morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-15
From: Deer Lick,Shelters 

To: Holly Inn, Mnt Holly Springs
Miles today: 43.5
Weather: few clouds

No cell yesterday at Birch Run. Mileage is two day total. Am currently at the Holly Inn in Mount Holly Springs PA dating back to 1804. A speakeasy during the 1920's, more than 40,000 confederate and union troops passed through the Gap where this Inn sits during the Civil War. An unknown Confederate Soldier wounded at GETTYSBURG died here and is interred nearby. The weather remains challenging, but the trail fairly easy. The rain continues off and on, with rain "on" at 6:00 pm last nite followed by a temperature plunge into a the high 30's! Rocky roads are around the corner...That said, today was cool and breezy - perfect hiking conditions. The highlight for me today was meeting members of the 2065 club on the trail. 20 friends or so, ranging in age from 62 to mid eighties, who have been getting together for the last 10 years to hike a section of the AT. They were doing about 40 - 50 miles this week. They said at this rate, they will be done with the AT in "2065" - it doesn't matter that the youngest of the crew will be 101! Started humming Simon and Garfunkles "old friends" in my head as I said goodbye. A second cool thing was passing the real half-way point...the psychological halfway point is Harper's Ferry...the physical was today. Each year, the halfway point can change based on new land acquisitions by the AT Conservancy, trail rehab, forest fires, etc. Seems to be getting a bit longer over time, or maybe I'm just tired!I participated in the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge today at Pine Furnace State Park general store - Moose tracks in honor of Kim's home state of Maine. Finished my first 1.5 quarts and then passed on the last pint to ensure my final 10 miles of the day would be belly-ache free. Good callTomorrow I start week 10, Day 64.
Date: 2016-05-16
From: Holly Inn, Mnt Holly Springs

To: US 11, Carlisle Pa
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

Hiked today from trailhead near the Holly Inn to trailhead intersecting Rt 11 outside of Carlisle, a bit under 17 miles (not counting a 2.6 mile bonehead mistake I made).Just a few miles outside of Mount Holly Springs there were two sections of trail described as "Rock Maze" - if it weren't for white blazes every few feet and spray-painted arrows telling you which way to go, I'd still be there. Shortly later the trail took a sharp left turn and I mistakingly followed a very light blue-blazed trail called White Rocks for 1.3 miles before the trail dead-headed at a parking lot below. I talked to a trail runner there who redirected me back up the mountain...he was empathetic and encouraging with words like "well, the good news is that it's not raining." He was right...the bad news is I spent an hour off trail without intention. I did get a nice picture of a snake on the way back up!Once back on trail I passed the original AT midpoint at mile 1118.3 called Center Point Knob. A small metal plaque marks the location. Much of the trail after that was as flat and welcoming as any part of the AT to date, including a section that went right through the town of Boiling Springs, which was quite quaint, including its centerpiece, "Children's Lake." The song of the day was City of New Orleans by ARLO GUTHRIE, except in this case the hiker is walking past "...houses, farms, and fields". The photo log includes some of these.
Date: 2016-05-19
From: Clarks Ferry,Shelter

To: Hertline Campsite
Miles today: 47.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This is a two day entry as no cell coverage at Rausch Gap Shelter last night.   The weather the last two days has been generally good, with Wednesday more overcast and some evening sprinkles and today mostly sunny and dry. As the trail moves North in PA it gets rockier for longer spells. When it's good, there's a place to put your foot down - when it's bad, you are just stepping from one rock to the next. The density of bad is suppose to go up dramatically where the AT crosses PA 183 (about 3 miles from here) and continue all the way to Mnt Minsi which is 90 miles from here. Ugh. Much of the trail continues along a relatively flat ridge line. The trail is often far enough in so as not to get a view of the countryside below, but periodically meanders toward lookout points. One such example is above. Tomorrow I hope to get to Port Clinton, about 18.5 miles away, before the PO closes as that is where my next maildrop is.
Date: 2016-05-21
From: Port Clinton

To: allentown sheler
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: light rain

Hiked 22.5 miles today with bookends of rain at the beginning and end of day, but cool and cloudy in the middle. Early in the day, I past the Windsor Furnace Shelter with a sign referencing the site of the original Windsor Furnace. The picture above is what the furnace would have looked like. A Wikipedia reference indicating "Pennsylvania has a long and rich history with iron production. Around the area west of Philadelphia, the Appalachian Mountains possessed beds of iron ore, hardwoods, and plenty of limestone deposits. As the colonialists spread across the state, they built iron furnaces in the Susquehanna Region...At one point, it is thought that over 500 furnaces and forges existed throughout the state." Who knew?The rest of the day was typical of the last several in terms of terrain, with the one notable difference being an abundance of day hikers on the trail, including several Boy Scout troop because of the weekend. Near the end of the day tomorrow it looks like the trail passes near a Superfund Site associated with zinc smelting from 1898 - 1980! I'll be sure to get my water beforehand...
Date: 2016-05-22
From: allentown sheler

To: Filbert B&B
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked 22.7 miles today from the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter to Little Gap road where I was shuttled to the Filbert B&B in Danielsville PA by Kathy who co-owns and operates the business. Along the way, experienced a little morning and afternoon drizzle, but nothing significant. Even with all the rain, plentiful water sources remain scarce in this part of PA. I filled up at a reliable piped spring 0.1 miles north of the George Outerbridge Shelter. The trail grew in its rockiness with a few ridge walks that were very challenging, leaving my shins and elbow with some wear and tear from two falls. My relatively new ALTRA shoes are quickly getting torn up and I will need to switch to something more sturdy very shortly. After crossing the Lehigh River, the trail went up 900 feet in a mile. From some prep hiking I had done at home in the Claremont Canyon in Berkeley Ca, I knew that anything greater than about 600 - 700 feet elevation change in a mile is really significant. Parts of this trail involved digging your toes and fingers in rocks and just pulling yourself up to the next level. While it wasn't long, it was the steepest and most challenging mile on the trail to date. Some hikers were taking their pack off, pushing it up a few feet, and then pulling their bodies up. The trail next went through a deforested ridge for about 3 miles, deforested,due to,zinc smelting from 1898 to 1980. The area around it is known as the Palmerton Superfund site.While I wasn't planning on it, after getting a bit beat up on the trail and climbing the rocky steep trail from Lehigh gap, I decided to check into a B&B. It was a very wise move.Some info I pulled,from the web on the B&B and zinc smelting follow:In 1912, the New Jersey Zinc Company located a zinc smelting operation (what is now the West Plant) here, in order to take advantage of the anthracite coal being mined just north of Palmerton and the zinc mines in Franklin, New Jersey. The town was named after New Jersey Zinc's then-President, Stephen S. Palmer, though Palmer was reportedly not pleased with having his name on the town.A second location, the East Plant, was established on the other side of town in 1911. Zinc smelting was ended in 1980 due to a poor zinc market and environmental regulation. The West Plant was demolished in 2010. The East Plant continues to operate at reduced capacity, processing electric arc furnace dust into zinc calcine.B&B - " Built in the early 1800s, our Victorian farmhouse and general store are located at the foothills of the Blue Mountains in the Lehigh Valley. With the help of our family and friends, The Filbert was restored in 2002 to re-create the warm, welcoming, and relaxing atmosphere of a bygone era. Our charming and unique bed & breakfast is a home away from home." Right now, I am the only guest and have the entire home to myself!
Date: 2016-05-23
From: Little Gap Road, 

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked today from Little Gap Road after being dropped off at the trailhead by Kathy from Filbert B&B, 24.6 miles to Kirkridge Shelter where I'm tenting. Just about 7 miles from the Pa-NJ border and the Delaware River Bridge. Looking forward to going "home" to my Garden State of New Jersey where I will be slack packing most of the week due to the kindness and generosity of my cousin Eileen.The trail remained flat and very rocky today. My trail shoes with just 285 miles on them are falling apart. Help Is on the way with a different brand in a maildrop coming later this week. Between now and then will be using duct tape and moleskin to hold things together. Another casualty of Rocksylvania is a broken hiking pole. Am currently using one pole and one stick. Will find a better solution shortly.Nothing much exciting on the trail today other then hearing turkeys gobbling and having one dart across the trail in front of me. Earlier in the morning, came across another hunter and his son. Both were in cammies, complete with Rambo-like face paint, the dad holding a large shotgun in front of himself. Turkey season.   I'm sorry, but something just doesn't seem right about hunting along the Appalachian Trail. I continue to wear orange.
Date: 2016-05-24
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Millbrook-Blairstown Rd
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 20.4 miles today from Kirkridge Shelter to Millbrook-Blairstown Rd where my cousin Eileen picked me up, drove me to her house on Lake Mohawk, and with her son Peter, prepared a wonderful meal. Will be slack packing from this location the next several days. As the temperature and humidity rises, this is a great opportunity to continue moving north while getting a break from carrying the full pack and adjusting to the climate. It is also a real treat to visit with family while on the trail.Today was an exciting one on the trail for me. Crossing into New Jersey was one of the highlights as it is where I grew up and hold many found memories. The trail softened quite a bit from the last several days in PA, and the views opened up considerably. While the Delaware River was certainly the most well known body of water I walked by today, Sunfish Pond really stole the show. It is a 41 acre glacial pond and is one of the seven natural wonders of New Jersey. Due to its natural acidity, only a few species of fish can survive in the Pond including the pumpkinseed sunfish and yellow perch. I also caught a snake catching a nap on a rock in the pond, and worked hard not to wake him! 150 feet or so above the pond was the summit of Kittatinny Mountain offering great views of the Delaware River Valley and nearby Reservoir. On my way down the Kittatinny, I photographed a toad that was orange...had never seen anything like it before. Looking forward (I think)! to hiking up Rattlesnake Mountain tomorrow.,
Date: 2016-05-25
From: Millbrook-Blairstown Rd

To: Sunrise Mntn - then Eileen's B&B!
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: few clouds

Today started with a home-cooked breakfast by my cousin Eileen that included 2 ham, cheese, and egg sandwiches, banana bread, fresh fruit, OJ,and coffee. If that can't get your hike off to a good start, nothing can! Eileen dropped me off where I stopped yesterday, at the Millbrook-Blairstown road intersection with the AT and I slack-packed 19.7 miles to Sunrise Mountain. Besides pizza in Boiling Springs PA and a hamburger in Atkins VA, today was the first day in my 73 days on the trail that I've had something other than a peanut butter "burrito" for lunch. I had two turkey, cheese, and ham sandwiches, more banana bread, homemade brownies, 3/4 pound of potato salad, and a banana for lunch / trail snack (thankyou Eileen!). Looking forward to dinner ar my Aunt Lynn's house later this evening, where cousin Megan will shuttle me to shortly and I think be the master chef this evening. Life is very good!Some highlights of the day included:1) Not seeing a single rattlesnake, even on Rattlesnake Mountain2) Waiting for a turtle to cross the trail3) While warm, having no rain and a nice breeze4) Really nice trails with several Lake views and views of the mountains that lie ahead in NY5) Passing what I think was the entire Freshmen class of St Benedicts Prep School...those at the head of the pack chirping and grinning...those lagging the group somber and quiet6) And of course while lies ahead for me this evening...another great dinner with relatives, a hot shower, and a comfy bed
Date: 2016-05-27
From: Wallkill River - then Eileen's B&B!

To: AT crossing Warwick Turnpike
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today was my last day of slack packing and a shorter one. Hiked 14.8 miles from the AT crossing the Wallkill River to its crossing of the Warwick Turnpike. The walk started with a stroll along about 3/4 of the perimeter of the Wallkill Reserve - a swampy area alive with a variety of birds, frogs, and I'm sure, snakes! The highlight of the day was a walk about 5 miles later through a swamp near the Pochuck Creek that included a boardwalk nearly a mile long.   This part of the AT was populated by families and friends walking dogs, reading books, taking pictures, and just having a good time.I believe the temperature got close to 90 and by early afternoon the day was quite humid. I felt very fortunate to be slack packing up the "stairway to heaven" on the Wawayanda Mountain at about 1:00 pm, a climb of about 900 feet over a mile or so. My walk today ended at 2:30 shortly after passing by the Wawayanda State Park, where I was picked up once again by Eileen, and after getting some resupplies, spending the rest of the evening at a barbecue at Sue's and John's home on Lake Mohawk. Will be tough going back to my regular routine tomorrow!While the trail has bounced back and forth a bit across the NJ-NY border, tomorrow I will say goodbye to NJ by about 10 am and so will give one last shout out to Bruce Sprinsteen, paying tribute to NY CITY firefighters who entered the Twin Towers on 9/11, and to the resiliency of the nation:The Rising - "Can't see nothin' in front of meCan't see nothin' coming up behindI make my way through this darknessI can't feel nothing but this chain that binds meLost track of how far I've goneHow far I've gone, how high I've climbedOn my back's a sixty pound stoneOn my shoulder a half mile line...Sky of blackness and sorrow (a dream of life)Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life)Sky of glory and sadness (a dream of life)Sky of mercy, sky of fear (a dream of life)Sky of memory and shadow (a dream of life)Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonightSky of longing and emptiness (a dream of life)Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life (a dream of life)Come on up for the risingCome on up, lay your hands in mineCome on up for the risingCome on up for the rising tonight"
Date: 2016-05-28
From: AT crossing Warwick Turnpike

To: Little Dam Lake
Miles today: 18.6

Hiked 18.6 miles today along a section of the trail that the guidebook warms "Despite the unimposing profile, rocks, abrupt ups & downs make this section challenging." Indeed it was! And just for good measure, Mother Nature cranked up the heat to about 90 degrees and added a good dose of humidity but no rain.I think I drank about 1.5 gallons of water and took more breaks today than I can remember doing on the rest of the trail. My quick dry clothing was still soaked at the end of the day. The two most impressive sites during the day was the US flag flying atop Prospect Rock, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail in New York. The second was Fitzgerald Falls. Photos of Both of these are in my TrailJournals photo library.
Date: 2016-05-30
From: Little Dam Lake

To: Bear Mountain Recreation Area
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: clear sky

This is a two day entry as I am taking a zero day today in Fort Montgomery, NY just up the Hudson River from Bear Mountain. On Sunday, hiked 21.9 miles from a campsite along Little Dam Lake to the Bear Mountain Recreation area. The temperature and humidity continued to make the hiking a bit more challenging than expected from just the terrain, although the first part of the day, in particular, was rocky with abrupt ups and downs making it difficult to get into a flow. I drank over 2 gallons of water and still felt like I wasn't gettimg quite enough. A bit of heat rash and some blisters from new shoes added a nice touch to the challenge.Along the way, went through the Lemon Squeezer (picture in journal) which I had to take my pack off to, well, sque eze through! Later, Views of the Hudson River Valley from the ridge of West Mountain, and then of Bear Mountain, were spectacular. Because of the Holiday Weekend, the trail was densely populated with both large and small groups of friends, as well as individuals. New Yorkers, especially closer to the city, can have a reputation of being a little "distant", perhaps even abrupt. Fahgettaboudit! That is not what my experience was yesterday. I got a lot of questions about my journey, and offers for everything from oranges, to water, to "anything you need", to my favorite offer of the day which was bagels - At the summit of West Mountain, a middle-aged couple from New Rochelle, their son, and his girlfriend were resting. When they found out I was a Thruhiker, they welcomed me to New York and said that part of my experience had to be eating a good bagel..."nothing like a New York bagel" said the mom as she reached into her pack and pulled out a bag for me to choose from - I couldn't decide between cinnamon-raisen and sesame, so had to take one of each!The bagels helped fuel the final 2.5 miles of the day which had started at 6:45 am and was closing in on 5:00 pm. Awaiting me at Hessian Lake in Bear Mountain Recreation Area was my high school friend and college roommate for 4 years, Chip Dean. Chip had packed a cooler with ice tea, a couple of beers, two sandwiches, grapes, and a box of Entenmanns Donuts from his daughter Rebecca (chocolate frosted, my favorite). He drove all the way up from Long Island, and even hiked in nearly seven miles to try to find me, before turning back and getting ready to great me at the end of the day. I consumed all of the above in a Block Island Beach Chair that Chip specially packed for me, and then we went out later for som BBQ. Chip spent the nite at the hotel I am staying in and left early this morning to catch his home town's Memorial Day Parade.   It was great to get caught up with someone who is truly a great guy, making this a most memorable Memorial Day weekend. Thank you Chip. Looking forward to a day of rest on this, my 78th day on the trail and start of week 12.   Am at mile 1402.7 with Mount Katahdin a mere 786.5 miles away!
Date: 2016-05-31
From: Bear Mountain Recreation Area

To: Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: few clouds

Hiked 21.1 miles today from Bear Mountain Rec Area to Fahnstock State Park, Temps were in the low to mid 80's but it was not as humid as it had been the last several days and most of the hike was shaded. The day started with a walk over the Bear Mountain Bridge which crosses the Hudson. Picture of view above. There were a number of ups and downs of several hundred feet, often steep, but much more flat terrain than the last two days which helped me get into a rhythm. Past by two women taking a short hike from the State Park south on the AT. When one discovered I was a through hiker, she offered me a bag of cherries! What a treat.I am currently tenting just north of,Fahnestock State Park. The region is described in a park brochure as "Long-abandoned mine shafts and scattered mine tailings attest to an iron industry that thrived,for almost a century. Charcoal from the surrounding forest was used for smelting, with the West Point Foundary being an important munitions supplier during the Civil War. Stone fences and foundations may still be found among the trees - reminders of,the many small homesteads and fields that once dotted the landscape until second growth forest closed in and reclaimed the land."
Date: 2016-06-02
From: NY 22

To: Mt Argo Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 18.1 miles today and am in Mount Argo Shelter with some overnite rain in the forecast. One other throughhiker (MELTED SOUL) is here with a friend. Entered "the gateway to New England" (that would be CT) about 7 miles out of Pawling NY this morning, although the trail later crossed into and then back out of the Empire State as it did in parts of New Jersey. While there were only a few significant changes in elevation, there was very little flat traveling throughout the day adding a degree of difficulty I was not expecting from the Guidebook. The temperature remained warm but again not as humid as over the weekend. I'm pretty pooped regardless which is probably a combination of having a full pack (picked up a resupply package yesterday evening), not getting much sleep last nite, and the temperature and terrain. One of the most memorable occurrences of the day was seeing an owl. I'm not sure if they enjoy snakes, but I came across four of them as well. I had lunch at a beautiful spot where the 10 Mile River joined the Housatonic. My peanut butter burritos never tasted so good! On the sand next to me were several monarch butterflies who I think were partaking in some sort of mating ritual. I'll have to Google that later! Further upstream, the Housatonic sounded like a jet airplane and looked like it had Class III+ rapids. Later in the day the trail grew rocky and steep in sections, and as I grew tired, the Argo Shelter provided an early end to the day.