morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-07
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

June 6BK here. Heard from the kids about 8:00pm. It was a dry day today. K&LB hiked from Port Clinton to Eckeville Camp area. Eckeville is on Hawk Mountain Road next to the Hawk Mountain Preserve that I talked about a couple of days ago. They hike 15 miles.They passed The Pinnacle. The Pinnacle is a prominent peak that looks out over the Shuylkill Valley. They could see Orwigsburg and Pottsville. It supposedly has the best view on the AT in PA. LB sent more pictures that I added to the Photos page.The Pinnacle also has a pile of rocks on it. It is tradition that thru-hikers should throw a rock on the pile as they pass. You can see in the pictures that they threw their rocks and posed for the camera in front of the pile. Kinda cool!Tonight they are at Eckville Shelter/Camp. This is nothing more than the property of a homeowner next to the trail. The owner put a shelter and campsites up for hikers. There is a shower and toilet too. Because it is next to a road they called in another pizza that they shared with other hikers. The wall outlet has given both guys opportunity to re-charge their phones.LB said that when they went to sleep on the pavilion in Port Clinton last night that there was only one other couple with them. When they awoke there were 15 more people. It appears that the north bound rush is catching them.While in Port Clinton LB also exchanged her Walmart sneakers for a pair of Ridgerunner boots. There are hiker exchange boxes up and down the trail for things like extra food and equipment they won¢t use. This is where LB found her boots. The Walmart sneakers from Boiling Springs had lost their tread already. She was starting to slip and fall. The Ridgerunner boots came just in time. They are bound for Bake Oven Knob Shelter or New Tripoli Campsite. Bake Oven Knob is 17 miles away.
Date: 2012-06-08
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: Palmerton
Miles today: 13.0

June 7, 2012BK here. Got a call from Kurtis and LB around 6:30 pm. They sat out a thunder storm at the Blue Mountain Summit Restaurant and waited for it to pass with fellow hikers. Its kinda nice to have a place so close to the AT to have a beer and chat while its raining like crazy. You could almost call it Trail Magic. Still very rocky and slippery. One fellow in front of them took a good fall and possibly broke one of his ribs. They were not sure if he decided to come off the mountain. They can¢t wait to get out of the rocks. They met the father/daughter team of Balls and Sunshine at the bar. Her arm is feeling better in the cast after she fell and broke it. They still managed to make 25 miles today while slackpacking. That¢s a tough little girl.I added a few more pictures sent by LB. One is of the register at Dan¢s Pulpit View. The others are the view and a racer snake they ran across. Kurtis said more northbound thru hikers are passing them by.Tonight they are spending the night at New Tripoli Campsite after about 13 miles on the trail. Tomorrow they head to a hostel at Palmerton. They could hear thunder in the distance. Lets hope it passes by.
Date: 2012-06-09
From: Palmerton

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

June 8 BK here. Talked with Kurtis. They are staying in the Hiker Hostel in Palmerton. The hostel is little more than the borough hall basement. You have to check in with the police to use it. There are showers there.It was a tough hike today. I added some pictures that LB sent. Hikers have to throw packs over rocks and then climb over . The trail makers were a little sadistic? Check out the new pictures to get an idea. The kids hiked with veterans of the CDT and PCT today that said this was crazy. They can¢t wait for NJ. Tomorrow they cross the Palmerton Superfund Site that was scarred by years of zinc smelting. The smelter was closed down in 1980 but the trees are just starting to come back.Kurtis says they feel strong. They were told that if they make it past the first 200 miles they will start to get faster. At 15 miles per day now they are already getting fast. Kurtis said they were treating hiking like a job. 8 hours every day. Only two days from Jersey.Not sure where they will wind up tomorrow. Maybe the Leroy Smith Shelter 15 miles away? Look for Wind Gap on your maps. The will be there tomorrow.
Date: 2012-06-10
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

June 9, 2012A call from Kurtis at 6:30 gave us notice that they were 5 miles from Leroy Smith Shelter. They had every intention to make the shelter even though they only had a few hours of sunlight to make it. They might just throw out a bedroll and call it a night as soon as they find water.Last night they spent in the borough hall but moved to the gym upstairs where they could get some sleep. Several of their new friends had a little too much fun at the tavern. It got a little noisy. They got an early start the next morning. I¢ve put up a picture of the gym.Friends they made on the way are Bear Man Pig, Sid and Switchback, and Balls and Sunshine. All are saying that K&LB are doing better than most on their first 200 miles. They are averaging 15 miles a day. They are feeling strong. Kurtis said they¢d be making more time if it weren¢t for the rocks. The picture I¢ve posted is of them sitting on a bald above Palmerton at 10:00 am after a 1500' climb in 2 miles.Today they passed the site of the zinc smelter at the Palmerville Superfund Site. There is little vegetation except for scrub oaks, and small pine trees. Kurtis said it reminded him of New Mexico. The smelter still sits idle at the bottom of the hill. Kurtis said it looked like something off of ¢Life after Humans¢. The deer ticks are real bad there. After the Superfund Site they met some folks having a good time enjoying the trail magic and cooking up a feast. Kurtis and LB were invited in for the feast and concert. They lost some time but it was worth it. There are pictures posted of the time spent. They are 20 miles from NJ. They will spend tomorrow night at Kirkridge shelter then on to the Delaware Water Gap and NJ. They are 100 Miles from the Palisades Parkway and our family in NJ,
Date: 2012-06-11
From: Smith Gap Road

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 10.0

June 10BK here- It was a tough day for the kids. On Saturday night they had to stop 4 miles short of Kirkland Shelter so they could find a spring of water. They had gotten very dehydrated and had to stop there. It was a tough night sleeping without flat ground.Things got worse on Sunday. Kurtis has been nursing a twisted ankle. When he told me that it was purple I knew he was in trouble. That along with all the rock climbing began to take its toll. LB said he has fallen at least 10 times leaving him cut up and bruised. His shirt was bloody. They still managed 10 miles Sunday.For that reason they were pulling off the trail in Wind Gap at the house of Jamie Huff. She is the sister of one of Lb¢s co-workers. When we got our last message Kurtis had his foot up on ice and was getting video game instructions from Jamie¢s daughter. Jamie was cooking them hamburgers. The kindness of people we never met is very moving.The two short days (10 miles instead of 15) have added another day unto their journey to Bill and Shirley¢s house. They were planning on going to Delaware Water Gap today but they will not enter New Jersey. The first campsite in NJ is just too far away, the trail too tough and Kurtis¢s ankle hurts too much. They will hike into NJ on Tuesday. There is a hostel at a Presbyterian Church in Delaware Water Gap where they will probably stay. When I spoke to them last Kurtis¢s will was still strong. His final words to me were ¢We WILL make it to Katadhin!¢
Date: 2012-06-12
From: Wind Gap

To: Rattle Snake Spring
Miles today: 15.0

June 12, 2012BK here. The kids recovered well and the rocks cooperated enough for them to make the 16 miles into NJ yesterday. Thank you Jamie Huff for giving them the RR they needed. They camped on the banks of the Delaware River. Both Kurtis and LB said they feel good and plan on making better daily mileage now. Kurtis said there was little pain. As they leave the rocks of the Delaware Water Gap behind they will have good trail ahead of them.New Jersey delivered on the promise of bears. I got a fuzzy picture of one they took but didn¢t post. All the southbound hikers have warned them to take extreme precautions to protect their food while in the area. The Delaware Water Gap is a beautiful natural area and they look forward to seeing it.
Date: 2012-06-13
From: Rattle Snake Spring

To: Glen Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 8.0

June 12, BK again. On Monday Kurtis and LB hiked 22 miles making it the longest day yet. They were going to stop at the Delaware Water Gap but just kept going. They spent the night at campsite #2 on the NWR near Catfish Fire Tower. They saw more bears as they set up camp. They passed a beautiful glacial lake named Sunfish Pond.On Tuesday they hiked in the rain 8 miles before giving up and setting up camp. I got a call at 4:30pm to say they were going to bed. There was no place to hide from the rain and there was more on the way. Not a whole lot going on when its raining that hard. Their progress was still on track by camping at Rattlesnake Spring.On Wednesday they will have better weather to cross the Kittatinny Mountains at 1,500 feet. They will pass several youth camps. They are hoping for another 20 mile day.On the section of the AT from New Jersey to Connecticut it is often dubbed the ¢Deli Section¢ because every road they cross has a deli on it. Kurtis and LB took the time to eat at one of them today. Who needs trail food when you can get a hot pastrami on whole wheat with real mustard and swiss? Maybe a little German potato salad?
Date: 2012-06-14
From: Stokes State Park

To: High Point State Park
Miles today: 15.0

June 13The kids hiked from Rattle Snake Spring to US 206 in Branchville. They spent the night at Stokes State Park for a hot shower. They will hike High Point State Park and spend the night at High Point Shelter. It is the highest point in NJ at 1803 feet elevation.Plans are being made for pick up from their Uncle Bill and Aunt Shirley sometime this weekend.
Date: 2012-06-15
From: High Point State Park

To: Glenwood Road #565
Miles today: 16.0

June 14. BK here. Kurtis and LB were just a couple of miles from High Point State Park when we spoke with them. They were amazed with how beautiful the country had been and how rural it can be in NJ. The trail had started off nice but had become rocky again. They put in 16 miles. Cell phone service has been spotty.Today the trail will turn to the east and straddle the NJ/NY border past Pochuck Mountain to Glenwood, NJ. It is there that their Uncle Bill and Aunt Shirley will pick them up. They look forward to a zero day with family. Their counsins will be in and out as they head out for their own vacations. This will be their first day off since they have started and after 325 miles.
Date: 2012-06-16
From: Glenwood Road #565

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We took our first zero today! Yesterday afternoon, our Uncle Bill Kolkebeck (a.k.a "Kenny") picked us up on country road 565 on Friday near Glenwood NJ. Once we arrived at their house, we dropped our packs in their garage, and immediately headed towards the showers for delousing! We've had 2 showers now, and feel much better! Uncle Bill and Aunt Shirley have treated us to 4 or 5 great meals and we both feel much stronger and revived now. We went to the Campmore, and LB got her some new ridge runners! The replacement shoes will serve her much better than the junk she's been wearing for 2 weeks. It had to go. Uncle Bill & Aunt Shirley took us to the George Washington Bridge and to the Palisades Parkway for NYC viewing! Later this afternoon they gave us presentable attire, and took us to the Nyack Boat Club for drinks & hordervs to celebrate a member's 92nd birthday! We are about to have Chicken, Italian Salad, and Corn for dinner. We are being dropped off tomorrow morning back at County Road 565, and hopefully will do our average of 15 miles tomorrow in route to the next shelter. We hate to leave, but must continue our journey. Thank you Uncle Bill & Aunt Shirley for all the hospitality!--LB & Kurtis
Date: 2012-06-17
From: Glenwood Road #565

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

BK here again. The kids are being dropped off by their Uncle Bill early this morning. They are hoping to make the 19 miles to Wildcat Shelter today. As LB posted earlier, they had a great time catching up with family and getting some things done. Thanks to the Jersey Kolkebecks from us all.Happy Fathers Day too all dads!
Date: 2012-06-18
From: Cascade Brook

To: Finger Board Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday June 16BK here. The kids put in a good 16 miles yesterday after a good rest and re-supply from their Uncle Bill and Aunt Shirley. They are now in New York State on their way to Bear Mountain State Park. The trails were finally a little easier on their feet. There was a long boardwalk over pristine swamp land.A Trail Angel/Trail Maintainer met them on the trail Sunday and asked them what they needed. Both the kids said having come from a zero day with family they were not needing anything. The freshly retired teacher asked again what they could use. Both said a cold drink would be good. This trail angel showed back up at the next crossing with cold drinks in hand. When asked if K&LB could pay for it she was very insistent that they couldn't. She was headed for retirement in Montana and wanted to do something good before she left. Kurtis said that the kindness of strangers had restored his faith in people again. The trail should be good today but there is one section that I remember from my time hiking as a boy scout. This section is called the "Lemon Squeezer" You have to fit between the rocks at the same time climb hand over hand. I remember throwing ropes down to pull up packs. There is an easier side trail. But I bet they won't take it.
Date: 2012-06-19
From: Little Dam Lake

To: West Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

June 19, 2012BK here. Monday was a tough day on the trail. This section of the trail requires you to climb some hand over hand. Packs have to come off and be pulled up separately. Those of us who have hiked through this section of Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks know that even though this area is less than 60 miles from NYC it can be tough. Today¢s section they go through a place called the ¢Arden Grind¢ .Kurtis took a pretty good spill but he¢s ok. LB¢s new shoes worked out great.
Date: 2012-06-20
From: Beechy Bottom Brook

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center - Franciscan Way
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

June 20, 2012BK again. I got a call from the kids around 5:30 as they were about to cross the Palisades Parkway. On Tuesday they had crossed the NY State Thruway as well. The trail started off hard but became easier as the day wore on. I have included pictures of the famous ¢Lemon Squeezer¢.   Kurtis said that he expected to camp close to Wildcat Shelter. Here they would be able to get a glimpse of the NYC skyline. On Wednesday they will cross the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge, resupply at Peekskill, NY, and spend the night at a Franciscan Monastery. At Anthony¢s Nose overlook they might see the skyline of NYC depending on the amount of haze. It will be hot at 95 degrees.LB has a few blisters from the new sneekers but they are under control and expected to heal fast.
Date: 2012-06-21
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center - Franciscan Way

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

June 21, 2012BK- The kids crossed the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River on Wednesday and left Bear Mountain State Park. . They made over 16 miles today. On the bridge they had a moon-off with boaters below. Doza would be proud. They walked through the zoo and looked over the tower. In the photos section I added a picture of a couple they met, Instigator and Expeditor. They are going to be celebrating their 40th anniversary while hiking on the trail. I hope I can hike the trail in my sixties too. They have made many friends on the trail. One named Salt Bomb (the guy in the kilt) got his name by putting too many bullion cubes in the Ramen noodles at the beginning of the Trail.Tonight they are spending the night at a Franciscan Monastery near Peeksville, NY. The Monastery has a cold shower and they can spend the night under a picnic shelter at the ball field. Pizza can be ordered there too.So far they have racked up 386 miles in 32 days. They have 780 miles to go before reaching the northern terminus of the AT in Maine. Daily average has been 15 miles so far with only one zero day. Don¢t let the math fool you. Daily averages become much smaller as they hit the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Kurtis is holding to his prediction of turning around in late August or early September
Date: 2012-06-22
From: Canopus Lake at Clarence Fahnstock State Park

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

June 22, 2012BK again- Talked with LB and Kurtis at 5:30 pm. Both were very tired from the heat and Kurtis¢s leg was bothering him after his fall the day before. So they were easily talked into camping next to Canopus Lake at Clarence Fahnstock State Park even though they had hiked only 13 miles. There are showers there and you can swim in the lake. This is a welcome relief in the heat. Unfortunately the grill had already shut down for the day. Although a tent site is usually $13.00 for the night, thru hikers can camp for free.
Date: 2012-06-23
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: few clouds

June 23, 2012BK- I got a call about 4:30 saying that a storm was bearing down on them and they were going to find a place to get out of it. Their goal was Morgan Stewart Shelter and they were only a few miles from it. We had very limited time to talk as I was ducking a storm as well while on my way to Camp Barnhart to pick up the scouts.Today they will try to hike 17 miles to Wiley Shelter. The AT will cross a train station for the Metro North into NYC. Only $28.00 roundtrip to Grand Central Station in New York City. But they are going to pass it up to make tracks towards Maine.Tomorrow they will leave NY and enter Connecticut. It will be the first day in New England. After today they will have logged in 431 miles and have 735 more to reach Mount Kahtadin, Maine
Date: 2012-06-24
From: Water Tower above Pawling, NY

To: Mt Algo Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

June 24, 2012BK- Got a call from Kurtis and LB around 6:30. They had sat out a pretty bad storm Friday evening with a good many hikers. South bound hikers are beginning to show up now and meet a greater number of northbound hikers. There are lots of exchanges of information and shared humor between the mix of hikers. Kurtis said that those coming up from Georgia are still passing them by as they are averaging more than 20 miles per day. However Kurtis and LB keep running into the same folks because they take more zero days. When I talked with the kids they were crossing the tracks of the Metro North NYC train station near Pawling NY. They were headed another mile or so to a water tower to camp. Kurtis¢s shoes are blowing out and one of his hiking poles got bent. As he said, ¢stuff is starting to wear out¢. 500 miles on a pair of boots is pretty much the maximum. We have begun the conversation of re-supply with warmer equipment for the higher elevations of the White Mountains in New Hampshire.LB said they saw the oldest tree on the trail today.
Date: 2012-06-25
From: Schaghticoke Mtn Campground

To: Caesar Brook Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: moderate rain

June 25, 2011BK- Well it looks like the kids have a new trail name, ¢The Crazy Birds¢. They got this by talking to each other on the trail about movie quotes and trivia to keep their minds off of how tired or hurting they are. Folks hear them coming for miles. Now they are greeted by other hikers with ¢caw, caw¢. Now they feel accepted by having a name given by other long distance hikers. The folks coming up from Georgia are almost three quarters finished and are an exclusive club.Kurtis and LB didn¢t make it to the water tower last night. Apparently the guide book was off a little and they didn¢t find it till the next morning. They stayed at a nursery and were helped by the caretaker there. A big thanks to that gentleman. The picture is of Kurtis and Salt Bomb checking out the snow mobiles (snow machines to Sarah Palin) at the nursery.LB said the hiking is better on their feet now but rougher on their legs. The elevation gain today was 1,000 feet. The incline is becoming more evident as they begin their climb into Connecticut. They will camp at Schaghticoke Mtn Campsite.
Date: 2012-06-26
From: Kent, CT

To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

June 26, 2012BK- Today¢s word is NERO Day. A nero day is when you do a few more miles than a Zero day. Bad storms started early in the morning. There were lightening strikes on the hills around them so Kurtis and LB hunkered down with others to wait out the storm. During a break in the storm they went down into the city of Kent, Connecticut. When they got to town they found many others had pulled off the trail too. In Kent they shopped, did laundry, and eventually camped out behind a church. The pastor there opened up the youth center for showers and bathrooms.Although they were disappointed with only making four miles on Monday, they are shooting for 17 miles today.
Date: 2012-06-27
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Limestone Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

June 27BK- The kids made it 11 miles to Silver Hill Campsite. On the way they swam in the Housatonic River. LB got to meet a young lab that looked like Dixie and who¢s owner has been following the kids on Trailjournals.com. Today they will cross Cornwall Bridge and enter Housatonic Meadows State Park where I went camping with my family back in the 60¢sLB¢s shin splints are bothering her pretty bad. They pulled off of the trail a little earlier than they wanted. She stayed behind with Ackey Breakey while Kurtis and Mello Steve ran to town to get supplies. There seems to be little respite from the shin splints. Some of the hikers have had this so bad they sleep with their feet elevated into the air by ropes. Tonight they camped at Silver Hill where the shelter burned down in the 90¢s. There is still a swing and observation deck there.
Date: 2012-06-28
From: Falls Village

To: Brassie Brook Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

June 28, 2012BK- Deb took the call from the kids yesterday. The conversation was short and sweet. They expected to make 16 miles today and arrive in Falls Village, CT. They were to camp out behind the Toy Makers Caf© at the owner¢s invitation. They were still 2 miles away from the town at 6:30. Achey Breakey and Mello Steve were with them most of the day.LB still suffers from shin splints. They have tried several remedies to no avail. It has slowed them down. Perhaps the road hiking is worse for her than the climbing? The next shelter is 12 miles away. I think that¢s a good distance considering the problems with the shin splints. They could even cross into MA today.