morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Peters Mountain Shelter, PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter, PA
Miles today: 0.0

The storm last night was pretty severe. The forecast was for more of the same Thursday   Staying in the shelter were Lentil and Phiffier and another couple, Mountain Goat and TK. Coming in around 12:30 in the afternoon were Funnybone, Gator, Backstreet, and Spacey. Spacey stayed while the rest left for the next shelter which is 18 miles away. Then a whole slew of thru hikers came in. Some just stopped for a quick break, about 10 stayed. Half were women. It ended up with everyone sitting around in a big circle talking and eating through the evening. It's nice to be around hikers again. The storm that was supposed to be so severe with hail and wind never happened. But at least my sores on my toes healed up, so the zero day wasn't all wasted.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Peters Mountain Shelter, PA

To: RauschGap Shelter, PA 
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

I took off early this morning with the intent of making the fourth day less than ten miles so that I could reach the Post Office before it closed on Saturday at noon. As I was walking by a camp site 5 miles down the trail I saw a man putting on his pack. I called out hello and it turned out to be Steady. I had met him coming out of Shenandoah. The only reason I caught him was because he took 3 days to fix his RV. We walked another 2 miles and when we came to a street he introduced me to Sweet Tooth. Her husband Molar (a dentist) and Dans Brother had hooked up together and she was their support. While she waited she became a trail angel giving sodas, chips, and cookies to hikers. Since I knew I couldn't get to the Pine Grove Post Office by noon the next day I asked Sweet Tooth if she would drive me into town. She said yes. We picked up my mail drop, stopped at WalMart and resupplied and then drove through McDonalds. The only problem was now my phone was getting low on charge. I hiked and reached my old original destination by 7:30.
Date: 2013-06-15
From: RauschGap Shelter, PA 

To: 501 Shelter, PA 
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

7:30 to 4:15Today around 9:00am I ran into a chest with Trail Magic. Had myself an orange. Awhile later I saw 2 girls hiking towards me from the north. They greeted me with ¢Hi Pilgrim.¢ They said they had run into Steady who said I would be behind him. When I reached the shelter I ordered an extra large pizza for everyone there. It was to make up for taking their trail magic from them when I took Sweet Tooth into town. I had a small pizza and a coke for myself. Later that evening the girls ordered cherry pie and I had some of that too
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Eagles Nest Shelter, PA

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter, PA 
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

Walked 9 miles into Port Clinton. Hitched a ride to a cafe where I had lunch. Then went over to the pavilion (hikers sleep area with roof and floor) and took off my boots and napped for an hour. On the trail again at 2:00. Hiked for 3 hours to the next shelter. There I met Shade and Shadow an elderly couple section hiking from Harpers Ferry as far as they can go. Later Spider Mac showed up. He's been slowed up with sickness.
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter, PA 

To: Allentwon Hiking Club Shelter, PA 
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: mist

Walked the first 9 miles fairly quickly as most of the trail was smooth surface. But after mile 9 it took me 5 hours to hike 5 miles. The trail was all boulders. I found out at camp that it¢s the weight on my back that makes my feet hurt on the rocks and lessens my ability to walk from one boulder to another. On a good note, I got passed by Doc, Boone, and BP. We had a break together at Dans Pulpit. My boulder hopping was much improved when I left camp without my pack and went .3 mile to get some water for the night. For a while Doc, Boone, BP, and Spider Mac stopped to eat but then they left around 5:00 to go 10 miles to the next shelter. Kapow is the only hiker here with me tonight. I¢ve got 15 miles to reach town tomorrow. The question is: will I make it?
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Allentwon Hiking Club Shelter, PA 

To: Walnutport, PA 
Miles today: 17.8

Took off at 6:00 this morning knowing it was going to be tough going through the rocks. The rocks were small, the rocks were medium size, and they were huge up on the ridge crests. One spot even has its own name: Knifes Edge. They were a series of boulders with no flat spots, just edges. The trail went right over them with sharp drop offs on both sides. Somehow I made it through. It took me 11 hours to do 17 miles. As I was going down the last part of the trail down to the highway a guy came southbound and said, ¢Hey Pilgrim I've been looking for you.¢ It turns out he is here putting his mother in law in an assisted living home and was doing some practice hiking for his thru hike next year. He had read my trail journal and saw I was having trouble getting through the rocks and offered to shuttle me so I can slack pack all the way to Delaware Gap. I told him I would certainly appreciate it since my feet are all red and sore. Most of all it wasn't fun. He doing this just to help me: he hopes, maybe next year, if he needs help someone may help him. All I can say is ¢Thank you Penguin¢. Here in town are Doc, Boone, BP, and Spider Mac. They are staying to watch the Bruins hockey game. Tomorrow Penguin Man picks me up at 8:30 to shuttle me to start my slack pack.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Walnutport, PA 

To: Smith Gap Rd, PA 
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a good breakfast and got picked up by Penguin Man at 8:30. We went over to the Post Office where I picked up my mail drop. Then minutes later he dropped me off at the trailhead. The trail was a vertical climb almost right away. I put my trekking poles away in the little day pack Penguin Man gave me to use. I only carried water and snack food. The pack barely registered as weight on my back. It's a good thing too, that it was so light. I had to use tiny handholds to scale the mountain side. Once on top I met some section hikers who had slept at the same hostel last night, and we took each other¢s pictures. Today was slow, as usual, through the rocks as I went along the top of the ridge line. But without the weight of my pack, my feet and knees had no ill effects. Along the way I mixed some chia seed with water and drank that fort lunch. It was a little untasty but it satisfied my hunger and helped me get through the hike. I finally reached Smith Gap at 3:45. A little later Penguin Man picked me up. We drove over to Wind Gap and I got a room for 2 nights. He asked if I wanted to eat at Outback¢s and we had an enjoyable evening talking about thru hike preparation. He then drove me to a supermarket to purchase snacks for my next two hikes which will end up at Delaware Gap near the New Jersey border. It's always a little hard for me, a guy from the city, to accept things that seem a little too good to be true. I guess we've all been conned out of something during our life time. But the nature of trail magic transcends all that. Every time I receive trail magic I am amazed that the giver expects nothing in return. And the giver always has a smile on their face and is very content. I think you have to accept it, don't even think bad thoughts at all, and just go with it. Trust is hard to give, but in the case of trail magic you must accept the gift and go on. I truly hope I can help someone in the future in the trail magic way. Thank you Penguin Man, Fresh Ground, Sweet Tooth, and all those people who spent their own money to fill a cooler with sodas and treats and left it on the trail or even better yet stayed and handed out the treats.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Smith Gap Rd, PA 

To: Wind Gap PA 
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Slack packed again. Penguin Man picked me up at 6:00, took me to McDonalds, and had me on the trail by 6:15. Since it would be 23 miles to reach Delaware Gap I decided to just go 8 miles to Wind Gap and call it a day. The trail was uninterrupted rock. It took me 5 hours to complete the 8 mile section. Penguin Man picked me up, drove me through McDonalds. I mentioned my head lamp was not working and he offered to sell me his. He is taking my head lamp home tonight to see if he can tweak the battery contacts to stay in contact with the batteries. I spent the rest of the day napping and reading. It was also kind of neat that after I had suggested a book for him to read that he actually went out and purchased it and showed it to me as we drove to my motel room. I had noticed he liked chia seed and always wore the 5 toe vibram shoes, so last night at Outbacks I suggested he read Born To Run.
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Wind Gap PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA 
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Penguin Man picked me up at 5:30, we went through McDonald's and I was on the trail by 5:45. Penguin Man was able to fix my head lamp and he also topped off my alcohol bottle. Of course the trail was rocky, but I made pretty good time. At 8:00 I went by the stealth camp of BP. He was sleeping cowboy style in his bag out in the open. He awoke as I stood there and we talked about where everyone was. I went on, and ended up barely getting into Delaware Gap ahead of him. We all are staying at the Church of the Mountain hostel. Shortly after BP and I arrived, Penguin Man drove up. He carried in my pack. And for all in the hostel, he brought in sodas, chocolate cream filled cupcakes, and chocolate bars. Then he drove Spider Mac, BP, and myself over to the Walmart in the next town for resupply. Then we went over to an outfitter for canister of gas for BP's stove. When he left, everyone thanked him for his help.
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA 

To: Stream, NJ (Mile 1303.1)
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Coming out of Delaware Water Gap I really felt the weight of my pack as I crossed the Delaware River to start my hike. Due to my slack packing, my wife and I agreed to skip the next mail drop. That means I had to carry 5 days of food. So as I crossed under I80 and turned into the parking lot of the trailhead, I was thinking these thoughts when I walked by a parked RV and the occupants said ¢Hi, hiker¢. I turned toward them and Steady saw it was me and said ¢Hey Pilgrim stop awhile and have some coffee or tea.¢   I did, and since it was on my mind I broached their aid in taking 2 days of food off my back. They wanted to help when I told them of my situation and so I quickly gave them about 5 pounds of my food. What a fortunate break. Steady's wife Spirit and I exchanged phone numbers and we were off on our way. The pack was still heavy with 3 days plus my protein mix but it was more bearable.New Jersey is just as rocky as Pennsylvania so far, but I can only hope the rocks end soon. After 11 miles, I stopped at the Mohican Outdoor Center for a sandwich and drink but the guy was just leaving. He sold me a drink and said if I waited an hour he would make me a sandwich. I decided to nap since it was 88 degrees out. During that time Jordana came up and also napped. When the guy came back he made me the deli sandwich and sold it to me at half price for waiting. Jordana woke and said ¢How about me?   I'd like one at half price¢. But the guy only gave the price break to me. After lunch I headed back on the trail. The only camp site with water was 3 miles away. I arrived and shared the site with 2 dads and 3 kids between them. I plan on waking early tomorrow to try and make up for my laziness today.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Stream, NJ (Mile 1303.1)

To: Gran Anderson Shelter, NJ 
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

I was on the trail by 6:15. I passed Lentil and Jordana who were tenting it. They, of course, passed by me later on the trail. Early morning was nice hiking but by around noon the temperature was over 90 degrees. So when I reached the 1st shelter after 11 miles I ate and then napped. The water there was excellent so I refilled. Finally reached my destination at 6:30 pm. The shelter had thru hikers Lentil and Jordana, Medicine Man and his son, Dons Brother and section hikers Spec and Bob. Bob actually came over and shook my hand because he has been reading my journal all this time. He said it was entirely by coincidence that we met. Tonight the mosquitoes are giving us problems. Tomorrow I need to meet Spirit around noon, around 12 miles away.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Gran Anderson Shelter, NJ 

To: Murray Property, NJ
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

My watch alarm went off at 4:30 am. It was still pretty dark but I was able to get all my equipment out of the shelter in seconds with very little noise. But as I started to eat my breakfast, Jordana quickly got up and started to get ready for the day. Before 5:15 everyone was up. I guess the 90+ temps made an early start look good. As I walked I was attacked unmercifully by the mosquitoes. Spec and Don's Brother passed me early. When I caught up to them taking a break I asked Spec (who was finished with her section at the next street) if she had any mosquito spray. She gave what she had left. It saved my skin. I reached highway N23 and Spirit was there with my supply. I signed the register at the High Point State Park and got a free soda. Before I could leave Spirit asked to share lunch with her. So that was nice. And when I got to the turnoff to the concession stand a mile later, the .3 downhill walk looked like too much seeing as I just ate, so I just continued on. Jordana had told me of a secret shelter 6 miles up the trail. It is owned by Jim Murray. It has a nice cabin, a privy, a shower, and a well. It was perfect. Lintel and Jordana showed up after 6.
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Murray Property, NJ

To: Wawayanda Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today showed me another way an easy trail can be made miserable by the AT. Most of the trail went through low swamp land. And the mosquitoes were swarming. I luckily carried a head net so I saved my head. But my back and shoulders where I was sweating were attacked all day long. The only solution on the AT is to just keep walking. Hopefully, when I go in for my resupply, I can get something at the drug store to ease the itching and prevent the sting. Today I saw my usual one snake. He was out on the trail and saw me coming. As soon as I stopped, he slithered off the trail. He wasn't a rattler, but he looked like a viper. Every time you stop walking on the trail, the mosquitoes would intensify, so around 11:30 I stopped by the roadside to eat. Luckily, some lady gave me a plastic water bottle to drink with my peanut butter tortillas. I found my camelback had next to zero water when I arrived at my destination. Afterwards I found a nice spot on a bridge over a stream and took a little nap. After my nap, I continued to cross ridges and go through swamps. About 1:30 I came out on a big highway and there was Spirit's RV. She saw me coming and I sat with her while she gave me a cookie and soda. She told me she had just taken one of the German thru hikers to the dentist to repair a cap. Trail magic keeps on a happening. I said goodby and started on the last 5 miles of my day's journey. The first climb was huge. Later I was walking up on top of the ridge, and when rounding a bend I came upon 3 cubs and a momma bear. The 3 cubs all went up the same tree trunk. The momma bear turned to run, then turned to climb a tree, but finally just froze there looking at me. I decided not to get my camera out, and to indicate my intentions. I turned my back on the 3 of them and started walking back the way I had come. Immediately the 3 cubs slid down the trunk and took off away from me. The momma bear followed. I saw they had given me space, so I turned around and started walking where they had been. The momma bear saw me walking and took off away from me, along with her cubs and ran till they were out of sight. I finally reached the shelter at 4:30. I had to walk almost 15 minutes to get water from the ranger station spigot. Lots of section hikers are here, all are tenting as I am to get away from the nasty mosquitoes. Tomorrow I need to go only 10 miles to reach Greenwood Lake, NY for an inn and resupply.
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Wawayanda Shelter, NJ

To: Village Vista Trail NY
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

Today is going to be less than 10 miles, so I set myself in cruise mode. I waited till 5:30 to get up and I broke camp at 7:00. Even though I was moving at my slowest easiest pace, the trail kept going thru hand hold climbs that slowed my walk to a crawl speed. But it was no big deal since I knew I would be showering and eating in the near future. A German thru hiker named Running Shoe went with me through the climbs. It was a pleasure talking to him as we went. When he heard that I was visiting a town in walking distance from the AT he also made the same turnoff because he needed to use WiFi today to take care of some business back home. The inn I'm staying is set off from the rest of town by about .7 miles, so it isn't conducive to a zero day. Maybe I'll take a zero day at my next resupply, we'll see.
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Village Vista Trail NY

To: Fingerboard Shelter, NY 
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

Today I left the inn at 5:30 knowing I had a long day ahead of me. It took me 50 minutes of walking through town and up the vista trail before I reconnected with the AT. Today was the same as yesterday but longer. New York sends us up perpendicular to the ridge at its highest point. It makes the climb up and down go through cliffs and boulders that really slow me down. The trail must have gone over 8 or 9 ridges. It was grueling. I didn't see any other hikers all day. On the last start of a ridge climb I had to cross a stream. But since it rained last night 2 of the stepping stone rocks were under water. I got my socks wet and kept on going. Some 4 hours later when I finished my 14 hour hike, I found my arch feeling like a blister is starting. I'll check it the morning to see how it feels.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Fingerboard Shelter, NY 

To: Hemlock springs Campsite, NY 
Miles today: 17.6

Got on the trail by 6:30 and arrived at destination at 6:00. Almost 12 hours for 15 miles. I think New York is the hardest state in the miles per hour category. That¢s mostly because of my bad knees and sore toes. Anyway today was pretty interesting. Hessian Lake recreation was full of weekenders having fun. There was also a concession stand there where I bought a cheeseburger and Pepsi. The zoo was closed but the staff let me walk through so I could follow the white blazes to the Hudson River Bridge. Found the campsite and shared it with a couple doing a 3 day shakedown hike. They will soon start from here and go all the way to Maine. My right inner arch part of my foot that hurt so much yesterday, has gotten red and rough. No start of a blister yet. It sort of tingles when I walk. I¢ll keep an eye on it.
Date: 2013-06-30
From: Hemlock springs Campsite, NY 

To: Sunken Mine Rd, NY 
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a good day. I woke up to find my red area on my arch was less red and I had two breakfasts. When I awoke at 4:30 I saw that there weren't any streams or springs for at least 10 miles so I went and filled all my water for the day down at the stream. Then I ate breakfast and broke camp by 6:15. The trail was easy and I made good time except in a few hard sections. At 8:00, at a highway crossing, there was a gas station store with a grill inside that was open 24 hours a day. It was called the Appalachian Grill. Without hesitation I veered over to the establishment and had 2 eggs and 3 pancakes with orange juice. I was on my way again by 8:30. 2 hikers passed me, never saw them before, and they were way faster than me. No snakes, no bears, but some deer and chipmunks. It started to thunder around 2:00 and I called it a day when I came up on a stream and some campsites next to it. I walked with 2 pair of sock liners today and my feet felt good the whole time. Maybe I'll buy more sock liners and ditch the heavy socks. The mosquitoes were out and always buzzing but with the repellent I was ok. The gnats seem immune to the repellent and kept dive bombing for my eyes or a beeline for my nostrils. Well it's almost 6:00, I better turn in.
Date: 2013-07-01
From: Sunken Mine Rd, NY 

To: Stormville, NY
Miles today: 14.2

Broke camp at 6:00 and arrived at NY 52 at 4:00. Today was a day of walking in the rain. Around 9:00 I was walking along at a good pace not suspecting that rain was coming. One second it was a nice day, the next second I heard a big wind coming through the trees with a drenching rain. I was soaked immediately. I first got my iPhone put away, then I pulled out my pack cover, got my rain jacket out of the pack, put the pack cover on the pack, and then finally put on my jacket over my already soaked shirt. Walking again, the trail was a complete puddle. My boots quickly filled with water. I had to stop 3 times to unlace my boots and pull off my boots with a big sucking sound and dump a lot of water. After a couple hours the drenching rain changed to a drizzle that lasted all day. Also every rock became a slippery platform to step on. Downhill was especially slow. Since there is no hitchhiking in NY I went down to a pizza place a half mile the opposite way of Stormville. There out of the rain I finally reached a taxi service that would drive me to the Post Office and a motel for 32.00. At the motel I met Lewis, who drove me all over Stormville to get my laundry done, get resupply snacks, and have dinner. What a great guy. I already promised him 20.00, but worth every penny.
Date: 2013-07-02
From: Stormville, NY

To: Stream to West, NY
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Took Lewis to breakfast than hit the trail at 8:30. Today was easy going day. Went by wet lands, lakes, farms, and ridges. Stopped by the Appalachian Trail Railroad Station's adjoining garden center and got a coke and rested awhile. A mile later, I was about to enter the Pawling nature reserve where there is no camping. About 30 yards into the reserve is a stream. So, since it was 4:30, and I didn't want to go across the whole reserve and be in the dark on the other side, I set up camp right at the entry point. The water from the stream was good. I didn't see any hikers going my way, but I did see 1 hiker coming south from Maine.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: Stream to West, NY

To: Mt Algo Shelter, CT 
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

Today was a good day. Broke camp at 6:00, arrived at shelter at 4:30. Walked in some wet lands, crossed the Ten Mile River, and climbed and descended some ridges. After walking along the river, I came out on a street to see a lady sitting on a folding chair behind her car with the truck open. I asked if this was trail magic and she said yes. The lady was waiting for her husband to complete a section of the trail and was giving out trail magic while she waited. The husband came off the trail just as I was starting to drink her Gatorade and eat her cookies. Both had been on the trail from Springer this year when he got hurt in Virginia. He is recuperating and they both hope to hit the trail again soon. His name is Side Tracked and hers Miles From Nowhere. I told them I was feeling listless and thought I had Lyme Disease. But they looked at where I thought the tick had contacted me, and they said I looked good. They thought it must be the highest humidity they've had in years that was causing my problem. After I left them there was a big climb away from the river. After my half hour break with them and drinking a 20 ounce Gatorade I went right up the mountain with my old zest. I still go down them slowly, so therein is the main cause for my slow speed. I usually average 1 snake a day. Today 2 snakes rattled at me because they didn't want me to pass so close to them. I gladly stepped wide of them through the bushes on the other side of the trail. I didn't see any hikers today except Side Tracked. I'm the only person at the shelter too.