morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Dunnfield Creek
Miles today: 22.0

Walking HomeI was amazed at how good I felt when I woke up. My feet were still very sore, but a night of rest allowed them to heal. I quickly packed up and started walking with matterhorn, quake, and couch who I spent the night at the shelter with. We had jersey on the mind all day. I decided to do another 20+ mile day and make it to the border. Off I went over more rocks which I knew would be over at some point today. The 4 of us got down into wind gap and walked .2 to a motel that would fill up our water bottles. we ate lunch there then climbed up to the Kitatinny ridge, the same ridge that we follow to high point.The horrid rocks continued until wolf rocks, where they magically disappeared and we were blessed with a smooth trail. The last glacier stopped at wolf rocks so that explains the magic. I let out a loud Yippee and started jogging on the flat trail. It felt so good to be able to take a full natural step.We kept trucking on and stopped at kirkridge shelter where we got water from a spigot. Quake, matterhorn, couch, and I stopped at an overlook and threw a frisbee around for a bit. We could see Mt. Tammany in NJ on the other side of the water gap and I got an excellent second wind. Jersey was so close I could throw a rock at it. I couldn't delay any longer and took off ahead on a beeline to the gap. We got a few viewpoints along the way which I stopped briefly at. I knew my parents and my dogs were waiting on the other side of the river. We stopped at mt minsi and took some pics and then ran down the mountain to delaware water gap. We didn't pause in town even for a second and started walking over the Delaware river on the Rt. 80 bridge.I had a smile from ear to ear and was excited to see NJ license plates. Quake and I were hooting, hollering, and high fiving all the way across the bridge. We made it to the Dunnfield Creek Parking lot and I had the joyous reunion I imagined with my family. The dogs were whimpering and licking my face as soon as I got my pack off. My friend Ken was there as well which was an awesome surprise! I talked with ken and my parents for a while then went home. Quake, Matterhorn, and couch went home with ken.It felt so good to walk into my home state. I had a hard time believing that I had actually just walked that far. I feel like the low point on the trail is over, the PA rocks, and the rest is just going to get better and better. I am taking a week off the trail and won't get back on until Monday the 9th. I am excited to catch up with all my friends and spend some time down the shore.Today's StatsStarting Point:Leroy Smith ShelterEnding Point:Dunnfield Creek Parking LotMileage:22.0Elevation Gain:2380ftElevation Loss:3570ftHiking Time:11:01Weather:Cool Breezy PerfectPain Factor:4
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Dunnfield Creek

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Sleeping in my own bed was a treat! I went to my favorite Indian buffet for lunch and hung out with my friend Melissa. At night I went to ken's for a stellar bbq. Quake, matterhorn, and couch were there also.Today's StatsStarting Point:HomeEnding Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:CoolPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-07-03
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I went into my work and had a very warm greeting from everyone and got ragged on for having such a large beard. Then I went and picked up my grandma and went home for a family bbq. Around 11 I drove down to belmar and surprised cindy, wes, perna, jenny, trainor, mark, mj, and kim at a bar. There was a line around the block to get in, so I went to the bouncer and said "I just walked 1200 miles from georgia to Jersey and have 6 friends inside that don't know I'm here. Can you let me in so I can see them?" To my surprise he et me go right in. Inside I was overwhelmed by the loud music, beautiful women, and shoulder to shoulder crowd. I was shaking from the shock, but calmed down after a few beers. My friends were very happy to see me.Today's StatsStarting Point:HomeEnding Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:WarmPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-07-04
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up early and drove to neptune and woke up some other friends. They did not expect to see me that morning. I saw jim, marin, fewkes, hansleman, nick, jess, janess, and ann marie. We cooked an excellent breakfast, swam in the pool, played fooseball and soccer. I left at 2 and went home to shower and grab clothes for the rest of the weekend.I went to alex's 4th of july fireworks party and got to see tom, mickey, cindy, jenny, and danielle. Around 11 I drove down to seaside and spent the nigh with fewkes and crew.Today's StatsStarting Point:HomeEnding Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:RainyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-07-05
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I went to the beach with jess and janess, but it was too cold to go in the water. I said goodbye to those guys and went to lavalette to stay at pauls for the weekend with jess, elizabeth, dan, melissa, and gary. I thoroughly enjoyed doing nothing. We all went for a cruise on pauls boat in the barnegat bay. It was so nice to be on a boat! What a change of pace from the trail. I saw osprey nests on the channel markers. We hung out at pauls backyard bar for the evening.Today's StatsStarting Point:HomeEnding Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:HotPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-07-06
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Paul and I were up at 530 and got to ricks boat at 6. We went out in the ocean fishing for fluke. I caught about 10, but they were all too small. They need to be 17in and I caught 3 16.5 inchers. I was so close to a fresh dinner. I really enjoyed boating up the Jersey shore. We went up past belmar and asbury park almost to sandy hook. When we got back I went to the beach at swam for an hour in the cold water. I love the Ocean! At night we partied and rode bikes to chris's house. I ended up sleeping there.Today's StatsStarting Point:HomeEnding Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:Warm sunnyPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-07-07
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I rode my bike back down to pauls house and went and sat on the beach for like 5 hours just soaking in the scene. We went on an evening boat cruise and had an awesome dinner. Life was tough.Today's StatsStarting Point:HomeEnding Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:hot sunnyPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-07-08
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up and said goodbye to paul and jess, thanking them for their excellent hospitality then went to chris's house. I went up to his beach for a few hours and swam in the ocean for the last time. We had lunch together then I made my way home. I had dinner with alex and melissa. Then went home and fell asleep in my bed.Today's StatsStarting Point:HomeEnding Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:Hot sunnyPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-07-09
From: Home

To: Backpacker Capsite
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: few clouds

In the morning I went to Ramsey (my local outfitter) and bought a light up frisbee for the trail then went to see my good friend ken. I hung out with him until 4 then went home and started getting my gear in order. Around 6 I left with my parents, got a food resupply, then went to the AYCE sushi buffet. I did a number on that place and my parents dropped me off at the water gap. I was hiking at 9:30 pm and my mom was not happy with dropping her son off in the woods in the dark. I hiked 3 miles to the backpacker campsite, scaring some dear along the way. There was a lot of people camping there, but I don't think any were thru hikers. I set up my hammock and went to bed. It felt great to be back in the woods.Today's StatsStarting Point:HomeEnding Point:Backpacker CampsiteMileage:3.0Elevation Gain:1020ftElevation Loss:70ftHiking Time:1:07Weather:CoolPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-07-10
From: Backpacker Capsite

To: Rattlesnake Mtn
Miles today: 17.8

Welcome BackI think I was excited to be back in Jersey since I was up and walking by 6am. I made it to sunfish pond to see the sun peaking over the tree tops on the other side of the lake. A chorus of frogs were still croaking and the purple and pink sky reflected perfectly off the still water. I sat and took in this amazing scene before me then started the walk around the north side of the pond. About halfway around with the sun getting higher, I decided to take a dip. I got in my birthday suit and slipped into the water watching the ripple I made in the water travel away. I felt at peace with the world. I had the entire pond to myself on a picture perfect morning.I managed to break free from sunfish ponds beauty and continued on to Mt. Mohican where the bright sun was shinning over the kitatinny ridge. I took a break and had a snack then walked on. The terrain was a bit rocky, but a blessing after PA. I saw a flock of turkeys with about 10 chicks foraging for berries. I could see the chicks jump from the forest floor trying to get blueberries higher up on the bush. As I walked on I spotted a small black bear. It looked like a cub, but I didn't see a mother. It took off running when I spotted it.I walked on enjoying some familiar trail taking in the views of the Delaware river to the left and the nj valley to the right. The heat went well into the 90's and I walked as long as I could. At 2 I had enough and set up my hammock and took a nap until 6.I woke up to thunder in the distance. I got moving and did another 6 miles. I met stealth and talked with him for a bit. He went to the ymca camp and I pushed on to camp at rattlesnake mountain. It started raining, but not heavily. I had planned on carrying water from a stream .5 from the mtn, but the stream was dry. Luckily I had just enough water to get me through the night.I got on top of the mtn just after sunset and walked down to a clearing to set up camp. When I got down there I was confronted by a family of skunks. There was a mom and about 4 kids. It was hard to tell since they looked like one huge ball of flowing white hair. I had never seen a skunk with such long hair. They started walking toward me and I thought I was going to get sprayed. I yelled at them and clicked my poles together and they turned around. Thank god the mother wasn't trying to teach the kids how to spray. I cooked dinner as I was jumping in and out of my hammock to avoid the mosquitos that were particularly bad. If I stood still for 10 seconds 5 would land on my legs.Today's StatsStarting Point:Backpacker CampsiteEnding Point:Rattlesnake MtnMileage:17.8Elevation Gain:2740ftElevation Loss:2550ftHiking Time:10:55Weather:90's hot, thunderstorm, coolerPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-07-11
From: Rattlesnake Mtn

To: Sunrise Mtn
Miles today: 11.2

Attack of the SkeetersThe mosquitos were horrible last night. They somehow managed to get between my underquilt and my hammock and were biting me through the hammock. I slept on top of my sleeping bag to keep them away. If I touched the bug netting above they would bite me through the netting. I could hear them swarming near my head all night. They died down around 4am when a heavy fog rolled in so I slept until 8:30. I got up and and was walking by 9. There was minimal views since it was very foggy out. I walked to brink road shelter where I got some much needed water. Along the way I ran into forest and spaceman whom I had met at traildays. I hiked on and ran into a ymca group of kids out for a day hike. They formed a semi circle around me and asked questions. I felt like a tourist attraction, but didn't mind. Maybe I inspired some future thru hikers.I made it down to rt 206 and called my friend pat. I was waiting at the road talking to a group of girls from another ymca camp about my hike when he picked me up. We went and got sandwiches and drove up to the sunrise mountain pavilion. We ate lunch then Pat took all my gear and I slack packed back down to 206.Along the way I saw another bear. It started raining and It felt good to get wet. Especially knowing that a hot shower awaited me. I passed those girls again and they all didn't seem to mind the rain. They told me I was cheating.I met Pat back at the road and we went to Jackies house. I showered in the pool house shower as the rain continued. Inside I gave myself some new music from Pats laptop when Jackie got home from work. Her and Pat cooked a most excellent chicken fajita dinner complete with guacamole and fresh veggies from her garden. I ate a whole lot then we went and sat outside drinking and talking. We talked about the 4th annual pool party which is on aug 11th. It would be awesome if a friend picks me up to come back for that. hint hint wink wink. I'll prob be in VT.Today's StatsStarting Point:Rattlesnake MtnEnding Point:Sunrise MtnMileage:11.2Elevation Gain:1340ftElevation Loss:2440ftHiking Time:5:19Weather:Overcast RainyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Sunrise Mtn

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

String Cheese IncidentI woke up early and left with Jackie on her morning commute. She dropped me off at Dover train station and I took the train home. My dad picked me up at 8am and I had all morning to catch up on much overdue trail journals. I even got to go to Indian buffet again. At 3pm I hopped a train to Hoboken, took the path to Manhattan and the 1 subway up to 72nd. I was going to see The String Cheese Incident at the Beacon! I met larry and brew at the dead poets tavern and enjoyed many pre show beers with them. My friends Tucker, Krystal, and Koup showed up and the 4 of us went to the show together. I met my friend Adrien who hooked me up with the ticket and I rolled into the show. It was Soooooo nice to be back in the cheese scene. I really missed that. Hippies and dreadlocks everywhere, people dancing and having a great time! They did two of my fav songs, best felling and rollover. After the show I crashed in Jersey City with Koup. Today's StatsStarting Point:Sunrise Mtn Ending Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:Cool sunnyPain Factor:2---------------
Date: 2007-07-13
From: Home

To: High Point Ranger Station
Miles today: 8.9

City to MountainsI woke up in JC and left around 10. I got to Hoboken via the path and took the train back to my house. I got some last min things done and went and mailed my bounce box to Kent, CT. My dad drove me back to sunrise mountain and I brought him up to the pavilion to see the glorious views I get to see almost every day. I said goodbye around 4:30 and sat at the picnic tables for another hour talking with random people. I was walking by 5:30 made it down to Mashipacong Shelter that was overrun by boy scouts. I signed the register and went down to deckertown turnpike to take a break. I called my friend Victoria who lives in the area and she said she was on her way to rt 23 to meet up with me. That made me hike a little faster since I knew pizza would be waiting. When I got to 23 Victoria was there with 4 other hikers whom I had never met. She offered us a place to stay at her house. Shadow, Numb toes, rhode island red, shovel, and I all piled into her car for the crazy ride down rt 23 to her place. We all showered and ordered a pizza each, drinking beers the whole time. I ate half my pizza and packaged the rest in tin foil to eat on the trail the next day. It's sure tough hiking through NJ :-)Today's StatsStarting Point:Home Ending Point:High Point Ranger StationMileage:8.9Elevation Gain:1260ftElevation Loss:1180ftHiking Time:4:20Weather:SunnyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-07-14
From: High Point Ranger Station

To: Pinwheel Vista
Miles today: 21.9

Cow AttackIn the morning Victoria took us for breakfast sandwiches then dropped us off at the trail around 9. I checked out some history in the ranger station and walked out with shovel. We saw some wild turkeys shortly after leaving the road and spent some time at the high point observation platform. After taking in the sights of the valley we were about to walk through, we started down the mountain. Shovel and I got to the Secret shelter and were greeted by the donkeys with a loud hee haw. Jim Murray was there mowing the grass so I talked with him for a bit. Shovel and I threw my new frisbee around then I left him and continued on. I went through Vernie Swamp on the bog bridges and crossed rt 284. The walk through the walkill national wildlife refuge was enjoyable. There was a light breeze keeping those skeeters away. I saw many swans, hawks, and herons as I walked through as well as some yellow warblers. I got some water as I headed up pochuck mountain. Pochuck mtn went by quickly and I found myself on the mile long pochuck swamp boardwalk. The boardwalk is build through a swamp which can flood very badly when the river gets high. I talked with some locals as I was passing through who couldn't believe how far I had walked. On the other side of the boardwalk I got to the cow field at rt94. My friend Tribes was waiting there for me to start a 4 day section. There was cows on the trail so I walked around them and greeted tribes. As we started walking away I briefly looked back to see a calf charging at me. I stood my ground and clapped my hands since my poles were put away in my pack. Well mom didn't like that I just threatened the little one so she started coming at me. At first I began to run which only got her more riled up. She was snorting and stomping her feet as she lifted her massive head up and down while slowly advancing at me. I stopped running and faced her and began clapping and yelling. This made her pause long enough for me to back my way to the stile. I climbed over and ran across the road as the cows resumed their cud chewing. I now have a new respect for cows!Tribes drove me into Vernon and we went for Chineese food. After stuffing myself we went back to the trail and night hiked up to pinwheel vista. I hung my hammock near the viewpoint and fell asleep with a nightime view of the valley I just trucked through.Today's StatsStarting Point:High Point Ranger StationEnding Point:Pinwheel VistaMileage:20.9Elevation Gain:3750ftElevation Loss:3890ftHiking Time:11:17Weather:Cool breezy sunnyPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-07-15
From: Pinwheel Vista

To: RT17A Campsite
Miles today: 14.4

Snapping SurpriseTribes and I were up at a resonable hour and began our walk through Wawayanda. There was a regional ATC conference going on in Jersey and we passed a guided group. None of them stopped to talk to us. We made it to Wawayanda Shelter and I signed the register then we walked on. After warwick turnpike we saw a small black bear that casually walked across the trail about 50ft away. Tribes clicked his poles together and it took off running. That's bear number 15! Woo Hoo!Near the state line we decided to take a side trail to surprise lake. It was hot and we wanted to swim. On the way there we passed an outward bound adult group made up of mostly women. It was a little overwhelming to see like 10 clean perfume wearing city girls in the woods. I smelled them from a 1/4 mile away. Tribes and I made it to the pond and jumped in and swam for a few min before the group showed up. All these girls were about to get into bikinis and join us in the water. They were standing on the edge talking to us when a huge snapping turtle surfaced right between tribes and I, only a foot away. It was pretty freaky since their tales look like an aligator tail. I got out of that lake fast, I don't think I have ever swam so quickly. I stood on the edge with the OB group behind me as the turtle came up to check us out. People must have feed this thing because it was a little too interested in us. We watched him for 10 min then packed up and moved down the lake a bit. ! The whole group got in the water, but we got back in a little ways away, with them betwen us and the turtle. Sure enough the turtle came and found them again and I enjoyed hearing everyone scream as they got out of the water. Tribes and I got back to the AT and crossed into NY. It only took me two weeks to get out of jersey. Ha! We hiked on as we heard thunder in the distance. Once it got closer we stopped and set up my tarp at furnace brook. The rain came, but we stayed dry. When the storm passed we hiked to 17A and down to the ice creamery. I got a 2 scoop waffle cone and got more of it in my beard than in my mouth. We were on super hiker display. The creamery was mobbed since it was dinner time on a sunday night. I must have gotten the standard questions about 10 tims over. Where did you start? Where do you sleep? How do you eat? Where are you going? Are you crazy? We got outta there after a root beer float and only made it another half mile to a campsite. Tribes and I threw the fris around and fell asleep in our ice cream haze.Today's StatsStarting Point:Pinwheel Vista Ending Point:RT17A CampsiteMileage:14.4Elevation Gain:2710ftElevation Loss:2880ftHiking Time:9:14Weather:Hot humid, thunderstormsPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-07-16
From: RT17A Campsite

To: Island Pond
Miles today: 13.2

RuggedTribes and I got walking and passed the wildcat shelter. We took a break at Fitzgerald Falls which was dry then continued on. The walking today was super rugged, taking you through exposed rock ridges with constant small ups and downs. I don't think we have had trail this rugged yet! I like that word...rugged! There was even a wooden ladder built to help you get up one of the rock faces. We found a black vulture nest under some boulders on the trail. It was more of a den then a nest. Two small vultures that were still white and fluffy were on the trail and went into their den when we made some noise. I walked around them paranoid that mom would be home soon. We made it down agony grind and hitched a ride down rt17 to a deli. We each got subs and drinks and a bit of a resupply. We each packed out a 6 pack of Heineken too! We got a ride back from Tribes' coworker who drives home that way. Back on the trail we hiked another 45 min up and over green pond mountain down to the pond. We found the campsite then went down and cracked beers as we drank while soaking in the cool pond. There were 2 people out on a canoe who eventually left and we had the entire lake to ourselves. A light breeze kept the bugs away. I saw something big swimming out to an island, but it was too dark to make out what it was. I think it could have been a bear! We made a campfire and threw the light up frisbee around as we finished our beers. Island Pond is definitely a top 5 camp spot on this hike so far! I bet this is what the lakes in Maine will be like!Today's StatsStarting Point:RT17A CampsiteEnding Point:Island PondMileage:13.2Elevation Gain:3310ftElevation Loss:3500ftHiking Time:6:39Weather:Partly Sunny warmPain Factor:2