morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Glasgow, VA

To: Reservoir Road
Miles today: 15.0

left Glasgow this morning. Powerful thunderstorm came through town last night. lightning and super loud thunder right over our heads. Good climb out of Glasgow, steep. Passed the Ottie Cline Powell memorial on side of the trail. Passed a national Forest exhibit sign which said we are walking through a 4.5 acre site of virgin forest. they use this site to study changes in the forest. When you walk thru forest where the trees have never been cut down it is a special feeling.
Date: 2014-06-12
From: Reservoir Road

To: Porters Field
Miles today: 21.9

Passed the 800 mile mark today! walking through areas of the forest with lots of history here. During prohibition whiskey was made and sold here. Also former slaves lived here in Brown Mountain Creek Valley after the Civil War until 1920. There are still signs of their old homesteads. Got woken up very early today by a raven at 5 am. wow these birds are loud, like alarm clock loud. Most every night I can hear owls hooting too, but do not usually see owls flying around.
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Porters Field

To: Reeds Gap
Miles today: 21.0

huge violent rain storm last night. Heavy downpours. It is hard to stay completly dry when the outside is so wet. Nicer day today though. Hiked to VA 664 and went to "The Devils Brewery" down the road. What a great stay there. Good food and beer, and they let hikers camp for free on their lawn. Looks like a big resort. We thought we were being dropped off at the wrong place!
Date: 2014-06-14
From: Reeds Gap

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: scattered clouds

hitched back to the trail this morning from sleeping at the Brewery. We skipped their breakfast offer of only 5 dollars as they did not serve till 10 am. Nice 19 mile walk into Waynesboro. No rain. Lots of day hikers hiking off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Last section was fairly strenuous. Looking forward to some more level terrain to walk through. this is a vacation after!
Date: 2014-06-15
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Calf Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Short hike out of Waynesboro today. Took a zero yesterday. Last minute town things like Post Office, and library held us up. camped at the YMCA and showered. Entered Shenandoah National Park at Rockfish Gap. very hot today. this park, is in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia between Front Royal and Waynesboro. Many hikers camping here tonight at this shelter. we are in the bubble . hearing thunder in the distance. Hope it does not rain tonight.
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Calf Mtn Shelter

To: Loft Mtn Campground
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

One of the easiest days of hiking today. No big climbs or descents. went over Blackrock mountain, a tumbled mass of large lichen covered blocks of stone. OK. also good views. Able to get a shower tonight, plus some snacks at the campground store.
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Loft Mtn Campground

To: Swift Run Gap
Miles today: 18.7

Passed the 900 mile mark today! The southern part of Shenandoah Nat'l Park is the wildest and least developed part of the park. The AT follows the crest of the Blue Ridge, crossing Skyline Drive many times. Oldest evidence shows that humans were here in these mountains 10,000 years ago. Present archaeological digs inside the park show extensive evidence of archaic period people between 9,000 to 1,000 BC.
Date: 2014-06-18
From: Swift Run Gap

To: Bearfence Mtn Hut
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

saw my first rattlesnake on the trail today. Short hiking day today. Spent last night at Mountain View Motel in Elkton. walked through a small thunderstorm around 4 pm. Sometimes when the black thunder cloud are overhead the forest gets very dark, almost like a solar eclipse. Dark and spooky. Woke up yesterday morning and had a tick crawling across my forehead! Yuck!
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Bearfence Mtn Hut

To: Big Meadows campground
Miles today: 8.4

Very short walk today to Big Meadows campground. The check in person at the office gave us a site for free, as someone else cancelled. Walked down to the wayside Grill for food and resupply. Blackberry sunday! Good! Had another nice meal at the lodge later on. Had another big rain storm later on this evening in the campground. Tent is extremely wet and dirty now. Hard to keep things clean out here.
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Big Meadows campground

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today is my 2 months on the trail! I started the approach trail on 4-21. Had a nice breakfast at Big meadows Lodge with a blackberry sunday. Do I deseve all that? Then 8 miles later a lunch at Skyland lodge. cloudy and a little rain today. Didn't get many views because of clouds and fog. Passed by Mary's Rock outcropping. geologists believe this rock is over 1 billion years old.
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Front Royal Hostel
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: broken clouds

Long day today, almost 23 miles. Stopped by Elkwallow wayside for a last snack inside SNP. A young couple we met on the trail today were giving out treats to thru hikers. They hiked the AT last year. You could still see their ennthusuiasm for the trail. Checked into Terrapin Hostol. There was a 73 year old woman thru hiking the trail this year. Seeing a lot more ticks and posion ivy and oak along the trail.
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Front Royal Hostel

To: Near VA 638
Miles today: 10.9

Got a shuttle into Front Royal this morning by hostel owner Mike . Nice breakfast at L Dees then PO, resupply at Martins and then library. Trail corrider getting much narrower now. walking by house at times, almost through their back yards. Passed by National Zoological Park and Conservation Center. A 4,000 acre wildlife preserve belonging to the Smithsonian Institution. Land here used to be a US Cavalry remount post and a WW2 POW camp.
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Ed Garvey shelter

To: Harpers Ferry West Virginia
Miles today: 6.3

Got behind the last few days on notes. It has been so hot! Hiked thru the famous "roller Coaster" part of the trail. 13 miles of ups and downs, tough hiking. Got into Harpers Ferry evening of 25th. Then rested up for two days. I was feeling dehydrated and needed rest. walked around harpers ferry and all the historical things to see. The history of the civil war here is incredible. Alot of tourists here riding the train in from washington, DC.
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Almost stepped on a big copperhead anake last night coming back from getting water around dusk. Watch out! We are in Maryland now, after crossing over the Potomac River leaving harpers Ferry. Cooler weather today, thankfully. Stopped by The War Correspondents Memorial in gathland State park. Also went by "Washington Monument". A Stone tower built by locals in 1827 to honer George Washington. Crossed I-70 on a footbridge and waved to all the passin cars. Cheap thrills.
Date: 2014-06-29
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Falls Creek
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

Passed by the Annapolis Rock and Black Rock Cliffs viewpoints today. stopped by High Rock, a spectacular view. Arrived at Pen-Mar County park around 7;30 pm. 2 previous year AT hikers had lots of food to give away. Good food too, from a local farm. With dehydrated veggies, cookies, bread, fruit. Crossed the "Mason Dixon" linearound 9 pm. Now we're in PA.
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Falls Creek

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Had to hitch into Waynesboro, PA today to get my new maps in my bounce box. First day of hiking in PA. Everyone talks about how the rocks here are so bad. But really there are rocks all the way from GA to ME. Thaddeus Stevens once owned the land that is now caledonia Park. He is known as the father of the public school system here in PA. The fields around here were used as field hospitals during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Just North of Pine Grove Furnace state Park
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: broken clouds

Passed the halfway mark today! now, I've done more miles already than I'll do. now I can start counting down what's left. It's funny how time can fly out here. Ended up today in Pine Grove Furnace state Park. Home to the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge. Here, at the local store if you can eat 1/2 gallon of ice cream in 30 minutes or less, you become part of the 1/2 gallon club. I didn't try it, too much for me.
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Just North of Pine Grove Furnace state Park

To: Boiling Springs PA
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Short walk today into Boiling Springs. Passed Center Point Knob, the original AT midpoint, which at mile 1114. Checked into the Allenberry Playhouse and Resort. A great deal at $40 dollars a room. Plus all you can eat breakfast buffet, nice swimming pool and hot tub. by far the best deal on the trail so far.
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Boiling Springs PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Zero day today in Boiling Springs. Ate lots of food and got rested up. Went to go see the play 42nd Street at the Playhouse. What a great show they put on. Very talented folks singing and tapdancing to Broadway musical songs. This was my first live theater show I've ever seen. What a nice experience, especially while hiking the trail. So nice just to sit back and be entertained.
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Footbridge, stream
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

had a great AYCE breakfast at Allenberry Resort this morning. Why can't all mornings be like that? Had a great hike through the Cumberland Valley. Cooler temps, plus a variety of things to see. Farms, huge corn fields. When we got to the Scott Farm Trail Work Center, there was a big group of 4th of july Revelers. They invited us into their celebration. They were tubing down the the river They gave us watermelon, chicken, sandwiches, drinks. So nice.
Date: 2014-07-05
From: Footbridge, stream

To: Clarks ferry Shelter
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: clear sky

Hiked through Duncannon today. Stopped at the church/library to use internet, then over to the doyle Hotel for lunch. The Doyle Hotel is one of the original Anheuser-Busch Hotels , more than 100 years old. 25.00 dollars a room. Our lunch of burgers was good. Then we had a big ice cream serving on the walk out of town. Re-supplied at a love's truck stop. Had a shower there too. Walked across the big Susquehanna River.
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville, Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Dermatitus contact due to plants. That's what I've got. Poison Ivy on my left arm. I got a big red rash and very itchy. Went into Port Clinton and saw a docter. Got some good meds and am starting to feel better now. For the last few days the poison ivy together with the extreme heat and humidity have taken alot of energy out of me. But still moving on. PA has lots of ridge walking. Of course the rocks slow us down sometimes, but still doing alright.
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Eckville, Shelter

To: Campsite North of Bake Knob
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

More rocky ridge walking today. Passed by Hawk Mountain sanctuary. The first sanctuary of it's kind in the world for protection of birds of prey. Before the sanctuary, people would shoot these birds out of the sky while they are migrating by. In Oct/Nov you can now watch these birds fly by at close range. Spent last night at Eckville Hikers Place, a restored 20th century farmhouse now operated by the National park service with a caretaker.
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Campsite North of Bake Knob

To: campsite
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

the last two days we've had some great trail magic in the afternoon. Food, drinks, cookies, what a treat! Walked through Lehigh Gap today. A century of zinc smelting in this area has resulted in these mountains being devastated. Now they have been on the EPA Superfund cleanup list. They are trying to bring the mountain back to life with revegetation. Very dry section, not much water. some springs are still contaminated. They have a heavy metal taste.
Date: 2014-07-13
From: campsite

To: Private Road
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Went into the town of Wind Gap, PA this afternoon. A local restaurant has a nice trailer set up behind their place of business. It's got showers, laundry, fans, free camping for thru hikers, plus good food and drinks on a hot summer day. It's only 1 mile from the trail so we just walked down to town. Spent the afternoon watching World Cup soccor and resting up. Heading into Delaware Water Gap tomorrow.
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Private Road

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Made it in To delaware water Gap earlier then we'd thought today. Yet another great trail majic going into town. Staying at the Church of the Mountain Hostel tonight. Last night we had a big thunderstorm go over us around 10 pm. Had a great dinner tonight to celebrate leaving Rockylvania. Tomorrow we head into New Jersey after crossing over the Delaware River on busy I-80 interstate. Still hot, muggy, and buggy. But at least tonight I am clean, well fed, and rested.
Date: 2014-07-15
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Rattlesnake Spring
Miles today: 0.0

Left Delaware Water Gap this morning. Weather forcast called for 80 % chance of thunderstorms, but it only rained lightly. Nice breakfast at the local bakery. Coffee, bisquits, apple pie, oh my. Walked across the delaware River what noise! Walking through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It's the largest federal recreation area in the east. 70,000 acres, it was originally planned as a hydro-electric dam project.
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Rattlesnake Spring

To: Just past Sunrise mountain
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Passed by Sunfish Pond, a lake (glacial) very nice. One of New Jersey's 7 wonders. Another wonder is that our guidebook says NJ has the highest population of black bears per square mile. Watched the setting sun a little from atop Sunrise MTN, which is the second highest point in NJ. Walked by a big beaver dam today. One beaver can down up to 300 trees per year! Beavers have returned in force to the National Recreation Areas. We did see one NJ bear today.
Date: 2014-07-17
To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

In the afternoon we walked into High Point State park, at Lake marcia. After walking in the woods for long periods of time , it's strange to come out at a scene where there are many people. The lake was crowed with families , cooking, swimming, and eating. We bought some hot dogs and hambergers at the grill and had our lunch. We Americans eat so bad.. Everywhere you look there are people eating so much food that is bad for us. I've got to eat more healthy too.
Date: 2014-07-18
From: Unionville, NY

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 11.8

Short walk today into Vernon. Stayed at the St Thomas Episcopal Church. We tented outside to stay cooler. Vernon is a nice town, small, folks are friendly. The local VFW lodge was having a small party with live music . The church is located in a cluster of buildings which have a cemetary literally right next to the buildings. The headstones are very old looking. Cool stuff to look at.
Date: 2014-07-19
From: Vernon, NJ

To: North of NY17A
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: moderate rain

Had breakfast this morning at Dunkin Donuts in Vernon. Dunkin Donuts is so east coast. You don't really see them out west. Crossed over into New York today! New state. Fine views looking down at Greenwood lake. Late in the day we ended up at Bellvale Creamery, an ice cream place. So nice and a great setting overlooking a valley. It was very crowded with people out for some ice cream on a Saturday night. Us too!
Date: 2014-07-20
From: North of NY17A

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

These are some words from my guidebook describing today's hike: Eastern Pinnacles, Cat Rocks, Wildcat Shelter, Abandoned Settlement, Mombasha Highpoint, Orange Turnpike, Sterling Forest Stae Park, Ramapo River Valley, New York State Thruway, Elk Pen Parking Area, Island Pond, Lemon squeezer, Long Path, Greenwood Mine, Fingerboard Shelter. I saw all these things today.
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: light rain

Climbed up and over Beat Mountain today. What a Bear! So many steps both going up then down. Stopped off at The Bear Mountain Inn for a late lunch. The place looks deserted. The Trailside Mueseum was closed so we walked around to Bear Mountain Bridge. Walking across the big Hudson river of New York. In 1924 Bear Mountain Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world, 2,322 feet across.
Date: 2014-07-22
From: Campsite

To: Clarence Fahnestock state Park
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

Passed through Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. I don't think they provide meals for hikers anymore. Had a second breakfast at a New York Deli, sandwiches and coffee, mmm, good. Came down to Clarence Fahnestock State Park, they have free hot showers, free camping for one night, swimming in the lake, . Plus there was a trail Angel here named "Joe". 70 years old, making meals for hikers at all hours of the day and night. What a great person Joe is, just giving back.
Date: 2014-07-23
From: Clarence Fahnestock state Park

To: Campsite
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Left our free campsite at the State Park this morning. Joe made breakfast and coffee for 10 hikers. Getting hotter again. So hard to keep clean out here when you are sweating non-stop all day. Walked over Shenandoah Mountain today. A native American word which might mean; Daughter of the Stars, Silver Water, River Through the Spruces, River of High Mountains, Great Meadow, or Big Flat Place. How can one word have so many different meanings?
Date: 2014-07-24
From: Campsite

To: Bulls Bridge Road
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: moderate rain

Finally a little cooler today. Had some thunderstorms come trough last night. Easier walking today. Passed by the "Dover Oak" Tree . Largest oak tree on the AT. Over 300 years old. Girth 20', 4". Had a great lunch spot at The Native Landscape and Garden center. Next to the AT Railroad Station. Ended today with a nice meal at the Bull Bridge Inn. Next to the covered bridge. Walked awhile along the Housetonic River. Very big.
Date: 2014-07-25
From: Bulls Bridge Road

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 7.4

The owner of Bull Bridge Inn let us camp next to the Inn last night. Otherwise we would have to walk in the dark and go find a camp spot.. Our guidebook have been saying ever since Delaware Water Gap that there are no campfires anywhere along the trail in NJ, NY, and now CT. Even today we saw campfires everywhere. Strange. CT so far is very hilly. One man told us there is lot's of fun to be had in CT!
Date: 2014-07-26
From: Kent, CT

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a great stay in Kent last night at a house of a friend. It was tempting to take a full zero. Again today trail was hilly, except for a nice 5 mile dirt road walk along the river. Something different. In 1694, The Reverand Wadsworth called Kent, CT, a hidious, howling wilderness. Now it's a yuppie getaway for New Yorkers. Yesterday we saw a covered bridge . There is not too many of these around anymore.
Date: 2014-07-27
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Fierce Mosquitoes at the shelter area last night. And really everywhere else too. It'll be so nice when the Mosquitoes go away. Crossed over Housatonic River on an Iron Bridge built in 1870. Nearby was a massive stone wall built as part of a canal, and still a marvel to look at. Great Falls had alot of water flowing. Walked by Rand's View, one of the nicest views of distant mountains. Went into Salisbury CT to resupply, nice stop.
Date: 2014-07-28
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 14.9

Went over three good sized mountains, with two good thunderstorms trown in to make it interesting. Bear Mountain,Mt Race, and Mt Everett. The trail was very steep in some places, especially tricky going downhillon rocks. Very slippery, you have to go slow so not to fall. Bear Mountain is the highest mountain in CT, 2,316 feet. Passed through Sages ravine area. Very nice area with large trees and waterfalls, swimming holes, and camping, a popular place.
Date: 2014-07-29
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Passed by Shay's Rebellion Monument. Shay was a Revolutionary War Veteran who led a rebellion over high taxes in 1786. Walked along the Housatonic River again today. Housatonic comes from the Mohican Indian word meaning "place beyond the mountain". There was one spot of trail next to the river where swamp water went up to our waist almost! Dirty, stagnant, swamp water! Yuck!
Date: 2014-07-30
From: Campsite

To: Lee, Mass
Miles today: 16.2

We have changed Mass name to Muddamassachusetts, So much mud and water along the trail. It is hard to believe it is ever really dry here. The mosquitoes are really bad now. Swarming all over you when you stop. Using more insect repellant now. Passed by an old Shaker Settlement. They were considered a very radical group long ago. They were also known for their very ornate furniture.
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Lee, Mass

To: Washinton Mountain road
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: few clouds

Had a great stay in Lee, Mass. Left town late, got to the trail at 2 PM. Made it to The Cookie Lady's house and canped there. So much mud and muck on the trail. It's actually hard to make good time. It's slow going trying to be careful not to slip on the wet moss covered rocks, and all the mud covered roots. Sleeping next to other hikers tonight. Some snoring very loudly. Hard to sleep.
Date: 2014-08-02
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a nice quite stay at St Mary's Church last night. Walked over Mt Greylock today. Highest mountain in Mass, 3491 feet. Had a burger for lunch at the Bascum Lodge at the top. Steep descent on north side of mountain. Walked down to Williamstown and spent 2 nights at a friends house. Nice relaxing time Good to take a full day off once in a while. The body feels much better after.
Date: 2014-08-04
From: Williamstown, MA

To: Campsite
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Williamstown after a short break downtown. Seeing south bounders the last couple of weeks. Crossed over into Vermont today. Still mud on the trail of course. . Did you know, by the middle of the 19th century, all of the beavers in Vermont had been trapped out. The beavers were introduced in the 1920's and have been flourishing ever since. Fasinating.
Date: 2014-08-05
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Most of our camping has been in the woods. We're not sleeping in the shelters. Passed by this place called Stamford Meadows, where archaeologists confirmed the area was inhabited thousands of years ago. It's strange to think about that. Had some big loud thunder prior to setting up camp this evening, but no real rain. Cooler weather lately.
Date: 2014-08-06
From: Campsite

To: Stratton Arlington Road
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

Short day today getting to a road and picked up by a friend. Spent another zero rest day here at a house. We've been hiking today in the longest section of the trail in Vermont that doesn't cross a road and is very remote. Right now the trail is crowded. AT/LT, SOBO and NOBO's all competing for space. wait until A Walk in the Woods movie comes out.
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Stratton Arlington Road

To: Campsite
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Left the comforts of a house this morning. Climbed over Stratton Mountain and climbed up to the fire tower on top. Talked with Hugh the caretaker, who has been a caretaker here since 1968, amazing. Stratton Mountain was supposedly the summit on which Benton McKaye was inspired to propose the creation of the AT. Stratton pond is very high, over flowing onto the trail.