morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-09-13
From: Canopus Creek (Mile 769.0)

To: Fort Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

To make sure that I would start out with enough water this morning, I carried in four liters' worth from Canopus Lake last night, just in case Canopus Creek, where I made camp, wasn't flowing well. To those keeping score, that's nine pounds of water. It ends up that Canopus Creek was indeed flowing, and I needn't have carried all that extra weight in water, but these are the sorts of precautions that one must take. Of the four liters I carried in, I used one for dinner last night and one for breakfast this morning, leaving two with which to start out this morning's hike. So far, so good. The day again dawned beautifully, cool and cloudless. With a hotel room waiting for me in Fort Montgomery, NY, I had incentive to push my pace. The terrain seemed to suit me, as I flew up and down the various hills, and then made even better time on the flat sections. Covering a total of 17.4 miles, I crossed the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge (photo) at 2:00 pm, found the post office to pick up my food resupply box, and checked into my hotel before 3:00 pm. With plenty of time to shower, shave, do laundry and eat dinner, I am making the most of my one night in Fort Montgomery!As I hiked today, I came across one stream flowing well. With one of my two bottles nearly empty, I filled up and then had plenty of water for the remainder of the day. Another day down without a water crisis. I'll be interested to see what the next two days hold for me. I've been told that the last forty miles in New York resemble Maine, although on a much smaller scale: very rocky, steep and quite rugged. We'll see.
Date: 2016-09-14
From: Fort Montgomery, NY

To: Island Pond
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting out from the western end of the Bear Mountain Bridge, I sensed that I was not going to be skipping down the trail. First, my pack was at its heaviest, with a full food bag and two liters of water. Second, the forecast called for mid-eighties, and, at 7:30 am, it was already fairly warm. Third, there were a bunch of climbs in my immediate future, starting with Bear Mountain itself. My premonition indeed came to pass. While not struggling, I did have to work hard, both mentally and physically, to hike the 17.6 miles that I had planned. There were many ups and downs, and the trail condition was a mixed lot, from loose stones and rocks to extensive slabs of bedrock on certain summits. Still, I wouldn't say that any of it was particularly difficult, as I had been warned. I have one more full day left in New York, and for it, the AT Guide has highlighted its challenging terrain, so we'll see what tomorrow brings. At times throughout the day, I found myself out in the open, without cover. This section of New York has showcased large, widely-spaced oak trees and a healthy understory, particularly of mountain laurel, and the woods have not been very dense. Thus, the sun often had me in its sights, blasting away at will. Fortunately, a welcome afternoon breeze finally came up to help reduce the heat's impact. Recently, and with some ease, I've begun to compile a few lists: What I'll Remember Most, What I'll Miss, What I Must Continue, and What I Look Forward To. It's an early attempt at organizing various thoughts that are coming to me as my time on the trail begins to wind down. What final form it all takes is unknown at this point. One thing, though, is for certain: it's a process.
Date: 2016-09-15
From: Island Pond

To: Furnace Creek
Miles today: 18.4

OK. That was tough. I'm still not ready to call it "Mini Maine" though, as today's New York terrain had a feeling all its own. Regardless, I worked very hard, and under ideal conditions. Yesterday's heat was a thing of the past, as today's temperature barely made it out of the sixties. A deep blue sky held sway all day, and it felt very fall-like. Just a gorgeous day for a walk in the woods. Only, it seemed like I was walking from one long slab of summit bedrock to the next, jumping like a mountain goat. The elevations in this section of New York barely broke 1,200 feet, yet each "summit" was bare, somewhat like Maine, but ringed by trees so views were limited. This summit bedrock extended like long fingers and the trail designers figured out the perfect path to link a number of hilltops together so that it seemed you were hiking on slabs for the better part of the day. In between, I visited a lot of New York hollows, half expecting the Headless Horseman to jump out at me. Even though I have hiked the 100 Mile Wilderness, I must say that I felt more alone and isolated today than I ever did in Maine. If I broke an ankle, I swear they wouldn't find me back there in those hollers for days. The continual very steep ascents and descents had me working hard all day, although no climb was over 600 feet in vertical gain. Compared to Maine and New Hampshire, these were mere hills, and most took no more than 20 minutes to climb. Tonight, my tent is pitched just one mile from the New Jersey border, and, in the morning, I move into my trek's twelfth state (of fourteen). Just Pennsylvania and Maryland further await me. While Alison and I were in Cornwall Bridge, CT, visiting with our friend, Margie, the naturalist, I asked her about a particular animal sound that I had heard repeatedly on my journey. Not knowing how to direct her, she suggested we listen to a CD of night sounds. So, while we toured northwestern Connecticut, we were entertained and captivated by all sorts of calls and the lively gentleman who narrated. In the end, we discovered that I had been listening to the barred owl, and, as I write, another is now hooting. Just yesterday, while down in one of those hollows by a creek, I saw one perched in a tree. As I got closer, he chose to fly to a different tree, treating me to his effortless flight. The barred owl is a beautiful bird, and I'm glad to know that I've been in their company all trek long.
Date: 2016-09-16
From: Furnace Creek

To: Lott Road, Unionville, NY
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: few clouds

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday, in New York, the AT headed south and southwest, crossing a number of rocky summits. Today, right after moving into New Jersey, the AT changed its bearing ninety degrees to instead head west and northwest, and it had an immediate impact on the terrain. The ups and downs decreased, as did the number of rocks inhabiting the trail. For one five-mile stretch, the trail was completely flat as it passed through the areas containing the Wawayanda and Pochuck Creeks. Later on, it went flat again for three miles when it walked the boundary of the Wallkill Reserve. This northern part of New Jersey just across the New York border, is quite beautiful and serene. It features extensive boardwalks and bog bridges, and does its best to make you rethink your impressions of the state. After toiling yesterday, I found today's hike quite appealing. My legs were pretty tired from a week's worth of climbing and descending, and the respite they were given today was much appreciated. By day's end, I had logged 22.2 miles and felt great when I pulled into Unionville, NY, just over the border. I chose to walk the half-mile into town to enjoy a real dinner and to take advantage of the town's hospitality. Unionville kindly allows hikers to pitch their tents near the village office, which I thought was great until I realized that the floodlights that illuminated the adjacent playground weren't going off. Still, it was a very nice gesture from a lovely village.
Date: 2016-09-17
From: Lott Road, Unionville, NY

To: Deckertown Turnpike
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

When I awoke on the village green in Unionville, NY, I was treated to an incredibly heavy dew that helped make the temperature reading of 48 feel a few degrees colder. I packed up quickly, wanting to get on the trail to warm up. Over the course of the day's first eight miles, the trail would climb in excess of 1,000 feet to reach High Point, not surprisingly, New Jersey's highest point. Despite the gain in altitude, the trail was very moderately sloped and the climb was gentle on my tiring body. As it had been all week, the weather was again stupendous. Since leaving Cornwall Bridge, CT, eight days ago, I have logged over 145 miles, and I can feel the effects. It's definitely time for a bit of rest, and, with thunderstorms forecast for Sunday, I've pulled into Matamoras, PA, just across the New Jersey and New York borders in the Tri-State Region, to zero. I'll be back on the trail Monday morning despite calls for further storms. If some of this forecasted rain actually falls, it will help the water situation on the trail to the benefit of all hikers.
Date: 2016-09-19
From: Deckertown Turnpike

To: Campsite at SoBo Mile 881.2
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today may have been the most effortless day of hiking yet. Feeling well-rested from my zero, I awoke to a morning of steady rain. I didn't mind at all starting off the day under my umbrella. It had been so long since I had hiked in inclement weather that it was almost fun. The rain lasted until 10:30 am, but did little to fill creeks and streams. I'm afraid its impact on the water situation will be limited. With the highest elevations in New Jersey now behind me, the trail is on a slow glide path to the Delaware Water Gap and Pennsylvania, where I will find myself tomorrow afternoon. Today, though, New Jersey gave me an easy day to remember it by, with the trail going completely flat for miles in certain places, and rolling gently in others. For long stretches, there weren't even any rocks on the trail. I was just flying for most of the day, and didn't feel I was pushing it at all. When I arrived at my campsite, I had clocked 22.5 miles and felt I could do a few more. I even carried four liters of water for the final three miles, and thought almost nothing of it. This relative flatness will continue for the next ten days or so. Unfortunately, AT lore has it that the trail will get very, very rocky, to the point where it will become annoying. I've now heard so much about Pennsylvania's rocks that I can't wait to get there to see for myself. My sense is that for NoBos coming out of Virginia and Maryland, the change to Pennsylvania is likely striking, adding to the perceived difficulty. But for me, who has already seen the rockiness of Maine and New Hampshire, I wonder if I will be equally taken aback. Tomorrow, when I cross the Delaware River and head into Pennsylvania, it will start to become clear.
Date: 2016-09-20
From: Campsite at SoBo Mile 881.2

To: Campsite just before Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke to a heavy, soaking fog, requiring me to wear a headlamp to break camp. I continue to rise at 6:00 am each morning, even though it is now dark at that hour. By 6:30, I can usually see just fine. Not today. Pea soup. Even though the rain stopped yesterday morning, this morning's fog had all the rocks and leaves wet, and I had to be extra careful in making my way down the trail. I had fifteen miles of New Jersey hiking to finish off, including the 1,000 foot drop down to the Delaware River at the Delaware Water Gap. I wanted to polish off those miles in time to allow me to climb the 1,000 feet back up the Pennsylvania side and get a few more miles down the trail. After a slow start due to the wet trail conditions, I got rolling and was pleasantly surprised at the gentle grade that the trail maintained down to the river. I made terrific time through the last miles in New Jersey, and pulled into the little village of Delaware Water Gap, PA, at 1:00 pm. In the process of getting there, I walked across the bridge that carries I-80 over the Delaware River. The pedestrian lane, marked with white blazes, was just feet from the traffic, and each tractor trailer that rumbled by had the bridge swaying. It took me a good twenty minutes to cross the entire span, and the noise and wind caused by the traffic was jarring. After my usual peanut butter on tortillas lunch, I started the climb back up out of the Water Gap, arriving at my chosen campsite by 5:00 pm. Once the fog finally burned off around noon, the rest of the day was quite nice, suggesting that my remaining two days on the trail this week will be done under pleasant conditions. After I finish hiking on Thursday, I am heading to see my daughter, Holly, for Parents Weekend, and I will be taking both Friday and Saturday off. Once I return from my visit with Holly, I have just two weeks left on the trail. The end is coming soon!
Date: 2016-09-21
From: Campsite just before Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delps Campsite
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

Today, I got my first extended taste of Pennsylvania's rocks. If this were to be my only helping, I wouldn't really mind. Having said that, the trail conditions weren't as bad as I had imagined they would be. Yes, the sharp, angular rocks set on their edges and poking up at the bottom of my shoes were at times uncomfortable. But the worst stretches of the rocks didn't go on forever, and there were plenty of times today when the trail was no worse than what I had found in New York and New Jersey. Of course, I'm going on just one day's experience, but I have a feeling that all will be just fine. Weather conditions continue to be fairy tale-like, each day better than the previous one. Today, starting out with a killer sunrise (photo), featured blue skies and seventies, with a freshening breeze kicker. The topography through which the trail now runs is uniquely Pennsylvanian. With long, flat stretches running at 1,500 feet above sea level, there simply aren't the continual ups and downs that are the hallmark of the Appalachian Trail. It's as if Pennsylvania didn't get the memo. Every once in a while, you come to a gap and must drop down and then climb back up, but one can go for ten miles and more and literally see no more than 50 or 100 feet of elevation change. With such flatness, the rocks are a little easier to take in stride. The water situation has not improved, and likely will not, for the remainder of my time on the trail. Still, it's not dire out here. Each day brings a different solution set. For instance, today I planned my hike around two water sources that I knew were good. I purposely tented last night near a shelter that is served by a well. Filling up in the morning, I knew I could then make it to the next confirmed water source, a spring, fourteen miles away. The only drag was that the spring, running cool, clear and abundantly, was 3/4 of a mile off the trail, and quite a bit down hill. Normally, in other circumstances, I would simply skip the opportunity to walk 1.5 miles round-trip for water, but not here in Pennsylvania. I filled up four liters and carried them the next six miles to the campsite where I am spending the night. Tomorrow morning, I will start hiking with two of those liters in my pack, and they will carry me through the ten miles to the next confirmed water source. As I approached my campsite at 4:30 today, I heard my friend, the barred owl, call out to me. It seemed a little early in the day to hear him, but I was happy for the warm welcome.
Date: 2016-09-22
From: Delps Campsite

To: Lehigh Furnace Gap
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today was an interesting one, full of extremes. After a pleasant evening passed at the Delps campsite, I started out hiking amongst a decreasing dose of rocks, made all the better by my attitude towards them: they're simply the latest of various, but conquerable, challenges thrown at me during my trek. Under another day of blue skies and plentiful sunshine, the trail was again flat for some number of miles, and, as I approached Lehigh Gap, where the AT crosses the Lehigh River at Palmerton, PA, I was cruising. In addition to hosting the AT, the ridge above Palmerton is a Superfund site, where the EPA has been working for decades to remediate the impact of past zinc smelting operations. Given the magnitude of the environmental damage, reforestation is stubbornly slow. Before diving 1,000 feet for the gap, the trail runs quite exposed along this ridge, offering the sun an opportunity to blast away at hikers. With temperatures destined for the mid-eighties, I was happy to be crossing this section mid-morning. As I started my climb down off the top of the ridge, where trees had yet to take root despite decades of EPA coaxing, I encountered a most unexpected delight: a trailbed of grass. For more than two miles, I traveled without rocks or roots impeding my progress. I was also in the shade, the upper ridge protecting me from the rising sun. Carved into the side of the hill as part of the remediation effort, this part of the trail was a welcome relief from the last twenty miles of rocks, and from the exposed ridge, allowing me to recharge for the upcoming steep drop to the river. That 1,000-foot drop, over large boulders utterly open to the sun's rays, was difficult in places and slightly reminiscent of certain descents in the White Mountains. Except that I was in the middle of a Superfund site and not the Presidential Range. Once I crossed the river, I had to climb the 1,200 feet back up the other side of the gap. However, this western side had not seen zinc smelting and its environmental damage, so I walked under tree cover over a trail whose grade was much more moderate. Once back on top of the ridge, the trail flattened out and I resumed my pre-gap pace. By 2:00, I had put in fifteen miles to arrive at Lehigh Furnace Gap, not much of a gap at all, but a gravel road does pass over the ridge at this point. I had arranged for Enterprise to pick me up in my rental car here, and, after signing the paperwork, I was on my way to Richmond, VA, to see Holly for Parents Weekend. Now, Richmond lies five hours from Lehigh Furnace Gap, by way of Washington, DC, and some of the East's most dense traffic. Coming out of the woods, I felt out of place behind the wheel at sixty miles an hour. My iPhone did its best to direct me around the trouble spots, but of course I still sat in periods of traffic. Not surprisingly, I found myself thinking at times, "Which way back to the woods?"Still, experience took over, and I arrived safely, excited to see Holly, share two days with her, and learn the latest about her life.
Date: 2016-09-23
From: Lehigh Furnace Gap

To: Richmond, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today and tomorrow, I'm visiting with my daughter, Holly, for Parents Weekend. I'll be back on the trail Sunday. Today, Holly and I went to Fleet Feet Sports to buy her a new pair of running shoes. A young woman greeted us, said she was new to the store, and would be shadowing Seth, the sales person waiting on us. As Holly tried on a couple of pairs, I got into a conversation with Seth about trail runners, the type of shoe most popular on the AT. When he asked why I was interested, I mentioned my hike, saying that I was almost done. Immediately, Seth turned towards the young woman and said she had just finished her thru-hike. Pants (her trail name) and I then got down to business and discussed our respective hikes, enjoying the unexpected camaraderie. Holly came away with a new pair of shoes, and I loved my time with Pants. What a great shopping experience!
Date: 2016-09-25
From: Lehigh Furnace Gap

To: Blue Mountain Summit
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: light rain

After saying good-bye to Holly, I got an early start on my drive back to Lehighton, PA, where Enterprise is located. I had earlier arranged with a local shuttle driver a ride from Enterprise to the Lehigh Furnace Gap trailhead, where I had left off before going to Richmond. Getting to the trailhead at 2:30 after a five-hour trip from Richmond, I started hiking towards Blue Mountain Summit, where I am spending the night. Crossing over Bake Oven Knob, Bear Rocks and Knife Edge, all boulder formations, I was deep into Pennsylvania rocks once again. But with a short, eight-mile day, the rocks and boulders were easy to handle. It was a nice way to ease back into my trek after my two days with Holly. Tomorrow, I start a string of twenty mile days.
Date: 2016-09-26
From: Blue Mountain Summit

To: Campsite at SoBo Mile 967.6
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

Whole lotta rocks today. 'Nuf said. While I was off the trail, the hot weather broke, and the forecast now calls for high temperatures right around 70 for the remainder of my trek, which will be wonderful. Unfortunately, the nice sunny weather that previously dominated the forecast seems to have gone the way of the hot temperatures, as rain is moving in on Wednesday and looks to be hanging around through Saturday. We'll see what actually happens. As my Appalachian adventure begins to wind down, I've found myself cycling among three feelings: elation, relief, and a sense of mourning.The elation is the easy one. I've often been teary-eyed on the trail just thinking about how wonderful it will feel when I complete my thru-hike, and that moment is rapidly approaching. I can't wait. I am so incredibly proud of myself for taking this on, and here I stand on the threshold of succeeding. The relief I am feeling stems from beating the odds. Only one in four who attempt a thru-hike complete their journey. Many abandon their quest due to sickness, injury or a family matter. I don't want to spike the ball too early, but, so far, I have been lucky. And, already, a sense of mourning is beginning to settle in. However, I am not mourning the end of the hike; in fact, I am quite ready to be back home with Alison. Rather, I am beginning to mourn the loss of direction that the AT has provided me these past two years. During the eighteen months I spent researching, planning and preparing for my hike, my life was guided by a checklist. I knew my goal. All I had to do was compile the necessary steps and work my way through the list. There were no big decisions to make, no important life questions to answer. Once I committed to tackling the AT, the AT took control of my life and I simply followed. For the last five months of hiking, it's been even simpler: follow the white blazes. The trail has led me; I am simply following.It's been a pleasure to surrender to the trail. To let go. To live in the moment. To know that I needn't make any large or life decisions. For two years, I have lived with the certainty that the AT was in charge. I am going to miss that certainty.
Date: 2016-09-27
From: Campsite at SoBo Mile 967.6

To: Hertlein Campsite
Miles today: 22.8

I received an email a few days ago from Steve, a hiker and resident of Pennsylvania. He and I do not know each other, but he has been reading my journal and following my progress. Steve suggested that we try to meet up when I made it to his neck of the woods. I gave him some idea of when I would be close, and we made plans. Today, around 4:00 pm, I found my name on a cooler at a trailhead, loaded with an Italian sub, Powerade, Snickers Bar, trail mix and a gallon of water, courtesy of Steve. And, within the hour, I met him on the trail, he moving north on a day hike. We had a lovely conversation about thru-hiking, how he had climbed Katahdin with three of his boys, and our respective lives. It thrilled me to no end to meet him. I marvel at how my journal has connected me to people, some of whom I have never met. Steve couldn't have been kinder, and it made my day to say hello.At some point near midday, I passed the 2,000 mile mark for my hike. Absolutely crazy.
Date: 2016-09-28
From: Hertlein Campsite

To: Swatara Gap
Miles today: 17.0

Today, I picked up my second-to-last food drop from Alison. It's hard to believe that I'm fairly close to winding up my hike.A large part of today's walk was rock-free, while other parts were anything but. I must admit that I will not be missing the rocks of Pennsylvania, if they ever end. The weather forecast continues to be laden with rain. For Thursday, Friday and Saturday, showers and thunderstorms are expected, and I foresee some difficult days, especially if the trail continues to be rock-infested. Rain and rocks do not make for fun hiking.