morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-11
From: Leroy A Smith Shelter 

To: Stealth Camp @ 1281.9
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: clear sky

When I was at my brothers last weekend I sent some of my food ahead to Wind Gap, but unfortunately I've arrived here on Sunday when the Post Office is closed. At first I thought to stay in a motel and wait until Monday to retrieve my package, but after reading some of the reviews of my choices, I decided to just go into town for laundry, one days resupply and some town food. I'll bounce my box along to another location further up the trail. I found a great little health food store and had a yummy chicken salad sandwich and freshly squeezed juice made with kale, apple and ginger. Got to get those veggies in when I can. I didn't hike far on the trail today, but did walk a few more miles doing my town chores. Looking forward to getting to Delaware Water Gap tomorrow and soon leaving Rocksylvania behind
Date: 2017-06-12
From: Stealth Camp @ 1281.9

To: Church of the Mountain Hostel, Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 11.7

Today was brutally hot! I couldn¢t seem to drink enough water. My head hurt and I was drenched with sweat all day. What kept me going was the promise of a stay in town and a shower. Pennsylvania was not going to let us go without more rocks, though they didn't seem quite as bad today. I ate lunch at the Kirkridge Shelter with Hickory and Low Tech before beginning the descent into Delaware Water Gap. The trail goes right through this scenic little town so my first stop was an ice cream shop for 2 scoops of Minty Mint. I then headed over to the Hostel hosted in the basement of a local church. The Hostel allowed dogs, so unfortunately smelled like a kennel plus smelly hikers. I decided to pitch my tent behind the church. Next up was a shower, but it appeared it hadn¢t been cleaned in a while, at least not this year anyway. A shower was necessary after such a hot day so I powered through the ick factor. It obviously didn't have a trap installed in the drain and there was a bad sewer smell for a minute, but thankfully dissipated pretty quickly. I joined Hickory, Low Tech, and several other hikers at the local pizza joint for dinner and a few beers. On the walk back to the Hostel I received a call from Mr N telling me that Frolicking Dinosaur had been bitten by a copperhead snake while gardening today. He had rushed her to the emergency room and they were keeping her overnight. She is expected to be ok, but was obviously in a lot of discomfort. It had been a stressful day and I was glad to retire to my little tent for the night.
Date: 2017-06-13
From: Church of the Mountain Hostel, Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ
Miles today: 10.8

Another scorcher was forecast for today and I didn¢t get started as early as I¢d have liked because I wanted to get breakfast at a nearby bakery. My stomach was feeling a little unsettled and certainly didn't feel much better after breakfast, but I packed up and hiked out of Pennsylvania over the Delaware River. A man stopped at a small picnic area and offered me some trail snacks from the trunk of his car. I didn¢t refuse and packed them away for later. There was of course a climb out of the gap but it wasn¢t too bad. The forest was beautiful and soon the climb ended in a nice vista over the valley. I stopped to call home and was relieved to learn Frolicking Dinosaur was released from the hospital. The trail then went down to Sunfish Pond, a glacial lake that is considered one of the seven wonders of NJ. It was very scenic. The trail followed the pond for a little over a mile and was quite rocky. The trail then followed a ridge and was blistering hot again. My stomach still felt queasy, so I didn't eat lunch but still tried to keep drinking water. I took many breaks and finally reached the road that would take me to the Mohican Outdoor Center where I had a resupply box waiting for me. I drank a Sprite and decided to spend the night in the extremely  nice bunk room. My stomach felt better after the soda so I bought a tasty sandwich from the lodge deli. Wild Thing and Feathers, 2 hikers I met several days ago arrived by shuttle. They had hiked beyond the center but Feathers had got really sick so they came back for the night. Hope I don¢t have the same thing.
Date: 2017-06-14
From: Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ

To: Mohican Outdoor Center 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up early and my stomach still felt rough. I ate some oatmeal and had a cup of tea and it I worse. I don¢t know if this is heat related or something else. I lay back down and decided to stay here another day. Later on Beast, a young Swiss woman I met at the church Hostel, told me I must have ¢ bubble gut¢ and she¢d had it a couple of days ago. That is a great description of how I felt. Later on another hiker came in sick so there is definitely something going around. As the day progressed I did feel better and explored the Center. It evidently was a Boy Scout camp at one time before the Appalachian Mountain Club acquired it and is a beautiful spot. I have another 5 or 6 days walking before I take another break from hiking and visit a good friend for a few days in New York.
Date: 2017-06-15
From: Mohican Outdoor Center 

To: Brink Shelter 
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: few clouds

The Mountain Laurel is in full bloom and there¢s lots of it on the trail in New Jersey. I didn't know that this state was so beautiful. It truly is a garden state. There are still rocks but nothing like those in PA. I stopped for lunch at a trailside campsite because it had a good log to sit on. As I took my pack off a turkey hen came out of some ferns and started making a racket and flapping her wings at me. I picked up my trekking poles and seriously thought I was going to have to fight her off. I then saw all of her obviously newly hatched biddies in the ferns and realized what was going on. She rounded them all up and moved on into the woods so I could enjoy my lunch. I was going over the last mountain before reaching the shelter and intently watching were I was putting my feet and almost missed seeing a glider silently go over my head. Ricolla, a male Swiss hiker and a Ridgerunner, Frisky are here tonight. There is also a group of Outward Bounders camped some distance away but who were definitely making there presence known way past hiker midnight.
Date: 2017-06-16
From: Brink Shelter 

To: Mashipacong Shelter 
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

New Jersey trail maintainers have really perfected the art of constructing a privy! They are spacious, clean, and have very little odor. They all have hand sanitizer enclosed in a little wooden box so that less scrupulous hikers are not tempted to top off their personal bottle. Good job! It was a pleasant enough day until after lunch when the forecast rain began. It wasn¢t driving rain but enough that shoes and socks got wet and despite my pack raincover, rain does get down the part next to my back and also soaks the hip belt. I had intended to walk to the Shelter beyond Mashipacong, but a closer look at the guidebook revealed that Shelter was 1/2 mile off trail and next to a bog which I read to mean more mosquitoes. Mashipacong had no water source but the guidebook said often trail angels cached water in the bear box. I decided that if there was water cached, I¢d probably stay. There was and it was a very nice stone Shelter. I slept under roof since more rain was forecast overnight. A Hungarian man who lives in Florida called 4WD joined me later.
Date: 2017-06-17
From: Mashipacong Shelter 

To: Lott Rd, Unionville Nu
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

It was pea soup fog this morning and there were quite a few view points but nothing to be seen when I hiked past. There was a sign in the Shelter last night that thru hikers would be treated to a free soda at the High Point State Park office, but I was under the mistaken assumption that you had to walk a mile to the office. What a treat to discover the trail went right through the parking lot of the office and I happily went in to claim my ice cold, sweet effervescent treat. Next up was a wooden viewing platform of Lake Marcia but again nothing to see. Eventually the fog did burn off and it turned out to be quite a nice day. I had an ambitious day planned and then noticed the town of Unionville NY was only 1/2 mile off trail and allowed hikers to camp in the town park, plus there was a pizza parlor and general store. I walked into the quaint town and decided to camp there. I stuffed myself with salad, real NY style pizza and a calzone at the pizza joint before heading back to the park. The sign at the Park said it was open dawn to dusk, and it was just about dusk when about 20 younger teenagers arrived by bike and foot. They were blasting music, playing basketball and generally having a big old Saturday night party and this went on until about 11:30. I was glad to see these teens having a good time but it didn¢t coincide with my hiking bedtime. I plugged in my earbuds and watched a few shows on Netflix until the party was over
Date: 2017-06-18
From: Lott Rd, Unionville NY

To: Waywanda Shelter 
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

Before heading out of town I enjoyed an egg and cheese sandwich on a hard roll that NY is famous for. I did decline the ketchup that is always offered. There was a bit of a road walk this morning before the trail followed the perimeter of the marshy Wallkill Preserve. It was a beautiful spot with lots interesting plants including my favorite, common milkweed just coming into bloom. I saw lots of birds and bunnies but only one Monarch butterfly. The sun started to peek from behind the clouds and the day really heated up. As I started up Pochuck Mountain I ran into 3 young guys that I met in Delaware Water Gap and we kept overlapping all day. I met up with a trail maintainer pruning back unruly bushes and he offered ice cold Gatorade which I gratefully accepted. The trail then followed a boardwalk for about a mile over a marsh. The trail maintainer said that this was one of the most popular sections of the AT and there were lots of people enjoying a Father's Day stroll. It was a beautiful spot and one of the most enjoyable sections I¢ve hiked. The trail went over a suspension bridge and some more boardwalk before popping out on NJ 94. A short walk led to Heaven Hill Farmstand and I had a sandwich and an apple. Next up was a steep rocky climb up what is called Stairway to Heaven. I always seem to lose steam in the afternoon and it took me over an hour to climb the mile to the top. I enjoyed the view for a few minutes and then hiked the remaining 4 miles to the Shelter. I really enjoyed my day on the trail today!
Date: 2017-06-19
From: Waywanda Shelter 

To: Waywanda State Park Office
Miles today: 0.3
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up at my usual time but didn't have to rush since I'm getting off the trail for a few days to visit a good friend who lives near Kingston NY. I found a shady picnic table and didn¢t have long to wait before I was greeted by the smiling face of my good friend. She whisked me away for a second breakfast, shower and laundry and some well-earned R and R. I have now hiked over 500 miles and it turns out I¢ve lost 13lbs. On the agenda over the next few days is to seriously clean my gear that has taken on an unpleasant mildew smell. Kind of like when you forget the towels in the washer for 3 days and they take on that nasty funk.
Date: 2017-06-22
From: Waywanda State Park Office

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

I had a great visit with my friend. She is the kind of friend that we may not see each other for some time or even talk on the phone but when we do see each other, we just pick up from where we left off. I successfully cleaned all my gear during my time off trail to get rid of the funk. I am still suffering from the bubble gut issue. When I wake in the morning my stomach feels crampy and is gurgling and I feel nauseous though I don't throw up. I started hiking at about 10 am but didn't feel as happy to be back on the trail this morning. About 1 I stopped for lunch at Prospect Rock and could faintly see the NYC skyline in the distance. There were quite a few rocky climbs today and I found myself being really irritated by them and not enjoying my hike at all. I ran into a man and his dog hiking south and he asked me to take their photo. Turns out he was a professor at Clemson, the university near my home. We had a discussion about the benefits of section hiking the AT, which is what he was doing. I passed 2 women heading south and then shortly after they caught up to me as I was getting water from a stream. Turns out Quick Start and Pip Wet Hiker had somehow got turned around and that is how I had met them going south when I first saw them. I hiked with them for the next couple of miles to the Bellvale Farms Creamery. They were getting off the trail for a few days since Quick Start had a relative just up the road from the Creamery. I had a milkshake at the Creamery and then continued on to the Shelter which included more rocky climbs. I had trouble sleeping and started analyzing my hike. I wasn't feeling well and was really starting to have trouble with a lot of the hiker food that you have to eat. Two months of bars, nuts, peanut butter, rice, oatmeal and junk food is really starting to wear on me. I really miss fresh veggies and the healthy diet I eat at home. My interaction with Quick Start and PWH drove home the loneliness and homesickness I was starting to feel. Over the last few weeks I started to look forward more to my time off the trail than the actual hiking. I thought about my conversation with the Clemson prof and the enjoyment of just doing smaller sections. Just like that, I decided I was done.
Date: 2017-06-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

When I woke up, I called home to tell them of my decision and they were very supportive. I packed up and started hiking south. A young woman that was also at the Creamery yesterday questioned my direction and I broke down crying and told her I was leaving the trail. She suggested that I take some time off and I explained that I'd just taken 3 days off. We wished each other well and I walked back to the Creamery. It was tough and tears flowed freely. I was able to share a ride with a woman section hiker from trail angel, Sandy to the Warwick Motel. I holed up in the motel to come to terms and process my decision.
Date: 2017-06-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I booked my plane ticket home and trail angel, Sandy agreed to take me over to a motel near the Newburgh NY from where I¢ll fly home next Tuesday. I¢m feeling emotional and torn over my decision but feel it's the right one for me. Hiking the AT has been one of the hardest things I've ever done but also so rewarding. All the studying and preparation a person does for a thru hike does not even begin to prepare you for how difficult it really is. There is definitely a reason that only one in four actually complete a thru hike and I have deep respect for them. I'm really proud of how far I was able to walk and I will complete this trail but in sections . With the Georgia section that I hiked last fall, I've walked 621.6 miles of the Appalachian Trail. To be continued¢¦..
Date: 2017-09-07
From: Humpback Rocks Trail Parking

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Nemophilist is back! Ever since I flew home from NY I have been plotting on how to get back on the trail. I never did completely figure out my bubble gut issues. The doc prescribed some Flagyl in case I had accidentally ingested any parasites although I was never tested for them. The side effects were horrible and I wasn¢t able to complete the whole course. I saw my chiropractor for an adjustment and she suggested that perhaps my stomach problems were related to a massive detox since I had ended up losing 20lbs in a fairly short period of time. She referred me to an acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine who helped me feel better with some intense detox methods and acupuncture. I¢m still having some lingering problems with a big toe joint but I¢m hopeful I can walk around it.Yesterday Mr N drove me up to Waynesboro VA and today I slackpacked from the Humback Rocks parking area to Rockfish Gap. It felt so good to be back in the forest and to top it off it was a perfect sunny day with nice fall temperatures. I stopped at Paul Wolfe Shelter for a snack and hydration break and was heartily greeted by a hiker yelling out, ¢ Nemophilist is that you?¢ It was Princess Bubblegum who I had hiked with back in PA. It was great to see her still going strong and she caught me up on all the trail gossip. A lot of the flipfloppers I had met up north are now on the south bound(sobo) side of their hike and ahead of me on the trail. The trail passed a really old cemetery and the chimney ruins of an old cabin. Made me wonder about the people who must have lived and died here long ago. The trail was pretty easy and I made it back to Rockfish Gap in good time. Tonight Mr N and I enjoyed a delicious meal at the Green Leaf Grill in Waynesboro which I heartily recommend if you are ever in this area. Tomorrow I¢ll shoulder my full pack and start heading south.
Date: 2017-09-08
From: Humback Rocks Trail Parking

To: Maupin Field Shelter 
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Mr N dropped me off at the same spot as yesterday after a good breakfast at Panera. I had butterflies in my stomach and of course it is always hard to say goodbye. My big toe joint was hurting after yesterday's hike so I did some creative taping that basically made the joint immobile. It worked and I had no pain today and even put in some decent mileage for the first day carrying a full pack. It was again a glorious day and I soon reached a great view from Humpback Rocks. I enjoyed it for about 5 minutes before about 50 rowdy teenagers on a field trip arrived. I figured it was time to move on and hightailed it up the trail. I only saw day hikers today and not too many of them. There were several great views along the trail. I never get tired of enjoying them! A lot of the springs were dry and I got dangerously low on water before I got to a spring that I had to scoop out to be able to get any water. I was able to get about 1/2 cup at a time. It took me a while but I was able too get about a liter to last me for tonight. I got really tired the last three miles and was tempted to stealth camp along the trail but kept on. I got here to the Shelter just before dark. There are about 3 groups camping and no one currently in the Shelter. I wasn¢t very hungry but knew I needed to eat something so I just ate some granola and hung my food bag and smellables on the bear pole and quickly put my tent up and climbed in. I¢m really tired so hopefully no problems sleeping.
Date: 2017-09-09
From: Maupin Field Shelter 

To: campsite @ 1357.9
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: few clouds

The insect symphony was really loud last night and I had to put in my earplugs to get any sleep. I also had some leg cramping, a sign that I didn¢t drink enough water yesterday. I did get a fairly good nights sleep though. The day started out with a couple of good climbs that got the heart pumping. I was rewarded with great views and could see where I was headed; a big climb up a mountain called the Priest! The descent from the viewpoints was very long and rocky and it soon became apparent that I wouldn¢t be climbing the Priest today. I stopped at Harpers Creek Shelter for lunch and chatted with Moving Target, another flipflopper who has been hiking with Princess Bubblegum for the last few days. I continued on with more downhill hiking to the Tye River and crossed the suspension bridge and over a major road to the base of the Priest. Some hikers I had chatted with earlier had told me about a stealth campsite in this area so that is what I set my sights on. Shortly after finding the site, 3 other hikers I had camped near last night and Princess Bubblegum arrived too. We are all quite cozy in this small spot.
Date: 2017-09-10
From: campsite @ 1357.9

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

Coyotes provided the nighttime sounds last night. When they started their yipping, all the dogs in the valley would join in on the chorus. I stuck in my earplugs again and didn¢t here a thing, even the large animal that the others heard in the brush near our campsite.The Priest was a beast and I was glad I made the decision to do it this morning, which it took all of to reach the summit. I hiked with Princess Bubblegum and she entertained me with tales of her funny amorous adventures on the northern stretch of her hike and it made the time pass quickly. The views were again magnificent! We stopped at the Priest Shelter for lunch and had some good laughs at the log book entries. It is a hiker tradition to confess your Trail sins in the log book. My confession was pretty tame  compared to some. Shortly after leaving the Shelter, Bubblegum took a side trail to hitch to town to meet up with some of her friends to celebrate her birthday. She invited me along but I declined and kept plugging on. I passed on the side trail to Spy Rock because I was really tired and wanted to get to camp. Hope I didn¢t miss anything  too exceptional. I came upon some apple trees loaded with fruit that I had read about in another hikers journal. I ate 2 and they were delicious. You just can¢t imagine how good fresh fruit and veggies taste when you are not eating them on a regular basis. I soon reached the Shelter and Hack Job was huddled up in the corner. I set up my tent behind the Shelter and quickly took care of my chores and settled in for the night. It is quite cool tonight and rain is forecast for tomorrow night and all day Monday.
Date: 2017-09-11
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Hwy 60
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

I really enjoyed the hiking today! It was overcast, cool and quite blustery on the higher elevations. I came across more apple trees and ate a couple more even though yesterdays apple fest was probably responsible for me having to go dig a cat hole at 3am last night. Again some great views and I enjoyed crossing my first southern Appalachian bald immensely. The trail here feels like the trails I¢m used to hiking at home which adds to my enjoyment. I think the rocky scrambles that I faced in NY were a small part of my unhappiness that led to me quitting my northern hike earlier in the summer. I decided that I would like to get off the trail tonight to avoid the forecast bad weather and gave a call to Stanimals Hostel in Glasgow which I had intended to stay at in a couple of days from now. They agreed to pick me up at 6pm at Hwy 60. The hiking was easy today except for the last 3 miles of descent. I thought it would never end but eventually I got there 20 minutes til,  just as Robert from the Hostel arrived to pick me up. The Hostel is first class, very comfy and homey! I showered then enjoyed an excellent spaghetti dinner! I plan on taking a day off here and spending another night.
Date: 2017-09-12
From: Stanimals Hostel, Glasgow VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I really enjoyed my stay at Stanimals Hostel! Last night a young German couple, Murko and a Stella and a ginger section hiker called Just Steve stayed here so we were fortunate to all get our own rooms. Donna the manager offered a breakfast of waffles, but I declined and walked to the nearby store for breakfast supplies to make my own. I made a tomato and cheese omelet and enjoyed an oj and Starbucks frappuccino. The bad weather never really materialized until the afternoon which I spent it cleaning my gear, organizing my pack and just lazing around in the comfy living room. Moving Target who I had met a few days ago arrived followed by a section hiker called Mountain Man Jim. We agreed to go to the only restaurant in town for dinner and enjoyed good food and camaraderie.