morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Thursday, June 17, 2004 Day 95, 15.2 miles (Port Clinton, PA to Eckville shelter) PA Mule, Bag of Tricks, and I went to breakfast in Bag of Trick¢s car. We got back at 7:30am and I walked down to the Post Office to get my mail drop (half mile down and half mile back. When I got back to the Pavilion, Fred was there ready to make a grocery run. I got some stuff at Food Lion to augment my re-supply.I packed up and was on the trail by 10:00am. I got to Eckville Shelter at 5:00pm. This shelter has a caretaker same as 501 shelter, and it¢s on a road.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Zack, Chigger, Wildcat, and Joel. Plus 2 guys who¢ve been on the trail for 4 days.The walking was fairly easy today. The trail was mostly flat and 5 miles of it was on a dirt road used during hunting season. The No-See-Ums are real bad here. I had to apply the Deet, so I could sleep or even just write in this journal. I was able to get a cold shower here. A Thunderstorm hit about 7:00 pm and lasted about 45 minutes.
Date: 2004-06-18
From: Eckville shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Friday, June 18, 2004 Day 96, 17.4 miles (Eckville shelter to Bake Oven Knob shelter)I left Eckville shelter about 7:30am and arrived at Bake Oven Knob Shelter at 5:30pm. I crossed some pretty serious rock fields today. The Bake Oven Knob has some real precarious descents, and I had to take it slow. The Cliffs (before Bake Oven Knob) had a knife edge walk that was very nerve racking.I don¢t mind the large boulders. It¢s the small, loose rocks that irritate the hell out of me. While I¢m trying to concentrate on the rocks, there are these kamikaze nats that try to fly into my eyes as well as mosquitoes constantly buzzing my ears. Then the horse-flys sometimes chime in. (Note to Ron Smith¢¢yes I enjoy this¢)I fell today, and bent one of my poles. I was getting off the trail to answer a nature call when my right pole did not hit solid ground, but plunged down about 5 inches between two rocks. I fell over on top of it. I don¢t think I hurt any thing but the pole. I¢ll have to call Janet to get Recreational Equipment Inc.¢s (REI) number so I can get the pole replaced.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Joel, Wildcat, Chigger, and Joel¢s parents showed up after dark.
Date: 2004-06-19
From: Bake Oven Knob shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 7.5

Saturday, June 19, 2004 Day 97, 7.5 miles (Bake Oven to PA Hwy 248)I left Bake Oven Shelter at 7:30am and arrived at PA Hwy 248 near Palmerton, PA at noon. I called Janet this morning from a mountain top. Kris and the boys were at the house, so I got to speak to Ricky, Matt, and Tyler). I found out today that there was a resident snake in the Bake Oven shelter. I¢m not sure what kind. But I noticed there were no mice in the shelter! We finally got some sunny weather without the haze. I¢m staying in the basement at the Borough Hall (a.k.a. ¢The Jail¢). I had to register at the police station a block away. We get a free bed, shower, and flush toilet. They even supply TP. Palmerton, PA is a very friendly trail town. I just hope some moron doesn¢t misbehave and screw it up for everybody ¢ this has been known to happen in other trail towns. There was a festival going on in Palmerton - ¢Palmerton Cruise Nite 2004¢. They closed off about 5 blocks of the main drag. There were about 200 antique cars on display, and a small carnival. Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, and Wildcat. Chigger was going to stay, but the nice weather made her feet itch so she left along with ¢Betty¢ (a guy, his name has something to do with a Kung Fu movie)I was thinking about zeroing tomorrow, but will push on to Leroy Smith Shelter 16 miles away. The Palmerton and Lehigh Gap area are like Copper Hill, TN. The Zinc mining activities killed most of the vegetation in the surrounding area. The area is trying to make a come back. Wildcat (a.k.a. Bert Emmerson) and I ate at Bert¢s steakhouse. I called REI. They have discontinued my poles, so no parts are available. Wildcat did a decent job of straightening out the pole, and it is useable. I will try to get parts later.
Date: 2004-06-20
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Leroy A Smith shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Sunday, June 20, 2004 Day 98, 16.0 miles (PA Hwy 248 to Leroy A. Smith shelter)Wildcat and I walked over to Bert¢s Diner at 7:00am for breakfast, but it was closed until 8:00, so we got our packs and headed out of town. We stopped at a gas station on the outskirts and got coffee, Gatorade, and snacks for breakfast. We then walked the railroad tracks to HWY 248 where we hitched a ride in a pick up truck to the bridge and the A.T. trailhead We were walking the trail by 8:00 am. The first half mile was a near vertical rock scramble to get to the top of the ridge overlooking Palmerton. There were great views here and we took some pictures. It¢s a very sunny and clear day. We saw the ¢Dead Zone¢ caused by the old abandoned zinc mining operation. Walking was level but very rocky about half the time. We reached Leroy Smith shelter at 4:30pm.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, Tim (section hiker), Brief Hiatus (a crusty old guy from Colorado), and Ryan the Ridge Runner.We were paid a visit by ¢John the Mechanical¢, a Trail Angel who lives about a half mile from the trail. He seems to know a lot about the trail, and he and his wife do a lot for thru-hikers. I¢m not sure what motivates these ¢Trail Angels¢. They seem to like spending time with thru-hikers. Some do have a religious/evangelical motive, but not most. Some are former thru-hikers themselves. Also had some philosophical discussions with Ryan, the Ridge Runner and a philosophy major at George Mason University. Wildcat and I decided to split a room at the Ramada Inn Delaware Water Gap. We made reservations.
Date: 2004-06-21
From: Leroy A Smith shelter

To: Deleware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 20.2

Monday, June 21, 2004 Day 99, 20.2 miles (Leroy A. Smith to Delaware Water Gap, PA) I left the Leroy A. Smith. shelter at 7:00am. Wildcat was not quite ready, but said he would catch up. It is another clear, low humidity day. The weather is great, but the rocks aren¢t. Today¢s rocks have got to be the worst yet in PA. They aren¢t the big boulders, but the small, medium, and large loose rocks that are everywhere. It¢s very difficult to find a stable foothold, but I didn¢t fall today. I saw a bear about a half mile South of Wind Gap. He was running up the hill away from me, woofing all the way.About 10:30 I caught up with ¢Duck Tape¢, a section hiker who was about to end his hike in Delaware Water Gap. We hiked together for awhile, then ate lunch at 12:00. He¢s a Major in the Fairfax County, VA police Dept. He was a marine assigned to President Reagan for 4 years. Interesting fellow. We took another break at Kirk Ridge Shelter, about 6.5 miles from Delaware Water Gap, PA (DWG) at 2:30. Slainte` and his brother, now known as Medium Pace, showed up shortly. Then Wildcat came in. It was great to see Slainte¢ again.We all headed for DWG about 3:00pm. We checked into the Ramada at 6:00pm.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Duck Tape, Wildcat, Slainte`, Medium Pace, 30-30 and Giggles, No Beard and No Dog, and some other hikers.Duck Tape stayed with Wildcat and I. He slept on the floor. We ate supper at the ¢Dough Boy¢ pizza place.
Date: 2004-06-22
From: Deleware Water Gap, PA

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 Day 100, 0 miles (Delaware Water Gap, PA)No hiking today! It¢s been 211 miles since my last break. So no hiking today! Some people I know or have met have started dropping out of the AT hike. Some are damn good hikers, and their quitting surprises me. The mental aspects are more difficult than the physical, I guess. Duck Tape¢s wife showed up. They took Wildcat and 30-30 to get supplies at the Super Wal-Mart in the next town. I gave Wildcat a list of my supply needs. All of us couldn¢t go since they were in a pick-up.It rained hard this morning, but I don¢t care ¢ it¢s a zero day. The afternoon is just overcast. I will start the ¢banking system¢ tomorrow to keep on schedule. If I average 15 miles per day from here on out, I will finish on August 21. The banking system method is implemented by subtracting your daily target miles from your daily actual miles. If the result is positive, you bank the extra miles for that day. If the result is negative you withdraw the deficit miles. When you accumulate enough miles to equal your target miles, you can take a zero day. For example: If you need to average 15 miles a day, your target is 15. If, on your first day, you hike 18 miles, you bank 18-15 or 3 miles. You now have 3 miles in the bank. Say on the second day you only hike 14 miles. You then have 14-15 or a deficit of one mile. You withdraw 1 mile from the bank, leaving you a balance of 2 miles. And so on..........
Date: 2004-06-23
From: Deleware Water Gap, PA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: few clouds

Wednesday, June 23, 2004 Day 101, 10.3 miles (DW Gap, PA to Mohican Outdoor Center) Bank: 0 +10.3 - 15 = -4.7 (not an auspicious start)We left DWG at 10:00am and arrived at the Mohican Outdoor Center at 3:45pm. It was a short day, but the closest shelter was 24.5 miles. For $11.00 we got a bed and shower plus a kitchen. I haven¢t exactly roughed it in the last 3 days. It was a beautiful day for hiking, sunny and not too hot. We crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey. NJ so far is very scenic. At 6 miles we came to Sunfish Pond, a glacial lake. Very pristine, but the lake is acidic. Acid rain I guess. We only reach 1300¢ ¢ 1400¢ elevations around here, but views are still very good. Several lakes can be seen and also the Delaware River as it winds through the country side.We crossed no highways today except I-80 as we left DWG. Several day hikers were out today. One big group of hikers was from Israel. We saw some very large bull frogs and their tadpoles at Sunfish Pond.Milestone: We left Pennsylvania and entered New JerseyWho¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, 30-30, Giggles, Coyote, Ishmael
Date: 2004-06-24
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Gren Anderson shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: clear sky

Thursday, June 24, 2004 Day 102, 20.9 miles (MOC to Gren Anderson shelter)Bank: -4.7 + 20.9 - 15 = 1.2Wildcat and I left the MOC at 6:30 m and arrived at Gren Anderson Shelter at 6:30 pm. It was a great hiking day with good views, sunny weather, but too many rocks. I also removed 3 ticks today, no deer ticks just wood ticks, and they were not attached. This part of New Jersey has a lot of lakes and ponds and deer. There was ample opportunity to take a swim, but I haven¢t done so yet. When we came to US Hwy 206, we walked the half mile to Culvers Gap, PA and ate supper at Gyp¢s Tavern. This was 3 miles South of the shelter. After filling our bellies, we continued on to the shelter.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, Coyote, Ishmael, Spot, 30-30, Giggles, Mercat, Cheddar, Bacon, Beep-Beep (10 months old), Magic Rat and Tofutti (the parents of Beep-Beep) from Chattanooga.
Date: 2004-06-25
From: Gren Anderson shelter

To: Secret Shelter
Miles today: 18.3

Friday, June 25, 2004 Day 103, 18.3 miles (Gren Anderson to the Secret Shelter)Bank: 1.2 + 18.3 - 15 = 4.5We left Gren Anderson shelter at 7:30am and arrived at Jim Murray¢s secret shelter at 5:30pm. It was another great day for hiking even if it was mostly cloudy. Views were not quite as good as yesterday due to the high humidity. Also there were lots of rocks. We stopped at High Point State Park, and I picked up my mail drop. There was a large group of international students there and they offered us some of their food and drink.The caretaker for the shelters in New Jersey likes to leave food and other trail magic in the bear boxes at the shelters. Nice touch. I found 4 ticks crawling on me today, but none were attached. This shelter is on Jim Murray¢s farm. He¢s a former Thru-hiker. There¢s a hot shower here and well water. Also Jim has two donkeys here that can really make a racket with their Hee-Hawing. The noise echoes through the valley. Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Coyote, Ishmael, Wildcat, NY Mule, 30-30 and Giggles, Spot, and Billy Goat¢s Son (the Ridge Runner)
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Secret Shelter

To: Wawayanda shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Saturday, June 26, 2004 Day 104, 18.9 miles (the Secret Shelter to Wawayanda shelter)Bank: 4.5 + 18.9 - 15 = 8.4Wildcat and I left the Secret shelter at 7:30am and arrived at Wawayanda Shelter at 6:00pm. We had a light rain all morning and covered a lot of swampy land today. The mosquitoes were often aggressive and numerous. We walked through a large grass covered swamp on a very long and well built boardwalk. I took pictures. We met several day hikers and one woman on horseback. We stopped at a Farm Market where the trail crossed NJ Hwy 94 near Vernon, NJ. We got fruit, ice cream, pie, and a nice rest. Wawayanda is located near a state park where we had to get water. The mosquitoes are very bad here.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, Pablo (from Chili) and Laura, PA Mule, Fish Dancer, NY Mule, and Mercat.
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Wawayanda shelter

To: Wildcat shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday, June 27, 2004 Day 105, 12.0 miles (Wawayanda shelter to Wildcat shelter)Bank: 8.4 + 12.0 - 15 = 5.4We were going to walk over 20 miles today, but a late start at 7:40am, some tough boulder climbs, and the hotel in Arden, NY being booked up, changed that plan. I called the farm. There are lots of people there. I called Janet; it¢s Grace¢s third birthday party.Milestone: We left NJ and entered New York about 10:00 am. We were able to see the NY City skyline, it was so clear and sunny. It was a beautiful day for hiking with fantastic views. About 2 miles from Wildcat shelter, we crossed Hwy 17A. There is a creamery about .2 mi from the AT where I got a banana split. Ishmael gave me a ride to and from Greenwood, NY for minor re-supply. We arrived at Wildcat shelter about 4:00pm.I pitched the bug screen of my tent in the shelter to keep out mosquitoes.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, Stumble Bum, Spot, Pablo and LauraThere were a lot of day hikers out. Two groups of Japanese hikers, about 25 in all were communicating with walkie-talkies.
Date: 2004-06-28
From: Wildcat shelter

To: William Brien shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Monday, June 28, 2004 Day 106, 19.6 miles (Wildcat shelter to Wm. Brien Memorial shelter)Bank: 5.4 + 19.6 - 15 = 10.0It was a long, hard day, but good hiking. Wildcat and I left Wildcat Shelter at 6:40am and arriver at William Brien shelter at 6:00pm. There were a lot of climbs and descents. The Lemon Squeezer was ¢fun¢. Some of the trail reminded me of the Smokies. It was sunny in the morning, but cloudy in the afternoon. I saw some deer today. We met about 5 day hikers, and 1 section hiker, Sue Magoo, a SOBO.I got no banana split today. Also there was no water at William Brien Shelter. I had about 1 liter left. I ate Raimen for supper and was left with a half liter of water which I need to use this sparingly. I will get H2O about two miles from here in the morning. Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, Stumble Bum, Pablo and Laura, Spot, PA Mule
Date: 2004-06-29
From: William Brien shelter

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 15.3

Tuesday, June 29, 2004 Day 107, 15.3 miles (Wm. Brien shelter to Graymoor Friary)Bank: 10.0 + 15.3 - 15 = 10.3We left William Brien Shelter at 7:30 and arrived at the Graymoor Friary pavilion at 6:00 pm. We had nice weather today. At 10:00am, as I was passing an overlook, a stranger took my picture and Wildcat¢s. The stranger was ¢Cooker Hiker¢, someone who Wildcat had met at Amicolola Falls and had hiked with for awhile. He gave us cookies, peaches, orangeade, and then took us to a Deli for lunch - Great trail magic. He brought us back to the trail at about noon. Throughout the afternoon we could hear cannons being fired at West Point. We passed through Bear Mountain State Park. What a place! Very nice. We crossed the Hudson River about 3:00 pm on the Bear Mountain bridge at Fort Montgomery, NY. We crossed US 9 near Peekskill, NY and reached the Friary about 15 minutes later. The Brothers at the Friary feed the thru-hikers supper (for a small donation), but they don¢t start doing this until July 1 ¢ we were 2 days early.   Next to the Pavilion at Graymoor is a cold shower and privy. We also received a little more trail magic. We had been at Graymoor about 15 minutes when Gordon Powers showed up. He took 6 of us into Peekskill, NY where we ate pizza, got groceries, and did a little laundry. He got us back about 8:30 pm. He also did a little proselytizing in the bargain. I gave him a little money for gas. We had a skunk incident during the night, but it turned out ok. No one got sprayed.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, PA Mule, Spot, Master Pain, Stumble Bum, and 2 South bounders (Energizer and JT).
Date: 2004-06-30
From: Graymoor Friary

To: RPH shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: broken clouds

Wednesday, June 30, 2004 Day 108, 18.8 miles (Graymoor to RPH shelter)Bank: 10.3 + 18.8 - 15 = 14.1We left Graymoor at 6:40am and arrived RPH shelter at 5:45pm. Milestone: We passed the 1400 mile mark today!It was another beautiful day! Hiking was easier today than in the last two days. The trail was more level, whereas there were some brutal climbs and descents in the past two days, known as PUDs, Pointless Ups and Downs. My theory is that the ¢mountains¢ are so small here (less than 200¢) they had to invent ways to make the hiking difficult. The New York woods are beautiful, I have to admit. Very little undergrowth enables one to see deep into the forest. At around 2:00pm, PA Mule, Wildcat, and I hiked around Canopus Lake in Fahnestock State Park. We make a half mile side trip into the park and got hamburgers, ice cream, and cake. We almost went swimming, but we had to get to RPH at a decent hour. We ran into Slainte¢ there at the park, but he¢s camping in the park tonight, 6 miles back from RPH shelter. The water here at this shelter is full of iron.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, PA Mule, Spot, Stumble Bum
Date: 2004-07-01
From: RPH shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Thursday, July 1, 2004 Day 109, 16.6 miles (RPH shelter to Telephone Pioneers shelter)Bank: 14.1 + 16.6 - 15 = 15.7We left RPH early at 6:15am so that Wildcat could go into the Post Office in Pauling, NY to get his mail drop. We found out later that the Post Office will be open on Friday, so we slowed down. We got to Telephone Pioneers shelter at 5:45pm.Another beautiful day - a little more cloudy - but no rain. At 9:30am we reached NY Hwy 52 near Stormville, NY. Three tenths of a mile East is a deli, and we headed for the deli. I had 2 bacon, egg, cheese Bagels, a quart of O.J., a cup of coffee, and a cherry pie to augment the cereal I had for breakfast. We reached Morgan Stewart Shelter at noon and ate lunch and had a power nap. At 2:30pm we crossed NY Hwy 55 near Poughquag, NY and found the School Bus hot dog stand two tenths of a mile East. I had 3 chili dogs and 3 Pepsis. YUM-YUM. We got to Nuclear lake at 4:00pm and went swimming.   It¢s been a busy, calorie filled day.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, Stumble Bum, PA Mule, Spot, Chigger, ForesterThere was a forecast for thunderstorms in the evening but so far no rain (8:30 pm). I saw several deer today. I finally was able to get the phone number of the REI store in Portland, Oregon where I purchased my trekking poles. I¢ll try to get some satisfaction from them concerning my bent pole.
Date: 2004-07-02
From: Telephone Pioneers shelter

To: Mt. Algo Lean-to
Miles today: 21.4

Friday, July 2, 2004 Day 110, 21.4 miles (Telephone Pioneers to Mt. Algo Lean-to)Bank: 15.7 + 21.4 - 15 = 22.1We left Telephone Pioneers early at 6:30, because we knew this would be a long day. Wildcat left a little earlier since he had a mail drop in Pawling, NY. It¢s a good day for hiking, but I am ready for a zero day. It better be soon. I arrived at Mt. Algo shelter at 6:45pm, about the same time as Spot and PA Mule. Wildcat rolled in about 8:45pm. He had had good luck getting into and out of Pauling. Most of the day was fairly easy walking, but the last 4 miles were the toughest I¢ve had yet. We had rain last night and 3 short thunder showers during the day. The last 4 miles were either steep climbs or descents over wet rocks.Milestone: We left NY and entered Connecticut near CT Hwy 55 and Wingdale, NY.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, PA Mule, Leprechaun (a Ridge Runner), 2 sisters (weekenders), and 1 SOBO section hiker
Date: 2004-07-03
From: Mt. Algo Lean-to

To: CT Hwy 341
Miles today: 0.3

Saturday, July 3, 2004 Day 111, .3 miles (Mt. Algo Lean-to to CT Hwy 341) Bank: 22.1 + .3 - 15 = 7.4Happy Birthday to me!Wildcat and I left Mt. Algo Shelter about 7:30am and were at CT 341 in less than 30 minutes. We reached Kent, Connecticut about 8:30 am.I met Nails, a Thru-hiker from Florida, at the restaurant we went to for breakfast. Wildcat had already met her very early in the Southern portion of his hike. She had a rental car and kindly took us to the outfitters and laundromat. As previously arranged by Wildcat, his friends, Bernie and Doris Starner, from Maryville, TN offered to put us up for the night in their motor home. They are on their way to Maine, and were staying in a nearby RV park. We gladly accepted their offer and stayed the night at the RV park. That was a change of pace. There was a loud C & W band that played until 11:00 pm. When they quit, I was able to get to sleep.I saw lots of other thru-hikers in Kent: Satori is one I had not met before, as well as Nails.This was a nice Nero (near zero) day. I appreciated Wildcat¢s friends who provided their RV hospitality (dinner included).
Date: 2004-07-04
From: CT Hwy 341

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.0

Sunday, July 4, 2004 Day 112, 17.0 miles (CT Hwy 341 to Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to)Bank: 7.4 + 17 - 15 = 9.4Bernie and Doris fixed us breakfast and drove us back to the trail head. I gave Janet a call and Wildcat called his wife. We got back on the trail at 9:30 am. We reached Pine Swamp shelter at 5:30 pm. We had some easy walking today. Several miles were along the Housatonic River where we saw several kayakers and canoeists. There were several day hikers out. The toughest part of the hike came in the last 5 miles with lots of ups and downs. There were Mosquitoes at Pine Swamp (the name should have clued me in), so I set up my tent¢s mosquito netting inside the shelter.Today we crossed CT Hwy 4 near Cornwall Bridge, CT.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, Stumble Bum, and some weekenders were camping
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: CT Hwy 41
Miles today: 16.4

Monday, July 5, 2004 Day 113, 16.4 miles (Pine Swamp Brook to CT Hwy 41) Bank: 9.4 + 16.4 - 15 = 10.8It rained last night and in the morning at Pine Swamp, so we didn¢t get the early start we¢d hoped for. We finally got going at 8:30am. We crossed US Hwy 7 and the Housatonic River, and followed the river for awhile. Wildcat and I reached Salisbury, CT at 4:45am and checked into Maria McCabe¢s house ($25.00 apiece which includes transport to/from restaurant and laundromat) also includes shower. Salisbury is a ¢beautiful people¢ town. Meryl Streep has a house down the street from where we stayed, according to Maria.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Wildcat, and Left FielderWe saw a lot of high priced cars tooling around Salisbury. The hike today was tough for me. The weather was very muggy, and I felt drained all day. I took a much needed shower, then the 3 of us pooled our laundry and got that done. We ate Chinese for dinner.