morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2021-04-19
From: Campsite by the river

To: Creek camp
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a mistake camping in the nice, soft sand near the creek. It rained and the sand splattered all over my tent. Sand was EVERYWHERE! I made the hike up to Dragon's Tooth; it had cool rocks, but a tough, rocky ling stead incline up to it. My feet were pretty eat up by the time I got there. My legs got really tired on the way down. This campsite is nice, near creek, but no sand. Tomorrow will be an easy day!
Date: 2021-04-20
From: Creek camp

To: Daleville Super 8
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

It was an easy hike in and I am happy to be in town. I stopped in the Outfitters because I need a pillow, a long sleeve hiking shirt and new sock liners. Gangster made it in and went to the urgent care for his feet. He had heat rash on the bottom of his feet! Go figure. Gadget got in about 4pm! He must have crushed some miles to get 20 more than I did!He saw the Eastern Continental Divide yesterday, but I thought the pic of Dragon's Tooth fit better there.
Date: 2021-04-22
From: Daleville Super 8

To: Cove Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I left the hotel at 8:30. It was beautiful weather, but winds and freezing temps expected, especially at hight elevations. WE were aiming for the 3rd shelter, but when we got there, a homeless guy had set up in the shelter and spread out his stuff. Obviously he didn't want company There was only 1 good tent site, so Gadget and I moved on. We ended up going another 3.5 miles to the next available campsite. That put us at 20 plus miles. Luckily we had fresh legs. I was tired, but otherwise my legs were ok. IT was 7pm before I got the site, so I didn't feel like cooking. I just made a wrap and went to bed. I slept hard!
Date: 2021-04-23
From: Cove Mtn Shelter

To: Cornelius Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

I woke up late, but needed the sleep. I was slow getting out of camp. I felt okay at the start of the day, but I quickly tired. The last mountain before Cornelius Shelter took me forever. I need a good nights sleep. Rain is 100% in the forecast starting around noon tomorrow--we knew the beautiful weather couldn't last forever.
Date: 2021-04-24
To: Thunderhill Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: clear sky

It ended up being a short day. I went to Thunderhill Shelter, just over 5 miles away. The next shelter was 12.6 miles away and heavy rain was expected around 2. It was a pretty much a ridge hike to the next shelter. It was a tough choice to make, stop at 10:30 at a shelter or push on through in heavy wind and rain to the next one. I opted to stay. A nice young man, Luke, former Army- an aircraft mechanic, made the same choice. The temps are already dropping. The wind chill will be fun:( Gadget decided to push on, since he's a faster hiker, he should get to the next shelter around 5pm. Morning Dove and Landfill popped in for a quick lunch, but also decided to push on. Double decker showed up a couple of hours later soaking wet and opted to stay. It rained hard all night. I took 2 naps and slept well. It was a good decision.
Date: 2021-04-25
From: Thunderhill Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up late because it was cold and foggy and I was toasty warm in my sleeping bag. I started to clean up around 8am and hit the trail at 9. It was a pleasant walk and the weather was great. I made my destination in good time. The trail was nice. I am staying at Johns Hollow Shelter near Glasgow, VA.
Date: 2021-04-26
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

I got to Brown Mtn Shelter around 6pm. Two brothers, Dan and Ryan who are section hiking, Tree Trunks (huge legs) and Bob from New Hampshire-also a section hiker tented behind the shelter. I opted to stay in the shelter by myself, but a mouse kept crawling on me. I ended up pitching my tent inside the shelter and no more mouse issues. Today's hike was a pleasant walk around the Reservoir, past the 800 mile mark!
Date: 2021-04-27
From: Brown Mountain Shelter

To: Long Mt Wayside
Miles today: 1.8
Weather: clear sky

It was a short hike to my shuttle pickup at Long Mt Wayside. Trail magic was waiting on me, provided by Jim, a 2018 thru hiker. Juice, Gatorade and a danish was very welcome since I was completely out of food after eating my last granola bar for breakfast. Leornard from the Budget Inn, Buena Vista picked me up and even shuttleed me to Food Lion for a resupply. It was a nice, clean, older motel. I had Burger King for lunch and Subway for dinner. It was a good nero day with a hot shower and laundry.
Date: 2021-04-28
From: Long Mt Wayside

To: Seeley Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Leonard shuttled me back and I was on the trail by 9:30 am. It was kind of a tough day with a heavy pack and a couple of good elevation gains--plus it was 82 degrees and it really wore me out. I met a retired Sanderson high school 9th grade English teacher on a day hike. He was a great guy and we talked about 45 minutes. His name was Alex Covington and his brother Van lives in Holly Springs. It really is a small world!I also met thru hikers Happy, No Shame, DJ Chef and 2nd Shot. AT the shelter were Rocketman and Double Decker who I've seen several times.
Date: 2021-04-29
From: Seeley Woodworth Shelter

To: Harper's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

Good weather again. It was a fairly easy hike. I took my time and got to Harper's Creek Shelter, but I chose to stay near the creek with Happy, No Shame, The Kid and Monchicki. It rained pretty hard that night,, but my tent is awesome!
Date: 2021-04-30
From: Harper's Creek Shelter

To: Reed's Gap
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: heavy intensity rain

It was a short day to Reed's Gap where the shuttle from Stanimals Hostel, Waynesboro, VA picked me up So only a half day. It is a great hostel, and old house that has been converted into the hostel. Hikers Suzanne, Girlschout, Maria, Smiles, Double Decker, Rockterman, The Kid, 9 to 5 Shotgun, Oogie Boogie and DJ Chef are here.
Date: 2021-05-01
From: Reed's Gap

To: Stanimal's Hostel
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I slackpacked today. It was perfect weather with a ton of dayhikers out with dogs and kids. There was little elevation change so it was an easy hike. AT the hostel tonight were No Problem, Yayp, Happy, No Shame and Monchichi.
Date: 2021-05-02
From: Stanimal's Hostel

To: Stanimal's Hostel
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another slackpack day--so yesterday I went from Reed's Gap the 19 miles to the hostel. Today, I went 20 miles north of the hostel and hiked back, so in my 2 slackpack days I have hiked almost 40 miles. It is much easier with the lighter pack. Today was kinda hot, but there was some trail magic! Boy Scout Troop 555 was grilling hot dogs and handing out bottled water and gatorade. It was much needed today! I saw the family of 8 that Regis and I met last month. I also saw Rocky Too and Nemesus again.
Date: 2021-05-03
From: BlackRock Gap

To: Pinefield Hut Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a late start due to a SNAFU on my part. Rumble drove me all the way up toe Blackrock Gap along with Wetsuit when I discovered I left my trekking poles at the hostel. We had to drive back, a 30 minute drive, to get them. Bonus, Pilgrim and Lady Slippers had just finished cooking breakfast, so they fed me because they felt sorry for me. The shuttle back to Blackrock is normally $40 each way, but they gave me a break and only charged me $50 instead of the usual $80. After wasting two hours, I got on the trail at 11am. By that point, I just wasn't feeling it today. It was drizzly and foggy and HUMID! I was sweating in my raincoat. I finally made it to Pinefield Hut Shelter. I met FlipFlop Hiker and Scotty (from Wisconsin). She just started hiking the Shenny's 2 days ago. I also met section hiker Rachel, and her dog Gemma
Date: 2021-05-04
From: Pinefield Hut Shelter

To: High Top Hut Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

Hot and humid today. It sucked the energy right out of me and I drank 3 liters of water. I got to Hightop Hut Shelter at about 1:30, ate lunch and took a power nap. I headed out about 2:30 and got over the mountain and the weather changed. I checked the forecast and it called for severe thunderstorms with possible hail and high winds. (Cap's note: this was the severe tornado storm that came through GA) It was still 11 miles to the next shelter, so I opted to turn around and go back to Hightop. It only rained a little and storm blew over. Oh well, I wasted a third of the day. Scotty is staying here tonight too.
Date: 2021-05-05
From: High Top Hut

To: Lewis Mt Wayside
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: moderate rain

Left normal time but was planning to leave early. Changed my mind in the middle of the night. I was going to try for 20 miles to get to Big Meadow, Wayside, but figured "What's the hurry?" I'm ahead of schedule to get to Harper's Ferry, so I'm going to take my time. Got to Lewis Mt Wayside (basically a campground with a little store) Trial was kinda tough, with 3 good sized mountains. I paid $15 for a tent site and got a shower. Drank a couple of beers and ate sandwiches with Wetsuit and Blue Jacket (from the Czech Republic)
Date: 2021-05-07
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mtn Hut Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Change in weather forecast for possible thunder storms and hail. We all hustled to Pass Mt Hut Shelter. It rained almost the entire time. I got into the shelter about 30 minutes before the heavy rain and hail started. Other hikers were not so lucky. We squeezed in 12 of us into a 10 person shelter-shoulder to shoulder- it was quite comfy:) Hikers: Eagle, Abe, Obit, Rabbit, Bible School ,Glacier, Hoosier, Critter, Mollie, Fish Oil, Garfield, Spam Trash, Mona Lisa, Dance Party and a couple of others were in the shelter or at the tent site. This group has been a tramily for several weeks. All 20 somethings. A fun group!They tried to talk me into doing the 4 state challenge. That is going through 4 states in one day- 42 miles! Nah...I don't think so
Date: 2021-05-09
From: Elkwallow Wayside

To: Stumble Inn Hostel
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

Happy Mother's Day! I slackpacked from Elkwallow Wayside back to Mt Home Cabins B&B. They didn't have a vacancy for tonight, so I'll move on to the Stumble Inn Hostel. IT is brand new and owned by 2 2018 thru hikers, Danielle and David. Great place! New, clean, comfortable and relaxing.
Date: 2021-05-10
From: Stumble Inn Hostel

To: campsite on a mountain
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: moderate rain

I had a great big breakfast by Danielle and David! It was soooo good! Hikers staying last night were: Curator, Caramel, Spotts, Snapshot, Garfield, Patches and Traveler. I hiked with Caramel and Curator from Tallahassee. We found a nice campsite on tope of a mountain to pitch our tents.
Date: 2021-05-11
From: campsite on a mountain

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

We got an early start; we wanted to get to Bear's Den Hostel and go the Bear Chase Brewing Company about a 1/2 miles from the hostel. We hit the 1000 mile mark and then entered the Roller Coaster, a 14 mile stretch of repeated small ups and downs, but they are straight ups and downs, no switchbacks. I didn't think it was going to be a big deal, but I'm gassed. The last 3 miles to the hostel took forever! It is a really nice hostel run by the ATC. It looks like a castle. The hikers here were: Curator, Caramel, 92, Blue Jacket, Flash, Scrambles, Ranger, Sticks and Travis. Curator, Caramel, Blue Jacket, Travis and I went to he brewery for Taco Tuesday. Good company, good beer and okay food.
Date: 2021-05-12
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

It was a great morning. The 3 50 something year old hikers were up early. We sat in the common room quietly talking and drinking our coffee. Then the younger hikers got up and joined us. We made pancakes and talked for about 2 hours. It was very pleasant and relaxing. Then we decided it was time for brunch (elevensies) We caught a shuttle to a local restaurant. Denim Dan and his friend Steve, a 2017 thru hiker, joined us. I didn't get on the trail until 11:30! It was the best morning yet on trail. I made a short day of it. Crossed into West Virginia and finally got out of the roller coaster. It will be a short day tomorrow into Harper's Ferry.
Date: 2021-05-13
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: light rain

I got an early start and am looking forward to a hot lunch. IT was an easy hike in and perfect weather. Harper's Ferry is a great town-rich in history with the John Brown Raid and the start of the Lewis and Clark expedition. (Jefferson's Rock) I spent hte afternoon doing the tourist thing and stayed at the Town's Inn, a home built in 1840. I am splitting a room with Travis.
Date: 2021-05-14
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

I left Harper's Ferry at a decent time. IT was an easy hike out and into Maryland. Met a Ridge Runner, Brandon (Lumberjack) A ridge runner works for the ATC and patrols a designated section of the trail. Lumberjack is responsible for the Maryland section-roughly 40 miles.  He thru hiked in 2017. I also bumped into Sticks and Ranger; I met them at Ben Den Hostel a few days ago. We stayed together the next 2.5 days. The trail in MD doesn't go over 2000' elevation, but it has had some pretty rocky sections. Lots of history along the way. A major battle, the Battle of South Mountain, occurred in MD, so we spent a lot of time reading plaques and monuments. Also the Washington Monument, build in 1872, well before the one in DC, is just off the trail.  My hiker hunger is out of control and I am constantly hungry. I was so hungry yesterday I walked 1.5 miles to a deli for a sub; it was DELICIOUS! Then a nice older gentleman offered to drive me back to the trail and that saved me an uphill climb. I ate the other half of the sub for dinner. Stayed a Dahlgren Backpack campground which is 17.3 miles from HF.
Date: 2021-05-17
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a late start, not sure why. Still hunch, so I knew my food wouldn't last. I've been looking forward to Bon Fire Burgers just off the trail in Fayeville, PA, but they're closed on Mondays. I had to do a small resupply anyways, so I started walking the 3 miles into town. A shuttle driver saw me and picked me up, took me to Dollar General, waited for me and took me back to the trail! He said he only took donations, so I donated $20- well worth it!!! I bumped into Sparkle, a recent college grad who just started her flip flop hike in Harper's Ferry 3 days ago. She is only doing short days for now. WE got the the shelter she was stopping at, then suddenly Not Today-AKA Andrew LiveLife, a YouTube hiker whom I'd been following since February, showed up. I was like a giddy school girl, all star struck! We talked awhile and then he said, "You want a McDouble?" I thought it was a riddle, but he said reach into by pack and grab 2. He just got back on the trail after backtracking to Damascus, VA, for the Trail Daze Festival- he brought a bunch of cheeseburgers to hand out to hikers! I've been wanting a cheeseburger for 3 days and suddenly my YouTube hero shows up with some!! The trail has a way of providing. CRAZY! I got to Birch Run Shelter and there stands Killer and Wizard, who gave me my trail name. I hadn't seen them in 6 weeks. They were off trail for 10 days and jsut got back on. What a great day!
Date: 2021-05-18
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I hit the halfway point today! Only 1090.5 to go! Then we took on the 1/2 gallon challenge. To celebrate reaching the halfway point, hikers can choose to attempt to eat a 1/2 gallon of ice cream. Killer, Wizard, Not Yet and I made the attempt. Orange and Ninja Kitty are lactose intolerant, so they could not. Killer, Not Today, and I finished. Wizard, recently in the hospital for food poisoning, couldn't finish. After finishing, I laid down on the picnic table and passed out from the sugar coma. I gutted out another 7 miles to the campsite and went to bed early.
Date: 2021-05-19
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Harrisburg, PA
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

It was a short day into Boiling Springs. I caught a shuttle into Harrisburg and am staying at the Crown Plaza tonight. I catch the Amtrak to DC via Philly tomorrow, but first I have an appointment for a haircut and a shave! Can't wait to see the fam!!!
Date: 2021-05-20
To: Zero Days
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Enjoyed 4 zero days for Alex's graduation celebration! It was great just hanging out and catching up with Cap, Alex and Jared. We enjoyed Friday afternoon at the National Gallery of Art. We had a wonderful dinner with Alex's La Famiglia after we took graduation pictures at Johns Hopkins and the Lincoln Memorial. It was a great 4 days and then I took the train back to Boiling Springs where I met up with Gadget at Carlisle.
Date: 2021-05-24
From: Harrisburg, PA

To: Cove Mt Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

We had a big breakfast at the diner and then hit the trail at 9am. It immediately started raining and continued to rain all day. We got into Cove Mt Shelter around 4pm damp and miserable. We are both sleeping in the shelter tonight. blah day to get back on trail.
Date: 2021-05-25
From: Cove Mt Shelter

To: Peter's Mt Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

I fell asleep last night around 7:30 and Gadget said I was sawing some logs! It was a chilly night, but I was comfy in my 40 degree sleeping bag. Three mile hike into Duncannon, PA and we got a huge breakfast at Goodies and picked up a sub at Sorrento Pizza for dinner. The back on the trail. It was a good hike, though a little humid. Staying in Peter's Mt Shelter tonight.
Date: 2021-05-26
From: Peter's Mt Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

It was an eventful day. T- Storms were forecast for late afternoon so we wanted to get to the shelter 18 miles away before the rain started. It was hot and humid. At about 5 miles out, I saw a porcupine. He wasn't afraid , but clearly didn't want me to get too close. I got a video and several photos. Twenty minutes later while still moving fast, a rattle snake let me know he was near. I nearly jumped out of my skin! I finally spotted him just off the trail about 4-5 feet away.  He was not coiled to strike, just seemed to want me to know I was too close. I circled around and doubled back to video and photograph him. Then he coiled up making sure I didn't get and closer. Needless to say, I slowed my pace from then on. AS a result, the T-storm caught me about half and hour away from the shelter. Hail and driving rain again. I was soaked by the time I got there. I stayed in the shelter with Lifetime, a retired 70 year old teacher. Gadget and Lola tented.
Date: 2021-05-29
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

It was rainy and cold this morning. I thought It was going to be a sucky day, but I was wrong. Trail magic right when we started. Someone left a cooler of water and Corn Nuts-something I haven't had in years. Walking with Sticks and Ranger, they introduced us to hiking 92s. It is basically what we used to call Indian runs, where we run in a single file and the last runner sprints to the front of the line. But 92s reverse that. The front hiker sets pace for 22 minutes, which is roughly one mile, and then drops to the rear. Since there was 4 of us, we hiked 4 miles every rotation. I paced 4 times and then we arrived at our shelter.  The time flew by! They call them 92s after a fellow hiker named 92. He was retired USMC (30 yrs) and used to make his marines to Indian Runs He changed it up to help time go by faster for a group of hikers.We got more trail magic for Realin, from Seattle. He flew in to meet his daughter, a thru hike, and decide to do magic while he waited for her. She was apparently a couple of miles behind us. Found a nice campsite, set up and hiad diner just before the rain started again. It'll be cold and damp, but dry and warm in my tent.
Date: 2021-05-30
From: 501 Shelter

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

The small sharp rocks are reeking havoc on my feet. It doesn't help that my shoes are worn out and the tread is almost gone and I am slipping and sliding on the trail. I should have switched out shoes when Cappy brought my new shoes, but I was hoping to get another couple of miles out of them. We noted there was a Cabela's in Hamburg, so we opted to walk 2 miles into town, eat at Red Robin, resupply at Walmart, and buy new shoes at Cabela's. Ranger and I went with Keen hiking shoes, as opposed to trail runners. Game Changer!!! Although much heavier, the hiking shoe has a more aggressive tread and thicker soles. I hardly feel the small rocks. I'll continue to use them until we get out of Rocksavania, then I'll ask Cap to sent my trail runners and I'll mail the hikers home. I might want them again to summit Katahdin. We were in town 3 hours, so we got to camp late (Windsor Furnace Shelter) It was a 14 mile day, plus another 4 round trip to town.
Date: 2021-05-31
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Great Day! Great Weather! Several rock scrambles, which slowed us way down, but they are different. Sticks says they add "texture" to our hike. Instead of the same boring hike, we are hopping from boulder to boulder. Challenging, treacherous, and exciting! We loved it!! We were worn out at the end of the day, but pleased with our accomplishment. The Knives Edge was outstanding!
Date: 2021-06-01
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Bethlehem, PA
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Trail Magic! After another great day of rock scrambles followed by long stretches of flat, smooth trails, we met up with Will in Palmenton, PA. Ranger and Sticks met Will and Alisa back in VA at an Air BnB. Will insisted that when their hike brought them near Palmerton to call him and he'd pick them up and bring them to Bethlehem where he lives. He invited Gadget and me too. While Ranger and Sticks stayed with Will, we grabbed a hotel near his apartment. We grabbed dinner at a local brewery and walked around downtown Bethlehem. What a great town! We had a great time.
Date: 2021-06-02
From: campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Will cooked us a huge breakfast and allowed us to do laundry. We then toured the "Steel Stacks", which is the former Bethlehem Steel factory. Huge! They've converted it into a performing arts center with the factory as a backdrop. Impressive! We also went into the National Museum of Industrial History. It was very interesting. Will then took us to the grocery story for resupply and then he made lunch for us. An amazing host! We are lucky to have met him. He too us back to the trail for a NERO day. Another rock scramble up the mountain and then into our campsite. Another great day!
Date: 2021-06-03
To: Campsite
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Everyday can't be a great day. Today was hard on the feet. All day the trail was just a bunch of medium to small irregular shaped sharp rocks. It was brutal on our feet, even with my new shoes with thick soles. By lunch we were all hurting. Found a decent campsite and called it quits, just before a thunderstorm hit. Rain forecast tomorrow too. BLAH!