morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-05
From: north

To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.8

Leaving Harper's Ferry after an incredible stay. Couldn't find transportation at first yesterday to the Antietam Natl. Battlefield, I was quite dismayed, we were preparing to leave town when we encountered a family of tourists who were going out there, and offered to take us. So...we got to spend the fourth of July touring that awesome site. It was so impressive. Thank you Kari, Donnie, and Carter for your generousity and thoughtfulness. It was a wonderful day and we had fun spending it with you.
Date: 2007-07-12
To: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Pay no attention to trip miles as they are shown above, the actual # as of today is 1,132.9. We are at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon PA, a tradition with thru-hikers, kind of like a vortex that sucks you in and leaves you lost in time and space. Whatever. Old fashioned transoms, and nice wood doors trim and railings and hammered tin ceilings. There is a bar and a pool table in the hotel, and a 2nd floor veranda. Our room has a view of the Susquehanna river. It's over 100 years old, one of the original Anheuser-Busch hotels, kinda beat up but nice people in charge, very hiker-friendly, and the price is right. Nice little town, takes you back in time some. No urban renewal here. Smoking is still allowed in restaurants (excellent food and a good price), the library is only open Weds and Sat for a total of 6 hours a week. Anyways, we have stopped today after a nero since Yonder has been feeling unwell for a few days and has in fact had a fever the past 2 mornings. I don't think it's anything serious, since he in is in the bar for happy hour as I am writing this. But several other hikers have been reporting being ill with some kind of general malaise, and we have had a report that one is in the hospital in Harrisburg with confirmed Lyme's Disease. Pretty good heat wave going on, we have had some miserable days in the sun, but also some great trail magic such as at the Deer Lick Shelters where someone left a 12-pack of Yeungling cooling in the spring.
Date: 2007-07-24
From: north

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We are at mile 1,279. A beautiful day. Yesterday we did 20+ miles in a constant rain to arrive at the Presbyterian church here which runs a free hiker hostel. Today after lunch we will cross the state line into NJ. Since I last updated:Yonder is finally well after about 7 days of feeling crappy or downright sick. Unable to find a doctor that will take walkins and/or do Lyme's testing. So we haven't made as many miles as we hoped. But we have caught up with Rex, Loose Bruce, Maryland Edge, and many others who waited out the rain here at the hostel. So we all had a good ol' time at the pizza place last night.Had a memorable and fun stay at the borough hall in Palmerton.Lack of reliable springs through PA has been stressful, running short of water and always having to conserve. And the dang rattlesnakes.The very sad news from home that Yonder's dog died after being hit by a car. Kind of changes your perspective on eveything else going on in your life. Plan to get off trail and be at Yonder's parents house in NY around 8/6 for a couple of days.Bye for now.......
Date: 2007-08-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We are temporarily off the trail. I am not even sure of today's date but I think it is Thurs 8/2. We have 804 miles left to Katahdin.Last Sunday while hiking Yonder was feeling poorly again. We got off the trail in Harriman, NY and went to a motel. Next day we rented a car and went to a walk-in clinic to have him tested for Lyme's and get antibiotics. We should get results back later today maybe.Then we drove up to his parent's house in Salem, NY and are currently just taking it easy. I feel like we are in limbo. It a shame, because the day before we got off, we had just met up with our old friend Radar who had taken time off from hiking to volunteer with a river clean up project. Ta for now.
Date: 2007-08-03
From: Salem, NY

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got lab results back, Yonder has Lyme's disease. He will continue to take antibiotics and we will hope for the best. We have every intention of continuing our hike, but not until he feels better.Oh well. It was miserably hot and humid anyways. We were so sweaty and our hiking clothes hadn't dried in days, it is unbearable to get up in the morning and put on damp rancid clothes. It's Friday, we have been in Salem since Monday, and I think we are going to get very spoiled and soft before we can get back out there again. Yonder's cousin Elaine is here, and his kids and more cousins are coming in a few days.
Date: 2007-08-17
To: Salem, NY
Miles today: 0.0

Arrrghhhh. Still at Yonder's parents house. What a mess. Haven't done much of anything but set on the front porch and watch the corn grow. Actually the sweet corn is at its peak right now and we are well fed and getting back up to fighting weight. Yonder is feeling much better but has one foot that swells up and aches pretty bad every time he even goes for a short walk. Not sure but suspect it is related to the Lyme's. So he doesn't even want to think about hiking until he has finished his antibiotic course, which is next Monday.Glad we can keep track of most of our hiker friends through their journals. We miss you all. We still will try to finish the AT this season, of course, but frankly (to me anyways) it's looking real unlikely given that we will be three weeks off schedule and out of shape. So, time will tell.
Date: 2007-09-04
From: north

To: White Mtns, NH
Miles today: 0.0

It's 9/4 and we are about to set out on what may be our hardest day yet, up and over Mt. Moosilauke, NH. It should make or break me.But it has been a while since I have updated this journal, so flash back to 8/23, the day we resumed our hike after 3 weeks off for Yonder to get over the Lyme. We started out from near Manchester VT (which means we have to go back to hike the part we skipped in Mass and CT, about 270 miles). We hated to break it up that way, but figured we were better off getting to Maine before it's too late in the season. Also hoping to catch up with some of our regular group.Anyways, getting back on was tough, we were out off shape and soft and only made about 50 miles in the first 4 days out. We packed our winter gear so our packs felt heavy and awkward. It was sort of like starting from Springer all over again, with feet and knees aching.The day we went into Clarendon shelter was particularly bad. Yonder took a fall, my right boot came apart. We got to the road where the Whistle Stop Cafe was located about half a mile down, and had a big "discussion" whether or not to go get food at the cafe, or continue on to the shelter. Seeing that dark clouds were approaching, and since we had been hearing thunder for about 20 minutes, I convinced Yonder that we should skip the Cafe and head directly for the shelter which was only about a mile up. Well, we got about a third of a mile up the mountain, when the storm hit us. The trees were whipping around and cracking in a violent wind, and there was lighting and a hard rain. It came up so suddenly it put the panic on us. We bolted back downhill until we came to a large-ish boulder that looked to be a decent haven (the best we could find on short notice) and hunkered against it to wait for the worst to pass.Fortunately, it all blew by pretty fast, maybe half an hour. As it started to die down, Yonder said reassuring and helpful stuff like: "If lightning strikes this tree, we're dead", and "We could be sitting at the Whistle Stop right now". Next to the bear encounter, I was never more scared. God is great and looks out for us.To be continued, gotta go climb that mountain.
Date: 2007-10-10
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left The Birches 7:30am, summitted, and were back down around 2pm. A cool gray morning, up top it was frigid with wind driven rain, socked in with mist, a visibility of 30 yards maybe. Only stayed long enough to take the requisite photos (which came out HORRIBLE).To us, achieving the summit was anticlimactic, considering that we still have 266 miles to go back and finish. Also of course, to Yonder, he hates it all to end, it was all about the journey, etc etc. Whatever.I myself thought it was a crappy miserable climb, thank goodness for being in the clouds so I wouldn;t have to look down. I meditated heavily on the 23rd psalm both going up and coming down. And whined and moaned like I usually do when the going is tough. And as you will see, I got my just payback the next day.
Date: 2007-10-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The day after summiting, I got a terse voice mail from my son in Asheville, NC. To make a long story short, he is having a personal crisis, and has asked me to come home.So instead of heading out with Yonder to finish up the roughly 2 1/2 weeks of the trail that we have left, I am on a bus to NC and feeling very unreal. Yonder will go ahead and finish the hike without me. Guess I'll do it next year. Seems like this is my punishment for all my days of bad attitude. Poor Yonder put up with an awful lot of moaning and raving from me on this hike.Getting butterflies the closer I get to home. How soon will I be completely sucked into my old life again? Already my mental list of home chores and the current drama with my son is taking priority in my mind and I am afraid my trail experiences will rapidly become remote if I don't start to document my thoughts. The smells and noise of town are overpowering and the bus terminal layovers are rancid. Well, the other passengers are probably thinking the same thing about me. This is so bogus. I'm depressed.Janet
Date: 2007-10-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yonder called last night, he told me where he was but I forgot, since...He has had ticks on him again! Now he has the bull's eye rash around a bite site. Feels good though and figures he will not stop but push on thru since he expects he can finish up in about 10 days, if he doesn't relapse. Crazy.Will get the camera from him when he gets back to Asheville so I can post the pics. Not sure how to handle filling out the journal, since my notes are all a hash. But will get to work on it soon.Janet
Date: 2007-03-15
To: "You're going to do what?"
Miles today: 0.0

Rt 183 (north of Harrisburg, PA) >>> Katahdin 985 miles leaving July 1st 2007It's difficult to recall when the concept of this hike was born as it's been floating around in my head for a number of years. Decades ago brother Boz and I would do day hikes then after a number of years I¢d find myself wandering aimlessly around local outfitter ¢Wildware¢ examining gear, maps and just feeling goose bumpy being surrounded by all the backpacking paraphernalia. Then there was the subscription to "Backpacker Magazine", followed by joining the ATC, and actually researching and purchasing gear for light section hiking. Moving forward a few more years to the daily views of the Blue Mountains on my way to work which promoted ¢I want to be there¢ thoughts. And daughter Mea graduating from college in spring 2006 and not worrying as much about that dreaded "Is this Robert Anderson? Michelle Anderson's father? This is patrolman Bigbale calling" may have influenced the timing a bit.The first backpacking experience was with gf Ann and we blew through our miles with relative ease, tweaked the gear a bit and the next hike was mapped out. Then came the trip to the Whites and just being in awe over the majestic Presidentials. Oh, it's note worthy that the average person can hike up Mt. Washington quicker than one can drive through NYC in rush hour? Ironically, the White Mountain backpacking trip was compromised due to work obligations which in hind sight was a most valuable lesson about life priorities and perhaps a key component to the actual birth of this trip.Fast forward to mid March 2007¢¦..preparedness for the actual hike is ahead of schedule and just about complete. Right now the focus is on rolling over the business and home and hearth details. gf Ann has graciously volunteered to be ¢wing lady¢ and not only handle mail drops, update web journals/pix, etc but will also take care of financials, house maintenance, landlord duties, Brownie Troop Leader, all home chores and in her spare time she¢ll do her full time job and raise Piper.Katahdin will be quite an accomplishment ¢ wonder how she¢ll do it.
Date: 2007-03-19
To: Bear Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Having visitors will be a real treat and also provide an opportunity to experience more of the surrounding towns and locals and get out of "earthy" smelling hiking clothes. Real name Bruce (nick names: Boz, Bosco, Biscuit, Bozmanyana) will drive to Pawlings, NY and take shuttle to hike back from Bear Mountain. gf Ann will come up as well and we'll take excursion off the trail for a few days.It's all good. Very good.
Date: 2007-04-07
To: Starting Location
Miles today: 0.0

TRAIL START PA Rt. 183 (just south of Pt. Clinton). This location picked as I've section hiked from Harpers Ferry to this location. The last section started at my sister Nancy's house in West Hanover Twp. (near Harrisburg, PA). I hiked to the AT via power line trails and the Horse Shoe Trail. That was the hike where I was introduced to the rocks of PA. I recall running into SOBO's at the Rt 501 shelter and an attempt to warn them about the rocks that lie ahead of them. Unbenounced to me, they had been battling the same rocks for over 50 miles! Nancy picked me up at 11 AM with a cooler of soda pops.gf Ann has volunteered to drive me to the starting point.
Date: 2007-06-16
To: Pre Hike Thoughts
Miles today: 0.0

What was once a notion is soon to be a reality. Hike launch is two weeks away and the living room has been transformed into a staging area with back pack, fuel containers, partial rolls of toilet paper, various boxes containing maps and gear, and repetitious resupply items.If I¢m not working ¢ a likely place to find me in the evening would be sitting at the dining room table with an assortment of field maps layered over one another, a calculator, a few section guidebooks, the ¢Thru-Hikers¢ Companion¢, a can (or cans) of Yuengling Lager, and the background sound of Jim Price of Detroit Tiger baseball radio saying ¢ ¢he¢s gonna touch ¢em all folks¢. Now it¢s time to put all that stuff away and get some OJT because all the planning in the world always get trumped by a bad blister, a few rainy days, or an extended nap on an out crop of rocks overlooking a small town surrounded by a canvas of checkered agricultural plots that fit together better than the most intricate jig saw puzzle. Now is also the time that I¢m also realizing how much I¢m going to miss Ann, all the buds in the hood, all the kids in the hood, the hashers, my comrades at RE/MAX, chasing down the right house, and the friends I¢m running into all the time when out and about.Now is definitely the time to build new memories of people, places, accomplishments and new things found. But most importantly, now is the time to cherish how fortunate I am to be surrounded by love and friends and family. Life is good.
Date: 2007-06-30
To: T Minus 24 Hours
Miles today: 0.0

If life were a moving vehicle ¢ today would be a big yellow school bus with anold stereo speaker duct taped to the pole behind the driver playing perfectlycrafted two minute pop hits while whimsical screaming kids throw paper airplanesand cheer and high five one another as the bus drives right into the eye ofsummer vacation.Last evening Ann hosted a JEB send off party complete with a surprise visit fromdaughter Mea who caught a last minute flight from Savannah. Susanne andKatherine drove up from Charlotte. It took them two days but they could¢vehiked it in two months. Sister Nancy, Dad and Myretta, Bill, Kellie, Cole andRiley and the usual gang of bandits, buds, comrades, and associates all showed up. Drewsupplied enough beverage to fill four coolers and has earned the officialprehash name ¢ ¢beer man¢. Spill manned the grill and just to keep things spiced up brought down some chili to wash down the beer - or something like that - it was fire hot. And thank you to Sarah for the campfire cake. I know that was a lot of work and the kids loved it.Tomorrow I¢m outa here but today the party train rolls into Nancytown¢¦nextentry will be the virgin pocket mail entry.On On to the Trail.
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Route 183

To: Port Clinton Pavilion
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 1 Recap: I was escorted to the trailhead by Ann and daughter Mea for start (photo), after breakfast at Esther's--the weather a perfect 10. The start was a flat ridge-running trail with more than expected stretches of dirt. I was caught off guard by Hash posse, consisting of Quarterstick, Eager, T-Bo, and her new hubby Self Service (that is not a typo). They muled in cold beer on ice, cheese and crackers (mustard, too) and cake mix. Quarterstick breaks into "Oh Canada, you wish you were America" just as new hiker friend Montreal shows up. Numerous other hikers pass by and I'm nervous about trail reputation after four hours on trail.My hike continued with a long break at first overlook. A wrong turn on the trail leads to good find at Port Clinton Railroad station (photo). I made it to the pavilion at 7 PM and caught a ride with other hikers to Taco Bell (who said freeze dried). Another hiker mentions he has seen strange things on trail before but Hashers take the (vanilla) cake. I had one beer at Port Clinton B&B then crashed.
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Port Clinton Pavilion

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 13.5

Got an early start on Day 2. The rocks are starting to tenderize my feet. Caught a black snake and rattler taking siestas. Double checked for more snakes at crevasses at the Pinnacle. Blew through PB&J tortillas and Goldfish, and ordered up a double nap on the (Pinnacle) rocks.
Date: 2007-07-03
From: Stealth Camp

To: Lehigh Gap
Miles today: 21.5

This section consisted of a nasty combination of boulder scrambles and ugly scree scrambles, with little break from the jagged rocks. The rocks on trail all seem to be pointed upwards making for quite an uncomfy hike. After several hours my feet were numb. But the real event of the day was coming down off of a boulder hill at a 45 degree angle with no white blazes in sight. The rocks had white quartz streaks in them making it appear as if the AT white blazes were everywhere. It took over 45 minutes of exploring all possible ways out--all this while hauling a 35lb pack. The highlight of the day was Bake Oven Knob--a breathtaking view of the two next days' hikes, Wind Gap and Delaware Water Gap.I finally made it to Leheigh Gap near 6:30pm, hitched to Fine Lodging (as in Mr. Fine) and was informd that the $15 room was still available, if I didn't mind the drywall dust that was still settling from the afternoon's work. I settled for the $31 private room . . . and as an added bonus the kind Mr. Fine let me use his private computer, washed and folded my laundry, then offered me a private foot massage. Taxi!?!?
Date: 2007-07-04
From: Lehigh Gap

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: light rain

I would like to pass on my deepest sympathies to the family of Diane Dupre whose life ended tragically Monday at the age of 64. All the more reason to be thankful for all the good around us. Today's trail was nearly 100% jagged, boot breaking rocks. A lunch break of the normal tortilla PP&J was planned to be taken at the Leroy A. Smith shelter. Shelters are lean-to's built and maintained by local AT clubs and they always contain a log book to sign. This is a good way for a hiker to see how far ahead another hiker is. The common thread thus far is how painful the PA rocks are to navigate. My right foot is wrapped in duct tape, my left ankle has a bruise from a wayward rock, and my right small toe is one big blister. Tomorrow brings an easy 16 mile hike to Delaware Water Gap. Space providing, I'll stay at the church hostel. There is a rumor that the church has a hiker BBQ every Thursday. Mmmmmmmmmm.
Date: 2007-07-05
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

More of the same today--rocks. Wolf Rocks was the halfway point in today's trek. It lived up to it's namesake as I saw a wolf leisurely wandering about the rocks. The long trek down to Delaware Water Gap was less rocky with great views, but the hazy conditions did not make them picture worthy. A highlight today was meeting two day-hikers on the way down and them informing me that today is the weekly pot luck dinner put on by the Church Hostel . . . I had two hotdogs, a sloppy joe, mac and cheese, baked beans, you get the picture--it was a feast. On-on to NJ tomorrow.
Date: 2007-07-06
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Blue Mountain Lakes Road
Miles today: 17.6

TRAIL RECAP Total Miles: 112.5 (including 6.0 yellow blaze miles) Total Ticks Removed: 3 (all today) Total Bear Sightings: 1 today, near Cat Fish Fire Tower. I startled a big bear and it ran away from me at a distance of about 50'. Total Beers Consumed: 9 (including 3 from H5 kennel)Total Blisters: not sure . . . feet are starting to get used to this pounding, though. Hours Spent Pondering: Quite a few. That's what this is all about. Daily H2O Consumed on Trail: ~110 oz. Ticks Removed Update: 4 Highest Altitude: 1615 - The Pinnacle Total Ascend: 4785 Total Descend: 3912 Most Rewarding Day: Today! Less rocks, bear sighting, skinny dipped at Sunfish Pond, great weather, nonstop panoramic views. Thanks: To everyone who has sent wishes through Ann and the guest log on this sight. I appreciate that!!!Bear Mountain, NY ETA on Thurs, 7/12 to hike w/bro Bruce.
Date: 2007-07-07
From: Blue Mountain Lakes Road

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful skies of blue and a never ending sea of forest is the canopy for today's walk. The vistas just keep coming around what seems to be every corner. From the top of the Culver Tower I could see where I came from, and also gaze into the next several days of hiking as the AT meanders its way north. Last evening I hurriedly pitched the tent as a thunderstorm brewed in the distance. I, however, was unaware that the storm moved up the next ridge and my site ended up with no rain at all. The morning started out with a bear cub sighting as I walked the ridge, which was comprised mostly of bald, flat, rocky terrain. While trekking through a hollow, I inadvertantly flushed out a family of turkeys and was able to watch them settle back down. Down in Culver Gap, a lunch of hamburger, fries and four Cokes was leisurely consumed as I knew the rest of the day consisted of a short three miles with a 500 foot climb. Checking out from the Culver Fire Tower. Peace on your trail.
Date: 2007-07-08
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Jim Murray Property
Miles today: 18.3

Trail MagicAnother hiking day filled with skies of blue and hot temps. The trek started out rocky, but ended up not unlike a Cumberland Valley hike with a sunny mix of pasture crossings with small wooded areas to pass through. I saw more bear, a copperhead (this one on trail), and another flock of turkeys. Lunch and an afternoon swim at High Point State Park, which is aptly named for being the highest point in Jersey. I find myself curiously sitting on the front porch of an old, well kept (heat, hot water, electric to charge phone/cam, strong well pump 1000 feet away, and a great rural view), quaint out building converted to a hikers shelter. The owner, Jim Murray, is a fellow hiker who has taken it upon himself to pass on the "trail magic" that makes the AT so unique. This is why I am here. Fellow hiker "Deep Swig" has just pulled up. His first words--"I've died and gone to heaven." He's toting a backpackers git (guitar) so I guess there will be live entertainment this evening.