morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Two miles over the Mason Dixon

To: Quarry Gap Shelters, PA
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

Another sweltering day, but Spock is more than up to it. Hiked to Caledonia State Park, which is at route 30, and called from the pool, where he is taking a swim. Better still, the Park has hot dogs, burgers, etc. More soda trail magic today. Met up with Iceman and Buffalo Bobby at Caledonia. Heading up to the Quarry Gap Shelters, about two miles further on. I'm anxious to hear how he's doing with his heavier boots, which he is wearing because of the rocky terrain in PA. For those that don't know, Spock made PA is trial hike last summer, to get a feel for backpacking, so this part of the trail is very familiar to him. Tomorrow will be another landmark day. When he reaches Pine Grove Furnace state park, he will have reached the half-way mark in his AT hike.
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Quarry Gap Shelters, PA

To: Ironmasters Mansion, Pine Grove Furnace, PA
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Spock hiked to Pine Grove Furnace State Park and stayed at the Ironmasters Hostel. This is the unofficial half-way point in his hike. The general store has a tradition called the ice cream challenge for thru-hikers. If you can eat a half-gallon of ice-cream, you get it for free. Having read the book, "White Blaze Fever," and knowing how this challenge messed up the author's stomach for weeks after, Spock did not indulge. Four other hikers did, including Stealth. He took almost an hour, and just before finsihing, puked it all up. What fun! Iceman, a girl, and Bear bait were more successful. Iceman actually polished off his half in a matter of minutes. You might be wondering how Bear Bait got his name. Apparently he was in his sleeping hammock when a bear said hello. I don't know the rest of the story, but at least he's alive to tell it.
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Ironmasters Mansion, Pine Grove Furnace, PA

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Not much to report today. Spock crossed route 94 and is making a relatively short day of it. Tomorrow he'll go into Boiling Springs, where the Appalachian Trail's Mid-Atlantic office is located. The town has a beautiful lake that the trail winds along. After that it's a day of flat hiking, across much farmland, quite diverse from the typical mountains. Oh yeah, 1100 miles covered now.
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter, PA
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

The highlight today was a visit from a former thru-hiker and his wife in Harrisburg. Sorry, Spock didn't get your name. Apparently, he read the trail journal entry yesterday and went to Boiling Springs this morning to meet up with Spock. The visit was much appreciated and made my brother feel like somewhat of a celebrity. In Boiling Springs Spock went to the Getty Mart for some food and was in there with Iceman and Buffalo Bobby when a small boy entered the store with his father. The boy turned to his father and immediately said, "Daddy, it smells bad in here." The hikers all laughed and then explained that they were the source of the odor. Spock has crossed the PA turnpike and is trying to catch up with Stealth. He'll stay at the Darlington Shelter tonight and head into Duncannon for a nero tomorrow. Weather nice and his pack weight is a very manageable 31 lbs.
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Darlington Shelter, PA

To: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Spock made short hike into Duncannon and he's staying at the infamous Doyle Hotel. This is a hundred year old hotel that now caters exlclusively to hikers. Duncannon sits on the banks of the Susquehanna River, just a short ride from Harrisburg. He's staying at the Doyle with Iceman, Buffalo Bobby, Stealth, and his old hiking partner, Flying Turtle. It seems Turtle hurt his leg coming down the mountain into Duncannon, which is very rocky and treacherous, so he took an extra zero day. The last the two were together was in Daleville almost a month ago, when Turtle decided to press on in the rain and Spock and I got a motel room.
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon PA

To: PA. 325, Clark's Valley
Miles today: 18.0

Just a quick update. Spock left a phone message and didn't report any highlights. He kept referring to "We," which I assume means he's again hiking with Flying Turtle. Having hiked this area myself, I can tell you that he hiked across the Susquehanna River on the Clark's Ferry Bridge out of Duncannon and immediately climbed a mountain. Then it was a pleasant hike along the ridge line all day until you come down into the Clark's Valley, where they camped.
Date: 2007-07-03
From: PA. 325, Clark's Valley

To: Stealth Camp near I-81
Miles today: 21.0

Perfect hiking weather these days, amazingly cool for July. Passed the Western start of the Horseshoe Trail and had more ridge top hiking. Passed Yellow Springs Village Site, where you can see the remains of the old mining town that existed in the 1800's. Passed through picturesque Rausch Gap and crossed Swatara Gap on old iron bridge. Camping tonight between shelters. Aiming at reaching Port Clinton on Thursday, where he has a mail drop waiting.
Date: 2007-07-04
From: Stealth Camp near I-81

To: Stealth Camp near Black Swatara Spring
Miles today: 17.9

In celebration of the holiday, Spock did more hiking. He passed route 501 and the Hertlein Campsite, where I remember setting up a tent in the pouring rain back in '99. Past PA 183, he and Flying Turtle found a campsite. It rained overnight. They did not report seeing any fireworks.
Date: 2007-07-05
From: Stealth Camp near Black Swatara Spring

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Got into Port Clinton in early afternoon and got Mail drop at the post office. Went to town pavillion, where hikers are encouraged to stay. Grounds there are very nice. At the pavillion was a trail angel, an ex-thru hiker by the name of Mountain Squid. He's staying there for a week just to help out current thru-hikers, and he was a big help to Spock, driving him around to take care of business, including going to an outfitters on the outskirts of town and also going into the nearby town of Hamburg for new reading glasses. That night, Spock and Turtle slept in the roomy pavillion, which came in handy as it was raining.
Date: 2007-07-06
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter, PA
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

As you can see, Spock passed the 1200 mile mark yesterday. Today, they kept the distance down a bit as Turtle has a nagging leg injury and could use some rest. Notable vistas today were Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle. Coming out on Hawk Mountain Road, they walked a short distance to an ex-thru hiker's house, where he maintains the Eckville Shelter. Spock looking forward to reaching route 309 tomorrow, where there is a nice restaurant practically on the trail.
Date: 2007-07-07
From: Eckville Shelter, PA

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

Traaveling with Flying Turtle as far as Delaware Water Gap. As my sore toe is giving me less problems these days, my pace is becoming a bit faster than his, and my day is usually a little longer, so it's time to split up, besides, I prefer traveling alone some of the time. Today was probably the worst of the Pennsylvania rocks, at least as far as I remember from my transit thru here last year on a shakedown hike. The highlight was Knife's Edge a spectacular ridgeline of rock which we hit on a perfect day. Also enjoyed a great lunch including ice cream at the resturant on PA 309.Met Megaphone and her daughter Ashley at Eckville Shelter and they had talked to Zero which means, I 've passed him without meeting. Perhaps I'll catch this colorful trail journals favorite as I journey south from Maine after my Flip-flop at High Point NJ this week. Stealth and Ranger Jan are now ahead, and Splendora, Buffalo Bobby, and Iceman somewhere near behind. The beauty of my flip-flop is there's the chance of meeting all the many of the characters out on the trail again as we pass going different directions.Enjoyed hearing from Alex (Nothing is harder than threading the 153...nothing)Jon Phips aka Rodknee Dangertrail, and my brother Bill.
Date: 2007-07-08
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Slatington, PA (route 873)
Miles today: 7.8

Spock reached the Lehigh river and was able to secure a ride from somebody by the name of Fine-lodging (don't ask). They went east into the town of Slatington, where this gentleman is putting him up in some kind of hostel or hotel. Anyway, Fine-lodging is available to shuttle hikers around, so it works. Spock said the bathroom is nice, but little else. There's no TV, which does not make our thru-hiker at all happy, but there is a tiny fridge for stowing sandwiches that he'll be able to eat on the trail tomorrow. Knee no longer giving Spock any trouble, so he took the knee brace he was wearing off. (You can see it in the pictures taken when we hiked through the Blue Ridge mountains.) Only a couple days left of PA.
Date: 2007-07-10
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA.
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Another hot, humid day. Got into town of Wind Gap, where Ridgerunners were standing by with water. One ridgerunner watched Spock and Turtle's packs while they walked to the local mini-mart. Found some shade and pigged out on all kinds of goodies, like hotdogs, icecream and snack cakes. Got ride back to the trail, so Wind Gap was a really nice break. Our two heroes next went to the Kirkridge Shelter, where they were planning to stop, but it was only 2:00, so at 2:30, after a good rest, they pushed on for the town of Delaware Water Gap. Ended up going twenty miles on a very uncomfortable day, but the night in the hostel instead of a shelter should be ample reward. Saw our slackpacking friend, Peter, the walking surgeon, yet again. He's slackpacking the entire AT and apparently enjoying it very much. I saw him several times hiking with Spock down in Virginia. Critter report: Bear, rattlesnake, tortoise, rabbit etc. all spotted in the last two days. Spock will be making the crossing over the Delaware River tomorrow into New Jersey and beginning his final forty miles on this final part of his Northbound hike.
Date: 2007-07-11
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA.

To: Mohigan Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Not much to report. Spock went past Sunfish Pond, which is a glacial pond sitting on top of a mountain, an unusual geographic feature. He reached the Mohigan Outdoor Center, where I've stayed in the past. As rain was threatening, he decided to stay put and put in a long day on Thursday.
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Mohigan Outdoor Center

To: Gren Anderson Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: clear sky

I hate it when you type in a whole entry and it doesn't go through, then you have to try to remember what you said. Well here goes. Spock reported this was a perfect hiking day filled with many vistas and views of lakes. Passed Crater Lake and reached route 206 at Culver Gap. Reached Gren Anderson shelter in Stokes State Forest, where Spock and his family used to camp when he was a boy. I've stayed at the Gren Anderson Shelter, its interesting feature being a toilet that sits right out on the open, within sight of the shelter. Apparently this is considered quality entertainment in New Jersey. The next journal entry should be from Spock himself, made from his hometown of South River, the place he was when this journal began over three months ago.
Date: 2007-07-13
From: Gren Anderson Shelter, NJ

To: High Point NJ (Rt 23)
Miles today: 11.0

Today arrived at my Flip-flop point High Point NJ with Mom and Dad there to greet me. I advanced 11 miles along the trail, but actually traveled about 13 miles by the time I got to High Point just after Noon. A strong morning of hiking, except that somewhere within two miles of my goal, I got turned around and was going south on the trail up on top of the mountain until I recognized a sign for a shelter that I'd passed earlier. That was a gumption drainer...kind of reminded me of the time I was aboard the USS Enterprise, when after a nine month deployment, and in sight and hearing of the band playing on the pier, the ship went wide of the channel and wouldn't budge till the tide floated us several hours later. The traffic news choppers were all over us that day. Anyway just like then, all's well once you get into port, and now resting up a bit at the house where I grew up at 72 Darrow Street, all is indeed well. I hope to get my sh... self together in a day or so and head on up to Maine, but for the next couple of days no worries mate. Today was near 90 here in NJ, so I thought I'd put up a picture from early on my journey, when it was not so hot.
Date: 2007-07-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

First triple zero ever, but hope to get underway Wed with new hiking shoes. Wanted to take the train to Maine, but looks like the bus is easier to schedule, and more cost efficient (which matters when I let it). Thanx to Kristen Bell aka Veronica Mars for this special appearance on my normal Motel night Tuesday. I'll be watching, and as I missed a couple of weeks out there on the trail, it probably won't be a rerun for me.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: South River NJ

To: Bangor ME
Miles today: 0.0

Today progress towards getting back on the trail and starting South. Took the bus form NJ to the Port Authority in NYC, a second bus to Boston, and then a third to Bangor ME. All went pretty smoothly, and the bus staions in Boston and New York are fantastic compared to some I've traveled thru around the country. I stayed the night in Bangor, and complained a little on check out from the Eccono Lodge ... I said it was good that the maintenceman came to fix my remote control, but not real good as it was not until 5 minutes until checkout. They should always have spare remotes at the desk just in case...for the sake of good customer service. It's probably the most common complaint at any motel. All in all it was a day longer in a bus seat than I usually spend on the trail, but things seem to be working out.
Date: 2007-07-19
From: Bangor ME

To: Millinocket
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today the bus that gets me close as you can get by bus to Baxter just leaves once a day at 6:00 pm, but I am really enjoying looking around Bangor so it's not bad at all, besides, more rain predicted for tonight so getting there Friday is also a good thing. Starting to get stoked about hiking here in Maine, so hoping unforseen problems don't crop up delay, or deflate me. So the plan is to get to Millinocket (or at least the next town over) tonight, stay in a motel overnight, and then get a shuttle to the trail Friday morning. If successful, and the weather is good, I may be able to climb Katahdin the same day and begin South on Saturday. At least that's what I am trying for at this point.
Date: 2007-07-21
From: Medway

To: Ranger Station, Baxter State Park, Maine
Miles today: 4.0

Spock caught a shuttle with Doug out of Medway to the Baxter State Park Ranger station. I believe this is near the Katahdin Stream Campground, where the AT crosses. He then hiked the four miles up to the top of Mt. Katahdin and back down to the Ranger Station, where he camped for the night, so he is officially southbound. Shared campsite with other thur-hikers, ones I assume are just getting started.
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Ranger Station, Baxter State Park, Maine

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite, Maine
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: clear sky

Spock reported that on his first full day of southbound hiking the mosquitoes were very bad. He stopped at a camp store at Abol Bridge, some ten miles along, and bought some food and more bug spray. At Hurd Brook Lean-to there was a homeless guy who had made himself at home. Thankfully, it was early afternoon, so Spock pressed on to Rainbow Spring Campsite, making it a twenty-plus mile day. Said he camped with alot of people heading North, not that any were thru-hikers.
Date: 2007-07-23
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite, Maine

To: Maher Trail, White House Landing
Miles today: 19.6

Another twenty miler, but for good reason. Spock made it to the Maher trail, where he hiked 1.2 miles to a lake. There, he found a bell to ring, which summoned the owner of a hostel across the lake to row over and pick him up in a boat. So tonight he has more ice-cream to look forward to and a good's night rest inside. After today, it'll be seventy some miles to the next hint of civilization... the town of Monson. I don't expect to hear from him until he gets there. This is probably one of the most remote sections on the trail, what is traditionally known as the 100 mile wilderness, so keep Spock in your prayers.
Date: 2007-07-24
From: Maher Trail, White House Landing

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to, Maine
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Good news... Spock phoned in. He reported a pleasant day, although still very buggy. Washed shirt and dunked feet in several lakes he passed along the way. The Lean-to is right next to a waterfall, making it an especially picturesque site. Mostly flat hiking in the wilderness.
Date: 2007-07-25
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to, Maine

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to, Maine
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: few clouds

Tough day. Gradual uphill, then short but steep ascent over Little Bernard mtn. Then came the challenging, several thousand foot ascent up to White Cap Mtn. When Spock called he was over the hump and still had about four miles to the Lean-to. Topography in this area looks like constant up and downs, which I can attest wear a hiker out mentally as well as physically.
Date: 2007-07-26
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to, Maine

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to, Maine
Miles today: 16.8

Tough hike today up Chairback Mtn. It was described as scaling a rockslide. Ate lunch at the Chairback Gap Lean-to. Spock called me from Third Mountain and still had Fourth Mountain to look forward to. (I guess Maine ran out of names for mountains and started assigning numbers) Ran into thru-hiker named Farmer, who Spock ran into in North Carolina. Farmer has also flip-flopped and is heading south. Forded first stream today, the west branch of the Pleasant river. Had to carry pack on head and hike through knee-deep water. Plan tomorrow is to hike within a few miles of Monson and head on in to town on Saturday morning. Already running into quite a few Northbound thru-hikers finishing up their hikes, which can be a bit demoralizing, considering how far Spock still has to go. He guesses he's pretty close to 2/3 done.
Date: 2007-07-27
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to, Maine

To: Leeman Brook Lean-to, Maine
Miles today: 16.1

Spock reported he is tired from the constant hilly terrain. Said it was rainy in the PM. Tomorrow he heads in to Monson for a short hike day, resupply, and a motel. Food supply getting low, but he is at the end of the 100 mile wilderness.
Date: 2007-07-28
From: Leeman Brook Lean-to, Maine

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: mist

Hiked South past the highway to the blue blaze and then into town. Had ice cream and bananna at the general store, then more snacks and pizza at mini mart before burger at the Lakeshore House which is where I stayed in Monson. I loved it there. Price was good, view was good, it rained hard while I was safe inside, there was cable, and hiker "Spilled the Beans" was working off her bar tab there. Dinner was Roast beef with cooked potatoes and carrots in the gravy...fantastic. One of the best things was the proximity to the Mobile Mini Mart... I made several trips.
Date: 2007-07-29
From: Monson, ME

To: Bald Mtn Brook Lean to
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Sunday morning decided to hike the two miles back to the trail instead of calling Buddy for the free shuttle. Planned on hiking 15 miles but got there at 4 pm and felt good, so decided to hike Maxie Bald Mtn and stay at Bald Mtn Brook Lean to instead. Looked like a fearsome hike, but turned out to be challenging but not crippling, with awsome views, and an easy downhill. Felt pummped after that, but just managed to get everything down before dark. Took some video of the 360 degree view on top of Maxie Bald.
Date: 2007-07-30
From: Bald Mtn Brook Lean to

To: Pierce Pond Lean to
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Monday: Got the notion that having got Maxie Bald behind me, and with just one mountain ahaead befor the Ferry at Kennebec River, I would try and make the afternoon ferry (2-4 pm) instead of staying the night at the hostel and getting the morning ferry (9 - 11 am). By doing that, I could start early with already 4 miles south of the river, and set myself up for crossing Bigelow Mtn (twin 4,000 ft peaks) to Stratton in two days and resupply there instead of at the hostel before the river. Had lunch at Pleasant Pond Lean to and then attacked the six miles to the ferry at noon. I burned up a lot of calories, and slipped on a wet log and went down once, but covered the 6 miles in 2 hrs and 20 minutes which got me there in plenty of time, in fact had time to get some "geedunk" at the camp store a mile west of the ferry. (had a coke, ben and jerry's, and bought a box of cookies for the road. Crossed the river at 3:15, and when I got to the other side, I realized I forgot to video tape the ride, so I asked the guy in the canoe if he'd take me back so I could tape it...no, I would have to hike the whole trail again and then he'd be glad to. I also met steve the ferryman at the camp store and he gave me a lift back to the ferry. Turns out he's engaged and thinking of trying something else after 20 years with the hostel and ferry. (No pension and no benefiets makes it tough to keep going). Glad I got to meet him. After the ferry I hiked about 4 miles up to Pierce Pond Lean to and had a beautiful tent site right by the lake. The price of beauty at this spot though was no-see-ums got my legs right at dusk, and I itched for 2 hours before falling asleep. The guys from the fishing camps just a couple of miles away stopped by to invite us to breakfast, but only the northbound hikers took them up on it as it would have ment a couple of miles backtraking for the southbounders.
Date: 2007-07-31
From: Pierce Pond Lean to

To: Stafford Notch Camp Site
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

Tuesday: WWVD   Started by 0530 and took breaks, and made Little Bigalow Lean to by 4pm. Decided to climb Little Bigalow to make it just 10 miles over the twin peaks of Avery and West Peak between me and Stafford tomorrow. Made the climb and got to the campsite, but it was tougher and took longer than expected. I arrived pooped out, but with just enough time to set up camp and eat before dark, and set up for getting to town tomorrow. Along the way came upon ice cold trail magic at the 2,000 mile point for northbounders. I figured they wouldn't begrudge me a cold one, and it tasted soooo good. What a perfect way to mark the 2,000 mile point. Also today spotted my first Moose. It was close, but couldn't see it's head for the brush (it was a swampy area). No matter, I was excited to see my first MOose and it looked and sounded huge. Also spotted a Northbound Hiker who lked familiar. I asked, and sure enough, I'd met him before somewhere after Damascas trail name DQ. I felt really good crossing paths with someone I'd met early in the hike. He is really fast having started from Springer in mid May.