morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-20
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we opted to take a zero day to heal Half Left's knee. My knee has healed enough but his is still bothering him. We went to a sporting goods to buy him a knee brace which was $24.99. I suggested we wait a day and look in the hiker box at Green Mountain House to possibly find one and save money. Each hostel has a "hiker box" which exchanges unwanted food, gear and items no longer needed or overloaded with. We got back to GMH and discovered a knee brace in the box. Yay savings "$24.99". It was a little stinky so I put it in our wash and wallah, clean! He is trying it out and our hopes are it gives him enough extra stability it will help his pain. We are heading to Rutland today via bus for $2 each. We plan on looking into another hostel called Hiker hostel at 23 Center Street. They also charge $20 each so we may just ride the bus up to The Inn at the Long Trail and camp for free across the street. He thinks another day or so and he will be strong enough to go forward.Iron Maiden is flying in on Tuesday to do the Whites with us. We asked her to bring our other tent, the Hubba Hubba which is free standing (meaning no ground stakes needed). This helps when you are forced to camp in the rocks, which we expect may happen. The Whites seem to be a little rocky.Green Mountain House is an exceptional place, probably the finest on the trail. Jeff the proprietor is fantastic, the house is very clean and the use of the kitchen saves lots of money. Thank you so much!!!!Well on the way out the door to catch the bus.Movin' on...
Date: 2012-07-24
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 0.0

We made it to Inn at Long Trail and decided to take advantage of the free camping across the street. Half Left was excited about the opportunity to drink a Guinness beer off the tap. We set up camp and strolled over to the pub. The Inn is all it's cracked up to be and well worth the hike off the trail. Half Left ordered his beer and I had a Wood Chuck Amber Cider. It was delicious. We also had some Irish fair of Guinness Irish stew and a Reuben sandwich. Both were exceptional! During our visit, we found out they let you hang out in a room with a TV and games. We had to stay a couple of days while we let his knee heal and wait on Iron Maiden to come on the 26th. So this was a perfect "free" place to perch. Other hikers came and went and we just stayed. Also great about the location is the $2 bus that will take you all the way to either Rutland or the other way to Killington or anywhere in between. On our way to the Inn we also found out you can be dropped off at the Phat Italian deli on the way and picked up on the buses way back just by crossing the road. We used the trick and told other hikers about the nice way to get groceries. I wont bore you with all the other stuff at being at the Inn for the evening. We went to bed at hiker midnight and were glad to lay our heads down for free!
Date: 2012-07-25
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 0.0

Still camping across the street. It was a nice sleep except for some road noise it was nice.Today we decided to take the opportunity to visit the brewery called Long Trail brewing company. We asked the front desk how do we get there? The owner Murray handed us a cardboard sign that read Inn at Long Trail on one side and Long Trail Brewery on the other. As we were talking about going a couple said, "If you let us buy you lunch, we will give you a ride to the brewery afterward". I didn't think I heard them right but evidently I did. Ron and Cynthia were a trail angels. They had been at the Inn for at least a month and planned on at least another week. We ate lunch in the pub which was of course wonderful. They after some good conversation delivered us as planned to the brewery.We took the tour and Half Left ordered the sampler. He enjoyed every sip. I just ordered water because they didn't have any girly drinks. I also had to try their chicken wings. Yes they were good. We finished our stuff and shopped at the small store and purchased shirts that said Long Trail Brewery on the front and Take a hike on the back. It was a must have. We went out front to hitchhike back to the Inn. After 15 minutes with our sign we got a ride from another wonderful trail angel named Karen. Her and her husband Glen own a construction company and are remodeling a Chalet for a New York couple. She stopped by there and gave us the tour. She is such a lovely person. She also gave us her number in case we want to come skiing in the winter. Wow the people on the trail are so incredible.She dropped us at the Inn and we exchanged emails etc and said our goodbyes.We went over to our humble abode across the street and relaxed with the beer bought at the brewery. Other hikers arrived to camp while we were gone so Half Left shared a few beers with them. It was a nice evening. Tomorrow Iron Maiden arrives.
Date: 2012-07-29
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We sadly had to leave the comfort of our lodge room. Our stay at the Inn was fantastic! We met lots of wonderful people but the hike must go on. The hike today started up Deer Leap trail to get is back to the AT. A very steep .5 to reach the summit then a right turn and back in step on the AT. Our first destination was Griffis Park Campground but only for water. The on to Kent Pond. The pond was very low but still beautiful. We saw lots of moose tracks and what appeared to be near tracks. The trail was easy meandering around the pond and past thw Mountain Meadow Lodge where they have constructed a dock to fish and possibly put out a canoe. We had no time for either. On up the trail we came across a rock climber who was preparing to scale a rock about 20 feet from the ground. We stopped to question him about a mat he was carrying. It was only about 4' x 4' and was used for him to drop off the rock after ascending. I told him I would require a much larger one! We watched him briefly but of course had to move on. Rain seemed to be in the forecast for later so we wanted to sightsee but not long enough to get caught up in the rain. The hike then was to Thundering Waterfall. There was a reroute of the trail which addef another mile but we ignored it and followed the original route. Apparently Irene from last August knocked out a boardwalk through a swampy area but other southbound hikers told us it was passable. We arrived at the waterfall about lunchtime and gladly took a break. It was a beautiful cascading deop pf about 100 feet. Well worth the stop! Photos and conversation abounded and packs back on. Our hike was to go over the bad area then climb about 1000 feet up and over a mountain. I was dreading it! Being off the trail a few days made me worry about my abilities. I huffed. And puffed and blew that mountain! It was agonizing but also exhilarating! The down hurt all of our knees but the shelter was near.We arrived about 5 which is a good time to get there. Plenty of time to cook and prepare for aleeping.
Date: 2012-05-08
To: Mt. Katahdin, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We are in the process of prepping for a flip flop hike on the AT. We have been so busy! We have about one week to go before starting our walk on the trail. We are starting in Harper's Ferry, WV and will head north. Our destination is Mt. Katahdin, Maine. Upon reaching Maine, we will head back to Harper's Ferry and southbound hike to Springer Mountain, Georgia.
Date: 2012-05-21
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

Kurtis's dad here. They made it to Dahlgren Back Pack Campground. A backpacking camp by Maryland with showers. They hitch hiked into camp for pizza and beer. Life is good. Hope to make 9 miles to Pogo Campsite.
Date: 2012-05-23
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Kurit's Dad here. Kurits and LB called in last night. They dried out about 80% after a pretty hard thunderstorm all night and headed north about 10 miles. Blisters are healing and the daily tasks are coming second nature. They will pass into Pensylvania today through PenMar park. Pensylvania is known as "Rocksylvania" and the kids are already experiancing rocky trails. Kurtis's boots are taking a beating. They will pass through a town today and do some re-supply. There is plenty of company from experianced through-hikers from GA. Advice from through hikers has been very heipful.Kurtis finished the conversation with, "I see lightning on the horizon". Weather calls for more rain today before it dries out.
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Antietam Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Kurtis's dad here - Kurtis and Laura Beth texted in last night that they had made about 12 miles yesterday and crossed the Mason Dixon line into PA. They stopped in the town of Waynesboro for re-supply. All blisters seem to be healed. They have a great campsite by a river. So far they have completed about 50 miles.
Date: 2012-05-25
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Milesburgn Cabin area
Miles today: 32.0

Kurtis's dad here. The kids did not hike 32 miles yesterday. I was just trying to get caught up with the trip calculator. The total should be 59 miles. They are 215 miles from the New Jersey border and 1108 from the northern terminus at Katahdin Mt, ME. K&LB logged 12 soggy and rocky miles yesterday and are sleeping in at Caledonia State Park Campground in PA. The place has showers and a coin laundry. It has rained every day since they left and all gear is wet and heavy. They need to take the time to clean up and dry out. When they called at 8:00 pm they hadn't cooked supper yet. The trail miles are only part of the mileage. Just registering at the campground was a two mile journey.Kurtis said he'd like to make 5-7 miles today to camp off the trail in the general area of Milesburg Cabin. This cabin is owned and rented out by the Potomac Appalachain Trail Club so they won't be able to camp there but they should be close. I borrowed the photo from a Tripod picture site that has lots of good pictures of what they have been through. I love the pictures of the snoring and non-noring shelters. http://artmoorega.tripod.com/maryland.htmI will be camped out with the boy scouts tomorrow and will lose a day of the journal.
Date: 2012-05-26
From: Milesburgn Cabin area

To: Toms Run Shelters
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Kurtis's dad here. The kids made 9 miles yesterday. The good news is that the rain has let up and their gear has dried up. The bad news is that LBs boots are not working out and will have to be replaced.Both are in good spririts and are making good time.BK
Date: 2012-05-28
From: Mountain Creek Campground

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

From Kurtis's dad. Rain, rain rain. In the week K&L have been on the trail they have been rained on every day but one. They pulled into Mountain Creek Campground last night during a huge storm and sat it out with a trail angel who brought beer. The full hook-up campground is a departure from AT trail camps with showers, laundry and a camp store. Wet clothes are a real problem.Not sure how the motor home folks will react to two smelly AT hikers but according to K&LB they have been treated very well by all the folks they have met in the Keystone State. While most Trail Angels in the southern states are church groups providing hot meals, in PA its usually a guy sitting on his pick up with a cooler of beer. LB's boots have become un-wearable and the kids have taken turns switching off between Kurtis's boots and crocs. Even with this handicap they have averaged at least 10 miles per day in their first week. This is quite an accomplishment.They plan on stopping at the town of Boiling Springs, PA to resupply with boots and section maps. The central states AT office is there too. Kurtis said they are getting stronger every day and expect to pick up distances with the new gear.Yesterday they passed the official halfway point of the trail. Although Harpers Ferry is known as the psychological halfway point the real one is in PA and is home of the "Half Gallon Challenge". Through hikers from both north and south try to eat a half gallon of ice cream to celebrate completion of half the trail. There is also an AT museum near there that was celebrating Memorial Day and the first thru-hikers that were veterans of WWII. Attached is a picture of the halfway point. K&LB are still 1082 miles from their halfway point in ME and 186 miles from NJ. More "flip floppers" have joined them. They are not looking forward to more of the north bound hikers coming up from Trail Days in Damascus. The shelters and tent areas are crowded as it is. Sounds like it will be more like Woodstock only walking.
Date: 2012-05-29
From: Mountain Creek Campground

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Kurtis's dad here- I talked with the kids yesterday. They came into the Mountain Creek Campground durring one of the worst storms since they left. Kurtis said they rode out the storm with other RV campers. The RV campers took in our two thru-hikers and invited them to a large pot-luck dinner. They were fed until they popped.The campground had a laundry and all clothes were washed. Its amazing how a clean tee shirt can lift your spirits. LB was given a an old pair of sneakers by the RV campers. This has made a huge difference in how well they move.The trail will take them through the town of Boiling Springs. The AT has an office there where they can buy section maps. There is also an outfitter to get LB a pair of boots. They expected to camp at a park in town by Childrens Lake.
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Boiling Springs

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

Kurtis's Dad here. The kids spent the night at a motel in Carlisle PA Monday night after they found the campsite at Boiling Springs next to a railroad track. Kurtis explained it was wonderful to sleep in a bed after a week on the ground.At Boiling Springs they stocked up on food, maps and got LB some new shoes. They were making excellent time when I talked with them yesterday morning. They have left the Michaux State Forest and were crossing the agricultural and industrial area of the Cumberland Valley. The trail follows a ribbon of forest land that works its way to the next state forest They crossed under I-81 and the PA Turnpike yesterday as well as they hike around Harrisburg. Their destination last night was Darlington Shelter after a 12 mile hike. There was little of anyplace to camp in the valley. A quick look at google earth showed them passing between two huge factories in less than 100 yards of trees.Today they will leave the state forest area again and cross the Susquehanna River at Duncannon and climb into the next mountain area. Not sure of the plan of their stay last night yet.
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

BK here- The kids checked in early to an old hotel on the banks of the Susquehanna River at Duncannon. The place was more of a hostel where they did their laundry, took showers, checked emails, and had a great meal. The place is run down but is a must-stop for thru-hikers. Kurtis had his first encounter with an Amish farmer yesterday when he had to ask directions. The trail has passed from rocky hills to beautiful farmland. Today they will cross the Susquehanna River and climb more hills to Peters Mountain Shelter some 11 miles away. Kurtis said that with the new equipment they are keeping up with the thru hikers that started in March. LB added three more pictures to the photo log. They are pretty cool.
Date: 2012-06-01
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite on trail
Miles today: 11.0

BK here, I talked with the kids very erly in the day so I don't have much informaton. Most of what Kurtis said is that they are bonding with the rest of the thru hikers. Like any newcomer it was hard to join the club. But now they are keeping up and making friends. They had a great time at the Doyle Hotel.Kurtis told me that the sound of I81 was pretty loud even from the mountain tops. The next shelter is 18 miles away. Not sure how far they go. Will clear the Harrisburg area today. STill 146 miles away from NJ and 1032 from the northern terminus.
Date: 2012-06-02
From: Yellow Springs Village site

To: Lickdale, PA
Miles today: 14.0

BK here. Kids got a late start after some pretty good storms last night. Lightning was pretty intense especially when you are camped on a hilltop. They spent the night at the remains of an old mining village, Yellow Springs. Today they will hike to Lickdale PA where I-81 crosses. Their plan is to meet his former boss at Keystone there. They may spend the night at the KOA or one of the many cheap hotels on the highway. They will hike 11 miles.LB said the other day to thank you all for signing the comments log. She reads them when they get to a place they can use a computer. LB said it was so cool to have so many people following them.
Date: 2012-06-03
From: Swatara Gap

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

BK here. K&LB called last night. Kurtis's former employer could not meet up with them so they continued on the the trail to Swatara Gap. They hiked past I-81 for the last time and set up a campsite.Not sure how they found out about it but after they set up thier tent they walked the two miles back to the road and hitched a ride to Jonesboro and the Woods Creek Grill. There was a biker rally for charity there with a pig pickin' and beverages. They had a great time at low cost. Of course everybody had to buy the AT hikers from NC a round. There was a band and the kids had fun. When we got to speak with them they were hiking back to the tent site fat and happy with all the new friends they made. Kurtis said all they have to do is put their packs on and stick their thumbs out and they will get a ride anywhere. The Grill was a very interesting place. I added a picture of the bar to the photos. The band was playing in the front yard. The website is at www.woodscreekgrill.com This has been less of a hike than a tour of Americana. The kids talked about eating lots of Mac and cheese while on the trail. According to them they add butter (?) to it and eat it for breakfast and supper. Snickers bars and peanut butter for lunch. Kurtis confessed that the thunderstorm they rode out on Third Mountain Friday night was like looking out the window of the space capsule on the movie Apollo 13. Never ending flashes of light and booms. No wonder they wanted to go to town and have a cold one.501 Shelter is their destination today at 12 miles away which will make them 100 miles away from New Jersey and finally less than 1000 miles from the Northern Terminus.
Date: 2012-06-04
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

BK here. The kids logged 12 miles to 501 Shelter today. This is one of the few shelters where there the building is totally enclosed. There is even a door. It is also one of the very few shelters that you can call in a pizza, so they did. Kurtis was waying his options on whether or not to spend the night inside. There was lots of snoring to be done. They are now 100 miles from NJ. The Trail through PA is called "the place where boots go to die" and the trail has lived up to its name. It is also well known for its over-abundance of rattlesnakes. LB was not happy that Kurtis was playing with a black snake yesterday.Today they will try to make it Eagles Nest Shelter. Eagles Nest is a Preserve for hawks and eagles. It also overlooks the valley where my Dad's employer of 35 years made shoes in Orwigsburg. It is also the home of Yuengling beer in nearby Pottsville.Word for the day: Zero Day- A zero day is when a hiker logs no miles. Sometimes its a good thing like a rest or a visiting a landmark or family. Other times it means that somebody is hurt or sick. With a stomach flu epidemic on the trail in VA there are lots of zero days logged today.
Date: 2012-06-05
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

BK again. I didn't talk with K&LB but they left a message. The kids put in a long 15 mile run today. They got rained on hard the last hour of hiking but made it to Eagles Nest Shelter. They said the shelter was packed and didn't know if they'd spend the night inside or set up the tent. According to LB they are soaked.It has been very wet and cool. Lows last night were in the upper 40's. Only a 20% chance of rain today but remaining cooler with highs in the upper 60s. K&LB will hike to Port Clinton today for re supply. LB said they were not sure of their plans for spending the night. They are 85 miles from NJ. Eagles Nest Shelter must be in a very remote section because it was brought in via helicopter in 1988. The only picture I could get of the shelter was of it with the helicopter. I was wrong about Eagles Nest in my journal yesterday. Hawk Mountain is the raptor preserve and is 20 miles further up the trail where they will overlook Orwigsburg. They will pass it and the Pinnacle tomorrow.
Date: 2012-06-06
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Well I heard from the kids yesterday. They are extremely tired of PA. The people there are great but the rocks are tough. Kurtis said they could be making much better time if it weren¢t for the rocky trails. He said it slows them down to 1 mile per hour in places. In the picture you can see the look on his face as he looks over the rocks. His hiking pole got stuck in one of the rocks, snapped back and hit him in a sensitive place. There were a few bad words his mother and I didn¢t teach him said loudly to the mountain.On Tuesday they packed into Port Clinton. After hitching a ride to Hamburg they shopped Walmart for days worth of supplies. The Hotel in Port Clinton was a little expensive at $75.00 so they are sleeping in a covered pavilion on the edge of town. There is a possibility of them coming off the trail one day this week for a day just to get everything dry. They could stay with a sister of one of LB¢s co-workers who lives on the trail. This would be their first "Zero Day" since they took to the trail.They are still 76 miles from NJ and 180 miles from the Palisades Parkway where they hope Kurtis¢s Uncle Bill and Aunt Shirley will pick them up for a day off. Destination today is Eckville Shelter.They are wet and cold. In the Eagles Nest shelter that was supposed to hold 8 people slept close to 15 spending last night butt to butt. Kurtis and LB rode it out in the tent but everything was wet. The repetition of rocks and rain has been tough. But we have two tough kids here and we¢re all proud. LB said that they hike by themselves all day long. The only time they see others is when they come into a shelter or town. The trails motto of ¢Hike your own hike¢ is practiced as everybody sets their own pace. They run into the same 12-15 people each night but more are joining the crew each night as more northbounders are catching up. A slackpacker passed them and was booed by the crowd. A slackpacker is somebody who hikes in sections without a pack and has somebody give them a ride back and forth each day. Boo! Hiss!I added a few more photos that LB sent. We may lose touch with them because their phones aren¢t charging well.