morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-10-30
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

This was a really great day to be out here hiking the trail - a classic fall day in Pennsylvania: blue skies, sunny but cool, the fall folliage pretty much at it's peak, and with the sounds of shotgunsgoing off like micro-wave popcorn at the 3 minute mark.The good news was hat there were fewer rocks over today's 15 miles than there were over yesterday's eight miles. There were still plenty of rocks, mind you, but there were also sections that made it seem like I was no longer in Pennsylvania! I did hte 15 miles in 7 hours - including my rest breaks, and arrived at the 501 shelter before 3 pm.I was looking forward to this shelter, as it was advertised as being enclosed - four walls, a roof and a door! In fact, it also has a skylight, 12 bunks, a desk, and a large dining table in the middle, which is where I am typing this journal entry. What this means, of course, is that I don't have to set up my tent - or take it down in the pre-dawn cold and darkness tomorrow morning. I can also get water at the spigot at the caretaker's house, which means I don't have to haul and then filter my water.And then, to top it all off, I discovered that I could even order a pizza for dinner. The shelter is named for Route 501, the highway which is literally a stone's throw from the shelter, and if you have a cell phone, you can order a pizza from the nearby town and then just meet the driver in the parking lot up at the road. Which works just fine, thank you very much, though I probably should have ordered just the medium instead of this large one that I am not likely to finish all of. .... burp.So, life ios good tonight. Anbother 15 miles in the bag, and it's only 130 more miles to go. AND...since today was day TEN in th final count-down, there are only NINE DAYS LEFT! Yea !!!!Stay tuned, Longhaul
Date: 2005-10-31
From: 501 Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Happy Holloween!Little did I think, when I began this little adventure back in March, that I wold sstill be out here hiking instead of going trick or treating with my kids.Nonetheless, it was a really beautiful day in the woods - sunny and warm, wih clear blue skies, and a trail that was so kind to me that I could almost begin to like Pennsylvania if it keeps up this way!For almost all of Pa., the elevation changes have bee really minimal, with mostly ridge walking as the order of the day, and with most of the ridges comprised almost exclusively of rocks. They say that Pa. is where the rocks from all the other states go when they die...and I think that's probably true. Today, howedver, it was like hiking in one of those other states. There were a couple of ups and downs, but some extended sections on old wood roads weren't very rock at all. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, as the map and guidebood indicate that 7 of my 17 miles will follow an old stage coach road. I'm hoping that means a decent treadway, but you never know. Rain and errosion can do terrible things to a good coach road over time.For today, I mad my hoped-for 2 mph again, so it was only an 8.5 hour day,and I was into the shelter before 4 pm. This is an older shelter, but one of the most convenient I've seen anywhere on the trail. The spring is righ in front of the shleter, literally 5 yards away, and flows into a trough from which you can pump or dip and treat your water. The fireplace is built into a rock wall, and has a metal back plate to reflect the heat. Even the privy is relatively close by. Just by way of comparison, last night's privy was a quarter of a mile away, and tomorrow night's water source is 250 yards down a steep back. The guide book advises to get all the water you need in one trip, "as you are NOT going to want to have to go for waer twice..." Oh yea.So, here I am, all alone at the shelter. No trick or treaters likely to arrive, which is just as well as I am not bery well stocked up on tredats -- at least not ones I'm prepared to give away. Still, this is one of my last nights on the trail. ONly eight more days and only another 112 miles, and I'll be done. Gettin' close. Won't be long now!Stay tuned,Longhaul
Date: 2005-11-01
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Another fabulous day on the trail. Once again, the weather was warm and sunny, a perfect day for hiking.One thing that occurred to me today ws that, for all of the different birds that have brightened my days along the trial, the most consistent has been the chickadee. The Carolina version from Georgia through Pa., and the black-capped from N.J. north through Maine. A tip of the ol' blaze orange hat to my fine little feathered friends for their companionship over these past (too) many months. Speaking of my blaze orange hat and vest and pack cover, I felt very much a part of the Halloween festivities yesterday. Had anyone seen me, I could have passed as a pumpkin, I'm sure!Let there be no doubt as to the wisdom of my costume, however, as evidenced by the number of shotgun blasts I continue to hear each day. (Don't these guys have jobs to go to???)Further evidence: despite the fact that the rocks would make it impossible to grow corn up on the ridges where I am hiking, I have been finding little piles of corn, and longer trails of corn, right there where I'm hiking. I think you call that "baiting" the game - in this case, wild turkeys. The hunting season for them opened last Saturday. Makes me feel sooooo very safe hiking down those same trails....The trail was rockier than I had hoped, and was really hard on my knees. After more than 17 miles, I was whupped. I was really dreading, therefore, having to go down hill over 300 rock steps and then back up for water when I reached the Peters Mt. shelter.I got lucky, however: a shelter angel left a two liter bottle of water for me - just enough for dinner and for over-night consumption! I really wish I knew who it was so I could thank them, as it truly made my day.The shelter is a nice one, relatively new and two stories. As usual, I'm here by myself, but that is simply part of my hike for this last section of the trail. If nothing else, it bolsters my confidence that I can cope quite well out here by myself - much as I prefer the company of others.Well, one more milestone achieved today: I am officially less than 100 miles from the end of my hike. And, assuming the last 85 miles from Duncannon takes a full six days, I'll be home a week from today. Oh yea!Stay tuned, Longhaul
Date: 2005-11-02
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter

To: Duncannon, Pa.
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The winds came up strongly last night just after I went to bed, followed by some rain, but nothing torrential and it was gone by the morning's first light.I did a relatively short day today, but it felt longer than it was due to the rocks and a long road walk from the first bridge across the Susquehanna River into the center of town. I'm staying at the Doyle hotel - a 100 year old building that is certainly showing its age, but has a lot of charm in it yet. Originally built by a brewery, it was bought by a coal miner named Doyle when he got lucky and won the Irish sweepstakes. The current innkeepers, Pat and Vicky, are very hiker friendly, the food is good and the beer is cold. What more can a hiker ask for?At a pub down the street where I had lunch, I met Trail Angel Mary who works in the kitchen there. She's been setting out coolers with cold drinks for hikers when they get close to town for about six years now. Doesn't hike, but likes hikers, and goes that extra mile to help them along the way. Nice lady!I was going to re-supply for just 3-4 days, and find one last stop before PenMar, but finally gave up and just packed up six days worth of food. So, no more re-supplying needed - I'm good to the end of the hike. Now if only my pack didn't weigh a ton....Stay tuned, Longhaul
Date: 2005-11-03
From: Duncannon, Pa.

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I had breakfast this morning at a small diner across from the hotel - sausage gravy over biscuits, eggs over easy, coffee and orange juice. A good way to start the day if you know you are going to be burning all those calories - and then some.The hike began with a steep climb up Cove Mountain, but that was the only serious climb of the day, and even it only lasted about an hour.   With far fewer rocks to contend with, I was able to get into a rhythm and just kind of let my mind wonder. I spent a lot of time reflecting on my first through-hike and all that it has meant to me, and done for me. Wait a minute! What did he say??? His FIRST through-hike??? What is that boy THINKING??? Has he forgotten Kinsman Mountain and the Whites? The Mahoosuc Notch - and the Mahoosuc Arm? The river crossings and the bogs of Maine? The eleven straight days of rain in Connecticut and new York?No - I haven't forgotten. It's just that, despite all of the trials and tribulations, it has been an incredible journey of mind, body and soul - good for all three, and well worth repeating if I am up to it. I'll need a new knee, of course, and I will wait until I am fully retired, so my plan is to head for Springer again in mid-March of 2011. That will give any of you who want to go with me about five years to prepare. You can sign up now in my guest book - just let me know and I'll add you name to my list. The shelter tonight was new, and nice as far as shelters go, but the privy needs to be replaced. They've built a new one but it was locked. The old one is occupied by a fairly determined squirrel who is NOT happy about intruders. Makes life interesting in the morning....Stay tuned, Longhaul
Date: 2005-11-04
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

What a gorgeous day for a hike this was! Temperatures were in the 40s overnight but reached into the 70s by this afternoon, under cloudless blue skies and surrounded by the remnants of brilliant fall foliage. I began my day on a mountain, but soon descended to the lowlands of Pennsylvania - farm country - and walked through fields and pastures, up and down hedgerows and over or across highways, including I-81 and the Pa. Turnpike.The highlight of my day was Boiling Springs, a delightful little village on a lake, with an ATC Regional office and restaurants! By hiking fast, I made it to town in time for a late lunch: a bowl of chicken vegetable soup, a chicken salad sandwich on a croissant, coffee, a milk shake, and two scoops of mint chocolate chip non-prescription dietary supplement. YumI then finished up the last four miles of my hike - uphill on a full stomach, but after completing the usual camp chores I was still able to down the usual backpacker's dinner of Raman noodles, in this case spicy chili chicken. After a short campfire - made possible by some thoughtful visitors who left some wood for me - it was already dark, so I crawled into my tent for the night.Tomorrow I will be staying in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, at the old Iron Masters Mansion hostel. I will be inside, with kitchen privileges, shower privileges, and laundry privileges. That¢s going to be a nice break in this six day stint from Duncannon to PenMar Park where I will finish my hike. Thirty miles down, 53 to go, but who's counting...Stay tuned, Longhaul
Date: 2005-11-06
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

What can I say - another beautiful day, though with rain threatening at times in the afternoon (but never materializing), and 17.4 miles of some of the easiest trail on the AT. I was able to maintain a rather fast pace (for me) of 2.5 miles an hour for the entire 7 hours it took me to get from the hostel to the Quarry Gap shelter.While I was getting settled in, the shelter maintainer - Jim Stauch - showed up, and we had a nice chat. He's been doing this for 30 some years and runs a pretty tight ship. The shelter is immaculate and, since he designed and built it to through-hiker specifications, it is extraordinarily functional. He also seems like a really nice guy, and is clearly one of those totally dedicated volunteers who are the backbone of the trail maintenance system. Reminds me a lot of Bob Peoples down in North Carolina (Kincora Hostel) who does the "hard core" trail work event at the end of trail days in Damascus.Well, here I am now in my tent on the second-to-last night of this incredible journey. I have to admit that, much as I have enjoyed it, I am ready for it to be over. I'm sure there will be things I miss, but I am soooo looking forward to all of the things I've been missing at home while I've been out here for most of the last 8 months.I am now just 20 miles from the end. I'll do about 15 tomorrow and only 5 on Tuesday. Incredible. I think I'm gonna make it. Soon! Yesssss!Stay tuned, Longhaul
Date: 2005-11-07
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Another perfect weather day; another relatively easy hike of about 16 miles; my last night at a shelter; my final pasta dinner (a MOuntain House Lasagna, just for the record); my last night sleeping in my Big Agnes tent and sleeping bag; my last campfire - and it was a really nice one, too; and my last night away from my wife and kids for, hopefully, a rather long time. It's been a quiet dahy. There was no one else on the trail, though I did hear shotgun blasts, so I know there were hunters aout and about, but never encountered any of them. It has also been, not surprisingly, somewhat anti-climatic as I approach the end of this little walk in the woods. I am, of course, absolutely thrilled to be almost done. As I noted last September, however, having reached the summit of Katahdin with my friends from M Company was like getting to graduate with my class- even though I was a few credits short. Ok, so now I"ve made up those credits, and I finally get my diploma. Cool! Now let's get on with all of the wonderful things I have waiting for me back home! And to think that I was worried at one point, before my hike, about what the trail might do to me, in terms of the adjustments I might have to make after a long time on the trail. Nope. Not gonna happen. It just hasn't worked out that way for me at all. I've had a great time out here. I hope to do it again starting five years from next March. But enough is enough, and belive me: 2, 174 miles of carying a heavy pack up and down mountains has gotten kinda old!So, tomorrow, it's less than five miles into PenMar Park. Then home, a hot shower, a shave, a hair cut, some new clothes (nothgin fits after you lose more than 50 pounds), time with "She-who-knows-me-best-but-still-loves-me" and wiht each of my kids, and then a round of touching base with friends and getting caught up on everthing that's been happening in ral life while I"ve been out in the woods chasing my dream. I can't wait!Stay tuned, Longhaul
Date: 2005-11-08
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: PenMar Park
Miles today: 4.7

Well, sports fans, this is it - the big finish. Not as glamorous as summiting Mount Katahdin, but every bit as satisfying for Ol' Private Second Class Walter M. (for Mitty) Longhaul, that's fer sure.This was my shortest day of the entire hike, but appropriately so. I've done enough long days. I'm tired now, and it's time to go home.I hiked the final 4.7 miles from Deer Lick shelter to PenMar Park with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. I could not help but think back to those early days out of Springer - how right it felt to be doing this, how grand an adventure it would be (and it certainly has been!), how privileged I was to be able to do it, and how blessed I was to have the support and encouragement of so many people - chief among them my wife, my kids, my brother and sister, my scout group buddies, my friends from the office, from the rescue squad, and from SMRG, my new friends from the trail (especially my M Company colleagues), and so many others who have read and commented on my efforts through this journal.I have truly been blessed, and could not have made it without that support and encouragement.So: number of states - 14; number of miles - 2,174; number of boots ¢ 3 pair; number of hiking poles - 3 pair; number of incredible memories stored up for the old folks home - too many to count! What an experience this has been! It will take me weeks, more like months, even to begin to appreciate what it all really means to me. Some of the more obvious things:A much greater appreciation for my family than ever before, and mostespecially for the ever-patient, totally supportive, extraordinarilyresourceful "She-who-knows-me-best-but-still-loves-me";A new me, physically, limping perhaps, but down more than 50 pounds ¢ and what's left is mostly leg muscle!Some new skills, from rock climbing to fording rivers, from throwing abear-bag rope to setting up camp in the woods, I really feel at home now in the outdoors - except for those foot steps in the leaves outside my tent at night that I HOPE are only deer.... and other things that go bump in he night;A new appreciation for the beauty of nature in all of her manifestations - and I can only hope that all of photographs, when I get them put together, will be able to convey some of what it was like out here;The chance to meet some extraordinary people and to make some incredible new friends that I am very much looking forward to staying in touch with over the coming years;And, last but not least, the sense of satisfaction that comes from having persevered, having over come obstacles - both physical and mental - and, as a result, having lived out my dream of a successful through-hike of the AT.Finally, to all of you assembled eyes, my thanks, my gratitude, and my best wishes for your own successful through-hike - whatever that may be for you. Always remember the line I quoted from Goethe in one of my pre-hike entries: ¢Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, and power, and magic to it.¢<God Bless, and stay tuned, Longhaul
Date: 2005-11-30
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Just a short up-date on my post-hike adjustment period. Bottom line: it is so very nice to be home again! I am catching up on things and trying to pick up the pieces of my previous life. All is going well, except for my right knee, of course. I am hoping to have joint replacement surgery in a couple of weeks so that I can start rehab ASAP and be ready to get back to more normal outdoor activities by Spring at the latest. I am also working on my hiking photos, and hope to have a slide show ready soon, but no promises as to exactly when. I am also going over my gear and will post a gear review in a few days time. Meanwhile I am trying to catch up on my emails, especially to all of my AT friends, as I am very keen on staying in touch. I'm also finally taking the time to catch up on other hikers Journals which helps with the "withdrawl" symptoms I sometimes feel. More later. Stay tuned!Longhaul
Date: 2005-12-19
From: Home

To: Hospital
Miles today: 0.0

Hey, all:Just a very quick update on my post-hike activities. The time seems to have flown by, and I am suprised to find that I've been back for six weeks already!All is good, and I have been very pleased with progress on most fronts. I am expecting to go back to work again in January, four days a week and for only about 9 months a year, but I'm just too young to retire - and then there are those college expenses for my three kids, and that rural retreat somewhere along the AT that I hope to acquire, and the place by the shore.... so more income would be welcome. First, however, I'm going to have to replace that right knee that I complained about pretty much non-stop throughout my hike. Since I've been home, and especially over the past week when I've been totally off my pain and anti-inflamatory meds, I am amazed that I was actually able to hike, up to 20 miles a day, on a joint that is in such bad shape. As planned, one of my first stops on getting home was my surgeon. He said I might be able to get away with a partial knee replacement, but strongly advised in favor of a full knee job, and I have agreed with his judgement. I really don't want to have to go through the surgery and rehab more than once! So, in two minutes, I leave for my appointment with the good Dr. Madden, and will be back home in about four days time, with my new, bionic knee. If all goes well, my plans to repeat the hike in five years time will still be on. And, in the near term, I will also be able to get back to hiking with the scouts, as well as getting back to action with the rescue squad and SMRG.Stay tuned! And a peaceful holiday and happy new year to all!Longhaul
Date: 2006-01-22
To: PA Ruck Coming Up!
Miles today: 0.0

Just a quick update on the status of life, and a note about the upcoming PA Ruck.First, the knee continues to do well. My new PT (he says it stands for Physical Therapist; his patients all know it really stands for pain and torture!) is definitely on the same wave lenght as I am. We both want to get me as close to 140 degrees of flexion as possible, as soon as possible. My previous PT got me from 74 degrees to 116. In the week I've worked with my new one, he's gotten me from 116 to about 130. It hurts, but there is just no alternative if I want the knee to get to where I can hike the AT again. Haven't gone back to work yet, but I'm working on that. I expect an intial contract in the coming week or two. Hope to start running with the rescue squad the first Friday in February, and am busy studing up on all the EMT skills that have lapsed while I hiked the trail. By March, I hope to get active again with SMRG. By then, I'll also be doing campouts with the Scouts as the spring season starts up and my youngest son "graduates" from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.Meanwhile, I am very much looking forward to attending the Pennsylvania Ruck, a gathering of the AT community, this next weekend (January 27-29). Attendees include past through-hikers, others with an interest in the trail, and - as was my case last year at this time - those who are planning to begin their through-hike in 2006. I remember so very well my trip to Pine Grove Furnace last year (see my earlier pre-hike entry), where I had my pack "tuckerized" and attended the through-hikers' bull session, led by recent "graduates". One of the key organizers (Marsha), asked if I was interested in volunteering to help lead this year's bull session, and I immediately said yes. I also suggested that, since I am "of a certain age", and a retired banker-type through-hiker at that, that it would be good to ask one of the "twenty-something" crowd to join as well. My nominee, of course, was my very good friend, "Mouth". He of the nose-ring, blue hair, kilt-wearing, flag-carrying (skull and cross-bones with the slogan "surrender the booty"!) crowd. She, and subsequently, he were delighted with my nomination, so it's a go. I can't wait.I am most anxious, however, to see how many of my class of 2005 will turn up. A LOT, I hope. But it will also be good to see some of the vetrans that I've met up with, many of whom have provided both inspiration and encouragement for me during my extended journey. If this one is as good as all the others, there will be great food, inspiring events (including all of the new AT videos and slide shows), fellowship of the best kind, and laughter galore. I'm especially keen to meet up with my old friend and early journal transcriber, Shelly Hale, aka Tenacious Tennassee, who has promised me a rib-cracking hug. Now if I can only get her to teach me how she makes that incredible breakfast of biscuits and sausage gravy.....Stay tuned. I'll report on how it went as soon as I get back.cheers,Longhual