morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-15
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

7/15 Boiling Springs, PA to Cove Mountain Shelter - 21.6 milesI have some fire in me today. I thin it is because I got a great nights sleep and had tons of good food at Lynne and Chuck's yesterday.The first 10 miles was through the Cumberland Valley - all farm land. I walked through fields of corn, hay, wheat, cows and ponies. I actually saw quite a bit of wildlife. 5 deer, 1 fox, 1 turtle, and a cat that looked like a miniature dairy cow.I ate lunch at Scott Farm, an ATC building that has water. Ater that I went another 4 miles to the next shelter. I was still feeling good so I checked out my data book and realized that doing a 20 today would really really help me get to Port Clinton by Sunday. So I decided to go another 7 to the next shelter. Before I left a Southbounder came in and told me that there are some ups, downs and flat spots but the trail is smooth, no rocks. He must have been joking with me as the trail had a whole lot of rocks when I reached the Cove Mountain area. I finally made it to the shelter at 8. Jollies and Applejack were there and had already given up on me. Not sure why as the sun didn't set for another half hour or so. Anyway, it feels good to finally be here. I definitely don't enjoy 20 mile days, but I needed to get some mileage in and the terrain today made it possible. I talked with Applejack and Jollies for a while. Turns out both of them are on a schedule too, trying to meet up with people. Applejack is doing 25 mile days and Jollies is doing 30+. Crazieness. I'm keeping the next few days at 18 and under.
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Crosby Nob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather has been very bad according to the locals. This is unusual temperatures and precipitation, too bad for us. We spend the day walking in slush and the snow is melting. We meet up with a group of spring breakers from Michigan. I felt bad for them for having planned a spring break trip that they ended up freezing in the mountains. I am getting a good routine for getting through the miles. I have always trained for long distances by taking early and planed breaks. My plan includes stopping every two to three miles for about fifteen minutes. Eat, drink - go potty and get my pack off and if the weather is warm even take of my shoes. The hardest thing to do is stop when it is cold. My body really warms up hiking but cools down extremely fast. So on really cold days I don't get to stop very often.
Date: 2003-07-16
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

The longer I am out here on the AT, the more I believe things happen for a reason and that God is definitly watching out for me AND that he won't dish out anything more than I can handle. Wew....that was a long sentence.Here is my story and reasoning. I got into Duncannon early this morning, 10ish. Went to the P.O. to check and see if anyone sent some love my way. I did get some! My grandma sent me a letter. While I was there I noticed a sign. The local Methodist Church welcomes hikers to stop in, use the internet for free, relax in the AC, and load up on water and snacks which were provided by the local Catholic Church. So I went and played on the internet for a while.After an hour and a half relaxing at the church I did laundry. After laundry I visited the infamous Doyle Hotel. It is under new management and seems to be an ok place compared to what I read about in last years trailjournals. I got a shower and ordered up a big lunch. I took my time eating and before I knew it, it was after 2pm. That is when hikers started pouring in. Spitz, Halfway, Chef, Blue Stool, Slack, Emily, Crow Dog, Prarie Chicken, and Micky and Minnie were on their way. Oooohhhhhh how I wanted to stay. I finally got the courage to leave the happy hiker haven. As I was hiking I was getting sad and was starting to think that I should scratch my "schedule" and go back. It was already 5:30 when I got to the first shelter. I decided it would be best to stay there otherwise I'd be hiking in the dark. But, Puff Daddy and Blue Bird were getting ready to move onto the next shelter so I tagged along. I wanted to go the extra miles, but didn't want to hike alone in the dark.We hiked the next 7 miles together at a very speedy pace and made it to the shelter where there were a million other thru hikers, many that I know. woooo-Hooooo! So leaving the Doyle wasn't such a bad idea after all. I got to see Moo, 42 and Sleepy Floyd again. I haven't seen them since the Hardcore Trail Maintenence.Today has got me thinking alot about the northern half of PA and whether or not I really want to do it, or if I just want to take some relaxation and rejuvination time to get myself ready for New England and the stuff I've been looking forward too.So to refer back to my original statement. I got to see old friends, had hiking partners for my first night hike, and got to hang out with more hiker friends.As far as the part about giving me what I can handle, I saw a black snake - alone. He was a nice fat long one. The biggest I've seen yet. I asked him to move nicely and he didn't. I stepped back a few feet and banged my poles on the ground and he eventually went away. I felt good that I didn't freak out.
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Crosby Nob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.7

I was really expecting to walk all day in the rain but the trail gave me a treat of just walking after the rain. The forest was fresh and the water was flowing. Some of the trails seemed just like a stream. Had a pleasant encounter with about four white tail deer right out of Low Gap. I stopped on the trail for a moment but I did not have time to take the picture. Then further on down the trail it seemed like I was walking in a botanical garden. Birds were chirping and the trees were gorgeous. It was another special day, I was almost sad to think it would end. We stayed at Standing Bear Hostel but right before we ended out our walk today, "Fresh Ground", a trail angle was waiting for us with tons of food, anything you could think of. He is following us up the trail and says he will see us again at Roan. He had asked for requests and I said "Twisters". He was so sweet and brought me some Twisters to the Standing Bear Shelter, especially for me. My group of friends are planning our own trail magic day for Tuesday or Wednesday. "Leprechaun" parents are coming up from Alabama to visit us.
Date: 2003-07-17
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: few clouds

I ended up hiking with Firefeet for the whole day. The weather was perfect, blue skies, sunny but not hot. The hiking now is fairly easy and what I like most is that we can take lots of breaks and still make it to our destination. What is really cool is that everyone is so laid back right now. Also, I actually get to see and hang out with others during the day and not just at camp at night.Today seemed like a blueberry festival. They were everywhere along the trail and were ready for eating. I have never been a big blueberry fan, but these from the woods taste so sweet and delicious compared to the ones in the grocery store. Nature's Candy!Right before I got to the shelter I spotted this really awesome moth-like creature. It was about the size of my hand and in the shape of a manta-ray. It's coloring was like the glow in the dark lime green. It also had markings on the wings that looked like flase eyes. Its body was white and short and fat. It had feathery feelers on the top of it. It was a really awesome site and I actually got a picture of it.I'm tenting tonight since it is so beautiful out. Several of the guys are tented along the trail towards the privy, but Firefeet and I found a great spot past the privy. Goes to show if you walk just a little bit further you can find that perfect camp spot. Seems like the same group is moving together - Firefeet, Taro, Jersey, Happy Feet, Blue Bird, Puff Daddy, Ted, Walk About and his dog Pula, JJ, Laffy Taffy and me.
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light snow

The day started off great, "Fly" and I happily left Standing Bear Hostel chatting about the hike. We weren't really paying attention and missed the white blaze to get back on the AT. But when we went back couldn't see the turn and ended up back at the hostel. Well, luckily for me because for me I left my rain cover for my backpack at the hostel. Once again my trail angle saves me. So off we go and as snowflakes started to fall unbenounced to us the day would not end so well. I put on my wet weather gear and hunker down for a fifteen mile walk. When I reached a bald, Snowbird Mountain, and stopped to check for a signal to call my Dad for his birthday. I did reach him before he was leaving the house. As the day went on the weather got worse. The scariest day of my hike so far was when I reached a place called "Max Patch", which is a popular hiking spot for day hikers and picnickers on nice days. But that was not the experience I was in for. I was greeted with 75 MPH winds, ten foot visibility and bitter cold snow hitting me in the face. This summit is a large field with a no trees and only 4X4 post with white blazes on them to guide me across. I was holding on for dear life to my poles and thankful for my pack weight to keep me on the ground. It took about ten minutes to cross but it felt like hours. When I was off the summit the wind stopped but this was just the beginning. I was following the footprint in the snow of the other hikers in front of me only to find them stopped abruptly and backtracked. With no white blazes to be seen I go back to the last post with the last blaze on it but I still can't see the direction to go. Luckily "Grrr", another hiker, came down the trail and we eventually found the AT. Only to have two more miles to walk into the shelter. My hands are frozen cold and my feet are numb. I wasn't really that cold because I was hiking pretty fast but my feet were frozen and my hands were so cold that they felt completely numb. When I reached the shelter I was greeted by "Dragon", "Leprechaun","Fly","Slap" and "Woodrow" who were crammed into their tents that had been put up inside the shelter. "Dragon", "Fly", "Leprechaun" and "Slap" were in one, which was only a two man tent, and "Woodrow", me and "Grrr" squeezed into a one and half man tent. It was only 6PM and we had a long night ahead of us. No hot dinner, only energy bars. Surprisingly I was not that cold but very uncomfortable. We were all glad to get out of there the next day.
Date: 2003-07-18
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was the day that I imagined every day on the AT would be like. The hiking was easy for the most part with just a few major spots with rock hopping.There are 10 of us all hiking around the same pace breaking often. We didn't hike together in a huge pack, but rather on our own just meeting up often. If one person was sitting taking a break, others usually stopped an joined them. We even had some photo shoots.Tonight we got hit with a big thunderstorm, but it waited until every lsat one of us made it to the shelter. I'm here with the same crew as yesterday - Firefeet, Happy Feet, Taro, Jersey, Puff Daddy, Blue Bird, Ted, Walk About and Pula, JJ, Laffy Taffy and Aaron a section hiker.Laffy Taffy and JJ are awesome. They hitched a ride into town with Aaron and got beer and pizza for all of us. The shelter here is great too. Perfect for sitting out a storm. It is an old pottery barn, so it is totally enclosed. IT has 12 bunks and a huge long dining room table. It also has a neat 10-ogon shaped skylight where we were able to watch the lightening. Happy Feet retold his bear story and as he was getting to the exciting part a huge bolt of lightening and loud thunder clap came out. It was perfect timing.All of us have been sitting around this huge dining room table talking and laughing a lot. This group is great. I've really enjoyed hiking yesterday, today and hopefully tomorrow too.
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Lemon Gap
Miles today: 3.6

When we woke up we were all in miserable shape and knew that we were really close to a road that would take us to Hot Springs and get us out of the snow. The snow was three feet deep in some places and all of our gear was wet. So we decided to get out of town as fast as possible was first priority. "Leprechaun" was contemplating calling for help using "Grrr's" SPOT device that calls for emergency help by satellite. I said that we were OK and that we should just wait because a car was coming certainly. And "Dragon" and "Woodrow" had gone to get this other guy¢s car and would be coming for us and just then a small pickup truck came up the road. The young guy and his kids were in the cab and he agreed to give us all a ride. The eight of us piled into the bed of the truck and drove off for an hour freezing in an open truck bed. He took us to the Fox Den in Del Rio, a small town near Hot Springs. It was a gas station/restaurant that was warm and had hot coffee and hamburgers. We were safe and the owner of the place was more than happy to get us a ride to Hot Springs which was about 30 minutes from where we were. We were to meet "Leprechaun's" parents who were visiting from Daphne Alabama for a few day off the trail. What an extreme contrast of environments, one hour we were frozen stuck on a mountain road and then we were in a beautiful vacation rental eating shrimp from Alabama. Such is the life on the trail.
Date: 2003-07-19
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

Someone cracked a beer open at 5:30am. I knew it was going to be a good day!I was up and ready before everyone else, and that isn't saying much. We all relaxed and got up late. It was a beautiful sunny day and I didn't want to be the first one out on the trail to encounter all the rattle snakes. Especially since the guy that shuttled Ed to Harper's Ferry told me the section from 501 on has lots of them. So I waited until Firefeet was ready and we hiked together. We got to an overlook that was very rocky and 3 section hikers told us that there were 2 rattle snakes there. One that slithered away and one is sunning itself. I think they were surprised and we didn't go oooooo and keep hiking on. Instead Firefeest said oh cool and busted out her camera. I followed her but with a little more hesitation. I wanted a picture but didn't want to get bitten in action. There was a big fat rattle snake sunning himself inbetween 2 rocks. Firefeet was standing right over him and he gave out a little rattle as if to say "Yo, I'm over here. Make sure you get my good side." After that I was constantly watching out for snakes all day but didn't see anymore.We stopped to take a lunch break at the Hertlein Campsite, down a side trail that leads to a very cold spring fed pond. We were the only thru hikers but there was a group of Mennonite boys, a trail crew group, and some boy scouts passed through. Several tried out the rope swing and most said the water was really cold. After the trail crew kids went in I knew I had to go in. You only live once and why not make the most of the AT experience, right? So as more thru hikers came and jumped into the pond, I peer pressured Firefeet into going in. We both went off the rope swing. I knew it was cold, but man was it cold. I couldn't talk and I could barely think straight to swim. I doggie paddled and laughed the whole time I was getting back to shore. It was one of those water sources where the air was warm and it felt good to get out. Firefeet and I ended up spending 3 hours there. At 4pm we still had 9 miles to hike and we figured we'd be doing some night hiking. We ended up having some really good conversations and the hiking went by so fast that we made it to camp before dark. We picked tons of blueberries along the way as they were everywhere.There is a really big group at the shelter tonight as more people have caught up to us. 4 of us are tenting back in the woods - Firefeet, Happy Feet, Taro and myself. Apparently the Port Clinton hotel is small, so everyone is getting up early to rush into town for a room. I'm getting up early to meet Ed at noon! Can't wait to go home and have real food and a real bed.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Lemon Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 6.6

The next three days I'm putting together because we stayed in Hot Springs with Leprechaun's parent at the cabin house. We still got some hiking in with just a few miles each day, slack packing. Leprechaun's dad would drive us out and we would hike back. Total mileage for these days was 20.4 miles. On the 27th we went back to Garenflo Gap where "Dragon" and "Woodrow" picked up this other hikers car on the day of Max Patch for 6.6. Then Thursday the 28th "Slap" and I made up 7.8 miles from Lemon Gap where we got a ride in the truck to Garenflo Gap. Then on Friday we had a beautiful day hike from Tanyard Gap back to Hot Springs for a total of 6 miles. It was so nice that "Fly" and I actually ran three of the miles. The view from the lookout point Lover Leap was great. The AT actually goes directly through the town of Hot Springs. When we went to the post office we met a former thru hiker who hiked the trail in 1976. He told us a few things about the gear he had and how different it was from today¢s lightweight gear. One of the days in Hot Springs Leprechaun's parents, Katherine and Mike, provided trail magic for other hikers. This is the day "Slap" and I hiked to Lemon Gap. We advertised to all the hikers we met going south. We were not as lucky getting a ride back on this day and actually had to walk an extra seven miles before we got a ride from a day hiker from Chicago. The three days at the house were fun, we watched movies, ate so much food, I probably gained back a few pounds. Katherine and Mike were so generous and I enjoyed the break from the cold and not so comfortable accommodations I had the last 27 days. Each night "Dragon" and "Woodrow" would cook dinner. In the morning we had the best breakfast, the biscuits were awesome. "Fly" and I made dinner on the last night with the help of "Woodrow" who is a culinary expert. We planned spaghetti and meatballs but ended up with a meat sauce Bolognese, garlic bread and Caesar salad. We played a makeshift game of beer pong because we didn't have a ping pong ball we improvised with tin foil saran wrap ball. "Dragon" and "Slap" ran the table of course. It was hard to say goodbye but the trail has a way of actually calling you back.
Date: 2003-07-20
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

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

Everyone was up really early this morning. I was moving my 7:30. I didn't see anyone on the trail the entire morning. Kind of strange. The AT again was easy for the most part, but the last few miles were very rocky and then the last half mile was a steep desecent into Port Clinton. I never knew it, but there is a big railroad and station type place there behind the town. I got to town and saw the outfitter which I never knew existed, but it was closed. I rolled into the Port Clinton Hotel before noon and there were already 10 hikers sitting around the bar. I sat down, got a Lager and started to drink it down. That is when I started looking at who was around the bar and realized that I had left before at least 4 of the people there and no one passed me at all. I was rather confused but it turned out they followed one of the service trails rather than the AT. Smart move. The trail was strange as it winded around who knows what and I was even going south for a while. Those guys got the last room too, so I am glad I wasn't expecting to stay in the hotel.Ed showed up. It was great to see him, even though I saw him a week ago. Still feels like forever ago. We ate lunch. Everything there is hiker portioned, the burgers are huge!Ed took Firefeet to the grocery store and then we head back to Ed's where I got a shower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was really beginning to feel uncomfortably stinky.Then we headed to my parent's house where we cooked out and relaxed on the porch. It feels good to be home and to relax. I'm just a little sad that I just found a great group to hike with and now I'll probably be behind them again.
Date: 2003-07-21
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is a much needed zero day. I got to sleep late and I am planning on cleaning all my gear. My tent, pack, clothes, etc etc. I will also be finalizing the rest of my mail drops so if you want to send me packages check back in the next few days for an updated maildrop list.
Date: 2003-07-26
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

7/26 Delaware Water Gap to Mohican Outdoor Center - 8.3 milesIt felt good to get back on the trail today. I hiked with Harry, a friend from grad school, and his wife Dorothy shuttled us. The trail to Sunfish Pond was great. Big, smooth and nicely graded, after the pond it got rocky.Sunfish Pond is a lot bigger than I had imagined. It is a glacier pond on top of a mountain, so I was expecting a small bright blue body of water. Instead it looks like a lake. It is hard to imagine that we had to climb to see it. Its shores were rocky and we saw alot of man made rock formations which were neat. They made for a nice picture.I liked hiking without my big pack. It makes for a relaxing and enjoyable day. Less aches and pains.Dorothy met us at Camp Road and the 3 of us picnicked at the Mohican Center. They had all sorts of good fresh fruit and cold water. That really hit the spot on this hot day. And Harry and Dorothy gave me a goodie bag full of candy. I'm already almost done with the Mike & Ikes.After my friends left I went into the main lodge of the center and talked with 2 day hikers and Strider.I eventually made my way to the tentsites, got my tent up, feasted on Mike & Ikes and took a nap.Apparently NJ is a beary snakey place. Harry spotted a snake. I just got a glimpse of the tail end. Looked brown and black with a pattern. Then while I was showering a rattler showed up on the porch of the center's main building. While I was eating dinner a woman walked by and said there was a black snake in some brush 10 feet back. YUCK. As far as the bears, a section hiker - John from NY, saw one in the morning and he couldn't have been too far behind Harry and I. There are signs saying that in NJ there is one bear for every square mile of bear populated land. Now what does that really mean?All these bears and snakes make me wish my friends from last week were around. I'm guessing they are a day or two behind. I guess I didn't estimate their whereabouts very good. I'm sure those thunderstorms didn't help either.Tonight at 8pm there is live music at the main building. I think I'll check it out and pray a bear doesn't make himself comfortable in my tent.
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mount Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

Today is Easter. This is the first Easter in 23 years that I haven't made Easter baskets or colored eggs. I will look forward to next year's Easter. Also today is Alan's, my son, 20th birthday. I was happy to reach Flint Mountain summit and get a signal to call him. He was in Boston celebrating with friends from the Air Force. Flint Mountain would have been so much better if I wasn't standing in a cloud. It was not that cold but cloudy and foggy. A few time the clouds broke and I did get a glimpse of the landscape below.