morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-13
From: Tom Floyd's Wayside 

To: Tent site mile 985
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Heading in for a quick turn around, food for 4 days and a meal. I had some cereal and rocket fuel then I packed up and got going about my normal time. Just before I got to US 522, I called Mobile Mike and he met me at the trail head and dropped me at the Front Royal Diner...thanks for the quick ride Mike! Had a killer breakfast, got my resupply next door at Lion Foods, charged my phone then caught a cab back to the trail and was hiking late morning.  The climb was pretty easy and followed some private property. Up top, it flattened out and was fairly level. I stopped for lunch at Jim & Molly Denton Shelter, what a great place! The shelter of course, a horseshoe pit, firepit and a outdoor shower. The place was clean and landscaped and I didn't want to leave. I can never find places like this when I'm done for the day. Finished lunch and got moving again. Hiked through a couple fields then dropped down to I66. Just before the hwy, I started hiking the western boundary of Col John Mosby's base of operation. He was a confederate Partisan Ranger and I'll be hiking this boundary for the next day. Another guy I need to look up and learn about. Passed under the interstate and climbed back up to the ridge. Hiked ridge the rest of the day and I'm camped at a tent site, mile 985.Today for some reason felt great to hike and I didn't want the day to end, so I would say it was another great day.
Date: 2016-04-14
From: Tent site mile 985

To: Black Burn Trail Center
Miles today: 26.0

I camped with 2 very nice guys last night, one had a trail name of Relic and the other no trail name and didn't give his real name. He knew a great deal about Col Mosby. Apparently, he was a thorn in the Union Army's side, used guerilla tactics. Hit and run and even captured a union general...he led about 250 guys. Got to read up on this guy. I fell asleep to jets and birds singing and woke early, couldn't go back to sleep so I got going. I entered the Sky Meadow State Park a short time later and crossed Ashby Gap about the time the sun was coming up. Made the climb back to the ridge and started siddling. Ran into a section hiker named Rosie Trail, he was 70+ years old and we talked trail for a bit...he talked and I listened then we said so long. Stopped for breakfast at the Rod Hollow Shelter. It was a beautiful morning so I took a long break then moved on. I'm starting to see a lot more wild flowers. Yesterday, I saw some chives growing along the trail, at least they smelled like chives. Bet they would be good in my cheesy mashed potatoes. Started a section called the Roller Coaster, a series of steep ups and downs that went on for about 13 miles. Well, after hiking the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina these were a series of bumps in the road, didn't even break a sweat...well maybe a little one. Stopped for lunch at Sam Moore Shelter then moved on. Since leaving Front Royal, I've been seeing rock walls, I wonder if this were made from trail rock or if they're part of history. I imagine if you remove the man made stuff, it looks about how it did when it was settled in the 1700s. Crossed the 1000 mile mark just after lunch and made it to Snickers Gap a bit before mid afternoon. Started back up the next coaster and finished them late afternoon. Hiked ridge until I stopped for the day at the Blackburn Trail Center. Met Bear Bag, the Trail boss (he built the roller coaster), and his wife. They're the caretaker for the place and I was served a great dinner. Thanks again for your hospitality. Two other thru hikers staying here with me...CP and Midnight Swifter Had another beautiful day on the trail and heading to town tomorrow.
Date: 2016-04-15
From: Black Burn Trail Center

To: A bit before Crampton Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

I fell asleep with a full belly and woke up to the typical noise commonly heard in a shelter so I wasn't going back to sleep. Packed up, had breakfast and updated my journal then got hiking...heading into Harpers Ferry today. My favorite time to hike is early morning because lots of stuff is going on. Caught a great sunrise this morning and also heard my first Dove plus, lots of birds singing.Made it to Keys Gap and walked to the Liberty gas station and got a coffee and donuts. Dumped my trash and headed back to the trail. Dropped down to the Shenandoah River and crossed over. Got to the AT Conservancy late morning. They took my photo, my number is the 26th north bounder and then I charged my phone. Great bunch of folks work there.Next stop was the outfitters for fuel, tooth paste and rag gloves...I left mine in Waynesboro. Laura was extremely helpful and is also a hiker, trail name is Coodie Girl. After, I had a meal at the Coach House and after walked around town. What a great little town with lots of history...it's like small town USA. Headed back out mid afternoon.Crossed over the Potomac River on a footbridge and enter Maryland. Walked along the Shenandoah River for a couple miles and started back up to the ridge. There was a breeze coming off the river and kept me cool while I was hiking. I also saw a family of turtles floating in the bogg next to the river watching a train go by... Too funny.Quit early today, I'm in need of a short day. Camped a bit before Crampton Gap Shelter. It was a fun day!
Date: 2016-04-16
From: A bit before Crampton Shelter

To: Tent site Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: clear sky

I think last night was one of the best nights sleep I've gotten out here, 10 solid hours. Had some breakfast and watch another great sunrise and got hiking. Stopped at Rocky Run Shelter for breakfast and met Yoda and another hiker that just started. She was sick and had too much food so she gave me a block of cheese, and I got Soy nuts from Yoda. There is a flip flop kick off at Harpers Ferry this weekend and there will be a lot of hikers started there and heading north so I need to get out in front of them. Yoda and I talked trail and about the Civil War a bit then I took off.A short time later I pass a couple memorials for fall soldiers during the battle of South Mountain. I stopped and read all of the stuff and took some photos. There was even a copy of the lost orders there. Hiking through this area, I could feel the past and the history and it was kind exhilarating. A bit later I came to a backpacker campsite called Dahlgren and it had hot showers so I couldn't pass this up and took a very long one...the trail will provide. After, I sat outside and soaked the sun in and dried off. Two step, another hiker was there so we talked trail and about Texas because he's from there and then I got the rest of my gear on and took off.I passed the Washington Monument next so I stopped for some photos and enjoyed the views up there. After I started down the mountain and was thinking about lunch, I ran into Vicki...she is a Trail Angel from this area and brought me lunch. A very large bagel sandwich, fruit, brownies, cookies and soda... I ate and we talked. Vicki is the real deal and has been a Trail Angel for a long time and has brought some magic to a lot of tired and hungry hikers and today I was one of them. Thanks again Vicki for the wonderful lunch and great conversation, it was truly appreciate.We hiked back to the trailhead together and said goodbye and then I started up the next hill. All the blood was in my stomach so my legs didn't work too well... but that was okay with me. Hiked the next ridge over to MD 17, I was going to resupply in Smithsburg but my food bag was heavier than normal for resupply so I did an inventory and found it had enough food to make it to Boiling Springs so I headed up the next mountain. I crossed a couple of fields and another road then up to Raven Rock Shelter were I'm camped in my tent. It was a absolutely perfect day on the trail.
Date: 2016-04-17
From: Tent site Raven Rock Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up early so I packed up and got moving, walked ridge for a bit then started down off the ridge. Had to do some rock jumping on the way down. I could hear a rooster going to town and was thinking that he's just like a Thru Hiker. Out every morning at the crack of dawn doing his do diligence. I started siddling at the bottom over to Pen Mar County Park, they had info about the battle of Monterey Pass so I read that then dumped my trash and headed over to the Masons Dixon Line where I stopped for a photo op and signed the register.Hiked through a residential area then down a canyon where I grabbed some breakfast water and hiked up to the ridge. I crossed a couple roads and stopped at PA 16 for breakfast. There was a picnic table in the sun and a stream so I washed my socks and ate soy nuts, cheese and had coffee. It doesn't get any better than this.Walked ridge till lunch and was met by Vicki at PA 233, she brought some lunch again and it was very good. Thanks again Vicki!!I got back on the trail mid afternoon and hiked ridge then through Caledonia State Park. I took a short break there and then climbed back up to the ridge and I'm camped at Quarry Gap Shelter. It was another great day on the trail.
Date: 2016-04-19
From: A bit past Steel Metal Roof Road

To: Tent site at Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

I've been on the trail 2 months now and I'm still having a great time. Although the weather has been a challenge at times, I've had the trail basically to myself. I got going just as I could see without my headlamp. I camped in a valley last night and it was chilly and when I got to the top of the ridge, there was a huge contrast in temp, maybe 10-15 degrees so I got down to my t-shirt and shorts and hiked on.Rock climbing first thing, it's called the Rock Maze, it's got arrows this way and that way, it would be fun to try and follow the trail without the arrows. Crossed Whiskey Spring Road and started up, stopped at the Alec Kennedy Shelter for breakfast. I also did an inventory of what I need to get me to Duncannon. Took a long break then got moving.On my way down I came across the biggest king snake (I think king, all black) I've ever seen, big around as my arm and about 6 ft long. I've come across snakes on this trail before, but none like this. It was laying across the trail so I stepped over it and it looks at me like...okay, now go on, get out of here. Magnificent looking snake!When I came out at the bottom I started hiking between two plowed fields. They were recently fertilized, it was easy to tell. Then I hiked through a alfalfa field sprinkled with dandelions. The field ended at town so I started walking in town and by the town lake. It was like a high sierra lake, crystal clear. I found out later it's spring fed.My first stop was the Mid-Atlantic ATC to find out the best place for breakfast, they said Caffe 101. On my way, I stopped at the outfitters for fuel and MSR tabs. Got to the Caffe and ordered the backpacker breakfast. Eggs, meat, potatoes, toast, french toast or pancakes and all you can drink coffee. They also have free WIFI. After that I got a Midnight Carmel milkshake and got brain freeze I drank it so fast. Grabbed a smart water and cake for breakfast tomorrow at the mini mart and waddled out of town. Boiling Springs is a 5 star place. Hiked between farmland and AT lands, hiked through a dairy farm and you know what that means...yep, all over the trail. Hiked along a river for a while and crossed a number of roads and under a road on PA 944, then a big climb with a view at the top and ended the day at a tent site at the Darlington Shelter. The Pennsylvania countryside, farm homes, barns and fields are beautiful. Setup for a mid morning arrival into Duncannon and taking a NERO. Another great day on the trail.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Tent site at Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Two o'clock in the morning 2 knuckle heads come rolling in and because the shelter is empty, they think they're alone. Here they go...flappity jaw and jibber jabber. I fell asleep at 7 so I'm rested but try to go back to sleep until my stomach starts going to town so I pack up, eat, and hit the trail.I dropped down to some open fields with damp sandan grass that smelled wonderful. I hiked this for a mile then started back up and I got to the top of my climb about a half hour before the sunrise, my first unobstructed view so I sat and waited for the sunrise and what a beautiful one it was. I took off after and stopped at the Cove Mountain Shelter for breakfast then headed into town.Got to town a bit passed mid morning and went to Goodies for breakfast, the Doyle's aren't open till 11:00ish so long breakfast. I still had some time to kill so I headed up to the market for my resupply, got 5 days worth. Rite aid was next door so I got some whey and protein bars and headed back to the Doyle's.On first glance, you wonder why the health department hasn't shut them down, but after my 1 hour check in time with Vicki, I was glad I stayed. The place grows on you...and they got great food and it's just what a hiker ordered. Finished my town stuff then relaxed, ate and drank the rest of the day.This was a great day on the trail.
Date: 2016-04-21
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Yellow Springs Trail Junction 
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up with a itch under my arm and felt a bump, so I go into the bathroom and there's a tick on me. It looked like it hasn't been on long so I took it off and took a couple of my green pills then checked everywhere...I guess I need to start looking now.  Got up early and had breakfast at Goodies then walked out of town. Heavy pack this morning. Crossed the Susquehanna River on the Clarks Ferry Bridge then over to the trailhead. There was some trail magic there, 10-15 quarts of different kinds of Gatorade, I grabbed one then started up. Whom ever left them, thanks a lot.Stopped at Clarks Ferry Shelter for water and a break then took off. Hiked ridge till lunch, had great views of the city leaving and of the river and at table rock. Had lunch at Peter's Mt Shelter then moved on. Hiked ridge in the afternoon also and the sunny skies from the morning turned to overcast and it sprinkled a couple of times. Ended the day at the Yellow Springs Trail Junction.
Date: 2016-04-22
From: Yellow Springs Trail Junction 

To: Hertline Campsite 
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: broken clouds

It rained last night and I vaguely remember hearing it is I was so tried. Slept a good 10 hours and I'm definitely rested so I packed up and got moving. I think the critters liked the rain too because there was a lot going on in the Forrest this morning. I passed a couple springs with rust color stuff on the rocks where the water was coming out, probably lots of iron in the water. I also saw my first Diversion Well on Rausch Creek. Some of the water is diverted up stream through this and it fillers it through limestone to raise the PH downstream so the trout live longer...Pretty cool!There was also a coal mining town here too in the late 1800s and they worked for the railroad but the mines didn't produce much so they were shutdown. I hiked in between 2 ridge starting out then climbed over Second Mountain then down and entered Swatara State Park where everything is prohibited except hiking and breathing. It was raining so I stopped under PA 72 for my break and then moved on.Crossed the road and as I start the next section there's a big sign that says "Wear Orange". Do they think hikers will hitch into town and buy an orange vest? Here's a thought, if a hunter looks through the sites or scope of their weapon and can't tell the difference between an animal or a human, maybe they should hang it up and stay home...another thought, would hunting still be fun for a hunter if the animal had a weapon and shot back? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't shoot one of their own.So, I made it though that section without getting shot and crossed the Union Canal on a very cool looking Berlin Iron Bridge that was made in CT, crossed under I81 and started up to the ridge. There was a nice breeze up top that stopped the stickiness and kept the bugs at bay. I'm hiking along and thinking about what I'm going to have for lunch when I come up on a rattler...he waited until I was about 8 ft before he let me know he was there and I saw it about the same time, I jumped straight back, tripped and fell on my butt. I get up and wait a couple minutes to stop shaking and take a couple of photos and then give it a wide berth. That was a big snake and looked amazing. I don't care how many of them I see on the trail, they'll always scare the crap out of me. Stopped at the William Penn Shelter for lunch and dried my tent and bag then moved on. Hiked ridge the rest of the day and had some nice views at Fisher and Kimmel Lookouts. Dropped down to Hertline for the night. It was a very exciting day on the trail.
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Hertline Campsite 

To: A bit Past Minnehaha Spring
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: few clouds

Rain storm came in again last night but this time it kept raining so I had to pack up in the rain. It's been awhile since I've had to do that. Got going after I had some rocket fuel and pop tarts, passed a couple section hikers a few minutes later. I stopped and we talked weather and then the trail then I said so long. One of them got caught with his pants down, all of his stuff was wet. I felt for him and hoped the sun come out today so he could dry his stuff.Passed a monument for Fort Dietrich Snyder, a 1755 lookout post during the French and Indian War...pretty cool! Hiked ridge over to the Eagles Nest Shelter where I took a break and dried out my gear, sun came out just before. Couple of day hikers stopped in and when they found out I was thru hiking, gave me some soup. I thanked them then took off.Big drop into Port Clinton and I went straight to the Peanut Shop where I bought Bazillion Nuts, Toffee Almonds and Peanut Butter Cups. That place is amazing and has just about any nut you want. I sat outside in a rocking chair for a few minutes and ate my cups, they were wonderful. The trail followed the river then under the freeway then big climb out. Easier than coming down, it had one switchback. Finished the day a bit past Minnehaha Springs. Weather turned great and it was just another great day on the trail.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: A bit Past Minnehaha Spring

To: A bit before Bake Oven Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: clear sky

It was a chilly night but I woke to a blue sky and beautiful morning. Packed up and took off about my normal time. First stop was Pulpit Rock, amazing views so I got a couple photos. It's next to a small observatory and there was a bunch of people camping there.Hiked ridge then dropped down and crossed a stream where I stopped for breakfast. Section hiker came by and we talked trail and he said there was fires in Shenandoah and some of the trail was closed. Washed my socks then got going again.Came off the ridge and crossed Hawk Mountain Road then back up to the ridge. I stopped at Dan's Pulpit, checked out the view and signed the register. The box the register was in said "Made in the USA".I did a lot of rock hopping today. You can't take your eyes off the ground or you'll trip so I entertained myself by seeing how far I could go on top of the rocks without touching the ground. Kind of fun! Stopped for a quick lunch and moved on. Crossed Blue Mountain Summit late afternoon, hiked a bit then stopped at New Tripoli for dinner water. Hiked on and had a number of views of down below. Camped a bit before Bake Oven Knob Shelter...what a name. Today was an absolute perfect day on the trail.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: A bit before Bake Oven Knob Shelter 

To: A bit before Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 26.0

I slept great but woke up with sore feet. The Oboz I got in Waynesboro just aren't working out and already breaking down. They don't breath well either so my feet sweat and I've gotten a couple blisters. Continued on the ridge over to the next shelter and it looks like the locals use this area a lot, I saw lots of trash, broken glass and graffiti on the rocks plus the trailhead was a dump. I was glad to be done with it.West side of the ridge in the valley wasn't clear today, I wonder if it's smoke from the fire or smog, the east side was clear. Hiked ridge then dropped down towards George W. Outer Bridge Shelter where I stopped for breakfast. Met 2 other hikers, they were going south and we talked trail. 12 mile dry section coming up so I tanked up then moved on.Got to Lehigh Gap about noon then started up the other side...what a climb. What's the fastest way to the top of a mountain? Straight up and about three quarters the trek poles were stowed and it was hand over hand with some exposure. Pretty cool! Traversed around back and the AT had a detour for 4 miles on lower trail along the ridge with a great view of the city below. Came down to Little Gap Road and there was a water cache there so I took a bottle. Whom ever left it, many thanks. Climbed up top and stopped for lunch. Got moving again and hiked ridge the rest of the day and camped a bit before Leroy A. Smith Shelter. Long day and I'm dragging butt, most of the trail today was rough except for the detour miles. The weather was great and the hiking was fun so it was another great day on the trail.
Date: 2016-04-26
From: A bit before Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.0

Storm came through last night, lots of energy. Thunder and lighting, it was cool watching it through my tent so I laid there for a while and listened. It was foggy and overcast when I packed up. Made it to Wind Gap about mid morning and crossed over and started back up. Mileage sign at the trail head said 910 miles to Katadin ME...like eating an elephant.Stopped on top for breakfast then moved on. Sun came out late morning so I stopped at a spring and dried out my stuff. Assbagging day, so I took my time, Slip showed up for water so we talked trail, he got water and moved on. Lots of bumble bees on the trail, a couple days back, I was having lunch at a shelter and there must of been 10-15 of them buzzing around. A couple of times one would hover over the picnic table when I was eating and would be so close I could see its little face. Too funny!It was a very pleasant day hiking and I took my time because of the miles to town. Met up with Slip at Kirk Ridge Shelter (Met him a couple days back) and I hiked with him into Delaware Water Gap. Had a thunder storm roll in and out within a few minutes and the sun came back out. Nice views on the way down. Made it to the trailhead late afternoon and walked into town. I'm staying at The Church of the Mountain Hiker. Got a bunk and there's no laundry so I washed my clothes the field expedient way, in the shower with me. Had a great meal with Slip and will hit the Walmart and the outfitters for shoes tomorrow...finally through with Pennsylvania.