel day today. Weird in the sense that every day on the trail is a "travel day", just at a much slower pace than flying. As soon as we were home, purchasing trail food, spraying hiking clothes with permethrin, and tweaking gear were the priorities in preparation for tomorrow's return to the AT. We spoke with Anne tonight to get caught up on their wedding plans. So much preparation and planning to pull off a wedding or hike the AT. Exciting times.