morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-07-06
From: Miles burn cabin

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Longest day yet, and well I survided! We got to walk past the "AT Midpoint" for those who started at one end or the other(not me.) We also enjoyed walking through the "AT Muesam" and seeing some of the gear they used in the past. Then best part of it all is the fact that we got to jump in Fuller Lake and do a little bit of swimming! Life is good on the trail, when you have days like today. The climb out of the lake to the shelter was hard but like always put one foot in front of the other and it will all work out.
Date: 2011-07-07
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: few clouds

What a awome day! We did a 12 mile hike in the morning into Boiling Springs, Pa then hanged out at the ATC, relaxing, napping, and eating. "Gumbee" popped in town later that afternoon so we went to find us some food please note Sweet Tea is differnt in the north in comparison to sweet tea in the south. Chris and me also went to the gas station and bought some ice cream (cotton candy flavor for me) and enjoyed that. Then I broke out the Chocolate Pudding after that! Is there a better way to celibrate a birthday? Well the answer to that is yes! We then waited for the sun to set and set out to do a 15 mile night hike and it was awsome. The trail was mostly flat as we were walking through the cumberland valley until we reached the end and climb the mountain out. While we were walking through the valley we lost the trail many many times. once we had to knock on the strangers house to ask where the trail went... Later on in the ngiht a storm rolled in and well lighting looks a little differnt when you are holding to metal pole and well you look up to see lighting above your head, makes you jump a little. We also got to test out our rain walking man was that fun incept for the lack of visabilty. I can say I always do something new on my birthday and well I think this tops it by far!
Date: 2011-07-08
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, Pa
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Slow and steady wins the race! Well Chris and me enjoyed hiking through creeks in on the trail, as there was so much rain the trail was a creek. Chris started out hiking the wrong way this morning but notice not to long after (thank goodness.) After we meet back up we trekked the whole 11 miles with out taking huge brakes just long enough to get a drink of water and catch up on my breath. It was a hard climb down into Duncannon but after you reach the bottom there were just FEILDS of wine berries. This little hiker could have spent hours enjoying herself but controlled herself. After reaching town we got offered a ride to the "hiker feed" where we went to crash for the night. I enjoyed 2 chilly dogs and a few cups of sweet tea I then got to meet a handful of hikers that are right in my area who I will be hiking with...YEPPY! While hiking down the mountain today I had the hiker bug hit me and turned my AT campfire into a glowing AT Bonfire! and well today is the day that I learned I was going to keep on hiking and set new goals for myself everytime I get the chance. (right now it is the end of Pennsylvania) Gotta love being in the woods!
Date: 2011-07-09
From: Duncannon, Pa

To: Peter's Mountain
Miles today: 12.0

Everyting was perfect today! *new boots*great views*awsome hiking partners (Mr. Eisenman and Chrs)*breeze*berries*new socks*hammocking inside of the shelter*easy hike*energy*free food (hiker feed, and weekend hikers)*new hiker friends*grass shinning in the morning like diamonds*and the list goes on it was wonderful!
Date: 2011-07-11
From: Raush Gap Shelter

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I enjoyed walking alone for the most part, I kept passing then getting passed by 2 hikers that were hiking together. I enjoyed calling home to my sister and brother to wish them a wonderful happy birthday! But then got sad because I realized there were no 7-11 near me on the trail so I couldn't get a free Slurpee. I did pass one thru hiker this morning as he slept in and was getting a late start "Natedog" but I just introduced myself and kept hiking. I stopped at Willam Penn shelter for lunch and ran into 2 day hikers, they gave me some food cheese stick, peperoni, and a handful of trail mix, I love trail magic! I stopped at a SMALL overlook today to fix my shoes and while sitting there I looked up and it hit me. "I am not on this trail to hike, but to experience, hiking is just what bring the experience." Near the end of the day after spending some time eat the overlook I went back over to the trail to find a hiker in front of me. It turns out that while I was taking my lunch/ afternoon break "Natedog" caught up to me and passed me as he didn't stop at the shelter so I walked the last mile with him to the 501 shelter. At the shelter the care taker came out with a box of hamburgers, grill, hamburger buns, and soda and cooked us a nice dinner I also enjoyed a solar shower and good company. BTW I at 3 cheeseburgers without a problem..."stop and notice the small things, as they lead up to the big."
Date: 2011-07-12
From: 501 shelter

To: Port Clinton, Pa
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked with "Natedog", "hollywood" and sometime "feather" Longest day yet without a huge break! YeppyI did get stung by a paper hornet in the knee today but like always I will survive.The water is now getting a little low on the mountains so I need to start worring about carring more, which means more weight but that is part of the tril experince!This morning I decided it may be in my best interest to hydrate before I hike along with while and after I hike. So I chugged a litter of water, just to find it come back up again I enjoyed doing 24 miles today into town, I hiked with "Natedog" all day then "Hollywood" and "feather" most of the day. The terrain was not to bad for the high miles up until a small steep climb at the end of the day followed by a huge decline down to see level into town. Today while hiking we took a wrong turn and ended up going through a HUGE boulder field, just to find out that it wasn't the trail (FUN.) While going through the boulder field I got stung by a paper hornet on my knee. My knee did swell up a little bit and then flattened out and went into the mussels so it did hurt to hike. I did get lucky to be right next to a small stream shortly after the bite so I took my bandana and got it went and held it on the bite for a while. Then "little steam engine" gave me some ointment to put on the bite to help it out (which it did.) After entering town "can do, will do) gave us a ride to the peanut shop (small town candy shop) where I got a cold drink. Then he brought us over to the hiker pavilion where we got to stay for the night."everything happens for a reason, although you may not know right then and there."
Date: 2011-07-13
From: Port Clinton, Pa

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

ZERO Day! I decided to hang out in town and rest. I went to the post office and picked up my mail drop, just to find hidden surprises in the box. I also got to head to the laundro mat and do laundry (I was well over due :/ ) Soon there after I went to the libray to update my trail journal and check my e-mail. THEN... I got to go to Yuengling Brewery for a tour, plus gain random beer facts like "this brewery is the oldest." After the tour was over a big group of hikers went to Cabella's, walmart, food, ect. I was surprised the Cabella's sell NO DUCTAPE! none at all, yes I did ask Other than that I enjoyed my day to the fullest and ended asking around for ductape from other thru hikers. I scored flame ductape, so down the trail I will be flying. EDITED
Date: 2011-07-14
From: Port Clinton, Pa

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0

I got to do a slackpack today! (leave your gear behind and hike with only your essentials.) I enjoyed eating lunch on top of a Pinnacle where you could see has far as the eye can see...The place was amazing! There was a group out learning how to find lost people in the woods, which was pretty cool. I also ran into a boy scout troop that was out doing there 50 mile backpacking trip.After I got back to Port Clinton it turned out that a large amount of thru hikers hiked in through the day, so I enjoyed meeting people. One hiker asked me how old I was, so I gave my normal responce "how old do you think I am?" well he guessed 20 years to old and his face dropped when I told him to take 20 years off. I got a good laugh out of that one :D"Stand for what you believe in and chase after it"  EDITED
Date: 2011-07-15
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Pa 309
Miles today: 11.0

A large of us hikers left from the same place today. We had one climb up a mountain so the trail can walk the ridge to the end. The famous Pennsylvania rocks are now starting to come around to provide a new challenge. I enjoyed a nice view at Dan's puplet then got to learn how to balnce at Balanced rock. I enjoyed listening to my mp3 player down the trail today and singing along, is there a better way to brighten the day? I stopped at this reasurant on Pa309 so I can fill up on my water and wait for the rest of them to catch up. After they caught up, we all got a offer to stay in the yard behind of the reasurant and enjoy the blue grass music band that was coming in later that night. So we dicided to call it a day and enjoy, which I did
Date: 2011-07-16
From: Pa 309

To: Palmerton, Pa
Miles today: 15.0

If you have a fear of hights this section is not for you... I enjoyed walking over knifes edge, yes it is named correctly, and I loved it! Then got to go bouldering and rock climbing at Bear rocks, up on bear rocks you could almost get a 360 degree view. I actully ended up doing a little bit of free climbing for fun and enjoyed taking a nap up on top of a rock piller. I then enjoyed a steep down hill climb to Palmerton where I got to walk along a busy road (with no shoulder) into town. One guy drove by us and flicked us off, then turn around honked his horn and did it again. But then shortly after that a family in a mini van drove by and gave us a ride to the jailhouse hostel (thank you.)We got to sleep at this free hostel which was neat and creepy at the same time. The shower was a community shower house where there where many shower heads in one with no dividers in between and there was a peice of glass missing out of the door but like always it is a shower so you just endure and hope no one walks up. One the bright side they did have nice hiker box and oreos on the table, yum yum
Date: 2011-07-17
From: Palmerton, Pa

To: Leroy A. Smith shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a awesome hiking trail day! The morning started out walking the railroad tracks back to the trail...not funThe trail but "nice" to me to start out with. We went from 520ft up to 1500ft in less than a mile. Sound easy? The trail was also slick loose rock, no trees (as it is a polluted mountain) and had some rock climbing and bouldering mixed it. I actully loved it and when I got to the top I actully looked at "yoga boy" and said I wouldn't mind doing that again After reaching the top it brought us on this ridge walk which actully seemed like a meadow walk with a view of the town and factory below. After walking a few miles in the high heat with no shade the trail back to normal, with shaded green tunnel, with sharp pointy rocks. I would say I was enjoying it but I was actully doing it in my Vibram fivefingure shoes and well the famous rocks killed my feet but I found it a challenge and kept on hiking the rest of the day in them. Although I kicked MANY rocks and was in pain, I felt like I acomplished something at the end of that day. We came to a road crossing to find "sticks" holding her arm as she took a fall a few miles back and landed on the sharp rocks sshe (and her partner) were already planning on getting off the next day to head north and hike back down so it didn't through the plans off to bad. While we were taking a break at the road with them "Mechanical Man" came up to the road and provided some trail magic I enjoyed a poweraid which was well needed. Later on that day while I was walking to the shelter I saw my first bear on this trip! along with 2 deer so I was happpy At the shelter I also meet the ridge runner for the area.
Date: 2011-07-18
From: Leroy A. Smith shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pa
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a pretty flat day had one or two hills to climb but nothing major! I ended up speed hiking/ running towards the end of the day as I was trying to catch the Post Office before it closed. I wish I could have slowed down to enjoy the surrounding but chores calls. I did end up making it with a little bit of time the spare I had some wonderful views and mountain laurle paths which made the day that much better! I stayed at a church hostle and enjoyed a wonderful shower, hand washed laundry, few games of Rummey, wonderful Roast beef sub, and company! I did end up getting stepped on by "Pickwick" in the middle of the night, which freaked me out more than hurt me sp I guess that was good. Although when I got stepped on I springed up and couldn't figure out which way I was laying as everytime I went to laying back down I was hitting someone But it all worked out in the end.
Date: 2011-07-19
From: Delaware Water Gap, Pa

To: Mohican Trail Center
Miles today: 9.0

This morning I enjoyed sleeping in, another shower, coffee and 2 donuts, and just relaxing. I got a slight headache this morning so I didn't have a huge push to get out the door and hike so I hanged around until late morning then hiked in the high heat. I enjoyed walking next to a creek with small waterfalls as the sound of falling water is just so peaceful! 6 or so miles in I ran into Sunfish pond which is a natural glaciarly made pond the water was so clear you could see the bottom 15 feet out from where you were standing. It was nice to just jump in and cool off enjoying it to the fullest. I was 2 snakes while hanging out there although I didn't know what type it was. Later that day I decided just to hang out at the hostle and sleep in my hammock near by. I had a bear walk around my campsite while I was cooking dinner. I decided to try to get closer to the bear with out frighting it or scaring it away (I got 10-15ft away)It was a enjoyable day until the insects came out "be one with nature and nature will be one with you"
Date: 2011-07-20
From: Mohican Trail Center

To: Gren Anderson shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning the trail lead me on top of this ridge with out a lot of under brush but with tons of beware of bear signs. While walking this ridge a large rattlesnake (first one on this trail) along with a bunny and a few other small animals. I decided to take a small walk into Branchville, NJ as I saw that they had a lake and I was in need for a swim. So I walked over to the lake to find out it is a private lake but I saw there were a few women on the beach with 2 kids so I figured I would ask if I could swim. They decided to make me "their" guest so I could swim after telling them about my hike and socializing they provided by far the best trail magic yet! (3 sodas, 2 bottles of wate, bag of cookies, little bit of food, my camel pack filled with great spring water, and a 20 dollar bill.) I left Branchville one happy person I then enjoyed going up Culver fire tower and seeing the view there, and hiking down to the shelter with "strider," "stroller," and "natedog"
Date: 2011-07-21
From: Gren Anderson shelter

To: Jim Murray Place
Miles today: 19.0

This morning I woke up and just wanted to pack up and start hiking before eating as my plan was to eat 3 miles down trail on top of Sunrise mountain. Well I learned today that my body needs to have food in me before I do anything. I ended up having a break down on the trail from not having food, lack of energy, and my water filter broke this morning. I ended up throwing down my pack saying forget it and took a rock. I called home and REI (to get a replacement, turns out I didn't get it there) I also ate a little food and just sat for a while. I can say it did help! After I got to sunrise mountain I ate my cereal and drank some water and just relaxed so I could restart my morning off right. Later that day I ran into "Little drummer boy" who I met at the hiker feed. So we finshed hiking together today as he tried to brighten my day. After getting to the shelter I enjoyed star gazing in a open field, with no light pollution, ah it was so peaceful. "the smallest act of kindness can brighten someones day tremendously"
Date: 2011-07-22
From: Jim Murray Place

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day! Today I was planning on hiking 1 mile into Unionville and hanging out for the day. But right when Drummer Boy and me where ready to leave Jim Murray pulls up and offered us a ride to town and back, and we couldn't let the offer go to waste.He gave me a ride to the post office where I did my replaced my backpack! Then we went to the store and did a buying resupply (my first one on trail.) He also gave us the nickle tour of the land where I got to go inside a well (yes the ones in the ground that holds water) I also got to pet donkeys I loved it. It was well worth the day.
Date: 2011-07-23
From: Jim Murray Place

To: Veron
Miles today: 9.0

Today I got to walk through a wallkill reserve, which had really pretty flowers, birds, and foot path. The trail was FLAT which made it alittle bland but I had drummer boy to talk to while going through it. I enjoyed the fact that I could rant and get everything off of my mind while talking to drummer boy as he listened and didn't mind. (I feel better now) We then got to climb up and over a small mountain and did some ridge walking. Near the end of the day we got to do a wonderful board walk through a swamp. It was the perfect picture spot! There were tall purple and pink flowers next to the boards, red wing birds flying around, and butterflies going from flower to flower. Right after the board walk we got to the road that went into Veron where there was trail magic (Oarnges) I don't think i've every ate a peice of fruit so fast. I then tested out my hitch hiking skills and scored Drummer boy and me a ride! Yeppy!
Date: 2011-07-24
From: Vernon

To: Wawayanda shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I got to sleep in! Then attending my first Episcopal church, it had alot of simularaties to the Cathlic church I visted back at home. We then got to socialize with the church members and had some fresh fruit and baked goods. One lady offered to give us a ride back to the trail head after they were done setting up for VBS. When we got to the trail head we met the couple who keeps putting out the trail magic for the hikers, they gave us each a gatoraid and oranges I loved it. One or two miles down the trail we stopped to put on our pack covers as the sky was threating to rain on us. When we stopped I noticed the whole back of my pack was wet, due to my camel pack exploding but turns out that I was smart and was still lining my backpack with a trash bag so my gear didn't get wet! As soon as Drummer Boy and me got to the top of the mountain it started pouring down rain. I learned that I love the rain and well he doesn't, I was enjoying singing in the rain while having a personal foot massage with every step that I take. "You have to look on the bright side of misery to enjoy it"
Date: 2011-07-25
From: Wawayanda shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Today I got welcomed into New York by sheer rock boulders, pouring down rain, and colder weather. You think it didn't enjoy it? I actully loved it as I was challenged. I had to watch where I put my feet, had to go slow so I didn't slide and fall, I enjoyed climbing differnt boulders and rock skating on differnt rock ledges. Little drummer boy bet me 5 dollars if I could climb up and over this huge boulder where the trail went...so I decided to try when I got to the top the pack pushed me down and well I was a turtle that couldn't get up (I was cracking up.) That night the shelter was full and people had to go tent and hammock in the rain (2nd time only on the trail for me.)I enjoyed today to the fullest and was surprised to find me cold that night.
Date: 2011-07-26
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien memorial Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning I woke up energized and ready to hike! I was ready before Little Drummer boy so I told him I was going to hike on and hopefully see him at the shelter tonight. I enjoyed hiking alone today I got to challenge myself and just think. I didn't really look at the the elivation profile today but just at markers and water. I was very surprised to find me ascending and descending mountains streight up and down, up and over and through rocks. I got to go through to rocks called the Lemon Squeezer and down the grinder (fun fun.) I enjoyed eating lunch by island pond when a older gentelman drove up to hang out by the pond. He told me alittle bit about the area and a few stories, he then handed me a 5$ bill and told me to get me something nice. I then went to Lake Tiorati to take a shower, but when I got there they closed the shower 5 minutes before. So I jumped in the lake but right when I got in they blew the whistle for everyone to get out. I hiked 3 more miles to the shelter there after and cradshed for the night.
Date: 2011-07-27
From: William Brien memorial Shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Today while hiking I ran into "Holler" so we hiked most of the day together, our hiking paces matches prertty nicely. I also got to see NYC Skyline from the mountain top of one of the mountains We got to hike up Bear Mountain whcih looked scarier than it actully was, up at the top was a huge tower where you could see 360 degrees. After spending lunch up on the mountain we got to got hike down to the lowest point on the AT at the Bear cage. We also to walk across the Hudson river then went to a Monestary for the night. It was pretty neat I enjoyed looking around the area it was pretty peaceful. "stop, watch, and listen then life in the woods will be totally differnt"
Date: 2011-07-28
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I hiked with "Holler" It was pretty enjoyable, he let me lead at one point in time today and well I took off hiking. He got on me for running the trail and joked around with me. It gave a good laugh, it made the day pretty enjoyable. "Laughter is sometimes the only cure to happiness"
Date: 2011-07-29
From: RPH Shelter

To: Pawling, NY
Miles today: 17.0

Today we kept leap frogging "Domino and Whiskey" We all went down to a deli in Stormville, NY and hanged out there for lunch. Later that day we all went swimming in Nuclear Lake (it wasn't warm so I think I was safe)I ran into Mark Dinges as he was delivering gallons of water up to Telephone Pioneers shelter, which brighten team indecision day as the water there was dry. (along with any other hikers behind us.) He also gave 5 of us hikers I ride to town (thank you) which was very appreciated. I meet my family at the park and to take a zero day and hang out with them again. It did start to rain on us at the end of the day but I love it and was singing in the rain while hiking down the mountain I'm loving the trail and hope the love can stay <3
Date: 2011-07-31
From: Pawling, NY

To: Pawling, Ny
Miles today: 0.0

My family came down to spend the weekend with me! I enjoyed seeing them as this was the first time since I last left home. I got to where town clothes (cotton) and do laundry and take a LONG shower to get some of the hiker stench off of me. They also brought me out to eat to satify my hunger. I enjoyed a wonderful veggie pizza, and a meatball sub I got to resupply and make my next drop box for the upcoming town. Then got to order a new pair of hiking shoes, I switched to trail runners and ordered it from LL Bean so I can keep getting a new pair without paying.I then enjoyed just laying around and hanging out with my parents, relaxing.