morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Alexandria, VA

To: Ranson, WV
Miles today: 0.0

Another Zero Day, no miles hikedI woke feeling better, but wrung out from yesterday. At 7:30 am, Evan drove me from his home to the Hampton Inn Suites in Ranson, WV. It is much closer to Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, WV for my injection tomorrow and close walking distance to stores and restaurants. You could not meet a nicer, down to earth fellow than Evan. He will do anything for you and be very happy to do it. I lucked out meeting Evan, as well as Waldo and Sherpa Momma. They have all really helped me when I needed it the most. Also back-up offers from friends and family have put us more at ease. After getting settled, I walked over to IHop for breakfast. I had been craving pancakes since I've been hiking, and get them when I can. Evan sent me off with leftovers from yesterday for my lunch, and an ice cream parlor is close by for later. Sherpa Momma has hiked on, but she has a friend in town, Wendy, to whom she handed the baton. Wendy is also "good people", making many phone calls and arrangements for my future injections in and out of town, taking me tomorrow for my injection, picking up my mail drop at the ATC, and will return me to the trail tomorrow. I'm surrounded by Trail Angels. Well, my night ended with ice cream,of course. The time off will be good for my foot, which stopped hurting once I got off trail. It's hard to fall behind though, and I'm anxious to get back to it. Life is Trail Angels and Patience. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Ranson, WV

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

10.4 miles, Mile Marker 1029.4At IHOP, pancakes and an omelette started my day. Wendy picked me up at 9:30am for my injection appointment. I got my shot; I had to get my two injection vaccines for the 7th and 14th days to take with me. Long story short, it wasn't easy, but I got them. They have to stay cold, so they gave me ice packs and a cold-style zip lock. Wendy got me back to the trail and took the vaccine to her home to keep them cold until I can work out logistics with Waldo for the best way to get them to him. Waldo has agreed to deliver me and the vaccine to the medical sites over the next couple of weeks. My nephew and family friend will be a 2nd and 3rd backup. Wendy found an urgent care in Carlisle, PA that is hiker friendly, will give me my future injections; it is also open on July 4th, the day the last one will fall at the 14th day. What would I do without all of these good people helping me?!?!?! Well, it's good to be hiking again, I hope now the foot holds out. We had a beautiful day today. Life is kind people. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter, MD
Miles today: 20.7

20.7 miles, Mile Marker 1050.1, 6th state of 14I was on the trail by 6am. At 10am, I was passing several small guided groups of adults on the trail. As the last group was passing, three women stopped and asked if I was a thru-hiker and where I was from. Upon hearing Kirkwood, MO, two women said they too were from the St. Louis area. Then one asked if I knew Sam M. Sam and I were coworkers for 34 years; he knew his friend would be visiting the AT and told her to watch for me. We couldn't believe we bumped into each other! What are the chances of that? If my Harpers Ferry mishap hadn't of happened, I would have been far down the trail by today, and would have missed Sam's friend. Funny! Well, I sure miss all those beautiful springs and streams we had in the south. Water sources are further apart now. I've been seeing a lot of day hikers in this area. Easy access to the trail brings them out. Today, in the afternoon, I had to navigate a large, difficult, rock field. We've had them all along, but not for awhile. Well I'm in Maryland, but not for long. Another nice day. Life is full of "what ifs". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter, MD

To: Antietam Shelter, PA
Miles today: 16.9

16.9 miles, Mile Marker 1067.0, 7th state of 14I was on the trail by 6a.m. I took my time today, as I'm not doing a 20 miler. I noticed today that when a young guy blew by and I was buffeted by his wind, I seem to be the shortest guy hiking. There must have been a note on the AT website that I missed, saying, if you're under 5'9' (I am 5'7'), don't bother to try. While my legs may be short, I have perseverance. Obsidian, the German hiker, is here at the shelter as well. I'm in my hammock as always, but he sleeps in the shelter. It's pouring rain as I journal. It's relaxing to hear the rain hitting the fly. A good night for sleeping. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Antietam Shelter, PA

To: Caledonia State Park, PA
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

11.2 miles, Mile Marker 1078.2, 7th state of 14It rained pretty hard last night, but had stopped by morning. I was hiking by 6:30am, and was hiking to where Waldo could pick me up for my 3rd time/6th rabies injection tomorrow (the 7th day after the bite). I was hiking at a good clip, head down, thinking about stuff, when I heard something explode from my left rear side, startling me. I spun around to see a small fawn running off. It had been laying right next to the trail and I didn't notice it. Time was 9:07am, about same time as the raccoon. I've been a little skittish since the raccoon episode last week. I was talking with Voodoo and Rod & Reel in a park that the trail went through,when Waldo pulled up. He took me to their home to spend the night and get cleaned up. I wanted to put some gas in their RV for all they're doing for me. He said it wasn't necessary. I said don't tick me off, I still feel like biting somebody! I guess next full moon, I'll find out if the injections worked. Tales From The Hammock. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Caledonia State Park, PA

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: scattered clouds

9.6 miles, Mile Marker 1087.8We got up early to get Sherpa Mom to the trail for her hike. Then Waldo took me for a little resupply and my 7th day rabies injection. These guys have been great, putting me up, feeding me dinner, and running me around. They're a great couple too, I never hear a harsh word between them. Well, Waldo got my butt back to the trail, and I was hiking by 11:45am. I wasn't hiking very long, when it started raining hard. It rained about 45 minutes but only in my area. When I got a little further, it hadn't rained at all. There are a few guys staying at this shelter tonight, but I don't feel like being social. I met a young guy named Red Beard today. Yes, he was tall and had a red beard. His pack after resupply was 28lbs! I just cut more from my pack, but I can't get that low with my food and water. I've decided that insects rule in PA - they are everywhere. For those planning to hike the AT, be prepared for a lot of rock. It starts out easy enough, but as you move north, you will encounter rock and boulder fields. Sometimes it looks like the whole mountain top toppled down. Boulder fields you walk or jump across them; rock fields you work your way through. I use my trekking poles sparingly here as it's easy to get one stuck and bent as you move forward. All just part of the AT - one step at a time. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Campsite in Woods, 4.2 m Alec Kennedy Shelter, PA
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: broken clouds

21.0 miles, Mile Marker 1108.8On the trail by 6:05am. Nice day, humidity lower. Today I hiked past the half way point marker. That's a good feeling to be on the downside of the miles. A second larger marker was further north. A former thru-hiker made it and placed it at the half-way point then, but since then the half way has moved. The total AT distance changes because of added switchbacks and moving the trail for one reason or another due to maintenance, etc. The handmade marker should be moved to the new halfway point as it was really made well. I came to Pine Grove Furnace State Park about 11:00am. The trail goes through the park. A small general store is there - it makes burgers and has other delights. I of course pigged out before hitting the trail again. Being Saturday, I saw quite a few day hikers. A couple I was passing offered me a Pepsi. I drank it while we hiked and they took the can to recycle for me. Trail Magic! I set up camp at 4:00pm, about 20o yards off a busy road in the woods and next to the trail. Soon a couple a little older than I came hiking along. They stopped and we talked about 10 minutes. A few minutes after they left for their car, the husband came back to give me a wedge of watermelon and a Dr. Pepper. That melon was sooooo sweet and good - WOW This trip would just not be the same without all of the kindness shown to me in the way of Trail Magic. There are still a lot of good people out there. { -Hoyt
Date: 2014-06-29
From: Campsite in Woods, 4.2 m Alec Kennedy Shelter, PA

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: light rain

22.4 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1131.2I was hiking by 5:45am. The day was cool and cloudy, then partly cloudy. I met a south-bounder this morning. He said that he started in New Hampshire because of the snow in Maine and wanted to get started. He's going to go back and finish Maine later. I did not see one north-bounder today, only day hikers. As I hiked into Boiling Springs, I ate wild cherries and mullberries. On hiking out, I ate blackberries. Boiling Springs looks like a nice place to visit. I crossed several miles of PA farmland today. The farms looked well kept. When I got to the shelter, there was only a section hiker named Tonto. We had dinner together and shared a few jokes as well. Nice guy that Tonto. On one of the higher places I crossed today, lighting had recently struck a tree and blew a good sized piece of it across the trail. In looking at the AT guide, VT, NH and ME are going to be butt-kicking climbs! I am still shooting for Katahdin mid September - September 10th would put me at 5 months on the trail. I am very tired tonight, time for bed. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

15.9 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1147.1I left for the trail at 6am. After I retired last night, Rod & Reel came in to stay. When I was leaving, Rod & Reel, being older, said, "I hope its not too rocky today". Well, the 11.3 miles into Duncannon, PA was pretty rocky. Right before I got there, I saw Obsidian and a 17 year old named Blue Ox. We hiked into town and went to the Doyle hostel. It used to be the Doyle Hotel back in its day. It's a neat old building and the food I had was really good. Apparently there's a passport book for hikers who stop at all the required places to get their books stamped. I had the barmaid stamp my Duncannon page with the hotel stamp. Well, after I got a beer for Obsidian and myself, the gluttony started. I had a great barbecued brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and a salad. Then, I left to follow the trail through town and stopped by the ice cream shop. There I had a large scoop of mint chip on a cone followed by a kids sundae and a 20 oz Coke. I should have checked the guide for the upcoming terrain before eating so much. The climb out of Duncannon was a big rocky one and I was hurting. But I made it to a nice breezy area just before Clarks Ferry Shelter and several other guys were camping there as well. Nice guys and good conversation. So ends another day in Tales from the Hammock. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Campsite 0.1mile south of Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.6

24.6 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1171.7I was hiking at 5:45am. There's a lot of rock in PA. I was hiking an old forest road the A.T. used, and for several miles, there were the bones of the mountain on my left and right. All sizes of boulders and a lot of them. I was surprised to see Sherpa Mom (not Momma, wrong all of this time!) heading south, slack packing. We talked a little and then hiked on. When I came off the mountain at PA325, I was really hoping for some Trail Magic, as the day had warmed up. Lo and behold! My wish came true! A former hiker sets up Trail Magic several times during hiking season. My lucky day! I had two peach cups, a good sausage stick, four deviled eggs and two small Gatorades. I had a few snacks for later too. He had a lot and was very generous. I didn't plan to hike as far as I did today, but springs and good camping spots dictate where I can stop. Well, time for bed, the long hike has me tired. Good night all! -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Campsite 0.1mile south of Rausch Gap Shelter

To: PA 645
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

15.6 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1187.3 Hiking by 5:50am, muggy this morning. I was supposed to meet Waldo on July 3rd so he could help me get my last rabies vaccine injection on July 4th, but I hiked extra miles and got there on July 2nd. After all these miles, I'm still thinking of ways to lighten my pack. Of course that sometimes means buying different gear and more money, but I'm tired of the weight. It slows me down and more weight means more of a chance for injury. I also started a bounce box for items that I only use weekly. My goal is a pack weight of 30lbs or less with 2 liters of water and my food. Food is hard because I'm hungry a lot and food is heavy. I am going to carry as much as I can without it getting too heavy. Sherpa Mom (not Momma - I have been wrong all along) caught up with me today as I stopped to eat. We both had a big climb to the top and were soaked with sweat. The humidity along with the temperatures also wear you down. We hiked together some miles to where Waldo would pick me up. We heard thunder rumbling a lot, but the storm stayed away. Waldo met us with two cold sodas as always. What a guy! Sherpa Mom then hiked on a she is staying on the trail tonight. It was good to shower, shave, wash my clothes and get a good meal at their house. I'll take a zero mile day tomorrow and continue to get my gear in order. I'll be glad to get my last rabies vaccine on Friday and not have to be tied to being somewhere at a certain time. I am ready to move forward. Next full moon we'll see how I am. Ohwoooooooooo! -Hoytrest of journal TBD
Date: 2014-07-03
From: PA 645

To: Waldo's Home in PA
Miles today: 0.0

Zero mile day.I decided to wash my pack while on my 0 day. I washed it in a trash can and hung in in the sun until it dried. I'm glad I did - it was dirty. For breakfast, Waldo made eggs and pancakes, with blueberries right off their bushes. I worked on my pack gear while Waldo cut his grass. We then did some resupply and later had dinner at the Doyle Hotel. The food there is really good. My last rabies shot (14 days from the raccoon bite in Harper's Ferry) in the morning, then back to the trail. I need to get some miles on. Many thanks to Waldo for the hospitality and ALL of his help the last couple of weeks! -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Waldo's Home in PA

To: Eagles Nest Shelter, PA
Miles today: 17.1

17.1 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1204.4Waldo took me for my last rabies injection this morning. I'm glad to put that behind me. The Urgent Care opened at 8am; there was already a guy waiting outside when we arrived. He cut his thumb making potato salad for his July 4th celebrations and needed stiches. Waldo got me back to my starting point and I was hiking by 9:40am. It rained last night, but today was cloudy but dry. The sun played peek-a-boo until mid afternoon when it finally stayed out. It was windy and cool, I guess courtesy of hurricane Arthur, my namesake. I walked through an area where the trees were not too close together and there were ferns everywhere, as far as I could see, on both sides of the trail. I hardly saw anybody on the trail today. When I got to the shelter, Rod & Reel was the only one there. We talked a bit, then I went back towards the trail where the camping was better. It's going to get pretty chilly tonight - I hope I can stay warm. I can hear loud fireworks people are shooting off as lay in my hammock. Happy 4th to all. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-05
From: Eagles Nest Shelter, PA

To: Eckville Shelter, PA
Miles today: 23.8

23.8 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1228.2Out on the trail by 6am. If there had been a viewing area on the mountain last night, I would have watched the fireworks going off in the towns below. It was pretty windy and chilly anyway. I hurried today to get to the Hamburg, PA PO before they closed. I didn't know the trail went right by the PO in Port Clinton - that would have saved me alot of time. I got a ride to Hamburg, as a guy pulled up to the stop sign next to me. I asked for a ride and he gave me one. To get back, I called a guy named Dad who shuttles hikers for $5. He was a young guy, who had been doing the trail and had to get off because of injury. Now he's helping hikers for awhile. I gave him more than $5. The 2nd half of the trail today, I climbed to the Pinnacle, and then walked the rocky spine of the mountain for miles. A lot of rock today. Then, the mountain spit me off on an old forest road that went on forever and wasn't marked very well. I saw a couple in their thirties on that road. They weren't certain where they were and were getting nervous as it was getting late. I used my AT guide to help them get back and I later saw them at the road crossing. I had to hike with a lot of weekenders today. If I needed to "water a tree" it was difficult as hikers were everywhere. When I got to the shelter I saw several people I knew. They told me about a hiker I had recently met named Mocha. He was rock climbing freestyle at the Pinnacle and took a bad fall. They had to helivac him out. Tonight as I was getting into my hammock, it collapsed. One of my ideas to cut weight didn't work. I used a different support hanger instead of my carabineer, and it cut my line as it had a sharp edge. I'll have to tie it together until I get a replacement line. I hope I don't drop in the night! "Tales from the Hammock" to be continued. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-06
From: Eckville Shelter, PA

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: clear sky

24.2 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1252.4I was out on the trail by 6am and another nice day. I didn't see many hikers, just the section hiker Slowsky. I stopped for lunch at the Blue Mountain Resturant and B&B. I had a great burger! Slowsky came in as I was leaving. We don't really hike together much, but we camped together. It was a long day and I was really tired. The long hike through all the rock and boulder fields wore me out. Time for the Sandman. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-07
From: George Washington Outerbridge Shelter

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

16.7 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1269.1Slowsky and I got on the trail by 6am. We wanted to climb the mountain at the superfund site before the sun got high. We were traversing the largest Superfund site in northeastern United States, an area just outside of Palmerton, PA near the Lehigh Gap. Bill Bryson wrote about the Superfund site in his book "A Walk In The Woods" describing 'a mountain devastated by industrial air pollution in the pre-Clean Air Act era'. Bryson was taking photos of the barren hillsides and was approached by a security guard who threatened to arrest him. In the early 1950s barren patches began appearing in the mountain hillside. By 1985, the vegetation damage was widespread, leaving barren, eroded land and was called the Palmerton Zinc Pile. If you are interested in more information and the site's history, see this link...it is a worthy read:http://www.appalachiantrail.org/docs/atj/atj-september-october-2008.pdfSlowsky and I had a tough climb, but it was easier to do before the sun got high. After we summited the rock face, we had a long grassy walk along the mountainside. It was an easy walk filled with rasberries, blackberries and blueberries. I enjoyed eating my fill. I guess the worst of the superfund area was on top of the mountain. Slowsky stopped to make a phone call, so I met up again with him at the bottom of the mountain. There we found some wonderful Trail Magic: cold sodas, snacks, even cold beer. I hiked on, ahead of Slowsky. I ran into Blue Ox and we talked awhile - he's a good young man. Most hikers I meet are good natured, why wouldn't they be, no stress out here. I got to the shelter by 3pm: it felt good to have a short day. Slowsky showed up a little later, and we camped together. Several other hikers came later to camp as well. I've been trying to get in some miles as the full moon is coming. Just to prepare in case they have to get out the silver bullet (the only way to kill a werewolf)! So ends another chapter of "Tales From The Hammock". Life is protecting our environment. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Backpacker Campsite near New Joysee
Miles today: 25.5

25.5 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1294.6Slowsky and I worked our way through the rocky trail for miles today. PA is on my last nerve with ALL of this rock. When I got to the Delaware Water Gap the inn I had planned to stay was closed (Deer Head Inn) - why I am not certain. It's summer and the website says they are open. I looked at a local hostel run by a church and decided to move on. Before leaving town I had some ice cream while waiting for Slowsky to come off the mountain. I finally moved on another 5 miles to camp in New Jersey. Slowsky called later - he had gone further on into Delaware Water Gap and found a place to stay. He goes home to NH tomorrow. It was good hiking with him. When I get to Maine we may hike together more. Hopefully there will be LESS rock tomorrow! -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Backpacker Campsite near New Jersey

To: Campsite ~2 miles before Brink Road Shelter (NJ)
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

16.9 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1311.5I was hiking by 5:45am. I climbed to the mountain top and found it was like a park. The trees were spaced out, with grass beneath and blueberry bushes lined the trail. I had a few blueberries while passing through. I needed to stop by the Mohican Outdoor Center just off the trail to pick up my bounce box. What is a bounce box you ask? All the things you may need later on the trail, but not that week, you can bounce/mail them further up the trail to the next mail stop, to lessen your pack weight. Unfortunately, the staff at the center said the box wasn't there. Pearl tracked the package for me and it was supposedly delivered on Monday, July 7th. I bought a shower and some food, and waited for the mail to arrive at 1pm. When more help came into the center at 1 p.m., they brought up the mail from their box a mile away. That's where my box was the whole time. Young people operate the place and sometimes they don't always think things through. I lost some time. I was hiking by 2:45pm. Rain moved in, so I put on my Frogg Toggs. After about twenty drops it moved on. Later, thunder - nope, not putting on my raingear again. Then it decided to pour. I reached into my pack cover, pulled out my rain jacket and put it over my head and pack. It finally stopped after awhile. I camped with a couple of young thru-hikers I had seen before. The forest was wet and damp, but at least it stopped raining for the evening. - Hoyt