morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: few clouds

Up at 5:50 this morning with town calling my name and an empty pack (no food) I was on the trail by 7 (beats my usual 8) and caught Gatorgump after a couple of hours. Gator and I headed into town together in search of food. Me and the guys are planning on staying the night at the Doyle Hotel- a famous hotel/hostel on the trail complete with a bar downstairs. Located in downtown Duncannon looking run down and rotted the Doyle is indeed a haven for hikers.
Date: 2007-06-13
From: Duncannon, PA

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

Planned to leave today but the Doyle has sucked us all into its vortex so me and the guys are going to zero here, giving me a chance to catch up on my journal.The milage above is now accurate which is more than can be said for my spelling.
Date: 2007-06-15
From: Peters Mtn Shelter

To: Waffles Grandma's House
Miles today: 6.5

Today I came across my first rattle snakes today. I did not get too close.Today Waffle, Yard Sale, Knifey Spoony, Beat Box and I met waffles mum at a road crossing. There was not room in the car for everyone so Waffles mum (Moma Waffle) remained behind in the local town and waited for a friend to come and collect her. So Waffle drove us 3 hours to his grandmothers house in northern PA where she produced a feast for the 5 hungry hikers. I'm sure i have mentioned it before but waffle and i share the same birthday so when his mum arrived at 9:30 that night we got a cake and got to blow out all candles. It was a lot of fun.
Date: 2007-06-17
From: Rauch Gap Shalter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

The 501 shelter is very close to a road and gave some folks the opportunity to have pizza delivered to the shelter, I didn't take advantage myself and stuck with my instant mashed potato. A guy came to the shelter who hiked last year named Fireman he brought us beer and soda which i did indulge in. Everyone else slept in the shelter except for me because i prefer my hammock. A group of Mennonites came to the shelter at around 4:30 and chatted to us about our hike then sang us a song about accepting Jesus into our hearts.
Date: 2007-06-18
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: few clouds

Happy Birthday to me!! (and waffle)To celebrate i decided to try for a big mile day maybe even my biggest yet! I started hiking at 7:15 which is pretty early for me (8 is my usual) and made some good miles before stopping for lunch with Beatbox and Knifey Spoony. It was awfully hot and humid hiking today we all drank a lot of water and wore as little as possible. Most of the guys seemed to get pretty bad chafing around certain areas. Bum chafe-age is referred to as 'Monkey Butt'When we got into town we called the local outfitters and the owner drove out and picked us up and took us to his store where he has a hostel hikers can stay in. A few of us ordered Chinese food to celebrate my birthday- sweetness! Saw my 3rd rattle snake today it was huge i almost stepped on it and jumped about 3 feet in the air
Date: 2007-06-19
From: Port Clinton, PA

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

Short day today, it took us a while to get going this morning and it was 11 before we started hiking. There is no supermarket in Port Clinton so Knifey Spoony and i had mailed 4 days food ahead from Duncannon. The other guys had their parents send them food packages. I got to the Shelter just before a huge thunder and lightening storm hit us, this shelter had thin mattresses which meant i could sleep there and not have to put up my hammock in the rain. This shelter also had electricity and a flushing toilet because it is on private land owned by the trail.
Date: 2007-06-20
From: Eckville Shelter

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

The Pennsylvania terrain has so far been pretty good to us. It is widely feared by thru hikers because of its reputation for having very rocks sections of trail. We have yet to encounter anything ridiculous. Today we got our first taste of the rocks climbing up to Bake Oven Knob. It was about half a mile of rocks leading up to a large boulder field. hopping from rock to rock was pretty fun. When i arrived at the shelter (i was the first one there) I set up my Hammock and set off down the hill to get water. After 0.1 miles I got to the first spring- it was dry. 0.1 more to the next spring- was dry, .3 more miles to the next spring which was flowing great then .5 back up the hill carrying my water. Thats a whole extra mile of walking today that doesn't even count! By the time I got back Dude, Jazz Nuts, Waffle, BeatBox, Mystery Chicken, Knifey Spooney and Yard Sale had all arrived and set up their tents.
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Delps Trail

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: few clouds

 Pensylvania Lived up to its reputation in that the trail became unbelievably rocky. There were 'ankle busters' strewn along the whole 20 mile strech of trail. There are rocks from tennis ball size up to microwave size to navigate across, it is physically and mentally exausting
Date: 2007-06-24
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Time for a zero day! We headed into town today to see a movie and resupply. This afternoon we saw the return of Granny Waffle who showed up with fresh fruit and Gatorade. Granny and Granpa waffle took 6 of us out for dinner which was yummy.
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Jim Murray Shelter
Miles today: 18.3

Waffle and I got caught in a terific Thuder & lightening storm today. It was pretty scary at one point, we were pretty exposed on a ridge line when the storm blew in and lightening was striking very lose to us. We had to seperate ourselves in case one of us was struck so the other could go for help. The rain pounded us for half an hour until it was safe to hike on. We headed to the next road where there is a state park office that let us dry off in their building.The Jim Murray shelter is located on Jim's property and he lets hikers stay there for free.
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Jim Murray Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 13.6

Waffle, Yard Sale and I hiked the 13.6 to the road and headed into town. It is illigal to Hitch hike in New Jersey and New York but we stuck our thumbs out as we walked and kept a look out for cops. We got picked up after about 2 miles. We got dropped off at the local church who let hikers sleep there and take showers. We met Mystery Chicken and Stretch there and sat back and enjoyed some cable TV.
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Hemlock Springs

To: Canopus Lake
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

 Yard Sale, Waffle and I hiked 16 today we camped in the woods by Conopus lake. The terrain here in New Jersey is relativly flat and not too much trouble to hike over. There an few huge mountains so not that many good views to be had. We now hike under a canopy of leaves that protects us from sun and light rain but prevents us from seeing the sky.
Date: 2007-07-06
To: Mt. Algo Shelter (Kent, CT)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

many apologies for the lack of entries but have not seen a computer in weeks. I got sick this week and had to go to the doctors yesterday which was a bit of an ordeal. I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease contracted from a tick bite but i got some medications so I'm on the mend. sorry again for the lack of entries I'll try and write more soon. Yorkie
Date: 2007-07-14
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Kay Wood Lean-to
Miles today: 17.6

Up at 6:15 this morning to the smell of pancackes wafting through the cabin. The caretaker makes all you can eat pancakes every day for the hikers which was great fuel for the first 2 hours of the day then it was time for 2nd breakfast. We camped with the 2 girls from NY this evening. They are really fun and love being in the outdoors on their first backpacking trip, they did their first day over 14 today which they were very proud of. We stayed up late chatting.Notice Knifey Spooney in his scally hat to keep the bugs off- he's a genious!
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Mark Noepel Lean-to

To: The Hutchinsons, Adams MA
Miles today: 9.6

During my 2 years working school programs at Sargent Center i worked for the conference department who bring adult groups to the center. Hutch and mark paid me good money to work for them on weekends and that money is now funding my hike. Hutch's parents live right by the AT in Adams MA so I was quite cheeky and invited myself to stay with them, then was even cheekier and asked if i could bring 3 more smelly thru hikers into their home. they graciously agreed, Hutch could not be there as his beautiful wife Jamie is pregnant and he had to go to birthing class. We climbed up Mount Greylock (the highest point in Massachusets) and were rewarded with amazing views on MA, VT and NH. Hutch's dad picked us up at 12 and took us for fast foos them dropped us at his house showed us where the beer was and headed back to work leaving us at the house to get cleaned up.Hutch's mum prepared a fantastic meal for us that night and knew that we would eat a ton so cooked double portions for all of us.
Date: 2007-07-17
From: The Hutchinsons, Adams MA

To: Cogdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Hutch's mum and dad took us all out for breakfast at a great cafe in Adams MA near their house. Hutch's dad took us back to the trail by 10:30 and we headed off. The Hutchinsons were amazing hosts and treated us fantastically i can't thank them enough.We crossed into Vermont today!Got into the Cogdon shelter by 6:30. Beatbox tipped over his alcohol stove whils sitting at the picnic table and set his leg on fire. he was smart enough to jump up and roll around on the ground putting out the flames. luckily for him he was not badly burned but his kilt will never be the same again now sporting a huge burn hole.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: Cogdon Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: moderate rain

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)Here are some of the common questions we hikers are asked plus some of the bizare ones.-How far do you hike a day15-18 is average for me-what was your biggest day23.4-How heavy is your packnow with 4 days food its 27lb's (20 without food)- where do you sleep?in a hammock or in a shelter-do you carry a gun?no-really?yeah really-I'd carry a gunerrr... ok-are you worried about bears?only that they will eat my food while i'm asleep, but i'm more worried about mice.-mice?yeah when i slept in shelters they would run over you in the night- yuk.-how do you brush your teether.... with a toothbrush-wow really?er...... yeah (thinking: what did you expect a stick with honey on it)-How often do you shower?every 4 to 10 days i hope-how much food do you carry?5 days maximum but 3 is preferable.-Do you carry all your fire wood?er.....what?-How long will it take you to hike the whole thing?5-6 months-whats the funniest trail mane you have heardMorning wood :-)
Date: 2007-07-19
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: William B Douglas Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: light rain

The Weather continues to stay cool making big hiking days possible. almost 20 today.Most of the shelters have a shelter register. The registers (aka logs) are for hikers to record their thoughts, leave messages or simply leave their mark. I wrote in them all the time for the first 2 months but have done so less and less recently i think i'm runnng out of things to say- thats never really happened to me before ;-)
Date: 2007-07-20
From: William B Douglas Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: light rain

Time for a town visit i think.Got a pretty easy hitch into Manchester Center, Vermont(waited 5 minutes). It's an outlet town so there are lots of clean people wandering around clutching shopping bags. There are 2 great outfitter in town EMS and The Mountain Goat. I took my EMS sleeping bag to the store because it has ripped a little (suprise after over 1000 miles with this bag) and they replaced it with a brand new one!There is nowhere cheap (under $50) to stay in this town so i wandered round looking for somewhere to 'Urban Stelth' (i.e on top of a building, in a stair well or in the park but somewhere people cannot see you or that the cops will check) I found a great spot right in the center of town in some trees in the park that was very concealed i headed back after dark and put up my hammock.I headed into town and bought some street clothes at Gap it was weird trying on new clothes because my body has changed alot and i had to find my new size in everything.It just so happens that the new (and Final) Harry Potter book comes out tonight at midnight and there is a Harry Potter party at the local bookstore so at 9pm i went and hung out with the other 400 people waiting for the book to come on sale. I was in the minority being not in costume and i deffinatly stunk, i got the impression people thought i was homeless :-) I'm not sure how i'm going to carry the book but i'll manage. When midnight came i got my copy and retreated to my hidy hole in the park.
Date: 2007-07-21
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Griffith Lake Tenting Area
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up at 8am and decided to head to Friendlys for another cheap breakfast. I got there and was approached by an old lady who i recognised after a couple of seconds to be Granny Waffle!!!! In the restaurant were Yard Sale, Beatbox, Waffle and Knifey Spoony. Granny Waffle has driven up to see Waffle one last time while he is still within reasonable driving distance. Granny Waffle insisted on treating us all to breakfast once again which was really kind of her once again. I hitched out of town at 1:30 with a nice bloke who took me to the trail head and i knocked out 10 miles. I can tell the differece the harry potter book is making to my load, i'm about 3 lb's heavier but it's so worth it.I left ahead of the others and they did not catch me today.
Date: 2007-07-23
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm meeting lots of Southbound (sobo) hikers now as they start in Maine during June and head South from there. It's great to hear about what is up ahead they say the White mountains are awesome and Maine is great. I Got into cooper lodge up on the top of Killington Mountain at arounf 7:30 there was no view which sucked but i was up here leading a trip with kids last year and remember the view was great.
Date: 2007-07-24
From: Cooper Lodge

To: Stoney Brook Shelter + 2
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I get a bunch of questions about my hammock so here is some info about it. It weighs 2lb 7oz which beats my 4lb 10oz tent plus i don't carry a sleeping pad so that knocks off another pound of weight. It has a waterproof tarpauling (tarp) that goes over it if it rains (seen here without phot in photo section shows it with tarp on). It takes me a minute to set up when i have selected trees that are the right distance apart and the right circumfernce (anything from arm thickness up will usually work).I sleep really well in it, it has an a-symetrical design (not a dimond) whick allows me to lie flater and am therfore able to sleep on my side. Its currently my favorite piece of gear.
Date: 2007-07-25
From: Stoney Brook Shelter + 2

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

Big day planned today so i don't have to rush too much to meet Hutch tomorrow, but by 9:30 i could tell it was going to be a hot day and that anything over 16 would be a pain in the arse. When I got to VT 12 there was a farm stand 100 meters down the road so i went in for a piece of fruit and an ice cream. I met Matt, Lily and Dave there who are all hikers and have been a few days ahead for a week or so according to the shelter registers its nice to catch people so you can put a name to a face. I made it almost 20 miles dispite the heat set up my hammock and then ate then read the last 120 pages of Harry Potter staying up till 10:30 (way past my hiker bed time).
Date: 2007-07-26
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Norwich, VT
Miles today: 11.9

Up at 6:30 away by 7:30 on a mission to be in Norwich by 3 to meet Hutch who is picking me up to take me down to Sargent Camp for a well earned break. Good terrain all day mostly downhill. At 10:30 the trail entered the town of West Hartford and passed by a new Deli which i could not resist visiting (A real wilderness experience i'm having here). I had a huge Philly Cheese stake for brunch and a cookie the size of a frisbee to eat on the trail.Got into town at 2:15 met hutch and headed for camp. We stopped off at the Long Trail Brewery on the way which was awesome.Got to camp and took a well earned shower and put on the non-hiker clothes i bought back in Manchester and mailed to Hutch. It was great to see everyone, Doug, Dylan, Ellen, Susan Ann, Jan, Jaz, Ben, Catz, Tijsen, Jen, Larry, Rob and Jason to name a few.
Date: 2007-07-31
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Slept in till 9 and did not get moving until 10. Beatbox and waffle caught me up today which was sweet but my late start led to only 12 miles today.There were 2 summer camp groups at the shelter in the evening and they could not have been more different. One group from Boston (Higher Ground program) were awefully behaved and their group leaders were terrible; letting the kids swear and climb on the roof of the shelter. The other kids were very well behaved and respectful of their environment, they were from Vershare camp.
Date: 2007-08-10
From: Glencliff NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hello from Gorham New Hampshire. Sorry i've been a bit crap with my journal lately i think i'm running out if interesting stuff to say but am then constantly reminded that what may be a regular day for me may be an armchair adventure for someone else.I made it through the White Mountains of New Hampshire perhaps the toughest section on the trail with large elevation changes and cold temperatures. I summited Mount Washington on Tuesday 7th and was rewarded with an amazing view (pictures to follow)Less than 300 miles to go and it all seems to be ending rather suddenly 3-4 weeks left now. I can tell i will miss the trail and my new friends a lot but am ready for a nice long sleep. I booked a flight home last week and will be flying in in September 11th."If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space."Love to All
Date: 2007-09-02
To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

On Sunday September 2nd at about 9:30AM I reached the last summit of the Appalachian Trail, Mount Katahdin. It was with mixed feelings that i reached that final blaze I don't think i'll ever be able to fully describe it but there were feelings of relief, sadness, joy and excitement all jumbled in there somewhere.Guz, Knifey Spoony, Waffle, Yard Sale, Beatbox and I all summited within 1 hour of eachother and spent an hour together on the summit taking it all in. I plan to go back and fill in the missing links in my journal over the coming weeks so stay tuned. A big thank you to everyone who was part of this trip, i could not have made it without the emails, guest book entries, care packages, letters, phone calls, favours, and company of great people these last 5 and a half months2174 miles, 171 days, all done.
Date: 2007-03-05
From: Springer Mountain

To: Stovers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: clear sky

Well I finally started out with 60 pounds. Had Lava's shoes with me climbing up from FS 42 to Springer. I am out of shape so it will be a real slow hike for awhile. Camp with a guy from MS who was a liitle home sick, a natural event on the trail. Slept like a baby
Date: 2007-03-06
From: Stovers Creek Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

I forgot how beautiful the hike is from Stovers Creek to the falls were. I had difficulty with my my pack weight climbing up to the falls and beyond. Started at Stover at 10:00AM arrived Hawk Mountain at 4:00 PM Decided I need to go into Neels Gap and drastically reduce my pack weight. Will go to Hiker Hostel tomorrow and Neels Gap the next day.
Date: 2007-03-08
From: Hightower Gap

To: Hightower Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Adjusted pack weight down to 36 pounds from 59 pounds. New pack, new stove, new tent, new water filtration, new journal. Need to take another 4 pounds of food out of pack. What a difference 23 pounds makes. Here with Glenn and Lava back out tomorrow. With lighter pack life is better.
Date: 2007-03-09
From: Hightower Gap

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: broken clouds

Long Day with new pack weight down to 36 pounds still need to lower it some more. Nice 10 climbs up. In the shelter tonight was Calamity Jane from Georgia, Zubie from Massachusetts and a couple from Minnesota Rojo & Able. The body is pretty week especially my lungs. I am realizing that 10 years ago I hiked this stretch in the rain. It has been a lot of work, but worth it.
Date: 2007-03-10
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Henry Gap
Miles today: 9.0

Got to Woody Gap at 2:00 PM, thought I could make shelter before dark, but I ran out of light. So I camp alone on the trail. With my new MSR tent. It rained over night about 4:30AM I stayed dry. Awful tired, my lungs are slowing me down. I have been fighting an infection for three months before hiking.Sleeping like a baby in the woods.
Date: 2007-03-11
From: Henry Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Didn't eat breakfast this morning big mistake had no energy, climbed up Blood Mountain by 3:00 PM, decided I didn't want to sleep with mices and skunk so had down the steep descent into Neels Gap. Arrived at 5:45PM and stayed at Walasi-Yi Center.I was hoping to get a pizza from Dominos but they do not deliver up the mountain. Also decided to take a zero day tomorrow to give my legs and lungs a rest.I haven't smoked in 11 years and I feel like I have been smoking two packs a day.
Date: 2007-03-12
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Came back to the Hiker Hostel, to get a Pizza do laundry go through my food bag that I sent to myself. I have too much food. I am sending home my Polartec 300 pants and sweat shirt. I will pick up a pair of pants from REI at the Blueberry Patch in 5 days. I am still struggling with the lungs. It may take some time.
Date: 2007-03-13
From: Neels Gap

To: White Oak Stamp
Miles today: 7.3

Where was the water? Lucky I carried 2 1/2 liters out of Neels Gap. No water until I got to Hogpen Gap. I have to admit I got a gallon out of the pack of a pickup truck from some college kids from Florida, thanks a million.Set up camp eat Salmon and was a sleep by 8:15PM. A long day after a day off. We actually didn't get into Neels Gap until 9:45AM.Legs and lungs getting stronger.
Date: 2007-03-14
From: White Oak Stamp

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Sleep great got up and was gone by 9 AM, not much up and down today, got to Low Gap Shelter at 12:05PM for lunch, left there after filling up with water drinking a 30 ounces and filling my 2 1/2 liter bag. The guide said there would be a lot of water but after yesterday I caution on the side of them being dry. Got to Chattahoochee Gap, the place for the beginning of the Chattahoochee River and the movie "Deliverance". I'm afraid I didn't here the dueling banjos, but there was no water at 6:15PM. So I pushed on to Blue Mountain looking for water a campsite. Finding water just below the shelter at sunset, I made the worst mistake of the day, I slept in the shelter with the "King of Snorers" from Mississippi and got very little sleep. Thank God for Daylight savings time I cooked dinner in the dark, beef buillion and Salmon.I made a decision to get into Hiawassee tomorrow before a big rain storm comes in, for a day off. Need to cut my hair and shave my beard off, and deal with a head cold.