morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-25
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Ironmaster's Mansion, Pine Grove Furnace Park
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I did it. I ate a half gallon of ice cream in one hour and twenty-two minutes--part of the tradition of visiting the campstore in this park. I had a handicap too. Instead of eating from a half gallon container, I chose from the pint selection. Tapeworm did the same and managed to finish his half gallon in 52 minutes. 65 and Alive took the Banana Split half gallon container. Don't know what his time was.It is better to choose a simple flavor like chocolate or vanilla. Ladybug took over two hours to eat her Rocky Road.After hanging out for three hours, I actually felt good enough to move on. But my feet were protesting and a lot of neat people were sticking around to stay at the Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel--a historical site with a secret room for hiding runaway slaves.There were also storms coming in from the west with the promise of dropping temperatures. This would make the next few days more bearable because the hiking is through open fields and under blaring sun. Doing the math, I realized it would be best to stay.The actual halfway mark for the year 2004 is .7 south from here. The marker is a mile north and may be moved someday. Why bother? They change the trail every year.The hostel is clean and expansive. The quad state boys played chess on the lawn while the rest of us perused the video choices. We were given kitchen privileges--made making dinner so much easier. I realized I hadn't been in a fully equipped kitchen in awhile. 65 and Alive bought eggs and bread and started cooking up a storm, offering leftovers to people. Otherwise, most of the evening was taking turns with the washing machine and watching morbid films like "Alive".Thoughts at the halfway mark: I never thought I would do more than 20 miles in a day. I guess the impossible has been achieved. I also never thought that I would consider visiting a small town and getting out of the woods as a form of vacation. Ironic. I used to escape to the mountains for a vacation.To this day, my most useful tool on the trip has been the scissors in my small jacknife. I'm still using the same lighter that I had since Springer and the most reliable piece of equipment has been my alcohol stove.
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Ironmaster's Mansion, Pine Grove Furnace Park

To: Backpacker's Campsite, Boiling Springs 
Miles today: 19.0

Despite the warning from Walking Stomach that the railroad campsite in Boiling Springs was tick-ridden and muddy, I opted to hike to that spot instead of relying on the missplaced shelters. Turned out it wasn't that bad of an option. It is close to Boiling Springs, it had a "privy" and it was dry.I took my time leaving the Ironmaster's Mansion, practically the last person out. My feet were hurting for some reason. I think they are not used to flat miles because I do better on the uphills. Strange.At the halfway marker, I was fortunate enough to bump into Radio Flyer taking a picture of Ladybug and Bear. So I got a picture as well. The three of them used to hike together but Radio Flyer had to go back to work. Now he is helping Bear and Ladybug slackpack.Later, I came across various fellow hikers takng breaks along the trail. First it was Nameless, then Wonka and Hermes, then Walking Stomach and Little Tree. Soon there was a parade of us heading to the Green Mountain Store on PA34 for a deli sandwich lunch. Meanderthal, Gator, and Mad Hatter were there as well and we took over their picnic table for a litle over an hour. Good stop.After Gator told us a story that got us laughing endlessly, I headed out for the second half of the day over some more rolling hills. These weren't too bad although very rocky. The Trail purposely weaves among tall pillers of stone when it could easily circumvent them. I would have had a great time scrambling up them if I didn't have this deadweight on my back.Then after a long descent the trail emerges on endless cornfields. Walking along this straight, flat pathway seemed tiresome and endless. You feel like you're making little progress. The white-blazes were scarce as well and I lost track of them. I suddenly found myself lost in a cornfield. Frustrating to no end.I used my compass to get me out and miraculously found the Backpacker's Campsite, .4 from the town. After setting up my tent, I headed to the ATC office to get water. Tapeworm, Luna, and Meanderthal were there ready to head on for another eight miles to a hotel. Sigh. I'd join them if my feet weren't hurting so much.After a great dinner at Aniles and a quick chat with one of the waitresses who is planning to hike the trail some day, I headed back to the campsite and got aquainted with Cuba and Mike, a couple that started at the Pine Grove Furnace Park. Cuba had done half the trail last year and is finishing it this year. Her husband joins her through PA.The fireflies and critters are in abundance here. Ground hogs and rabbits scutter through the cornstalks. The fields are sparkling.Then the first train roared through, bright lights and blaring horns. Ack. So much for sleep.
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Backpacker's Campsite, Boiling Springs 

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

The temperature dropped to about 45 degrees. The condensation was bad. The trains, approximately six freights during the night, were noisy. But I had a good sleep and was ready to hike the flat eleven miles ahead.I pictured them to be through cornfields and under a relentless sun, but there was some variety as the trail took us through thick woods, open fields, past blackberry patches, blueberry bushes, and along some pretty impressive highways.Amazingly, I saw a white-tailed fawn spring down the trail even though a tractor rumbled a few feet away from us.I reached an incline around 1 pm and found Meanderthal eating lunch as he sat on a natural rock bench overlooking the valley we had just crossed. I love it when you can see how far you have traveled in the last two days.Considering that the next shelter was torn down, I chose the valley overlook to cook one of my dinners for lunch and dry out my tent. Various hikers passed me by including Cuba and Mike. Tapeworm and Luna showed up. They all had a late start, I guess, with plans to head into Duncannon that night.I have to say a few words about bugs. I am not sure when the bug population started to thicken up--somewhere in Virginia, I think. Yes, there are no-see-ums and misquitos, but most of the bugs are harmless. Their only annoyance is their curiosity and numbers. In Virginia, there were the ants. As soon as you put something down, it would be covered with them. I am sure I have carried a few a 100 miles. Then in northern VA to MD, it was the Daddy Longlegs. I carried a few of them as well. Now sitting at this viewpoint, I have both spiders and ants crawling in and out of my backpack.I headed on to to Cove Mtn Shelter, the last shelter before Duncannon. Cuba and Mike convinced me that I would be more refreshed if I stayed there the night and headed to the city for breakfast the next day. It was a good thing I listened to them because, who should show up, Saltlick! Hadn't seen him since before Big Island, VA.I misunderstood an email he sent me when I was in Boiling Springs. He said he was going to be "here" until Sunday or Monday. I thought he meant Duncannon so I wrote back that he should stay there, I'll be there Monday morning. But he was really in Boiling Springs when he wrote me. What a nice surprise. He was naturaly in a great mood after visiting with Cyndi and resigned to hanging out with the crowd forming at the shelter.Cove Mountain Shelter is pretty nice with bunks and innovative food hangers. Tapeworm, Rocket, and some section hikers are also here discussing education and politics with Cuba and Mike.I am thrilled that my food supply is scraps after finishing my last dinner. I'm becoming a more efficient hiker. Cool.
Date: 2004-06-29
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Peters Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

I had a relaxing slow morning of finishing up errands in town. Hung out at the breakfast table in the Doyle and chatted with a few hikers who were taking a zero day. Apparently it rained last night but I had fallen asleep. Now the corridor and stairwell of the Doyle is cool--perfect hiking weather.But Saltlick and I were so slow at leaving that we ended up having lunch at a pizzaria with Hawk, Catdog, and Quest. I think we headed out around 2pm.The first hour was devoted to leaving Duncannon since the trail stretches along the main road and across the river. A freight train had parked infront of the AT entrance to the woods. We had to walk around it. A little unsettling when you only have two feet between a wall and the train as a foot path to the trail.At the top of the first hill, I spotted a coral snake basking in the sun. Finally, something other than a gardner or black snake.The trail got mighty rocky before the first shelter. We stopped for a rest and met Wonderlost, a 78 year old hiker who has given up on reaching Maine but wants to hike as much as possible. Although he was hard of hearing, I enjoyed chatting with him before heading off to Peters Mtn Shelter.Today I got to cross the newly constructed footbridge (2003) over PA 225. Very nice engineering.The shelter for the night was huge with two floors and enough roof to cover the picnic table. Cuba, Mike, Still Learning, Tapeworm, Walking Stomach, and Little Tree were there along with a few southbound section hikers. The water source, unfortunately, was an 800 ft steep climb down. Both Saltlick and I managed to fill our water bottles before dark. I hear these long walks down to water sources are normal in PA.I decided to try out the hammock I got from the mountainlaurel.com rep. that visited Wilbur Shelter way back when. Luna gave me some pointers on how to set it up and tie the knots.We got talking a bit. She might skip CT and some of MA to get to Maine so that she can start a nursing program in August. I had bumped into her off and on the trail and she seemed to be racing ahead constantly. Pretty stressful, but I think she is having fun too.
Date: 2004-06-30
From: Peters Mtn Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

During the night, I gave up on the hammock. You have to sleep on your back all the time and I was very tempted to turn. Worried that I might flip out of the netting and crash to the floor, I spent the rest of my night on the thermarest.Near Peters Mtn Shelter is one of the old lean-to's that Earl Shaffer built since he was active in this area for trail maintenance. Very small but well constructed.A crowd of us left this morning. We were always passing each other on the trail. As we rested on Stony Mountain, we could hear fighter jets--no, excuse me--attack planes target practicing at the base nearby. I later learned from the guys that these were A-10 Warthogs. Their gunfire resembled a huge fart which made everyone jump, hoping they would not miss their target. I wonder if they practice on AT hikers.The skies went quiet for an hour when we met Teriyaki, a southbounder. She gave us some pointers about what's ahead and how camping is good for the next ten miles. The attack planes started up again as we got moving. Lunch break was over.I arrived at the shelter just as Luna was finishing a two hour break and heading further north. The next shelter would make today thirty miles and I didn't feel like chancing the campsites along the way. So I stayed.The quad state boys were just leaving. Cuba and Mike decided to camp along the creek. So it was just Tapeworm, Still Learning, Saltlick and I in the rundown shelter.Still Learning, scattered a bit from only being on the trail since Harpers Ferry, had spent the last week hiking with his Dad. He was now on his own but not thrilled about pulling hefty miles. Saltlick showed up ecstatic that he saw the planes. Tapeworm, who I met as we crossed into PA, did the first half of the AT a few years ago and plans to finish this year. He's kept in shape by doing bicycling tours. The evening with the men migrated towards extensive discussions about the jets and gear. Also on pack weight. But a few lude jokes and tasteful humor were thrown in there as well. All part of the adventure.We rounded off the evening with Pig Out! (actually this game is called Pass the Pigs, but we changed the name at the first shelter on the trail). I can't remember how many rounds we played but Still Learning lost miserably each time. Pity, he helped me name the two pigs after the characters in Animal Farm (another book circulating among the hikers. A thin alternative to the 850 page Lonesome Dove paperback that is being passed around) For those who care, their names are Napolean and Snowball.A very silly evening, I must say.
Date: 2004-07-03
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Everyone complains about the gnats. These bugs fly in front of your eyes, cutting visibility in half. But that's not all--they have to nosedive into the ball of your eye, kind of a Kamakazee act because they drown in your saline or get crushed when you blink. Their carcass gets stuck there until you can find a mirror to remove them. But more on that later.I woke up early so that I could catch a quick breakfast at the 3C's restaurant by the very noisy highway. This same highway has no down time and kept a few of us up during the night. However, I felt really good this morning. The restaurant, although a long walk, was worth it. I sat with Gator Woman and Meanderthal.Port Clinton is a good stopping place. People were friendly, they offer you water and a hiker box at the pavilion, and there was plenty of shuttling around.The miles went quick today despite the introduction of the "real rocks" that start after Port Clinton. I reached the Pinnacle by noon. The holiday weekend brought families out and the mountains were buzzing.Meanderthal mentioned he had run out of water and dashed off. Although the day was drier than yesterday, it was still sunny. I was concerned for his well being and when I caught up with him yogying carrots and celery from a weekender, I insisted he take half of my supply. He was much obliged.At the first shelter, only six miles out of town, Reese and Mark (weekend hikers) offered me some cooked oatmeal as a snack which I gladly took. They asked me why I hike alone. I explained to them that I really don't. Some friends are ahead and some behind. We just go at our own pace. But I admitted that I was more independent with the miles and I preferred the quietude of the woods for company.I reached Eckville Shelter for a late lunch. This shelter has a caretaker like the 501 Shelter. We could raid the refrigerator on the porch for Pepsi and ice cream sandwiches as long as we left a donation. I have to mention that I never thought I would crave sodas so much since I really don't like them in the corporate world. But on the trail, a Coke is a welcoming sight.I hung out and Gator Woman showed up calling it a day. We had a long talk about being women hikers on the trail and the reaction that we get from some male hikers. I felt bad leaving her since it was obvious that we both craved female conversation. But I wanted to reach Palmerton by Independence Day--catch some fireworks--and that meant hiking ahead seven miles.The rocks grew larger, more discombobulated, and jagged. They slowed my pace to a crawl. At times the rock piles would subside into smaller pieces that crackled like broken ceramic or rolled beneath your feet as you stepped on them. Meanwhile, the persistent gnats returned with their suicide attempts making it difficult to see. Pretty stressful. I thought to myself that this would be fun if I wasn't on my 23rd mile.Just as I thought insanity would take over, the sign for the shelter appeared and I could rest.
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Jailhouse Hostel, Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 17.7

Happy Fourth. I slept well even though we could hear the crackling and pops of a distant fireworks show. I shared this newly built shelter with Meanderthal, who seems to be following the same hiking schedule as me. We both plan to reach Palmerton tonight and stay at the Jailhouse Hostel.Meanderthal came back from the privy and remarked that there were five features on it that he hasn't seen on any other privy. The plaque read that the privy cost the Allentown Hiking Club $1600 and 500 labor hours to build. It had a wind propelled ventilation system, a bannister for the steps to it, a mirror with hooks (ideal for picking out gnats from your eyes), a door stop, and a flush knob that is just for show. Very fancy.The trail began easy, following an old woods road. Gradually the boulders got more ominous. I passed a couple taking a break as they went southbound. I can see why. Beyond them the trail turned into a narrow rock scramble named "Knife Edge" where the sharp corner of the boulders served as the AT.Midway across this pile, I stopped to see the view of Pennsylvania farmlands. No more rolling hills for now. It was sunny and breezy. A perfect hiking day again. I was really enjoying myself.What hikers need to do to get through these rock piles of PA is to let go of their mileage. You will slow down but not too much that you will never reach your destination. Considering that PA has very few hills to climb, the scrambling is a nice challenge to break the monotony.I caught up with the Hobbits at Bake Oven Lookout where families picniced. The shelter nearby is small and old (1937.) Hearing there was a better water source down the trail, I continued north.I never found the spring, unfortunately, and the day grew humid and hot. The trail emerged from the woods onto a grassy, open ridge. I had less than a half liter of water left under the blaring sun. Fortunately, I came upon Popeye picking blueberries. She had water she was willing to share. Saved again.After picking a few blueberries--they were everywhere--I headed on to where the trees shrunk down and appear more bare of leaves. The grass was straw-like. Over the edge of the ridge I could see the ledges for tomorrow's hike. The red cliff walls, stripped of any vegetation, are from the zinc smelting in this area. From a distance, the rocks resembled the desert cliffs of the West. Some would say they are devastating. I found them picturesque.I got down to Lehigh Gap in time to catch a ride with the Hobbits into Palmerton and the Jailhouse Hostel. It was not what I expected but a great time anyway reuniting with hikers I hadn't seen since Virginia. Polar and Pilot were already there relaxing. I hadn't seen Southern Man, Now or Never, Badger, and Papa Bear since Catawba or so.The town was dead for the holiday so our 4th was fairly uneventful except for the gift package we got from the police department that runs this place and the firework explosions outside the window.
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Jailhouse Hostel, Palmerton, PA

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

The climb out of Lehigh Gap has been toted as "Dante's Inferno" because it is exposed zinc-smelted rock and a flat dirt road through desolate wasteland. There is no green tunnel for shade and water is scarce. Hikers generally struggle through this area especially if they choose the afternoon to hike it.We lucked out. Not only did we wisely choose to leave Palmerton shortly after breakfast but it was overcast for the entire five miles.The area was oddly beautiful in the haze with white, dead trees scattered about in the red dirt like skeletal remains. It reminded me of a flattened forest after a brush fire or volcano blast. New life was emerging gradually due to the EPA's efforts to resurrect the vegetation. The climb up to the dirt road was a fun scramble with great views of the Lehigh River below.But I knew the fog would burn off soon and it was 70 in the shade. So I was eager to get back into the woods.Southern Man, Now or Never, and I stopped briefly at Little Gap to enjoy some trail Magic from Southern Man's friend, Garcia. Papa Bear was meeting his son, Andy, and friend, Mike, there as well. Then we all called it a day at the Leroy Smith Shelter where the water source was a half mile down a blue-blazed trail.Meanderthal, Polar, Pilot, and the Hobbits also stopped there for the night. We were so early that I took a nap in my tent before taking the long walk to the water. The spring turned out to be gushing and plentiful.Not much to add except that I would like to thank everyone who has signed my guest book so far. I especially appreciate hearing from those who wish to hike the AT. There are so many features to the Trail not mentioned in the books and the best resources are the notes from previous hikers. I hope I have helped as well as inspired you. Thank you for reading and enjoying my journals.
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap (DWG)
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Baltimore Jack writes in whiteblaze.net that the section after Wind Gap is "heinous". No disrespect toward BJ, but I'm not sure why. I climbed the steep ascent out of Wind Gap--other mountains have been more treacherous. I walked the flat miles on the small, tough rocks--nothing we haven't seen before. So the miles went quickly and instead of saving money and sleeping in the woods, I headed into DWG for a single hotel room, a hot shower, and--Ah!--A/C.The reason I had doubt that I'd reach the town was because of the "heinous" section I had to cross, the 20+ miles, and the fact that the church hostel was still closed for renovations. But Now or Never and Southern Man tipped the scale for heading into DWG. If they are gonna do it, so will I. You end up following the crowd regardless of how eccentric you are.I managed to make the post office five minutes before closing to pick up two large packages. I walked down Rt 611 with my poles and pack on my back carrying the boxes in my arms. In the south, I would have been offered a ride immediately. Here, I was ignored.That is, until Scholar pulled up in her parent's hybrid Civic. She was staying with a friend a few days and wanted to help her fellow hikers out. She had made the tough decision a week ago to not return to the trail this year, but a piece of her heart was still with the thru-hikers.After helping me run a few errands, we joined about fifteen other hikers at the local diner for dinner. I got talkin with 65 and Alive who had achieved a 30.8 mile day in the last week. I also saw Boonie and Palmtree again. I haven't seen Boonie since Damascus and Palmtree since Pearisburg. Guess I'm catching up to people (that will all change soon though).My legs feel like mush--an aching feeling as if my legs are suspended halfway between waking up after I realize they are asleep. It is amazing how I feel like I am in better shape than I ever felt in my life, and yet I believe that this constant foot pounding, sun exposure, and nutrient deprivation can't be good for me.
Date: 2004-07-07
From: Delaware Water Gap (DWG)

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Do I read that right? A zero day? What's that?I finally decided to splurge and relax. There is nothing in this town to do really and they predict scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. I can't even play miniture golf down the street. Guess I'll have to sort through my mail drops, wash my tent, and eat fruit.Later...who should stumble into town but Saltlick. He hiked 36 miles by the book from Lehigh Gap. But because he could not hitch a ride at 4:30 in the morning, he walked the 2.5 miles from the Palmerton to the trail head. Didn't get to say much to him before he turned in for the night except "Why?"His response, so he could see me. Aw, how nice. No, he really wanted to just see if he could do it. Picked one hell of a section to test himself. Good night, Saltlick.