morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-22
From: rocky mountain shelter

To: toms run shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: overcast clouds

6.22.13 - day 83Rocky Mountain Shelter - Toms Run Shelter19.2 miles - 13 hoursEarly morning start, want to get to trail magic@ half way point by 4pm, also want to get the miles on while it is cool in the early morning. Arrive at Caledonia state park, trail magic! Bill from St.Louis making fresh blueberry pancakes on the spot, made to order one at a time in iron skillet. Batter has milk, applesauce, fresh blueberries, whole walnuts and free roaming chicken eggs. Moist, warm & tasty, great way to start Saturday morning. Also had 2 Pennsylvania Dutch birch beer sodas, nice local treat too. Thank you Bill! Passed by Quarry Gap shelter, so far it is the best dressed shelter due to potted & hanging flowers, farmhouse style roof with weather vane and clock, well decorated & maintained.One big climb then flat, moved pretty fast thru shady forest. Passed Sherwin who was sun bathing & resting in grassy open clearing. Arrive@ Birch run shelter for lunch. A section hiking couple is there, he shows me video of some wild blueberry patches we passed on the trail. They picked handfuls & ate on the spot. Said it was rare to see large ripe ones this early here. I now know what to keep an eye out for, i never seen blueberry bush before, would be nice to pick & eat fresh ones.We get to mile 1092.9 @ Woodrow road, this is location of 2013 halfway point! So blessed to have made it up to this point, what an accomplishment. Such great memories, met some cool people from all over the country & the world already, wishing for more to come in the second half!To celebrate this occasion, the mom of twins Rise & Shine, from PA, set up trail magic on the road, it was phenomenal! Not the usual magic. seafood salad, potato salad, quinoa with asparagus, bbq chicken breast, burgers, hot dogs, spinach salad, fruit salad, mixed cookie tray, sangria, Cuba libre and more. Even after eating as much as I could and more, the moms encourage us to eat even more, reminds me of my own back home. Toast, Rusty Ramps, Bootless, Fire Hazard, Scherwin, Rise & Shine & other members of The Town were all there. really cool & friendly group. Most of them went to DC then did 4 state challenge then took zero day, which allows us to catch up to them & meet. great company to be around. Looking back at some pictures, some of them were sitting outside of ATC HQ when we were there, though we had not me them yet. Hung out for 4 hours here, eating, chatting away the afternoon, enjoying the moment of celebration. Huge milestone, congrats to all class of 2013 who make it here. Also I was told in south you pronounce 'appalatchian', in north it becomes 'appalayshin', gotta remember to use the latter now.
Date: 2013-06-23
From: toms run shelter

To: mile 1108 camp
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

6.23.13 Sunday - day 84Tom's run shelter - camp mile 1108.812.8 miles - 11 hours- took pix @ half way point sign with RR & PL. For those hiking next summer, if the sign is at the same place, it will be 0.2 miles after Tom run shelter. the actual halfway this year occurred about 1.2 miles back on Woodrow road, no sign there. AWOL guide will tell you actual halfway point, the sign will probably remain here. Caused some confusion because hikers were looking for it a mile earlier. Also sign reads 1090 miles each way though this year is 1093 each way, they don't update sign. Cool sign to take pics with to mark the occasion. Purple trail log inside mailbox next to sign. - 3 miles to Pine Furnace state park general store, home of half gallon challenge. This is where hikers can try to eat a half gallon of Ice cream (a standard brick of ice cream, technically a bit shy of half gallon) in under a half hour or hour, depending on your definition, to celebrate reaching the half way point successfully . I choose mint chocolate chip, RR gets banana split. We start, i pre score the surface with my spoon, allowing it to melt quicker. Work the edges first, eat for 10 seconds, score for 50 seconds. This keeps pace constant & avoids front loading. I complete the half gallon challenge successfully in 25 minutes!! Not a record or anything but happy to have succeeded! Never tried that much before so wasn't sure even if I could do it. No real prize, just a wooden spoon with 'half gallon club' on it, belly of ice cream, & cool story to share. I read the nutrition label on the box, it says 160 calories per serving, the container holds 12 servings, so that comes out to 1920 calories in just under half an hour. There is also separate log book just for the challenge. Thanks Sparky for cheering me on. RR & PL finished right after me. I had a urge for some real food surprisingly & order a hot dog. Nuge did her best but was not able to finish due to sizable breakfast, Fire Hazard, Pretzel, Sparky i know finished. Rabbit, Dayman, Rusty Ramps, Toast, Rise & Shine, & rest of Funky Town were there too enjoying the celebration. - Went to AT museum then to state park half mile away. Trail magic part 2! Rise & Shine mom & aunt are back with burgers & hot dogs! We were ready to do some serious milage until we see Funky Town sitting at picnic table waving us over. We join them, eat, drink, enjoy. Even after all that ice cream, i have a burger & cheese burger. crowded Sunday in park. Many swimming in pool. After long break we do truncated miles. Thanks to Rise & Shine mom & aunt for making this fun, special & memorable half way celebration!
Date: 2013-06-24
From: mile 1108 camp

To: boiling springs
Miles today: 8.0

6.24.13 - day 85Camp mile 1108 - Boiling Springs8 miles - 4 hoursDidn't sleep so well last night, alot of road noise & helicopters above when there wasn't stuff falling from trees onto the dry leaves. Oh well, short day anyway. Small climb up to do the rock mazes, between and around large boulders. - later is the original half way point, on the peak is a metal placard attached to a vertical rock slab. On it is a likeness of Earl Schaefer, the original thru hiker. We met Lobo up there, enjoying a bottle of red wine he packed after climbing a side trail with Minx & her dog. He tells us that Pennsylvania Dutch are actually German. When locals heard the word Deutsche meaning German, they confused it with Dutch, from NETHERLANDS.- hiked around and through farm lands. Most were corn fields. In direct sun for long stretches, quite a difference than what we are used to. beautiful scenery, farm fields, barns, mountains in the back. In between farms are trees & some shade. Lots of wild blackberries line the trail, tempting to pick, not sure they are safe to eat. - Into historic Boiling Springs, man made lake filled with cool clear spring water cools the air nearby, originally used for iron production. Stone 3 story iron furnace from 1800 next to trail. Pass ATC mid Atlantic office then lunch@ Caffe 101. Later follow the road to Allenberry inn. The bar & restaurant closed on Monday. Laundry, then swim in pool. Pizza delivery for all hikers, Swell, Moving-on, Sparky, Jet fuel, Woodman, Strawberry Donut, Whistler, Double d, Rabbit, PL, RR & more. - Blackhawks are 2013 Stanley Cup Champions!!! What a great finish, that was so exciting, glad I was able to witness history. So lucky to have access to TV on this history making night. Congratulations Chicago Blackhawks!!!
Date: 2013-06-25
From: boiling springs

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: broken clouds

6.25.13 - day 86Boiling springs - Duncannon25 miles - 12 hoursFlat terrain in the morning through some forests, mostly farm lands, corn & cows. Moving fast while still cool in the morning. Lunch@ atc work center with Swell, Moving on, Whistler, Strawberry donut, RR & PL. Noontime now hot humid. We all have leftover pizza in ziplock bags. Pump water to pour over our heads to cool off. Some even walk down to the river and take a cool dunk. Continue on up climb to Darlington shelter to see Taj Mahal privy, disappointing, just a larger privy with Taj Mahal sign. Shelters warn to pickup trash since porcupines have invaded, though I didn't see any. - climb up to ridge, very rocky, we pass Strawberry Donut & Whistler. Sky turns dark, thunder louder as we move along the ridge top made of dark color stone slabs. Finally starts raining lightly, after 15 minutes, rain dwindles, sun out. Probably that was edge of passing storm. Cool view of Duncannon from hawk rock. Step descent. Strolled into town to the Doyle Pub. Funky town is there already, enjoying food & drinks. Chatting with Fire Hazard, Rise & Shine as we wait for reception. Long chat with Thunder Feet, 6 foot 5 Floridian with size 17 trail runners. Mechanic by trade, Subaru Impreza owner, rebuilt everything with aftermarket parts by hand, alot of time & money, Love - it what makes a Subaru a Subaru.Mash potato & sausage dinner with Troegs pale ale from PA. Also got the Jolly Scot brown ale by Appalachian Brewing Company here in PA.Doyle hotel is old building, rooms are small and simple, no TV or AC, shared bathrooms. Low price, shuttle to market, more like a hostel.
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Duncannon

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

6.26.13 - day 87DuncannonZero dayBreakfast @ Goodies across the street with Swell & Moving on plus Funky Town group and Woodman, Rabbit, Sparky. Pretzel attempts the hiker pancake challenge by eating 4 plate-sized blueberry pancakes. Owners are really nice, restaurant is hunting themed with camo painted walls & deer decorations.-Funky town, Lady, Thunder foot head out on the trail. We do laundry. Lunch@ the Pub. Resupply at market, nap during the hot afternoon, dinner at historic Ranch house restaurant, excellent entrees & desserts.
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Peters mountain shelter

To: Swatara Gap
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

6.28.13 Friday - day 89Peter mountain shelter - Swatara gap24 miles - 12 hoursAloha- early rise & start, want to get in as many miles as possible before rain drops. Cool misty morning, leaves still wet from last night rain. Some flat terrain (fast) some areas of small rocks sticking out of dirt, easy to kick & stub toes if not paying attention.- piece of wet notebook paper reads " be careful, rattlesnake on trail". I figure it was from yesterday. further down catch up with Sparky, Rabbit, Woodman. Rabbit has cast on hand, fell on rocks late yesterday afternoon, rushed down mountain to get to hospital, rained hard on them on the hill down (same rain we escaped by getting to shelter). They got a ride from our new friend Trail Angel Mary once they got down to road, soaking wet, thank goodness made it down safely wet rocks, fast pace, thunder & lightning. - PL hiking 50 yards in front of me, slams on brakes comes to hard stop. Signals me to slow down & points to rattle snake coiled up on the trail. Luckily she saw it last second & stopped momentum. it did not rattle, stayed coiled, rattle was on the outside towards us, head was sticking out from center, looking off to the right. We took pics from a safe distance, brown body with jagged black bands around it outlined in yellow, last quarter of it all black, rattler was yellow. It was not moving so we walked large semicircle into forest to get around. arrived@ shelter, food break, only 3:45 no rain yet so pushed on through forest with flies attacking eyes & ears. Up & down a hill, alot of dead cicadas on the ground. Into field with nice view of ridge at a distance. Carefully walk across fallen tree over fast stream. Can hear thunder approaching, sky darkens, racing thru the gentle hills of the forest to the gap. We get hitch to Lickdale from off duty officer, always wanted to thru hike, trying to get leave of absence to do it. Hotel, dinner while rain drops hard, had my first shoo fly pie, named after flies attraction to it and attempt to keep them away, a PA Dutch recipe traditional with molasses paste under crumb top, i like, will try to find this local treat further down trail while i can, go local. OMG outside rain stop, double rainbow, so beautiful, what does it mean?-so glad to spend much time outdoors, rain or shine, feels great. Spent much time in front of computer & in basement lab last year, many days arrive early, work through lunch, leave late, barely see the sun. If you are reading this, STOP NOW, go for a walk or do yard work or anything, sports outdoors, enjoy the sun & summer while it's at it's peak!Mahalo.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Swatara Gap

To: Hertline camp
Miles today: 17.0

6.29.13 Saturday - day 90Swatara gap - Hertline camp17 miles - 12 hoursGot a hitch from Wayne from Green Point from hotel to gap, local guy who regularly helps hikers, gracias! Walk across historic steel bridge and then up to ridge top, sunny warm. Cicadas singing a tune from up above all direction. Ferns everywhere, big 5 footers we haven't seen before, sometimes covering the trail. Terrain is flat but more rocky & slower than yesterday. -caught up with Sparky, Woodman, and the strong willed Rabbit, broken hand in cast. William Penn shelter for lunch, tall 2 story log shelter, small base, gets larger as you go up. Continue on we meet Ron from 20 miles away, giving out apples & small religious theme comic book to hikers. Further down trail magic! Slick class of 04 & wife Cathy cooler of Gatorade & pastries. Thanks! Says there is a guy from Lancaster PA who collects cannons, on July 4, he brings them out & fires off while orchestra plays 1812 overture. May be at 150 year Gettysburg celebration this year. Beyonce pulls in, Patchouli & Barbosa here already, RR catches up after drying tent in sun. Getting late, rush off past 501 shelter through ridge top to Hartline camp. Some weekend southbounder, wife, & dog hijacks the picnic table & whole camp. dog barks as we approach, says if we setup tents within sight, dog will likey bark all night, move back or ahead to other camps. This is not right, 6 tents could fit, this dude & wife totally selfish, I love dogs but don't bring dog out if can't control it. Some people would be really offended by behavior like that & may even start a fight over it. We moved back anyway since we were so tired, it was too late and dark. Dinner in dark, of course rain starts to fall so quickly grab clothes off the line, scamper inside and finish meal in tent.
Date: 2013-07-01
From: hamburg

To: hamburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

7.1.13 Monday - day 92HamburgZero dayJULY!!! I start the 4th month of my journey to Maine with a zero day. Unplanned zero day due to late start, unfinished errands, lack of sleep due to storm, general soreness etc. also it ended up raining on & off much of day, so that was avoided. Went to the largest Cabella's store in the nation, dumped my runners, replaced with light boots. Ate lunch, napped then ate dinner. Saw Beyonce in the laundry room. Rabbit, the Professor, Sparky, Woodman, RR, PL at dinner too. Saw Patchouli at hotel lobby, said Barbarosa & Waffles were there also but i did not see. Roadrunner & I go to pub to relax & enjoy a couple of Yuenling lagers while watching baseball. Today I saw my first moose!!!
Date: 2013-07-02
From: port Clinton

To: eckville shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

7.2.13 day 93 TuesdayPort Clinton - Eckville shelter14 miles - 8 hoursGotta hitch from nice Massachusetts couple staying at hotel, drop off at port Clinton post office. Hugs is there preparing to hike also. Trying to catch up with Funky Town before holiday. Humid climb up to ridge. Light rain no biggie. Through forest wet trail easy terrain. Lunch@ shelter, Hugs is there. Thomas who we met in Shenandoah first shelter, walks in, he is section hiking to DWG, new trail name is the Mayor. Off to Pulpit rock, ok view, large telescope buildings across the trail. Further down after some rock hoping arrive at the Pinnacle, much better wide view here, Hugs is here taking in view from a rock ledge, i take a spot on next ledge. Patchouli & Barbarosa arrive. Turkey vultures hover in the sky in front of me. I apply some Burts Bees natural insect repelant. Slow descent to Eckville shelter, when we arrive, Sparky, Rabbit Woodman, Professor are in the shelter, which is a large toolshed with bunks in it, behind caretaker house. There is also another shed that is a privy with flush toilet & a cold water shower. I charge my phone on the power strip at the house under the awning. We tent on lawn across street. Have dinner on the picnic table. Patchouli & Barbarossa show up also. Definitely unique shelter. As night falls, fireflies come out & put on light show.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: eckville shelter

To: bake oven knob shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: moderate rain

7.3.13 day 94 WednesdayEckville shelter - bake oven shelter15.8 miles - 10 hoursSome flat rock fields in the morning, slow & annoying at times.   Up to rock outcropping called Dan's Pulpit, where a wood post with a box containing a trail register stands next to the path. RR didnt know the translation of pulpit so I explained it while standing at the apex, pointing down to the congregation. Lunch at Allentown Hiking Club Shelter. I hear Barbarosa approaching, yelling at a distance, cursing the guide for not mentioning how rocky that stretch would be. Right after lunchtime, Sparky caught up to us as we sat in front of the Blue Mountain restaurant which was closed for the holiday. He informed me he will be going home for a week or so to rest & regroup. Good luck best wishes Sparky been fun time leap frogging all this time, hope to see u on trail again in future! Afternoon is Knife Edge, nearly vertical huge rock plate, climbs up narrow edge, high above Forest floor, view is farms down to the right, slow moving, carefully choose footing, barely used poles in this section, holding rock edges or leaning on them, tiring but fun, takes 45 minutes to go 0.4 miles to Bear Rock view. Passed Woodman who was slow going on this section due to knee problems, was being careful after falling down on rocks. Hats off to Rabbit who completed this section with one hand (cast on other). End of day boulder descent right before shelter, slow on tired legs. Pay attention to white blazes in this area, i guess some locals spray paint some pink, other times white spray can make fake white blaze.Small shelter, smaller tent site (though good spots across trail & further down too), good water source since plenty rain, no privy. Me, Waffles, Rabbit, PL, RR tent using all available room. Many mosquitoes n flies while cooking dinner, mash potato, summer sausage, borscht soup (stains pot & spoon) sauerkraut, gefilte fish (heavy jar, thanks though for sending). Light rain midnight, restless, tents so close can hear alot of movement. Its been challenging lately with the heat, rain, rocks.
Date: 2013-07-04
From: bake oven knob shelter

To: Leigh gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

7.4.13 day 95 ThursdayBake oven shelter - Leigh gap9 miles -3.75 hoursHappy Independence day!!! Overnight rain ends, tent slightly wet, pack & go, RR behind me. Uphill right away on microwave sized rocks & door sized plates, fun way to start day. More ankle breakers after that, then arrive@ the power lines with field of white rocks, need clean footwork here. glad i switched to boots again. About 100 yard across, slightly downhill. then through the forest with flies attacking my eyes, then to the George Outerbridge shelter, short rest, old, small & musty smelling, some garbage underneath, like alot of the recent shelters. Down to the bridge, hitch from dude from Blue Mountain ski lodge, thanks man, good luck with Spartan Race! Palmerton police station to check into jail hostel. Officer had funny local accent, said "yinz" which means you guys. I knew of this saying, first time i heard it in person, kinda cool. Hostel is converted jail room under community village center. Big basement with wood bunks. Fans but no AC, showers next to gym. Rooster & dog is there along with Thunder Feet along with Yankee, Rail Splitter & a few more. Carbon & Honey Badger show up later . We got invitation to attend family picnic 4th of July in neighboring town by Lisa & Jay avid outdoor enthusiasts, AT hikers. Smoked pulled pork, bbq chicken, all sorts of salads & desserts also. Awesome trail magic, made this 4th July special, especially for my trail mate Roadrunner from Germany for which this is his first experience of this holiday. What an act of kindness, generosity & community from Lisa & Jay, reaching out to make this holiday a memorable one!!! This day turned out to be a great one thanks to them. Last week had been frustrating for some with the rains, humidity, flies, rocks etc. You could really feel spirits drooping recently, this trail magic i can easily say has turned things for the better for the hikers here, awesome! Happy 4th everyone, celebrate!!
Date: 2013-07-06
From: wind gap

To: Delaware water gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

7.6.13 Saturday day 97Wind gap - Delaware water gap14.7 miles - 8 hoursGotta hitch from parents of hiker Olive Oyl, they are from PA, in town did trail magic with daughter yesterday which we were too far back to attend. the mom Delores recognize me from this journal. thanks for the ride! They too were going opposite direction and turn around to get us. Hopefully we can catch up to Olive Oyl who's been a day ahead but not met yet, we see her messages in each shelter journal. Cool parents, Subaru drivers also!!Easy climb up, rocks at top for while. Very winding today, not as hot humid as expecting. We leap frog with Patchouli & Barbarosa couple times during day. Terrain not as painful as yesterday. Listening to Simon Garfunkel greatest hits, I'm told they spent time in summer camp here in PA when they were young kids & wrote each other by mail, some letters in a Rock & roll museum.Further down trail exits forest turns right on gravel road, stay on road, not many white blazes here, weren't sure if we wandered off trail until finally some southbound hikers confirmed we are, trail will reenter forest after a mile, should pass 2 big puddles on road. Couple good views then descent to DWG. Approaching main street is large white 4 level mansion, this is the Deer Head inn, upscale hotel in historic building, cool to look at, would be nice to stay there, way out of my price range though. Left on main street some boutique stores, homes, church & hostel on left. Sycamore Grill on right, stopped in had Victory Hop Devil IPA & Hop Wallop IPA, both excellent, also brewery not far away. Had dinner there with RR, PL, Speed & Professor. service there excellent, as is the food, got the crab cakes, didn't have opportunity to get them in Maryland on the trail so figured I get now.Still holiday weekend, see many day hikers, some stop ask lots questions, fascinated by concept of thru hiking. Others know what thru hike is or know someone who did it & say a phrase we hear so often "always wanted to do a thru hike". When i hear this in my mind I'm saying "so do it!!". no one told me to leave home go to Georgia & hike the AT on Easter 2013, i had to round up the courage to make that decision knowing the sacrifices that go along with doing it. Not easy to step away from your everyday life, friends & family. Here i am! I made the right decision at the right time. I'm doing what i love. I'm in pursuit of happiness. In the middle of the journey and it has already been a special experience. If you've always wanted to hike the trail, make it happen while you can. Tick tock tick tock, the clock is ticking....
Date: 2013-07-07
From: Delaware water gap

To: Delaware water gap
Miles today: 0.0

7.7.13 Sunday day 98Delaware water gapZero dayWent to outfitter to get trekking pole tips replaced. Got another shoo fly pie from bakery, glad i found it before leaving PA, shared with other hikers. washed it down with a birch beer soda, one last Pennsylvania treat before heading to NJ. The pies & pastries at the bakery were pretty awesome. Went to Walmart for resupply, Back to Sycamore bar for another local favorite Weyerbacher Brandywine ale (11.1 ABV - pretty strong) @ dinnertime , brewed not far from here. Great day off, back to work tomorrow.