morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-06-06
From: Stealth site PA72

To: Pine Grove comfort inn
Miles today: 10.8

Lite rain overnight again overnight and threatening rain this morning but nothing came of it.I am being unfair to Pennsylvania posting all these rock pictures when a lot of the trail has been not this Rocky, but these sections are really brutal. I have had my hiking poles for all the miles up to PA which includes lots of miles on other trails as well, and have had no problems. PA rocks and now I have lost both tips and the thingy that stops the pole from burying itself in the ground - I need to find an outfitter for replacement parts.Meeting up with the bouge unit later today in Pine Grove. I am sitting in McDonald's having just finished a McChicken, sausage burrito and big Mac meal, my doctor is going to be on me about cholesterol when I get back for sure.Going to check in at the comfort inn and wait for the boys to arrive.
Date: 2018-06-07
From: Pine Grove comfort inn

To: Eagles nest shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We arranged a shuttle back to the trail head and was on trail by 8:15. We were on trail for less than 30 minutes and met up with Sassafras who I hadn't seen since Front Royal. It was a great morning getting caught up. Weather was good, cool for hiking but clear. There were lots of rocks on this section but balanced with some smooth flat sections. Nice shelter that had picnic tables in the tenting area so perfect for food prep and cards for post dinner entertainment.Kenny is just figuring out how long we will be on trail if we keep the current pace - Aug 14, about a month earlier than what I originally calculated based on trail average pace. This could change if we end up slowing down dramatically in new Hampshire and Vermont. It's funny, after passing half way, thoughts seem to fill up with how soon it will be over. For me, I just want to enjoy the time I have, it is really awesome to be living outside (at least when it is not raining).Oh yeah, passed the 1200 mile mark today, so the number of remaining miles is in 3 digits!
Date: 2018-06-08
From: Eagles nest shelter

To: Windsor Furnace shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Todays hike took us right through Port Clinton and right at lunch time, so we stopped in the port Clinton hotel for lunch where they kindly told us we couldn't sit in the dining room until we had a shower. I guess the hiker funk is a little too much for some. We did get to stay in the bar though, so had fish and chips and a couple of beers for lunch - awesome! The descent into Port Clinton was the longest, steepest trail I have hit so far on the AT, kind of unexpected for PA.Not sure about the history of this town but the big lumps of anthricite and coal at the railyards must mean it was once big in the coal mining industry here. The railyard is the Reading railroad for all you Monopoly fans.Tenting at the Windsor Furnace shelter tonight. Clear night and looks like they have scaled back the possibility of rain for tomorrow from 50 to 30%.Wildlife siting today (not including the zillion Chipmunks) - one mid sized turtle, no idea what species but she was up away from a river bank looking for a place to lay some eggs.
Date: 2018-06-09
From: Windsor Furnace shelter

To: Blue Mountain B&B
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Great day of hiking, though the rocks are really starting to mess with my feet. We climbed first thing to get to the pulpit view, the best lookout in PA so far. Carried on to the Pinnacle where there is a huge pile of rocks that has been built by the many hikers through here who each add their own rock to the pile - check out the photo section for pictures of the pile and the view from Pinnacle. Saw a timber rattlesnake hiding in a rock crevice. Hiked on to Dan's pulpit where we had lunch about 10 feet from a large diamond back rattlesnake who just lay there the whole time. After leaving this lunch spot, there were 3 more venemous snakes - a coperhead and diamond back laying together, then another timber rattlesnake who was really shaking his tail at us.r Later I had a rat snake pass right in front of me on the trail and it was fully extended and over 5 feet long - amazing!We got to our target destination - Allentown shelter (16 miles) but was talking with Ahab and tiger Lilly who told us about the blue mountain b&b where you can get dinner and camp right behind their place, so back on the trail for another 4 miles. Dinner was great - salad and burger with way too many beers. But it made for a fun night with New York and tall boy there as well as the whole rampage gang.
Date: 2018-06-10
From: Blue Mountain B&B

To: Palmerton PA
Miles today: 13.6

Rain overnight and continued all day, not heavy but steady so we are heading to Bert's hostel which is attached to the restaurant right downtown. A shorter day distance wise but very difficult rock wise. This section called knife's edge took almost 30 minutes to get through. Very slippery with the rain and hand over hand rock scrambling really got the adrenaline going. A big relief to get through without falling.Checked into Bert's and a lot of others had the same idea to get out of the weather, so there were 20 people staying with only 1 washroom. Got resupplied then out to alocal pub that had a pool table and dart board, so a lot of fun.
Date: 2018-06-11
From: Palmerton PA

To: Palmerton PA
Miles today: 0.0

Rain finally stopped this morning but we decided at breakfast that we were all ready for a day of no hiking, so my first full zero since Damascus (mile 473). It turned really sunny and we spent the day wandering around town, watching old DVDs and playing pool and darts. I get a bit stir crazy with the downtime but could feel my legs appreciating the day of rest.Fewer people staying tonight. Weather looking good for rest of the week.
Date: 2018-06-12
From: Palmerton PA

To: Leroy Smith shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Beautiful hiking day, no clouds and in low 70s. Shuttled back to trail by 815 and started the hair raising climb out of Lehigh gap. It was hugely steep and Rocky and poles were more of a liability as hand over hand climbing was required in many spots. Once up the mountain though it flattened out and stayed that way pretty much the whole day. The first section was ridge walking with a view to the town of palmerton, trail was relatively rock free and so very enjoyable. It didn't stay that way though, the rocks crept in about mid morning and stuck around all day. My feet were in major pain by end of day.Got to the shelter but water was about .3 miles away down hill so added some bonus miles to the day. The campsite was nice and spacious though for some reason a late arrival decided to set up less than 6 inches from my tent. Oh well, such is life on the trail. I think I jinxed things by saying yesterday that good weather is coming, it did for today but rain is forecast overnight and all day tomorrow :-(
Date: 2018-06-13
From: Leroy Smith shelter

To: Delaware water gap PA
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain held off overnight but Dawn was overcast and fog settled in. Rain started shortly after we started at 7. On again off again, enough to make everything slippery. Another section like the knife's edge today called wolf rocks. Too bad that we are hitting these really tricky sections when everything is extra slippery. Luckily a really slow pace saved us from a fall.We saw a big tortoise on trail today, will post the picture shortly.Heading for Delaware water gap in order to get PA behind us. The trail runs right through town and we will stay at the church of the mountain tonight (tenting in the backyard). Just had a hot shower and am sitting in the common room - very civilized. Today was another rough day on the feet though towards the end of the day the rocks have given way a little which is a nice relief. We have been hearing mixed messages about how much the rocks continue into new Jersey, I guess we will find out tomorrow!
Date: 2018-06-14
From: Delaware water gap PA

To: Stealth campsite at mile 1311.4
Miles today: 16.4

Severe thunderstorm started about 1130 last night, tents blown down with lots of high wind, then the town tornado siren started blowing and all tenters had to move into the building s until things quieted down around 1230. Excitement but this did not make for the best sleep.Morning was sunny and we started hiking late around 845. Tried to get my poles fixed in town but the outfitter there couldn't help. Crossed into New Jersey about 915 today as we crossed the Delaware river on a very busy bridge. Headed up into the mountains shortly after crossing the river and had some beautiful vistas of the Delaware river valley. Passed sunfish lake which really reminded me of Ontario's near North and made me homesick. Wanted to just jump in but it was quite cold and shoreline was really Rocky.So rocks have eased up some for sure but they are still around a bit. Supposed to be diminishing as we continue. Really looking forward to Tomorrow when I am getting a visit from Russ and Mike who are making the big drive down to spend a couple of days on trail - safe trip you guys!
Date: 2018-06-15
From: Stealth campsite at mile 1311.4

To: Branchville NJ
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: mist

Short hike to the highway then a quick hitch into Branchville by noon. Lunch was a massive Stromboli which I am still full from 5 hours later.Gravity needed to pickup a part for his backpack at the post office, we all needed to resupply and I am meeting Russ and Mike this evening here. Note to other thru-hikers, I would resupply any where else if possible, this area is an upscale neighborhood with a market where everything is double regular prices.I'm hanging out at the dairy Queen until Mike and Russ arrive, then we are going into some other town to stay before hitting the trail tomorrow.Ran into hipcat on trail today, hadn't seen him since he took some time off back in Harper's ferry. He said he saw a bobcat on trail yesterday that was playing with a bird of some kind - that would be so cool to see.
Date: 2018-06-16
From: Branchville NJ

To: Rutherford shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

Mike and Russ arrived last night around 730 and picked me up at the dairy Queen. We then went to Newton NJ where those guys treated me to a night at the hotel. I think I overwhelmed them with my hiker "aroma" and Mike even volunteered to get my clothes into the laundry while I showered - awesome. We then went out for a late dinner, then back to sleep at about 10ish - a big late night for me as hiker midnight is still 8 pm even though it is staying bright later.Russ and Mike even gave me a bed to myself as they shared a bed getting ready to spend tomorrow night in an even smaller 2 man tent space. I slept great.I was only able to arrange a shuttle that would take us up to unionville, so we would have to hike south on Sat and sun. We dropped our car in a lot near Branchville then shuttled up to unionville and got on trail about 9 am. Today will be the longer day of hiking - about 13 miles - ignore the mile measures above, I can't get this app to record a southbound stretch. We kept a good pace over the morning but the afternoon stretch turned Rocky with more climbs and things slowed down a bit. It was a tough first day for fresh hiking legs, with some footpain and blister action. There were some good sights on the way, Russ found a tortoise by the trailside, plenty of viewpoints as well. The shelter was .4 miles off trail which made for a long trek in when we thought we were there already. There was a weak water source but we really needed to tank up for the next day as there is basically no water all day tomorrow and we need to fill everything we have so that took a bit of time. Finally got to eat then pretty much right to bed at 815- Russ and Mike now know that hiker midnight is for real! It was a great day hiking with the boys and getting caught up on news back home. Thanks for the big boost to my spirits you guys!
Date: 2018-06-17
From: Rutherford shelter

To: Pochuck mountain shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we continued our hike south to Branchville, it was 11.5 miles and the footing was much easier today. I should have mentioned how funny it feels to be going south and seeing all the familiar faces hiking north, everyone was wondering what I was doing going the "wrong" way.We were woken first at 430 by a very insistent whippoorwill, then again by the usual birds at 6. On trail by 730. We just snacked for lunch instead of full blown cooking today, the heat seems to be affecting appetite ( over 30C today). Again a nice day of views-sunruse mountain was awesome and I sent my Dad a video happy father's day card from there.We got back to the car about 145 then drove back up to unionville, where these guys bought me lunch and gave me all their left over dehydrated meals - I am going to be eating good for days on all this stuff! Trail magic big time, thanks Mike and Russ, that was a great 2 days, too short, but I know you are happy to be off trail!Dropped back at the trail head I did another 5 miles to get to the pochuck mtn shelter and will see how close I can get to catch up with the bouge boys. Hey easy Pete is back and just behind me too, so he will likely catch me up soon too and I will see if I can keep up with him.
Date: 2018-06-18
From: Pochuck mountain shelter

To: Surprise Lake
Miles today: 15.9

Got an early start, trying to get back into the hiking spirit. It was hard after Trevor and Dave went home and it is hard after Mike and Russ went home, had to resist the urge to throw my gear in their car and stow away to get home. Today started hot and got steadily hotter, my little pack thermometer topped out at 36C at about 3 pm. There was some interesting hiking with some bigger climbs including the stairway to heaven, I tried to sing the led Zeppelin classic while climbing but ran out of air after about 100 from of the climb. I am hiking alone until I can catch up with the rest of the unit. Water was a struggle through most of the day (finding a good source) and while stopped at one met up with Giggles and pepper jack who mentioned an off trail campsite down by Surprise lake. Pepper jack led the way down two different trails about .5 of a mile over some tough terrain to find a small land locked lake that we had all to ourselves - awesome - the trail provides! I spent 45 minutes in the water just trying to get my body temp down, then set up, then swam again, then had dinner, then swam again, then went in one last time before bed. What a great way to spend such a hot day - thanks to pepper jack and giggles for letting me in on the Surprise, this was just what I needed as I am missing Ontario and it's many fine lakes.Hey thanks to Russ and Mike for the awesome dinner and dessert - real chicken and chocolate pudding, yum!
Date: 2018-06-19
From: Surprise Lake

To: Arden valley road
Miles today: 18.3

Rains and high winds overnight with thunder in the distance. The spacing of shelters through this stretch of trail is either too long or too short. I am aiming for one 23 miles away and this doesn't include having to get back to the AT from surprise lake.On my first break of the day I sat down to have a snack and noticed the tree about 20 feet from me shaking with no wind. On closer inspection I saw this bear munching away at the leaves. Sorry for the picture quality I didn't want to get any closer and wanted to get away quick too. First full grown bear on trail for me.Another hot day but a bit better than yesterday. Passed out of NJ first thing this morning (another state down!). Rocks were slick, much of the trail is on lichen covered shield which is super slick when wet and I fell and scraped up my hand :-( but will survive. The day was so hot that by mile 14 I was ready to call it quits and found a nice stealth site with a water source nearby. I hadn't set up and was lounging when along came the Bouge unit! They were behind me having taken a Nero on Monday to get out of the heat at greenwood lake. They dragged me along for a few more miles before settling on site by Arden road. The terrain was really tough walking so we all ditched before reaching our target shelter.
Date: 2018-06-20
From: Arden valley road

To: Hemlock springs campsite
Miles today: 21.9

Long day but one of the top 5 hiking days today. Great weather with clear views from the mountains - you could see the NYC skyline from the tops of Black and Bear mountains, I took some pictures but they don't seem to show it. There were some big climbs bit there were great payoffswith super views that made it worthwhile. Bear mountain is a popular tourist spot so the trail is wide and well maintained though still tough as you are climbing 700 ' fairly quickly. The descent was long but rock stairs were in place for most of it and it finished in a park area with cold drinks and pizza!The trail then goes through the Bear Mountain zoo with lots of exhibits of North American animals. After this we were over the Hudson River and up the next mountain to the campsite.Dead tired at the end of the day but it was for sure a great day to be on trail.
Date: 2018-06-21
From: Hemlock springs campsite

To: Clarence Fahnestock state park
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain overnight but stopped for pack up. We hiked an easy 4 miles to a roadside that had a market and deli and got coffee and breakfast burrito. The original plan was to hitchhike into Peekskill for resupply and restaurants. Gravity was meeting up with a friend for a visit there in the afternoon. The day was so nice though, and there is a forecast for rain Saturday so that we wanted to keep hiking and take the Nero when it's raining. So gravity stayed and Jinx, Kenya and I continued on and we will reconnect with gravity on Sat in Pawling NY.Today's hike was the opposite of yesterday, a ton of ups and downs with no views for payoff. Today, June 21, is hike naked day for those so inclined. Kenya and I were taking a break and had an elderly male trail runner pass us that was taking advantage - ugh how can I get that memory erased?We had packed out a beer and sndwich to enjoy when we got to the campsite today, but it took much longer to get there than expected so the sandwich got eaten on trail. We got a swim in at Canopus Lake, then enjoyed the beer with dinner and slept great!We also caught up to Seven and Double Tap, it is really great to see those guys again.
Date: 2018-06-22
From: Clarence Fahnestock state park

To: Morgan Stewart shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Trail was a little flatter today and we were doing a shorter day, Gravity was planning on catching us up by end of today. Highlight of the day was this huge white oak, must be 150 years old. It has turned cooler today and got cloudy by end of day, rain is expected overnight and much of tomorrow. Kenya and I stopped at a roadside deli for lunch and packed out a sandwich for dinner - that's the way to hike!Gravity caught up in the evening around 630 having hiked 27 miles today to catch up!
Date: 2018-06-23
From: Morgan Stewart shelter

To: NY 22, Pawling NY
Miles today: 10.7

Short day to get into town, forecast was for rain but only a little over night and none all day. Had to get a cab into town, NY has a no hitchhiking law and it is pretty hard to get a lift. We stopped at a deli for lunch on the way to town, then into town to resupply and then to a pub to watch the Germany/Sweden world cup game. Stayed for dinner and then back to the roadside deli which is near the trail head where they allow camping.
Date: 2018-06-24
From: NY 22, Pawling NY

To: Schaghticoke mountain campsite
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

With all this beautiful forest on the trail, it is not a good idea to camp between a highway and the railroad tracks - a brutal night of headlights, tire sounds and thundering trains. It was nice to wake up to a hot meal and coffee at Tony's deli though.The rain is now coming later in the day so we have until about 4 before the thunderstorms roll in. We were originally trying for about 19 miles but cut short to try to get set up before the rain. Well rain came early and we got caught, it was an absolute deluge with no where to go for cover. I set the fly up and climbed underneath, soaked to the core. Waiting for the thunder and rain to at least slow down before settling up the full tent and getting out if these wet clothes. Finally got to do that after making a quick dinner, then right into bed to ride out the next wave of storms coming through.Another state down and Connecticut is going to be a shorter one so should be through that in 3-4 days. Terrain has turned much more up and downy and climbs are much longer than they have been, I seem to have lost my hiker legs as I don't have the strength to get through these climbs without multiple breaks.
Date: 2018-06-25
From: Schaghticoke mountain campsite

To: Pine Swamp Brook shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Everything was soggy this morning but at least it was clear and sunny. Everyone had wet clothing hanging off their packs.The hiking today was quite strenuous with 9-10 climbs of 400-800' many of which were straight up then straight down with no views so made for tough hiking. It was a long day as well and Jinx had been struggling with low energy for the last few days and was unsure if he could make the target destination. He ended up 6 miles back so the group is split up again. We have caught up with Seven and double tap though.Got a chance at lunch to unpack all the wet stuff and dry out so tenting tonight was dry. Things are really beginning to stink though - it will be almost 2 weeks since last laundry so we need to get to town and clean up.
Date: 2018-06-26
From: Pine Swamp Brook shelter

To: Riga shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: clear sky

Trail was a bit easier today with fewer ups and downs but the climbing we had to do was much bigger. It felt weird to be setting out without Jinx. We are aiming for a roadside cafe at the 6 mile mark. Western omelette and a sausage, egg bagel to go - yum. Original plan was to go into Salisbury for a quick resupply today but we think we can scratch another day out of our food and go into great Barrington tomorrow where we can stay the night and get cleaned up.Temps today we're in the middle 70s, comfortable hiking. Staying in the shelter tonight instead of a tent, so hopefully the bugs aren't too bad. After hikers midnight now, so g'night all!
Date: 2018-06-27
From: Riga shelter

To: Great Barrington
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

The photo today should be one of a magnificent sunrise but I totally forgot to take a picture. The Riga shelter apparently has the best eastern view of the entire trail. We planned for an early start to see the sunrise right from our sleeping bags in the shelter - it was really cool, fiery red - red in the morning sailors (or hikers) take warning. So sorry for not taking that picture to share with you.While it was really cool too just roll over and watch the sunrise, being in the shelter and battling the mosquitoes all night wasn't too much fun, it will have to be raining pretty hard before I sleep in one of those again.The push was on for a town day,, we all wanted to get showered and laundered so faster pace and fewer breaks made for a tough hiking day. Food was scarce too as we were on fumes in our food bags so all we could think about was getting to a restaurant. There were a couple of tough long climbs and technical descents - Bear Mtn and Mt Everett (not a typo!) That really slowed things down. Still we got to the hwy around 2 and finally got a hitch after 20-30 minutes in a light drizzle. Rain started soon after we got in and settled at the Travelodge, so good timing.This place is close to McDonald's (2 mcchickens, 1 cheeseburger, 1 big Mac, fries and coffee- just a light pre dinner snack ;-). It is also close to a brewery where we spent the evening until I couldn't keep my eyes open (only 2 beers before exhaustion settled in). Rain is expected to be heavy overnight and heavy on / off tomorrow clearing by early afternoon so we are going to resupply in the morning and put off hiking in the rain until afternoon.