morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-30
From: Toms Run shelter/Mile 1099.8

To: Pine Grove Furnace/Mile 1103.4
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: moderate rain

On a warm, very humid and buggy morning I made the four miles to Pine Grove Furnace State Park by 9:30 a.m. I passed the (old) ¢halfway¢ sign just after the shelter. The trail was downhill and relatively easy with some road walk on gravel and paved roads.Rocketman and a section hiker I met the prior day were already digging into the half-gallon challenge at the PGF General Store. I decided to wait for the father-son from the shelter. I picked Neapolitan. The Crawford family arrived as did Irish and others. I had a leisurely morning eating ice cream and visiting with the crowd of hikers. Sleeves surprised me with his wife and daughter. I visited the AT Museum nearby and used their ¢hiker lounge¢ to rest and plan.My shuttle (Mike Gelina) arrived on time and I spent the evening at Allenberry Resort. Sleeves and his wife & daughter were there. Because of a late afternoon burger at the General Store I skipped dinner, opened my packages from Cheryl, Carl and Black Diamond. And I had a nice ¢happy anniversary¢ call (37 years) with Cheryl. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-05-31
From: Boiling Springs, PA/Mile 1103.4

To: Boiling Springs, PA/Mile 1103.4
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero day in Boiling Springs devoted to planning next month on the trail and to rest. Dinner with Sleeves at Mexican Restaurant (Caffe 101). BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-01
From: Pine Grove Furnace/Mile 1103.4

To: Boiling Springs, PA/Mile 1122.7
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

Michael shuttled Sleeves and me from Allenberry to Pine Grove Furnace so we each could cover miles we missed after the half gallon challenge.  The day is best described in two parts.Part 1 (a.m.) ¢ Sleeves and I hiked together through a young forest with thick underbrush, often very close to the edges of the trail. The trail was relatively flat. We shared great conversation, primarily about our faith lives. We stopped for lunch at the Green Mountain General Store and enjoyed sub sandwiches.Part 2 (p.m.) ¢ One of Sleeves¢ knees was bothering him, so he elected to slow down. I had a shuttle to meet with a defined pickup time so I moved on. The afternoon hike included a number of not insignificant climbs. Moreover, the trail went along, over and through several large rock piles/formations requiring much climbing and scrambling with use of hands. The day was fairly warm so I sweated a lot during the climbs and had to stop and filter water to be sure I was hydrated.The trail eventually comes down off the high ridge dropping into Boiling Springs after a mile and a half through (sunny and hot) farmer fields. The trail concluded for the day at the ATC regional office along side the downtown lake where the water ¢boils.¢BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-02
From: Boiling Springs, PA/Mile 1122.7

To: PA Route 850/Mile 1139.2
Miles today: 16.5

After completing an interview with Mighty Blue, Barb (my guest hiker for the day) picked me up and we made our way to the planned, termination point for the day¢s hike. Shuttle driver Michael picked us up there and then dropped us in Boiling Springs (where I hiked into the town yesterday). Boiling Springs is an attractive village with a small lake in the center of town where the water ¢boils,¢ but never gets any warmer than 52 degrees.Barb and I met on a trip to the Holy Land in September when I was able to tag along with her church group. She has been one of my biggest supporters and encouragers ¢ and she has been resolute in hoping to hike with me for a day or two. She drove two hours from Philadelphia to join me this day.Our 17-mile outing started on an overcast, warm, humid day near the ¢boiling¢ spring in town (amidst an early morning crowd beginning to celebrate Foundry Day). We headed north and quickly entered some woodland. The day¢s hike would take us through forest, many pastures or farmer fields, by barns and silos, down country roads, over Interstate 81, on boardwalk, along side a beautiful creek, and through fields of tall grass. The terrain was mostly very flat (said to be the lowest and flattest section of any distance on the Trail) although at the end of the day we climbed a couple of pretty good hills. We interacted with many day hikers, runners, and fellow thru-hikers who filled and tried to share the narrow and often muddy footpath.Barb packed a huge lunch and extensive snacks for us ¢ courtesy of WAWA. We snacked on pistachios, grapefruit, watermelon, pepperoni and cheese. (No, I didn¢t eat any watermelon, but it was great to have two huge, juicy grapefruits.) After ten miles we visited the ATC Scott FarmTrail HQ, which offered a great picnic spot by the Conodoguinet Creek with cold water and a picnic table.Although warm, the day got progressively clearer and drier. We had bright sun for the afternoon, which offered some beautiful views of the area farmland in the later afternoon light. Barb was a strong hiker and great conversationalist. All in all a great day on the AT. I¢m most appreciative of Barb¢s interest in and encouragement concerning my journey. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-03
From: PA Route 850/Mile 1139.2

To: Duncannon, PA/Mile 1148.3
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Michael¢s sister shuttled me back to where Barb and I finished the prior day ¢ PA 850. I ran into Gypsy just as I started the day. The weather was cloudy and cool ¢ very nice for hiking. There was an initial climb to bring us up to the top of the ridge, which we followed for the day before dropping down a steep hill with many makeshift stone staircases.AWOL warned that most of the hike after the pipeline view was very rocky. I had prepared for the worst and part of my plan to manage my concern about the rocks of Pennsylvania was to just go slow ¢ the low mileage day (9 miles) was part of that plan. Surprisingly, but thankfully, the warning about the rocks was exaggerated. We have maneuvered through many areas that had rocks as difficult or worse than today. I had a snack near the Cove Mountain shelter and then moved on. We did have a nice view at Hawk Rock, which marked the beginning of the very steep descent into Duncannon.I made my way down, into town and stopped at The Doyle for a burger and a beer. I sat with Tuck and a local couple. Sleeves came by and we got a ride to the motel. I rested and watched the Memorial golf tournament and later shared a pizza with Sleeves. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-04
From: Duncannon, PA/Mile 1148.3

To: Campsite/Mile 1164.4
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

I got a 7:00 am shuttle back to The Doyle and resumed my hike there. The AT goes through Duncannon on a residential street parallel to Main Street before crossing over two rivers (one being the Susquehanna) on two noisy (street noise) bridges.The trail immediately ascends once across the Susquehanna. The climb is significant but generally on a good trail and a fair grade. The hiker though is greeted with significant rock scrambling at the ridge top, which continues for some time ¢ maybe 12 mile. This may have been an intro to the infamous ¢Rocksylvania.¢The trail was an ever changing mixture of nice, packed earth and brutal irregular rocks, loose rock, or large boulders. Fortunately,there was only modest climbs and descents. Unfortunately, there was very little to see except a couple of lookouts. The day was cool and cloudy, but finished partly sunny.After 5 hours of hiking I stopped for a lunch break. Because it looked like I wouldn¢t have a water source at camp I cooked a Trailtopia for lunch. Big Tent and Hooty Hoo joined me. We got great trail magic (drinks, baked goods, Snickers, water, etc.) from Mike Burton, a gentleman who is a trail volunteer.The afternoon was much like the morning, but better weather (nice breeze) and no steep climbs. I selected a campsite after a 16 mile day. Big Tent and Hooty Hoo later joined me at the site for dinner, but moved on to next campsite. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-05
From: Campsite/Mile 1164.4

To: Campsite/Mile 1182.7
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Great weather nightand morning. Tented alone. Early there was a long, long steady climb for two hours,but the grade was easy because it followed an old forest road. At the top Itook an early lunch break, where I met Capt. Ahab (who left Springer 2/23) andKodak (from Quebec).The trail was of good trail with minimal rocks continuedfor a very long part of the day. The sun came in and out all day. I pushed 18 milesto stealth site with large group and Gypsy (female). In large group: Kodak,Rampage, Capt. Ahab and others. Just before I gottent setup we got a shower, but I setup fly and tossed gear under until itcleared. I spoke with Cheryl. Explosions were goingoff well into evening. (I wondered if it was related to the Pipeline - which wehiked by a few miles back). BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-06
From: Campsite/Mile 1182.7

To: Route 183/Mile 1204.1
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

Cool, cloudy morning. Out of camp by 7:30. Tent mostly dried overnight.Early on there were road crossings including Rt. 72 to Lickdale and under I-81. Then a surprisingly steep climb for 2.5 miles (800 feet), which was only real climb of day (there were a few modest ones at end of day).A boring day with an earthen trail between ferns or similar vegetation interrupted by a few rocky areas (some of which required significant climbing/rock scrambling). Every time I was about to get frustrated, the rocks seemed to dissipate and I was returned to a fine trail. Again, there was almost no elevation gain or loss.Shuttle to hostel. Got shower and laundry. Hostel served dinner. Great dinner. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-07
From: Route 183/Mile 1204.1

To: Port Clinton/Mile 1219.2
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

Great dinner and niceevening at hostel with Donut, Mustashio, and Flatlander. Great breakfast athostel from Jody. Sat with Echo (Earl Shaffer¢s great grand niece) and her dad.  7:30 shuttle to trailwith Donut and Mustashio.Cool and sunnyweather. The day was a blur. Mustashio took off to get package at Post Office. Donut and I hiked together. Great conversation. No views or interesting terrainor points of interest. Relatively easy trail. Relatively few rocks. Almost noclimbs, but very steep descent into Port Clinton. Before I knew it we hadcovered the 15 miles. Cabela¢s ran us into Hamburg. Dinner with Keith Nix. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-08
From: Port Clinton/Mile 1219.2

To: Eckville shelter/Mile 1233.7
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

¢Dad¢ shuttled me from the Microtel. Sunny and warm day. The climb out of PortClinton is steep at first and then gradual up to the top of the Pennsylvania (Kittatinny)ridge. Like the top of the climb out of Duncannon, there is some large rockscramble towards the top of the climb out of Port Clinton. The ridge ¢line¢here was certainly more irregular requiring a few more climbs/descents - one ofwhich was probably as steep as the descentinto Port Clinton, but fairly brief.  Much of trail was quitesmooth. After seven miles of mostly fine trails I reached Pulpit Rock and a couple miles later, The Pinnacle ¢ both are nice lookouts, but there were many rocks between as well as a little north of The Pinnacle. Then the trail offered a nice, broad smooth path which I took all the way to the shelter.The tenting area was busy. I met Detail and reconnected with Maverick (and his son, Goober, from the Smokies). Also there was Double Tap and Seven, two section hikers, and flipfloppers ¢Sierra¢ and ¢22¢ ¢ and Chili Dog (with whom I had pancakes at Bears Den hostel).BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-09
From: Eckville shelter/Mile 1233.7

To: PA Route 309/Mile 1245.2
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Pleasant morning. Sunny and 60¢s. I hiked out at 7:15. After an initial dip, a long well-graded climb up to the ridge. After some flat trail and some more climbing, I arrived at Dan¢s Pulpit.Rattlesnake!Good views at Dan¢s Pulpit.Looking back, I¢d say, ¢the Pennsylvanian rocks begin at Dans Pulpit.¢Significant rocks between Dans Pulpit and Boulder Rock. Then the rocks were on and off ¢ both large boulder scrambling and minefields of smaller rocks covering the entire footpath. This continued for most of the way to Allentown Hiking Club shelter, where I had a quick snack break and saw Double Tap and Seven.I hiked from the shelter to Route 309 and The Summit with Double Tap and Seven. The trail after the shelter is an abandoned forest road with little elevation change so we made good time.  Then we enjoyed lunch at The Summit. I checked into the B&B and had a quiet afternoon of writing.  BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-10
From: PA Route 309/Mile 1245.2

To: PA Route 309/Mile 1245.2
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day at The Summit B & B awaiting Rob¢s arrival for three days on the trail. I was fortunate to have this day off ¢ it rained all day, very hard at times. Rob arrived. We did a little pack shakedown to shed some of his weight. Also enjoyed some fine wine and a great dinner. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-11
From: PA Route 309/Mile 1245.2

To: George Outerbridge shelter/Mile 1257.9
Miles today: 12.7

Rob (guest hiker Rob Smith) and I left The Summit B & B around 7 am. The morning was cloudy after a long day and night of rain but things appeared to be drying. We hiked a little more than two miles on nice trail and then hit our first serious encounter with rocks and rock scrambling. At mile 3 we encountered the infamous Knife Edge, which required very careful attention to each step. From there the rock challenges were on and off util we descended from Bake Oven Knob, which was treacherous.Rob and I enjoyed the hike, scrambling through large boulders and across precarious ledges, coasting along nice pathways with little elevation gain or loss, and good conversation on a beautiful day. Overall we judged the rock quotient at 1/3 nice path, 1/3 meddlesome small rocks across the trail, and 1/3 serious/difficult/dangerous rock hopping/scrambling, which was easier (and often more fun) than we anticipated.We arrived at the shelter before 4:00 pm and set up camp on very challenging (sloping) terrain. (We both would slide all night.). Donut arrived from Eckville. And then Big Tent and Hooty Hoo (and Caroline) showed up.Rob and I filtered water and cooked Trailtopia (and enjoyed a nice Cab, which Rob carried for us for 13 miles). Beautiful evening. Star-filled, cool evening. I tented without my rain fly. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-12
From: George Outerbridge shelter/Mile 1257.9

To: Leroy Smith shelter/Mile 1274.7
Miles today: 16.8

Rob and I left the shelter by 6:15. We filtered water north of the shelter and each carried 3 liters because there was to be no real water source for the entire day.After a brief hike downhill we were at the Lehigh River, which we crossed on a road bridge. Then the assault on the famous/infamous Lehigh Gap began ¢ a near vertical climb out of the gap requiring much boulder scrambling for a mile. The weather was cool and clear ¢ perfect for our climb. While difficult and even scary in a few places, the climb was mostly fun and not as hard as it had been billed.Views during the climb were beautiful. After reaching the top, the trail was easy and smooth for probably two miles ¢ then, rocks. The rocks about which I feared finally appeared ¢ a nearly continuous minefield of both smallish, angular rocks (golf ball, baseball, and football sized) and medium-sized (football to beach ball sized) rocks filling up most of the trail so that great care (read: very slow going) had to be taken to navigate these obstacles. For the impatient, a hiker might march through these obstacles but not without boot damaging and foot bruising encounters with the rocks. The day also involved some large boulder hopping and scrambling. While at times (particularly when descending) this is challenging, usually it is somewhat fun.In the middle of the day, the ¢small rock¢ minefields continued down a fair decent, followed by an immediate climb through a large boulder scree field, at the top of which we stopped for lunch.The afternoon was mostly frustrating rocky trail with no views and little reprieve. Towards Little Gap Road and some of the final three miles into the shelter were reasonable paths but for the most part the day was one of looking down, trying to make forward progress through the rocks while trying to minimize the number of rocks that bruised the toes or the bottom or sides of the feet. (As Rob referred to it, our own ¢Bataan Death March.¢)We finally rolled into the shelter area and tented, glad to be done with a tough, 17-mile day. We had a long hike to find and filter water, but then enjoyed a great dinner of Trailtopia, more good red wine, and chocolate coffee beans.There was a large number of hikers also tenting at the shelter area, but plenty of good (read: flat) sites. It did not take much for us to call it a night and fall asleep after this day ¢ kudos to Rob for persevering through a day of multiple challenges. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-14
From: Delaware Water Gap/Mile 1294.7

To: Delaware Water Gap/Mile 1294.7
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

After being tired by the 20+ mile day and after being beat up by the rocks, I enjoyed a restful day off. I toured the small town and worked on planning for my time in NJ and NY and to time a visit by Brooke and my arrival in CT. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-15
From: Delaware Water Gap/Mile 1294.7

To: AMC Mohican Center/Mile 1305.5
Miles today: 10.8

[This section was hiked southbound, but described here as a northbound hike.]This was one of my favorite hiking days in a long time. The air was crisp. The sky clear and blue with fair weather clouds. I enjoyed a beautiful glacial pond, flowering Mountain Laurel, and views both east and edit from the NJ ridge. And the terrain and foot tread were very friendly, although some rocks remain.Leaving Delaware Water Gap requires a mile and a half road walk along/under I-80, but seems even longer. The Trail then heads up towards the ridge on a path very popular with day hikers, so the trail is wide, generally smooth and nicely graded. At the end of the easy climb the hiker arrives at Sunfish Pond ¢ a National Natural Landmark and the first glacial pond northbound hikers experience. And it was beautiful. The AT actually follows the shore on the pond¢s west side. I enjoyed an early lunch on some rocks along the edge of the pond.After some additional, modest climbing you reach Kittatinny Mountain and the top of the ridge. Following the ridge offers pleasant hiking (with some rocks thrown in), a few black snakes, and frequent views, both east and west. The views back down towards Sunfish Pond are particularly beautiful.This 13-mile hike ends with a modest descent to a gravel road and a short walk up to the AMC Mohican Center ¢ which offers hostel lodging, meals, and a store for some gear and resupply. BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-06-16
From: AMC Mohican Center/Mile 1305.5

To: AMC Mohican Center/Mile 1305.5
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Zero day at Mohican Outdoor Center. [To work out the dates for Brooke to come out and hike and the family get together in CT and to wait on my resupply box (and after arriving in DWG a day early) I needed to take another zero.]BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...