morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Jail House Hostel, Palmerton PA

To: Leroy A Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a great breakfast at Bents Steakhouse. The climb out of Palmerton was tough. The worst jumble of rocks so far, with a 15 foot rock cliff climb thrown in. When another hiker (Captain) and I got to the cliff, we saw a woman thru hiker stuck in the cliff. We both climbed up to her and talked her through the climb step by step. She was so happy we came along.The next 3 miles were through tick infested grass. I sprayed myself well and only had 2 ticks attempt to climb on my leg. I watched them as they fell off midway up my leg.Rocks, Rocks and more Rocks the rest of the day. I thought I saw a large boar ahead of me on the trail, it was 3 feet tall and didn't seem hairy, but PA has no wild boars - or so the book says. Maybe they wind up on someone's grill as babyback ribs! Yum.I ran out of water about 4 miles before the shelter. There was no water today because of the zinc superfund site. The pollution was caused by extensive mining. Not only the water is polluted, but the soil is too. Glad to be moving on. I met Crash at the shelter. He helps maintain it and left some spring water in a jug. I chugged down 2 liters pretty quickly. It was 85 degrees today. Ugh.
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Leroy A Smith Shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I had a great night around the fire with Kirk and his son Blinken. It was his first hiking/camping experience for the 12 year old. I left my croc shoes outside last night. As I prepared to slip them on I noticed a giant grey spider the size of a silver dollar crawl out and look at me. Yikes! It was wicked looking. I always check my boots and should always check my crocs.I left camp this morning around 7:30 to a very rocky day. It seems everyday gets worse. I almost stepped on a copperhead today. He rattled his tail at me and moved towards me, so I stepped back 3-4 steps. My heart was racing from my close call. I got some pictures, then he reluctantly moved out of the way.I went into Wind Gap to resupply and dump my sleeping bag. I gave my sleeping bag to the lady at the post office. She said she would give it to someone who needs it. I will be using only a liner and emergency bivey for the next 6-8 weeks until I get to Maine.I'm in the shelter with Half Life and Genesis. Joehawk, Tatiana, and 50/50 are tenting tonight. I knew 50/50 would catch up to me, nice to see him again.
Date: 2014-06-18
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Mohigan Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.9

Got out early and started hiking at 7am. Good thing too, because it was way too hot today. In the high 80's. Got into Delaware gap by 10am and stopped by The Pie Shop. Couldn't pass on a hot dog and piece of pie for only $2.49. Great value and the pie was really good.I took a break and called home. After talking with my wife, she convinced me to get a second helping. Need to all the calories I can to my diet. I already lost over 20 pounds since I started this adventure.Walked along bridge walk across the river. Pennsylvania is DONE! Yeah! The rocks got worse everyday after Duncannon (about 200 miles back). Unfortunately there are plenty of rocks in New Jersey too.After climbing a very long ascent, I ran into First A & Tentmaker (from South Korea). I haven't seen them since Hot Springs. I shared several shelters with them from the Smokies to Hot Springs. They flip flopped. They went up North and started walking south. They need to walk another 500 miles south, before the flip flop again and go North. This Mohigan Outdoor Center is a bummer. My book says a shower is included in the cost of the tent site, but the lady at the office said NO. So I had to pay $9 just for a tentsite, no shower and no fires. The next campsite is 3 miles away, but I'm too tired to move on.
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Mohigan Outdoor Center

To: Campsite
Miles today: 16.0

It started raining at 2 in the morning, but stopped before I woke up. As I was eating breakfast, it started up again. I quickly packed up and headed up. Just a slow drizzle all day until 4pm. I ate dinner at the Brink Rd Shelter then went another 2 miles so I would only have to walk 18 miles tomorrow instead of 20.I found a nice spot on top of the mountain away from the mosquitoes. They are really getting on my nerves (and veins) They get me even when I've sprayed myself. Dinner is getting tough to prepare and eat in between swatting bugs.
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Campsite

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Thought I woke up at 6:30, so I hurried and got walking by 6:45. Must have misread my watch, because it was really 5:30 when I woke up. Got a coke and an apple as trail magic after just a few miles. Someone had left a cooler full of snacks. Then 2 miles later stopped by Joe to Go for a breakfast sandwich and coffee for only $3.50. Good food and a good deal. Ran across Captain and another German today. It seemed an easy 18 miles today, if there is such a thing. Got to the shelter and ate dinner but set up my tent. Mombo #5 showed up later that night.I have to get an early start tomorrow (Saturday)so I can get to town before noon. My resupply box is at the post office and that's when they close! If I miss it, I'll have to wait until Monday morning, that means a wasted day and a half.
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: PoChuck Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

Got hiking by 6:45 to make sure I got to the Post Office before noon. No problem, got there by 10am. Packed up and at a stromboli while I charged my phone, but forgot to charge my MP3 player. Could only find a small propane mix canister, no large ones for sale. Hate paying $7.00 for a small one. Some places love to rip hikers off. I keep looking for the large canisters, but they are short supply. I guess they think hikers want to pack lite, so they only buy the small ones.Got to the shelter around 3pm and had a second lunch. Settled in and finished the book Lone Survivor that I found at a shelter. Might be another short day tomorrow unless I stealth camp. I'll see how I feel after 12 miles. I have tons of food for the next 6 days.About 15 thru hikers showed up because they all want to meet in town to watch the US at the World cup (and of course drink beer) 3 more guys showed up around 3:30 am. I'm not against soccer or drinking beer, but I can't make it that far with this much food. I was glad I made 16 miles and left New Jersey. I'm in New York now. Yeah!
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Fitgerald Falls
Miles today: 9.5

Luckily all the bugs were gone in the morning. Last night was crazy, I had to put earplugs in to block out the sound of roaches crawling on my tent. Yuck! I woke up and left without breakfast to make the 5 miles into town. As I was packing my tent I noticed that I was being watched. About 30 feet away there was a bear just sitting there watching me. That's another reason why I didn't get my food out, hope he didn't expect me to make him breakfast!Had a great big breakfast in town, but couldn't find the kind of propane mix fuel that I needed. I left town and made it to a nice campsite. There is a waterfall next to the camping area. Many hikers here. Just met Murphy who lives in St Augustine, about 20 miles from my home. She dropped her phone on the trail and I found it for her.
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Fitgerald Falls

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Left camp early around 7am. Lots of trail magic in the form of water bottles. We needed it too. All the water sources look brackish. It was a very hard day with lots of ups and downs on the very rocky slopes. I was exhausted early in the day. When I got to a campsite I just laid down for an hour to rest.I met up with 50/50 at a shelter today. I had just enough water to make dinner. After dinner I hiked with 50/50 down to a lake and found some trail magic from Patty O. It was getting dark, but we slugged another 2 miles looking for any campsite that would hold 2 tents. There wasn't much to choose from. I saw a baby deer with it Mom and Dad today. It was so tiny.
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Got going early with 50/50 and ate breakfast at the shelter 2 miles away. This was a long hot day, but a good one. We passed a coke machine at Bear Mountain, then a zoo, and finally a market which had a deli. I got a cheeseburger and fries and then 50/50 gave me a huge slice of pizza that he couldn't finish. I couldn't eat all my fries after the pizza, so I gave them to Zach Squatch.Only .6 more miles to the Graymoor ball field. They had a cold shower, picnic tables and a pavilion. Lots of familiar through hikers here tonight.
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Thought I was sleeping in today, since I woke up after the sun was out for a while. Looked at my watch, 5:30!!! What!! Went for a bathroom break then back to bed for another 2 hours.Walked back 1/2 mile to the market for breakfast. After I ate an overstuffed breakfast burrito, I felt like a stuffed Burrito.The world cup game was at noon. About 15 of us hikers showed up to watch the game. I had a chicken sandwich with onion rings and 3 beers.After the game I only hiked a few miles and found a nice spot to camp. Had a great fire. I saw Pyro, Solo, and Gargamel hike past around 8pm.
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Stealth Campsite

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

An easy section today. Most of the trail was easy hiking with only a few small ups and downs. Stopped at the beach concessions at the Clarence Fahnestock State Park for a burger and a free hot shower. I had a cold one two days ago, but a hot shower it much better, but that's only my opinion!Had a big scare when I couldn't find my ID or money. Checked everywhere in my pack until I finally found it in my food bag. Yikes. I must have put it there after the pub yesterday. Got to the shelter and split a large pizza with another hiker. Now that's the good life on the trail. When the shelter is that close to a road and you can get food delivered to you! Have to eat every chance I can, I have lost over 25 pounds since I started. Two trail maintenance guys showed up with beer. Happy days!
Date: 2014-06-28
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

I left the RPH Shelter before 7am. The first 4 miles were easy hiking. I ran across Little Engine and met Elvis Trailsley. Elvis built the RPH shelter that I stayed in last night. You never know who you will run into on the trail.Over the next few miles I walked into town and got my resupply box. It was a hot sunny day walking 2 miles to the Post Office. Even though it's illegal to hitch-hike in NY, I put out my thumb for every car that drove by but no-one would stop. I was passed by over 100 cars!While I was loading up my pack at the post office, I mentioned how hard it was to get a ride in NY because I didn't want another brutal road walk back to the trail. Lucky for me, Walter offered to give me a ride to the deli and then back to the trail. Sweet! I felt better for the rest of the day after a great sandwich and the kindness of Walter.
Date: 2014-06-29
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Ten Mile River Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The first few miles were easy. Found Little Engine by the largest Oak on the AT. Someone provided water close by and I found some girl scout trail magic - no it wasn't girl scout cookies, but it was a bunch of other snacks.One big climb today, where I met a group of kids on an outdoor adventure. They are now tented all around me. They have 2 leaders and about 15 kids. We will see how this works out. Lucky for me I did my naked river wash before they arrived. It was really hot today and the water felt great.Crocs showed up while I was cooking dinner and used my phone to get a hostel reservation.
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Ten Mile River Shelter

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Turns out the kids were fine and all were quite after 9pm. I was ready to leave by the time they all woke up. I felt really good today. I made it to a shelter for lunch and coffee. Soon after I found a cooler of cokes.Later in the day there were some really hard rock climbs. I thought I would hold onto a rock and step down 3 feet, but my hands slipped and BAM! Six feet onto a hard rock on my back, luckily my pack broke by fall. I was very lucky I didn't hurt myself, just shook me up and bruised my arm. While recovering, Fran comes down the same ledge. She does it much better.A mile later Dirty Harry, Fran, and I found another cooler with cokes and beers. I went for the beer this time. I ate a quick dinner at the shelter, then moved on to the campsite. It was great! Lots of room, huge privy, pavilion with 3 picnic tables, a porch swing and a well pump. I was the only one there.
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Falls Village Tenting
Miles today: 15.7

This was a hard 15 miles day. Lots of ups and downs and it was so hot and humid. Right before town I ran across a mulberry tree. Very tasty. I made it to Falls Village around 4pm. Took a quick outdoor cold shower next to the water plant and went straight to the bar to meet many hikers I have been with in the past. A lot of other hikers there who were watching the world cup games. Key Lime and Critter are here. I had 2 beers and the bartender paid for one of them. Sweet! Several hikers are tented around me in someone's back yard. We all had a good time drinking more beers purchased from the only store in town. Strangely it was a liquor store. It seems like I'm getting beer every day now.
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Falls Village Tenting

To: Salisbury, CT - Lisa's home
Miles today: 8.2

I was the first to leave this morning. There was a gradual 2 mile climb, but it wasn't to bad. I passed a guy in his fifties who looked unhappy.   I said my normal hello, how are you doing, and he begrudgingly said "not too bad I guess". Than he asked if I had any weed. I have nothing against smoking pot, but he was kinda rude. If I had any, I certainly wouldn't share it with this guy. I quickly got to the turn for Salisbury but was a little unclear on the instructions, so I went down another half mile and realized something was wrong. I stopped a lady driving by and she told me to cut through the cemetery to get to the Post Office. That was very helpful and worked perfectly. Got my resupply box and started unpacking when Critter arrived. He noted that this small town was just like the town in the movie PLEASANTVILLE. It was very pleasant with much activity in the few restaurants and businesses that I visited in Salisbury. Everyone was very friendly. As Critter left town, Dirty Harry and Fran arrived. We took turns getting lunch at the amazing grocery store. Got a huge sandwich on french bread for only $5.50. Wow!Very soon after lunch a huge thunderstorm moved in. I moved to the cover of a pastry shop, when I was joined by Harry and Fran. It had just began to rain when Lisa(trail name Snake Eyes) stopped by and told us of the storm warning for the area. She invited us to stay at her home for the night. I was only planning another 4 miles, so this sounded great to me.She has a warm heart and was so concerned for other hikers caught in this thunderstorm. We had a wonderful time with Lisa and her mother in their home. Her mother is also a fine artist.We lost track of time and soon stayed up past midnight talking and having a few drinks. Harry and Fran are from England and are a nice couple and a pleasure to be around. I first met them hiking near Harper's Ferry and have spent several nights with them. They are the perfect trail couple and treat each other with much kindness.We all slept in the next day, since Lisa didn't have to go to work until 9am.
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Salisbury, CT - Lisa's home

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 8.7

I woke up at 7am, ate breakfast, updated my journal and packed up. Almost 9am and no one was awake. We left around 9:30 and I was walking to the trail by 10am. A nice elderly fellow pulled over and gave me a ride to the trail head saving me half a mile road walk.I wasn't really into it today and it seemed difficult with my 5 day resupply. Ate lunch while being attacked by mosquitoes. They should call them kamikazes. I sprayed myself again and kept swatting them whenever they tried to land on me. After lunch I tackled Bear Mountain. It was pretty steep going up, but much worse going down. Several times I stopped to say what now, as I viewed the wet slippery rock slabs. I used whatever I could, trees, rocks, and roots to get myself down. Even took off my pack once and let it drop 4 feet and slide down the slope. This is called the Appalachian Trail, not the Appalachian Mountain Climbing Club, RIGHT!They should put in some switchbacks before someone gets killed or seriously hurt. I was very tired after that. I soon crossed the CT-MA state line and noticed that the next campsite was only 1.3 miles away. That sounded good to me. I set up camp and cooked dinner as a massive thunderstorm rolled in. It started to pour as I was brushing my teeth. It came down in buckets and then it started to hail. I was hoping that the hail would not damage my tent. I soon fell asleep.
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Laurel Ridge Campsite

To: Hemlocks Shelter
Miles today: 4.7

It rained hard last night with marble sized hail. After breakfast the rain began again. There were water puddles/ponds, rivers and waterfalls on the trail. Some parts were knee deep. Going up the first mountain wasn't bad, but coming down was treacherous. The rocks were slick and many steps were either 3 feet down or slanted at a slippery angle. I slipped once on my knee sliding across a rock. Ouch! No internal damage, but I may have to give up my second career as a knee model.I charged up Mt Everett because I was getting cold. Coming down was not nearly as bad as the previous mountain. I decided I had enough of being wet and cold so I stopped after 5 miles. The boot deep puddles just got to me after a while. It felt wonderful to get out of all my wet clothes. Unfortunately, they will be the same clothes that I get back into tomorrow morning. Ahh, the life of a hiker.The shelter is full tonight. Critter was also here after a tent flooding mishap last night.
Date: 2014-07-05
From: Hemlocks Shelter

To: East Mountain Retreat
Miles today: 21.3

The trail was much drier today. Got some trail magic after the first mountain. Fig newtons, chips, oreo bites, cokes, and bite size chocolates. Terrific! Easy hiking after that. Hiked with Colonel Engles today. He talked me into going for a burger down route 7. We walked the .3 and no restaurant. We asked a guy at a business and he explained that it was further down the road, but it was expensive and we should go even further to a burger grill. I wasn't willing so I got a coke and prepared to eat lunch. The man came out and asked if we still wanted that ride. Well, yes! So we got a ride to the burger grill.After eating a terrific burger we talked to a guy and he gave us a ride back to the trail. I got to the shelter later than I expected so the Colonel talked me into going to the retreat. They had a code of silence at this retreat, which was weird since the lady caretaker had some very loud barking dogs. I had some barking dogs as well, but I threatened my feet with walking barefoot and it became a silent whimper. Later, Dirty Harry and Fran showed up. We all ordered pizza.
Date: 2014-07-06
From: East Mountain Retreat

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

I left first in hopes of getting a hitch to the trail but it didn't happen. 1.6 additional miles Ugh! I was feeling good today and the miles went by quickly. I ran into a strange man in cotton shorts, a huge backpack, and carrying a large sleeping bag in his hands. Apparently his girlfriend had dropped him off for a while in the woods. He seemed very unprepared and I had to explain the white blazes and turn him around since he wanted to stay at the cabin but didn't really have any plans except to head south. He got extremely drunk on vodka, but was well behaved except for talking in his sleep all night. Hot coffee and pancakes were provided in the morning. SWEET!
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: October Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

Started going up over 2 small mountains with only 1 day of food and had an extremely difficult time. Then my stomach started to hurt. Apparently something I ate or drank gave me a stomach bug. i stumbled along very slowly. At one point while putting my pack on my foot slipped an I went down onto a jutting rock. Ouch! I've had broken ribs before and this was close, but I don't think they are broken, just bruised.I was seriously exhausted upon reaching the shelter. I set up my tent and slept for 3 hours. I woke up feeling better and had a light dinner. I felt even better after that, except for my ribs. Getting in and out of the tent and turning from side to side was very painful.
Date: 2014-07-08
From: October Mountain Shelter

To: Dalton MA - Tom Lavardi's yard
Miles today: 11.8

Very tough packing up today. My ribs are really hurting, but I have energy and my stomach doesn't hurt. A fairly easy day today. I felt good. I saw the strangest thing today. First, a lady walking off the side of the trail as an Emu, yes an Emu was chasing her. It wouldn't leave the lady alone. This bird was huge and stood 6 feet tall with a head the size of a humans. Weird!! By far the weirdest animal on the AT, except for all the thru-hikers!Getting to Tom Lavardi's place was great. It's only about a block from the woods. You camp in his back yard. He told me where to get a free shower in town. I felt so much better after that! Can't wait to hit the Cumberland Farms in the morning. They have inexpensive breakfast sandwiches and hot coffee. Yum!
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Dalton MA - Tom Lavardi's yard

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

This morning I went and got a coffee and 2 sausage & egg sandwiches. Love starting the day with a big breakfast. The trail was relatively easy today. Ran into Green Bean today. She gave me a lemonade drink. She thru hiked last year.Got to Cheshire, MA but the outfitters there was a joke. No sign on the building and even though his mom said he was home, no one answered the door. Sure is hard to get a new pot and resupply on my stove fuel.   Haven't been able to find the iso-propane in the last few towns. My pot is starting to corrode away so my wife will have to mail me a new one, since I can't buy one.I got my resupply box from the post office and made it up to the shelter 5 miles away. Lots of people here tonight.
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: Sherman Brook Primitive Campsite
Miles today: 11.4

Several hikers left early which is sweet for me. No webs in the face!! It was a steady up all morning to Mount Greylock, Massachusetts' highest point. They have a cool World War I memorial on top. After a huge decline, I just didn't feel much like hiking. Probably because it was in the high 70's again. I just can't handle the heat!I walked through North Adams and ate lunch in a school playground. Luckily school was out for summer. Dried my tent from the rain 2 days ago. Then I decided to play it safe and hold up at the campsite instead of walking the extra 5 miles to the shelter. It was a nice relaxing evening with a fire and my tent on a real tent platform. I sometimes prefer to tent alone instead of all the noise and commotion of a shelter.