morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-17
From: MD Route 17, Wolfsville Road

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: broken clouds

Left Hostel at 8:15 AM with Retread. SHOE remained behind to collect a package and maybe take a Zero day. I made good time and got to Pen-Mar Park by 11:30 AM, had lunch, hung out and waited for Retread. It is actually cool today!We left about 1:00 PM and passed out of Maryland, into Pennsylvania at about 1:10 PM. Not much of a marker to mark the transition.Good day hiking, cool, pleasant, not too much climb.We passed two shelters and went to Tumbling Run. We were the only ones there.My legs are hurting in some new places, like the quadriceps (upper legs, in front). I think that it's due to the new shoes (Montrail Hardrock trail-running style shoes). Fortunately, my leges don't hurt much, but I must be using new muscles.Also, my little toes hurt, still, but not nearly as much. They sting, as opposed to having excurtiating pain. I think that it's due to the trauma of hiking 500 miles with ill-fitting leather boots. My feet, including toes, are much better in the new shoes.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Shelter at 7:00 AM. I've gotten where I wake up about 5:30 AM each day. Of course, it takes me about an hour and a half to 1) have coffee; 2) eat breakfast and 3) pack up.It was a nice hike, but I had to climb over huge rocks just before Caledonia State Park. Had lunch from the Concession Stand at Caledonia State Park, with Retread & Circumstance.It was a fairly easy walk in the afternoon. About 4:30, it started lightning and thunder and some rain. I got to the Shelter about 5:25 PM, and watched the heavy rain from inside the Shelter. It is a very satisfying feeling to watch it rain, from inside the Shelter, where it is dry and comfortable.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Iron Masters Mansion Hostel
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was very cold last night - my thermometer said it was 42 degrees at 6:30 AM. I was very cold in my light sleeping bag.Got on the Trail about 7:15 AM. About mid-morning, I, along with Retread, passed the half-way pon8int We were dissappointed that there was no unofficial mark fort the half-way point.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA (Doyle Hotel)
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up about 5:30 AM and talked to group of section hikers, Vachon and Retread. Got on the Trail about 7:15 AMPretty smooth walking except that we got a dose of the famous Pennsylvania rocks - there was about 3 miles of constant rocks. From what everyone says, there are many, many more rocks to cross before completing PA section of the AT.I got to the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon about 12:30 PM. It is an old, classic hotel. Meaning, it is run down, but it is a Hiker favorite. Has a great bar. Also, cheap, at about $30 for a room for two of us (I'm sharing a room with Retread).Lots of hikers here and it's a convivial atmosphere.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Duncannon, PA (Doyle Hotel)

To: Spring/Camping Site at 1152.8 miles
Miles today: 17.4

Stayed in the Doyle Hotel last night. Interesting, old hotel. It must have been quite a luxurious place in the 20's or 30's.I got up about 6:30 and went across the street and had breakfast with Retread at Goodies. After that, I packed up and left about 8:15 AM. Retread stayed there for a Zero day. Since we had been hikng together for several weeks, it felt very strange to hike out without him. It was a long climb out of the river valley, and I began seeing long stretches of the famed Pennsylvania rocks.I camped out near two streams about 6:30 PM.   I thought that I was going to be the only person there, but GRITs showed up. At first, I was a bit dismayed, as I looked forward to the solitude. Then, as usual, he and I had some conversation and I was glad that he was there.   It thunderstormed during the night, but I was dry and secure in the tent and the rain sound was very enjoyable.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Spring/Camping Site at 1152.8 miles

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I left that Spring at about 8:00 AM. It was not a bad walk, but again ran into long stretches of rock. I passed the 1176 mile mark, which means that I have less than a 1000 miles to go!I didn't intend to to nearly 25 miles, but about 6:00 PM, when I intended to stop, I had just climbed up a mountain and was on a ridge. It was very overgrown and bugs everywhere, and no place to camp, so I walked on another 7 miles to get to the William Penn Shelter area. I camped out across from the Shelter. I did not get in until 8:45 PM, at which point I was very tired. I did not eat supper as it was late and I was tired; that was probably a mistake.Conan and Grits were also camped out, and Timeless was over in the Shelter.
Date: 2008-06-25
From: William Penn Shelter

To: Hertlein Camping Area
Miles today: 9.7

I slept until 9:00 AM, very late for a hiker! I was really tired, which was a harbinger of things to come. I got on the trail about 10:00 AM and hiked for two hours. I came to a road, PA 501, near a town called Pine Grove. I had looked ahead in my guidebook and saw that Pine Grove had a supermarket, and was the only chance for resupply of food for some 50-75 miles. So, I hitchhiked in to the town (about 6 miles away). I had to walk about a mile through this small town and there was almost no one out on the streets. People drove by, but no one was out. I went to the market and got more food. I saw Magellan there. He had a shin splint problem and had gotten off the trail to stay in a motel for the night, and was resupplying also.I went to lunch at at a local pizza place, and afterwards, the manager took me back to the Trail (I paid him $ 10.00) to take me). I had a slow walk in the afternoon and got to Hertlein camping area, where I quit for the day. I was the only one there.This is my 100th day on my Hike. Not every day hiking but my 10oth total on the trip.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Hertlein Camping Area

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

Got up at 5:50 AM. It is a cool, gray overcast day and looks like it will rain. I got on the Trail at 7:15 AM. I passed a thruhiker named GG (Gloria Gaynor, maybe?). I also met a section hiker named Redeye; he was slackpacking South on the trail. Other than Section Hikers, I am not seeing many, in fact, hardly any, North bound thruhikers. Late in the day, I met a Southbound Section Hiker named Sailor. He gave me a rundown of the terrain to come (rocks, rocks and more rocks). He said that the next three days are the worst for rocks, then after that, it should get easier.I got to the Port Clinton, and to the Port Clinton Hotel about 5:00 PM. It is similar to the Doyle Hotel in that it is old, somewhat dilapidated, but comfortable. And has a great bar. The bars in Pennsylvania are very sociable places, more like neighborhood pubs, i.e., a gathering place, rather than just a place to drink.   As with the Doyle Hotel, you check in to the hotel via the bar. So, I had a couple of beers then checked into my room. It was small but comfortable, with the bathroom and shower down the hall.I showered, washed clothes and had dinner in the Hotel restaurant (a burger and fries and Rolling Rock beer). Magellan came in and joined me for dinner. He was heading out again that evening. I was quited tired and went to bed abouit 9:00 PM.Another milestone: I passed 1200 miles today. The miles seem to be rolling up a bit faster, since I've passed the half-way point!
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Port Clinton

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

I awoke about 6:30 AM, but kept drifting off to sleep. I finally got up about 9:30 AM and packed up and checked out. For the first time on this trip, I did not feel like hiking today. I procrastinated and walked a half-mile away from the Trail to 3-C's restaurant and had a great breakfast - eggs, sausage, potatoes and pancakes. It was a very freindly local restaurant. I was so tired, I thought about going back to the Hotel and checking in, and staying for a day of rest. I should have listened to what my body was telling me, and rested, but I wanted to make more miles, so I hiked out.I got on the Trail about 11:05 AM. Since Port Clinton is in the Schuykill River Valley, I had to hike up a mountain to get back on the ridge. There were many rocks. It was hot also, and the bugs are bad, especially the gnats. I have not seen any of the much-discussed Pennsylvania rattlesnakes, but several people have left notes on the Trail, where they had seen one (a note is literally a piece of paper, left under a rock in the middle of the Trail).I got to the Shelter about 6:30 PM. To my pleasant surprise, several of my hiker buddies were there - Dust in the Wind, Jackeroo, Flamethrower and Bus Driver. The forecast was for storms, so I stayed in the Shelter with the others.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up about 6:00 AM and got on the Trail about 7:00 AM. I am very tired today. I traversed about a 2 mile section of constant rocks. Walking on rocks is mentally and physically tiring, as I must be careful with every footstep. The good news is that my Montrail Hardrock Trail Runners are working very well. I still have some toe pain, but it is diminishing and otherwise the shoes are very comfortable. They are doing well on the rocks.I passed an Shelter, the Allentown Shelter and stopped for a break. I took and hour long nap there in the Shelter..Later, I hiked on. About 3:00 PM, I came to a road crossing, where the Blue Mountain Summit Inn was located.   I stopped and had a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and a coke. While I was there, it thunderstormed, and ended before I left, so I also dodged the rain.In the late afternoon, I traveled over some huge rock formations - the Knife Edge and the Bear Rocks. The Knife Edge is a wall of rocks about 20 feet high and the AT goes over the top of them for a quarter of a mile. It is extremely tricky to climb over them with a pack on, since it can throw off your balance in an instant. The Bear Rocks were just big rocks to climb over.I got to the Shelter about 7:00 PM. Dust in the Wind, Jackeroo, Flamethrower and a couple of Section Hikers were there. I was exhausted. I went across the Trail from the Shelter and set up my tent. I was feeling nauseous, so did not eat any supper. I went to bed at 9:00, exhausted and feeling nauseous.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Lehigh Gap, Route 873
Miles today: 8.4

I slept fitfully and awoke about 8:30 AM. I feel terrible, nauseous and tired. I did not feel like I could eat anything, so I packed up and left. Every step seemed like an effort. This is my 15th day hiking in a row since I left Harper's Ferry and I surmised that I so tired from these continuous days of hiking.I kept thinking that I could rest, as soon as I got to the Gap, and later to the hotel in Slatington. I had arranged to get a package and stay overnight in Slatington, PA, at a place called Fine Lodging. When I got to the Trailhead, I called Ira Fine and he came and picked me up. On the way to the lodging, I asked him to stop so I could buy some Gatorade, as I thought my electrolytes might be depleted. We got to Fine Lodging, a rooming house that he also opens up by the night, to Thruhikers, about 1:30 PM.   I checked in and got in bed at 2:00 PM.   I slept through from then until 9:00 AM the next morning!
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Lehigh Gap, Route 873

To: Slatington, Pennsylvania
Miles today: 0.0

I took a Zero day today. To put it mildly, I was exhausted and extremely nauseous. I awoke about 9:00 AM for a short while and then went back to sleep.   I had not eaten anything since Saturday afternoon, and the strange thing was that I had no appetite at all, which concerned me, since I need energy to hike. I slept most of the day.   In the late afternoon, I talked to the owner, Ira Fine, and he suggested that I might want to go to the local hospital. I did. He took me over to the Palmerton Hospital and they checked me out. They put an IV in my arm to restore some of my fluids.   After about an hour and a half, the Doctor pronounced me tired, with a touch of intestinal virus. All my blood work came back with a-okay numbers. His advice: rest, take a couple of days off, and to not walk quite as many miles a day. He slso felt like the intestinal virus would resolve itself, and to eat when I felt like it, or could.So, I rested the rest of the day and tried to plan out my hike. I did go have a light supper at the Shack (and saw Bus Driver and Blazing Socks there). (However, about an hour after supper, I lost it all). This concerned me, so I decided not to hike out tomorrow (Tuesday, July 1).
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Slatington, Pennsylvania

To: Slatington, Pennsylvania
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a Zero Day in Slatington, Pennsylvania.I was able to eat a light breakfast this morning (and kept it down). I'm still tired, but feeling better.My plan, as of this past Sunday, was to hike out on Monday or Tuesday, and hike another 41 miles to Delaware Water Gap, which is the end of the AT in Pennsylvania. From there, I was going to get transportation of some sort, to Newark Airport, where I have a flight to Atlanta on Friday, July 4th. I've been planning to fly home then, in order for Nancy and I to go to Vancouver for the family Alaska Cruise. By not hiking out today, it means that I will have to start my off-days from the Trail 3 days early, and will have a bit further to go (41 miles) when I get back.Fortunately, there is bus service from here (Slatington) to Allentown, PA, and bus service from Allentown to Newark Airport. That is convenient, since I'll be able to return to where I left off.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Slatington, Pennsylvania

To: Decatur, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Today I made a surprisingly easy journey from Slatinton, PA, to my home in Decatur, Georgia. I wanted to travel today in order to be in Newark, NJ, for my scheduled flight out on Friday, July 4th. I was afraid that if I waited until July 3rd to travel, that some glitch, like a missed bus connection, might occur, and I would not get to Newark for the flight on the 4th.At 9:00 AM, I was sitting on the porch of Fine Lodging in Slatington. I caught the local bus at 9:10 AM which took me to Allentown, PA. I walked the 5 or 6 blocks to the Transbridge Station. They had a bus to Newark Airport leaving at 10:45 AM, and I got a ticket for it. The trip to Newark Airport was about 2 hours long, and stopped at half a dozen places along the way.   According to Ira Fine (owner of Fine Lodging), a lot of people work in the New York city area, but live in Northeast Pennsylvania, and commute back and forth via the bus. The bus arrived at Terminal A of Newark airport about 12:45. I'm glad that I was not driving in that area, as it appeared there were roads going every which way! Anyway, I thought there might be a chance that Airtran might let me stand by for a flight, and get on an early flight if space was available. No such luck. A very unfriendly gate agent informed that one could only standby for a flight on the day of your ticket. She did say that, for an additional $ 200 or so, I could change my ticket and fly today,and they did have seats available on the 2:45 PM flight. My plan had been to get to Newark and then find as cheap a motel as I could for the next two nights. When she presented the option, I decided it would be just as cost effective to pay the difference and fly today as it would be to stay two more days and take the flight on the Fourth. Besides, I would see Nancy earlier and recover from my intestinal virus at home.So, I got on the 2:45 flight and was in Atlanta airport by 6:00 PM. I took Marta to Decatur Station, where Nancy picked me up. So, I'm home!
Date: 2008-07-18
From: Decatur, Georgia

To: Decatur, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

It is the night before I return to the AT to continue my hike. I am filled with both apprehension and excitement to get going again. I miss the Trail. But, I've sure enjoyed some time off with my wife and family, and I'll miss that.Going back to the Trail means a final, pedal-to-the-metal push to Mt. Katahdin. I've taken a significant number of Zero days (all for good reason, I'm sure :-), but now is the time to focus on completion. I worry a bit about starting again in Pennsylvania, with all the rocks, and climbing out of rocky Lehigh Gap. Still, I can only complete the hike if I get started, so I'm anxious to get started.Sadly, I learned that several of my hiking buddies and acquaintances are now off the Trail and will not return. Most notably to me is Retread, who left about a week ago. He and I hiked (or at least camped well together) and he got off about July 11th. I also learned that Five Stones is getting off or has gotten off. Earlier I learned that Mr. Burns is off, as well as the marvelous twins, V8 and Auntie Mame.Also, somewhat to my dismay, most of the people that I've met on the Trail are now ahead of me and I will not see them again. Unless, of course, they flip-flop (go to Maine and start hiking Southward).   I have decided not to flip-flop, but to follow my original plan and go from Springer Mountain all the way to Mt. Katahdin. The weather my later (in Maine) may cause me to call it a bad decision, but Northward I go.
Date: 2008-07-19
From: Decatur, Georgia

To: Slatington/Low Gap
Miles today: 5.3

I got back to Slatington, Pennsylvania and back on the Trail today, thanks to a Trail Angel named Roger Shulz. I arose at 5:45 AM after a fitfull night of sleep. Nancy took me to the MARTA station and I took the train to the airport. The Airtran flight to Newark was very smooth. There, Roger met me at the airport and drove me to Slatington.Roger is a retired telecommunications executive who lives with his family in northern New Jersey. He is an avid day hiker and has been following several throughhikers Trail Journals. He read my journal about the multi-leg trip from Slatington to Newark when I went home on July 2nd. He volunteered to get me back to the Trail. He is truly a Trail Angel and I was most appreciative.He drove me to Slatington, and I checked back in at Fine Lodging. I saw Mr. Fine and retrieved my pack that he had stored for me. After a lunch at the Slatington Diner, Roger drove me up to Low Gap. After saying bye to Roger (with agreement we would stay in touch), I slack packed back to Lehigh Gap from Low Gap.I was very glad to be back on the Trail again. I even said to the Rocks "I'm even glad to see you again"It was a smooth hike over the rocks over most level ground (until I got to Lehigh Gap). The whole area had been declared an EPA Superfund Site, in 1974 I believe, due to the area having a Zinc smelting operation there for some 80 years. On the way I met Smoky, a section hiker, and Swami (he) and Darcy (she) two NOBOs. I told them that I was glad that I would be going down Lehigh Gap. Darcy replied that she had just said to Swami "I'm glad that I don't have to go down this"Either way, Lehigh Gap is tough. It is an enormous pile of rocks on the side of the mountain. There was about a 1/2 mile of constant rocks, including climbing down a rock wall. It was as tough as I expected and one of the toughest sections on the Trail.After I got down the toughest section of the descent, I fell twice. Once when a rock turned when I stepped on it and once when I slipped on gravel; both minor.Again, I'm glad to be back on the Trail. I think that getting started on the Trail again after an almost three week break is the hardest part.The Family Event that I was on was actually a Cruise- to the Inside Passage of Alaska. This year is my Mother-in-Law, Sal's, 80th birthday and she wanted to have a family cruise. This was an important Life event (one that only happens in a lifetime) and I wanted to be part of it, in spite of the Hike. All her children (and their spouses, including me), all the grandchildren and all the Great-Grandchildren were there, along with her Sister and family and neices and friends. It was a great Cruise, as we cruised from Vancouver up to Juneau, and two other cities, and back. It was a wonderful event and I'm really glad to be part of it.I did, however, experience culture shock, twice. Once when I went from the Trail to the Cruise and once when I went from the Cruise back on the Trail. I am glad that I am able to do both this year, the Hike and the Cruise.I'm staying in a room by myself at Fine Lodging tonight.
Date: 2008-07-20
From: Low Gap

To: Wind Gap,Pennsylvania
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

I got up at 6:10 AM and went to the Slatington Diner. Had a great breakfast, but the staff was unfriendly.As I awaited Ira Fine to take me up to Wind Gap, I met throughhikers Sprite, Freckles and Papa Sarge and Papa Sarge's son. They were getting ready to start North from Lehigh Gap.Mr. Fine drove me up to Low Gap and dropped me off. I got on the Trail at about 8:30 AM. It was a good morning hiking, some rocks, but not too many. I met a woman section hiker, Fortunate One, heading South to Boiling Springs, PA. She was the only person I saw on the Trail today. I was wondering if most throughhikers were ahead of me.I fell once (welcome back to the Trail!) when I entangled my foot in a vine while stepping over a log. Otherwise the day was uneventful.I got to Wind Gap about 4:30 PM and hiked about 3/10 of a mile to the West to the Gateway Motel. It is run by an Indian family, and was fairly old, but clean and comfortable. I ordered pizza delivery and ate in my room. Did not see any other hikers at the motel. It rained in the evening and I was glad that I was in the motel room.I'm glad to be back on the Trail again. I'm not that tired but my hip joints hurt and my knees are twinging. It was hot today (maybe 85 degrees) but not bad.
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Wind Gap, Pennsylvania

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept in a bit in the Gateway Motel, and got on the Trail about 8:50 AM.It was a cool but humid day. I met Rue Mckenrick, the Ridge Runner on this section of the Trail. Also met Jeff (a NOBO) and his mother, Michelle, who was hiking with him for a day or two. Also, met Castaway (he) and Kickit (she), two NOBOs. Saw them on the Trail (they passed me) and later at a shelter for lunch.It was hot in the afternoon. I saw a huge Black Bear in an opening in a Power Line cut. He just stared, and did not move, so I moved along quickly. I passed Slo Roller, a section hiker, who was sitting beside the Trail resting. Also, met two southbound hikers, Mosey and Tag (two ladies) and their dog Poke. As Mosey said, 'we're the ALONG group', as in Mosey Along, etc.I got to the Church Hostel about 4:25 PM. As I arrived, I met Lilly and Jam, two Canadian women NOBOS. They were just leaving and heading North. Also, later met Du Wa He, Mash, Just Mike, three NOBOS, and Lanie, a southbound section hiker.I went and ate at the local bakery by myself (nobody else was interested in going at the time I went). Came back and showered, relaxed and hung out.I passed under 900 miles to go today. It's not much less, something like 895, but still it's less than 900. I'll celebrate every milestone!This is also the last stopping place in Pennsylvania. Tomorrow, as I hike out, I'll hike into New Jersey!