morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-23
From: Duncannon, PA 84/65

To: Duncannon, PA 82/63
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I will be posting a lengthy Journal sometime this afternoon durning my zero day in Duncannon. Among other subjects I will cover gear, my thoughts on the trail and tips on hiking.   Question number 1. Do you really need hiking poles? The answer is YES! This is not an opinion. This is a fact. Crossing 300 streams and rivers. Hundreds of steep mountains up and down not to mention you have two weapons in your hand for defense. 95% of the hikers have poles. The other 5% have taken very nasty falls and are working their legs twice as hard as everyone else.   Question number 2. Have you seen any rattlesnakes? No but many of my fellow hikers have seen more than one and it makes me nervous because I opted to not bring a rattlesnake kit.   Question number 3. How do you keep a charge on your phone? Everyone who's carrying solar panels for their phone are complaining. We are mostly in a canopy of tall trees similar to the Amazon. It does not allow enough sunlight to charge the phone. Basically you use your service very conservatively and we throw our phones into any outlet we can anytime,anywhere. The other day everyone picked an exit sign in a restaurant that had an outlet and we had our phones hanging from there. Adapt and overcome, roll with the punches, it's the only way to make it from Georgia to Maine.   Question number 4. How do I Journal so often? There is a lot of time and effort put into the very short Journal that you read each day. Often it's on my third or fourth try that I can get service and actually blog. I would love to make every Journal 5 times as long and much more informative but there are not enough hours in the day. I never thought in a million years I would look forward to going to sleep as soon as the sun sets but that's reality out here. In the fall when I'm back home I will go through every single journal and add information that I remember from the trail, fix punctuation and spelling and try to make this a memorable blog.   So after coffee and a ride to the grocery store to resupply our host dropped us back off in Duncannon we're Pebbles and Stretch we're anxious to get back to the trail. I had no intention of leaving today as now my knees are bothering me especially when I sleep. Solution. A 24-hour day of rest,ibuprofen and hike slower. Have to slow down! Thought the novelty of hiking the trail would wear off much sooner than this but I still wake up excited every morning not knowing what the day will bring.   As usual I found three thru-hikers to share a room with tonight.$-75
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Duncannon, PA 82/63

To: Yellow Springs campsite 85/64
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Getting a late start out of town this morning. 8:30 a.m. and it's time for a quick coffee before I hit the trail. My backpack is the heaviest it's ever been with all the goodies everyone sent me in the mail. I'm also going to wear my original trail runners for another week before I put my new ones on. The rock's here are pretty bad and like I mentioned before I don't want to ruin my brand new salomon's.   Changed my mind as I was about to go out the door. There is no room to carry two pairs of sneakers so here we go with the new tires on. I immediately crossed the Susquehanna River this morning. It must have taken me ten minutes to walk over the bridge as this river is close to a quarter mile wide insome places. Pretty neat. The hiking today was slow. I'm tired, maybe had too much fun in Duncannon yesterday. The bug spray I got in one of my packages couldn't have come at a better time. I am using that as the black flies seem to be relentless the last few days. There seems to always be a few around your head starting around noon and lasting the entire day.It is still not bad enough yet to break out my bug net. And I believe if I don't use that net soon I will be tossing it. It's one of the very few pieces of equipment I've been carrying for a thousand miles and have not touched yet.   It seems now that I am past the halfway mark, have many more thoughts of finishing this trip and returning home. Trying to put that in the back of my mind as there is still a long way to go. Just going to look ahead to a warm, wet, fun, summer out here in the woods. Hiked all day alone yesterday as now my hiking buddies are either in back of me or in front of me. Question for the day.Do I speed up or slow down? I feel the need, for speed!$Zero
Date: 2016-06-26
From: Heartline campsite

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Jumped out of my tent and immediately walked down the hill to a Tarzan rope. A spring-fed lake is a quick way to wake you up in the morning. More rocks. I was hoping that Rocksylvania was all hype but everybody's feet are getting beat up pretty bad and now I've joined the blister club with five little ones on my left foot. If I haven't mentioned it before I do have numbness in 3 of my toes and the top of my foot that has now persisted for weeks. I've heard of this happening before and it should subside one or two months after I'm done my hike. Also informed my group last night that I might be slowing down and doing less miles. Don't want to spend my entire summer pulling big days chasing people down the trail. This trip is half over and I've got to relax and take in everything I can. Before I know it I'll be on top of Mount Katahdin and this once-in-a-lifetime trip will be over.     We all arrived at Port Clinton together around 4 o'clock and were trying everything we could think of to not have to walk the 1.2 miles of Highway to our hotel destination. Just when we were about to give in and start walking a gentleman pulled up in a beautiful pickup. The first thing I noticed when he got out of his truck was the .45 around his waist. He was an on-duty undercover policeman and was more than happy to give us a ride to the hotel.   Odie's dad showed up shortly after and he's a fireman in Pennsylvania about to retire so as you can imagine him and I have been chatting for quite a while. Stayed up late and Oddie,s dad threw out an offer that we could not refuse. So we are going to take a zero-day tomorrow. and what he has planned for us is unbelievable. I'm so excited about tomorrow I can hardly sleep. Stay tuned. $40
Date: 2016-06-27
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I have mixed feelings about today's post. When I would read past journals it would sometimes disappoint me to read about a zero day with no hiking or trail information. Then I realized every day is part of the journey across the Appalachians. Last night Oddie"s dad made us an offer we couldn't refuse. He wanted to treat us to Hersey Park Pa. In just a little more than a hour we were riding on our first roller coaster of the day. Not in a million years would I think we would end up there. Big fun!    It was especially relaxing knowing we had done all our town chores and food resupply early this morning. Will be ready to hit the trail tomorrow.$50 Food @ Fun
Date: 2016-06-28
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Still trying to soak in yesterday's zero day. It was great meeting new people and forgot to mention Odie's brother is a professional basketball player. He's a point guard over in Germany and makes a good living doing what he loves. Jake and his dad refused to let us pay for anything the entire 2 days. That included the hotel room for two nights and the tickets to Hershey Park.    The weather was great today and the hiking for the most part was really easy. Was in such a good mood and have a great plan for the next two days. An easy 17 miles to a four-sided shelters with bunk beds and a hot shower. Odie actually slowed down enough yesterday for me to keep up with him and I got to know him a little better. Pebbles would start the day 3 hours behind us as she had to wait for the Post Office to open at noon. Yes this post office in Port Clinton was only open half days. As the afternoon approached I got very excited about the shelter and picked up my hiking pace. Passed 5 hikers including Oddie. I was very close to the shelter figuring I would secure a bunk for sure. That's when the rest of the day took a turn for the worse. Not focusing and hiking as fast as I could I overshot the road I was supposed to turn down. Went another mile down hill into the woods before I stopped, look at my guide and realized my mistake. Very upset and figuring everyone I passed now had taken the remaining bunks I decided to hike on 8 more miles to the next shelter. Big mistake. As I cursed myself and Hiked angrily the next few miles I once again stopped to look at my book and realize the shelter was further than I thought. That's when the distant Thunder started. Hiked with a purpose, for next three and a half hours before I got to Allen Stone shelter. At one point a deer leaped out of the woods 3 feet from me and scared me to death. Don't think I ever walked in rain this heavy. Showed up at this very crowded and small shelter soaking wet. A very tough and disappointing finish to a day that was going so well. I will get out of these wet clothes and crawl into my tiny little space in the shelter. Too tired and cold to eat.$zero
Date: 2016-06-29
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Still disgusted with myself after last night's debacle I tried to stay positive and shake it off. The morning Sun was shining but it was only 6am. and my clothes were too wet and cold to put on. Thankfully I went to the laundry two days ago in town and had spares of everything. Early into my hike today I remembered a story that Oddie told me yesterday. It changed my whole perspective instantly and my attitude for the rest of the day. His last adventure was a bicycle trip across the country. He was 300 miles from finishing at the shores of California when he stopped at a hostel just outside of Las Vegas. After only being in the building a minute he returned to find EVERYTHING gone! Bicycle, tent, cloths, phone. He figured since he was in Las Vegas and had $200 left in his pocket he would double down or go home. He walked around back to the casino input a $5 chip down on his lucky number. The second $5 chip was a winner and he took that $180 combined with his original Money and went to a Walmart to buy an inexpensive bike and a $15 tent to finish his Trek. He Shrugged his shoulders at me and said "no big deal". So I missed a nice shelter and got wet last night. I'm hiking the Appalachian Trail and this should be no big deal.   With my friends 8 miles behind me I decided to push on to Palmerton, Pennsylvania where I noticed in the guidebook that Bert's steaks house will let you stay in their garage hostel for $10. It's much nicer than I thought it would be and the shower is a good one. They also had over a dozen hikers last night because of the rain and apparently they left me plenty of free beer. Today made up for yesterday.   Want to let everyone out there know that the Pennsylvania rocks are no hype. I was hoping that it would last a few days or maybe a week but we are almost 2 weeks in of extremely tough hiking and today I took my first real fall. Thought my ankle was a goner for a minute. One hour later because I have to look down at every step I smashed my head on a large tree branch. It almost knocked me out and I was feeling my upper and lower teeth to see if they were still all there. So my head, teeth and ankle are sore but I'm sitting in a clean garage all by myself having a cold one.   By the way, the picture you see above IS the trail.
Date: 2016-06-30
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It was rare that the Sun was shining directly on this 3 foot across spider web. Directly on the trail, usually you can't see them.   The top of my head is a little sore this morning and there are definitely scabs forming up there. My ankle feels 90% after the fall. All in all I feel like I should be hiking today therefore with a late start I'm going to drag myself out of this beautiful town around noon time. I would love to come back to a lot of these places and spend multiple days in each one.    Okay. The day's plans have completely changed. Sassy and pharmacist just showed up and other hikers are on the way. I have decided to relax, rest my feet, ankle and head and enjoy this town today. Unfortunately one hour after the hikers arrival pharmacist sliced his thumb open with a knife deep enough to call for a hospital visit. As a 27 year EMT I advised him upon his return he should relax and drink at least 3 beers to help the healing process. Being able to go with the flow and change your plans on a minutes notice is one of the great aspects of being out here on the trail. No regrets about my decision this afternoon but I will have a few big mile days this week to catch up to my crew.$45
Date: 2016-07-01
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow. I've been waiting for this treacherous rock climb but thought they might have rerouted the trail around it. Found out this morning it is coming out of Palmerton. Halfway up this 500 foot pile of Boulders I came across a couple of thru-hikers a little older than me. The woman was frozen as they both had their packs off and we're trying to help each other over the rocks. I'm surprised that there's such a dangerous section here on the Appalachian Trail. Got to tell you I was a little more than nervous myself.   5 miles into my hike this morning I heard voices in the distance. As you know it means one of two things a parking lot or Trail Magic. It happened to be the latter. Two young men who hiked the trail last year and live nearby. It's now 1 o'clock and I've been here for hours. I'm doubtful that I will make Wind Gap as the company is quality today.
Date: 2016-07-02
From: Wind Gap

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Only hiked 4 miles after the trail magic yesterday. The Rocks once again became very difficult. A hiker in front of me fell twice and when I picked him up the second time I told him to slow down and be careful. Just after I told him that I fell myself head first into the rocks. One of the hikers with us was a nurse and when she took a look at it she said to me "it's a good one". Luckily after 5 minutes or so the blood stopped flowing but with no water anywhere and in the middle of the woods it wont be till noon tomorrow before I can clean this thing up. Having a rough week.   As usual I'm getting multiple opinions on my head injury. 1 hiker wanted to superglue it but he's never done it before. I took a pass on that. A few other people told me I probably could use a couple stitches but it's way too late for that. It's already dry and healing. This town doesn't have a hospital anyway. Just going to try to keep it clean for now. The 10 miles I did today took me longer than usual as now I'm a little skittish going over these rocks. The word is that two more days and we are done with this nonsense.   Now for a little good news. Was just invited to go to Massachusetts on July 23rd to boat at someone's lake house. Also just found a free hiker hostel in Delaware Water Gap so that's the plan for tomorrow. Again perfect timing.
Date: 2016-07-03
From: Wind Gap

To: Kirkland Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

It must be the 4th of July weekend but there's trail magic everywhere. The hiking was fairly easy to start this morning and I covered 7 miles rather quickly. But around 10:30 I rounded a bend and there it was. More coolers, more food, more beer. Then at 11 o'clock someone else posted up a few hundred yards down the trail. So these two groups of strangers got together and we had one massive Trail magic party. A lot of these were older gentleman and they all brought their guitars. They were playing and singing Elvis and Johnny Cash Tunes. That's it I'm staying for the whole afternoon,   Thank God the trail was not hard and rocky the next mile after trail magic ended. Got to the shelter and was fast asleep before I knew it. Everyone is saying that we only have 2 more days of rocks. Just can't wait until we get into New Jersey,
Date: 2016-07-04
From: Kirkland Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 7.0

Woke up excited to get to Delaware Water Gap for the 4th of July. After a few hours of rocky trail we followed an access road which was a very nice break from the rock routine. Super morning with Huskers from Nebraska and as we approach the parking lot into Delaware Gap there was a woman sitting there with more Trail Magic. After devouring a few of her baked goods she mentioned to us that her daughter lives just out of town and would like to take 4 hikers home for the night. Perfect. Every morning when you wake up you just never know what lies ahead for the day. And after 95 days I still get excited when I take those first steps on the trail at sunrise not knowing where I'll be putting my head down at night. This former thru-hiker fired up hot dogs, burgers and corn before we settle in for a movie. This 200 Acre Farm house is beautiful and there is corn as far as the eye can see. Very grateful to be inside on a couch tonight as it rained steadily throughout the evening. Tonight's gang includes Hoosier. Hot Toddy and Beast. But am looking forward to spending tomorrow with Slow Jam, Otter and Fish and Chips who I have not seen in weeks.
Date: 2016-07-05
From: Delaware Water Gap

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

I was anxious to get back into Delaware Water Gap from the woman's house last night. Great to reunite with all my old friends. Fish @ Chips, Slow jam, and Otter. We all grabbed supplies at the store and stayed on the water all day. Unfortunately our plans for rafting fell through when everyone realize how expensive it was. Just as well, we all sat on the beach and went in and out of the water for no charge all day long.   It appears everybody is slowing down in the summer heat. But I feel guilty, especially the last week or so only averaging ten or so miles a day. I'm now carrying enough food to last me almost a week but these sections of the trail are loaded with places to stop and eat. There are also numerous swimming holes and ponds coming up and it's hard for me to go past one without getting wet.   I've been riding an emotional roller coaster lately. One day I wake up and want to do 30 miles thinking I want this hike to be over so I can go home to my family. The next day I just want to sit in town and relax with the hiking community. I keep going back and forth between these two plans.
Date: 2016-07-06
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Stealth campsite
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

The first two miles out of town this morning were unnerving. Had to walk the one mile bridge over the Delaware River. There was nothing but a small 3-foot jersey barrier between you and the tractor trailers zipping by at 70 mph. Felt like the wind from the trucks was going to blow you over the side of the 100 foot tall structure. Lots of day hikers in this area. Lots of them stopping us and asking us questions about thru-hiking.   Today's picture was a refreshing dip at Sunfish Pond in New Jersey. That's right I'm in New Jersey. It finally feels like I'm making my way home. The stretch between rocky sections are getting longer and longer and eventually we will see them no more.   It's 3 o'clock in the afternoon right now and I'm going to try and hike as far as possible before nightfall.   Ended up squeezing out 17 miles today. Had some really pretty views of New Jersey. The only time I've ever gone through this state is on the highway so this was quite different. Hiking with full sun in the low 90s I sweat most of the day. Drinking as much as possible tonight before bed. Stealth camping in the woods. Huskers set his tent up next to mine so at least I don't have to worry about getting eaten by bears.   Going to push it a little bit the next couple days and see if I can catch up to a couple of friends. Would like to be in New York by this weekend. I'm also setting my phone alarm for 5:15 the rest of the month. Got to get some miles in when the weather is nice and cool. VERY happy to be out of P.A. Goodnight.
Date: 2016-07-07
From: Stealth campsite

To: High Point shelter
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: clear sky

Started hiking at 6 a.m. this morning and started sweating profusely at 6:15. Really muggy today. The initial goal is to go 27 miles but with this heat it's unlikely. After the first five miles and not looking forward to this very long day, Otter caught up to Huskers and myself. Other hikers soon arrived and as usual when we congregate it's a great think tank and source of information. Someone mentioned that 2 more miles down the trail there is a restaurant one tenth of a mile down a side trail.   The dozen hikers arrived at the restaurant exactly as they opened. A sign on the front door said hikers enter through back gate and stay on deck. Pretty funny. This place is on a beautiful lake and it took me about 4 seconds to take everything off and jump in. About half of the hikers followed. A record quick lunch with a large cheeseburger and two waters that were consumed in 10 minutes and I was the first one back on the trail. It's the only way I can stay ahead of this group and try to get a long day of mileage in. It was a very refreshing break.   It's now 3 in the afternoon and we only have 9 miles left. Finally caught a break with the rain as it started to pour after lunch. I looked up and saw a sign on the tree that said shelter .01. Started running to the shelter and kept everything dry including my hiking shoes. To kill time during the shower I had my second 2nd lunch within a 3 hour span.   This morning today's outlook wasn't that good but now it's turning into a very nice day as we are on top of a huge Pavilion taking one last rest before the nine mile push. I'm also surprised that the Rocks dried quickly after the rain and the trail is not too treacherous.   Apparently I'm in a little better shape then I thought. A 20-mile day was never easy and is much more difficult in this weather. But we have a new group of thru hikers with us today all in their twenties. Soon after I journaled that last paragraph and started on a nine-mile trek to the state park people started dropping, one at a time. One said it was their feet, the other the heat, the other didn't give an excuse and just pulled off and started setting up his tent with 5 miles left to go. My friends and I all looked at each other with a small smile. I realize everyone is on a different schedule but the people I've been hiking with this entire trip are hiking very long days and then taking zeros in town. It's starting to get dark and I have 2 miles left to the lake.