morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Pen Mar Picnic Area

To: Pen Mar Picnic Area
Miles today: 0.0

Monday April 20, 2009 Weather is very bad. Cold, foggy, high winds, and rain. Decided to stay in the tent until the weather cleared. Weather persisted all day. Park attendent came by about noon and I told him I was waiting for the weather to clear. Tried to catch some rain water but did not have the proper containers. Only collected about a half a cup. About 2:00PM went across the street from the park to some homes and asked for some water. One of the homes a nice young lady gave me two bottles of water. Many thanks to this unknown kind lady. She really save me as I had no water left.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Pen Mar Picnic Area

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Tuesday April 21, 2009 Leaving Pen Mar picnic area at 8:00AM. Very foggy, overcast, and 48 degrees. Sun is trying to come out. A short distance later I crossed the Mason Dixon line (State line between Maryland and Pennsylvania). Arrived Hwy 16 at 10:00 AM. A man stopped to check out the trail access. He offer a ride into the next town (Blue Ridge Summit) to a diner. Arrived at the diner and had lunch. Back to the trail head at 12:25PM. Met Goose who had just come back from the post office in town. Arived Tumbling Run Shelter 3:45PM. Storm front moving in (thunder and lightning). Guess this is it for the night. Big Turtle came in a little bit later.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: US 30 Fayetteville, PA.
Miles today: 9.6

Wednesday April 22, 2009 Leaving Tumbling Run Shelter at 7:45AM. Arrived at PA hwy 30 at 2:30PM (Calidonia State Park). Walked the 3 tenth mile to Taormina's resturant and had a wonderful salad and BBQ chicken cheese steak sub for lunch. One of the owners had a delivery to make and offered me a ride to the Rite Spot Motel. Checked into the Rite Spot Motel about 4:00PM. Met Goose and his hiking buddy Rising Star on the trail in the morning and we leap froged each other most of the day.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: US 30 Fayetteville, PA.

To: US 30 Fayetteville, PA.
Miles today: 0.0

Wednesday April 23,2009 Decided to stay another day at the motel.   Went to the post office and got my new pack sending the old one home. Forwarded the rest of the packages to Boiling Springs, PA. Repaired tares in my pants and rain pants from a fall.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Us 30 Fayetteville, PA.

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Friday April 24, 2009 Received a ride from a nice man at the resturant across the street from the Rite Spot motel to the trail head at 9:35AM. Entering Caledonia State Park. Met Fishin Fred on the trail headed South Bound about 1:30PM. Arrived at Birch Run shelter at 4:40PM. Very nice day weather wise. Temps in the high 70's to low 80's, sunny except for some clouds around noon time and just a few rain drops.
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Parrk
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday April 25, 2009 52 degrees at 7:00AM. Leaving Birch Run Shelter at 7:25AM. Arrived at Pine Grove Furntore. Later Thumper came inace State Paark at 1:00PM. Had lunch at the General Store. Later Thumper came in. Thumper and I checked into the Ironmaster Mansion at 5:00PM. A group of school kids from a Philly suburb where there doing some volunteer work in the area for the week end. They invited us for dinner. Thanks very much for the dinner it was great.
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Alec Kenndy Shelter

To: US11 Footbridge
Miles today: 11.9

Monday April 27, 2009 Leaving Alec Kenndy Shelter at 10:00AM. Crossed the bridge into Boiling Springs, PA. at 10:00AM. Went to mid ATC office and checked in. Went to Post Office and forwarded packages to Duncannon, PA. Wnt to the store and bought a sandwich, pepsi and pop tarts. Had lunch and continued on the trail at 11:00AM. Met tumbleweed (section hiker) on the trail at 11:45AM. Arrived at US11 hwy and walked to the Super 8 motel. Checke in at 4:20PM. Temps to day where in the 90's and I was near heat exhaustion when I arrived at the motel.
Date: 2009-04-29
From: US11 Footbridge

To: Duncannon, PA.
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday April 29, 2009 Got to the trail head for US11 at 7:08AM. Arrived at the turn off for the Cove Mountain Shelter at 4:40PM and decided to go on in to Duncannon, PA. Arrived at the bridge in Duncannon at 7:20PM. Went to the Doyle Hotel and checked in.
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Duncannon, PA.

To: Duncannon, PA.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Thursday April 30, 2009 Staying another night a the Doyle Hotel. Tomorrow my friend Zero and his girl friend are going to let me stay with them for the week end. Ichey and Thumper are here. Had dinner with Ichey at Sorrentos Pizza place.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Duncannon, PA.

To: Duncannon, PA.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Friday May 1, 2009 Zero came and picked me up about 7:30PM. Spent some time in te morning taking pictures of the town. Spent the rest of the day in the bar at the Doyle talking with some of the locals and some hikers. Incognito came in the afternoon. Thumper went back on the trail in the morning and Ichey is waiting for her sweetie to come in tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-02
From: Duncannon, PA.

To: PA. 225 Footbridge
Miles today: 8.4

Saturday May 2, 2009 Slack Pack Day. Zero took me to Duncannon. Forwarded mail drops and arrived at the trail head at 10:30AM. Met Fishin Fred again South bound just before the Clark's Ferry Shelter. Arrived at PA. 225 At4:008PM where Zero was waiting to pick me up. Saw a black snake on the trail. Just walked around him. Told him you go your way and I'll go mine. Zero's girl friend fixed a very wonderful dinner.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: PA. 225.

To: PA. 325 Clarks Valley
Miles today: 9.4

Sunday May 3, 2009 Slack Pack Day. Zero drove me to the trail head at PA. 225. Arrived at the trail head at PA. 225 at 11:15AM. Arrived at Peter's Mountain Shelter at 12:35PM. Shelter is very nice with a loft with a stair way, and an extended overhang that provides room for a picnic table in the shelter. Arrived at PA. 325 at 5:27PM. Previously called Zero for pick up from the descent to the road. He arrived about 10 minutes after I reached the road.
Date: 2009-05-04
From: PA. 325

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

Monday May 4, 2009 Zero hiker drove me to the trail head at hwy 325. Arrived at 827AM. Met Nugget on the trail a day hiker. Hiked with him until 11:30AM and then he turned around and headed back. Hiked on to the Rausch Gap Shelter and arrived at 255PM. There where six people in the shelter for the night (Andy, Ace, Billy Goat, Indoor, Splinter). Rained all day and into the night.
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Hwy 72 Swatara Gap
Miles today: 6.0

Tuesday May 5, 2009 (Cinco de Mayo) Leaving Rausch Gap Shelter at 8:55AM with temp. at 49 degrees. Reached Swatara Gap (hwy 72 footbridge) at 1:30PM and decided to go into Lickdale, Pa. for the night. Arrived in Lickdale about 3:00PM. Had a sandwich at Blimpie's and checked into the Days Inn. Weather was cloudy all day with a few sprinkles.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Hwy 72 footbridge

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday May 6, 2009 Leaving Days Inn at 6:45AM. Walked the 2.3 miles to the hwy 72 footbridge arriving at 7:45AM. Arrived at the William Penn Shelter about 12:30 and had lunch. As I was finishing lunch Jolly Rancher and his dog Harley came for lunch. Arrived at the 501 Shelter at 3:15PM. We have a lot of hikers in the shelter to night (Jolly Rancher, Ski Man, Catchup, Rocky, Swamp Fox, Inchy, & One Shoe. The 501 shelter is very unique as hiker shelters go. It is all enclosed with 12 bunks (6 bunk beds) a picnic table in the middle and a huge octagonal shaped sky light that probable measures 8 to 10 feet across. At this shelter you can order food from the Original Italian Pizza (OIP) and have it delivered. Each person ordered what they wanted and we had a feast. Weather started out foggy and wet but cleared up during the day with temps. in the 60's.
Date: 2009-05-07
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Thursday May 7, 2009 Very heavy rain all night. Light rain with fog in the morning with temp at 57.4 degrees at 7:00AM. Leaving 501 shelter at 7:15AM. About noon came across a level stretch of trail that is completely flooded (6 to 8 inches in some places). After 30 minutes of trying to get around it my shoes and soxes were soaked so I just went right up the middle. Could not get any wetter and it was a warm day at that point so it felt good to walk in the cool water. Arrived at Eagles Nest Shelter at 7:25PM. Catchup and Ski man are here. A little after 8:00PM Castanotiga Galactica and Mud Flap came into the shelter for the night. Other than the level stretch there were a lot of rocks and bolder fields to cross.
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA.
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Friday May 8, 2009 Leaving Eagles Nest Shelter at 6:00AM. Arrived at POrt Clinton at 12:00PM. Had lunch at the hotel. They serve a huge sub sandwich. I could only eat half of it. Decided to hire a shuttle from the outfitter and go to Pottsville, PA. to catch a bus back to Duncannon to find a ride to trail days. Checked into the Ramada Inn in Pottsville, PA around 6:00PM. Had dinner at the Chinese restaurant.
Date: 2009-05-09
From: Port Clinton, PA.

To: Duncannon, PA.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday MAy (, 2009 Checked out of the Ramda at 11:00 AM and went to the bus station a block away. Purchased a ticket to New Buffalo, PA.. Went to Sub Way and had lunch. Went back to the bus station and waited for the bus. Called the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon, PA. and arranged for someone to pick me up in New Buffalo (about 6 miles from the hotel). Called Trail Angle Mary in Duncannon, PA. but she was out. Hopefully she can give me a ride to Trail Days. Boarded the bus at 2:50PM. Arrived in New buffalo, PA. at6:25PM after a layover in Harrisburg, PA. Vickie one of the hotel owners was there to pick me up and take me to the hotel.
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Duncannon, PA.

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

Sunday May 10, 2009 Zero day at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon, PA. About 5:00PM went to the Uni Mart where trail Angle Mary works the evening shift. Mary was there and said she had room for me to go to Trail Days. She cooks for the hikers at Trail Days and said she was going shopping on Wednesday. I offered to help her buy some food and help her with gas for the trip.
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Duncannon, PA

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

Tuesday May 12, 2009 Zero day at the Doyle Hotel. Called Mid Atlantic ATC office about a very bad spur trail coming into Duncannon form the A.T. They said it is and unauthorized trail. This trail is very dangerous and unfinished and should be avoided. There is a split in the trail at the top of the mountain just before you descend into Duncannon, PA. the right side is the bad trail. This trail is very dangerous (an accident looking for a place to happen) with loose dirt and rock and very steep. Any hikers reading this please take the left hand trail. The right hand trail is a straight thru and is white blazed but is not the A.T. Got a number of the club that maintains the trail there and talked with Paul. He said that trail is unauthorized and they will try to black out the blazes and block the bad trail but could not tell me when this would happen.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday May 13, 2009 Zero day at the Doyle Hotel. Waiting to go to Trail Days. Called ATC at got name and number of person in charge of this section of trail. Person confirmed the trail was unauthorized. Recieved permission to fix trail. Went to the local hardware store and bought black and white paint. Went up the mountain and put rocks and logs at the junction of the bad trail to block it. Proceeded to add new white blazes to the A.T. to clearly idenify it as the A.T. Went down the bad trail and blacked out all the white blazes. Hopefully this will help until the trail crew gets here in June and makes a more permanent solution.
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Thursday May 14, 2009 Zero day at the Doyle Hotel. Rained all day. At 4:45PM went to Trail Angel Mary's house. Helped pack her car for Trail Days. Left at 6:25PM for Damacus, VA. Arrived in Damacus, VA. May 15, 2009 at 3:30AM.
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Damacus, VA.
Miles today: 0.0

Friday May 15, 2009 Arrived Damacus, VA. for Trail Days at 3:30AM. Rained all night on the way from Duncannon,PA. 7:45AM sun is out. Looks to be a very beautiful day. Signed up for Hard Core at 9:00AM. Went back to tent City to set up camp. Went to town with trail Angel Mary and helped her get groceries and other items for her to fix food for the hikers.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Damacus, VA.

To: Kin Cora
Miles today: 0.0

Sunday May 17,2009 Rained all night. Packed up, wet tent and all, and went to Hard Core meeting place. From there we went to Iron Mountain Gap where the team created some switchbacks to smooth out a very steep hill. Afterwards we had dinner at the picnic area at the end of the road. Went to Kin Cora Hostel for the night. Hostel was full so I slept on the front porch.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Kin Cora

To: Kin Cora
Miles today: 0.0

Monday May 18,2009 Hard Core went to Carver's Gap. The work site was about a 3 mile hike up the trail. After about a mile my energy level just gave out. Sat down to rest. Realized that if I made it to the work site I would probably not get back. Went back to the road and slept in one of the cars. The team finished and came back to the road. We all went to Kin Cora for the night. Ate a very fine spaghetti dinner. Slept on the porch again.
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Kin Cora

To: Port Clinton, Pa.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday May 19, 2009 Leaving Kin Cora Hostel. A hiker hiking from Kin Cora to Duncannon, Pa. loaned us his car to ride back to the trail. Dropped off one hiker in Hazelton, PA. Hiker driving the car dropped me off at Port Clinton, PA. pavilion about 10:30PM then he drove home. He is going to deliver the car to its owner in Duncannon, PA. next week.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Port Clinton, Pa.

To: Port Clinton, PA.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Wednesday May 20, 2009 Burns and Lady Slipper came in the shelter during the night. Went to the post office and retrieved my packages. unpacked my new boots and sent the old ones home. Took out the food items I needed, repackaged and mailed boxes ahead for the next mail drop at Delaware Water Gap. Had breakfast and lunch at the 3 C's family resturant just up the road from the pavilion. Took a nap between breakfast and lunch. Dried out my tent and repacked. At about 9:20PM Mike and Sharptooth came in for the night. Later about six other hikers came in for the night.
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Port Clinton, PA.

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Thursday May 21, 2009 Left Port Clinton Pavilion at 5:45AM. Arrived at the trail head at 6:00AM. Arrived at the Windsor Furnace Shelter at 10:00AM. Arrived at Pulpit rock at noon. Had lunch and took a movie clip of the view. Missed the trail turn off for Pinnacle rock. Probably a good thing because a Southbound hiker I met said he saw a rattlesnake under a rock there. Arrived at the Eckville Shelter at 6:40PM. Shortly after I arrived Mike a hiker that was at the Port Clinton Pavilion came in for the night.
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Allentown Shelter
Miles today: 7.4

Friday May 22, 2009 Mike has just given himself a trail name. It is Blackgum after the Blackgum tree. Left Shelter at 8:15AM. Arrived at Allentown Shelter at 5:00PM. Some hiker from the Port Clinton Pavilion are here as well as some South bound hikers.
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Saturday May 23, 2009 Left Allentown Shelter at 6:15AM. Trail was fairly smooth to start. Made Hwy 309 in about 2 hours approximately 4 miles. Had trouble at knife edge. Got to the top and had to very carefully take off my pack and stow the hiking sticks. Could not balance with sticks in my hands as it was hand over hand to get through the rocks. Knife edge is a very appropriate name. Very narrow and along way down. Had lunch at a little camp area just North of knife edge at noon. Arrived at Bake Oven Knob at 3:00PM just ahead of a thunderstorm. Waited a the base of the knob until the thunder stopped. Still raining when I started over the knob. Very slippery rocks and hard to navigate. Finally got over the knob without incident. Trail smoothed out again after Bear Rock. Arrived at Bake Oven Knobe Shelter at 4:50PM. Lizard and Gray Beard are in the shelter tonight and many others camping in tents.
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Slatington, PA.
Miles today: 7.5

Sunday May 24, 2009 5:25AM really foggy and overcast. Left shelter at 6:15 AM. Arrived at the Hwy 873 parking lot at 12:50PM. Mr. Fine from Fine lodging in Slatington, PA. picked me up at the parking lot. Checked into the Fine Lodge, had lunch and dinner at Mamma's pizza down the block from the hotel.
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Slatington, PA.

To: Slatington, PA.
Miles today: 0.0

Tuesday May 26, 2009 Still at the Fine Hotel. Need antibotic. Called my Dr. in Winchester, TN. but he would not prescribe over the phone. Mr. Fine drove me to the Palmerton Hospital emergency room. They examined me and gave me a prescription for an antibotic. Filled prescription and had lunch with Mr. Fine.
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Slatington, PA.

To: Delps Trail Junction
Miles today: 10.1

Saturday May 30, 2009 MR. fine drove me to the trail. Arrived at the trail head at 7:25AM. The climb up Lehigh Gap took approximately three hours. Very steep and hand over hand all the way. Took pictues of the rocks all the way up and a movie panning the the view at the top. Had to cross more boulders once I reached the top for approximately a quarter mile. Very good weather, sunny all day. Met several day hikers and section hikers. Arrived at the Junction for the Delps Trail at 7:30PM. Pitched tent for the night.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Delps Trail Junction

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Sunday May 31, 2009 Left Delps Junction at 6:15AM. Weather was clear and sunny. Trail very rocky. Arrived at Leroy A. Smith Shelter at 11:15AM. Very tired. Nimble Ant is here. A Southbound hiker hikeing from New York to Harpwe's Ferry. Walked another half mile down and back to get water. Too tired to go on. Had lunch and took a nap.
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: broken clouds

Monday June 1, 2009 Left Leroy A. Smith Shelter at 6:30AM. Arrived at Wind Gap at 10:30 AM. Twisted my left ankle very badly and my right arch is hurting again. Took over an hour to walk the mile into town. Had lunch at Burger King on my way to the motel. Checked into the travelers Inn.
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Kirkridge Shelter 
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday June 3, 2009 Left Travelers Inn at 5:30AM. Arrived at the trail head at 6:20AM. Started raining when I started up out of Wind Gap. Had to stop and put on rain gear. Rain stopped after about an hour. Got through most of Wolf Rocks before the rain started. Slipped and fell backwards just before the end of Wolf Rocks. Luckily I was through the cliff part of the rocks. Arrived at Kirkridge Shelter at 1:30PM. Decided to stay at the shelter rather than go on because of the heavy rain and slick rocks.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Kirkridge Shelter 

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Thursday June 4, 2009 Left Kirkridge Shelter at 8:10AM. Arrived at Delaware Water Gap at 12:30PM. Checked into the Church on the Mountain Hostel. Then went to the Delaware Water Gap dinner and had lunch. Having trouble with my ankle and arch again today. In the afternoon the hostel filled up and overflowed into the lean to out back and the grassy areas for tents. Tonight is the Church's first hiker banquet of the season. All the church members brought pot luck and we all had a great dinner and fellowship. The local outfitter is sponsering a movie tonight for anyone that wants to come.
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Delaware Water Gap

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

Friday June 5, 2009 Decided to go home instead of possibly having a permanent injury to my ankle and arch. Made arrangements with my son-in-law to pick me up on Monday at the bus station in Manchester, TN. There are about 15 hikers here today. Great bunch of guys and gals. Took a group photo.
Date: 2009-02-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

All my mail Drops are packed...22 of them.My pack is packed and ready to go. March 16th is rapidly appproching. Hope I'm ready. I'm tired (bored) of training hikes at Slate Run Metro Park. I'm so ready for the white blazes. Intiminated but ready. At 68 years of age this will be a push of the envelope.Rita Golden Gelman writes in "Tales of A Female Nomad"..."From time to time I rarely meet men over forty who are traveling alone. Older men it seems, are not as courageous as women; all those years of being responsible have diminished their capacity for adventure." I also read somewhere that "courage comes from practice". Therefore, the more I seek new adventures...the easier it gets. I also read that the hardest things in life are to climb a wall leaning toward you, Kiss a woman leaning away from you and hiking the Appalacian Trail.On my Trans America solo bike trip in 2006, all the worries of what might happen in the 4300 miles vanished in the first 10 miles when the joy of the journey took over. I'm looking forward to that feeling on March 16th. On my previous bike trips I had 24 gears to shift to get over the mountains. On the AT I'll have none. So...I become a "Single Speed". My trail name.
Date: 2009-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Arrived at Amicalola State Park Visitors Center where I registered as thru hiker #223 for the year. Pack weighed 40 pounds including 1 liter of water, 20 oz. of fuel and 4 days of food. Temperature in the mid 50's cloudy and fog. Not too bad. A comfortable room in the lodge, buffet breakfast in the morning and up the trail I go.
Date: 2009-03-16
From: Visitors Center

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: light rain

The morning began with a great buffet breakfast at the lodge. Woke up a 3 a.m. this morning. Pretty excited about this. Looked out the window to rain. Forcast was temperatures in the 50's and rain all day. Oh well. Becky walked up part of the approach trail where we had a somewhat tearful goodby.The approach trail 8.5 miles to the summit of Springer Mountain was far more difficult than I had expected. The rain, mud and slick rocks did not help.Arriving at the summit of Springer it was 2.8 more miles to the Stover Creek Shelter where I stopped for the night. There were about 11 hikers there. A friendly bunch with high spirits.It was great to actually be on the AT, following the white blazes. Tomorrow is forcast to be sunny and 70's. Yea! Todays milage was 11.6. 2.8 was actually on the AT
Date: 2009-03-17
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Woke this morning to a clear sky and warm sun. Has a rather restless night in the shelter. Lots of snoring and movement. After breakfast I hit the trail with "Hurring Hoosier". A guy 62 years old and very fit. He was an excellent companion during today's hike. The trail was challenging with several steep climbs. Sassafras Mountain lived up to it's reputation as "Kick Your Ass Mountain."Rolling into Gooch Mountain Shelter we both decided that tents would be the order of the day. Selected a nice site and expect a great sleep (quiet). All in all a wonderful day!