morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Caledonia SP

To: Pine Grove Furnace SP
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: broken clouds

Invisible Man woke with hiker's guilt after such a short day yesterday and announced he was hiking a 20 into Pine Grove Furnace SP. Now mind you, we weren't dropped off at the trail until after 8 but after considering it, I said it was doable - depending on the condition of the trail. (We've had some ridge walks with bad rocks and they slow you down.) Today's trail, however, was ideal! The weather was ideal! We did the miles in less than 9 hours (and that includes a lunch stop).The big moment of the day was the official halfway mark. This was officially at 1092.9 but there was a sign further down the trail where we actually celebrated. IM posted his Australian flag (on the right in the picture). Army Ant made a video to the tune of the song 'we're halfway there, ...living on a prayer..'. He is going to post it on You Tube.The tradition on the trail is the Halfway ice cream challenge. You eat a half gallon of ice cream at the Pine Grove store. This is not as easy as it sounds. I could barely drink my milkshake at SNP so I passed. IM was the only one out of our lot that accepted the challenge. Bad thing was, he selected cookie dough ice cream. Cookie dough ice cream in Australia is like our Oreo ice cream. He hated it but struggled on. At one point we thought the ice cream won but in the end he was victorious. And he kept it down, unlike one hiker that shall be nameless also doing the challenge while we were there.We are camped at the park. TK, a section hiker from Austin, TX, has also joined us. The park is not very crowded and the weather is perfect. Another nice day on the AT.
Date: 2003-09-14
From: Fall Goose Shelter

To: Near Grafton Notch
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

      I crawled out of the tent this morning, and could barely stand up at first. A few ibuprofen, and staggering around camp, eased some of the stiffness and pain. I slowly packed up, and went to face the most dreaded spot on the trail---the notorious Mahoosic Notch. This is a canyon filled with rocks and boulders, some of which were as big as houses. You don't just go straight through this rock maze. I found myself backtracking and wandering all over trying to find a route over, around, and through this jumbled mess of rocks. I was worried that it might start raining, to compound the difficulty.      Everyone is talking and speculating about the arrival of what is left of the hurricane. I heard Virginia, and the Washington, D.C. area got hammered, along with North Carolina. I hope my sister got through it without much damage. It was clouding up, and I felt an urgency to get moving before I got caught here in a storm. When I emerged at the other end, a little scuffed up, but nothing worse, I was grateful. Another major milestone had been passed. It took me almost three hours to go one mile. I managed to climb, and claw, and slither my way without getting broken....no small feat. Now I just had to climb out of there, which was just as tough.      With one eye on the sky and the other on the footing, I pushed onward. I knew I didn't want to camp up high. When I stopped for water, I found an adjacent spot to set up, and collapsed in a heap. The tent went up in slow motion. I felt like I was in a daze, and had to double check to make sure everything was done right. It will be well earned sleep tonight.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Pine Grove Furnace SP

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: few clouds

Not much happened today - we are in a 'here to there' section. The AT planners did throw in two rock mazes for our amusement. I was not amused. One part was so high (pictured) that I had to crawl and scratch my way over it.Tomorrow is a big flat section through PA farmland. I think I'll enjoy that. You can't camped anywhere so you have to do the whole 15 miles at once ( plus some in the beginning and some at the end). It's going to be a big day and I'm getting up early. Night all.
Date: 2003-09-15
From: Near Grafton Notch

To: Surplus Pond
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

      I was expecting it to be raining this morning. Instead it was just heavily overcast and hazy. Baldpate Mountain seemed to have an unobtainable summit. Every time I thought I was there, it turned out to be just a ridge, and each successive ridge got foggier. By the time I did get to the top, there was very limited visibilty. A light rain began falling as the wind increased. It was time to seek lower elevations.       I did make a quick side trip to see Dunn Notch Falls. In the rain and haze, the gorge and falls had a tropical feel about them. Mist hung in the canyon, would clear, and then settle back in.       I was cold and tired, and started looking for a camping spot. I found a well drained, protected spot near a road and got the tent up quickly. After getting my water container filled, I changed into dry clothes inside the tent, which was a contortionist's dream. I kept waiting for the hurricane to hit with force, but it never amounted to much. A steady rain, but not strong winds, was all that developed. The pattering drops on the tent didn't keep me from drifting off to sleep quickly.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

IM left us yesterday to rejoin his father, Jacko, also hiking the trail this year. It has been so much fun hiking with him. I hope I get another chance to do so in the future.Today is the Summer Solstice. There is a tradition on the trail for this day - Hike Naked Day. I am not going to partake. I think the last thing this woods needs is a 60 year old woman hiking naked. Nevertheless I'll keep my eyes open for others. Note: it is 7:39 pm and three naked hikers just walked in - totally in the buff. The section we are doing today is the flattest of the entire trail. Even way back in Georgia when people would complain about the steep mountains, somebody would flip open the guide book to this section and say 'just wait until you get to Pennsylvania. This is what you get.' I was worried about it being so hot since I heard we would be hiking in open areas but the majority was shaded.Our first stop was in Boiling Springs where there is the best coffee shop - Caffe 101. I had a really good latte and breakfast sandwich. Drop on by if you are ever in the area.The rest of the day passed quickly, even with a 2 hour break for lunch. I am the only one out of our recent group at the shelter. Slim Jim and Army Ant pushed on. Army Ant might do a little night hiking. We have a really good moon tonight. Tomorrow we'll all be in Duncannon. In fact, there will be quite a crowd - lots of people did big miles today so a whole new batch of hikers are around.
Date: 2003-09-16
From: Surplus Pond

To: South of Bemis Mtn
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

      The rain conveniently eased up long enough to get underway this morning. I just threw everything together and stuffed it in the pack. Usually I try to keep things fairly organized, but I figured to sort it out later after the rain stopped. I did manage to keep the wet stuff and dry stuff separated. For all the good it did, I kept the pack cover on. There just isn't any way to keep the gear dry, no matter how hard I try, and today I just didn't put a lot of effort into it.      By the afternoon, it began clearing up. It dawned on me that I hadn't seen any other hikers yesterday or today. They were probably all smart enough to get into town. Not me. I kept slipping and sliding my way all day, up and down. I don't really know how far I went, or where I ended up. I was wet and muddy, and so was the trail. We became one. The sun came out, so at every rest stop I would lay things out on the rocks to dry. I stopped earlier than usual to get the tent up to air and dry. I hadn't eaten much the last couple of days, just a few rice crispy bars, so I had some bagel-peanut butter-pepperoni sandwiches and a packet of tuna. It was nice to have a chance to regroup.
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Darlington Sheltet

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 11.3

I was the only one that slept in the shelter last night so I was able to get up early without disturbing anyone. We are now hitting the infamous rocks of Pennsylvania. They ate so bad that this state has earned the name :Rocksylvania'. Much of the hiking we will be doing in this section will be rocky ridge lines with scarce water sources. Today was a preview of all that.I made the trip into Duncannon in fine time and headed straight to the Doyle Hotel. They weren't open until 11 so there was a line outside waiting to check in. This place is an old Anheiser-Busch hotel, built around the turn of the last century. It must have been a fine place at one time but the years have taken a toll. Nonetheless, they have good food and my room was clean.Town chores came next and I'm sure you all know what they consist of by now - laundry, grocery shopping, shower. The rest of the day was just spent resting. I have come to the conclusion I need to pace myself through these next rocky sections so I don't get too beat up. When I hike those big mile days it takes so long to recover and I never allow the time for it. That means sore feet and a lot of knee pain. We'll see how the new plan goes. We are just getting some hot weather this week so that will play a factor no doubt.
Date: 2003-09-17
From: South of Bemis Mtn

To: Bemis Stream
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

      I was lazy this morning. I woke up early, but kept rolling over for just a few more minutes, until pretty soon it was late. The colors have begun changing. At first it was so gradual, it seemed just a hint. Now it is very noticeable, as whole areas of the mountainsides are taking on reddish and yellow hues. The ferns have already turned brown in some areas, and falling leaves are beginning to litter the trail. This is really just the start, but since fall is my favorite season, I'm happy to see the first few signs.
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Duncannon

To: Campsite 1158.9
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept well at the Doyle. Probably the fan noise helped with that because trains ran all night. I was up at my usual early time around 5 ish and, after packing, headed on over to Goodies for breakfast. DB Cooper was also up so I had the pleasure of eating with him. He has a bad case of poison ivy on his feet and is taking a zero to soak them in Epsom salts.The walk out of Duncannon is a long road walk, crossing two bridges over the Susquehanna. You then immediately have a steep ascent up the mountain. The rest of the day was ridge walking. I took my time and enjoyed the day, in spite of the temperature which is starting to climb to the high 80:s. I'm carrying an extra bottle so I can have more water when necessary.The big debate of the day was my stopping point. After mile 5 the only water was a steep downhill (with 300 steps) at the shelter at mile 11 or a spring at mile 18 (with no guarantee there was a place to camp). There was however a campsite at mile 16. I chose option #1 and so had water to take to the campsite. Everyone else chose to go to the spring. I don't regret my choice - the water was great and I can now say I went down those darn 300 steps.Some people are planning to night hike since the moon is full. Hmmm...something I may have to try sometime but not tonight. I just had my Knorrs Fettuccine Alfredo with tuna and I:m ready for a Wipes bath. Then it's off to sleeping bag for me.
Date: 2003-09-21
From: Carrabassett River

To: Cranberry Stream Campsite
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

      It was chilly this morning, but at least the sun was shining. I started out wearing my windbreaker jacket, which was soon removed. Today's goal was to tackle the Crocker Range. They came out in better shape than I did. It was a real workout. I seem to be doing a whole lot of trudging without getting anywhere. There is no urgency to push for big miles, and I'm satisfied as long as I keep making steady progress up the trail. I feel like I'm wearing down though. By the end of each day my feet and ankles are aching just from the constant pounding. Usually in the morning they are okay, and the whole process starts again. One nice thing here is that there is no need to carry as much water as earlier in the trip. That weight reduction is offset by having to carry more clothes now that it is getting cooler. As soon as the sun gets lower in the sky, the temp stsrts dropping. When I stop for the day, I change to a long sleeve underwear top and nylon pants, and put on the jacket. I'm still carrying the summer 40 degree down sleeping bag. It has proved more than adequate, and I'll use it until the end. Thus far I haven't even needed to zip it shut.
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Hamburg
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Town day! Everyone was up and out early. I wasn't,t the last to leave when I rolled out before 7 but close to it. We only had about 9 miles to get to Port Clinton. The trail actually goes right through the town. However, there isn't much in the way of stores or food; but, if you go down the road a couple of miles to Hamburg, you are in retail heaven - Walmart, Lowes, Cabelas, Red Robin restaurant, McDonalds, etc.I met Army Ant just before the steep, steep, steep descent into Port Clinton (it was THE worst yet). We decided to hitch together to Hamburg. Neither of us were comfortable with the idea - it's one thing when you're young but something else when you're my age. It took a while but finally a nice lady with her two kids and nice air-conditioning picked us up. She said she normally didn't pock up hitch hikers but we looked 'safe' because we were a couple. Haha! I know I added the 'safeness' because Army Ant looks like a raging lunatic!And so we arrived at the Land of Oz. Army spotted a Red Robin and his day improved tremendously. Lunch was great! Next was a visit to Cabelas where we saw the Aussies. They were very impressed with this bit of Americana (Cabelas). Something that exceeds anything similar in Australia.I headed over to McDonalds to wait for Kim and recharge my phone. She arrived not long after I ordered my Mocha Frappe. And off we went.... I asked if she could keep her speed to 2miles per hour but she just laughed and sped off! Scary!Stay safe all my trail mates. I will return.
Date: 2003-09-22
From: Cranberry Stream Campsite

To: Little Bigelow
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

      I got off to an earlier than usual start this morning. I go to bed when it gets dark, because there is nothing else to do. So if I fall asleep within an hour, that means almost 9-10 hours in the sleeping bag. That's a long time, and I usually wake up a time or two during the night.       This morning I got up at first light, and was underway well before seven o'clock. It was overcastin a rainy looking way. I wanted to get as far as I could before that happened. This Crocker-Bigelow section is some rough counrty. Rocks, roots, rock ledges, tricky steep spots all combine to make it a real challenge. In the steep spots, any tree along the edge is used as a handhold. Over the years many have been broken off, pulled over, or polished smooth by the hands of those seeking security and assistance. In some places I've had to toss my hiking poles ahead, so that both hands were free to scramble up or down.       I didn't take any long breaks today, five minutes here or there, because I kept expecting rain. Because of that faster pace, and the earlier start, by late afternoon I was starting to get tired. All the telltale signs were there. I talk to myself, swear at the trail, don't quite make that step up, trip on a root, etc.       When I saw the sign for the turnoff to the shelter, I took he off ramp. I watered up at the spring, and snuck off to a flat spot back in the trees for th night. I got the tent up just before the rain I had been waiting for all day started. It really came down heavy for awhile, but I was securely cocooned in my trusty tent. I was surprised to find I had gone as far as I had when I checked the book. I guess that means it had been a pretty good day for a change. I spread some peanut butter on a bagel, piled on some pepperoni, and had my usual supper as the rain splattered on my roof.
Date: 2003-09-23
From: Little Bigelow

To: Pierce Pond
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

      Last evening's rain didn't last much past dark. By morning there was little residual water on the tent, so that packing up wasn't too bad. I had a choice of either one big day or two small days to get to the Kennebec River crossing. When I got to the West Carey Pond well before noon, I knew I had to keep moving. I came close to regretting this.       The sky looked just like yesterday's leaden clouds with potential, but not threatening. Yesterday fooled me into thinking this wouldn't be extraordinarily difficult. I found out it was more than I had bargained for. It seems when I have a set goal it takes forever to get there. That was how today was. I kept working harder and harder, thinking I would be there any moment. I finally ran into a southbound hiker, who told me I was still miles away.       Two hours later I dragged myself across the dam to search out a tentsite as it began raining. I did get the tent erected before the downpour hit, but I had to do everything inside its confines. Another half hour later arrival and I would have been soaked and miserable. I was too tired to eat anything except a rice crispy bar. I had overdone it again.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Question:When you initially prepare your equipment to begin your hike, it has been suggested that you break in your shoes first, to avoid blisters. However, when you've hiked 1000 miles and need to replace your shoes on the road, you don't have that opportunity. What do you do, in that situation, to avoid blisters?I'm pretty frugal. When I was planning my hike, I tried to purchase gear at sale prices. I bought two pair of Keen Targhee boots and got great deals on both. I also broke both pairs in before I left. The first pair worked out pretty well but after you walk 1000 miles, your feet often swell and get larger. The second pair of Keens are too small now which caused foot problems and my black toe nails (my toes were jamming into the footbed every time I went downhill). In retrospect, I would advise hikers to just pay the money and buy shoes/boots along the trail. I plan to use my boots for the remainder of the PA trails because it is relatively flat and the rocks just tear up your footwear. After that, I'm getting new shoes and am thinking of trail runners for the next pair. The blisters may happen and so you just keep on top of them if you need to callous a certain foot part. There is all kinds of things to use on blisters (leucotape, moleskin, etc.). I'm being optimistic about not being too inconvenienced by them when I do get new footwear. At the end of the day - your shoes/boots are THE most important piece of equipment you have, IMO.
Date: 2003-09-24
From: Pierce Pond

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

      I had a few miles to go this morning to reach the Kennebec River. There had been a lot of signs posted along the way warning against trying to ford the river. Using the ferry service provided by the ATC is the suggested way to cross, but they operate at certain hours. Having taken this into effect last night, I arrived and was immediately able to get across in the boat. Riding in a car now feels a little strange, so you can imagine how foreign it felt to be on water.       That took me into Caratunk. About all that's there is a post office, a couple dozen houses, and the hiking hostel called Caratunk House. I went over a got a few supplies. While I was there Greenman came in and invited me across the street for breakfast. His family had a large travel trailer parked in a driveway, with all the comforts of home. I was treated to scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits and gravy, plus good coffee.       I learned that Tom For Short had left early this morning, and I headed up to the next shelter hoping to perhaps meet up with him again. When I got there, it was empty. I went down to the lake to filter some water, and see if the infamous Pleasant Pond Cookie Lady had left any treats. There were none to be found. I ended up spending the night in the shelter, since the tent sites weren't that good. I had three section hikers for company.
Date: 2013-06-30
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

St. Kris forwarded me this sign that she saw in my parent's retirement community. It sums up my hiking habits - going back tomorrow and so excited to get back out in the woods. Now for some last questions - Question: You had done your homework and were very prepared for this experience and had followed Socks during her AT hike. However, I'm sure you must be experiencing some unexpected surprises along the way. Can you comment on those?Hmmm...unexpected surprises. One thing is what we (as society) have put on the top of our mountains. Sometimes I think of how few people climb to the top to see what's up there - radio towers, grave markings, etc. The other thing is how quickly this experience passes and how addictive it can become. I feel like the time is flying by and I have never had a moment where I wanted to leave. Question: What has been your favorite part, so far?It is too hard to pick a favorite. This trail is unbelievably beautiful and diverse. If I have to pick some, I would say that my favorite parts usually have to do with the people I hike with. I was miserably wet but loved staying at Overmountain Shelter because of the people that stayed with me all that day and the hike over Little Hump and Hump mountains after the rain was the best hiking day I had! Likewise, reaching the 1/2 point with Invisible Man, Slim Jim and Army Ant was definitely a favorite! Question: Tell us about the shelter registers - what are they like?Most shelters have a notebook of some sort along with a pen where hikers can put the date, any comment they wish to make and then their trail name. Back to the trail maintenance (maintainers stock the books), some of the shelters do not have a notebook or the book is full - usually, these instances are rare. Hikers write all types of things, sometimes as simple as 'Little SAS checking in' or sometimes sending messages to hikers behind them. Some also put in their thoughts so you get all kinds of comments. It's a fun thing to read them. I try to write in at least one register a day - it is a record of my passing that way. One interesting register was at the Priest Shelter (Priest Mountain). It's a tradition to confess your sins so that one was very funny - hikers would confess to all sorts of things, such as they pee in the privies (you are only supposed to do solid waste in the privy, if you know what I mean). My 'confession' was that I was going to hike the Mau-Har trail.