morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-15
From: Duncannon, PA

To: stealth spot before Peters Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 10.5

Today was not the greatest day for me. As soon as we started hiking my back started killing me. I have no idea what I did but it was not good. We were all moving really slow and ended up messing around in an antique shop and stopping at a truck stop diner on our way out of town so we didn't actually get back into the woods until late afternoon. We got to the first shelter after a nasty climb out of town and debated just staying there for the night and hiking 24 miles tomorrow, but I convinced Yum Yum and Herro that while today might not be fun, we'd be happy tomorrow that we pushed on, so we decided to keep hiking. Soon after we set back out I was hiking by myself and got stung by something on the arm. I didn't see what it was but it was the most painful insect bite I've ever experienced. I immediately developed a purple puncture wound the size of a match head and the area around it formed a red rash. I continued walking and the pain continued to get worse and radiated up and down my entire arm. I kept hiking because I didn't know what else to do and when I got to PA225 there was a parking area so I stopped there and waited for Herro and Yum Yum. Another hiker and her husband were there with their car and they gave me some ice and Benadryl but the pain continued to get worse. Once Yum Yum and Herro got there we waited a little while and decided to just keep hiking as far as we could. We made it a few miles and stopped at a stealth campsite because it was dark and we were all ready to be finished for the day. Yum Yum called her mom, who looked up what to do about my sting on the internet for us. The internet told us to wash the area and keep an eye out for hives or chest pain. If the pain doesn't get better overnight, I have to get into town to see a doctor. Hopefully that won't be the case.
Date: 2010-07-16
From: stealth spot before Peters Mtn. shelter

To: Rausch Creek campsite
Miles today: 18.2

I didn't die overnight luckily and when I woke up this morning the pain in my arm was mostly gone. We all slept late and didn't get going until after 9:30. We stopped at the first shelter for breakfast then I set out on my own. The terrain was easy though it was extremely hot and humid. I made it down to PA325 and sat by the creek for lunch where it was much cooler. Yum Yum and Herro made it down and we took a long break. Again, motivation was low. I've decided that part of the motivation issue for me is this: at some point during a thru hike, you've proved to yourself that you are capable of climbing mountains, adept at living in the woods and have achieved most of what you wanted to gain out of the journey and the only thing left is the challenge of actually completing the trail. This popped into my head as we were talking at lunch and for some reason this helped improve my motivation as we started hiking again. I know now that I just need to finish this journey and while I don't always feel like hiking, that's the only way to get to Katahdin, so that's what I have to do. We had a 1,000 ft climb right after lunch but the climb was gradual and I was feeling good. It started raining soon after the climb and rained for the next several hours, which became daunting. It finally stopped and we all met up for a break. I set out first to hike the last 4.5 miles to the shelter and ended up having one of my most frightening experiences on the trail. I was almost to the shelter and I was listening to music when I stepped dangerously close to a large snake that was stretched across the trail. I don't know much about snakes but I backed up significantly after it coiled up. I threw a couple of rocks at it from a safe distance to try to get it to move and it started rattling at me...guess I know what a rattlesnake looks like now. I waited for awhile and he didn't move so I had to bushwack off the trail and up a hill to get around it. It continued to rattle at me but I stayed well away from it and made it back on the trail. I believe that scared me more than seeing a bear. We weren't looking forward to staying at the shelter because it was a ways off the trail and there is no tenting there so I was stoked when I found a great campsite by a creek right before the turn off to the shelter. I set up my tent and made dinner quickly before it got dark and Herro and Yum Yum got here right after nightfall. I'm happy to be in my tent by the water. I'd be happier to never see a rattlesnake ever again.
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Rausch Creek campsite

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

Oh the heat. The heat and the rocks. I used to really like Pennsylvania. Not so much anymore. The humidity today made the air so thick I felt like I was chewing air with every breath. The sweat just pours off of you, making any attempt to smell halfway decent futile. Just when you've had about enough of the heat, the rocks and the gnats take it to new levels. The gnats seem to know when you're struggling the most, and that's when they decide to party in your face. Thanks worthless insects- the heat and the rocks weren't enough of a challenge. On top of it all, my pack has been rubbing the skin off of my hip and lower back because it doesn't fit well anymore. That doesn't feel very good. After our biggest climb of the day I just sat on a log and pouted for a while until Herro and Yum Yum found me. Yum Yum has the same pack and she helped me make some adjustments so hopefully my skin will remain intact for the rest of the trip. Aside from all of the challenges today, I still managed to have a pretty good time. The hiking is still pretty easy save for the rocks and Yum Yum and Herro are good company. We hitched into Pine Grove for dinner and a quick run to the store for a few supplies which lifted the spirits. We had a harder time hitching back to the trail but finally a very nice woman felt sorry for us and picked us up right before it got too dark to hitch. We hiked to the 501 shelter and met up with Wandering Jew, Fresh, Mikey, and Toy Box. The shelter is very cool inside but we found some tent spots.On a different note, I'm finding that people aren't as friendly in the north. While we have met some really great people who are very supportive of hikers, the overall tone above the Mason-Dixon line is a bit more abrupt. Perhaps people just don't put on airs and pretend to be happy as they do in the south, but people up here, especially people that run businesses, just don't seem that interested in dealing with you. In a way it's refreshing- I can appreciate a no-nonsense attitude, but it also scares this southern girl a little.
Date: 2010-07-18
From: 501 shelter

To: Eagles Nest shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

The rocks now cover the trail. I ran into an older man this morning that thru hiked in 2000 and is now section hiking the trail and when I told him today had been the rockiest day yet he pretty much laughed at me. So I guess I should brace myself for it to just get worse. We only have about a week left in PA at least, so though it's apparently going to be quite rough, it won't be long until we're out of here. I tried to become one with the rocks today and just deal with them, which seemed to work for the most part. I'm getting used to walking on them and I'm tripping less. Around lunch time I made it to Hertlein Campsite which has a dam and a pond with a rope swing. Mikey, Fresh, Coin Volta, Wandering Jew, and Toy Box were all there so I hung out them them. Yum Yum and Herro got there a little later and some of us went off of the rope swing. I wasn't the greatest at it but I'm glad I tried it. How often do you get the chance to swing on a rope swing into a body of water in the middle of the woods? It had to be done. The afternoon dragged a bit and I was definitely ready to stop hiking by the end of the day. I found a campsite before the shelter and we stopped there for the night. Tomorrow we get into Port Clinton where we'll hang out for the rest of the day. I'm meeting Detour, who's coming back to hike the rest of the trail with me, on Tuesday morning and we'll all hike out to knock the rest of this state out.
Date: 2010-07-19
From: Eagles Nest shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Short day into Port Clinton today without much to note. It downpoured this morning so we stayed in our tents until it blew over which set our start time back significantly, but we made it into town mid afternoon. The descent into town was ridiculously steep; so steep my legs were shaking when we got to the bottom. Maryland and Pennsylvania have spoiled us with so much flat hiking, my body doesn't know what to do with significant elevation changes anymore.The only hotel in town is apparently closed on Mondays and we really (really!) needed to do laundry and shower so we hitched into Hamburg and checked into the Microtel, which ended up being quite nice. My version of nice has been significantly altered since being out here as my mom pointed out in Harpers Ferry, but the room was very clean, the beds had nice fluffy linens and great pillows so it was a winner in our books. We showered and headed to the pub that was conveniently located in the hotel for dinner and beers. Tomorrow Detour is getting dropped off to start hiking with me again then it's back to the woods!
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Windsor Furnace shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It was another short day today but we successfully left town with all chores complete and a new addition to our group. Detour got here late morning and after resupplying and mildly freaking out in an overwhelming Cabelas, we ate lunch at the Port Clinton hotel and headed out of town. The climb out of town was no fun per usual and we were all going pretty slow and taking lots of breaks. Detour is sick which isn't the greatest way to start a first day on the trail, but we made it to the shelter with time to relax. The plan is to pick up the pace tomorrow and get back to decent mileage so we can get out of PA by the end of the weekend. I am going to try not to cry when the rocks start slapping me around here in the next couple of days. No promises.
Date: 2010-07-21
From: Windsor Furnace shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Club shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: few clouds

Rocks. Heat. Gnats. That's pretty much how my day went. My evening was somewhat of a nightmare. The sky was darkening and the rumbling that had been threatening for some time was getting closer as I was getting close to the shelter, so I booked it to try to get there before the impending storm hit. I made it in time, but had to get water as soon as possible because water has been scarce and I knew everyone was running very low. My plan was to try to assess the situation and get everything I had filled before everyone got to the shelter so we could have water if the storm stopped us from being able to get it for a while. The first water source, which was already 0.3 miles off the trail, was dry so I had to keep going down a second trail that was another 0.2 miles off the trail and happened to be straight down a boulder cliff. It was dangerous enough as is, but as soon as I finally made it to the second water source, the storm hit. Lightening and thunder was right over my head and I was immediately drenched. I filled up my bottles and tried to climb back up the cliff as fast as I could without killing myself. I slipped once and started to fall backwards down the mountain but managed to catch myself before I was hurt. I scrambled up and kept going, only to look up and realize that I'd somehow gotten back on the AT with no idea which way to go. I chose a direction and hiked for a while only to realize I was going the wrong way. I doubled back and got back on the blue blaze trail and finally started going the right way. Keep in mind this entire time it is pouring. I made it back to the shelter and everyone was there and had just gotten water from the rain coming off of the gutter. I officially despise Pennsylvania.
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Allentown Hiking Club shelter

To: Lehigh Gap
Miles today: 17.4

Pennslyvania was not the right state for Detour to start out in. The rocks were pretty terrible today which are hard on the knees, feet and spirit. We got through most of the day and Detour decided to get off the trail at Ashfield Rd and hitch into Slatington to rest up. Her knees are bothering her and she's developed some pretty terrible blisters. Yum Yum, Herro and I hiked the final five miles and made it to Lehigh Gap where the owner of Fine Lodging in Slatington picked us up and took us back to his building to stay for the night. Detour was already there and we all piled into a room clown style with Detour and I on the floor on mattress pads. After showers we headed up to the tavern for pizza and beer. My feet are throbbing. Beer helps.
Date: 2010-07-23
From: Lehigh Gap

To: Smith Gap Road
Miles today: 12.4

Dear Pennsylvania,This is never an easy thing to say, but we have to break up. In a nutshell, I don't like you anymore and it's not me, it's you. Yes, in the beginning of our time together you wooed me with your nice shelters, cold streams and flat trail, but you've since become mean and aggressive. I don't care for your rocks of all sizes, insane humidity and ridiculous water sources. You have broken my body and my spirit and I can't take it any longer. I'm not fooled by your brief pine needle blankets- I know you're just trying to lower my defenses so you can break my ankles. And I don't know if anyone has told you this before, but you have a bug problem and frankly, it's unhygenic. We had some good times in the beginning, but it's over- I'm moving on...to New Jersey. I'm giving you one more day and then I'm leaving you. Don't call me.Seriously though, I have to get out of this state. Today was the worst day yet with the rocks. We started out climbing a huge boulder mountain, which was actually pretty fun, but the rest of the day was brutal. We had to carry a ton of water because there are few reliable sources and we are camped out in a very nice family's garage to get water and get out of the rain. Only a day and a half left until we can get out of here. My feet are so mad at me right now; I hope we can still be friends when all of this is over.
Date: 2010-07-24
From: Smith Gap Road

To: Kirkridge shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

I really don't have anything original to say today. More rocks, sweating and trail cursing with little water. Only six miles left in Pennsylvania and I will not be sad to leave. We will get to Delaware Water Gap tomorrow where Yum Yum's mom will pick us up and take us to her house to zero. I am extremely excited about taking a day and a half off. My feet are even more excited. Detour has been resting up and will get back on the trail with us when we hike out on Tuesday. Sideways is also coming back on Tuesday, so we'll have a full-on gang...just in time for New Jersey.
Date: 2010-07-25
From: Kirkridge shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: broken clouds

The bugs and spiders were so bad last night we set our tents up in the shelter since there weren't decent camp sites there. It's strangely something I've been wanting to do for a while and it was kind of fun. The hike into the gap this morning wasn't bad; the rocks let up a little bit. I am so excited to be out of PA. We met Detour and Yum Yum's mom at a diner, ate lunch, then piled into the car to drive to Madison, NJ where Yum Yum's mom lives. We tried to get as many chores completed as possible so we can take a true zero day tomorrow but we weren't able to finish everything- it's the zero day curse. Oh well. It's really nice to be in a house and Yum Yum's mom is an amazing host. She made a great healthy dinner for us and has graciously let us take over her home. My feet are excited about not hiking tomorrow and some possible pool action.
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

As usual, our zero day was consumed with town chores and we had way less time to actually relax than we'd hoped for. We had fun last night however, drinking wine and playing games. When we finally finished our chores this afternoon, Yum Yum, Herro and I all went swimming while Detour and Yum Yum's mom went on a show hunt for Detour. We swam and hung out with Yum Yum's neighbor and I finally started to relax some. I cooked dinner which was nice; cooking is something I really miss doing and I wanted to give Yum Yum's mom a break. We were all pretty tired and turned in early. Back to hiking tomorrow.
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

Thank you so much Mama Yum Yum for such a great time at your house!! We made it back to the gap in the early afternoon, spent some time in the post office then hiked across the river into New Jersey. We didn't know where we were supposed to meet Sideways and had no way to contact him but just hoped we'd run into him on the trail somewhere. We got to the Delaware Water Gap visitor's center and stopped to eat lunch. We'd been there for just a few minutes when Sideways drove up. He was initially going to get here last night and stay in town but his plans changed and he was just getting to town. He'd called the center and asked if he could leave his car there until he finished the trail and they'd said yes, but when he tried to confirm with the rangers when he got there, they told him he couldn't leave it for that long. We then spent some time trying to figure out what he was going to do. We'd planned on hiking to the Mohican Outdoor Center today and Sideways offered to slack pack us for the day while he figured out what to do, so the rest of us set out to hike. I am sad to report that the rocks did not magically disappear at the NJ border and the trail is not paved with marshmallows as was rumored. But we didn't have packs and didn't have far to go so the rocks weren't as bothersome. The hike was beautiful today; New Jersey is much prettier than I expected. We took a break at Sunfish Pond, which is a large pond formed by a glacier. It was gorgeous, though we weren't allowed to swim there. We made it to the outdoor center, found Sideways and set up camp. The center agreed to let him keep his car here so we'll all be able to hike out tomorrow. We hit 1300 miles tomorrow! I'm starting to get a little anxious about the end of this journey though I know we have a good bit left. It's starting to feel a little like a countdown to the end however and I'm still not ready to be finished. I have to remind myself that the best is yet to come and to enjoy the two months I have left.
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Brink Road shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Little of note to report about today. The rocks persist but there are enough breaks with easy terrain to decrease the annoyance. I did see four bears today, which doubles my overall bear sighting count. This afternoon I saw a mama bear with two cubs and this evening on the trail to the shelter I spotted a medium sized bear that was not afraid of me at all. He was fairly close to the trail and didn't budge when I walked by. Considering how close he was to the shelter, it is entirely possible that he will make his way down here tonight. I'm the closest to where I spotted him so tonight could get interesting. There's a group of kids from a nearby camp here tonight so I'm hoping their rowdiness will deter a bear sneak attack. If not, this could get messy. We've heard there's no water in the next 18 miles, so even if we make it through the night without a bear incident, we may still be in a bad spot.
Date: 2010-07-29
From: Brink Road shelter

To: Rutherford shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: few clouds

There were no bear attacks last night thankfully, however none of us except Sideways, who passed out as soon as we got to the shelter, could get to sleep until late because all of the camp kids were up and loud. If a poor night's sleep wasn't enough to contend with this morning, we woke up to rain, which as usual, set back our departure time. Once the rain stopped, the weather was great today and the terrain was easy, but for some reason we couldn't get anywhere. I felt like we hiked all day with little to show for it. The lack of water was difficult to contend with and we ended up stopping in a store for a while this morning to fill up because many of the sources on the trail have been dry or unreliable. By the time we left it was noon and we'd only hiked 3.5 miles. We toyed around with the idea of jumping up to swim at Lake Marcia in High Point State Park but ultimately decided to just continue hiking. Rumor on the trail is that the rocks taper off after the park, which I sincerely hope rings true because they are still everywhere; lurking and waiting to break my ankles and jab my feet.
Date: 2010-07-30
From: Rutherford shelter

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 11.8

Today was one of the best days I've had on the trail in a while. In the morning we hiked to High Point State Park and hung out at the beach/lake for a few hours. It was too cool to swim but it was a fun time nonetheless. We had to bushwack down a steep side trail to get to the beach but the trail was flanked by blueberry bushes, which were delicious. We popped out onto the beach and undoubtedly surprised some children and parents. It was so chilly, in fact, that we were all wearing our down jackets and long sleeved shirts, which I'm sure appeared strange to all of the families in bathing suits. At one point Herro walked out on the beach in his down jacket with his hair wild and looked completely like a bum, which was hilarious. I'm fairly sure parents were hiding their children. After our lake jaunt, we continued hiking through some beautiful trail and made it to Unionville, NY, which is close to the trail. We needed to resupply and decided to stay at "The Outhouse," which is a house owned by the previous mayor of the town and is open to hikers. This place ended up being one of the coolest places we've stayed on the trail so far. For $10, you get dinner, breakfast the next morning, a bunk, shower, laundry, and a beer. Butch, the man that runs the house while the mayor is away, is extremely accomodating and great. We all had a few beers and hung out with the other hikers that were staying there; it was a fantastic night.