morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-21
From: Troutville (Rt 220)

To: Greyhound Bus
Miles today: 0.0

This morning I decide that the best thing for my shin/ankle would be to go home and rest for a few days. I cannot walk without extreme pain. I reserved a seat on the Greyhound from Roanoke to Harrisburg. The bus doesn't leave until 8:45pm. After eating at the Chinese buffet near the Econolodge, Dirty Harry and I went to the outfitters and got a ride to the bus station in downtown Roanoke. Dirty Harry was going to leave the trail for a week to see his daughter graduate in Maine. His bus didn't leave until 2:00am. We had time to kill so we took a bus to the movie theater to see Matrix II. An ok movie, but I almost fell asleep twice during it. My bus to Harrisburg left Roanoke about 9:30. I happened to sit next to the only lady in the bus that wanted to talk. So much for sleeping. She ended up getting off before Richmand, so I ended up sleeping most of the way to Harrisburg. I was so happy to get off the bus at 7:15 am and see Teri waiting for me. What a site for sore eyes! She made an appointment for me to see Dr. Drewman. The x-rays showed not fractures, so must me a bad sprain and shinsplint. I am to be on crutches for a while and probably won't be on the trail for at least another week, but I think It may take two. At the moment this is just a set-back, I have enough time to still finish the trail before the end of August and I intend to finish it.
Date: 2003-05-22
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's very nice being home.. I do wish it was under different circumstances but I am not too worried about it. At the moment I have plenty of time to finish the trail. I slept most of the day. I have a severe sleep deficit to make up. My left leg looks bad so I will try to do everything I can to speed my recovery. I actually can't see me hitting the trail for another 2 weeks, but who knows, maybe I'll recover quicker. I will keep you informed.
Date: 2003-05-23
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today I slept in until 9:00am. It's so nice to sleep in my own bed. I met Eric, Dave Shaner and Tom for lunch today. We got caught up with things and it was very nice. I also spent a few hours at work catching up with everyone. It doesn't appear that much has changed on the bussiness side over the last two months. I am not sure if this motivates me to come back.
Date: 2003-05-27
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I've spent the last couple days resting and enjoying my time at home. The swelling in my ankle has gone down significantly, and the only pain is in my lower shin. I can almost walk normally but not without pain in my shin. At this point I think that I may be able to start hiking again this weekend but I won't know for sure until then. I should mention that I might hike backwards from Boiling Springs to Troutville and then return to Boiling Springs to continue my "North-bound" hike. This will allow me to ease back into hiking. For the next two days I will be going to the western part of PA to visit my parents. I still have plenty of time to finish the trail before the end of August. No worries.
Date: 2003-05-31
From: Leidigh Road (Home)

To: Whiskey Springs Road (Home)
Miles today: 4.9

I decided to re-start my thru-hike today. This may not be the best of decisions considering the doctor thinks I should be off my feet for another week or so. But I am getting restless and need to be on the trail if I have any chance of finishing before the end of August. The hike today was short and slow (I may need to change my name since Fly-By may not be appropriate for a while) with many breaks. It took me about 3 hours to do the 4.9 miles. But I did take a long break at Alex Kennedy Shelter and talked to a number of very nice people section hiking. I also met two NoBo hikers. As far as my injury is concerned, my ankle is about 95%, but my shin is 50% at best. The positive about today is that my shin didn't feel any worse afterwards. Tomorrow I will try a 13 miler to Pine Grove Furnace, and pass the halfway point in the trail. But it won't be the half way for me. I still have 2/3's of the trail to go. Oh ya, I should mention that it rained today, but that is starting to be a given.
Date: 2003-06-01
From: Whiskey Springs Road (Home)

To: Pine Grove Furnace (Home)
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

My second day back on the trail felt good. I still don't feel like a thru-hiker again but I am sure that will return soon, especially when I don't spend the nights at home. I passed a number of thru-hikers going north today and even got some trail magic from some kind people from Ohio that are visiting another thru-hiker. One guy I talked to said that he was the 134th northbound hiker thru Harpers Ferry in 2003. He was there about a week ago. Hopefully I will be there in a few days. I finished at the General Store at Pine Grove Furnace and thought about doing the half-gallon challenge, but decided to wait until I come back from Troutville. That will be after I really do half the trail. Leg is OK, but my upper legs were surprisingly sore after I was done. I have a 20.5 miler planned for tomorrow...it's going to be a long day.
Date: 2003-06-02
From: Pine Grove Furnace (Home)

To: Shippensburg Road
Miles today: 8.7

The day started out ok. I started walking south at 9:30 from Pine Grove Furnace with the intention of hiking 20 miles to Caledonia State Park. About 1:00 I reached Shippensburg Road. I needed a break but decided to walk another mile to Birch Run Shelters and break for lunch there. Half way to the shelters I decided that this was just no fun anymore. The day was beautiful, but walking with the pain from my stress fracture is just not how I want to hike my hike. I walked back to Shippensburg Road and got a ride back to my car from a Michaux Forest Officer. I decided to get a half-gallon of icecream at the General Store, not to celebrate the half-way point like most hikers but to drown my sorrows. Well, I didn't finish that either. I ate about 3/4 of the half-gallon of MooseTracks before I just couldn't eat anymore. It was good and I had fun trying. At this point, I am unsure if I'll continue my hike. My plan now is to let my leg heal completely and then decide. If you want to get a hold of me, you know where I will be...home.
Date: 2003-06-09
From: Leidigh Road

To: Rt. 641
Miles today: 5.2

After taking another week off the trail to let my leg get reinjured (another story for another time-I still have a hard time joking about it) and recover, I decided to take another test walk. This time I decided to go north and do part of the Cumberland Valley since it is very flat with very few rocks. I am still not sure what my hiking plan will look like, but I do know one thing for sure...I will do everything in my power to finish my thru-hike this year. My leg is ok, but I have very little strength and even less range of motion with my left foot. I think that short hikes like todays help it gain more strength, so I will continue these. I did enjoy todays hike since the weather was terrific. Tomorrow is to be nice again.
Date: 2003-06-10
From: Rt. 641

To: Rt. 944
Miles today: 8.2

My second day "back" on the trail. I decided to do another conservative mileage day and I felt great. My leg even felt better afterwards. I think easy walking really loosens it up and is better than just sitting around. I actually walked southbound from PA944 to PA641 today. It was a beautiful day, but the trail was a mud pit for the first 4 miles. I passed about 10 NOBO's today (lost count) including Litefoot. It was good talking to them and it really made me want to get back on the trail even more.I decided that I will cut the chord from home on Sunday when I leave from Duncannon. My plan is to head north to Katadin which I should be able to do before the end of August without rushing. I will then finish the section from Troutville to Shippensburg Road (about 300 miles) with whatever time I have remaining in August and/or weekends during the fall. This means that the end of my trip may not be as dramatic since I won't finish in Maine, but that doesn't mean that it won't be as meaningful. Maybe I will be able to finish the last few steps and share the joy with some of my family and friends present...that would be really nice especially since they each played their special role.   I will take tomorrow off of hiking and then do the PA944 to Duncannon Section on Thursday.
Date: 2003-06-14
From: Rt. 944

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

What a great day to hike! My friend from work, Tom Henry, joined me today. We had a great time, I'm really glad that he joined me. The hike was easy for the most part except for the downhill section coming off of Hawk Rocks near the end. At Cove Mtn Shelter, we met a Boy Scout Troop from Biglerville that was out for the weekend. Earlier in the day, they saw a 20 foot rattlesnake! Actually it was more like 8, but we all agreed that 20 sounded better. Tom and I saw two snakes, a 4 foot black snake and a 1 foot garder snake. Otherwise we only saw, a couple day hikers and one section hiker from Gettysburg...no thru-hikers. I actually didn't think we would see any due to the time of day we started and the section. I should correct that, we did see many thru-hikers in Duncannon hanging out at the Doyle. Tomorrow morning I leave from Duncannon with my friends Eric and Dave Shaner from work. They will join me for the next 5 to 7 days. I'm sure it will be a good time. Well, I'm off to Maine!p.s The leg is about at 85%, I'm feeling good.
Date: 2003-06-15
From: Duncannon

To: Peter's Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.4

Today is the day that I "cut the chord" and head out on the trail again for overnight stays and what better way to start but with two of my closest friends from work, Eric and Dave. Dave's wife Terri dropped us off at the square in Duncannon around 9:30 and we were off. The day was great overall especially since we had perfect weather (that is suppose to continue all week). Dave and Eric had to slow down a little for me since my leg is still a little tender. We reached Peters Mountain Shelter around 4:00 and had a nice evening talking to "Tuesday Night Norm", who was a good conversationalist, and Speilburg. We only saw one snake today. We couldn't identify it, but it was small, mostly brown with markings on its back. Out best guess was a young rattle snake. Footslogger and Recycled spotted two large rattlesnakes!The leg feels good and I am very happy to be back on the trail.
Date: 2003-06-16
From: Peter's Mtn Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Dave was up at sunrise and had already eaten by the time that I pulled my self out of my sleeping bag. We were on the trail by 7:30. Another day with beautiful weather! Today was our longest planned mileage day, so we took a number of breaks. We stopped for lunch at the Horseshoe Trail trailhead. While stitting on a log enjoying the day I heard leaves moving behind me and turned to find a two foot rattlesnake! He was heading in my direction, so boy did I move away fast. We watched him for a while and he gave us a warning rattle. Later on in the day, I heard Eric and Dave yelling behind me and pointing to a 4 foot black snake that I unknowingly just walked right over! We watched it move off the trail and then noticed two other even larger black snakes in the woods. These were the first "real" snakes we saw in our trip...it was cool!We reached Rausch Gap Shelter around 5:00 and were greeted by Jeff from Mercersburg and his sun Ben. They were doing a week long trip southbound from Port Clinton to Duncannon. We had a nice evening talking to them and eating. We were really hungry during that last few miles of our hike and Dave made it worse by talking about Ben and Jerry's and Cinnabons! I could really go for a Cinnabon. We're having a great time!
Date: 2003-06-17
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The night before we decided to walk the extra 4 miles today to the 501 Shelter. The main reason for this was so that we could have pizza delivered. Yes, I will walk an extra 4 miles for Pizza anyday! No arm twisting needed. We were up and on the trail by 6:30am. After another long day of hiking, with two nice climbs, we reached the 501 shelter around 4:30. Being tired and hungry we had all but one slice out of two large pizzas eaten before 6:30. Boy did that hit the spot. We only saw two black snakes today, despite the many reports of rattlesnakes along this section of trail.Dave had developed some really bad blisters today and isn't sure if he will continue on with me tomorrow. Eric had originally planned to leave tomorrow from Rt. 501 and Dave was thinking of going home also. The last two days of hiking were tough and we were all feeling it. I am also thinking of taking a zero day tomorrow since my leg was feeling very tired and could use some rest. I will see how I feel after a nights sleep.The shelter was surprisingly empty, we only had to shared it with Spiderman and Footslogger. We were all sleeping (or atleast trying) by 9:00pm.
Date: 2003-06-18
From: 501 Shelter

To: 501 Shelter (Home)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So much for the weather being nice all week. It rained all night last night. I decided this morning to get a ride with Eric's mom back to my house to get a good nights sleep with good meals. Glenn will give me a ride back to the trail tomorrow morning.I had a great time hiking with Dave and Eric during the last three days and hate to see them go. We discussed them doing another section with me before the end of my trip...I hope it works out. Eric's mom picked us up around 10:30. On the way to my house, we (with a big push from me) decided to stop at Bruster's for icecream. Was that good!
Date: 2003-06-19
From: 501 Shelter (Home)

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Glenn dropped me off at the Rt. 501 trailhead this morning around 9:30. My inlaws have been quite helpful by shuttling me around the last few weeks. The morning was overcast and very humid, but the afternoon was terrific since the sun came out. The thunderstorms that were forecasted never came but they could be heard in the distance. I arrived at the shelter around 4:30 to find it occupied by some hikers. Some of them (Trog, Reststep, and SWIFT) I met just before I got off the trail in VA three weeks earlier, what a coincidence. Super Dave, the section hiker that gave us food at Rausch Gap shelter was tenting nearby. I tried something new for dinner today. I carried in a raw potato. I cut it up in small peices, boiled it, without draining any water, I added ramen noodles and a lentil soup mix. It turned out to be a great tasting meal with lots of nutrition. Surprisingly the potatos did cook most of the way so they were not very hard. I will definitly do that again.Oh ya, it finally did rain about 12:30 at night. Note to Dave Shaner: The trail from 501 to Herlein Campsite is very rocky. Eventhough the campsite with the pond is VERY nice (I took some photos), it may not be a section to hike with Terri. Starting at Rt 143 and heading south would be a better plan eventhough that was very wet and muddy.Leg update: It feels tired today and definitely not improving.
Date: 2003-06-20
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: few clouds

Got up around 6:00am so that I could do the 8.6 miles into Port Clinton and have enough time for breakfast and still make the Eckville Shelter before sundown. That plan went right out the window coming down into Port Clinton. It started raining a couple miles out, but walking in it wasn't bad except for the slippery rocks. I was coming down the steep part (about 200 yards from the bottom) of the hill into Port Clinton when I slipped backwards and hit my leg. It wasn't bad but it was a wake-up call. It told me two things. One is that my leg isn't getting any better. The second is how fragile my leg really is. I fall wasn't bad, but appearantly it doesn't need to be for me to get re-injured. I decided to practice good judgement (is this really me?) and get off the trail again (for the 3rd time) so that I can let me leg heal fully. What this really means is that I most likely will not make it to Maine by the end of August and I won't finish the trail this year. I'm ok with that (I guess I have to be), but I intend to finish as much of the trail as possible once I am completely better. With this plan I don't feel like I am quiting, eventhough I may not finish the trail, I hate to quit for any reason. At the very least I may be able to section hike the trail over the next year or so and still be a 2000 miler. Someday I will return and thru-hike the trail. I wish everyone I was hiking with the best and happy trails!By the way, if any hikers need anything when they reach Boiling Springs, give me a call at 717-258-0290 and I will try to help.Almost forgot, the best place the spend a rainy day in Port Clinton is at the Port Clinton Hotel (and bar). Reststep, SuperDave and I spent more than enough time there today and had a good time. I actually down a beer.
Date: 2003-07-16
From: Port Clinton

To: Dan's Spring
Miles today: 18.0

Another "Restart" of my Thru-hike,except this time I don't expect to get to Maine due to my time constraints, but I do expect to be on the trail for the next 5 or 6 weeks enjoying the experience. Today was nice with no rain, the trail was rocky (not too bad) and the bugs were out. The highlight of today was the Pinnacle, probably the best overlook in PA. I ate lunch there and took a little knap. Later in the day, I stopped at the Eckville Shelter, the same shelter that Teri, Beth, Eric and I stayed at about 2 years ago, except this time I just made dinner, got icecream and headed north again. I managed to go less than 4 miles in the 2 hours after dinner, due to the rocks and climb, before I setup my hammock for a good nights sleep. This is the rockiest part of PA and I understand that it will be like this until the Deleware Water Gap. By the way, I ran into Paul, Sharon, and their dog at the shelter.
Date: 2003-07-17
From: Dan's Spring

To: Palmerton
Miles today: 20.6

Slept ok last night in my hammock. My back still got a little cold even though the temperature was mild. I think I need something more than my space blanket. The walk today was interesting with half of it being very rocky and the other half on very nice logging roads. The Knifes Edge was interesting and made me a little nervous. I ate lunch at Bake Oven Knob, which rivals the Pinnacle for the best view in PA. While I was eating lunch mother with her 3 young daughters talked to me. They were very interested in my hike. I met another hiker named "Chemo" at the last shelter before town so we hiked down the mountain and hitched a ride with the shelter caretaker. Palmerton is a nice little town and with the half-bare zinc damaged ridges it looks like it should be out west somewhere. This may sound crazy but the mountains look beautiful from town. I am staying at the hostel in the basement of city hall. It was rumored to be an old jailhouse, but the policeman told us it was only used as a holding tank for drunks and the town has never had a jail. It was very nice for the price, free.
Date: 2003-07-18
From: Palmerton

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept good last night in the basement of Palmerton City Hall. Had a good breakfast and got a ride back to the trail from a local coming out of the restaurant. The climb out of Lehigh Gap was spectacular and the most technical and unnerving of the trip to date. I mentioned yesterday that the superfund site looked beautiful from town, but close-up the devastation looked sad and disturbing. To think that we caused all that damage! Vegetation is just starting to come back, but no animals or even insects are present. I was trying to get about 25 miles in today so that I could get to the Delaware Water Gap post office by 11:30 on Saturday to get my maildrop. I didn't quite make the mileage. I got to Wind Gap around 7pm and got water at the Gateway Hotel when severe thunderstorms came in. I was going to wait it out, but it looked like an all evening rain (which it turned out to be). So I took-up Paul and Sharon's offer to stay on the floor in their room with their dog Bala, "Two-Dog-Night" and her dog Dilan. It was a very small and overpriced room but we were dry. Looks like I may spend a zero day in the D.W.G to wait for my maildrop. It's been an interesting day.
Date: 2003-07-19
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

After an ok nights sleep on the floor with the two dogs, I headed out eager to get to the Delaware Water Gap. The hike was rocky but I focused on moving forward and tried not to think about it too much so it wasn't too bad. But I am glad to be done with the rocks of PA. The last 4 miles down into town was actually quite nice. Very beautiful with lots of views and an easy trail. Lots of day hikers around the D.W.G. I met another thru-hiker named "HotRod" from Ohio and we had a nice time talking and eating at an Italian place in town. I should mention that the Church of the Mountain Hostel was really nice and I would recommend staying there. I saw many hikers there today that I met at one time or another early in my hike including T-Bird, Mopsi (Michele), Crazy Talk, Doc, Llama, and Coy.
Date: 2003-07-20
From: NY17A

To: Palisades Pkwy
Miles today: 11.5

Dropped off at NY route 17A near Arden so that I could skip ahead about 100 miles which will improve my chances of reaching Maine by my deadline at the end of August. I need to average around 20 miles/day for the next 39 days. That does not sound too bad but considering that I may only average 12 miles/day thru the White Mountains and Sounthern Maine it will be a challenge. I may have to skip ahead again. I am very happy to be back on the trail. My attitude is good, have lots of energy and very little pain. The walk today was great thru Harriman State Park. This is one section that you would not want to miss because of the beauty. Today I finally met the guy named "Fly By Night". I have heard about him before and he of me. I left them at the shelter so that I could go to the top of Black Mt. to see the view south to New York City (according to the guide book). I saw lots of great views but none of NYC. I wanted to camp there, but there was no good spot so I headed north off the mountian and camped just past the Palisades Parkway. Not a terrific place but it was getting very dark and I was tired. I will be sleeping with the sounds of traffic and a cannon fire, probably from West Point, every hour.