morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-07-13
From: Mountain Home Cabbin

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was the 1st of 3 planned 0 days with Lisa.  I had hoped to make it to Harper's Ferry but the body did not cooperate.  No problem, Front Royal is an historic little town which should help limit my walking during my days off the trail.  Instead of posting 3 separate entries for time off the trail, I'll just sum it all up in this one.  There is a heat wave going on down here so I wasn't planning on spending too much time outdoors.  Lisa and I went to the center of town where we ran into Hot Sauce and Lanta. I met Lanta on the summit of Springer Mt. on day 1 so it's nice to keep bumping into old acquaintances.  As Lisa and I returned to the hotel, we met a couple that was just heading to their room.  Lisa mentioned that I was hiking the trail and the guy replied that he had hiked in 2011.  I asked him what his trail name was and he says "Rusty Bumper".  I freaked out!! I said "I know you!!". I read his journal as he was hiking back in 2011!! His journal is in my top 3 all time list.  If you get a chance, type his name in the search bar and read it.  His adventure has an extra little twist and I'm not going to play spoiler.  In an effort to reduce my pack weight and morning pack up time, I had asked Lisa to bring some of my other equipment down with her.  I'm swapping out my hammock for my ultralight Zpacks duplex tent.  This will also allow me to get rid of my rainfly and one of my quilts which will free up space in my pack as well.  She also brought an older pair of Merril boots.  The trail runners I picked up back in Daleville have not been good to me at all.  The right heel got punctured and is creating a holes in my socks. I've also had increased foot pain since switching to them which may or may not be caused by them but in any case, something needs to be done.  The rocks seem to poke right through the bottom causing bruising and swelling so I need a more durable sole.  Lisa and I took a road trip up to Harper's Ferry to drop off my next resupply and to meet Siesta and Laz E Boy at the ATC Headquarters.  The ATC Headquarters is the "psychological" half way point of the trail (the actual halfway point is about another 65 miles in the middle of the woods) and also a visitor center with info about the trail and a hikers lounge in the back.  Hikers also get their pictures taken and placed in the album with their new hiker number on it. When we got there, Siesta and Barefoot were already in the lounge and had their ceremonial pictures taken and added to the album.  Laz E Boy came in shortly after and we all went out to the local pizza place for lunch.  Lisa was also able to be a trail angel and shuttle the guys around town for some errands.  Siesta is planning to take some time off the trail and do a flip flop hike (heading up to Maine and hiking south, back to Harper's Ferry).  Laz E Boy and Barefoot are going to keep heading north so it may be a while before I catch back up to them.Feeling good after 3 days off the trail so we'll see how it goes from here.
Date: 2017-07-16
From: Front Royal

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

It was tough leaving Lisa and heading back on the trail this morning.  I had thought about skipping this section for now and jumping ahead to be with the guys but I didn't want this part of the trail hanging over my head for the rest of the trip.  May as well walk north as planned.  I was definitely in my head this morning feeling alone without Lisa or my trail buddies but I just kept reminding myself that it's only temporary.  The sun was out and I was back doing what I love, no reason to be too sad.  I stopped at the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter around 1:00 to have some lunch.  This place is incredible! Horseshoe pit, covered gazebo, Adirondack chairs on the deck!! And the place was spotless too! Too bad it's only 1:00, there are some nice tent sites here as well.  As I walked up, I noticed another hiker there taking pictures.  As we were chatting, he asked me if I was from New England -  he thought I had that accent.  I told him no, I'm from South Jersey.  He said he was too.  It turns out he's from Pitman - the 2nd person I've met from Pitman!  His name is Kyle (trailname Stumbles) and he's friends with Lisa's children!  Small world.  He had been hiking with a group I had met earlier so we got to catch up on the status of our mutual hiker friends.  After lunch, the plan was to move at an easy pace to make it to Dick's Dome Shelter.  The heat was getting bad and I'm going to have to figure out how to deal with it.  It's only going to get worse as the elevation drops and we move deeper into July.  Luckily the trail levels off a bit after Harper's Ferry so there wont be the huge climbs.  The trail was mostly uneventful and I made it to the shelter around 6:30.  Stumbles was there along with 2 section hikers.  I was trying a new dinner tonight.  The Ramen supreme concoction I've been making seems a little too unhealthy to be eating 4 out of 5 nights a week so I was making penne with onion, garlic, parmesan, and olive oil.  I had bought the supplies on my 0 days to try to eat fresher on the trail.  It's a little tougher cooking in the pot as opposed to just boiling water and pouring it over the Ramen noodles but this is how a lot of people do it, I may as well learn how.  The meal turned out very well and I think I'll do this again.  The next chore was setting up my tent for the 1st time in a while.  This was a bad shelter for tents.  All the sites were sloped and full of rocks.  I finally found a spot away from the shelter area and set up.  The tent goes up fast and easy - less than 5 minutes.  Inflated my sleeping pad and settled in for the night.  Let's see if I sleep as good as I normally do in my hammock.
Date: 2017-07-18
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 19.8

Got a very good night's sleep in the hostel last night and didn't want to leave.  Headed out by 7:30 and was soaking wet by 7:40.  It's supposed to go up to 95 today.  Yesterday was around 92.  You definitely feel it more at these lower elevations too.  I have no idea how people deal with this heat.  As we were all talking at the hostel last night, we all had the same issues.  You take about 20-30 steps uphill and the legs go weak and you're completely out of breath.  I was glad I wasn't the only one with those issues.  I was thinking that maybe I got out of shape on my 0 days with Lisa.  I made it out of the roller coaster just in time -  I don't think I could've taken 1 more climb.  Made it to Harper's Ferry around 3:30 and got my picture taken and looked through the album.  It was nice to look through the album and see all the hikers that I've met along the way that are ahead of me.  The 3 days I took with Lisa have me at the back of the bubble but I'm not worried about that.  I am worried about the heat though.  I have heat rash all over my legs and even on the tops of my feet.  Also, the weather forecast is calling for temps in the upper 90's all week and into the weekend.  I'm going to have to stay in town tonight to get a shower and cool off a bit.  I'll come up with a plan tomorrow after I see how much the heat rash has healed.
Date: 2017-07-19
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Harper's Ferry 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

7/19/17 0 dayHarper's Ferry I've just come to accept that my body can't recover from the daily beating caused by this heat/humidity. Luckily it's just the heat that is the problem. My feet and achilles are feeling better everyday. So I spent all day and night trying to formulate a plan to beat this heat. Starting earlier in the day, hiking at night, lowering my mileage, trying to wait it out. Unfortunately, all of those options don't sound like a good time and why am I out here if not to have some enjoyment. I get it, not everyday can be Disneyland but there is no need to suffer excessively either. The forecast for the next week or so has the temps at 90+ every single day. The plan now is to surrender to the heat. It wins. I'm going to flip flop and go to the northern end and hike south to Harper's Ferry to complete the trip. It wasn't easy coming to this decision. I really wanted to see that Katahdin sign in the end but I've adjusted my mindset. After all, it's the journey not the destination. And why not make the journey as good as possible! It turns out I'm not the only one with this plan. At least half of the hikers I spoke with at the ATC headquarters were doing the same thing. As I was trying to figure out how to get to Mt. Katahdin, Krazy Korean said he was going up there in a car and had a spot left and that I was welcome to join them but I have to stop home and see a doctor before getting back on the trail. I should be getting back on the trail around the same time as him and his group so we'll probably cross paths again. I'm actually kind of excited to be on a different adventure. I've always followed NOBOs so I always had an idea what to expect going north. Going south just feels like a whole new trip for some reason.  So I waited for Sherlock and Baguette to make it to the ATC in Harper's Ferry and as I told them my plans, Baguette gave me this steely eyed glare. She heard me say that I was getting on the train but didn't hear the rest.  That I was continuing up to Maine and heading south. It was a scary look that I will never forget. They did their half way point picture and got their resupply all in order and we went out for one more dinner together. We had such a great time and I'm gonna miss them. We really bonded early on the trip and it's hard to split up from them but we will cross paths again as I go south and they go north.    There is a lot of work to do to plan my travel to Mt. Katahdin. It's not the easiest place to get to by public transportation. I also have to make up more resupply boxes and see a doctor before I get back on the trail.  Im so excited to get up to Maine and the Whites in NH. One other bonus is that I'm still in trail shape so I'm just jumping up to the more demanding parts of the trail before I get spoiled by the relatively flat mid Atlantic states. It will also be much easier to get home from Harper's Ferry at the end. There are a whole new group of hikers to meet up there and towns to stop in. Let's hope for cool temps and low humidity.
Date: 2017-07-20
From: Harper's Ferry 

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I stayed at the Town's Inn hostel last night in the historic district of Harper's Ferry. This is the coolest place nestled in the mountain with an awesome view down the hill at the historic homes.  The price wasn't bad either - $30 for bed, shower, and laundry.  They also have a cafe so I could have some coffee and breakfast this morning!!  The plan for today was to catch the 11:30 train to D.C. then on to Philadelphia.  So I lounged around all morning then walked to 2 blocks to the train station.  I got into Philadelphia around 5:30 and walked down to the 8th & Market train to bring me back to New Jersey.  I enjoyed the walk through the city.  It was probably about a mile, but it felt good to use the legs again after a couple of low mileage days and all my 0's with Lisa.  I got to my house around 7 and got to see my puppy and kitty again.  The plan is to get some resupply and to see a doctor while I'm here, let the feet heal a little more and then plan my trip to Maine.  Mt. Katahdin is not an easy place to get to so another bonus of this flip flop is that I'll get the difficult travel out of the way.  I had no idea how I was going to get home from there, I just figured I'd worry about that later.  My personal deadline is Tuesday/Wednesday.  I think if I'm still at home on Wednesday, than I'm procrastinating.  It will be great to see Lisa again too!!
Date: 2017-07-24
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

The bus ticket is purchased.  Appalachian Trail Lodge has been contacted as well.  They are going to pick me up from the Medway bus stop and I'll get a bunk and a ride to the base of Katahdin.  I'm so excited to be doing this part of the trail now.  I love the trail in Maine and in NH and was going to use that as motivation to push through the mid-Atlantic states.  With this route, I'll be getting all of the harder elevation done before it flattens out somewhere in S. Massachusetts. The weather forecast for Maine looks awesome as well.  Highs in the 70's, lows in the 50's - perfect hiking weather!!  Sorry for the long delays in updating my journal and I'll apologize now for the delays that are going to happen.  I'm expecting cell service to be non-existent in most of Maine and New Hampshire and I'll be getting my resupply brought to me in the 100 mile wilderness so I think the next town I'll be stopping in is Monson (hopefully).  Till then, I will be able to update at the AT lodge just before I head to Katahdin.  Thanks everyone for reading and signing the guest book!!  Hope you join me for the 2nd half!
Date: 2017-07-26
From: Home

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0

7/26/17Home to MaineThe trek up to Maine has been an adventure all in itself. Beginning at 11:25 PM last night, I've been on 3 buses (Philadelphia, New York, Boston) just to get to Portland ME. As of now (12:00PM) I still have 2 more to get to Medway which is just outside of Millinocket. As soon as I get to Medway, I'll call the Appalachian Trail Lodge to shuttle me to their hostel. Straight to bed and at the trailhead by 6:30AM. The mountain already has me worried with 4000' of climbing in 5.1 miles! Only after that will the miles count towards my thru-hike. The great thing about the rest of my trip is that there is no pressure to be anywhere by any specific time. No rush to finish before the mountain closes and no groups to try to catch up to. Lisa and I don't have any plans to meet for this section either, it's just too tough splitting up after her visits. I'm also trying to approach the trail differently. I've maxed out my daily miles on the southern portion and feel like I've reached my limit at around 25 miles per day so now the focus is going to be on slowing down a bit. There is no need to stumble into camp exhausted from rushing all day, I'm sure I'll be wiped out from the difficult terrain instead. I've also repacked my bag and my new weight with 4 days of food and water is 24lbs. Hopefully the lighter weight will be easier on the knees and feet.At the bus station in Boston, I ran into Sunset. I 1st met her in Damascus at the church hostel and I saw her last week in Harper's Ferry on the train to D.C. She took a few days off in Boston before flipping up to Maine. She is staying at the AT Lodge as well and will head to Katahdin with me in the morning.
Date: 2017-07-30
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Nahmakanta West Beach
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

7/30/17 Day 64 - 20 milesHurd Brook Leanto to Nahmakanta West BeachI set the alarm for 5:30 but shut it down quick. The body wasn't ready to get up and there's no arguing with the body. Finally got up around 7 and on the trail by 7:30. The new tent set up breaks down pretty quick in the morning. There was a tent behind mine that wasn't there when I went to sleep last night. I had passed Pokey twice yesterday and she must have come in late. She was friendly enough and had brought a new shelter register and pens. There were 3 full ones from the past 2 years still in the shelter. I had a little climb first thing this morning, it brought me up to Rainbow Ledges where the trail was lined with blueberries. There were awesome views of Katahdin and Rainbow Lake and while I was up there, I saw the Katahdin Air plane go by a couple of times. That was the plane I took on my very first backpacking trip with my buddy Wallace almost 9 years ago!!The trail then brought me down to Rainbow Lake. These mountain lakes are incredible. I usually stand there for about 5 minutes in the silence and hope for a moose to come walking up to the edge. There was also an awesome campsite right next to the lake that made me wish I pushed on another 2 miles last night. I'll have to look for a lakeside campsite while I'm still here in the hundred mile wilderness. The view of the stars is so much better over a lake.  Had 11.5 miles in by lunchtime and I stopped at Rainbow Stream Shelter and ate with a pack of NOBOs who were ready to be done with their adventure. I thought the adrenaline might have them pumped up but they all said that their bodies were giving up on them. They were all almost out of food too which doesn't help. I know that feeling when your body needs calories- it's so draining. Earlier in the day I had met a SOBO named Andy ( he was so new that he didn't even have a trail name yet). He was having knee problems and foot blister problems and to top it off, he was carrying a 60lb pack! He's from VA and has never hiked before. I hope he makes it out of here ok- this place is no joke.  I took another hour long nap after lunch since I only had another 8.6 to go. I do love my afternoon nap. After my nap I went around Crescent Pond (with some nice campsites on the north end) and up Nesuntabunt Mountain. There was another nice view of Katahdin- it never gets old, just a little bit smaller each time.  Tonight I've found my beach campsite right on Nahmakanta Lake!! A nice flat site in the trees just off the beach. I have a view of the lake and the fire which I made as soon as I got here to get rid of the bugs. I should have a view of the sunrise right from my tent so I'll set the alarm (even if I'm not getting up for good). The skies are clear also so there is a good chance I'll see some amazing skies tonight. Nights like this are exactly why I do this. You can't drive out to this place, the only way is to walk in- and it was well worth it.
Date: 2017-07-31
From: Namahkanta West Beach 

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to 
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

7/31/17 Day 65 - 21.1 milesNamahkanta West Beach to Cooper Brook Falls Shelter I slept awesome on a cool night right next to the lake. The alarm went off and I promptly turned it off choosing to sleep in this morning. Got on the trail by 7:45. The morning hiking is awesome when there's no pressure to do miles. Met a bunch of NOBOs finishing up their journeys including Grease Spot, Grizzly (LASH'r),Keller, Ricola, frog and MaiseIt got hot today - I was really hoping to avoid this heat but it's still not as bad as Harper's Ferry. I was really looking forward to getting to the Antlers Campground today. It was without a doubt my favorite campsite on my 1st trip here 9 years ago. There were a group of about 12 Girl Scouts here on a 22 day trip of the HMW. Tough young girls with their scout leaders.  A light rain began at 4:30 but it wasn't even really making it through the trees so I didn't get too wet. I made it to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to at 6:00. Luckily the rain stopped and I set up my tent and kept everything dry. I was also looking forward to this place as I stayed here also on my 1st trip. It's a shelter that sits right by a pond with a series of cascades that flow down to it. I met Hollywood here. He's doing a section from NH to Katahdin but he's flip flopping at several points. He does this trip every year. Later on Plant and Cloudview came in. Plant had a terrible wasp sting on her wrist that was making her hand and arm swell up pretty bad. She wasn't sure how allergic she was to them but what can you do in the middle of the Hundred Mile Wilderness?? I was definitely a little concerned.  Made my dinner and was out cold by 8:00.The sound of the stream makes a great background noise for the night.
Date: 2017-08-01
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to 

To: Carl Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

8/1/17 Day 66 - 18.9 milesCooper Brook Falls Lean-to to Carl Newhall Lean-to Up at 5:30 on the trail at 6:15. I was pretty excited to start getting into the elevation again. Flat trail is nice but high views are the real payoff. The big climb today was up White Cap Mt. It's the highest peak in the HMW at 3644'. Not very high overall but it's a 2400' climb over 4 miles. After White Cap, there is a mini roller coaster of 3 more peaks. Before the climb up to White Cap, I picked up my food resupply in a bear bucket hidden in the woods. I have a sort of treasure map that the AT Lodge gave me to find the food that I put in my bucket 4 days ago. That should make my pack nice and heavy for the big climbs I have coming . Half way up the climb I stopped for lunch at Logan Brook Lean-to and Hollywood was there as well. He's doing a section from NH to Katahdin that he likes to do every year. I also hit a milestone on the way up although there was no marking for a flip-flopper like me- I hit the halfway point in miles (1095)!!! It's taken me a long time to get to the halfway point but I'm doing all of the hardest miles first so the last 500 or so will fly by. I'm on pace to finish the whole trail in 5 months which is average. I really thought I'd be faster but the zero days do add up. Add in the travel days required for the flip flop and that slowed me down as wellI made it to the top of White Cap around 1:30 on a perfectly clear day!! The temps were nice at this elevation as well. Up here I met Medicine man and Deacon(has journal). A couple of older men from GA and OH respectively. They're a couple of NOBOs so this is basically their last big climb other than Katahdin. They were having a blast at the top and were enjoying the remainder of their adventure whereas a lot of NOBOs I've met are ready for it to be over. I took the side trail to the view of Katahdin- may be the last one I get.  Made it to Shelter around 4:30 and found a nice flat tentsite with some grass.  As I was setting up, I realized I lost a tent stake. As I was getting all bummed out I looked down and there was a large tent stake right there on the ground!! The trail will provide!!Making dinner, going to sleep early tonight- I like the early starts.63.3 miles into the Hundred Mile Wilderness