morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-17
From: Knoxville, MD

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Well today wound up being a fabulous day! It didn't really start that way but things improved as the day went on. I was quite proud of myself early on. It was raining when I woke up and rained pretty much all morning. I generally hate rain but, after a meager motel breakfast, I packed up and hit the trail around 930am. I walked out in the rain and found my way back along rte 340, down through the alley, across the railroad tracks, and back to the C&O tow path where I picked up the trail. It was a cold rain so I kept my rain jacket on which I prefer not to do. It just gets wet. I know that sounds strange but I do work hard to keep my raincoat dry.The trail was muddy, slick, but very well maintained. I can only think of one blowdown I encountered all day. The Maryland trail volunteers appear to do a great job. Lunchtime found me at the Gathburg state park where I stopped for a quick lunch and a quick look at some civil war Era ruins. After that it was an easy five miles to the shelter. This is a beautiful shelter and probably the nicest shelter structure I've seen on the trail. The floors are urethaned, it is log cabin construction, there is a loft, it is clean and no graffiti. Their is a big porch that covers the picnic table. There is a great group of people here tonight as well including most of the people I've been with since last Saturday. And, the rain quit and gave way to some blue sky by dinner time!I had a good talk with myself while hiking this morning about the second half of the trail. I have options, a short term plan, and a longer term plan. I'll be staying with Molly tomorrow night and I will visit with LG'S friend Tucker as I cross into PA. He has offered to put me up for a couple nights and set me up to slack pack a day. This will give me several days of more moderate miles which I hope will help me get back to full strength. I am optimistic about the next stretch which will bring me to New England. Act two as Grandma and Uncle call it!
Date: 2016-05-18
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Hagerstown, MD 
Miles today: 6.8

A very short day today which ended by crossing interstate 70 on a footbridge. I don't know why but I like crossing interstates. They serve as sort of a milestone for me in terms of northward progress. I've now crossed the following major highways, I-40, I-26, I-77, I-81 (twice), I-66, and now, I-70. I'm really like a kid when I cross them. I like to watch the trucks and I pull my arm down until the big rigs pull on their air horns. Stupid but fun for me.Molly's friend Steve was waiting for me when I got to the other side and I was quickly transported from trail land to school land. Within an hour I was sitting in a sophomore history class. What a change! Being a private school, and arriving just before noon, lunch was next on the agenda which featured a family style chicken tender meal with salad, chocolate milk, and dessert. I met lots of students as well. Perfect timing. I will stay here tonight and get back on the trail tomorrow mid morning. It occurred to me today that groomed is a word that could be used to describe the trail in Maryland. Everything seems orderly, neat, and tidy. The trail is easy with several state parks along the way. They are all very well manicured. It is a very pleasant place to hike regardless of the weather. It can feel like you are hiking in someone's backyard and at times, you are. The other new thing is a lot of signs that tell you what is prohibited. These are the first I've seen outside of the two national parks. A sure sign that we are much closer to civilization. I thought it important to put in a plug for Maryland as I'm sure it is easy for most thru hikers to forget.Last thought, today's picture is the copperhead I saw with Slug. Those are my legs well behind the snake!
Date: 2016-05-19
From: Hagerstown, MD 

To: MD Rte 77
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

Another short day today on my rehab stint. The good news is today my shin felt the best it has in two weeks. Tonight I am staying with a friend of Lady Grey's who lives in Waynesboro, Pa. Tucker had offered to put me up and set me up to slack pack tomorrow which is very generous. That hike will bring me across the PA/MD border. I'll stay here again tomorrow night and head north Saturday morning. I am hopeful that I will feel good again tomorrow for what will be about 16 miles.Today was a beautiful hiking day. Sunny, warm and dry air. The grades were very moderate although I did pass through a very rocky stretch. Perhaps this is practice for Pennsylvania? Many thanks to Molly for putting me up and giving me a glimpse into her professional life. I enjoyed my stay in Hagerstown for sure!
Date: 2016-05-20
From: MD Rte 77

To: Old Forge Picnic Area
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: light rain

Tucker set me up to day hike today. It was a pleasure to hike with a light load. For parts of the day I felt like I hit my true stride for the first time in two weeks. I crossed paths with Garmin and Tortoise this morning, two lashers whom I hadn't seen since before McAfee Knob. At the Pen Mar park, I ran across Steady and Teach, the Noodles, and I finally met Spirit of 76. They had ordered pizza and invited me to join them so we had a really nice picnic on a pleasant sunny day. We lingered for easily an hour. It would have been easy to stay longer.Within a third of a mile I left the south for good by crossing the Mason Dixon line into Pennsylvania! Seven miles later I met Tucker on schedule and returned to his home for a wonderful chicken dinner. Judy and Tucker have been very kind hosts. Tomorrow I'll head into Pennsylvania on what looks like it will be a very rainy day. It has been great to have family and friend visits over the last couple weeks. That won't happen again for awhile which means it is time to log some miles. I will approach this next stint with caution. While I would like to do 20 mile days, I would rather not have to take zeros to offset doing too much. Mind over mind as Grandma says. Let's see how that really works.
Date: 2016-05-21
From: Old Forge Picnic Area

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Another rainy wet day on the Appalachian trail. I said goodbye to Tucker at the Old Forge Picnic Area and headed north in the rain. I ran across AK whom I hadn't seen in awhile. I also met a couple new flip flop thru hikers who started north less than a week ago. It is very interesting to talk with them and listen to them. Everything is so new to them and they are uncertain about so many things. I am the only northbound thru hiker here tonight so that makes me the resident expert by default. This is an interesting role and it makes me realize how much I have learned and how automatic things have become for me since I began in Georgia. It also helps me understand that I have truly built up some resilience.  It is a confidence boost for sure. I'm always up for those! In fact, I really need them.About seven o'clock I learned that the fun group I left on Tuesday morning had taken a zero day today at the shelter just seven miles north of here. Had I known that at three o'clock when I arrived, I probably would have pushed on to rejoin them. It's probably best that I didn't find out until too late.Tonight I am glad to be here and back on the trail. While staying in town is nice, it does disconnect you from the trail lifestyle. I don't anticipate any more bumps or opportunities that would take me off until possibly New Jersey where I have two old AMC friends who suggested they may want to connect when I go through. For now, rain is falling gently on a standing seam metal roof. I should sleep well tonight!
Date: 2016-05-22
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Well make it two solid days of rain. This morning I woke to it and other than a couple short breaks, it has rained all day. I was able to secure a spot at the Iron Masters Mansion hostel tonight so instead of sheltering at 1:30 in the afternoon, I came to the state park where the Hostel is located. This allowed me to make 17 plus miles, see the AT museum which was very cool, dry out, eat some real food, and see how I felt doing longer miles. The good news is I felt good all day. While the terrain was easy, I was pleased to feel consistently good for the whole day.When I arrived at the museum, Slug was there doing his usual chatting up of the staff. He has become the trail ambassador for sure. He moved on a few miles tonight. There are five other thru hikers here tonight so it should be a quiet night. AK, Grinder, Rocky, and Burning Leaf are doing German/English translations as Rocky is German. I am in a very different place than 10 days ago. I am enthusiastic and excited about the adventure again. The rain is still a drag but it is not getting the better of me. I passed the halfway point today and also the 1100 mile mark. I am now closer to Katahdin than Springer. All good stuff! With that thought, bedtime.
Date: 2016-05-23
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: few clouds

It was great to see the sunshine this morning. After a nice continental breakfast at the Iron Masters, I left Pine Grove Furnace and enjoyed a sunny hike along the river and back up on to the low Pennsylvania ridges. This morning I figured out why they call the AT the long green tunnel. Spring has sprung both in the canopy and the understory so it really is kind of like walking in a tunnel. Of course the sunny weather couldn't last. By early afternoon it clouded over and I ultimately found myself in my first true thundershower of the whole trip. While I anticipated cold hard rain, I didn't bother with my raincoat as the temp was in the 70s. However, my expectations that the sun would return quickly were not met so I arrived at the ATC office in Boiling Springs very cold and wet. Fortunately they have a really nice porch and they let me change into dry clothes inside. Slug was there so we visited awhile. Back in East Tennessee, I met two friends who were section hiking. Jeff and Tim camped with us at Iron Mtn and Watauga Lake. Jeff had invited me to contact him when I arrived in his neighborhood in PA which I did this morning. Long and short, he met me in Boiling Springs this afternoon and brought me to his home about half an hour away. I got to meet his family and share an AYCE Chinese buffet dinner with them which was very pleasant! We had a chance to share some trail stories and some pictures before retiring for the night. Jeff will bring me back to the trail tomorrow and I will then cross the Cumberland Valley towards Duncannon. While roadside trail magic has all but disappeared, the generosity of people like Jeff and Patti, his wife, has been awesome. Thanks again Jeff! I would be pleased to return the favor whenever you find yourself in my neighborhood in the future.
Date: 2016-05-24
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Cove Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: scattered clouds

A very short entry tonite as it is late. My shins are feeling better and I easily hiked 21 plus miles today. They felt good all day. The terrain was easy across the Cumberland Valley. It was mostly flat for the first 14 miles. Alot of contact with roads, cars, and commerce. Tomorrow I will go into Duncannon, PA for a resupply, some food, and maybe a beer at the legendary Doyle Hotel. More tomorrow.
Date: 2016-05-25
From: Cove Mtn Shelter

To: Peters Mtn. Shelter 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a hot sunny day on the trail. Left the shelter early and was in Duncannon in the 9 o'clock hour in plenty of time for breakfast. Ate with Slug, Ron Jon, and Uncle Frito. I spent some time figuring out how and where to get a new pair of trail runners which has become a priority. The plan includes two day shipping from REI and an overnight stay at the hotel across the street from the largest Cabelas in the country in a few days. I have hiked with a couple of German guys in the last few days and encouraged both of them to check out this uniquely American Shopping experience! While in town I got a four day resupply and had two beers at the bar at the legendary Doyle Hotel. I'm not quite sure why it is legendary but it is a cool bar and the beer was good especially at 11 in the morning.The walk out of town covered more road miles than I cared to walk. It was hot in the sun. The only other highlights of the day included crossing the Susquehanna river and seeing a big black snake on the trail that must have been almost six feet long. Other than that, lots of rocks, tent caterpillars falling from the trees, and sweat. It is after dark and it is still hot. I hope I sleep.
Date: 2016-05-26
From: Peters Mtn. Shelter 

To: Campsite at PA Rte 72
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Another hot humid sunny day. I was feeling quite discouraged as I started and for most of the morning. I love being outside all day and hiking is always a good activity. It is nice to have little things to look forward to during the day and today there were none. The hike was uneventful outside of seeing two garter snakes, finding a hawk feather, and hearing quite a bit of military gunfire in the distance. Someone did leave a small note on a branch that said Rattlesnake 10 feet ahead at 1:00pm. I went by half an hour later but saw or heard no evidence of such. Ah wildlife, timing is everything.I'm at somewhat of a roadside campsite tonight. Disadvantage... loud vehicle noises, advantage... a nice brook that I was able to submerge myself in. That felt great and reduced the sticky factor.Tomorrow Sawyer is going to come pay me a visit! I will try to do another 20 plus mile day before he gets me. I'll likely zero the next day unless he wants to do a few miles on the AT. Now there is something to look forward to!
Date: 2016-05-27
From: Campsite at PA Rte 72

To: PA Rte 183
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today was another very hot sticky day. I could feel it before I ever left my tent. Camping by a river in a valley is always pleasant (unless there is a major road right there) but you can be sure that your stuff will all be damp in the morning. Three of us had camped there. Stretch, a young German hiker, left well before 7am and I never saw him again. He was getting off to take a zero somewhere. King Arthur also left before me planning on a 27 or more mile day. Now he is a fast hiker. I had crossed paths with him back in Virginia. I got going after he left. About two hours into the day, I caught up to him sitting on a log taking a short break. Arthur said to me when he saw me "Wow, not bad for an old guy, nobody catches or passes me." Now let me tell you this made my morning! While it is not my goal to keep pace with 20 year olds anymore, I did have high hopes at the beginning, I was certainly pleased to have him recognize me for it. We hiked together for awhile until reaching the 501 shelter, a roadside place where he thought he would get a pizza delivered for lunch.My goal for the day was to cover 22 miles and meet my son Sawyer at the end. He had some free time and was excited to come visit a day or two. Boy was I excited to see him! The last nine miles weren't too difficult and I arrived at the road crossing around 430pm to Sawyer and a cooler of sodas left by a local family. It was the first roadside trail magic I could remember since before Daleville, VA almost 500 miles to the south. Saw told me that while he was waiting he met Uncle Frito, Merlin, and Monkey the dog. I was glad he got to meet some hikers that knew me. We jumped in the truck, drove to Hamburg and settled in a room overnight but not before seeing and picking up Dutch and Clean Skittle on a busy road. They were very surprised to see me behind the wheel of a vehicle but jumped in back and I brought them to the store. That's the first time I could help one of my own out in a regular life kind of way. Oh the joys of having a vehicle!Today was also a good wildlife day. I jumped two deer, three turkeys, a garter snake, and was surprised by a really long rat snake in the trail later in the day. Another noteworthy item, I crossed the 1200 mile mark today and with that have less than 1000 miles to go, 987 to be precise. I can now think about how many miles to go rather than how many I've come and both are good numbers!For now, a shower, AC, real food, and a trip to Cabelas on a zero day with my sonny is a perfect plan!
Date: 2016-05-28
From: PA Rte 183

To: PA Rte 183
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Enjoying a zero day with Sawyer! Went to Cabelas and ate some food at various places. At Cabelas we met a flip flopper named Toothpick who needed a ride back to Port Clinton. I gave her that ride and when we got there, the crew I had been with last week was there including Grandma, Frito, Merlin and Monkey and Purples. It was fun to see them. I wound up giving them a ride to the picnic pavilion then going back to town and getting a box of beer to share with them which we all enjoyed on a hot day. It was odd to be the one providing the trail magic but it was the least I could do after all the help I've received. Having a vehicle opens up a ton of options! Sawyer seemed to enjoy hanging out in the thru hiker scene.Tomorrow were going to hike the next 15 trail miles with my cousin John from the Philadelphia area then we'll go back to his house overnight.
Date: 2016-05-29
From: PA Rte 183

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Today I had a chance to slack pack with Sawyer and my cousin John Harper from the Philadelphia area. John had been in contact and was excited to come out and hike a bit. We do not see eachother often. Most of the time we connect based on our mutual passion for skiing up in Vermont either near me at Sugarbush, or with our other cousins Bob and Sherrie down at Stratton Mtn. It was nice to have a chance to recreate down on his home turf. Actually, my father's family was all from this area. I was born and spent my first seven years in Pennsylvania.We met in Port Clinton where we left our truck, then drove back to Rte 183 where Saw picked me up on Friday, and hiked back to Port Clinton, about 15 miles. Those guys did a great job hiking. The miles passed quickly under mostly sunny skies with good conversation. While it was hot, it felt far less humid than Friday. It was fun to catch up. It was also quite fun to have guests on the trail. This was a first for me. After the hike, we went to a restaurant and had dinner before John had to go home. Tonite will be my last night in town as Saw is going back to Syracuse tomorrow. He is moving into a summer sublet and I will be moving east toward New Jersey. There is apparently a named tropical storm moving in tonight that is supposed to dump a lot of rain. I hope that it will be short lived.
Date: 2016-05-30
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Back on my own today after a fun town weekend! While the one zero day I'm sure was helpful, I was pretty beat on the trail today. I only did about 15 miles. In my defense im sure the temp was well into the 80s and it was wicked humid. On an uphill stretch, I had to stop cause my energy just drained. Then I got anxious about the whole thing which only made matters worse. I must have drank a gallon and a half of water today and I'm still drinking this evening. I forced myself to eat today to be sure to keep up on everything. It was the first day on the whole trip that I felt old. I suspect potential heat exhaustion. Tomorrow is supposed to be less humid but time will tell. I am hopeful that I'll feel better. I'll definitely pre-hydrate more than I did today.Not much else to report. I was sad to say good bye to Saw. Time to make miles I guess! Hoping to be in NJ by Thursday or Friday.
Date: 2016-05-31
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Camp at Lehigh Furnace Gap 
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: broken clouds

And another hot day in Pennsylvania. The humidity wasnt as bad but the sweat factor didn't change much. I am missing the cold shower back at last night's shelter right now. I have decided that if I get out of Pennsylvania without getting poison ivy, bitten by a snake, breaking an ankle, or getting Lyme disease, it will be a victory! All I do here is watch for hazards and sweat. There has been little to enjoy as far as the hiking goes. It is not relaxing at all. If the temperature would drop 20 degrees that would make things a whole lot nicer. With no water at this camp, there is no way to rinse off so I will sleep sticky tonight. As my kids will tell you, Daddy hates sticky!Tonight we met Kevin the ATC ridgerunner. He is friendly and a wealth of information about the area. He even shared some treats with us and took our trash. Tonight I am camped with Gingersnap, Unknown, and Rocky cat. Rocky saw five rattlesnakes sunning on a ledge this morning. I passed the same ledge but didn't look far enough over i guess. As you know I'm no fan of snakes. I wouldn't, however, mind seeing a rattler from a safe distance. I did see two black snakes and a garter snake in the trail today. I also saw a porcupine that was initially spotted by Gingersnap.Tomorrow we will head across the Palmerton Superfund site. It is more than ten miles of dry Ridgeline hiking that has been deforested by more than 80 years of zinc smelting. Sounds like this could be more depressing than hiking by the dump in Pearisburg, VA. That was the previous low point of the hike. Much shorter though. I'll give a full report if I make it through! Lots of buzzards around to pick my bones if I dont.
Date: 2016-06-01
From: Camp at Lehigh Furnace Gap 

To: Kunkletown Hostel
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

And you guessed it, hot again. Today also featured a White mountain mile out of Lehigh Gap. If you're not familiar with that, it's what I call a climb that gains 1000 feet in a mile or less. That climb was quickly followed by a tour of the Palmerton Superfund site on the ridge beyond. Water was super scarce all day. While eating lunch, I noticed in the guidebook that a guy would put up hikers in his garage and offer a shower, pick up, drop off, and a town trip, for 10 bucks. The idea of a shower was too sweet and I succumbed to temptation. While I don't relish the idea of sleeping on the garage floor, the shower was awesome and the restaurant in town served free beer. Yes, I said free. It had something to do with no liquor license. So, I had a half pound burger, hand cut fries, a Ceasar salad, and three beers for fourteen bucks. Only in Kunkletown! The loss of the extra 3.5 miles means one more night in Pennsylvania but I should easily be out of here on Friday. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do for lodging in Delaware Water Gap anyway. I have been traveling with Gingersnap, Unknown, and Rocky Cat for the past several days. They are low key and easy going. I have enjoyed their company. We are fairly well matched hiking wise. Well see how long this group lasts.