morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-05
From: Harpers Ferry (Washington DC

To: Harpers Ferry (Washington DC)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Scarecrow was checking out today & i was staying on for another day. By the time we got out of the hotel we decided to have an early lunch & fead back to the museums.Scarecrow took his pack so he could go straight back to the trains & back to harpers tonight. we got to the aero & space museum. The security would not let scarecrow in so we said are goodbyes. I enjoyed an amazing collection of engines & wings.Lots of intersting history. Stayed a few hours & went to the arts museum. did a quick run thru & headed to natural history museum. Time was running out,as i aslo wanted a photo of OBAMAS house(the white house). I was cultured out for the day. Went back to the hotel to freshen up.Got to my room & all my gear is missing. HEART ATTACK Went to reception. Where is my gear?? They had packed up my gear because the left hand did not know what the right hand was doing??? In there packing my gear they have lost my camera charge NOT HAPPY as i need the charger NOW. I went for dinner indian again. Back to the hotel same tiny room again. (I found the charger the next day in the storage room) Have had enough culture vulturing.Lights out
Date: 2009-07-06
From: Harpers Ferry (Washington DC)

To: Harpers Ferry 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Have decided to go back to Harpers Ferry today.Went & got my photos put to CD .It took them 3 hours to do a 10 min job. I wont be at the museum today.Rang & booked the train . Ventured out to Union stationPaid my ticket & waited for an hour. Got into Harpers Ferry & met by an angel BLUEMOON.He dropped me out at Harpers Ferry Hostel. In the book it is listed as 3.7 miles from town but if you walk, its 1 mile on a flat canal walk & on the A.T.The hostel is run by Carol a real lovely hostel mum with assistance from garlic man.Ive decided to tent in the back yard under the trees with a full moon a river & trains about 100 mtrs from my head that run all night. Garlic man is an interesting bloke He has hiked the Appalachian trail The Pacific Crest Trail & The Continental Divide Trail (THE TRIPLE CROWN) been to Aussie in the 70s & well travelled Had dinner at the CINDY DEE catfish dinner not really hungry.slept with trains running thru my head all night.
Date: 2009-07-07
From: Harpers Ferry 

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Pancakes for breakfast & onto the PC for journalling. Carol was going out so i walked into Harpers ferry to catch the bus to go to walmart. Did my shopping & carol brought me back to the hostel. Have sat at the pc MOST OF THE ARVO. bASICALLY RELAXED. My toes are still numd. In bed reasinably early. Waiting for the trains to come.
Date: 2009-07-08
From: Harpers Ferry 

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Early rise due to trains & garbage truck. Pancakes again. Did some more time on the PC then it was time to vacate the premises. Am aiming to get to the library. Talked to a local all the way along the canal walk ATE wild berries all the way Said our farewells & i went to the outfitters to shop for a T shirt.Then went to the A.T.C H/Q Just walked in as did WILLOW. She looked totally stressed & not happy. (Family issues)We went for lunch to catch up. Picked up my bounce box on the way back & posted a card to TIM. Had a lovely walk back to the hostel.Ate some more berries along the way.Had to sort out the back pack & sent my winter cloths forward & send my photos & others bits & peaces home.Have decided to send my box to Delaware Water Gap. Dont want to run out of battery charge for my camera again.Have decided on 2 boxes bounced up the trail.1 with the charger the other with all the other things i wont need.My body is starting to cramp up from lack of exercise. Love walking around Harpers with its quaint historical amdience. Have gone to bed early as im getting bored.My maths now tell me i have to do 100miles 160klms)per weekto finish the trail & be out of the country by the beginning of OCTOBER.I feel i might be hiking alone again . Thats trail life
Date: 2009-07-09
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Im getting more restless. Have started thinking HIKE YOU OWN HIKE is starting to sing in my head.People on the trail are very important to me Its what the trail is all about to share the journey with like minded people. Im going to hike out tomorrow. Ive waited for willow but her family issue is an unforeseen event Will just have to see how it pans out???? Either way Im moving on in the morning Am having dinner with her tonight. Had a lucky break in the library & got my journal up to date.Still had time to get my photos on line but the PC would nit ready my CDS.Had a phone call from willow & will meet her for dinner @ 6pm in town Meet her at the outfitters in town & we strolled around the historical town siteTOOK a few photos& eventually had dinner that was not up to scratch & paid a good price. Willow is still undecided but there is one thing in life & that is your family comes first We did a small SOBO so willow would not have do that section when she started, Said our goodbyes. I had to walk fast as the daylight was disappearing & had a mile to walk to the hostel & no headlight.Got in at just after 10pm Showered & off to sleep.
Date: 2009-07-10
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Dahlgren Back Pack campground
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

Was excited this morning. Im heading out. Had the usual pancakes for breakfast & fruit , packed ready to go Showered shaved.Waited until 10am, no word from willow Started hiking& it felt strange after nearly a week off.Meet 2BOB heading up to the hostel.My feet have nearly returned to normal,but that will change soon. Made a call to Stef in Germany. Feels so long ago & distant talking to her, but it was good to here her cheerful voice& the adventures she has been up to.Talked for half an hour then it was across the railway track & onto the Canal Track .Took a couple of hours to get into the swing of hiking. Got to Ed Garvey Shelter for lunch. Read the trail book to see who was ahead of me & ive really dropped back in the pack but thats ok ive just got some work to do .Got to Crampton Gap Gatherland State Parkjust in time as trail magic was being dropped off by a trail angel. Also enjoying the magic was E.O Odin 2 Archneopterix & Dahwahhe . Archneois a yankee who has been living in New Zealand. I like his accent Yankee/Kiwi.Also he was in Perth last year & did a section of THE BIBB for the anniversary walk. He is a real character who understands AUSSIE talk & loves it. We had a lot of laughs, not only about our homelands but the trail as well . Along the way we picked up FLOATER. By 6pm we were all in Dahlgren campground. The campground is a treat for hikers as it has hot showers & toilets which we all enjoyed before we headed up to the Old South Mountain Inn for dinner.But before we left this guy comes running into the grounds comes up to our tents & asks if we are thru hikes. Of course we are then he brought out a half cartoon of beer.More trail magic.This guy i forget his name did the trail in 2002 got depressed not hiking & now has a full time journal job going up down the trail doing trail magic A passion he loves.We all had a great dinner where 2 USA presidents have been before & 000s of hikers have blessed the tables in there best gear. I had a beef wellington a glass of red this is the had life. IT was a fun night at the table.although bloody expensive.There is a civil war re enactment happening in the paddock opposite the inn in the morning.It was a stagger back to the tents and slept well
Date: 2009-07-11
From: Dahlgren Back Pack campground

To: Ensign Cowalls Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

had a great sleep.Slept in a bit this morning. Went up to find out about the re enactment. It is a tour that starts at 2pm.There are a few guys all ready in the war cloths ready to give there demos at mid day. Packed up and headed over to thefields at 11.30am listened to the history of the soldiers took photos of the cannon and equipment used>quite facsinating. It was 1.30pm i had had enough& started hiking .I wanted to do at least `15miles today.Got to Washington Monument took photos. From all the lovely weather of the last week it all came to an end & down came the rain rain & more rain Thunder lightning the works.When does summer start??? or has it finished??? Got to Pine Knob Shelter drenchedThis is where Phoenix got bitten in the head by a rabid raccoon.He had to go off the trail to get his course of rabies injection (poor Kid) I like Phoenix we hiked together before Erwin & into Uncle Johhnies. I filtered some water & took off at 4.30pm Still had 8.2 miles to do. Some of the rocky sections are an indicator of whats to come soon.ROCKS ROCKS ROCKS .Got intop the shelterin better time than i thought.Had dinner Am home alone tonight.Its only the 2nd time in 95 days . Cloths are still wet Hopefully a dry day tomorrow.
Date: 2009-07-12
From: Ensign Cowalls Shelter

To: Deer lick shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Strange being at a shelter by myself. had a good night sleep. had an easy walk into Pen Mar county park arriving at 12.30 just in time for lunch.there are so many pensioners & families here picnicing & anticipating the dance to come.I sat next to a large family group.Gave the lone hiker look & Ordered some chicken tenders & drink.I noticed this lovely old lady looking at me. I pretended i did not exist.Next thing this woman is standing in front of me with a large plate full of salad & looks at me says "this goes with chicken"put the plate under my nose and walked away. YES OH YES how to Yogi with out trying. Later i thanked her very much for her generosity & talked to her husband for awhile. When the band started up i just teased myself by standing next to the dance floor trying to yogi a dance. not to be i guess its either the hiker look or smelling like a dead dog that put the women off. talked to buttchins big camera perential & peter for awhile. headed off towards the Madison Dixon state line & walked into Pennslvania. Arrived at deer lick shelter 2 hrs later BUGZ BUGZ & more damn BUGZ. in camp tonight is perenial peter 3 others & me
Date: 2009-07-13
From: Deer lick shelter

To: Tom Run Shelter
Miles today: 29.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I feel a big day coming on.The trail is easy . Some rocky sections but otherwise its flat compared to what im used to. Had to filter water at Antietam shelter as the water supply is half a mile in, TO FAR, At the next water supply Rocky Mnt shelter. Its quite hot but easy going .No views just locked in the green tunnel.At Caledonia state park there is more trail magic .The angel has booked 4 camping bays 97> 100 all set up for hikers to rest up shower tent laundry & be fed & slack packed.Also had a menu made up for breakfast & dinner. I kept going as i wanted to make miles. Basically a long boring day. got to Birch Run shelter @ 6 pm & had an early dinner with the boy scouts that were camping there for the night. I just had dinner & hiked on to Tom run shelter. greeted with a camp fire. Lovely.got in after dark pitched a tent said hello to rambler lady slipper rambler cleif & 2 other . Slept well after such a long day
Date: 2009-07-14
From: Tom Run Shelter

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: broken clouds

Up early again but decided i was weary after my 30 mile(48klm) hike yesterday.finaaly got out of camp at 8.30am. More sticks & rocks. Got to Pine Grove furnace state park.This is where they have the half gallon ice cream challenge.Its not quite 10 am & im not up the challenge at this time of the morning. had an early lunch & kept going.feet are very sore & its bit of a struggle.met gentle ben who gave me some water @ pine grove Along the way i ran into a day walker ART. We walked & talked Time goes fast when you enjoy a good conversation. Art is a water engineerfor the local shire.Its was a good hike . came across cloud walker at a bridge.we all stopped for a 10 min break then headed off towards hunters rd (pa34) 7 got a side track to a deli for a hoagie(sub). Just before we left the trail Art came across a COPPER HEAD snake. the first i had seen on the trail. I finally got a photo of one. Art joined us for a bitr to eat then headed back to where he came from. it was a good arvo.I soon left just as gentle ben arrived. It was only 8 miles but it took along time as the ROCKS had come out to play& slow me down.Only cloud walker & myself in camp tonight . Dont know what happened to gentle ben. lost my watch on the trail but cloud walkers keen eye found it for me. Thank you cloud walker
Date: 2009-07-15
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: PA 850
Miles today: 20.5

man it got cold last night. I heard later it was the equal coldest min on record 52deg f. Cloud walker & myself were wondering about gentle ben. Then he unexpectantly walked into the camp. He was confused about the trail & where he was so he just tented for the night. I was going to lunch at the 1-81 overpass but the walk thru the meadows/fields was easy & i decided to push onto Darlington shelter. Whilst hiking thru the meadows i came across a ground hog.It took off as soon as it saw me. No photo. Then as i was walking slowly along trying to put my camera away this other ground hog comes running down the trail straight at me. This is really strange. ground hogs are very timid. Strange behaviour-its coat is matted & mangy looking.I had to push the hog way with my hiking poles but it got up again & came straight back at me.This little beasty has to have RABIES. When it started to walk away i then realisedi did not have photo, so i started to stalk the poor thing as it cringed awayfrom me. it got into the bush so no photo again.Got to a spring that warned of no water available at Darlington shelter. Filtered some lovely spring water.Had gone less than 200mts when WACK WACK i got stung twice by wasps/beesThe pain was really crap & the itching drove me mad. got into PA850 for a well earned rest. Just me in camp tonight.The camp is beside a gentle flowing stream. There are lots of very strange bush noises that ive never heard beforeMy back is in a severe spasm & the pain is unbearable.Took a long time to set up camp cook & get into the tent. Have no idea what these strange animal noises are but there is a large animal out there. I no its not a bear or deerThe weirdest noise back attack a long night to come.
Date: 2009-07-16
From: PA 850

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: scattered clouds

God i can hardly move. This back spasm has me in a bad way. Took me over an hour just to pack up.My body is feeling so strong & healthy, then i get these back attacks.Once i got packed & hiking i was able to walk thru the pain & the body sort of corrected its self. But i still moved with caution. got to Hawk rock with beautiful panarama over Duncannon & the Susquehanna river. Met 3 girls at the rock & asked if there was a chiro in duncannon.none known.buggerGot into Duncannon & booked into the historical hotel "THE DOYLE" A 100 year old pub that is very hiker friendly. Found out there is a chiro in town a 10 min walk away thank god. Had a N.Y. strip steak (beautiful)but they do not have a red wine. Had lunch with lazer & goodwill. Missed scarecrow by a few minutes.Made an appointment with Cindy the chiro $25 walk in rates i ran down. She was good at trying to crack my bones but the spasm would not go away. time to rest up. Back at the Doyle i meet cosmo had a beer did my internet things & in bed to rest by 9pm Bloody hot room with lots of street noise.
Date: 2009-07-17
From: Duncannon 

To: Duncannon "THE DOYLE"
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had breakfast with cosmohad a hair cut @ 9am chiro @9.45am. My elbow is very swollen & itchy from the stings. Ive decided to zero for the day. had trail angel Mary take me to the pharmacy & do some resupply shopping.i really do need some antihistmines to get the swelling down. The chiro really has helped my back. the spasms have almost gone. almost pain free for now.Am having lunch a couple of hoagies doing my journal & ITS pouring down. Amazing all this rain. Cloud walker & gentle ben have just walked in. back to the Doyle for an afternoon rest in my hot room. for dinner i another N.Y. strip steak.God they go down so well & a beer.Decided to have deserts ice cream but its 4 blocks away. Lovely night for a stroll down to 3Bs for desert.On the way back i got talking to these people sitting on there front porch.DAVE & CARROL. Got invited in to sit & talk with a glass of coke to wash the ice cream down. It was a pitty i was leaving as daves daughter lived in AUST. on the east coast & love to talk about her adventures in AUST. bugger i wont be here. Anyhow cloud walker & gentle ben just happened to walk past & got invited. I stayed chewed the fat with dave until 10pm.Dave was a bus salesman & offered me a job after ive finished the trail if i wanted a job. Pitty im not allowed to work here, as iwas a good offer,but ive also had enough of buses.Gawd i wanted to be up at 5am for breakfast & onto the trail by 6amsaid good night walked back to the doyle , talked to mum & caught up on all trip adventures & family news. finally in bed by 11pm.
Date: 2009-07-18
From: Duncannon 

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 28.8
Weather: clear sky

fell asleep quickly & slept well. Was excited to get up for breakfast at the diner across the road 5.30am. I love these old town diners where all the town folk gather early sit at the bar & talk about local events happening in town,sliding condiments along the bar.It sounds like Pennslyvania is broke.They have just put up there power prices by 50%& no warning. Thank god i only need the sun & 3AAA batteries,a gas cannister to live with. life is simple. Left the Doyle at 6.30am. Along walk up High rd & under the bridge.There is another river that flows into the Susquehanna river,but i dont know the name of it.its a long walk over the CLARK ferry bridge. Its very beautiful big wide river with a Mnt backdrop & views across to the townsite. took some stop & shoot photos then headed ontowards the trail. Just love the smell of the cool humid sweet smell of the bush with car pollution 50 mtrs away.Ive planned a big day today so im hoping the terrain is kind . on the first climb i meet the family that was at breakfast. they looked pooped already & they have just started.I just kept my pace up until i reached Clarks ferry shelter in know time at all & kept going. Too early for a stop. The trail is quite easy only a few rocky moments. quite boring being locked in the tunnel. the climbs are easy. got into peters mnt shelter . BUGGER it was a very long & steep climb down for water but i need it. When i got back i was greeted by 2 hikers. The woman was boasting she had just finished her section which was her last section of the trail. she had just completed her A.T. Congratulations from us 2 thru hikers . Then she left. The other hiker was Wobbler a hiker who left GEORGIA on 19/may /09.he just knocks out 30 mile days & hopes to be finished by 28.aug.09.good luck to him. I still have nearly 18 miles to do to get to Rausch shelter. Had lunch & left.No items of interest to write about, quite boring.Im proud of myself to this many miles in a day. not bad for an old bugger.In the shelter is wobbler & lucky (no2). It was a good night of conversation & laughs. Lucky used to be a singer with Dolly Parton for over 3 years. An interesting life. wobbler is a student.We were all very tired so it was lights out early tonight.
Date: 2009-07-19
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

wobbler & myself are up early & out of the shelter by 7am. Lucky is still sound asleep. My feet really ache. I was planning around 25 miles .Once a gain there is nothing to write about.Im in the tunnel from the shelter to William Penn shelter. Got water & walked onto 501 shelter.a couple of views to be had. Ive decided to rest up early in 501 shelter. Talked to one track to see how she is doing. Did some washing & home alone for the 3rd time. The caretaker informed me there is a large bear hanging around the shelter lately.This shelter is like a large barn converted to a shelter . because the state is broke they want to get rid of it like they have got rid of a third of there state forest commitments already.good night.
Date: 2009-07-20
From: 501 shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 24.4
Weather: clear sky

What a crap nights sleep. The bogans arrived in the wee hours of the night.Girls screaming broken glass hoons doing burnouts FUN for some. because this shelter is so close to the road. The local bogans think they have access to the shelter & front up when ever they like it.Once again the body is rested but not much sleep.Up early & off. Still there is nothing to write about. Went past Fort Dietrich Synder maker, filtered some water from the lovely sandy springs water supply.got into Port Clinton & welcomed by lazer at the backpackers. We were both starving & a customer offered to drive us down to hamburg to cracker barrel steak house. T was so hungry i had 2 main meals 3ltrof coke & 2ltr of water.Still felt like a bit more. (love this hiker hungry when it is alive & well). Phoned for the shuttle to pick us up & take us back to the pavillion (our shelter for the night). T really wanted to hike out to Pocahontas Springs only 3 miles out.Wish i had.The pavillion is about 50mtr from a 4 lane hwy & the traffic was continuous all night long. once again not much sleep just rested a tired body. In the pavillion tonight is lazer peet & me.
Date: 2009-07-21
From: Port Clinton

To: Allentown hiking shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: broken clouds

no sleep & it got cold. 5.30am Im up & ready for breakfast.down to 3Cs diner. I can feel another steak coming on. Lazer finally got out of the sack & joined me for breakfast.Another sumptious meal had. hit the trail& its straight up . lazer dropped off & i hiked on alone for the rest of the day.Its getting cool & humid. By midday the rain started. It rained on & off all day.Views from the highest point in PA NIL. ROCKS ROCKS & ROCKS. Hawk Mnt rd i pushed along quickly.Just a very boring day.Arrived Allentown Hiking Club shelter & greeted by lone wolf & a camp fire lovely.Peet soon followed not long after.dried out my boots & clothes & chewed the fat with lone wolf(god he can snore,I lost my ear plugs BUGGER). End of another rocky day .55 miles to get out of & end PA.In camp tonight is peet lone wolf & phatmandu.
Date: 2009-07-22
From: Allentown hiking shelter

To: Palmerton (Borough hall)
Miles today: 17.7

Left the shelter @ 5.45am. the rain cleared. peet had left before me .Lone wolf had a back problem & was not going to do many miles today. I feel for him,with so many rocks to go over.as much as the rain had passed spent most of the day in mist & no views again, just slippery rocks. my boots need to traded in.They have no tread left. At the new Tripoli campsite i came across fish sticks. we hiked the rest of the day together. Later joined by tron just after Bake Oven shelter.Spent so much time eating wild blue berries.they are very hard to walk by. Got to Palmerton & booked into Borough Hall. great atmoshere in this old basement. Went to a diner that had a rock n roll theme but the steak was the most expensive a vile bit of food served to me on the whole tail.Tibetan & myself went down for a pizza. When we came out it was pouring. So from a lovely clean N dry to now drenched. had a fun night. In the basement tonight is fish sticks peet squatter tibetan jones & her dog ziggy & gabby tron& me