morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-11
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

Today is hot with temps in the low 90s. For better and worse we get a late start into it. The better is sleeping in at the Red Cardinal B&B and having a good breakfast. The worse is not starting to hike until 9:00 and missing at least 2 hours of hiking in cooler temps. Today we cross the Cumberland Valley, a lush farmland in central PA. The walk is scenic as we crisscross a variety of field crops and certainly a nice change of pace from walking in the woods all day. Would be nicer if it weren't 90+ without shade. By 1:00 it's ghastly hot and we come to a stop by a road with a picnic table and water spigot. In extreme heat your body starts to shut down certain functions in order to save energy and in this heat our appetites are waning but we still force down some tortilla with summer sausage and cheddar. There's a wide river right next to us so we adjourn to its edge for a foot soak. Connor also rinses out his shirt to cool off. We see a couple brown snakes sunning themselves on a branch by the water. We press on. About a mile before we arrive at the shelter we see a sign that recommends getting water 'here' as water at the shelter is intermittent at best, so we 'camel up' with extra water, toting the extra weight over the last mile to the shelter. It's pretty buggy out today so we put up our tent right away to relax without the insect nuisance. As an aside, we both found a couple ticks today so we remain vigilant, periodically checking our legs as we hike. Walk on!
Date: 2017-06-12
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.3

We're up early for the 11 miles into Duncannon, getting up around 5:45 and on the trail by 6:45. Another hot day so starting early to beat some of the heat is part of the plan. The hike is fairly uneventful, mostly downhill with the exception of one challenging climb. We roll into Duncannon around 11:00 and stop by The Doyle, a landmark on the AT, for lunch and to pick up a package mailed from home. Afterward we settle into a motel the night. The next stretch on the trail will be challenging as we continue to battle the heat but also add the notorious rocks of PA along with stretches of limited water. Walk on!
Date: 2017-06-13
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Campsite
Miles today: 16.1

Our stay at the Red Carpet motel is fine, basic motel. The thing I will say though is that the proprietors are super friendly to hikers , offering to pick hikers up from the trail, drive them by a grocery for resupply, a short drive to a restaurant, and a return to the trail the next day. They are immigrants from India and have only been for 5 years but are working their butts off to make it. Back on the trail, the storyline for the rest is the continuing oppressive heat. Temps touch the 90s again and I'm soaked with after the first 10 minutes. We make it a shelter around noon and stop for lunch. The heat is too grueling to get back out so we decide to siesta. We pull out sleeping pads and nap and relax for the next couple hours. Around 3:30 we decide to press on. The campsite we're hiking to is another 5 miles. It's still warm but the sun is starting to fall to a lower angle. Temps are supposed to drop over the next few days with highs only in the mid 80's. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also in the forecast. For dinner we sup on subs we carried out from Duncannon, Connor a cheesesteak and me a chicken parmigiana. Walk on!
Date: 2017-06-14
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 17.0

The day starts with a longer climb, maybe 1 1/2 miles, but then settles into an uncharacteristically long 8 mile gradual descent. The hiking is easy and we move quickly, or at least quicker than normal. All is going well until Connor has a misstep on a muddy patch of trail, his foot slides causing him to miss his next step which happens to be over a rock. The calamity happens quickly and Connor is picking himself up off the ground but not before his left leg is covered in mud and blood is oozing from knee. He's a little shaken by the experience. We find a log and I pour water to rinse the mud off his leg and out of his cut. It stings but he manages. Not to be the last of his woes on the day, I hear grunting once or twice behind me as we hike. I inquire about this and he replies that he thinks he might be getting a blister. We stop right away, pull off sock and shoe and sure enough he's got an angry spot on his left heal. It's already torn so there's no puss so I apply a blister pad and cover it with duct tape for the rest of the days hike. The hike is otherwise pleasant with much nicer temps than the heat we'd been facing. The highlight of the day occurs mid morning. There's a piece of paper with a scribbled note in the middle of the trail: "Rattlesnake! 10:40am". I glance at my watch and see 10:45am. 5 minutes ago. In no time we spot it, about 3 feet long off to the right side of the trail. It only has about 4 rattles on its tail so it's fairly young. We snap a couple pics and part ways. Walk on!
Date: 2017-06-15
From: Campsite

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 13.4

Weather is nice again, slightly overcast and temps making the high 70s with a breeze. Other than some rocky patches of trail we make good time. We arrive at the 501 Shelter around 12:30 and settle in for the afternoon. We just finished 13.5 miles and our next is 15 miles up the trail, too far to press on. This particular shelter is nice with a couple of advantages over most other shelters, 1) its near a town and they will deliver pizza, 2) it has an outdoor shower, cold but refreshing. We take advantage of both, rest, relax, call home. Just a nice relaxing day on the trail. Walk on!
Date: 2017-06-16
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1

A cloudy, gray day. Forecast calls for rain so we put our pack covers on before setting out. We chat more than usual today and the miles melt by. A nice highlight comes about 2/3 of the way through the hike as we come across a trail magic cooler filled with iced cans of Pepsi, 7 Up, Mountain Dew, Root Beer, and Gatorade. We each grab a Mountain Dew and throw it back. Connor grabs a Root Beer and throws it in his pack for dinner later at camp. Smart. Although we're first to the shelter it fills up quickly and before the suns sets there at least another 10 people camping at the site. After 4 days hiking tomorrow is a town as we arrive in Port Clinton. We'll resupply, shower, do laundry and have a good meal. Walk on!
Date: 2017-06-17
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Hamburg, PA
Miles today: 9.3

The hike is short into town but rocky. There's a heavy fog in the air and it makes the rocks slippery. Our feet slide on the edges of the rocks and it slows our pace. There's a hiker picnic in town that we check out as we arrive into town. There's quite a few hikers hanging out, throwing frisbees and footballs, but this hiker picnic is otherwise less organized than others we've come across. They begin to grill burgers on a tiny backyard grill, about 5 patties at a time, and at this rate we'll be here for a couple hours. We decide it's not worth it and head out for our motel. I'm fine paying for lunch and getting my checked into my room sooner rather than later. We catch a ride from the local barbershop whose a friend to the hikers. We do our usual chores -- shower, lunch, resupply and chill out. Walk on!
Date: 2017-06-18
From: Hamburg, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.5

The shelter stop today is notable mainly due to the large number of hikers that are also making this their stop. We seem to be caught in the midst of two hiking bubbles, that is 2 separate groups of thru-hikers that have formed a group that more or less travel together up the trail. Each group has about 5 or 6 hikers. I count 13! tents at the shelter, a lot of humanity sharing space in the wilderness.
Date: 2017-06-19
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4

We are on the trail by 6:40, first ones out of camp. After a 1 mile climb to kick off the day the trail levels out for the remainder. At least were treated to a view at the end of this climb. More often than not this isn't the case. What it lacks in altitude today though it makes up for in a variety of rocky stretches. Sometimes smaller rocks strewn about the trail, other times basketball size rocks that force steps over or around, and still others where the only option is to jump from the top of one rock to the next. We're also racing the clock today as thunderstorms are expected to roll through starting around 2:00. We definitely won't make it 17 miles by 2:00 but we should get close, within a couple miles. The goal is to put as many of the rocks behind us that we can before the rain hits, mainly because it's easier to navigate these rocks when they're dry as opposed to slick with rain. We make good time and get past the worst of the rocks before the rain hits. The rain itself, while somewhat heavy, actually feels pretty nice when combined with the exertion of hiking. We don't even bother putting on rain jackets. We arrive at the shelter during a lull in the storm. This is good fortune as we race to put up our tent before the next round of thunderstorms hit. We get things set up and situated just in time and dive into the tent as round 2 begins. The rain falls for the next 4 hours but we're dry in our tent, snacking, napping, and reading. Walk on!
Date: 2017-06-20
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 7.9

Today is a really nice day. The downpour from yesterday has cooled everything down and the forest seems invigorated, the morning sun glistening through the damp forest as we set out at 7:00a. The miles are short today as we plan a trip into Palmerton, first crossing the Lehigh river to get there. This little town is absolutely charming, easily one of my favorites on the entire trail. It has a bustling main street lined with independently owned shops that all seem to be doing well. There are no fast food restaurants but rather several charming options on this strip. We brunch at Bert's which also happens to host a hostel in the back. $20 gets a bunk, shower, and access to laundry -- the simple needs of a hiker. We clean up after brunch and hit the streets to resupply for the last couple days of this years section. We don't need much - pop tarts, dried apricots, a couple Clif bars, and Connor wants to carry candy so we toss in a bag of Jolly Ranchers (I first veto the Sour Patch Kids request ;-). We then dash over to the library where I finalize the logistics for our exit from the trail. The itinerary first takes us from Delaware Water Gap to Philadelphia via Greyhound bus where, upon recommendation from a few hikers, we will sightsee Philly's offerings. After a couple days we will then jet back to Atlanta. We head back to the hostel and low and behold we bump into Gadget Girl for the 3rd time on this trip and she's also staying at the hostel. We first met Gadget Girl on the trail in 2015 and it's crazy coincidence to see her again. The three of us have dinner together at the Palmerton Hotel and its good to finally be able to stop and chat without having to be on the move in the midst of hiking. This has been a very good stop. Walk on!
Date: 2017-06-21
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

The hostel we're at is actually the backside of a diner called Bert's. The hostel is accessed via the back alley and has its own entrance. It's modest with a small living room large enough for a couch, a chair, tv, and a window A/C unit. Just off this room is the bunk room that sleeps 6 with 2 bunk beds and 2 cots. There's a separate shower and they also offer a laundry in the basement. Bert's has a shuttle to the trail (about a mile back) this morning that leaves at 8:00. We get up around 6:45, load and secure our packs, and head around to the diner in front for breakfast. Connor has pancakes, I have an egg sandwich. We have a rugged climb to start the day. The climb is called Lehigh Gap and is a notoriously steep wall of rock. This is the first time on this trip, and really since I can remember, that I actually secure my poles to my pack. I need both hands free as sections of this climb rise so steeply that hand over hand climbing is the only option. I'm glad to tackle this piece in the morning as there is no shade and the rocks haven't yet warmed. I clamber up and Connor does the same behind. His youth and slightly lighter pack make him more nimble. He comments how fun this might be if we weren't actually climbing this wall without all of our possessions strapped to our back. Progress is slow but steady, and like all other climbs we reach the top with a satisfying view of the Lehigh River running through Lehigh Gap below. Only 40 minutes ago we were at the bottom of this hill and it's satisfying to see the distance we've covered. The rest of the days hike is mostly uneventful. Sections of the trail are grassier and we check frequently for ticks, both of us finding a couple on our socks. These are the larger variety of tick, not the notorious deer ticks. We come across a small snake we haven't seen before and snap a pic to identify it later. With about 3 miles until the shelter I notice Connor lagging a bit behind me. He's usually right on my heels. I slow up to inquire if everything's ok and he tells me his heel is giving him problems. We stop right away and have a look to see his heel angry and red. He has a decent callous already so we miss the worst part -- another blister has formed beneath the callous. Not realizing this we put a blister pad and duct tape over the whole thing. What I/we SHOULD have done is, had we known about it, first drain the blister as it's really the puss filled blister that causes the most pain and discomfort, then tape it up. We push on and our heel application gives him little relief. The last mile to the shelter becomes one of the longest and slowest we've ever traversed, the pain in his heel so debilitating. Over this mile I'm already worrying about tomorrow, a 20 miler over a very rocky stretch. At the shelter we take off all of the tape and pads and only at this time realize the true nature of the blister. We lance it and hope a good nights rest while airing out will be enough to get us through our last day. Walk on!
Date: 2017-06-22
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.1

Today is our last for our 2017 section and the accompanying 20 miles will be our longest day this year as well (we've done longer in previous years, our longest single day being 26.4). We get up around 5:00 and are on the trail shortly after 6:00. At this early hour we're treated to one of my favorite views when we come to a power line clearing view of the valley below. The combination of cool morning air conditions and 'heavy' clouds has caused the clouds to settle low in the crevices between and around the surrounding mountains. The top of the mountains poke through these low clouds, looking like green islands amidst a white sea. This is a very difficult day of hiking. Not really due the miles as our legs are strong, but the rocks in the trail are relentless. Our feet harbor the abuse of this long day with each step, twisting and turning to find to find an accommodating step, rarely succeeding. I develop a blister on my left pinky toe that needs to be treated and before the day is out also the beginnings of a new blister on the outside of my left heal. All of this blister treatment on this trip is new territory for us since in all the all our years of hiking we've never had blister problems. Fortunately Connor's heel is fine today and it's only my own issues that need attention. Despite the rocks, despite the foot travails, we make decent time and after a steep descent into Delaware Water Gap we arrive around 2:30. Pretty good time. There's an ice cream shop as we enter town and we stop first for a celebratory shake before heading to the Delaware Water Gap Country Club for the evening. They offer rooms to hikers and are generally very accommodating to the hiker community, offering us Gatorade, laundry, and rides into town. It's a nice finish to this years hike. With this years 270 mile stretch we've now completed almost 1300 miles of the AT, with still about 900 to go. Walk on!
Date: 2018-05-30
To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Up at 7a for travel day back to the AT where got off last year. Loaded up the packs last night so there¢s little to do this morning other than shower and get rolling. Roxana and Iowa are out of town so we have a brief detour to drop Mr. Tibbs off at Sumarie¢s. Airport is uneventful, we have ample time to check bags and navigate security. We grab Popeyes for breakfast and make a quick call to Rox and Iowa before boarding. We have a couple hours in Philadelphia between our flight and our Greyhound so we stumble upon the Reading Market for lunch, the same place we lunched last year. Just as crowded. After, we hop on the bus for the 3 hour ride. As the Greyhound pulls into Delaware Water Gap I see our ride waiting to take us to the hotel. It¢s a couple miles from the station to the lodging so it¢s nice to have this ride. The only snafu upon arrival is that I had asked Colleen, our contact at the hotel, to pick up a fuel cannister for us since we can¢t fly with that, but the cannister she picked up doesn¢t fit our Jetboil. We¢ll get a later start tomorrow morning since we now have to wait for the outfitter to open at 10a to pick up fuel before we can leave. We¢re not walking too far today though so no worries. Walk on!
Date: 2018-05-31
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 13.5

We wake around 8a. There¢s no rush to get moving since the store that sells camp fuel doesn¢t open until 10a. I turn the mini blinds and look out to a gray shroud, mist drifting through the air accumulating as a steady stream of drips coming off the awning. Today is forecast as the 1st of 3 gray, rainy days. The gentleman working the front desk agrees to give us a lift to the camp store saving the mile walk. They¢re friendly, casual and accommodating at this place. Our transaction at the camp store is quick, they have exactly what we need, and afterward I ask the owner if he minds taking a pic before setting out. Roxana has a collection of ¢day 1¢ pics and requested another for the annals. Shortly after we¢re walking. The first piece of business is a long bridge crossing the Delaware River. Half way through a painted marker on the ground denotes the line between PA and NJ. We¢ve just crossed into our next state. The trail is familiar with so many miles under our belt and we fall into an easy rhythm. We spot 2 deer notching our first wildlife sightings. The weather is solid gray but no rain other than occasional drips off of the trees. We take a few intermittent breaks but mostly keep moving. With the gray shroud any views are completely obscured. We pass Sunfish Pond which would be otherwise be scenic but today is more reminiscent of Loch Ness. We later come across a fire tower, usually great for climbing to an expansive view, but we don¢t even bother climbing today. There¢s no shelter within comfortable hiking distance so we camp on a level spot near a water source. Shortly after we get the tent up it does start to rain and we snack, nap, read, listen to music and doze some more as the rain patters the rain fly. Walk on!
Date: 2018-06-01
From: Campsite 

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 17.9

It¢s a gray morning after a rainy night. Not raining now but water is dripping off the trees, off everything. We break camp and are on the trail by 7:20a. Visibility is maybe 40-50 yards so not much to see besides the trail ahead. Everything is wet from the rain and our boots slick the water from the trail side grass into our shoes. In no time our shoes and socks are soaked and it¢s not even raining. The next shelter is 11 miles away - very doable, but we¢re led by our stomachs today where there¢s a burger place at 14 miles. We press on for a late lunch, tasty but a little pricey. Only after stopping do I feel the toll. I have a hotspot on the ball of my left foot and my right heel, and my waist is achy from the pressure of the waist belt, small blisters on my thumbs from the hiking poles, and chaffing in other areas. We spend a couple hours relaxing over lunch before pushing on. We still have 3 miles to the camp site. Our goal is to not sweat over the 3 mile hike but that quickly falls to the wayside, no matter how slow we hike. By the time we reach camp my shirt is soaked again. The camp area is very buggy and we hustle to get the tent up. Once inside we get our relax on after a nearly 18 mile day 2. Too much. A thunderstorm rolls through around 9p and pelts the tent for at least an hour. Walk on!
Date: 2018-06-02
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 12.4

The mosquitoes at Gren Anderson are relentless! They were relentless last night and a drenching downpour and cooler morning have done nothing to abate them. It¢s a mad rush to take down the tent and pack our gear in order to get moving. Even hiking they can still track you down but it makes it more difficult for them, and they seem to focus less on the head and more on arms, shoulders (through the shirt!) and legs. New Jersey is a rocky state, rockier than I remember and we¢re both looking forward to getting our trail legs so we can pack on bigger miles and put this behind us. Besides the rocky scrambles today is wickedly humid. My shirt is soaked through as well as the bandana on my head and sweat is pouring off me. The temp isn¢t bad, just humid. We debate going to a hostel today for a shower and will make our decision at High Point Sate Park HQ. However about 15 minutes before we get to the HQ there¢s a tremendous crack of lightning and the heavens open up. I know we¢re close but not close enough and over the next few minutes we¢re totally soaked. Unknown to us, today is Natl Hiker Day and they¢ve set up a tent at the HQ to serve ham, egg and cheese sandwiches, coffee and pastries! We each scarf down a couple and then Connor goes back to grab 2 more to carry out with us for dinner. Nice call! The mileage¢s between campsites over the next few days are odd - relegating us to either a somewhat tame 12-13 miles or an overtaxing 23-24. We¢re not ready for 20+ mile days by a stretch but at the same 12-13 mile days we can usually knock out by 1:00p if not earlier leaving us sitting around camp for another 7 hours of daylight before it starts to get dark. Walk on!