morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Monday, May 14, 2007, Day 78Cold morning. I sleep a bit later than usual and don't hit the trail until 8:30am. Strolling up to the Tumbling Run shelters I see Boy is relaxing in the sun. We catch up on each other's hikes and talk about his 50 mile hike yesterday. I'm a bit jealous as it was something I contemplated for a while. He is very tired and his feet are in rough shape. I realize it was best to let the youngsters attack this challenge. I keep trekking and run into the old timer I was talking to last night. He is Nomad 6. We hike together for a while and talk about how the trail has been designed to be too hard for most people. Ordinary people aren't able to enjoy it due to it's intense climbs. I'm not whining about it, but if you're not a young man in great shape, you often won't like the journey. If the trail was designed to be a place ppeople could get out of the cities and enjoy the woods - It's excluded young and old people because of the difficulty of the terrain. Even Earl Shaeffer had commented on this on his 50th anniversary hike. Again, I'm not bitching...it's just a thought.Diablo catches up with me and we decide to jump off the trail and walk a mile down US30 to a deli and get sandwiches. The hoagies are huge! We sit on the side of the road and stuff ourselves with the large lunches. We hike on and come upon a PATC cabin a family has rented. They insist we stay for dinner. OK. Steak tips wrapped with lettus and salsa in tortillas is on the menu. Thank you to the family. I only wish they'd offered us some of the Merlot they were drinking! Oh well.We roll into camp late and don't even bother cooking dinner. We've eaten plenty. Tomorrow, a 25 mile day on easy terrain with some climbs at the end. sigh.The official half way point of the trail is 8.5 miles from here. Yes! Shortly after is Iron Masters Hostel where it's a thru-hiker tradition to take part in the half gallon challenge. A half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. Right up my alley. I can't wait.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Frye Shelter
Miles today: 17.1

Tuesday, May 15, 2007, Day 79When I started hiking this morning, I knew I did't have it. We hit the halfway point and take pictures. Psyched. Half Way. Another milestone down and only 2 more days of hiking and I get 3 days off.Another mile down the trail and the Brain, Diablo and I get to the country store where the half gallon challenge takes place. They both get vanilla and I get chocolate ice cream. I finish first in 50 minutes. Diablo in 70 minutes and the brain throws in the towel 2/3rd's done. Boy shows up during our binge and finishes his in 33 minutes. The record is 2 minutes, 33 seconds. Wow.The next 15 miles is called off after the ice cream and we inly go another 7. Stomaches full of dairy doesn't translate into miles.Mosquitos are out and we're all tired. Early to bed. Tomorrow we hike 15 miles of farm land during our 26 mile day.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: James Frye Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 26.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, May 16, 2007, Day 80Long hike today. I start the morning by jumping off the trail two miles into the hike to hit a general store for a coffee, chocolate milk and a newspaper. Afterwards I listen to the Mp3 player and hike 10 miles to Boiling Springs.I meet two guys on their 3rd day biking across the country. Our trips are similar and we all have questions for each other. I stop and talk to the folks at the Mid Atlantic ATC Center then go find Boy and Diablo at a local deli. I have an egg, bacon and cheese on a croissant and a double cappucino.The next 13 miles are flat. A massive valley between 2 ridges. Its farms and dairy cows. The trail weaves through roads and agriculture. It starts to rain, but if it had been hot it might have been a rougher day.I'm beat by the time I reach the shelter. There are lots of section hikers here, but everyone is nice. El Train is here as well, I haven't seem him in a month! We catch up and give him the plan. We have a crew of hikers headed to The Doyle Hotel, an old Anheuser-Busch hotel built around 1900. Its a thru-hiker tradition to stay here. There's a bar on the ground floor, a room is $20. 11 miles away to the party. El Train is into the plan. That gives us at least 9 hikers at the bar!Duncannon, PA is my rest spot. Three days off at my grandparent's and my mother in Philly. I'm ready and due for some time off the trail.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Darlington Shelter

To: The Doyle Hotel Duncannon
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Thursday, May 17, 2007, Day 81Woke up at 5:30 am and started packing up. Everyone else had the same idea. Off to the Doyle.Easy hike into town. I chatted sports with Rufio, a section hiker on his last day, and enjoyed the sun. When I get off the ridge, we're a bit confused as to where the trail is. I find Boy in the same dilemma. We guess our way through a neighborhood and find ourselves in Duncannon.Waiting for the Doyle to open, I run into Diablo talking to Traveler. I'm in awe of Traveler and his accomplishments. Later I would have many beers with him and hear some great stories. The rest of the thru hikers roll in and we all get rooms and hit the bar for food and drinks. Later that night, Big Dawg rolls in to party wity us and buys the evening's beers. Thanks again Big Dawg! We are all splitting up again in the morning and the friends I've caught up with will be ahead of me and behind me when I come back. Three days off in Philly.
Date: 2007-05-18
From: The Doyle Hotel Duncannon

To: Philly 
Miles today: 0.0

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 18-20, 2007, Day 82, 83 and 84No hiking for three days. I needed it. My mother picks me up at the Doyle and we have lunch. Thank you to Pat and Vicki for a great stay and all the hospitality. The food was delicious.We drive to Philly and see my grandparents and other family in the area.I resupply hit REI for some new equipment. I also bought the movie Trek and watched it twice. Great accuracy of a NOBO AT thru hike. It reinspired me about the trail.I eat well, food is forced upon me and I take full advantage. Thank you to my Aunt Carol and Uncle Phil for the best Chinese Dinner I've had in years. The wine was great as always!Seeing family has given me a boost. I enjoyed passing on my stories to them as they were all so supportive of my dreams and goals. It was a perfect place to rest, recoup and reflect.Thank you to my mother for all she has done for me on this trip. It was time well spent catching up with her over the weekend.
Date: 2007-05-21
From: The Doyle Hotel Duncannon

To: Peters Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 11.4

My Mom and grandparents drop me off in Duncannon and I'm back on the trail. As they drive off I realize I've left my cell phone in the car. It has fallen out of my pocket. I call the phone - no response. I leave a message on my parents answering machine in Maine to have it sent to Port Clinton. Let's hope this happens. I need the phone on Thursday as I'm getting off the trail over Memorial Day Weekend. I throw a minor fit about it and keep hiking. My mother comes back to town in the end. Realizing the phone is in the car they drive all the way back according to two sisters I meet at the shelter in the evening. Oh well. I didn't want to chance it spending all day in town. I have to be in Port Clinton on Thursday and needed to put mileage in.The day gets no better, eight miles of poison ivy lines the trail. Not only that, but the Gypsy Moth catepillars are in full force and are all over the trail and falling from the trees.I get to the shelter and meet Mouse Trap. We exchange stories of the trail and people we've met. Not to mention some of the AT gossip and drama this season. I also meet Haiku and Bear Snack, sisters from Iowa doing a section together. I might try to do my first 30 tomorrow. We'll see....I'd have to feel great.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Peters Mt. Shelter

To: I81
Miles today: 23.9

Tuesday, May 22, 2007, Day 86The 30 I planned for today slipped away while I slept in. I didn't really want to do it anyways.I get going around 8:30 am and it's a beautiful day. About 3 miles into the trail I come upon a handwritten note right before a section of rock in the open sun. The note is held down by a stone and says - "SNAKES! RATTLERS!". I cautiously step on to the rocks, making a bit of noise and scanning the trail ahead. There don't seem to be any as I look over the small boulder. Then THERE THEY ARE! FOUR HUGE DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKES! I back up and take a breath. I slowly take my pack off and wonder if that's a wise idea. They could be everywhere. Then I see another - 6 feet to my left. I quickly look around to see if there are others. I'm nervous, but I man up and get out the camera. AWESOME. What a sight. Thank you to whoever left that note. These snakes would have scared me to death if I had hiked right into them. After the photo session I tiptoe around the snakes and I'm off. All day every stick and root looked like a snake.The porcupine I spooked later in the afternoon will always be overshadowed by the rattlers. But he was cool too. Just a little guy. Got a picture of him as well.The rest of the day was hiking. Knowing I'd never make the 30. I decide to hike 'til about 7pm put in 20+ and find a stealth camp site. As the day goes on it looks like I'll be around a lot of roads at that time. I hike as far as I can, getting past all the roads. Where I'm camped however, is about a 1/2 mile from busy I81. It's loud and I will have traffic all night. Oh well. I needed to put in miles so I arrive in Port Clinton Thursday morning. I want to be able to call my girlfriend, Emily, and let her know I have no cell phone before she gets here. Best case scenario is that my parents have mailed the cell phone to me and it's waiting for me at the Port Clinton Post Office. I'll figure it out. No worries, the trail has taught me to take things as they come up. Be prepared, but roll with the punches.It's 26 miles to the shelter tomorrow and 8 miles to P.C. Thursday. Multiple zeros again over the weekend. Awesome! I'm ahead of schedule anyway.
Date: 2007-05-23
From: I81

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 26.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, May 25, 2007, Day 87I wake up refreshed. I hike to the top of the ridge and it's strewn with poison ivy for 7 miles. Again I pray not to get an outbreak.I manage to put in 11 miles by noon and have lunch with Eleven at the 501 shelter. Eleven let's me borrow his cell phone and I leave Emily a message that I don't have my cell phone. This is a relief since I'm not sure when she's coming to Port Clinton. I've made it far enough today however to ensure I ge there first. Still now she knows I'll only be able to use pay phones.I part ways with Eleven after lunch as I crush the next 15 miles. Put the head down and hike. The infamous Pennsylvania rocks have started and it slows me a bit. But still manage to roll into camp before sunset.Here I meet Heartfire and Mike. Heartfire is finishing her thru hike from last hear and Mike is doing a section for a month and a half. I'm glad to have the company on my last night on the trail for 4 days. I eat and turn in, looking forward to a bed for several nights, real food and a shower. All this 8 1/2 miles away. I hiked exactly 50 miles in two days to get here!
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Easy Hike into Port Clinton. I meet Eleven part way into the morning and finish the walk with him. We enjoy a huge meal at the "3 C's" Restaurant. I hit the Post Office to see if my parents have sent the cell phone. Sure enough it's there. Excellent! I call Emily and she says she'll be there at 3:00. Everything is falling into place.I wish Eleven well and wait for Emily at the "Pavillion", a covered meeting area in Port Clinton open to thru hikers. I reflect on the hike so far as I wait for Emily and for the first time realize the magnitude of the distance I've walked.Emily arrives and we are off to find food and lodging. Three more days off...
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Central PA

To: Central PA
Miles today: 0.0

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 25-27, 2007, Days 89-91Emily and I enjoy an awesome holiday weekend staying in Shartlesville, Reading, Lancaster and Harrisburg.The first day we see the famous tourist attractions "Roadside America" and Crystal Cave! The next day we spend the afternoon in Amish Farm Country. I really wanted an Amish man's hat, but was unable to find one. On Sunday we visit the state capitol, Harrisburg and enjoy their great downtown area.It was an awesome weekend. We had a lot of fun and saw a bunch of things we probably wouldn't get an opportunity to see had this not been where I was on the trail Memorial Day Weekend.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Port Clinton

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

Monday, May 28, 2007, Day 92As Emily drops me off at the "Pavillion" in Port Clinton, who is there but Bag of Tricks. I had hoped I'd bump into him here. Also there is Many Names, Biscuits, Renaissance Man, Dojo, the Professor, Horn Blower, Haiku and Bear Snack. Lots of Hikers.I spend an hour hanging out with everyone after I say goodbye to Emily. Tricks is telling stories and keeps everyone laughing. I decide to get hiking before it gets too late, but not before Bag of Tricks gives me 12 oz. of moonshine for the road. Thanks again, Tricks. I thought my moonshine days were gone now that I was in the Northeast. I hike an easy 6 miles to the first shelter. The bugs are bad but I'm glad to be back in the woods. As the other hikers roll in I pass the moonshine around and we all have a good laugh about the day. New Jersey is 3 days away...State #8.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Windsor Furnace shelter

To: New Tripoli Campsite
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday, May 29, 2007, Day 93Rocks, Lots of Rocks. Small ones. Baseball size ones. Huge ones. They all suck. Pennsylvania is famous for these sharp pain in the butt stones and I got a huge taste of them today. I had hoped to do 26 miles but was only able to do 22. The rocks just don't allow you to make good time. Plus, I'm still paranoid about rattlesnakes and often go slow through rocky sections.Other than that, it was pretty uneventful. I'm camped on a ridge with Many Names, Biscuits, Renaissance Man and his dog, Dojo. We're planning to get up early and get to Lehigh Gap before noon. There we can hitch to Palmerton and get lunch. Then hike Dantes Inferno late afternoon and get a campsite along the ridge in the evening.Many names told me tonight that he did the math on a finish date - 97 miles a week average gives us a finish date of August 6th! Wow. that sounds easy and makes me know I'm close to finishing. This trip will be over before I know it.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: Ballsack Vista
Miles today: 20.1

Wednesday, May 30, 2007, Day 94More rocks. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. My feet are in a lot of pain. It's part of the trip, the foot problems, but I'm bruised from kicking stones all day.Made good time this morning and followed through with the plan to hitch into Palmerton, PA and get lunch. Joe's Subs was the place. I ate a large cheese steak sub and 2 cheeseburgers. I'm stuffed. I pound a Red Bull and get ready to hit the trail with my crew - Many Names, Renaissance Man, his dog Dojo and Biscuits.There is no water for the next 16 miles. I have over 4 liters of water which pushes my pack weight to 50 pounds. This sucks. Its hot. The climb out of tow is Dante's Inferno. It's a bitch. We hike up a rock face and along a desolate ridge.we roll into a campsite near a vista and take the packs off. It's been a long day. I have 1 liter of water left and hope the springs ahead of us are flowing.Renaissance Man laughs as he sees a wood plaque on a tree. Apparently someone named this spot. "Ball Sack Vista"! Ha! Ha! Too much. It's not called that in the books or maps, but I found it quite amusing. Two days to Jersey....
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Ballsack Vista

To: Kirk Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: broken clouds

Thursday, May 31, 2007, Day 95With very little water in the morning we hike to our first option. Dry spring. Another 3 miles down the trail we come to a reliable spring 0.6 miles downhill off the trail. The spring is gorgeous. Flowing solid. I guzzle two liters before filling up and heading up the hill.The rest of the morning was hot and muggy. We pull into a place at Wind Gap called the Gateway Motel for sodas and a water refill. As we sit there the thunderstorms we had heard about start up. There is a long discussion on whether to push on or stay at the hotel. A small break in the storm stirs everyone up and we decide to stick to the plan and put in 9 1/2 more miles to the shelter outside of Delaware Water Gap, PA.When we get to the top of the ridge, the rain, thunder and lightning starts up bigger than before. Two hours of hard hiking through the huge storm and it finally let's up. Another hour of hiking in the sun and our spirits are up again as we hit the shelter. Many Names passes around tequila to celebrate the hard hike. Tomorrow we go to town. Possible zero in D.W.G. (short of Del. Water Gap-known to hikers as DWG). We'll see, I'm just looking forward to a hot breakfast and looking across the river at New Jersey.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Kirk Ridge Shelter

To: The DWG
Miles today: 6.4

Friday, June 1, 2007, Day 96We wake up and put our wet clothes on. No worries, as we'll be in town in a few hours. Like most walks into town, it's almost all down hill. Everyone is in a great mood.On our way down the mountain we meet Pastor Karen, the minister of the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain. She is very friendly and invites us all to stay at the hostel in the church basement.We get into town and eat a huge breakfast. Unfortunately there is no laundromatso we d our washing in buckets and hang them on a line outside. Just when they're almost dry another storm rolls in and we're back to wet clothes again.More hikers roll into the hostel - Hornblower, Speedo, Patrick and Walking Stick and his father. We have a big crew and all head to the Deer Head Inn - a hotbed for New York Jazz over the past 60 years. Although we are a bit shocked by a $15 cover, we're in for a treat as Many Names notices that famous jazz musician David "Fathead" Newman is on stage tonight. After many shots and beers we turn in for the night.
Date: 2007-06-02
From: The DWG

To: Zero Day at DWG
Miles today: 0.0

Saturday, June 2, 2007, Day 97Hangovers all around as we wake up in the morning. We all talk of leaving for the trail today, but it's all talk. We spend the day relaxing. Hornblower, Many Names, Biscuits and myself play several rounds of miniature golf. I come in 2nd twice and 3rd the other time.I also am psyched to watch the first 4 innings of the Sox/Yanks game at the pizza joint in town.When I get back to the hostel, more hikers have made it into town - Mr. Ed, Young & Dumb, Dirty Blonde, Back Breaker, Snackbreak, Trod and an old friend, Snakebite (although he's changed his name to Hasty.)It's back to the bar for more drinks, however tonight is toned down from the previous evening. Tomorrow I head for New Jersey.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Zero Day at DWG

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: broken clouds

Sunday, June 3, 2007, Day 98I cross the Delaware River bright and early and enter New Jersey. The forest is beautiful. By the afternoon it is starting to get cloudy and it starts to drizzle.It is a pretty uneventful day. I am on guard again about bears. New Jersey is known for its large bear population in the north. None today, but I am getting the bear vibe regularly.It's funny to me how all the thru hikers I was around over the weekend all talked about slowing down. Yet none of us do. This includes myself. We all want to but with so much daylight and all this strength we walk 20+ miles a day.I have the Sox/Yanks game on my MP3 player FM radio. It's the NY station and it's coming in perfect. Go Sox! I am so psyched!
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

Monday, June 4, 2007, Day 99Well, I listened to the Sox/Yanks game until 12:15 - over four hours. Only to have A Rod hit an 0-2, 9th inning, go ahead, 2 run shot. Damn. It was a one run game and the Sox couldn't do anything in the bottom of the 9th. It poured rain all night and I was slow getting up as it is still raining.I had hoped to go 25 miles today but only only got around 20 done due to more rain. Again I was blown away by the beauty of this state.So I'm soaked, all of my stuff is soaked and the weather report has tomorrow full of rain and thundershowers. I'm hoping Wednesday shows some sun so I can dry out.I'm here at High Point Shelter with Orange. After a good night of conversation, I'm ready for sleep. 250 miles to Vermont. That is where I will head home for a quick break and celebrate my birthday.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: High Point Shelter

To: Uawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: few clouds

Tuesday, June 5, 2007, DAY 100!I am up and on the trail before seven am and it's a cruise to the road that takes me to Unionville. At the road intersection I see Eleven being dropped back onto the trail by his girlfriend. I'm psyched to see him and know I'll see him on the trail later today.In Unionville I stop at the bagel shop and talk with the kids that work there on the deck. I resupply and head back to the trail.The next 12 miles are swamp. Puncheon's Line the trail endlessly. Everything is still very damp from the previous day's rain and the occasional sprinkle today. My socks are soaked immediately in the morning and by midday my feet are in bad shape. They are rubbed severly on the tops of the toes and are tender from two days of wetness. Still, I'll survive to hike another day. They've done this before.I meet Eleven along a great section of the trail with a raised walkway through a marsh land. We hike to a local dairy market for a quick snack before tackling the next climb. The cloud roll in and look threatening but never amount to anything.When I get to the shelter there are numerous sectioners, Eleven, Renaissance Man and Dojo and Hasty staying here. The climbs are back as the terrain gets tougher. Still I will try to 26 tomorrow if the feet cooperate.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Uawayanda Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: broken clouds

Wednesday, June 6, 2007, Day 101Off to do another big day. I reach the New York/New Jersey border for the last time and check Jersey off the list. About 2 miles past the border I come across a small 1 1/2 foot Buddha cemented to a large boulder along the trail. Like others before me I leave some loose change in front of him. I meet up with Renaissance Man and Gojo before a road crossing and we are psyched to find a hot dog cart in the parking lot! Awesome. We relax for over an hour and eat and talk with Mary (the cart owner). We get ice cream from a nearby dairy farm and hit the trail with 15 miles left to do and not much daylight to do it. We hike quickly. Up through some challenging sections it starts to get late. We pull into the shelter just as the sun is setting. I quickly cook and set up my tent. Time to sleep, I'm exhausted.