morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-05
From: 25 miles north of Waynesboro

To: Boilings Springs
Miles today: 25.4

We rose at about 6 a.m. Pleased to discover there was no rain on the trail. We packed and hit it in about 20 minutes.  (We¢re getting this down now.)  Unfortunately, feet swelling, two new blisters from that long hike yesterday.  I paid for it this day.  The cooler weather was welcome!  Flatter trails made for less stress hiking.  Already had 8 miles in by 9 a.m.!We came upon a 3 mile stretch of managed-burn forest which aid regrowth and stopped about 10:30 a.m. for some power mush and foot care at Tom¢s Run shelter next to a nice stream. Some thru-hikers sped by on their strong legs, sporting attitudes from making it half way to Maine from Georgia.  Inspiring! We thought then maybe the Lord will strengthen our weak bodies, too.  We have revived faith that He can! So, we continue on to our next water stop at a state park.Upon arrival to the Appalachian Trail Museum and Conservatory Campground & Museum, we discovered there was a Fundraiser Picnic going on!  We looked through the museum viewing the lore and articles used by famous gone-befores like Grandma Gatewood and Earl Shaffer including his 1948 boots and cook pans.  Then we experienced trail magic!  They greeted us and inquired if we were Thru's and then invited us to go over and eat (for free to thru hikers!)  Enjoyed the bluegrass band while dining on burgers, salad, and cool drinks.  I don¢t think a plain burger ever tasted so good! What a gorgeous park and ATC facilities! We recognized a photographer from the Flip Flop event last weekend.  He commented, ¢Wow!  You¢ve made it this far!¢  I replied, ¢Ya, but why didn¢t anyone tell us there were hills to climb!¢  He said, ¢What part of the Appalchian Mt Trail didn¢t you get?  Most folks read a little before hiking.¢  With body and spirit encouraged, we are thankful to our God who cares for each one, even some Minnesota men who are far from their northwood's home.  We climb on for the rest of the day and pick our way through the rocky paths, lost in thought and meditation.  We need water soon, but where and when should we eat?  Nothing promising to our likes.  Yet we hike on past 5 p.m. , then 6, then 7!  We realized we were becoming tired, so finally found a quiet stream and pitched the tarp as rain sprinkled down.  We dined on instant potatoes while a light rain fell and asked the phone, ¢How far?¢  It replied, ¢25.4 miles.¢  Our furthest so far.  Ended the day tired but happy.
Date: 2018-05-06
From: 9.3 miles south of Boiling Springs

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 9.3

Anticipated the day to hold a short hike into Boiling Springs, but it turned out to be not 3 but 10 miles!  Somehow read the map wrong and missed the part about the steepness, too! That resulted in two new, bad blisters between the toes.The simple hotel where we're sleeping tonight is a 1700¢s inn called Mt. Holly Spring Inn that started out as a shack then became a tavern in 1804, that is situated in a gap between Mt. Holly Springs.  The hotel shuttle is a big, old white Cadillac driven by a 60 something retired nurse now owner wearing one thin braid down the side of her head.  Friendly with interesting historical stories.Enjoyed Strombolli¢s pizza for lunch and then rested and made calls and worked on the blogs.  Drafted my journal entries on white paper plates. No energy and feet hurt too badly to trek down the hall to the office for real paper.  Guess that¢s when you tell your boy to go down and get it, but I know he¢s hurting, too.  David had to cut my thumbnail-sized blisters using the tiny scissors gadget on the jack knife.  With this surgery under his belt, I've christened his trail name, Dr. D.Dr. D also has hurts including a big, new bruise on his shin.  Fell on a rock maze and yelled as he slid into solid rock. We're going as fast as we can safely but that was not slow enough, I guess.  This "hiking" is tougher than we ever imaginedAte here at the Holly Inn for dinner, where we witnessed Dr. D's first ever Open Mike event. (Kenny Hurlbut would've fit right in here!)  Liked the mando performance but was painful to watch another guy who couldn't carry a tune.  Dr. D. noted that we are out of snacks.  He observed that Hersheys melt before noon but Snickers last.  Have to resupply at Dollar General tomorrow.
Date: 2018-05-07
To: Rest
Miles today: 0.0

Dr. D and I enjoyed a peaceful night's rest after a late ball game on the television.  We ate a simple breakfast of fruit and pastry.  We bought a Second Skin Blister Repair product from a pharmacy and then down to Family Dollar Store to resupply our packs with food for the next 75 miles to Bethel, PA.  We like the name of that town, means in Hebrew "House of God" and sounds like a good place to rest next.Highlight today was visiting the Amelia S. Givin Free Library. Very Interesting in an historic building with unique craftsman woodwork. Wrap around ladder to access tall book shelves.We have an appointment at 6:30 a.m. with Cindy, who manages the Holly Inn, to take us back to Boiling Springs, PA, where we'll pick up the AT again.  So for now we'll get some sleep and watch our Minnesota Twins on Monday Night baseball!Thanks for sharing in our journey by reading these entries!
Date: 2018-05-08
From: Boiling Springs ATC building

To: Through Duncannon
Miles today: 28.0

Highlights included: Seven miles of rocks!!!!!!!  Two large hills!! Scaled down a rock face.....  We hiked for 13 miles and had to continue on seeking water, but that lasted for another 15 miles!  Never intended to go 28, our personal best.  Dr. D's feet finally hurt like mine have.  Trail wound through a cozy little town so not only got water there (handed nice, cold Aquafinas by the hotelier) but stayed under a Red Roof.  Wife commented on the phone that our voices sounded different -- so worn out and dry, I guess.Kind of fun to walk through some fieldsAnd pastures early in day leaving boilingSprings. Green, and pretty with ag smellsWhich I am sure may not be pleasant toEveryone. The farm boy relishes in theseSpots after living in the Minnesota Northwoods for the last 20 Years .Please browse photo¢s!
Date: 2018-05-09
From: Duncannon

To: Pine Grove PA
Miles today: 22.6

We hit the trail by walking across the river bridge, ascending into a steep climb to hills above Duncannon.  We meandered through the flat rocky pathway until we met two mean with slack packs.  We'd seen them the day before.  As a matter of fact, this was the third time we'd run into the one guy.  He said he prefers to slack pack when he can find a way to do it.  Our next encounter was a with a group of children from Montgomery School District along with their teachers and some parents.  The students in grades 2-8 had earned a one day field trip by excelling in reading. We were blessed with an invitation to trail magic, when we reached their park point.  Our feet moved much quicker when we knew we would find a treat!  There to greet us was a cooler filled with cold gatorade and snickers bars that were very tasty and refreshing on that sunny day!  We met up with the other half of the student group at the shelter about 3 miles further.  This time we visited with their teacher, who completed a section hike during 2004-2009.  Very nice bunch!  When leaving, Dr. D said, "You know, that blue trail to Biffy will cut us back onto the trail quicker.  I replied by pushing past him, commanding him to get out of my way, (You, blue-blazer (short cutter)!"  Dr. D took the lead again, as always, but halted suddenly!  I bellowed, "What's wrong?"He yelled, "Snake!"I said, "Where?"He pointed on the trail straight ahead.  I grabbed a rock and tossed it at the 6 foot long, black monster.  He obliged us with a quick exit right.  Exciting!  Our first trail snake!  We hiked on and on and on...As we began the descent, we found a cold spring.  The mileage read 18.8; we needed a rest!  David gulped water as we cooked Chicken Alfredo.  We were then joined by two North Bounders from Springer Mountain, GA, Thirteen and Wobbly.  Friendly 20 somethings who asked if we were camping right there on the trail.  We weren't as it was only 5 p.m. but had hit a wall and decided to dine.  They left.  We followed in their footsteps at 6 p.m., to climb yet another rise before bedtime.  We made it to some pines at the top with a nice breeze and slept there for the night.  A great day!  Amen.
Date: 2018-05-10
To: Pine Grove & Rest
Miles today: 23.7

Interesting night sleep last night.  We picked a nice spot in the pines with a breeze whistling through the needles.  The first interruption came about midnight:  the loud sound of an enormous crash.  I shot bolt up right, dragging with me clothes, blankets, bag -- everything in the process.  The sound had been from a huge branch breaking, and I knew that sucker was coming down.  David also sat up and asked , ¢What¢s wrong?¢  I said, ¢A branch broke.¢ He said, ¢Oh,¢ rolled over and went back to sleep.  About an hour later, I heard some really weird animal sounds.  No, it wasn¢t an owl, but ¢who¢ knows what it was?  David asked again, ¢What was that?¢  Then again, rolled over and went back to sleep.  The alarm chimed at 5 a.m,. and we were onto the trail by 6 a.m.  We passed the hikers, Thirteen and Wobbly, who were rising from their camp that had been situated near us.  An hour later those experienced folks flew by us, never to be seen again that day¢¦.We donned our umbrellas when it started raining about 10-11 miles south of Pine Grove, pausing at an old iron bridge. (Seems everything ¢old¢ is historic out here.).  We called Comfort Inn to book a room for two nights and asked about a shuttle.  She directed us to call Carl¢s Shuttle Service, who said they could be over in two hours.  Yes, TWO hours!  That long wait was a problem plus there¢s no hitch hiking allowed on an interstate.  So, I looked at Dr. D and asked the first of my standard questions: 1.  ¢What time is it?¢  He said, ¢12:30 p.m.¢  I asked #2: ¢How many miles have we hiked?¢ He replied, ¢13.2 miles.¢  I teased him with, ¢You game to hike to the closest Pine Grove exit about 10-11 miles further?  He agreed, and I said, ¢OK, let¢s boogie!¢  Off we went.  Shortly we discovered there is a steep climb up from the gap!  About half way up, sweat was steadily running down my face forming droplets.  I panted for a rest.  As I looked up, there was David standing with the phone in hand, calling for me to answer it as it was the shuttle operator.  I somehow managed to grunt out, ¢Let it ring!¢  They called again and I grunted the same response.   Well, we made our crossroads for Pine Grove about 5 p.m., which had been a good pace largely because it was only half rocks -- a treat for a change.  I suggested we hitch a ride into town.  The first couple cars slowed as I waved them down, then accelerated when they realized we were seeking a hitch.  The driver of the third car was a cost accountant for an organic chicken business, and he hit the brakes.  He gave us a pleasant ride straight to the hotel.  We praise the Lord for this kind man!  I tried to give him cash, but he refused, saying he likes to help people.   So, we cleaned up and slept at the hotel.  It is always good to comfortably catch up with Lee on the phone.
Date: 2018-05-11
To: Zero in Pine Grove, PA
Miles today: 0.0

We spent some time in Pine Grove today resting and treating blisters on right toes. I also couldn¢t wait to open the bedside Bible provided by the Gideon¢s. With only MP3 messages, I have missed the feel of a Bible in my hands. I realized I've grown weak and tired and discouraged.But the Scriptures, and the promises contained, lifted my spirits. In particular, these verses in the photo empowered me with renewed strength as I waited on the Lord.Now that I am rested, I've begun to plan for our LONGEST trek so far to a resupply town --  Windy Gap, PA, which is about 86 miles from the trail.We've refilled the packs, hand washed our clothes, and aim to take off at 6:45 a.m.  Entrance is at Pine Grove area Road 645.
Date: 2018-05-12
To: North
Miles today: 19.2

We started at about 700 am and had a good day on trail . We were plodding through the Rocks, stones, jagged edges,Moss covered, etc when a locomotive sped by using trekking poles. Really it was the fastest hiker in rock we had seen. Wow! He was friendly and said heIs doing sections by states and had done 4. He testified NJ is better and Ny but we could relax in flat less rock Connecticut!We are hopeful.We also saw 3 boys in plain clothes dress and a bearded father with staff hustling to keep up. Reminded us of movie Witness because youngest boy looked likeSamuel a child who played a lead role in film.We were warned of storms by a gal. WeAte at about 4 and pressed on only to be Shut down by drops of rain. So we pitched tarp and retreated inside just before it let loose. We stayed dry and safe thanks to those who prayed!Rain all night, nasty to get up to go.
Date: 2018-05-13
To: Hamburg 
Miles today: 8.0

We gritted our teeth and dressed in tarp as it lightly rained. We then made our way through the rock and light rain with Umbrella¢s used about 2 hours till it let up enough to close them. Kind of eery Walking through woods with foggy mist.We were passed by some young Springer Thru hikers then a single faster man.Another father and daughter passed tooBut we soon came upon them as unfortunately he went down face first.We were glad he was not seriously injured! One bad foot plant could end And adventure or worse.We heard a highway and began to descend and descend and descend and descend and descend when out of nowhere a twenty something flew by usRunning ! Yes Running down steep gravelAnd Rock grade. It was like The Man fromSnowy River on the horse when he rides down edge of cliff. Well finally we made railroad tracks intoPort Clinton and rain was now steady.I said Microtel and shuttle for these twoHikers. We showered in hot water and enjoyedA meal at Cracker Barrel although we missed our Mother my wife Lee.We then got picked up free by callingCabelas and finished our hiking day thereSeeing many wild animals
Date: 2018-05-14
To: Parts North of Hamburg PA
Miles today: 24.0

we got going about 8 am and did notHave a clue on how we would get toWhere we left trail in rain in Port ClintonAbout 3 miles away on super busy road.We had devotions in room and prayed forSolutions . When we were ready to go weWalked to lobby of our hotel , and we seeThe man who shuttled us there standing.I approached him and said how about a Half price ( 10.) ride to trail? He said,Why not my appointment for next shuttleIs not for an hour!We now visited with him, his name is Steve Racco and he worked his life asA Mason in New York City and lived in a shared family home in NJ. He is a good man who has a niece nearBy in Hamburg.We knew it was a day of climbs but Once up were many miles of rock toNavigate. We climbed 220 floors andDid 24 miles . At end we were out of water and could not make great timeBecuase final 4 miles all rock. At 9 we approached shelter and askedHiker where spring was. She said 1/4 mile down trail.We got out are lights and found spring in dark and drank!Too dark to set up tarp so slept underThe stars.
Date: 2018-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Exciting Development's! We both decided that we were giving up too much being on the trail.We missed our loved ones , church family, friends, and our Minnesota Northwood's lake home. We hikedabout 250 miles and met some very nice people, but the long days on the trail, limited views, and difficultterrain became dull to us. So we hitched a ride to Allentown and flew back to Duluth, MN, and rented a car to drive home.We were greeted by tears of joy by my SURPRISED wife! How fortunate we are to havethese wonderful folks in our lives on a regular basis.
Date: 2017-07-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well I would like to introduce myself because I finally made  up my mind to start my journal for my 2018 through hike of the Appalachian Trail. Approximately One and a half years ago I decided to hike the Appalachian Trail and have been making preparations ever since to make that dream come true. I love hiking and the outdoors and i've been hiking on and off since the mid-70s  when I started at 17 years old hiking along sections of the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoah national Park where occasionally me and my best friend Mike Krieger would come across thru hikers headed from Georgia to Maine and said to ourselves that we would do that one day. Mike was murdered in 1989  and I believe I let the dream of thru hiking slip away.  Fast forward to 2017 where I now live in Oklahoma and can not wait every year to cooler weather hits when I hike in the Ozarks in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Now I have made that commitment to hike the Appalachian Trail, with the support of family and friends to help me make that dream come true and to carry Mike's memory from Georgia to Maine and I look forward to meeting many of you along the way.
Date: 2017-09-20
To: Vancouver
Miles today: 0.0

I finally started my conditioning hikes for preparation for my March 2018 thru hike  of the Appalachian Trail by heading out to Vancouver with my son  to hike the mountains just north of Vancouver we started at sea level on the Baden Powell trail which then took us up to about 4500 feet where we met up with    The Howe sound crest Trail  these two trails were two of the toughest trails I've ever done steep almost vertical inclines scrambling over boulders scooting across ledges with 1000 feet drop on each side which made it one of the most exciting hikes I've ever done very physically challenging but it was awesome took us 3 1/2 days to complete those two trails got to Swim in some mountain lakes. My next hikes will be coming up in October in the Ozarks and I'm getting pretty excited about hitting the AT in march
Date: 2017-10-08
To: Ozarks
Miles today: 0.0

I'm finally ready to start conditioning and more pack shakedown hikes so I'm planning a hike the end of November 70 miles going to try to get it done in four nights 5 days of hiking, if anyone is interested in joining me to prep for 2018 the trail will be the Ouachita Trail starting at the state line headed east.
Date: 2018-01-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well I haven¢t posted in a while but I¢ve been busy with my Appalachian Trail preparation hikes since November I¢ve hiked 50 miles of the Ouachita trail, The white rock mountain trail two times and Butterfield Trail  at devils den state park.  The last hike at White rock mountain was a cold-weather hike with Temperatures down to 19° and I was able to check out my cold-weather gear which worked out really nice. At this point I really believe them ready for the Appalachian Trail I¢ve decided that My  start date is March 21 starting in Harpers Ferry and going south to Springer Mountain and I¢m getting pretty excited.  A lot of my preparation from here on out will be physical conditioning and trail planning for resupply.
Date: 2018-03-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Getting pretty excited about my hike I leave in 10 days and it's really sinking in that I will be hiking the Appalachian trail all 22 hundred miles. Starting to say goodbye to my contractors and. Friends is a little harder than I thought it would be. My business Joy Marble and Tile is in excellent hands and support my passion of hiking and I believe they will do everything they can to see that I complete the whole trail.    At this time I have pretty much finished my resupply options with my wife who will be shipping me my resupply boxes and my support on the home front and I just finished a conditioning hike in preparation for what is to come.    So for friends who are following and are curious why Clank is on the web address it was a trail name that was given to me on my hike last year in the smokies on a 100 mile hike. Hikers on the AT give each other a trail name which most hikers go by. I received this name because I had some equipment on the outside of my backpack which was making a lot of noise and a lady thought it would be fitting to call me Clank. I have since toned down m noise so I might end up with a new name once I get on the trail.
Date: 2018-03-26
To: Bears Den Hostel 
Miles today: 20.0

Well after a snow delay last week I made it on the trail yesterday afternoon starting at Harpers Ferry weather was good ice going up the first hill my yak tracks came in handy and stayed last night at David lesser memorial shelter And I made it to Bears den hostel  for the night seems like they really know how to take care of hikers. Feeling a little sore but that¢s to be expected I saw four deer in camp this morning that was pretty cool and now I¢m hiking through what they call the roller coaster a lot of ups and downs Tomorrow pizza and ice cream for dinner woo hoo
Date: 2018-04-07
From: Bears Den Hostel 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 140.0

We¢ll it¢s been 140 miles since my last entry and it seems like I¢ve been hiking like crazy for the last week I¢ve had two 20 mile days 3 15 mile days and a couple 14s made it in the Wainsborough Virginia to Stanimal¢s Hostel for a Zero day  which so far has been great my feet were hurting a little bit yesterday evening but feel pretty good today haven¢t seen a whole lot of hikers northbound in the weather¢s been kind of iffy but next week looks great my hiker legs Are starting to kick in  so far I¢ve got a total of 160 miles haven¢t seen any bears yet but I keep looking and seeing deer, turkey, and a bunch of squirrels and chipmunks. The views in the Shenandoah National Park were awesome can¢t wait to get down south to some higher peaks.
Date: 2018-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.0

Well after two weeks of being fairly uneventful the third week has proven to be more challenging  yesterday I took my first fall when two hikers coming up the hill and I meet at the same spot and I had to step down off a rock and when I did I went  clanking down the Boulder got little banged up but hurt my ego mainly Then I pitched a tent to wake up with it covered in snow So I hurried and got all my gear together skipping breakfast to try to make it to the next shelter which was 3 1/2 miles up the trail Got to the shelter and got them packed up my sleeping bag out another hiker named Right On showed up we talked for a little bit got in our sleeping bags  and after 30 minutes decided to pack up and head for the road I would¢ve had to lay there for 12 to 14 hours in the freezing cold so I made it back to the hostel for a night in a warm bed and a good meal.    It¢s been kind of neat meeting hikers a lot of northbound thru hikers I¢ve met walkie-talkie, scoutmaster, Overhill, peanut butter and jelly, right on, opa, fairy floss, roam, ghost,  cheesesteak, lucky boy, now or never, possible, yolo, tank, Hannibal, caretaker, footprint, And a few more that I¢d forgotten their names. So tomorrow I have two big climbs up Three Ridges peak and then the Priest, Both at almost 4000 feet elevation I just hope the snow is melted enough  so it won¢t be so slick the weather supposed to start warming up this week and be up in the 70s by the end of the week.