morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-11-05
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Motel in Hamburg, PA
Miles today: 16.5

Day 229 - Around 9:15pm last night, two northbound hikers showed up at the shelter, it appeared to be a couple. I heard her say she did not want to go into the shelter because someone might be in there. They ended up setting up their tent down from the shelter; I have no idea where they came from or where they were headed. By her tone, she was not a happy hiker/camper, particularly at 9:15pm. Also during the night, when I got up several times, I kept seeing moving lights down in the valley. It finally dawned on me that it was probably farmers harvesting either corn or wheat in their combines with bright head lights on. The night was clear and the moon was out. It was a good morning when I got up, in the low 30¢s*F. After packing up I actually warmed up my hands using my Jet-boil propane burner.The day was again gorgeous, in the mid-50*F and brilliant blue skies. Being such a beautiful Saturday, there were scores of day hikers out enjoying nature and taking in the autumn colors. Megan had tried to get me a room in Hamburg earlier in the day to no avail. Around 4:00pm she tried again and was able to get a room which was fantastic. I had not showered in a week and had not done laundry in 2 weeks. Everything needed to be washed. Another reason I wanted a room was that I had passed about 40 boy scouts who were planning to stay at the same shelter as I was, Windsor Furnace shelter. I certainly had no issues with that other than I knew it would be a little noisy and that I would need to set up my tent. There was a huge parking lot at the trail head right next to the shelter. I was fortunate to get a quick ride into Hamburg and was in the shower quickly thereafter. Being in the hotel also allowed me to watch the LSU/Alabama football game before falling asleep. I covered 16.5 miles today, raising my total to 2,069.3 and decreasing my remaining miles to 94.3 miles.
Date: 2011-11-06
From: Motel in Hamburg, PA

To: Eagle Nest Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 230 -I slept well and was up early because I needed to go to Wal-Mart and get a few supplies and there was also a 24 hour Dunkin Donut shop nearby that interested me too. The change back to standard time has no impact on me, I am hiking by the sun light not by the clock. It just means I will need to get up an hour earlier and go to bed at 6:30pm. I got a ride back to the trail head OK and enjoyed another beautiful day. The weather ever since the storm has been fantastic. I got into Port Clinton and had a little climb out of the gap back up to the mountain ridge. I got to Eagle Nest shelter at 4:15pm and settled in. There was some firewood there and being I had only started one fire during the entire journey, I decided to build me a little fire. The only one I had started was way back in Virginia one spring evening when the bugs were so bad. I built a fire and ate and it was nearly dark by 5:30pm. I had worn out my second pair of Smartwool socks today so I ceremonially fed them to the fire. I certainly did not want to carry them out in my pack; I guess when I washed them last night it finally did them in. I hiked 14.7 miles today, resulting in my total miles now being 2,084 and I have 79.6 miles remaining.
Date: 2011-11-07
From: Eagle Nest Shelter

To: William Penn shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 231 ¢ I was up by 5:30am and on the trail by 6:30am. It was a beautiful morning, in the mid-30*F and it warmed up to the mid-50*F during the day. A lot of the trail today was on old roads through the woods, so I made good time, plus there were a minimum number of rocks. I arrived at the 501 shelter at 1:15pm and got water. This is a very upscale shelter, actually a fully enclosed building, with bunks and a huge sky light. There were several restaurants posted on the bulletin board that delivered to the trail head on PA 501 and that was all the convincing I needed. However, it was Monday and all the restaurants were closed, oh well. I had initially planned to stay here but it is way too early in the day to call it quits. The next shelter is only 4.1 miles further, so that will reduce the miles I had planned to do tomorrow. I arrived at William Penn shelter at 3:30pm and had a leisurely afternoon. Of course, I only had two hours of day light before it got dark. This shelter is a two story structure, so I hauled my gear up the stairs and slept upstairs. I did 19.2 miles today, a big day. My total miles now are 2,103.2 and I have 60.4 miles remaining.
Date: 2011-11-08
From: William Penn shelter

To: hotel in Lickdale, PA
Miles today: 9.2

Day 232 ¢ I slept well in the loft, even though it was a little warmer than I would have liked it to have been. I did not get up until 7:00am and I was on the trail at 8:00am after taking a 0.1 mile side trail to get water. The trail was outstanding today, very few rocks. I arrived at Swatara Gap at PA 72 at 11:00am. I decided to go ahead and hike two more miles and hitch hike back on PA72, this would be two less miles that Donna, my sister, and I would have to do tomorrow. After hiking these two additional miles, I hitched a ride into Lickdale to the hotel. Donna and Jim arrived on his BMW motorcycle and we visited in their room for a while. We went out to dinner, Jim had to shuttle Donna and me to the restaurant and back. We had an outstanding dinner and enjoyed catching up with each other.I covered 9.2 miles today, bringing my total to 2,112.4 miles and I only have 51.2 miles remaining.
Date: 2011-11-09
From: hotel in Lickdale, PA

To: Peter's MT shelter
Miles today: 22.2

Day 233 ¢ I don¢t know if it was the ice tea I drank in the afternoon but I tossed and turned most of the night. We were up and eating breakfast by 6:00am. We needed to get an early start because I did not know what the trail looked like and Donna and Jim needed to get back on the road mid-afternoon before it got too dark. Our plans were to hike 15.4 miles to PA 325 and Jim would meet us there. Jim had to shuttle us back up PA 72 to the trail head where I got off yesterday and we hit the trail at 7:20pm, in 36*F and foggy conditions. The fog quickly dissipated as we gain a little elevation and it turned out to be another picture perfect day. Donna and I had a great time together and I really enjoyed her company, plus we made excellent time. Of course, we could have finished 30 minutes earlier if it had not been for Donna gathering rocks, pieces of coal, birch bark pieces, pieces of moss and lichens, pine cones and black oak acorns. She was gathering materials to make small decorative bird houses. It was a wonderful day and I was able to slack pack as Jim agreed to tie my pack onto the back of his motorcycle and bring it to me. A lot of the trail was on an old stagecoach road bed, a few rocks but a good, fairly level terrain. We arrived at PA 325 at 2:20pm and Jim was already there having arrived at 1:30pm. It took a little while to get my pack situated and get Donna¢s pockets unloaded and put her protective clothing on. We said our good byes around 2:40pm and I continued on the path heading south. My plans were to camp somewhere down the trail, if I could find a level area, rock free. However, the forecast for the night and tomorrow called for rain, the first time in twelve days, so I would like to be under a roof. However, the next shelter was 6.8 miles further south, which would mean hiking after the sun had gone down. I decided to press on and push myself and attempt to get to the shelter which I was able to do. During the last 30 minutes of hiking the sun was setting rapidly but I was able to see the trail and the white blazes so it worked out fine. I arrived at Peter¢s Mountain shelter at 5:15pm and immediately ate before it got totally dark and then set up my sleeping area. This will be my last night sleeping outdoors, so much has transpired since I started this on March 22. What a great day, I enjoyed having Donna around and visiting with her and Jim plus I had my biggest mileage day for the entire journey, 22.2 miles. It helped slack packing 15.4 miles of it but still a lot of miles. This brings my total to 2,134.6 miles and I only have 29.0 miles remaining. I am getting more and more emotional everyday knowing that the end is in sight.
Date: 2011-11-10
From: Peter's MT shelter

To: Hotel Doyle, Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 234 ¢ I slept well as I was extremely tired. It never did rain during the night but started at 7:00am, so I laid there snoozing until 7:50am. I had gotten two blue berry muffins at Dunkin Donuts and they sure tasted good this morning. They had been crushed a little in my pack but still yummy. I put my rain gear on because it was wet and windy and hit the trail. I am so glad I was able to do those extra miles yesterday in the warm, dry weather so I did not have to do them today. I got to Clark¢s Ferry shelter at 11:30am and ate lunch. I wanted something hot and also wanted to continue to deplete my food and decrease the weight I was carrying. I had hot mashed potatoes with pepperoni slices in it. Not too many more days of having to eat trail food. After eating and getting water I proceeded south and it was a fairly easy descent down to Duncannon. When I crossed U.S. 22/322 I saw a Pilot station a half a mile away¢¦ why not? I asked myself. Once I got there I ordered a club sandwich and French fries and warmed up inside the building. The mile walk to the Doyle Hotel was easy and I checked in and took a shower. The Doyle, built in 1904, was one of the original Anheuser-Busch hotels. Unfortunately, not a lot has been done to it through the years. I did have a small, private room, but shared a single community bathroom. The bathroom on my floor was the only one heated. It is one of those places that a hiker is supposed to stay so I checked it off my list. They did have a washer/dryer so I did go ahead and washed my clothes, really just to dry them out for tomorrow. It is supposed to be quite chilly tomorrow so it will be nice to have clean, dry clothes. Around 6:00pm, I walked the dark, vacant streets of Duncannon and guess what I found? Road Hawg BBQ!! I had not had pulled pork in a long time so it was quite tasty and hit the spot. I walked 11.3 miles today bringing my total to 2,145.9 miles. I only have two more days left to do the 17.7 remaining miles.
Date: 2011-11-11
From: Hotel Doyle, Duncannon, PA

To: motel in Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 14.2

Day 235 ¢ I did not sleep that soundly for several reasons. The room was heated with a propane heater and I had opened the window to let in some fresh air so there was a lot of traffic noise, the hall light was on all night and showed through the transom above my door and maybe I was a little excited that my journey was nearing its end. I got up at 7:00am, packed up and went over to a small caf© called Goodies. I had a bacon and cheese omelet and two nine inch diameter blue berry pancakes. I filled up my water bottles one last time and hit the trail. The trail actually goes right through Duncannon so I only had to walk 50 feet to be back on the trail. I had a pretty good steep climb out of Duncannon up Cove Mt. It was nippy this morning, 35*F and windy but I quickly warmed up and took off my jacket. My hands were the only parts of me that were cold. I would make a fist with my hands inside my gloves to try to keep them warm. I let my trekking poles just dangle from my wrist, fortunately I did not stumble. The trail climbed 600 feet in less than a mile. The guidebook mentioned six miles of heavy rocky terrain, I don¢t know if I am just used to it or again maybe it was the excitement but I did not think it was that bad. Once I got off the ridge line of Cove Mountain and headed down into the lower elevations it warmed up considerably. I had Goodies fix me an egg/bacon sandwich and ate that for lunch. Around 1:00pm I began my ascent up my last mountain, Blue Mt. It was a breeze and I hardly broke a sweat. On the backside of the mountain, while descending there was a bench that had been constructed from stones, I sat there for 10 minutes of so, reflecting on the last seven months and giving thanks for how blessed I have been. And yes, I did cry as it was very emotional for me. I arrived at Sherwood Road at 2:20pm and Megan picked me soon thereafter. We had a good afternoon with her kids, ate, and got ready for the final few miles tomorrow. I hiked 14.2 miles today, bringing my total to 2,160.1 and only have 3.5 miles remaining.
Date: 2011-11-12
From: motel in Carlisle, PA

To: HOME !!!!
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 236 ¢ I slept well and the excitement of the last day did not keep me awake. We had breakfast at Middlesex diner, the same place I had eaten at in July when I got off the trail in Carlisle. Being my last meal, I had a corn beef hash, two fried eggs, hash brown potatoes and two good size blue berry pancakes. I unloaded most of my packs contents and just carried it for show. I was on the trail at 10:55am and walked at warp speed. It felt so weird, carrying so little weight, walking on flat terrain, knowing I only had 3.5 miles to go. It was a gorgeous day; I have been so lucky the past month with the weather. The trail was scenic, along a creek, through some pasture land, up and over I-81 and finished going through a wooded section. I had received encouraging notes from my family and friends and I knew that they all were thinking of me this morning. Around noon, I heard some voices and knew I was approaching the terminus. Megan, her kids and some friends were waiting on me as the trail crossed over U.S. 11. Still not seeing them, I started blowing my safety whistle. I had carried this whistle the entire journey and never had reason to blow it but I did today. They responded with party horns and soon I turned the curve and the celebration began. I reached the end at 12:05pm, ten minutes earlier than I had planned. The Costello¢s, Katy/John, Donna, Mary and Megan and her kids had a grand celebration and I so much appreciated them being there. From the trailside we went and had lunch and headed home. In the next couple of days I will be posting a summary of my equipment (the good and the bad) in order to help future hikers. I will also attempt to gather my thoughts on what this journey has meant to me and share that with you. I walked 3.5 miles today, bringing my total to 2,163.6 miles with zero miles remaining. God willing, maybe next summer I can go back to Vermont and knock off the 17.4 miles that I had to skip. If anyone wants to join me I would love the company.
Date: 2011-11-13
From: HOME

To: Final Thoughts
Miles today: 0.0

FINAL THOUGHTS -- A couple of final thoughts having been off the trail now for a week. I am acclimating myself back into civilization. My initial thoughts being off the trail is that there are so many people and it is so noisy. Many of you, over the seven and half months from three different continents, sent me notes of encouragement and they meant so much to me. Many of you also offered a prayer to God on my behalf for my safety and safe travels. I am indebted to you for these prayers as He did take care of me. I attempted to send each of you a note back, if I had your address. If I missed you, I apologize, it was my oversight. Thank you very much for doing this for me. I also enjoyed hiking with the dozen of you that took the time to do that with me.So, what will I miss the most being off the trail?? I thought a lot about that over the final three weeks of hiking. What I will miss the most are the hours and days of complete solitude, walking in the woods conversing with God and enjoying His creation. I did a lot of that, not necessarily in prayer, but just talking. I was very fortunate and blessed to be able to walk the trail and see the sights and countryside that I did. Yes, it was hard work, but as time goes by, that memory will dissipate and I will recall the beauty of the trail. I am most grateful to Him, because I would not have made it without His help and protection. I am fairly certain I would have died or damaged my internal organs on June 1, when I dehydrated in Dalesville without His direct intervention. My relationship with our God is much closer now; you become more dependent on Him for providing for you. When you don¢t know where your next drink of water is going to come from or where you are going to camp, you develop that bond and trust. Whenever I was asked if I was thru hiking my response was the same, ¢Yes, God willing.¢ I am thankful that He was willing and allowed me that opportunity. To my family, I thank them for their encouragement and support, whenever I doubted myself an email would appear. Everyone needs a support person to hike the trail and Megan was mine. I appreciate all the phone calls to various places along the trail, the emails of encouragement, shipping me supplies and going to REI to get new supplies or return equipment. I also appreciate all the times we were able to see each other along the trail that helped boost my enthusiasm and motivation. Thank you for following my journey, it was fun capturing my thoughts and issues and I hope you enjoyed them. I took over 3,700 pictures and posted 1,187 of them. None of them fully captures the scenery or beauty but hopefully they gave you an idea of what I was enjoying. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and a blessed Christmas, warmest regards,Frank
Date: 2011-02-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am getting ready to hike the Appalachian Trail. I have researched the A.T. on the internet and read anything I could find on it at the library. If you like to read, I would suggest, A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson. I found the book to be very humorous and helpful on what to expect on the A.T. I don't have the internet at home, so all my research is done at the library. The libraries on the A.T. is one of the ways I will keep in touch with my family. The Appalachian trail runs 2181 miles, goes through 14 states, and is equal to going up Mt. Everest 16 times in elevation changes. I have dreamed it, researched it, planned it, and now it is time to execute it. Many people have tried to discourage me from doing this. Always listen to your heart, and not other people. Life is not about how many breathes that we take, but about what takes our breathe away. I plan to leave March 25, 2011 for the trail at Springer Mountain. I will be hiking with Spring. Ga.>Me. I have decided that my trail name will be DreamWalker. I wanted to give myself a name before someone else did. This is a common practice on the A.T. I am very excited. I will be walking the trail to bring attention to the homeless, and to raise money for their cause. I hope you will follow me on my journey. If you would like to make a pledge or donation to the homeless, contact Larry Rice, New Life Evangelistic Center in St. Louis, Mo. at 314 421-3020. May God bless you and your family, and please pray for me, for God hears all prayers. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-02-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's Valentine Day, and I am getting excited about my trip. I believe my pack weight will be somewhere between 30 and 35 lbs. I am 61 yrs old. I live in St. Peters, Mo. I am married with one child. This journal is how I will keep my family informed. Also, to keep my pack weight down, I will carry a phone card to call home. I have been getting ready by walking with 35 lbs in a daypack for over a year. Also I have bicycled the Katy Trail logging over 800 miles in 2 weeks in 2010. I don't think I ever will feel that I am ready until I get on the trail. Then I will know. I will rely on God. I won't complain, and I will be greatful for everyday. Just to be able to do the trail is a blessing. Life is not about how many breathes we take, but about what takes our breathe away.
Date: 2011-03-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I bought my bus ticket to Gainesville, Ga. Will be leaving St. Louis on March 25. I plan to stay at the hiker hostel in Dalonega, Ga. I will start the trail on March 27. My pack weight is 36 lbs. That includes food for 4 days, and a 20 oz. and 32 oz. Gatorade bottles of water. By using Gatorade bottles, I will be able to get new water bottles when I buy Gatorade. I will be taking a REI backpack,sleeping bag, sleeping pad, foam seat to sit on, Henry Shire's tarptent, pack raincover, Katadyn water filter, bleach for water backup, paracord, knife, camp shoes, Trangia stove, Heet for fuel (in the yellow bottle) & cookware, headlamp,camera, Sea to Summit water bag 10 liters, hiking socks, Dri Ducks rainsuit, poncho/tarp, first aid kit, hiking poles, footprint for tent, Thru-Hiker Campanion, and 2 sets of clothes. I have a lot of fears, but they are healthy ones. I know that every journey begins with the first step. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-03-25
To: Gainesville, Ga.
Miles today: 0.0

I am at the library. This will be my last entry, before getting to the Appalachian Trail. I have never hiked before, but am looking forward to the journey. So far the journey has been over a year in planning and getting in shape. My mother gave me a scripture Isaiah 40:31, and my sister gave me another scripture Ecclesiastes 9:4. I will remember them well. To every journey there is always the first step. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-03-26
To: Dahlonega, Ga.
Miles today: 0.0

Have arrived at the hostel in Dahlonega,Ga. Tomorrow I leave for Springer Mountain. My bus ride from St. Louis, Mo. to Gainesville, Ga. was a first for me. The ticket cost $108. I was able to bring all my gear on the bus. I missed my connection in Indianapolis and got to the hostel late. The hostel in Dahlonega picked me up in Gainesville. The hostel cost $70 which included picking me up in Gainesville and taking me to the trail. Tomorrow I will be taken to the Amicalola Falls State Park where I will begin my adventure on the approach trail to the A.T. The total cost to get to the A.T. from St. Louis, Mo., comes to $178. Josh and Leigh at the hostel are very nice. There are other hikers here, and they are telling me about their experiences. I have so much doubt in myself. But I know that this is not the time to challenge myself after so much preparation has been made. It is raining and expected to be raining tomorrow. I'm getting tired so I am going to bed. Tomorrow morning there will be a big breakfast before leaving the hostel. It has been quite an adventure so far. Tomorrow I will learn, if I have what it will take to do a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. DreamWalker