morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Bobblets Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The plan was to hike to Cornelius Creek Shelter for another reasonable day of 18.4 miles. I was tempted to push on a little farther but decided to hold back the reins and stick to the plan... for now anyway...The hike was pleasant and relaxing and I took a few photos along the way. As I grew nearer to the shelter it started to rain. I put on my packa which seems to be perfect for hiking in the rain when it is warmer out... for me anyway...I arrived at the shelter to find it FULL of section hikers!!! This was not a pleasant thing as it meant I would need to set up my tent in the rain and that would mean carrying a wet tent the following day which was not a pleasant thing either... I bit the bullet and set up my tent quickly and put my gear inside to keep it from getting wet.... then went over to the shelter to hang out for a little while... The section hikers were ok guys and they had brought corn on the cob, steaks, sweet potatoes and a cast iron pot of baked beans... I wasn't really super hungry but the thought that it would have been nice for them to have brought extra food to make up for hogging the shelter would have been nice. I didn't say anything... but I am sure they got the vibe from all the thru hikers who had to set up tents in the rain...After they had eaten there was a fair amount of food left and they offered it to any of us thru hikers who wanted some... If you are offered and want some you have to speak up and not be shy... especially with a bunch of vulture thru hikers... I got a paper plate of beans, a chunk of steak... about half of a baked sweet potato and an ear of corn... It was really good... especially the baked beans... and I was amazed how fast I ate it considering I wasn't even really that hungry!!!After eating one of the guys was telling jokes while some of us hung out by the fire trying to warm up and dry out a little in the on and off rain... After I thought I was as dry as I was going to get I excused myself and went off to bed in my tent...
Date: 2016-05-02
From: Glasgow, VA Shelter

To: Buena Vista, VA US 60
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Plans change again... instead of the 15 or so miles to Reservoir Rd. Campsite with a short day into Buena Vista for a zero I ended up deciding to push into Buena Vista with AK after a 21.8 mile day... We made it up the big climb in the hot sun and got to Punchbowl Shelter for a quick lunch break and water refill. The pond was a nice view but I could only imagine the flies and mosquitoes which would be near. Subman and Suds arrived shortly after we did and they decided to hold up there. They didn't think they could make the next shelter before the rain started... AK and I thought we'd just go to US 60 and head into town so for me... I didn't mind if I got rained on...I was feeling a little beat and wasn't sure I could make it to US 60 but I was up for trying... I took some extra ibuprofen and we set out. At the first road crossing there was a car with some hikers who were heading off trail for a little while to attend a wedding.. they were doing trail magic. Chick fil a chicken fingers and a can of beer... not a bad combo... I didn't really want the beer so passed initially... AK didn't drink beer but took it and put it in his pack... then a short while down the trail... i felt bad he'd be carrying it all the way so I drank it for him! and put the empty can back in his pack for him!!! :D   At least I lightened his load a little.... LOL After the cold beer... I started hiking faster and pushing the pace for a little while... we were all moving fast and making good time.... I stopped to get some water and AK passed me up and then we just kept going... It started to rain when we were about 4 miles from US 60/ 2 miles from the shelter... AK asked if I was still up for going into town... I assured him I was in... and we moved out down the trail again. Surprisingly we arrived at the shelter pretty quickly... I kept going but AK stopped to check out the shelter. I wasn't sure if he would stop or keep going but I knew I was going into town to dry out so I kept moving... A little while later as I was trying to zip up my packa front... AK flew by me... and I was like... screw it... and just left the packa open and followed him...The rain started coming down really hard and the skys were very dark. Lightening was popping all around and I could hear the roar of the thunder even with my headphones on loudly...Of course the nice easy level trail had to turn up hill for the last mile of so to end the day... and when we finally arrived at US 60 to try to catch a ride... guess what??? Yeah... the rain stopped and the sun started to come out! Char!!!We tried to hitch for a little while... maybe 30 seconds or so.... then AK saw a name / number on a sign to call for a ride... It was only $15 so $5 each for the 3 of us and we just called "Gary" for a ride. He showed up when he said he would and took us into town to our hotel... Not a bad day all things considered....
Date: 2016-03-11
To: Test page
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I just set up this journal and now I want to see if it works. I uploaded a photo and it was sideways. If it turns out that way I'll have to change it. I wasn't going to do a trail journal and then I reflected on how important reading the journals had been in my decision to attempt a thru-hike. So maybe my entries can help someone else along the trail. If this all works I will do an introduction entry next.
Date: 2016-03-12
From: Test page

To: Introduction
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Having waited in vain to see my journal on line, I read the material again and see that I have to make three entries before it starts being posted. I tried, also in vain, to fix my photo, it still is sideways. The picture is of me standing in front of Fontana Dam during my 2014 thru hike of the Benton MacKaye trail. My thing with the AT began in 1964, when I first backpacked during summer camp. After a youth filled with backpacking and camping trips, I went off to college and lived my life, only returning to the mountains and the trail occasionally. Then in 2013 the bug hit again and I resolved to take up backpacking in retirement. Much has changed, wow, 30 pound packs! So I set about to learn it all over and along the way I found Trail Journals. And my old friends the Troverts, who thru hiked in 2012. What a great journal. I planned to attempt a thru hike in 2014 but life stopped me. Again in 2015 my plans were interrupted, but along the way I discovered flip flopping. So now it is a few days over one month before my flip flop thru hike begins. I'll attend the kick off at Harpers Ferry, WV on April 16, and then head north on the 17th.
Date: 2016-03-13
From: Introduction

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My first shake down hike occurred in November, 2013. I hiked from Dicks Creek Gap in Georgia, south to the Amicalola Falls State Park. About 80 miles. I took this hike with the Georgia Sierra Club. It was a great trip, everything you want from the AT, hard days, cold nights, rain and storms. My pack was heavy and I had moments of doubt. I finished the hike and got my trail name - Eight-thirty. The next summer I went out alone on the Benton MacKaye trail, the southern alternative. It took me 28 days to walk the 300 miles of this trail. It was also hard and lonely. Twice I went for three days without seeing another person. Having completed that one I determined to walk from Fontana south to Dicks Creek Gap. Another November hike that turned really cold. Too cold for me and I ended early at the NOC. Lessons were learned. Last May I went out into the Great Smokey Mountains NP for four days, walking 44 miles. I climbed Shuckstack, went back down, climbed Gregory Bald over to Russell Field, back down, and climbed Spence Field and back down into NC. The same week I was there, the hiker from Ohio was attacked in his hammock by a bear. More lessons learned. In all, I've now hiked about 500 miles in preparation for my AT thru hike.
Date: 2016-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It is now less then four weeks until I begin. The line "it's getting real" no longer works. This week I began purchasing food for the trail, wow. I have a plan for my hike. It starts out very detailed, moves to a less detailed format and so on. I am dividing the trail into four parts, Harpers Ferry to Kent, CT, Kent to Mount K, HF to Damascus, and Damascus to Springer. For part 1, I have looked hard at shelters, miles, trail towns etc. The only thing I am making myself do at this point in the plan is to commit to 10 mile days for the first week. Virtually all AT advice columns say do this. I plan on buying most of my food along the way. Perhaps my wife will be sending me some food from time to time. At this time I'll have new shoes sent from home. Perhaps a new trail shirt when I do the flip. My gear is virtually complete, I'm working on getting it in this journal. It looks like my base weight will be 20.5 lbs. Not as light as I would have liked, but that includes a bear canister. My wife (Nature Girl) and I will drive from our home in Macon, GA to Harpers Ferry, leaving on April 14. We will attend the ATC Flip Flop Kick Off on April 16 and I will start the hike on April 17.
Date: 2016-04-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I was just about to write this entry, when I received an email from Laurie at the ATC regarding the flip flop kick off on April 16-17, in Harpers Ferry. Man, what a rush! This is really happening. My bag is pretty much finished, my base weight is right at 22 pounds, that includes my empty water containers, empty bear canister, and a mostly empty fuel canister. Fully loaded I will be around 30 pounds, heavier then I wanted but not undoable. As the weather warms I have a few cool weather items I can send home, and I'm still holding on to an extra pair of socks "just in case." Last night I worked on my food some, I'm leaving with three days worth, my wife will bring me three more days before she goes home, and I'm going to send myself two mail drops just to get started. After that I'll buy as I go, with some things mailed along the way. Over the last couple of weeks I reread David Miller's AWOL on the Appalachian Trail and past s of Zach Davis's Appalachian Trials. When I met David Miller at the Georgia AT kick-off I told him his book was a big influence on my decision to try a thru-hike, he replied that I couldn't blame him! If you were wondering, he is a great guy.
Date: 2016-04-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I went to the store today and bought the rest of my food. I am now provisioned until May 2. At that time I will start living off the land. My food bags came out well, the heaviest one was about 5 pounds, the lighter ones more like three pounds. This is good. My total weight will be less then thirty pounds. My wife and I went to Sam's the other day and while I was off wondering, she loaded up a pack of Smart Water. So I can have Smart Water bottles like all the cool hikers do. They are lighter, so now I have Smart Water bottles also! We leave for Harpers Ferry in one week!
Date: 2016-04-16
To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we attended the ATC Flip Flop kick off. It was a great event. I attended several good talks. I had my picture taken and signed up as flip flopper number 54. Most of the hikers present are the older generation. Tomorrow we eat a pancake breakfast and begin to walk. Fifty years of dreaming and three years of planning will end tomorrow and the adventure will begin.
Date: 2016-04-17
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Crampton Gap shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

For all of my friends back home, I'm going to try and do this in the woods. It may use too much battery. We began our epic journey at the ATC office with a fine pancake breakfast. I ate two stacks. Around 8:30 of course, we left. I've never had my picture taken so much. We headed over to the trail and my zero mile is the intersection of the AT and the ATC side trail. A large group walked the first mile down into the town NG continued and her total miles for the day was 6. We crossed the river and followed the canal path for 2 miles. NG said goodbye and we turned up the first hill. Soon we climbed Weverton Clift for our first view. Soon we arrived at Crampton Gap. I set up my tent for the first time, cooked dinner and the day was done. Nine folks started and nine arrived. It was good.
Date: 2016-04-18
From: Crampton Gap shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was a great day. I rose about 6 am to see some of the FF group packed and leaving! I prepared my breakfast, struck camp and was ready at 8. Not bad and not eight thirty! The joke follows Marylands South Mountain, a north south ridge which will take us to PA. We passed through the battlefield of South Mountain throughout the day. At one gap I read the story of a Georgia unit, the wire grass Georgians that took 50% casualties during the fight. Half our group stopped at the Dalgrehn campground but I pressed on to the shelter. It was a hot afternoon and we walked in the sun as the leaves have yet to come out here. By the time we made it to Pine Knob shelter we agreed we had gone too far. Arrived at 5:30 pm.
Date: 2016-04-19
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Foxville Road
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

LV 745a AR 230pThe trail continued along South Mountain. A partly cloudy day turned overcast. Trail was still rocky. I've decided the rocks will end in Maine. Toni met me at the Foxville Road and we returned to Charlestown. It took about an hour to cover my three days of walking. We celebrated our anniversary at a nice restaurant and then walked around the old town. At the cemetery we found the graves of many of George Washingtons family. I picked up my resuppy which I had prepared in advance.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Foxville Road

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: scattered clouds

LV 845a AR 545pToni dropped me off where she picked me up and headed for Georgia. We had a wonderful evening together and now I was on my own. For good measure I left my glasses in the car. I am using my backups until Toni sends them to me. More perfect weather today. The trail alternated between pleasant walking and rock fields. At one point I lost the trail in the rocks. I was proud of myself when I reached the shelter, 13.2 miles. Peter Wolf and his dog were the only ones at the shelter. I took the long trail to the spring for water. Then while brushing my teeth I realized the stream passed over the trail about 20 yards from camp!
Date: 2016-04-21
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was overcast so the temperature was good. The hike today was pleasant. I started seeing charcoal hearths along the trail. They reminded me of my time in PA working at the Hopewell Furnace NHS. Rich history throughout this region. A few drops of rain. When we arrived at the shelter rain threatened so I chose to stay in the shelter. Five hikers split up into two large shelters. Late a GA to ME thru hiker showed up. He had walked a thousand miles in two months! Second one I met. Grizz finally caught up today. He had been slowed down by a Nero. He left in the morning and hasn't been seen again.
Date: 2016-04-22
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

LV 745a AR 315pOvercast with a few sprinkles. A good day for hiking. The trail today was mostly good with a few areas of large stones. Passed by a survival shelter, a pair of boots hanging in a tree and numerous charcoal hearths. I am feeling fine despite not great sleep. Cell signal was poor. Reception so far has been less then what I expected. Nice campsite tonight. Folks wanted me to stay in the shelter as rain was threatening. I chose to tent and thought my set up was good. Not so, I slid down the slope and my feet stuck out of the tent and got wet. Also a small pool formed in the end of the tent. So I got up in the middle of he night and fixed everything and went back to bed. No foul. But tent must be level if it's going to rain. Took a F H bath in the stream.
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Campsite 1104.1
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

LV 815a AR 330pPassed many charcoal hearths as we approached Pine Grove Furnace. I report we because several hikers are moving along the same section of trail. We often met at locations during the day. So far the hiking has all been solo. At Pine Grove Furnace we ate at the famous grill. I had a Philly steak sandwich and fries. Greasy goodness. Also an ice cream sandwich. Boomer, Jeb and our friend Phil camped here in 1988, I think, while attending the 125th anniversary of Gettysburg. At the precise moment, 125 years later we stepped off and crossed the fields where Picketts men found death and glory. While eating I dried out my tent so it was back to 22 ounces. I camped with Marshall on a charcoal hearth along the trail. Tried to call Toni with no luck and took a walk in the woods. I found five more hearths on the hillside. It is so great to be doing this.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: Campsite 1104.1

To: Campsite 1112.9
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Another great day hiking over pretty smooth trail. Many charcoal hearths today. I washed my shirt and underpants in the stream (no soap). Tried to call again, no luck. Looking forward to Boiling Springs, the 100 mile mark.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: Campsite 1112.9

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

LV 730a AR 1200Good walk this morning. Enjoyed the Rock Maze. A few views, much evidence of iron industry. Roads, hearths and mine pits. When I arrived in Boiling Springs the first thing I saw was a furnace stack. The Carlisle Ironworks was a complete operation. Went to the ATC office and visited for a while. Went to the Cafe and ran into Marshall. Got a little wifi. Considered the campsite for some time, then went over to the Allenberry and got a room. Walked back to town for dinner. B
Date: 2016-04-26
From: Boiling Springs

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today's hike lead across the Cumberland valley. It is a stretch of trail without camping for over 14 miles. It is my longest day to date. It was a walk filled with quiet woods and beautiful pastoral countryside. Also went right by Carlisle, PA. The last mile was a steep climb out of the valley. A storm blew through just before sundown without much rain. After the storm passed it began to cool down.
Date: 2016-04-27
From: Darlington Shelter

To: The Doyle, Duncanon, PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

I crossed a variety of trail today, ridge walks, up/down across fields. The last section was rated strenuous in the guide, but it was just rocky. Coming off the mountain into Duncanon involved many steps, then after a long descent , the trailed climbed again just for fun! The Doyle was as advertised, great! Hikers crowded the bar, meeting and greeting over a Lager or two. An old sheet covered my rooms window and power was provided by a cord hanging from the ceiling.
Date: 2016-04-28
From: The Doyle, Duncanon, PA

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Today was a walk of two parts, a long walk through Duncanon, across two large rivers on highway bridges and a steep climb to the top of the mountain where I was rewarded with several great views of the Susquehanna River valley. Then a cold rain began. Walking through town I had a sense for the first time that I was walking through America. So far I have experienced a sense of the beauty of my country on this walk, but today I experienced a feeling of the people also. Many hikers commented that Duncanon seemed to be a sad town, but having experienced the rust beltbefore, I guess what I saw was the open heartedness of the folks. Several people spoke to me as I walked along, others waved. I enjoyed he town. As I looked out from the view it dawned on me that I most likely had a signal, and I was able to call Toni. A young hiker named Smut but or something like that came by and we chatted. As I left this great place it began to rain. The temperature dropped through the day. I headed for the shelter which had several cold and wet occupants. The rest of the day was spent drying out, eating, and idle hiker talk. More rain is predicted and for me to make the next shelter will require an 18 mile walk.
Date: 2016-04-29
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

My longest day of walking and I can tell! The hike began in a cloud and stated that way all day. A lot of the trail followed old mining and charcoal making roads. Some parts were even smooth. Old mine pits, spoils piles and house site could be seen. Two streams were running orange out of the side of the hill. It rained just a little but remained cold and damp. I wore my rain jacket all day for warmth. I again slept in the shelter with a nice group of hikers. Tripping Billy, Chafe, and two section hikers from Florida whose names I didn't get. They had hiked the trail from the south to this point over the last ten years. Tomorrow will require another long day in order to stay out of the weather.
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I left Rausch Gap under cloudy skies. I spoke to some of the many Boy Scouts who had arrived after hiker midnight the previous day. Another hiker warned me that today was the opening of turkey season. The trail passed more evidence of PA's rich iron/coal history. I leapfrogged with my friends from Florida most of the day. Due to the weather they were debating cutting their hike short. Many sections of the trail were simply fields of boulders along which someone had painted a blaze on a nearby tree. I met a section hiker named Ellen (later named Still Burning) hiking PA. I arrived at the William Penn shelter about 345. I didn't like the vibe and after texting with Toni I decided to press on 4 more miles to the 501 shelter. Later I was told someone hanged themselves at that shelter. The four miles to the 501 contained the two fastest miles of the hike over smooth wide trail (two 20 minute miles) and the longest two miles of the trip over a continuous number of boulders. The 501 Shelter was full for the night and six pizzas were consumed. It rained over the night.
Date: 2016-05-01
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

May Day, the international workers holiday. I walked another long day in a cloud damp cloud. Someone told me to tell the truth in this journal, and not pretty it up. About 50% of the trail today was just jumbles of rocks and boulders. It was very hard on my feet. Today was the final day of a three day stretch where I walked too far in order to stay in shelters in order to stay out of heavy rain which was predicted , but never actually happened. I arrived at the shelter to find Chafe talking to Skylark, who passed me back in Boiling Springs. Skylark has already resisted an attempt to change her name once but I'm now calling her coach. She gave me a lecture about not taking a zero yet. As she listed all kinds of info which suggested I needed a day off, a hiker from GA (meaning he had walked here from GA) named Ox, arrived in time to affirm Skylarks comments. So tomorrow I will head into town. Just past hiker midnight Tic Toc, a section hiker, showed up also having hiker 15 miles.