morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-03
From: Port Clinton 

To: Rock & Sole Hostel, Route 183
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

BoulderDash is up early again. He decided against a zero. He said an early start today would be like a "nero." I reminded him it would still be about 15 miles. He said we'd be there early. It is raining this morning and we're walking down Clinton Avenue at 0540. The only direction out of town is up, and we continue uphill for a steady 40 minutes. Then my hiking partner disappears into the mist/fog/clouds - whatever. The trail curves continually. With the fog or mist we are close together but not in view of each other very often. We stop/meet for our breaks as usual and finally arrive at Route 183 about 1330. Our call to Craig catches him by surprise, he was not expecting us quite this early. We walk a logging road as directed and Craig locates us at the bottom of the hill. Pap from PA is here. Details on another slackpack are discussed. I've also discovered my eyeglasses are not in their case. I call Port Clinton Hotel - they will check.
Date: 2016-06-04
From: Rock & Sole Hostel, Route 183

To: Route 645
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The slackpack was set last night, Route 645. Pap from PA will be hiking with us; it's his last day of hiking. He will get a ride home tomorrow. Breakfast at Rock&Sole is at 0700. And just like last night's dinner (and dessert) it was a superb. This morning it was OJ, coffee, an omelet, sausage patties, and toast. Salsa was available. These are not your typical hostel meals/accommodations. No wonder Pap has been staying here since we left Palmerton and BoulderDash wanted to do a slackpack. We are back for another dinner: mushroom bacon burger, home fried potatoes, and broccoli. Dessert was Yuenling ice cream and biscotti. Who wouldn't want to stay here? It was raining lightly during our hike but little actually got through the leaves. All in all another uneventful day. We did stop and chat with the maintenance crew. They were very pleasant and the 3 of us were thankful they were out trimming and cutting. They had several trees cut into fire place size; stacked against the tree next to a campsite. We encounter Pops (a female hiker with what she claimed was a ton of bad jokes) and her hiking partner, Matt, throughout the early afternoon. At 1430 we are back at the Fort Dietrich marker and 32 minutes later we are at the bottom of the hill at the burn pile; the piano that was standing by itself yesterday is now on the pile. (I did so want a photo of it.) Basically, we are back at the hostel (at 1500).A shower, clean clothes, and dinner as described complete most of the day. BoulderDash and I discuss tomorrow; we are leaving after breakfast unless it is training very hard (downpour). If it's raining hard enough for the trail to be slick BoulderDash has intentions of taking a zero here; something about finding it difficult to leave a good thing. But again that's a decision for tomorrow. For today, the bag is packed, and dinner was excellent. Clothes are drying. And I can have extra sleep if I start soon.
Date: 2016-06-05
From: Route 645

To: Rausch Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light intensity drizzle

BoulderDash and I are leaving this morning, but not until after breakfast: coffee, OJ, fruit cup, and home made eh muffin sandwich. Pap has a ride coming at 1100. Our host shuttles us to Route 645, bids us adieu, and takes our photo. It had rained early today, about 0300, and didn't start again until 1000. That rain lasted about half an hour. Then we had 10- or 20-minute showers occasionally. Lunch was a dry time; I actually think we had lunch under I-81 South (appropriately enough). Around 1400 it is a real downpour and it continues until we eventually find Rausch Gap Shelter. I figure that to be about 1600.I had taken my watch off earlier as a result of a slip and fall. One second I stopped for a drink; the next I was picking myself up from the ground. Gravity at its best. My foot must have struck the ground at just the right angle. No injury - a soft mud landing - just surprise and a muddy me. I was pretty well washed clean by the time we reached the shelter. By, or for, comparison, tonight's dinner was a Backpacker Pantry, mashed potatoes, beef, and gravy - filling (yes) and hot (yes), but no contest with the last two nights' dinners.
Date: 2016-06-06
From: Rausch Gap Shelter 

To: Peters Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: moderate rain

Stepping into wet clothes this morning was a chilling experience - one that lasted several hours. The trail was also a new experience - all the flat areas without rocks were now mud spaces. With all the rain yesterday everything was muddy but the flat spaces became soft black mud. You step and begin to sink, 1/4, 1/2, one inch - then you push to stride forward. But without resistance each stride is that much shorter. You are actually looking for rocks to step on, anything solid. Your trekking poles likewise sink - the last couple of days - under and against rocks. If the poles sink more than 1/4 inch you instinctively pull them and reset them - if not as you step forward you'll leverage them against the rocks. (This is not "rocks/paper/scissors." The rocks always win.)I do not want to sound continually negative; it is a challenge daily. But while I probably haven't mentioned it, I have taken time to smell the flowers. Seeing dogwood bloom (NY), rhododendron bloom, although it seemed very briefly (NY/NJ), mountain laurel bloom continually now (PA),the arrival of spring (everywhere), the power of nature (yesterday's storm), and the calm, peaceful beginning of a new day.
Date: 2016-06-07
From: Peters Mountain Shelter 

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

On a hunch it was going to rain again I slung the hammock in the shelter loft after it was apparent no one else was arriving. There were 4 in a shelter designed for 20. I was correct; it did rain, quite hard during several downpours. Daybreak however revealed clear skies. Lovely downtown Duncannon in 11.8 miles. I had slept in until nearly 0530,but was ready to leave 20 minutes before BoulderDash. Duncannon was hiked by 1230 and into The Doyle for lunch (chili cheese fries and adult beverage).BoulderDash had lunch and takes a room here. I'm waiting on my wife and daughter, Meredith. Meredith will be hiking with me for the next week. As a hiking pair we will not keep BoulderDash's pace. We say our goodbye and arrange to keep in contact. My wife and daughter will not arrive until after 2000, so off in search of dessert go I (a large banana split).Then a search for Trail Angel Mary, almost a trail icon. Two earlier searches were unsuccessful, this lady one found her at home. She is one interesting lady with stories and history to tell. I spent my waiting time listening to her tell of past history of Duncannon and through hikers (she even has her own AT Passport stamp).When my 2 did arrive it was time for pizza, besides nearly every other food spot was closed. There were leftovers. Then down to Carlisle for a room.
Date: 2016-06-08
From: Duncannon

To: Sherwood Drive 
Miles today: 15.0

This will be a slackpack day. Meredith has not had to hike hills and I've no desire to punish her with a full pack today. It starts with a climb up Cove Mountain and there is at least one other rather severe climb (especially for someone who normally resides in Texas). We start where I left off yesterday and before we are even out of town Trail Angel Mary beeps as she passes in her van, probably out to help some hiker. And up Cove Mountain we go. I'm glad I'd arranged the slackpack by the time we get to the top. The forecast called for "scattered" thunderstorms. Why do they always seem to be directly over me? Nonetheless the storm hits and it rains hard for about half an hour. We duck the last of it in Cove Mountain shelter. Almost as the rain ends the 3 Amish men we passed earlier arrive. They had been tucked under one of the blue tarps off the side of the trail. They also said it was warm (with the 3 of them) but it didn't work very well. The rain stops, but that same forecast called for high winds. Surprisingly the forecast was correct twice in the same day. The winds were high and constant. We pushed through the day at a much faster pace, just to keep warm. We arrived at Darlington Shelter for lunch. I immediately recognized the boots and inner soles as belonging to BoulderDash. He was tucked deep in his sleeping bag trying to get warm. He must have gotten caught in the open field when the rain started. I informed him to expect company for the evening (the 3 Amish) and he finally started moving around. We arranged for pickup at Sherwood Drive. Then dinner at The Doyle for Meredith's sake and then back to the hotel.
Date: 2016-06-09
From: Sherwood Drive 

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: fog

This will be another slackpack day. While it's fairly flat terrain, it is only day 2 for Meredith. One more light pack day can't hurt. We start where we finished yesterday. Just as we start the Amish men arrive at the parking area. Introductions are made and we all set out. They stop in about a mile; they'd been hiking for over an hour and we pass and continue through farm field. At Route 644 there is trail magic. If I hadn't been told by a NOBO, I'd have missed it; the sign was only visible to northbound hikers. But find it I did; Meredith had not experienced "magic" and was delighted with a cold lemonade and a chair to sit upon while she savored it. By 1315 we were at the ATC Regional Office. Lunch yesterday had been leftover stromboli; today was leftover pizza. Both were fitting trail lunches. We found our ride at the local watering hole and discovered we also had a room for the night at the Allenberry (which will no longer accept hikers after the end of the month). Dinner was a return trip to the tavern and was excellent. The night did not go perfectly; the Penguins lost. But we did get our packs ready and a good night's rest.
Date: 2016-06-10
From: Boiling Springs

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 10.0

Well, it was supposed to be breakfast at 0600. The website reported opening time as 0600. The locals reported the same starting time. But - on Friday - the Caff  does not open until 0700.We did get in at 0700 and placed orders. Only to be informed at 0720 that no one had informed the "chef" he was working on Friday. He would be there at 0730. Melody takes coffee to go; her order is refunded. At 0735 Meredith is told there is not sausage gravy. Her order is refunded; her second order "on the house."We are finally hiking just before 0900. This is Meredith's first day with a full pack. I have taken on an 8-day resupply (4 days for 2 hikers). The distance to Pine Grove Furnace State Park (Ironmasters Mansion Hostel) is just at 20 miles. We have no need to rush. We will split the distance into two 10-mile hikes.First stop, A. Kennedy shelter for mid-morningsnack. BoulderDash was there for the night. I am now getting a "twinge" above my right hip in my back. I know this feeling very well - oh so very well. Maybe stretching will help. Snack time is extended. The guide says boulder fields - actually boulder "mazes;" something new for Meredith. She apparently does not do well with vertical height. (Wonder where that came from? She climbed trees as a child.)But she walks right through. We make it to the campsite about 1600. Meredith gets a setup lesson in hammock-hanging. She tested the results and seemed satisfied.
Date: 2016-06-11
From: Campsite 

To: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

Not necessarily an early start; up at 0630, hiking by 0800. But a relatively easy day overall. There were several climbs but gradual. The downhills, while gradual, were strewn with loose scree and "ankle twisters"(nasty rocks). Meredith wasn't exactly happy about this and reported her right knee was complaining. We had lunch at Jack Fry shelter and took extra time for stretching. (Someone really should remeasure the distance from tail to shelter, it was the longest 1100 feet I've walked in a while.) The afternoon got very warm. We broke up the rest of the day into 45-minute hikes to assure Meredith water breaks. We arrived at Pine Groove Furnace State Park about 1500. First stop was the AT Museum and a glimpse of history - Earl Shaeffer, Gene Espy, Grandma Gatewood. Then on to Ironmasters Mansion Hostel. The hostel doesn't open until 1700,but the porch is wonderful; the view (NOBO hikers, the General Store) marvelous. We sit and eat ice cream from the store (no, I don't need a half gallon challenge, thank you) followed by a Gatorade. The hostel opens and we take advantage of showers and dinner (pulled pork sandwich and salad) eventually followed by a cool night's sleep. We are the only 2 here tonight. I did take time to look at the mansion's history on the walls.
Date: 2016-06-12
From: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel

To: Tom's Run Shelter
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: fog

This turned out to be an exceptionally short day. Meredith's knee is still complaining. A full day of should help; I haven't had a zero since Water Gap; can't hurt. Unique evening and morning at Ironmasters. Dinner last night was pulled pork sandwich, chips, and salad. Breakfast was waffles. And coffee; hadn't had coffee for a while now. Meredith acquired a trail name this morning. Full Circle, the caretaker, remembered Viper had a daughter in the movie, and that her n name is mentioned. Meredith obligingly searches and finds the answer. She is immediately thereafter dubbed "Jamie."The rest of the day is just that - REST.
Date: 2016-06-13
From: Tom's Run Shelter

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

An up by 0600 and off by 0800 day with a short agenda, Birch Run Shelter, 7.3 miles. It is a pleasant day, and a pleasant hike - gradual climbs, limited rocks.Yesterday we passed the "official halfway point." Today we pass the 2016 halfway point. This is a plaque on a post with the notation that this is halfway 2016. The other notice is fancy, with flags and mileage indicators of 1090.5 in each direction. (That calculates to 2181.0; the last 2 years the trail has been 2189.2 and .1 respectively.) I take a photo of New Hampshire Bob with his camera. I took 2; he didn't like either and sort of demanded I take them again. (I may never offer to do this again, for anyone.)We're at Birch Run before noon. Jim is there, rambling on about the trail. We have lunch and move on to the PATC cabin where AWOL has camping marked - plus 2.5 miles. The cabin is posted no camping nearby. We get water from the spring and make a step 1/2 mile climb to a dry campsite. But we are there and set up by 1700. A nap and dinner are the schedule. After dinner I break the branch I'd selected to hang the bear bag. Annoying! Meredith thinks we will be in Caledonia State Park tomorrow; I know there are 2 step rocky declines tomorrow. But now - sleep.
Date: 2016-06-14
From: Campsite 

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The park is today's goal. As usual, up at 0600, hiking by 0800. This morning we exhausted the fuel canister just as tea was finishing. Dinner might prove an issue. There are, in fact, a couple of steep, scree-laden, "ankle twister" descents today. These are not a favorite of "Jamie" who would rather have inclines. It is only 6.8 miles into the park; 7.2 miles to US 30, my goal for today.I completely miss the mark for lunch and even now I'm kicking myself in the butt for this one. I'd planned Quarry Gap Shelter for lunch; I should have sick t to the plan. Instead, I'd misjudged the distance and stopped 5 minutes short when I saw all the rocks in the trail. Five minutes after lunch we walk into Quarry Gap Shelter; a truly magical place on the AT. The caretaker needs to be thanked daily. There was no graffiti, no carved initials in wooden beams, no trash anywhere in sight. There was a rolled windbreak at the rear of the breezeway, a roof and flower pots over the bear box, a sundial, and a swing (the caretaker is stoning the base under the swing). My words will not present an accurate description; even a single photograph would not do this area justice. We however move on to Caledonia SP. After a half hour walk through the campground searching out an acceptable site, we are established for the next 2 nights. About 1500 I go in search of fuel, or food. The BBQ described in AWOL is no longer there; replaced by Timber diner - breakfast and lunch until 2100.Two huge burgers and baskets of fries - dinner is accomplished. A shower and the rinsing of clothes completed, it is now bedtime.
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

"Jamie" is happy today; nowhere to go. Besides, it's raining. I got up in the middle of the night and noticed there were no visible stars. I had already stretched the rolled tarp over my hammock - just in case. Now I took the time to unroll the tarp, stretch the guy lines, and use whatever was available as anchors. Then, back to sleep, secure in the knowledge that whenever raindrops started I would stay dry. When I did awake there were, in fact, raindrops falling where my head was (as the song suggests), just intercepted by the tarp.Jamie does eventually check on me, she said she had looked earlier and saw the tarp. Without fuel breakfast is cold, but at least there is something. Lunch is still a question. There isn't anything in the food bag and since the pool isn't open due to rain, the snack bar appears closed. I do need to stretch my legs and suggest a stroll. Jamie is agreeable, no backpack necessary. We stroll across the park and end in a picnic pavilion where I stretch legs and back. We were just leaving when Goldberry appears (I had met her at Trail Angel Mary's in Duncannon) announcing "trail magic" at the first pavilion on the AT. Poof! Lunch! I feel a little embarrassed showing up without pack and on a zero day, but you just can't pass magic. (You also don't seem to be able to explain its appearance just when you need it either.)Hamburgers, hot dogs, lettuce, tomatoes. Delicious! And the rain stopped. We await the arrival of Melody and our ride. Dinner is found tonight at Roy Pitz, a nearby brewpub. Tonight we again sleep in the rain. But tomorrow I will begin a five day break at home.
Date: 2016-06-16
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Okay, there will be no trail miles for a number of days. I will however fill in the days with my own commentary. Today is a travel day - Fayetteville to Washington. I can even drive. It is quite a different sensation traveling at a mile a minute or better when for weeks I've been measuring miles in hours rather than minutes, or sometimes, in seconds. One item that I thought about during this trip was the "Ampy." "Ampy" is a kinetic charger; you move, it charges its battery. Reportedly an hour of exercise is the equivalent of an hour's charge for a portable device (read cell phone, Ipod, IPad, Kindle). And I tested it, without problems. I walked, it worked as expected. It, however, had not arrived in time for my shake down hikes in November. So I hadn't realized it needs rythymical movement.Walking is rythymical movement; hiking could be. But hiking the AT does not often offer opportunity to hike with a constant consistent rythym. You chop steps to find footing on a rocky path. You shorten, or lengthen, stride to assure solid and balanced footing. I put the device in my pocket, back pocket or front pocket, it made no difference, after 4 days I had a charge, just barely 25 percent. I tried other locations, on the side and top of my pack, on my ankle, on my forearm, even attached to a trekking pole. After I hit it against 2 rocks when it was attached to my ankle, I decided not to tempt fate and maybe break it. None of the other locations fared any better. I couldn't get better than a 25 percent charge which equated to about 3 or 4 percent increase in battery on my cell phone. I've decided that the "Ampy" works; just isn't effective for my current application at what it weighs. It has been regulated back to the equipment box. It will be used for other charging duties.Jamie was trying to see friends in the area, Thursday's effort didn't work. But there was a play she wanted to see opening at the local theatre. A thunderstorm took care of that; no power at the theatre, show cancelled. We ended the day watching a DVD movie at home, "The Way." Coincidently it was both a movie she had purchased for me and it was about a long-distance hike, the Camino de Santiago. It must have been good; I didn't fall asleep. It was after midnight when I finally went to bed - well after my normal bedtime (twilight usually, dark absolutely).
Date: 2016-06-17
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Today I'm up and out early to a doctor's visit by 0800 and about an hour's drive to get there in morning traffic. (I didn't have to be concerned with traffic for the past 7 weeks.) I am there by 0750 and in the exam room almost immediately. The nurse did a double-take to make sure I was really standing on the scale (with both feet). Yes, I am - but I'm also 20 pounds lighter.After the appointment I take care of other personal issues. I pick up new eyeglasses (replacements for the "Port Clinton affair"). I also return a signed, dated receipt to a financial institution. (The request for the document was received in early May. It was one thing - there will be others - for which I hadn't planned.) Then a stop at my pharmacy - drugs (just in case). I stop for coffee at an old haunt only to find most of the "old guys" gone already. I do find the retired judge and get updated on recent county news.I make a special trip to a local golf club to see if Walter still has a standing 1215 Friday tee time. He does; he nearly falls over when he sees me - he has been worried about my safety.Then a trip to see my mother - she has also been worried about my safety. This should reassure her (it won't really, mothers are like that). And I'm home in time to accompany "Jamie" to the airport. And then she's off - it was fun. I am thankful I had an opportunity to spend time with her (actually thankful that she took, or made, time to spend with me - especially so close to Father's Day). It really is about Smiles - not Miles. We did have quite a few.Now I return to the hike. Or rather return to REI. We stop so I can get new boots, new inner soles, and liner socks (Who knew they manufactured liner socks with individual toes. Maybe I'll quit stepping on my little toes.) Also I get a product called "Skin," a cream which works like Body Glide to reduce/prevent chafing. Maybe now even if I do step on those little toes they won't abrade when rubbing.Enough for today, we end the day with a movie at home. It was supposed to be a comedy but "Sideways" was just long.
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm again out early, this time to see the B-man. Before I started he told me the pack didn't fit quite right. I wasn't sure then, but my lower back has been complaint about "something." Let me see how/if it can be "fixed." After a 45-minute consultation the new pack is ever so slightly smaller (63 vs 65 liters) and on a small frame. It may weigh slightly less as well. (I'm not a "gram weenie;" either I need an item, or I don't.) I make a couple more stops. The hardware store, I need tubing to change my water filter to gravity mode. The outlet shops (I don't like these, but...) I need a pair of camp shoes - to keep from wearing hiking boots without socks and inner soles - Crocs. My boots will get a chance to air out longer. On the positive side, Crocs are light and everyone seems to like them - we'll see.The tubing is connected, checked, and functions as I anticipated. I pack the new backpack. I won't check the weight - but everything is in there - a 6-day food supply and 2 liters of water.We have dinner at a local chain restaurant.Apparently I'm still on hiker's hours, 10 PM is hiker's midnight. I'm exhausted.