morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-06-22
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 17.1

Woke up early on the porch but didn't get on trail until 9. Cruised again through the easy PA terrain passed the half way point, mile 1090.5, with Pigeon, C-spike, Shaka, Poppins, A-game, and sparkplug. A great crowd to be with half way through our hike. It's interesting to look back on the 1st half of trail, back to Georgia and see how much I've changed. Also it's interesting that A-game started 2 days before me and Pigeon started the day before and we've all be hiking around each other this whole time. From this point on the numbers towards Katahdin will be getting smaller. Nice.A few miles later we all showed up to Pine Grove Furnace State park to take part in the half gallon challenge. Finished my half gallon of oreo cookie ice cream in 27 minutes. Muffin man won for the day with 21 minutes while pigeon took 2nd with 22 minutes. It was a close race. Tri-fecta of long midday breaks was complete after another 4 hour break. It was a very enjoyable break tossing the disc with Shaka, learning about the history of the trail in the AT museum, and eating more food.It was an easy 7.2 miles into shelter. It ended being a thru-hiker only shelter which made for good times. Going for the quinella, apparently the word for 4 peat, tomorrow got long breaks on trail. Pennsylvania dominates the Shenandoah National park food line. Instead of going wayside to wayside we go state park to state park to get fed. This thru-hiking thing is tough.
Date: 2011-06-23
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: light rain

On trail by 7am and after only 1.3 miles it was time for my 1st long break. Their was a deli only .2 off the trail, so I got 2 bacon egg and cheese sandwiches, coffee, and a quart of chocolate milk. Hiked on and the terrain was very gradual. The trail passed through a rock maze which was fun but pointless. I don't understand why the trail maintainers try to make this section of trail more exciting. It was pointless but anyway made into Boiling Springs by 1. Time for my 2nd long break at the tavern with Pigeon, Cleanshave, Sparkplug, and C-Spike. Chicken sandwich and couple beers later it was time to hike on at 4:30. Quinella complete.Outside of Boiling springs the trail passes through 13 miles of flat farm land. It's very easy, fast terrain but extremely repetitive and boring. It was nice seeing the Pennsylvania country side but it was a long stretch. A road crossing 5 miles from shelter a farm sold raspberry and Pigeon asked "What are raspberries? We don't have these in my country." I tried to explain but we ended up just buying a quart of raspberries each. We sat their and ate and noticed intense dark clouds forming. I guess it's time to hike on.Terrain remained flat until about 2 miles from shelter and of course at the end of the day their is always one more mountain to climb. It was past dark so we hiked up under headlamp and with less than 1 mile to go, the rains started. Just a little sprinkle for the 1st 3 minutes then down pour, monsoon style. As Forrest Gump would say, "Big ol fat rain". The trail turned into a river with the current going against us. Made it shelter and luckly their was still room. Everyone at shelter had a good laugh as we rolled in around 10 soaking wet. I blame the German for not knowing what raspberries were, but oh well it was a great day on trail. I didn't even bother pulling out my sleeping bag, just laid down on my tarp. This thru-hiking thing makes no sense but it's entertaining.
Date: 2011-06-24
From: Duncannon,PA The Doyle Hotel

To: Duncannon, PA...The Doyle Hotel
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Nothing like starting the day by putting soaking wet socks on and sticking them into soaking wet, heavey boots. Then putting on a cold wet shirt, that will wake you up in the morning. Hung around shelter until after 10 trying to dry everything out, then decided might as well hike. Felt exhausted on trail today. Couple of good faily steep climbs and was introduced to Pennsylvania rocks. Not to bad, made into Duncannon by 2. Pigeon and I just chilld outside the mini-mart drinking sodas and eating chips when the little debbie truck rolled in to make his delivery. After he came out of the store he asked us if we wanted any of the leftovers. Yes! we grabbed 3 full boxes of nutty butter bars and a box of glazed donuts. Amazing.Hiked through town until we made it to the Doyle Hotel. A real slice of hiker heaven. The Doyle is one of the original Anheuser Busch hotel and is 106 years old. It is everything I imagined and more. Rooms are a POS, their is no A/C, communal bathroom and shower, and a full bar on the ground floor with great food. A hikers paradise. It's one of thos places you hear about on trail. Truly a unique experience, a once in a life time opportunity. Split a room with Pigeon and C-spike. It was a fun night at the bar with the other hikers. I haven't had a big town night in while and this was just what I needed. Also, some journalist from Philly were there taking pictures of all the hikers for a book about the PA counties. This part was about the thru-hikers coming into town. Great times, great experience.
Date: 2011-06-25
From: Duncannon, PA...The Doyle Hotel

To: The Doyle
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I planned to hike out today but got influenced into drinking a couple beers at noon with German and well lets say we didn't make it to far from the bar. Turned the zero into a nero by walking the white blazes through high street to get ice cream and walked back to the Doyle. So about 1.2 trail miles with a goal. I'll count it. Trail life is good.As the day wore on more hikers filtered into the Doyle. A couple of familiar faces like Hot Sauce, Sky, and Vegimite showed up. Another chill night with hikers. The bar even sold us a 12 pack so we could drink up on the balcony. It was a late party and it was tough finding the room through the maze that is the Doyle. Great night.
Date: 2011-06-26
From: The Doyle

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

A late morning always follows a late night. Tough getting out of the room this morning but finally got out of bed around 9:15 for breakfast. Lazy morning. Pigeon and I contemplated another zero but fought of the urge to zero again by having mountain dew with lunch at the Doyle. Finally hiked out of town at 2.The Pennsylvania rocks started but still are not as bad as advertised. They are just rocks on a trail, no big deal. They make the trail more interactive instead of just daydreaming through the woods. I enjoy them at the moment but probally could get tired of them. Short quick day on trail. Fun crowd at the shelter.
Date: 2011-06-27
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Another easy day on trail rock hoping through Pennsylvania. It was a quick 18 miles. Nothing to exciting. Made into shelter by 4. Gathered a ton of wood and started a huge fire. Chill night with Pigeon, Cleanshave and Rawdog.
Date: 2011-06-28
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Late start again. Hung around shelter with Cleanshave, Pigeon and Rawdog. Trump showed up around 9 and we all hung out until about 10:30. Cruised the morning section and as the heat of the day hit I sat under a little bridge hobo style for lunch. Only two climbs today then mostly flat quick terrain. The PA rocks are only bad in a few small sections. I still don't know why people say watch out for PA the rocks are terrable. They are no different than another section of trail. The trail for the most part was flat and fast. Made into the 501 shelter by 6. This shelter is very close to the road so that means we can order pizza. Nice.Later that night a family arrived to give us trail magic. The father and his 2 sons hiked 1500 miles of trail and wanted to give back. They brought 6 half gallons of ice cream for dessert. Perfect. First ice cream magic on trail. Tomorrow is a big day. Excited that my Dad's coming down to visit. I'm then taking a day off in Philly and Josh and Stacey are coming down to hike a big section of trail. Not sure how far but maybe Kathadin. Going to be fun.
Date: 2011-06-29
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton,PA
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

On trail by 7am. Didn't sleep to well after drinking a 2 liter of mountain dew before bed. Oh well. Terrain today was extremely easy. Only a few rocky sections as always. I still don't understand why people hate on PA. They are just rocks, we've hiked through worse.Great weather all day. Cool, overcast and a nice breeze. Perfect for big miles. However, we are starting to play the PA water game. Sources are getting more scarce and springs are evening drying out. Also, my guidebook had the wrong information. After looking at another guide book I noticed their was a 2 mile difference between where the road was. One book was right and one was wrong. When I got where I thought the road would be their was no road. I guess mines wrong. So another 2 miles downhill and I was in town. Those last 2 miles dragged on.When I got into town I was looking for the Pavillion which was to be our meeting spot. Ran into a guy standing outside a members only bar and asked me if I needed help finding any thing. I said I need some cigerettes and a cold drink. He said you can buy them in here and I'll buy you a beer. Perfect. Drank the beer and then headed down towards the Pavillion. A few minuted later my Dad arrived and I able to fill him in about my trip so far. Great to see and good to catch up. About half hour later after a subway sub I was at the hotel to shower and do laundry. Also put on a cotton shirt. Rested for a little while then met up with Josh and Stacey. Good to see them and excited to start hiking with them again. AYCE wings, not great but I'll never turn down an AYCE. All in all a chill night.
Date: 2011-06-30
From: Port Clinton,PA

To: Port Clinton...day off in Philly
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Comfortable night at the hotel. We took off for Philly around 11. Sat in traffic for a long time. It's weird being in a traffic jam when on trail I can just walk at my pace. Arrived in the city about 1. Met up with Chaz for lunch. It was good to catch up. Then I showed Josh and Stacey Temple's campus. It was nice walking around. Campus as changed a lot since I left. Went to EMS to buy new boots. After 1200 miles, mine finally had to be replaced. They did well. More traffic driving around the city. Frustrating not being able to move or constantly being in motion. Finally able park the car and walk around the city a bit. Went by Independence Hall, down South Street, to Pat's steak for an authentic cheesesteak with whiz, then to Mcguillans my favorite bar. It was nice to be in the city but really looking forward to heading back into the woods tomorrow.
Date: 2011-07-01
From: Port Clinton...day off in Philly

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

It was nice to get into the city but even better to leave the chaos for the tranquility of the woods. Before heading back to the trail I was able to get another big resupply at Wal-mart. Surprise surprise packing out way to much food and I also added a slingshot to my gear list. Left the hotel we were on trail by 1. Cote and Stacey 1st day. We had a decent climb right out of town and I took a nice fall. Face first to the ground. Awesome. Cote and Stacey did well on the 1st day. It's a little frustrating at times following a slower pace but it's nice to have good company and familiar faces on trail.Couple of nice views along the way too from Pulpit rock and the Pinnacle looking over the Pennsylvania farm country. The PA rocks are in full effect too. The little ankle rolling rocks are every where. But we pushed through them and moseyed the last stretch into shelter by 8:30. Nice shelter and even Cleanshave is here too along with Big Ben. We even got trail magic at the shelter in the form of freeze pops. Nice. Good day on trail and nice night full of stars.
Date: 2011-07-02
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Lazy morning getting out of shelter. On trail by 9:30 and let Cote and Stacey get ahead start on the 1st climb of the day. I caught up to them just before the top of the climb and then we continued on following a slower pace than I'm use too. I knew this was going to happen but they will get their trail legs soon enough. Good terrain though with only a handful of climbs and some nice views along the way.Stopped at a bar only .1 from the trail for a couple cold beers. Nice little break in the middle of they day. Before we left I asked the bartender if he would fill up my Gatorade bottle with soda. He said yes, and if you'd like I can add some rum in their too for you. Perfect. So we packed out three 1 liter rum and cokes at a reasonable price. The trail continued on and we hit some more rocks along the knife's edge, an interesting rock scramble through a narrow corridor.We made up to Bake Oven knob for sunset. A very nice sunset over the flat farm lands of PA. We stopped and cooked dinner waiting for nightfall to see if any towns had firework displays tonight. Good thing we sat around, just after 9:30 the show started. We were looking down on over a dozen different displays. It was like looking for shooting stars, you see one to your left then over to the right, the left, then middle. We kept constantly scanning the horizon getting tricked every now and again with the boom from a firework a few moments earlier. It was a truly unique experience looking down on fireworks and we each had a liter of rum and coke. Amazing.The plan was to cowboy camp on top of bake oven knob but I started to notice more clouds moving in and the winds were picking up. It was going to rain. So we had to move down towards the shelter. When I went looked into my bag for my headlamp I couldn't find it and realized I left it at the last shelter right on the chair where I slept. Oh well nothing I can do about it now. Packed up quickly in the dark and then hiked on. Feeling a little sore after their first 2 days on trail Cote and Stacey decided to camp at the 1st site we came across. With all the rocks in PA their was only one good site so Stacey let me borrow here headlamp so I could make the last .5 miles to shelter. I got into shelter around 10:30 with no one their and 20 minutes later the rains started. Good timing. Good day on trail.
Date: 2011-07-03
From: Bake Oven Knob

To: Palmerton...Jail house hostle
Miles today: 7.7

It was an extremely buggy night in the shelter and I did what all thru-hikers frown upon, set up tent up the shelter. Oh well no-one else here. Around 4am the rains really came and poured the rest of the night. Good thing we didn't cowboy camp. The rains stopped around 7am and I found out why no one was here. All three springs were dried up even after the rain. Cote and Stacey arrived around 9:30 and hiked out at 10. A short day planned as they are still getting their trail legs.Very easy terrain and cool weather from the rain made for very comfortable hiking conditions. Started noticing some fruits becoming ripe and we stopped on a few ridges to pick some blue berries. Not completely ripe but still delicious. We made it down to the road around 2 and were able to get a quick hitch into Palmerton. It's always a good boost to morale to get a big sub for lunch. We stayed at the jailhouse hostel which is in the basement of the towns court house. Couple of familiar faces here: cleanshave, hot sauce, DD&T and even towns showed up later. Nice to catch up with some of the hikers and eat town food. Big day planned for tomorrow with a big rock scramble out of town.
Date: 2011-07-04
From: Palmerton...Jail house hostle

To: Leroy A Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Late start out of town and no hitch back to the trail. Sometimes you get a ride sometimes you don't. Back following the white blazes at 10 with a great rock scramble up Dante's inferno. Steep yet entertaining. It was fun climb with some great views looking back at Palmerton.Once at the top we got a complete change of terrain, a flat grassy ridge walk with great views looking at the Superfund site were in 1980 their was an explosion at the zinc plant. The area was completely abandoned. We continued to play the PA water game with no water for the last 7 miles. All the springs are dried up. However the terrain was very easy and we made into shelter by 6. Shelter full of clueless day hikers but cleanshave and I decided to stay. Cote, Stacey, Hot Sauce, Towns, and Poppins all tented. Probably a better decision but oh well.Around 2am one of the kids woke up in the middle of the night and had to take a dump. He called out to his friends where is the toilet paper, oh my god Taylor help me. When he finally at the toilet paper he then was started asking where the privy was. Taylor show me where the bathroom is. Taylor I need to go. His friends not budging from their bags told him to walk behind the shelter up the hill but the kid was apparently afraid of the dark and he was also a boy scout. When he finally came back he yelled at his friend, I just took a dump on the trail and it's all your fault. Oh man clueless hikers. Makes no sense but it's entertaining.
Date: 2011-07-05
From: Leroy A Smith Shelter

To: Church of The Mountain Hostle
Miles today: 20.2

After an interesting night at shelter we were on trail by 8. Big day planned. Good terrain in the early section and 4.6 miles in we were able to get cold sodas. Nice. A few small climbs through out the day kept it interesting but the rocks are everywhere, big rock slabs, little ankle breakers, and towards the end of the day my feet were feeling it. The lure of pizza and beer helped us get into town.Nice gradual climb up Mt Minsi then steep and rocky downhill into the Delaware Water Gap. Interesting being back right where I started 2 years ago. Very exciting point on trail for me.Stopped at the Church of Mountain Hostel in the DWG with a few more hikers chilling out. A-game, Shaka, Rawdog, Big Ben, Poppins, Vegemite, and charter here. Nice catching up with everyone again and introducing Cote and Stacey to some the people i've been hiking with.Pizza and beer helps forget the pains after a twenty mile day. This was their first twenty and they did real well. Good day on trail. Only .2 miles from New Jersey and my 8th state on trail.
Date: 2011-07-06
From: Church of The Mountain Hostle

To: Catfish Fire Tower
Miles today: 12.9

Late start out town as usual. Slept in and had a huge breakfast down at the local diner. Cote and Stacey hiked out around noon and I went down to outfitter to buy a new headlamp. Hung around shelter for a little while longer and finally hiked out around 1:30 to beat some of the heat.Crossed the Delaware River into my 8th state on trail, New Jersey. I remember starting here two years ago although this time it seemed much easier. Walked around sunfish pond and had a couple of nice views from on top of the ridge. It was a beautiful day on trail and I just kept stolling through the woods. As I came around a bend I noticed black fur sticking out from the blueberry bushes. When I hit my trekking pole on a rock a head swung up from the bushes and looked directly at me, a big black bear only 20-30 yards infront of me on trail. This bear didn't run away as I've been use too so I immediately grabbed my camera and took a photo. After I was happy with the picture I decided it was time I need to continue hiking so I started yelling at the bear trying to scare him and banging my trekking poles together. The bear occasionally looked up from his meal and just kept chilling right in the middle of the trail. After a few minutes of yelling at the bear, asking him to move politly, and then just getting frustrated I moved a few steps back and drank some water. For about twenty minutes I just watch him do his bear thing, eating berries and lifting rocks looking for bugs. He finally moved off trail and when he was about 30 yards from trail I felt safe enough to pass. Very exciting and as with an bear encounter your adreniline gets pumping.Made it down to the Mohican Outdoor center to meet Josh and Stacey and telling everyone about my bear encounter. Couple other thru-hikers plan to stay here tonight but we're going to push on a couple more miles. Vegemite gave me a slice of pizza and after that it was time to hike on.More views along the ridge looking down into the valley. Made it up to the Catfish fire tower to camp and caught a great sunset. What a great day on trail.
Date: 2011-07-07
From: Catfish Fire Tower

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

Early start in the cool hours of the morning. On trail by 8am. Nice terrain and some great views. It interesting rememeber everything. A man see things differently the second time around. Last time I passed through this section I got lost and ended up at boy scout camp, the same camp where they filmed Friday the 13th. This time I know which way the trail goes.The terrain continued to be very gradual and made it down to culvers gap at 3. Cote, Stacey, Towns and I sat outside the bar and played cards until they opened at 4. This is what hikers do. Hiker's are mostly seen sitting around, being lazy, or eating food. Cote and Stacey are getting a nice introduction to the life style. It was a great time at the bar. Rawdog, Shaka, Agame, Trump, and Sinister Pope also joined in. We all finally hiked out around 6:30 and chilled at the next fire tower which offered more great views. Trump and I made "Management was here: Lock up or you're fired" Haha.Chill night at shelter with some sling competitions.
Date: 2011-07-08
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Lazy start this morning. Overcast and dreary day. I had no motivation on trail and just meandered down the trail. An extrememly slow day with lots of breaks. It drizzled most of the day with the feeling it could pour at any momment.Made it down to high point state park headquarters for a late lunch. Then the rains started to pick up. After talking with the park ranger she said it suppose to rain until about 10 or 11 tonight. Rain makes an unmotived hiker even less motivated. Decided to go to the next shelter 3 miles out instead of anouther 8. Oh well, I'll be mostly dry and slightly more comfortable. The rains became very intense right around 6 and all in all I think it was a good decision.
Date: 2011-07-09
From: High Point Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ....Church Hostel
Miles today: 18.9

Early start, on trail by 7:30. Very comfortable temps with a little bit of tree rain from last nights storm. The terrain continues to be very gradual with only 1 real climb. Other than that we have been traversing flat farm lands. First break at end of line deli for a big sandwich. We have entered the deli stretch along trail, where through New Jersey and New York their are multiple deli's less than a mile from trail. Time to feast like kings.As the trail continued everything was going fine until I hurt a pop from my pack. Fuck! The shoulder strap snapped again. A few miles later the other one went too. What the fuck! My food bags are empty and sad and I had very little water left. Well I've been in this situation before so Im a pro at chaning out packs now. Got the road and started to hitch for a ride towards the hostel. A few minutes later we got picked up and dropped off at the church hostel in Vernon. Towns and Pigeon are here too. Researched some packs on EMS website and decided to change brands to the Osprey Atmos 65.Thinking of zeroing here because Im getting my pack sent to Ft Mongomery, NY only 40 miles away and we could all probally use a day off.Chill night at hostel with some wiffle ball and watched the epic blockbuster hit, Homeward Bound II. Yup.