morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Tom Floyd Wayside

To: Rod Hollow Shelter area
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Mud today, the most we've ever seen on the Trail to date. It must've rained a LOT last night. I slept through most of it. The trail was soaked with standing water or mud. It rained even more mid-day, so it stayed soaked all day. The shoes and socks are muddy, but everything else is dry. We had a few minutes of sunshine in Sky Meadows State Park to dry the tents. We kept rain pants on all day to keep the mud off the hiking pants. That was important because I've been sleeping in mine for extra warmth--it's been cold at night.Despite horribly odorous shoes and socks, it's a dry comfortable camp tonight. More rain is forecast, so the mud will probably not get any better tomorrow.The tarptent once again worked perfectly in last night's heavy rain. Judging by trail conditions, it was the heaviest sustained rain we've had, maybe the most I've ever had in a tent in my life, and I slept through it and not a drop inside. There wasn't even any condensation. The large water shed area must be the secret. Every other tent I've had has had the rainfly attach right to the base of the tent body, and I always seem to get a drop or two at least through the seam of the tent. I hiked past the place I met GreasePot back in 2002, which brought sweet memories and made me miss my wife even more. The good news is that she is on her way out soon, and we hope to meet up in PA!In addition to rain pants, I wore my trekking shirt over my Hot Chillies jersey all day, plus the rain coat when it rained heavily. The combination worked just perfectly for the cool wet day.The knee continues to do well, even in some strained positions climbing around deadfall, boulder-hopping flooded trail, etc.I'm very excited to be closing in on Harper's Ferry.
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Rod Hollow Shelter area

To: David Lesser Shelter tent area
Miles today: 21.0

Well, it was a dry night and just a few showers today, so the mud and floods abated somewhat. We heard from someone that Virginia is now 7" ahead on rain for the month--much of that may have come from the storm two nights ago. Without a radio, we just don't know. We also hear that there's warm and dry weather coming for several days. We can use it.We got through the "Roller Coaster" today, 13 miles of continuous and steep hills, about 10 major ones. That left my legs sore and fatigued, but I'm sure they'll be OK after a night's rest.We stopped at noon at the Horseshoe Curve Restaurant and had an excellent meal. Five more hikers came in and that was fun.So we made fewer miles than usual today and we're both fine with that. It was a day of milestones anyway--out of Virginia after 540 miles, and passing the 1000 mile mark.We noticed far fewer wild flowers today, just some blooming mountain laurel. The ground flowers are now past their peak here.Tomorrow comes Harper's Ferry!
Date: 2008-05-22
From: David Lesser Shelter tent area

To: Rocky Run Shelter area
Miles today: 24.9

Beautiful day today! We hiked into Harper's Ferry, crossed the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, visited the ATC Headquarters--heady stuff and a little emotional, major milestones all in one day.Before hitting town, we resupplied for the next 40 miles of trail. For all its significance on the AT, Harper's Ferry does not have a grocery store, just a 7-11 a mile off trail.We were hikers 130 and 131 to check in at the ATC HQ this year. I'm not sure how many are NOBO. We were about 750 in rank to leave Springer 49 days ago.Then we got a decent lunch and my first funnel cake ever. Next came a walk through the National Park, several hours in town all told. Again, a very nice day.So now we're hiking in Maryland for a couple of days. Then comes the Mason-Dixon Line, another milestone of sorts.
Date: 2008-05-23
From: Rocky Run Shelter area

To: Free State Hostel
Miles today: 15.5

Garlic here. Another day of perfect hiking weather, cool, breezy, clear blue sky, some great and some rocky trail, mostly pretty level. I don't even look at the elevations in the book anymore. All the climbs are under 1000' so it's hardly worth the time to look.This area is oozing Civil War history, monuments and markers everywhere. We had breakfast at the first Washington Monument, a local effort from the early 1800s. We reflected a bit on great people who were the right people for their time.The trail is still drying out with some mud and standing water in places. There are very visible raceways where drainage washed large quantities of leaves and debris away from the mineral soil.We hiked off trail a bit to the Free State Hostel for a short rest day, laundry and shower, and groceries. It's a very nice place here. Ken, the owner, drove us into town for a meal and groceries, and told us to call when we were done for a drive back. When we hadn't called two hours later he came looking for us, and found us still eating in the AYCE Chinese buffet. Yes, we're shamed.We had dinner with Barbarossa, a SOBO section hiker, and once again we heard that we look too happy to be through hikers. Since we had time (hours), we were able to ask him what he meant. He said in his last couple of weeks on the Trail, he's met as many as 75 NOBO through hikers. He explained that many of them appear to be struggling, either with the hiking or with the logistics, that they're out there to prove they can do it or to simply reach the end. I'm distressed that that's the case with so many hikers, but at the same time I'm happy that my partner and I are so visibly enjoying this trip.
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Free State Hostel

To: Outside Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 29.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today¢s record mileage for us on the AT was worth it because we got a great Italian meal on Hwy 30 at Taormina¢s Restaurant.We set up a late camp in the first legal flat spot we could find outside the park boundary. We¢re beat after a long day. The trail wasn¢t all too easy, either, very rocky for much of it.Lots of holiday hikers. We didn¢t see any through hikers today. But we did meet some former hikers and a maintainer (¢The Sisters¢ and ¢The Innkeeper¢) at the restaurant. The Sisters think they met GreasePot back in 2002. Small world, if so.The long day also kept us from heading 12 mile off trail to get water, too, at the last shelter (Rocky Mountain, aptly named).With last night¢s huge meal and nice rest and tonight¢s huge meal, I¢m starting to feel civilized again. My goal now is to gain weight before heading into the White Mountains in NH.Tomorrow we cross the 12 way point. I think I¢ll skip the 12 gallon challenge. With all the good eating I¢ve been doing lately, I sure don¢t need an ice cream binge right now.We got into a new state today. Hello, PA!We met some what looked like Outward Bound-type groups for city kids, then passed a building called ¢Vision Quest¢ and heard boot camp-type chanting and shouting. Maybe it¢s all related. The kids were fun to talk to.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Outside Caledonia State Park

To: Past PA Rte 34
Miles today: 28.7

It sounds like we might meet GreasePot as early as tomorrow morning in Boiling Springs¢Wow!At the start of this hike, Pickle warned me to be ready for a wide variety of hikers, unlike Western trails where everyone basically looks, dresses, packs, and hikes the same. Well, so far he¢s been wrong¢we¢re about the strangest ones out here with our trail runners and small packs. Finally, in the past 24 hours, he¢s justified. Besides the city kids we saw yesterday, today we saw a) a family of Mennonite hikers, in traditional dress but with nice new packs, trekking poles, and hiking shoes, and b) a very strange group of young people carrying a cooler, a lawn chair, duffle bags, and I swear I¢m not making this up, two motorcycle helmets and a laundry basket. Pickle asked, ¢I wonder whose hiking guidebook they read?¢ I answered, ¢Maybe ¢The Far Side of Hiking¢ by Gary Larson.¢So, on day 52, we crossed the 50% point. We celebrated with the 12 gallon challenge at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, though we did it as a team.I remember reaching the 25% point in 28 days. So we¢ve picked up the pace a bit. I mentioned that to Pickle, and he reminisced, ¢Oh yeah, back then when we were dogging it.¢ Always a joker.The last two days have been perfect weather, so nice I haven¢t even noticed it. The holiday hikers came out in droves. Pickle observed that we met more hikers today than on the entire CDT, and I don¢t think that¢s too much of a hyperbole.We met six through hikers today, and that was a pleasure.Another pleasure was the trail. Today¢s long miles were easier on the feet and legs. Pickle says it doesn¢t get much better than this.Well, seeing GreasePot soon will definitely make it much better.
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Past PA Rte 34

To: PA Rte 350
Miles today: 27.1

The section hiker we met today knew we were through hikers, saying, ¢You have that look.¢ Great¢the section hikers think we look like through hikers and the through hikers think we look like section hikers. What look?We met up with GreasePot this morning, according to Plan A, at Boiling Springs. What a delight!   It¢s been over seven weeks. She looks great. We spent a little time in the mostly closed-up (for the holiday) town, and then made plans to meet in the afternoon at a road crossing.I have the new ¢Appalachian Pages¢ guidebook, which has a simple profile on each page of data. Today¢s profile looks like the trail died¢it flat-lined. We hit farm land for most of the day, dead flat. And we finally got some heat, in the 80s. Not hot, just warm enough to perspire all day.The afternoon meeting went perfectly and we¢re now in Carlisle at a motel, fed, showered and laundered. Ahhh. GreasePot says I don't look skinny, more great news.
Date: 2008-05-27
From: PA Rte 350

To: PA Rte 325
Miles today: 26.9

Another warm and muggy day today, just enough to be uncomfortable but not unbearable. Days like this remind us of why we want to make good time through this area. In another month, with another ten degrees or so of heat, it would be pretty unbearable. Pickle says it doesn't cool off at night, either.What great views of the Susquehanna from the hills above Duncannon. I can tell Pickle really likes this area--it's close to home, and is rich in river, rail and canal history, special interests of his. So it was fun walking through town and over the rivers with him today.We had a fun breakfast at Goodie's in Duncannon, too, with prices that seemed to come from the 1970s. We met a few through hikers there, too, and a couple more on the trail out of town.The trail got a little rockier today, and climbed a little higher above the farms. All in all, it was actually a little easier today than the flat day yesterday, because it was a little cooler up higher. It was also a little more interesting. We saw some wildflowers (Pink Lady's Slipper, Columbine and a new one we don't know), and some critters like a baby rattlesnake.We met GreasePot again at the road crossing in the Clark Creek valley, just after a vicious thunderstorm that got us with painful hail, too. We were just a little too late. It was like walking in a swimming pool for a while. So now we're drying out in a motel room in Harrisburg, since we can. This is only our sixth night in a motel, so we don't think we're overdoing it.
Date: 2008-05-28
From: PA Rte 325

To: PA Rte 645
Miles today: 26.5

I was warned about the rocks in PA, but nobody said anything about all the poison ivy. Today¢s crop was bushing out over the trail from both sides, and even hanging over from nearby trees. That makes me glad I decided to wear long trousers and a long-sleeve shirt on this hike. I had to work in some poison oak in Oregon a couple of years ago (great money) and that gave me a few miserable weeks, so I'd rather not repeat that experience.Today's rocks didn't slow us down very much. I keep hearing the rocks get much worse farther north here in Rocksylvania, an affectionate hiker's nickname for the Keystone State I keep hearing. The rock stories vary quite a bit depending on the hiker. Today's hike was a mentally challenging one. Hiking over loose rocks surrounded by poison ivy, watching for snakes and trying to find white blazes while keeping a good pace was pretty tough. At least the weather was good, nearly perfect in fact.We had the trail completely to ourselves, except for a Mennonite family out dayhiking at the end of the day. There were a few areas of historic coal mining ruins. We had 1.5 creek fords, one where we only had to get one foot wet. Last night's thunderstorms caused a little more flooding, I guess. Pickle doesn't remember any fords on his '02 hike.We met GreasePot as planned at Route 325 at the end of the day. I've been feeling great lately, and it seems that Pickle has been, too. The left knee hasn't bothered me at all in over 200 miles. We both ran out of steam near the end of today's hike, but we figured that we've been compressing our daily mileage in order to meet GreasePot at a reasonable hour at the end of the day. So instead of taking, say, 13 hours to hike 26 miles, we're doing it in 11. That means fewer and shorter breaks, and a slightly faster walking pace. Tomorrow we will take a zero day at Pickle's family's home in Kempton, and rest up a bit.By the way, we have not yet slackpacked. We've been carrying our packs with all our gear.
Date: 2008-05-29
From: PA Rte 645

To: PA Rte 645
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day today, one I¢ve been looking forward to for a long time, since before we even started hiking. When Pickle and I started talking last summer about hiking this Trail, one of the first things he said was he could take me to see his family¢s old homestead. Along the many trail miles we¢ve done, there have been many tellings and retellings of stories of his childhood in the old brick home (over 100 years old), the older stone home (300 years old!), the old covered bridge (still there), the railway station (gone), the dam and millrace (gone), the old mill and cookery (still there, barely).   So today I held him to his word and got the tour. We even saw two of the one-room schoolhouses he attended. So it was a great personal history tour of the township here in Pennsylvania Dutch country.We also got a shipment at his sister¢s house of new shoes, new sleeping pads, a new rain jacket for me (the zipper failed a few weeks ago on my Marmot Essence jacket). We also got a feast of local dishes, including a cabbage and pepper salad and more desserts than even we could finish. Elaine did pay me a compliment when she said that Pickle may have finally found his match in the eating department.So, it was a wonderful day, made even better since GreasePot could be with us.
Date: 2008-05-30
From: PA Rte 645

To: Port Clinton town
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We got into the rocks today. But it wasn¢t too horrible, mainly because I had new shoes. The softer soles and better grip helped greatly. And I was fresh from the day off.We saw a very large rattlesnake under a bush. It was well hidden and ready to strike, so we couldn¢t get too good a look at it. It had the greatest girth I think I¢ve ever seen on a rattler.We met several more through hikers, and saw several we had met before we took the day off. A couple of hikers are having boot and shoe problems now, maybe because of the rocky trail. We¢re already on our third pair each. We know from past hikes that the New Balance shoes we use have a trail life of 600 to 700 miles.There wasn¢t any spring water on the trail today, so we carried two liters for the first time to get us from the 501 shelter to Port Clinton. It was kind of warm, near 80 I think, but no problem with water. We passed several springs that were at least three tenths of a mile off, but we didn¢t need to go to them.We met GreasePot in Port Clinton at the Reading Railroad depot and she drove us the few miles back to Pickle¢s sister¢s house. One more day of this comfortable hiking, then we¢re back on our own. We¢re getting spoiled. I wonder if we¢ll remember how to set up camp. But hey, tomorrow is our mutual birthday (our combined age will be 114), so it¢s nice to pamper ourselves a little. We plan on a shorter day, ending up at Hawk Mountain, just a few miles from ¢home¢ here.I got my first cracked skin on my heel today. My family is prone to cracking dry skin (thanks, Dad), a sometimes painful malady. I¢m glad it¢s not a blister and I¢m not sure why it¢s happening in the warm weather. It usually happens in cold and wet, like the snow we had in the Smokies. I was hoping I¢d get through the season without it.
Date: 2008-05-31
From: Port Clinton town

To: Hawk Mountain Road
Miles today: 15.2

Today is our birthday, both of us. So we took a short walk on the AT to celebrate. The highlight was going to be The Pinnacle, a local high spot with a panoramic view of the area, but it was raining and foggy when we got there. It wasn¢t raining too hard, just a good shower. I got to try out my new rain jacket, a silnylon anorak. While walking, I removed an excess drawstring on the waist, just not needed.The trailhead is less than ten miles from the house. We got back early enough to take a long drive to an Amish smorgasbord restaurant, a huge, busy place. It was a hiker¢s dream, a fine birthday dinner for two hungry through hikers. The drive through Amish country was scenic and interesting, too. We took some back roads with classic rural scenery. It made us think of how different our ¢world¢ is from this one.GreasePot is leaving the area tomorrow, starting her trip home. So Pickle and I will dust off our camping skills for our walk to Delaware Water Gap and the New Jersey border. I¢m surprised at how far north we¢re getting. New York City is just over 100 miles away by road! It¢s still a lot of walking, but it seems that we¢ll soon be in New England. I can¢t believe it.I got a minor poison ivy rash on my right forearm. If that's all I get, I'll consider myself fortunate.
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Hawk Mountain Road

To: Outerbridge Shelter area
Miles today: 24.2

OK, now it's my turn to complain about the PA rocks--ARRGH!. OK, that's all, I feel better. Now I finally see what all the fuss is about, after today's long 24 miles.I'd complain a little less if this were pristine wilderness. I'm starting to see what GreasePot warned me about getting closer to NTC. It's getting trashier. The nice viewpoints have spray painted rocks, used toilet paper, cigarette butts everywhere, etc.But we saw some of the best in people, too. THe Allentown Hiking Club was out in force, working on their section of Trail. And we helped, too. Very nice folks and we thanked them profusely for all they do.It was a snaky day. We saw at least four, including a strange flat type we'd never seen before. I saw it first so I called it a "garlic snake".I said my goodbyes to GreasePot. She's continuing her Eastern vacation without us. We've seen her for the past seven days. That was my nicest birthday present.Dry day today. We got murky well water at the Blue Mt Inn (along with a great lunch), but no other water on Trail until our camp. Tomorrow looks much the same.We met Foxtrot today, who was on the CDT last year, earlier than we were. We found some mutual friends. Small world.Saunter sent us some cookies. Not bad, considering who made them. They really hit the spot today. My half is already gone.
Date: 2008-06-02
From: Butterbridge Shelter area

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: few clouds

Our last Full day in PA and we got a motel. It was another long day of rock hopping. Pickle and were talking about how hard it is to get a good rest with all the errands we need to do in town, so with no errands at all, we're just going to lie down for about 14 hours.We started off from the good piped spring near the shelter with the plan to carry two liters for the first time on this trip, to get us the 22 miles here to Wind Gap. Then we'd fill up at the hiker-friendly motel here and keep going a few more miles. Well, we were greeted here with a slice of watermelon. So it's hard to resist a shower and a bid. Pickle took a shower and fell asleep by 5 pm.We got an extra 1/2 liter of water from two day hikers we met early today. They offered as soon as they saw us--they carry extra, maybe just for that purpose, for thirsty through hikers on this dry ridge. That was very nice.They also told us the funny flat snake we saw is not a garlic snake, it's a hog-nosed snake.We'd been hearing that the climb up from Lehigh Gap is fun. It's also a Superfund site, deforested by a zinc smelter. How could this be fun? Well, it was. It was mainly bare boulder field anyway with a clever path routing and some fine scrambling.I got upset this morning when I couldn't find the little bag for my tent stakes. Then I though about how fortunate I am to be out here, healthy and whole, while so many hikers have quit or are in pain, and my silly little problem went away.Pickle and I talked a while about homesickness on the trail, how that's a common cause of quitting. Pickle said he had it kind of bad yesterday--I remember him being somewhat subdued--and that it's a relief of sorts to be leaving his home state tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Wind Gap

To: Mohican Peak ridge
Miles today: 24.0

Wow, that was a first. We checked into the motel at 5 pm yesterday and didn't leave until nearly 7 am today. Pickle didn't even finish bringing his stuff in, he hit the sack and was snoring in minutes (after a shower). He skipped dinner, and must've slept 12 hours. It think I got at least 10. So it was a good decision to get the room. We really needed a rest after the fatiguing rocks.In most of our time with Pickle's family and GreasePot, we didn't get any time to just rest. Last night sure was nice.It sounds like hot weather coming this weekend. That will likely be our next challenge. Today was warm and dry, nice breeze, mostly shady. Tonight is clouding up and is hazy. It may rain soon.Lots more rocks today, with a few good breaks of several miles. The big news is that we walked out of PA and into NJ at Delaware Water Gap. We spent several hours in town, mainly eating, and buying food for the next 50 miles.
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Mohican Peak ridge

To: Sunrise Peak ridge
Miles today: 26.9

Today we had another fine stop on the diner-a-day tour, this time at the Sunset Grill at Culver Gap. Very nice meal, and welcome way to stretch our thin food bags a little.It rained most of last night, but stopped at dawn and didn't rain again until we picked a campsite tonight. The Pickle Myth is working well. It wtayed overcast, foggy and cool all day, quite nice for hiking, thus the longer day. We seem to have left the worst of the rocks behind, too, which helps greatly.The mountain laurel is starting to really bloom up here. I saw two pileated woodpeckers, too.We met five section hikers and no through hikers. It's been a while since we've met a through hiker.It was another 20+ mile water carry, sine a pump we'd plan to use had horrible water. I got to Culver Gap quite thirsty, but OK.The clouds lifted this afternoon for nice views from Rattlesnake and Sunrise Mts. I'm surprised at the extent of woodlands here in Northern NJ.