morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-22
From: PA 309, Blue Mt Summit

To: Little Gap Rd., Danielsville PA
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

I was all set to go this morning, bag packed and organized, and on time. But wait, what is that puddle on the floor....and the trail of drips down the hallway....and those soggy hip belt pockets???? Something was leaking. To discover the culprit and fix it, the entire backpack had to be emptied. The neoair had to be opened and wiped down, its sack tossed onto the dryer briefly. The pack innards wiped with towel. The trash bag liner replaced. This is another great reason to stay in a house whenever possible: last-minute "emergencies" can be righted quicker and easier. And fortunately, I have an award-winning dry bag for my down sleeping bag! It seems that when I filled the water bladder I mis-threaded the cap back on :/  15 minutes later, all was right again that could be made right...the rest of the bag air dried once I started hiking. I forgot to apply Deet before hitting the Trail today, and paid for it with half a dozen mosquito bites within the first 5 minutes. Ugh! Hate using Deet, but hate those itching bites even more! Today's hike included some serious rock challenges...they even had names, starting with Knife Edge (aptly descriptive), Bear Rocks (aptlyfter which I needed a break, so sat and ate a slice of leftover pizza, before 9am), and then Bake Oven Knob. Although these sections were rough because of the need for extreme caution with footing, the bigger problem was in staying on the AT! I spent a lot of time today searching for the next white blaze. Somebody needs to take a brush and can of paint out there, pronto. I'm happy to report that I made it through without falling once, and no new scrapes or bruises. At one point i came across some great trail magic: gallon jugs filled with drinking water (much needed!!!), some chilled fruit (i enjoyed an apple), and a bin of food items to eat there or take away (I opted for a devils food Entenman doughnut). Thanks to Starman for this mini "cafe" in the woods, you really are a rock star for doing that! In spite of doing the first 14 miles or so at a snails pace I ended up at the Outerbridge shelter, just before Palmerton, by 1:30...far too early to stop for the day. I had planned to stay at the hostel in town, but upon calling, found out it has been closed down. This was a dilemma, because after that was a hefty climb ( over more rocks, of course) to the top of the somewhat barren Superfund/strip mine ridge, where there's also no water supply, so difficult to camp. The next shelter was 16 miles away, too far. So I called a B&B to check on availability, etc. Kathy, from the Filbert, was happy to oblige. I am happy with the grand Victorian accommodations and the grounds are neatly well-kept and inviting. Of course, that comes with a price tag...I guess it's a reward for making it over all those boulders in one piece. And did I mention, unlimited tap water on demand just steps away...need to rehydrate as much as possible on these hot days. I should have a very good night's sleep, too...I'm the only guest here.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: PA 33, Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Sometime during the night the power was restored to the motel...the AC unit kicking on alerted me to that fact. It was a gentler awakening than Count, Lavender and Joan, across the corridor had; their tv's had been on when the electricity went off, so came on again at 1:16am. I simply drifted back to sleep until 6. It was nice to find running water again, to have a brief soak in the tub (it's amazing how much more dirt you can clean out of your toenails after a tub soak vs a shower), and get the backpack organized by lamp.We went upstairs to have "continental breakfast" in the office, which consisted of either corn flakes or raisin bran with milk, some OJ and coffee. Adequate, perhaps, for a casual stay, but not exactly filling fuel for a hiker's stomach. The manager did refund each of us $20 for the lost conveniences overnight, and then sweet Joan pulled around the building, offering to drive us back to the trailhead. Rides to where we need to go, however long or short, are always greatly appreciated. The Trail today of course consisted of more rocks, though a few short sections of smooth trail were mixed in, to our immense relief. Having said that, though, our feet were plenty sore long before our relatively short miles had been completed for the day. We did take a few snack and lunch breaks, and met a few new-to-us hikers to talk with, including Phantom, who had us all laughing heartily as he shared a few hiker stories with us. We made it into the little town if Delaware Water Gap by mid-afternoon, checked out the church hostel (where I am staying tonight, on the back lawn in my tent...the bunk room is full...there's a hiker lounge plus bathroom and shower facilities inside...and the cost is a requested donation of $3, a total bargain). Then we visited the Farmer Bakery for a late second lunch/early supper (my Reuben was delicious), and the outfitter. Later I returned to the bakery with some other hikers for supper/dessert course of apple pie with two scoops of ice cream, caramel sauce and a cherry on top. I may breakfast there tomorrow...they have a sandwich on french toast with egg and bacon, unless the diner re-opens...it was closed today because of power outage due to last night's storm. Either way, I'm thinking of sticking around DWG for the day for a zero. More about that tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-26
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: campsite at mile 1315.6
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, my "cushy" hiking streak has finally come to an end. For a week, seven days in a row, I was able to shower. For six of those days, I was under a roof...the exception being night before last, when I tented at the church hostel's back yard, which hardly qualifies as "wilderness". I'm sure grateful for the ease of those accommodations, to offset the pain and stress of the worst section of Pennsylvania rocks. Even so, it was the first week of my trip overall during which I did NOT reach 100 miles. Fortunately, I had accumulated a bit of "cushion", so am still ahead of "schedule", if there is such a thing. The AT has a way of dictating time, and pace. This morning I expected to start hiking with Count and Lavender, But plans changed (The AT has a way of doing that, too), so I found myself walking across the long interstate 80 bridge into New Jersey by myself. Good-bye PA, but not the rocks! Although, we were given a respite for the first few miles, beginning up Kittatinny Mt. But as soon as we reached Sunfish Pond, the rocks were back, with a vengeance, as we made our way around its edge. The ridge today afforded us good views down into the valley, most of the day. Halfway through, there was a road crossing, and up that road a short ways was the Mohican Outdoor Center, where I had a package waiting. I retrieved that, then ordered a sandwich from the store, which I ate indoors while chatting with other hikers, many of whom had been at the hostel the night before, and a few whose names I hadn't yet learned. One of the latter was Iso, who when he heard that I had failed to connect with Count and Lavender this morning, and was concerned about tenting alone tonight (New Jersey has the most dense population of bears on the AT), assured me that I could set up near him at the campsite 12 miles up the trail. Later, I did happen to meet back up with C &L as they climbed a (now closed) fire tower, so here the 4 of us are camping, all hoping the bears are quiet tonight...as well as the porcupines. C&L saw a bear earlier in the day, and then again with me this afternoon, and the 3 of us saw 2 porcupines at two separate spots. I also saw a deer this morning, and a snake earlier this afternoon. As i write this from inside my tent, i hear coyotes howling in the distance. So the wildlife encounters seem to be dense here overall. Let's hope they are all without incident...
Date: 2015-06-27
From: campsite at mile 1315.6

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: light rain

The animals behaved last night, though as I went to bed, a whipporwill started up its call and then an owl whoooed for a bit.I awoke at some point and heard the patter of rain on my tent. Rats. One always hopes for a dry tent. But especially if it's the first night out of a set of nights. And also, if known wet weather was to come the following day, and night...as is the case just now. But there was nothing I could do about it, so I drifted off to sleep again. In the morning I did pack up a damp tent. Since it began "misting" not too long into the hike day, and progressed to sprinkles, rain, and then heavier rain throughout the day, parts of it are still damp. Count and Lavender and I hiked out together (Iso left very early), and talked about stopping off the Trail at a road crossing after 6 miles, to get hot coffee and possibly deli sandwiches. We caught up with Sunshine, who joined us in persuing the plan. We found that Joe's had gone out of business, but a short distance up the road was Gyp's Tavern, where we were treated very well to some sodas, burgers, fries, grilled cheese sandwiches, flush toilet, running water, and outlets to recharge our cell phones. This oasis of civilization both fueled us for more hiking today, and also gave us a mental boost. Other than that, there wasn't much to it but to grind out wet viewless miles...counting newts (they love this weather. I ended up with 34 for the day). At a mountain top pavilion we took shelter for a while and attempted to dry our tents in the gusty wind, but the moist air doesn't allow for much evaporation. Hiking on, we came to a shelter full of boy scouts out for a section, which became even more full with the arrival of the rest of their group, so we moved on. I was ready to stop at the following shelter, where I was delighted to find only 2 occupants and plenty of space for me to spend the night under a roof. Count and Lavender decided to push on up the Trail further to set up their tent...I will hope to catch up to them another day. Meanwhile, I am snug in dry clothes, and both my silk liner plus sleeping bag, for the first time in many weeks...it is very raw and surprisingly cold for late June.
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Pochuck Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

The rain continued all night, and the temperature dropped. I was snug in my bag, and next to me "Dirty Rotten Liar" was snug in his, but "the Kid", who is section hiking and from Alabama, said he was cold all night (he doesn't have AT gear), and Iso, in his tent, reported this morning that he was wet most of the night. Those of us in the shelter slept in this morning...I woke at 7, used the privy, then climbed back into my warm bag. I read for a while. I stalled through breakfast, even taking time to boil water for hot chocolate. I read some more...all the time hoping the rain would let up and the sun come out. At 9, Iso gave in, packed up, and hiked. By 10, the real rain had stopped, but it was still "misting", and the wind was knocking more water down from the trees. By 10:30 I was on the Trail, in my wet clothes and shoes, resigned to being damp for a second day. I started counting newts again...they love this weather...and finished today with 54. I stopped at the High Point Visitors Center around noon, where I used an indoor restroom, ate lunch in a dry space, received a free Pepsi because I was a thru hiker, and took a couple packages of Ramen from the hiker box, before moving on. With 14 miles still to hike, I was a bit concerned about the late hour, so chose not to stop at the concession stand there (it would have added .6 miles to the day as well). Not too long afterwards, though, the rocky trail we've been enduring finally gave way to some "yellow brick road", going through open woods, my favorite! I was so happy to start cruising again. Of course, a few stray rock sections were thrown in, plus much pudding and mud from the rain, but no matter, the hiking was mostly easy for the rest of the day, and varied, too. We skirted and crossed fields, we boardwalked over marshy sections, and around a nature preserve. I briefly hiked with "Take it Easy", and we saw the animal pictured above, left. Neither of us was sure of what it was...but it had soft fur and sat there quietly and unmoving while we got close to photograph it. I had 5 miles left to hike when I crossed a road at around 4:15. There was "Fozzie", waiting for "Trics" to come along. He recommended I turn left into town there to get a slice of pizza at Annabelle's, as it wasn't as far a walk off trail as our guidebook indicated. Hungry because of a snack sized lunch, I decided to do just that, and stopped at the general store while I was at it, to pick up a few items to get me through tomorrow (read junk food). I arrived at the shelter shortly after 6, to find several tents already set up, and 3 people inside. I decided to join them. Though the forecast calls for no rain tonight, not long after I settled in it started sprinkling, then raining. I'm glad I didn't set up my tent...although the "state bird" has singing for the last several hours, and biting too (I'm told the mosquito has been dubbed state bird in NJ). For the second night in a row, my food bag is safely tucked into the bear box provided for us. I'm going to bed dreaming of a sunny day tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-29
From: Pochuck Mt. Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: broken clouds

I was the last one to leave the shelter this morning, as I wasn't in a big hurry to hike. It would be a short and sweet Nero to meet a trail angel, Barbara, who has been writing to me on Trail Journals for several weeks now. She drove up from her house over an hour away, just to meet me in person, how special is that?! So after I walked over hill and down, and across a marshy section made easy by a wooden boardwalk and neat suspension bridge, on a pleasant morning of sun mixed with clouds, I found myself awaiting a new friend in New Jersey. Barbara was gracious enough to drive me the 2 1/2 miles into town, where we sat in the A&P grocery store Starbucks cafe, swapping trail stories as we enjoyed our coffee. Then she dropped me off at the hostel, located in the fellowship hall of the Episcopal church. We hikers so appreciate the way the churches have reached out to us by providing shelter, laundry facilities, shower, and in this case, also some kitchen privileges. After cleaning up and getting laundry done, I walked back to the plaza, where I just snuck into the bagel place before they closed for the afternoon, and snagged a toasted cinnamon raisin one with cream cheese, which I carried up to Starbucks for a second round, this time iced. I caught up with some emails and texting, then did my resupply...after planning out my next stretch of days into my birth state of NY. I caught up with some more eating, too. Free ice cream at the hostel, plus a healthy salad with grilled chicken from the grocery salad bar, followed up with fresh fruit chunks and berries. And more ice cream. Some croissants that wouldn't fit into my now bulging food bag. And some sharp cheddar cheese. And perhaps a few of my snacks as I repackaged them into baggies...
Date: 2015-07-01
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: West Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 22.8

I awoke abruptly at 4 o'clock this morning. It took a moment to realize it was lightning that had startled me. Then the thunder rolled in and afterwards, the rain. It rained softly at first, and then downpoured. Miraculously, my tent didn't swamp, but merely got wet on top where it should, and a little around the edges. After checking to make sure everything vital was away from the edges, I dozed back off until my alarm. There's just something about rain on a tent that lulls me to sleep. Of course, I still had a wet tent to dry out today, but fortunately, that was possible because the sun drifted in and out of the clouds and there was a breeze. I was glad that the rain stopped when it was time to hike, because NY features a lot of rocky hiking too. It's different from PA rockiness, though. More up and down action, and across large slabs. And lots of twists and turns. A few times I got confused about where the Trail went! It was sort of like a puzzle or maze. It was a long day, but also fun, in a way. That is, until I saw in the guidebook that at Palisades Parkway you could walk .4 off the Trail to a welcome center and find bathrooms, water, and vending machines of soda. I decided to go, with soda on my mind. When I got there I found the building closed at 5pm. It was then 6. The disappointment was great. I walked back to the Trail, went a little farther, and gathered and filtered water. Earlier in the day some Trail angels had left gallons by the Trail, but there was none at the end of the day. All that extra water was heavy as I carried it up the next steep hill. I am staying at a shelter with views of NYCITY in the distance. The lights have come on, and someone is doing fireworks far away. Even though the mosquitos will bother me tonight, I'm sheltering here, along with Crane, Autodraft, and Rascal. Castaway is in his tent. There's nothing like this view.
Date: 2015-07-02
From: West Mt. Shelter

To: Dennytown Rd, campsite
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We awoke to a sunny, cool morning on the mountain. It was just clear enough to make out the NY skyline far away in the distance, the sun reflecting off the tall buildings. We all agreed once again that it was a great decision to stay at the shelter, despite the added .6 miles each way off the Trail. We started hiking just after 7 together, but most of the morning I ended up walking with Craynip (corrected name). All of us arrived at the Bear Mt. Memorial Tower around the same time, having just passed the 1400 mile point. The tower was open, so we went in and climbed to the observation level, enjoying the pictorial history on the walls as we went. Then Craynip and I headed down the mountain, first seeing a mama deer with fawn, then a large raccoon leaning against a tree, not looking too well. Not long after, we came upon a trash can with garbage strewn about, and wondered if that was the cause of the raccoon's ill face. Just before entering the zoo, we found vending machines and bought sodas and ice cream bars, happily finishing them off by 10am, when the zoo opened (great timing). The zoo is old and doesn't have much to offer, but the bear display was interesting, as one bear sat playing with a log. It sits at the lowest point on the AT. Leaving the zoo, we crossed the Hudson on the Bear Mt. Bridge, and waved at a large working barge as it honked at us from below. After a few more climbs and descents, we finally came out at a road, where the Appalachian Market sits. It is a hiker's paradise, offering deli sandwiches, grill, pizza, and all sorts of prepared foods, baked items, flavored coffee, ice cream, resupply items, drinks and more. Since this was my third day out from "real food", and I've done a few long days, I was especially hungry. After my initial orange juice, I had a burger and fries, followed up by vanilla caramel cream flavored coffee with real cream. During my "stay" at the market, I used an outlet inside to recharge my phone, and it was taking a long time. I went back outside, where there were tables to sit at, and across the parking lot came Count and Lavender! I was happy to see them, as I thought they were half a day ahead of me. I ended up hiking out with them for the afternoon, and am now camped for the night at a random campsite...appealing because it is close to a stone building with a spigot to gather water, without having to filter. It also made it much easier to bandana bathe. Altogether, it was a very good day on the Trail today...lots of out of the ordinary landscape, old and new hiking company, another milestone passed, and great food.
Date: 2015-07-03
From: Dennytown Rd, campsite

To: NY52, Stormville
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

There seemed to be a lot of critter movement in the woods where we camped last night. Nothing identifiable, but it kept me from falling asleep right away. In the morning, the only evidence I found was my hiking socks, draped across my trail shoes and left out under my tent "vestibule" had been "slimed" all over with sticky slug trails. I'm not sure which is worse, the sliming, or having to keep the funky - stink socks inside my tent at night to "protect" them. At any rate, my tent itself was dry as a bone for once, and I hardly knew how to dismantle and pack it away in that condition. So fine. As the the day was, too...cool and crisp and clear, without the thick humidity we've been having for so long. I hiked on with Count and Lavender today, covering some pleasant, easy trail, which we oohed and aahed over, intermixed with rough, rocky, steep uphill trail with thick brush on either side and senseless PUD'S(pointless ups and downs ), which were tiresome and irritating. These latter sections got my bad foot to hurting, and I felt out of sorts. After a lunch break I decided to try changing out my insoles...the pain was still there, but it moved it around to a different spot, so I could manage the remaining miles. Just after 2 o'clock we arrived at the road where we could walk .4 miles to a deli. This seems to be deli country, and we are taking advantage of it every reasonable chance we get. I mean, given the choice between a freeze-dried meal or a hot, fresh meatball parmesan sandwich on a soft roll, which would you select? I rest my case. While we enjoyed good food at a picnic table behind the deli, my daughter and her boyfriend arrived from Akron/Pittsburgh, to whisk me off the Trail for the night, and into the luxurious world of motel with running water and soft bed. Since we were heading up the road, back towards the AT, we naturally gave Count and Lavender a lift, returning the favor they'd done for me back in Waynesboro, PA. After a long, hot shower to wash off 4 days' worth of salty sweat, and a little relaxing, the 3 of us went for a round of putt-putt golf at a local park, and a real bargain at $3/person. I gave Sean a run for the money, but in the end, he bested me by a point. Great fun. Some shopping, and more food followed, and a bit of planning for tomorrow's hike, and now it's past sleep time once again, with this weary hiker last one to put lights out. P.S. Today was my 3 month Trailversary, yay!