morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-05
From: Penmar 

To: Rocky Mountain shelters
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

World's best trail angel had me back to Penmar by 1:15pm after breakfast of peach and blueberry pancakes, bacon, blue grits, eggs and cantaloupe. It seemed hot and humid for the first few miles but after a snack break near Deer Lick shelters weather seemed to cool and was pleasant the rest of the day. Picked a few handfuls of wineberries (my favorite invasive non native) coming out of Penmar and, of course, crossed the Mason Dixon line (although I have spent 30some years trying to convince Rebecca's family that Maryland really is BELOW that line!). My first impressions of Pennsylvania are 1) lots of shelters 4 today 3 of which were double shelters 2) lots of road crossings, 11 according to AWOL but I counted a couple more and 3) beautiful fungi. Probably because of the wet weather fungi "fruiting" is great right now. A rainbow of colors. A number of different red and orange fungi (including Russula and Chanterelle and others I don't know), yellow, purple, brown, white ( of course) and even - I swear- a green "mushroom". They were great. Guess the "blooming" will continue as forecast is for showers/thunderstorms most of tomorrow. Got to campsite about 8:20pm and quickly set up tent, ate, hung food bag, etc   Its past my bedtime now so I'll end and continue the journey north tomorrow.
Date: 2015-07-06
From: Rocky Mountain shelters

To: Toms Run shelters
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept like a log last night. Had an brief early morning shower but things were relatively dry by the time I stirred. Gone by 8:30am. Stopped at Caledonia State Park to take on water but, with a cloudy, semi cool morning no chance I'm tempted to use the swimming pool. Surprising, given their absence from the northern Shenandoah Valley, the first part of the trail today was lined with Rosebay Rhododendrons in bloom. The sun was out by the time I reached Quarry Gap shelters. This has to be one of, if not, the best tended shelter on the AT. Caretaker lives nearby and the landscaping around the shelter is definitely first-class (including multiple hanging baskets). Had a snack there, checked weather forecast (90% chance of rain) and called the Ironmasters Mansion hostel at Pine Grove Furnace state park to see about spending the night. Never could get a hold of them but that's okay. I'll tour the park and AT museum tomorrow morning. Had a very minor storm come through mid afternoon but otherwise weather stayed nice. Another first impression of PA is trail is pretty easy (rocks haven't started yet and lots of good tread and flat terrain). Had lunch on the porch of a PATC cabin (not occupied), passed the official 2015 halfway sign. and got to this shelter site before 5pm. Wanted to go further but with Pine Grove a little over 3 miles away wasn't sure I could find good campsite between here and there - lots of mountain laurel around. This site is nice - real tent pads, good spring. A number of young NOBO'ers here. Nice folks but I'm not a fan of the cigarette smoke and the blaring music. Hoping to be able to locate more "single person" campsites as I head north. For now I'll treat it as part of the experience. Weather looking like we might finally get some of that rain. Time to cook supper and get some rest. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Date: 2015-07-07
From: Toms Run shelters

To: Boiling Spring Campsite
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: light rain

A stormy evening last night. My tent pad unfortunately didn't drain well and I found myself in a pond of water. My tent took in a little water but not too bad fortunately. Up and gone by 7:30 am. First stop was Pine Grove Furnace state park. Got there at 9am in time to have a breakfast sandwich at the General Store. I then toured the AT museum. They've done a really nice job with the exhibits there. Some amazing AT folks but Grandma Gatewood ( wow what a spunky woman way ahead of her time) and Myron Avery (wow!!!!!!) stand out. After the museum it was time for the half gallon challenge. For those unfamiliar with AT customs, thru hikers often celebrate their progress to the AT midway point by eating a half gallon of ice cream. Since most of the ice cream makers in recent years downsized their half gallon containers to 11/2 quarts this now means you have to purchase both a 11/2 quart container of ice cream and also an extra pint. I had neapolitan for my "large" and a sort of chocolate mint chip for the pint. Frighteningly no problem. My appetite has really taken off. I was a little concerned how hiking would be on a ice cream stomach but had no problem. Left Pine Grove at 11am and didn't break (except for pictures) until after 3pm. Weather was on the warm side but no rain. Every once in awhile a breeze would provide a nice relief. Trail was quite easy all day. Nice couple of "rock mazes" near the end - of course I realize in a few days "nice" and "rocks" will not be allowed in the same sentence! Got past the cornfields and to the ATC campsite outside Boiling Springs a little after 7pm. Set up the tent and went into town (I had decided actually not to go but no water at the campsite so that sealed it). Ate at an Italian restaurant, wondered through the hamlet, sat on bench by the lake and finally headed back to the campsite. 10pm now so way past bedtime. Warm night but with vestibul open there's a descent breeze. Hopefully!
Date: 2015-07-08
From: Boiling Spring Campsite

To: Campsite 3.4 m south Cove Mountain shelter. 
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

AWOL's book mentions that last night's campsite is near a railroad line. Several times last night I thought I might have pitched my tent across the tracks! Train activity is certainly alive and well in Southern PA. Partly due to train activity and partly due to the early departure of a neighboring tenter but I stirred early than anticipated (6am). Had cell service so I checked radar. There was a big green patch just west of Boiling Springs. That woke me up, especially since the tent was pretty dry at the time. Packed up in record time (for me) and, sure enough, as I started to stretch, a light rain began. Decided to finish stretching under cover in town so I walked the AT into town to the ATC's mid-atlantic headquarters. After finishing stretching I went over to Caffe101 for breakfast. Nice folks and great breakfast (omelette with lots of stuff, home fries, and toast). Charged the phone some there and checked radar. Rain seemed to be coming to an end so, after a root beer stop at the Shell station, I was on my way (about 8:30am). Much of the day is about crossing the Cumberland Valley. This was one of the last, and most contentious, land acquisition for the Park Service. Some old timers still lament the loss of the road walk through the valley but I enjoyed it - combination of woods and fields. Vegetation pretty disturbed as you would expect but, this time of year, that meant berries!!! I took my time, relaxed and ate lots of wineberries, mulberries, and even some black raspberries and a couple early blackberries. Perfect morning. Perfect until the sun come out and I decided to switch from rain pants to shorts. Sat down to switch and was so concerned about making sure no other hikers were around I didn't see the poison ivy until after I was standing again. Talk about a bummer!! (Talk about stupidity!). A lot of my backside came in contact with it. I forgot about more berries and hiked another 3-4 miles to Conodoquinet Creek. Luckily it was quite a large stream (we'd call it a river in Franklin County) and I found a good wading spot and plunged in. Tried to wash as good as possible but the next couple days will be the judge. The water though felt great!!! The trail finally found a couple ridges as we start to turn east looking for a ridge running our way. Got to this pretty stream a little before 6pm. Ordinarily I'd push north but nice flat campsite near creek, weather starting to spit rain and I'm heading to Duncannon tomorrow and I'm already less than 8 miles. I was convinced. Fed and watered now. Time to hang bearbag ( there's bear activity in area) and hit the hay.
Date: 2015-07-09
From: Campsite 3.4 m south Cove Mountain shelter. 

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Pretty campsite last night. I've gotten used to camping near shelters but it's hard to beat a solitary tent site along a babbling stream. Rained some in the night - woke to close the vestibule - and then some more early in the morning. Still was up a little after 6 am. I've switched from shaking a wet tent - hard for one person to do and not real effective- to drying it with my everything hand towel. Seems better. Today was a short hiking day as I was stopping at hard scrabble Duncannon to do laundry, resupply, and stay at the famous (infamous?) Doyle Hotel. The Doyle was probably once a pretty nice place. Now it's a dive, but famous in AT lore ( plus $25/room). Make no mistake - this is no Elmer's (Hot Springs) which was cheap but fantastic. The Doyle is,again, the definition of a dive. Still it has its charm - in a third world kind of way. Although AWOL makes a note about the rockiness of the trail into Duncannon it was actually quite good. Nice view from Hawk Rock. For the last three mornings I've run into Warren Doyle and his companion, Boomerang, walking south. Warren is one of those AT legendary characters whose hiking the trail for something like the 17th time. He's led groups on thru-hikes for awhile. They have a couple vehicles involved and each morning Warren and Boomerang drive one vehicle to the groups north end for the day, walk south to the other vehicle and bring it north too. The rest of the group just walks north. Anyhow, had my morning greeting of the two and descended toward Duncannon. Just before town there's a great LARGE patch of ripe wineberries. Real fruit on the trail! I was there quite awhile. I then checked into the Doyle, showered, washed clothes, ate a barbecue sandwich, and resupplied. Spent the rest of the afternoon eating snacks from the grocery,cleaning some gear, and checking my plans through PA. I have mail drop in Port Clinton but with the "jailhouse" hostel in Palmerton closed not sure when next laundry, shower etc will be. Ah, I'll just enjoy the ambiance of the Doyle until morning!NOTE I've added 2.9 miles to today's total. Somehow somewhere I was short that on my way south. I'll figure out the mistake in the fall and correct. For now I'm just adding it here so I can keep in time with AWOL's calculations.
Date: 2015-07-10
From: Duncannon PA

To: Yellow Springs campsite
Miles today: 24.4
Weather: light rain

A good day. Up around 6am at the Doyle (the mattress had more "pokey" springs than I have ever experienced.) Ah, the Doyle. You can tell that in its day it was a really nice place. Wonderful interior woodworking and other details you don't see today. Would be great if someone with energy and money could fix it up - then again the rooms wouldn't be $25 bucks so I guess in the AT world it's good as is. Took a morning shower - never can have too many on the trail and went for breakfast to the coffee shop across the street. Fair omelette, fair service. I was hiking before 8am. The first couple miles were through Duncannon, pass the only strip club on the trail, and across the Susquehanna River. Then it was up Peters Mountain. Much of the day the trail ran along the ridgetop. Stopped at Clarks Ferry shelter to take on water as the rest of the ridge was dry. Fantastic weather all day - low 80's, good trail ( lots of rock steps, rock walls, rock water bars - lots of rock in general but the trail was good and you can tell folks have put a lot of effort into it. Thanks! Passed Boomerang again today. Warren must be off trail at a speaking engagement. Several nice views from Peters Mountain and, although the forest was hardly pristine ( lots of poison ivy, smartweed and stilt grass) there was some nice flowering raspberry and lots of bugbane (Cimicifuga) blooming. Dropped off of Peters Mountain and up Stoney Mountain. Picked up water from an irony looking Rattling Run and got to this campsite a little after 8pm. One other camper here but she was going to bed as I was pulling in. Fed,chores are done and it's time to hit the hay. My 11/2" Thermarest mattress feels good compared to the good ole Doyle's mattress. A bard owl is calling nearby, the temperature is suppose to get down into the 50's. Ah, life is good!!!
Date: 2015-07-11
From: Yellow Springs campsite

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: clear sky

On the trail a little after 8am which was pretty good for me - especially after a long and late day like yesterday. Another great weather day. You want to take advantage of them. First part of day was nice, almost cool the first mile. Trail headed along Stoney Mountain down to Rausch Gap, had my now daily meeting with Boomerang filtering water at Stoney Creek (stoney, it wasn't), crossed Second Mountain headed toward Swatara Gap and the final crossing of I81 (which started down in Adkins, VA). Two nice trail magic happenings near I81. The first a anonymous cooler with root beer! The second Gatorade and tootsie pops provided by two nice volunteers with the Swatara state park. Thanks to both!! The park seemed like a nice place with kayakers, bikers, and hikers all out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. After crossing under the interstate, I climbed the ridge and, well, let's just say the next four miles weren't my favorite. Those regular readers (Matthew) know I don't like poison ivy. Well the trail was lined with it and in some areas not too well maintained. It was like walking a tightrope while zigzagging back and forth trying to avoid it. In some places vines hanging from nearby trees stretched across sections of trail necessitating you to duck to avoid contact. Not a relaxing or fun section. Later down the ridge toward the first shelter things got better, still poison ivy but a wider trail. Last 4 miles to the 501 shelter were fine. Got in a little before 7pm. I was worried about staying near a shelter by a road on a Saturday night but the tenting area seems quite calm. Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be warmer and the PA rocks start in earnest. Should be interesting.
Date: 2015-07-12
From: 501 shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 24.1

Woke up and felt good today. Weather was suppose to be clear and warmer but there was enough of a cloud cover that temperatures stayed nice, I'm guessing low 80's. I ran into a rocky stretch of trail leaving the 501 shelter and thought, "oh no! It begins" but really had only a few more real rocky sections of trail today. Most sections were quite nice. None of the forest today was very old and some sections were comprised mostly of quite young trees but the understory seemed less disbursed. I'll take privet for poison ivy any day. Lots of hay scented ferns the last few days. Some think it gets too "weedy" but I've enjoyed it. Overall it was a pleasant woods to walk through. The only downer was the trail section before PA183. Guess this is popular section but it had a long section where you had 2 or even 3 trails running parallel (within feet) of each other. Impossible to tell which was the real trail even for me. Got to Eagles Nest shelter about 4 pm. Too early to stop with such nice weather so pushed on after taking in plenty of water. Thought that I'd stop a few miles away from Port Clinton and there was a couple sites near Phillips Canyon springs but it was still too early. By the time I was ready to stop the woods were getting disturbed again (poison ivy making a reappearance) and then I started the long and steep descent into Port Clinton. Camping with a bunch of hikers at the pavilion area they have. Right on the river which is nice but I'm pretty bushed from today's hike so it's bed for me right after dinner. It'll be dark before I finish eating anyway.
Date: 2015-07-13
From: Port Clinton

To: Hamburg PA
Miles today: 0.3

Woke up this morning and felt pretty good considering the miles I've been doing last couple days. Weather suppose to be okay today, less so next couple of days but I had a mail drop to pick up at post office which didn't open until 12:30 pm so ...... Several of us had been talking about going into Pottsville to visit the Yuengling factory there and after developing several tentative plans, Homefry, Key Chain and myself got a shuttle into Pottstown. Toured the old, but still working facilities (they have bigger plants in Florida and Milford, PA) including cave and spring (two original selling points for locating factory there). And, of course, got to sample the brews. It was a fun time. Then it was back to Port Clinton to pick up my mail drop. I mailed this package before I found out the hostel in Palmerton is closed. My new plan is to bypass Palmerton (literally no place to stay in town) and go another 35+ miles into Delaware Water Gap. So I needed more supplies. I decided to walk to Walmart in Hamburg about a mile off trail. Hadn't walked more than .25 miles when pickup pulled up and offered me a ride. Thanks to those nice folks! Once in Hamburg I decided to stay!! Laundry and a shower sounded good. I'm at the Microtel which is most definitely a step up from the Doyle! Continental breakfast at 6:30 and then back to the trail. In the meantime, clothes to wash, and body to feed and rest. That sounds good to me!
Date: 2015-07-14
From: Hamburg PA

To: Campsite 0.5m N Eckville shelter
Miles today: 15.0

Today was a rather short day on the trail. Up for the start of the 6:30am continental breakfast at Microtel. Then up the road about 1.5m to the trailhead. Turns out that was the worst weather of the day - light rain. Somewhat of a climb out of Port Clinton but not nearly as steep as coming into town. Weather remained cloudy so that views were nonexistent from Pulpit Rock. Had my now daily meeting with Boomerang and as we talked the skies began to lighten. Got to The Pinnacle for a late lunch and views were fair but improving. Some rocky sections of trail today but overall trail was fine. In fact, mostly old roadbed between Pinnacles and this campsite. I had decided based on the forecast to camp early today but got to this site and the weather was hard to read. Decided not to push my luck, set up my tent and all of a sudden blue skies everywhere. Checked radar and there's a line coming in but it's a couple hours away. Oh well. It's a really pleasant site with the only downer being some guys just pulled up and there's cigarette smoke in the area. Can't believe the number of young thruhikers who smoke. Guess each generation is NOT getting smarter on that subject. Ah time to fix some dinner and get to bed early and hopefully get an early start tomorrow. Note: The smokers moved on. Camping with nice Lutheran minister, very pleasant .... but now some new smokers are setting up camp too!
Date: 2015-07-15
From: Campsite 0.5m N Eckville shelter

To: campsite 0.1m N Baked Oven shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

A memorable night. Nasty thunderstorm came through. Prelude of thunder and lightening following by some very heavy rain. I was glad to be in the tent until I rolled over and my hand felt water. Quickly got out my flashlight and discovered a new tributary to the nearby stream had formed running through my tent! My Thermarest pad became my lifeboat and I tried to move as much stuff as I could onto it while also trying to divert the water around the tent. The heavy rain eventually transitioned into a lighter rain and I was able to mop the inside of the tent with my trusty little towel. The biggest casualty was my sleeping bag which got soaked. Ended up sleeping the rest of the night sans bag with my fleece on. Needless to say I loaded up a wet pack, wished John, the Lutheran minister a good trip, and was hiking by about 9am. Rain had stopped and the word was the weather was going to improve as the day went on. Most of trail today was on the ridge and well drained considering all the rain. Stopped for lunch at the spring north of the first shelter and hung out a bunch of wet gear for about an hour. The sleeping bag went from soaked to very wet. Past Blue Mountain summit the trail really got rocky. Going over the Knife edge was fun but you also thought "I'd better be careful or the hike could end quickly". The predicted cold front started coming in this afternoon and winds picked up considerably. Rocks continued pass Bear Rocks and Baked Oven Knob. So did the views! Got to Baked Oven shelter and got water. Planned to tent there but it was really trashed. This area gets lots of local use. Hiked on and in a couple minutes came upon this site. It's up on a ridge and quite windy. Set up my tent and hung sleeping bag on tree limb to dry. It's gone from very wet to a little damp. Supposed to get into the low 50's tonight so I'm hoping my body temperature can continue to dry it out and all will be snug and warm. At least that's what I'm hoping!
Date: 2015-07-16
From: campsite 0.1m N Baked Oven shelter

To: Campsite at Stempa Spring trail
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A cool night for mid July. Great sleeping weather. But not great for an early start! Woke up, felt very comfortable in my bag and slept for awhile longer. Up and on the trail by about 8:30am and it felt great to walk in the cool morning air. Even the first boulder field I encountered was fun to hop across and figure out how the trail weaved through it. Got to the spring just pass the Outerbridge shelter and filtered some water. Great spring but the only good and easily accessible one of the whole day. Ate lunch there and had my morning conference with Boomerang. Then it was down to the gap, across the Lehigh River and the steep but fun climb out of the gap up Blue Mountain. It was a climb that truly required all four limbs at times but the trail builders did a nice job of lessening the anxiety factor. Fantastic views from on high. No Pants had warned me about climbing out of this area in the afternoon and, of course, it was about 1pm when I started the climb. Luckily, temperatures were in the 70's. No cloud cover and both the climb and the ensuing few miles through the Palmerton superfund site (due to activities of zinc factory) were open. It got warm but I'd hate to do that with temperatures in the 90's. Ugh!! Lots of wineberries and black raspberries along trail through superfund site. Hope I don't start glowing in the dark. Got to Little Gap Road and Mama Bear had left a cooler full of water. That was the perfect beverage as, again, springs are very scarce around here. Drank two bottles and drained one into my water bottle to top it off. Trail the rest of the way was good, some rocks but not that difficult to navigate. Got to this spot about 7 pm and decided to call it a day. Spring is actually 0.6m from trail but thanks to Mama Bear's water I've got plenty. Thanks Mama Bear!!!