morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Paul Wolfe Shelter

To: Quality Inn, Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

May 2, Mon, Day 63Started early (6:30 am) to get to Rockfish Gap and Waynesboro, VA, only 5 miles away. Met a trail angel at the Gap for a ride into town, with Goose and Always Fine. In town by 9:45 am, where I spent the rest of the day resting my feet, eating and organizing my pack.
Date: 2011-05-03
From: Quality Inn, Waynesboro, VA

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

May 3, Tues, Day 64Got a ride to the trailhead with another trail angel at 8:30 am. I signed into Shenandoah National Park and hiked on a wide, even trail with only mild ups-and-downs. Stayed at Black Rock Hut (very little water available)with Stretch, Zippers, Orange Bear and several section hikers, all south-bound. It rained all that evening and into the next morning.By the way, for some unknown reason, the three-sided cabins known as shelters almost everywhere else on the AT are called "huts" in the Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Black Rock Hut

To: Hightop
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

May 4, Wed, Day 65Rain stopped early morning, and I got on the trail at 9:00 am. Trail is rockier than yesterday, but still with only mild ups-and-downs. The trail crossed back and forth across Skyline Drive and I got into the next hut (Hightop Hut), about 6:30 pm. With Stretch, Zippers, Orange Bear and two section hikers.A really good water source was nearby.
Date: 2011-05-05
From: Hightop

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: clear sky

May 5, Thur, Day 66Hiked out early and passed Lewis Mountain Campground, went over Hazeltop, passed Big Meadows Campground and stayed at Rock Spring Hut with Stretch, Zippers and two groups of week-long hikers.My feet are feeling much better today.
Date: 2011-05-06
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Skyland Resort
Miles today: 4.5

May 6, Fri, Day 67A short day on the trail today to meet Jean at Skyland Resort. (We had arranged this earlier so that we could spend a week together at a time-share resort in Pennsylvania.)The hike today was an even trail with several outstanding views. I was able to obtain a cabin at the Skyland Resort without a reservation about 9:30 am. Showered, ate breakfast and lunch, then met Jean about 4:30 pm. We had supper and enjoyed the view that night over the town lights in the valley.(Several days later, in Pennsylvania, I developed the symptoms of Lyme disease, after discovering that a tick had embedded itself in my skin. So I'll be off the trail for several weeks.)
Date: 2011-05-07
From: Burgundy Lane B&B, Waynesboro, PA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.8

June 3, Friday, Day 68Started back on the Trail after 4 wks. off due to Lyme's disease. Started at mile 1069, at PA-233, which was one of the ends of a 100 mile hike Ryan and I completed last Oct. Hiked through groves of laurel in full bloom. Weather is sunny and mild. What a day to start back. Went through Caledonia St. Rark, and ran into Trainwreck, one of the two brothers that I hiked with through the Smokies and beyond. We caught up on our recent histories. His brother, Two Medicines, is off the Trail again, this time probably for the season. The trail is wide, mostly level, and very well maintained throu this area. I passed Quarry Gap Shelter, which had been recently painted and even had hanging baskets of lowers suspended at the porch.(!!) Met Arthur Dent, Toto, Blaze and Shakey at the Birch Run Shelter, where I spent the night. All except Shakey moved on to the next shelter. Stayed at Birch Run Shelter and covered 14.8 miles.
Date: 2011-06-03
From: Burgundy Lane B&B, Waynesboro, PA

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

June 3, Friday, Day 68Started back on the Trail after 4 wks. off due to Lyme's disease. Started at mile 1069, at PA-233, which was one of the ends of a 100 mile hike Ryan and I completed last Oct. Hiked through groves of laurel in full bloom. Weather is sunny and mild. What a great day to start back. Went through Caledonia St. Rark, and ran into Trainwreck, one of the two brothers that I hiked with through the Smokies and beyond. We caught up on our recent histories. His brother, Two Medicines, is off the Trail again, this time probably for the season. The trail is wide, mostly level, and very well maintained through this area. I passed Quarry Gap Shelter, which had been recently painted and even had hanging baskets of flowers suspended at the porch.(!!) Met Arthur Dent, Toto, Blaze and Shakey at the Birch Run Shelter, where I spent the night. All except Shakey moved on to the next shelter. Stayed at Birch Run Shelter and covered 14.8 miles.
Date: 2011-06-04
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 17.1

June 4, Saturday, Day 69Started out at 7:00 am and hiked past the recently-constructed marker for theTrail's half-way point. Later we walked into Pine Grove Furnace State Park with Shakey. This is where thru-hikers experience the Half-Gallon Challenge (consume a half-gallon of ice cream in one sitting) to celebrate passing the half-way point of the Trail. No problem for me, I enjoyed Breyer's Butter Pecan, every spoonful, and finished in 34 minutes. Shakey declined the challenge, since he was not officially a thru-hiker.Continued on to the James Fry Shelter, through the rain the last hour. Rain Dance was at the shelter, settled into her sleeping bag, and U-Lee came in late at sundown. U-Lee is from Germany and had quite a remarkable story to tell. Several weeks previous, he had stayed at a shelter in Virginia, where a large group of week-long hikers were camped. Due to one of the camper's negligence, U-Lee's sleeping bag and air-matress were both ruined. Someone had a campfire burning, and after the fire was reduced to embers, another camper dropped a plastic bag of trash onto the fire. Unknown to anyone (apparently), the bag held a camp stove fuel canister, which then exploded, sending its remains onto U-lee's sleeping bag. The hot metal melted a large hole in the bag and then into his air-matress, destroying it also. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but U-Lee had to stop at a trail town the next day and buy new equipment to replace his losses.
Date: 2011-06-05
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 19.9

June 5, Sunday, Day 70Rained off-and-on all night and stopped around 7:30 am. Hiked out at 8:00 am with Rain Dance, under clear skies but very warm.Saw four large trout in Hunter Run at the Rt 34 bridge. I ate lunch at the Alex Kennedy Shelter and got into Boiling Springs at 3:00 pm. Talked with hiker 'Christian' at the ATC Mid-Atlantic office, and had supper at Anile's Restaurant with Rain Dance.Went on to Carlisle after supper and got a room at the Super 8 Motel.
Date: 2011-06-06
From: Carlisle, PA

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: clear sky

June 6, Monday, Day 71Had a great day today, full of new experiences and people.Got on the trail at 7:15 am on a sunny and cool morning. I hiked alone and soon went through hayfields shoulder high and wet with dew. Got into Duncannon about 3:00 pm with aching feet expecting to stay at the Doyle Hotel, an Anheuser Busch Hotel built pre-Prohibition. But feeling it was too early to stop, I stayed only for lunch (half-pound cheeseburger) and a couple of beers (Appalachian Brewing Co's Scottish Ale - very quaffable). I left at 4:30 pm, and stopped at 3B Ice Cream for a birch beer float with teaberry ice cream - excellent.I crossed the Susquehana River bridge and was warned away by a perigrin falcon (nesting on bridge?). Had to wait for a NS coal train on the railroad blocking the AT trailhead, but the engineer came down from the locomotive to point out the way.I made it to Clarks Ferry Shelter, which was full, at sundown. The hikers moved to make room for me.
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: broken clouds

June 7, Tuesday, Day 72Was on the trail early in cool partly cloundy weather. Had lunch early (9:30 am) at Peters Mtn Shelter with Timber, an Englishman who started at Harper's Ferry, WV. With aching feet, got into Rausch Gap Shelter with a dugout front porch, about 6:00 pm.At the shelter with Chief, Stop Sign, Thirsty and Chapstick.
Date: 2011-06-08
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

June 08, Wed, Day 73Mosquitoes interrupted sleep all night long, so I was late getting up and out of the shelter this morning. Met Timber, who had camped at Yellow Springs last night, further down the trail, and went on. We had lunch near the '1,000 miles left' point near Wm. Penn Shelter, and crossed Swatara Creek over an old cast-iron bridge relocated to its present position about 1980.I got to 501 Shelter about 4:30 pm. The shelter was fully enclosed, one of the few like it on the trail, but, because of my experience last night, I decided to camp in my tent to ensure that the mosquitoes stayed outside. Ordered pizza with the group, and the caretakers brought a beer for each of us older hikers. It was very much appreciated.
Date: 2011-06-09
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

June 09, Thur, Day 74Started early, 6:00 am, after breakfast. I stopped for lunch at Ft. Dietrich Snyder Monument. Weather is getting hotter, about 90 deg, and sunny. It was a fairly level trail today through laurels and pines. I stayed at Port Clinton Hotel, and had a good supper (roast pork, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut) and good beer (Yuengling Porter and Black & Tan) with Timber, who stayed at the Paviliaon in town with U-Lee.
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

June 10, Fri, Day 75Picked up Jean's maildrop this morning at the Port Clinton Post Office, so the increased pack weight is noticable on the trail. I considered a tour of the Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, about 16 miles up Rt. 61, but there is no way to get there easily.Started out about 9:30 am, and the trail immediately strted a steep uphill climb. It's hotter and sunny again today and few water sources avaiable, but Panther Spring was flowing well, so I refilled my bottles there. Tentee at Eckville Shelter with Timber, U-Lee and fifteen weekend hikers.
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

June 11, Sat, Day 76Rain with thunder came in about 2:00 am, with 1-1/2 inch accumulation. Stayed dry, tent wet, got on the trail about 10:00 am. I had a clothes line up in the shelter, which I didn't sleep in due to the presence of no-see-ums, but not much drying took place overnight, so I packed out wet socks.I met a trail angel (trail name: Trail Angel) who had fresh strawberries for everyone. I saw fine views at Dan's Pulpit, and met a birding couple there who were taking pictures of a friendly Chipping Sparrow.I went over the Knife Edge, very cautiously, because of its rocky steepness.Later, very tired, I got into Bake Oven Knob Shelter just before dark; had to tent because the shelter was full. Got water down long trail, filter-pumped, feeling disorganized, tired and sore. U-Lee stayed in the shelter with a group of overnighters, and I tented along with Timber.
Date: 2011-06-12
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Campsite at MP 1258
Miles today: 16.4

June 12, Sun, Day 77On the trail at 7:00 am, had lunch at Outerbridge Shelter. Joined by Tortoise, Jeanie and Cinch. Descended to Lehigh River, crossed and climbed up over rocks to Superfund Trail, which is long, level and through tall grasses, overlooking the New Jersey Zinc plant. I tripped while taking pictures of the valley below, hitting my head on the ground hard.Great views now along the ridge line, but tired and hungry, set up tent at a nice campsite about 5:30 to dry the tent and relax. Ate supper and went to bed early, with restored spirits.
Date: 2011-06-13
From: Campsite at MP 1258

To: Church of the Mountain Hostel
Miles today: 26.3

June 13, Mon, Day 78Got up early, 4:30 am, and broke camp. Got on the trail at 5:45 am. Met Gobbler, a trail runner, and his wife (support crew) at Smith Gap about 8:45. They gave me water from their support car, I was desparately dry at that point. Hiked with Gobbler a short distance. The trail has gotten very rocky, down and up through Wind Gap, and it's very rough over Wolf Rocks. Met Deadman going up to Kirkridge Shelter. Met a Ridge Runner on Mt. Minsi, and got to the hostel at Delaware Water Gap about 8:00 pm. I went to Sycamore Restaurant for supper, showered and went to bed at 10:30 pm.
Date: 2011-06-14
From: Church of the Mountain Hostel

To: Church of the Mountain Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

June 14, Tues, Day 79A sero day in Delaware Water Gap. Bought new shoes, went to the bakery and to Walmart for some resupply by taxi. Got some groceries for U-Lee since he has come down sick. Celebrated Timber's birthday at Siamsa Irish Pub in Stroudsburg, with good ale and Scotch whiskey. Met Padre and Citizen at the Hostel. A nice day off the trail.
Date: 2011-06-15
From: Church of the Mountain Hostel

To: Mohican Center
Miles today: 10.5

June 15, Wed, Day 80Started about 11:30 am, crossed I-80 Delaware Bridge and hiked up broad, easy trail to Sunfish Pond, with laurel blooming all around, with Blaze. A rain shower appeared while we ate lunch at the Pond.Made it to Mohican Center and camped with Deadman, Padre, Timber and U-Lee.A very nice facility with alot of campsites available.
Date: 2011-06-16
From: Mohican Center

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

June 16, Thur, Day 81Left Mohican Center about 6:00 am. U-Lee is too sick to hike today, so I gave him a couple of tylenol sinus tablets to speed his return to the trail. I hiked up Kittatinny Mtn, along the Delaware River with overlooks all along the ridgeline. There were short intermittent rain showers, and I changed in and out of traingear all afternoon.I camped at Gren Anderson Shelter and had rain all during the night.
Date: 2011-06-17
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 20.1

June 17, Fri, Day 82I hiked up Sunrise Mtn, everything wet from a cool misty morning.It warmed up in the afternoon and I saw the High Point monument (highest point in NJ). Hoping to get a cold soft drink, I tried to reach the concession stand at the State Park there, but could not find a clear path to it.Later that day, we got into Unionville and found that the Wit's End tavern was closed for renovation, but the Dave the owner let us (Timber, Blue and me) tent in his yard.That night we had an excellent dinner at Annabelle's Pizza and met Hand-me-down and his friend there.
Date: 2011-06-18
From: Unionville, NY

To: Wawayanda Mtn.
Miles today: 16.9

June 18, Sat, Day 83I hiked up Pochuk Mtn, then down to a mile-long wetlands boardwalk, called a puncheon, through a local park, where there were lots of day hikers. This part of the trail is along the New Jersey/New York border, so it's near major population areas. Even though the weather was quite warm, the wetlands park brought out alot of weekend walkers.I stopped at Heaven Hill Farm for a strawberry milkshake, and started a tough climb late in the day up Wayawanda Mtn, where I camped at a shelter there. It was hot night with alot of bugs.
Date: 2011-06-19
From: Wawayanda Mtn.

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

June 19, Sun, Day 84I hiked over alot of rock today, a mostly sunny but cool day. I was in New Jersey and New York all day as we hiked along the state border. In the afternoon, Timber and I stopped at Bellvale Creamery, for Chocolate Malts and a Coffee/Butter Pecan cone. It was a wonderful break. That evening, we camped at Wildcat Shelter. Shortly before turning in for the night, a local hiker, Aaron, brought fresh water and beer for everyone at the shelter. It was much appreciated.
Date: 2011-06-20
From: Wildcat Shelter

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

June 20, Mon, Day 85I got an early start, looking for a place to swim, because the weather has warmed up considerably. We went through the 'Lemon Squeezer', a narrow passage between two halves of a boulder that has split in two.We hiked over I-87, then did find a state park witha lake and a public beach, and went for a swim in Lake Tiorati. Fortified with soft drinks and ice cream from vending machines, we went on to William Brien Memorial Shelter, where we tented for the night. Shortly before turning in, a deer came up close, looking for ahnd-outs.
Date: 2011-06-21
From: William Brien Shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

June 21, Tues, Day 86Another early start to teh hike, we crossed Palisades Parkway about 7:00 am. On Bear Mtn, we went up Perkins Towere, which had graphic displays giving the history of the park. We went through the zoo and into Ft. Montgomery for Ian to pick up a mackage at the post office. Later we met Al Schaut at a deli, and ate lunch at his auto shop. He graciously offered to drive us into West Point for groceries. Al is a Revolutionary War enthusiast who entertained us with stories about the War in the local area. Later, we crossed the Hudson River into New York over the Bear Mtn Bridge. I had purchased a can of pineapple and a large beer, which I shared with other hikers at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, where we tented for the night.
Date: 2011-06-22
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

June 22, Wed, Day 87Another early start today. The trail went mostly through wooded terrain past Canopus Lake and over Shenandoah Mtn, with a large American flag commemorating Sept 11 painted on a rock.I got into RPH Shelter about 5:30 pm, with Toto, Hot Sauce and others, enjoying trail Magic: GHippy had brought hot dogs cooked on a grill, root beer, candy bars and apples.
Date: 2011-06-23
From: RPH Shelter

To: Native Landscapes and Garden Center
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

June 23, Thur, Day 88A long day through wooded areas, with West Point guns firing in the distance most of the day. Went past Nuclear Lake, and stayed at the Garden Center near the Appalachian Trail Railroad Station. Pete, the owner of the Center, stopped and talked with us about our hiking experiences, and allwoed us to camp on the front porch of his store. Showered, then walked up the road and ate at Tony's Deli, sandwiches and beer.
Date: 2011-06-24
From: Native Landscapes and Garden Center

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

June 24, Fri, Day 89I had a very unrestful night at the Garden Center, with two rainstorms and plenty of mosquitoes. At first, I was sleeping on a reclining chair, then set up my tent to keep the mosquitoes away. Finally sometime about 2:00 am, I dozed off. So there wasn't much sleep to be had last night.We hiked out of New York and into the State of Connecticut today. It is a warm and overcast day, with high humidity. I ate lunch at the Ten Mile River Shelter by a large open field, feeling that I must be the only person on the trail today. I checked the shelter log and saw that this shelter is not used very often.In the late afternoon, I started ascending up Schaghticoke Mtn, crossing several large blowdowns with multiple trees. The trail repeatedly went up then down over large rock scrambles. I finally reached the Mt. Algo Shelter, totally exhausted from the effort, and ate supper in my tent. It was a frustrating and tiring day.
Date: 2011-06-25
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Caesar Brook Campsite
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

June 25, Sat, Day 90We went into Kent, Ct, early and found the laundromat to wash clothes, then went for breakfast at a nearby cafe. Ian went off to the dentist to have a tooth repaired, while I went to the Backcountry Outfitter to pick up a resupply maildrop from Jean. There I met Barnacle, a thru-hiker from Florida, while I enjoyed an ice cream cone.I waited at the outfitter for Ian, then called Jean and finally left about 11:30 am without him. I hiked on and took several pictures in the late afternoon of an impressive view of the valley, then on to a campsite at Caesar Brook and tented with Barnacle.
Date: 2011-06-26
From: Caesar Brook Campsite

To: Toymakers Cafe
Miles today: 12.4

June 26, Sun, Day 91A warm, sunny day, I hiked along the Housatonic River, passing several friendly dayhikers in rural Connecticut. There was not much change in elevation, finally passing into Falls Village after missing a turnoff under a railroad underpass. I needed to pick up a package of CT/MA trail maps sent by Jean. I stayed at the Toymakers Cafe backyard and met Annie and Greg, with Bond, their Pembroke Corgi. Greg's passion is restoring vintage British motorcycles. It was a wonderful day that restored my interest in walking on.
Date: 2011-06-27
From: Toymakers Cafe

To: Maria McCabe's Hostel
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

June 27, Mon, Day 92Left after picking up the maps at the Falls Village Post Office, around 8:45 am. A clear cloudless day, I passed by the Giant's Thumb and went through level forests to Salisbury, CT. There, I found Maria McCabe, an 82 year-old German-Italian women who opens her house to hikers, and one of the friendliest people I've ever met.After showering and washing my clothes, I went into town and bought groceries for Maria. Later, we went to a pizza restaurant with Firefly, Crank Daddy and Curmudgeon.
Date: 2011-06-28
From: Maria McCabe's Hostel

To: Campsite at Jug End Road
Miles today: 16.4

June 28, Tues, Day 93Left early , about 6:30 am, and hiked up Lion's Head with good views and later Bear Mtn, passing the Connecticut/Massachusetts border around 11:00 am. I walked with Machete, a young section hiker that actually had carried a machete earlier in his hike. I climbed Mt. Race, very rocky, then thru thick forests to Mt. Everett. I passed a group of about 8 young hikers, very energetic, singing as they hiked. Finally camped at Jug End Road in a pine forest. Very quiet and peaceful.
Date: 2011-06-29
From: Campsite at Jug End Road

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: broken clouds

June 29, Wed, Day 94Arose at first light, and hiked thru fields to Shay's Rebellion monument. I walked over the Housatonic River in a very suburban setting, and passed Tom Leonard Shelter. Later, I camped at the Shaker Campsite with an auto technician from Connecticut. Until reaching the campsite, I had hiked all day without meeting a another person.
Date: 2011-06-30
From: Shaker Campsite

To: The Cookie Lady's Campsite
Miles today: 20.8

June 30, Thur, Day 95There were light rain showers during the night, so the trail was muddy. I got up at first light and hiked to Upper Goose Pond Cabin and had lunch there. Bambi was the caretaker and we had a good conversation. I stopped at October Mtn Shelter later in the day and met Ward Leonard, who professed to have been the first to hike the AT ten times. I went on to meet Roy Wiley at Becket, MA, the Cookie Lady's husband, who took me into town to pick up a meal at McDonald's, hamburger, fries and soft drink. No charge for the shuttle.We talked about blueberries and Suburu engines late past sunset. I camped that night in his yard.
Date: 2011-07-01
From: The Cookie Lady's Campsite

To: Mark Noepal Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: overcast clouds

July 1, Fri, Day 96Started at dawn and set out through a level wooded path. Just off Wasshington Mtn Road, slipped and fell into mud and had to clean up at the next stream. Walked into Dalton about 10:30 am and ate a half-pound hamburger, fries and a coke. Bought snacks at Cumberland Farms, and an Italian hero for the hike later on. Met 90 year-old veteran and started out of Dalton on wrong trail, which cost me one hour. Got into Cheshire and rejoined Timber at an ice cream place. He had saved a Saranac Black and Tan for me. Met Seeker (AT'10). Stayed at Mark Noepal Shelter and tented.