morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-04
From: Birch Run Shelters

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The day started and it was still raining. Cooked breakfast, as I was still frigid and unrested from a mean night. Took off down the trail and it was less miserable than yesterday. Feet were still soaked, but the rain let up a little while out. Sometime during the morning, we passed this year's halfway point (it changes yearly due to relocations, etc.) and around noon I arrived to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, where everyone else had already started the half gallon challenge. I, having retired from stupid eating challenges after the unfortunate incident at Weasie's, helped myself to two pints: chocolate and mint chip, followed by chicken nuggets and onion rings.Lady was there, having successfully completed her challenge, and we decided to push on another fifteen. Though this would make today a mean day, it solved the shelter-spacing problem. There were eighteen miles the following day between shelters, and camping was prohibited.It was great to walk with Lady again; I hadn't seen her since Shenandoah, and we caught up on stories and gossip. Hit two boulder fields in the late afternoon, and then, around eight and only a few tenths of a mile from the shelter, big surprise, it began to rain. We got in, luckily before it camedown too hard. Had the sub I'd packed out yesterday for dinner, and played a few rounds of Uno.In the shelter: me, Lady, Bean, Lucky, Cosmo and Tapeworm.
Date: 2003-06-06
From: Darlington Shelter

To: The Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Miles: 11.3Total: 1131.5Got up early, since I was going to see Jo today! Joanne, my roommate and dear friend, was driving in to spend a rest day with me in Duncannon, and I'd told her that I would be there between noon and one. Of course, halfway down the mountain, I got a call from her-- still in Dayton, and so I wouldn't see her until that evening. On the way into town, a car pulled overand a scruffy guy leaned out, asked if I had gotten the trail magic. I'd passed an almost-empty cooler of energy drinks, but left what was there for hikers who were not going to have the night in town. He told me that the magic was from his girlfriend, Mary, who was an angel. He also told me to "Stay at the Doyle, but eat at the Pub."A little further on, I passed the liquor store, where two backpacks were sitting outside. Went in to find Bean and Wicked, and so began what would be a long day, into a long night.We checked into the Doyle and then hit the pub for lunch, where we found Bearly, Skeemer, and Hotfoot already eating. And drinking. We split a few pitchers, and Wow, was the food good. The rest of the day passed. I napped, did laundry, hit happy hour at the bar on the first floor of the Doyle. checked my email to find out that Dad had just planned an impromptu visit the next day, to bring me some papers I had to sign. And the boys all went out to get the fixins for White Russians. Cosmo and Tapeworm showed up later in the day, and were convinced to stay. And finally in the evening, Jo called, and I ran (or rather, hobbled) downstairs to meet her on the street. Got myself a huge hug. It was truly excellent to see her. We hit the pub again to get her dinner, and I got some gossip from home. Good stuff.And it was all downhill after that: By the time we made it back to the Doyle, the white russians were already in the mix. There followed the madness. A game of drinking Uno. And then another. And another Until we pretty much killed the white russians. I am not sure at what point it happened, but a couple people hit their limit. One person puking out the window. Another in the downstairs bathroom. Someone suggests strip poker. I think about then I was wandering between checking on the person in the downstairs bathroom and finding out what was happening upstairs. Thank heavens, the strip poker game fell through. In the morning, I was glad to know that at least I hadn't done anything regrettable. The damage? Well, the hangovers go without saying. There were a lot of unplanned zeros taken the next day. Somebody's boots got puked on. And somebody wet a bed, though who it is remains a mystery, as the ladies at the Doyle forgiveably would not tell which bed it was.Lots of fun at the time, but somewhat embarassing the next morning. Though I personally didn't do anything besides drink and pass out, I felt guilty later about being one of those hikers. Very messy night. Don't think it will happen again on this trip.
Date: 2003-06-13
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

Miles: 17.4Total:1234.1Been riding in this happy in-between-crowds spot since Duncannon, but it seems tomorrow it will end. This morning as we packed up our things, Bob the elder of BobMikeBob invited me to their home in New Jersey, where they would be going tomorrow. I was so flattered! Still, I thought it over. It puts me two days behind one crowd. I ran into Apricot and Loadrunner south-bounding a section today, and they informed me that one day back was a huge crowd- some thirty people stayed at the pavilion in Port Clinton last night. So, one day back will put me in the middle of that crowd. But despite the fact that I am enjoying these days of solo-hiking and less-crowded trail, it was too good an offer to pass up. It didn't take to much deliberating, either. Something about being in a home-- even if it wasn't my own-- was so appealing. The day was as others before in this state. Rocks, rocks, woods road, rocks. But not that bad.I just called my Uncle David and Aunt Joan in Massachusetts to tell them when I would be in their area, and was very excited to hear that Aunt Joan wants to join me for a few days-- maybe in Connecticutt or Vermont.Tonight we're camped with Hotfoot and Bearly, as the shelter was full, and it's raining. Big freakin' surprise.
Date: 2003-06-14
From: Southhampton, Massachusetts

To: The Heinis's
Miles today: 7.4

Bearly woke me early, but it was okay. I asked him to. BobMikeBob's mom/wife was picking us up at ten, so I had broken a very wet camp and was hiking by six-forty. The rain continues.We attived at the next shelter a little past nine to find Lucky, Wicked and Bean still there, which was good, since I wanted to tell them that I would not seethem in Delaware Water Gap. I hope to see Wicked and Bean when Wicked's friend joins him to hike New Jersey, but Lucky has to finish by the eighth of August, so that is probably the last time I'll see him. I got his cell number, though, so we can keep in touch.We were sitting there, and Bob the elder gets off the phone, and says that our ride is waiting. I don't think we have ever moved so fast. Packs were on, god-byes said and we did seven-tenths of a mile in ten minutes (that's fast). Kathy greeted us with dry shirts, Gatorade and snacks. We stopped at Hot Dog Johnny's on the way back where we downed a collective seventeen dogs, five fries and soda. Very good dogs-- maybe it's the pickle spear?Got back to their house, strung up all of our sleeping bags, tent and hammocks to dry, and relaxed. The house smelled so good. I put on my new town clothes (my running shorts that Dad brought and a tee I bought in Port Clinton. I call it the Optimist Outfit: sky-blue shorts and sunshine-yellow tee.) It was great. The house smelled good, I smelled good, there was raspberry-scented hand soap, and when it rained, I could watch it through a window.We went to their Aunt Susan's birthday party. It was great. They'd told her that they couldn't make it, that they were sorry they'd miss the party, when they called earlier in the day. She was so surprised.So I ate well. Burgers and dogs and salad and birthday cake. Everyone was super sweet and interested.But, as the sun set, we hikers got sleepy. We came home and I vegetated in front of the TV for a while. Watched Road Rules. It was pretty stupid.
Date: 2003-06-17
From: Beaver Pond

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Miles: 14.1Total: 1292.1Woke up well rested this time on the Heinis' couch. We grabbed bagels and coffee for breakfast on the way, and they dropped me off at hostel at the Church of the Mountain. I had a couple of things to mail back home, and I had some organizing to do.But, as I often do in town, I got sucked in. Ended up talking to Trail Name Pending and John Henry until after noon. Met Gizmo, the ridgerunner, who looked at some of the photos I'd just received in the mail, and also met Pastor Karen. A very cool lady, though she came for rather serious reasons: A 23-year-old kid had killed a Vermont Highway Patrolman, and had been dropped off yesterday at a nearby trailhead. I kinda just felt like, what next? The plane crash in the Smokies, the crazy kid who killed his father, the olympic/abortion clinic bomber and his two camps in Nantahala, and now this. I hear that Mount Minsi was crawling with troopers.Anyhow, after some cheesecake and some gab, I got out of that town, rewalked the Delaware River Bridge, and was almost in the woods again when a trucker parked at the information center waved me over and gave me a sandwich. What's funny is, that he didn't know anything about the AT. Usually when people give us food, it's because the know we're thru-hikers. He looked at me like I was crazy when I told him I was going to Maine. I pointed out a white blaze, explained that I was following them; he drew a blank stare. Ah, well. A few minutes later, and I was on my way up a mountain.Got up to Sunfish Pond, and it was beautiful. Reminded me of Jordan Pond, up in Acadia National Park. Crystal clear water and the skies were blue above. Sat there and had lunch. And wow, what a sandwich that trucker had given me. It was just turkey, but in big chunks. We're talking Thanksgiving leftovers here. Continued on, and the rest of the day was a push. I wanted to do fourteen miles by dark, but having started so late, it would be close. Around seven, I passed some good campsites, and I was only a few miles short, so I decided to stop. Put down my pack, started to unpack, when I heard big noise over in the brush. Thought maybe it was another camper, but as I got closer it stopped, and then whoosh, a flash of black. That was a fast damn bear. Of course, I picked up my pack and kept on moving. Past a really ugly pond, dead trees all around, and by then I almost had to stop. Started to set up camp, went to hang by bear line and... it wasn't there. I must have left it at the hostel. F***. Can it get much worse? Camping alone, in Jersey, where there's a bear per square mile, and I can't hang my food. Think, think, think... Shoelaces, pack straps, cinch cords... tent line! I'd cut up my first bear cord back in Hot Springs to make tent line, so I untied it all, tied the ends toge! ther, and got it up a tree. Just call me MacGyver. Of course, once in my tent and ready to sleep, what do I findbut the cord that I had just bought. Go figure. And yes, it can get worse. Later on, it rained.
Date: 2003-06-18
From: Beaver Pond

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I am doing this voluntarily. Tonight, I am sleeping alone under a six foot black snake that taes residence in the rafters of this shelter. Yup. For a second night in a row, I'm solo. Why, you might ask, don't I set up my tent? Rain. It's back after three generous days' hiatus, projected through next week. And yes, I'd rather tangle with the snake than the wet.It was a funny day. A lonesome one. A damp one. Broke camp in the rain, hiked the morning through fog. Didn't see another soul until I passed a southbounder mid-afternoon. To him I said "hello." New Jersey was forgiving. There are still rocks, but they're not so sharp nor so densely packed as Pennsylvania's. Scared some grouse, saw some deer, newts. Luckily it was too wet for rattlers when I crosed Rattlesnake Mountain. I got some pep after reading two messages for me in the first shelter's register. One from Lady Walksalot, telling me where she'd be on Hike Naked Day, and to catch up. Another from BobMikeBob, saying hey, and that they'd see me Saturday at their barbecue. Finally caught Bearly and Chandler in the early evening, but they stopped short of this shelter to camp. So here I am. I should catch at least part of the crowd tomorrow. For now, it's me and this snake. I just hope it's a warm night; I don't want it curling up with me.
Date: 2003-06-19
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Pochuck Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

Miles: 19.6Total: 1334.6Slept in today. Bearly and Hotfoot visited in the morning, and Hotfoot had to say hello to the resident snake, so he grabs it by the head and starts pulling. Couldn't get it out, but we took a picture and I got to touch it. Hotfoot likes snakes.A little later, after they moved on, Bob elder and Mike showed up with their neighbor and tanks of water, since there was no water source at the shelter. So, after so many visitors, I figured I should get moving. Hiked out and stopped at the ranger station, stopped again at an observation platform from where we were supposed to be able to see NYC. It was about then that I started thinking that I was going to have to rehike this whole damn trail, just to see some of these views. I could handle missing a few, but weeks go by, and all I see is fog. And when the clouds aren't on the ground, they're in the sky, blotting out the sun. I miss my shadow. Wah, wah.Continued on, stopped at the shelter for lunch, and decided to go into Unionville for a burger. Stopped again at the 'secret shelter,' one privately owned by an old thru-hiker, and exclusively for thru-hikers. The grounds were amazing, and I really wanted to stop, but Lady had left a message in the register that she was on to the next shelter, so I pushed on. Stopped into Unionvlle, had dinner at the Back Track Inn, got my ear talked off by a local, but the rest of the guys were super nice. One even offered to buy me a beer. Pushed on at six, which got me to the shelter by eight, and though Lady wouldn't come out of her tent for the mosquitoes (We were one five-hundred foot climb over a big wildlife refuge, which seemed to only provide refuge for the bugs), we gabbed and gossiped until it got dark. So good to see her! or hear her, as it were. Hike Naked Day is Saturday. Glad I won't be alone. Eek.
Date: 2003-06-21
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Rt. 17A 
Miles today: 9.9

Miles: 9.9Total: 1356.3Summer solstice. Hike Naked Day. Yowza.To answer your question, right off the bat, yes, we were that brave. And it DID take bravery. It was, as per usual, a little chilly and a little drizzly. Lady and I hiked out a few miles, past two roads and ten miles before the next. Came across Brian, a new hiker who had just started the day before, just as we were ready to derobe. But he said he didn't mind, so we did. Really freakin' wierd. Being naked. In the woods. With a pack on. With other people around. We hiked on, and wouldn't you have guessed, the trail got rocky, and we had some steep scrambles. Not a great view for the people behind, but ah, well. Brian took our picture with some well-placed leaves. And then, to our surprise, the newbie joined in. Hurray! We had our token boy. It was short-lived, though. Before long, we hit some tough trail, where the blazes just led us straight down slick rock faces. I didn't trust the tread on my shoes, and the idea of my bare bum and that hard, rough rock meeting in one great fall was enough to make me cringe. And redress. I plowed the next five miles, to make sure I was at 17A by two, when Bob and Mike were picking us up.They drove us back to their place, showered, laundered and fed us, and we spent the afternoon and evening in some of the loveliest company. I don't know what I can do to repay the Heinis' for all the comforts I've enjoyed this past week; I suspect it's not to be repaid. But it has been for sure the best trail magic yet.
Date: 2003-06-22
From: 17A

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

Miles: 16.4Total: 1372.7Woke very well-rested at the Heinis' house. Lady's hamstring was hurting her again, from all of yesterday's climbing, so when Striker offered her a zero day there, she quickly agreed. Sigh. So I was off on my own. BobMikeBob and their brother, Chris, were slackpacking nineteen today, which would bring them to 17A, one day behind me. Lady will start from there tomorrow, and it's just as well. Since talking to Aunt Joan and Uncle Dave the other nigt on the phone, all I can think is buntcake, pie, cable TV, and a comfy bed. I want to bust out some big miles. Not rush, just hike long days to get me there quick. So I'd probably be losing Lady and BMB quick, anyhow. I figure they'll catch up, though, since I'm planning on taking at least two zeroes there.So they dropped me off, and I was hiking at ten-thirty, and I was still hoping to do twenty-two. Alas, it was not to be. New York is hard! The elevation profiles look rather level, but it's because they don't detail all of these little climbs of one or two hundred feet. Sometimes less. But right up rocks. Sometimes I craned my neck to see thenext blaze above me. Yowza. And I kept thinking about Lady. It was just this sort of climbing that hurt her most yesterday. I hope her hamstring treats her forgivingly.To give you an idea, the last seven miles of the day took me five hours. Normally, it would have taken three. But I rolled into the sixteen-mile shelter at seven-something, and that was it for me. I wasn't going to shoot for five more when the terrain up until then had been rocky and wet, not to mention hard to follow (there are no footprints left behind on rock, over grass, on leafbeds.)Happily, I was not alone in the shelter, a I'd expected. When I got close, I saw smoke from the chimney. I met Little Suitcase, who'd been there all day. I'm in a sort of hiker vacuum, stuck between groups. It's good to have company.
Date: 2003-06-23
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 20.5

Miles: 20.5Total: 1393.2Started the day slow. It was all that Little Suitcase could do to get me out of my sleeping bag. And once I was packed and moving, I moved just as slowly. All of these little hundred-foot climbs and drops; a little scrambling, a little sloshing through mud, and a lot of noise. It seems that this part of the trail runs near West Point, so my footfalls were punctuated with the sound of artillery fire. At least there was variation. And weather! Golden sunny and beautiful. But the sunshine turned into muggy heat. (This is not a complaint. MUCH better than rain.) I slowed down even more. Was hoping to make it to Bear Mountain with enough to eat, hit the post office, and be through the zoo before it closed (the trail runs through the zoo, and you have to bypass it if you arrive after hours. So far, I have a pure hike going, and I didn't want to cut this corner.) I succeeded. Barely. A man and his wife treated me to a beer while I waited for a table. Gorged myself on a quesadilla! and a half-pound burger and potato wedges. Booked it to the post office, where the lady was super-friendly, telling me about the places she'd day-hiked. And as I passed through the zoo, they were clearing everyone out. Asked me if I was a thru-hiker, and waved me on. They closed the gates behind me. Crossed the Hudson River in the early evening, and almost called it another short day, but pushed on another four miles past Hemlock Springs Campsite, to this place, a church which allows us hikers their facilities.Thought I'd be alone here, but it seems that Wicked and Bean only did six miles today. Jersey is also here, and who strolls in after dark but Patch, who has been way ahead of us. I haven't seen him since Hot Springs, but he took thirteen-- count 'em-- thirteen zero days for Bonaroo, etc.Nineteen tomorrow. I continue the drive to Massachusetts.
Date: 2003-06-29
From: Rand's View

To: Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 17.4

Miles: 17.4Total: 1497.2We camped last night in a field with a spectacular view of the ridgeline, and that is where I woke. Broke camp in record time. In under an hour after waking up, I was on my way down the mountain with Bean. Three miles out, there was a town a half mile off the trail, with a coffee shop that served 'specialty coffees,' according to Wingfoot. I was hoping for an espresso bar, and did Salisbury deliver. Two hours and one mocha, one dark roast, a scone and guayaba juice later, my craving was satisfied. Ran into Patch and Scout, who had gotten killer magic the night before: music festival tickets, beer, food, shower and a place to stay. The town was amazing. In the two hours we spent there, so many people greeted us, asked us about our hike, and wished us well. One guy driving by stopped just to tell us where a good water source was. Hiked on. The day was rocky, but rewarding. Just after lunch, we broke 2000 feet for the first time since... Virginia? We couldn't remember, exactly. But the view was great. It's more sparsely populated through here, too, than, say, Virginia/WV/Maryland/PA, so the valleys are wooded, and not all fields and houses. Fewer powerlines cutting holes in the ridgelines, too. Aand there was a lovely breeze and temperaures in the low-eighties, to top it off. What a fantastic day to walk. The trail was full of friendly weekenders, too, who gave us food, and there were real, tough climbs, which I had been missing. So at the end of the day, despite sore feet, sore knees, sore shins, I find myself very, very content to be out here.
Date: 2003-07-03
From: Southhampton, Massachusetts

To: Southhampton, Massachusetts
Miles today: 0.0

My cousin Beth logged on last night to inform me that my journal has not been updated since late May. To all of those who were wondering if I fell off the ends of the earth, I have not. In fact, I AM still hiking, still healthy, and very, very happy out here since the rain has finally stopped. It is just that my little brother, Matt, who is in charge of cutting and pasting my entries into this journal, has been neglecting his duties, and up until yesterday, I was oblivious. I have been writing, though, and hopefully, later on today, I will do his job for him and clean up this journal.How did I get to Southhampton, you might wonder, as it is a good hour's drive from any place on the Trail? On the first of July, I got picked up, along with Wicked Wizard, Stringbean, Jersey and Nathan, at US20, just outside of Lee, Massachusetts, by my uncle and aunt, and I am now on my second zero day here. Wicked and Jersey went back yesterday, and Bean and Nathan will return to hiking today. I'll be out tomorrow sometime, and hope to make it to the top of a mountain in time to see some fireworks display.I got new shoes yesterday (yes, the third pair. Fourth if you count the mishap in Shenandoah), and I hope they will make my feet much, much happier. They're not waterproof, but they are mesh, which (I hope) will make them dry faster when they do get wet. Also, I picked up a CD and two tapes. No, I don't carry a CD or tape player on the trail. I succombed to a craving. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, with a bonus CD of six songs. The Verve. And John Hiatt. I will listen to them all day today, then leave them here until later. Now I must busy myself with resending and pasting a whole month of journals. Hope to fill in that huge, gaping hole.