morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-27
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 24.7

I woke up at 8:30 after 3.5 hours of sleep. My older sister Morgan joined me for the day and we got to Duncannon at 6:45 PM. The first 13 miles were flat and fast. I crossed the Conoduguinet Creek and walked on the mountains of Horseshoe Cove. It was really neat to see the Susquehanna River from that angle. I ran into a former section hiker who completed the entire AT. I went back to my house and had ribs and steak for dinner. I ate so much. Then I drove to Carlise, PA to see Krista and Melissa. They were getting ready to move out this weekend. Krista gave me a massage and I managed to pass out by the end of it. I went home and went to bed at 2 AM.
Date: 2018-04-28
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Yellow Spring Villagesite, PA
Miles today: 25.3

My dad dropped me off in Duncannon at 8:45 AM and got to camp at 6:45 PM.The trail was decently rocky today until I got to Stoney Mountain. I met two girls with 3 dogs that thought it was cool that I was doing the whole AT so I gave them a card so they could follow me on my adventure. I met a girl and her dad soon after. The girl was practicing to do the AT next April. My feet are starting to hurt from the rocks and I was pretty tired so I decided to camp with Patches, Ed, and AT. I met ED back at Rocky Mountain Shelter. Patches was getting water at the bottom of the mountain. I am super tired, 30 miles to the shelter would have been a stretch.
Date: 2018-04-29
From: Yellow Spring Villagesite, PA

To: 501 Shelter, PA
Miles today: 22.1

I left at 6:45 AM and got to camp at 5:35 PM. The trail was decently rocky with some smooth parts in between. It was very smooth and rockless 3 miles after the William Penn Shelter. The water flowing out of the grates at Rausch Gap was super interesting. I ran into a party group 1 mile before the shelter. I got to play Kan Jam and eat hotdogs and drink beer. They were very fun and respectful. I got to the shelter with "Johnny Walker" (an older gentleman), "Lancelot" (SOBO), "John", "Clutch", and another guy. Everyone ordered pizza and I ate some scraps. I have a big day planned for tomorrow 29.8 miles.
Date: 2018-04-30
From: 501 Shelter, PA

To: Windsor Furnance Shelter, PA
Miles today: 29.8

I left at 6:30 AM and got to camp at 7:00 PM. I had some more food scraps for breakfast in the morning, somehow the mice didn't chew through the box to get at the food. The trail was pretty rocky with a few fast sections and a long wet creek section right after the shelter. It was very steep going into Port Clinton and steep out as well. I ran into Mess 5 miles past the 501 Shelter. I actually ran into quite a few hikers today. I am camping with "Seadog" (PA section) in the shelter and I met "Rainbow" (Flipfloper) who was tenting nearby. The Clinton Hotel was closed today so I didn't get to check that one out, instead, I ate my dinner in the parking lot there. The spigot was turned off too so I walked to the pavilion down the road. Before I got there a guy mowing his grass let me fill up my water. It felt good doing another 30 mile day today but stepping the distance down for the next few days will be a nice break. I need a permit to summit Katahdin allegedly? (I found out later that you do not)
Date: 2018-05-01
From: Windsor Furnance Shelter, PA

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter, PA
Miles today: 26.5

I left at 6:30 AM and got to the shelter at 5:30 PM. The trail was very rocky with only 2 nice sections. One was a 4 mile section after the Pinnacle and the only was after Allentown Shelter that went on for 4.5 miles. There was a great view at the Pinnacle and that's where I met the flipflopper "Production". I tried to stop in at the bar/hotel at 309 but they are only open Thursday through Sunday and I was planning on filling up there so I ended up pretty dehydrated. I just need to remember to fill up more as the weather gets warmer but there are not too many places near the trail to fill up tomorrow so I just drank a lot of water tonight in preparation. "Clayton" is the only one at the shelter tonight and he is in his tent. I gave him the name "Flipflop King" since he is already doing 20 mile days on such tough terrain.
Date: 2018-05-02
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter, PA

To: Leroy A Smith Shelter
Miles today: 23.5

I left at 5:30 AM and got to camp at 2:45 PM. The trail was very rocky all day except for 2.5 miles after the Lehigh scramble. The Lehigh rock scramble was pretty fun. There was not a lot of water today. I had to fill up at the shelter before the river. It was a 17 mile drought after that. I met "Broken Arrow" at the top of the scramble. I am sleeping with Flipflop King, Old and Slow, Tang, and Coyote tonight. It was super hot today, 83 degrees, and dehydration is definitely a factor now. I should make it to Delaware Water Gap tomorrow. I was given half a liter of water from a fellow hiker at Smith Road.
Date: 2018-05-03
From: Leroy A Smith Shelter

To: Church Hostel, Delaware Water Gap PA
Miles today: 20.3

I left at 5:00 AM and got to the Gap at 1:45 PM. I woke up to a porcupine chewing on the shelter. It was super crazy hot and humid today, 91 degrees. There were some fast sections and the view across the gap was amazing. I went to Deer Head Inn but they were closed, so I went to Sycamore Grille and made friends with the bartenders Kat and Ashley. I got a few drink from a guy at the bar. Then another from Kostume Kult people from Burning Man (Isa and k-something). Bartender Kat tested me so that I had her number in case she wants to do a canoe trip on the Delaware. I went to the church hostel right before the thunderstorm to check in and get a bunk then I went back to Sycamore Grille and Kat tried to buy me a drink. I ended the night by visiting Deer Head Inn for one and ran into Tang. I spent way too much money on peanut butter today $10 on two 1 lb. jars.
Date: 2018-05-04
From: Church Hostel, Delaware Water Gap PA

To: Brink Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 24.6

I left at 4:45 AM and got to camp at 2:30 PM. The trail was super fast for the most part with patches of PA like rocks. There was a very slow section around Sun Fish Lake because of rocks. I met Mary Ann again who gave me water two days ago. I went up to the Catfish Fire Tower, which is a working fire tower, and met Bob. A short while afterwards, I met a park ranger looking to bust people for weed. I am in the shelter with "Gem", "Timber", and 3 others. I found a snickers left in a bear bin and ate that. It was a nice treat.
Date: 2018-05-05
From: Brink Shelter, NJ

To: Pochuck Mountain Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 32.0

I left at 4:30 AM and got to NJ 23 at 11:20 AM, Unionville NY at 5:30 PM, and the shelter at 9:30 PM. The trail was still a bit rocky before High Point Visitor Center. I waited until 2 PM for my friend Justin to arrive. I sewed my pocket and did some planning for the whites in my downtime. Justin joined me to hike a section of the trail with me so we decided to check out Unionville, NY. Justin bought me 42 bars for a convenient resupply. We planned on camping at Unionville for Cinco de Mayo but the only bar there gave off such an unwelcome vibe that we decided to press on to the next shelter 5 miles away. We got a camping permit, did some grocery shopping, and went for pizza before the bar so it wasn't a total loss. We packed up and left Unionville at 8 PM. We did a lot of running in the beginning before the light faded, luckily the trail was super fast and flat. We only had 1 headlamp so we had to go slow once it out super dark. There were 2 other section hikers doing the state of NJ that were hammocking there. Justin didn't plan on staying overnight but luckily it was a warm night so I bundled up in my extra clothes in my liner while Justin had my sleeping bag to stay warm in.
Date: 2018-05-06
From: Pochuck Mountain Shelter, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter, NY
Miles today: 23.6

I left at 5:30 AM and got to camp at 4:00 PM. I started a little later to postpone hiking in a steady rain. The trail was pretty easy to begin with but there was a big climb at Stairway to Heaven. There were a lot of people out today. The water sources were tea colored ponds and streams. I got some trail magic at NY 17A. It was water in a jug but just what I needed and definitely what Justin needed. We went the 0.2 miles to Bellvale Creamery. I got a large ice cream of Bellvalle Bog and did the hiker things. After that, I walked the 2 miles to the shelter and said goodbye to Justin. He had 11 more miles to get to the train station. I met "Just-In-Case" a SOBO flipflopper, "Disco" a NOBO flipflopper, and "Mulberry" a NOBO flipflopper. I have a very easy day tomorrow. There was a lot of bouldering right before NY and 4 miles after the border.
Date: 2018-05-07
From: Wildcat Shelter, NY

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter, NY
Miles today: 19.6

I left at 5:45 and got to camp at 3:30 PM. The first 4 miles were fast but then there was a lot of bouldering. I enjoyed it, especially the climb right after the Lemon Squeezer. I had to dig my 2nd cat hole today. That corned beef hash I had at the shelter last night got me. I met Jack at the shelter who was on the trail for 6 days. Then Mulberry made it here at 7:00 PM. We started a fire. I ate at Lake Tiorati because they had restrooms and potable water. The bugs are getting bad, especially the black flies. I have another easy day tomorrow.
Date: 2018-05-08
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter, NY

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, NY
Miles today: 16.5

I left at 5:30 AM and got to camp at 2:05 PM. The trail was varied today. There was some bouldering, some flat sections with rocks, and some very fast sections. I got to the zoo at 10 AM.when it was supposed to open but the doors were still locked so I had to take the bypass trail. Climbing Bear Mountain was a maze but it was interesting seeing the trail get substantially better the closer you got to the top. I passed a SOBO couple "Twelve" and "Turtle" and later "Doc Holiday" after the Hudson River crossing. It was pretty impressive going over such a big river. I stopped at the Deli on US 9. They had amazing food for very cheap! I got a double cheeseburger with fries, then I ordered the Balboa sandwich to go with a 6 pack of Lagunitas Maximus. It was a very nice shelter with potable water, electricity, and a roof. "Fox" was there who I had met in PA.
Date: 2018-05-09
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, NY

To: RPH Shelter, NY
Miles today: 18.9

I left at 5:45 AM and got to camp at 12:20 PM. The trail was decently fast today. The turns are not well marked in this section. I met a guide and gave him my card. I got within 5 feet of a turkey today. I took a nap in the sun once I got to the shelter. I met a couple that I named "Slowflow" because of how slow their filter was. I soaked my feet in a bucket of water. Fox bought me a pizza and a raspberry tea drink. I ate all of it and his crust. Then "Dice" showed up . He is a former SOBO thru hiker. He is doing a section NOBO for now.
Date: 2018-05-10
From: RPH Shelter, NY

To: Wiley Shelter, NY
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: few clouds

I left camp at 5:45 AM and got to the shelter at 3:55 PM. The trail was very fast today. There was a lot of the trail that seemed like it is usually pretty muddy but it was fairly dry when I went through. There were lots of big oaks near the trail as big or bigger than the Keffer Oak. I made it to the Nature landscape place by 12:30 PM. I drank a lot of water there and got a sandwich and fish and chips at the food truck down the road. I would have also gotten a milkshake but they were out of ice cream. I left the landscape place a little before 2 PM. I ran into John and Darra who were day hiking. I met Jake the chef at the shelter but he pressed on to the next shelter. The thunderstorms started at 7:45 PM but they weren't super exciting so I laid down. Slowflow showed up at 8:50 ish PM. My pack broke today. The internal frame sheared on the one side.
Date: 2018-05-11
From: Wiley Shelter, NY

To: Melani's House, CT
Miles today: 12.7

I left at 6:30 AM and got to Kent at 11:30 AM. I tried to sleep to sleep in so I wouldn't get to Kent so early. The trail had some surprises but it was mostly flat. There was some bad blazing again today. It was really nice to walk next to a river. It looked like it had some good white water on it. I went to the visitor's center for hikers where they had bathrooms, outlets, showers for $2 for 4 minutes, and water bottle filler in the back. I cleaned up a bit since it seemed like an upscale town. I went to Swift, and the bartender Curry was very nice and gave me a discount. They had a good beer selection. Melani picked me up at the bar and I got a shower. Then we went to the tavern to meet my other friend Kaitlin who had my new shoes and camera. I'll have to remember to pick up my old things. I'll have to leave some things with Melani as well. It was nice sleeping in a warm house and tomorrow I'll only have 20 miles to hike before Melani picks me up again. We ended the night at a pizza place where I ate mac n cheese, nachos, rice and fries, and 1 large cheese pizza.
Date: 2018-05-12
From: Melani's House

To: West Cornwell Rd, CT
Miles today: 15.9

I left at 7:30 AM got got to the road at 1:30 PM. There was a steep ascent right in the beginning and steep descent to Cornwall bridge. The rest of the trail was pretty fast. The trail was very fast while it was following the river for 5 miles. Anna, Melani's friend picked me up to go grocery shopping at the Big Y. I went back to her place on the farm. It was very nice inside. I played some Halo with her brother Paul. Melani's husband Rick took me back to his house. I watched Hot Fuzz and tried to repair my pack. Anna made me Mac n Cheese and hot dogs. I ate some chick peas with ground beef Melani had leftover in the fridge. Then Rick made Mac N Cheese and bacon wrapped chicken. We then all watched Parks and Rec while I tried to learn how to use my new camera.
Date: 2018-05-13
From: West Cornwell Rd, CT

To: Riga Shelter, CT
Miles today: 19.8

I left at 8:30 AM and got to camp at 6 PM. I said my thank yous and goodbyes to Melani and Rick. They were amazing last minute hosts for 2 nights and of course Cloe the dog was too. The trail was pretty fast today, very fast going into Salsbury. I went into the town to get supplied for the 24 challenge. I got a half gallon of apple cider as well, mostly for the container. I was looking for a half gallon of chocolate milk. I ate my dinner at the town hall building trail side where the spigot is. I was actually very full especially with that half gallon of apple cider. My pack is also very heavy now. Only 3 miles to the shelter and I found a porcupine in the privy and I had to chase him off. There was an amazing view at this shelter. It was easily the best view at a shelter so far. I was also the first one at the shelter.
Date: 2018-05-14
From: Riga Shelter, CT

To: Tom Leonard Shelter, MA
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I left at 6:30 AM and got to camp 7:20 PM. I woke up at 5:30 AM to begin the challenge. I could fit 5 in the apple cider container. I ended up falling while crossing the stream at the CT/MA border. The trail had some steep rocky descents. There was a bit of a fast patch. It was definitely hard to complete the challenge while hiking. I eventually just ended up hiking to the shelter with 5 left. I finished them at the shelter. I met "Gee" there. She is doing a month long section hike. She gave me some food and got me some water. It looked like a porcupine chewed every corner in the shelter. That night, the porcupine came to visit and we heard him chewing on the shelter and he made weird noises for about an hour. It sounded like a toddler throwing a verbal tantrum at a grocery store after they couldn't get the candy at the checkout line. I did manage to finish the 24 challenge though!
Date: 2018-05-15
From: Tom Leonard Shelter, MA

To: Cookie Lady House, MA
Miles today: 32.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I left at 6:30 AM and got to camp at 6:30 PM. I didn't get a lot of sleep with the porcupine calling at night. Dealing with some 24 challenge aftermath, mostly just trying to catch up on hydration. Very high humidity all day with morning fog. It was a pretty fast trail all day luckily. It did start to thunderstorm at 3 PM and continued for about 2 hours and 45 minutes, which produced some pretty decent lightning. I did get soaked but it felt good until the front passed and cooler air came in. I struggled pretty hard trying to find the Cookie Lady House. It is the one with the abandoned building in the front. She seemed very short in conversation but gave me 3 cookies and filled my water bottles. She let me sleep in the garage. I am glad to only be doing 23 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2018-05-16
From: Cookie Lady House, MA

To: Mark Noepel Shelter, MA
Miles today: 23.5

I left at 5:15 AM and got to camp at 6:30 PM. The trail was pretty fast but poorly blazed, especially the turns. There were lots of branches/trees down, probably from the storm yesterday. I made it to Dalton, MA by 9 AM. I got my water bottles filled from a guy at a church. I walked to the Wegmans of Price Chopper, called Market 32. It was the most beautiful grocery store I have ever been in but still surprisingly cheap. They had a huge alcohol aisle with beer, wine, and hard liquor. Truly spectacular! I did not manage to secure a ride back so I ended up walking back to the trail (adding around 5 miles there and back). I felt kind of laggy and tired when I got back on the trail so I ate some peanut butter. I still felt bad after a few more miles. I drank a powdered energy drink that I picked up earlier that day and that got me into the next town where I took off my shoes and drank 2 liters of water at a community center. I was feeling a lot better after that. There was some great trail magic at the last road before Mt. Greylock. "Mac" a former Long Trail thru hiker packed a tote full of great stuff. I had a cinnamon bun, 4 meat sticks, 2 gummies, and 2 poweraids. I felt better after that then I did all day! I felt like I flew to the shelter. There were 4 SOBO section hikers at the shelter. They told me I was about 1 day behind 4 NOBO thru hikers. I rekindled a fire and took a smoke bath. I learned the importance of electrolytes on hot humid days today. I will definitely be getting more drink mixes.
Date: 2018-05-17
From: Mark Noepel Shelter, MA

To: Congdon Shelter, VT
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: light rain

I left at 5:30 AM and got to camp at 4:30 PM. I climbed up to the summit of Mt. Greylock but it was cloudy so no view today. I past a few people on my way down to the town of Greylock. I went to Reesers Diner and got the garbage plate. I did all the hiker things, charged things, filled water bottles, but I forgot to trash dump. The trail wasn't too bad, just wet/muddy. I passed "Duck" a section hiker near the MA/VT border. I got to the shelter early even to enjoy a creek shower to get all the built up salt off my body and clothes. I dried everything off with a fire. Two NOBO thru hikers showed up (first ones I've seen since PA) "Shoemaker" who hammocked and "Bullfrog" who tented. Bullfrog lives 20 minutes from Lotus in NJ. It's nice to be with some thru hikers again. I finally ran out of my Part B of my first set of Aquamira Drops.
Date: 2018-05-18
From: Congdon Shelter, VT

To: Story Spring Shelter, VT
Miles today: 23.3

I left at 5:30 AM and got to camp at 4:20 PM. The trail was decently fast with a few steep climbs and descents (VT Route 9). The shelter seemed forever away somehow today. The trail maintenance crew is staying with us, 6 of them from CT. The other thru hiker "Small Furry Animal" is on his third attempted NOBO. The trail crew offered snacks, cheese, crackers,. meat, cookies, and candy. They even took my trash. They were very nice and I had a lot of fun them.
Date: 2018-05-19
From: Story Spring Shelter, VT

To: Bromley Shelter, VT
Miles today: 22.1

I left at 5:15 AM and got to camp at 2:10 PM. The trail was fast, just wet and muddy and snowy on the Stratton Peak. The rain held off until 11:30 AM and didn't pick up until 12:10 PM. I saw a Bald Eagle over a creek before the rain started. I also had a nice view from Stratton Mountain fire tower. I didn't realize how cold it was until i stopped hiking, it must be in the 40's. I made it to the shelter before the rain picked up again. There are 2 other hikers here tonight so far. I haven't felt this cold in a while, it was one of those hypothermic situation days.
Date: 2018-05-20
From: Bromley Shelter, VT

To: Greenwall Shelter, VT
Miles today: 22.6

I left at 9:30 AM and got to the shelter at 7:30 PM. I felt bad from that cheese 2 nights ago so I slept in, also my camera didn't charge last night so I was charging that in the morning. I am still dealing with liquid poop. I didn't wear my rain gear in the beginning because it was very dry and was supposed to dry off towards the afternoon (which it did). I fell twice today. The first time I almost fell on my face after my one trekking pole tripped me up after I started to stumble but no harm done. The second time I was within 2 miles of the shelter. I landed on my right arm on some pointy rocks, only a bit of blood, not sure how it didn't break. The trail was very wet and slippery today. I met "Pacific" a thru hiker that got injured in Georgia and just starting hiking in Vermont, and "Pizza Hut" who is flipflopping from Harper's Ferry. I was not very hungry today and had some periodic stomach pain while hiking, hopefully this passes.
Date: 2018-05-21
From: Greenwall Shelter, VT

To: Gifford Woods State Park, VT
Miles today: 28.8

I left at 5:45 AM and got to camp at 6:45 PM. I could still see the remnants of the hurricane/tropical storm damage from 5 or so years ago. It was still very unreal and hard to grasp the amount of water flowing up here. There is debris 30 ft. above normal flow. The creeks/rivers are still very beautiful though. I love the cascades over the large cobbles and boulders. I only passed one guy before Killington. I met an older lady and her sons. They gave me a banana, Snickers, and an orange. Then I met BBC "Baby Blue Crocs" or Jeff who is hiking the Long Trail and is 8 days in. He is moving to Carlise, PA for work so I told him that we should hangout since I live nearby. We both climbed to the summit. I climbed up the old fire tower there and there was a spectacular view. I think the lady and her son went down the wrong trail because I saw their car at route 4 but never passed them even though they started down before me. I hope they are alright. I was planning on going to the Inn at Long Trail but they are closed for cleaning until the 26th. I was really looking forward to a beer and a burger. I decided to press on and I met an older lady on the trail, "Snail Granny". She invited me to camp with her at spot 16. She has been section hiking the AT and will start her SOBO thru hike when she retires in 2022. She was very nice to chat with. She is a trauma nurse.
Date: 2018-05-22
From: Gifford Woods State Park, VT

To: Winturri Shelter, VT
Miles today: 16.6

I left at 5:30 AM and got to camp at 11:40 AM. I ran into "Pinata" at the campground bathrooms. She was excited to meet a thru hiker. She works at Upper Goose Pond in July. Apparently they serve pancakes and such there. It was a bit confusing getting back onto the trail from the campground since the construction detour didn't explain much. The trail was pretty easy today. I saw my first wild moose ever today! I also passed a large group of people (6 day hikers) going to the "lookout" most likely. The shelter was a bit further off the trail than I anticipated but I still got there 10 minutes before the rain started. It felt weird to get to a campsite before noon, this was my first time! I decided to take a nap then I tried to eat the rest of my food but I got full. I did eat the 2 apples Trail Granny" gave me earlier. The map says that this is a 6 person shelter but it could easily fit 8 people and 10 people in a pitch but tonight, it is just me. Looking forward to town, friends, and fixing my gear.