morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-09
From: Carlisle Super 8

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

We slept in a little at the Super 8 and didn't want to get out of bed. Finally we moved and got our stuff packed and went down to free continental breakfast. We got back on the trail at around 8:30 after a brief road walk back to the trail. This morning the trail weaved in and out of corn fields and the forest. After 4 miles we began our first climb up to Darlington Shelter which has the Taj Mahl privy at it. This thing was huge and could of fit 6 people maybe more in it. We descended down off of the hill and the trail went trough more fields this time not corn just fields. It climb again up to a plateau that the guidebook called extremely rocky. Cake and I said ok let's give ourselves the expectation that it's going to be the worst rockiest section we've ever hiked. We made it up to the plateau and walked 1/2 way through it when we thought to ourselves this is not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I guess putting that expectation out there made it not as bad. We stopped at a shelter to rest our feet as they were a little bit sore from all the rocks. Cove Mt shelter was .10 off of trail but in reality it was much further and down a steep hill. If we didn't need water I would have bailed. Cake and I continued on reaching a view point that overlooked the Susquehanna River and the town of Duncannon. We started a steep descent down with a set of about 50 stone steps to walk down. About 1/2 way down the trail climbed back up the side of the hill steeply which was very odd. Must of had to do with private land that the trail needed to go around. We finally descended to a side road and made it to town. We walked another 1/2 mile and came to a Sunoco gas station and ran in for Food. We had a few snacks and ate them while sitting on the sidewalk. Cake had gotten a text from Haiku that he was still in town and his parents had gotten them a hotel room at the Clarion. He was waiting for them at the Doyle. We only had another 1/2 mile to Doyle. Cake and Haiku went off with his parents to the hotel and I checked into the Doyle. It was one of those old hotels built in the 1920's with a shared bathroom. Very old building that showed its age but with very nice owners and only 25 bucks I couldn't go wrong. Now I need to debate do I stay here on Sunday to get my package or move ahead and have it forwarded to me. Decisions, decisions.
Date: 2016-07-12
From: William Penn Shelter

To: Eagles nest shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept in late today after the 24.7 mile day I didn't want to move. I finally got the energy to get up at 8. I packed up my stuff and made some oatmeal before getting on trail. Today's terrain seemed rather flat with relatively small climbs. The only thing you can't tell from the guidebook is how rocky it will be. I pushed off at 9 and had gradual downhill to the 501 shelter which was only 5 miles away. I stopped in and my Eagle and Wallet who were about to head out. This shelter has a solar shower so I took advantage of that. Where the shelter is so close to route 501 you can order pizza. I looked at the menu and realized that they don't do delivery until 4pm. Well so much for that idea. I left the 501 and continued on and the rocks began. Little did I know that this would last for 9 miles. When people talk of the rocks in Pennslyvania this is what they must be talking about. Overall it's not terrible but constant rocks make you slow, start to make your feet sore and the greater chance of rolling your foot. I stopped for lunch at a viewpoint and rested for about an hour. After lunch was the only real climb I had and it was gradual. On the way up in apparently put my trekking pole on a rattler as at the same time I heard rattling and hissing. I literally jumped out of my skin and boogied forward. I didn't see the snake before, during or after the event. You try and keep your eyes out for them but sometimes you just don't see them. By around 2pm my energy had faded and I kept eating and trying to do everything I could to keep it up. The terrain was flat but the rocks were becoming frustrating in my weak state. I crossed over PA 183 and only had 4 miles to go. I don't remember much of those 4 miles as I felt like a zombie but finally made it to Eagles Nest Shelter by 6:30pm. I made dinner and was in my tent asleep by 7:30. Today I am off to Port Clinton and Hamburg.
Date: 2016-07-13
From: Eagles nest shelter

To: Port Clinton Pavillion
Miles today: 9.0

Woke up at 6:30 am at Eagles Nest Shelter and packed up. I called the Microtel in Hamburg to see if they had any rooms left. The guy said they did and they should not run out. I got on trail at about 7:30 and immediately started with the rocks. Ugh the trail was fairly even with no ups or downs for awhile. I came across a very large black snake taking its time to cross the trail. I had one steep climb with all rocks which was slow going with the humidity. Once I summited it was all downhill from there. I caught up to wallet who was stopped in the trail for a rattlesnake. This guy was pissed and not happy. He eventually moved off the trail and coiled up and watched us as we passed. Wallet told me to go ahead and I moved on. I proceeded to pass 4 more snakes one I didn't see and it boogied off the trail with rattling its tail obviously annoyed. I finally got to the decent into Port Clinton and it was one of the steepest I've done the whole trail. The last bit was loose gravel and a very steep pitch and I thought thank god I'm not doing this in the rain. The trail comes out to the Port Clinton train yard and follows side streets taking you close to the post office. It was 11:30 and the post office didn't open until 12:30. I saw badger there who he and his girl Jules I've seen a lot on the trail but couldn't remember their trail names. Jules had gone home to move their stuff to Colorado and get ready for school. Badger and I walked to the peanut shop to buy some sodas and wait on a bench. I called the Microtel to book the room and they told me they were full up argh. Well guess no shower or laundry for me. The post office opened and I went in to get my package from Kirk. Homemade beef jerky wohoo. While outside another hiker told me about the pavilion which lets you camp for free. I headed down there and dropped off my gear. I took my small day pack that I had won at trail days and started to walk into Hamburg hitching along the way with no luck. I guess I didn't look like a hiker. Port Clinton doesn't have much in it. Hamburg the next town over has all the services. It was only 2 miles away so it wasn't too bad. I stopped at WaWa and bought the biggest drink possible as I was so thirsty. I then saw a sign for all you can eat Chinese buffet so I had to go there. Afterward I headed over to the worlds largest Cabella's to buy new liner socks. On the way over I saw snitzel who said he had a ride back to Port Clinton and to meet him at Walmart. After Cabella's I headed to Walmart for resupply. I met up with snitzel who called the guy to pick us up. He was such a nice guy and dropped us off at the pavilion. I organized my food and gear and then headed down to the Port Clinton Hotel for dinner. Finished up at around 9:30 and headed back to the pavilion. There are about 25 of us here tonight. Feather, the dude, blossom, Mowgli,c-sharp, hazel, snitzel, jack rabbit and several other familiar faces who I don't know their trail names. Several guys tented across from the pavilion. I hope the bugs aren't too bad tonight.
Date: 2016-07-17
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Backpackers Campsite Worthington State Forrest
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

I woke up this morning around 7:30 and didn't want to move. My feet were still throbbing though not as bad as last night. I got up packed at a pop tart and got on my way. C-sharp, jackrabbit, blue, sailor were either still asleep or just getting up. I got on trail at 8:30 and instantly was cursing the rocks. I think I have slightly bruised my feet from the repeated onslaught. I traversed 5 miles and came to wolf rocks which were an outcrop of rocks along a small cliff line. Basically rock hoping similar to what I had three days ago. There was an ok view. The trail then descended down to fox gap where I was able to fill up on water that an angel left trail side. I continued on stopping at Kirkridge shelter for lunch. The rest of the gang from last night showed up one by one. I rested for about 45 minutes and pushed on with several small ups and downs passing over a gravel road, several power lines and a gas pipe line. The trail then followed and old road which finally gave relief from the PA rocks. The road lead you to the summit of Mt Minsi and then I had a long descent into the town of Delaware Water Gap. The trail lead right into town before turning and heading towards I-80 and the bridge. There was a hostel at the mountain church so I started heading that way when I bumped into Jackrabbit. We both walked over to the hostel and dropped off our packs. I was able to take a shower and to soak my throbbing feet. After the shower I headed to the diner for dinner and then back to the hostel to pack up and head out. Jeffs parents are meeting me for dinner tomorrow night so I wanted to get some miles in before tomorrow. It was only 14 miles to the water gap so I wanted to get some more in under my belt. I took off around 6:45 from the hostel and headed down the street toward the interstate. The trail crosses over the bridge next to the highway on a sidewalk with a Jersey barrier between you and the traffic zooming by. Several people honked and waved out their sunroofs and I waved back. I must of been a curiosity factor as people were slowing down to look at me waking and taking pictures of the Jersey sign. Traffic got a bit backed up behind me. Whoops!! I crossed the bridge passed the Kittattiny visitor center and the trail went into the woods. I had 3.4 miles to walk to the backpacker campsite. In New Jersey you can only camp in designated sites. The trail was an easy grade with great footing. About 1 mile the PA rocks returned. Nooooooooooooooooo I thought we were done with this. They lasted all the way to the campsite and my feet instantly started to throb. I hope they are not that much further tomorrow. Everyone said they were done at the state line. The campsite was in a grassy open setting with views to the west. I got an epic sunset for my first night in Jersey. Let's see what tomorrow brings.
Date: 2016-07-19
From: US 206 stralth campsite

To: Hampton Inn on tri state border.
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today my step mother Cathy and her sister Jill are driving down to meet me on the trail. The plan was to meet at High Point New Jersey at the parks headquarters at 2. I got up and packed up my wet tent. There was a thunderstorm last night and then more rain during the night so the tent was still pretty wet. Shoved everything in my back and headed on trail at about 8:30. My only real climb if the day was up to the Culver Fire Tower which offered nice views. The day was warm but not humid which offered great visibility. I stopped at Gren Anderson Shelter to fill up on water. I then climbed up Sunrise Mt which wasn't to much of a climb where there was a Pavilion on top. There were views to the east and west. On my way up Karma came up behind me. I haven't seen her since Erwin TN and if you remember she was part of the group at Whistling Gap. The night of the crazy winds and she was one of the people who was in her tent and felt the ground lift as the wind blew hard and the roots were lifting up and down in the ground. She was slack packing with pace as she lives in New Jersey and her family was running the slack pack for her and a few other hikers. About 4 of us were at the pavilion and had snacks. I started off again around 11:30 and had 9 miles to go to High Point Headquarters. The trail for the next 5 miles followed the ridge with several small ups and downs. I passed many ledges which offered nice views into the valley. The last 4 miles were like a mini Rollercoaster as there were many ups and downs. Each up though had a nice view. My timing was off and the last two miles took me much longer than I anticipated so I didn't reach the headquarters till 2:45. I did have my phone snd was able to message Cathy to keep her up to date on my progress. It's hard on the trail to estimate timing sometimes. I arrived and met Cathy and Jill. We drove to the Hampton Inn and checked. Cathy got me my own room which was wonderful. The hotel was doing a free dinner buffet for guests that night so we had dinner there. We went to Walmart so I could resupply. Then bought some angry orchard and went back to the hotel and swam. We all crashed about 10pm. Tomorrow is my birthday and this is my last night at 38.
Date: 2016-07-21
From: Pochuck Mt. Shelter

To: Hampton Inn 
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: moderate rain

Sorry this was late it failed to post last night. I woke up at Pochuck Mt Shelter at around 6:30. I didn't want to get out of bed. I finally got up and packed and on trail after a mega big cup of coffee. I hit the trail at 7:30 and my first big climb was up the rest of Pochuck Mt. The climbing was steady and the trail laid out well do it was easy climbing. I descended down and crossed a gravel road and then county road 565 and then county road 517. I have to say New Jersey has been beautiful and it's one of my favorite sections of the trail thus far. I also have to say since coming into New Jersey trail Angels have been leaving us water at every road crossing. It's been amazing and so helpful because nothing is flowing. Once I crossed county road 517 I entered into the infamous boardwalks that I've heard so much about and they held up to my expectations. Wow!! It was hot in the sun but still so pretty. So many turtles,birds and other wildlife. Crossed over a suspension footbridge and back into the woods. The trail was relatively flat wandering through the forest. It abruptly reached a fence stile and into a field. Literally once climbing over the stile I was in a field surrounded by cows grazing. They all looked up at me with a WTF look on their faces. I think I startled them. Ha ha on you cows. I crossed the path and reached the crossing for NJ 94. This is where Heaven Hill Farm is. I walked the .10 to the farm and had a Caesar wrap and ice cream. I rested for 45 minutes as the day was starting to get hot. I got a text from my best friends wife Danielle that she was on her way down from Massachusetts with her two girls to give me support. I feel so loved. We planned to meet up at around 2. I pushed on hiking up Wawayanda Mt. and boy was it a climb. It was a 1000 foot gain in less than a mile climbing up boulders and ledges and many many stairs. They call this part the stairway to heaven. It was a really neat walk but hot so not as enjoyable as it would be in the fall. At the top a side trail takes you to Pinwheels vista which gives you fantastic views into the valley. I moved on descending the other side. I passed by wawayanda shelter and made it to Warwick turnpike and Danielle was waiting. Wohoo!! She had cold water and cold drinks. She took me to the post office to get my package and then to get food. We got back to the trail head where she slack packed me for 9 miles. Miss calculating how long it would take I was walking in the woods in the dark with my iPhone light on. When she picked me up at 8:30 at the trailhead on 17a she said I booked a suite at the Hampton Inn. OMG your the best I said. There was a whirlpool tub in the room and a jacuzzi and indoor pool. We went thru Wendy's drive thru and headed to the hotel. We ate, watched some tv and went to the pool. Danielle you rock and are such a great person for doing this.
Date: 2016-07-22
From: Hampton Inn 

To: The Howard's
Miles today: 12.0

July 21 post failed to post so I'm posting 2 at once. So check to make sure you read July 21 first. Woke up in the Hampton Inn at about 8:30. I was beat from my 21.5 mile day in the sun and heat. I showered and Danielle did the same after me. The girls were still asleep when Danielle took me back to the trail. We stopped in the lobby for free continental breakfast before we got in the car. Danielle brought me back to 17a and I put on my tiny backpack and headed back onto the trail. The plan was for me to hike about 9 miles and have them pick me up at East Mombasha road. I headed into the woods and it was already super hot at 10am in the shade. The climbing again resembled a mini Rollercoaster with steep ups and down along rock ledges and rock climbs and scrambles. Some nice views up top but I didn't stay long on the exposed rock ledges. I went up eastern pinnacles, cat rocks and then to Fitzgerald falls which was bone dry so no falls. I slowly went up Mombasha high point in the full sun for much of the time. I was sweating heavily and drinking lots of water. At some points during the day I had to toss my trekking pole and Smitty up over my head and use my hands to climb. It was really interesting but in the heat not so much. I descended down to East Mambasha road and Danielle was waiting. I had trail magic too. Wohoo. I repacked my bag and took the big bag and put it back on. Ugh. Josh from the trail conference was going to pick me up and Danielle was going to take the girls to the city. I headed back out into the woods and it was even hotter. It was slow going and I drank lots and lots of water. Up down, up down, up down. It continued and the terrain was tough. Neat and really pretty but tough in the heat. I finally got a text from Josh saying he was leaving work and we agreed to meet at route 17 right at Harriman State Park. I took off my bag and sat resting against my packs. After about 15 minutes in the distance I heard a horn honking continuously. It got louder and louder and I was like ok someone's horn got stuck on. No it was Josh driving up route 17 honking all the way to let me know he was coming. We headed to his house and him and his wife made me the best tacos ever. We talked for hours about my adventures and settled down for the night at 10. Josh thru hiked in 2001 so it was nice to exchange stories. Tomorrow is supposed to be a high of 96.
Date: 2016-07-23
From: The Howard's

To: West Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

I woke up at the Howard's to a fantastic breakfast cooked up by Josh. I had sausage, eggs, bagels, coffee yum yum yum. Melissa drove me back to the trail at around 10 am. Danielle was still down with the kids and was going to met us to slack pack me again. I have been so spoiled through this section of trail. However it's been a blessing to have the support in this stretch. It's been so hot I wish I could slack pack all my friends. I did put the word out to leave water near trail heads in New York so hopefully it gets out there. I have seen lots of water at road crossings so it was nice to see. I said goodbye to Melissa and packed my mini pack. Danielle was going to meet me 5.1 miles away. With the heat it was slow going but so much easier with a lighter pack. I immediately crossed over I-87 and headed into Harriman State Park. I had 4 ups and downs which were steep. I went through the lemon squeezer which was a set of rocks close together where you squeeze through. Thank god I didn't have my big pack as it would be very challenging. After the lemon squeeze the trail went up a rock which require some climbing. It was the first time on the AT where I was like I don't think I can't do this. There was an easy bypass but I was like I can't skip a piece of the trail. I studied the rock. If I put my hand here and put my foot here and pull up while putting my foot on a tree. It worked except for right foot slipping I pulled myself up. Yay! That was a toughy. I stopped at fingerboard shelter for a rest and moved on. I met Danielle at Arden road and she took me with the girls to get lunch. After lunch I got dropped back off. I said goodbye and took some pictures with the girls. They headed out and back to Massachusetts. I am so thankful for them coming down and finding me and slack packing me for two days. I headed back into the woods and had 7.9 miles to go. The trail went up and down some more hills. I stopped at William Brien Memorial Shelter for a rest. I moved on and had to cross the Pallidades Parkway which was the most terrifying part of the AT to date. You cross two lanes then two lanes again. I stopped at the rest area in the medium to fill up on water. The crossed the two lanes of the parkway and headed up west mt. Black mountain right before the parkway had views of New York City skyline. The climb up west mt. was intense but pretty. I took the .60 side trail to the shelter and set up my tent with views of the city. I sat on a rock as dusk descended and watched the city lights come on. It was really pretty. Later on as I laid in my tent there were fireworks in the valley in front of the city and lightening going across the skies behind the city as there was a thunderstorm out at sea. It was a great day.
Date: 2016-07-25
From: The Catskills

To: Tannersville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up in my own bed last night. Oh my gosh my own bed in my own house. This is known as a risky move on the trail. Sometimes when people go home to visit they don't come back to the trail. Don't worry as I am writing this I'm in the car on my way back to the trail. The kitties snuggled with me and it was really nice. I got up and got picked up by the in-laws and we headed to the Catskill Center to visit people. We sent out the word I would be there at 10am. After spending sometime at the center we headed to lunch in Margaratville. Lunch was good I ended up with a cheesesteak and mozzarella sticks. After lunch we headed back to my house and the in-laws dropped me off at home. I relaxed for a few hours and then Doug, Jeff and I headed to Albany NY to LL Bean so I could swap out my pack as it had some wear and tear. LL bean was great and swapped it out no problem. New pack, new color. We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and I loaded up on calories. Went to bed relatively early as I wanted a good nights sleep before heading back to the trail. I got off at mile 1405.6 which is Manitou Road. Dragon head stayed in town last night so I hope to catch up to him today.