morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Front Roayal, VA

To: Ron Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: clear sky

The last three days had been nothing but rain, but today the sun was shining. Nathan drove to the trailhead at US 522...we gave Tbo a ride. Tbo took off ahead of us. Nathan saw some broken auto glass on the ground and was worried that his car would possibly broken into while we wee hiking the next two days....some of the trailheads have signs warning you not to park your vehicle due to vandalism. I suggested to Nathan that he move his vehicle to a more open spot that is in view of the roadway and he did so.Off we went uncle and nephew. The terrain was fairly flat most of the day...which was nice. I told Nathan that this is not the norm on the AT. We ended up having lunch with Tbo and two female section hikers. The one girl's foot was disgusting...her toes and heel were covered in blisters...don't no how she was hiking. Tbo left and Speedy Mike arrived soon after. I had shared a cabin with Speedy Mike back in Tennessee at Standing Bear Farm on 3-9-12.   We got to Ron Hollow Shelter at around 6pm....23.6 miles....not bad for Nathan on his first day of hiking (in his Marine Corps boots). Speedy Mike, Mule and his wife Turtle also stayed the night. Nathan did not have a pad so we converted the 3 tent layers of my MSR Hubba Hubba tent into a pad.In all it was a great day! It was really nice having family hiking with me.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Ron Hollow Shelter

To: Key Gap
Miles today: 24.0

No flat terrain today. We immediately started with the "Roller Coaster". About 14 miles of continuous ups and downs. It was challenge...ask Nathan! It was fun...as I retell the section in the years to come, I am sure the hills will get higher and the descents steeper as the years go by. The "Devils Racecourse" wasn't bad...bunch of rocks.We had some great views today. I crossed the West Virginia state line and the 1000 mile mark today. It seems unbelievable that I am already at 1000 miles. It was nice that Nathan was there with me as I crossed the milestone. We stopped at the David Lesser Memorial Shelter to get some water and ran into the New Zealanders, Ron and Merryll...both in their 70's. They were a hoot....for some reason they drove up to Harpers Ferry, WV and now hiking southbound to Damascus, VA.Nathan and I decided to hike on to Key Gap where there was a pizza joint .3 to the west on VA 9. With our dogs barking, we made to the roadway at dusk. We pitched our tent and headed for some pizza and beer. Had a great time a the bar/lounge...the pitcher of PBR helped ease the aches and pains. We headed back to the tent in the dark...Nathan was out in minutes...I listened to this male buck just throwing a fit for about 15 minutes...making that loud sound through its nostrils...probably didn't like the tent is his territory...we camped a good ways off the AT.Once again, a great day!
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Key Gap

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

The Trail Gods were good to me today....there was a 70% chance of rain today starting a 6am...and it did not rain....when is the last time that ever happened. Nathan and I made it the last 6 miles to Harpers Ferry, WV...I think I could have ran it. After visiting John Brown's Fort and other historical sites, we had breakfast at this marvelous B&B. We ate like kings...we were the only ones in the town that early in the morning....and the B&B was the ONLY business open.AFter breakfast we headed to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (HQ for the AT). I joined the ATC as a small way of giving back to a trail that has given so much to me. I got my picture taken and placed into the 2012 photo album...I was the 22 thru-hiker for 2012 to reach Harpers Ferry. I ran into Tbo at the ATC...I said my final good-bye to him as he set out on the AT...he will make it to Maine. After buying some souvenirs, I said good-bye to the Appalachian Trail until the beginning of June. Like Arnold stated in the Terminator "I'll Be Back". My wonderful niece, Marianne, picked up Nathan and I and drove us back to Front Royal, VA to pick up Nathan car. I was praying that his vehicle was not broken into. I starred at his vehicle as we approached and thankfully there were no broken windows. As we parked, Nathan noticed that the vehicle next to him had a window broken out and the other vehicle that had parked at the trailhead (that was now gone) had a pile of broken window glass where it had been parked. So, of the 3 vehicles that were parked at the trailhead...Nathan's was the only one that was not broken into. I felt sorry for the other two vehicle owners....to go out on a section hike and come back to that. The lesson here is to do everything you can not to leave your vehicle at trailheads overnight...some of the remote AT trailheads warned of potential vandalism to parked vehicles.I will be spending the next two days with Marianne in Washington DC...then back home to the wife and kids,,,can't wait. Once home, I will do an overview of my equipment...what worked and what did not, ect.
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Tecumseh, MI

To: Just inside Maryland (MD)
Miles today: 5.0

After touring around Washington DC with my friend, Tom Kooy, for two days...at 4:05pm we got on Amtrak "Capital Line" out of Union Station and headed out for Hapers Ferry, WV. Nice hour long train ride. We hit the trail out of Harpers Ferry at 6:18pm and made it 5 miles into Maryland. We tented and thus the 2nd half of my journey began.
Date: 2012-06-01
From: Just north of Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Just short of Rocky Run Shelter (MD)
Miles today: 8.0

Hit the trail and was told by other hikers that a large storm was coming our way. We made it 8 miles before the rain came down at 1:30pm...it continued for the rest of the day and evening. When the rain came it came quickly and hard....we did a hurry up "find a flat spot" and "tent set-up." Tom and I hung out in a two pewrson tent for the next 16 hours!
Date: 2012-06-02
From: Just short of Rocky Run Shelter

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite (MD)
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Put in a good day of hiking. Took in the first monument built (1827) in memory of George Washington...yes, you can go up ion this one also, but only about 20 feet. Hit a very rocky portion of the trail just prior to calling it a day. We tented on top a mountain in a very nice campsite.
Date: 2012-06-03
From: 13 miles south of Smithburg, PA

To: Maryland - Pennsylvania Line
Miles today: 13.8

Hiked into Smithburg, PA to grab some food and resupply. After getting some food, Tom checked into a hostel in Smithburg...he was scheduled to fly out tomorrow out of Baltimore back home...shuttles would get him to the airport. I greatly enjoyed hiking around DC and the AT with Tom...Thanks Tom for putting up with the drill sergeant in me. I hiked on to about a mile past Pin Mar State Park and thus into Pennsylvania...and tented next to a stream.
Date: 2012-06-04
From: Pin Mar State Park

To: Quarry Gap Shelter (PA)
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: broken clouds

First day on my own. Not a lot to say other than I wanted to do 20 miles today...more a mental thing...feet were not ready for it. I ended up doing 20.1. Got major chaffing in the groin area...almost stopped me in my tracks...Vasoline only made it worse!...the area has to get dry. Ended up tenting.
Date: 2012-06-05
From: 20 miles north of the PA state line

To: Mount Holly Springs, PA
Miles today: 28.1

With the rather cool weather and flat terrain, I decided to take advantage of it and did 28.1 miles. Past the halfway point on the AT....it's down hill from here. No chaffing today! I paid for doing to many miles to early in my return...blisters! Not very many thru-hikers on the trail....I thought there would have been a lot more. It is hard starting up again...having to meet new people...original group of friends that I started with are in New Hampshire close to finishing. I am determined to see this journey ALL the way through...there a lot of reasons to stop...some are out of your control e.g. injuries, issues back home, ect...I have learned there will be highs and lows in this trek, but in the end if it was easy everyone would be doing it.
Date: 2012-06-06
From: Halfway point on the AT (PA)

To: Darlington Shelter (PA)
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Moleskined my blisters and hoped for the best.   Today was farmland day. A nice change to being in the green canopy all day. I hiked for miles though PA farmland...beautiful. I had lunch in Boiling Springs, PA. It is well known for it's trout fishing...there is a picturesque trout lake in the middle of the town. Had the first ticks on me today...Yuk...got them off before they bit down...after that I kept looking for ticks on me. Wore my sandals for part of the day to help my blisters heal...worked out well...Tented once again.
Date: 2012-06-07
From: Darlington Shelter (PA)

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Set off for Duncannon, PA about 10 miles away. Got there around noon...did laundry and had lunch at a pizza buffet. Headed to the town's library , but it was closed...only open two days a week for four hours each day..budget cuts! I resupplied at a Quick Mart and then headed out. I could hear thunder in the distance as I made my out of town. I made it just to the Darlington Shelter as it began to rain/lighting. There were 17 people avoiding the rain/thunder in an 8 person shelter. I ended up staying the night there...met some nice thru-hikers...Radical, Mamaw, Rainbow and Nutterbutter.
Date: 2012-06-09
From: PA

To: Hertlein Campsite (PA)
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: broken clouds

PA is known for it's rocks on the trail and today it was very rocky. I started to feel sick/nausious around 5pm...diarrhea came next..I set-up my tent at a camping site...fever/chills came on and stayed all night..couldn't sleep all at all...thought about hiking to a road the next morning, so I could get to a hospital. I am guessing I drank some contaminated water...I did not treat one spring water source....Felt miserable with nowhere to go
Date: 2012-06-10
From: PA

To: Hamburg, PA
Miles today: 22.0

Felt like crap in the morning, but good enough to leave. I took it slow and drank throughout the day. It was hot/humid with mosquitos/noseeums buzzing around my face which added to my misery. I stopped at 12:30 and napped during the heat of the day...I was just too tired and drained (dehydrated) to go on...I stripped down to my shorts and laid in my tent...as hikers would walk by they would ask if I was all right..I would tell them yes and no. A few hours later I decided to hike on and get closer to Hamburg, PA. I ran into a family of hikers going southbound who were really deydrated...water sources were many miles apart in this area...I advised them that there was some water a couple of miles up. I was out of water myself and the next source was not until Port Clinton, PA 3 miles up the rocky trail. Long story short, I made into Hamburg, PA (22 miles of hiking)....went directly to a Cracker Barrel and ate...but mostly drank. Did some urban camping...set-up my tent in a field across the street from the resturant. Still having issues that come with an intestinal parisite...but getting better.
Date: 2012-06-12
From: Hamburg, PA

To: Hamburg, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Rain forecasted for all day....so I have decided to stay put...it's a steep up hill climb out of town and hopefully tomorrow I will be back to being 100%. It will be McD's, Cabela's, Walmart, libray and a bar tonight to watch the NBA finals.Hit McD's in the morning in the pouring rain...the rainsuit from Cabela's worked great...got a table next to an outlet and charged my phone...went onto to Lowes and figured out how I was going to mirror my basement wall for my kids' dance studio...Glass companies wanted $1100 to $1300 to do it...$160 at Lowes by using 12*12 glass panels. Went on to Walmart and picked up a $5 umbrella and a plug tht goes into an outlet that has two usb ports...now I can charge my phone and IPod or camera at the same time...will save a lot of time. OK, I have a lot of time on my hands on this raining day. I am feeling 100% better...I even dared step into a Chinese buffet...I haven't had to do the 100 yard dash to a bathroom, so my stomach must be back to normal. Enjoy the wildlife photos...they were very hard to get...especially on this very raining day.
Date: 2012-06-13
From: Hamburg, PA

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 26.1
Weather: broken clouds

Left Hamburg, PA in my new shoes and did 26.1 miles and YES I paid for it...blisters on both inside heels. Almost stepped on a 5 foot Black snake that taking a nap on the trail...never again. Saw another unknown snake while hiking today. Came across a sick German hiker, 24 year old "Coffee To Go"...he had the chills/fever like me, but he was vomiting. He was just layiing on the ground next to the trail in the heat of the day...with a winter jacket on chivering. Three other hikers and I helped set him up for the night...he had cell reception...told him to call 911 if needed...then moved on. He was about 3 miles from the nearest road. He told me he had read my journal many times in Germany prior to starting his hike.Ended up tenting about half mile past the Allentown shelter....long day full of rocks.
Date: 2012-06-14
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 17.2

Today was day full of rocks and more rocks. Crossed the Knife Edge...big rocks that come to a point on top of a ridge...probably the most dangerous hiking I have done to date...one miss step and down the mountain you go. Can't wait to get beyond the rock fields and into New Jersey. Got a ride from a police officer into the town of Palmerton, PA...very nice guy....he could not believe I was a retired police officer....I did look pretty ragged. Stayed at the Jail Shelter...never was a jail....it was free and the police actually sign you in...needed ID (first time)....first shower in 14 days!!! Was going to watch the second game of the NBA Finals at a local hotel/bar, but just could not stay awake. Also staying at the shelter was No Trace, Unbreakable, T, Daze and Teton.
Date: 2012-06-15
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Delps Trail
Miles today: 9.5

I decided to shave and get a haircut today....start fresh. Made it to Rite Aide and stocked up on moleskin and cushioned tape for my blisters. Unbreakable told me that it was a virus that I got and not contaminated water (parasite)....she said a lot of hikers were sick with the fever/chills/diarrhea.Did not get hiking until 1pm....heat of the day. Did hand over hand climbing hiking out of Lehigh Gap....lots of ticks on me today...yuck! The heat, blisters and tough climb made it a short day. Tented next to the trail.
Date: 2012-06-16
From: Delps Trail

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: broken clouds

Bear of a day!I left camp at 6am and at 6:05am I saw a large Black Bear on the trai...about 10 feet from me. I ran about 20 feet and stopped. ...and looked at me. It just stayed put.....with cinnamon bagels in my pack, I thought it best I move on....no picture taking. Hit the worst of the rocks today....killer on the feet. Good news, my blisters were better today. I almost tore my Achilles tendon going from boulder to boulder.....very painful event, but very lucky.   I tented about a mile past Kirkridge Shelter. As I sitting in tent with no faintly on, a very large Black Bear walked right through my campsite....within 20' of me...an "oh shit" moment. It stopped at a tree and got on its hind legs...yikes was it big! It eventually walked off. I rehung my food bag much higher. Soon after that a buck started snorting at me. Enough with the wildlife for one day.It is now dark out...updating from cellphone....one eye will be open tonight with a lot of hand clapping and yelling at various bear sounds. I am 6 miles from New Jersey ... I will be staying in shelters until I am out of NJ.......numerous bears in NJ. Hope no bear encounters tonight!
Date: 2012-06-17
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Lakes Road 
Miles today: 23.2

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL DADDY-O'sHaving.breakfast at the Delaware Water Gap Diner.....waiting for an outdoor gear store to open...need to buy a set of pole tips...both broke off on the PA rocks....using a stick as a replacement. NJ is about a mile away!That 24 year old siick German male hiker, "Coffee to Go" I passed a few days back....I heard a rescue team was sent in and hauled him out.On to NJ and probably more bears! Met "Iceman" today...section hiker...I told him I was "Daddy-O"...he said he has read my online journal...wow! I was taken back..he is the second stranger I have met who has followed my journal. Saw "T" as I was walking in town...Tom Kooy and I were on the same train from DC to Harpers Ferry with her...she was heading to NYC to visit her son..."T" gave me moleskin and foot powder when I was running out...at a time when I was full of blisters...highly appreciative! Got my new pole tips and made my way into NJ...leaving PA behind. I ended up tenting on the side of a mountain with a beutiful view of the forested valley below.
Date: 2012-06-18
From: Blue Mountain Lakes Road 

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started off this morning by seeing two turkeys..took a photo. The morning dew got a lot items damp inside the tent...dried them off during lunch. Today was a day I call a milage day...a day when I just put my head down and just hike and hike...not a lot to talk about. I ended up tenting just beyond Rutherford Shelter on a side of a mountain once again. Two high school age boys came by my tent (they were staying in the shelter) and talked my head off about hiking the AT...they thought it was insane!
Date: 2012-06-19
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Country Road 565
Miles today: 19.8

Hiked into Unionville, NY and had lunch...turkey sub, chips, large Mt. Dew and pint of strawberry shortcake ice cream. The lady behind the counter gave me some triple antibiotic cream for my blisters.I ended up taking a break on the trail and called Merrell about getting some new shoes. Long story short, They are sending me (free) a pair of mid high Ventilators..they were going to send me the Sawtooth, but were out of stock. The Sawtooth has a rated 7 shank...the Moab and Ventilators do not have a rated shank...hopefully the mid high shoe will help. I am going to order some superfeet inserts from REI...that should also help. In the end, it was my fault for purchasing a light hiking shoe (low Moab waterproof)...should have known better...they just can't take the milage, weight or ROCKS!Met Mat today...a section hiker...taking a break on the trail before he starts law school at Stanford. I also met "Wolverine"...thru-hiker from Michigan. I tented in the woods just off the country road 565.
Date: 2012-06-20
From: Country Road 565

To: Prospect Rock
Miles today: 14.3

Hot and humid day...my clothing was soaked within a hour of hiking. Hiked across some beautiful wetlands via wooden walkways. Had to take breaks throughout the days due to the heat/humidity...it was hard trying to keep up with the water loss. I decided to stop a 5pm near a stream and tent so I could wash up and call it a day. I was planning to take a zero day tomorrow in Greenwood Lake, NY which is about 4 miles away.
Date: 2012-06-21
From: Prospect Rock

To: Greenwood Lake, NY
Miles today: 4.0

I am in Greenwood Lake, NY. It is around 10:00am and it is already 97 degees. The library has AC...yes! Will tour around the town and find a motel....and rest. Well, the rundown motel in town was $80.00 with no laundry service...come on!...in fact there is no laundry service in town or a grocery store....so I told the nice lady no thanks. I resupplied the best I could...got shoe inserts at CVS...feet feel much better...but that is only walking on sidewalk...the test will be tomorrow on the trail. Called REI and ordered some Smartfeet inserts, baskets for my tips and some Smartwool PhD socks (they are more elastic..no bunching)...Thanks COAM (my former union) for the REI gift card...really came in handy...I will pick up the items at the same location as where my Merrell Ventilators shoes were sent. Very Very hot/humid today...avoided the heat by staying indoors via the library and the few stores in town. I checked out a place for my tent tonight...I am getting the urban camping down...set-up late (darkness) and depart early. About ready to head over to the pub and watch the NBA Finals. Back on the trail tomorrow.I feel my Mojo is coming back...it really is like running a marathon from my experience...I was having the mid point blues...on the trail a long time...still a long ways to go...the newness had worn off...But now I am down close to 800 miles to go....about to hit the New England states...feel like I am approaching the home stretch...I still have the WOW experiences with beautiful vistas and wildlife...and I still enjoy meeting new people on the trail and off. I know when I finish and a little time goes by...I will look back and cheerish my time spent on the AT...it is 26 year dream that is about to come true. I am looking to finish by the end of July or the beginning of August. I can't wait to take on the challenge of the Whites of New Hampshire...my friend "Bluegrass" says they are as hard as they say...your milage cuts way down....can't wait!
Date: 2012-06-22
From: Greenwood Lake, NY

To: Arden Valley Road
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: light rain

Last night ended great...went to Mickey's Pub at 9pm to wath the NBA Finals...I was able to order a half rack of ribs for under $10..came wifh corn on the cob, baked potato, loaf of hot bread and salad....it was outstanding! ...plus I had a HD TV right in front of me......and my team won it all...Great night.   Left at 12:30am and tented in the town's ballpark.Up at 5am and on the trail by 6am. Started the day by seeing 3 families of turkeys ...with there little one running all around. My feet felt better today...the new inserts really helped. T-storm was on my tail...took shelter at Lake Tiorati Park. I was able to take a shower there.In the park, a trail angel by the name of Patty-O gave me and other thru-hikers some hot dogs and drinks. I set off and the rain came again, so I set up my tent in the rain...first time doing that...got everything dried off inside.....good day.
Date: 2012-06-23
From: Arden Valley Road

To: Manitou Road
Miles today: 16.6

It was an ordinary day of hiking....up and down numerous mountains...until I got to Black Mountain where I could clearly see the New York City skyline....only 34 miles away....the Empire State Building and Freedom Tower were clearly visible .....it was definitely a WOW moment. It was then onto the Perkins Tower and eventually the Trailside Zoo...lowest point on the AT 120'. From there it was across the Hudson River via the Bear Mountain Bridge. Ended up tenting next to a stream.
Date: 2012-06-24
From: Manitou Road

To: Hosner Mt. Loop Trail
Miles today: 25.0

Hit a Shell Minimart for breakfast/resupply. From then on it was up and down hills with periodic rocks for most of the day, Nothing really to mention about the day. I was going to tent at the Shenandoah Tenting Area, but got some really bad vibes..only one there...there was a 6 foot plus rattle snake skin hanging up and a boarded up empty barn...I felt Jason or Freddy was definitely lurking in the area...so I went with my vibes and moved on. I found a nice tenting site on top of the next mountain.
Date: 2012-06-25
From: Hosner Mt. Loop Trail

To: Poughquag, NY
Miles today: 11.0

Woke up to a dog jumping on my tent around 6am...better than a bear. Lady and her out of control dog out for a morning walk...I just laughed. T-storm all morning long...wasn't able to hit the trail until 10:30am...Another T-storm rolled in around 2pm..so I hurried and set up my tent...Moved on after the rain stopped...guess what another storm came along a 5pm...so that was it...I set up my tent for the last time just off the trail....11 miles that all she wrote. Finished my Louie L'Amour book during the storms.