morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Blue Ridge Summit, PA

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

I am just adding an update. I plan on hitting the trail this Saturday, June 16th and I am picking up the trail in PA where I left off.  My son Brian is growing up! He is now officially 20 years old. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Brian! He moved out to live own his own and is supporting himself and putting himself through college. We are very proud of him.   I leave Wednesday to go to Chicago with Rachel for orientation at college. We will get back on Friday and head out Saturday morning for the trail. I won't be able to see her off to college, but I am planning a trip up there in October, so I can bring her things she may need or has forgotten. I have enjoyed my time home and it was wonderful to see my family and my friends while I was here. The house is clean now...we'll see what its like when I return in the fall...He he he .   I have to admit I am anxious to get back to hiking. I miss my hiking friends and wonder who I will be hiking with when I return. I am concerned also with my strength as I didn't hike much while I was at home...but I did a lot of yardwork, so maybe that will help! ha ha ! I miss the routine, the people, the exercise, the challenge, the adventure of not knowing. I long for the simplicity of getting back to just the basics as the norm and being swallowed up by nature. I miss the whispering of the wind, water, the scent of the blossoming trees and the singing of the birds. I can hardly wait for my feet to be walking on the trail again.   I have made a few gear changes...switched to a lighter summer sleeping bag, swapped my tent out for a bivy sack, and ordered another pair of Garmot Nasty trailrunners...I'll go the rest of the way with them. I also switched my fleece to a lightweight fleece and bought another pair of smartwool pants as I lost mine on the AT. I am missing my hat at home...I thought I mailed it, but it is MIA, so I may pick up another on-trail. Other than that I just have to weigh everything to see what I am down to. I estimate that I have dropped four pounds in gear. I hope to get my base weight at 15 pounds. Then that would bring it to 25-27 with food and water.    I am putting together the second half of my mail drops and I plan to use the stores a little more so I can add variety to what I eat...the "trail kibble" gets old quick. So, I will be posting those.   So, for now, that's it. The next time I post will be from a trail town when I can get internet access. Hope everyone has enjoyed the pics I have uploaded. There will be more to come for sure.   Happy Trails.
Date: 2007-06-16
From: none

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 2.1
Weather: few clouds

I got a late start today as I didn't have all of my gear together and had to finalize a few details. Bob and I left around 11 am and he wanted to stop by and see a golf tournament to try to get some souvenirs...we couldn't get any. So off we went to Blue Ridge Summit where I left the trail.      We finally arrived at the trail head around 6:30 pm so I couldn't go to far. We saw some trail magic in the creek by the parking lot where he left me. He thought that was pretty cool. It was hard to say goodbye to him again.      So off I went into the woods to the first shelter. I passed some weird rock formations. One was called chimney rock. It looked just like a chimney too.      When I arrived at the shelter, I saw Larry and met Hungus. They told me where most people I knew where and caught me up on some trail happenings. Most people that I know are ahead, a few are behind. Bucket and her boyfriend, Water, are only a day ahead so, perhaps I will see them.       It was good to be out on the trail again. I have to take it easy until I get my hiking legs back, but 2 miles is a little on the low side. I do miss the simplicity, and the sights and sounds, as well as the hiker camaraderie. The sun was out today and the weather was good to hike in. However, I was cold at night and got out my bivy sack to warm me up.
Date: 2007-06-17
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: few clouds

Had a longer hike today. The sun was shining and the temps were in the 80's. Comfortable for me. I hiked out alone as Larry and Hungus like to sleep in.   I stopped at Caledonia State Park and the idea was to get a burger, a shower, and a swim, and head to the next shelter. I ran into Bucket and Water, so we went swimming in the pool. Later Larry, Hungus, Ziplock and Nitro, and Kiwi showed up. After swimming we decide to split a tentsite so it came to $2 a head. Not bad.   Then we decided to walk down the road to a little place that served Italian food. It was really good, but I can tell I have lost my hikers appetite. I could not eat any where CLOSE to the amount of food these guys shoveled in! Incredible. We had a great time sharing laughs and stories.   We walked back to the campsite in the dark and called it a day. Owl and his girlfriend showed up and camped with us. I didn't sleep that well, my sinuses are flaring up. Probably in shock from going from Ohio to Chicago then to the woods. I feel a little out of balance.
Date: 2007-06-18
From: Caledonia State Park

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 27.1

Felt better today, I took an Advil and that helped. I hiked to the Quarry Gap shelter where I was suppose to end up last night. It was awesome, complete with hanging flower baskets! Makes me miss home.   Then onto Tom's Run Shelter. I was going to stay there but it was only noon, so I ate lunch and took a nap. I headed out again after about an hour and caught up with Orange Moon, Kiwi, and Dirty Ernie at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. This place is known for the half gallon challenge, where hikers try to eat a half gallon as fast as they can! I didn't time myself and failed miserably...only finished about half. However, Orange Moon finished the whole thing...but we don't know how long it took him. He figued out he ingested 3,350 calories in ice cream alone. That wasn't counting the cola, or iced tea he had.   When we decided to head out we were full. Just then we walked past a pavillion and Orange Moon says,"If they invite us for food, I am declining...I am SOO full! " So wouldn't you know, a guy comes over and asks us if we want some food. So, of course we say ok! Orange moon decided a cooked burger would be fine. The man said the only thing we have to do is give a speech to the group about our hike and what we have done and answer any questions. So thats what we did. It was kind of cool, because alot of the kids were eager to find out about the trail. We took some pictures and they gave us some fruit and goodies for the trail and we were off again. Great Trail Magic!   As we hiked we came across the official halfway marker. Dirty Ernie was there so we took some pictures. WE all decided to try to make it to the next shelter...about seven miles up the trail. It was already late, so we had to hike fast and we would possibly get into night hiking. Were all game for it, so that's what we did. We made it into the shelter around 9:15. Got situated, cooled down and then went to sleep.    I don't know if I like night hiking. I like the hiking part, but I don't like doing everything in the dark like that. Or, maybe I am just not used to it. Good thing the shelter was empty too. I would hate to bother people coming in late like that.    It was a big day and I felt good. Let's see how I do tomorrow.
Date: 2007-06-19
From: Jamed Fry Shelter

To: I-81/Cow barn
Miles today: 21.1

Orange Moon, Dirty Ernie and I headed out to go into Boiling Springs today and then onto the next shelter. It was overcast and humid, but the sun came out and it really got hot. The temps were in the 90's and with the humidity factor it was in the 100's and I can tell you it felt like it too!   We stopped at the Alec Kennedy Shelter and had lunch. I do not have my hiker appetite back yet. But that's ok, it will come soon enough. As we hiked the trail went into some hayfields and the sun was just beating down on us especially because it was around noon. Ugh! Poor planning on our part, but what can you do? Just walk.   When we got to the Appalachian Headquarters (in PA), I washed some clothes in the sink, but wanted to head out because I didn't need to do anything in town and I nneded time to get to the shelter 14 miles uptrail. Orange Moon and Dirty Ernie wanted food and a beer, so I left around 1 pm.    I remembered the weather had called for thunderstorms late Tues/Wed, so I began to hustle a little. The trail is flat here, because we are crossing a valley...elevation is 400 or so. I was hiking and because I was in hayfields, I could see the sky. It was not looking good and I could hear rumbling. I decided (after much prayer) to go to the nearby farm and ask if I could sleep in the barn for the night. They said yes and I was so grateful and thanked them! The skies just opened up all night long. I stayed warm and dry and in the morning headed out without bothering the people. They had a sick cow they were tending to and I didn't want to impose any more than I already had.
Date: 2007-06-20
From: I-81/Cow barn

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: few clouds

I left the barn this morning and clouds were still looming. I was glad as it had cooled off tremendously. It was rather uneventful hiking. I would not have made it in that storm last night. I still had five miles to the shelter and there was an elevations going up to 1100 feet. I hiked alone today, and the sun came out and there was a nice breeze. Jew Dog passed me from his camp sight and I saw him later in town. I had met him briefly on Roan Mountain. I came into town and met alot of new hikers that I haven't seen before. Pootz, M & M, Blue Sky and Blue sky (yes they have the same name), Evil Eye, Swamp Fox, and Gandolf. I had to go to the post office, laundry and shower, then we got a shuttle to the grocery store. I like to pick up some milk and fruit when I can. So I am updating this journal and will call it a day after I e-mail Bob.
Date: 2007-06-21
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Short hike today with a full pack. I am carrying extra food, somehow, my appetite still has not caught up with my hiking. When I get into a town, I am trying to eat fruit, milk, etc. It is hard to eat "trail kibble" when you are in a town. The "Dung Beetle Clan" who I have been hiking with : Evil Eye, Kiwi, Pootz, Blue Sky BBQ, Dirty Ernie, M & M, Swamp Fox and Blue Sky (1) (picture to follow). We came to the 325 and we ran into some day hikers. Pootz convinced them to run him into town to get some beer. I went with him and we picked up a case and brought it back to the trail head and had "Miller Time". It was nice. We came into the shelter,and the sun was still out. Nice sunny breezy day. It was a nice two story shelter, and one of the original shelters that Earl Shaffer built is located here. Earl Shaffer is from York, PA. He is known as Earl "Crazy One" Shaffer, the first A.T. thru-hiker. In 1948, he completed a northbound thru-hike;in 1965 he completed a southbound thru-hike, becoming the first to accomplish both northbound and southbound hikes. To celebrate the 50th anniversary in 1998 of his first hike, Earl did a northbound thru-hike at the age of 79. He was active in Trail maintenance and promoting trails for the YHC and Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club for many years. The Dung Beetle Clan is a fun bunch of people. They have a great sense of humor and are really taking time to have fun along the way. That is how I want the second half of this trip to be. It is about the journey, not the destination. Plus, they plan on finishing around the same time I am...mid-September. Since today is naked hiking day, they told me I could get initiated into the group right away...needless to say, I am still on probation. I am not sure how hike naked day started, but it is on the summer solstice. We didn't see any naked hikers (thankfully), but have come to the conclusion that the people who hike naked are usually the ones you do NOT want to see naked! Ha Ha.
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

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

Another sunny day in Pennslyvania. I left today with Uncle Buck,I forgot to add him to the Dung Beetle Clan. I am still a newbie, so I think there are a few others I am missing. We were ready very early, so we eventually left the shelter. The trail was beginning to get rocky in spots. Uncle Buck and I passed over some rocks that had a danger note another hiker left, warning us about rattlesnakes, but when we passed, we didn't see any. However, when the gang passed behind us about 15 minutes later, they saw five of them. We must have woke them up when we hiked over the rocks.I am glad I didn't see any. We had a great time hiking. Kiwi was telling us a story about his college days when he had a summer job as an indian. They had a train that kids would ride and pass by a fort and shoot the indians that were attacking the fort. So Kiwi was one of the indians. At one point they tried to get real indians to attack the fort. The indians would rush the train on horseback, and when they were shot, they would fall down and wait for the train to pass out of sight. Then while waiting they would drink beer. So, halfway into the summer, the train comes around the bend to the fort, and there are no indians. As they approached the fort, they saw it was on fire. After that, they didn't use real indians anymore...they went back to college kids. The lesser of two evils I guess. It was really funny. We passed by Fort Indian Town Gap Army Training Center (which inspired the above story and sounded like an old episode of F-Troop). There were some A-10 Warthogs that were practicing for ground support. It was interesting to watch them buzzing around. Hanging the bear bag was quite funny tonight as Pootz was going to show us his two tree method. It ended up taking 4 people to hang the bag as there was so much weight. Two to lift up the bags, and two to pull the rope (picture to follow)Kiwi said it looked like they were raising the flag. So funny. Most the Clan want to go into town tomorrow. But Blue Sky and I will hike on to the next shelter and will wait for the others to catch up.
Date: 2007-06-23
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Left this morning and headed out to Swatara Gap to have lunch. Caught up with Dirty Ernie and his wife, Joyce. The whole group of us, were having a beer by the side of the road (trail magic). Then we were driven to a KOA five miles away to have a wonderful lunch - The whole Dung Beetle Clan. It was also a farewell to Dirtyb ernie as he is heading to Maine and is going to hike South back to Swatara Gap. So, he will be hiking home. Everyone but Blue Sky and I decided to stay in town. So, after lunch we were driven back to the trailhead. This shelter is nice. More like a cabin with a skylight and a picnic table in the middle of the room. It has a solar shower...it felt great. I also did laundry and hung it out to dry. So far my feet ache a little from the rocks, but for the most part they feel fine. I guess I could do more miles, but I want to stay with this group as they are finishing around September 15th, which is my tentative finish date. I told everyone I would meet up with them in Port Clinton, probably Monday. I see that FlyAway was at this shelter on June 4th. I would have been one day ahead of him. It is interesting to see his entries in the shelter registers. The gypsy moths are really bad here. The devastation to the trees is alarming. It is almost like hiking in the fall as the leaves are on the forest floor and the sun is really shining through. The forest sounds like it is raining, but it is moth poop falling down from the trees. Yelch. Yes, it gets in your hair. Gross! I was told that if they attack a tree three years in a row, it will kill a tree. Kind of sad. I wish they could find a natural predator for these insects.There is a lot of poison ivy out right now. PA is full of rocks, snakes and poison ivy. Not too many views though. It reminds me alot of hiking in Ohio. it has been Hot, Humid and Hazy. Hard weather to hike in. You lose a lot of electrolytes and drinking water is not enough to replenish them. Very difficult to stay hydrated in this weather. Very draining too.
Date: 2007-06-24
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, Pavillion
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Sadly left the 501 shelter this morning. A very nice shelter indeed. We had a fire in the ring last night, the caretaker of the place started one for us...how cool. Today was going to be a short day to Eagle Nest Shelter, so I left and hiked at a slow pace. I kept leap-frogging with Blue Sky. We arrived at the shelter at 2:30. The water source was poor, mosquitos in the shelter and, well lets just say the privy needed to be topped of with a cherry! Once we saw that, we decided to head the final eight miles into Port Clinton. I was out of water, and the heat was pretty bad, but I thought I needed to get in. We ran into Too Many Birthdays (Tom B) and he gave us some of his water and came into town with us. When we arrived, we decided to get some food. It took the waitress three hours to wait on us. The waitress only did one thing at a time and she was also the bartender. Do you get the idea that this is a small town? It is. One street that is about a mile long. At the end of it is a Pavillion that the hikers are aloud to stay at. Yesterday, there was a huge party with a bunch of food. I missed it. Oh well. So when we were done eating, we had to walk in the dark to the Pavillion and set up camp. The good news is, they don't charge for anything. And there is a great breakfast place up the street. So we will investigate tomorrow.Hiking today was kind of nice. I took a slow easy pace to go easy over th rocks and not beat up my feet so badly. I was glad to get into town and plan on a zero so now I can rest a little. Always a bonus.
Date: 2007-06-25
From: Port Clinton, Pavillion

To: Ye Ole Backpacker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I needed to resupply and wait for the rest of the Dung Beetle Clan to hike in. So Dirty Ernie came and took Blue Sky and I to the grocery store and then we stopped at Cabellas, a huge outdoor hunting store. Quite impressive. I ran into Orange Moon and Ginger Snap at the pavillion. They went with us to Cabellas and the grocery store too. They tented last night and headed out this morning after chores. Most of the day I just hung around...kinda bored. I packed up my stuff and waited for the Dung Beetle Clan to arrive. Around 7:30 Tammy from Ye Ole Backpackers came up announcing their free hostel. I told her I was waiting for a group of hikers. She drove me to the other side of town to see if they had arrived. They had. They were trying to get a ride to another hotel! We picked them up and took them to the hostel for a shower and then to a restaurant for a meal. They seemed happy, but the hostel was rather hot and the weather is soo humid..everything is damp. I am not sure if everyone is heading out tomorrow. We will see.
Date: 2007-06-26
From: Port Clinton, Pavillion

To: Port Clinton, Pavillion
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I didn't sleep well last night. The weather has been extremely hot and humid. In Ohio we call it triple H - Hot, Humid and Hazy. It tends to build up pressure and then thunderstorm. Cools off a bit and then starts the cycle all over again. The heat is building up. So I guess I am repeating what I did the other day. Everyone wants to go to Cabellas and get groceries...at least it is air conditioned. I could head out, but I would be hiking solo. I am unsure what I want to do and I am not sure why. I think because I have just gotten back on trail and haven't got back into the swing of things yet. So, I hung out with the Dung beetle Clan and went to Cabellas again. We also did laundry. In hindsight, I should have headed out on the trail (more about that later). When we got back to the pavillion, Pootz, Kiwi and M & M wanted to get a hotel room (really roughing it aren't they?) I am surprized by how many people who hike the trail have to get a hotel room every three or four days...kind of defeats the purpose in my mind...but that is me, and FlyAway has convinced me that when it comes to hotels, I am in a minority as far as staying out in the woods. Oh well. Later, Lil Red and Big Wolf came in and so did Owl and Lil Cubit. I met Blue Yonder and Buttercup. They stopped by and then headed out to the first shelter. I probably should have hiked on with them. But I didn't. I will leave first thing in the morning.
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Port Clinton, Pavillion

To: Allentown Shelter
Miles today: 22.6

I left early this morning a little mad at myself for wasting so much time in Port Clinton. I will still finish up in Mid-September, but I could have zeroed in a better place. Plus, I think if I hadn't pulled up in a truck with Tammy, the Dung Beetle Clan would have gotten a room in Hamburg and not even bothered to see if I was at the Pavillion. Lesson: Hike my own Hike. I saw Uncle Buck on the trail this morning and told him I was upset with my decision the past few days. Told him I was gonna hike fast to make up for lost time. I also heard there was going to be thunderstorms this afternoon, they said around three...I want to get to the shelter as soon as possible, we'll see. I came to the Eckville shelter and I was drenched with sweat. It is so hot and humid. I have been drinking about 5 to 6 liters of water a day. Buttercup and Blue Yonder were there. We all took a shower, rinsed the salt out of our clothes and had lunch. I left as soon as possible because of the looming storm clouds. They caught up to me on the trail and we hiked to the shelter together. We had made it in before the rain. I was drenched again, and I decided to hike the one mile down the hill of rock boulders and poison ivy to rinse off. I cannot sleep well if I am sticky and salty. It was a hard hike for water, glad it was a choice not a necessity. It took me an hour to go to the water, rinse off and come back! I got back and made dinner. Buttercup and Blue Yonder had already eaten. It didn't rain until about seven pm. I slept pretty well. We were the only ones at the shelter, other than a section hiker. The crowd is thinning out. Many people have dropped out of their hike, and it is evident when you come into a shelter. In the beginning there were crowds at every shelter. Now, many are empty. Interesting.
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Palmerton City Hall
Miles today: 17.7

Got up and ate breakfast and headed out. I loaded up on water four miles out. There were more rocks than usual. We went over the knife's edge and hiked over many many boulders. It was triple H weather again today. Again I am drenched with sweat. I have to make sure I replace my electrolytes. Water alone won't do it at the rate I am sweating. I have been drinking 6 to 8 liters of water a day. I think I have left most of my body fluids in this state! Blue Yonder has to go into Slatington to pick up some shoes. Buttercup and I decided to go into Palmerton to get a shower at the hostel. As we hiked across the bridge, I lost the tip to my hiking pole when it banged against the bridge railing. But, I didn't notice. When we got to the traffic light a young women offered us a ride to town. When I climbed into the car, I broke my croc. I didn't notice until I got in and it was too late to look in the road for the pieces. When I get into Delaware Water Gap, I can replace the tip to my hiking pole. I fixed my Croc temporarily with a safety pin. Bummer. Oh well. Buttercup and I got dinner and when we came out of the diner it was raining...glad I am not hiking in the rain! The town of Palmerton is fantastic. They have been so hospitable. We even got a care package from the girl scouts! It included a calling card, TP, toothpaste, toothbrush and a post card! How cool is that? We took a shower, and got our stuff dried out from the damp weather and went to bed. Another great day. I look forward to a good night's rest.