morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-03-26
To: LTA (local training area)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I worked with the new backpack yesterday. Spent several hours working out a good loadplan (which I know I will change). Result: first-cut base pack-weight is 23.6 lb, and I'm pretty happy with that as a start point for tuning, because I have several items I know I can cut to lighter weights. Like... I am NOT going to bring all 100 feet of 550 cord! And I am sure I can be more efficient than 36 oz of "medicine!" Haha - most of that's gotta' be the containers! (hey, so I'm an old guy with a bunch of chronic aches and ailments -- but that's actually one of the reasons I'm doing this: the training and execution is great physical therapy).So, from today through start date is all shake-down. Today's focus is camp setup/tear-down with a light tarp and optimization of the equipment set that entails.
Date: 2017-04-01
To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today it begins. I managed to cut some weight and now have a 21 lbs 9 oz base pack weight. I spent the last couple days optimizing the load and loadplan -- and working on recipes for and preparing quantities of trail food. Thanks to Teresa for help with that and the resupply ops yet to come.Adding a basic sustainment load of three days of food (almost 4 1/2 lbs) and a couple liters of water (4 lbs more) will bring that to almost 30 lbs, which is more than I want to carry. So, I expect to cut the base weight a bit more as it warms up, and as I get more confidence in what I can do without. I may also intentionally go a bit light on food during this first leg of the journey, since I've managed to store up a little extra potential energy over the last couple weeks! (haha)The final shake-out drill with my new tarp went well the other night -- good test with wind and rain. I think I have workable configurations and rigging modifications needed to optimize its performance in various weather conditions.I've got so much to learn, and so much yet to experience; I'm anxious to get on with that!So if this morning goes well, I should be out on the trail a few hours from now.
Date: 2017-04-01
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Crampton
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started at Harpers after lunch (instead of breakfast). Beginning about 2 pm, Teresa and Joey walked with me for the first three miles or so -- across and along the Potomac. I found trail magic on day one! (Big thanks to Andy Bowes, trail name Opie!) at about mile 10 for the day. I managed to use the rest room at the Gaft State Park, kept walking to vicinity of Crampton, but set up a "stealth" camp in the woods rather than hang with folks at the shelter. I do look forward to meeting people, but for now I want to go solo a little and scrub off some of the conspicuous newness first.
Date: 2017-04-02
From: Crampton

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Great night. Had Super Oatmeal (oatmeal, quinoa flakes, dates, cinnamon, nuts, whole milk powder) for breakfast. Hiked all day. Mega gorp (enhanced "good old raisins and peanuts") for snacks and lunch. Beautiful sunny day. Cool side trails to the Washington Monument and Annapolis Rocks. 20 miles was a *lot* for day 2, but I'm back on the original schedule. Beef jerky, potato flakes and veggies re-hydrated with some bouillon for dinner. Tea. Tired!
Date: 2017-04-03
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

I am amazed at the restorative power of sleep. I felt very good today. There were three other guys at the shelter I stayed in last night. Jim and Travis, a policeman and a teacher from southern Indiana, doing a 40 mile section southbound; and Mike, a retired Army officer about 10 years older than I am, who is also a nobo (northbound) early flip flopper. Mike and I hiked together today and exchanged lots of stories. We kept an easy pace and made it past the Mason Dixon line and the PA border before 4:30 pm. Mike was going to try to get a hotel room in Waynesboro, PA. I continued on to Deer Lick. Mike pulled in about 30 min later, having decided against the hotel. There are two shelters here, and nobody else, so we each have one to ourselves.
Date: 2017-04-04
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Quarry Gap
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: moderate rain

Great day today. Rainy in the morning but actually pleasant. Took a picture on a side trail at Chimney Rocks. Later, I managed to recharge my phone to 70% at Caledonia State Park. Met up with nobo hiker Judi "Flicker" (RPI class of 84). We chatted and did about 8 miles together. Also linked up with lasher (long a__ section hiker) John "No Name" who was also hiking to Quarry Gap today. We made good time and arrived at Quarry Gap about 2:30 pm. Flicker's husband Willie "Gandalf" was pre-positioned with some of her stuff and his. He had hiked in south a couple miles to get here. I got to clean up a bit with a *cold* splash-bath downstream from our water source. Had soupy potatoes and veggies with some tomato powder for dinner. Delicious.
Date: 2017-04-05
From: Quarry Gap

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Another day of beautiful weather. I decided the 24 miles on my schedule for today was too much, so I stopped in Pine Grove with the same folks who were at Quarry Gap with me yesterday. We did 17. Along the way we passed the marker for the midpoint of the AT (Half way between Springer Mountain, GA and Katahdin, ME). We are all staying at the hostel here - $33 for pizza, bed, breakfast, and a load of laundry. This is to avoid bad weather due in tonight - tornado/thunderstorm warnings. I will check in the morning, and likely hike the remaining distance to Boiling Springs (in the rain). John and Willie took some pictures today and said they will send them to me, so I will post them when I get them.
Date: 2017-04-06
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: moderate rain

Today was a lot of fun. The weather, the distance and the rock mazes each required the exercise of good judgement. The weather (rained all day) required me to manage several changes to clothing and equipment in order to stay warm. The distance (over 20 miles if I count a couple places I got off the trail by accident!) tested but did not overtax my endurance. And "rock maze" means the rocks you have to scramble over are bigger than you, and in at least one place, you had a choice between climbing over one or crawling under the one next to it. I had to say goodbye to the great people I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and hike with over the last couple days. I learned a lot from Flicker, Gandalf, and No Name. I hope, somehow, we'll see each other somewhere up the trail.
Date: 2017-04-07
From: Boiling Springs

To: Carlisle Barracks Pennsylvania
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm enjoying not having to walk today. Teresa joined me Thursday evening and we had dinner at The Boiling Springs Tavern. It's a great 19th century tavern with an owner, manager and wait staff that treat you like you're a regular. We stayed at the visiting officer's quarters on Carlisle Barracks. Friday morning we went re-supply shopping at the commissary on the Army base. Friday afternoon we walked around the little lake in Boiling Springs and saw the Iron Works, the path of the AT through town, the home where the underground railroad operated out of in mid 19th century and one of the actual boiling springs. There were ducks, geese, and swans on the lake, as well as fly fishermen around it. Friday evening we made up meals for my next several days of hiking, and we packed a box with similar foods, which Teresa will mail ahead for me.
Date: 2017-04-08
From: Carlisle Barracks Pennsylvania

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

This morning, Teresa drove me from Carlisle back to Boiling Springs and I hiked north (back through Carlisle where I had just come from haha) to Darlington shelter. It was a beautiful, sunny day. Most of the trail today was flat, and it passed through a number of farms. I saw several people walking on the trail for short distances, including two men with dogs and a Spanish teacher who goes by the trail name Perigrina. Teresa, in the process of setting out trail magic for Flicker, No Name, and Gandalf, actually met them. I later ran into Willie (Gandalf) on the trail as he was hiking south to link up with Flicker at Scott's Farm. I got to Darlington shelter just before 3:30 pm, and No Name arrived shortly after that. As we were preparing to eat an early dinner and settle in before the temperature dropped for the day, he said my trail name should be "GI Joe." I signed the shelter logbook that way.
Date: 2017-04-09
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Great weather. Great scenery. A jogging hiker reminded me of the messenger running across the fields of Hyrule.John and I met Willie and Judi at the hiker-legendary Doyle, where I had a great "buffalo burger." After lunch we put in a couple more miles and then got rooms in the Red Carpet Inn.
Date: 2017-04-10
From: Duncannon

To: Campsite at Mile Marker 1163
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

This morning the climate at Duncannon started out cool as we climbed up the shaded side of a massive ridge line to a height of about 1000 feet above the valley floor. From there we walked 14 miles to a campsite on top of the ridge near its distant northeast end. The weather today was beautiful, but the constant sun and warmer temperatures up into the eighties made it a little bit more challenging. The top of the ridge line is also very rocky, which takes a toll on feet. Mine are glad to be getting a break right now! The first order of business after arriving at camp was to take off my boots and put on my crocs. Then I put up the tarp to provide shelter in case the weather turns and there is some precipitation tonight. However, I don't think I'm going to need it for anything other than protection against wind, as it looks like it's going to be a good night.
Date: 2017-04-11
From: Campsite at Mile Marker 1163

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It was an easy 13 mile hike on a beautiful day, a welcome relief after yesterday's rocky trail. I'm fortunate to still be hiking with Gandolf, Flicker and No Name again and really enjoying their company! We broke camp early, right after I fueled up on some super oatmeal, and we were on the trail by 7 am. We pulled into today's stop at Rausch Gap shelter at about 2 pm. After getting out of boots and into Crocs, I made my way down to a nearby stream and was able to access the water and wash sweaty clothes and self. It was very cold, but refreshing. No Name and I will need to get to a store in the next couple of days to resupply. Looks like we might get this done tomorrow. Gandolf (he and Flicker are doing their own version of a slack pack) says he can give us a ride. Goal is to make it to 501 Shelter tomorrow. This represents the addition of a day or 2 to my original "schedule" for when I should make it to Port Clinton, where I should be able to get the additional supplies Teresa mailed there.Pictures uploaded: "The General," a side hike to a nearby hill, "Bear Bag" showing the lengths we go hoisting food bags to keep bears from being interested in our campsite, and a "Nearby Stream"
Date: 2017-04-12
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

After a very pleasant night at the Rausch Gap shelter, I continued hiking with No Name and Flicker. We went about six miles and then Gandalf gave us a ride to resupply. Of course we stopped at a place called Frogs Hollow Bar and Grill and had half pound burgers first! We didn't want to go food shopping hungry haha. We ended up picking up supplies at a Dollar General and at Walmart. Then Willie drove us back to the trail and we hiked another seven miles or so to the William Penn shelter. The others stopped there and I said goodbye to them again, and I pressed on another 4 miles to the 501 Shelter. This is an interesting place with a full-time caretaker. It is an enclosed shelter almost like a hostel, with a large Skylight through which I can see the stars. When I arrived I met two ladies who have been hiking together. They go by Sergeant Sunrise and Jack Rabbit. I think they said their actual names are Sharon and Nancy. They have been section hiking together for years and they are camping nearby. They're nice people, about my age. One is a cancer survivor and the other has done a marathon in each of the 50 states.
Date: 2017-04-13
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

It was pretty chilly when I started out from the 501 Shelter. I had hiked about four miles when I ran across Sergeant Sunrise and Jack Rabbit going the other way. They had hired a shuttle and did a day - hike from the north back to the 501 Shelter. At about the ninth mile, I saw Gandalf and his truck. I stopped and chatted a little and ate my lunch. Then I continued on for another 6 miles to the Eagles Nest shelter. The post office in Port Clinton opens at 12:30, and I need to stop there to retrieve the supplies Teresa sent. So it didn't make sense to try to get any closer today, when I'd just have to burn time tomorrow morning. When I arrived at the Eagles Nest, I met "Versper" from Princeton, NJ, who had been on the trail 10 days, hiking south from NJ to NC. We each shared info on the parts of the trail we had been on recently. Then Gandalf arrived and later Flicker and No Name, who had hiked 19 miles to get there. Later another three hikers arrived - they go by "the April fools," but I didn't really get to know any of them yet. John said he saw bear tracks today. I thought it was a big dog. Anyway, we hung up a pretty heavy set of bear bags tonight. I had Wisconsin beef sausages in mashed potatoes and beef broth for dinner. Everyone is now quietly in bed at 8:30 pm.Tomorrow, I'll try to get mail from Port Clinton and maybe make it to the next shelter north.
Date: 2017-04-14
From: Eagles Nest

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was another great day on the trail. I hiked my 200th mile! I continue on with Flicker, Gandolf and No Name. We left the Eagles Nest shelter in the morning and hiked about nine miles to the town of Port Clinton, PA where I stopped at the post office and picked up supplies that Teresa mailed to me. Willie also gave us a ride to the Cabela's Outfitter store where John got a new pair of shoes. After, we went to lunch and had burgers. So at this rate it does not look like I'm in any danger of not getting enough calories! After that mission we got back on the trail in Port Clinton and hiked another six miles to the Windsor Furnace shelter. Here we met back up with "the April fools" who are tenting near the shelter. I got to chat with and get to know them a little better. John and Gail are a retired Coast Guard couple and Linda is a professor at the University of Montana. I'm presently sitting in the woods just up the hill behind the shelter and it's dark already now, so I have to use my headlamp with red light to find my way back to the shelter. Goodnight!
Date: 2017-04-15
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was overcast and cool, but it was a good day for hiking. I hiked with Flicker all day. We did about nine miles in the morning and stopped for lunch at the Eckville shelter. On the way to that location we passed a spot called Dan's Pulpit and another called The Pinnacle. I'm not sure if we weren't completely paying attention, but I saw nothing of note at the location on the map called Pinnacle other than a large rock pile. It was sort of a massive cairn, over 10 feet tall. Each of us added a rock in contribution to the large pile. After lunch we hiked another 7.5 miles and went through several boulder fields.
Date: 2017-04-16
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

So, today I crossed over the 218.7 mile mark, somewhere (10% of the entire AT). In the morning, the trail started off easy for a few miles, then there was the boulder field known as the "knife's edge" which was actually a little dangerous, as well as several other boulder fields and sections we refer to as "ankle busters." Then, after about 12 miles (still hiking with Flicker and No Name), we had a short lunch break and decided to put in a few more miles and get to Palmerton, PA before taking a night off at a B&B. This was mainly because we'd all become quite "ripe" (if you know what I mean), and we all needed a shower and to clean our clothing. First however, we stopped at a place called "The Shack" for beer and burgers, which tasted great!! (Kudos for The Shack!)The "Blue Mountain Summit B&B" is probably not unique in this world. (Only meters off the trail, quaint, rustic), but the owner/ manager/ bartender Kenny is *certainly* unique! He is a caring person, but he is clearly tired after 21 years of running this place - of both strange people (who in their right mind would want to try to thru hike the AT?), and he apparently has no "filter." He is not like other people. Or so says his girlfriend, who has been a teacher for 29 years. She's clearly passionate about her work, which goes far beyond the "8th Grade English Teacher" title she has. She is animated when she describes the leadership and community service programs she also runs. Meanwhile, Kenny seems to have forgotten that he has our laundry in his washer and dryer... I'm sure we'll get through this night OK, and we'll be back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2017-04-17
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Leroy Smith Shelter Campsite
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning we checked out of the Blue Mountain Summit B&B and drove back to Slatington. We hiked across the bridge to Palmerton then almost immediately had to climb a serious rock pile about 1200 feet up. This was a boulder climb with rocks bigger than we were. After walking a short distance on relatively flat ground at the top of that climb, we came to the Palmerton Superfund detour. The Superfund site itself is an area where nothing grew for years, after toxic materials produced as byproducts of zinc mining spoiled the land. The trail had been re-routed around it while remediation efforts are underway. We could see from the trail that all the old trees there are dead, but I was also glad to see that bushes and small pine trees seem to be emerging now - at least in the area we could observe.After about 5 miles, we met Willie at a road crossing and had a snack. We then hiked across mostly rocky terrain until we met Willie again at our 13-mile point, where we had lunch. Then we finished the day's journey logging a total of 16.1 miles, stopping at the Leroy Smith shelter. There was only one other hiker already there, but we chose to set up in the camping area. So I am spending another beautiful night under my tarp. Tonight, like most nights recently, it is supposed to only get down to 41 F. So I've had to learn how to unzip and regulate temp so as to not overheat and dehydrate in my sleeping bag. Tomorrow Willie and Judi will be getting off the trail for a while, and John and I will continue and hike at least as far as the Kirkbridge shelter, possibly pushing on to Delaware Water Gap, finishing our trip through Pennsylvania, and starting the NJ section the following day.
Date: 2017-04-18
From: Leroy Smith Shelter Campsite

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a long, hard day. Over 20 miles, most of which was feet-beatingly painful rocky terrain. After saying farewell to Judi and Willie, John and I headed out and hiked all day, to get to Delaware Water Gap, PA. Along the way, we saw the April Fools, going south. Apparently, they got a ride and were hiking part of the same section of trail we were, but in the opposite direction. Later, we passed a German couple that Aaron had been hiking with and had spoken about. They were from Stuttgart, and I got to practice a couple German words chatting with them.In the afternoon, we passed a guy I had seen at least three times before, each time heading south, but each time in a location further north than the last. This time, I stopped and asked him about that. He goes by "Slo Mo" and he carries a huge backpack with an old-school external frame. He is driving two cars, leap-frogging them north and each time walking southward to get back to his other car. This makes him the only north - bound hiker I've met who only walks south! Anyway, as we approached DWG, walking along the top of the ridge line, we had a beautiful view of the Delaware River, the boundary between PA and NJ. With sore feet, we finished the walk and stopped at the Church of the Mountain Hiker's center, which is a free hostel (will make donation tomorrow). Dinner down the street, discussed strategy for next couple days. Bed time now. Very tired.
Date: 2017-04-24
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was an exciting hike. I got up at about 5 am, had a peanut butter tortilla for breakfast, and was under way by 6:30. My phone was off to conserve power until I could recharge it and the backup battery brick, so I regret that I could not take pictures of things I saw, like Fitzgerald Falls in the early morning. The first several miles were relatively easy, but the trail introduced me to the first of what would be many boulder scrambles on very steep slopes. These took a lot of effort, but it paid off with beautiful views. At Little Dam Lake, after I had just filled and treated a liter of water, Slo Mo (remember he¢s the nobo who only walks south ¢ leapfrogging two cars northbound) came rolling in from the north side of the stream I had stopped at. He was wearing his usual wide brimmed hat, but today he also had on a "no-see-um" bug net over his hat and entire head. He looked tired. He had just started this section about three miles north. At about 11am, I found a cache of trail magic that Slo Mo had told me about. I ate a package of ramen noodles dry, straight out of the wrapper, washing it down with cherry coke. I signed the log book and thanked "Heavenly T. Angel."After several more step scrambles up and down, I met three hikers who told me what I was about to climb down was called "Agony's Grind." It certainly earns its title because it was difficult and even more so dangerous due to all the leaves covering many of the rocks. At about 12:45 I crossed a bridge that took me over Route 17 and Interstate 87. Then I entered Harriman State Park. About 3 miles later, I encountered the section known as the "Lemon Squeezer" - picture a narrow channel between two long 8' boulders, so close together that you have to remove your backpack, push it up onto the boulder on the left so you can climb thru and then get up onto that rock to get your pack back. And that's part one. Part two again required removal of backpack and tossing it up onto an 8' rock wall near a 30¢ cliff. Then w/o backpack, I could safely get the finger and foot holds needed to climb the wall myself. Exhilarating! For hikers not feeling up to that task there is an alternate route ¢ a blue arrow on a sign which reads ¢easy way¢ and points in a different direction. I hiked on and stopped at the Fingerboard shelter only long enough for a snack and to sign the log book. Then, acting on a tip I got from Dory and Turmeric the previous day, I hiked another mile and went 0.3 mi off trail to get to Tiorati Circle, where I found a restroom with a power outlet I could use to charge my phone and backup battery. It's 9 pm and I'm settled into the William Brien shelter. There are 2 nobo hikers here who both started in Georgia in February. Stamp is a 25 year old guy and Silver Girl is just out of college. They hike about 25 miles a day. They both said today was a hard day for them and that made me feel better. It was a relatively long day for me at 19 something, and I found the climbing very strenuous. Goodnight!