morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

With only three of us in the shelter I slept like a rock. I wish I could have slept in a bit but the other two began rising at 6:30. Oh well, still a good night.Before I had time to think I had started the roller coaster. If you've never heard of it the guide describes it as 13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents. It's really the last gasp for Virginia and luckily they threw in a ton of ankle bending rocks to make you sure you're ready to leave.I felt sluggish today for some reason so I stopped early to have lunch at the first shelter with Pork Chop. He found a really unstylish denim hat there with a bear on the front that he's now sporting. When he wears it he is no longer Pork Chop. Oh no, he becomes Denim Bear. The fearcest creature in the forest.The shelter was at 999.9 so when we left we immediately hit the 1000 mark. It's sort of surreal to have walked this far. Still though, 1189.2 to go.A couple miles later we hit Bears Den Rocks and all of the local day hikers. It's always fun to talk with random folks out for the day and really emphasizes how quiet weekdays are out here. While there we met a huge group of hashers running up the hill. I had never heard of this but apparently someone runs ahead with flour to mark a path and places beer randomly in the woods for the runners to find. We searched high and low but didn't find any for ourselves.At mile 1006 we crossed into West Virginia. According to the "Trail Boss" we went out of Virginia for a couple miles then back in.   The ridge we've been walking hangs on the state line until we cross over for good tomorrow.Around 4:30 I ran back into Bonobo and we decided to take the quarter mile trip down to the Blackburn AT Center. This is a place kept up by the Potomac AT Club that let's thru hikers stay and provides a place for locals to have a nice trailhead. Luckily Pork Chop and Lightning were already there. I spent a few hours charging my phone and during that time they offered to let us stay for a spaghetti dinner. Delicious. We put away everything they brought. It was so good.Unfortunately we wanted to get some miles in before camping so we left there about 7:15. It was 3.2 miles away and it took us right at an hour. I'm actually in my tent for the first time since before Waynesboro. This shelter area is great with tons of picnic tables, tent pads, and benches. The shelter itself is actually really nice as well.So this is my last night in Virginia. I'm ready to hit a new state. A quarter of the trail is here and it feels good to almost have it knocked out. I'll start crossing state lines a lot more often now.But holy cow, Harper's Ferry tomorrow and I'll probably be spending the night somewhere in Maryland. Can't wait to add my picture to the book at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Date: 2015-06-08
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Knoxville, MD
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

So a bonehead move on my part last night. I filled my water bag up and attached my filter. I drank some before I went to bed and put the bag and filter off to the side for the morning. In the dark I didn't verify that the cap was screwed in all the way and awoke to a pool of water in my tent. It took a good hour to get it cleaned up in the middle of the night. I went back to sleep around 1:00 AM.At 6:00 AM I heard the birds as usual. I was able to go back to sleep but woke back up at 6:45 and was ready to leave. I hit the trail around 7:20. I'm still sleepy.The miles went quick and I spent the hike listening to the Baltimore NPR station. Towards the end of Virginia the rocks came back. I was thrilled when I saw the WV/VA sign. So were my ankles and feet.Four states down.It didn't take long to reach the Shenandoah River and by then Lightning had caught me. We hiked across the bridge, up the hill, and through the streets of Harper's Ferry to visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. I grabbed a soda, plugged in my gadgets, and headed outside to take a picture to add to their hiker book. I'm officially the 492nd NOBO through the ATC this year. I started at Amicalola as 864. I'll take it.We hung out for a few hours using the computer and taking advantage of free long distance calls. Before we left we met Jess Daddio from Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine who wanted to interview us. She asked some really good questions about my hike and really got me thinking about the last couple of months. It was on video and I think she's putting it out sometime later this Summer.Once we left we headed down to the historic (read: touristy) section of Harper's Ferry. I had a good lunch of chicken pot pie and a cheeseburger. We then headed over to the outfitter to get Pork Chop some new shoes. While we waited Lightning and I grabbed some ice cream. Before heading out we walked through the historic area but it was filled with kids on field trips. After a short walk we headed back to the AT, crossed the Potomac and into Maryland.Five states down.The towpath was a quick, flat 2.5 miles but with storms developing we decided to head the mile to Knoxville, MD and split a hotel for the night. The Knight's Inn is a typical hiker motel with normal hotel prices. We hinted at heading to the hostel instead and got them down to a more reasonable price. He assured us the area was safe before we left. I'm not sure what I think about that.There's a convenience store and a restaurant across the street so I've filled myself with drinks and fried chicken. I also grabbed a few things to get me to Waynesboro, PA. I should be there late on Wednesday.I haven't looked at the terrain tomorrow but it will be 20-23 miles according to Bonobo's calculations. The weather tonight is terrible and I'm glad to be inside. I've talked to a friend further up the trail and it seems as if all the hikers around are hopping off the trail for the night. Great day though. Harper's Ferry is generally considered the psychological halfway point. The actual halfway point is about 70 miles up the trail.
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Knoxville, MD

To: Annapolis Rocks
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: broken clouds

It's a good group when you cram four guys in a hotel room and everyone gets a good night of sleep. We all started rising around 7:00 with absolutely no hurry. After packing and watching TV we headed across the street for breakfast then hit the mile walk back to the trail. We didn't start hiking until right before 10:00.Maryland has such a different feel than Virginia. The trail is at a much lower elevation and you can really tell we are in a very populated area. Even with a ton of rocks I made good time to my first stop at Gathland State Park. Green grass, benches, running water, and actual bathrooms? It was a hiker oasis. I sat in the grass and talked to the Wife for a few minutes while grabbing a mid-morning snack.It was a pretty steady nine miles to my next stop at the original Washington Monument. I stopped just below to grab lunch then headed up. Unlike the monument in Washington DC this one was a lot more modest and actually used as a signal post in the Civil War. The view up top was great and I actually had the place to myself.The rest of the way made the trail feel like we were in the North for the first time. It passes through a neighborhood then directly over I-70. The trail walked next to the interstate for about quarter of a mile.The goal tonight was Annapolis Rocks since the guide noted campsites, water, and an outstanding view. We all got our camps set up, made dinner then headed over to the rocks for the sunset. I really need to make nights like tonight happen more out here. It was a lot of fun to lay out on the rocks, watch the town below light up and the stars come out. Tomorrow we head to Waynesboro, PA to resupply. I'm not sure if we'll stay or move on once there though. Since the resupply was so bad in Harper's Ferry and Knoxville I really need to get into town. Luckily I still had some dinners from Front Royal. That's it though. Good day and even felt like we goofed off a lot. When I figured the mileage out earlier everyone was pleased.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Annapolis Rocks

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

It's been a while since my last privy story so I think we're due. Well, this morning, after an outstanding night of sleep, I packed up my gear and wandered over to take care of business. I start doing my thing and my eye gets drawn to the front right corner of the privy. There's a pile of wood chips (that you throw in the hole when you're done to help the bacteria do its thing) and that pile is moving.It was still early in the day and my brain hadn't really kicked in yet so I poked my foot at the pile. Right at that moment a mouse runs out and isn't quite sure what to do. I start laughing hysterically and try to finish up while a frantic rodent runs wildly by my feet. Cue the Yakety Sax. I get the door open finally and after a couple more laps he runs out and down the hill. This is why you should never build your home in a poop shed. Pork Chop went in after me and found two more still in the nest.I left the campsite by 7:40 and was making my way off the ridge a little after 9:00. I passed a very nice lady who talked to me about her desire to thru hike. She was having a tough time but still had a great attitude. We talked pack weight and she claimed to have around 50 lbs. That explains the bad time. I asked her what item she regretted most and she replied with makeup. Backpacking tip of the day: don't bring makeup.She was still awesome and I had a great time talking with her.I eventually met back up with Lightning and Pork Chop so we had lunch in Warner Gap Hollow and climbed up Raven Rock together. The climb up was fine, the descent was a crazy rock scramble. By the time we got to Pen Mar park it was the hot topic among everyone there.Right after Pen Mar we left Maryland and, in turn, the South. I'm thinking sweet tea is going to be tough to find from now on. Either way:Six states down.A few miles into Pennsylvania was the road leading into Waynesboro. Luckily we had scored a ride already with Count and Lavender who live in the area and had their truck conveniently on PA 16. Today was a hot one and the trip to town in the back of a truck felt great.We rolled into Wal-Mart and I have to say this was the first time I've felt out of place. I have never gotten so many looks while in town. I'll chalk it up to this top notch beard instead of my hiker funk. We had dinner at Subway then ran over to Sheetz to get Pork Chop some ice cream. By the time he was done it was around 7:00 PM and we needed to get back to the trail. We went across the street, stuck our thumbs out and were picked up in no time. We made the 2.1 miles to the shelter by 7:45.Tomorrow will be around 23 but it's not certain. Caledonia State Park lies in the middle and there's a pool. If it's hot enough I'm going swimming. Today was great though. I'll be in Pennsylvania for the next two or so weeks and will get to see the famous rocks for myself. I was told the other day it's a lot like a meat grinder for your feet. Yay. That will be in the North end of the state though.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept really well until a woodpecker started going a little before 6:00 AM. I still took my time and didn't leave camp until 7:45. There's not many situations in life where you're up and joking with your friends before 8:00 AM. It's a regular occurrence out here.The trail this morning was pretty mellow for the first few miles until Tumbling Run Shelters. Notice the plural form of shelter there and on where I stayed last night. In this section there are a few shelters that actually have a couple of structures to sleep in. Tumbling Run even labeled one for snorers and the other for non-snorers.After Tumbling Run the trail headed back to the rocky ridge line and stayed there until it came to Caledonia State Park. I've absolutely loved these parks since Maryland. Tons of amenities and a good place to rest in the middle of a hot day. I called Mrs. Rock Boat while there and spoke to her while I cooled my feet off in the creek. It was great.We stayed there until about 3:30 when we all agreed it was time to finish the 9+ miles to the shelter. Granted there was a decent climb in there but the heat was the real problem. We stopped a couple of times to cool off and rehydrate which is a little uncharacteristic for that amount of mileage. You can bet that the smell factor is going up amongst all of us as the weather gets warmer. I've been pouring sweat all day.I rolled into the shelter a little before 7:00 and Lightning and I found a couple of decent tent sites. Pork Chop is up the hill but came down to make dinner with us. I made tortellini for the first time on this trip and it was delicious. I think the Italian dressing was what put it over the top. We're all starting to carry things we never would have in Georgia. Anything to change it up from a pasta side.Oh, and I have a backpacking tip for today. When we got to camp we found an almost naked elderly German couple bathing each other in the water source. Luckily I was able to find alternate water.Backpacking tip of the day: Bathe downstream from where folks are getting water. The couple is thru hiking and should have known better.Alright, enough quasi griping. The halfway point lies 2.4 miles from where I am. We'll be there bright and early then head another eight miles to Pine Grove Furnace State Park to take the half gallon challenge. It's a tradition to attempt to eat a half gallon of ice cream after crossing the halfway mark on the trail. I've thought about strategy for about a week and I think I'm ready. I'll post the results tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Fry (Tagg Run) Shelter
Miles today: 17.1

I woke up far too early because of a whippoorwill. I kept thinking he'd fly away but it never happened. I was excited about the day so I didn't care too much. I had the 2.4 miles to the halfway point finished by 7:45.The goal for the day was to get to Pine Grove Furnace State Park for the half gallon challenge. It was a little under eight miles from the halfway point and I was feeling pretty good. They were easy miles anyway so I showed up at the general store at 10:30. I waited a few minutes for Pork Chop and Lightning and we ran inside to pick out ice cream.My original plan was to look for a vanilla with a fudge swirl but I had to settle for the vanilla/chocolate combo. I knew I didn't want cookies and cream or anything with chunks in it. Cartons of ice cream are apparently only 1.5 quarts these days so I needed to finish it then grab another pint.When we started it was all fun and games. By the time I hit halfway it wasn't fun anymore. By the bottom of the carton I was in pain. I finished it in about 30 minutes and headed inside for the final pint. Everyone was choosing black raspberry so I did the same. Getting away from the vanilla made the end of the challenge easy. I was done in no time and collected my wooden spoon. Then ordered a cheeseburger.Afterwards we ran over to the AT Museum then over to Fuller Lake to take a swim. It was full of people but the water felt really good. We sat in the sun for a while until Captain Planet noted her parents had shown up with all sorts of trail magic. We stayed there until thunderstorms kicked up.Luckily the lake had a really great bathroom and snack bar so about ten of us hung out until it cleared. While there a little girl asked her Mom who we were and she said homeless. I guess she's sort of right. We straightened her out though.At 4:30 the weather cleared and we made our way to the next shelter. It's been a relatively short hiking day but a really great one. I can't believe the trip is halfway over. I want to write something meaningful and profound but I'm not really that sort of guy. But, I wish everyone could experience something like this. I've seen things I never thought I'd see, done things I never thought I'd do, and met people I never thought I'd meet.If the next 1094.6 miles are like the first half it's going to be a hell of a Summer. When I set off I said I wanted to make it to Damascus and Harper's Ferry. Now I'm ready to see the White Mountains and Katahdin. Up until recently we didn't speak much of the end. It's starting to come up more everyday. If my knee can hold up I just might touch that sign.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: James Fry (Tagg Run) Shelter

To: Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

I went to bed last night thinking today was going to be 26.3 miles. I woke up right at 6:00 and was out of camp by 6:25. The early part of the day was spent in a really fun rock maze. Usually I hit these spots later in the day when I'm just trying to get to camp. Going through it with fresh legs early on allowed me to have fun climbing up the rocks.Eventually the trail came out of the hills and into the Cumberland Valley. I was blown away by the trail into Boiling Springs. Walking through rolling farmland is still one of my favorite things out here. About half a mile before town I ran into Apple Cider and we talked until we hit the the Mid-Atlantic AT office in Boiling Springs.Someone left doughnuts so I had a couple then ran inside to charge my phone. Pork Chop and Lightning showed up a little later and we all headed to lunch across the street. We hung out at the ATC for a while afterwards but by then I'd called an audible on the long day. In the Cumberland Valley there is a 18 mile stretch where camping isn't allowed and we started out 8 miles from the start of the zone. I've been tossing around the idea of going to The Doyle, a really old, legendary hotel in Duncannon, PA that many say should be torn down. In dire need of a shower and laundry I decided to go to Carlisle, PA instead. I won't need to stop in Duncannon now.In turn that shortened the day and gave me quite a few options on places to stay. Lightning and Pork Chop decided on the bridge looking into town that they wanted to head in as well. It had been over a week since we'd done laundry and it showed. We've since cleaned up and I've eaten an entire large pizza. Then went out and picked up chocolate milk, peanut butter M&Ms and a Whatchamacallit. It's strange though, I'm not starving but once I start eating I can't stop. Crazy hiker hunger.We'll hit the trail tomorrow but we'll probably separate the middle of next week since I need to go into Hamburg to replace my camera. Both of them have family coming in this weekend so I'll probably be just a day ahead at the start of the next week.Duncannon tomorrow then into the PA rocks. There's a five mile section before Duncannon that is labeled "very rocky" as well. As many rocks as I've seen the guide has never said that before.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Carlisle, PA

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: broken clouds

Even in the hotel we all still got up before 7:00. We eventually took turns checking out the Super 8 continental breakfast. It was underwhelming at best so I drank a lot of juice and ate a couple of waffles that had a cardboard consistency. We were on the trail by 8:30.Lightning had some friends coming to meet him in Duncannon so he took off. Pork Chop and I took our time and enjoyed the last bits of the Cumberland Valley. Have I mentioned how awesome it was yet?Eventually we made our way back to the ridge line and into the "very rocky" area. I'm not sure why it was granted that distinction since it was no worse than the rocks in Virginia. We actually made decent time on it and finished the 17.6 miles into Duncannon a little after 3:00.Pork Chop and I grabbed a couple of fountain drinks from the first gas station we saw then headed to the grocery store for resupply. While there we ran into Lightning and his friends who were gracious enough to pack six guys into a Mitsubishi Galant and carry Pork Chop and I the half mile back to the trail.We agreed with Lightning to head over to the Doyle so he said goodbye to his friends while Pork Chop and I finished the last bit of trail. I know I refused to stay at the Doyle but I felt like I should atleast get dinner and a Pennsylvania beer from there. The food was decent and the ambiance was, well, interesting. The door to the men's restroom was even held open which made things mildly awkward.We've been around a few other guys lately who said they weren't missing out on staying there. They got into town this afternoon, asked to look at a room and left to find a place to camp. For some reason Pork Chop stayed. I can't wait to hear the story tomorrow.While there we ran into Jeopardy who I hadn't seen since the Smokies. We caught up then he walked out of town with Lightning and me. We stopped at a gas station on the edge of town and separated there. He was grabbing a hotel a couple miles away and Lightning and I had decided to climb the hill to the next shelter.We crossed the Susquehanna River about 7:30 and began the last 2+ miles. We thought we'd get in around 8:15 but once we reached the ridge it was a crazy boulder scramble. The guide didn't say anything about rocks like it did the last section and this was way worse. We finally got to the shelter a little after 9:00 PM, in the dark with headlamps on.I have no idea what tomorrow brings but I'm headed to Hamburg, PA later this week to take a zero. It's been 424 miles since Daleville and my legs are starting to break down a bit. I'm right around 60 miles from there now so it will be Wednesday or early Thursday when I get there. Depending on rocks most likely. Mrs. Rock Boat is sending my first mail drop on the trail there which actually means new shoes. Again. These haven't been the most durable shoes but they have been really good for my wide feet. Alright, that's it. Supposed to rain tonight. All I know is that it's brutally humid. There have to be some dry days in our future, right?
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: broken clouds

It rained all night and since I put my tent up in the dark in the hardest ground imaginable I had two stakes come up. Fortunately only a small corner of the tent had any water in it. I woke up at 6:00, checked the radar, realized it wouldn't stop until 7:00, and went back to sleep. I was up and out by about 7:45.After last night's late night rock scramble I wasn't quite sure what to expect out of the trail today. It turned out to be a lot of rocky ridge walking but no rock scrambles. I'm not sure why everyone says the trail North of Duncannon is so rocky. I mean, it is, but it's no worse than the ridges in Virginia. I know the rocks are going to get a lot worse though.About five and a half miles in I came to an open area with a power line and decided to hang my wet tent on the rocks. While waiting I was able to get a call out to Mrs. Rock Boat and have a discussion with Lightning about a plan today. We're both pushing to get to different places for zeros so we agreed to a pretty long day. I have to say that now that I've planned to take a day off it can't get here fast enough. I'm trying my hardest to walk 67 miles in three days just so I can go in early.The hiking all day was a lot like those days in Virginia. Walk the rocky ridge, descend rocky ridge, get water at bottom, climb to next rocky ridge, repeat. Not too exciting. The middle third of the trail is always said to be the mental one. It's not as new or awesome as the South and it's not as amazing as New Hampshire or Maine. It's just something we have to push through to head North. I feel beat up and tired but my mind still wants to walk. I'll chalk that up as a victory.We got to camp a little after 7:00. This area is nothing like we walked in all day and I'm tenting in view of a small waterfall. With a river bath and a full stomach I'm doing pretty well. Unfortunately, I think we walked out of range of Pork Chop. He'd have to do 29 to get here. Hopefully we'll find out about his night at the Doyle soon.Another big day tomorrow. Possibly another 24 miles. We hit the 1000 to go mark at 1189.2. It sounds like a lot but it will be over before we know it.