morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Long miles, long day...Highlights It rained during the night. Cooled things off enough for the morning to start off foggy. Starting a hike in the fog is one of those experiences that can only be shared by walking in the fog I usually start hiking before dawn, so when there is fog, there is a quality about the walk that is a feeling of timelessness. There is little to see, sounds are muffled. Once the sun comes out, the only difference is a brightness that dissipates into haze. Lucky us, as the morning passed the fog lifted. The day turned pretty. The Pennsylvania rocks are cropping up. At one rock outcropping, I heard a familiar warning sound, the rattler. I stopped and found which rock it was sitting on and made a wide path around it. It was a little one. The big bonus for the day was blueberries. Large bunches. I ate by handfuls. The ridge today's trail ran over had part of it on an old stage road. Another slowing process was downed trees. At Peters Mtn Shltr was a sign that I glanced at but didn't pay much attention to was "there are 283 downed trees in this section". I do believe at least 200 of them were on today's section. The Rausch Gap shelter is rated for 12 people. They have to be really close friends. The eight that was there when I arrived looked crowded. I end up at a camp site near by and set up my tarp. John Jr., TreeFrog and Adam join me on the campsite. All in all, a not bad day.Namaste'
Date: 2004-06-28
From: Pine Grove, PA - PA 501-Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Last night we all sang Happy Birthday to TreeFrog. That brought a smile to my face and his. He'd had a rough day. In the morning, he was even more wound up. John Jr.'s ride was scheduled for between one and two. I told him there was plenty of time to get there if we started our usual time of six thirty. But he and John Jr. tore out like bat out of Hades.Adam and I did our usual pace. I admit the rocks here are more tedious then I like but I believe I've made a commitment to do this and so I go onward. I got to the road crossing where John Jr. was to get his ride. I didn't see them, so I walked to the parking lot third of a mile down the road. No one there, so back up to the trail. A highway department crew was working a bit from the trail. I asked if they had seen two guys. They said yes, and they went across the road into the woods. I went in and found them both fifty feet in. I sat and chatted with John Jr. and TreeFrog. Adam showed up before the pickup. We split up John Jr.¢s left over food and I headed out. This day was a Blueberry day. Mouse told me once at the shelter she ate only from the bushes on one side so I could have some. I thought it was strange I found blueberries only on one side of the trail. I also ran into huge Garter snake, I think it was a garter snake. It was all black and about six feet long. I just stepped over it and turned around and wished it a good day. This shelter is a third of a mile off the trail. It's an old one, dark and huddled in the woods that have grown around it. Mouse and HeatMiser were already settled in. Two other hikers I don't know are tenting. One thing I have to say, at least in Penn., they have tenting area around the shelters. Some shelters don't have any decent flat ground around them.HeatMiser and I sat and wondered where some of the folks we met early on the trail have disappeared to. I admit, I'm surprised by the names that have dropped off the shelter registers. I wonder where they are. Adam and TreeFrog show up and that rounds out our crowd for the night.Namaste'
Date: 2004-07-01
From: Eckville Shelter

To: New Tripoli Campsite
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Due to scheduling, today is to be a shorter day, so I sleep in. The bunks are covered with carpet padding and carpet, so with my pad, it's really comfortable. I'm beginning to really like sleeping in. Time enough for a hot breakfast and coffee. It turns out the PalmTree and Boonie will be walking with our little gang. They also plan to get to DelawareWaterGap on the fifth and zero. Should be fun. I like both guys. Blueberry and GoodTyme turn out to be slow walkers and joins us. We discuss that at 309, there is a B&B that serves lunch and dinner. We agree on meeting up there for second lunch. Today, the rocks are getting worse. River of boulders. Trail way of loose fist size rocks. The going is tedious and slow. We all end up at the next shelter beat. We discuss stopping there but it's only noon. PalmTree's radio says rain for the afternoon. We decide to go ahead and walk to the B&B, and see how we all feel. Its four more miles. The description in the PA guidebook lets us know, no more rocks in this stretch. I end up making it to the B&B in slightly over an hour. PalmTree is next. We think there is an error in mileage. Whatever. I had time to find blueberries on this stretch. The blackberries are forming up. I have a terrible case of the sleepies all day. At the restaurant, I almost nod off at the table. Another discussion about our camping out plan. We decide to do the two miles and camp. We get here and Mouse is here. Namaste'
Date: 2004-07-02
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: few clouds

Short mileage but suspicions of even more rocks and boulder piles motivated me to get an early start this morning. I felt okay even though I had woken up to the sound of thunder last night. By the looks and sounds, someone had a heck of a thunderstorm early this morning, but not us. First thing out of the campsite was a nice pile of boulders to scramble over. Found a few blueberry bushes, but it was difficult to watch for blueberries and my feet as I negotiated the river of loose stones on the trail. It really was okay, especially later in the day. Today had some handsome boulder piles to climb. Had to resort to hands on crawling up and down. I stopped at the Bake Oven vista. It was cool to see how the valleys were in fog and the tops of the hills poking out from the fog. Had break with Palm Tree at the shelter. We were abet disappointed to realize we had done four miles in three hours. The rocks. I get up and go. Over more trail of rocks. Little rocks and big rocks. Pointy rocks and flat rocks. One pile had me nervous until I saw the blaze veered off to the right. The path straight down was scary. Finally, at the top of the ridge, wow, a trail of rocks! This part of the ridge also had little cover. In a way, it felt good to have open skies above but it also emphasized that the temperature was rising. But the best part was the billions of blueberry bushes covered with ripe blueberries! I'd walk five minutes and stand there eating for five minutes. Later, at this shelter Mouse confessed she was concerned about eating the berries up top. After all, we are near a Superfund site at Palmerton. On the trail here, I had a pleasant surprise, Rocket came by. We talked a bit about his trip to Washington DC. Later I ran into him again here. When I got here, there was trail magic happening. Two ladies and a grandson had brought up hot dogs, cold sodas, chips and carrots. Rocket had stopped for the hot dogs. The reality is, I made decent time, considering I stopped for blueberries. So, I was here early with PalmTree and Mouse. The time sitting and talking is good. Finally the remainder of New Tripoli group arrive. The first group shares the trail magic leftovers. Evening is draping its softness around us. A light sprinkle has come and gone. TreeFrog is practicing his penny whistle. Boonie has come out of his tent to socialize. Janet, from the Allentown Hiking Club has come up to check up on the shelter. She's taking time sharing about the club and activities. Today, blueberry magic and trail magic, life is good. Namaste'
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Today, we walked The Rocks. Also, today, Mouse will get to see her honey and her brother. Therefore, we will not see Mouse tonight. I started late. The guy wants to go into town at Wind Gap. They tried to talk me into going with them. As it was, Boonie went with them. Me, I walked. I took morning break at Hahn's Lookout. Rolling hills and farm land. Then I had a funny thought, it¢s time to go home. Get a bus ticket to Florida. I don't live in Florida. But my sister does. I figure I'm in need of rest, sleep. I haven't had a good night's sleep since I can't remember when. At Wind Gap, Mouse was still waiting for her brother. I sat with her for awhile and talked. Then, off I go, looking for The Rocks. First, get out of the gap. Then the Rocks. Lordy, lordy. I can understand why people don't have anything nice to say about this stretch. It was maybe three or four miles of ROCKS, implanted in the ground, every which way, but especially pointy side up. If I had to say anything about The Rocks, it would be tedious. Absolute concentration of where to put my feet. I got lucky, every time I stopped; I stopped by a blueberry bush full of ripened berries. Finally, the last two miles to the shelter. A mild version of The Rocks, what we have been walking on for the last couple weeks. It felt good to fly on the trail. The shelter is another interesting one. I think it's interesting how almost all the shelters have personalities. Strider and PalmTree were here. The long legged boys had decided to strike into Delaware Water Gap. I thought they would, since I got here at two. Got water and settled in. Laid down and read some. I started to nod off, so I elected to go for a walk. People keep passing by the shelter. Walked to the road and some guy was walking toward the parking lot. I asked him what's that way. Nelson's Overlook, where hang-gliders go for lift off. I thought about it, then went out to look. The wind is blowing hard. Hard enough that more of the gliders were on the ground then in the air. I went over by the group and chatted with them about handgliding. They explained the different styles of gliders and how they are steered. I had fun watching. As we talked, a glider went over head. Apparently, though the wind felt really brisk to me, too fast for handgliders, it must be perfect for gliders. So far, four of them have passed over the shelter. The guys have shown up. Boonie went with them into Wind Gap and they had lunch. Adam had done a face plant and has a wound on his face. We also have a couple of holiday hikers with us tonight. I've been thinking about the voice in my head telling me it was time to go home. I will keep that in my head as I rest up these next couple days. Hopefully, I can get some decent sleep. Namaste'
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA (Ramada Inn)
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: light rain

The rain came during the night. Not a lot but enough to put a fog on in the morning. So, into the fog the thruhikers went. Boonie actually was first! The thoughts of bacon, eggs and hash browns for breakfast dancing in his head. I headed out and was pleasantly surprised with the trail. It was mostly dirt road with parts of PA trail of rocks. Coming into DWG, the part that day hikers do, the trail passed under a rhododendron thicket in bloom. This is the first time I have seen the thickets blooming like they do for post cards. Pale pink and whites. Very full bundles. Very pretty.   The last miles in was nice. I saw Strider in the parking lot with a young lady. I asked if I was the first thruhiker to congratulate him. No such luck. The lady is Blip, a thruhiker from last year. They give me a ride to the Ramada Inn and offer a trip to East Strausburg to do laundry. I get a room for TreeFrog and Adam and I. Boonie and PalmTree have a room upstairs. We get everyone together for the trip to town. There is the usual frenzy of laundry and shopping. I haven't picked up my maildrop, so I'm conservative. But I do get snacks for the hotel. Grape juice, crackers and cheese. Back to the hotel for a nap. We invited BlueBell to spend the nightwith us since he also is expecting a mail drop. Supper at the Water Gap Diner. I ate until I was ready to pop. We stagger back to the hotel with an agreement for a meeting time tomorrow. Namaste'
Date: 2004-07-08
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I have elected to spend another night here. This place is a nice little outdoor center with a lake. It seems to be a good place for me to sit and contemplate the voice in my head. As everyone was getting ready to head out, I told them I was staying back to think about my decision to get off the trail. That announcement got everyone by surprise. It also affords me space in which I will not be influenced by the other hikers about this idea. I have witnessed how, as a group, the idea of someone leaving the trail doesn't set well with them. "You've put so mach energy into it already", "It's only X more miles to Katahdin." For me, I have dreamed of hiking the AT. There has not been a driving force to reach Katahdin, although that is a thruhiker's goal. I have not ever seen myself as a thruhiker. Maybe that's the problem here. It sounds strange and maybe not, it feels good to let the people I have been hiking with go on ahead. Maybe there is something in me that wants them to go away. As I have shared in the past, I have always felt like a loner. Maybe all this groupie thing is getting to me. For now, I will enjoy the lake here. Sleep some. Wait for the next batch of thruhikers that will most likely show up this afternoon. Spend time alone and meditate on whether I go on or get off the trail. ...It's late, the new batch in are some hikers I know, KrispyKritter and Ray-el. I spent the day sleeping, reading, taking walks. Sitting out at the lake was nice. Not even a canoe out there. Slight breeze brushing the water. Sunshine sparkled on the small waves. I have decided to go home. I have sat with Adam. He's been special for me. His quiet fortitude has been centering for me. His simple forthrightness a refreshing change of venue. I will miss him more then anyone else on the trail. Tomorrow, I get in a van with Garcia and we'll go from there to who knows where.Namaste'
Date: 2004-03-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

T minus 18 days and counting! All systems are go! I have wanted to hike the AT forever. Well, it feels like forever anyhow. And now only 18 days. Phew! I feel scared and excited at the same time. What an adventure I am about to embark on. The last few years have been tough ones. But now I am ready to start a new life. And what a better way to start it huh? I am free from the house........free from overwhelming financial responsibilities........and, cross your fingers, I hope I am cancer free. I should know in a few days. Regardless, I am going hiking!Don't want to bore anyone with lots of details........this is about a hike!K
Date: 2004-03-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

17 days until I am on the trail. WOOHOOOOOOO! Can life get much better??? Yes, it can! Now, I just need to know that I am cancer free. I am having my biopsy and port out on Monday april 12th. I will be on the trail when I get the results. Either way I can deal with it. Of course I would love to be declared cancer free but I can handle it if it is back. My new life has begun. Come on trail!K
Date: 2004-04-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just seven more days now. Wow, I am excited and scared and excited and.....Sassy is at my sisters. Thank you so much Sherry and Jeff and Henry and Sam. I know Sassy will be really happy with you guys.Tomorrow I will take the cats to Moms. I hope they are ok with her. I have packed and repacked my pack. I havn't weighed it but it feels about thirty pounds now, without food and water. I will keep tinkering with it until.....until it is still too heavy!My next entry will be after I have started hiking. I can't wait!K
Date: 2004-04-12
To: Hospital
Miles today: 0.0

Today is Monday - I just bought my new PocketMail device so I can transmit and receive e-mail on the trail. If you like you can email me at karensioux@pocketmail.comToday at 4:30 pm I will be at hospital having minor surgery and will drive to Springer Mtn on Wednesday - Thursday morning, A.T. "HERE I COME!"I feel very anxious, excited and HUNGRY (no food since midnight) and can't wait till this day is over. Must put finishing touches on back pack! Later Thanks to you all for your support!
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Springer Mountain

To: First Stretch
Miles today: 7.6

Gert here, 1st entries recvd. from Karensioux PocketMail works great...ENTRY4/15/04 7.6 miles tentso far so good. It took Larry and I along time to get to the hostel. we took a couple of Paulie long cuts once we got down to georgia. Haha! The weather is beautiful today. we met sooo many people. Still no trail names but it's our first night. We are sooo tired but it is a good tired. Oh, and by the way I am cancer free! The lump was a lymph node. I had trouble hearing the dr. cause of noise but he DID say the biopsy was negative.There are about 13 people at the shelter tonight. Pastor Jay and her daufgter....papa smurf and some young boys. An old guy from PA....I am too tired to remember names right now.We ate dinner.....eggs and corned beef hash....in a can no less. larry decided the dehydrated food didnt look like enough but he DID want to eat the heavy stuff first!LOLwe hung our packs on bear cables. We heard today that a bear attacked a hikers pack and ripped it all to shreds and ate his toothpaste. So, we hung it all....including the toothpaste.over and out!Karen and Larry
Date: 2004-04-16
To: Justice Creek
Miles today: 6.0

4/16/04 6 miles tent by justice creek.all day long I think of what to say here and then when it gets time to write I am really tired. I am really slow but still having great time albeit really tired and sore. The good thing about being slow is that you get to meet new people evryday. we are tented about 20 feet from the water. it sounds awesome. I will write more tomorrow. we are planning an easier day. I am hiking my own hike and I don,t care how far I get. as long as I have fun I will keep going.over and outk
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Woody Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.5

4/17 6.5 milesStayed in tent at Woody Gap, long day but everyday I feel better. We have to get more food - mostly snacks, we go thru them like crazy. Met a thru hiker today named Santa. A young guy from White Plaines NY who is hiking the whole trail, with a garbage bag slung over his shoulder. I took a picture of him, he was cool. I'm having the greatest time of my life. I wish Harriette was here. Larry is having a blast too. He loves walking along and telling stories to people - he asked two young girls today if they wanted some sardines to eat - they politely declined!Tonight at camp, Larry spent 10 minutes searching for his camp sandals and then realize they were on his feet the entire time. He cracks me up!Karsious and Larry
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Jerrod Gap

To: Blood Mountain
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

4/18/04 6.0 miles under the stars in jerrod gap. I think I am doing better. I am still having fun anyhow. wowee was it hot though. my forearms are sunburned and that is the thing that feels the worse. yeah, my muscles hurt but I expected that. I have blisters on both my big toes but they feel fine when they are dressed and in my boots. we are one day behind "my" schedule and I am very pleased with that. this is like a rollercoaster. both the trail AND my emotions. I am goin to need a zero day to let my body do some healing and I am looking forward to that. And some pizza! we had our first taste of trail magic this morning. someone dropped off bottled water, so we didn't have to go filter water. I took a bath and did my laundry in a spring coming right out of the mountain. Tomorrow we only have 5.4 miles to go but it is up the infamous blood mountain. If we have to we can stop on the summit and camp. I would like to make it to neels gap tomorrow but If I don't it's!ok. I am trying to learn that whatever pace I do is ok. I am not trying to keep up with anyone else. At neels gap I am really going to lighten up. I am carrying way too much weight. (me and my pack) time for dinnerover and out.ksue
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Neels Gap

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

This is our first "zero" day. no miles. we got a shuttle into Dahlonega and stayed at a hotel and ate our guts out. I am losing weight already. supposedly we are burning 5000 calories a day. I am sitting at a laundrymat typing this. Tomorrow we are back on the trail. As slow as I am I was suprised to see we caught up to most everyone at neels gap. A shower felt sooooo good and we didnt think we stunk until we got into a clean room and yucko! I bought a new pack.....3 lbs lighter and am sending home more stuff than I thought I would. Even Larry is learning how the ounces add up quickly. we are drinking plenty of water but found out we didn't have near enough snacks. Larry is afraid he is going to lose weight by eating carbs but when he lays down his ribs stick out. I will have to get a picture of that.over and out for now.karen
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Neel's Gap

To: Hiwassee
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

8.0 miles. tented on top of some mountain. met blueberry, a 2000 thru hiker, at the hostel last night and she gave me lots of good advice. her dog daily was great. his face looked a little like sassys. I know sassy is in wonderful hand. I just miss her.I hope everyone knows to excuse my spelling and grammar. I am laying on my belly in a tent typing with my fingers.We left from Neels gap this morning. They checked the fit of my pack loaded and did some adjusting. The fisrt 30 minutes was tough but after that it was great. oh, I almost forgot to add. I weighed my pack. 30 pounds with food and water. I was impressed!It's funny , the stuff you think about when you are hiking. everything. I write in my journal alll day long while I am walking. I just can't remember everything at night. I think I solved world peace today but that was 5 hours ago and some miles ago. Maybe it will come back to me tomorrow. we almost ran out of water today but my waterboy saved us. he spotted a dark spot in some rocks about 100 feet down a ravine and boy was he happy. and so Was I. we passed on some of our good fortune to another hiker, hot and tired and he was greatful.larrys new name for me is "best in class". LOL....i MAYbE sLOW AND FAT BUT i AM BEST IN CLASS....HE CRACKS ME UP. tHE TRAIL COMMUNITY IS SOMETHING INCREDIBLE. MAYBE i WILL WRITE LATER. THESE CAPITAL LETTERS ARE DRIVING ME NUTS!Karenwell, I am back. 11:30 p.m. we've been a sleep for a while and it started to rain. we hopped out and put the fly on. well, I did. Larry is not very adept with the tent but he is a great cook.I heard something moving around outside and larry says, "I'd rather die in my sleep peacfully like my grandfather instead of yelling and screaming like his passengers. :-)"over and outkaren
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Blue Mtn. Shelter

To: Hiwassee
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: scattered clouds

9.2 miles. tenting near blue mt. shelter. I am definatly getting stronger. Even so we hiked more than I had planned. The whole water thing helps determine where we will be staying. It was a rougher hike than the elevation profile led us to believe. Tomorrow should be lots of climbing. I feel a tad discouraged right now but only because I am so tired. We have plenty of food so we can take our time. I shouldn't feel bad anyhow we seem to catch up to plenty of people at the end of the day. I seem to like to be off more to ourselves. suprise suprise huh? It's just at the end of the day I am tired and don't want to socialize. I need some sleep. oh, I solved the mideast crisis today but once again I forgot to write it down.One more thing. My left arm did a bit of swelling today. I held it up and massaged it and the swelling is better now. I need to keep an eye on that. That kindof has me bumming but I am just going to take it one day at a time. Tomorrow we will have hiked 50 miles. at least we are getting somewhere!over and outkaren