morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-06-27
From: Elkwallow Wayside

To: Knoxville, MD
Miles today: 76.0

Quickly, I finished VA, went through WV, and am now in MD. Hit the 1,000 mile mark !!!!!Thank you Mountain Home Cabbin. Another 2 nights there so I could slackpack 19.6 miles through the last of Shenandoah National Park, saw 1 more bear, then take a zero day.That was followed up by lunch with Kayleigh and Al (niece and her fianc©) ¢- a great visit as they drove in from Baltimore. That evening was a short hike to the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter, which I think is one of the most unique on the trail (solar shower, porch with chairs with backs, eating pavilion, horseshoes). The only drawback was the rain that hit while I was setting up my tent. Live and learn. Next was the ¢roller coaster¢, meant I think, to kick your butt before you leave VA. Actually, it was not as hard as some of the terrain back in GA and NC. I did however fall in the mud and rocks but managed to escape with only a scrape. Part way through was the trail magic from Walkman and Honey. Thank you. Followed that with a stay at the Bears Den Hostel. Wow, I recommend everyone to stop here. An old stone house, beautiful grounds and comfortable living area. Finally, I was joined in my hike by Ethan, my 16 year old great nephew. He will be with me for the next 2 weeks. Glad to share this experience with him.  We tented the first night, Harper¢s Ferry the next day and into MD to stay at the HI Harper¢s Ferry Hostel.6/21 Day 100. Slackpack 19.6 miles. 6/22 Day 101. Zero day. Saw the movie Incredibles 2 with Treehugger, Onion and Snail Trainer. 6/23 Day 102. Lunch with Kayleigh and Al. 4.9 miles to the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter. 6/24 Day 103. 18.4 miles through mud, rocks, streams, overgrown trail and more mud to the Rod Hollow Shelter. 6/25 Day 104. Bears Den Hostel and 9.9 miles. Hit 1,000 miles !!!6/26 Day 105. Ethan joined me. 11.2 miles to David Lesser Memorial Shelter. 6/27 Day 106. Harpers Ferry and 12.2 miles to Harpers Ferry Hostel in Knoxville, MD
Date: 2018-07-03
From: Knoxville, MD

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park 
Miles today: 75.7

In summary, I passed the:- Mason-Dixon line, now into PA. - The halfway to Mt Katahdin mark (1,095.45 miles). - The 1,100 mile mark. ... and finished off the half gallon ice cream challenge in 38 minutes, and certainly could have eaten more or faster if necessary. I highly recommend the Dahlgren Backpack Campground, or at least the trail magic from Redbush and Seven (Jim Beam Fire Bourbon) that was served at this campground. Also had some earlier trail magic (beer) so this day went really well, especially hearing my great nephew huffing and puffing behind me up the trail. And even more trail magic from Noah at Pen-Mar Park (quiche, vegetables, soda, beer !!!) and then we ordered a pizza to be delivered to the park.  It was a little more than we could eat so the extra became breakfast for the next morning. Crossed the Mason-Dixon Line into PA and I actually had tears in my eyes when I thought of where I was and how far I had come. Thank you my wife for your support. A night at the Trail of Hope Hostel after 3 nights on the trail was next, although we were disappointed that the Timbers Restaurant was closed (despite a sign on the door with their hours that indicated they were supposed to be OPEN !!!!). Oh well, such is life. Two days later we crossed the halfway to Mt. Katahdin mile mark and the 1,100 mile mark. That was big, but bigger was finishing the half gallon ice cream challenge (1 3/4 quarts of mint chocolate chip and then a pint of creamsicle) while my great nephew failed to finish. I felt really good !!!I have to admit that Ethan (trail name Thumper) is hiking great. Never complains, has a great pace, takes care of his own food and water and is a pleasure to hike with. I hope these 2 weeks will inspire him for more. He identified the Copperhead snake we encountered along the way. 6/28 Day 107. Dahlgren Backpack Campground. 14.3 miles. 6/29 Day 108. Ensign Cowall Shelter. 13.9 miles. 6/30 Day 109. Falls Creek campsite. 10.4 miles. 7/1 Day 110. Trail of Hope Hostel. 17.3 miles. 7/2 Day 111. Burch Run Shelter. 10.0 miles. 7/3 Day 112. Pine Grove Furnace State Park. 9.8 miles.
Date: 2018-07-16
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park 

To: Rt 72, Lickdale PA
Miles today: 80.0

The highlights of this time were:* On the trail - hiking a stretch of 17 straight days without taking a zero day, new friends along the trail, seing old friends that I thought were to far ahead, a rock maze, staying at the famous (infamous) Doyle Hotel, crossing Rt 81 for the 3rd time, and the best was hiking the last 2 weeks with Thumper (Ethan, my great nephew). * Off the trail - 7 days to rest my feet, participating in the RFR (Round Fore Ricky) a golf fundraiser in memory of my son Ricky, watching World Cup soccer, a family reunion in my Dads back yard, spending time with my son Kyle, wife Silvia, friend Pawel, my Dad, and so many family members ... I actually started to list everyone but that would be at least 60 names. I just want to say they are all important to me and I value the time I was able to spend with this group. At the RFR I was allowed to play one par 3 hole over and over. Playing with each group that came through. This allowed me to meet every golfer, talk to them one on one, and personally thank you for their support of this golf scramble event. Heck, I was able to help a few of the groups with tee shots or putts that they were able to use. My niece and her husband and little boy (Sara, Rich, Dylan ... Ethan¢s parents and brother) picked us up along the road as they drove up to Rochester NY for the family activities. A greatly appreciated ride. Back to the trail tomorrow, down in PA, thanks to a ride from Werner, a high school friend who started the hike with me. 7/4 Day 113. Happy 4th of July. 15.4 miles to the Alec Kennedy Shelter. 7/5 Day 114. To the Days Inn in Carlisle PA, 11.9 miles. 7/6 Day 115. On to the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon PA. 17.6 miles. 7/7 Day 116. The really nice Peters Mountain Shelter; stayed in the shelter after 11.0 miles. 7/8 Day 117. A nice camping area next to water just before the Rausch Gap Shelter. 17.9 miles. 7/9 Day 118. 6.2 miles to Rt 72, Lickdale PA and a ride to my Dads house in Henrietta NY. 7/10-16 Days 119-125. Zero miles each day, at my Dads house.
Date: 2018-07-22
From: Rt 72, Lickdale PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 50.3
Weather: moderate rain

After a week off the trail I was ready to go. A big thanks to Lark (sister in law) and Werner (high school friend) to drive me back to the AT. I had already finished over 1100 miles with no medical issues so I was pretty cocky about cranking out some consistent miles with a goal of CT by mid August.  I had been doing 14+ mile days which was about my limit. The rain came in the early afternoon the first day so after only 2.5 miles I set up my tent to keep dry. The next 2 days were dry and I did just over 14 miles each day, over rocks, some overgrown trail but relatively flat terrain. I think after the week off that was pushing to hard as I developed a soreness in my right leg. After a resupply in Hamburg PA, including lunch at 5 Guys (yeahhh !!!), it was 10 AT miles but counting the walk to town, another day that was maybe a little to long for me. On the hike today I ran into Waterfall and her dog, Ieda. I first met them in GA, received my Dog Whisperer trail name due to my interaction with her dog, and last saw them over 1000 miles ago. It was great to see them as I had been hoping to see them again. Next was a shorter 9 mile day but my leg was now more sore than before and I stopped at the Eckville Shelter about noon to avoid the rain that came that day and night, and to rest my leg.  While there I decided I should rest a couple days plus the weather forecast was rain for at least the next 7 days, so I contacted my nephew Nate and his wife Megan who live about 60 miles away to stay at their house ... he picked me up the next morning and that is where I am now. Lunch for all 5 of us today at Victory Brewing was a welcome plus to my adventure. Thank you to my great nephew, Aiden, for letting me have his room ... with all these cool toys !!!!I am really into the saying ¢Hike your own hike¢ and am embracing that by taking each day, obstacle and challenge along the way as part of ¢my hike¢, without worrying about the miles. 7/17 Day 126. Ride down to Lickdale PA from Lark and Werner. Stealth camping after only 2.5 miles. Stopped early due to rain. 7/18 Day 127. Hertline campsite after 14.4 miles. Wet trail from yesterday¢s rain. Rocks. 7/19 Day 128. Phillips Canyon Spring area for camping after 14.1 miles. Sunny, nice campsite with ¢Prone To Wander¢.  Sore right leg. Lots of rocks. 7/20 Day 129. Windsor Furnace Shelter, 10.1 miles. Did a resupply in Hamburg PA at Walmart and lunch at 5 Guys. Waterfall and Ieda. 7/21 Day 130. Eckville Shelter, 9.1 miles. Rain, supposed to rain for days, sore leg is worse. Contacted Nate and Megan (nephew and his wife) to get off the trail for a few days. 7/22 Day 131. Went to Nate and Megan¢s house and will stay a few days to heal up and escape the rain. Lunch at Victory Brewery was excellent.
Date: 2018-07-30
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap 
Miles today: 61.0

A great 3 days with Nate, Megan, Aiden, Josie and Paige (the dog).  Watched Aiden¢s basketball team win it¢s first playoff game and we had a little challenge at foosball. Maybe next time Aiden !!!  We also caught an animated movie, Hotel Transylvania 3 and they served food right to your seat. That was new to me. Back to the trail on 7/25 (thank you Megan), just in time to slip on the rocks and fall. Only a minor scrape but snapped one of my trekking poles in half. You would think with all the weight I¢ve lost it might have just bent !!!  Anyway, completed 7.4 miles to the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter before the rain came. The next day was a modest 10.0 miles, still trying to take it easy on my leg. Tented at the Bake Oven Shelter after a day of sun, some BIG rocks but mostly nice trail. Pennsylvania is certainly the flattest State so far. On 7/27 I did the down and then the up into and out of Palmerton, including HUGH rocks and then the Superfund detour as the environmental cleanup of the previous zinc smelting plant is ongoing.  12.7 miles. Passed over the Lehigh Tunnel and ended up at Blue Mountain Rd, set up my tent and then walked to the Slopeside Pub & Grill for dinner (a winter ski area). Back in my tent before the rain came. Followed that up with another 12.7 mile day, mostly sun, a little rain in the AM but a beautiful camp site in a clearing on top of a ridge. An almost full moon made for a peaceful night. On 7/29 I was at my destination, the Kirkridge Shelter by 2 PM. Only 6.5 more miles to Delaware Water Gap and a church run hostel. I pushed on hoping my leg and my feet could handle it and completed the sunny 18.2 miles to the Church Of The Moutain Hiker Center. Had a nice dinner and a couple beers at the Sycamore Grille with Citizen, 5 Mile and Steve who I had been crossing paths with the past 2 days.Finally, a day of rest, or at least not hiking as I went into Stroudsburg for laundry, resupply and lunch. The surprise today was Waterfall and Aida (I now have the correct spelling for Aida, my canine friend) showing up at the hostel. Unfortunately they are heading off trail for Aida to recover from a Copperhead snake bite. Such a sweet, friendly and happy dog. I felt great that she came right over to me, tail wagging. 7/23-24 Day 132-133. At Nate, Megan, Aiden and Josie¢s house. 7/25 Day 134. Back on the trail for 7.4 miles to the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter. 7/26 Day 135. Tented at Bake Oven Knob Shelter after 10.0 miles. 7/27 Day 136. Tented next to Blue Mountain Drive after 12.7 miles. Dinner at the Slopeside Pub & Grill7/28 Day 137. Stealth camp after 12.7 miles in a pipeline clearing. 7/29 Day 138. On to Delaware Water Gap. 18.2 miles. Church Of The Mountain Hostel. 7/30 Day 139. Zero day for resupply, laundry and rest.
Date: 2018-08-10
From: Hemlock Springs campsite

To: US 9 & NY 403
Miles today: 3.6

Update for Friday, August 10, 2018 (sorry for the delay, I needed to keep my leaving the trail a surprise until now)WOW !!!!  150 days since I started hiking the AT, almost 5 full months ago. Most people I started with are way ahead of me, or for various reasons, are no longer hiking. Each, without judgment, has their own reason, or reasons, for starting to hike and each has their own reasons for stopping, continuing, or the miles they do each day. That is the true meaning of HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE. A saying that not only I firmly embrace but every hiker I have met out here also supports. It is so critical for each individual to hike what feels right for them.For me, August 10th is my last day of hiking the AT this year. This is me, hiking my own hike and enjoying the journey, not just the destination.As most of you know one of my reasons for this hike is to raise awareness of the disease Fanconi anemia and to raise money towards researching a cure. The KATA Foundation is the charity that my son Ricky supported in many ways. Currently the donations to the KATA Foundation, researching a cure for Fanconi anemia, is approximately $5,270, a very significant amount. I am pushing to reach $6,000. I pledge to match any and all contributions dollar for dollar in order to reach that goal. Any help you can provide is appreciated. For those that have already donated, a huge THANK YOU !!!!www.katafoundation.orgI¢ll take questions now: 1- Why stop now?My priority is family over getting to Maine this year. I stopped now so I could surprise my Dad for his 93rd birthday and my mother in law for her 94th birthday. That is why I did not post this sooner, I did not want to spoil the surprise. Now I can also rest my feet and enjoy time with Silvia (my wife) and NinaMoo (our dog). 2- Do you plan to finish next year?I plan to finish sometime and to hike next year. Finishing next year, I do not know at this time. 3- What was your favorite part of the trail?There were many, hiking the Grayson Highlands with the wild ponies, the accomplishments of reaching the tops of different mountains (Sassafras, Blood, Rogers to name a few), walking across bald mountains, seeing black bears, timber rattlesnakes and copperhead snakes, the people I have met on trail and the friends and family I have met along this adventure. However, what stands out the most are meeting children with Fanconi anemia ... Olivia, Mason and Eli. Being able to carry on some of my son Ricky¢s work by fundraising to research a cure for this disease. 4- Did you see bears or other dangerous animals?Yes. I saw 6 bears (plus another 2 but they were in a zoo), 2 timber rattlesnakes and 1 Copperhead (poisonous) snake. I heard coyotes howling at night but never saw them. I am sure I would have seen more if not constantly staring at my feet to avoid tripping on rocks and tree roots. Thank you all for following me, and some for joining me, on this adventure of a lifetime. Wishing you all the best ... until next year !!!!
Date: 2018-09-19
To: Greenacres FL
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone. Although my AT hike for this year is completed, I still need your help to reach my donation goal towards finding a cure for Fanconi anemia ... Currently the donations to the KATA Foundation, researching a cure for Fanconi anemia, are $5,462, a very significant amount. I am pushing to reach $6,000. I pledge to match any and all contributions dollar for dollar in order to reach that goal. Any help you can provide is appreciated. Donations can be made at www.KATAFoundation.orgIf I can get 11 donations of $25 each, with my match, the $6,000 goal will be achieved.I have uploaded pictures of 3 of the children with Fanconi anemia I met while hiking this year, with one showing on this post. Thank you in advance for your generous support.By the way, I have already planned out my hike for next year, to finish the AT. Another 780 miles from NY to Maine, starting in late July. I am excited and looking forward to it.
Date: 2019-03-21
To: Greenacres FL
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone !!!I am back and ready to go. But first, thank you everyone for a wonderful and successful 2018. We raised $6000 for the KATA foundation to research a cure for Fanconi anemia. Silvia, my wife, and I were fortunate to attend the KATA fundraiser dinner in Denver CO last November. Driving out we attended with Sarah, our daughter in law (Ricky's wife) and it was an experience I will never forget. The children and the adults we met, or at least saw at this event ... it was heart warming and uplifting. I know the money donated by so many for my hike will make a difference.As you know, I hiked my own hike. I went speeds that worked for me and was really thankful to get off the trail for several meaningful family events. Surprising my Dad for his 93rd birthday and my mother in law for her 94th, those were memorable experiences. I also became know as a LASH (Long Ass Section Hiker) since I was not a thru hiker.As a result of all the positives last year, it was a no brainer that I want, and need, to finish the complete AT. My plan is to finish this year but if something outside my control holds me back, then the finish may be delayed ... but I will finish. I have 40 miles in the Smoky Mountains to complete, plus 780.6 miles from NY to Mt. Katahdin ME. The Smoky Mtn. section is planned for this April and the NY to ME section is mid May to mid August.More updates to come. Signing out for now.
Date: 2019-05-13
To: West Henrietta, NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Tomorrow, my AT hike resumes. The same reasons I had for hiking last year apply for this year ¢¦ (1) raising money for the KATA foundation (researching a cure for Fanconi anemia) which was Ricky Zinter¢s favorite charity, (2) to get back to nature after a career behind a desk, (3) to meet new people that I would not routinely meet in my non AT life, and (4) to hike with Ricky¢s spirit on my shoulders. This year Kyle (my son) will join me for part of the hike. That is a much anticipated event.Last year was a truly fantastic experience and met all my objectives, and then some. I expect this year to be tougher hiking (in NH and ME) but also fantastic scenery and to exceed all my expectations. I can¢t wait to get started !!!Soooo, if possible and you can help with a donation to the KATA foundation, the kids will be thankful.Donations can be made at www.KATAFoundation.org
Date: 2019-05-21
From: US 9 & NY 403

To: Bearded Woods B&D
Miles today: 69.5

My hike has resumed. I was able to finish NY and am about halfway through CT. Taking a zero day to rest my weary body. I know I overdid it with several longer mileage days this past week as I started up again.Overall, the weather has been good. Some rain, but not too bad. The trail has been a challenge for me, I am not yet trail conditioned so the ups and steep downs have been difficult.I have met (more like seen) quite a few other hikers this past week. Most doing a couple days, some longer sections, and a few that are thru hiking. The thru hikers are mostly flip-floppers, generally starting in Harper's Ferry WV, although 1 or 2 started early in GA and have already reached and passed me. Everyone passes me, and I think once I get my trail legs, they still will as I continue to hike my own hike.5/14 - stealth camp after starting at Rt 9, mile, rain, mile 1415.45/15 - RPH shelter with Jaffey and Dandelion. Trail magic from Bob (lasagna, soup, cherry pie, beer and vodka), cloudy, mile 1430.85/16 - Morgan Stewart shelter, sunny and cloudy, Dandelion here, mile 1439.85/17 - Wiley shelter, met Toggs at Native Landscape store, from Australia started Feb 3rd doing a 40 mile day ... and poof she was gone, mile 1456.45/18 - Mt Algo shelter, lots of ups and downs, no rain, mile 1468.85/19 - Stony Brook campsite, great hiking weather, late start, rain at night, mile 1476.75/20 - Bearded Woods B&D, nice place, rain in the morning, resupply and a rib dinner, some R&R, mile 1480.25/21 - Bearded Woods B&D, zero day, 1480.2
Date: 2019-05-27
From: Bearded Woods B&D

To: Dalton MA
Miles today: 91.9

This will be a short posting. I left the Bearded Woods B&D and headed to Dalton MA. There I will be meeting up with my son, Kyle. The weather has been pretty good, especially considering all the rain before I started hiking again in NY. I am still being passed regularly by hikers who started in GA this year. My congratulations to them as it is quite an accomplishment to be doing the miles they do each day. I guess it sure helps to be in your teens, twenties or thirties versus my 66 3/4 !!My recommendations for a shelter are Tom Leonard shelter with great tent views into a ravine, although the best being Upper Goose Pond Cabin ... a real cabin with a caretaker (Pete when I was there), pancake breakfast, bunks, rocking chairs, canoes and a pond to swim in (a very COLD pond).5/22 Glenbrook shelter. Several mountains and a semi-hard day. Met Barry and Hans SoSlo, and Legolas. Mile 1514.95/23 Tom Leonard shelter. Met Diamond and April Showers, John, Cotton, MP3 and more. Mile 1529.25/24 Shaker Campsite. Met up with Frozen (an AT video blogger who is well known on the trail), Lucky, Toggs (again), Diamond and April Showers. Mile 1540.45/25 Upper Goose Pond Cabin. Great place. Met Frieda and Grit from Germany and saw Perk and Stephan who I first met at Bearded Woods B&D. Panckes are hot, pond is cold. Mile 1550.55/26 October Mountain shelter. Bugs !!!! Again with Frieda and Grit. Trail was typical ... mud, water, rocks, roots and some nice areas. Mile 1559.35/27 Kay Wood shelter. Easiest day of hiking on the whole AT. Great weather, nice temperature, and meeting Kyle tomorrow !!!