morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-23
From: Palmerton (Borough hall)

To: Leroy A Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Borough hall is an old city hall that allows hilkers scouts & clubs that vist the town to camp there in the basement for free . It has the basics bunk or floor toilet water shower gym & rifle range.Had a good nights sleep. Thought i would go back to the diner for a 2nd opinion on the food. It just confirmed my first opinion CRAP. should have gone to subway . Its a 2mile blue blaze hike back to the trail head . its just enough to warm the body up for the exercise of the scramble up the mining rock boulders. For all that is said about this scramble its "MAKE OR BREAK TIME " what aload of cods wallop. it took me 40 minutes of steady climbing . Just pick your rock.For all that has been talked about the rocks in PA etc. The only simple words that best describe how to do PA came from Maine Moose "JUST PICK YOUR ROCK" simple For 100 miles.The rocks are part of the character building exercise we all have to walk thru. Passed the most obnoxious sobo this morning.From a beautiful start to the day by 1pm its now pouring again & stayed that way for the whole day. arrived at shelter drenched & pooped. in the shelter tonight is tron fish sticks peet squatter & me
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Leroy A Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap Church Hostel
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Iam on a mission so its up & off early. I have a bounce box sitting in the P.O & i do not want to hanging around on Sat morning waiting for the doors to open.Lots of rocks a Pennslyvania farewell. did a slip on top of a pile of rocks & ended up on my hands & knees, now my back is giving me grief again. Still locked in the tunnel. So its miles of hiking & nothing else. peet caught up to me & we hiked into Delaware Water Gap together. Some lovely views to be had over the river.In the church hostel is scaregrow trampoline gordan bombay bird free bird bandanaman fish sticks squatter peet ice man cattywompas & so many more.8 hikers hitched to the movies to see "the moon" 1 hitch in & 1 hitch back.i sent my bounce box up to Fort Montgomery.Also rang scarpa who will send some new boots to the P.O. in Fort Montgomery as well.I only hope these boots last as they have just about fallen apart after 3 months on the trail.Had dinner with peet @ the diner . I was not very hungry after walking 20miles( 32klms) HHMMM. not hungry.Got back to the church & set up my tent.rain is due again. Had a shower then went to the jazz session in the pub next door.In bed by 10.30pm absolutely pooped again.
Date: 2009-07-25
From: Delaware Water Gap Church Hostel

To: Brink rd shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: clear sky

Its 5.30am & im ready to go. Decided to go down to the diner for breakfast. had a great feed of virginia ham eggs toast hash browns & coffe. lovely way to start the day. My body is not loosing any more weight, mainly because im not sticking to just a hikers diet. I go and eat at every off trail deli shop etc. as i can plus high callories about 1000 to 1500 for breakfast & lots of snacks along the way. Its seams to working.got back to the hostel to leave & most of the guys are up. Its early, this does not happen in the shelters.By the time i got to get away it was after 8am.Over an hour later than i had planned.The walk across the Delaware water gap bridge also is the state line to pass into New Jersey is busy with traffic but offers spectacular river views. BYE BYE PA . Such a beautiful morning, the trail up into the state forest national park is lovely with water ways & wide trail. The white blaze markers are few & far between in some sections leaving you in doudt if you are on the right trail.Up on the cliffs the views are beautiful looking over the river. Went to the mohican Outdoor centre which is run by the Appalachian Mmt Club & had to rounds of sandwiches & drinks. still have 14 miles to go & its 1pm. Have to get going.The day is just perfect. Saw a couple of rattle snakes & got a lovely photo of a green rattler,about 4ft long.Catfish fire tower was gone but the views. Passed rattlesnake springs & was starting to get tired. I wanted a swim in Crater lake but was running out of time.Rang home from the top of Rattle snake Mnt.Not a long talk as the sun was going down & i still had a couple of miles to go.The mozzies are really bad & there is a storm brewing. got into the shelter at 8.45pm. Im absolutely stuffed.set up home for the night & cooked dinner in the dark.The mozzies are eating me to death.have just finished eating dinner rice & beans when tron & another hiker come in late.Its about 10pm. They just had time to set up there tents when the pending storm finally arrived with such violence. We are all laying in our tents and in the dark you can hear the violence about to hit us some one yells out "here it comes" & did it come. The lightning & thunder was right over head.I screamed out in fear FUCK as a lightning strike hit the tree i was camped under & the debris fell on trons tarp. the water was torrential. The whole tenting area was turned into a river in minutes. In the middle of the storm tron comes over to inform me that iam camped under a dead tree that is leaning right over my tent.THANK YOU TRON. I really dont give a shit as i am that tired i dont care.I just pulled my sleeping bag up onto my mattress so it would not get wet & tried to sleep with all the violence above me.A river flowed thru my tent for most of the night. NICE. In the morning. The mozzies resumed there relentless attack as we all tried to pack up. Everyone had a story to tell of the river flowing thru there tents.Trail life a night to remember.
Date: 2009-07-26
From: Brink rd shelter

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: few clouds

The mozzies are doing a good job & the lack of sleep after the storm.I am feeling drained. I feel like going back to sleep but every thing is drenched.Its funny how you just come to accept these situations, cause i khow sometime during the day if a little sunshine is about every thing can be dried.The most important lesson is keep the down sleeping bag dry- done-.Finally got out of camp after hearing of all the water bed stories for the night.Headed off towards Culvers gap for breakfast. Took for ever to 3 miles.Got to the grumpy old mans place (JOES TO GO)for breakfast. The guy is the most miserable old prick on the trail without a doubt. He just does not like hikers. I still had a couple of rolls Then went down to the GYP TAVERN & sat in there for a couple of hours doing nothing(im tired).Finally had to go & after all the rest still pushing out miles.Eventually got to Culver fire tower & hung out my tent to dry as did trampoline. A beautiful day with severe weather warnings for tonight in this area. Some more fun?? Saw another bear today. quite a large beast.in the 200 - 250 pound range.Got into rutherford shelter .Home alone with lots of bear attivity written in the journals, i can hear storms in the distance & lots of mozzies humming in the swamp but not around the shelter. Im in bed early tonight.
Date: 2009-07-27
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Unionville THE OUTHOUSE
Miles today: 11.4

had a great sleep & rest. up & packed early . I felt good after an easy day yesterday. Got to High Point State Park HQ , got water & had a nice rest, then headed out to High Point Monument.Did not go to the obelisk. Could just make out NYC skyline as it is a clear morning.Had an easy walk until the rain came again. Stopped to put on rain gear when it stopped. that just pisses me off when that happens.Im in 2 minds as to carry on hiking or go into Unionville. Ther is alot written in the registers about the MAYORS house(THE OUTHOUSE)& how amazing it is to stay there. Dont really know??? I soon came into this quant little town of Unionville & headed for the general store for lunch.Met 2 bew hikers aqua fresh & the saint.It was highly recommended to stay at the OUTHOUSE for its unique hospitality. I ordered 2 suds milk & cookies to go. saved a sub for dinner.Came across kage & bandamit who gave me directions where to go to the OUTHOUSE. Soon arrived & met by so many familiar & new faces.The Mayor of Unionville(retired) is DICK, His quarter master is 81 year old BILL & his right hand man is BUTCH. THE OUTHOUSE has a totally open house policy for long distance hikers.Breakfast dinner shower tv toilet bunk floor or tent in the back yard 1st beer free next 2 beers 50cents .There are 32 hikers here tonight a record .Its hard to explain how unique the experience is.A melting pot of hikers passing thru without any expectations except to watch 2 short movies about success & triump and a donation is appreciated.Such a generosity of heart. I tented & it was a fun night with lots of laughs about the trail & the characters out there.New hikers i met & in the OUTHOUSE today are poppins free child bambam kage aqua fresh the saint aesop fish sticks squatter tron journey scarecrow gaiya ice man cattywompas & a lot more.
Date: 2009-07-28
From: Unionville THE OUTHOUSE

To: UNIONVILLE (NEW YORK CITY)
Miles today: 0.0

Got up early , had breakfast packed up & sat around. I was going to wait for the store to open to get some subs to take back onto the trail. got talking to bambam who mentions about the offer to shuttle us up to the train station if we wanted to go to New York City. ??? did not make sense at first.i had thought about going to NYC from a train station further up the trail in about a weeks time. BUT?? 8 hikers who are packed up ready for the trail are suddently unpacking & we are being shuttled to the Middletown train station.Destination NYC. Aesop poppins free child kage you bambam tron & phatmandu. the likely bunch. im the oldest & the odd one out But so what, i dont feel out of place with young ones.Talk about a spontaneous moment. We all just laughed at what we are doing.So within 5hrs we are all standing in Madison Sq with state empire building looking at me There is chaos every where, after where we have just come from. To help ease the change we all headed to Central Park.As a group we really turned heads from Penn Stn thru Time Sq right down to central park. 8 AT trail trash loose on the streets of NYC.YEAH. In central park You was singing his heart out to everybody walking past,very amuzing. Bambam was trying to get some attention as well but not as successful as you.We had to get accommodation for 4 of us. i rang around but all hostels were full or very expensive.We walked to god only knows where & meet poppins cousin who agreed to let all of us stay in her 15ft x 15ft bedsit.with accommodation sorted out it was back to the streets. Next was trons attempt at basking. he was singing his heart out but no money. Bambam joined in with his break dancing. got a lovely photo of the effort.They also got a lot of smiles for there efforts which was a reward in its self.Aesop & myself went & had dinner.after dinner is was onto the trains & over to Brooklyn to find out floor space for the night. Finally found it after 4 different directions, that took an hour.It was lovely to get the back pack off. We all wanted coffee so it was back to the streets. Could not find a cafe so we just walked around. Came to the promenade with stunning views across to Manhattan skyline. took some photos & some with the statue of liberty in the back ground, even tho its 4 miles away.Bambam & you did some more break dancing .Then it was time to find the bedsit as it was 1.30am.Finally found my bit of space & slept well.
Date: 2009-07-29
From: UNIONVILLE (NEW YORK CITY)

To: UNIONVILLE (NEW YORK CITY)
Miles today: 0.0

I awoke about 6.30am.time to explore,but everybody is dead to the world.At 8am i had enough i got up. I dont come to NYC very often so i just wanted to go out. Poppins got up with me & we went to a cafe around the corner. Had coffee & pastries & fruit, then went for a walk onto the Brooklyn bridge. Manhattan was covered in smog & cloud.We decided to return to the bedsit where everybody was still asleep.NOT GOOD. At 11am they were hungry so we walked around brooklyn looking for a cafe for breakfast.Had a small breakfast then on to the florist shop for flowers,then back to the room.NO ONE wanted to go & explore.YOUNG AMERICA.I feel if they want to lay around like camp dogs they should wait until they are back in the Mnts & in a shelter.This New York for christ sake.At about 3pm we had to leave the room & started walking across the Brooklyn bridge. It started to drizzle, Then it was raining.Got some phots.as we were walking along lightning hit the tower on the bridge. I saw the bolt hit the tower & the thunder was ear splitting. The electric charge gave all of us a tingle in our feet. Its was incredible. The rain then came down & within a few minutes there was a foot deep of water flowing down the bridge.After all the excitment we walked up down and all around NYC trying to drop off the keys . Then it was time to head back towards Penn Stn. The streets were flooded & we were running out of time.After a few more attempts to find our way to Penn Stn in all the chaos we finally arrived ,brought tickets & caught the train.finally got to middletown at 10.30pm. Dick & Butch were waiting & shuttled us back to the OUTHOUSE. Unionville had been hit by a tornado while we were away.A farm shed & a car the only damage. Glad to be back in the hills again .Met some more new hikers then time to sleep.
Date: 2009-07-30
From: UNIONVILLE (NEW YORK CITY)

To: Wawayanda shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: broken clouds

I am restless & want to get going & im tired from my adventure into NYC.bill had my breakfast ready before i knew it.Amazing old man . said my good byes to Dick & Butch went up to the store for milk & subs to go. it was alovely clear morning afterall the rain. what started out as a lovely soon changed to rain. heavy rain. Views were all gone . The mnts & rocks soon turned to being a bit dangerous.I ended up with 3 falls Quite lucky i did not break my ribs & have a large gash in my right hand. Got to the shelter drenched . had dinner & slept. In camp tonight is tron matt a sobo & me
Date: 2009-07-31
From: Wawayanda shelter

To: Wildcat shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

I just love putting on wet clothes first thing in the morning, just takes my breath away. Its overcast & cool. Its only a few miles to get out of N.J. & cross the state line into N.Y. The rain is torrential. I have to slow down as i cannot access my bounce box & pick up new boots in Fort Montgomery until Monday. Took a side trail to Greenwood lake for lunch. Half an hour later a severe storm hit the Mnts. Im sure a tornado was in the area as ive never seen that sort of weird violent cloud formation in a storm cell.Spent over 2 hours eating recharging batteries & relaxing before the long up hill hike back to the trail head.Dropped into Bellvale for some lovely ice cream. its still pouring so i was a bit slow hiking into wildcat shelter. In the shelter is fish sticks & phatmandu
Date: 2009-08-01
From: Wildcat shelter

To: Island Pond Outlet
Miles today: 9.9

Slept in again . not in a hurry as it is another short day. BEAUTIFUL DAY. Nice & clear warm. Got to Mombasha High Point & could see the NYC skyline on the distant horizon.Some slightly difficult terrain. Ive lost abit of confidence on these slippery rocks. There is no hurry. Got to Andrew valley Rd & met trail angel PADDY-O. Had my fill of chocmilk fruit & donuts .I just liked talking to Paddyo. 3 hrs later some nobos pulled up & paddyo made them dinner.Fish sticks & myself headed up towards Island pond. only a mile away. What a magnificent glacier pond. we camped up on the ridge just above the pond.I had paddyos special take away ham & cheese sandwiches for dinner whilst The moon is full & rising giving us a special tranquil setting. 2 hrs later 6 more hikers came in & set up camp.
Date: 2009-08-02
From: Island Pond Outlet

To: West Mnt shelter
Miles today: 11.1

Slept well,it was cold last night. Another short day planned, plus im feeling tired. it started to rain as i packed up.GREAT.Had decided to go to lake Tiorati on Arden Valley rd. What i hope for a lovely warm day & it rained all day again.Had some ice cream & snacks & headed off to west mountain shelter.it was a dreary hike.Then late afternoon the sun poked its marvelous head out.the blue berries were out & we stopped & ate so many.When fish sticks & myself arrived at West mnt shelter what a lovely surprise.Besides having the shelter to ourselves the views were stunning. We could see right out to the NYC skyline (so many lights). Fort Montgomery lights & the Hudson river were right below us with a full silvery moon glowing off the Hudson & no mozzies.Fish sticks & myself had a dinner set with tranquil billion $$$ views. Also this shelter is really old 1928 needs some repair but not many hikers will come hear because of the .6mile hike from the trail head. they dont know what they are missing. slept well.
Date: 2009-08-03
From: West Mnt shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Centre
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up to a fine morning but the views were gone BUGGER. Mist & smog blanked out the views. Still it was a nice hike in cool weather. Went up Bear mnt to the tower. spent some time at the tower then down towards Fort Montgomery.we were walking around the lake before the zoo when we were approached by trail angel GENE. he offered to pick us up& drive us to where ever we wanted to go.I had to go to the PO which was closed so we went to the laundromat instead,had lunch & resupplied.back to the PO for my new boots & bounce box.it was nearly 5pm & we still had 6 miles to hike Gene bless himwas very patient,finally dropped us off at 5.30pm. Crossed the Bear Mnt bridge. Got to the other side which is the lowest point on the A.t.@ 124ft above sea level. got talking to some tourists for half an hr,they took are rubbish away as we forgot to get rid of it.It was getting late & we had to hike with our head lamps on . got to US9 NY403 & had another snack attack at the service stn.This servo had the biggest smartest well presented toilet on the whole trail it was an award winner as voted by fish sticks & me.Arrived at the Spiritual Centre about 9.30pm & greeted by about 20 tents on an oval.set up home & straight to sleep as it was cold again & the silvery moon crossed slowly in a clear sky.
Date: 2009-08-04
From: Graymoor Spiritual Centre

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: haze

such a cold night. The tent is drenched from dew. today the adventure will take me into canoplus lake,for food swim &a shower.Got to NY301 & turned onto a trail that finally came to NY 301. suzuki Bpackers girlfriend was there.She dropped me off at the lake .shameless & ketchup were already there. had a lovely feed then a warm swim in the lake followed by a cold shower & shave.Have decided to go back to the trail Via a different trail as it is starting to get late.this trail proved to be the steepest & most difficult on the whole A.T.. it was bloody hard work. Finally got back on the AT & headed for RPH. Its well after 5.30pm & 7 miles to go.thank god the trail was easy,got in by 7.30pm. a sobo fiddler was there.Many hikers came into roost as the sun was going down. I was tired & on the pillow early.
Date: 2009-08-05
From: RPH Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: overcast clouds

the camp is up early & hiking. Ive planned another big day with lots of miles.My body is feeling fine after yesterdays effort.Today is just hiking miles.It would be nice to go back to NYC at the Appalachian RR stn. but not this time.bumpt into freechild & talked for a while. still had 6 miles to go & its 6.30pm. got into shelter under lights, ate dinner & straight to sleep.Incamp tonight is you & me
Date: 2009-08-06
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Kent
Miles today: 12.7

good sleep & rest but body is still tired after yesterdays effort. It was a slow hike into Kent. Had planned to just eat & move on & send my bounce box up the trail.So many hikers are in town.everybody is feeling tired & worn out.There is a street fair on in Kent. There is a good atmosphere in town tonight.The outfitter is putting on a BBQ at 6.30pm.There is free tenting at the real estate office. VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. Some small towns know how to look after the hiking community and Kent is one of them.Give a hiker a space to camp a toilet & they will stay in a town & spend money.So many small towns are missing out on hiker $$$s for so little effort.About 15 hikers are camped here tonight. fish sticks & myself had dinner at the pub & did our laundry. got talking to PETER the mayor of everything KENT. He is a really lovely bloke,told us about the wealthy people.Kent really is a beautiful little town.In the tent early.
Date: 2009-08-07
From: Kent

To: Silver Hill campsite
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night i had a good sleep. But when you have to lay here listening to all the drunks that came back to tent land & then having to listen to a couple having sex with so many single blokes around,its a bit disturbing to say the least. Am not in a hurry this morning. Fish sticks & myself went & had breakfast. Starting to feel human again.really do not feel like hiking but only a 10 mile hike planned. Fish sticks went to pack his gear & gashed his foot on a tent peg. He decided to zero Plus its his birthday tommorow.I hiked on , it was a lovely day. love the pine forest the trail goes thru.the terrain is flat & the mozzies are horrendous. Met a ridge runner & took a photo with the runner & Ox. The runner highly recommended the silver hill campsite . It did not take long to reach it.Willing & able were there as was bambam cold feet 2 lions mission pitstop & 2 others. I have a lovely bed of pine needles to sleep on tonight.
Date: 2009-08-08
From: Silver Hill campsite

To: limestone springs Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke to the soft sound of rain on my tent.GREAT. Packed up quickly Wolfed down breakfast & off.The rain backed off .A bit of advise to women DO NOT PEE NEXT TO A RIVER THAT IS LOUDER THAN THE PEE YOU ARE GETTNG RID OF. It can be a bit embarressing to get caught with your pants down. HHMM.Got to Gunea Brook & Able was havig a difficult time trying to cross the brook. Ilead the way over but nearly fell in.Able took off her boots & waded across the brook.I took a couple of photos of her crossing.Had some steady climbs up with lots of rocks tree roots & muddy bogs. Got to Falls Village which had nothing to offer.The cafe had closed at 4pm so i had a soda at the liquor store & left. refilled water at the hydro electric power plant. Limestone Springs shelter was a steep goats track but spectacular. 2 young kids were in the shelter but vacated when i arrived &went back to there tent.Home alone again with lots of mozzies 7 rain. not many hikers will come down to this shelter because it is .5 off the trail head.