morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-04
From: Stanimals Hostel Waynesboro VA

To: Stanimals Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Today, June 4th, Jake and I are taking a zero day at Stanimals Hostel in Waynesboro VA, 863.7 trail miles from Springer Mt GA. (Harpers Ferry, the psychological half way pt, is at mile 1025. Depending on weather and trail, we might be there in 10 - 15 days. We plan to take another zero day in Harpers Ferry.) Tomorrow June 5th we will enter the Shenandoah National Park and trek that trail segment for about 100 trail miles. Last nite and tonite we slept in bunks at the hostel. Today got up a little later at 7:30, breakfast at the hostel (did laundry and showers yesterday!), and called a 'trail angel' and got a free ride across town to an outfitter. I was hoping to buy my 3rd pair of trail shoes, but they did not have the size in the shoe I wanted to try on. So my Altra Lone Peak 4.5 will have to last another 100 miles before I get to another outfitter. The rubber tips at the toes of the shoes have flipped open. I have crazy glued them twice already and put on a rubber cement type glue now this third time. Hope they'll last! Did get a rain kilt to help keep my midsection dry --- it's all about temp control. We do expect rain tomorrow aft on the trail so will try the kilt out and hope the shoe tips stick together! My first pair of shoes lasted about 470 miles to Damascas. So I have had this present pair for 400 miles. Got groceries and ate good town food. Now ready to get up around 6 and hit the trail again! Happy Trails!
Date: 2019-06-07
From: High Top Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: clear sky

Today is 6/7. We have hiked 929 miles on the AT from Springer Mt. This is our 74th day of hiking. Out of Waynesboro VA is the Shenandoah National Park. The first day in the first 5 miles were a tough long uphill but the rest of the day was relatively easy. We did 20.7 miles that day. The second day in was more arduous with occasional sprinkles and rain. The end of the day was dry as we arrived at the shelter after a 21.4 mile day. The last 3 miles wer e a real uphill test for me though. Yet we had plenty of time to setup tents and eat dinner before nightfall. Today started out cloudy then we walked into a foggy misty forest. Beautiful and a good temp for hiking. Just after we broke for lunch it sprinkled hard so my rain gear came out. A bought a rain kilt in Waynesboro and tried it out. Like it! Wore the rain gear to a camp store where we picked up a few short term food stuff, then took the rain gear off and back into the foggy forest. At one point a couple of guys said they saw a mother bear and 2 cubs up ahead about a mile. Jake had gotten ahead of me so I was hiking by myself for some time...making noise and talking to myself to not surprise a bear. And sure enough thru the fog a ways ahead I w a s sure the was a bear in the path standing staring at me thru the fog ... But of course it was only Jake waiting for me on the trail. Had a strong day good t temps and a good path. We ended up with 23.9 miles today, got water, dinner and I'm comfy in my tent. At 10 pm it is now raining off and on. Hope it blows over for a good day tomorrow! Looking forward to a BlackBerry shake at one of the camp stores! Happy Trails!
Date: 2019-06-10
From: Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Front Royal VA
Miles today: 3.8

Left the hostel about 10:30 raining but not hard. Only 3.8 miles to the hiway where we shared a paid shuttle to Front Royal. Checked into the Quality inn. Redid laundry and dried out gear. Got groceries for a 3 dinner trek from here to Harper's Ferry. On the trail again tomorrow!
Date: 2019-06-11
From: Front Royal VA

To: Whiskey Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.9

Today is June 11 our 78th day on the trail from Springer Mt at mile 986. A beautiful cool sunny day after that rain event of a couple of days ago! The Quality Inn had a good hot breakfast included after which we got a free shuttle ride back to the trail head about 6 miles out of town. We were on the trail at about 10am, cool, sun shining thru the trees. The trail North of Front Royal was in good shale although there were places still of slippery mud after all that rain. Uneventful we made good time and stopped for a lunch break at Manassas Gap Shelter only about 5 miles from our target shelter Whiskey Hollow. There were 3 others already there on there own breaks. As we approach ed they warned us of the copperhead sunning itself on the ground maybe 10 yards in front of the shelter. It was a nice size snake in a lazy coil soaking up the sun's rays! It stayed motionless as we ate lunch, got water, and made privy visits. I'm loading a photo to this site with the snake now hidden in the shade under a bush. Makes you want to step carefully up the "Rocky trail stairs" as you move along! We arrived at Whiskey Creek Shelter with plenty of time to fix dinner etc. I'm zipped tightly in my tent ready for a good night's sleep!
Date: 2019-06-12
From: Whiskey Hollow Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3

Today is June 12 2019 our 79th day on the AT from Springer Mt. We are at Bear's Den Hostel at mile 1004.3 from Springer. We passed the milestone of 1000 trail miles hiked today! A beautiful cool sunny start and a quick 9 miles in by about 11. The second 9 today was more mountainous with a segment known as the "roller coaster". It's a 13.5 mile section with several ups and downs, 400 to 800 ft elevation changes. And the trail was covered with boulder fields in parts-these are very difficult for me. About 2 miles from the hostel I did fall. Scared me! A fall directly on my knees. Got a cut on the back of my right hand and a bruise on my left knee. ...and a bruised ego! Actually this is my 4th fall and the worst. Took vitamin I right away to help with any possible swelling. But everything feels fine and was able to finish today's trek to the hostel with no problem. Have had a shower, pizza, pop, and working on a pint of ice cream; pancakes in the morning and bunk for $30 each. Will catch part of the Stanley Cup final game shortly. And have a fine sleep tonight. More roller coaster tomorrow possibly with rain. Harper's Ferry in 2 days!
Date: 2019-06-13
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Stony Brook Organic Farm And Hostel
Miles today: 14.2

Today is 6/13 our 80th day on the AT since Springer Mt. We have hiked 1018.5 trail miles. As we reluctantly left Bear's Den Hostel it was sprinkling rain with forecast to thunderstorm at 3pm. My left knee is fine! Just reminded myself to take more vitamin I before bed to avoid possible swelling. About midday we crossed the VA line into West VA! Shortly after we had partly sunny skies and the rain gear came off Also after a couple of not too difficult climbs and descents we exited the roller coaster. The trail was wet but not too muddy and was much easier going into the afternoon. We made arrangements with a trail friend from Germany to stay at the Stoney Brook Organic Farm And Hostel tonight. She went ahead and was waiting at the gap in the farm shuttle as Jake and I hurried across a busy highway in the 3pm thunderstorm! Actually we didn't get sopped as it had started raining when we were a few hundred yards from the crossing. Drove about 5 miles to Hillsboro VA and the farm. Jake and I have our own little 4 bunk cabin for the night. Showered and had dinner with the farm community: a neat real friendly experience. Helped clean up a bit after dinner. I am now drying clothes as I write this. Tomorrow we have breakfast with all at 7am then shuttle to the trail head and hike about 6 miles into Harper's Ferry!
Date: 2019-06-14
From: Stony Brook Organic Farm and Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry Hostel (Hosteling International)
Miles today: 8.5

Today is Friday June 14th, our 81st day on the trail, finishing the day at mile 1027 at Harper's Ferry Hostel (Hosteling International) about 1.5 north outside of Harper's Ferry, hiking only 8.5 trail miles. Yes hostel to hostel ... seems extravagant, but close to this city there are not a lot of camping choices and hotels in HF are expensive. We started the day at Stony Brook Organic Farm and Hostel with a nice served breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast, then a ride to the trail head at Keys Gap. A very nice stay at Stony Brook. Then hiked about 6 miles on trail to Harper's Ferry. Jake and I continued on the AT to lower town, but found our target in-town hostel was full. So we trekked back to the ATC headquarters and made calls to other hotels and hostels ... full, not open yet (until 1pm) and expensive (hotels). I was looking for some unique AT t-shirts at the HQ but was disappointed - no purchase. Harper's Ferry? Anti-climatic! So we walked back down to lower town, got a burger and some brewskies and made a reservation at this hostel 1.5 miles north of town. I still needed new shoes so we stopped at the outfitter a couple of blocks away from the restaurant and I ended up buying a pair of Altra Timp 1.5. So with this pair I am back down to a 10 1/2 size ... the last 500 miles I had a size 11 Altra Lone Peak 4.0. The size 11 was just to long for me ... I seemed to be stubbing my toes a lot. The first pair of shoes were also a size 10 1/2, Timp 1.0. But the 1.0 has a different fit than my current 1.5. We'll see. I have wide feet so am very particular about getting the right fit. This is my 3rd pair of shoes for this trek, the first two about 500 each. (Typically 3,4,5, pairs are needed for this trip.) I wear a pair of Injinji "toe socks" as a thin liner with an over sock. Now with these new shoes, I'll have to watch for blisters closely over the next few days.  So ... we are not spending any more time in the Harper's Ferry area, but continuing north tomorrow into Maryland. We have camping choices at about 12 miles, 15, and 20. Happy Trails!
Date: 2019-06-15
From: Harper's Ferry Hostel

To: Dahlgren Backpacker Campground
Miles today: 15.0

Today is June 15 Sat our 82nd day from Springer Mt. We are at the Dahlgren Backpacker Campground (photo) about 17 trail miles from HF. We hiked 15 miles today after fixing breakfast at the hostel and enjoying the turkey bacon eggs pancakes and coffee! We stopped at a local gas station for a few quick snacks and headed to the trail on neighborhood roads. When we found the trail head, we actually started in the wrong direction for about 50 yards until we met other hikers going northbound. We of course reversed our direction and made good time. We had our lunch in a Maryland state park pavilion and maybe a mile later met some trail magic: quesadillas, pop, Doritos, m&ms - a great break! We got to this campground early and decided to stay: "an easy 15 mile day...let's not stretch it today. And now all thru hikers here have been invited to one of the family campsites for a spaghetti dinner At 6 pm. The stipulation is that we have to go back to the fire ring at 8 pm for Smores...and tell a short story about something that has happened on the trail trek. Neat trail community...my stomach is growling in anticipation! Happy Trails!
Date: 2019-06-21
From: Carlisle PA

To: Cove Mt Shelter
Miles today: 13.6

Today is June 21 our 88th day on the AT. We are at mile 1144.3 at Cove Mt Shelter in Pennsylvania about 5 miles from Duncannon PA. We are about 120 miles north of Harper's Ferry on the trail and also more than half way! Since Harper's Ferry many of the days have had some rain. Yesterday we had rain in the morning, A bright noon hr, and a down pour rainy afternoon. We made a 20 mile hike to Carlisle and checked in to a Quality Inn to dry out , laundry, and shower. We had not done laundry since Stony Brook Organic Farm And Hostel so that was very welcomed by each of us! The trail from Boiling Springs to Carlisle was pretty flat but muddy ! Perhaps the section with most mudholes yet. Jake actually went outside the hotel to use their garden hose to wash our shoes down! That section also had a series of "rock mazes" . Pretty fun with a decent path thru. From Carlisle to Duncannon today there is a very rocky section which really slows you down. Tomorrow the Rocky trail continue s down into Duncannon for 5 miles. Should be a sunny day for a change! Must resupply in Duncannon...and go from there. Happy Trails !
Date: 2019-06-22
From: Cove Mt Shelter

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 4.1

Today is Sat June 22 our 89th day on the trail. Today we hiked only 4.1 miles down off the rocky ridge to Duncannon to resupply. A photo for this date shows a view of Duncannon from the AT vantage point on the ridge. Another photo shows Jake on a series of rock steps. Fortunately we were going downward! A beautiful day with sunny chilly beginning. We had heard the rocky trail was very difficult but all of us on the trail made the short trek fairly easily in a couple of yrs. We had a very good breakfast at the local main street cafe: Goodies. Then a marvelous soft pretzel at the shop next door. We got our resupply and chores done early so instead of taking a zero day Sunday, we are going to continue to hike. We have supplies to get us 70 miles down trail to Hamburg PA. We plan to be there by the 5th day starting tomorrow morning with a 6am wakeup and 8am shuttle from our hotel on the outskirts of Duncannon back in to Duncannon. T h e trail goes right thru town so we'll go back in for breakfast before beginning our hike out. Today we are at trail miles 1149 from Springer Mt. We plan an 11 mile or 16 mile day (shelter or campsite) depending on how the day goes. Should be sunny, high 70s. Happy Trails!
Date: 2019-06-23
From: Duncannon PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

Today is Sunday June 23 2019 our 90th day on the trail from Springer Mt GA. Jake and I have hiked 1159.3 AT trail miles. It was nice to leave Duncannon today with nice sunny weather, after days of rain and dry out in hotels/inns. Of course we had to climb out of the gap. Duncannon is at 400 ft elevation. In about 2 miles we climbed to 1200 ft. A very rocky climb. But once we got to the top of the ridge the trail stayed relatively on the level with not too many tricky rocky interruptions. We reached the Peter Mt Shelter about 4:30 and needed to get water. The water source is down from the shelter .2 mile "300 steps". Stone steps. Jake and I both went down the stony decent with all our water bottles and collection bags. The spring is cold and running fast so we easily collected and filtered water. I bet we each also drank a couple liters before starting the reclimb back to the shelter. Delicious cool water! We brought up enough for our dinner prep and breakfast. We'll see if we go back down before starting out tomorrow or get water 5 miles down the trail. Good weather tonight and tomorrow but more rain midweek. Comfortable in our tents tonight!
Date: 2019-06-25
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is June 25th. Jake and I hike from Rausch Gap Shelter (photo) to 501 Shelter, a distance of 17.5 miles. We got a late start because of early morning rain, starting the trail at 9am in cool sunshine. But it did get humid throughout the day and warmer. O ur morning trail gave us a choice: 1.6 mile detour dry alternate route or direct AT over a beaver dam. We took the beaver dam route...one of the sorriest beaver dams I'd ever seen. But it is a lot to ask to solidly dam up a river/small stream. We could definitely not walk the dam. Too treacherous! So we walked the shallows below the sieve, carefully, basically shin deep. My feet were wet the ready of the day but warm cause of all the activity. Shortly after that dam experience we got trail magic in a park park Iot. Burgers chips hot dogs fried eggs on a grill! Great timing: a noon meal! At the 501 shelter we were able to order pizza delivered! Thanks Jake! There are about 15 other hikers also here in this totally enclosed building supported by the ATC. It rained this morning and has been raining off and on so Jake and I have been staying in the shelters lately. Next shelter is about 15 miles down trail. The we hit Fort Clinton PA for a resupply. And...less than 1000 miles now to go!!! Starting to count down the 3 digits!
Date: 2019-06-26
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Just after we passed the 1200 mile mark on the trail is the Hertlein Campsite. And just after that on a short down trail is a swimming hole with swing rope! OMG did that dip feel good on a hot humid midday! Jake was ready first and went a couple of times. The pool is filled with spring water, the kind that fogs your bottle when you filter it into the bottle- it's so cold! Jake came up screamin both times. Caboose, a trail friend was going to go next but backed down. My turn! Grasp the rope, nerve up, inhibitions off, 3 running steps, remember to let go (!), splash deep and come up for air if you can! So cold I had to do it once more! The second time I could barely bend my ankles enough to get back to shore. So cold! Jake went in several times and a half dozen other hikers joined us. What a midday treat. Unfortunately we had several hours to go and hit hot again. Thunder shower with a little hail just after we got to the Shelter and set up tents. Dry beautiful evening now cooler. We are in tents tonight and will hike into Hamburg for resupply tomorrow. I'll remember that midday dip for a long time!
Date: 2019-06-28
From: Port Clinton PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today is Friday June 28. Jake and I have hiked 1233.7 miles on the AT from Springer Mt GA. This was our 95th day. Getting out of the Port Clinton Gap was difficult - arduous indeed! A stiff climb and warming into a hot and humid day here in PA. We Resupplied yesterday in Hamburg and stayed overnight in a hotel: laundered, showered, and A good night's sleep. We wanted to zero but the hotel was booked for Friday night so we hit the trail at 10:30 this morning. A hard humid day made the14.5 more difficult. The trail is getting rockier so a lot of attention has to be paid to each footfall. We arrived at the shelter about 5:30. This shelter has an enclosed sun shower; the water heater by the sun. It felt great to coolly wash away the sweat, grime, and insect repellent while cooling off at the same time! Sleeping in the shelter tonight to get an earlier start tomorrow. Forecasted t-storm for 8 pm tomorrow. Should be at next shelter before then. ( We are about 50 miles west of Philadelphia, heading northeastish.) A cool evening now, but summer weather is here!
Date: 2019-06-29
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

The photo I'm trying to upload shows Jake on the AT. The trail is actually between Jake and me! I've called this a boulder field, but that was down south where the rocks were boulders. Here in PA these rock fields are made up of these rocky slabs scattered every which way. Today these fields came in sections. Some lead to lookout views some just litter the path. One such field lead to the"Knife Edge". I bet it took me 1/2 at least to get thru that cliff hanging formation. And it had just downpoured before we reached that part of the trail. The rocks were wet and slippery. I used the trekking poles as much as safe, but also hand grabbed rock edges to move along. I sat down a couple of times ( with pack on) to get thru difficult level changes. Very treacherous. Getting thru the Knob formation was similarly difficult but drier. PA is known for its rocky trail. W e are entering the most difficult part of the state. We did reach our destination shelter about 6:30 with round 2 of today's rain threatening. The shelter is full so Jake and I set up tents like about 10 other hikers at this location. The second round has come and gone but we are supposed to get more overnight. We have completed 1251.1 miles, this our 96th day. Very humid today. Hoping this rain will break the recent heatwave here!
Date: 2019-06-30
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Palmerton
Miles today: 7.7

We took a nero today of 7.7 miles to get in to Palmerton PA as a staging point for one of the most difficult climbs yet for us northbounders. No rain overnight so tents were drying in the morning as we ate breakfast. On the 6.8 mile trek to the next shelter we ate freshly rain washed blueberries growing alongside the path. Deliciously juicy.At the next shelter we met up with other hikers we have been traveling with trying to figure out where to stay this night to be ready for the big climb and rocky trek tomorrow. Jake and I decided on this hostel in Palmerton, sponsored by Berts Steakhouse. Its a great inexpensive stop: $25 each for a bed, shower, laundry. We are taking a zero here tomorrow to rest up before going forward to the rest of rocky PA. The ridge in the photo is our next challenge. More tomorrow!
Date: 2019-07-01
To: Palmerton
Miles today: 0.0

Palmerton has been a great zero. Got my glasses fixed and other chores completed. Tomorrow we go up 1000 ft rock climb in less than 1/2 mile. "Palmerton EPA Site - The devastation along Blue Mt is the result of nearly a century of zinc smelting in Palmerton. The affected area was put on the Superfund cleanup list. Revegetation efforts are underway, and the mountain is slowly coming back to life. The scramble up the denuded rocks is among the most challenging on the AT south of New Hampshire." Alarm at 6am breakfast at Berts at 7 ride to the trail head at 8 ... and up we go!
Date: 2019-07-02
From: Lehigh Gap Palmerton

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today is July 2nd 2019. Jake and I hiked 20.4 miles today between Palmerton and Wind Gap PA. Our trail miles are 1279.2 on our 99th day from Springer Mt GA. Up at 6 breakfast at 7 when Berts opened in downtown Palmerton, then Tracy drove us and3 other hikers to the trailhead for our climb out of Lehigh Gap. The actual climb was surprisingly easier than I expected. As we got to the base of the more vertical section everyone put away their trekking poles and used foot and hand holds on the rocks or mountain side to get to the next level. Between levels there was a short path or rock surface trail. So there were good spots to regain your equilibrium and good solid rocks to hold onto! But it did take some balance and nerve to get thru the climb. Fortunately it was mostly cloudy with moderate temps when we started at about 8:45. I was the last in the group of 5, with Jake patiently waiting and showing the way at strategic places. It took my about 1/2 gr8 to make the climb - But I was expecting much worse. And once on top the path on the ridge was dirt and grass for the first 2 miles. It did get rougher with a stonier surface thrown in, but not a real technical challenge that might have cost quite some time. The photo is of Palmerton from the ridge. We reached the shelter on the ridge around 4 pm and with only 4 1/2 miles to go into the town of Wind Gap PA we decided to go for that. Made a reservation by cell at the Gateway Motel and had a nice walk - though not belittling the stony interludes. About 45 minutes before we got to the motel a thunderstorm rolled through and thoroughly wetted us and the path. The motel was only a few 100 yards from the trail head so we walked the busy hiway. The motel was not in the best shape, but dry and safe. Hot shower, though Jake's was somewhat less warm, and ordered great local pizza. We got in touch with Jana during the day and will meet up her tomorrow!