morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-25
From: campsite

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: broken clouds

I was up early to hit Port Clinton. I got to the pavilion before lunch and early enough for the hiker feed. Kodak (2000), his wife Kim, and their two children brought hamburgers, hot dogs, homemade pickles, chips, watermelon, soda, and cookies. Phineas and Ichabod had spent the night there. I also met Red and Sunshine who I had been following since Harper's Ferry. They are both young ladies headed to Maine, having got on at Harpers. Boy Scout Troop 75 made it in too and everyone was enjoying the food and fellowship. Jibitz, Bulldog and Hitchcock were the last to arrive while I was there. Phineas and Ichabod decided to take a shuttle to Cabella's for new boots. I decided to hike on to the shelter a few miles up. I was getting water at Pocahontas Spring when up came Ichabod and Phineas. They had already bought boots and were back on the trail again! Boy are they fast!Two hikers from Staten Island, New York showed up at the shelter. It was their first day on the trail and they were a bit apprehensive. I camped a bit away from the shelter, as did troop 75. I took a walk around the area, which circles around the Hamburg area water supply. Then I went to bed.
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Bed & Breakfast
Miles today: 18.0

I was up early and out to get up to the Pinnacle before it got too hot. The climb wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. The views were unbelievable! A couple of guys were camped up there and had a fire going in spite of signage otherwise. I understand that a couple of rangers saw the smoke and chased them away later.I hiked on to Eckville shelter where I could finally get some good water. This is a shelter behind a house on Hawk Mtn road. The caretaker said he had pizza left over from trail angels the night before, so I accepted. I had heard that there was a convenience store at the end of Hawk Mtn road, but had no idea how far that was. (I recommend hitching, as it is miles!) Anyway, after drinking my gatorade and eating an orange pushup, I caught a ride back to the trail and headed north once again. The trail was excellent between the Allentown shelter and Rt 309. When I got to 309, I turned toward the B&B, just planning on getting dinner... but I decided I deserved another break.I was really surprised that there were no other hikers. The place is right at the trail crossing, has beer and food, and allows hikers to camp out back for free. But no one showed up.
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Blue Mountain Bed & Breakfast

To: Palmerton PA
Miles today: 14.0

Pennsylvania is famous for its terrible rocks. So far, there is a stretch of great trail, then a stretch of rocks, then more great trail... That is till today. Today the stretches of great trail were awfully short and the rocks, well, awfully long. First came the Knife Edge, which is open huge rocks, where you could slide off at any time. I crawled along, sometimes sliding on my rear for safety. Then along come a couple of hikers almost running along! Next comes the Bear Rocks, which are large rocks you climb through. Then at a power line, you cross another huge mountain of rocks. Except I didn't. I looked for the next blaze, and thought it was down the mountain at a road. So I climbed down. It took about 45 minutes of rock scrambling. Then I saw two hikers walk across the top. What!?? There was no blaze at the top! So I scrambled back up the rocks (another 30 minutes) Then I came to a road, which I realized was the same road I had almost climbed down to. Talk about aggrivation!Anyway, that's pretty much how my day went. Hot, sweaty, rocky, scary. At one point I fell, but luckily just skinned my shin, hitting another rock with my chest, and knocked the breath out of me for a minute. I went on. I saw a bear during one of the short, nice trail sections. Of course, he ran, so again I got no photo. Then came the dreaded section after Bake Oven Knob which is ridiculous open rock ridges. Not fun. At the last shelter, I was taking inventory to see if I was still alive, and relaxing before heading into Palmerton, when in came Jibitz. We decided to hike into town together. Palmerton allows hikers to stay in the Borough basement. It is referred to as "the jailhouse hostel". Of course I had to stay there. It wasn't at all like a jail, though. It is just a basement with bunks. Upstairs is a gym with showers. We cleaned up, then went to Bert's Restaurant for dinner. Then it was back to the jailhouse for the evening.
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Palmerton

To: Palmerton
Miles today: 0.0

So everyone else packed up and headed out of town this morning. I needed a rest. I took a bunch of dirty towels from the hostel over to the laundry and washed them. While they were in the wash, I had breakfast at Berts. Then I sat around the laundry mat while they dried. After that, I went to the post office to mail a letter. Then I wandered around town till the library opened. I found a resale shop and bought a pair of shorts to wear in town instead of my hot rain pants. I was at the library when it opened and did my updates. Then I had lunch and a nap. So here I am again at the library doing an update for today. Not particularly exciting, but a needed rest. Tomorrow I'll head out towards Delaware Water Gap. New Jersey by the end of the week.
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Palmerton

To: Leroy Smith Shelter/PA
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

After breakfast with Trashman and Ohibro, I headed to the trail. I wanted to get the climb done early before the heat set in. I walked State St. to the little bridge, and found myself on private property. The guard at the gate asked where I was going and I showed him my map. He didn't know that there even was a trail. I followed the road too far and came to the truck scales where a woman stopped me again. She told me I had to go back to the highway. I turned around, but soon climbed up to the old railroad beds and followed them up a ways. I knew the trail had to go that way. Eventually I came to a blue blaze and followed it up the mountain. It turned out to be the winter trail. I realized this about halfway up, but decided that it was a good option for me. My chest was beginning to ache a bit where I fell the other day. If I pulled the sternum strap tight, it pressed against the bruised area. If I loosened it, the pack pulled on my shoulders and back. I was not comfortable. Anyway, at the top, I came to the relocation which gave great views of Palmerton. After a while I came upon Cowgirl and company (Michigan and Rock & Roll). They were lying down relaxing after their climb. They said it was their favorite so far! Crazy kids! Anyway, I kept on walking. Ohibro and Trashman passed me and I stopped for a lunch break. Then a little later, I passed Trashman taking his lunch break. He said that Seeker was on the trail just ahead of me. Seeker is about the only person who walks at my pace. Soon I came upon her and Ohibro watching a rattlesnake off to the right of the trail. I was glad to see her again. We walked together to Smith Gap, where she was taking a rest. I walked on to the shelter and set up my hammock.The Staten Island guys were there. I went down the half mile to the spring, then made dinner. About an hour later Seeker showed up again. After visiting, I headed to my hammock to rest. My chest was aching and I needed sleep.
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Leroy Smith Shelter/PA

To: campsite
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

After a restless night, I got up and on the trail again. I am concerned about the aching in my chest. I thought I might have injured my sternum. I walked the first five miles and decided it was worth the extra mile to go into Wind Gap. Wind Gap is a nice little town, with all the amenities. I got a ride to the diner and had a late breakfast. Wanda, the lady who gave me a ride, offered to let me use the RV in her backyard, and she told me where there was a clinic that would check out my chest. The people at the clinic acted like I was a lunatic for thinking I could come in without an appointment. They didn't do chest xrays, anyway. So I headed back to the trail and crossed the rocks till I could find a place to camp early. I think nearly everyone else managed to get a 24 mile slackpack out of Smith Gap.Character of the Day: Rainbow Monkey. Rainbow Monkey is a twenty something that I originally referred to as a "shoestring kid". He started knowing that he didn't really have the money to hike, but did it anyway. Back in VA, I remember him saying that he only had $16 left and didn't know how far that would take him. Last night he came into the shelter here. He said he had done some work and earned a few more dollars. He gets his food from hiker feeds (where trail angels provide food, like back at Port Clinton) or from hiker boxes (where hikers discard food they don't want). He heated up some microwave Mac&cheese (which is really bad on a camp stove). Unlike most of the shoestring kids, who are long gone off the trail, he keeps himself relatively clean. He seems quite determined to finish and just think he might do it, if he can keep finding odd jobs to fund it.
Date: 2010-07-01
From: campsite

To: My daughter, Shana's house
Miles today: 6.0

Early up, across more rocks, then down to the Delaware Water Gap. I am still aching. My daughter, Shana, picked me up early for the Fourth of July weekend. My son-in-law says I could have punctured my lung. Great! I got an xray done at Hackensack Hospital where my son-in-law is a doctor. ("One of the 40 best hospitals, and the only one in NJ, NY, or New England" according to the signs everywhere) It showed that I didn't have anything broken, and hadn't punctured my lung. Whew!But just for good measure, I was supposed to see another doctor friend. He did an EKG, which was fine. Then he suggested that I get an Echocardiogram and a stress test. I declined. I have catastrophic health insurance, so my deductibles are huge. My heart is fine. I've been walking for over three months! My son-in-law agreed that it was probably just bruising and that I just needed a few days rest. Back at the house, I weighed my pack. Twenty-three pounds! (of course I am almost out of food, and no water) And the great news is that I weigh only 143 lbs myself. So now, I'm just hanging out with the kids and grandkids. Tomorrow after a half day of work, we'll be heading to the Poconos. It will be a great weekend. Then Monday, I'll be walking on the AT in New Jersey. I know that the rocks continue to Sunfish Pond, but I've been there and done that, so I'm not worried.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: My daughter, Shana's house

To: poconos
Miles today: 0.0

Last night I picked up a book to read. My daughter and family are avid readers, so there is always a huge selection here. I chose "The Days of Awe" by Hugh Nissenson. Washington Post calls it one of the best books of the year (2005) and the Philadelphia Inquirer named it a Top 10 Fiction Pick. I read half of it last night and finished it this morning. Simply, it is the story of a writer dealing with religious questions in September 2001. Without ruining the end of the book, I must share the final words, which have nothing and yet everything to do with my hike. "Rejoice in these things at nightfall:Another day lived,Your beloved's love,A burning torch,Ice crossed,Dry boots,Ale drunk."
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center/NJ
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: broken clouds

After a fantastic 4th of July weekend, my daughter and family dropped me off at the DWG information center about 2pm. I hiked up towards Sunfish pond with all other folks out for the day. The pond had lots of people enjoying the hot weather and the water. I hiked on, hoping to get in to MOC. A little before the camproad to the center, I saw and heard a timber rattlesnake at the same time. He was about 10 feet in front of me on the trail. I stepped back to give him his space. I hoped he would move on quickly, and he did. As soon as he was out of sight, I continued my hike. I got to the center shortly around 6pm. I was surprised to find no one there. The office closed at 5... There was a sign to call a number to get a room in the cabins. I did, and was told to slide $25 under the manager's door, and pick a bunk in room A in the second cabin. I was told there was no food service after 5pm either. So I went down and found room A already occupied. I picked a bunk in room B. In room A was a Karl, a dayhiker from Philadelphia, who enjoyed his day so much he decided to stay over. He was also surprised to find there was no food service. I took a shower and found there were no towels or soap. What????Anyway, Karl and I scrounged around and found some spaghetti, which along with my freeze dried food, provided a meal. Afterwards, we went down to the pond. It is a great place with canoes, kayaks, and a beach. Such a shame that it is not being used. In 2003, when I first found the Mohican Outdoor Center, it was a "must stop" on the trail. The place was booming with hikers. They were enjoying zero days, swimming, boating, playing music, and just hanging around. But today there was just me and Karl. I would soon find out why.
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Mohican Outdoor Center/NJ

To: NJ 206 (Stokes Rd.)
Miles today: 17.9

I knew the the lodge didn't open until 8am and I had to wait for my mail drop. At 8 I walked down, only to find the lodge open, but the office didn't open until 9. Matthew, the only employee, works 9 to 5. He is both over worked and underpaid. There is absolutely no sense of organization. At 9am, he came to the front and I asked about my mail. He had no idea where it might be. I explained that all my maps and guidebook pages for New Jersey were in that mail. He offered me a set of maps of the Kittanny Mountains (about 1/2 of the NJ section). It was better than nothing, so I accepted. I am so disappointed in the Appalachian Mountain Club for allowing MOC to fall to this level. July is when the most hikers will come through. MOC should be making money right and left with food, drinks, ice cream, lodging, and boating. But due to a lack of management, they are left bumbling along. So, I hiked out, without any guidebook pages. Things got better when I ran into a mother bear and her cubs on the trail. She pushed the young cubs up a tree, then stood guard, lest I come too close. This time I even have good pictures! The problem with starting so late is that it gets hot fast. About midday I came upon Squash and two Florida sectioners resting by a water pump. The ladies hiked on, but I sat and visited with Squash for a bit. By late afternoon, the heat was unbearable. I know it was record high for the area, and may have been 100 degrees. I was crossing open rocks and made a wrong turn. I saw no white blazes so I went down to the woods road I could see to my right. I followed it, thinking it would lead back to the AT. I was wrong. I ended up in more rocks and lots of blueberries. I came across the largest bear scat ever and thought "I don't want to see that bear!" The more I tried to find my way back to the trail, the more lost I became. So, in desperation, I dialed 911. They connected me to the Stokes State Park Rangers. I was hoping that they could tell by my location which way was back to the trail, but when they said to go west, I ran into swamp. Then they said to go back east and I did, but I couldn't find the woods road that I came in on. Anyway, it was getting late, so they said they were coming in to find me. Great...embarrassing... Well about the time I found the woods road, they called and said they were hiking in. We met up and they suggested that I head to town for the night. It didn't take much persuasion. I was about three miles from the road (206) when I got lost. I know I did more than that trying to find my way out. So we drove to Stokes Rd and I got a motel room. Next door there was a Mexican Restaurant. I cleaned up and ate. It was a long day...
Date: 2010-07-07
From: NJ 206 (Stokes Rd.)

To: High Point Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

After watching TV and seeing that it was record breaking high temperatures, I decided to hike early and rest during the heat. I was up and out by 6am. The only problem is that the motel is 2.5 miles from the AT and hitching is illegal in NJ. I walked along, looking a forlorn as I could, hoping someone would offer me a ride, but no such luck. About halfway, there was a diner, so I went in and had breakfast, then continued on. The climb up to Sunrise Mountain was okay. I really like New Jersey trail a lot. It has plenty of variety. There are more scenic views per mile than any other state. The trail is mostly nice, with some rocky areas, but they are not too difficult. And the wildlife... snakes and mosquitoes and bears, oh my!Around noon, I arrived at a shelter where I determined I would siesta. I forced myself to lie around for several hours out of the heat. Then I hiked on to High Point State Park. I arrived after closing hours, but a man in the parking lot told me that I could be a soda at the concession stand. I walked up toward the stand, and eventually got a ride. I was surprised to find a beach full of people. I thought it was just the highest point in NJ, but found out most people come for the lake. I got a hotdog and a gatorade. Then I got a hamburger and a rootbeer. Rested and full, I hiked on to the shelter for the evening.Of course, I ended up being the only person at the shelter again. I didn't see a hiker all day. Not one! Where are all the other hikers? Avoiding the heat, probably. Record highs, horrific heat, play havoc with AT hike...
Date: 2010-07-08
From: High Point Shelter, NJ

To: Unionville, NY (the mayor's)
Miles today: 8.1

Again using my play of hiking early to avoid the heat, I was out early. I wanted to get to Unionville for something to eat and drink. I caught up to Huck and Tom who are sectioning. They left a message at the shelter that they were going on to the "secret shelter", but it was late and I didn't think I would make it in before dark. We walked into Unionville together and headed to the Deli. I got a liverwurst sandwich, potato salad, and a big orange soda. After the guys hiked out, I went back and got an orange push up and a gatorade. I was leaving town when a car pulled up and asked if I was hiking the AT. "You're going the wrong way", he said. (I wasn't) Turns out he is the "mayor of Unionville" that everyone talks about. He gave me a ride to his house, which is where I am right now. A lot of my friends stayed here for the 4th of July, while I was in the Poconos. Here now are Bulldawg, Hitchcock, and Ace. Poor Ace is suffering with Lyme disease and has been here several days. She is on medication, but it will be a few more days before she will feel like hiking again.As for me... well I thought I'd be in Vernon, NJ tonight, but I couldn't turn this down. Meeting up with other hikers and trail angels who support us, keeps me going. Like they say, "the people are the trail". Yesterday I was singing the old song "hear that lonesome whipporwill..." and "Alone again, naturally.." I was feeling pretty blue. But today is great! Thanks mayor!
Date: 2010-07-09
From: Unionville, NY (the mayor's)

To: 17A NY
Miles today: 24.8

I was up early and drank a couple of cups of coffee. At 6:30am Bill called everyone for breakfast at "The Outhouse", as the Mayor's House is now known. I said my goodbyes, then Butch drove me, Bulldog, and Hitchcock to the trail before 8am. I cruised along at 3mph along the great trail, roadwalk, wildlife preserve, and boardwalks. I hit Hwy 94 to Vernon and walked down to the farm store for an early lunch. Fresh fruit, soda, icecream...what more could a hiker want?!The climb out wasn't as bad as I expected, with all rock stairs. The day was cooler than it's been, with breezes. I was still sweating profusely, but felt pretty good. So when I reached the destination shelter early in the afternoon, I decided to hike on. (not smart!)New Jersey is my favorite state on the trail so far. But she said goodbye with, what else, a rock climb. That set me up for the welcome to New York.First thing in NY is Prospect Mtn, the highest point on the AT in NY, and another rock climb. Great views of Greenwood Lake, however. The problem with rock climbs is that they slow me down. Just imagine that there is a huge jungle gym in the middle of a nice walk. NY has a law that you must camp in designated areas, but there weren't any. Now that I was ready to stop for the day, there just wasn't a place to stop. My miles were piling up and the hours were getting longMy guidebook read "stream, brook, stream, cascading brook...". I, of course, thought it would be a nice walk down to Hwy 17A. What the book didn't say is that after every dry water source, there was a rock climb, and/or rock face walk. So it was that I ended up doing a 12 hour, 24.8 mile day. Trust me, it won't happen again.Anyway, when I got down to the road, where I was supposed to meet my daughter tomorrow, I realized it wasn't the place I thought it was. I was thinking of where Harriman State Park starts, and that is Hwy 17... I got a ride down to the closest motel (in Greenwood Lake), only to find that it was full for the weekend. So I picked up my phone and called my daughter. It is after 8pm, but she agreed to come and get me. I walked over to the Chinese Buffet and had dinner while she drove up. It was surprisingly good for a small restaurant.Shana arrived, I paid my bill, and we drove to her home. Rest, at last!
Date: 2010-07-10
From: 17A NY

To: Shana's house
Miles today: 0.0

The plan was to go hiking today...but... We woke up to rain and my family doesn't hike in rain. LOL! I've been praying for rain to break this heat! Anyway, we just laid around the house most of the morning, then decided to catch an afternoon movie.We went to this huge mall in Paramus. There were so many people that there was no parking left. My daughter followed a man to his car to finally get a parking spot. We got our tickets then headed to the bookstore until time for the movie. Toystory3 was everything people said. Both Shana and I cried. She was relating to Andy's Mom since Joe will be heading to college in a year. Kids grow up too fast. Anyway, great movie for all ages.After the movie, they took me out for my birthday dinner, since I won't be around on my birthday next week. The menu was amazing! I finally decided on comfort food and had the turkey pot pie. It was big enough for several people and the creamy sauce was fabulous. I managed to eat the whole thing, then ordered Tres Leche Cheesecake. If I weren't hiking I would have gained 5 lbs right then and there!So, it was a great zero, but tomorrow it's back to hiking.