morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-17
From: PA 325 (ziploc's house)

To: Stony Man Mtn. (campsite)
Miles today: 3.8

Today was a good day and also a sad day. It started with going to church with Ziploc and Jim(ziplock,s boyfriend) and Timshel. We went to 6the 9:15am service. Ziploc's church is just starting up so there was not too many people which I enjoy because it feels more intimate and close. Many of the members were asking us all kinds of questions about the trail and amazed at our progress thus far. They also told us that they would be praying for us which made me feel so good. After church we went back to Ziploc's house and finished packing up our backpacks and such. Ziploc's Mom made us a huge lunch and dessert. Ziploc suggested we all get out picture out front in the yard so we did and then headed out for the trail.It was hard to say goodbye because ziploc's parents made me feel so welcome and comfortable in their home. We only ended up walking about 3 1/2 miles to the top of Stony Man Mtn where it appears that people have camped before. There is no real "campsite" but we all found flat areas and a great limb to hang our bear-bags(food bags)on so we stayed.Did I mention that it is incredibly humid and hot?! It is awful. Just sitting here I am wet with sweat. And to think summer isn't over for another monthe and 1/2. I pray for motivation and will power everyday that ghod will keep me strong and walk beside me when I am weak. I would not be here if it weren't for him!
Date: 2005-07-18
From: Stony Man Mtn(tent)

To: William Penn shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: haze

Not a good day. I slipped once just leaving camp due to all the rain we had last night(which also added to the not so fun day because I had to pack up a soaking wet tent) and ten had to ford 2 different creeks that were about knee high. and then climb up a huge hill that Mr Wingfoot forgot to mention in the thru-hikers handbook. Once on top of that hill,I rolled my ankle pretty bad,which scared me because I con't want to have to get off the trail due to an injury. Finally Ziploc and I made it to the shelter after dark,crying and tired. Timshel was so nice because he got up and got water for us which was .1 up to the A.T. and .1 down the other side to the water source. I cooked my dinner and I am now sitting here playing with a beagle puppy named McKaye. Her owner is also a NOBO(northbound)thru-hiker named Tracker. Sorry I am not much for words right now. Oh yea-its raining again!
Date: 2005-07-19
From: William Penn shelter

To: Sand Spring(campsite)
Miles today: 18.5

Today I woke up to a bird singing me a song and a nice sunrise. I slept pretty good last night,probably because I was not only tired physically but emotionally as well. McKaye and Tracker took off first then Moss the Myself,Timshel and Sweep and Ziploc followed not long after. We made it to the 501 shelter to find a nice,enclosed house-like place with an outside shower and sodas! We all sat and had an early lunch and drank sodas and then headed out.Next stop we took was at the Hertlein campsite where there was a nice,cold spring waiting for us! I don't think I've mentioned this yet but ever since I started the trail, I've been told that PA would be dry and that I would need to carry about 3 to 4 liters of water to stay hydrated. Well,this is something that frightened me so I have been praying since day one that the psrings would not be dry. I think God definately answered my prayers because it rained everyday we were at Ziploc's last week and even a few days before getting to her house! The 3B mice kept complaining of the rain and when I told then about my prayers they have now started jokingly teasing me about it. But hey,it's worked so far because all the springs have been good so far! This one at the campsite was especially nice because it was so clear and cold!Now we are at a make-shift campsite near Sand Spring, The spring here is full and cold,however someone apparently cleaned their pot in it because there are macaroni noodles in the bottom of it. Just an informative word to those reading the springs are drinking sources for us. Please don't clean your pots in them. I don't like noddle water. do you?
Date: 2005-07-20
From: Sand Spring(campsite)

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

WOW! Today I am very glad to be a NOBO(northbounder)! The descent down into Port Clinton was by far the Scariest,steepest downhill yet. I imagine the SOBO's are not going to like it one bit!So the five of us(me,Timshel,and the 3B mice)have taken on a team name. We are now the B-team. It is similar to J.V. in highschool. Mostly a joke but still truthful too. We know we're not the best hikers, but we have alot of heart. We are all staying here in town at the hotel to get out of the heat and mosquitos. I have a confessing to make also...I ate a cheeseburger tonight for dinner! I know, I'll probably regret it but it just sounded good so I ordered it. Hopefully I won't get sick.I ran into a guy that met back in GA today. His name is Clint. If you look back at my pictures to the early ones there is 3 guys at the Blue Mtn Shelter and he is one of them. He hiked to GA section to Fontana Dam and then went back to work for a while and is now finished with a short 4 day hike coming south into Port Clinton. He took the five of us into town for resupply! Super nice guy and plans on doing the A.T. in section. Well, I'm going to go and call home now, I'll chat later...
Date: 2005-07-21
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

I actually slept really well last night considering the tight quarters we were in. Nokia called and told me he plans on doing a flip-flop from Harper's Ferry. It will be so weird to see him hiking south.The hike today was not too bad but very hot and the mosquitos seem to be getting worse. They have this magnificant ability to land on my arms and legs even when I am walking! What even more annoying is that they buzz around my ears. I'm not sure if it is the heat or the ground beef,(or maybe a combination of both)but something is making me feel sick today. I started feeling a little better about 1/2 way through the day but overall just icky. We stopped at the top of the mtn and took some b-team photos. Pretty darn fummy! While we were up there we met 2 other NOBO hikers by the name Listo and Smooshed flat! They plan on doing a missionary trip once they complete the A.T. That is something I have ofter considered but still unsure about.We are all at the shelter together now which is really more like a hostel than a shelter. It is an enclosed shed with bunk beds and even has a caretaker that stock the fridge with sodas and ice-cream sandwiches. The bugs are still a nuscence though! I am still not sure why God put them here...
Date: 2005-07-22
From: Eckville Shelter

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

Interesting day today. We all got up and left the shelter around the same time and headed out. We had only walked about 9 miles when we came to PA309,Blue Mtn Summit. Well,in our hiker handbook it says that there is a restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner. Seeing that it was as hot and humid as it was and only 11:30 we decided to stop in. We all ordered food and I had a delicious veggie burger with blue cheese crumbles on top. It was probably one of the best veggie burgers I've had in a while. After sitting and eating a while and only having 8 or so more miles to do we decided to stay longer and enjoy the A.C.. Then we found out that there was live music on friday nights and lucky for us,it was friday. Sweep,Timshel and I decided we would stay and hang out to watch the band and night hike to the shelter. It didn't actually go as planned but we did night hike and we're guessing we are about 2 miles shy of the shelter. Ziploc and Moss hiked on from the restuarant after lunch so I'm sure they made it the whole way. I think we'll probably see them tomorrow morning beacuse we plan on getting up and out of here early.Oh my gosh-I almost forgot to tell you about the huge from I caught tonight! He was so cute. I even got a picture of me holding him. I gave him a little kiss hoping for my prince to show but no luck. Maybe next time.
Date: 2005-07-23
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Vista(campsite)
Miles today: 16.0

We did end up running into Ziploc this morning but Moss of course was already gone. No rain last night which was nice. This morning I woke to the chirping birds. It is so nice to be outside amongst nature.Today was a nice beautiful day of hiking. I must say that I was very nervous about the hike today because there is a section that we climbed that was about .9 and straight up over big rocks and boulders. It was not as bad as I thought though. I was able to take my time and enjoy it and the heat(or shall I say humidity)was actually gone and a nice breeze blowing to keep me cool. I enjoyed it much more than I thought. Once sweep and I made it to the top it was like being on another planet. All of the trees were dead and it appeared as if no life even even existed up there. We stopped to get some water from the spring and I drank it up fast. Afterward it dawned on me that the water might not be too good to drink,seeing as how everything was pretty much dead. But I guess by that point the damage was done. Surely the trail maintainers would not lead us to a poisonous water source, right?Tonight we are camping at a vista. Tinshel and Sweep are brave souls. They set up their tents right out on the rock ledges. Not me! I am back in on the grass. Crazy fools. I hope they're alright out there.
Date: 2005-07-24
From: Vista(campsite)

To: Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a lazy day today. Sweep and I decided to stop after a whoping 12 miles and stay at a hotel. I think its the heat. It will be nice though because we each get our own bed to sleep in and we have cable T.V. Timshel is having to hike on because he has to do an avgerage of 16.5 miles a day for the next 3 weeks in order to meet his family on time. It's weird to think about not hiking with him. We have been together since Hot Spring(the 200 mile mark). I hope his hike goes well for him.There is no laudry here so I am having to wash my clothes in the sink and hanging them to dry. Normally, I wouldn't do this but it rained this am and it makes me feel somewat clearner to shower and have 1/2 way clean clothes to put on. Tomorrow Sweep and I will have to do 16 plus miles to make it into DWG(Delware Water Gap)to meet back up with Moss and Ziploc. There is a church hostel we can stay at for free! This is nice because the funds are starting to run low.
Date: 2005-07-25
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Delware Water Gap
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

Hello New Jersey! So sweep and I got up early this morning to try and make DWG by 2:00pm. Unfortunately it was raining again which made me not want to leave. Sweep was th motivator and got me to leave.We made it to DWG by 2:00 but stopped along the way to look at a huge snapping turtle. I mean this guy probably weighed 14 plus pounds. I,of course,tried to pick him up and he lunged atme trying to bite me. Sweep screamed which then caused me to laugh out loud,but what a crazy reptile he was!When we got to D.W.G. Moss and Ziploc were already gone into town. Sweep and I were starved so we went and ate and ten went to go do some laundry. As we were standing on the road trying to hitch, we were approached by a police car. He told us that he had already gotten 2 calls about 2 females hitching on the side of the road. We had only been there for about 5 min. So this was a huge surprise to me. Anyhow, he ended up giving us a ride to the laundry. I've obvisiously never been in a cop car before and I must say it was an interesting experience. We got our laundry done and took a taxi back to the church to find the rest of the group including Timshel! We said our final goodbyes(Timshel still had 8 or so miles to do) and I started to cry. Didn't realize I would feel so sad to see him leave. Now we are headed to grab some pizza. The next thing to look forware to is seeing Will and Autumn!
Date: 2005-07-26
From: Delware Water Gap

To: campsite N of Blue Mtn Lakes rd
Miles today: 18.0

Today ended up being a good day although still very hot. I think the heat index was supposed to be around 110 degrees. Crazy I know. I am up to drinking about 5 to 6 liters of h20 a day. I bought a new water bladder in Port Clinton which is definately helping to keep me hydrated!The stay last night at the church was nice. Sweep and I ended up getting out of DWG around 9:30am which was later than I had hoped but still early enough to do 18 miles. We stopped at the Mohican Outdoor Center for some lunch and sodas. Gosg, this place was nice. A big open area with couches and tables and books. We ordered deli sandwiches at the store(I got a hummus veggie of course)and the guy was nice enough to put it on my own bagel. This wasy I can get rid of some of my food and pack wt together.Sweep and I stayed there for about an hour and 1/2. I ended up drinking 2 sprites! We filled our water and headed back .25m to the trail. Upon arriving back at the trail,we found Ziploc totally aslepp on a rock. I took her picture and she woke up saying the heat was making her sleepy. It definately can drain a hiker, That's for sure.Now I am at a random place along the trail with the 3 blind mice and the OFC(over-forty crowd)camping. It is supposed to rain tonight but maybe we'll get lucky and it won't. I am not too worried about the bears-oh! that reminds me Sweep and I saw a bear cub today. So cute! I wanted to get a picture but seeep was clinking her poles too quick so he ran off. Maybe next time...
Date: 2005-07-27
From: campsite N of Blue Mtn Lakes rd

To: Hotel in Culvers Gap
Miles today: 10.8

Today was a miserable day! It did end up raiing last night briefly which made for a wet packing up this a.m. Once the sun came out it was over for me. I was so incredibly hot that my skirt and shirt were completly soaked with sweat! By the time I had made it 8 or so miles, I started to get a side cramp that was almost unbearable. Redwolf(part of the OFC)is a nurse and said it was probably due to dehydration. I had about 2 1/2 liters and it wasn't even noon yet! Once we all made it down to culvers gap we went to a place called GYP's tavern for the A.C. and food. We checked the temp outside and it was 100 degreees! It then started to rain so the 3bm and myself decided to go the hotel. Ended up being a really short day but tomorrow will be a 21 miler. There's a cold front moving in and the high tomorrow is only supposed to 72 degrees, I sure hope so because I'm not getting too far in the heat!
Date: 2005-07-28
From: Hotel in Culvers Gap

To: Secret Shelter
Miles today: 21.3

What a nice day it has been today! It did end up cooling off today which made for great hiking! We got up from the dump of a place we ended up staying at and headed out. I actualy enjoyed my hike today alot. It reminded me of the days back in the beginning nice,breezy,sunny and good terrain. Hopefully this will keep up. We are camping at the Secret Shelter on the murray property. This is a really nice place! Hot showers and electricity! The only downside is the 2 donkey's out in the field. For some reason one of the donkeys is trying to mate with the other but the other was not having it! They were fighting with one another. It was crazy! I am going to be sleeping in the shelter because it is all enclosed and there's a fan in there! Tomorrow I'm off to NYC to see Will and Autumn! How exciting!
Date: 2005-07-29
From: Secret Shelter

To: Will's Apartment(Vernon NJ)
Miles today: 13.6

Last night was nice but very hot inside the Secret Shelter. We had the fan on but with all the heat from the day it kept it warm. The donkeys didn't keep me awake however I heard from the pople that rented that they were woken up several times.I am now at Will and Autumn's apartment and it is 3am. Will told me I was nt allowed to sleep until John Sabol came over which was 12:30am. I am not regreting it though because I am having so much fun seeing my friends! I met many of Autumn's friends from her current job. One of the firls Lauren,is so funny to me! She was playing the game catch-phrase all by herself tonight! Too funny! We are going into NYC tomorrow and I think we are getting up around 9:30am so I'd better get some sleep. Later taters!
Date: 2005-07-30
From: Will's Apartment(Vernon NJ)

To: Will's Apartment
Miles today: 0.0

Well,we did go into NYC but we actually didn't leave until 11am This was good because I got to sleep a bit longer. I am pretty tired from all of the walking we did today. I got to see so many cool things! And I got to ride the train Twice! We went to Madison square garden, Macy's 7th avenue,NBC,the today show,Rockefeller center,empire state building,ground zero,statue of Liberty, wall street,central park,time square and many other places that I'm sure I'm forgeting. I am sad that tonight is my last night. As I lay here I think about people at home and I miss them terribly! But then I think about leaving the trail and that makes me sad too! Maybe all of my friends and family should just come here then I could have the best of both worlds! Ha! Ha! I don't think ntoo many of them would go for that, but it doesn't hurt to daybream about it. Tomorrow we are going to Harold's for breakfast and then Will is taking me back to the trail. He is then going to drop my pack 15m north and I will slack pack to there and then go 2 more miles to Wildcat shelter to meet bck up with the 3b mice..I'm sure tomorrow will be sad...it always is hard to say goodbye.
Date: 2005-07-31
From: Will's Apartment

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today ended up being harder than I had anticipated. Will dropped me off around 2pm in Vernon,NJ and drove my pack 15 miles up the trail where I was going to pick it up and continue on 2.3 miles to the shelter. I guess I figured that I would be able to move faster because I was slack-packing however this was not the case. The NJ/NY state line was about 9 miles into the hike and seriously,it was like a whole new trail! NJ was somewhat hilly and very pretty and NY was up and down over big hills/boulders and not as pretty. The trail so far isn't maintained well either. I didn't end up getting here(the shelter)until 9:30pm. Yep-I had to night-hike alone. I was singing to myself to keep my mind off the fact that it was dark and I was alone! I am here now though with the 3 blind mice and all is good. It was hard to say goodbye to Will and Autumn today. I started to tear up but Will made me laugh of course with a funny comment and I felt better. It was so nice to see them and hang out with them. I plan on being back in NYC on Tues and Wed. So hopefully I'LL get to see them again. If not I will definately get to see them back in Atl because they are moving home! Well,its late and I am very tried...goodnight!
Date: 2005-08-01
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Lake Tiorati Circle(campsite)
Miles today: 15.4

Tonight Ziploc and myself are camping along the trail just past Lake Tiorati circle. We went down to the lake(-3)hoping to get some sodas and swimming however that didn't happed. The place is closed so we decided to make use of the water at the bathrooms(which tastes like dirt,Literally)and make our dinner. By the time we were done it was going on 8:00pm so we walked back up to the trail and decided to camp.Today was a long,hard day. Very hot and the water supply has dried up. If it weren't for the many awesome trail angels out here leaving water we would definately be dehydrated! NY is still many ups and many downs and I find myself getting frustrated. I can't tell if it is because I am entitled to easy hiking due to the many flat stretches we have had or if it is legitamate frustration at the trail designers. I mean they take you up and over something that could've easily been walked around. Ziploc and I did do something pretty cool and fun today though. We went through what is called the "lemon-squeezer" which is a sideways crevice below 2 huge boulders in which the A.T. runs. After that we had to take off our packs and hoist them and ourselves up and over some steep rocks! Made me feel like she-ral. Overall I think we averaged 1.8 miles an hour today. This is mostly what is aggrevating me because I am used to hiking 2.5 miles an hour or faster. I don't know maybe my legs just need to get re-adjusted to these hills. we'll see...
Date: 2005-08-02
From: Lake Tiorati Circle(campsite)

To: Bear Mtn Bridge
Miles today: 13.1

What an awesome day! I mean-it was very hot and humid and I started to feel sick to my stomach due to the heat-but now I am in the sheraton manhattan hotel in times square NYC with the 3 blind mice and sweep's uncle Brian! He came and picked us up at the Bear Mtn bridge and drove us into NYC where he has now gotten us 2 seperate rooms(we each have our own bed)and paid for it! Tomorrow we will be taking a boat tour around the island of Manhatten and then go to uncle Brian's for dinner! I am also seeing Will and John Sabol again tonight for dinner and hanging out! The first part of the day didn't start out too great but it was all worth it in the end- great place,great food and great friends! Now I gotta get in the shower to wash my dirty stinky self and go meet Will and John!
Date: 2005-08-04
From: Bear Mtn Bridge

To: Graymour Friday
Miles today: 6.4

All I can say at this point is... Well I can't even think of a word to describe my time in NYC. I must say a HUGE thank you to Will and Autumn and to Erin's(sweeps)uncle Brian! Will and autumn took me to so many neat places and Uncle Brian did so many nice things for us! Last night uncle Brian had us over fordinner at his apartment. It was right near ground zero! Out on his terrace to the left I could see all of downtown Manhattan(ground zero and ect)and then to the right I could see all of New York Harbor(the Statue of Liberty,Brooklyn Bridge) all lit up! It was beautiful! We grilled out hamburgers and hot dogs and sat out on the terrace to eat. It was nice with a slight breeze,like something out of the movies, with all the NYC traffic down below. Today is a new day and I am now back on the trail. The trail was somewhat difficult today,mostly due to the heat, but we only had to hike 6 miles to get to the Graymoor Friary. This place also has showers(cold ones) and a covered pavillion. One of the Friars came down earlier to get a head-count to know how much food to get for dinner. It ended up being these huge deli style turkey sandwiches(which I ate 1 1/2 of) and some juice cups. We all pitched in about $5 a piece as a donation so that the dinner tradition can be upheld for next year's thru-hikers.I don't think I have mentioned yet that I have met about a dozen or so southbounders(SOBO's). In fact there is a guy here at the friary that lives in acworth, ga and went to my same highschool etowah. How small is this world! Tomorrow, Moss and I are getting up at 4 am and heading out to try and beat this heat. If the humidity would go down I think it would probably feel much cooler.
Date: 2005-08-05
From: Graymour Friday

To: Shenandoah Tenting Area
Miles today: 17.6

It is now 2pm and I have already walked 17.6 miles. It was worth it to get up early because now I am here with more than 5 hrs. of daylight left. This area is really nice too. There are two pear trees, 1 apricot tree, 1 apple tree and a few blackberry bushes. Most of the blackberries and apricots are ripe but only a few of the apples and none of the pears are. I of course picked about 5 apricots. They were so good. There is also a hand pump to get water. It is nice because it is ice cold and treated so I know its okay to drink. I think Moss and I are going to get up around the same time again tomorrow. It was nice not having the sun and the heat for the first few hours. It's funny because I don't remember the last time I was in bed at 7:30pm-maybe elementary school-but if I am going to keep getting up this early, I gotta get some sleep