morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: few clouds

Day 76Mile 1009.8I slept great, just not long enough. I can tell I've been out in the woods for awhile. I tried to make coffee in the machine this morning and it tasted like motor oil. I was on the trail around eight, planning to reach the Harpers Ferry and check in at the Appalachian Trail Conference headquarters before they closed at five. I crossed into West Virgina this morning. I enjoyed Virginia. It's been my favorite state yet with the variety of the landscape, but after 530 miles, I was ready for another one. This is where some hikers attempt the four state challenge, hiking from the VA/WV border through Maryland to Pennsylvania in one day. About 43 miles. I thought about it, but I wanted to spend some time in Harpers Ferry. That's my excuse anyway. West Virginia is the lowest mileage state on the AT with less than 20 total miles. I finished the roller coaster this morning and the remainder of the day was relatively easy. Passing the 1,000 mile mark this afternoon was great. Adding that fourth digit to my mileage total is a big boost. I was anxious to reach Harpers Ferry and picked up the pace this afternoon. The town is reached by a side trail that goes by the old campus of Storer College, one of the earliest African American colleges in the country. This is a great little town. There is so much history here and the town has been well preserved. It is set on a hill at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. I checked in at the ATC and registered as the 271st northbound thru hiker. At last count, over 1,300 have started from Springer Mountain. It is customary to have your picture taken in front of the ATC sign, which is then placed in the photo album for the year hiked. I attempted to do a handstand, unfortunately my balance isn't quite what it used to be, so they had to take another picture. I met a local trail angel named Blue Moon. He and his girlfriend Bonnie fed me and brought me to Walmart to resupply. A big thank you to them. I am also sad to say that I watched the Michael Jackson verdict today live on tv. Unbelievable. I checked in at the Hilltop House Hotel and heard that Tinkerbell(formerly Sasquatch) was in town. The funny part about his trail name is that he is six foot seven. I haven't seen him since Hot Springs about 700 miles ago. It was good to catch up with another old friend from early in the hike. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 77Mile 1016.2I slept in and had breakfast at the hotel restaurant. After checking out, I went down to the outfitter to buy new shoes. I snapped the supposedly unbreakable laces again on another pair of shoes, but this time it was my fault. They broke while I was trying to do the handstand yesterday. My gaiters snapped them, but the shoes were almost ready to be replaced anyway. I ended up buying another pair of trail runners, but from another manufacturer. Hopefully they work out. I was planning to hike out of town this afternoon, but it was so hot and humid that I decided to wait until this evening. I had lunch and then went down to the Shenandoah river to swim. There were several people down there. I spent about an hour in the water. It was very refreshing. I went back to the tavern for dinner and a celebratory beer for reaching the 1,000 mile mark. I talked with a couple I met yesterday coming in to HF. They were out for a couple of days and finished up here. Nice folks. I also met some people from Rockford, IL, where I spent the summer before my senior year of college. Small world. The trail leaves town across a railroad bridge that crosses the Potomac River and leads to state six, Maryland. I got lost on the AT for the first time tonight at a road crossing where I couldn't find the white blazes in the dark. I must have walked an exta mile or two on the road in both directions until I found the trail. I didn't reach the shelter until 11. Luckily it has a loft with a separate entrance in the back so I didn't have to disturb the hikers sleeping on the main floor. A long day. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Devils Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 29.6

Day 78Mile 1045.8I slept ok on the wood floor of the shelter, probably because I was exhausted. I was on the trail at 8:15. Fairly easy terrain and a cooler temperature with a breeze made for nice hiking conditions today. I stopped at Gathland State Park this morning for a soda. I was talking with one of the employees and I told him how I was thinking of the Blair Witch Project movie last night as I was hiking in the dark in Maryland. I knew it took place in western MD and he told me it was fictionally set in Burkittsville, which is the closest town to here. I'm glad I made it through the night. Today's hike went by several historical markers including Civil War battlefields, the War Correspondents Memorial and a Washington Monument built in the early 1800's. It is a stone tower with a spiral staircase in the center leading to the top with great views to the valley below. The AT also goes by a Back Pack Campground with restrooms and free showers provided by the State of Maryland. My new shoes are really hurting my feet, so I have turned to Advil for the first time during the hike. If they continue to ache, I will have to get another pair. I was hoping to hike 25 miles today to make up for yesterday and went almost 30 instead, my biggest day yet. There is a big group of Girl Scouts tenting here tonight as well. They are out for five days heading south. There are only about five more miles until Pennsylvania and I should be at the halfway point in two days. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Devils Racecourse Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: broken clouds

Day 79Mile 1071.2Another good sleep in the tent. I left the vestibule open and got much better ventilation. I was packed up and on the trail around eight. Another nice hiking day. It was actually cool when I stopped at Pen Mar Park this morning. The park is set up high overlooking the valley on the MD/PA border. It's a nice park with more places to sit than I have ever seen before with benches and picnic tables everywhere. I sat down ate breakfast and drank two sodas. I also packed one out for later. Sodas are one of the few luxuries out here on the trail. They never get old, at least not yet. After a nice long break, I was back on the trail and crossing into PA, state #7. The rest of the day was head down hiking. Over the last several days, I have been in this window of time with not many hikers. A few that I know are ahead of me, but most are behind. It's been very quiet on the trail.
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 80Mile 1088.5(HALF WAY!)I slept in this morning after getting in late. I met Rocket this morning at the shelter. He is a fellow Red Sox fan. He wears his hat every day. Impressive. I also met Hemlock Muppet and Birdy this morning. Quarry Gap Shelters is one of the best kept and nicest shelters yet. It's a double shelter with a breezeway in between. There is a great water source and tent platforms. The caretaker even has potted plants and candle lanterns here! I was on the trail around nine for the 17+ miles to Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The shorter distance was a welcome relief after 55 miles in the last two days. Today was a big day, as I passed the half way point about a mile before the State Park. It's a great feeling to be closer to Katahdin than Springer Mountain. It is a tradition among most thru hikers to attempt the half gallon challenge at the half way point. There is a camp store that sells half gallons of Hershey ice cream and gives all those who finish it in one sitting a wooden spoon honoring their accomplishment. I chose the Peanut Butter Twist. Probably not the best decision, however I did finish it in a disappointing 1:45. The fastest time ever is somewhere between 5 and 15 minutes, depending on who you ask. I wasn't feeling myself afterwards, but I guess 3200 calories of dairy will do that to you. I met more new hikers this afternoon: Rabbit, Anj, Box of Fun, Rodeo and Bayou. I am staying at the Ironmaster's Hostel tonight. It's a big, old house with a secret room that was used during the underground railroad. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-18
From: Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.4

Day 81Mile 1107.9I had two breakfast sandwiches this morning at the camp store and was on the trail around ten. The trail goes right through the State Park by a beach before entering the woods. I was tempted to stay and take a zero. My feet have been bothering me since leaving Harpers Ferry 80 miles south with new shoes. The padding on the bottom of my feet has been getting very sore, especially on my right foot. I didn't have this problem with the old shoes. It might be a combination of new shoes, big miles and no rest. Through the first half of the AT, I think I took a total of two Advil and now I am taking four to six a day. I'll give them another couple of days, but I definately need to be in the right shoes when I reach the infamous rocks of northern Pennsylvania. About a mile north of the park is the halfway sign erected by a 1985 thru hiker. The actual half way point changes every year due to trail reroutes. I took a few pictures and kept moving towards Boiling Springs. It was another great hiking day with good weather and nice terrain. There is a B&B in Boiling Springs that allows thru hikers to tent in their back yard for one dollar so I took advantage of that. Their lawn was so nice, I was almost afraid to put tent stakes into the ground. Boiling Springs is a great litte town. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. There is a stream and pond in the center of town that attract flyfisherman from all over. The regional headquarters for the ATC is also in town. Rocket and I had dinner and then went over to the Boiling Springs Tavern. My feet are still sore, so I am not sure how far I will hike tomorrow. I am looking forward to a good night's sleep on soft grass. It's in the low 50's tonight. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-19
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: The Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 82Mile 1133.5I slept like a rock. I was packed up by eight. I grabbed a cup of coffee and stopped by the ATC office. The building is not usually open on the weekends, but volunteers are there during thru hiker season to answer questions. I had a couple of great muffins baked by today's volunteer, washed up and filled my water. My feet were still bothering me today, so I decided to call the local outfitter when I reached the Harrisburg Pike. They don't carry my old shoes, so I decided I would deal with it when I reached Duncannon. The hike north out of Boiling Springs is flat for about 13 miles. Rocket and I made good time to the Pike. Eight miles in just over two hours. We had lunch at the diner. I got back on the trail at 2:45 for the 17 mile hike to the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon.
Date: 2005-06-20
From: The Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, PA

To: The Doyle
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I ended up taking two zero days in Duncannon. My feet, body and mind needed the break and I had to deal with the shoe issues. I called Salomon and they overnighted me a new pair of trail runners at cost, because I couldn't find a local retailer carrying them. Very nice on their part, unfortunately the shoes were too small. I didn't want to mail them back and wait for another pair with no guarantees that they would fit. At $40 per overnight mailing, it could get expensive, so I called EMS and explained the situation. There closest store to Duncannon is in Lancaster, about an hour and fifteen minutes away. I wanted to get directions, so I could catch a ride there to try on shoes. They offered to drive to Duncannon and exchange the Salomons, which I didn't buy from them for another pair! They came the next day with three pairs of shoes for me to try and a care package. Fantastic customer service! They have a customer for life. I found a pair of Montrails that fit great. While I was in town, it was nice to sleep in a bed and shower three days in a row. I ate real food, drank a few beers and met some new hikers. The Doyle Hotel is an interesting place with some character. It's an old run down hotel with cracks in the ceilings and walls, unfinished floors and holes everywhere. I loved it-except for the large population of spiders. They were all over the place. What do you expect for $17.50 a night. The owners, Vickie and her husband are very nice folks. The first day of summer, June 21 has unofficially(over the years) become Hike Naked Day on the AT. I was in town and didn't take part in the holiday tradition, but I hear that several folks did. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-22
From: The Doyle

To: Stony Mountain
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: haze

Day 85Mile 1154.4I slept a good 10 or 11 hours last night. It was great. I had breakfast for the third morning at Goodie's cafe. Linda, from EMS met me at the hotel at 11. She exchanged the shoes and I gave her my last two Ben and Jerry's free pint coupons as a thank you. Rocket and I hit the trail at noon. It rained on us today for the first time in over two weeks. It was a fast moving thunderstorm that didn't last long. We had two big days planned coming out of Duncannon, 46 miles total on beat up feet. Tinkerbell and his buddy Mark, who lives in the area are having a cookout tomorrow night at the 501 Shelter and we are hoping to get there. Mark works for Tyson and is cooking up 20 half chickens. A thruhiker dream come true! The terrain wasn't too bad, a couple of climbs but mostly ridge walking. Rocket stopped at eight near a stream and I decided to push on a few more miles to get a big climb out of the way. I set up my tent at the top of Stony Mountain in a clearing beneath some pine trees and ate a dinner of crackers and M&M's. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-23
From: Stony Mountain

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 86Mile 1179.8I slept in and didn't get on the trail until around nine. Rocket passed by me this morning while I was breaking down camp. It was cool and windy overnight, which made for good sleeping. Today was a tough hiking day. Big miles and sore feet make for a long day. Today's hike took us through some old, abandoned village sites. Other than that, a typical day through the long, green tunnel in PA. If it wasn't for the trail magic tonight, I would have stopped miles earlier. I'm glad I didn't. The cookout was great. Mark brought 20 chickens, baked beans, cole slaw and soda. Rocket and I were afraid we would get there too late, but when we arrived he had just started roasting the chickens. Word spread about the party and there was a full house: Sowega, Lobster, Dark Helmet, Bootleg, Daddy, Swifty, Draggin, Bluey, Waist Deep, RAJ, Rocket, Tinkerbell, Mark, Henry and I. The chicken took awhile to cook, but was worth the wait. The best trail magic yet! This shelter is a nice place. It's fully enclosed with two doors and a large sunlight. It sleeps about 20 with a solar shower. I didn't get to bed until midnight. A long day, but a great one. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-24
From: 501 Shelter

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

Day 87Mile 1203.5I was up early today, around six. I was packed up and on the trail around 7:30 with Tinkerbell. The first few miles were fine and then my feet began to hurt and I got tired. I think the long day yesterday and lack of sleep caught up with me. I slowed down and took it easy until I reached the one shelter I passed today. After eating lunch and talking with two women section hikers heading south, I was lights out for a great 45 minute nap. The women told Draggin later that I was snoring loudly. My apologies to them. After the nap, I felt great. I hiked the remaining 8+ miles in great time and got into Port Clinton before dark. The church and town allow hikers to sleep in a pavilion or tent along the river. Another big crowd here tonight. Port Clinton is a small town with not much going on. The only place to get a meal is the Port Clinton Hotel and all the hikers were there. I was able to take a shower there for $5, well worth it. I tried to update my journal back at the pavilion, but the flies were out in full force. They didn't get any better after I turned off my headlamp. I got bitten all night. I should have set up the tent. Oh well. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-25
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 88Mile 1218.7When I woke up at seven, everyone was already up and moving. I went to breakfast at 3C's Restaurant with Draggin. I had french toast and eggs. It was the best breakfast I have had on the trail. I went to the post office to pick up a care package from Tamara and my replacement shoes from Vasque. They were too narrow also, so I sent them home. I will deal with it later. Cabela's, a large fishing and hunting outfitter has a huge store just two miles from town. They offer a shuttle, so Rocket, Sowega, Tinkerbell, Draggin and I went up there to check it out. It's impressive, all 250,000 square feet. They have a large area with mounts of many animals including black bear, elk and deer. I bought some camp soap and batteries and tried on more shoes. I have become obsessed with finding the perfect fitting pair. More right foot is so swollen, I don't think they exist. When we got back to Port Clinton, I packed up my gear and headed to the hotel for lunch. It was tough to leave the air conditioning and the Red Sox game on TV, but I managed to hit the trail around three in the heat of the day. The trail north of town starts with a big climb of about 900 feet followed by another 800 foot climb. The rest of the day was ridge walking and old wood roads. I stopped to take a nap at Pulpit Rock. That's been my new strategy, take a nice long break during the day. I always feel recharged afterwards. Due to my late start, I didn't reach the shelter until 8:30. It's a nice one. It looks like a shed that has been converted with six bunks and a table. It's right behind a house. The best part: they sell soda and ice cream sandwiches! There is also an enclosed bathroom and solar shower. We've been getting spoiled lately. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Blue Mountain B&B
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Day 89Mile 1230.2The no see ums were terrible last night. I got in the bag around 10:30 and I was still awake after 1. They never let up. It got so bad that Tinkerbell set up his tent in the middle of the night. This is the second night in a row that they have been unbearable. I will be sleeping in my tent from now on. I took my time getting going this morning and was the last one to leave the shelter. Today's hike started with a big climb of over 1100 feet to Dan's Pulpit. It's always nice to get the climbs out of the way early in the day. Shortly after summitting, I caught up with Sowega and Tinkerbell. We hiked together over the next five miles through a very rocky section. It was nice to have some company hiking today. Most of us usually hike alone, because our paces are different. I stopped for lunch at the next shelter and drank one of the sodas I had packed out from Eckville. As I was looking through my trail book, I realized that there was a bed and breakfast about five miles north, just off the trail. Today was extremely hot and humid, so we decided to meet there to cool off. It turned out to be a nice place with a restaurant. We relaxed for awhile and found out that they were having live music tonight. A band called S.O.B. was playing classic rock from five to eight. Tinkerbell decided to get a room and Sowega and I decided to split it with him. I couldn't turn down classic rock, so here I am. Only 11.5 miles today, but it's another good break for my feet. I showered and did my laundry in the sink. Sue, the bartender was nice enough to throw it in the dryer and let me use their computer to check email. After a great meal, I went outside to the patio bar to listen to the band. The first song I heard was one of my favorites, Melissa by the Allman Brothers. It was a great afternoon, good music and cold Yuengling lager. I met some more nice folks including Ted and Donna. We talked hiking and cars. He drives a VW Thing. Great car. I was beat and in bed by 10:30. Another great day on the AT. Koko.
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Blue Mountain B&B

To: Jailhouse Hostel - Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 13.6

Day 90Mile 1243.8I had a great sleep in the bed. The Sox swept the Phillies over the weekend. That's seven in a row! I got on the trail this morning intending to hike 50 miles in two days, so I could reach Delaware Water Gap on Tuesday evening. This would allow me a zero day before starting my six day hike with Tamara. The terrain was rocky, but I made good time this morning. The trail goes right over an area of large, sharp rocks called the Knife's Edge. The remaining miles on the AT in PA are infamous due to a high concentration of rocks. I stopped at a shelter about one mile from Lehigh Gap and Palmerton. I took a 45 minute nap and awoke to the local ridge runner coming up the trail. We talked for a few minutes and he told me that someone had been found dead on the AT about 50 miles north up the trail. He didn't have any details other than that the person was a white male, which describes about 85 percent of the hikers. I know several hikers who would have been in that vicinity yesterday. I decided to head into Palmerton for the night. Tinkerbell caught up with me at the shelter and we hiked into town together. He stayed at a motel and I went down to the "jailhouse". The town of Palmerton allows hikers to stay in the basement of the old borough building for free. It was the former site of the police station, hence the nickname. The local Girl Scout troop also provides goody bags for the hikers. There are nice people everywhere. This is a small town of about 5000 people. All the services needed by a hiker including restaurants, grocery stores, a laundromat and the library are within about five blocks on the main street. I'm glad I came into town. Part of the experience for me is getting into these small towns. The last few days of short hiking have been good for my feet. They don't ache like they did and my Advil consumption is way down. Sowega and I had some dinner and bought a dozen Krispy Kremes for breakfast. Koko.