morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-14
From: Waynesboro VA

To: Shenandoah Natl Park
Miles today: 72.0

The last two days have been testing. The temps have been a bit higher making it muggy and let me tell you, I've sweated more in the last couple days than ever.  I've been wet from 20 minutes into the day until getting in my tent 10 hours later.  Have to drink more than ever too. I got tired of the beard and had the barber snip it off with my hair!  Much cooler now. Last night I didn't sleep well for a couple reasons.  First, a long hot day ending with sitting in my tent on a side slope because I had a very late start (I had to get the good breakfast which delayed me until 9:30). Bad tent site resulted.  Then, a lovely whipper-will visited the site.  Now those who are not familiar with these nice little pricks, they start yapping around dusk and don't stop until dawn.  LOUD!  I would have shot it if I could have seen it.  All night and aggressive sucker too. So with little sleep, I trudged through the heat today (a bit slow to say the least) sweating my back-side off and then thunder.  Nice. Wet sloppy shoes again and practice setting my tent in the rain.  Well, I have a flat site to sleep on tonight and so tired I will likely sleep well.  Today I carried the "King of the Mountain" trophy across the 900 mile mark.  It was raining hard and my phone refuses to respond when soaked so no picture of the 900 mile marker.  I'm not going back to get one tomorrow so just google a picture if you want to.  It was just some sticks lined up in the mud in the shape of "900".  Until next time, later.  Oh, so looking forward to getting my trekking poles back when Kim and Hannah visit in two days!!!
Date: 2017-06-16
From: Random Shelter 

To: Luray, VA
Miles today: 38.0
Weather: broken clouds

I acquired a trophy while visiting with my cousin and her husband and friends.  Hopefully I will carry the trophy for a while!  (It was just a joke as the bikers made their way up the road they found a small plastic bat and it took on a name "King of the Mountain Trophy".)  I couldn't help myself with the enjoyment of slapping at some climbers on the other side. Now I'm the self proclaimed KOTM! Ha ha
Date: 2017-06-18
From: Luray, VA

To: Mile 960
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: light rain

A much needed break was taken in Luray when my lovely wife and youngest daughter came and rescued me.  We took a day off and I rested my feet.  I was so happy to see them.  Now, the day before, as I walked down the trail of tears (super rock zone that killed my feet) I found myself checking my map location several times anticipating getting to the meeting spot.  Well, you have heard of folks getting hit by a car while texting or running into someone no paying attention... today I added a new one.  I walked along, nothing in my path, checked a time or two.  Smooth path and WHAM! I was stopped dead in my tracks thinking what the heck just happened??? I smacked my head square into a log/tree leaning over the trail!  What a foolish feeling.  Yes, I turned to make sure nobody saw this act of loonicy.  That won't happen again!  I did make it off the mountain before the rain started and got to town dry before meeting Kim.  Thunder was echoing in the close distance and rain beginning to fall about the time a nice ole fisherman stopped to offer a ride.  Very happy with the timing.  Hoping to make it to Harpers Ferry, WV in about 3 days.  Now that I'm well rested I should be able to get some miles in.
Date: 2017-06-21
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 57.0
Weather: clear sky

A productive day without rain but with some heat.  The trail was pretty rocky and had many ups n downs. My feet were definitely sore when I got to my destination.  I hiked through Bluemont VA and found a restaurant for a healthy dinner and at 5:30pm continued to cover another 8 miles. I made it as the sun was just setting and a little worried about running out of daylight.  Set up was in the dark but great shower at the trail center made it worthwhile!  Currently I am in the town of Harpers Ferry WV.  Finished with VA and ready for MD and PA for a change. I will apparently be cursing rocks during and after PA so come on feet toughen up fellers!
Date: 2017-06-27
From: Harpers Ferry WV

To: Halfway
Miles today: 124.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Since my last update, I've passed a few important milestones. The first was the Harpers Ferry, WV psychological mid-point of the trail.  The Appalachian Trail Conference center is here and hikers log in and get counted. I logged in as hiker number 1012 of the 2017 year. A nice stay at a hostel was well needed. I had a couple fellow hikers offer to take me to Wal-Mart to restock my food bag. I should have asked how far the car was from the hostel. I had to walk about a mile to and from the car which was painful.  My second milestone was the famous Mason-Dixon Line which separates Maryland and Pennsylvania. I was able to acquire a can of beer from a couple providing trail magic (free food for hikers alongside the trail) which I carried for 5-1/2 miles. The beer was consumed on the Mason-Dixon Line which is supposedly a longstanding tradition. Well, the beer was not cold and pack-shaken but served its purpose. I did really enjoy the beer!  My third significant milestone was hitting the true halfway point of the trail at 2:30 PM on 6/25. It is a mental success to know I've hiked further now than the distance I have left. The best part of the last few days has been the perfect weather. If I have to be outside, it is in the cool sunny days that I've been blessed with.  One other noteworthy point was my camp a couple nights ago. I hiked out of a town with a campground choosing not to pay $30 to set my tent going about 5 miles up the trail looking all along for a spot to set up.  It got dark. Real dark. My headlight is good, but not that good so I was constantly looking for a suitable spot and finding nothing. I did finally find a spot, got settled and started to sleep. I woke to footsteps about 10:50. Loud footsteps and close. My heart was pounding and I was quickly thinking about if I had any food in the tent. I was thinking... bear. Then a loud buck-snort and trampling off. I was relieved. This happened twice more, 2:30 and 4:00am. It was no more easy to handle either time. The best part was being so far away from anyone else, completely alone in the middle of the woods in pitch dark. A great experience which won't happen again!! Oh, I've only seen one bear a ways back and it was a ways off and ran from me quickly.
Date: 2017-07-06
From: PA / MD line

To: Delaware Water Gap /NJ line
Miles today: 146.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The last week or so through PA has been tough.  My feet are feeling the proverbial grindstone and daily beating on the rocky ground.  Several folks said that they felt PA was one of the hardest states to get through due to the amount of rocks that you have to walk over.  The really big rocks are not too bad unless they are wet as they get slick and you just don't want to go caving along the way (ha ha).  The softball sized rocks are worse as they tend to eat at the sides of your feet and we are talking sharp edges not round, so you get some knuckle balls in the bottom of your feet too.  I made my way up one steep rocky climb yesterday hearing some cursing from above me.  I thought a guy may be hurt.  When I got to him, the young kid, about 20 or so, had tossed off his pack in frustration sitting on a rock, says, I've done rock climbing and refuse to climb a rock face like this without a rope!  In my calm and understanding way, I said, let's look at it and see if there is an easier way up. There was of course, and I passed him easily climbing up the rocks.  He watched me but I didn't see him follow.  He passed me down the trail a ways so I was glad he found a way over the boulders.  I've been able to avoid rain the last few storms by getting to a good spot before the sky opened up. One night after I was in my tent squared away, the storm hit and a very hard rain fell for a couple hours.  I stayed dry due to a great tent!  I hate getting wet...Tomorrow I will take off into NJ and apparently get out of the rocky terrain and into a better path that will hopefully generate some good mileage for a while.  I hear there are some tough rocky mountains ahead that might slow me up so I want to get as far as I can while the getting is good. I put a few more pics of the PA rocks in the photo section for your viewing pleasure.
Date: 2017-07-09
From:  Delaware water gap , PA

To: Surprisingly Woodsy
Miles today: 24.0

As I made my way up through NJ, I was expecting (hoping) that the trail would settle down with a less rocky surface.  Well, the interstate bridge across the big river was flat and that was about it.  I swear the rocks were worse in NJ than they were in PA!  I hiked a few days continually hoping that I'd stepped on the last NJ rock  ... halfway through, I finally got some flat even dirt to walk on. Man my feet were happy!!  One thing that surprised me was the amount of woodland in NJ  I always had a stereotypical view of NJ being about all city.  I was wrong as you can see from the attached photo.During my NJ trek, twice in a row, evening T-storms blew up about 5pm. The thing about the Thunder storms is they don't last long ... but, they leave you sloshy and soggy wet.  Then, there isn't enough time for your clothes to dry so morning comes and yes, you have to redress in the cold wet things you slung off the night before.  Ok, shoes and shorts I can handle pretty well, but pulling on that cold wet shirt is for the dogs.  I probably need someone to take a pic of me when the wet shirt is going over my head.  I'm sure it would be a comedy show in itself.  Yuck.
Date: 2017-07-09
From: Mid- New Jersey 

To: General NE
Miles today: 44.0

So, you may have read before that my friend Chris awarded me the prestigious "King of the Mountain" award (for no particular reason).  Well since middle VA, I've carried the 'award' and currently growing tired of explaining the background to every Bill, Jane and Bert that passes by.  So, I've devised a plan...  Now, every time someone ask "What's up with the bat?" I tell them that whoever gets this bat to the top of Mount Katahdin wins and will be the 2017 King of the Mountain!  I continue to explain that they would need to steal it from me while I'm not paying attention and ... BTW I think there is a cash award that goes to the winner.  Hopefully, some egregious youngster with a dumb look on his face will take this stupid bat off my hands and I won't have to carry it any longer.  And, it sounds like a fun legit game that might be fun to get a sponsorship for next year.  All smiles, I have to find a way to keep the fun level meter up there! Ha ha ha.
Date: 2017-07-10
From: New Jersey 

To: New York
Miles today: 16.0

Another milestone reached on 7/10. I crossed over from NJ to the next state in line which is NY.  I'm hoping for less rain in NY but so far it isn't drying out.  I got hit again today at 6 pm with a heavy downpour that drenched me.  My pack and contents were dry however... it pays to get good equipment.  I was glad to hit the next state; only 6 more to go!  So far NY has been fairly good to hike.  Not too high of mountains so the climbs are shorter, but the terrain has been pretty rugged with some cliffs and rocky climbs. I like the flat, dry, downhill, smooth dirt paths myself (ha).
Date: 2017-07-12
From: Bear Mountain State Park

To: New York
Miles today: 46.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It's pretty bad when the most excitement of the month is getting a new pair of shoes. Well, I wore through the ones I had and my backups that a friend gave me so it was time.  I've been getting good mileage out of my shoes but a couple pairs were not exactly meant for hiking rough terrain.  These bad boys have extra cushion in the soles and I hope will last a long many miles.  (Altra - Olympus is the brand and model).
Date: 2017-07-14
From: New York

To: Welcome to Connecticut 
Miles today: 40.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another state behind me (New York) as I was welcomed to Connecticut!  Each state has its tough climbs and although you would expect Conn. to be a mild easy walk, it has some big rock climbs but overall it is a bit easier of a hike than several earlier states offered.  One thing is for certain, the gnats of Conn. are a bit more numerous and aggressive than other areas.  They like to bombard your eyes and in the low wet areas they run in herds!  Yesterday I thought I'd try a new tactic. I was at a restaurant and ordered a large pizza (yes, I ate it all myself ... with a large salad) as a topping, I added extra garlic thinking it might ward off some skeeters and gnats!  Well, the pie had so much garlic that it seriously was a little hot/spicy to eat; but I ate it.  The next day I only had to breathe a little deeper and share my breath with the bugs and they did tend to drop off.  I usually talk a bit with the other hikers but today no one wanted to hang with me.  Hmmm... I suppose between the lack of showers here lately and the extra garlic pizza, it's hard to tell what folks say/think as they pass by ... a few slipped and appeared to weaken or wobble as they responded with a grunt to my healthy comment of "Good morning, How are you?"  I think tomorrow I will give a try to a spoonful of Apple-Cider Vinegar.  I heard it might stave off ticks!!
Date: 2017-07-19
From: Sheffield MA

To: Upper Goose Pond
Miles today: 104.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Every now and then, there are some pretty cool shelters provided for the hikers that are above and beyond the normal 3 walls and roof.  Today, based on the recommendation of a good friend that I met the day I started, Sky Bird, I pushed on a few extra miles to get to a shelter called the Upper Goose.  The lake was clear and cool and yes I jumped into it (alright, I know a few of you are thinking it but no skinny dipping!) too many folks around for that!  It was a cool way to wrap up a long day and get the salt from the gallons that dripped during the day, washed off.  Now I did see a couple small fish floating overcome by the salt concentration but I am sure they recovered.  One surprise that I'd not figured on was the caretaker of the site cooked a pot of stew and I was able to have my fill ... (and that was quite a bit of stew!!) At 7:00 am, they crew fixed coffee and pancakes!  I left full and happy!  Had I not had that awesome recommendation from my friend, I'd have missed out on a great stay!  Thanks Sky Bird!
Date: 2017-07-22
From: Mt. Graylock, Mass

To: Mile 1600
Miles today: 32.0

Every now and then an opportunity comes along and you just gotta take it.  Yesterday was one of those times!  I was hiking with a friend from Syracuse NY, named Tin Man (he has to oil the joints occasionally), and we found that a very scenic lodge at the top of Mt. Graylock which is the highest point in Massachusetts, had bunks for $30 / night.  This meant a shower and restaurant meal!! It was nice to have a soft mattress under my back last night!  Today, we hiked to the next town where I went on my own to do laundry and hit a grocery store.  I needed about 5 days of food supplies to get to the next planned resupply point.  As I continued from town up the next Mtn, I reached the state of Vermont!  It was nice to make it to the third to the last state and it was double exciting for me in that I've never been to Vermont.  Now as you can see in my posted photo, I am donning a fashionable  accessory pack across my front.  Some call this pack a "fanny" pack and some call it a necessary bag but the name is not important.  It is important to know that this type of "fanny pack" is very fashionable and functional on and off the trail.  Recently I've been made aware of some ridicule of those making use of the fanny pack; but let me so say ... many fanny pack uses can be made in everyday life such as carrying item of importance.  Food snacks can be placed in such a pack as to maintain a course of action while snacking or a very convenient location for carrying a cellular phone.  My fanny pack is made of durable ripstop nylon with a heavy duty belt that has a quick release for those must have, emergency stops where personal items need to be dropped in a hurry in lue of non-mentionable tasks.  The fanny pack can also provide quick access to those necessary items such as tissue and wet ones where other type packs may cause embarrassment due to an undue delay.  The fanny pack is a very functional and fashionable item that is making a comeback in its popularity.  We should take care not to judge those displaying a future trend both on and off the trail. In fact I've made up my mind that this Christmas all my friends and family will be receiving a nice fanny pack as a gift.  You too might consider such an incredible gift opportunity for birthdays (especially November and March birthdays)!  Endless possibilities come to mind - biking, jogging, work-lunches, walking, shopping, and of course hiking.
Date: 2017-08-01
From: Norwich, VT

To: Trapper John Shelter 
Miles today: 164.0
Weather: clear sky

After about 25 consecutive days of hiking, I decided to take a zero (a term meaning a day off or 0 miles).  A hiking buddy named Tin-Man and I split a room at the Norwich Inn, a nice comfortable place to stay for a night.  A good friend Don made his way up from FL doing some bike riding on a northern tour stopped by and gave me a day of mountain biking to boot!  The day off helped my feet and legs. I gained a few pounds back that will be needed in the coming weeks as well.  As an added bonus I was able to hike through town and cross the Connecticut River into a new (the second to last) state, New Hampshire!  It was very meaningful to make the new state and leave Vermont.  Vermont is known for its Maple Syrup and yes, I was able to sample the goods on more than one occasion!  Great pancakes!  Vermont is also known by the hikers for its southern mud!  I hiked through the rain one day and nearly sank up to my knees when I took a monster step to what appeared to be a rock.  It was just a blob of mud that looked like a rock.  I fished my way out and moved on.  I hiked an additional 4 miles that evening so I could get to a hotel where I was able to clean up.  Overall Vermont was very scenic and had some incredible stands of spruce-fir- and pine trees.  A remote and tough place to hike!
Date: 2017-08-04
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 53.0

The terrain in NH has changed to rock, tall mountain rock!  There have been some nice trails which were flat and smooth but not for long.  One of the most interesting points I've hiked over was Mt Moosalauk where the trail climbed above the tree line!  I could see forever it seemed.  While on top of the mountain, a co-hiker had brought BBQ Ribs from below and we ate the at the top!  Also, making things a bit worrisome, there were storms on both sides of the trail in the distance!  One was pretty significant and being on top of a bare ridge like that would not be fun in a T-storm!! I was able to stay dry that evening and all the next day until I was about 1/2 mile from a parking area where I had planned to head into town.  I got drenched in about 15 minutes of heavy rain. Luckily an older couple from Quebec rearranged there SUV and gave me and a hiking buddy a ride to town where a hotel with a hot shower was waiting.  Oh the little things we miss ...So, I was asked, "where's that yellow bat?" That King of the Mountain trophy is still at my side!  I've had several promises from other hikers that they would be stealing it from me but no one has taken it yet!  Ha ha. (It's supposed to rain a bit over the next week.  Sing with me, "Rain, rain, go away ..."!
Date: 2017-08-10
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Gotham, NH
Miles today: 81.0
Weather: light rain

This was the toughest hiking day I've had.  I hiked over a couple of the most prominent peaks in the White mountains, Mt Washington and Mt Madison, and then over the pictured rocks / boulders for several miles. Rain soaked me twice that day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon.  It was a leg twisting, knee buckling, ankle crushing, grind that seemed to have no end. I reached the bottom of the mountains around 8 PM where I found food, drink, and a shower. The following day I was able to slack pack (a term used for leaving your equipment at a location taking only the essentials in a day pack) for 21 miles.  The best part is that I have only 10 miles before entering the final state MAINE!! Not sure about cell phone service, I wanted to pre post the final state entry.  I'm very excited about the dwindling miles left to complete this ordeal, 290.  I plan to do some housekeeping early and get a shorter hike of 10 - 12 miles in today.  Hoping the weather continues to improve in Maine. I hear bad stories about man swallowing mud fields and roots that wrap up your feet and pull you under. I'm not a fan of wet feet and I've heard tales of weeks of wet feet.  With luck it's much exaggeration and I'm praying for a three week drought in ME starting today!  Ha ha.
Date: 2017-08-14
From: Covert Camp

To: A rugged mud covered rocky mountain 
Miles today: 72.0
Weather: overcast clouds

First, the ATT cell service doesn't exist in Maine.... I have to rely on wifi to connect.  Now I'm in a nice town with a lake and some touristy restaurants.  Secondly, it rains every day in Maine.  Today it rained early and the the sun came out waking the heard of mosquitoes and noseeums!  They are unable to be friendly.  I tried and the little beast snuck up behind me to bite and suck my blood.  I hate mosquitoes and I hate noseeums... Okay, Maine just happens to be a beautiful state.  I have been on many mountain tops and the remote lakes and forest is awesome.  If it was a little warmer I'd have been tempted to swim in one of the most incredible lakes.  However, it was still a bit chilly to jump in.  There is a spot just as you enter Maine that is reportedly the most difficult mile on the AT, Mahoosuc Notch.  I will not call it MY most difficult mile, but it is an incredibly slow climb among boulders of various sizes between cars and houses.  Many jumps, swings from trees, and nervous maneuvering over and around the large rocks made a mile that usually takes 20 to 30 minutes take more than an hour.  Many black holes going down for who knows how far made me wonder how many bones were down there where hikers slipped and were just never heard from again???  I was happy to get past that debacle just to run into another lovely obstacle, a 3000 foot climb up what's called the Mahoosuc Arm.  A huge climb that took every bit of energy I had.  I made it in case anyone is wondering.  No falling either.  I stopped by a nice lake to enjoy the view after the climb and stepped on some wet roots and mud ... my feet shot out from under my limp energy depleted core and my ass hit smack down on the slimy edge of the water.  I about went in.  Now, you might not think much about my butt hitting the ground, but that was only the third time in 1900 miles that I went down. I was kinda proud of that until today. I fell three more times today alone.  I'm getting really tired of this slick muddy state!  Maine is the last of 14 states that the AT crosses.  Hard to believe that number and I have to say, I can't wait to finish the last and get home!  I have about 240 miles to go. I going to need a vacation!