morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-22
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter 

To: Stealth camping 
Miles today: 28.3
Weather: light rain

Day 78: While at Clarks Ferry Shelter last night we met a terrific young man that goes by the trail name "Downhill". We had a great time talking over dinner and honestly thought we would leave in the morning with him still asleep. Well morning came and "Downhill" was up and ready to hike with two old fellows. The weather was perfect with cloud cover and temperatures in the high fifties and low sixties. The elevations and terrain were perfect for laying down some big miles so the three of us went at it hard. It was a bit rocky early in the day, but clear trails for the better part of the 28 miles we put safely behind us. While crossing over a highway we did spy trail magic up ahead... bananas!!! Thank you trail angel who ever you are.  When we finally stopped for the evening, "Downhill" ate dinner with us, but decided he was too close to having hiked thirty miles to quit. He threw his pack on his back and hiked on to get his thirty mile day. Not me nor "Scooby "... we were satisfied with what we achieved not to mention that we were truly done.  So I've had a gentleman that has been following me on Trail Journals who sent a couple messages via the guestbook. He goes by the trail name 'Rokk' and he let me know that he would be doing a section hike and would try to catch up to us. Well he just now (8:00 pm) found us and made camp here as well. We will all hike on together tomorrow. The picture I'm posting here is the picture "Scooby " took of us the day we passed the 1,000 mile mark on the trail.  Whistler
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Stealth camp

To: Stealth camp
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 79: These be hard rocks on me feets..."Scooby", "Rokk" and I had boots on the trail at 7:00 this morning. We had a big day ahead of us with just under 25 miles being our goal. "Rokk" has done a lot of hiking over the years, but not the same miles "Scooby " and I have these last two plus months. Even still, he was determined to hang with us. He did insist that we go on as we normally would and if he fell behind, he'd catch up. He would fall behind a bit on the big climbs, but always caught up on the down hills and over the "rock fields" Pennsylvania is known for. I call the rocks the great equalizer because it doesn't matter how strong a hiker you are, everyone goes slow over the rocks. Welcome to Rocksylvania,where the rocks will maim and tame ya.There's no clear trail,so you must prevail. You'll hop and skip,and quite often trip. Each step you place,is slow, not a race. They're big and small,you'll stumble and fall. They'll tumble and tip,your boots they will rip. Sure it's a challenge,but we all manage. For they're in our way,but it's the price we must pay. They slow down your miles,So it's just best to smile.Whistler
Date: 2017-05-25
From: Stealth camp

To: Blue Mountain Summit B&B
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: light rain

Day 81: "Scooby " and I agreed on a 7:00-7:15 departure time after having had hiked so hard and late yesterday. When I woke at 4:00 am to the sound of a heavy rain I just knew it was going to be ugly today. My best defense was to roll over and go back to sleep. When I was up and about, I prepared my instant grits (I hate them), and waited for either the rain to slow/stop or for "Scooby " to start making some positive movements. When neither happened I just pulled it together and packed my pack. We were both ready and hit the trail by 7:15. The thirteen miles we needed to do would have and should have been easy, but the the rain made them miserable. Climbing over rocks the size of basketballs and up to the size of a small car is tough enough, but add the element of rain... it's double tough. "Scooby " fell first and I followed suit. The rocks are tough enough, but add some rain and they can get crazy slippery. My hands had turned into shriveled prunes and I was loosing feelings in my fingers. I was so cold that my teeth were chattering (and we call this fun). At one point there was a break in the rain and I let "Scooby" know that I had to eat something, I needed fuel. Two minutes after a quick snack it was pouring again. We finally came to a break in the rocks and I found myself running with "Scooby" right on my heels. It felt good to make up some time after the slow crawls over those stinking rocks. At one point we had figured it would be 2:00 before we'd arrive at our B&B, Blue Mountain Summit, but the running we did got us there at 12:30. In our room, hot shower, dressed in warm clothes... we were ready for hiker burgers and beer.  Enterprise will pick me up early tomorrow and I'll be on the road to my son's home in Lexington, South Carolina. Life is so good... The picture of me at The Pinnacle was taken yesterday... The only views today were of rain on top of more rain. Whistler
Date: 2017-05-26
From: Blue Mountain Summit B&B

To: Lexington, SC with my son and his family 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 82:Up at 5:30 even while in a comfortable bed in a clean warm room,  "Scooby " and I were ready to hike this morning, but I wasn't going anywhere. We had a great breakfast at our B&B and washed it all down with plenty of fresh coffee. I'm waiting on Enterprise to pick me up while "Scooby " is ready to hike on. It felt really strange to me to watch him go while I stayed behind. The good news is that he'll run reconnaissance for me and provide hiker data... not that it really matters because it is what it is. I just like knowing what's up ahead.   I am really excited to know that I'll see my sons and their beautiful families. Just thinking about them brings real tears to my eyes. My only wish is that I could see Annie as well. For that, I have to get back on the trail and move my little legs as fast as I can.  Whistler
Date: 2017-05-27
From: Lexington, SC with my son and his family 

To: Summerville South Carolina 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 83:I really don't know what to say. I've known this young lady since before she was born and today I'm watching her walk across a stage to accept her high school diploma. How did this happen? It was an honor to see Ashley accept her just reward for all her hard work, but the greatest honor was to be present as part of her family. Her father, Steve, is like a brother to me and her mother, Barbie, is so dear to me. I can remember the Mother's Day at church when they announced Barbie was pregnant. This couple tried to have children for twelve years and had given up hope. The Lord obviously had big plans for them though and blessed them with Ashley. Steve and Barbie have been honorary aunt and uncle to our boys. They lead the youth Sunday school class for our oldest son Richard. We've shared so many family celebrations together that being here for Ashley's graduation was so "natural".   Ashley will be attending Columbia College on a swimming scholarship that she has earned through hard work and perseverance. This, not surprising at all when you know how she was raised. God blessed this couple with this little girl and Annie and I have been blessed to watch her grow into the beautiful person she is today.  We are truly blessed!!!Whistler
Date: 2017-05-28
To: Lexington, South Carolina 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 84:It was another wonderful day me. I woke up a bit late as the after graduation celebrations continued late at the Sawyer house. When we were all up Steve made his typical breakfast which is usually enough for the whole neighborhood. After breakfast I said my goodbyes and made off to see my son Brian and his family in North Charleston. Our plan was to grab lunch together, but believe it or not, I wasn't that hungry. I'm not sure if it was because I've not hiked for a couple of days or that I was still full from Steve's huge breakfast. We went to a local hamburger joint call Sesame's and I skipped the burger and had a salad. After lunch we went back to their home, hung out and caught up a bit. I was back on the road and heading for Lexington by mid afternoon. It has been such a blessing to spend this time with my family.   I'll be meeting a friend for coffee in the morning and spending the rest of the day with my son enjoying our favorite pub for lunch, a couple beers and then to see a movie. Until tomorrow...Whistler
Date: 2017-05-29
From: Lexington 

To: Lexington, South Carolina 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 85: Am I ever going to miss this time I've had with my family. Today started a bit early as I had made plans to meet with a colleague/friend that I had not seen in the ten years since I had retired. Phil has most recently retired from Publix Supermarkets with he and his wife, Vonnie, building a home here in Lexington. We met this morning over coffee and got as caught up as we could in the one and a half hours we spent together.  We parted with the promise to see each other over the holidays when Annie and I are back visiting our family.   The rest of this glorious day was mostly spent with my son, Richard. We ran a couple errands, had lunch and caught a movie together. Once we got home I started getting my gear together and pack for my early morning departure and the nearly seven hundred mile drive back to Pennsylvania. As I said, it's been a great visit. My daughter-in-law, Lauren, fed me as if on a personal mission to put some weight back on my bones. She and my granddaughters baked brownies and cookies for me. I did my best to show my appreciation the best way I know how... I ate them like a starving hiker, but left just enough for them.   My next post will be tomorrow night and from the trail. Whistler
Date: 2017-05-30
From: Blue Mountain Summit B&B

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 86:Knowing that I had a 650 mile drive this morning motivated me to have everything packed and ready to go last night. I had the pleasure of saying goodnight to my granddaughters and then sat up a bit talking with Richard and Lauren. I was up at 4:30 and backing out of the driveway by 5:30. The drive itself was long, 650 miles and 11 hours, but thankfully uneventful. I arrived at Enterprise just after 4:00 and they had me back to the trail head just before 5:00. It's funny how I got off the trail last Thursday with "Scooby " in the pouring rain and it looks like it never stopped. I wanted to get a few miles behind me so I did 5.9 to the Bake Oven Knob Shelter. It was slow going for the rain and some really big rock climbs, slippery wet rock climbs.  It's looking like similar weather tomorrow, but I really need to lay down some miles. I'm meeting "Scooby " at Delaware Water Gap on Thursday night so I need to do 44 more miles in the next two days. I'm up for it...Whistler
Date: 2017-05-31
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter 

To: Stealth camp
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 87: This was one of those days that was so full that I hope I can remember everything.  To start, I started early knowing that I wanted to lay down some big miles. I was just about a mile out of camp when I came up on a woman that seemed happy to see me. Her name is "Energizer" and apparently she wasn't sure if she was going north on the trail or not. She told me that " the rocks all looked familiar". I'll second that... I assured her that she was indeed going north.  The rain this morning made for very difficult hiking especially since I was hiking some of the most difficult terrain I had experienced yet. The climb out of Lehigh gap is a vertical rock and boulder climb that requires two hands and two feet... no place here for trekking poles. This mountain side is a deforested ridge left from the days of zinc smelting from 1898 through 1980. It's not the prettiest mountain but it was a fun challenging climb.  My reward for the climb was two fold. The first was trail magic left by Grace, trail name "Earthling". Grace is a 2015 through hiker alumni and was out for a day hike. The second was my first bear sighting. It had just stopped raining and I had just finished my big climb when I started hiking the ridge. I came up and over a hump and saw the bear on the trail walking towards me. As soon as he saw me he turned and started to run on all fours. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get my phone out fast enough to get a picture. That's when he stopped, turned to face me and got on his hind legs. I swear it looked as though he realized it was just me. It looked as though he was getting ready to ask, "Is that you Whistler? I almost didn't recognize you." I got my pictures and he turned and ran off. I was so excited I felt like a child, but I didn't care. The first thing I did was call Annie. I think she thought I was attacked by the bear. The next thing I did was send the picture to "Scooby".   A short time later I met "Jem". "Jem" is a section hiker that had done well over half the trail and a pleasure to speak with. I sat down where she had been resting and made myself some lunch. When I told her my name she told me she had seen and read my journal. Apparently her mother reads it as well. She sent her mom a text and she replied asking if I had my Granddaughters' troll. I pulled Princess Poppy out and "Jem" took a picture of me with Poppy for her mother. Oh, she also wanted to know where "Scooby" was... a small world.  Speaking of "Scooby", I will be meeting him in Delaware Water Gap tomorrow afternoon. We will start our hiking together on Friday, but I think we might have to have a couple of beers together and catch up first.  Whistler
Date: 2017-06-01
From: Stealth camp

To: Church of the Mountain 
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: few clouds

Day 88:Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, it's not that the rocks were so bad because they really are... it's just that they never end.  It's as though they dig holes and plant the rocks... pointy tips up. Rumor has it that they sneak out after hikers are sleeping soundly in their tents and file the rocks to make sure they keep their boot penetrating edge.The good news is that we exit Pennsylvania tomorrow and enter The Garden State. My vision is to cross that border, take my shoes off and hike barefoot to Mount Katahdin. Let's see if my vision comes anywhere close to reality.  "Scooby" and I caught up together just as planned. I got to meet "Mrs. Scooby" as well, as an added bonus. After making a resupply run to Wal-Mart we returned to the "Church of the Mountain". This church has as part of their outreach a hiker feed every Thursday night (perfect timing). There had to be forty of us hikers and I promise you that none of us left hungry. After dinner I got word of live jazz at the Lions Head pub next to the church. Could it get any better? I sent "Scooby" a text of the aforementioned and he was quick to get dressed for the occasion. In all, eight of the usual suspects (thru-hikers) joined us for beers and jazz. A perfect send off as we happily exit Pennsylvania. Whistler
Date: 2017-06-01
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Kinsman Notch Shelter 
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 118:The plan was to hike out at 6:00 but it rained all night and right into the morning. When 6:00 came around "Scooby" sent me a text that his vote was to wait until 7:00 to decide what to do. My text back was that I was in full support. I had no problem rolling over and going back to sleep. Things did start clearing up by 7:00 so we started packing up and hit the trail at 8:00. Fifteen minutes into our hike we crossed the Kinsman Notch parking lot when a car pulled up. A three time AT hiker "Left Field" jumped out of his car and asked if we were thru-hikers. When we replied with an affirmative he pulled out a couple of cold beers for us. Sure, it was only 8:00 in the morning but beer provides lots of nutrients and is actually considered a breakfast beverage in some countries ( I don't know which countries but I heard this somewhere... I think). Anyway, it's my birthday today and I can do whatever I want. "Left Field" did offer us another but we passed because we did have mountains to conquer after all. We did accept the candy bars he offered. Candy bars are actually a breakfast food in some countries.   On to our hike... it was tough, real tough. The White Mountains are truly living up to their reputation. The boulder climbs are tough enough but throw in all the standing water, ankle high mud and raised creek levels that require cautious fording, your progress is slow... very slow. I had two slip and falls today with no physical harm but a lot of mud to clean up. The climbs require hand over hand at times and it really tests your physical and mental abilities. There were several times that if not for tree roots to grab onto I'm not sure how forward progress could be made. The low mileage day is evidence of this slow advance through the Whites. Our goal is to do our best and to stay healthy. The big mile days are just going to have to wait for when conditions are right. We are camped at the Kinsman Pond Shelter tonight. This is a AMC run camp with a caretaker and a $10 fee required for tenting. This is the first year that the AMC is experimenting with giving hikers a fifty percent off card with their first stay at one of their club run sites. It is also good for discounts at their huts for snacks and drinks. It sounds like a good deal so we'll see how it works for us. Our plan for tomorrow if all works as planned is to hike five miles to Franconia Notch and either hitch a ride or call for a shuttle to Lincoln where we can resupply then get back to the trail to add on some more miles. Unfortunately, it looks like rain again tomorrow. Whistler
Date: 2017-06-02
From: Church of the Mountain Hiker Center 

To: Brink Shelter 
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 89: What an absolutely beautiful day we had today, a day made just for hiking. We left the Church of the Mountain at 7:00 am this morning. A bit later than we normally leave because we stayed a bit late at the Lions Head Pub the evening before. The beer was cold and the jazz was hot. Delaware Water Gap sure has a lot of talent for such a small community and the Lions Head is a great little venue to showcace these great musicians. We crossed over the Delaware River and half way across was the Pennsylvania/New Jersey border. That's seven states down and seven more to go.  It was simply unbelievable how the terrain changed from one state (Pennsylvania) to another (New Jersey). Sure there were still some rocky areas, but nothing close to the misery of the Pennsylvania rocks.  Our hike took us to several beautiful vistas today including Sunfish Pond. This pond is a 44 acre glacier lake formed during the last ice age and was recognized as a national natural landmark in 1970. It is stunningly beautiful and especially so because we just haven't seen too many bodies of water in the mountains thus far. It was difficult to take your eyes off it while hiking it's shore.  I also stepped right over a rattlesnake today as well. A short fellow of about two feet. "Scooby" saw it just before he too stepped on/over it.  We took a break this afternoon on top of Rattlesnake Mountain. The views of the Delaware River Valley and the Poconos Mountains were vast. It's amazing how far you can see when it's not raining or foggy.  Whistler
Date: 2017-06-03
From: Brink Shelter 

To: Unionville, New York
Miles today: 26.7

Day 90: My/our vision for this morning was for breakfast in Branchville, New Jersey, but everything except for the local bait shop was closed. I had seriously thought about some shiners on a tortilla, but settled for a cold Pepsi to wash down a couple of Pop tarts I had in my food bag.  Our primary goal today was to hike into Unionville which happens to be in New York. Confused yet? Yep... me too. New Jersey and New York share the area that hugs the AT. This is similar to how North Carolina and Tennessee share the AT... one foot in, one foot out. Anyway, while in Unionville, New York what else would a thru-hiker be expected to do but eat New York style pizza for dinner. There is a reason why New York has their reputation for good pizza... they actually earn it.  Oh, another thing about Unionville... yes, it's a small town, but it's a hiker friendly town. They allow thru-hikers to camp at the local park. All that is required is that you register... you do that at the local grocery store. I love small towns.  There seems to be an addition to the "Whistler"-"Scooby" north bound train to Mount Katahdin. "Train Wreck" joined us today and was a great addition to our trek. A terrific guy from Alabama, recently retired from thirty plus years with the railroad, "Train Wreck" kept pace with us young fellows. He actually started his thru hike on March 23rd, has only had three zeros and at sixty one years old and is a hiking machine who will challenge us every step of the way... I love a challenge.Whistler
Date: 2017-06-04
From: Unionville, New York

To: Wawayanda Shelter 
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 91:The town of Unionville is one of those towns that seems to be stuck in a time warp. I say this lovingly and with so much envy. This is one of those small American towns where "Old Glory" flies proudly on every telephone pole and in every yard, and red, white and blue bunting billows below windows along main street as though the parade shall pass at any moment.  We ate our pizza on the front porch of the local pizzeria last night. After dinner we walked across the street to our tents in the local park. We agreed that we would get a late start because we wanted a big breakfast in the morning at the local grocery store called Horler's Store. This little store was open at 7:00 and we found ourselves standing in line to place our orders. They had genuine New York style bagels and doughnuts that were out of this world. "Scooby" ate seven of the doughnuts that were the size of tea saucers. "Train Wreck" had just two. I had an everything bagel with egg, cheese and Taylor ham and two filled doughnuts. We each also ordered subs to go in our packs for lunch later. We all agreed that the subs must have had a pound of meat stacked on the rolls. I love New York!!! As I mentioned yesterday, we were in and out of New Jersey and New York all day. We will cross from New Jersey and into New York for the last time tomorrow.  Our hike today took us over a boardwalk that takes you over a marsh. This boardwalk is just under a mile long and includes a suspension bridge that takes you over Pochuck Creek. The building of these structures had to be a monumental task and sure made our hiking through that area a pleasure. Immediately after we finished this section we started our steep, rocky and nearly one thousand foot climb up the "Stairway To Heaven". A great challenge and a great way to work off our lunch.   We made it an early and short day today both because we got a late start and because we spent the last half of the day hiking in rain. The plan for tomorrow is to start early and hike close to 28 miles. Unfortunately, it's looking like rain all day. I hate when that happens!!!And now a poem:"What's your (trail) name?"We come here from far and wide,with hopes and dreams to abide.  You leave your given name behind,  a new one that fits you hope to find.  Slip and fall is all you've got? Congratulations  "Sir falls a lot".  The weight you carry has you bragging. Now you're known as "Chuck Wagon". Listening to tunes as you go? Your brand new name is "Radio". It's all in fun and what we do, come and join us we'll name you too.  Whistler