morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Howard Johnsons, Daleville, VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

Fri May 1, Day 52: The lure of a hot breakfast at the Howard Johnsons got me up early. They had a pretty nice spread of food continental style and I did enough damage to their food inventory to make the trip worthwhile. The consequence of eating so much was slow moving legs. I went back to the room, finished last minute packing, and enjoyed the the comforts of a porcelain privy before hitting the trail. The time is 0808 hrs. The Weather Channel is calling for scattered thunder showers all week long. Lightning scares the hell out of hikers and especially this once since I'm carrying metal hiking poles. Lightning rods they are, yes. Luckily only cloudy skies prevail today. Thank goodness the temperatures are mild as a result. I can really feel the weight of my pack after re-supplying. It is the bane of every hiker leaving a trail town. No sense complaining about the extra pounds. The pack will feel better each passing day. After an hour or two the pack self adjusts and you get use to it. Adjusting the hipbelt and shoulder straps throughout the day hels as well.I don't see too many thru hikers along the path just an occasional section or day hiker. No one to talk to allows my mind to ponder two trivia questions. One involves the classic depiction of the American hobo wearing tattered clothes, a hat. and carrying a stick over one shoulder. The stick usually has a bandana tied to the end and it contains all the worldly possessions or food for the journey. The question therefore is: What's the name of the stick? Does it have a name at all?The second question has to do with water bottles. Usually most thrus' on the AT start out carrying a Nalgene type water bottle but quickly abandone them because they are just too darn heavy. The preferred water bottle then becomes a 1 liter Gatorade bottle. These are light, easy to find, and easy to carry. Recently however Powerade has hit the energy drink scene. So the question becomes this: Which do thru's prefer? Gatorade or Powerade bottles? Is one more sturdy and lasts longer than the other? Is one more easy to pack? These things I wonder.If any of you have the answer or an opinion let me know!I make it to Bobblet Gap Shelter about 1630 hrs. There's no one around so I find the shelter broom and begin to sweep the place out. Inside I find a 3 foot black snake stretched outalong one of the inside side walls. He's there taking up residence and is in a really good position to grab the first mice that comes along. The only problem is I intend to sleep here tonight so the snake buffet has to go! I gently prod him along and he slithers down and out of the shelter. He may return later so I'll sleep with one eye open for sure.At about 1830 hrs another thru named Leadfoot stops in. I had been following his shelter register entries for some time now and find out he ended taking time off to manage paperwork for college and is just now getting back on the trail. Nice to put a face with a name.That's it for today's news. Adios! Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Campsite at Hog Camp Gap

To: Dutch Haas B&B in Montebello, VA
Miles today: 10.0

Tue May 5, Day 56: Made it into Montebello and got a shuttle to the Dutch Haus B&B. Very reasonable rates for hikers plus I'm out of food so had to resupply. Been raining and foggy the past 3 days. thought for a moment I was going Southbound and was back in the Smokies!!! YIKES!!! No cell phone coverage here so I can't update audio journal. I'm only 42 miles from Waynesboro, VA.Boots are starting to delaminate from the inside sole. I'm only getting 400-500 miles out of them. I think they'll last till Harpers Ferry (200 miles ahead). Having Kim send me some Asics Gel Trabuco Trail Shoes. Want to try them and hope it's a good decision. Hey, I rescued a lost Turkey Hunter the other day. Details to follow when I can update the audio blog. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-07
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul C Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Thu May 7, Day 58: Been hiking since Montebello with a fellow by the name of Hot Wheels who I met back in the Smokies. He took five days off due to a shin injury and we hooked back up together in Montebello. We hiked over three ridges today which were pretty rocky, good scrambles over the rocks on the ridges that gave us some good exercise for what¢s up ahead in Pennsylvania and beyond. Finally made it to the Paul Wolfe Shelter. Fantastic double decker, sleeps about 10 hikers. I call it a Taj MaShelter. Everything is under cover including the eating area and the cooking area. A great stream in front, just a fantastic setting.It's only five miles into Waynesboro, VA, I'll be able to make it there for breakfast in the morning!Rain, rain, rain. I feel like a salamander. Not sure if the boots will hold out for the 165 miles to Harper's Ferry. We'll see. I feel the fact that they stay wet almost all the time has to cause them to deteriorate faster than one would expect. Or maybe it's sacrificing durability for comfort, because they sure have been good to my feet. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Quality Inn, Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Fri May 8, Day 59: We¢ve had rain for every day except one since leaving Montebello. You kinda get used to the rain falling and hiking in the rain, but what you don¢t get used to is putting on a soggy t-shirt, shorts, wet socks, and the wet boots to get the day started.The Paul C. Wolfe shelter last night was only five miles out of Waynesboro so this morning we did the hike in and on the way had my first black bear sighting. I don¢t know how old it was, it looked like a cub to me. It took off running away and I caught a glimpse of it. That was fun. Once we got to the highway we made it to the Tourist Information Center where there is a list of Trail Angels that the City uses to shuttle AT Hikers to and from the trail head and into town. It¢s run by the Welcome Center and what a fantastic service, all free! We contacted a gentleman by the name of Tom Brown who not only took us to the Quality Inn which was centrally located but he took the time to show us around town and point out the Laundromat and the Grocery Store, Post Office, stuff like that. Fantastic, thank you Tom for doing that. We did all the town chores and of course satified our Food Mood this morning by eating at the famous Weezies where they have all you can eat pancakes. Of course I had another special but didn¢t leave hungry.Later this evening we ate at the Ming Garden Chinese Buffet. Unbelievable. I¢ve never seen such a spread of Chinese food in all my life, including all you can eat crab legs. Remember the little tubs of ice cream that you used to see as a kid, you know the ones you ate with the wooden spoon? They didn¢t have the wooden spoon but I ate about three of those strawberry ice cream cups. Now an update on the boot situation. The Keen boots have started to delaminate. I think it was due to all the wet weather. I got about 400 miles out of them, it appears that the sacrifice for durability is comfort. There is always a trade off there. We got a ride down to the outfitters in Waynesboro. I picked up a pair of Vasque Velocity Trail Runners. They are pretty comfortable. I¢m using my old Superfeet inserts. They didn¢t sell SuperFeet so I reused the ones I had in the Keens. The Trail Runners feel pretty good so far, I¢ll let you know how they wear. Hopefully I won¢t get any blisters in the next stretch. Thanks to everybody for following along. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-09
From: Quality Inn, Waynesboro, VA

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Sat May 9, Day 60: We are now hiking through the Shenandoah National Park. Got our Backcountry permits this morning and are making our way. The rain¢s held off; however they are calling for scattered thundershowers, heavy at times, that¢s the call for the rest of the week. If everything works ok we¢re going to make it a 20 mile day and make it to the Black Hut shelter. Everything is going good, we are having a great day. Details on the day to follow. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Manassas Gap

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: broken clouds

Thu May 14, Day 65: Made it through the infamous Roller Coaster section of the AT, right before arriving here at the Bear¢s Den Hostel. It was a thirteen mile section of steep ascents and descents, hairpin switchbacks, and rocky terrain. The Roller Coaster was not fun. I could have had a better time chewing on some rusty barbed wire, if you understand what I¢m trying to say!This all really wreaked havoc on my feet and ankles. So much so that I twisted my left ankle this time, not my right like back in Damascus. I¢ll have to get it on ice when I get to Harper's Ferry tomorrow. I¢ll push forward and go slow if I have to. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0

Sat May 16, Day 67: I¢m taking a Zero Day today, icing the ankle and getting it ready for the trek out tomorrow. We¢re going to run up to a local church later this afternoon. We spotted a sign ¢ they are having a spaghetti dinner for seven dollars, sounds like a deal to me. Then we¢ll come back to the room and chill out. Thank you so much for the Guest Book entries. They are extra fuel for the journey. I just light up every time I read one. I really appreciate all the encouragement. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

Fri May 22, Day 73: Left Darlington Shelter early. Made good time for the 11 miles and walked into Duncannon, PA at 1015 this morning. It¢s been a great time hiking out of Harper¢s Ferry. I tell you we knocked out several states: West Virginia, Maryland, and now in Pennsylvania. The trail has been varied. We've been enduring mountainous terrain with the notorious rocks here in Pennsylvania, they just wreak havoc on your feet. I don¢t see how people do it in trail running shoes. You just can¢t help but roll your feet as you try to rock scramble as best you can over the boulders. On the other end of the spectrum we¢ve walked through some great pastureland in Pennsylvania too. There are a lot of good dairy operations going on in this part of the country. The trail folks have maintained the trail pretty well. They¢ve mowed the trail down and kept the grass away from the hikers¢ legs, except in the last little section coming into Duncannon this morning where the grass was literally knee high. We had to wade through but that wasn¢t any problem. People have been complaining ever since Virginia of a pretty bad tick situation. I¢ve been pretty fortunate. The only tick that I¢ve pulled off so far is one today. As soon as I got into Duncannon I looked and there was one buried in my right leg so I dug it out. I¢ve been eating a clove or two of fresh garlic that I chop up and put in my dinners. I don¢t know if that helps with the bug situation or not. We¢ll see. Will take a "Nero" (Nearly Zero) day for the rest of the day. I'm staying at the venerable Doyle Hotel which as I understand it is a turn of the century hotel build by Anheuser-Busch. After Prohibition came in, the rules said that Anheuser-Busch couldn¢t manufacture and sell beer at their location. That meant they ended up selling a lot of the hotels they built in that part of the century. This was one of those hotels. A lot of hikers like this place, a lot of hikers hate it. I just had to stay in it. The architecture is very interesting, it¢s nothing more than a big hostel that they¢ve turned it into. The owners, Pat and Vickey Kelly, really bent over backwards to make my stay enjoyable. They cook some pretty good food in the restaurant downstairs. I had the best roast beef dinner I¢ve had in forever. Pat made some homemade gravy that went with it and it was just excellent. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Campsite at Rattling Run, mi 1158.7

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Sun May 24, Day 75: Tonight we are staying at a wonderful caretaker¢s shelter, the 501 Shelter. A group of Mennonite youth came in and wanted to talk to AT hikers. Several of them have signed my Guest Book on trailjournals.com. Thanks guys, the 501 Crew, Good to meet you, enjoyed talking to you. Everything is going well. Still trying to pound these Pennsylvania rocks down as we get closer to the New Jersey border. I can almost see it from here! Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Port Clinton - camping in Town pavilion

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: moderate rain

Tue May 26, Day 77: We are in the Eckville Shelter which is a caretaker facility in back of a house that¢s run by a fellow named Lazee who hiked the trail three times. The shelter is full to capacity. It¢s a nice shelter, totally enclosed, has electrical outlets so you can charge up your phone. Even a light inside which is a big commodity. The privy has an real honest-to-goodness flush toilet and a shower. Even has clean running water from an outside spigot. Just fantastic. When we rolled into here we were drenched and cold. Got into some dry clothes. Then Lazee came in, passing out soft drinks. Wow, that really was a big hit. Soon a couple of thru-hikers came in. It was a man and his son. He was leaving the trail because he has a knee injury. He passed out the contents of his Bounce Box and food bag. He had Mountain House dehydrated foods, canned foods, PowerBars, snacks, all kinds of stuff. So everybody got something out of that. Gotta love the Trail Magic. After supper Lazee came in and said ¢Hey, I overcooked two large baked potatoes. Anybody interested in 'em?¢ So everybody chowed down on baked potatoes with butter. Fantastic! It meant a lot to a bunch of cold, wet, miserable hikers. Thanks everybody for doing that. It really made a difference. If you are hiking the AT definitely check out the Eckville shelter, it¢s a great stay. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Eckville Shelter

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Wed May 27, Day 78: The rain has returned! A couple of days ago it started raining again. Cold front came through bringing very chilly and dreary weather. The rain held off for a while this morning but the rocks along the trail have been treacherous. They are very slippery and you really have to watch your footwork. Even rocks you think are dry and not slippery often turn out that way. I ended up falling twice today. The first time I got up to get my composure, I looked in the rocks beside me and there was a full can of Miller Lite! Go figure, a little Trail Magic after the disaster. A couple of hours later I was doing some rock scrambling and fell again. Went down and boogered up the right leg of my rain pants. They shredded all to heck on the jagged rocks. Rumor has it that the Pennsylvania locals sneak up to the mountain top and sharpen the rocks with files just for the AT hikers. Wow, thanks Keystone State! We're just glad to be in the shelter.Special Shout Out! Spokes and Kim in South Africa, click on picture to see full size.Happy Birthday, Kim! Love ya. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-28
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter

To: Gateway Motel, Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: light rain

Thu May 28, Day 79: Hot Wheels and I did a long day today. It started raining this morning, that burnt off. I¢ll be happy to get out of these Pennyslvania rocks and I hear that around every corner in New Jersey is a deli so I can¢t wait to experience that if it¢s true.We made it into Wind Gap, PA. Not more than 50 yards to the west off the trail as it hit the roadway at Wind Gap there is a wonderful little motel called the Gateway Motel. A fellow by the name of Pete runs it.Pete bent over backwards to help us. We took showers and got our laundry together, then Pete drove us into town about two miles away. We left our clothes at a laundromat, the lady there did our clothes. Pete then drove us to a shopping center and dropped us off there. We ate Chinese food, hit a Rite Aid drug store and a Giant grocery store. Did a bunch of shopping. An hour and a half later we called Pete up. He came back to pick us up, took us to get our clean clothes, and drove us back to the motel. Just wonderful hospitality. Definitely put the Gateway Motel on your checklist for places to stop if you are ever hiking the AT. Pete will treat you right, there is no doubt about that. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Gateway Motel, Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Fri May 29, Day 80: By golly the keystone State is almost behind me and I can¢t wait! New Joisey is in sight ¢ it¢s just over the bridge! Reminds me of the old Traveling Wilburys¢ tune where Bob Dylan is on lead, Tweeter and the Monkey Man. ¢They knew they found freedom just across the Jersey line.¢ By golly that¢s true because I am going to be out of these Pennsylvania rocks before too long! Did a short day today into Delaware Water Gap, PA. Again some rock scrambles but not as bad as the ones out of Palmerton a day or two ago. Those were horrible. The ones today were still rough to navigate over, especially where they were very slick. At least I avoided a replay of the incident the other day where I ripped my Marmot Precip rain pants all to shreds as I took a fall and skinned up my right knee pretty badly. Got into Delaware Water Gap and we are staying here at the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain Hostel. It has space for about six or eight hikers.Haven't found a deli yet but ate three hot dogs and three slices of pumpkin pie upon hitting town - Yum. Went to the Edge of the Woods Outfitters in town and picked up a new pair of rain pants. Dropped a size down from a large to a medium. Hit the post office, did my mail drops. Tidbits and Observations:T&O One:One thing I¢m not doing very good at is food management. I am consistently having excess food. I know I should have learned by now how much food to carry. It¢s just human nature to carry more than you need, thinking you are going to run out or get delayed on a short day and run out of food. Today I ended up buying what I need for the next leg and sending a bunch of it forward, even sent some of it home. I¢m constantly trying to work on food management. T&O Two:Wes Payne sent me a nice little letter with an Appalachian Trail Map. I think that will come in handy, Wes. He also included a quote from John Seidensticker from A Letter to the Appalachian Trail (1976): ¢To walk down the Blue Ridge; to be alone; to exert and strain up and down hills under a pack; to see the ¢thin green slice¢ of the great eastern deciduous forests; to search for a consciousness unencumbered by front-page graffiti and the daily pressure of the city. Time and space to relax and tune to the rhythm and demands of the land.¢Wonderful quote! Thanks, Wes, for sending me that letter. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: few clouds

Sat May 30, Day 81: What an unbelievable day of hiking! I tell you, this is what days are meant to be. We had beautiful skies, puffy white clouds all around. I am so pleased to tell you the trail¢s been good today. The rocks really, really kicked down a whole bunch of notches once we got out of Pennsylvania, crossed over the Delaware River, and hiked into New Jersey. We hiked past Sunfish Pond and a few miles later walked into the Mohican Outdoor Center which is operated by the Applachian Mountain Club as a retreat center for groups. They had a little deli open so I got a turkey sandwich with chips, a couple of candy bars, some soft drinks, and ate lunch there. After lunch we hiked 12 more miles to the top of Rattlesnake Mountain (1,492¢). From the vista there we were looking over at a state that I had no clue had such great scenery. I just can¢t believe that I¢m in New Jersey. Most people (including me) think of something different when they think of New Jersey. I guess that's because for most of us all we have ever seen of the state is from the NJ turnpike or maybe the refineries as you are on final approach for Newark Airprt - not wonderful areas like this. Made another 24+ miles to the Brinks Road Shelter. It¢s just been wonderful hiking today.Tidbits and Observations:I keep flashing back to a conversation I had with Pete, the owner of the Gateway Motel way back in Wind Gap, PA. Here¢s how the conversation went: Pete: ¢Do you know that nobody wants an elephant when it¢s alive? Do you know why?¢ Spokes: ¢No, Pete, I never thought of that. Why is that?¢Pete: ¢Well, it¢s because the elephant consumes so much. You have to feed it massive quantities of food. So nobody wants an elephant while it¢s alive. In fact, the elephant is worth more dead than alive. You know the trunk and the ivory in the tusks ¢ it¢s worth more dead than alive. Did you realize that?¢Spokes: ¢Gollee, Pete, I never really thought of it that way. ¢Now you know that little conversation probably has some sage advice in it somewhere and I¢ve been wracking my brain to think what it was, or what it was all about. Maybe someday I¢ll figure it out. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Sun May 31, Day 82: Making short work of New Jersey - Noo Yawk is only 3 miles ahead. New Jersey has been a beautiful state. Hiked through the appropriately named High Point State Park today, which includes the highest point in the state of New Jersey (1,803 msl). Check out the audio journal for an update. Details to follow. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-06-01
From: High Point Shelter

To: Out House, Unionville, NY
Miles today: 7.1

Mon Jun 31, Day 83: Our plan was to get an early start and hike just over 8 miles into Unionville, NY, arriving there early enough to take a "Nero" day and rest up a little. Hot Wheels is having ankle problems, my ankle is all good to go now.The plan worked, we rolled into Unionville and found another great place to stay.Our lodging for the night is at the Out House, which was formerly known as the Mayor¢s House. A fellow by the name of Dick Ludwick, who is the former mayor of Unionville, NY, opens up his home to thru-hikers and he does a fantastic job. He bends over backwards to help out in any way possible including providing food, lodging, and any sort of service. He picks you up from the trailhead and drops you back off. He¢s got a couple of friends named Butch and Bill who help him out. I just cannot express the gratitude I have for these gentlemen and the fine work they are doing for the thru-hikers. Wow, what a stay! Probably one of the best that I have had on the whole trip. We watched a couple of videos last night. They were very inspirational and really put your head in the right place on what hiking this trail is all about.Also today my brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Linda, took the time to visit me right here in Unionville. They were on their way back from a trip to New England including the Bar Harbor, Maine area. We had been playing phone tag to see if we could perhaps meet up. About 1:30pm they showed up at the Mayor¢s House door. We had a great visit. They shuttled Hot Wheels and me down to the local supermarket for resupply. When we came back to the Out House we all sat down and had great conversation with Dick, Butch, and Bill. Mike and Linda, I am so thankful to both of you for stopping by. It really meant a lot to see you.