morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Duncannon, Pennsylvania 

To: Duncannon, Pe
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Another storm was expected, I was still a little sore from carrying a full pack, and I had some stuff I wanted to mail home. So I took a zero.I got up early and had a nice breakfast across the street at Goodies, where I ran into New Song and met some locals.   Then I headed to the post office for boxes. I sat on the balcony of the Doyle most of the day working on things and watching the thru hikers come into town. I also watched and visited with some locals.   Duncannon is a sad economically depressed town with a lot of interesting locals.I went through my pack AGAIN in the hopes of trimming some weight. At the post office the box of things I shipped home weighed 2 pounds 11 oz., including 3 tin cookie cutters I bought at the antique store. It was not much weight, but every little bit should help.I went farther down the street for ice cream, and on the way discovered Rockin Robin and her daughter Emma were staying in the back yard of the house with the hiker welcome sign. The 3 of us went for ice cream and caught up. It was good to see familiar faces.I I headed back to the Doyle for dinner and to look at a binder they have about the history of the hotel. I love to learn about the places I visit, and it gave me something to do while I ate.After a quick call to my husband, I started working on my trail journal entries. It has been nice having wifi and doing the journal entries almost daily. But now that I am full time back on the AT, the postings again will only be done whenever I am in town so that I have wifi and can save my phone battery.The AT is calling, and I am ready to hike those miles. I just have to wait out another severe thunder storm and survive just one more night in the Doyle. Once again I will be sleeping fully dressed, with head lamp and valuables ready to grab and bolt in case of fire. Wish me luck!!! (I honestly think I would be safer in the woods!)
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Duncannon, Pe

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

In Duncannon the AT does not run along the main road thru town. Instead it is 1 block over, up the hill and further away from the main road, railroad tracks, and river. It was a very pleasant walk past well kept houses. I could see that even further up the hill the houses were larger and significantly more grand. It was clear, the more money you had, the further up the hill you could afford to live.The AT took me over a few big bridges, next to busy traffic, over railroad tracks, and then thankfully into the quiet woods. I was expecting a brutal climb, but it was not too bad, with lots of switchbacks. Rockin Robin and Emma left Duncannon about the same time. We leap frogged throughout the day.I met Stakes, who like me started at Springer Mountain, but had to leave the AT for a time for medical reasons. Now he too is a flip flopper. He was hiking behind me about 15-20 minutes and saw a large bear right on the trail. The bear grunted at him and moved on. Stakes was sure I must have seen the bear too, but no such luck.We all ended up at Peters Mountain Shelter at various times late afternoon. I also met Cheswick, who is from New Hampshire and started his hike in Miami. He completed the Florida Trail, hiked into Alabama and GA to catch the AT, and will go beyond Katahdin to finish in Newfoundland. And I met Earth, a strapping German guy with a good sense of humor.The company and conversation while we tended to dinner and our individual camp chores were all lively and so much fun. We talked about trails, gear, and adventures. The shelter was huge. The 1st floor was large and open. Rockin Robin, Cheswick, and I enjoyed talking up to the time we went to sleep.The water supply was down a steep trail that claimed to have 300 rock steps. On the way back up I counted over 325 rock steps and 1 VERY large black snake. Despite the tough climb to get water, it was one of my best nights at a shelter on the AT.The AT is calling, and I finally had a wonderful evening with interesting fellow hikers about something other than food!!!!
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

It was tough packing up in the morning. I think we all had a good time together and did not want to leave.The next shelter was 18 miles. I was feeling pretty good and thought I would give it a try. If I could not do it all, I could always pitch my tent - one of the few nice things about carrying everything you own on your back. Your "house" is always with you.Rockin Robin and Emma left just ahead of me and we again leap frogged all day. About 7 miles in we had some lovely trail magic. A wonderful lady named Linda had folding chairs, soft drinks, and Gatorade.   Other hikers had already cleaned out the food she brought. We took a break to visit with her. I noticed that Emma had large blisters on each of her heals. Out came my medical kit. I was glad to help.The rest of the day was tough. We had a descent, and then of course a climb. It was hot, humid, and buggy. And the water was not always the best. Sometime red colored, sometimes brown. Of course there were also the rocks. At times the trail was not too bad. But most of the time the rocks required close attention to avoid tripping and falling. I am beginning to hate the rocks.I FINALLY made it to the shelter Just a little before dark. Several folks I knew decided to camp around a nice fire ring with chairs made from rocks raTher than usending the shelter, which was relately small. I decided to join them around the fire ring. I quickly threw up my tent and visited with everyone briefly as I took off my boots and examined my poor feet. Then I headed to bed. I was pretty pleased with my 18 mile day until some hikers came in after completing 33 miles for the day. (But they are less than 1/2 my age.)I took some pain medication for mt throbbing feet and quickly fell asleep.The AT is calling, and based upon how badly my feet are throbbing, I clearly answered the call.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: stealth camping at Hertline

To: stealth camping a few miles from Port Clinton
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The Port Clinton Hotel is first come first serve. So my goal was to position myself to hike just a few miles Sunday and arrive relatively early in the day to secure a room.Most of the day the trail was terrible - rocks, mud, standing water, heat, humidity, and annoying bugs. At a cross road I thought I spied trail magic. Instead it was the wife of a guy who is trying to beat a record set by a woman by running the AT in 45 days. She and her two small children are his support crew.On I went. I stopped at Eagles Nest shelter and ate. I considered staying, but it would mean too many miles in the morning, and the shelter had a lot of trash everywhere. (More Trail Brats not following the rules.) When I signed the trail journal I saw that Columbo, the guy I helped with the heel injury, wrote in the journal he was doing well but taking time in Port Clinton to let his heel get better.A local hiker told me I should find some camping sites close to Port Clinton. So I hiked on. The trail became more and more rocky as the afternoon wore on. And it became dark early.   A bad storm was coming in. Then there was a terrible climb, straight up, over large rocks. I was starting to get really worried that the storm would hit and I would have no place to pitch my tent.Finally the trail leveled, and I found a little stealth campsite in the trees. I just got my tent up when the rain started. Boy did it rain. It rained hard and through the night to early morning. There was thunder and lightening, and wind. But I was cozy, warm, and dry in my little tent. I just had a hard time sleeping, even with ear plugs.The AT is calling. Thankfully I had a good tent with me!
Date: 2015-06-21
From: stealth camping a few miles from Port Clinton

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 2.4

Packing up took a while because the outside of the tent was soaked and covered with debris. 3 young guys hiked by, all clothed. One was shirtless and wearing a kilt. I am not sure what he had on under it, and I did not ask. The wind blew it up, but I could not see anything (not that I looked .... I was not close enough to get a good look so I did not bother). I saw just a few other people, and they were fully clothed. No willies to count. However, I did see a picture of 2 hikers I know who did hike naked. One was wearing just a sock, and the other used a Buff to barely cover his front.The AT initially appeared to gradually descend. But close to Port Clinton the trail just went straight down, first on dirt, then over large rocks. I felt sorry for a couple climbing up. I was so glad I was tackling this in the daylight and well rested. There was a short walk to town. I found the hotel, got a room, did laundry, and had a large meal - a bowl of lobster bisque, burger, gingerale, and cake. The hotel asks hikers to shower before eatting. The only clean dry clothes I had to put on after my shower was a pair of shorts and a jacket. (I wash but hang my clothes in my motel room to dry.)   So in the middle of June I sat at the bar eatting my meal wearing shorts and a jacket - nothing else. Yes, I was your classic thru hiker in the process of doing laundry. I stuck out like a sore thumb.   But at least I was clean and I smelled good.The AT is calling. I love to be on the trail. But after about 7 days I was getting pretty ripe and my clothes were filthy. Time for a little civilization (and soap and water).
Date: 2015-06-24
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I tried to get a little earlier start this morning. The day day was clear, but again it was hot and humid, and the trail was particularly rocky. Fortunately, for some reason my pack did not feel quite as heavy. I stopped briefly at Dan's Pulpit to enjoy the beautiful view of the farmland below. A small mailbox held a trail journal, but it was full. So I just signed it rather than leaving my usual Churchill quote.I then continued up the rocky trail. At one point the trail just went up and over a huge jumbled pile of boulders, some of which were as big as a Mini Cooper (btw, congrats to Jim & Amy on their engagement).My plan was to stop briefly at the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter, and then continue on at least another 6 miles to the New Tripoli campsite. However, when I reached the shelter I found 2 very nice women, Carley and Christina, newbie backpackers out for just 4 days. I enjoyed talking with them, and they had lots of questions about backpacking & hiking the AT. They were also incredibly funny. My feet and ankles were killing me from the rocks, so I decided to call it a day.Shortly after I arrived Rockin Robin and Emma showed up. A little later a nice woman section hiking, Fog Horn, made it to the shelter. We were having a girls night at the shelter!!! After spending several nights in shelters where I was the only woman, this was a nice treat. We had so much fun talking and laughing. I got a little fire going. The more experienced hikers taught the newbie hikers about everything from shelter etiquette to pee rags and hanging bear bags. Unfortunately it ended all too soon. The sun went down, the fireflies came out, and before we knew it, it was hiker midnight - time to go to sleep.The AT is calling. But first I needed to help some very nice newbie hikers learn the ropes.
Date: 2015-06-26
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Superfund Trailhead, Palmerton PA
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

The original plan was to make it to the George W. Outerbridge. shelter, spend the night, and tackle the steep hand over hand rock climb out of Palmerton well rested in the morning. Both Rockin Robin and I were extremely concerned about the dangerous climb.The first part of the trail was rocky and rough. We found a couple of trail magic coolers left for thru hikers. There were also several gallon jugs of water and even a cooler with dog provisions, such as dog food and treats. Garbage was to be hung in a bear bag. A pipeline crossing was extremely rocky and tough to get over, then the trail smoothed out and was absolutely beautiful. On both sides of the trail lush ferns blanketed the forest floor. Gypsy moths were fluttering everywhere looking for mates. We made it to the shelter by about 2 p.m.Rockin Robin contacted John "Mechanical Man", who provides shuttles and allows hikers to stay in his garage for a small fee. Her plan was to have John slack pack us out of Palmerton for a few days. We would stay in his garage.There is a trail saying - "Hike your own hike." I wish I had followed that saying. Instead I agreed to join her in her plan. I too was concerned about the hand over hand climb coming up. I also did not want to get to Delaware Water Gap until Monday so I could pick up a package, and I was worried about an approaching storm due to hit on Saturday. So we (Rockin Robin, Emma, and I) hiked on past the shelter to the Superfund trailhead where John picked us up and took us to his house. We set up our sleeping pads and sleeping bags on his garage floor. We were able to take much needed showers, and then we were off to the Kunkletown Pub for dinner. It was prime rib night. They had a long list of fresh veggies as sides. So I had the prime rib, baked potatoe, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, and a salad. Yum!! Afterwards we went across the street to the General Store for subs to take with us while we slack packed.I slept surprisingly well on the garage floor. My new lighter sleeping bag is working out very well, and it weighs less than the sleeping bag I sent home.The AT is calling. But first I have to survive the hand over hand rock face climb out of Pulmerton.
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Fox Gap, PA 191

To: Smith Gap Road
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: moderate rain

According to the Weather Channel, there was a 100% chance of rain today. Under the circumstances I decided it was not safe for me to climb hand over hand up a rock face out of Pulmerton. Instead we decided to do the next section of trail, starting at Fox Gap and hiking south to Smith Gap Road where we could be picked up and taken back to John's house to sleep in his garage.We started at Fox Gap at about 8 a.m. We had about an hour to get up and over Wolf Rocks before the weather was supposed to move in. I took the lead to try to push the 3 of us down the trail. I was pleasantly surprised with how fast I was able to hike, especially up hill, but without a full pack. I hope this means the pneumonia is finally gone for good.We made it to Wolf Rocks in good time. There was a blue blazed trail to by pass Wolf Rocks, but we all stuck to the white blazed AT trail. The trail over the boulders was not all that bad, especially compared to the Knife's Edge. Then we set off on toe stubbing rocky trail. The rain picked up, but we stayed relatively warm as long as we kept moving. Before we knew it, we reached Wind Gap at about noon. We could have called John to be picked up, but we decided to continue on to Smith Gap Road as planned. While at Wind Gap we had some very nice trail magic thanks to All the Way and his NJ friend Patrick. Then we were off again. I continued to maintain the lead. Rockin Robin and Emma occassionally caught up to me, but I kept pushing so we stayed warm. Eventually the rocks disappeared, and we made really good time on smooth trail.We reached Smith Gap by about 4:15. We were all soaked to the bone, but we knocked out 16.7 miles of rocky trail in a little more than 8 hours. We called John to pick us up. We felt bad getting into his vehicle soaking wet, but we were very grateful for the ride.We rushed to get showers before heading out to dinner. John's son, who is a budding musician, was playing at the restaurant and we were all going to hear him play. After I got out of the shower, I overheard Rockin Robin tell John that her plans changed, and she was going to leave tomorrow. In other words, after talking me into joining her, and getting me to commit to sharing in her shuttling expenses for a few days, she was bailing on me without discussing it with me first. I was not happy, and I let her know it. Now I was potentially on the hook for 100% of the shuttle fees for tbe next few days rather than just my 1/3. I also felt it was unfair for her to change the plan and discuss it with John before even mentioning it to me first. Although she offered to make up the difference in the shuttling fees, it did not change my feelings about how she handled everything.We all went out for dinner and really enjoyed the food and music. Afterwards Linda, John's wife, graciously let us do a load of laundry and then we went to bed.The AT is calling. I just need to remember to hike my own hike and not get sucked into someone else's plans, especially someone who cannot and should not be trusted.
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Smith Gap Road

To: Smith Gap Road
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The rain continued through the night and into the morning. Although the rain was supposed to stop during the morning hours, there was about a 50% chance of rain early afternoon (in fact it did end up drizzling off and on in the afternoon).I did not want to try climbing up wet slippery rocks, and I did not want to hike the remaining miles in the rain, especially after hiking 16.7 miles yesterday in a steady rain. So I decided to take a zero day. Staying an extra day in John's garage was only $5.00, well worth it to stay warm, dry, and safe.I spent most of the day catching up on my trail journal entries. In the afternoon Short Bus showed up. I initially met Short Bus at Outdoor 76 in Franklin NC when I admired his AT hat and asked him where he bought it. I ran into him again more recently at Bake Oven Knob Shelter. We had dinner together at the Kunkletown Pub. Short Bus has hiked or paddled several places I am familiar with, or hope to visit in the near future, so we had a great time talking about trails, both dirt and liquid.We turned in early. Short Bus is continuing north in the morning and I amgoing to climb the rock face just outside of Pulmerton. The AT is calling. But first I need a good night's sleep. Tomorrow will be VERY tough day.
Date: 2015-07-01
From: Delaware Water Gap 

To: Delaware Water Gap 
Miles today: 0.0

I slept in until 7 a.m. It felt good to sleep in a bed, off the ground or a cement garage floor or a wooden shelter floor. During the month of June I only took 2 zero days. One was taken near Harper's Ferry when the pneumonia came back. The other was in Duncannon, when I first injured my left foot. In Port Clinton I took a nero, I hiked in, spent the night, and hiked out the next morning.The Pocono Inn is rather large. To get ice I must go down a flight of steps, walk down a long hallway, and then walk up another flight of steps. Of course I have to reverse the process to get back to my room. Tough to do with a bum foot.I spent the day resting and icing my foot. Other than to get ice, I did not leave my room. I sure hope this works. The weather for the next few days calls for no rain. The PA/NJ border is just 3/10 of a mile away. And the huge north bound bubble of hikers is fast approaching. I had hoped to stay ahead of most of the bubble to avoid packed shelters and other issues.The AT is calling. I hope my foot heals quickly so I can answer that call.
Date: 2015-07-02
From: Delaware Water Gap 

To: Delaware Water Gap 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Once again I slept in to 7 a.m. It was easy to do with no sun, bugs, birds and other hikers to wake me.My foot felt better, but not great. It is not where it needs to be to continue up the trail comfortably.   So I called the front desk to extend my stay. I also asked about detergent for the washing machine. Many places sell premeasured detergent (at a premium price of course). Not the Pocono Inn. Instead I was told to buy it at one of the nearby gas stations.Great, I needed to walk!! Just what I was trying to avoid. I headed back through the small village of Delaware Water Gap.   I stopped at Edge of the Woods outfitters. Then I explored the consignment shops in the same old building as Zoe's Ice Cream.I also stopped at Church of the Mountain Hostel to see if anyone came in to town that I knew. I ran into Mary Poppins, a section hiking grad student I met a few days ago right after I climbed the rock face. He (yes I said he) is not what you expect when you hear the name Mary Poppins.I picked up a priority box at the post office to mail a few things home. Then stopped at the Village Farmer & Bakery for their famous hot dog & slice of pie special. While I ate I watched them assemble pies - with boxed pre-sliced frozen fruit!! I miss baking!!!Finally I stopped at the gas station for the smallest bottle of Era I have ever seen - but still too much detergent for my needs. Everything that I am carrying and wearing does not even make a full load.I only walked a few blocks, but I walked VERY slowly to avoid aggravating my foot, so it seemed to take FOREVER! When I finally got back to the Pocono Inn I iced my foot and took a nap. I had brochures to order pizza and a salad. Unfortunately the business with the delicious sounding gourmet veggie pizza no longer delivered to Delaware Water Gap.   My second choice delivered, but the pizza was like cardboard. Luckily the salad was good. With no car and trying to avoid walking, my food choices were very limited.I iced my foot again and worked on finishing reading The River, a book given to me by a kind section hiking couple.The AT is calling. But first I need to figure out how to speed up the healing of my left foot. Missing out on beautiful rain free hiking days is killing me!
Date: 2015-07-03
From: Delaware Water Gap 

To: Delaware Water Gap 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke at 4:30 a.m. and decided to get my laundry done. The hotel creeped me out. So I thought it was safest to go to the remote laundry room area by myself very early in the morning. As I was waiting for the washing machine to do its job I thought about the fact that I feel safer in the woods with bears and rattlesnakes than I do as a guest in this creepy hotel just trying to do laundry. After I hung everything in my room to air dry I went back to bed for a while. I had a few things I wanted to send home, and my husband smartly reminded me that Saturday is the 4th of July and the post office would be closed. So I needed to get the package out on Friday. Then the battle with the Pocono Inn started. The AWOL guide said the rates were $55 week days and $65 weekends. From the beginning the hotel did not want to honor those rates, but reluctantly did. However, now the hotel tried to use the holiday weekend to almost double the rate. We went round and round. Unfortunately I needed ice for my foot, and there literally was no place else in Delaware Water Gap me to stay. So I relunctantly agreed to the price gouging, but when I signed the bill, I also wrote I was signing under protest.I decided that no matter what, I was leaving the Pocono Inn on Saturday, July 4th. In the mean time I continued to rest and ice my foot in the hopes it would get better.The AT is calling.   But first, unfortunately, I need to spend one more night in the creepy Pocono Inn.