morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-08
From: rausch gap shelter

To: pine grove
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: moderate rain

The rain storm from last night had lifted by morning although it was still damp and foggy when I awoke. Arrowhead tented nearby last night in the rain, having given up his spot in the shelter to some section hikers. It was also his birthday today and since I knew we would be heading to town and I hoped to buy him some cake... We set out fairly early hoping to pepper a moderate hike to the 501 shelter road, crossing over a few small streams followed by a large creek polluted a teal color by the old coal mines. As soon as we started descending off the climb up second mountain the rain arrived in a sudden downpour. By the time we reached the bottom of the mountain I was completely drenched and swimming in my shoes. We crossed a few roads then took refuge at the underpass of I-81 for some lunch. We decided at this point to stop at route 645 rather than 501 for a slightly shorter day, but we knew the day ahead would still be rough and miserable in the rain...We climbed up the steep slope after the underpass and headed up onto the ridge. When we reached the top the terrain became smooth, with many small rolling ups and downs. There were a few rocky sections scattered about along with some fallen branches at times, but what plagued us the most was the rain. At times it almost disappeared and at times it poured. Most of the trail turned into a stream and since we were already soaked we simply walked right through it. Between downpours I found myself enjoying the scent of flowers and spring rain, and by the time I reached the William pen shelter it has stopped raining completely. From here it was only a short 2 miles to the road, where family friend George was waiting with his car. He gave us all a ride to the grocery store then offered us to stay at his place for some rest, which we gladly accepted.. Susan and George have a quaint home on the hill outside town complete with an old barn and view of the nearby ridgeline. They opened their home to us and Susan cooked up a wonderful dinner for us all. We chatted, washed up, then ate some Oreo pie in celebration of Arrowheads' birthday before hitting the sack..
Date: 2013-05-09
From: pine grove

To: eagles nest shelter 
Miles today: 17.1

Today was a very enjoyable day of hiking along the trail and the change in weather from yesterday made all the difference.. We didn't hit trail until the afternoon, as we spent the morning relaxing with Susan and George and enjoying a nice home-cooked breakfast of eggs and potatoes. It felt good to spend a night off trail, and although it felt tempting to relax more we didn't want to overstay our welcome and moreover we needed to get back on the road to Maine.. The first two miles went by very slowly, and by the time we reached the 501 shelter I was ready for a snack break. Much to my surprise inside the shelter (which is a fully enclosed bunkhouse with picnic table and roof sunlight overhead) I found the 4 montanas. The PA rocks must have been too much for lily the dog's paws, and after a day of rest without recovery the montanas decided to call their journey to an end for now. I enjoyed hiking with them back in VA and it was a shame to see them leaving the trail, but I know they will be back to finish it next year and I wish them all the best luck.. I said my goodbyes then continued down the trail at a nice slow pace. Perhaps seeing fellow hikers leave dampened my spirits, or maybe the rocks were just getting to me, but either way the next few miles seemed slow and miserable. The trail continued along the ridge, passing a few decent overlooks before heading over a pipeline clearing and into a long stream section. The trail slowly morphed into a stream as it meandered along a depression atop the flat ridge. The recent rainfall created plenty of extra water along the sides of the trail as well and it became quite the challenge to avoid wet feet. I enjoyed these few miles of trail, and I stopped several times to construct small trenches, trying to drain some of the water off the trail. When I reached the dietrich snyder monument the stream section ended and I could pick up my pace more. I started hiking as fast as I could, jogging occasionally tot the rhythm in my headphones. Before long I passed by skeetbutter and Flo who were stopped for a snack. I kept pushing as I knew there was only a few miles left. When I hit the 2 mile mark I jogged most of the way and before long I was at the shelter
Date: 2013-05-10
From: eagles nest shelter 

To: windsor furnace shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a short day on miles, as arrowhead and I decided to take it easy and wait for Flo, who ended up trekking extra miles into town for supplies.. Arrowhead and I set off together in the morning before the others and we quickly made our way across the ridge, over some rocks, past a pipeline clearing to an overlook of the upcoming valley. There was a great variety of wildflowers along the way, which we stopped to capture pictures of as we whizzed along the trail. From the overlook we descended down into the steep river valley and at the bottom we crossed the joining of two streams along an old stone bridge adjacent to the railroad yard.... In the small town I stopped at the post office to pick up my mail drop, then we headed to the candy shop to check out the assortment of chocolate treats... I ended up leaving with an armful of goodies and while we enjoyed some on the porch skeetbutter arrived and the three of us went across the street to the port clinton hotel/restaurant. I had a decent and pricy burger there, but the service I received was horrendous so future hikers beware...We headed back to the woods and reached the underpass of route 61, where arrowhead and I said our goodbyes (temporary) to skeetbutter. He is heading to Utah for a few weeks for meteorological research, but will jump trail to meet us when he returns, and finish the middle chunk of the trail at a later time... We climbed the steep ascent to the ridge top, where we stopped to make a few calls and rest for a while. We never saw Flo so assumed he went into Hamburg and wouldn't want to stay past the next shelter so that's when we changed our plans. The upcoming several miles seemed to last a little longer than I expected, but the terrain was not terribly rocky and soon we were back down in a valley at the Windsor furnace shelter. There was a section hiker there that arrowhead had met before back in VA, and by the time I returned from fetching water and washing in the stream Flo had arrived. Late that evening a woman from Boston arrived who could speak German and she conversed some with Flo. She decided to tent despite available room in the shelter and the rain storm looming in the distance. I cooked and relaxed and soon enough the rain arrived...
Date: 2013-05-11
From: windsor furnace shelter

To: allentown hiking club shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

By morning the rain has mostly lifted but we felt lazy and took our time in the morning. Flo left before arrowhead and I, who finally left the shelter around 1030. We made our way along the trail, which climbed up back out of the valley to pinnacle rocks. Here there is a large pile of rocks which is an Indian burial mound, as well as an extensive cliff section offering views of the valley. It was still mostly mostly fogged in below but we could still make out the ridge across the way and we stopped for a much needed snack. We eventually continued along the trail over many rocks to a roadbed which we followed for quite a number of miles. This proved a much needed respite for the soles of my feet and also gave us a chance to keep a good pace going to make up lost time. Before long we arrived at the eckville shelter, a shed with bunks behind a house complete with all the amenities a hiker could want (tap water, flush toilet, shower, charging station, and trash bin). We found Flo inside relaxing on a bunk reading his nook. He seemed oddly quiet, and after he sat up and cooked some ramen he returned to the bunk and draped his sleeping bag over himself as it had become a little chilly. I snacked some, then the caretaker came and opened up the doors to air the place out, as the sun had suddenly emerged and was shimmering off the freshly cut grass in the yard. My spirits rose and I decided to hike to the next shelter. Arrowhead had the same thoughts as well. When I turned to Flo and asked if we would see him at the shelter tonight he turned his head and gave me a blank expression before returning to his nook. That was the last I've seen of Flo... Arrowhead and I climbed up to the ridge top, enjoying the spurts of sun on our backs as we made our way towards the shelter. Soon we arrived to find the shelter full, so we tented nearby, cooked our dinner then fetched water from the steep downhill trail...water seems to be a problem in PA, especially the northern section. Often I have to go many miles without refilling, or be forced to hike sometimes half a mile just to reach a spring..
Date: 2013-05-12
From: allentown hiking club shelter

To: delps spring/ trail
Miles today: 27.5

Today began at 5am, when arrowhead and I awoke and packed up our gear in hopes of logging a big mileage day. We left at 6am sharp and made our way across the ridge. As we hiked the terrain became progressively rockier, but soon we found ourselves on knife edge, which is a steep and narrow ridge of rocks which gives an excellent alpine feel. Soon after knife edge we reached bear rocks, a huge mound of jagged boulders and rock towers which offered excellent views. I really enjoyed this section despite the rocks, and before long we reached the bake oven knob shelter for a ramen noodle snack. We met a man there who had attempted several times to through hike and enjoyed hearing some of our stories. We made our way out eventually and up over the rocks to the ridge. The terrain became a little less rocky in this section, but the rocks returned once we began the downhill towards Lehigh valley. We stopped at the outerbridge shelter for a must needed rest, snack, and water refill. After leaving the shelter and soon reaching the road at valley we encountered the man again at his car with his wife. They offered us some trail magic of home-cooked dehydrated lasagna and some power bars, as well as some fruit. It was a much needed boost. I'll be sure to return the favor to some weary hikers later on in life, as it really can make all the difference.. We climbed up from the valley after crossing the river. The mountain was mostly stripped of vegetation due to zinc smelting, and it offered a challenging climb as well as great views of the river. At the top the trail detours along an old road around a superfund site which has been created. Seeing the damage firsthand, I can only imagine how the pollution has affected the nearby residents of Palmerton... We returned to the woods after several miles, and with it the rocks. By now our feet had become quite sore a s we decided to try and find a camping spot rather than push for a 33.5 mile day to the Leroy shelter. We noticed a spring on arrowheads' old map, which was not in my guidebook. We hiked and sure enough it was there, along with some great camping spots. We settled in for the night and enjoyed the lasagna meal then made a fire and went to sleep..
Date: 2013-05-13
From: delps spring/ trail

To: Delaware water gap
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I awoke at 415 am and turned on my phone. I had a hunch that the outfitters may not be open and when I checked their website my suspicions were confirmed. Arrowhead and I both have tears in our salomon shoes and I hoped to get myself a new pair in Delaware water gap, as well as fix my broken leki pole. I rolled back over and slept until about 515 when arrowhead woke me up for our early start. I cooked up some grits flavored with crushed pork skins then packed up and left shortly after 630... The terrain in the beginning was not terribly rocky, but my feet were still quite sore from the previous days long haul. We hiked for a few hours before reaching a powerline at the turnoff for the Leroy shelter, where we stopped to try and call Salomon..no answer. We continued another 4 miles or so down to wind gap, where arrowhead ventured down the road into town for some coffee and I continued along the trail. When I reached the top of the short but steep ascent I stopped to make some calls about my gear issues. I got ahold of Salomon, who are gladly replacing the shoes for arrowhead and I, as well as leki who will send me a new bottom to my broken pole... I continued along the trail, quite pleased with my success from Salomon and leki. My feet were not as happy to continue the hike, and as more and more small rocks starred appearing on the trail, I became quite sore and tired. But I continued to push, as I knew there was less than 9 miles to the kirkridge shelter where I could stop for a break. Eventually the rocks gave way after traversing wolf rocks, which offered a nice change in scenery and reminded me a little of knife edge. The trail followed a roadbed for a while before eventually reaching the shelter where I stopped for a snack. There I met a fellow out hiking for a week testing his new stove. Soon after arrowhead came jogging up the trail and we headed back out towards our final destination... The trail climbed uphill slightly to an overlook which offered a nice view of the rolling ridgeline and distant Indian head mountain. I could see exactly where the trail was heading, and it provided a more alpine like experience along the traverse. We hit a road bed which we followed for several miles before descending after the summit of mt minsi. Shortly after beginning our descent right before my eyes I saw arrowhead stop and turn around. His eyes lit up and I knew he had found something great. Sure enough picked up an arrowhead from amongst the rocks and held it up for me to see. It was an impressive find... We trekked down the mountain and soon found ourselves in town at the church hostel for the night. We ate at the local diner for dinner and on the way back I ran into the owner of the outfitters who said he would be at the shop the next day if I needed anything...things are going well.
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Delaware water gap

To: catfish fire tower
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

We awoke early in the morning at the hostel and ate some breakfast at the diner, then I stopped at the gas station for some snack food resupply. When I returned to the hostel arrowhead was sorting through his maildrop. I remembered the outfitter owner would be at the shop at 10 so I packed everything up in hopes of getting a new pack. When I arrived I discovered his pack selection was unfortunately more geared towards small weekend trips, but I was able to get some new socks and a titanium spoon. The owner was sorting through leki tips, and it reminded me I happened to have my broken pole with me, so i pulled it out. After searching through his stockpile, eventually he found the right tip and was able to fix my pole..success! ....we headed out of town finally around noon and crossed the busy bridge over the Delaware river into New Jersey. Immediately I noticed a change in terrain, as we were headed now into glaciated territory. There was a large stream which we followed for a while before climbing the ridge up to a pond. Here we spotted a large black snake molting in the sun and stopped for lunch. The pond did not have too many lilies on it, but the water was dark blue and quite pretty. Eventually we headed out of the pond and up over a ridge to the Mohican outdoor center, run by the AMC (Appalachian 'money' club as hikers call them). Here we grabbed a soda and saved the bottles for extra water in hopes of camping in the fire tower. We hiked up the ridge and soon reached the tower only to discover the top was locked. Fortunately there was some decent flat ground right below sp we set up tent. The sunset was spectacular and had just the right combination of open sky and clouds. Then we hit the sack in prep for an early start...
Date: 2013-05-15
From: catfish fire tower

To: gren anderson shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

We set out early around 630 after enjoying a pleasant sunrise to get some miles in before the anticipated rain storm. We made our way along the ridge, which we could see the whole length of from the tower. The trail traveled up and down between small peaks along the ridge, offering views along the way of nearby lakes, some natural others man-made. We ran into a small rain shower before we broke for lunch at a shelter, but then the weather became mostly sunny despite the predicted rain. On the way up one of the peaks we spotted a porcupine scurrying along the trail. Shortly before the gren Anderson shelter we came upon a nice fire tower. From the too we could spot the tower we stayed at the previous night, as well as the distant tower atop high point, the highest peak in new jersey. We hiked down off the mountain and soon arrived at the shelter, where we tented for the night....
Date: 2013-05-16
From: gren anderson shelter

To: murray camp
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We took our time this morning, as both of us were quite tired and needed some extra rest. We slept in and didn't leave camp until 945, strolling casually along the trail. We stopped many times to enjoy some boggy areas which reminded arrowhead of the trail in Maine, and to rest from the heat wave that kicked in during the day. The real problem facing us so far in new jersey has been the ticks. Today I picked off at least two dozen ticks throughout the day, even with the help of gaiters and bug spray. As long as I check periodically I can catch them before they burrow so they are not too terrible, although I am a bit worried about Lyme disease.We stopped at the high point state park office which had a great display of arrowheads and other Native American artifacts, then headed up the hill to the monument atop high point. Unfortunately it was locked, but the views were still pretty great. Then we headed down to the valley across some fields and over some small hills to the Murray place, a man's farm field with spigot and camping space open to through hikers...
Date: 2013-05-17
From: murray camp

To: wawayanda shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today we woke up at the usual 5am to a beautiful sunrise at the Murray property. The land sits along a private gravel road and has several old wooden structures, one of which is complete with a table and power strips. There is also a water pump in the grass, which he keeps mowed for tenting. The grass was quite soft and a welcome treat over the rocky soil we had been tenting in the past few days. We headed into Unionville and stopped at the dorlers general store for some food and to wait till the PO opened so I could get my mail drop. His selection was mediocre at best and quite pricy, and he only took cash (a standard it seems in new jersey)...We hopped back on the trail heading for the next road to check out the gas station. Along the way we encountered a plowed field, so we decided to look for arrowheads. At first we found nothing, but just as we were about to give up I stumbled upon a flint knife blade/tool, my first Indian relic find! We kept searching, and sure enough arrowhead found two complete intact arrowheads nearby. Eventually we called our search to an end and headed back towards the road.Once there we ran into redbeard and tebow, two thru-hiking brothers we had run into before and stayed at the Murray property with. They were just finishing a yellow blaze from dorlers to the gas station for stove fuel (they use gasoline in an international whisper light) then to the trail. Arrowhead and I took a long break at the gas station while I sorted out some things concerning my upcoming applications for med school... When we hit trail again we followed a few roads for a while before walking along the Wallkill wetland preserve. The sun was shining and alough the walk around the preserve did little for heading north it was pleasant and easy walking and offered some good views of the surrounding hills. After the preserve we headed up the mountain and stopped for a snack at the pochuck mt shelter. The trail then hovered along the ridge before descending into the next valley for a mile long walk along a continuous boardwalk. I really enjoyed this section as there were great views across the extensive wetland area, which was littered with wildlife. There were many cattails and flowering plants, as well as several red-winged blackbirds which stopped to rest on the tops of the cattails....The easy walking eventually came to an end and we headed up the steep wawayanda mt toward the shelter. We rolled along the ridgeline hills for a short while before hitting a small lake right before the shelter. By this time the sun was just setting and we enjoyed a pleasant pink reflection of light off the surface of the lake. Then we climbed up the hill to the shelter and crashed...
Date: 2013-05-18
From: wawayanda shelter

To: fingerboard shelter
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was one of the more challenging hiking days of my trek and by the time I crawled into my sleeping bag my feet were quite sore... We awoke quite early but didn't leave the shelter until 7. The first few miles were quite pleasant hiking along some lowland terrain between the mountains, and the trail passed by many small boggy areas with footbridges before heading uphill. The first uphill was not too bad and I enjoyed making our way up the rock slabs to the state line. Right as we passed into New York we were greeted by the brothers (red beard and tebow) and we all hiked down to the road in hopes of some hot dogs. When we arrive the stand was open and we each enjoyed some scrumptious dogs.After the road I headed uphill and stopped at the turnoff to the shelter to glue one of my shoes, as the sole started peeling off the top cap. Luckily I have a new pair courtesy of Salomon arriving in a few days. As I kept onward up the hill a light rain started rolling in. I had seen some red efts on the trail in the morning...seems they know the weather better than the weatherman. The rain started picking up just as simultaneously the terrain became harder. The ups and downs became steep and slippery, which made my pace slower than usual. Eventually I reached NY 17 and crossed over the thruway for the final uphill section... Here the trail wound slowly up a tall round mountain, with a large deciduous canopy and green grass on the forest floor. As I climbed boulders along the trail became more numerous until I hit the lemon squeezer, a narrowing rowing in the rock which required some tricky scrambling given the slippery wet conditions. In sweet surprise I soon hit the filled-up shelter, where I tented down the hill on a nice mossy spot..