morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-02-16
From: Barafu 15,331 ft.

To: Uhuru Peak 19,341 ft.
Miles today: 0.0

Up at 5am for the accent on Kili's summit, hit the trail at 6:30 for a thirteen hour day and 4,000 foot climb and descent. The first mile was fairly easy and then we hit the 45-50 degree grade. It wasn't difficult because of the grade, ice and rocks, no the weather had to add to the misery with hail, snow and thick clouds for the last three hours to the summit. We arrived at Stella Point, the lowest point on the crater's rim, at 4pm. I was completely spent, along with everyone else in the group and didn't really care if we traversed the rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the summit. It was only a mile and 500 ft. more to climb so that we could say that we had reached the "roof of Africa". Our head guide, Bwenje, insisted we could do it and that we would regret it the rest of our lives that we made it this far and didn't have the guts to complete the summit to Uhuru Peak.We all excepted the challenge and reached Uhuru Peak in 45 minutes. Even though clouds and snow limited our visibility to 100 ft., everyone was happy and glad to have reached the ultimate goal. I wish we could have seen more from the peak, but just being there was reward enough.The fifteen minute hike back to Stella Point was all downhill and snow packed. When we arrived there at 5:15, I knew it was going to be dark before we returned to camp.We were suppose to camp for the night at Crater Camp, which is inside the volcanic crater, but the weather we had experienced all day made it unsafe, an more inclement weather was expected through the night. The hike down to Barafu Camp was unbelievable, there were paths cut or formed that allowed you to almost slide or skate down the mountain side for about a mile. The paths were made up of loose volcanic soil and small rocks, which made it easier on the knees and allowed you to make faster time.The downhill took 2.5 hours, with the last hour scambling over slick lava flows in the dark. Saying it was dark is an understatement, the only visible light was from our individual lights on our heads. I don't know how the guides knew the direction to the camp, I guess they knew if they would keep going down the mountain they would eventually see the lights from the camp area.By the time we reached the camp, I wasn't able to do anything but get in my sleeping bag. I was about to call it a night, when the waiter brought me a plate of chicken, vegetables and a bowl of soup. The service that this company provides is out of this world. As I was eating my dinner in my tent it started to lightning in the near distance, within ten minutes it started to hail and snow
Date: 2015-02-17
From: Barafu 15,331 ft.

To: Mweka Millennium 12,500 ft.
Miles today: 0.0

After coming down 4,000 ft. from the summit to our camp last night, we had to deal with about a foot of snow that fell during the night. The porters would come around every couple of hours during the night to shake the snow off our tents. Apparently one of the mess tents collapsed earlier last night.The trek down to Millennium was uneventful and was easily made in 2 hrs. After lunch the group and I prepared for the tipping ceremony to be held after the 4 o'clock tea. The tipping ceremony is where the catered hikers show their appreciation to all the porters, guides and cooks for helping us summit Kili. They all gather around in a half circle and sing songs in Swahili celebrating the end of our journey. The hikers select a person to represent us and to express our appreciation for everything they have done for us. The eight of us collected over twenty-two hundred dollars which is divided equally among all the porters, in addition to their regular wages. I was told this was equivalent to 2-3 weeks of regular wages in Tanzania.The cooks and guides were tipped individually with money placed in envelopes and was given to them as they shake hands with the hikers. Also the porters have a lottery drawing for all the gear, clothes and accessories that the hikers want to get rid of. They are very appreciative of anything that is given, because a lot of this stuff is unavailable or too expensive to buy in Tanzania.Shortly after the tipping ceremony we had our last dinner on Kili. It was a final time to reminisce about our experiences on the "roof of Africa". Tomorrow afternoon I would be returning home, while the others would continue on for a five day safari.
Date: 2015-02-18
From: Mweka Millennium 12,500 ft.

To: Mweka Gate 6,000 ft.
Miles today: 0.0

Today was the hardest descent for the trip. We descended over 6,500 ft. for over seven miles, which took 6 hrs. to complete. By the time we reached Mweka Gate my legs were like rubber. The saying goes, "Going up is hard on the heart, going down is hard the legs."After everyone took pictures under the "Congratulations Arch" we had lunch and received our certificates for reaching the summit. Around two o'clock we loaded up the vehicles for a one hour ride to the Kia Lodge. We would only be there long enough for our first shower in ten days and to repack our bags for the flight home. The flight back home was 28 hrs. of misery, my longest time I've ever spent in the air.When I reached Gainesville, I was met by Jane, who refused to kiss me. It seems my face and lips were starting to peel from a nasty sunburn I had received days earlier. Anyway the dogs had plenty of kisses when I arrived home.Just a few notes:1) I can't say enough good things about Thomson Safaris. They are a first class guide company, I would highly recommend them to anyone desiring to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.2) The guides, Bwenje, Charles and Deo, the cook, Simon and Emanuel the waiter, and my personal porter Joseph, made this an experience of a life time.3) The fellow hikers in my group, Amy, Lee, Ansi, Anand, Anu, Jim and Brenda, thanks for making the climb a pleasurable and very enjoyable experience.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Elkton, Va.

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

I started hiking this morning at 9:00, it was sunny and warm. This was originally going to be a short day, however a thunderstorm hit the area around 3pm and with the rain pouring down, I somehow missed the trail to the hut. I continued on for another 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile before I realized that I must have missed the trail to the hut. I didn't need an extra 1 to 1.5 miles of hiking that doesn't count as miles hiked on the AT.It was a little crowded in the shelter tonight, there are 8 hikers in the shelter and another 6 or 8 tenters. I met a section hiker from Massachusetts named Dave. We will be hiking and staying in the same shelters until he leaves the trail at Front Royal, Va. There are a lot of south bounders in the hut tonight, hopefully the shelters for the rest of my hike will not be as full.Forgot to mention, but somehow I think that I got into some poison ivy. Both legs have a red rash from above my ankles to my knees. So far there hasn't been any itching. Dave gave me two tabs of Benadryl. I'll take one tonight and save other for tomorrow night, maybe I'll be able to buy some at a store along the way.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Rock Springs Hut
Miles today: 11.5

On the trail at 7:30 this morning. It was cool with a steady breeze that made for some comfortable hiking. I made it to Big Meadows Wayside at 11:30. Relaxed for about an hour and a half, while taking in a cheeseburger, fries and ice tea.Only had a 4.5 mile hike to the hut, but it took me 3.5 hours to get there. Just didn't have any energy after lunch, mostly because the temps had risen to the mid 80's, very uncomfortable for hiking. I'm tenting tonight as the shelter is full and no chance for rain. Maybe I'll get more sleep tonight.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Rock Springs Hut

To: Byrd's Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 10.9

So much for the zero chance for rain last night. I had probably being asleep for 20-30 minutes when a thunderstorm rolled in around 9:30. It only last for about 40-45 minutes, but it took only 20 seconds to get my tent completely wet. I stayed dry on the inside, but it's always a hassle to stow a wet tent in the morning.I got up at 5:30, put all my gear in the pack and was on the trail at 7:15. I arrived at the Skyline Resort at 10:30. This is a place where hikers can reward themselves with a good choice of food and drinks. I bought a bottle of ice tea, a big chocolate chip cookie and a coke, which I drank immediately. Saved the ice tea and cookie for lunch.I crossed over Stony Man Mountain where there were three rock climbers doing what they do on the rock face. I couldn't determining how far down they were going, it had to be at least 400-500 feet.Today was one of those days where the trail kicked butt. It was hot, my feet were sore, so I decided I'm doing only a half day tomorrow. Maybe a short day will make my feet happy. I drank over a gallon on water, a 20 oz. Coke and a 16 oz. ice tea and I still felt dehydrated.So far at 8 o'clock I'm the only one in the shelter. There must be about ten tenters here also. Now Paradox, a north bounder from Michigan, is settling in for the night in the shelter.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Byrd's Nest #3 Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: broken clouds

Paradox and I battled shelter mice most of the night. I woke up twice with a mouse scratching at my air pad, Paradox said a mouse ran across her feet during the night. Around 11pm the wind picked up and blew all night long, it's an impairment when you're trying to sleep.I left the shelter at 8am and since I have all day to hike, I'm taking it slow, enjoying the sights. I stopped at Mary's Rock and just sat there for 30-40 minutes viewing the Shenandoah Valley in the clear morning sun light. Wish I could have lingered longer, but with a steady 20 mph wind in my face it was chilly.I arrived at the hut at 11:30, now I have to kill some time until tomorrow morning. A lot of hikers here tonight, most are tenting, looks like four of us in the shelter.This has been the most boring afternoon I've spent on the trail. I think I'd rather be walking on sore feet than spending useless time in a shelter. I need to do two 13 mile days to reach Front Royal, Va. by Wednesday afternoon. Hope this half a day off will help the feet.
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I was in the shelter from Hell. Two SoBo section hikers joined Bingali and I in the shelter. These two guys were in their sixties, were totally new to backpacking and had no idea what they were doing. They spent at least an hour cooking some kind of gourmet Italian dinner, that I'm sure got the attention of all the bears in the area. Later today I heard from another hiker that they bathed in the spring where drinking water is gathered, using non-biodegradable soap and left the soap bar on the rocks. This is ideal bear attractant. I only slept for about three hours last night, both of these guys were the loudest snorers I've ever been around. What made it worse was one of them was setting off seismic fart bombs every 30-60 minutes.Bingali and I were both up at 5:15am to get the hell out of there. After eating a light cold breakfast, I was on the trail at 6:30. Today was going to be a test for my feet to see if doing the short day yesterday would help with the soreness.And it paid off. I did the 13 miles with relatively little pain and my speed also improved. I guess I averaged over two miles per hour all day. Tomorrow is another 13.4 mile day to Front Royal, Va., if I can make it there in 7 hours or less of actual hiking, then I'll feel like the worse of the break-in period will be behind me.Notables for today: 1) I had my first mulberry milk shake at the Elkwallow Wayside. These shakes are legendary in the Shenandoah's. 2) I saw a 5 foot Indigo snake on the trail this morning. These snakes are rattlesnake killers and when an Indigo is in the area, rattlers are usually no where to be found. A lot of hikers are reporting rattlesnake sightings, I haven't seen any yet. 3) When I reached Gravel Springs Hut, I had already decided that I was going to tent, hoping for a better night's slept. As Tumbles and Scout came into the hut area, they were talking about all the bears they had seen today. As Tumbles was looking for a tent space, she yelled out BEAR!!There was a small bear, maybe 1-2 years old, about 30 feet from my tent. Everyone at the shelter ran in the direction of the bear, yelling to scare the away. It moved on slowly and was spotted later on the other side of the hut area. The bear is probably going to be hanging out in the area tonight, so everyone is taking extra precaution and hanging all food bags and packs on bear poles. This should reduce the opportunity for the bear to cause trouble tonight.Beginning to meet section and thru hikers on the trail and in shelters and getting to know them by their trail names. This is what is special about the people you meet on the trail. I'm taking a zero day on Thursday in Front Royal, it would be nice to see some known faces in town.
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal, Va.
Miles today: 13.3

Finally got a good nights sleep. No issues, no bears. I was on the trail at 7:00 with the anticipation of my first shower in six days. This is my second 13+ mile day in two days, my feet are getting a real test. Everything started fine until a light rain started around 11:00 and became a heavy rain an hour later. I walked with wet feet until 3:15 when I came to the road into Front Royal, finally completing my first six days and hiking a modest 62.3 miles for the first leg. I also climbed my last 3,000 ft. mountain until I reach Massachusetts.It's great to be finally out of the Shenandoah National Park. It was really crowded with weekend and section hikers. The trail running through SNP is the best 106 miles of maintained trail that I have been on to date. There have been less rocks and roots, which helps to make it easy on your feet. If you wanted to see if backpacking the AT is for you, then this is where I would test it out. If you can't handle the SNP, you will not do well on the rest of the trail.As I came off the trail at Front Royal, Songbird and her Dad, Quiz, pulled into the parking area. They are hiking another 10 miles to the Manassas Gap Shelter for the night. We've been crisscrossing on the trail and staying at the same shelters for the last four days. Songbird is a hyperenergetic young lady. She recently graduated from college, spent a year in AmeriCorp and is hiking the AT before she gets a real job. Quiz is just hiking along doing some sections on his own for a brief period. Don't know if I will see them again as they will be two days ahead of me when I return to the trail.
Date: 2015-06-18
From: Front Royal, Va.

To: Zero Day in Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

The first thing I did after securing a motel room was to wash six days for sweat off my body. After that I proceeded to the Laundromat to wash my stinking hiking clothes.I thought my trail appetite kicked into gear yesterday as I was hungry all day while hiking. Well, it was confirmed last night at Joe's Steakhouse. If you are ever in Front Royal, I highly recommend it.This morning I skipped the puny motel breakfast and went down to McDonalds for a Big Breakfast with pancakes, a whopping 1400 calories. I reorganized my bounce box and went to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I had lunch at Crazy Carls and feasted on an Italian sub. The rest of the day was spent just laying around in my motel room. Tonight I'm dining at the local Italian restaurant.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Zero Day in Front Royal

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

I left the motel and was on the trail at 8:00. The first obstacle was a 1,000 ft. climb and then another 1,000 ft. climb just before the shelter. Today the humidity is the worst I've experienced thus far. Even some NoBo thru hikers have commented today was the worst they have experienced since the weather has warmed up. There is some concern about tropical storm Bill bring some rain into the area either tonight or tomorrow.It's almost 6:00 and I'm the only person at the shelter, everyone is sheltering at the next shelter 4.5 miles away. I'm staying put as the next shelter is small and the shelter spaces are probably already taken.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

I awoke as soon as the birds started singing at 5:15 AM and was hiking by 6:30. Today was another hot and muggy day. The trail was fairly easy and I wanted to get to the shelter before 2 o'clock. The weather prediction is calling for rain all night, at seven o'clock we've already had two big downpours. With the last one the roof was leaking in spots.Tomorrow is the roller coaster, a series of ten short up and downs over a 13 mile area. It's not a particular difficult section, but the heat will make it challenging. Calling it an early night, the shelter is packed.
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9

We had several more downpours during the night. I was on the trail at 7:00, not looking forward to the hike for today. After leaving the shelter the section called the roller coaster starts. After last night's rain the trail was mostly muddy, very rocky and adding in the high temps and humidity made for a very challenging day. I think that I drank over a gallon of water while on the trail today.I was very happy when I reached the hostel and was able to shower three days of sweat off the body.Today was hike naked day, which is in celebration of the summer solstice. I saw only one hiker hiking nude. He zipped by me as I was getting something out my pack and I didn't notice him coming until after he passed.Had a free dinner at the hostel tonight furnished by some trail angles. It was very appreciated.
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

I had a good night's sleep in the hostel and what was even better were the pancakes with mulberries for breakfast. With only two up and downs remaining on the roller coaster, today's hike was very enjoyable as the humidity was lower.Notables for today: 1) Completed over 1,000 miles of AT trails 2) Crossed over the Va.-W.Va. border.It is good to be finally out of Virginia, as about 25% of the AT is in the state.Talking to some of the young thru hikers, some have expressed a feeling that they are losing the desire to complete their hike. I guess it's kind of like a marathoner when they hit the wall and think that they can not finish the race. If they persevere and push forward they will finish. Hiking the AT is a marathon, not a sprint.
Date: 2015-06-23
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harper's Ferry, West Virginia
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

On the trail at 6:30 and after only 1-2 miles away from the shelter, I spotted a bear about 40-50 yds. on the right side of the trail. After I made some noise and did my crazy dance, the bear took off running down the hill.Today was another hot and humid day. I think we are supposed to get a break in the heat tomorrow and it should last the rest of my time on the trail.After I crossed the bridge over the Shenandoah River coming into Harper's Ferry, I was met with some trail magic by two trail angels sitting in the shade. Thanks for the cold water, Fritos and mandarin, it was a nice way to finish the hiking day.While I was finishing my trail magic, Paradox came down the trail, backtracking to the Va. - W. Va. border to attempt the Four State Marathon. She and several other hikers are leaving the border at 5am tomorrow morning, crossing thru four states, Va., W.Va., Maryland and into Pa., a 43 mile hike in less than 24 hrs. Basicly this is hiking thru Maryland, which has 41 miles of AT trail in less than 24 hrs. Staying at the Econo Lodge in Harper's Ferry tonight and taking a zero day tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

To: Zero Day in Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was spent resupplying my pack, repacking my bounce box, taking it to the post office and spending time in Harper's Ferry taking in all the historical sites.I had lunch at Private Quinn's Pub and enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich and a couple of local craft amber beers.The weather today is very pleasant with lower humidity. I hate to waste a day like today without hiking, but the forecast for the next several days looks good.
Date: 2015-06-25
From: Zero Day in Harper's Ferry

To: Dahlgreen Backpack Campground
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I finally got a 15 plus mile day of hiking. I'm going to need a couple of 20+ mile days so that I can reach Boiling Springs, Pa. by Tuesday. That's the day I need to catch my flight to Gainesville.I left the Econo Lodge at 7:30 and had to walk 1.5 miles just to get back to the AT. The weather was pleasant, which made for a mostly sweat free day of hiking. When I reached the campground I immediately set up my tent and fixed dinner. Fortunately I completed everything just before it started to rain, hope it finishes before morning.As I'm retired to my tent, the rain is very soothing as the drops hit the rain fly on my tent. After checking the weather forecast, there is a chance for rain the next couple of days.
Date: 2015-06-26
From: Dahlgreen Backpack Campground

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

On the trail at 7:20, need big miles in order to reach my goal on this section hike. Lucked out with no rain today, temps were very mild, great hiking day.The hardest push today was the last mile to the shelter. It was a challenging 800 foot climb over rocks and very vertical. It took almost an hour to climb, only made more difficult by having to hike over 17 miles earlier.Arrived at the shelter at 6:30 and then had to hike .4 of a mile down a steep trail to gather water. Just the finishing touch to a difficult day.
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Zero Day due to rain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It started raining about 4 am with a lot of high winds. Decided to spend the day in the shelter out of the cool rain, plus the trail will be muddy and the rocks precariously slippery.This delay is putting an end to the section hike for this year. I have only 5 miles to the Pen-Mar border, where I can easily catch a shuttle into Waynesboro to pick up my bounce box and make arrangements to get to Harrisburg, Pa., where I'll catch a flight home.
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Zero Day due to rain

To: Pen-Mar Rd.
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

I didn't sleep well last night due to the constant rain and winds. The shelter has a tin roof, so anything including rain drops hitting the roof, is unusually loud. Packed up and left the shelter around 7am. Today is the coldest morning yet, this would have been a great day to do twenty miles. However, the trail threw one more extremely rocky downhill scramble at me, just to make me appreciate the experience even more. My feet have been pain free for four days now and I can feel a big difference in my climbing over rocks and boulders. To bad it's my last day on the trail.Reached Pen-Mar Rd. at 9:45 and called David at Burgandy Lane B&B where I'll be staying tonight. David will be shuttling me to the Harrisburg Airport tomorrow.
Date: 2016-06-17
From: Pen-Mar Rd.

To: Tumbling Run Shelter 
Miles today: 8.2

First day back on the trail and it was almost perfect. Started at 10am with temps in the low 70's. Just took it easy , and reached the shelter around 3:30. Unpacked my gear and went to the spring to pump some water, only problem my pump didn't pump. Should have checked it out before I left home. Fortunately I have chlorine for treating water and I can always boil it if I have to. The spring at the shelter is a piped spring, so I'm not that concerned. In the next couple of weeks I'll be going through towns with an outfitter, I can pick up a new filter then. I feel pretty good physically, feet and legs are good, but my shoulders and back are a little sore. It's seven o'clock, time to turn in.