morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-04-27
To: QUARRY GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 20.4

This morning we were shuttled back to the trail by Roger Stewart, very nice man who shuttles people from Harpers Ferry to Boiling Springs for a living. We started hiking around 8:30 after having a safe night at the Days Inn out of the storms. The Days Inn staff was great and very friendly. We started by descendimg to Buena Vista Road then crossing Old PA. 16. The weather was great with blue skies and sunshine but winds blowing 20 to 40 miles an hr. We then hiked on mostly even trail around 1200ft to 1400ft for the next 3 miles until we reached Deer Lick Shelter and we decided to take a break after 4.5 miles. We then hiked 2.4 miles descending down to 890ft before climbing 300ft in 1.3 miles, reaching Tumbling Run Shelter for a snack break. These two shelter state one is for snorers and the other non snorers. We have camped here on all 3 thru hikes because its a neat place but our mileage didnt workout this time. We then climbed 800ft to chimney rocks before descending down to Swamp Road where we met some young kids around 12 yrs old with 4 chaperones. They were on a 3 day hike and they invited us to eat with them. We had pitas with cream cheese and bagels as well. We talked about the trail and answered all their question before moving on. We then climbed up to 1800ft and reached Rocky Run Shelter but didnt go .3 over the hill, we just continued hiking. We then had about 1 mile of hiking on,in and around a ridgeline boulder field before finally descending down to U.S. 30, and entering Caledonia State Park. We took our last break here for about 15 minutes before setting our sites on 2 more miles to camp. We started with a 500ft climb then basically fllat trail until the last .4 up to the shelter. There are about 10 hikers here tonight and we are camping in the rhododendron bushes. We plan on doing 11 more 20 mile days so we can get thru Pa. In 12 days. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-04-28
To: Camp 2.4 miles past pine grove
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

This morning woke up to rain lightly hitting our tent. We knew rain was in the forecast until 11. We started hiking by 6:30 with a climb 550ft over 4.1 miles which wasnt bad at all but in a slight drizzle. We basically ridgeline hiked for about 5 more miles before reaching Shippensburg Road where we stopped for a snack. It had finally stopped raining but still was cold. We then reached the 2018 halfway sign then came out to a parking area where we met this nice family from New York who gave us some water, she told us she wants to hike the trail someday. We thanked them and told her if she has any question just ask and we will help all we can. We then had to take a reroute bc they were doing a or had done a controlled burn in the area. We then descending down to the Toms Run Shelter where we stopped for a break then continued on for the next mile in nothing but water and mudholes in the trail. We finally reached Pine Grove Furnace State Park where the Half Gallon Ice Cream challenge takes place. Here u can buy a half gallon for 9 or 10 dollars and see how fast u can eat it in, we didnt waste our money on that instead we had chicken strips with fries. The AT Museum is here as well. They were also having a 50k race today. We stayed about an hr then hiked about 3 miles more before stopping for the evening. It was a cool evening in the tent but we were thankful no rain in the forecast tomorrow. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-04-29
To: Near old stonehouse rd
Miles today: 22.5

Today we decided to start at 5:30 because we were only 6.6 from a great breakfast place. We started with headlamps and a chilly morning. We hade a great sunrise we were hiking into and hoped for and opening for a photo but never came to one. The hiking was relativly flat with a few minor climbs with rocks. At mile 2.7 we hit another milestone of hiking 12000 miles since 2010. We then hiked 4 more miles on pretty good terrain with very few climbs and then a down to Pa. 34 and a .2 mile walk east to the Green Mountain Store and Deli. They were hiker friendly and the food was great. We spent 30 minutes in the store before heading back out to get to Boiling Springs. We had a few 200 to 300ft climbs but nothing major with perfect weather. We then came to a huge boulder scramble where we had to climb over,around and down many huge boulders. After completing that we still had 5 miles to go. We seen some day hikers and section hikers so we knew we were getting close. When we were about 2 miles out we started a 1.5 mile hike thru fields with barns that have the huge silos attached to them. The last .3 into Boiling Springs we walked past a naturally made spring reservoir about the length of 3 football fields where people come to walk,ride bikes,sit and have picnics along with trout fishing. We finally made it to the ATC Mid-Atlantic Office where we sat and waited on our two friends from New York who were in the area. We seen 2 trout caught while we sat and had lunch. We also met a family of 3 out for the day who came over and talked to us about our hike. We were happy bc we had done 17.6 miles by 1:30. Walking man and his wife Debra made it around 2:30. We talked and caught up for awhile before we had to get hikimg again and they had to get on the road back to New York. They resupplied us, we said our goodbyes until the next time. It was great seeing them again. We then hiked out of Boiling Springs on very flat trail at 450ft weaving in and out of farm fields until we had made it 6 miles out of town and set up a stealth campsite. We had a great day of hiking and after 62 miles in Pa. We finally seen a wild animal, it was 3 deer but before that nothing at all for 62 miles. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-04-30
To: .3 before clarks ferry shelter
Miles today: 23.8

This morning we started hiking at 6am with a beautiful sunrise. We were still hiking thru fields and crossing backcountry roads at an elevation of around 400 to 500ft. We seen about 10 deer in the fields since we were walking thru them early in the morning. In 1 mile we crossed I76 Pennsylvania Turnpike then crossed U.S. 11 on a pedestrain footbridge. We then crossed over I81 before coming to the ATC Scott Farm Trail Work Center after 4 miles. We then hiked about 3 more miles following the river on dirt paths and boardwalks before coming to a spring where we took a break and had a snack. We then began our climb up to the Darlington Shelter at 1390ft, this is where we officially started hiking with Y's Guy and Spirit in 2012 all the way to Katahadin and have been best friends since then. We then started a descent down to 650ft before walking thru some fields and starting a climb up to the ridgeline. Once we climbed to 1300ft we ridgeline hiked on very rocky trail until we reached Hawk Rock where you have a view of Duncannon down below. We could see subway from up on top and we set our sites for Subway. We hiked 1.3 down again on very rocky terrain until we hit pavement below. We walked 1 mile until we came to the Doyle Hotel, and made a left to walk down a backstreet heading out of town to Subway. 1 more mile and we arrived at subway at 3:30 after 21.4 miles of hiking. We ate and charged our electronics until 5 before heading out of town on the AT. We had to cross the Susquehanna River and cross the Norfolk Southern Railway tracks before renetering the woods. We climbed 1.5 miles from 400ft up to 1180ft before reaching ridgeline. We then rock scrambled 1 mile before a light rain started falling and we found the first flat spot and set up camp. Along the way we crossed yesterday the Rocky Knob Trail that intersects the AT, Ratman read a book where a guy followed to girls who took this side trail to a water source and shot both of them but one survived and identified him and he was captured in Fla. Then we passed stopped in Cove Mtn Shelter today where we stayed in 2010 and the next day found out a local had hiked in and killed two hikers yrs ago. Crazy stuff you find out later when u get off the trail. Welk today was good with the miles going by and great weather. Also seen a snake and our first porcupine heading into camp. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-05-01
To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We welcomed May in by hiking 25 miles by trail and 26.1 by Strava. We started at 6:30 in the fog and followed a rocky ridgeline for 7 miles. We kept going around,over and stepping on rocks,rocks and a few more rocks. After 7 miles we stopped at Peters Mtn Shelter for a snack. We then continued on this same ridgeline for the next 5.7 miles before descending 1 mile down to PA. 325. This is where we stop on every thru hike for lunch bc it a very popular trout stream with a large parking lot to sit and have lunch. We then started a 3.2 mile climb over rocks up to 1650ft. At the top there is a trail called the Horse Shoe Trail which starts here or ends and begins or ends 121 miles in Valley Forge. This also is where we camped with Spirit and Y's guy in 2012 before hiking the next morning in the worst lightening and thunder storm in 4 thru hikes. We knew we had 8 more miles so we kept hiking but from here the trail was mainly level but rocky and muddy. We came to the shelter at 6 in a misty rain with nobody here but us so we set up are camp and built a fire. We had dinner and lights out at 9. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-05-02
To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning we were hiking by 7 finishing with 17.5 miles by trail and 18.9 by Strava. We started out in the first .6 coming to Raush Gap Villiage which was a coalmining railroad villiage. We then seen a sign 1.6 detour bc of a beaver dam flooding the AT but we went the original rt bc it couldnt be that bad. When we came to the beaver dam it was amazing how huge it was, it looked like a lake, we have been thru here 3 times and it was a very small stream. We had to walk on logs,wade in water,mud hiking and finally after about .5 made it back on dry land. We didnt skip any trail and when we made the top of the mtn the reroute would have been .7 longer. It was amazing what the beavers had done to those woods. We then hiked about 5 more miles in the fog and then sunshine until we reached PA. 72 at Swartara Gap, we decided to try and hitch 2 miles into Lickdale for Mcdonalds and to find another fuel canister. This great guy picked us up and gave us a ride, he said his wife was a dealer at the Hollywood Casino, thank you William for the ride, we made it to the 501 Shelter. We spent 2 hrs in town then another nice man gave us the ride back to the trail. We crossed a footbridge over the Swatara Creek and then dried our tent before heading up the trail. We hiked .3 before going under I81 and starting a climb up to 1400ft. We then ridgelined for 6 miles until we reached William Penn Shelter and went down to the spring for water and lunch. We then hiked 4.1 miles on great trail except for the rocks before reaching 501 Shelter. We seen a great beutifull big black snake sunnin on a log. We have 23 miles to Port Clinton and reunion with friends. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-05-03
To: 4 miles before port clinton
Miles today: 19.7

Today we did 19.7 by trail miles and 20.1 by Strava. We want to thank the caretaker at the 501 shelter, such a nice guy who does a lot for the trail and the hikers. Also, thanks for the peanut butter cookies. Also, thank u Spirit for ordering us a large pizza and 2 liter coke for supper, that was great trail magic ratman will carry up Katahdin in July for that. See, at this shelter you are .2 from the road thats y they have a caretaker here to oversee the safety of the hikers but, you can order fro the local pizza place and meet them at the road. We started hiking around 6:45 in a heavy fog with chances of storms all day. The first section was very rocky but flat for about 3 miles. We came to Shikellamy summitt overlook but had no view bc of the dense fog. We then started down to the Hertein Campsite before climbing up and levelling off all the way to PA. 183. On the way we came to the Fort Dietrich Snyder Marker and met a great couple out for the morning hiking on the AT. The trail was rocky and muddy in places which tends to slow you down but, just a misty rain with no storms so far. We then 5 more miles on good trail until we reached Eagles Nes Shelter for lunch, we were still hiking in and out of the fog even though it was 2 o'clock. We met a guy from New York at the shelter and we were glad to see this shelter bc in 4 thru hikes had never been to this one before. We then hiked 4 more miles and made camp by ourselves 4 miles outside Port Clinton. We built a fire which felt great bc it is still chilly in Pa. We had dinner and enjoyed the fire for about 4hrs before calling it a day. Around midnight a storm rolled thru with thunder,lightening and heavy rain but all was good and we were excited about getting to town and seeing a good friend. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-05-04
To: PORT CLINTON
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

This morning we were hiking by 6 after packing up a soaked tent fly. We had about 2 miles of rocks before 1 mile of dirt path and crossing fields. We then started a very steep down into Port Clinton. We crossed the RR tracks and went to the Post Office to pick up a package and then went to the barbar shop. The guy who owns it is very hiker friendly who allows hikers to hangout and eat dognuts,cookies and coffee. Also he has live music and encourages hikers to stay and listen. Great guy and the lady that was cutting hair was very nice as well. Ratman had his head and face shaved while we sat and chatted. Our friend Diane picked us up at 930 and we will be staying with her tonight. Here are our stats so far. Wildlife, Grouse 13, Deer 106, Snakes only 9, Raccoon 1, Turkey 4, Bear 1, Ticks 4, Quail 4, Porcupine 1, and yellow jackets nests 1. We have had 49 trail magics, we have hiked 732.4 miles and have 1459.6 to complete the trail but only 972.8 to katahadin before heading back to springer, we have hiked 767 miles by strave with 144,000 ft of elevation and we have met hikers from Va 11, Tn 2, SC 3, Texas 3, Arizona 1, Colorado 2, Maine 2, New Mexico 1, Kansas 1, Penn 1, Nee york 3, Maryland 2, Hawaii 2, New Jersey 2, NC 4, Montana 1, Ohio 2, Mass 2, Illinois 2, dc 1, Ga 3, Fla 3, Australia 1, UK 1, Canada 1, Kansas 2 and W va. 2. Thats it for now thank u for following GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-05-05
To: 1.4 outside Port Clinton
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: light rain

After a day and a half rest, and visiting friends we headed out around 7PM. It had rained all day and was still raining. We hiked .7 by the river before going under an overpass and crossing a road. We reentered the woods and starting a steep rocky climb. After .6 we reached the top and found a campsite around 8. We set up in the rain very quickly. We then just went to bed bc we have 3 long days ahead of us because we want to reach Deleware Water Gap on Thursday. GOD BLESS. We want to thank Diane and Nanner for their kindness and great trail magic.
Date: 2019-05-06
To: ALLENTOWN HIKING CLUB SHELTER
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we hiked 21.2 by trail guide and 22.2 by Strava. We started hiking around 6:30 with fog and overcast skies. It rained until 10 last night. We first had climbed up about 200ft then down to Pocahontas Spring at 1200ft. We then descended to 960ft at Minnehaha spring in 1.2. By now the sun was dancing in and out of the clouds. Trail levelled out for the next 2 miles until we reached Windsor Furnace Shelter for a break. We then climbed for 1.6 up to 1582 to Pulpit Rocks where we had a view to the east. We then made our way in 2.2 over very rocky trail to the Pinnacle and another overlook. Which for the most part the last 73 miles of PA is rocky. We then stayed around 1500ft for 3 miles before before starting our climb up to Hawk Mtn Sanctuary Trail where you can take a 2.5 mile side trail to watch the hawks in the rocky crevices where they live. We then hiked 1.1 to Dans Pulpit we stopped for our last break before pushing out last 4.8 miles into camp. The last 4.8 was a stuggle and painful because it was all rocks and it is very mental when hiking on rocks for miles. We seen 2 snakes and 1 deer today. GOD BLEDS
Date: 2019-05-07
To: .5 from Blue mtn rd.
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

After a great night camping with about 10 hikers who were all nice at the shelter we started hiking at 6:30. We hiked all day off and on with Perk a gentleman who is from Charlottesville VA. The first 4.1 miles was on an old forest service rd until we reached PA 309 which is the Blue Mtn Summitt. We then hiked on 3 miles on good easy level terrain until we reached the dreaded knifes edge. We had to hike across huge boulder cliffs which were slick from the early rain and fog. Theses cliffs are only .2 but take 15 to 30 minutes to hike across because they are so dangerous. Perk said who thought this would be a great idea to bring the trail across these cliffs, we said they have cameras in the trees sitting at home laughing as hikers make there way across. We then hiked on some boulder fields before coming to a dirt path for 1 mile before reaching the parking lot to Bake Oven Knob. After 9 miles we stopped for a snack while Perk hiked on. We then hiked up to Bake Oven Knob in .4 and then had to hike thru a huge gigantic boulder field for .4 until we reached dirt again. We hiked .5 to the shelter where Perk was and got water from the spring. We then headed back out while Perk filled up his water bottles. We had great terrain after this and after reaching the summitt of a climb we had about 3 miles of great ridgeline field hiking. We took a lunch break about 2 miles before the next shelter after seeing a huge 6ft black snake. Perk passed us while we were sitting having lunch. We then hiked on a rocky trail until we came to the shelter where Perk was reasting after 16.6 miles. We filled up with water and descended to Lehigh Gap and met a couple from New York who were lost and didnt know which way to go from the parking lot to the top of Lehigh Gap. We told them to follow us to the top. We crossed the river hiking on the bridge, then crossed the road and began a very hot rocky climb to the top of Lehigh Gap having great views looking down into Palmerton and the river below. We said our goodbyes and we started hiking to reach the ridgeline. We hiked along to top where an old zinc mine used to be with views to the West on Palmerton. We were on exposed ridgeline with a storm rolling in so we hustled to a campsite we knew of from our other thrus and made camp in the safety of some cedar trees around 6:30. Perk showed up 30 minutes later just as it started sprinkling. We now are in the tent with a bad thunder,lightening,wind and rain storm rolling thru. Suppose to pass thru by 8. GOD BLESS hiked 22.2 miles today.
Date: 2019-05-08
To: .8 from Wolf Rocks
Miles today: 21.6

We started hiking around 6 this morning after a good nights rest. The rain cleared out around 9 last night and it seems we sleep better after a rain. We first hiked .5 down and crossed Blue Mountain Road followed by about a .3 swamp hike before starting our climb up to Weathering Knob at 1600ft. Then the trail just stayed between 1600 and 1500ft but very rocky for about 6 or 7 miles. The weather was great this morning and the hiking easy but painful on the rocks. Sone wonder why you would do one thru hike on these rocks let alone 4. We came to Smith Gap Road where Perk caught back up for a break. We then hiked about 3.5 miles on the same kind of terrain until we reached Leroy A. Smith shelter but didnt hike .3 over the hill we just took a break at the sign. We then made a dash 4.6 miles on rocky but no climbing and one steep down to the highway. On the way we met a 72 yr old hiking the other way without his hiking partner that we seen him with around knifes edge yesterday. Then 1 mile from the road we caught up with his friend going the other way to the parking lot. He told us the shuttle driver didnt show up so they had to pass the keys. He said he has 2 more sections to do the next two days and he has section hiked the AT from Georgia to the New Jersey line. At the parking lot after 16 miles the gentlemen ran us into town to get food and bring us back so we ate wendys in the parking lot. These two guys are from Mt. Airy and were so nice and amazing to be out hiking at 71 and 72, thank u for your kindness. We then ate in the parking lot consisting of 1 double burger,chicken sandwich,fries and nuggets. We then climbed from 960ft to 1500ft to begin another rocky trail section but it was level so not to bad. We hiked 5.7 more miles before calling it a night. We have 9 miles to Delaware Water Gap then .2 to New Jersey. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-05-09
To: DELAWARE WATER GAP
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: clear sky

After listening to the planes all night flying over and landing in New York we were up at 4:30 and hiking by 5:30. First we came to Wolf Rocks which was a set of boulder cliffs to hike over and around. It was nice early in the morning getting good sunrise picks. We then had a dirt path 2.4 miles until we reached the Kirkland Shelter but we didnt stop because we wanted to get to town as fast as possiable to take a nero day. We then had a few rocky places but for the most part it was easy. With 4 miles to go we hit a forest service rd which we hiked on for 1.5 to 2 miles before starting our descent into DWG. We had views to the east of I78 and the bridge we will be crossing over into New Jersey. We finally reached a gravel road leading into DWG. We came to the paved road and then made a left into downtown and to the church hostel. We hiked 9.8 miles by 9:45. Ww are going to do laundry and rest today. Thank u Linda for the care package it was amazing. We also received our new Nemo sleeping pads bc both of ours blew up. Nemo refunded us the cost of the other 2 and we recieved 2 new ones. GOD BLESS