morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-13
From: Swatera Gap - Days Inn, Lickdale Pa

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

501 shelter - 11.4 milesLess than 1000 miles to goI got up at 6:30, got ready, and had the Continental Breakfast at the hotel. Then I went to the Subway across the street, and bought a sandwich to take for lunch. By that time, Bob Bair called and said he was there to pick me up. I took my pack downstairs and off we went back to the trail. The trail crosses Pa Route 72 three times. Yesterday, when I got off the trail, I got off at the last crossing, but there was no parking there. So, we went to the second road crossing about 1 1/2 miles further back, and parked. We rehiked the 1 1/2 miles back to where I got off yesterday (I did not count this in the miles for the day), then hiked northward. The trail goes up from Swatera Gap but it was not difficult. After a few miles, we stopped for a break and Wiffle Ball, All Smiles, Blues Clues, Peeper, and Gumpy caught up. They stopped and joined us. Everyone sat around talking. Shortly Bob and I moved on, reaching the turnoff for William Penn Shelter around noon. We did not go over, but continued north. The trail from here to the 501 Shelter was intermittent rocky and smooth. We reached 501 about 3:30. Blues Clues, All Smiles, Wiffle Ball, Gumpy, and Peeper were already there but did not plan to stay. Skunk Ape was there also. He had hiked 35 miles in the rain yesterday from Peters Mountain to here, and is taking a zero day here today. We sat around and talked. About 6:30 we ordered dinner from Scholl's Restaurant. They will deliver to the shelter. They do not deliver to residences in the area, only to the shelter. I had a meatball sub and a chicken sandwich. It's great to eat real food. This morning Bob gave me a card from the folks at Lockheed Martin that I used to work with. They have been following my journey and are supporting me. I really appreciate the encouragement and support from these friends. Thanks. Today marks 3 months since I started this journey. 501 Shelter is at mile 1187.6, so as of tonight I have less than 1000 miles to go. A thousand miles doesn't seem nearly as insurmountable as it did 3 months ago. I can do this!
Date: 2012-06-14
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Eagles Nest Shelter - 15.1 milesI was up at 5:30 out at 6:05. I am walking with Bob Bair, a friend from work again today. We left with Galileo, a section hiker going from Shendandoah to New York State. The hike out of 501 was rocky and made it slow going. Bob and I stopped for 1st lunch at a view about 5 miles out of 501. Then we had second lunch at Dietrich Snyder Monument where Rocky and Sunshine were getting water. Afterwards we hiked on with a short stop ( my 3rd lunch) along the way, reaching Eagles Nest Shelter about 3:30. My 2nd pair of shoes are nearing the end of their life. They have holes on both sides. One is large enough to fit 2 fingers through, but the bigger concern is that the sole is starting to separate from the upper. Right now it is still attached, but it won't stay that way for long. When Bob saw them, he thought I should have the next pair overnighted to me immediately before these completely give up. I think they will hold on to the Delaware Water Gap where I have already had my wife send me a new pair. That's 5 days away. It's only been 41 days since I got these shoes. In that time they have gone from new to trash. This illustrates the beating my feet are taking. My feet swell each night, then return to normal as I walk. They are often tender and sore. They say your feet will 'grow' during a thru hike. Before I started, I wore a size 9. The first pair of shoes I bought for the hike were 9 extra wide so I had room to 'grow'. Pairs 2-4 were 9 1/2 extra wide. When I started, I had extra room in the shoe because of this. However, I no longer have extra room. My feet have 'grown' to consume all the extra space of the size 9 1/2 extra wide. This evening we walked down to the view point nearby and enjoyed an beautiful evening. As of 7:30 I am the only one in the shelter and Bob is camped nearby. This is the first time I have been alone in a shelter on this trip.
Date: 2012-06-15
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Windsor Furnace Shelter - 14.7 milesWe were packed up and left at 6:10. The walk to Port Clinton was uneventful. On the way, we saw Z, he reached Port Clinton with us. The 3 of us walked the mile over to Route 61 where we hopped off the trail and headed to Hamburg. I need to resupply and plan to get lunch while I'm there. This was the first trail town stop for Bob. We walked 1 1/2 miles south on 61 to the Walmart. We looked around to find a place to eat. There was a Five Guys, so we went there. I had a large cheeseburger, fries, and 3 large Cokes. That will do for now. Then we went to the Walmart and each of us bought what we needed. Afterwards, I went to the Wawa next door and bought a sub that I will carry and eat for dinner, plus a 20 oz coke and an ice cream to eat now. Bob and I walked back to the trail while Z stayed a while longer. Upon returning to the trail, my pack feels like it weighs a million pounds as the trail turns up. It was a long climb, but we made it and hiked on to the Windsor Furnace Shelter.
Date: 2012-06-17
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Lehigh Gap
Miles today: 17.3

Lehigh Gap - 17.3 milesMy old friend and hiking partner, Alwaysfine, whom I previously section hiked the whole trail with, called me today. He is going to drive up and slack pack me tomorrow and Tuesday. It's great to see old friends after 3 months on the trail. As I hiked north, the rocks got brutal. I think the worst rocks in Pennsylvania are between Eckville and Route 309. They are bad from Port Clinton north to the Delaware Water Gap, but they are the worst here. It was very slow going up to 309. My feet are sore from the rocks. As I already explained, my shoes are shot. They do not have much cushioning left in them. I can feel the rocks right through the bottom of my shoes. I can't wait to get to the Water Gap and get the new ones. I caught up to Dame whom I last saw in Duncannon. She is walking low miles with a friend right now. Since I will see Alwaysfine tonight, I offered them the opportunity to slack pack the next couple of days too. (I know Alwaysfine, an advid hiker would be willing to help them too). They declined. Bo, Dame's friend, came to backpack in the woods with her friend, and wants to do just that. I understand. I rolled on to Bake Oven Knob Shelter, and then after a break, on to Outerbridge Shelter. From there I called Alwaysfine to tell him I was a mile out from Lehigh Gap, the agreed pick up location. He was just pulling in. He came walking up to the shelter, and we walked down together. It's great to see another friend. He wanted to stay in Wind Gap, so we drove there and got a room at the Travel Inn. After a shower, we went to J & R Smokehouse for dinner. I had Prime Rib, a great meal, followed by an ice cream at Mickey Ds. After dinner, I went back to the room and moved essential items, plus lunch and water into the day pack Alwaysfine brought. I'm ready to slack pack tomorrow.
Date: 2012-06-18
From: Lehigh Gap

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Wind Gap - 20.8 milesWe got up and went to the Gap Diner for breakfast, then drove back to Lehigh Gap where I took off.   The day pack I'm carryng feels like nothing as I started. Within a short distance, I caught up to Dame and her friend Bo. They had heard bad things about the steep rock climb out of Lehigh Gap and were concerned about the climb. It is a hand over hand climb for a while, but is completely doable. I agreed to stay with them over the rocks and help them if they needed it. They went up the rocks slowly, but never needed any help beyond me holding their poles for them so they could use their hands to climb. After getting up the rocks, the trail continues across the rocks for a 1/2 mile. I stayed with them through this, then went on by myself. I have 20 miles to Wind Gap where I will meet Alwaysfine. I have to hike faster than they do to get there before dark. This mountain is an EPA Superfund site. A zinc smelting plant below in Palmerton has devistated the mountain with the pollutants emitted from their smokestack. When I crossed this mountain years ago it was completely bare for miles. Nothing lived here due to the heavy metals deposited on the ground. The EPA closed them down years ago, and has been trying to restore the mountain ever since. Amazingly they are making progress. They brought in a huge number a truck loads of dirt, and now significant portions of the mountain are growing grasses and small trees. Nature is amazing if you just give it a chance. After I crossed the Superfund site, I came to Little Gap. I met Houdini who was sitting there. He had just been dropped off after spending Fathers Day weekend with his family. He is from Atco NJ, about 10 miles from my home. This made us friends. We hiked on together. About noon we stopped for lunch, then continued on to Leroy Smith Shelter where we stopped for another snack. Stats was there and I met Far East Coast. He is from China and started Feb 29, the same day as Alwaysfine. After Leroy Smith Shelter, it is only 4 1/2 miles to Wind Gap. Alwaysfine was sitting there waiting. After a shower we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner, then to Rita's for an ice cream. Afterwards, I returned to the room where I prepared for tomorrow's slack pack. Tomorrow I have to carry my own pack instead of Alwaysfine's day pack. Alwaysfine is going to take my extra stuff that I'm not carrying over to the Water Gap then take off for home. Alwaysfine asked if I needed anything, then gave me a new shirt and some fuel.
Date: 2012-06-19
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Delaware Water Gap - Church of the Mountain Hostel - 15.7 milesWe were up and went to the diner again for breakfast. While eating it started to rain. So afterwards we went back to the room to wait for it to stop. Today is the 2nd and last day of the slack pack. I only have to go 16 miles ,so I don't need to rush. I hung out until 8:15 then took off. I got to the trail the same time as Houdini and started walking with him again. The walk was easy until I got to Wolf Rocks. The rocks were hard, but didn't last too long. I caught Huff and Puff there. They were going slow because Puff took a bad fall yesterday and was hurting. I waited until they got over the rocks then went on. After a lunch break at the Kirkridge Shelter I moved on, finally coming to Mt Minsi, the last mountain in Pennsylvania. You can see New Jersey from here, a welcome sight and relief from the Pennsylvania rocks. From there, it was a quick descent to the town of Delaware Water Gap and the Church of the Mountain Hostel. There I got a shower, and went to the Bakery where I got a chicken pot pie for dinner. I topped it off with a couple of chocolate chip cookies, a cherry and cheese Danish plus, of course, a soda. Sitting around the hostel, Stats returned from the ice cream parlor up the street bragging about the Bananna Split. Huff and Puff, Magpie, Wheezy and I had to go. I had the Bananna Split and a root beer soda. It was great. Today was my last hiking day in Pennsylvania. Also, the countdown has started. We now have less than 900 miles to go. A few weeks ago I was 5 days behind schedule. Now I am right on schedule; not that it means a lot. I will be finished when I get to Katahdin regardless of what day it is. Thanks John (Alwaysfine) for coming up and slack packing me. I enjoyed the company, the friendship, and had a great time.
Date: 2012-06-21
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Mohican Outdoor Center - 10.7 miles100th dayToday was my 100th day since leaving Springer Mountain in Georgia. Today I also entered New Jersey, my home state. But it was HOT. All I could do was 10.7 miles and I was beat. I feel like I wimped out today, but the heat just killed me. Maybe I can do better tomorrow. I left about 7:20 and walked across the Delaware River on the I-80 bridge. I was in New Jersey, and happy. As I started to hike up Kittatiny Ridge, I started to get hot; but it was still early and I reached the top OK. On the walk from there to Sunfish Pond, I saw a huge Snapping Turtle sitting in the trail. Of course I had to take pictures. When I reached the pond, Dame was sitting there resting, so I stopped and sat with her and ate. Eventually we went on. The trail goes right around the edge of the pond and shortly Dame fell behind, and I continued on. After finally crossing the summit of Kittatiny and going another 1/4 mile, I found Jeff Davis (that's his real name and his trail name) and Far East Coast (from Singapore), sitting beside the trail eating blueberries. I was getting hot and tired so I stopped again. After a half hour I started to wonder where Dame was because she hadn't caught up yet. Jeff and I walked back looking for her to make sure she was OK. After walking back for 15 minutes, we found her. She was hot, tired, and walking slow, but OK. All 4 of us walked on to Mohican Road. It was hot, and it was getting me down by the time we got there, around 2:00. Since they serve food, Dame and I went over to the Mohican Outdoor Center to get lunch. I got a Turkey sandwich and sat in the cool building to eat. Afterwards, neither Dame nor I wanted to continue in the heat, so we are staying here in the hostel. I got showered up again and washed my clothes in the sink. I am trying to dry them outside. It felt good to stop walking and get clean. During the remainder of the afternoon I updated my journal, then got a ham sandwich for dinner along with an ice cream.
Date: 2012-06-22
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: few clouds

Gren Anderson Shelter - 20.6 milesLeft Outdoor Center at 6:00. It was warm and humid, so I walked slow to the Catfish Fire Tower, and then on over to Brink Road Shelter. I stopped at both places. Coming out of Brink Road Shelter, I ran into the Ridgerunner. He said 3 guys and a woman were about 15 minutes ahead. I immediately picked it up. I wasn't sure who it was, but I hoped it was hikers I know who would be interested in going to Branchville to eat lunch. I walked about as fast as I could, trying to catch them before they reached the road. As I neared the road, I saw 4 hikers sitting on the trail. It was Jeff Davis, Sugar Plum, Far East Coast, and Flint. Far East didn't feel well, and he had a big swollen red spot where he had been bitten by something. They were trying to get him a ride back to the hostel DWG, where he could rest and maybe get a doctor. We couldn't find him a reasonably priced ride. We went on down to the road, and there we met Snores, who was doing Trail Magic. I got a Pepsi and a snack. We asked him about shuttles. He didn't have any suggestions and didn't seem to be interested in doing it himself. We went over to Gypsy Tavern. I had a cheeseburger and fries. Snores showed up and we tried to get his help again for Far East Coast; still no luck. While we were there, a thunderstorm blew up, so we ended up staying a few hours till it went past. While there we discussed a tour of West Point. The trail goes near it when we get to Fort Montgomery, and Sugar Plum is a graduate of the academy. She still knows people there and is going to give us a tour. About 5:30-6:00 we finally left and hiked another 3+ miles up to Gren Anderson Shelter. I am staying there. Sugar Plum and Jeff Davis continued on doing a night hike.
Date: 2012-06-23
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Unionville NY - town park
Miles today: 19.2

Unionville NY - 19.2 miles60%I started hiking at 6:00. I hiked a couple of miles up to Sunrise Pavilion. There I found Sugar Plum and Jeff Davis. I thought they were going to go alot further than that last night, but there they were. An Indian couple had been at the pavilion for the sunrise and given them Trail Magic. They shared it with me. We hiked together to Mashipacong Shelter where we stopped for a break. Then we hiked on to a view point where we took another break, and finally on to the High Point State Park Headquarters where all thru hikers get a free soda. These 2 walk very fast, but stop for too many long breaks. Sugar Plum and Jeff Davis want to make it to church tonight. She found that there is a Catholic church in Unionville just off the trail. I wanted to go to Unionville because I can get a pizza there. So I agreed to go to church. Since we didn't want to go all stinky (I haven't had a shower in days and I sweated like crazy each day), we stopped at the Murray property just outside of town. Murray is a trail supporter, and he let's hikers use the outside shower attached to his farm buildings. He lets people camp there too, but we are not going to do that. I got cleaned up and put my 'cleaner' camp/town clothes on. When we got there, we found Far East Coast. He had seen a doctor who gave him antibiotics and benadryl. He was feeling much better. He decided to go too. When everyone was ready, the 4 of us walked to town. Sugar Plum thought they had a 5:30 service, but when we got there, they only have a Sunday morning service. She is very resourceful, and immediately went across the street asking people if there was another church nearby with Saturday night service. They told her there was one about 7 miles down the road. Since the person she asked had been drinking, she didn't ask them for a ride. Next, she asked a guy walking down the street if he could drive us there. He agreed if we gave him gas money. So off we went. Well, we drove around for 45 minutes but we never found the church! So he brought us back where we started and we all went to the pizza shop for dinner. That's what I wanted anyway. While eating, we learned that we could camp across the street in the town park. So we did. Sugar Plum and Jeff plan to stay and go to church in the morning; I will leave and hike on.
Date: 2012-06-25
From: Campsite on Wawayanda Mountain

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 28.8
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Fingerboard Shelter - 28.8 milesLongest dayI didn't sleep well last night, and I decided to get up and start early. I will be at Fort Montgomery on time. I got up at 3:50, packed up, and left at 4:40 in the dark again. Again I could see well and had little trouble hiking. It got light about 5:00 and everything was normal except I was going to do a big mileage day. I figure about 30 miles, my longest. I moved along easily. About 7:00 it started to rain lightly; I kept going. About 9:00 I reached the rocks above Greenwood Lake. I had to slow down. Going too fast on wet, slippery rocks just leads to falls. I easily beat doing 10 by 10. The afternoon had more rock piles to be climbed and another thunderstorm. This was not easy terrain to be pushing big miles, but the rain stopped and I kept going. When I reached Harrinan State Park it was about 5:00, and I was getting tired. I pushed on. About 7:30, I finally Reached Fingerboard Shelter and called it a day. 29 miles on tough terrain. I was whooped and asleep by 9:00.
Date: 2012-06-26
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: West Point - Round Pond Campground
Miles today: 15.4

Bear Mountain Bridge - campground on West Point - 15.4 milesLess than 800 miles to goToday it's only 15+ miles to Fort Montgomery. I was up at 5:00 and left by 5:45. I hiked with a purpose: to get there before Jeff and Sugar Plum. When I reached the Palisades Parkway, I looked at the register there. Sugar Plum and Jeff had already signed in. They must have passed me in the night. At first I picked up the pace wanting to catch them. Then I realized Sugar Plum was probably trying to be in Fort Montgomery by 10:00 for her conference call, and after sleeping so late there was no way I could match that. So I slowed down. When I reached Bear Mountain Tower, I stopped for a break. There is no reason to rush now, but I still made 10 by 10. I reached the concessions at Hessian Lake about 12:00. Sugar Plum was sitting there. She had already completed her conference call, and was eating lunch with T. Jeff wasn't around; I didn't ask about him. I got a cheeseburger and fries. We talked about the tour, and everything is still on. She left to go to the post office and pick up the rental car. I continued on through the Trail Side Zoo. After the zoo, I walked back to Hessian Park where I waited for Sugar Plum to pick me up. She picked me up, and we drove to the campground to check it out in the daylight. Then we drove around to pick up Far East Coast at Route 17A and Sanhican in Unionville NY. We made a stop at a Walmart to buy our resupply for continuing north and finally returned to the campground after dark. When we stopped for resupply, I bought a couple sandwiches at the Wendy's there. I saved them to eat for dinner when we camped. Later, I learned that Jeff and Sugar Plum had actually done a 40 mile day. They camped at the concert, left the next day about 7:30 am, and hiked all day and all night; 23+ hours straight. They passed me in the night while I was asleep at Fingerboard Shelter (they didn't know I was there). They finally stopped on West Mountain after they had completed 40 miles; it was morning again. They cowboy camped on the side of the trail. A couple hours later, Sugar Plum got up and hiked on to the concessions at Hessian Lake where I saw her. She did not wake Jeff up, and apparently I walked past him this morning; but we all made it.
Date: 2012-06-27
From: West Point - Round Pond campground

To: West Point - Round Pond Campground
Miles today: 0.0

Bear Mountain Bridge - Camp at West Point - 0.0 miles13th zeroTour West PointI was up and ready, but had to wait for everyone else. We did our laundry so we had clean clothes for the tour, and finally left about 9:30. With Sugar Plum acting as the tour guide, Sanhican, Far East Coast, Jeff Davis, and I toured West Point. We drove to the Visitor Center and looked at the exhibits about life at West Point. Sugar Plum amplified the exhibits based upon her first hand knowledge. After the Visitor Center, we went to the West Point Museum. They had displays dating back in West Point history. They had an atom bomb casing like the one used on the original bomb dropped on Japan. They also had the safety plug from the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Afterwards, we stopped at McDonald's and got lunch to go, then drove to a picnic area by the Hudson River with a view of the river on one side and West Point on the other to eat lunch. After lunch, Sugar Plum looked up an old classmate who now teaches at West Point, Colonel Boetner. Colonel Boetner was nice enough to take time out of her busy schedule to give us a tour of the mechanical & civil engineering building. It was great. Sugar Plum has a General Engineering degree from West Point. Next we drove around and she pointed out various places. Then we drove to Trophy Point. In the old days, it was customary for an enemy to surrender their cannons when they surrendered. These "Trophies" are kept here at Trophy Point. We looked at the old cannons and the beautiful view of the Hudson. Afterwards we drove to Fort Putnam. However, it is closed for reconstruction. We looked around then headed to the PX to buy steaks and supplies for dinner. Upon return to the campsite, we cooked a nice steak dinner with ice cream and pecan pie for dessert. We then had a campfire. It was a nice night, to end a great day.