morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-09-02
From: Wm. Penn Shelter

To: Tentspot mile 1019.7
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

September 2, 2016Tentspot mile  1019.7   19.5 miles hikedRocks Status: Minor with stretches of moderate. Conditions favorable for loosing concentration resulting in injury. Best to keep sharp.Nice. Nice temperature, no bugs and the rocks didn¢t seem so horrible today. I was able to keep up a good rhythm and it felt great. Stopping at the views, the landscape looked like a gigantic hand spread its fingers and raked out enormous straight scoopy valleys. The ridges were pretty straight and came to skinny slabby pointed lines. Beautiful to look at those valleys. The trail went under Interstate 81 and trail magic!! Clark was set up with his car and folding chairs making grilled cheese sandwiches! How wonderful, Clark was a former thru hiker who was supporting his girlfriend and was slacking her today. That means the he drives and drops her off, she hikes with a day pack and he picks her up later down the trail.  So while he waited he decided to do trail magic. I sat down and had a birthday grilled cheese, chips and soda. (today is my birthday and I am 57 years old!) soon Pretty Boy comes along and then White Walker. I finally take my leave and continue a very pleasant day. I was able to zen (think about nothing). I decide to walk until I find a beautiful tenting spot and call it a day. My choice was a bit off the trail, had a sunset view, good bear bag tree and a flat tent spot. Nice. I got set up and lay in my tent with the fly off. One by one I saw the crew go by, no one saw me! It was awesome! I knew they would camp a couple miles up the trail and I would see them soon. I didn¢t hate Pennsylvania today.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-03
From: Tentspot mile 1019.7

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

September 3, 2016Clarks Ferry Shelter mile  1038.3   18.6 miles hikedRocks Status: Dinosaur eggs, piled one on the other with a scattering of huge pointy shards. Probably some negotiating with your higher power will help.It¢s a funny thing. The rocks are back but they are uniform in size and shape. My legs adjusted and handled them very well. I minded the rocks but they didn¢t come close to pushing my grumpy button. I cruised, it felt really nice to get into a good pace and be able to look around a bit. Nice breeze today. I was up on a ridge all day except for one 700 foot foray down to the valley floor at Clarks Summit Road and a couple of other minor blips. Then it was straight back up to the long ridge. I stayed about 700 feet above the valley for the rest of the day on Peters Mountain. The terrain is more like enormously tall long land ripples. Not a typical mountain I picture in my head. It is kind of cool at the view points to see an endless long ridge followed by another ridge off to the west and east. I have driven through PA a bazillion times and noted huh, ridges. But this is a different beast being able to experience a different topography, geology, flora first hand (first foot actually). I especially liked looking down at a huge man made resevoir- Delhart Reservoir? and at the Susquehanna River snaking along down there. Got to the shelter about 4:00 and found water only .1 miles away, Nice! No one was there, I set up my tent and had a quiet dinner and rested in my tent before bed. Always good to rest before sleep! Around 6:00, a ton of people came. Well, maybe 10. I didn¢t recognize any. Thats ok, if they are SouthBound, I am sure they will pass me tomorrow. I will say, howdy, tomorrow. Love the Pennsylvania land ripples, saw 3 deer. Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-04
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Cove Mountain shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: few clouds

September 4, 2016Cove Mountain Shelter mile 1046.6   8.3 miles hikedRocks Status: clumps of hard lumps and bumps. Ripe for toe stubbing. Dang it!Alright then, 4ish miles into town (Duncannon) today, resupply, eat and back out to the woods. That¢s my plan. It¢s a good plan. I slept late today and took my time, the people had gotten up early and vanished. I got to hiking around 9:00. The ridge was not bad and I had just one steep decent of about 1000 feet to cross the Susquehanna and Juanita rivers on 2 bridges. From my vantage point I could see Americas Transportation; highways, interstates, train tracks, waterways. Yesterday I also crossed over a Dynamo Alley - huge electric pathway. I¢m telling you, nothing better happen to Pennsylvania because I think all of the power would go out, natural gas would leak out and away, food would not make it to grocery stores far away and certainly Target and Walmart shelves would be bare across the land. I feel like I see part of the country¢s heart chambers beating away, creating pulse down there. Looking at all this industry stuff I keep thinking of Carl Sandburg, Chicago. Except it¢s Pennsylvania-    BIG mover for the world,     Tool user, stacker of boxcars,     Keeper of traintracks, river roads and America¢s long hauls;    Electrifyer, fuel tunneler     Humid, rocky, glacially scarred       State of industry and flow.I probably should not bastardize a famous poem, but, I never had a poem become alive right in front of me before. I need to compose an original poem about the toughness of local economy and renewable energy. Not today. Nuff of that, I saw Stumbledwarf ahead on the road into Duncannon and ran to catch up with him. We decided Breakfast! and ate a giant one at Goldie¢s Diner. Stumbledwarf if you ever read this thank you for buying me that breakfast! Off to a convenience store for a small resupply and icecream. Stumbleswarf has a military background and is from Britain, he is terribly interested in our military history. He is thrilled to see our tributes to America¢s military past. We stop at a memorial for the Armed Services before leaving town. Stumbleswarf gave me a history lesson about the civil war about battle strategies. I had no idea. Its getting very hot, so we hoof it back to the woods where there is some natural air conditioning. There is a bit of climbing to the ridge and soon I am at Cove Mountain shelter. I get set up, there is a spit of a tent spot and find the water. Stumbledwarf shows up and later a Ridge Runner, PJ. We had a great evening NOT talking about the trail. All subjects from A to Z, excepting ¢trail¢. Stumbledwarf likes Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops, says they are brilliant.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-05
From: Cove Mountain shelter

To: Boiling springs Backpackers Camp
Miles today: 22.0

September 5, 2016Boiling Springs Backpackers Camp mile 1068.6  22 miles hikedRocks Status: Cumberland VALLEY! Rock Free! Happy Feet.I watched Stumbledwarf eat his Fruit Loops, dang, they looked good. There is a bit of chatting at breakfast and then I am off to the trail. The heat has returned, but it¢s early and I see on my topo that I get to walk over a couple minor ridges and then through the Cumberland Valley. FLAT! I reach a lookout place and meet a family up there enjoying the view. They tell me to be careful because today is a real scorcher. There is a stone bench built into the rocks, it faces the valley and it is beautiful. I am excited to descend and walk in the corn fields. The trail goes right down and then it really is flat, really goes by cornfields and big fields of soy and beans. There are a lot of cows as well. Sometimes I walk on roads, sometimes on trail or right on the edge of fields. No rocks, lovely. I do notice that it is getting very, very hot. My pack is heavy because I am carrying my full water purse and 2 liters. There is one water stop but its miles away. The guidebook warns about drinking water from nearby streams as they may be affected by farm runoff. A guy was out jogging, his name was Charlie, a long distance Trucker. He said that he stops to run every day and has certain places on his routes for running. That is very cool! He asked to take a picture of us together, he said it¢s a portrait of a true thru and a true trucker. OK then! I reach the ATC run Scott Farm around lunchtime and it is burning hot in this valley! I drink up a lot of water and eat, basically hide in the shade. The Duchess of Slugs and That Guy are here. Clearly as hot as I was. They were thinking of hanging out here until evening and night hiking because it will be cooler. There is no place to camp until Boiling Springs, 11 miles further. Reluctantly, I go back out in the heat and slow up my pace so I can enjoy my environment without sweating into a puddle. I enjoy every little breeze that comes my way, I get to cross train tracks, dirt roads, highways. When there is shade, I walk under it and its sweet. I think the heat wave a while back helped me condition for today, I was uncomfortable but didn't feel drained or overly tired. Finally, around 4:00 I reached Boiling Springs at the AT regional headquarters. This is a very cute town, I hang out at the AT HQ, enjoying sitting in a chair for a long time. Afterwards, I enjoy a dinner in town and make my way to the Backpackers Campsite at the edge of town. AHHH, no one is here, I set up and take my rest before going to sleep. What a great day!!! Valley walking is very cool, but oh so so hot.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-06
From: Boiling springs Backpackers Camp

To: James Fry shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

September 6, 2016James Fry Shelter  mile 1080.2    11.6 miles hikedRocks Status: Piles of flat dinner plates with boulders here and there. Some of the plates slide when stepped on. Caution.¢BREAKFAST!¢ I am startled awake. I open my eyes and see Stumbledwarf standing in front of my tent. ¢COME ON MATE!¢ He turns and starts walking to town. ugh, He really IS military, Anyway, I am happy to see him and throw my stuff in my pack and hoof back to town. As I leave camp, I notice Duchess of Slugs and That Guy as well as another dude came sometime last night. They are still snoozing. I find my British Alarm Clock at the cafe enjoying his British tea. I go for the coffee of course, and pancakes with bacon. He is on an adventure of his own that includes making his way south on the AT, other nearby trails and roads. He has many maps and plans out his routes for the upcoming sections depending on where he wants to go and what he wants to see. It is kind of awesome. Today, back to the rocks and ridges for me. There was a mini boulder maze that was pretty fun, it had arrows all over pointing the best way to get through. Humidity added itself to the mix. Back to sweating. It¢s ok though, I had pancakes and I think I will hit a deli right before the shelter I am going for. So I am good. I appreciated being back in the woods, its easily 10 degrees cooler. The trail winds through woods with some ups and downs, its quiet. I like it. When I came to Pine Grove Road, I saw Stumbledwarf walking up the road! I get his attention and we go to the Deli. Its all I dreamed of. I am in love with air conditioning¢¦.and food. White Walker and his friend Gandalf, who has joined him for a fun week on the trail showed up. It¢s a nice reunion! The shelter is just a mile up the trail and we go to set up. There is a big orientation group from Princeton, thankfully they are camped down the hill. As the afternoon turns to evening, Stumbledwarf, White Walker,That Guy, Duchess of Slug, Gandalf, Bent, Wilson Wilson, Day Hiker, and Buns all are here. I fall asleep listening to Stumbledwarf and Wilson Wilson compare their beards, ugh.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-07
From: James Fry shelter

To: Iron Masters Mansion
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

September 7, 2016Iron Masters Hostel mile 1087.4    7.2 miles hikedRocks Status: Annoying x ten, 2 feet to the left or right of the trail looks so soft and rockless. Do the trail people put the pointy devils on the trail on purpose?Leisure morning, I could feel the heat even before I moved. Whew, really hot and I haven't even done anything. I mentioned that I was thinking about running back down to the diner for breakfast. White Walker perked up, his friend Gandalf said to go for it, he wouldn't mind hanging out a while longer. YES, we actually did kinda run down the hill. What a great way to start the day, the diner owner was really nice and made a mean breakfast sandwich. Full of good food, we went back to camp to start the hiking part of the day. I started out and instantly felt the humidity like a wall of steam in my face. The trail went up gradually but UP none the less, so I paced myself and was happy when the trail leveled out. I knew I had a gradual downhill until Pine Grove Furnace State Park. I had a de-ja-vue feeling at the entrance to Pine Grove Furnace State Park and definitely as I walked by the river. My grandparents had taken my brother and me here when we were kids. I remember I ate too many Keebler Fudge Striped cookies and puked later that night. Too much information? Sorry¢¦ I piddled around in the AT museum in the park, oh the Air Conditioning, That Guy and Duchess of Slugs were there as well. I chatted with the staff, who were either former thru hikers or section hikers. When I went back outside I realized just how awful the heat and humidity were. I stood there drenched in sweat feeling really heavy. White Walker and Gandalf, Slugs and That Guy were going to stay at the Iron Master¢s Hostel a stones throw from the museum. I thought that was a smart idea and made my arrangements. We walked across the lawn to the ¢store¢ (closed!!) and found Stumbledwarf working away at his computer, thieving a charge from the store¢s outdoor outlet. Stumbledwarf has a box of stuff - computer etc, that he mails ahead to himself to various places. So he can work on his charity etc. He has been working here all afternoon. Off to the Iron Masters for much needed respite from the outdoor conditions. Nice place, pizza dinner, pancake breakfast, comfy beds, showers and laundry. White Walker¢s uncle came to take him and Gandalf out to dinner. They came back with pints of ice cream for everyone! Relaxing night.Watched a wild thunder and lightning storm from the porch.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-08
From: Iron Masters Mansion

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

September 8, 2016Quarry Gap Shelter  mile 1104.7   17.3 miles hikedRocks Status: Half and Half, long stretches of heaven in between long stretches of the opposite of heaven. Keep your head in the clouds.It¢s bad when your anticipated breakfast is waffles and you aren't even disappointed when you are served Eggos. I ate them and was happy. A little procrastinating at the hostel, then took off into the heat. The trail was not actually that bad, I could cruise right along. There was an overall elevation gain, the day started at 900 feet and at some point I was at 2000 feet, gradual ups and downs. I noted some crazy big rhododendrons, I did not know they could grow twice as tall as me. Very cool. I couldn¢t miss the half way sign, heheh. It looks like a crazed trail junction sign, waving flags and everything. I stared at the sign and felt like a thru hiker, so I hiked on, with a smile! Met up wth Slugs, That Guy and White Walker for lunch at a shelter. I have gotten so used to hostel food and deli food that I almost forgot how to make my tuna wrap. Well, back to thru hikin¢, I set a comfortable speed and let my legs do their thing. I reach Quarry Gap Shelter, its in the middle of a forest of those gigantic Rhododendrons. The shelter is very fancy, there are two shelter rooms separated by a covered dining area . The sleeping areas are clearly marked, ¢snoring¢ and ¢non-snoring¢ I set up in the non-snoring side. The crew shows up and we watch a college orientation group try to light up their stoves. Should we help? hmmm, we smell the isobutane as it is shooting out of the canister and back up. Thank goodness, the guy turned the valve off and no one lit a match. Eventually, they got it right and cooked up fajitas. White Walker, Duchess of Slugs and That Guy move on and it¢s Stumbledwarf, a sectioner, the Princeton Kids here at the fancy spot.halfway, huh!Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-09
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Falls Creek Tentsite
Miles today: 20.0

September 9, 2016Falls Creek tentsite mile 1124.7   20 miles hikedRocks Status: Unchanged, Challenges of all sorts. I think Pennsylvania will continue its rock assault until the very last mile. Chin up, only 2 more days of PA.The heat wave continues. I get used to sweat pouring off of me just like I am in the shower. Except it is salt water. Ick!!! I was gross after 5 minutes of hiking and stayed gross all day. Caledonia State Park was not too far into the hike, I rested and had 2nd breakfast, got water and topped off my phone charge, the bathrooms had outlets. I watched people come to walk their dogs, jog, or just come and sit to drink a Starbucks coffee. It¢s nice but this isn't getting any miles done. Rocky long ups over Rocky and South Mountains, enjoyed a view at Chimney Rock, I am only about 400 feet above the valley floor. The landscape has lost its sharp ridges and scoopy flat valleys. Its flatter down there with small bumps, lumps, and streams. God! its so so so so hot!!! I had lunch at Tumbling Run Shelter(s). Great place with 2 shelters. I watched an Outward Bound group arrive and discuss how to set up their camp. Most of the kids were enthusiastic, 2 were absolutely not into this whole living in the woods thing. Lots of dramatic eye rolling. Best be on my way after filling up with water. I thought about stopping at Deer Lick Shelter but I was so very close to getting to Maryland and it was early so I hiked on. I hoped to be able to get into Waynesboro tomorrow for a quick in and out resupply so best to get as close to route 16 as possible, there is a tent site further up. I filled up all my water at Deer Lick because my guide book says the water at Falls Creek tent site is bad. It doesn't say what is wrong with it! There is a sign on the bridge over Falls Creek that says not to drink, swim or bathe in the water. That¢s really bad, I looked to see if any of the fish in the stream glowed with radioactivity, they looked normal so I set up my tent. My bear hang went off at the first throw, awesome! I could barely eat though, it remained hot and humid all night. I have the place to myself.I heard owls, they hooted ¢hot-hot who IS hot-hot?¢ that is what my head heard anyway. I am sure the owls were quite comfortable. Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-10
From: Falls Creek Tentsite

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: thunderstorm with light rain

September 10, 2016Ensign Cowall Shelter mile 1134.9    10.2 miles hikedMaryland!!! State number 9Pennsylvania = 15 fun filled daysRocks Status: Who cares? I am not in Pennsylvania anymore. The status is IMPROVONG!Again! You never know how a day will turn out. I slept not so well, sticky and sweaty. Ugh. The owls reminding me how hot it was all night. So, I was sluggish to pack up, as I was finishing I just plopped down on a log and sat there. Up the hill comes White Walker, he says, ¢I got someone picking me up to go to town! food! shower! laundry! Want to come?¢ Heck YES! Now, I can spring up the hill where, Soggy and pup are waiting. We had pics at the Mason-Dixon line and then piled into the truck and went to Soggy¢s house. WW met Soggy way back in Vermont, he said to look him up when WW got to the Waynesboro area. So, here we are. Soggy cooked for us, we got clean clothes and the most heavenly shower I have ever had. We got to chill at his house and then stopped at a grocery store before he took us back to the trail. THAT WAS SO NICE, THANK YOU SOGGY!! Back on the trail, feeling better. It was just as hot and humid as yesterday but I was in better spirits. Tarried at Pen-Mar park, great view. Then up to High Rock, there was a beautiful view, the actual rock is a broad expanse but is completely covered with graffiti. I read a lot of it and it was 97% family friendly (based on 100 graffiti notes). There were a ton of tourists, White Walker and I tried to make people bring us cold sodas telepathically. We didn¢t even smell! Nope. No sodas for us. WW fell asleep and I moved on. The heat/humidity made it slow going but, I adjusted. Right before the shelter, I met Junco. Trail named that because he is a bird watcher. I chatted with Pail, Carly (sectioners), Junco and White Walker, nice mellow crowd. The shelter had a tall, coat like thingy with a metal pole with a hook on top. It¢s a bear hang. Odd contraption. You put your bag on the hook and hoist it way up to a coat hook and loop it over. It feels like you are in a circus act. The whole thing is awkward, the pole is heavy and EVERYONE watches you make a fool out of yourself. I elected to sleep in the shelter because it really felt like it will rain. I am sleeping in Maryland.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-11
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: scattered clouds

September 11, 2016Ed Garvey Shelter mile 1159.8   24.9 miles hikedRelief! I woke up to an amazing cool breeze, cool temperature and no humidity. I felt charged to get going. Tomorrow is going to be the day I walk into Harper¢s Ferry! It is all very exciting- Harper¢s Ferry is where the National Appalachian Trail Headquarters is. Thru hikers get their picture taken and put in the official record of thru hikers. As I said, it is all very exciting! White Walker and I think we should make an attempt to get as close to Harpers Ferry as we can today so that tomorrow we can get into town really early- it is THAT exciting! We shoot for the shelter 20 ish miles away and if possible go to the 24 ish mile away shelter. We take off and soon are separated by our individual paces. What a relief this weather is! The terrain is ok, some ups to ridges and then walking on top, some ups and downs but I am feeling terrific. I hit the Washington Monument and had my State Line Celebration Snickers Bar. Late, but just as good. White Walker comes zipping up the trail and we both end up at the little park and have some lunch. Off for the afternoon hike, which flies by and its only 3:30 by the time I hit the 20 ish mile shelter. Looks like the 24 mile will happen. White Walker comes strolling in and we have a brief rest and take of again, down to a little park where we find Stumbledwarf at a picnic table. Funny how he just shows up. We relax and chat, it is nice to catch up with such a fun trail pal. Finally, we take off and White Walker disappears, he is on a mission! Arriving at the shelter, I set up and spend the evening eating and relaxing with WW and Lead Foot who is sectioning. I might have trouble sleeping tonight.Yes, I am very excited!Insect SOBO 2016