morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-26
From: Iron MasterÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Mansion

To: Iron Masters Mansion
Miles today: 0.0

Start: Iron Master¢s Mansion Finish: Iron Master¢s MansionWeather: Overcast and cool.Breakfast: Oatmeal.Lunch: 2 blueberry muffins. Dinner: Spaghetti, popcorn, Tang, M&M¢s.Trail Conditions: N/A.Animals: Barn swallows. People: Donna, Paul, Atlas, Travelers, Deeds.I had another night of light sleep and really burned the midnight oil as I read the bible and noted versus. I got up around 0900, hungry as a wolf, ate some oatmeal and laid back down with a roaring headache.Donna and Paul were going into town and offered me a ride in too which I gladly accepted. I mailed a couple of postcards at the post office, got some groceries, and quick checked my email at the library. Thanks for taking me guys.Back at the ranch I watched the final bit of the CDT program ¢ a trail which makes the AT seem like a walk in the park. I also caught up on some more journaling. Yesterday no thru hikers passed by and today only two made their way thru ¢ Atlas and Deeds. Deeds pressed on and Atlas stayed at the hostel. I haven¢t seen him since Pearisburg so we chatted for a bit and watched a trailside video on hiking the AT.Today I had a bit more of an appetite and did feel a lot perkier minus the headache in the morning. I have really been pushing fluids these past few days and am definitely well hydrated now. I just need to make sure to stay that way. I cooked up a larges spaghetti dinner with pepperoni and popcorn for desert. It tasted very good and didn¢t give my stomach any sort of problems.I called the hospital to see if they had the results from any of my blood or stool tests. The lady advised they did and that they were all negative and that there was one result she couldn¢t interpret and that I should call back in 15 minutes so she could confer with the doctor. So I called back and then they said none of the tests are ready yet! What!? First they tell me nothing was wrong, then they say the results weren¢t ready. That¢s always reassuring when the hospital doesn¢t know what they¢re doing. Tomorrow I¢ll call back to see what the status is and have my family doctor in Michigan talk with the nurses to make sure the info is in good order. We¢ll see what is in store.
Date: 2004-07-27
From: Iron Masters Mansion

To: Iron Masters Mansion
Miles today: 0.0

Start: Iron Master¢s Mansion Finish: Iron Master¢s Mansion (Recovery Day #3)Weather: Overcast and cool. Rainy in the morningBreakfast: Oatmeal, orange juice.Lunch: Mashed potatoes. Dinner: Spaghetti, garlic toast, peanut butter cups.Trail Conditions: N/A.Animals: Barn swallows. People: Donna, Paul, Atlas, Crank, Elizabeth, Traveler.I actually felt like I slept in for my first time on the trip. I didn¢t wake up until 10:15. It was so incredibly nice. It was another relaxed morning. I shot the breeze with Atlas before he left, cooked up some oatmeal, and did some chores around the hostel as part of a work-for-stay.It was a very humid day outside and mixed with heavy blowing rains, so I elected to stay indoors. I put in a video on how to hike the PCT and watched about half of it over the course of the day. I take great enjoyment out of hearing other hikers discuss their gear and hiking strategies ¢ now that I am an experienced hiker with my own valid opinions.I called the Carlisle Medical Center today for my results. Everything came back negative. So apparently something other than Giardia has induced my bouts of vomiting and diarrhea ¢ prior to my reaction to Flagal. Lord only knows what is going on. I am feeling far better than I have been and will start walking again tomorrow. I will be taking it very slow for the next 1-1/2 weeks as I get re-strengthened and break into a new pair of boots. I have reviewed my hiking itinerary and am familiar with where and when I need to be at certain locations to finish the trail on time. I have no worries.Two thru hikers came in tonight named Crank and Elizabeth. They are a dating couple and are friendly. I cooked up a large spaghetti dinner and offered some to them and they gladly accepted. There are also several travelers here tonight. Upstairs in the den we watched the movie ¢Alive¢. It is one seriously good movie. Wholly balls those guys were hard-core. It makes me realize how easy this hike really is and how fortunate I am to be out here experiencing what I have on a voluntary will.
Date: 2004-07-28
From: Iron Masters Mansion

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Start: Boiling Springs@1138 Finish: Cove Mountain Shelter@1943Weather: Sunny and warmBreakfast: Scrambled eggs and pancakes.Lunch: Bagel, Triscuits. Dinner: Turkey trail dinner.Trail Conditions: Flat and easy.Animals: Birds. People: Zinc, Atlas, Crank, Lamby, Donna, Sarvis, Jen.I woke up to the smell of a really good breakfast prepared by Crank. It definitely beat the oatmeal I had been eating for the past few days. Donna was nice enough to offer me a ride into Boiling Springs which was very kind, as the shuttle gut in town wanted $20.00.Donna dropped me off at the ATC Center and we said our farewells. She is a very nice lady and I am very grateful for her hospitality at the hostel. Thank you!I ran into Atlas and another hiker named Zinc. The three of us pushed of together and hiked most of the day together. Atlas and I walked thru endless cornfields in the Cumberland Valley, by far the flattest stretch of trail I¢ve walked. We saw a fence advising it had an electric charge. Being the curious young men we are, we wanted to see if it was or not. I stuck my pole to it - nothing happened. Atlas just grabbed the fence¢¦¢¦nothing happened. Disappointed we went our merry way; until we saw another electric fence. Because mother never told me to not touch an electric fence, we pressed our luck once again. I put my pole on the wire and nothing happened. Atlas dared me to grab the wire. Atlas grabbed my other arm so we had four points grounded. I put my fingers on the wire and for about two seconds nothing happened, then ZAP! That fence was on. I felt like I got a good charlie horse, so did Atlas. After that we agreed not to touch any more electric fences.We stopped briefly for grub at Rte 11. I was going to stop there, but the terrain was so easy and I felt good so I pushed on. At Scott¢s Farm we stopped again and refilled on water. There was a basketball hoop so we played a game of P.I.G. Te two losers had to carry the winners water to Darlington Shelter four miles up the trail. Zinc somehow one and Atlas and I had to divvy up his water. It was heavy. However, we took the opportunity to rib Zinc a bit all ion good fun. Zinc is only going to be a senior in high school and is walking the trail, which I think is really cool. He¢s a good kid.I ended up pushing nearly 22 miles today. Not bad considering the recent events. I felt very good. My feet are a little sore so tomorrow I¢ll take it easy. I am glad to be hiking again and hope my health stays up.
Date: 2004-07-29
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Duncannon (Doyle Hotel)
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: clear sky

Start: Cove Mountain Shelter@0758 Finish: Duncannon (Doyle Hotel)@0904Weather: Very hot and humidBreakfast: Bagel and peanut butter.Lunch: Cajun chicken wrap. Dinner: Cheeseburger, fries, coke.Trail Conditions: Flat, downhill, rocky.Animals: Birds. People: Zinc, Atlas, Snatchy & Monk, Pat & Vickie, bar patrons.Slept like a champ last night and apparently no porcupines visited the shelter as I didn¢t have any quills stuck in me. I got the earliest start I have had in quite a few weeks now, as I planned on stopping in town to sort my mail drop and press on several more miles.I hiked with Zinc into the Doyle. When Atlas rolled in the three of us headed to the post office and got our goodies. Back at the Doyle we chilled in the bar relaxing and sorting our stuff. Snatchy & Monk were there and had spent the night. They are staying for free on a work exchange with the Owners for the next several days. I hadn¢t planned on staying but Atlas sweet-talked the Owners and we cleaned the windows on the first floor and brushed down cobwebs and got a free night stay plus a free dinner. Not to shabby for 1-1/2 hour¢s work.It was a really chilled day. All we did was sit on our butts from 0900, in the corner table at the bar, until nearly 2300 at night. We chatted with the locals who visit the Doyle on a daily basis and us hikers just bs¢d. In the evening Sue Grace, a local musician, came by and covered a bunch of old folk tunes. We also watched Zinc down four half-pound Doyle burgers. Not bad for an 18 year old.So here¢s the scoop on the Doyle. I am glad I went there and I think all hikers should stop in. The place has great food at cheap prices and it¢s a blast to chat with the locals. However, the place is a total dive. It it¢s golden era the building was surely opulent, but all that remains is a horribly deteriorating shell of its historical grandeur. It¢s really quite saddening to be honest. The hotel portion is so dirty I would never have paid money to stay there, as a shelter is far cleaner. For example, in Snatchy & Monks room there were nearly 40 spiders on the ceiling and walls, so many that they set their tent up in the room and slept in it. I killed at least 15 spiders in my room with my fly swatter ¢ each was at least one inch big. It was disgusting. The plaster is literally falling of the walls and ceilings, its musty and smelly and there is only one bathroom per floor. The place is just in terrible disrepair¢¦..You gotta see it to believe it. The crazy thing is they had the most comfortable bed and pillow I have slept on ever. Even nicer than my bed at home. It was crazy. The Doyle is an important hiker experience and again I had a great time there. Enjoy the food, beer, and company¢¦.but I would advise against spending the money to stay there.
Date: 2004-07-30
From: Duncannon (Doyle Hotel)

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Start: Duncannon (Doyle Hotel)@0957 Finish: Peters Mountain Shelter@1500Weather: Hot and humid. Breezy in the afternoonBreakfast: Granola with strawberries and peaches.Lunch: Trailmix. Dinner: Philly Cheesesteak Hamburger Helper, Starcrunch, M&M¢s.Trail Conditions: Flat and rocky.Animals: Blacksnake, birds. People: Barking Spider.I sure am glad I don¢t have arachnophobia, or I would have been up all night. I don¢t even want to think how many spiders crawled over me in my sleep. The buggers were literally coming out of the wood work.I ate my breakfast of granola in the atrium on the second floor and set off into the woods once more. Atlas, Zinc and Skittles were doing a 31-mile slack pack, which I would have liked to have gotten in on, if I were better conditioned. However, I feel I need to ease into things more coming off my recent rest.The walk thru Duncannon was the longest town walk yet covering several miles. It was fun walking across the Susquehanna. The climb up Peter¢s mountain was not bad at all, although I did rest and push fluids. Since Harpers Ferry the trail has literally been flat and by far the easiest walking so far. The rocks aren¢t to bad yet, and I am sure there are many to come¢¦..or so the myth goes.I crossed paths with two other hikers, as they watched a huge black snake coiled and ready to strike. One of the kids asked me my name so I told him. He replied ¢Oh yeah, Rowboat from Michigan I¢ve been trying to catch you.¢ Barking Spider as it turns out, is from Grand Rapids, Michigan and a graduate of Calvin College. He has been following me by about a week for the whole trip. What a small world. He is hiking NOBO all though doing a small SOBO section where he¢ll be meeting his father. He seems like a nice kid so hopefully we get to do some more hiking together.The shelter tonight is very nice and is like a scaled down version of Bryant Ridge Shelter. The bad news is that the water source is like 800 feet downhill! The climb up from the water source was the hardest hiking I have done since Virginia. The shelter register is hilarious to read as everybody grumbles about it. Also, the privy is full¢¦.it is gross. There is not much more than a foot of space between the toilet seat and the pile of pooh¢¦.gross!Rain was in the forecast today but it still hasn¢t come (writing at 2240). It is very hazy and muggy out so maybe we¢ll get some in the wee hours of the morning. We¢ll see.
Date: 2004-07-31
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

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

Start: Peters Mountain Shelter@0925 Finish: Rausch Gap Shelter@1642Weather: Overcast, warm (80¢s). Breezy all day. Rain at night.Breakfast: Bagel and peanut butter.Lunch: Peanut butter crackers, M&M¢s and raisins, Snickers, lemon-lime Gatorade. Dinner: 4 Cheese Chicken Helper, fudge round, plain M&M¢s, beans & weenies.Trail Conditions: Flat and rocky.Animals: 3 huge snakes, birds, squirrels, frogs. People: Skinny, Tony, Cody.I slept like a champ last night and it never rained. My leaky thermarest is starting to piss me off. The hole is super small and I cannot find it. By morning the pad is always deflated and I¢m only sleeping on the wood floor. Grrr.I ate a relaxing breakfast and packed up. I said my farewells to Skinny and headed out. Once again the trail was exceptionally flat with only one serious climb. The temps were cooler today and the breeze was nice but I still sweated like a pig.I really took my time today and rested far more than I usually do. There was a spring running across the trail and clogged with leaves and rocks. I spent about twenty minutes clearing it out and getting it flowing good. I stopped and ate some crackers and watched a team of ants carry off and break up my crumbs. It was fascinating to see and very soothing too. I seem to realize today how consumed I sometimes get with just walking from point A to B and that I forget to stop and smell the roses. Something I should do more of.On three separate occasions I nearly stepped on three enormous snakes, each 3 to 4 feet long. I¢m not sure what kind they were but they looked real nasty. I nearly stepped right on one and it coiled up at me and hissed like crazy. I stepped over another as it was in between two rocks, and it quickly slithered off. The other snake just nonchalantly wriggled off into the bushes at my passing.The shelter tonight is a little old, but in a really cool setting and by far has the nicest ¢yard¢ area in front of it. There is a cool stone retaining wall built into the hill and a piped spring.Some campers just down the trail, father (Tony) and son (Cody) stopped by. They are real nice and invited me over for a second dinner. I went over and we roasted hot dogs and cooked up beans for dinner, as well as roasted marshmallows. I told Cody (an 8th grader) all about my hike and he was quite interested. Unfortunately, it started raining quite heavily and our conversation around the campfire came to a rather abrupt end. It was a half-mile jaunt back to the shelter and I was wearing my only dry clothes. I¢ll visit with them in the morning and say my farewells. Tony and Cody thanks for the great company tonight and your generosity. The courtesy of strangers along this trail continues to amaze me.The rain is really coming down now. Something tells me it¢s going to be a wet one tomorrow.
Date: 2004-08-01
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 5OI Shelter
Miles today: 17.4

Start: Rausch Gap Shelter @1001 Finish: 5OI Shelter@1722Weather: Very hot and very humid.Breakfast: Bagel and vanilla CIB.Lunch: Snickers, peanut M&M¢s, Harvest Bar, FPG. Dinner: Chicken stew, fudge round, star crunch.Trail Conditions: Flat, very rocky and overgrown in places.Animals: Birds, biting flies. People: Tony & Cody, Dayhikers, Amish couple, Mountain Goat.It rained all night non-stop. I love sleeping to the sound of rain pattering the forest, especially when I am dry. The rain let up around 0800 and I took my time getting going to make sure it was in fact done. On my way out I chatted with Tony and Cody and thanked them again for their kindness. I passed on some contact info to them and hoped to hear from them.It was a terribly hot and muggy day. The humidity just saps the life force out of you. I made really good time my first six miles of walking and savored the sounds of highway traffic the whole timeThe section of trail from Swatara Gap to William Penn Shelter was possibly the most poorly kept piece of trail I have walked. It was ridiculously rocky, which was expected for PA, however it was completely overgrown with waist high plants. It was literally a seven-mile bush whack through grass and prickers. I couldn¢t see the rocks so I kept tripping, twisting my ankles, and stubbing my toes. My feet are quite achy. I stopped at the William Penn Shelter for a break, and in the register most other hikers expressed the same disdain for that piece of trail.I pressed on to the famed 501 Shelter. In route I passed a young Amish couple taking in a great view of the farmland below. Otherwise I had hiked the whole day without seeing anyone else, which was very nice.The 501 Shelter is a nice place. I enjoyed a cold outdoor shower and rinsed out my sweat soaked clothes. Mountain Goat, a north bound thru, from Brisbane, Australia is here tonight. Regrettably he has been having some foot problems and will be resting several days before he¢ll know if he can continue. I have seen him in passing along the trail and tonight was the first time we really got to chat. He is a nice guy and I hope he is able to press on.Tomorrow I plan on going to Port Clinton, 23.7 miles away. Best I get some rest.
Date: 2004-08-02
From: 5OI Shelter

To: Port Clinton Pavilion
Miles today: 23.7

Start: 5OI Shelter @1030 Finish: Port Clinton (Pavilion) @2000Weather: Warm temps, overcast.Breakfast: Bagel and vanilla CIB.Lunch: Snickers, Triscuits, banana chips. Dinner: Chicken Alfredo, fudge round, two star crunch.Trail Conditions: Flat, muddy, rocky in sections.Animals: Birds, squirrels. People: Section hikers, Mountain Goat.Had a great nights stay at the 501. It was nice to be indoors and out of the bugs. I awoke early to the sound of rain on the tin roof and daylight. There was a cloud parked over the mountain so I went back to bed and decided on a late start to see if the weather would improve. It did.I talked with Mountain Goat this morning. I feel terrible for the situation he is in. He is having all kinds of foot problems. He¢s seen the doctor and hopefully a few days off can fix the problem. Having just been laid up myself I can really empathize for him. I read him the poem Ben gave me, it was the one I read to myself over and over in tears at Iron Masters. I said my farewells and started the day.The terrain has been so nice and flat lately. There are definitely rocky sections in this state but they have yet to live up to the hellacious stories I¢ve been told. I rested at a nice viewpoint, early in the day, with two section hikers and we shot the breeze. I then continued on and saw only a group of summer camp kids the rest of the day. The solitude was wonderful and really cleared my mind.I settled into a great hiking pace covering about 3.5 miles per hour. There were spots where the rocks really slowed me down, but for the most part they were easy enough to walk over or around. I stopped in at Eagles Nest Shelter for along rest break and read the register. I am trying to play catch-up, however, most of the folks I know are three to five days ahead. No worries though.Today was more mentally tiring than physical. All day I got cobwebs in my face and hair ¢ thousands of them. Mosquitoes and gnats were endlessly buzzing around my head and getting in my eyes. They always seem to come out the worst in the very rocky sections. The horse flies were also eating me alive. They don¢t simply bite, rather they rip out chunks of flesh, or so it feels. I was irritable for my last few miles and had some choice words for the woods. I was glad when I got into Port Clinton.I headed down to the Pavilion as night rolled in. I was tired and just sat for several minutes and relaxed. No one else was at the Pavilion and I did have a leery feeling sleeping in a park next to a highway in a strange town. But, hundreds of hikers stay there each year without incident. I cooked up dinner, caught up on my drivel in People magazine, and called it a night.Also, I realized I was on my 100th day when I rested at the first viewpoint. A very cool milestone! Yippee!¢When things go wrong as they sometimes willWhen the trail your trudging seems all up hillWhen funds are low, and debts are high,and you want to smile but have to sigh,when care is pressing you down a bit,rest if you must, but you must not quit.¢
Date: 2004-08-03
From: Port Clinton Pavilion

To: Eckville Shelter 
Miles today: 15.2

Start: Port Clinton (Pavilion) @1250 Finish: Eckville Shelter @1915Weather: Super hot (hi 90¢s) and humid.Breakfast: Strawberry Poptarts.Lunch: Rueben, chips, fries Snickers cheesecake. Dinner: Half meatball sub, Oreos, ice cream bar, Mountain Dew.Trail Conditions: Flat and easy, rocky in a few places.Animals: Frog, squirrel, deer, chipmunk, houseflies, bee.People: Miracle Man, Zinc, Skittles, Angela & Justin.I slept lightly last night largely because of the noise from the highway. It was also very hot and muggy last night and very hot this morning. I took my time packing up as I had to hit the outfitter, which didn¢t open until 1000. My Leki pole is broken and they didn¢t have the goods to fix it.I stopped by for lunch at the Port Clinton Hotel at 1100. It was nearly 100 degrees outside and humid so I was not excited to walk. I ordered a great lunch and took my time eating it. They served the largest portion of fries I have ever seen. In the register at the Pavilion there were stories of hikers that cried when they saw what they were up against with the large order of fries. I ordered the small, but it had to have been like two pounds of them. A customer wasn¢t able to eat his whole meal so he gave me the last half of his meatball sub for the trail. Thanks dude. It made a great dinner.Once again the hiking was very easy, however there were several climbs to contend with. I ran into Zinc at the Windsor Furnace Shelter. He was feeling quite sick and was resting for the day. It sounds like dehydration. I gave him some crackers and wished him well.Once again there was some rocky sections but nothing terrible. The last half of the day the trail followed an old two-track dirt road. The walking was so easy I was doing 4 to 4.5 miles per hour. I stopped and enjoyed a great view at Pulpit Rock.The Eckville Shelter is very nice and also has a caretaker like the 501. What has made this shelter great is the fridge stocked full of pop, cookies, nutty bars, and ice cream bars¢¦.all for a donation! Tears of joy ran down my face when I opened the fridge door.I¢m spending the night with a dating couple that went to Central Michigan University (CMU) which is where my buddy Cory goes. The girl was in the School of Ed and student taught in Australia, which is also what Cory will be doing. Crazy! I am also staying with the first SOBO hiker of the year ¢Miracle Man¢. He crossed paths with Officer Taco at the Kennebee River in Maine.The bunkhouse is a balmy 88 degrees inside. It¢s so warm I don¢t think I¢ll be able to sleep in there. Its about 5 degrees cooler outside so I might call the picnic table my bed for the night.