morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-08-13
From: Mt Algo Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: moderate rain

As I was eating breakfast I saw a bear walking through the woods. My first bear! It started to rain shortly after I left, and rained until I got to the 10 Mile Shelter. I stepped at the next shelter for lunch, even thought there was a terrible smell. A NOBO looked underneath and saw a dead possum. Mystery solved. After lunch I missed a turn and went the wrong way since I wasn't paying attention. I realized my mistake after about half a mile, and had to backtrack.I stopped at the garden center for a while, and got a Coke and some chips. On the way up here I passed the largest oak on the AT. Dave the Pirate and Smiles are here, so it looks like I'm catching up to some other SOBOs.There are also a few NOBOs so we had fun. Tomorrow I'm going to the RPH Shelter, which I hear is really nice. And you can get pizza delivered there. The weather is also supposed to be nice the next few days, which is good news.
Date: 2003-07-12
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 79Leaf told us he nearly stepped on a pair of rattlesnakes yesterday in one of these boulder fields we've been walking through, even though he had seen a handwritten note warning of snakes a few yards before seeing them. That's just one more reason why this rocky trail is not fun. It is draining to be attentive to every step, trying not to break a leg, and now scanning for snakes.I feel pretty ragged coming into Port Clinton. In the 7 days since returning to the trail (starting from the PA border) I have walked 153 miles. That¢s an average of 21.8 miles per day. I've been rained on, had some hot days, and dealt with rocks. I'm wearing the same clothes through all this without a wash in 5 days. I'm ready for town.Unfortunately, the town is dinky Port Clinton. The only hotel is atop a bar, and there is no grocery store - not even a convenience store. If the town were bigger, I would've considered a zero day. I'm messed-up for supplies, 'cause my maildrop is at the P.O. that is closed for the weekend, and there is nowhere to resupply.A group calling themselves Red Blaze has been doing trail magic in southern Pennsylvania, and has set up here at the Port Clinton pavilion this weekend. Hikers have known about this and about 30 are here tonight eating free hamburgers, spaghetti, fruit salad, chips, soda and beer.
Date: 2013-08-14
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I left this morning and quickly got to Nuclear Lake. Apparently there was a reactor there that had a meltdown, and now it is a lake. I got to NY 55 and walked to the market. I got there and it wasn't there, so I had to resupply at a gas station. When I got to NY 52 I went to the pizza place by the trail. After letting my calzone digest a bit I went to the shelter. There were a bunch of NOBOs, and some SOBOs got here eventually. One of the NOOBs knows someone from around here who brought some pizza and beer. It was really good. The NOBOs went off on their own and we SOBOs hung out and talked and drank. It was fun.
Date: 2003-07-13
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 80One of the unexpected pleasures of this trip has been the encouragement of people who have read this journal. Thanks to everyone who has signed my guest book. I'd like to reply to each person, but I am behind and I'm afraid I lost track and missed someone. We just recently learned how to read messages entered through the "Suggest Entry" button. Thanks for those notes, too.There is an upside to missing resupply at Port Clinton: I have less weight to carry, and an excuse to make another town stop before Delaware Water Gap. I made it to Port Clinton a day faster than planned, so I have some slack time.The event of the day was trail magic that happened at a wonderfully opportune time. Scubaman (also thru-hiking and on TrailJournals) and his parents set up a table full of food, and cooler full of drinks, and grilled hamburgers, sausages, and hot dogs. They were at a road crossing near the Eckville Shelter and I came by just before 5 pm. I had walked about 15 miles and still had over 7 to go. I ate light since I had more walking to do. I had 2 cheeseburgers, chips, potato salad, a brownie, 2 sodas and a 20 oz Gatorade. Thanks ScubaMan, ScubaDad, and ScubaMom!The food helped power me up the last climb, through the rocks, and to this shelter right at nightfall. Good thing I didn't need to cook. I got in so late cause I dawdled today. I took my time getting going, called home, and wasn't on the trail until 10 am. Twice I stopped to write.   I am alone at this shelter. It is odd how hikers get distributed on the trail. There were over 30 hikers in Port Clinton yesterday, and I'm the only one to pick this stop tonight. I think the last time I had a shelter to myself was before Damascus.
Date: 2013-08-15
From: RPH Shelter

To: Graymoor Ballfield
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

The NOBOs stayed up really late and talked loudly near the shelter. Once they left I was able to get some sloop. I hope the NOBOs tonight aren't partiers. Today felt like a long day. At the top of the first hill there was a 9-11 memorial flag painted on the rock and a view. The rest of the day was in the trees. My ankles started to hurt about 10 miles in. I made it, though. I'm at a ball field at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. The friars let hikers sleep in the field and pavilion. There is also an outlet and some electric lights, a very fancy shelter. Tomorrow I get my tew shoes. The last 780 miles have don a nimber on them. The thicker soles will be nice. There is also a deli one mile south where I'll get breakfast. Tomorrow will be good.Most of the SOBOs from yesterday arrived, and Stinky Jesus and Nightwalker got in late. A fire was built, and a good time had by all.
Date: 2003-07-15
From: Slatington, PA (Lehigh Gap)

To: Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: few clouds

Day 82In a motel again tonight! In Pennsylvania the towns are spaced better than the shelters, about every 20 miles. The shelters seem to be too close together or too far apart. Another problem has been water. Today I didn't cross a single stream. There are side trails to streams and they will say "0.2 miles to first spring, 0.4 miles to second spring, 0.5 miles to third spring". The first spring is always dry, so it's a long round trip to get water, even at shelters.By the way, it is estimated that thru-hikers will walk an additional 500 miles taking side trails to shelters, water, views, towns, etc.I'll finish Pennsylvania tomorrow with one more town hop. Before today I was ready to say, I'll be glad to leave PA. Today was better. There was a steep rock climb up from Lehigh gap, in many places I needed hands and feet to scramble up the boulders. There was a whole train of hikers going up at the same time - a rare occurrence. It was a fun climb.Other hikers: Odwalla, Trace, Tunnel Vision, Stretch, Skittles and One Third (last of the 3-member Smith family still on the trail, also on TrailJournals). Tunnel Vision recovered from a severe auto accident - he wasn't expected to walk again.Just after the climb, we walked a couple miles over rocky hills with the skeletons of dead trees, killed by zinc furnaces. From there we walked on a nearly level ridge all the way until descending to Wind Gap. I walked and talked with Stretch most of the way. Talking really made the miles fly by.
Date: 2013-08-17
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

Pivot Dude and his family, as well as Booby Trap and Transition showed up later last night. We had a small fire. Their dog Suki is very needy- whining whenever they walked away. The first few miles this morning were pretty easy, and I quickly got to Lake Tiorati. I used the flush toilets and threw away my trash. There were a lot of people on the trail, but it is a Saturday. I went through the Lemon Squeezer, a narrow split boulder. My pack had to come off to get through.The trail bumped along, and I crossed another interstate. Most of the road crossings had water caches, and I didn't have to worry about running out on this surprisingly dry section. This shelter is very buggy, and trashy. The NY-NJ Trail Conference seems to be terrible at maintaining shelters. I don't know why, because the trail was fine for the most part. Tomorrow I'm going into Greenwood Lake to resupply, then onto New Jersey.
Date: 2003-07-16
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap (hostel)
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day 83 Today was a test of patience going through a jumble of softball to suitcase-sized rocks. You have to watch every step so you don't turn an ankle and you have to lift your feet higher so you don't stub your toes. It is like walking through your kid's room when all the toys have been left out, but it goes on for 10 miles. The next 6 miles weren't as bad.The trees here are modest, mostly 6 to 12 inches in diameter. A lot of sky can be seen through the ceiling of the trees, only about 35 feet high. I see more chipmunks than any other wildlife, but they too are modest and I can't get a picture of them. There are few views and no streams.I'm staying at the Church of the Mountain hostel on the Penn/NJ border, with MANY other hikers. Just to mention a few: Trace, Moonshadow, Tunnel Vision, Morph, and One Third. Stretch and I go split a 16" pizza and the hit the market for their special: a hot dog and slice of apple pie for $1.50 - and a free doughnut.I learned more about the incredible past of the hiker Tunnel Vision. He lost 50 pounds getting ready to hike the AT, and since being on the trail he's lost another 65. This is the same hiker who was in a head-on collision with a semi. Three times in the emergency room they noted a time of death, but he came back. Doctors said he wouldn't be able to walk without crutches. His AT hike was motivated by a drive to prove them wrong.
Date: 2013-08-18
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

The other guy at the shelter last night, Bald Eagle, was pretty interesting. He was a pastor in the Moravian Church and now works for the denomination. As I was falling asleep, Stinky Jesus and Nightwalker arrived.I left around 7 and quickly got to the Village Vista Trail. I got into town around 9 and did my resupply at the Country Grocery. The guy there gave me a free drink. I went to The Grill for brunch and got a tasty breakfast wrap. I then went to the library to charge my electronics and use the computers. It was a pretty steep climb back to the AT with a full load of food and water.The trail went aloung a ridge to the AT high point of NY. There was a flag there. The NY-NJ border was half a mile past. State number seven. This shelter, with a fun name to say, is in Wawayanda State Park. I filled up my water at the visitors center half a mile before the shelter. There are a lot of bears in New Jersey, so I expect I'll see some over the next few days. The shelters have bear boxes, so my food should be safe.
Date: 2003-07-19
From: Mohican Center (hostel)

To: Mashipicong Shelter
Miles today: 26.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 86I'm glad I was in the hostel last night. It rained hard, and I watched a bunch of hikers come in soaking wet. Today it was all clear and cool. My hamstrings are sore from roofing, but they don't slow me down. I want to get to Vernon, NJ in 2 days, and it is about 50 miles away. Since I got a decent start, well fed, and the terrain and weather were good, I considered doing a 30-mile day today. It wasn't to be. There wasn't a convenient stopping point until 34 miles and it would've got dark on me.The walking here in New Jersey has ranged from around 800 to 1600 feet, like in PA. There is also some rocky trail, like PA, but there are more views. Lakes and rivers are usually visible at overlooks. There is still a dearth of water on the trail.I stopped at Worthington's Bakery, which is a popular trail stop. The store is dinky and the young person behind the counter probably would have been happier if I didn't bother her to buy food.When I sat out front a car pulled up, a man got out and addressed me as "hiker trash", and gave me a beer. He was "Gray Ghost", former thru-hiker. He lives nearby and stops at the store when he sees thru-hikers, to chat and help if he can.
Date: 2013-08-21
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: broken clouds

Ranger Bob snored and the group of campers didn't go to bed until late, so I got less sleep than I would have liked. The trail today was on very flat ridges. They could have been railroad beds. At the first view this morning I stopped and looked out over the clouds. It was like the ocean. Fourteen miles in was the AMC's Mohican Outdoor Center. I stopped by hoping to get an ice cream, but they had none and a terrible selection of soda. I ate lunch, filled my water, and threw my trash away there. It was then back to the ridges.There was a family I passed who said they were lost. I really had no idea where I was, but I tried to help them. There were a lot of camp groups on the trail. On the way down I flew by many day hikers. People seem to walk so slowly. New Jersey said goodbye with a long roadwalk, first parallel to I-80, then on a sidewalk right next to it. Right on the other side of the bridge is DWG, PA. I'n in The Church of the Mountain Hostel. It's in the basement of a Presbyterian church, and is pretty nice. There is a section hiker here who likes to complain. I think I'll go to bed soon so I don't have to talk to him anymore.
Date: 2003-07-22
From: Greenwood Lake, NY

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: moderate rain

Day 89With all I've read about the trail, I wonder why I haven't read about the difficulty of this section. The hills are low, but the trail goes steeply up and down, and there is a rock scramble at the top of many hills. This day was harder than the Roller Coaster, and together the last 2 days are harder than anything since Tennessee.Near the end of the day I passed through the "lemon squeezer", a crevasse in a boulder barely wide enough for a person, about 5 feet high and 25 feet long. I squeezed through with my pack on, Tunnel Vision had to carry his pack over his head.Stretch, Orbit, Takereasy, Tunnel Vision and Bull (2 brothers) are here and agree that today was rough.Both today and yesterday I was rained on lightly, and thunderstorms rolled in at night. New York City is supposed to be visible from some of the summits on clear days, but these days have been overcast. My luck hitching still holds. I was worried about getting back this morning. After 5 minutes with my thumb out a policeman pulled into the parking lot where I was standing. I stopped thumbing, since hitching is not legal in NY. I walked over to the police car and asked if hitching was legal, just to see if he was looking to catch me. He wasn't and said I could keep hitching behind his car and he'd look the other way. A couple more cars passed, then I got a ride.
Date: 2013-08-24
From: PA 248/145

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After everyone had woken up and gotten ready we went into Philadelphia for Federal Donuts. They were very tasty. There was a farmers market a few blocks away and we stocked up for lunch. There were black bean burritos for lunch. I had a very relaxing afternoon sitting around. The Gee's were invited to their neighbor's for a dinner party this evening, so we walked next door for dinner. It was good food and great people. Its now past my bedtime. Tomorrow the Goo's will come up and hike a while with me, then return home as I continue on. But first will be chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.
Date: 2003-07-23
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: light rain

Day 90I woke up a few times last night because of the thunderstorm, and then because bats were flying in and out of the shelter and doing a lot of bat chatter.Everything feels wet - my shoes get soaked from grass and undergrowth that are wet from last night's rain. This is also the most I've sweated on the trail - it is hot and humid, and the trail is demanding. My clothes look like I just jumped in a swimming pool.I had hopes of reaching Graymoor by 4:30 to get in on their free dinner. The first 5 miles went well, and then there were more climbs and rock scrambles to slow me down. By the time I reached Bear Mountain I knew I wouldn't make it here in time, so I took my time and ate at the restaurant at Bear Mountain Inn.The trail goes right through a small zoo. People are here with their kids wondering why I'm wearing a backpack. The AT hits its lowest elevation at 124 feet. Then the AT crosses the Hudson River on a catwalk alongside a long 4-lane suspension bridge. Earlier I had crossed the Palisades Parkway and saw a road sign saying 34 miles to New York City. Despite these brief encounters with civilization, the trail still seems woodsy and more remote than it ever did in Pennsylvania.Hikers watch the trail here! There are other trails and dirt roads weaving across and sharing the AT. Twice I got a few hundred yards down the wrong path. This also happened to me in New Jersey - something I haven't had a problem with until now.
Date: 2013-08-25
To: New Tripoli Campsite
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept well in a real bed again last night. We had a somewhat slow morning, but the pancakes and fresh strawberries were an excellent breakfast. Aunt Priscilla made up some egg salad for lunch, then everybody got ready to go. On the way to the trail we had to find some denatured alcohol for my stove. It was surprisingly hard to find, but Home Depot had some. We got back to Lehigh Gap and were on the trail shortly after noon.Hiking with the Gee's was a bit slower than I usually go, but it was nice. The ridgerunner was at the shelter so we said hi, then ate lunch at a campsite just beyond it. The egg salad was good for a change from peanut butter and Nutella. After hiking a bit farther the Gee's had to turn around, and I sped up. I got to the Bake Oven Knob Shelter at 4, and decided to keep going a bit. Ten miles to the next shelter was too much so I stopped after four at this campsite. Its a nice little site, bu I can hear the read. I hope the shelters are farther from the road down south. Tomorrow I have to call my grandparents so I can meet up with them. There is no signal here where I'm set up. I plan to do a bunch of miles tomorrow, so on one of the ridges there'll be a good and strong signal. The temperature seems to have cooled down some, so tonight and tomorrow will hopefully be more pleasant walking, if the rocks go away.
Date: 2003-07-24
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Day 91Last night at Greymoor I slept on a picnic table under their pavilion. Mosquitoes buzzed me so much I put deet (bug repellent) on my arms and lightly on my forehead. I felt as filthy as I have on the trip. My body is sticky, and my clothes are damp, and I add bug spray to the mix. Sleeping in the wet clothes to dry them isn't working because it is so humid. It rained most of the night once again.I woke up with a plan to beeline 12 miles to Canopus Lake Camp to get a shower. That would make me feel better, but it would still be 2 1/2 days before I could wash these stinking clothes. First I had to finish my newspaper article, delaying my start until 9:30. I got to the road where the campground was and stuck out my thumb to hitch a mile down the road.Margaret De-Vries, a youthful 68-year-old stopped to give me a ride. When I told her what I was doing, she offered an alternative plan - she took me to her house where I got a shower, ate, and did laundry. She had recently read about the A.T. and I was the first thru-hiker she has met.Margaret is an interesting lady; she fled communist Hungary in 1956. She has flown a hang glider and still takes solo kayak trips on the Hudson River. She spends a month a year at a youth hostel in South Beach (near Miami, FL).This was a great bit of trail magic that came just when I was feeling pretty down. Margaret returned me to the trail at 6:15, and I still had 7 miles to go to this shelter. I flew down the trail, but still had to headlamp in the last 10 minutes.Yesterday Odwalla voiced his opinion that the first part of New York (hard section is from Vernon, NJ to the Hudson) has been the hardest part of the A.T. I think such comparisons are hard to make, but I can see that he has a case. The trail in New York has now eased up. From 4 miles south of Greymoor to here has been nice, moderate terrain.***On Freedom:Margaret was quick to express her appreciation for life in the U.S. and dislike for communist rule. She told of returning to Hungary to visit her ailing father after becoming a U.S. citizen, with much apprehension about whether she would be detained. The communists believe that since they educated her, she had no right to leave and use her talents elsewhere.Responsibility is freedom. Politicians will always offer to handle our responsibilities as if it comes at no cost. When responsibilities (education, health care, retirement) are taken over by government, the less free we become. Communism and Democracy differ in this only by a matter of degree. We can vote away freedom as easily as it can be taken by an oppressive government. Keep your responsibilities, keep your independence. Hike your own hike.
Date: 2013-08-26
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I left at 7. The trail was flat and rocky for the six miles to the Allentown shelter. It was then flat and rocky until it dropped down to Hawk Mountain Road. I had lunch at the road crossing. Ther ewas a long climb on cakcy dict roads to the next ridge. At the Pinnacle I stopped for a break. It as an overlook. A northbound hiker I passed said it was one of the best views on the trail. I was disappointed. I called my grandparents to meet up with them. The call dropped partway though, so I have to tray again tomorrow some time.There is a small camp group here. They built a large fire and it is now uncomfortably warm noar the shelter. They say they'll keep it going all night (and they did). I hope they're quiet. Tomorrow I'm doing 30 miles (hopefully) to the 501 shelter. Pizza is delivered there.. After that it will be some 18s to get to Duncannon and meet everyone. Watch out rocks, here I come!
Date: 2003-07-25
From: RPH Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 92Finally a clear day! A little cold in the morning, but hot as ever mid-day.I've had terrible timing on mail drops sent to Post Offices. Seems like I'm always getting to town on a weekend. I have the same problem as I approach Kent, 38 miles away. I have today and until 12:30 tomorrow to do those miles.I'd love for this to be my last over-20 day. These long days take a toll on me. It is depressing to finish lunch and still have 15 miles to go. It leaves little time for breaks, taking photos, or venturing on side trails.The terrain was easy today. The worst thing about the trail in New York is the water. In the south, steams are plentiful and crystal clear. It is refreshing just to look at them. Here, streams are muddy mosquito-breeding things that are tinted like canal water. I'm filtering water out of them only as a last resort.Hiker info:At the road crossing NY22, where Tony's Deli is 1/2 mile to the right, there is usually a hot dog stand only a few hundred yards to the left. They have hot dogs, cokes, and chips, but NO phone, NO ice cream and NO candy bars.