morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Jailhouse Hostel - Palmerton, PA

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: few clouds

Day 91Mile 1264.7It was warm sleeping in the jailhouse last night. I forgot to mention yesterday that this place has had the best shower yet on the AT. Great water pressure. I spent some time in the town park this morning trying to get caught up on my written journal. I walked down to the gas station to get a soda and then find a hitch back up to the trail two miles away. Hitchhiking has been an interesting experience so far. I am still not completely comfortable doing it, but I am getting better. I have found the most success when I am able to ask someone rather than stick my thumb out. It makes sense I guess. The prospective ride can size you up first. The bushy beard definately scares most folks off. Pickup owners are the best ones to ask. It's much easier to just throw the gear in back and jump in, especially if you are wet and dirty. It's also less threatening and you avoid punishing the driver with your scent. I got back up to the trail at 11 in the heat of the day. Not great planning, considering I had over a 1,000 foot rock scramble climb in less than a mile and then exposed ridge walking for another four. The AT traverses through portions of the EPA's "Palmerton Zinc Superfund Site" in this section. This is roughly a 10 mile diameter area where the soil has been contaminated by zinc, lead and cadmium emissions from zinc smelters that formerly operated in Palmerton. Parts of the ridge appear to have been stripped and there are dead trees everywhere. The area has been declared safe for hiking, although the water may not be. After this section, I came to a road crossing where I met up with South Shore. I had not seen him since Waynesboro, VA, over 400 miles south. He has been hiking big miles and not taking days off. We hiked the rest of the day together. It was good to catch up with him and find out about some of the other hikers further south. We stopped at a shelter for a quick break and received some trail magic sodas from two members of the local hiking club. We hiked on to Wind Gap and filled our water at a nearby motel. We continued on about another half a mile before setting up camp in the dark. The next section of the trail north is supposed to be the rockiest of PA. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Day 92Mile 1279.8I slept alright considering I had to contort my body all night to avoid the rocks beneath me. I was on the trail early, anxious to get to Delaware Water Gap where I was meeting Tamara. The rocks today were the worst yet in PA with several sustained sections of small, sharp and loose ones. I made good time today over the rocks and stopped at the Kirkridge Shelter, where I found Sowega, Dark Helmet, Captain Caveman and a few others. I put in a call to Osprey about the problems I have been having with the straps slipping on my backpack. They are sending me a free replacement. About two or three miles from DWG, the skies opened up and it poured for a good 30 minutes. This was the first hard rain I have experienced in a long time. I was glad I was heading to town and a hotel room where I could dry out. We received some nice trail magic when we came out of the woods and into town. Dark Helmet's mom was there making sandwiches. She also had drinks, fruit and candy. After the magic, I walked down through town to the hotel. Delaware Water Gap is a small tourist town nestled on the Delaware River across from New Jersey. I was wet and exhausted when I checked in and fell asleep soaking in the tub. Tamara got in around 6:30. We went into Stroudsburg for dinner. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Backpacker Campsite
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a day to run errands and relax. This afternoon, Tamara and I decided to go tubing on the Delaware River with Sowega, Retro, the Muppets and Forever North and Woody. What a great way to spend some lazy hours...floating down a river. This evening we packed up, ate dinner and hit the trail around eight for our first day of hiking together. We hiked for about two hours and set up the tent at a campsite just after a 1,000 foot climb. I entered state number eight today, New Jersey. NJ is well know for their bear population along the AT, roughly one per square mile. Accordingly, I hung a bear line for our food for the first time in awhile. We had a deer around the tent tonight. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Backpacker Campsite

To: Camp Ken-Etiwa-Pec Shelter
Miles today: 13.0

Day 94Mile 1297.6We heard a large animal outside of the tent last night, but the food bag was still intact this morning. In the day light, I noticed a big tent behind ours down in a clearing. This is where the actual campsite was. We had this confirmed a few days later when we met one of the NJ Ridge Runners, the Lone Ranger. He also told us that there was a bear box down there for food. I wish I knew that last night when I was struggling to hang the bear line in the dark. We were packed up and on the trail around eleven for an eventful day. Early in today's hike, the trail went by Sunfish Pond, the first glacial pond encountered by northbounders. Near the pond, we saw the first two of six bear seen today. It was a mom and her cub about 75 to 100 feet away. When the mom noticed us, she and the cub ran off. We were able to get pictures, but only of their behinds as they scattered. Not long after, we found another mother bear, this time with two smaller cubs. They were playing and climbing a tree. This time when the mother saw us, she got up on her hind legs and stared at us. I think it was an attempt to intimidate us. She must have stood about six feet and weighed around 500 pounds. We stayed put for a few minutes and got some great pictures and then hiked down the trail away from them. This is when I gave Tamara her trail name, Bear Magnet. Half way through her first day on the trail, she had already seen more than twice the bear I had seen in over 90 days. We stopped at the Mohican Outdoor Center to eat lunch. It is a retreat center a 1/4 of a mile off the trail run by the Appalachian Mountain Club. They have bunks, hot showers and a great deal of information about hiking. They also sell sandwiches, soda and snacks. Yes, I bought a few sodas. We ate lunch and talked with Tinkerbell for awhile. This afternoon, we hiked another 7+ miles to a road crossing with a water pump. We ate dinner here, which made cooking and cleaning eariser. Pacman was there and just getting ready to head down to Camp-Etiwa-Pec on Blue Mountain Lake, a YMCA camp that allows thru hikers to use two screened in shelters. We decided to do the same after the all of the bear activity of the day. It was tough finding the shelters in the dark, because there were several buildings at the camp. They were run down, but served the purpose. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-02
From: Camp Ken-Etiwa-Pec Shelter

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 95Mile 1311.2This morning I told Bear Magnet that the Friday the 13th movie was filmed at this lake. She thanked me for waiting until morning to share that with her. I was able to track down a bottle of Mountain Dew before leaving camp. NJ has been great so far. Level terrain with some nice vistas and the rocks are gradually going away. It was another beautiful hiking day, sunny and breezy. Late in the afternoon, we reached Culver's Gap and stopped at the Sunset Grille for dinner and a beer. Tinkerbell was already there and we met Unknown. We relaxed for awhile, a celebration of our birthdays. Bear Magnet's was yesterday and mine is tomorrow. Trivia question: What famous person died on the day I was born? Answer in tomorrow's journal. We contemplated going into town to stay at a motel, but decided to press on three more miles to the shelter. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-03
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: The Secret Shelter
Miles today: 18.3

Day 96Mile 1329.5Another great weather day. Bear Magnet has had great weather and terrain so far. Early in the hike, we summitted Sunrise Mountain which has a pavilion. We stopped so I could try and get caught up with my journal. Our plan for the day was to reach High Point Shelter, 13 miles north. We got to High Point State Park hoping to get some ice cream from the concession stand, but A Train, another NJ Ridge Runner informed us that it was closed. We were both disappointed, because we passed up Dairy Queen yesterday. Lucky for us, there was another Dairy Queen close by and A Train offered to drive us there. What a great birthday gift. Thanks A Train! I turned 34 today, mid thirties now. By the way, the answer to the trivia question is Jim Morrison. He died on July 3, 1971, the same day I was born. We got Blizzards and also stopped next door at McD's. After the fast food feast, we were back on the trail heading north. We stopped at an observation platform where NYC is visible on a clear day. I took a picture of High Point Monument and realized that several pictures I had taken were no longer on my memory card including the bear shots from the other day. Needless to say, I was not happy about the situation and will have to take of it after the holiday weekend. We got to the shelter around eight and decided to hike another five miles to the "secret shelter", a fully enclosed shelter built on private land that has a hot shower. Most of the remaining miles were level or descending. We passed through some cow pastures, where we had to bang our trekking poles together to get the cows off the trail. When it got dark, we were able to see some fireworks going off in the nearby skies. They were probably backyard shows, but nice just the same. We reached the secret shelter just after ten. Tinkerbell, Retro and Unknown were there sleeping. We set up in the shelter loft. A long day, but it put us back on schedule for the week. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-04
From: The Secret Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 13.6

Happy 4th of July. Neither one of us slept well last night. I couldn't get to sleep, because of the late hiking last night plus I was sleeping on the edge of a loft with no railing. I got up early and took a hot shower at the shelter. Bear Magnet and I were both tired and sore, but got on the trail around nine. We stopped off in Unionville, NY, less than two miles up the trail. There is a small market in town where we each got a sandwich. We met another of the New Jersey ridge runners at the market. The Lone Ranger is a past thru-hiker, who is one of three RR on the AT in NJ. After a nice, long break we were back on the trail. We both felt much better after eating. The terrain was relatively easy with one good climb in the middle of the day. The weather was hotter and more humid. Bear Magnet's feet are starting to bother her. She's got quite a few blisters, just like old Fresh Legs did. Near the end of the day, the trail went through some marshlands on a boardwalk. When we finally got to the road to Vernon, we went directly over to a place called Heaven Hill for ice cream and something to drink. We tried to get a hitch from there with no luck, so we decided to try the trailhead parking lot which was full of cars. A good idea, because the first gentlemen we asked drove us to Vernon and dropped us off at the church hostel. It was a nice setup with showers, internet and full use of the kitchen. We walked to town to get a pizza and do a little shopping at the market. Another day completed on the AT. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Vernon, NJ

To: NY17A
Miles today: 15.2

Day 97Mile 1358.3We were up early to pack up and get on the trail, because we had 15+ miles to hike by 5pm. After breakfast from Dunkin Donuts, we were out the door by 8:30 to catch a hitch back to the trail. It took about five minutes of thumbing before a guy in a pickup stopped. It's so nice hiking with Bear Magnet. If I was alone, I'd probably still be there looking for a ride. The day started with a 900 foot climb of Waywayanda Mountain. The weather was mostly overcast today, although the sun tried to come out on several occasions. It was mostly level hiking today until we reached the New York border, state number 9. From there, the trail became very difficult following a rocky ridgeline with several short, steep ascents that required use of the hands. There were some beautiful views of Greenwood Lake off to the east. I was glad we gave ourselves extra time today, because we didn't get to the road for our shuttle pickup until 4:45 with only 15 minutes to spare. Sandy, our driver was already there and a welcome site. She drove us back to Delaware Water Gap where we left Bear Magnet's car. After checking in at the hotel in town, we went and had dinner and ran into LB and Patch. They had gotten in DWG yesterday and today and are about six days behind me. They told me that Hairball, Snowbunny, Hopeful and Redwing were in town and Snowman and Sparkplug had left that morning. Hopefully they all catch up to me when I take time off in MA. We got back to the room early and just relaxed. Bear Magnet is driving me back to NY tomorrow before she heads home to Vermont. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-06
From: NY17A

To: tent off the trail
Miles today: 7.1

Day 98Mile 1365.4We had breakfast in town and then I picked up my replacement backpack at the post office. It will be nice to have one without loose straps. We were on the road around noon heading north. I iced my feet on the car ride. My right foot is always getting swollen now. We stopped in Paramus at Campmor and EMS where I exchanged my shoes again after the pair I had started falling apart within two days. My search for the perfect shoe continues... We also stopped at Best Buy where I was told by Sandisk, the camera memory card manufacturer that they don't warranty for picture corruption. I won't be buying anymore products from them. There is a company that specializes in picture recovery, so hopefully I will still be able to get the bear pictures from NJ. Bear Magnet dropped me off back at the trail around seven. We had a great week together and hopefully she will be able to hike with me more when I reach New England. I made a quick stop at Wildcat shelter where I met Thirstyboots, an artist from CT. Draggin and Cyclehiker were there also. I decided to hike on another few miles and tented six miles up the trail. I'm hoping to reach Bear Mountain tomorrow. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-07
From: tent off the trail

To: Bear Mountain State Park
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 99Mile 1388.1Today's hike was tough with several short, but steep rock scramble ascents. I received some nice trail magic this morning from two women out for a day hike. They gave me watermelon and cherries, two great treats out here on the trail. I stopped at Lake Tiorati for lunch looking forward to another soda only to find the machine broken. Disappointing, but they did have an ice cream vending machine! I continued on north through Harriman State Park past several nice vistas of Bear Mountain and the monument and Perkins tower on it's summit. I reached the top after seven and found two soda machines. NY has redeemed itself. I decided to cook dinner while I still had daylight. There were deer grazing all over the summit. After dinner, I decided to continue up the trail until I found a good campsite. I ended up hiking all the way down to Hessian Lake and pitched my tent in the park near the lake. I don't know if camping is allowed there, but it was dark and I had nowhere else to go. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Bear Mountain State Park

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 7.1

Day 100Mile 1395.2It was difficult sleeping, because I was near a busy road. I woke up to a light rain and decided to pack up quick before the hard rain that was forecast today started. It was early, around 8 and I had to wait for the Trailside Museum and Wildlife Center to open at 10, before I could continue hiking. The AT goes right through the center. I decided to walk to Fort Montgomery, about 1.5 miles, to get some breakfast. On my way, it started to pour and wouldn't stop until this evening. I found a restaurant and ate breakfast, while trying to dry off. I got back to the museum around 10 and walked through the outdoor zoo. The AT reaches it's lowest point right in front of the bear exhibit, 124 feet. They had a large collection of animals and a nice history exhibit. After the museum, I had to figure out what to do, because it was still raining hard. I stopped at the museum office and was greeted by two very nice folks, who welcomed me in out of the rain. A young guy, just out of college, offered to drive me to a motel and even called around to some to get their rates, but they were all booked or too expensive. I ate lunch with them and then decided to hike on to the Graymoor Friary, seven miles up the trail. The trail out of Bear Mountain goes over the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge, originally built as a private bridge by the Harriman family who donated the land for Harriman State Park. The hike in the rain wasn't too bad and I arrived at the friary around 4:30, the earliest I have reached my destination for the day in a long time. The Graymoor Friary allows thru hikers to stay in one of their two pavilions. Draggin, Clockwork Orange and Forever North were already here. Cyclehiker and Ironfoot would show up later. We all attempted to dry our gear by hanging it all over the pavilion. I set up my sleeping bag on top of a picnic table and was in bed by 10. A very wet day, but I'm glad I kept moving north. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Graymoor Friary

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 27.9
Weather: light rain

Day 101Mile 1423.1It rained heavily for a good part of the night, but we awoke to sunny skies. This was great, because I was able to dry out some gear before hitting the trail. I had to push some big miles today, because I am meeting my parents tomorrow in Pawling, over 35 miles from the friary. A day or two back, we began seeing signs posted on trees inviting thru hikers to a cookout at the RPH Shelter from July 8-10. The shelter was 20 miles from the friary and the food kept me focused and motivated. The terrain was mostly flat today. I reached the shelter before 5 and there were people everywhere. Some folks from a local hiking club had set up camp there for the weekend. They were doing some trail maintenance and feeding the hikers. I was lucky enough to be there for dinner and was treated to steak and chicken from the grill along with salads, drinks and dessert. A superb trail magic feast. I would have liked to stay, but needed to put in more miles today. I left around 6 and pushed hard for the next 5 miles over some big climbs. I hiked down to a pizza shop for a couple of slices and some Mountain Dew and then hiked another 4 miles to this shelter, arriving in the dark around 10:30. Another long day, but I am looking forward to seeing my folks tomorrow. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-10
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 102Mile 1439.7I woke up and met one of the hikers that was asleep last night when I got in. Slow Barbara and her brother 1/4 of the Way were packing up. I was on the trail just after 9 for the 8+ mile hike to Pawling where I was meeting my parents at noon. I was anxious and hiked at a good pace, reaching the road crossing about 15 minutes early. A local guy was at the trailhead and offered me a beer. We talked for a good half hour about many topics. He was a character. My folks showed up and had a surprise with them, Fresh Legs and Sara, his wife. We drove into Pawling and had lunch and I did my laundry. Pawling is a nice town and home to James Earl Jones. Somebody told me he still lives in town. After lunch, we drove to a park where I set up my tent to dry it out. There was an outside shower, which I took full advantage of. I'm sure I scared some of the locals, a shirtless, bearded guy all skin and bones. Then it was off to the grocery store, a Hannaford to be exact, for a resupply. Lisa and Wendy-I thought you would appreciate the free advertisement. That was my account back in the Kellogg days. I checked the cereal aisle, it's still a habit. Everything appeared to be in good shape. My parents picked up some trail magic sodas and candy to drop off. We had dinner in town at the local pub and they dropped me off at the trail around 6:30. We set up the trail magic behind the Dover Oak, which is said to be the largest tree on the entire AT, slightly bigger than the Keffer Oak in VA. I was back on the trail at 7 for the adventurous 8+ mile hike to Wiley Shelter. The trail started off through some fields. It was great walking. I startled a group of deer and watched as they gracefully ran through the field, jumping over obstacles along the way. The day took a turn for the worse just after it had gotten dark. I got lost in some tall grass next to the Gate of Heaven, an old cemetary in the middle of an overgrown field in the woods. What a time and place for this to happen. I had both my headlamp and a small light on trying to find a white blaze on a tree. I must have gone back and forth over the same area a half a dozen times and ended up getting caught in some thorn bushes. My legs were all torn up. I finally got so desperate that I followed a worn path that led into the cemetary and almost tripped over a headstone. After about 45 minutes, I finally found the trail. It takes a sharp right turn just before the cemetary and I later found out that hikers were getting lost there during the day! I finally got to the shelter around 11 and crawled into my sleeping bag exhausted. A character building day to say the least. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-11
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 12.7

Day 103Mile 1452.4Even though I didn't sleep much, I was up and on the trail by 7. I had planned a short mileage day to Kent. It was a hot one and I was glad to be heading into a town for the night and some cold drinks. I officially entered New England today when I crossed into Connecticut, state number 10. There is comfort in knowing I am now within a couple hours drive of home. I met up with Tinkerbell as he was leaving the next shelter. I convinced him to hike a short day and head into town as well. CT got off to a tough start with two big, steep climbs and I thought this state was going to be easy! It was nice hiking along some streams and rivers today, something we haven't done in a long time. I was in town by early afternoon guzzling sodas at the convenience store. Kent is a nice, small typical New England town centered around Main Street. I tried to take a nap this afternoon, but couldn't relax in the intense heat. The Episcopal Church in town allows hikers to tent in the backyard and use their facilities. I stayed there with Lodedo, Slow and Unsure and Ironfoot. Koko.
Date: 2005-07-12
From: Kent, CT

To: Sharon Mountain campsite
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 104Mile 1471.8I woke up at 5am to a soaked tent, not from rain but condensation. It was so humid, that all my gear was damp. I couldn't get back to sleep so I went for breakfast with Lodedo and Slow and Unsure at 5:30. They are a father and son who are section hiking the trail. We sat outside at a table for about 4 hours just relaxing as other hikers joined us including Tinkerbell and Thirstyboots. I finally decided it was time to hike around 10 and packed up. The sun had come out and dried most of my gear. I was able to catch a ride back to the trail and was hiking before 11. A good part of the day was easy walking   along the Housatonic River with wildlife everywhere - ducks, geese and a heron. The skies started to darken this afternoon and I almost hitched into a town for the night, but decided to tough it out. About 5 minutes after the decision to continue on, the skies opened up. It rained as hard as it has yet. I found shelter under a large rock overhang, but not until I was already soaked. After waiting out the rain for about 15 minutes, I hiked on to the next shelter hoping to jump in, dry off and call it a day. Unfortunately, the shelter was full of teenagers. I decided to just eat dinner and push on to the next campsite about 2.5 miles north. I got in around 9. Another character builder. Koko.