morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-16
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.4

Day #59. Up at 6 am, start at 7 am. Ascent 1280, descent 2150. Duration 4:41. It did not rain anymore last night. I was up at 6:00 and hiking at 7:00 on a wet trail in 60 F temp and threatening skies but it did not rain any more. The trail was smooth and fast but muddy and slippery in places. Several miles out of Daleville this almost deafening sound - kind of like a cacophony of hums - began. My first thought was that an alien invasion was occurring and that they were setting some sort of force field around their landing spot. But then I saw a cicada on the ground and many holes in the trail where they had emerged and realized that there had been a massive hatch. When I got to town I heard that this kind of bug has a hatch once every 17 yrs. When I got to the motel I met up with Old Goose and his wife where they offered to slack pack me the next several days. I gladly accepted.
Date: 2012-05-17
From: Daleville

To: Mill Gap Overlook
Miles today: 19.9

Day #60. Up at 6 am, start at 7 am. Ascent 4610, descent 3470. Duration: 9:18 including 30 min lunch. Today I slacked packed for the first time ever with Old Goose and Dreamtime. It was over the 19.9 mi stretch of trail out of Daleville. It was a fast trail which I did in 9:18 including a 30 min lunch break. The weather was perfect - dry with temp between 60 and 65 F. I plan on slack packing again tomorrow.
Date: 2012-05-18
From: Mill Gap Overlook

To: Apple Orchard Falls Trail
Miles today: 19.6

Day #61. Up at 6:15 am, start at 8 am. Ascent 5420, descent 4400. Duration: 9:30 including 30 min lunch. Today was another day of slack packing. The weather was great, partly cloudy with temps between 58 F and 64 F and hardly any wind. The trail was smooth except for the last several miles which became quite rocky. I saw a deer today and it posed for me to take a photo. I saw a park ranger near the end of the day and he said that that section had 9 inches of rain last Monday and flash floods so they had to close some parts. I saw evidence of the flooding. I am glad I wasn't there when it happened.
Date: 2012-05-19
From: Apple Orchard Falls Trail

To: US 501
Miles today: 17.3

Day #62. Up at 6:10, start at 8 am. Ascent 2730, descent 5470. Duration: 8:30 including 30 min lunch. Today was another slack packing day. The weather was perfect for hiking although the temp reached 82 F in the afternoon sun. The trail was not as fast as yesterday but I reached US 501 at 4:30 pm and am staying in Bueno Vista tonight. Tomorrow a longer slack pack is planned so I am looking at an early start.
Date: 2012-05-20
From: US 501

To: US 60
Miles today: 21.8

Day #63. Up at 6:10 am, start at 8 am. Ascent 5460, descent 4060. Duration: 10:44  including 30 min lunch. Today I passed the 800 mile point on the AT. It was another slack packing day in good hiking weather although it did get to 85 F in the sunny afternoon. I made pretty good time on a trail that was moderately smooth most of the time. Sheri, Old Goose's wife, drove from Illinois a week ago and has been slack packing us the past several days. As a result I have been making good mileage progress. Tomorrow she leaves for home. She gets my Trail Angel of the week award for all her efforts this past week.
Date: 2012-05-21
From: US 60

To: Spy Rock Road
Miles today: 16.3

Day #64. Up at 6 am, start at 7:45 am. Ascent 4460, descent 3670. Duration: 8:37 including 20 min lunch. Sheri dropped us off at the trail head on US 60 at 7:45 and headed back to Illinois. I hiked north. It was good hiking weather again but the trail was sprinkled with spots of roots and rocks which slowed me down. I covered the 16.3 miles in a little over 8 hrs of hiking time. Lois of the Dutch Haus B&B picked us up and will be slack packing us for the next 3 days. Yesterday as I was hiking along in the afternoon I was startled by a five ft long  black rat snake as it got out of my way. It slithered on the leaves into the woods as I got out my camera. At about 10 ft into the woods to my amazement it began to slither up a tree. It continued up the tree until it reached about 15 ft off the ground where it stopped. I talked to a ridge runner today and she said that rat snakes sometimes even live in trees.
Date: 2012-05-22
From: Spy Rock Road

To: Tye River
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #65. Up at 6:30 am, start at 8 am. Ascent 2240, descent 3970. Duration: 4:51. It rained last night (T-storm) but the roof of the Dutch Haus kept me dry. Up at 6:30, breakfast at 7:00. Lois dropped us off at the trail head. I hiked up the 1.1 mi approach trail, then to Spy Rock, then down and up to the Priest (the second highest mtn in VA), then down 3000 ft to Tye River, reaching there at 1:00. The weather was good, trail mostly good, slack packing the whole way, and resting the rest of the day. It was a good day for the body to restore itself.
Date: 2012-05-23
From: Tye River

To: Dripping Rock
Miles today: 15.5

Day #66. Up at 6:30 am, start at 8:30 am. Ascent 1800, descent 3350. Duration: 8:30 including 30 min lunch and 30 min break. I started hiking at Dripping Rock at 8:30 am with threatening skies and 60 F temp. The trail was rocky and the rocks were very greasy so hiking was slow. I stopped at 11:30 at Maulpin Shelter and it started to rain so all six of us had an early lunch. Once the rain stopped I started hiking again. In a few minutes the sky opened and dumped a lot of water. The trail turned into a flowing brook in some places and big puddles in other places. This lasted for about an hour. I hiked up 2000 ft to Three Ridges Mtn and then down 3000 ft to Tye River where Lois picked the six of us up. The Trail was very rocky on the upper 2000 ft.
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Dripping Rock

To: Rockfish Gap / Waynesboro
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Day #67. Up at 6 am, start at 8:20 am. Ascent 2160, descent 3330. Duration: 6:36 including 30 min lunch. I was up at 6:00, packed up, had breakfast at 7:00, and Earl dropped 4 of us off at Dripping Rock. I was hiking at 8:20. The trail was ok. It was overcast but it only sprinkled for a short time during the hike. I did the 14.5 mi hike in approx 6 hiking hrs. Of course it was another day of slack packing. I got a shuttle into Waynesboro for a mail drop, resupply, and the night. This was the last day of slack packing. Tomorrow I hike with the full pack as I begin the Shenandoah National Park (SNP).
Date: 2012-05-25
From: Rockfish Gap / Waynesboro

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Day #68. Up at 6 am, start at 7:30 am. Ascent 4670, descent 3880. Duration: 10:30 including 30 min lunch. Trail Angel Margurite picked four of us up at 7:15 am, shuttled us to the SNP trail head and I was off hiking with a full pack - big difference from slack packing. The trail was a little rocky and the pack was heavier; both slowed me down and hurt my feet. The day was sunny and clear with the temp up to 82 F. It is getting like summer. I made it to Black Rock Hut in 10 hiking h but now am very tired. Today a rabbit posed for me on the trail and I also got a photo of a 1.25 inch spider that we found in the shelter. I am not sleeping in the shelter. My tent is pitched on rocky surface to match today's trail. I am now in my tent and am hearing a cacophony of whippoorwills. I hope it doesn't last the night long.
Date: 2012-05-26
From: Black Rock Hut

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: few clouds

Day #69. Up at 6 am, start at 7 am. Ascent 4640, descent 4180. Duration: 12:15. The trail was mostly smooth all day. The sky was clear with moderate to warm temps, the high was 80 F. I had two sodas at 9:00 from a Trail Angel, stopped at a camp store for two more days' supplies, and hiked 0.5 mi off the trail for lunch at the Loft Mtn Wayside. I got to High Top Hut at 7:15. It was a long day.
Date: 2012-05-27
From: High Top Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: clear sky

Day #70. Up at 5:30 am, start at 6:40 am. Ascent 4820, descent 4500. Duration: 13:43 including 1:15 lunch and 45 min dinner. Today I passed the 900 mile mark on the AT. I was up at 5:30, hiking at 7:40, and made the 11.7 mi to the Lewis Mtn camp store at 12:30 for lunch. I had 2 packages of PB and crackers, two 20 oz Cokes, and a pint of chocolate ice cream. It was good. Then I hiked to the Big Meadows Wayside for dinner - a grilled chicken sandwich with FF, two Pepsis, a chocolate shake, and two large glasses of water. I hiked another 4.4 mi to the Rock Spring Hut, arriving at 8:30 where I pitched my tent. Currently I have a big doe browsing around my tent - after all, this is the SNP.
Date: 2012-05-28
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Stealth camp by Neighbor Trail
Miles today: 18.5

Day #71. Up at 6:15 am, start at 7:15 am. Ascent 3720, descent 4400. Duration: 13:43 including 1:15 lunch and 45 min dinner. I was up at 6:15, and hiking at 7:15, making it in time for breakfast at Sky Land Restaurant. Somehow it took 2 h before I got out of there. It poured for 30 min in the afternoon but fortunately I was at the Byrds Nest Hut and stayed dry   I made it to Pass Mtn for a delicious dinner of Mountain House spaghetti and meat sauce. I stealth camped after an additional 3.2 mi of hiking - a total of 18.5 hiking mi in 10:14 hiking time picking my way through rocks in the trail.
Date: 2012-05-29
From: Stealth camp by Neighbor Trail

To: Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 19.5

Day #72. Up at 6 am, start at 7:15 am. Ascent 3830, descent 4410. Duration: 11:30 Including 60 min breakfast and 30 min lunch. This morning I was up at 6:00 and hiking at 7:15, reaching Elkwallow Wayside at 9:00 when they opened for breakfast. I hiked on to the Gravel Springs Hut for a 30 min lunch. The temp was moderate to warm, up to 82 F, with partly sunny skies. At 5:30 the rain came and lasted until I reached the Terrapin Station Shelter at 6:30 where I am staying tonight. It was another long day. A long slack pack is planned for tomorrow.
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Ashby Gap
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

Day #73. Up at 6:15, start at 8:10. Ascent 5320, descent 3970. Duration: 11:48 Including 30 min lunch. Up at 6:15, hiking at 8:10 under threatening skies but it cleared up and it was sunny all day long. The trail was good except for a few brief interludes of rocks that I had to pick through. It was a slack packing day and a long one. I covered 23.8 miles in a little under 11:30 hiking time. It was a very long day.
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Ashby Gap

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

Day #74. Up at 6:15, start at 8:10. Ascent 5750, descent 5100. Duration: 12:27 including 30 min lunch. Today I passed the 1000 mi mark on the AT.  I also said hello West Virginia, good bye Virginia.  4 states done, only 10 to go. I was dropped off at the Ashby Gap trail head by Mike and started hiking at 8:10. It was pleasant hiking weather but the trail was anything but. Today was the so-called roller coaster which is a continuous series of rapid ascents and descents. In addition the trail was very unfriendly being rock filled most of the way. I counted 11 peaks in this section. I ate a sub at the Bears Den Hostel along with three sodas. Then I slacked another 8 mi thanks to Junker the ridge runner to the Blackburn ATC hostel where I stayed the night. The caretaker gave me a big plate when I got there after dark at 9:00.  It was another very long day and hard 21.4 miles.
Date: 2012-06-01
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: ATC Visitors Center
Miles today: 11.9

Day #75. Up at 6 am, start at 6:50. Ascent 2400, descent 3420. Duration: 9:52. Today I reached the national center of the AT, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy main office in Harpers Ferry WV. I was up at 6:00 and hiking at 6:50 hoping to make it to the post office before it closed at 4:00. The trail was rocky and slow especially because I had rolled my ankle the previous day and didn't want to make it worse. So I went extra slow. The weather was threatening but I made most of the 11.9 miles to the ATC visitors center before it started to rain. There I got my photo taken for their book and checked in as 2012 thru hiker #304. I picked up my mail drop that contained a new pair of shoes and a new supply of meds after which I checked into a motel. I packed up the old shoes and some things I had not been using, took them to the post office and mailed them home.  It rained really hard the rest of the day. I was glad to have a roof over my head.
Date: 2012-06-02
From: ATC Visitors Center

To: Washington Monument
Miles today: 19.7

Day #76. Up at 6, start at 7:55. Ascent 2400, descent 3420. Duration: 9:52. Today I said hello to Maryland and good bye West Virginia.  Five states done, only nine left to go.  Today I slacked again complements of Old Goose's wife who again drove from Illinois to slack him. I taped up my ankle to reduce the range of motion before I left in the morning. I was hiking at 7:55 in perfect hiking conditions-- temp in low 60s, moderate wind, clear skies, and no chance of rain. I was careful and hiked slower to minimize further ankle injury but the trail was moderately friendly and I made reasonable time. I covered the 19.7 mi in a little under 10 hrs. I saw one deer.  Other thru hikers today were Feathers and Turkey, Lemiwinks, T, Polaris, Tickle Monster, Whiffle Ball, All Smiles.
Date: 2012-06-03
From: Washington Monument

To: Foxville Rd
Miles today: 13.3

Day #77. Up at 6:30, start at 8:40. Ascent 1840, descent 1930. Today I slacked again.  I taped up my ankle which seemed to help yesterday. I was hiking at 8:40 in perfect hiking conditions-- temp in low 60s, moderate wind, clear skies, and only a slight chance of rain. I was careful and hiked slower to minimize further ankle injury but the trail was moderately friendly and I made reasonable time. I covered the 13.3 mi in 6.5 hrs.  The trail was rocky in places but I was careful and my ankle survived another day.
Date: 2012-06-04
From: Foxville Rd

To: Old Forge Park
Miles today: 15.7

Day #78. Up at 6, start at 8:05. Ascent 2660, descent 3370. Duration: 8:22 including 40 min lunch. At about 1:00 today I crossed the Mason-Dixon line and said hello to Pennsylvania and good bye to Maryland. Now I have 6 states done and only 8 states left to do. Today I slacked again.  I taped up my ankle again which seems to help. I was hiking at 8:05 in perfect hiking conditions--temp in high 50s,  moderate wind, partly sunny skies, and only a slight chance of rain. I was careful and hiked slower to minimize further ankle injury but the trail was quite rocky in places. Descending the mtn before the Pen-Mar Park was a rock jumble and quite tedious. At the park I got a 20 oz Pepsi from the soda machine drank it with a large sub and the company of All Smiles. It was a nice break in the day. Today I did the 15.7 miles in 7:42 hiking time which I am happy with considering how rocky the trail was in places. And my ankle survived another day.
Date: 2012-06-05
From: Old Forge Park

To: 5-way gravel road
Miles today: 14.8

Day #79. Up at 6, start at 8:05. Ascent 2760, descent 1730. Duration: 7:19 including 20 min lunch. At about 1:00 today I crossed the Mason-Dixon line and I said hello to Pennsylvania and good bye to Maryland. Now I have 6 states done and only 8 states left to do. Today I slacked again. Up at 6:00, breakfast at 6:30 at the Flamingo Restaurant across the street, and hiking at 8:05. The starting temp was in the mid 50s and didn't get above the low 60s all day long. It started out partly sunny but degraded to cloudy as the day went on but it never rained. The trail was moderately kind to me today although there were a number of rocky sections. It was another great day for hiking on the AT. Today I did the 14.8 miles in 7 hrs hiking time which I am happy with considering how rocky the trail was in places. And my ankle survived another day. The mountain laurel is in full bloom - it made for a pretty walk. Thru hikers I met today are All Smiles, Wiffle Ball, Hawk, Sugar Plum, Broad Sword, SG (Snake Girl), Huff and Puff, Dame Quixote, Sweet and Low, Rhymenoceros.
Date: 2012-06-06
From: 5-way gravel road

To: PA233
Miles today: 15.4

Day #80. Up at 6, start at 8. Ascent 1440, descent 2520. Duration: 7:37 including 25 min lunch. At about 2:00 I passed the halfway point (1092.2 miles) of the AT. Today I slacked again. Up at 6:00, breakfast at 6:30 at the Flamingo Restaurant across the street, and hiking at 8:00. The starting temp was 57F and it stayed below 70F all day. The skies were clear with bright sun and no wind. The trail was bursting with mountain laurel on both sides--very pretty. Later in the day the forest on both sides of the trail consisted of low blueberry bushes and ferns. It was a pleasant scene. I stopped and sat by the trail at 12:15 and had grilled ham and cheese sandwich for lunch with a 20 oz Pepsi that I had packed in. Then I hiked on. At 2:00 I passed the halfway point on the AT. Shortly after that it started to sprinkle a little. This lasted off and on for a half hour but never amounted to anything. I reached PA 233 at about 3:30. The trail today was moderately fast. I covered the 15.4 mi in a little over 7 hrs hiking time. Met Night Hiker today. Also heard a number of common birds today. They were oven bird, eastern towhee, robin, cardinal, nuthatch, blue jay, and others I couldn't identify.
Date: 2012-06-07
From: PA233

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day #81. Up at 6, start at 7:50. Ascent 2901, descent 3310. Duration: 9.56 including 25 min lunch. At about noon I passed the 1100 mile on the AT. Today I slacked again. Up at 6:00, breakfast at 6:30 at the Flamingo Restaurant, and hiking at 7:50.   The starting temp was 55F and it stayed below 70F all day. The skies were cloudy and no wind. I was greeted by the mournful but harmonic song of the hermit thrush in the early morning low light level of the forest. It is a very pretty song. As it became partly sunny the thrush stopped but the sounds of the woods were punctuated by the loud screaming song of the oven bird. I stopped and sat by the trail at 12:45 and had tuna salad sandwich and a grilled chicken sandwich for lunch with a 20 oz Pepsi that I had packed in. At around 4:00 it started to sprinkle a little. This lasted off and on for about 10 min. At about 5:30 a thunder storm hit as Stats and I were approaching Boiling Springs. The wind blew hard and it rained very hard. By the time I reached the parking lot to be picked up by Sheri it had stopped but I was pretty wet. The trail today was moderately fast except for a 0.4 mi section called the maze. I call it PCAR (pointless crawling around rocks). I covered the 19.4 mi in 9:30 hiking time. Today I met Whiffle Ball, Glues Clues, Broad Sword, All Smiles, Sugar Plumb, Dame Quioxte, Runner, and Stats.
Date: 2012-06-08
From: Boiling Springs

To: PA 850
Miles today: 16.7

Day #82. Up at 6, start at 7:45. Ascent 1680, descent 1770. Duration: 9:20 including 50 min lunch. Today I slacked again. Up at 6:00, breakfast today was two sticky buns from the buffet last night and a large coffee from a convenience store on the way and hiking at 7:45. The starting temp was 64F. It reached 80F today as part of a long term warming trend.   The skies were clear and no wind. I reached US 11 at 11:30 and took a side trail down to the highway and walked 0.2 mi west to the Middlesex Diner, a favorite eating spot for thru hikers. There I had a baked haddock sandwich with chips and clam chowder all for $6.10. It was a good hiker lunch and in 50 min I was back on the trail. The trail today was like a baby¢s bottom and quite fast. Today I tried the wild strawberries by the Trail. They were quite pulpy with no taste. I also saw a lot of mulberries on the green tunnel floor. I covered the 16.7 mi in 8:30 hiking time. Today I met Lemiwinks, Cicada, Rhymeorceos, Professor Org, Fidero, Two Step, Payman, Stats, Huff and Puff, Dead Tide, Alpo, and Dame Quioxte.
Date: 2012-06-09
From: PA 850

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day #83. Up at 7, start at 9:30. Ascent 1150, descent 1430. Duration: 4:15. Today I slacked again.  Up at 7:00, had the Allenberry buffet breakfast today at 8:00 at the $6 thru hiker rate. It was excellent. Sheri took us back to the trail head and then she headed back to Illinois.  I was hiking at 9:30.The start today featured clear skies, no wind, and a temp of 71F. The Trail started out relatively smooth but after few miles it turned quite rocky and stayed that way the next 7 miles all the way into Duncannon where I am staying tonight at the famous Doyle Hotel for $25 a night. No AC,  no TV,  and a common bath. Here we met Andy who will be slack packing us for the next two days. I am in my room with a window open and the room temp is 85F. No need for a blanket.  It is nearly 8 and I need to be up early. It will be interesting to see how these hot summer-like conditions affect my sleep.   Tomorrow I'll just be Trog-along AFAICG
Date: 2012-06-10
From: Duncannon, PA

To: PA 325
Miles today: 18.0

Day #84. Up at 5:30, start at 7:40. Ascent 2630, descent 2480. Duration: 9:48 including 15 min for lunch. Today I slacked again.  Up at 5:30, was at Goodies for breakfast when they opened at 6:00, and was hiking at 7:40. The temp was 64F, hazy sun, and no wind. There was a 2 mile flat sidewalk hike out of Duncannon, followed by a 1000 ft climb after crossing the Susquehanna River. There were several miles of very rocky ridge walk which greatly slowed me down. The rest of the hike today was a combination of some rocks and more rocks.  The temp reached 83F today in the green tunnel.  I covered the 18.0 miles in about 9.5 hrs. I was glad to finish where Andy met us and took us to a friends house for dinner and the night. Tomorrow I'll just be Trog-along AFAICG
Date: 2012-06-11
From: PA 325

To: Swatara Gap
Miles today: 17.4

Day #85. Up at 6, start at 8:20. Ascent 2220, descent 2240. Duration: 7:49 including 15 min for lunch. Today I slacked again.  Up at 6:00, down for breakfast at 6:30, and hiking at 8:20.  There was a gradual 1000 ft ascent to start but the trail was mostly smooth over the climb and for the rest of the day.  The temp reached 81F under partly cloudy skies with a slight breeze now and then.  Today I saw one deer and a rat snake which started away but then turned and hissed at me.  I stayed on the other side of the trail and hiked on. The tread way was fast today and I hiked the 17.4 miles in about 7.5 hiking hours.   But I was still glad when Andy met me at the finish with a cold beer and took us to a friends house for dinner and the night. Tomorrow I'll just be Trog-along AFAICG.
Date: 2012-06-12
From: Swatara Gap

To: Hertline Campsite
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day #86. Up at 6, start at 8:40. Ascent 2670, descent 1800. Duration: 10:12 including 30 min for lunch. Today I had my full pack for the first time in 10 days. Up at 6:00, down for breakfast at 6:30. We picked up supplies for 4 days, Andy dropped us off at the iron bridge and I was hiking at 8:40. It was 71F, raining lightly, and heavily overcast with no wind. The rain continued all day long and was heavy at times. The treadway was much less friendly today and the combination of very rocky terrain in a number of sections and the heavier pack really slowed me down. I hiked the 17.0 miles in about 9.5 hiking hours.   I was very glad to reach the camp site and pitch during a lull in the rain. Tomorrow I'll just be Trog-along AFAICG