morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Lehigh Amateur Astronomical Society Observatory

To: AT & Dan's Spring Trail intersection, PA
Miles today: 13.5

I was startled awake by a car door slamming and then two dogs right on my tent barking at me. I heard a female voice call them back. I was behind a telecope on the edge of the field and out of sight. No one ever came over; but, I soon heard the cadence of military march. I quickly got my stuff together and ate some chocolate chip cookies that were homemade by "Ya Done Good". I looked around the Tower and saw 50 or so orange clad para military young folk. They did not notice me or feel compelled to acknowledge me; so, I walked back to where I last saw the trail. I started hiking north quickly and very thankful that I was not in trouble. Whoever these military folk were; they were all over. I could here 5 distinct groups of them yelling. I kept moving, passing one group of about 20 and asked with what group were they affiliated. They said that they were with the Civil Air Patrol with alot of Sirs directed my way. I moved on, until I found a good spot to eat a good breakfeast. While doing so; two adult leaders of the CAP showed up. We talked about my hike and they talked about how physical the hiking was in this area. They were both ex military and said they had alot of respect for these kids training here. I thanked them for their service and moved on. I went down a long descent down to the Hawk Mtn road. I wanted to get to The Eckville Shelter which was on private land and had tap water. Well, I missed the shelter. I was suppose to follow the road .3 miles to the shelter; but, I thought there would be a trail. When I figured this out, I stopped and set up my tent and took a nap. I slept all the way from 1-2 pm to around dusk? All those Zero days have made me tired. That's a joke, folks. When I woke up; I had delusions of doing some big miles. It is about 2.5 mile climb up to Dan's Pulpit which is a nice open spot with a view. I love climbing and hiking at night. It is nice and cool. It is nice to look out across the valleys and towards the city lights. I was getting really thirsty, though. I was eating alot of chocolate and it was making me extra thirsty. I looked on my map and saw that there was a spring called Dan's Spring about 115 yards down the ridge. I thought to myself, "This is going to be hell!" And it sure was. In the dark, under headlamp, I went "down, down, down," and my emotions went "higher, higher, higher". I did finally hit a spring; but, "good night, Jimeny Christmas!" The thing about these long walks to water is that you have to have it; and your mind starts making you thirstier than you probably are; and a sort of tension builds, until you get a drink. Also, your thinking, "now, I have to go back up this 'some beach'". I did climb back up; having to stop and get my breath and for a thru hiker, that is saying something. Also, I did not carry my poles because I knew my hands would be full. I did stumble several times and twisted my ankle. Nothing big; but, I was wore out and set up my tent and went right to sleep. I was a little frustrated with myself.
Date: 2007-07-13
From: AT & Dan's Spring Trail intersection, PA

To: Bear Rocks, Pa
Miles today: 13.5

I woke up several times as people walked by and said hi or stared. I used to sleep naked like this; but, so many people love to peer into tents and I dont know them... I did finally wake up and the local trail maintainer came by and I mentioned that he could put up some signs about the spring. He said that he would get his son to make one up. This is one thing that I like about PA. They have all of these little home made signs. They are really cute and "homey". We talked for some time. When he was leaving, I gave him a salute and then we talked about our army service. He was a canoneer in Vietnam, two tours. He said that they gave 'em hell. I got going after a big breakfast and went across alot of those famed Pa rocks which were a little warm; but, no snake dens; so, I was happy. I was getting close to running out of water again. And guess what, it was .7 miles down to the water at the Allentown Shelter and .7 up. I filled up all my containers and a gallon jug that was at the shelter. As I was preparing my meal: 3 Texas thru hikers came by: "Big Brother(West Texas), White Claw(Frisco)", and a female from Austin whose name I forgot. It was a "Texas Bubble". After eating my meal, I left a gallon jug full of water for the next person; then went on. The trail was nice and flat and not rocky to HWy 309. I went into the Blue MTn B&B and drank a couple of beers. As I was sitting there, a married woman celebrating her 16th anniverasry came and set down next to me. Immediately, Im wondering where her husband is. I am not going to tell you what this lady, I mean woman, said to me. I then got out of there and hiked through the night over some serious rocks called the Knife's Edge. I stopped and watched some fireworks for about an hour and got going again. I then stopped at Bear Rocks, just to rest; but, nearly fell asleep; so, I set up my tent. I laid there till daylight........I should have walked into Palmerton, like I was going to...
Date: 2007-07-15
From: Palmerton Borough Building, Pa

To: Palmerton Borough Building, Pa
Miles today: 0.0

Ok, folks....Took a Zero here because I needed to use the computer and this town is so accomodating. It will be a week or two before you all hear from me...please dont panic, Im out here and Ill make it, with all you thoughts and prayers... I have to comment on Pa as I get ready to leave. These small communities do have small town values and I have learned that I am much more metropolitan than I would like to admit. I actually had a local chick say that I was borderline gay! After awhile, she changed her mind and told her that I did not see anyone around here that could whoop my ass. I then did the "Joe Dirt"(the movie) thing and slapped my bicep,"is this gay" and then my other bicep, "is this gay?" I just dont think women in this area are used to articulate men that take care of themselves and do not walk around sticking their chests out espousing their manliness. This is a joke; but, "I am a buffet of manliness!" I have also heard that my pictures do not do me service. I dont know what to say to this, maybe I need a video? Ok, enough conceit. Believe it or not, I had a girl in Dallas break-up with me because I was not confident enough. Right after one in Nashville broke up with me for being too cocky, women? You gotta love em! Also, "MoonMan": your tours in Vietnam, make you my hero. Just as my grandfather was in WWII flying B-17's or B-24's in '42 thru '44. It is guys like you and the guys in Iraq that allow us to hike the AT and not have to be fighting these wars in our backyard....I salute you. I am feeling very patriotic as I walked into the town park here and listened to a free concert that ended with Stars and Stripes Forever. How inspiring, if you have not heard this official march song of the U.S. played by a live band, then you are missing out. I believe that I was the only one under 70 watching the band; but, it was great and I thought about how awesome small town America really is. With our mass media and constant blarring of adult themes in urban/suburban America; I think we are forgetting what the other half of our great country is about. I think this will continue to show in our national elections. The people are real friendly. The young men all try to look "ghetto" like rap stars; but, they are still just as "backwards" as rural Tennessee. And I do not mean that as a slam. Also, I heard that Colin Fletcher died recently. He is another hero of mine. He wrote several books on hiking thru Death Valley(1000 mile summer) and hiking the Grand Canyon(cant remember the books name). He also wrote The Hikers Bible. I think that was the name; but, it discusses all gear and equiptment, 1970's style. He recently had another book where he juxtaposes his old style hiking with the new wave lightweight revolution, which I have not read. Just wanted to say rest in peace Colin.......Now Im going to climb up this beautiful, tore up gap called Lehigh. Hope that I did not lose anyone here today.
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Palmerton Borough Building, Pa

To: Lehigh Gap, PA
Miles today: 2.5

Spent most of the day at the library in Palmerton. Left out of there about 7pm and was getting ready to go out of town and saw "Bobcat"(Female thru hiker). We talked for awhile and she went to the bar at The Palmerton Hotel as I walked on by towards the AT. I knew one beer would be too much; so, I walked down back towards the town dump. As I walked out of town; it was getting pretty dark. I was being extra cautious as to where I was placing mt feet due to the story by the custodian at the burrough hall. He said that a hiker was bit by a rattlesnake about 2 weeks ago and they had trouble getting the anti-venon. I had to walk back around the locked gate at the dump which meant going thru thick grass by a river bank; right after dusk. I did get up to the Lehigh Gap and saw; then smelled a crew of 4-5 male thru hikers that had a fire going and holding and twirling a plastic bottle they were burning. I did not say much and headed on to the climb up north out of Lehigh Gap. This is one of the mythical places on the trail. The ridgeline for about 3-4 miles north of here is completely exposed by years of zinc smelting. As luck had it: I started hearing thunder and seeing lightning, which was a spectacular event. I immediately headed back down the hill with pictures of me getting caught on that ridgeline and praying all night. I went down to the gap and tried to find a good place to get out of a electrical strorm. This has always been a tough decision for me. When I used to have 12 to 70 boys to get out of the lighning it was always hard to find a spot: not out in the open & not near any tall trees. When your in a forest; and most of the time in higher elevations; you are always around big trees. I did find a spot and the storm went just north of where I was camped. Much to my relief; but, left thinking that I should hike. I did not because of the time and the slickness of the steep hike up from here; supposedly "The toughest scramble until we get to the White Mtns in New Hampshire.+++++++note: Ill change the picture & wow; I guess I deserved those guest page comments, good and bad!++++++++++++++++++++++
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Lehigh Gap, PA

To: .3 miles from Delps Trail south AT PA
Miles today: 10.0

Woke up late and tore down my camp in the midday heat and humidity with the sound of vehicles on PA 248. I took the climb up the winter trail, blue blaze, because it had an all weather spring and I needed to get water. I went to the spring and ate very well. I then went up the Rocky Trail that is very steep to The ridge of Blue Mtn. It was a difficult climb; but once up to the "treeless" area, it was very cool with a nice breeze. It was completley tore up. There were rocks everywhere. You have to see the pictures to see the extent. There was nothing but rock field or fields with a few old sun dried trees thrown in. There was also a small tree here and there. It was like nothing that I had ever seen. It made for a great hike. Evidently, they had brought out a bulldozer and made a nice path through the destruction. If not for the path; this would have been one of the worst hikes, ever. I hiked out of the destruction with a descent into and then an ascent out of Little Gap. I hiked on for about 4 more miles in a couple of hours. Passed thru a turkey herd(?) and got tired around dusk. I put my tent up around Delps Trail. It began to rain and I put my rain fly on. Rain came in thru the window on the rain fly of my REI Roadster tent. Luckily, it did not rain too hard and I avoided having a rough night.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: .3 miles from Delps Trail south AT PA

To: Kirkridge Shelter, PA
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: moderate rain

I did not sleep well at all and could not believe when I saw the approaching dawn. I slept until noon when I did get to sleep. It sprinkled until then and it was hot in my tent. I did manage to get some sleep. Several hikers went by while I was asleep. When I was just getting out of my tent: "General Tsao" came by and said hello. I got my stuff together and got moving in a very humid high 80 degree day. I was soon "sopping wet" with sweat; from head to toe. When I got to the Leroy A. Smith Shelter; I changed into different shorts and shirt and dried my socks in the sun. I got going and met a pretty cool thru hiker named "Speaks Little". He is from Pearisburg, VA and had a t-shirt that said Dixie Girls along with a loam color Haven Motel ball cap with polarized sunglasses. I headed out to get water because I had not needed any since I left Palmerton 2 mornings ago. I went down to Wind Gap, PA. There I met "Good Pete". He runs the Gateway Motel, .1 miles west off of PA 33(before you go under the bridge). I am detailed here because this is a really nice Indian American from Amarillo, Texas. He filled our water bottles and dromedary bags with "purified" water. He sold Speaks little and I colas and talked with us. He was a hoot. I would recommend going there if I was hiking the AT. I kept going, though. I was going for the impossible dream of going for Delaware water Gap, PA. It was about 27 miles. I got going andhad a steep climb up from the gap; then when I was on the ridge; it got dark; and very rocky. This hike was about 9 miles of pure hell to The Kirkridge Shelter. There were some tough rocks, like the Wolf Rocks. I went over them around midnight and stared down at the very few lights towards the west. There were rocks the whole 9 miles. It would go from small ones to very large boulder hopping that involved some latenight jumps for life. I also slipped one time and had to jump from one rock; then to another; then to another; etc for 5 times to avoid falling about 5 feet and really hurting myself. I had to hit these jumps, like a gymnast. When I got down to Fox Gap; I took a long break and soaked up the night. A little foggy; a little froggy; little spooky; and there was a little monument to a women hear that had all kinds of little trinkets on it. A few cars went by and a few cars in the parking lot. I thought this meant that these folks parked here and then went up to the shelter. It is only about .6 miles up to the shelter. I got there and a white dog came right up to me. He did bark or get to close. I looked for someone else to be around. It did not seem to be the case. The dog had a collar; so, he was probably local. I took all my stuff off and stayed here. I like shelters all to myself. It was also a cool night. 20 miles, I was happy. Maybe, I will take the wine tour in Italia along the Adriatic Coast, next. That is one of the answers/possiblilties to the most frequently asked question of me, recently.
Date: 2007-07-19
From: Kirkridge Shelter, PA

To: The Presbyterian Church Of the Mountain Hostel, PA
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up when the wind picked up and blew into the shelter and cooled things down. It helped me sleep a little longer. When I just woke up, there was "speaks Little". It was around noon. He said that he was glad to see me alive. He said that he would not have wanted to go over those rocks and those cliffs in the dark. I told him that I felt it. The dog which kept trying to cuddle up with me all night; now went over to Speaks Little. They were friendly together and I knew that he now had a little friend and companion. He did follow him to the Hostel. The Pastor knew of the dog and said he would go home if you did not feed him. I just ate a few cereal bars and drank much water and took my vitamins and was off. Not a real noteworthy descent. It was the last Mtn in Pa; so, I was very excited about this. I walked into The Pesbyterian Church Of the Mountain Hostel. There were alot of hikers here. The was going to be a "feed" tonight, put on by the church. So, there were about 20-25 hikers here with all types of nomenclatures and hiking styles. I showered and washed my clothes. At the "Feed", one hiker was drunk and made a minor scene. He was corrected for getting food before the grace and other drunken behavior. It was really inappropriate and was glad that this hiker pulled it together with the church members help because I was starting to wonder if I was going to have to step in and grab the guy by the arm. The trail policeman, that's me. From running that camp, I am compelled to police my peers, however appropriate or inappropriate; especially in a situation like this. Here this hostel does not charge us anything and feed us; and some guy gets so drunk that he almost cant handle himself. Anyway things went well after he got some food in his belly and we had some good conversaton, all 50 of us, hikers and church folks I had trouble sleeping inside as it was stuffy and stinky with people knocking over the air fans all night. It did thunderstorm outside; so, i was glad that I was inside.
Date: 2007-07-20
From: The Presbyterian Church Of the Mountain Hostel, PA

To: The Presbyterian Church Of the Mountain Hostel, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Taking a zero to do some chores(fixing rainfly, pack food, wash sleeping pad, etc). Also, tomorrow: "Speaks little's" Dad is coming out with steaks about 20 miles north. He also gave me three beers called Chalmay, it's Belgian. It costs about 60 dollars a case. It was good. Woodstock, you ask what happened to the crew at Miss Janet's on St Paddy's day. Walrus: off the trail(ankle) at Erwin, Tn....Ramblin' Rose: off the trail(shin splints) at 19E, TN...Mo Lassus, The Jersey Diamond: off the trail(got job in California working with troubled youth) at Port Clinton, PA...Woodstock: off the trail(chronic fatigue) at the beginning of Maine. Will be back to finish from there August 13...Zero on the trail in Vernon, NJ...If you want to know about others, let me know. New thru hikers that I met that I developed relationships with: "Gypsy Spirit"("Speaks Little's" girlfriend); "Wrong way" who lived in Alaska and chopped wood for 20 years for his family and then got a divorce. He then moved back to his mother's house in Long Island, NY. While there; he walked into an outfitter that had been there all his life and had never went in. He goes in and sees a video monitor that he prompts and it says all kinds of things like, "are you between jobs, no family commitments, lookinf for an adventure: then hike the AT". He made up his mind there and 3 months later started hiking the AT! Everyone has a story. "Stonewall" from Knoxville. "Jungle Gym" who responded to my report that know sees "Wingfoot" the author of the handbook Guide to the AT. He said that, "yeah, he is the Howard Hughes of the AT in his reclusiveness". Had to be there, funny. Stonewall and Jungle Gym walked 36 miles into DWG. Gypsey Spirit walked 37 miles into DWG. Her and Speaks little take periodic breaks on the trail to get some space. Before hiking the trail, they spent 9 months on a sailboat in the Virgin Islands. She also chews tobacco. I slept much better this night as I left a light on, so people could see the fans.
Date: 2007-07-21
From: The Presbyterian Church Of the Mountain Hostel, PA

To: Dingman Campground, DWG national park, PA
Miles today: 18.4

woke up around daylight when I heard "Speaks Little & Gypsy Spirit" woke up. That pretty much woke everyone up when I got going. I ate a very big breakfest and took my vitamins and drank alot of water. There was not any good water, until The Mohican Outdoor center about 10 miles away. It would also be hot coming out of the DWG. I liked the climb into NJ. It was nice and gradual through the Worthington State Forest. In the state forest; there is Sunfish POnd. It is themost southen of glacial ponds on th AT.....no swimming. It was pretty and snakey. It was real rocky going around the pond, basically rock hopping. Ever corner that I came around were people and/or I could see a snake tail going into the undergrowth. The sun was coming down pretty good; but, not uncomfortable. I was moving well and enjoying the grade of hiking in NJ. There were rocks butit was fairly level. I took a break at a nice view when a guy from England showed up day hiking and then "Tumbleweed(female t-hiker) and Gnarley". Gnarley gave us each a piece of pizza which got my internal motor going. I like "Tumbleweed". She has a great spirit. When she told me her name; I had to sing, "Tumbleweed, your living a cowboy's dream". She liked that. She works on a Dude ranch in the summer; so, she has heard some country songs. SHe works at a ski resort in the winter, WInter PArk, CO. She is a strong hiker. We got going and I was the first to the Mohican Outdoor center where I drank two cups of coffee while I talked to "Mr Breeze". I then went of speeding through a lovely NJ. There were some nice views. I was surprised how remote this area was and how many people were out. It was Saturday. I then drank a coke that I had bought at the Mohican. I was soon at the Blue MTn lakes road where at 5pm we were picked up By "Speaks Small". We went back to the Dingman Campground, DWG national park, PA. Where he had steaks, chicken, beer, heart of palms and avocado salad, and spinach and tomatoe salad. I ate until I could not anymore. Speaks little's dad said," I like Zero. Everytime that I ask does someone want this; he says yes." We soon all went to sleep with a never ending fire of big fire starter logs.