morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Wolfsville Road - Free State Hostel

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Day 73.Happy Birthday to my bro Big Al.The day started at 6:30 with my alarm going off. Slept good. Out of my bunk, picked up my pack and headed to the kitchen/sitting area. Drank my Instant Breakfast and then took my leftover food from the fridge, stuck in the mic and warmed it up. With rain forecasted, I'm not sure if I will make my 25 mile day so with only 1 meal in my pack, I figure I should eat what I could. Actually, it was a good start. Looking at the weather on the computer, it looks as if rain is int he area now and a bigger front is coming later. The other two hikers are considering staying an extra day. Within a few minutes, the rain started to hit the skylights.Ate, drank, packed and out the door at 7:10. The rain was light and I started up the road to the trailhead. A very busy road with small shoulders made an interesting walk. On the trail just before 7:30. Not bad for a rainy day out of a warm hostel.It rained for about an hour, then let up. About 8 miles into the day, the other front hit. Much harder and consistent rain. The trail was OK, but the climbs up and down have become very rocky. About the time I hit Penn-Mar Park, the rain was coming down pretty hard. The snack bar was closed, but I was able to get a drink out of the vending machine. I headed to the bathroom where I put on my other shirt. I did not want a repeat of my Dutch Haus day. Even with the rain coming down hard, I left the pavilion area and hit the trail. The rain did not let up all day. When I hit the Tumbling Run shelters (2), I decided to stop for the day. I only have 18.3 miles in and I know the rain is letting up, but I whimped out. 7 hours 9 minutes, I hike through the rain and stop short of my goal.With the hostel closed ahead, there is no longer a reason to push there in two days. I will do a 25 tomorrow and land only 3 miles short. Then I will just keep going the next day after I figure out where my maildrop is. If it is gone, then I will need to resupply at the Campstore. Either way, I will not have a dinner tomorrow, just snacks. This will be OK. I could stand to lose some of the weight I gained with my 10 zero days. It is good to be back on the trail. I know I will need to get my mileage back up sooner rather than later. I need a 25 tomorrow to get back in the saddle.I am in the non-snoring shelter with Pony and Tub. There is a hiker in the snoring shelter, but I don't know who it is. Today was a good day other than my mileage and I know tomorrow will be better.
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 29.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 74.The rain started again last night about 8:45. The fire I actually started was going out so off to bed we went. 4 in my shelter for non-snorers and 3 in the other. The rain was falling and I quickly tucked in and fell asleep.My alarm went off at 6:30 as it does every day. But this time, I actually got up. My plan is to go 25 to the shelter right before Pine Grove. Then it is only 3 miles to find out the status of my maildrop that I sent to Ironmaster¢s Mansion Hostel.As the day went on, I found that the miles went by quickly. By the time I reached the final shelter, it was around 4:30. I figured everything should be open until 6:00, which gave me time to get there. So off I went.The last 4 miles were on easy tread and I made it in by 5:20. I went by the hostel and it was closed. I asked around but no one knew anything about the maildrop status. The park office closes at 6:00, so I had time to get there. At 5:40, I heard voices in the office, but when I tried to open the door, it was already locked. The time clearly said 6:00 but no one would come to the door. More half-ass Government workers I guess. Wow, a state park office worker. Seriously, how hard can that really be? So I walked to the hostel to see if there was any message about the packages. There was. It said to pick them up at the park office. Wow. Go figure.I went back to the store where 8, yes 8, AT hikers just completed the half-gallon (ice cream) challenge. 4 girls and 4 guys. Stumble Wolf of all people, did it in a witnessed 16 minutes. When I went in to order my food, Stumble Wolf said there were 3 hikers in for a campsite and asked if I would be interested in the fourth spot, therefore reducing the cost to about $5.00 each. By the time I got out, the other 2 bailed and it was just him and I. Great. Oh well. I was tired and was staying here. So I ate my 2 large California burgers, fries, liter of Gatorade, bottle of Sprite, pint of ice cream, and headed up to the tent sites. Stumble Wolf was already into his things but all in all he was much more toned down than before.At the store, he knew that I knew him but he could not place me. Then out of nowhere he blasts out, ¢Now I remember, I met you when I was hiking with Stitches. I did not recognize you because you has a white beard that is now gone.¢ Wow. He pegged that on the head. I was not with the pack he was with so to remember that was pretty good. Now he just needs to work on his social skills.As it turned out, I had to walk the campsite fee to the office. Another 1/2 mile each way. The camp area was more like a local party place. Kids up and yelling until late, music blasting and what not. Not like Illinois State parks with enforced 10:00 quiet hours. Oh well. Flushing bathrooms and a level tent pad. All for $11. I will pick up my maildrop in the morning after 8:00 and hit the trail. A good day. A long day. Hot food and all is good. I¢ll take it.
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs, Allenberry Resort Inn & Playhouse
Miles today: 19.2

Day 75.Sometime last night, Stumble Wolf indicated that Boiling Springs was 20 miles away. I really had not focused on what to do since I was just going with the flow and gave a lot of thought to my missing maildrop. So, I looked it up and sure enough, it was 19.2 miles. I heard about the Allenberry Resort and if only a small part of it turns out to be true, it sounds like an adventure.
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Boiling Springs, Allenberry Resort Inn & Playhouse

To: Duncannon, PA ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Doyle Hotel
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day 76.I¢m sitting by the window of my 3rd floor room overlooking downtown Duncannon. This morning, I left my squishy room at the dinner/theater resort complete with pool, tennis courts, several lounges, etc. All where I paid $25 plus $15 for an unlimited dinner buffet. Now, 25.7 miles later, I¢m in a historic hotel that is badly in need of even the basic repairs, also for $25. No TV, no fancy pillows or spread, no A/C, pretty much no of everything. Yet, I am glad to be here. Trail life throws you all sorts of experiences, both on and off the trail. Today is no different. This place is a hiker tradition and I am glad to be a hiker sharing my snapshot of it.I arrived here just after 4:20. I left this morning about 7:30. The trail did not offer any real challenges other than the 90 degree temps and high humidity. It is supposed to storm tonight and it is nice having a roof so I don¢t have to pack up a wet tarp in the morning. Storms expected tomorrow afternoon and with the unsettled air, I believe it will be a wet hike.Nonetheless, I plan on having breakfast across the street at 6:30 or so if I can get up. I am already showered and laundry is done, so I hope to get to bed early. My next stop is Port Clinton, some 70 miles away. I only have 2 nights of food, which means I have to do big miles over the massive rocks that will begin just out of town. With the rain, I am hesitant if it will go as planned. I have eaten well the last 3 days, so if I miss a day, I really think it should still be OK.I plan to send my night socks and vest back the next time I have a chance. It is mid-June and the temps are just too hot to think I will need them anymore. I think I could get my pack weight down to under 10 pounds with food and water. The light pack is undoubtedly the key to my larger mile days with a broken foot.I have to say that I am having fun. It feels good to be an AT thru hiker, again. The hikers since Damascus have been much better. They still drink, party and such, but they still hike. The group since Harper¢s Ferry have been really enjoyable to be hiking with. That makes it worth being here. My hike is going well and with no problems, God willing, I will be a repeater!!
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Hertlein Campsite ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Mile 1,189.9
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 78.Day ended about 4:40. Sounds like a shorter day, but at 23 miles it isn¢t bad. I even spent an hour at the 501 shelter, which makes me stopping even more questionable. 3 reasons. First, with 18 miles into Port Clinton tomorrow, the extra miles today really don¢t do much for me tomorrow. Second, with the snoring that went on last night by one of the section hikers, I did not get a good night¢s sleep and am looking forward to an early night. Third, I have been hearing some real rumbling of thunder in the distance. Not on me, but I suspect more is on its way.So like I said, a constant snoring kept me up most of the night. I guess I had maybe 5 hours. With 29 miles in today and a not so great sleep the night before in Duncannon after a 25 mile day, I was feeling a bit tired. I was up at 6:00, so I decided to start packing. Done, said my goodbyes and hit the trailhead at 6:50. Hit 2 old ruins of villages from the 1800¢s. Mostly just piles of rocks like usual, but it is still kind of cool to imagine a small village was here where people lived and worked. And with the cemetery here, I guess they died here as well.These old wood¢s cemeteries have always amazed me. I actually come across them often. I can¢t even imagine how many there are scattered in the hills and woods throughout this country, who they are and what are their stories.The hike went well today. After coming up from I-81, the sides of the trail became overgrown with massive amounts of poison ivy and thorn bushes. I don¢t have or carry long pants, I have ankle socks and I don¢t wear gaiters. All normally OK, but for 8 miles they would have come in handy. Oh well. I got by. I stopped at the 501 shelter to wash my legs and arms just in case I got some of the poison oils on me. The shelter was large with a picnic table in the middle. It was actually an enclosed structure with 4 walls, doors, and a large skylight. There was some orange juice, peanuts, and one small donut with a note to enjoy it, so I did. Hit the spot. I ate my hot dogs in BBQ sauce and was able to leave the waste in a can provided. There was a house next door with a hose connected to 2 large water tanks that fed a shower if you wanted to take one. There were menus of local places that would deliver there. Even a note in the journal that someone would be there at 5:00 with a chili dinner for a $3.00 donation. Even a port-a-pot as the toilet. All in all, I thought of staying, but I needed to keep moving on.Even with 23 miles in today, I still have not caught up to Cookie and Tic Toc. Unless they are stopping at Port Clinton, I won¢t catch them for a couple of days. Bummer.So for now, it is a calm evening. If no trees fall on me tonight, my plan is to get on the trail at 7:00 and into town by 2:00 or so. A good day, God willing a good night, and town tomorrow. Life is good.
Date: 2010-06-18
From: Lehigh Gap, PA / PA 248 ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Jailhouse Hostel

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 29.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 82.Day started on time. Up at 6:00 so I could pack and have breakfast. Last night was a good night¢s sleep. I took the side away from Bahama Dave since I knew he was a snorer from the night before.At Bert¢s Steakhouse right at 6:30. Had 2 breakfasts again. Omelet with the works and French toast with bacon. Of course coffee and juice. At 7:10, I went to get my pack across the street. By the time I got back, Bahama Dave and the other section hiker ran into someone who offered them a ride to the trailhead. They took it without even thinking about waiting 2 minutes for me. The good thing is that the expectations of section hikers is so low that this type of action is almost expected. So I walked the 1.5-2.0 miles to the trail. Hit the trail right at 8:00.The first climb out of the gap is a hard climb over large rocks and small cliffs. This is the hill climb that is part of the zinc mine clean-up. This is the #1 superfund site in the country. The acid rain from the smelting process contaminated miles around the area. The cost to clean up the area is multiples of what was ever made with the mine.On top in 40 minutes. A reroute from last hike. They don¢t have you hike on the actual top anymore. In any case, I caught up with the section hikers in about 2.5 hours. Had my words with them, in a friendly manner of course, and went on my way. With a big day planned, I suspect I will never see them again.The rocks never ended. Goal is to stop at the 20 mile, the Gateway Motel, for water, then 10 more to the shelter. As it turned out, that is exactly what I did. I hit the shelter in 12 hours and 12 minutes. My feet held up well, but whatever is going on under my left toes is hurting. Some issue with my heels, but I could work on those.The shelter had the larger group that was at the jailhouse the night before. This group parties, but they still do the miles. They are a fun group to stay with. A lot of energy. After they ate the snake they killed earlier, some went on a night hike. Others cowboy camped. I was out at 9:30 and they were still going strong.A good day. Made my 29+ miles over 100% rocks. Now I have only 6+ miles to go to reach the Post Office by 11:30. I should be there by 10:00. Great effort. Life is good. No, life is great!!
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Presbyterian Church

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 84.Up at 5:00. Goal is to pack, drop my bounce box in the mail on my way to the diner and have a good breakfast right at 6:00. When I was packing, Bahama Dave was up, packed and out at 5:30. Deja Thru was also up. So I was on schedule. In fact, I had to wait until they opened. Again, I had Jacki as my server. Same breakfast as yesterday. Omelet, French toast, bacon and coffee.After breakfast, went back, picked up my pack and on the trail at 7:20. My hike was a good one. At 24.8 miles, I felt good. It was nice to end a longer day feeling good, so I decided to stop. Saw a 7-8 foot black snake, a bear, and even my first rattle snake, a Timer rattler. Just about stepped on it. Backed off. Threw some things at it but it would not coil. Also would not move and it never took its eyes off of me. Even with the very heavy brush, I had to go around.Caught up with Bahama Dave by noon just after the bear. 2 hikers just before the pond, 4 more after the snake and Deja later on. I hike with Deja for a bit.At the shelter, I decided to tent out because of the bugs. There were 8 section hikers here. Deja tented up trail. Went to sleep early. I wanted a good night¢s sleep and I ended up with just that. Tomorrow my goal is to do a 27 mile day to Unionville and the Mayor¢s hostel. Looking forward to it. He is closing his hostel after this season.So as of today, I¢ve done about 300 miles since Harper¢s in 2 weeks or about 21.4 miles a day on average. Tomorrow, Unionville.
Date: 2010-06-21
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Unionville, NY ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Loft Road ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ The Outhouse Hostel
Miles today: 26.7

Day 85.Up on time at 6:00. On the trail by 6:45. Nice night¢s sleep. Was able to stay out of my bag without getting eaten up by the bugs. Between the bug bites and the poison ivy, I look like a pin cushion.The hiking day was hard. The ups and downs are short, like 100-300 feet, but are constant, steep and rocky. Nothing flat except the last couple of miles at the end of the day. With it being June 21st, it is National Hike Naked Day. All day I saw only one participant.Arrived at Unionville around 5:15. Called over to the Outhouse Hostel for directions. Butch answered the phone and picked me up at the Post Office. He said the hostel was full, but I could take a place on the floor. That was fine with me. He said there is a $10.00 donation, which includes dinner and breakfast. Soda is free and so is the first beer. Additional beer is 50 cents a can. In all, it ended up there were 27 hikers there. No hiker is turned away.Dinner was a sausage sandwich, corn on the cob, and three-bean salad. It was all good. I decided to tent in the back. There were 5 other tenters and I think 2 hammocks, in addition to a full house.That night, Deja indicated that she will have to get off the trail. She is going to China for a year and needs to get things together for it. She is a strong hiker and it has been nice hiking with her from time to time. Oh well.So it was a good hiking day with a good place to stop. Glad I had the opportunity to stay here before they stop this wonderful service.
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Unionville, NY ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Loft Road ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ The Outhouse Hostel

To: Furnace Brook - Mile 1358.5
Miles today: 22.6

Day 86 10 hours 9 minutesTo be completed
Date: 2009-10-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So how did this all get started? I know how it did but what I can't really explain is why it seems so important. A friend of mine gave me a video to watch ("2000 Miles to Maine") and we did some hiking together. What an "I am out of shape" wake-up call that was. After watching the video I immediately watched it a second time. I can't explain it I was just completely comsumed with the thought, I want to do this. I have to do this. I often think we all wait to long to chase our dreams, and when we retire and find ourselves 65, and not in very good shape, we realize that some things are just out of reach at that point. I just don't want to get there and have regrets, so I decide to do this. Most of the people I know, family and friends, probably all think I am nuts, but for the most part everyone is being very supportive and encourgaing. They say they are but some of their expressions are saying something else. Either way, I do have great friends, loving sisters, and many very sepcial people in my life that make it so wonderful. I am truley blessed.So why then? Well, what started out as pure adventure in 2007 is slowly becoming something else now. Again, it is hard to explain, but some how I feel that there is something out there for me. Something to discover. Maybe, on the inside where we all carry things that bother us, or other things that occupy our thoughts a lot. Or maybe on the outside, as I rediscover something that has alwas been so important to me, and that is the great outdoors. We all have memories both good and bad, and we all carry them with us where ever we go. I have some of my own.I have read everything I can get my hands on about the AT since I decided to do this and everyone that has writen it all down has one thing in common. They were all searching for something, and many simply didn't know what it was. Earl Shaffer was walking off the war, others were walking off the job that they hated, I love my job by the way, or the marriage that wasn't working, or some other pain in there life that seemed to be to much to bare when they were still, or any number of things. They were all just trying to put some distance between themselves and what ever it is that makes them search. I can see now as the time draws near that I am no different. Others, usually younger, seek out the AT as a great adventure to complete before they become responsible adults and slip into the working world. So what am I seaching for? I'm not sure exactly, but I have my suspicions. I just know that it is out there somewhere between Springer Mountian and Katahdin. Somewhere where there are no distractions, so God and I can just walk along together. Some of you will understand, but others will not. My only hope is that God will enlighten me, and show me along the way what it is. I hope that everyone who follows this will enjoy the journey, the fun, the pain, and the things I share about life in the woods and my "discoveries". I also hope that my friends and family can get to know me better as I search to know myself.Pray for me, and wish me luck."It's all about Him"Norman PonderFrankie The Sleeper
Date: 2009-10-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So why February 15th? Well for several reasons really. I wanted to have a four seasons experience, you know winter (snow), spring (everything blooming), summer, and fall when the leaves start changing. Also I will need the extra time to get my hiking legs under me and make it to Maine before the park closes. Just kidding, I hope it doesn't take me 8 months to complete the trail. Another thing is if I start in February there will be fewer people on the trail and I had hoped to have some solitude and peace along the way, atleast in the beginning, to just spend time with God and sort through the things on the inside. I know that there will be people catching me and passing me for the first couple months and that will allow me to meet a lot of other hikers too. I have planned for 6 months off from work and need to stick to that a close as possible, give or take a few weeks either way. There will be no records set, no time tables to conform to, and no concerns other than to hike my own hike.   I want to enjoy this opportunity of a life time to just shake off the trappings of our world, and to be released forom the stringent time tables that govern our lives. To be free while I am still young enough to enjoy it.   I plan to add a few pics of my first few hikes soon, so that everyone can see what "fat Frankie" and now "thiner Frankie" looked like as I trained, and struggled some too, in the beginning as the dream unfolded to Thru-Hike the AT. I have already learned much, and know that there is much more to learn. I have made some big mistakes and will share them with you so you do not have to make the same ones. The hardest one so far has been to far to soon to fast with to much weight. Yep!!! Did that!!! I'll save that one for the next entry, and will hopefully have the pictures to share as well. My nephew, "Mr Computer Geek", is coming over this weelend to help the old Sleeper with this new fangled tech stuff.Frankie The SleeperDream a little dream, and make it happen!