morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Mile 1002

To: Harper's Ferry, WVA
Miles today: 6.0

More rocky trail, but not too bad in to Harper's Ferry. Checked into the Hilltop House Hotel. Went to the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters where they made my picture, and I met Robert Rubin, author of "On the Beaten Path", a book I have really enjoyed reading. I got his autograph and photo. Harper's Ferry is not a good hiker town, with the only laundry miles away, and no real good motels near anything you need. I got a new water filter at the outfitter's and resupplied at the KOA campground store. No TV at the hotel, so I read all of the newspapers. Tomorrow I'll cross the Potomac into Maryland.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Harper's Ferry, WVA

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: light rain

No place open for breakfast in Harper's Ferry, WVA, so I had a Moon Pie about 9:00 am on the trail. The first part is the old C & O canal tow-path and was flat. This is my biggest day yet, 23 miles. I saw the George Washington Monument near Boonsboro. This is the 6th state, only 8 more to go.I am at Pine Knob Shelter. Mile 1031.0.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0

Very tough day, rain all day long and the trail is all rocks,   I hate rocks!! Sierra Marmot passed me about 5:15 trying to make the Deer Lick Shelter and Walk Softly said he was going to try. I am exhausted and in my tent at mile 1046. Only 15 miles today. This is the first tent site I've seen in about 2 miles.
Date: 2004-06-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.0

Sunshine first thing!!! I need it to dry everything out. Met Tailwind, Tee at first shelter. Walk softly didn't get there. Cooked lunch at Old Forge picnic area and put up a clothesline to dry tent, ground cloth, etc, during lunch break. More rocky trail today, but I made about 19 miles.Talked to Carol and Joye this afternoon. I am tented about mile 1065. Going to buy groceries tomorrow
Date: 2004-06-13
To: Tom's Run Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a good night's sleep, went 3/4 mile to Fayetteville, PA to the grocery store, waited 1 1/2 hours for it to open, then back to the trail. I had lots of good trail today and got to Tom's Run Shelter. There are 2 small ones here. I've got one all to myself. Saw 2 big deer today, and the weather was great. Cool and cloudy all day. I am at mile marker 1082.8 17.8 miles today.
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Tom's Run Shelter

To: Whiskey Spring
Miles today: 17.1

Not too bad today, a hiker came to my shelter about 11:30 last night, so I wasn't alone. I stopped at Pine Grove Furnace State Park and had a hamburger and quart of milk. Got a shower and washed my clothes at the Ironmaster's Hostel. I crossed the half-way marker today, Whoopee! only 1080 - some miles to go!Daybreak and I hiked together for most of the afternoon and we are tented in the rain at Whiskey Spring - mile 1099.9. Lightning and thunder are crashing everywhere. We hope to resupply in Boiling Springs and make it to a motel on US 11 tomorrow.
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Whiskey Spring

To: Super 8 Motel on US 11
Miles today: 14.0

Rain quit last night, but my tent is wet and heavy! We made it to the Super 8 Motel on US 11 about 4:00 p.m. Showers are great when you've sweated all day. Great restaurant across the road, we ate there twice, one at 3 pm and again at 9 pm. All clothes are washed and dry. The tent is dry also. About 14 miles today. We are at mile 1113.9.
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Super 8 Motel on US 11

To: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was tough leaving an air conditioned motel room and restaurant. Daybreak stayed until checkout, but I left at 7 am. Lots of mud, lots of rock, tough on feet! I made it to Duncannon, PA about 7:30, ate a burger, checked in at the "Ritzy" Doyle Hotel. I'm in room 33 on the top floor, no AC! About 18 miles today. Mile marker 1131.5
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

Left the Doyle Hotel about 6:30 am after a good nights rest. That fan just lulled me to sleep. This was a bad day! I fell real hard on a rock pile covered with poison oak, the trail was bad, and one water source was 800' almost straight down. I hiked through a severe thunderstorm. I am now tented somewhere near the 114.5 mark. About 14 miles today.
Date: 2004-06-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 21.0

A better day today, except for all the gnats ! Only a couple of hikers passed me 'til about 8 pm, Fitz and Patrick passed me at PA 72. I am tented in one of my worst - ever sites. Only about 300 feet from road 72, and I can hear all the I-81 traffic also. About 21 miles today. I'm at mile 1166.
Date: 2004-06-19
To: Pine Grove, PA
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I started off uphill for a good ways, but most of the trail was good. I stopped at PA 501 and decided to treat myself to Father's Day weekend in a motel. So I am in the Econolodge in Pine Grove, PA.I pulled off at the mile 1177 marker. Just think, less than a thousand miles to go !
Date: 2004-06-20
From: Pine Grove, PA

To: Econolodge Motel
Miles today: 0.0

Got up early and went to breakfast. I have already had encounters with at least four angels. The fellow who brought me to the motel, the nice lady who agreed to take me back to the trail, the waitress at the restaurant, and the motel housekeeper who washed and dried my socks. I watched the race and part of the US Open. I confirmed my ride for tomorrow. A good 1 1/2 zero days.
Date: 2004-06-21
From: Econolodge Motel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.0

A real good day today ! I had breakfast at the truck stop, eggs, hash browns, and a big pancake. Trail Angel Helen showed up just on time. She even took me to the grocery store before she dropped me off at the trailhead. It was mostly good trail and I made 20 miles. I am tented at mile 1197. Port Clinton tomorrow.
Date: 2004-06-22
To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I started off real early (6:30 am). Got to Port Clinton just in time for a hard rain. Ate good breakfast and went to the Outfitter's. They did not have much food choice, so I got what would work and left. I could not believe how good the trail was! I made 19 miles and am bunked in the Eckville Shelter with Just Phil, Flora and Fauna, Patrick and Traillite. Mile 1216.
Date: 2004-06-23
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

Tough trail most of the day, but I did make 18 miles. I need to get to Delaware Water Gap, PA by 11:30 am Saturday for my mail. Talked to Carol about 8:45 pm. I am alone in the Bake Oven Knob Shelter. Bear Behind is tented nearby. Lots of bad rock on the trail today and I broke the tip off one of my hiking poles. Mile marker 1234.1
Date: 2004-06-24
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Smith Gap Road
Miles today: 20.0

A real good day today. Bear Behind and I hiked together most of the day. We hit some bad rock, but we did it. From Lehigh Gap was a tough, rocky climb, but the view was worth it. We crossed paths with KP, Sherlock, Circuit Rider and Daybreak and ended the day with them just past Smith Gap Road. We met a fellow near Little Gap who took us to the restaurant at Danielsville, PA. We ate at the cafe, bought some food at the grocery, and a man paid for my food and then took us both back to the trail! Talk about trail magic, WOW ! Circuit Rider blessed us by singing "In The Garden" for us and I quoted "Casey at the Bat". We're at mile 1254. 20 miles today.
Date: 2004-06-25
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Kirk Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today the rocks were the worst. The trail was full of them, keeping me off balance all the time. We said goodbye to Circuit Rider, KP and Sherlock, they are going off the trail for a few days. I hiked hard enough to get about 3 miles from Delaware Water Gap, about 21 miles. I am tented at 8:30 pm and it's starting to rain. Dragon Fly saw a big bear about 1 pm. Lwop, Daybreak, and Bear Behind stayed at the the Kirk Ridge Shelter, which also had one filthy talking boy, so I left about 6 pm. Got a mail drop in Delaware Water Gap tomorrow. I'm about mile 1274.
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Kirk Ridge Shelter

To: New Jersey
Miles today: 14.0

It rained a lot last night, but quit before morning. Had to put tent away wet. This was a pretty good day. I went into Delaware Water Gap, PA, got breakfast, got enough supplies at a convenience store to go about 4 days, then got my broken pole tip replaced, then to the P.O. for my mail drop. Then across the Delaware River into New Jersey. Goodbye Pennsylvania ! Only 7 more states. I got to the Mohican Outdoor Center for a shower. Boy, did that feel good! We are now tented at the overflow tent sites at Mohican. 14 miles today. We are at mile marker 1288.
Date: 2004-06-27
From: New Jersey

To: Culver Gap
Miles today: 19.0

Daybreak and I left the Mohican Center about 7 am, but he forged on ahead. I hiked with a day hiker named Phil for a while, he was very interesting. We saw a family of five who were hiking to Hanover, NH. We saw a bear about 9 am, he just ambled into the woods and disappeared. I had a good hamburger at Gyp's Tavern at Culver Gap, then hiked on up the mountain a ways 'til I could find a tent site. I am now tented at about mile 1307, about 19 miles today.
Date: 2004-06-28
From: Culver Gap

To: Unionville Rd.
Miles today: 20.0

I got moving early, about 6:30 am. I climbed the Culver Fire Tower, boy what a view! I stopped at the Mashipacong Shelter and found a steel box of trail magic. There were cookies, candy and powdered lemonade as well as first aid supplies. Thanks, Desperado!! I went in to High Point State Park only to find the snack bar closed. I just pushed on 'til 8 pm. I missed the sign to the Murray Shelter, so I'm tented past Unionville Rd. at about mile 1328. 20 miles today.
Date: 2004-06-29
From: Unionville Rd.

To: Heaven Hill Farm, NY
Miles today: 15.0

It rained during the night, but stopped before dawn. I went in to Unionville, NY the wrong way, but it only took about 15 minutes to get to the grocery store. I always buy too much, and my pack is like lead. I saw my first Oriole today, but don't know which one it was. There was a very long puncheon bridge over a bog near Pochuck Creek, and a very nice suspension bridge over the creek. They must have cost a million! Stopped at Heaven Hill Farm at NJ 94 and had a big ice cream, two apples for my food bag, 3 donuts and a pint of milk. The pull up Wawayanda Mtn. took what I had left, and I'm tented down at 8:15 pm at about mile 1343. 15 miles today.
Date: 2004-06-30
From: Heaven Hill Farm, NY

To: Past the Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

A very uneventful day, I saw only one hiker going my way, a day hiker. I stopped at the Wildcat Shelter for supper, then moved on. I guess the highlight was the view of Greenwood Lake from the rocky ridge above (see photo). I am now tented at about mile 1363. 20 miles today.
Date: 2004-07-01
From: Past the Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien Shelter - NY
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I guess I've been whining about rough trail a lot, but today I was welcomed into New York ! Lots of PUDS, that's (Pointless ups and downs). Lots of rock and some climbs were like rock climbing. The bright spot in all this was the trail magic. I saw a cooler beside the trail, and it had what I wanted most - WATER. Thanks to Tuxedo, NY Trail Angels! I am now tented at the William Brien Shelter, too many bugs to stay in the shelter. Daybreak, Theo, Sierra, Marmot, Longshot, Ranger Jim, Tank and Luke are here also. Hope to get to Bear Mountain P.O. tomorrow morning. Only 15 miles today. I am at mile 1378, less than 800 miles to go!
Date: 2004-07-02
From: William Brien Shelter - NY

To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.0

I got up early, but I could not beat Daybreak out, he earned his name. More grueling ups and downs and rocks. Before lunchtime everyone from the shelter had passed me. Bonespur caught me just before the Bear Mountain Tower. There was a drink machine there and we all had several cold drinks. Pete showed up later and he and I went to the Bear Mountain Inn for dinner. It was a little pricey, but better than Lipton's. Water was scarce all day, so I pumped an extra quart for backup later. After eating, I went to the P.O., then walked about 1 1/2 miles to Montgomery, only to find a very small convenience store.As always, a trail angel showed up, a man named Perry, who took me to a nearby town to a real store, then back to the trail. The only thing wrong with going to a grocery store is lots of food makes a heavy pack! I stopped about 6:30, very early for me, but I'm bushed. Only about 11 miles of AT today. I'm about mile 1389.
Date: 2004-07-03
To: Mile 1406
Miles today: 17.0

This was a much better day than the last two. I saw several deer but no bears. Ranger Jim and Tank saw a very large one yesterday. The best thing that happened today was the ice cold shower I got at the Graymoor Friary. I also washed my clothes and dried them on me. I met two day-hikers and the youngest one wanted a taste of backpacking, so I "let" him carry my pack up a hill. There's a photo of him in my photos. I am now exhausted and tented at about mile 1406. 17 miles today. I cooked a Lipton's for dinner, so I just had Ritz with chichen for supper.
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Mile 1406

To: Mile 1428
Miles today: 22.0

I got up and started out early, I had almost no water, so I just ate half an apple. As soon as I got water, I ate a honey bun and some Carnation Instant Breakfast. The trail today was much better. I walked 1/2 mile down Road 52 to a deli at about 12:00 and had a meatball sandwich, some potato salad and a quart of Gatorade. I picked a couple of items in the store, filled my water bottles and a nice man took me back to the trail. I hiked to the Telephone Pioneers Shelter and tried to stay there, but the mosquitos soon changed that! I am now in my tent on a slanted site, away from the bugs. 22 miles for me today, pretty good I think. I can hear people shooting fireworks in the distance. Happy Birthday, America !! Mile marker 1428.
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Mile 1428

To: Schaghticoke Mtn
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got started a little late because of rain. The trail was really good most of the day. I got to the highway and walked the half mile to Tony's Deli and it was worth it! I ordered a sub and it was two meals. I ate one half with a quart of milk and had a Rice Krispy Treat and a pint of ice cream for dessert. The other half went in the pack for lunch.I got into Connecticut about 3 p.m. They have designated campsites, but they are very poorly spaced. I went by one about 4 p.m. and it took me 'til 8:45 to get to the next one. I hiked through a big thunder storm about 3 p.m. and got soaked. One way to get a bath and your clothes washed. I just got my tent up at Schaghticoke Mtn. campsite when it started raining again. The last 4 miles were really tough and I am now sweaty again after my thunder storm bath. 19 miles today. I am at mile 1447.
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Schaghticoke Mtn

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I put away a soggy tent this morning, wet on the outside from rain, and inside from condensation. Went in to the big city of Kent, CT. I got 2 genuine Leki tips for my hiking poles, a pair of socks, and some bear rope. For those who don't know, bear rope is used to hang your food up high enough to keep it away from bears, coons, etc. I had dropped mine somewhere.It was nice to go to an outfitter who knows their job. This lady changed my stick tips in 2 minutes, charged me less than I paid those people at Delaware Water Gap to take 30 minutes to replace one. I finally met the "Rat Pack". They are four nice young men hiking together. I ate 2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast, home fries and 3 pancakes, on top of the honeybun, apple and Carnation Instant Breakfast I already ate.I bought a couple of items at the food store, got a deli sandwich to go, and a nice man took me back to the trail. Most of the trail has been good, especially about 4 miles along the Housatonic River. I am now tented at the Silver Hill Campsite. About 13 miles today. I am at mile 1460.
Date: 2004-07-07
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Mile 1476
Miles today: 16.0

I was surrounded by songbirds at 5:00 a.m., it's a great wake-up call. I met a day hiker from PA and we hiked together about 5 hours. We went to town in his truck and ate Italian, lots of carbs. There was a place with cabins, but no one was there to rent us one, so I went on into the woods and am stealth camped about mile 1476, thats 16 miles today. Just think, I've got less than 700 miles left.
Date: 2004-07-08
From: Mile 1476

To: Massachusetts
Miles today: 14.0

I ate 2 pop tarts, a Carnation Breakfast and headed for Salisbury, CT and got into town about 9 a.m. Two apple turnovers, a cup of coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice ! That got me to feeling better.A good shower, clean clothes, and a Grinder (that's a sandwich they make up here), and I was even better. Then I went to my worst enemy, a grocery store. Now my pack weighs a ton with 4 days food stored in it. You would think I'd learn how to buy groceries wisely after a while. Anyway, despite being in town 5 hours, I still hiked out of Connecticut into Massachusetts. 14 miles today. I am at mile 1490.
Date: 2004-07-09
From: Massachusetts

To: Mile 1509
Miles today: 19.0

Not too bad a day, lots of ups and downs over Race Mtn. and Mt. Everett. I fell pretty hard on one downhill, but nothing hurt except my feelings. I finally got a telephone signal so I could call Carol, but it was weak. Tank and Bonespur passed me about lunch and are gone on. Allright and Nobody (hikers) are right behind me. They hitched in to Great Barrington and ate and still caught me about 6:30 pm. I am tented about mile 1509. 19 miles today with sore feet.
Date: 2004-07-10
From: Mile 1509

To: Mile 1526 - Massachusetts
Miles today: 18.0

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it! Psalm 118:24. It was cool and breezy all day, the breeze kept the mosquitos off me 'til about 6 pm when it died. I am now in what Daybreak calls Mosquitochusetts, they will eat you alive ! As soon as I stopped to camp, I got the tent up quick and got inside to eat a sandwich for supper. 18 miles today, I am at mile 1526 or thereabouts.
Date: 2004-07-11
From: Mile 1526 - Massachusetts

To: Mile 1545
Miles today: 19.0

Beautiful cool day today. I couldn't get to Upper Goose Pond Shelter for the pancakes this morning. That just saved me a mile walk. At least I got to see Upper Goose Pond. Two boats were fishing on it. Finerty Pond had the biggest bullfrog tadpoles I've ever seen, at least 6" long. I went to the "Cookie Lady's" house, but no one was home, so I pushed on to mile 1545. 19 miles today. I hope to be in Dalton, Massachusetts in the morning for a mail drop and a few supplies.
Date: 2004-07-12
From: Mile 1545

To: Cheshire
Miles today: 17.0

I wasn't strong enough to get to the October Lean-to, so I stopped in the woods. The trail was good and I got in to Dalton, MA where I had a mail drop. The best thing was food. I had 3 eggs, home fries, and 3 big pancakes, even though I had 2 Poptarts and a Carnation Breakfast at 6 a.m. I then went to the P.O., then 2 convenience stores for a few supplies. I only needed enough to go about 1 1/2 days to North Adams. The trail on to Cheshire wasn't bad and I got there about 5:30. The forecast is for lots of rain, so I settled in to the Catholic Church for tonight. Father David was very nice and showed me where to stay. Went down the street and got an ice cream before it storms. About 17 miles today, I am at mile marker 1562.
Date: 2004-07-13
From: Cheshire

To: Sherman Brook
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

I left the church at 5:45 am headed to the cafe, which was not open 'til 7. A very nice fellow named Wade asked me into the kitchen and fixed me an egg sandwich free of charge! Talk about trail angels, they are everywhere.It started raining at about 6:30 and got worse as I got higher on Mt. Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. I stopped at Noepal Shelter for a snack and got cold, so I put on my raincoat for the first time. I got to the top about 12 noon, so I got a burger there for two prices. Got in to North Adams and resupplied at the Price Chopper Market, ate a burger at Friendly's and went back into the woods. I am now tented down at a legal campsite at Sherman Brook. Only 16 miles today, but I had to tent here. I am at mile 1578. Less than 600 miles to go !!
Date: 2004-07-14
From: Sherman Brook

To: near Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was great. No rain, and my tent was all dry this morning. It was cool hiking, 60 degrees at 10 am. Very sloppy, rocky trail, and the descent from Harmon Hill was tricky and steep. Tank and Bonespur passed me about 3 pm, but I got up with them at the Melville Nauheim Shelter about 8 pm. I am tented now at mile 1596. That's 18 miles today.
Date: 2004-07-15
From: near Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Boy, did I get a good lesson last night! I had set up my tent in a low spot on some hard ground, when it rained, water started coming in through the seams until everything got wet! Only the stuff in plastic Ziplocs was dry. I will know better next time. Hiking was bad all day with rain, but I got a little break around noon and managed to get my tent pretty dry, but the sleeping bad is still wet. Bamboo Bob is picking me up at Kelley Stand Rd. tomorrow morning. I met his friend, Fort Wayne, a SOBO this morning about 9 am. I am now in the shelter at Story Spring with 6 other hikers. 18 miles today. I am at mile 1617.
Date: 2004-07-16
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Bamboo Bob's home
Miles today: 3.0

I got up, ate 2 oatmeal cakes, and after 3 miles, I met Bamboo Bob and his wife Judy, who fed me, let me shower at their home in VT. They have treated me like a King all day. I have been fed and fed. I got all my stuff dry, they took me to a laundry and washed clothes, got a resupply of food. After a great pork chop supper, then ice cream ! All this trail magic is about to overwhelm me ! They just love to help hikers. Only 3 miles today. I am at mile 1620
Date: 2004-07-17
From: Bamboo Bob's home

To: Mile 1636
Miles today: 19.0

It was hard to leave Judy and Bob's place this morning. I've been living the good life for a day. Judy fixed some great pancakes for breakfast, and I ate six. The only reason I didn't eat then is there weren't any more.There was good trail almost all day, only one clumb and that was first thing. I saw that Daybreak and Sierra Marmot are just ahead of me. Stratton Pond was pretty. I caught a spring lizard in the shallows. I saw two small snakes today, but they were harmless. I am now stealth camped at about mile 1636. 19 miles today.
Date: 2004-07-18
From: Mile 1636

To: Lula Tye Shelter
Miles today: 18.0

The birds didn't do a good job of waking me up, so I didn't start hiking 'til 6:30 am. I found that I was 15 minutes from the new Bromley Mtn. Shelter, (not in my book). I got a fantastic view from the town on Bromley Mtn. The ski lift comes up there. Had some bad and some good trail.I hope the butterfly photos I made are good, they were beautiful!I am now alone at the Lula Tye Shelter, mile marker 1654, that's 18 miles today. I did get a little phone signal from Baker Peak and talked to Carol and Bruce. They are meeting me somewhere on Wednesday.