morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Rockfish Gap, U.S. 250, I-64

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 42 --- Shelter. Started out walking to the trail head from Waynesboro when a Trail Angel gave him a lift. Thanks Pam. Amazing how the local population helps out hikers on the Trail. (pa of Gopher)
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: broken clouds

Day 43 --- Tent. He was going to shelter but realized the huge ants crawling in the shelter would also be crawling on him since he has a 15 degree bag which he likes to vent alot. In the tent he can sleep more airily with privacy from bugs and such. Saw a large and small bear today. (pa of Gopher)
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Cabin & Hut
Miles today: 23.9

Day 44 --- Tent. Called from a pay phone from Lewis Mountain Campground @ 12:20 PM EDT after hiking 11.7 miles. Planning on staying near Rock Spring Hut in another 12 miles. Whenever the Trail leads to a store like today he usually has to get the three essentials of any good hike --- Soda, Chocolate, and Ice Cream! He said he lost some weight during the first part of the Trail but he's slowly gaining it back.Tossed his gators. They wore out. Now it is easier to check the feet for hot spots, blisters and ticks at rest stops with only low top trail runners to untie. The tick issue has begun in earnest he's picked three off just this morning. (pa of Gopher)
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 47 --- Tent. He E-mailed from an outfitter at Royal, Va. at 8:14AM EDT. He got rained on hard after calling Sunday and now camera won't turn on. Picked up a few items and heading back to trail by noon depends on a ride or walk. Two days to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia the emotional half way point.(pa of Gopher)
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Rocks, Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

Day 48 --- Hostel. Staying here with public phone access and some internet. He called Ken a friend from Columbia, Md. who is known as "thesuperstitions" from his hiking community arizonahikers. The plan is to meet-up on June 3rd somewhere North of Harpers Ferry. Hopefully we will get a little more information and some sort of trip report from Gopher. He plans on stopping at the Blackburn Trail Center run by the ATC tomorrow. And will hostel just north of Harpers Ferry Saturday (pa of Gopher)
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Bears Den Rocks, Bears Den Hostel

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: few clouds

Day --- 49 Hostel. Stopped at the ATC run Blackburn Trail Center and told them he was undecided about staying there. They offered him brownies and soda pop while he thought about it. His immediate response was "Ya know, I think I will stay here."(pa of Gopher)
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 50 --- Tent. Gopher called from the ATC in Harpers Ferry. They took a mug shot and he signed in #163 on the Thru Hiker list. He also bought a new tent --- "BA seedhouse ... after trying a few tents, this has everything I wanted - sub 3lbs, double-wall, freestanding. And if it's not going to rain, I can just use the inner misquito netting wall without the rainfly. And if I decide to go ultra light on future trips, I can just use the rainfly with my poles as a tarp. gear talk..blah blah..gear talk..." (pa of gopher)
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Quarry Gap shelters

To: James Fry (Tagg Runn) Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 54 --- Shelter. "Passed the official half-way point on Wednesday, day 54, which is a bit of a ridiculous pace. but I'm loving it. Each day brings something new. The half-way point is in southern Pennsylvania at Pine Grove Furnace state park. There is a general store here where hikers can take on the "Half-Gallon Challenge"--eating a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting to celebrate. I had been looking forward to this for weeks, seriously, but when push came to shove, I couldn't do it . I ate about 2 pints worth and realized I was going to get sick if I kept going. Also, I started to crave a cheeseburger. So, sad to say, I am not in the AT famous Half-Gallon Club." --- From AZHikers post. "Hiked another 8 miles." From email.
Date: 2007-06-07
From: James Fry (Tagg Runn) Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 26.5
Weather: broken clouds

Day 55 --- Tent. "Stopped in Boiling Springs. Shipped a box - it has my old tent and an AT poster. Then hiked another 14 miles....." Email************************************************Another interesting day. After taking care of post office chores in Boiling Springs, I stopped by a place called The Tavern. I was expecting the regular old dusty, dirty, small town bar. Nope. This place was swanky. The sign on the door, obviously referring to hiker-trash, read "Proper Dress Required." Of course, I smelled like pure ass wearing my unwashed hiker duds. I went in and asked in a pleading voice if it would be ok if I had lunch there. The hostess, dressed to the nines, looked me up and down, and with one of those false smiles that you can tell is false because the eyes stay frozen, said, "Yes you may...But only in the Bar." She emphasized the word 'bar' and pointed me AWAY from the sit down dining area part of the establishment. Hell, fine with me. No way would I have eaten in the dining area anyway, what with the cloth table cloths and oragami napkins and fine china. Even if I wasn't a smelly hiker.2 beers and a burger later, I left The Tavern and wandered into the ATC mid-atlantic office. Who should I run into there but Ninja, who I had met the day before. She was one of those rare species on the trail - The endangered cute and cool female. And even more rare, at this moment she was unaccompanied by a throng of male hikers vying for her attention. At one point, she made a pretty telling comment about how she doesn't know why, but keeps finding herself hiking in a group without really trying. Really, Ninja? You just happen to fall into hiking groups? my my, that is a puzzler. Anyway, she was planning to hike another 14 miles to the Darlington shelter and did I want to tag along. ummm...let's see. I have a slight beer buzz, it's hot as crap outside, already 3pm, and this chick wants to hike 14 more miles. Sure, why not. And that is what we did, stumbling into the shelter just as darkness came.Goes to show how willing I am to change my plans for female company. Even if said company is 13 years younger, out of my league, and for that matter, already spoken for. Basically, goes to show what a typical male I am.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, Pa
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 56 --- ".....only hiked 11 or so miles today. Staying in the historic and very rustic hotel Doyle. $20 - small room with twin bed and no tv, phone, or personal bathroom. Fortunately, I haven't been craving these amenities lately. I'm doing great and having tons of fun. Living the dream. It does seem that the thru-hiker crowd has started to thin. Majority of people I'm meeting now are section hikers. A lot jumped on in Harpers Ferry. Of course, my perspective could be skewed....." (Email) *****************************************I could have slept in this day, looking back, since Duncannon was only an 11 mile hike. But at the time, I was thinking only of stopping in town, resupplying, and moving on. The hike wore me out though. And it was hot. And Ninja was still around. So - seeing the rustic Doyle, with its smoky bar, skimpy rooms (old brothel?), and crusty local customers, I decided this was exactly my style and decided to stay. I had a grand time eating lunch and hanging out in the bar - Giant burger, fries and a 22 oz draft of cheap beer (actually, had a few of those). Enjoyed watching the juxtaposition between hikers and local folk. Met Sticker, a crusty old thru-hiker who has been on the AT several times before. Watched him hit on and get rejected by Magellan, who claimed to be the oldest female on the trail--in her late sixties I think. Later Stealth, who I hadn't seen for a few days, strolled in. And a few other flip-floppers, sectioners, and other random people whose names I can't remember, all having a relaxing time at the Doyle. Why do hikers love this place so much? The amenities are sparse. The rooms are dingy. The town is depressing. etc. etc.I can think of three things:Tasty foodCheap beerGood People
Date: 2007-06-11
From: Hertlein Campsite

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: few clouds

Day 59 --- Tent.I started out today on a wicked pace as I wanted to spend a few hours in Port Clinton, PA. I had heard there is a restaurant/bar/hotel in town that serves wonderful gourmet hamburgers. And beer of course. Like I said, I was on a wicked pace. The heat, bugs, humidity, fatigue--nothing was going to get in the way of what I had in mind for lunch. I made it town, and eventually to the hotel. The town looked sad and halfway deserted. I heard it used to be a bustling commercial center thriving on the mining industry that unfortunately is no longer present in this area. At the hotel, there were no cars and nobody around. I tried the front - locked. No open or closed sign. I did see a sign that instructed hikers to try around the back where the bar is.(others have said this place doesn't like dirty hikers and especially doesn't like them in the front of this "classy" establishment.) Around back, the door is locked. I knocked, but nobody came. Hmmm..I wandered around the entire building trying every possible door. All locked. This was becoming a desperate situation. Finally, after circling the building a couple of times, I looked again at the sign on the front door which lists the hours of operation. Upon this close examination I saw that this place is open six days a week. The one day it is closed is Monday. Guess what today is? AAAHHH...THE HORROR!!!!   Oh well. I went across the street to a candy store, spent $7 on chocolate and hiked my butt out of this place as fast as possible. At the shelter area I stopped in for the night, I met Ice Man who I'd been following in the shelter register for a month. Also, met the famous Tin Tin and Joseph Stalin. These were two of the funniest 20 something hikers or people I have ever met. They called themselves "Thorough Hikers" and prided themselves on such antics as spending the entire day swimming in the Potomac river and hitch hiking on random roads for no reason but to see where they go. They also both carry Star Wars toy light sabers. ??? They are quite proud of these and brandish them around kids they run into - as if they are superheroes. I was lucky to see this in action:   Our shelter was near an area that is frequented by dayhikers. One lady was walking with what looked to be her 4 year-old son. The kid was staring at our little group with a confusing look. Most of us just smiled and waved a bit. You know, what normal people would do. Not Tin Tin--In an extremely LOUD baritone reminiscent of a 1950s TV superman, he says, "HELLO LITTLE BOY..HOW ARE YOU? REMEMBER, ALWAYS BRUSH YOUR TEETH, LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER, AND NEVER, EVER, EVER, HIKE THE A.T.!" The rest of us were doubled over in laughter..
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 26.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 60 --- Shelter.I was making good time today until the jagged rocks section. Yes, these are the infamous painful Pennsylvania rocks everyone has been bitching about. And right before I hit the worst of them, it rained, which made everything slippery. After slipping and falling a handful of times, rattling my nerves, I slowed my pace WAY down. This strategy didn't stop me from falling more. Rather, it only added more time, but equal distance, between falls. During the day, I met Dragon's Breath and his mom whose name I can't remember. He seemed like a sulky and bratty teenager and was really pissing me off. Later on, I found out he is autistic. Or people think he's autistic. Either way, I am in awe of anyone willing to take on the responsibility of raising a child all the way to 18 years of age. Let alone, hike the AT with one of them. Made it to the shelter around 6pm, but then had to walk 1/2 mile off a steep side trail to get water - not a fun way to end the day. Later on, Johnny-mud joined me in the shelter and we both had a grand time complaining about the ATC or whoever is in charge of creating the AT route. It's as though the planners are having a big laugh at the expense of us hikers as they seem to make the trail arbitrarily go over the most difficult stretches of terrain and bypass anything that appears flat and tame.
Date: 2007-06-13
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: light rain

Day 61 --- Tent.********** Last night at Bake Oven Knob, I had the worst night's sleep yet on the trip. The middle area of my back was killing me. I probably wrenched it yesterday on one of my horrific falls while scrambling on the wet and rocky knife edge. All night it hurt to breathe and, for the life of me, I could not get comfortable. Also, I was self-conscious about making noise with my tossing and turning and waking up the other shelter tenant. Couldn't wait for morning and started hiking at 5:40am. Luckily, my back pain night terror didn't affect my hiking. Hiking on rocks is getting really old fast. Especially in wet shoes and socks over wet and slippery terrain. The climb out of lehigh gap up to the dead looking plateau that people compare to Mordor from the Lord of the Rings was treacherous. I counted 5 times where I almost died. While doing this section, I kept thinking about Grambo, a frail 74 year-old thru-hiker lady I met way back in Viriginia. How the hell would she or someone like her get past this section? Ok, bitching over.Along the way, I met several new hikers: Ben,Amanda, Confucius, and Minnie Mouse. Also, ran into Shadow again who I hadn't seen since Maryland. He had already hiked the AT in its entirety, so this year he's cherry picking the parts he wants to hike and taking a greyhound bus around the not so fun parts. He spent most of PA on the bus. All of these hikers are cool, but I really enjoyed Shadow..just observing his carefree lightweight backpacking style was amazing. He doesn't use trekking poles and seems so much more relaxed than most hikers when he walks. Often, his hands are in his pockets and you can see his eyes wandering around soaking it all in. He doesn't care about making miles as much as enjoying the moment. Although, it must be said, he has already finished the AT, so the "finishing" goal is no longer a priority for him like it is for me and others. I suspect though that his attitude wasn't any different his first go around.
Date: 2007-06-14
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Wind Gap, Pa 
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 61 --- Motel. (Travel Inn of Wind Gap) "When I set out my weekly hiking plans, I originally was set on making it to Delaware Water Gap today. Instead I pulled a Near-0 and only walked 5 miles because I'm feeling lazy to Wind Gap which has a Grocery and Laundry.......I'm at an internet Cafe inside a K-Mart. I shipped back the Chacos today. I found some old Crocs in a shelter that were left with a note specifically for someone to take. Man, they're light. and comfortable. so I'm one of everyone now with my crocs. I also shipped back the lid to my pack and my rain jacket - it was too much. Haven't worn it since Tennessee and I think just a thin rain resistant shell combined with my fleece and long sleeve will be fine in any weather I'll be encountering for a while." (From email) **************************Due to rain, feeling crappy, back pains, general laziness, I only hiked 4.6 miles to the wonderful small town of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania.Boy Scout moment good deed of the day:As I was walking down the main street, I saw an elerly lady stopped in front of the first step that led to a house. In one hand she had a cane that was holding much of her weight and in the other hand was a plastic bag with groceries. She looked exceptionally frail and wobbly. I kept walking and noticed that she wasn't moving. We made eye contact, but she didn't say anything. I walked a little ways past and looked back to see she was still frozen in the same position. So I walked back and asked if she needed some help. Indeed she did, and allowed me to assist her up the step and into her house. Ahhh, ain't I a sweet guy. I couldn't help but reflect on how valuable our time is on this earth, and how privileged and lucky I am to be using my young legs to walk from Georgia to Maine. Soon enough we all will be this wobbly elderly woman needing assistance getting up one step and into our house. Use your time wisely.
Date: 2007-06-15
From: Wind Gap, Pa 

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pa
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another relatively lazy day. Last day of Pennsylvania. Thank god. Made my way to Delaware Water Gap. There are two outfitters in town. Now that I am a connisseur of outfitters, I can confidently say the two outfitters in DWG completely suck ass. At least for the needs of long distance hikers. If I was into mountainbiking, paddling, or strolling around town in hip NorthFace brand clothes, then hey, it would be a different story. I did buy a nice 3oz marmot rain resistent wind shirt. Since ditching my rain jacket, I figure it might be nice to have SOMETHING in the form of rain gear.Went to a local diner and had my new favorite townfood--giant cheeseburger with everything on it, fries, and a coke. Oh how American. Then I spent my 2nd consecutive night roughing it all alone in a motel room. I soaked in the bathtub, worked on a crossword puzzle, ate ice cream, and watched television. Oh sweet happiness. All I can say is, in some ways the AT has changed me, and in some ways it hasn't
Date: 2007-06-16
From: Delaware Water Gap, Pa

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: few clouds

Welcome to New Jersey.Hiked part of the day with Grasshopper and an ATC ridge runner named Augie. It was good company. Both of these guys, though around my age, have years and years more backpacking experience than me and I enjoyed picking their brains. Grasshopper is a genuinely nice guy. but he is really into Ray Jardine type ultra-light backpacking techniques and is, perhaps, a little annoying in conveying this knowledge. Maybe i'm not annoyed in his know-it-allness at all. Maybe I'm just annoyed that I have to admit how much I actually learned from him. He is also, for lack of a better word, a nerd. Random details I remember--he is a computer professional in his other life and gets really excited about thai food. Also, he will be living in Tucson come the fall so maybe I should stop talking about him now as I may seem him on the Arizona trails sometime soon. Augie especially interested me because he hiked the whole AT in '05 and the PCT in '06 before becoming a ridgerunner this year. He's doing exactly the kinds of things I want to do. And I really like that he put my mind at ease about the Tic issue I had.Tic Issue: Earlier today, I noticed a Tic burrowing into my calf. Out of instinct, I immediately reached down to yank it out. What happened is I pulled the body of the tic out, but the head remained lodged in my calf. Then, I sat by the side of the trail for a good hour performing open calf surgery with my tweezers in an attempt to dislodge this head. I dug and fished and pulled and cut into my leg trying to get the tic-head out. But no luck. The more I poked at it, the deeper it got. So now, in addition to the stubborn embedded partial parasite, I have a big and bleeding gaping hole in my leg. This can't be good. I'm freaking out about lyme disease, gangreen, the bubonic plague, and any other number of maladies. After telling Augie my story, and having him examine my leg, he merely said, "It doesn't look like a deer tic so you have nothing to worry about. Just keep it clean and you'll be fine." He may have no idea what he is talking about, but sounded confident, which is all I ever ask of a medical professional.
Date: 2007-06-17
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Unionville, N.Y.
Miles today: 26.7

Long day walking. No rain, but lots of bugs. What's that phrase - Pick your poison. Along the way I met Aquaman, also known as one of the now split up Riders of the Storm. Both of us ended up in the one-stop-light-town Unionville where we, along with Rodeo Clown, Trashbag, and trailnameless Ben & Amanda, camped in the public park. I pulled into town just before the general store closed so was able to nicely fill up on junkfood. Then, Aquaman and I headed to the bar. Unfortunately, between the two of us we had maybe $1.67 in cash and the bar did not take credit card or house an ATM..No Visa, No ATM - What kind of backwater hick town is this!? Suffice it to say, I was a smidgen frustrated. What are we, 40 or 50 miles from New York City, one of the biggest financial centers in the entire world? And this place doesn't accept plastic. ***I was pretty upset about this at the moment, but looking back, I'm glad I didn't have cash and get caught up in this depressing local scene***Aquaman stuck around and tried to yogi beers from the locals. Turns out the famous mayor of unionville was also at the pub and took care of him properly. I remembered it was father's day and called my old man from the one payphone in town. I'm sure my folks really enjoyed hearing about my sprained ankle and the head of a tic that's been stuck in my leg for 2 days now.
Date: 2007-06-18
From: Unionville, N.Y.

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 29.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Another complaining entry: The trail is not all happiness and roses. Hiking today was brutal. The bruise on my calf, or high ankle sprain, or whatever it is, is swollen and slows me down for one thing, and another, it just hurts. Even without the injury friend, this would be a tough day, especially the last 12 into New York, what with all the rock climbing.Met a few hikers at the shelter who are just hiking the NY section, and one thru-hiker, Wolverine. Yeah, yeah, I know, we both have 'animal' trailnames, and yes, I know, it's been done. Wolverine is a nice kid. young. maybe 19 or 20 and doing this hike between his freshman and sophomore year in college. He also rolls his own smokes which i think is about the coolest thing ever and makes me really crave a cig. Slept in my tent tonight and for the first time in a long time, didn't wake up in agonizing back pain. yay for small miracles.
Date: 2007-06-19
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

New york, New york. You seem so much more fun and interesting on TV. One word to describe today. H-O-T. And the shade didn't help. I drink about 5 times more water in this heat than on the cool days. Knowing my planned destination doesn't have water, I walked 0.3 miles off trail a ways back to a little lake/beach/picnic area. Holy cow..so many people. And not your typical high society skinny and tan folk that I fantasize about when I hear the phrase "public beach". The beach area was PACKED. I felt like I stepped off the A.T. and into cross between a Snoop Dog MTV video and a Richard Simmons sweatin' to the oldies video. Enough about this. I got my water and got the hell out of there. I have nothing more to add for today. I tented near the crappiest shelter ever built. No suprise that nobody else stopped. As I'm writing, my tent is getting pelted with rain, and I just realized my backpack and shoes are outside unprotected.            crap.