morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Walker Gap Campsite

To: Helveys Mill Shelter 
Miles today: 22.7

5/14 Water has become a little sketchy, carrying a little more now. The terrain was nice today. I went into Bland VA to refuel, DQ-Subway-Dollar General, what more could I ask for. It was easy getting rides to and from town. I'm here in my tent, all the others that are here are in the shelter. A storm is comming in around 3am. I will take my chances in the tent.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Helveys Mill Shelter 

To: Trents Grocery Tentsite
Miles today: 16.3

5/15Rained all night. there was no "not getting wet." This morning all my stuff stayed dry but the tent and myself were soggy. When I was picking up the tent it came down in buckets! It has been raining all day and it is raining now. I had to buy a roll of bounty to dry my tent out so I could use it tonight. I saw my first snake today, it was trying to eat a spotted salamander. I really don't like snakes. You never know what you are going to see out here.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Trents Grocery Tentsite

To: Campsite 5 mi south of Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 20.2

5/16It rained most of the night. Lots of condensation in the tent this morning, got love Bounty. I was really "Draggin" today, got here late...very tired and sore. Can't wait for the new shoes tomorrow.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Pearisburg VA Plaza Motel

To: Campsite at 645 miles
Miles today: 13.7

5/18Another nice day on the A.T. Lots of sun. Saw lots of brightly colored birds today. I did get some pics, but I don't know what they are. Might be another chilly night, I hope I don't regret sending home the rest of my winter gear in Pearisburg. Most of my pack weight is food and water.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Campsite near Audie Murphy Monument

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

5/21Happy Birthday DadLost some of my rope last night on a botched bear bag hang attempt. Went to Dragons Tooth Rock Formation, Way Cool! I got screwed up with the blazes coming down and ended up at the bottom of a very steep revine and remembered that I did it on my last thru-hike as well. Hot and sweaty today.
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Daleville VA Howard Johnsons Express
Miles today: 17.8

5/22Rough sleeping last night, I think the ground was too hard. Tried to catch sunrise from McAfee Knob the famous photo op of the A.T. I was a little late. I had to do some self-photos. I agree it is the best view in VA. The last 10 miles today kicked my ass and brought me here sore, tired, and a little slimy. When I got here I found a tick....they suck!
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Campsite at Jennings Creek

To: Campsite at Harrison Ground Spring
Miles today: 17.2

5/25Early start made it to a large hiker feed near the Thunder Hill shelter. A wonderful group of hiker and former thru-hiker ladies put on this awesome spread of food every year. I ate lots and drank lots. The food was being cooked in cast iron dutch ovens powered by charcoal. Ziti, curry chicken, corn bread, delicious chocolate walnut cake. I hiked the 3 mi to here with a full belly camped with 4 others.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Campsite at Harrison Ground Spring

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: few clouds

5/26Long day! I crossed the longest foot traffic only bridge on the A.T. which spans the James river. A young hiker jumped off of it into the river. I heard the splash and looked over and saw him swimming towards shore. I saw a very large spider right next to where I was taking a break. Got a pic this thing was the size of your hand. Tried to hitch into Glasgow with no luck so I moved on to here. I hope it was because of the holiday and not my looks.
Date: 2014-05-27
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Buena Vista Buena Vista Motel
Miles today: 11.3

5/27The shelter where I camped last night is supposed to be haunted by the spirit of little Ottie Cline Powell who died near there. I did hear some splashing in the pond during the night. I crossed the 800 mi mark today. I just did the resupply to make it to Waynesboro. Got a ride to here in the back of a truck along with hog driver.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Buena Vista Buena Vista Motel

To: Campsite at Spyrock
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

Got back to the trail by 9am. nice walk today with mild terrain and nice springs for water. sstarting to get another blister, the insoles are shot in 200mi ouch! This is an awesome campsite, just no water glad I brought some up.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Campsite at Spyrock

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Very soggy day a mix of dew and rain all day. It's raining now and I'm happy to be in my tent. Going to try for Waynesboro tomorrow. Took a pic up on Priest Mtn. for the Priest who runs the hostel in Cheshire MA I'm going to send it to him.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Mineral VA Home of my Sister and her Husband
Miles today: 20.9

Rained all night tough pack-up this morning. Lots of wet rocks today but the terrain was mild and it rained on and off all day. My feet are waterlogged. I got out to Rockfish Gap about 4:30 the mystery lady picked up Britman and myself for a ride into town. I got left off at the outfitters. Called my sister Evelyn and her Husband Billy they along with my niece Jennifer came to pick me up and take me back to their house in Mineral VA for some R+R+R, then into the Shenny's can't wait! The Outfitter in Waynesboro is great one of the best on the whole trail.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Mineral VA Home of my Sister and her Husband

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

My sister dropped me back at Rockfish gap this morning after a wonderful weekend at their place. Thanks Evelyn and Billy! Wow the Shenny's mild but it still took me all day. Ordered two more pair of shoes for up the trail. this place has poor tent sites but an awesome spring. Lights out!
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Lots of noises last night in the bushes, maybe it was deer. Stopped by Loft Mtn. store and wayside. There was Bear sign all day today. Saw a glimpse of a bear about 1/2 mile from here. Sweaty mess today happy to be in my house tonight.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the morning off with a bear cup sighting, it ran up a tree I got a partial picture, then I saw a larger bear who stared me down, while I took a pretty good pic. Went to Lewis Mtn. camp store for a snack and a drink. I ate Dinner at Big Meadows Wayside. I tried to make it here before the rain but didn't got caught in thunder lightning and all that good stuff.I got soaked to the skin. I have decided to stay in the shelter my first of the trip, due to the uneven ground and the pouring rain. Watch out mice!
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Campsite near Range View Cabin
Miles today: 24.6

It was a creepy night last night in the shelter, mice, large black spiders, and millipedes everywhere!!! I was able to make it for breakfast at Skyland Restaurant,it was very good met up with Hog Driver there. Very foggy early but cleared up and got really nice.Got ripped off at the wayside soda machine. here alone at this campsite right near the trail. My food is hung hope they don't want me (the bears). Ticks everywhere they suck!
Date: 2014-06-06
From: Campsite near Range View Cabin

To: Front Royal Super 8
Miles today: 18.2

Last night was so quiet and dark I slept like a rock. The trail is still very empty of thru-hikers at least where I am. Pushed to here today ripe as can be! Came out of the woods at 3pm, hitched in, chores, eat, and back out tomorrow.
Date: 2014-06-07
From: Front Royal Super 8

To: Campsite N. of Ashby gap
Miles today: 21.4

I hitched a ride back to the trail fairly easy. Today was Appalachian Trail days with lots of people hiking. Walked into another hiker feed ate lots it was put on by PATC it hit the spot. Walked to here after not finding any good campsites. Camped right in the middle of the trail after walking until dark.
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Campsite N. of Ashby gap

To: Campsite at N. end of the Roller Coaster
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Nothing or nobody bothered last night despite being set up right in the middle of the trail. Today is an off for me not much energy or a little burnt out. Stopped by the Bears Den hostel for a couple sodas (A&W)./ I was able to makie it to the north end of the roller coaster crossing the 1000 mi mark and entering into West VA. VA sends you out in real style. Threatening rain could be a wet night there is thunder in the distance. I saw a bright green snake today, i thought it was a piece of grass and almost stepped on it. Speaking of snakes saw one several days ago that let all the air out of it's body and made itself look like a piece of snakeskin. I walked over it and then decided to touch it with my hiking pole and realized it was not a snakeskin but it was alive and it puffed back up and slithered off the trail. Crazy Crazy
Date: 2014-06-09
From: Campsite at N. end of the Roller Coaster

To: Harper's Ferry Hostel
Miles today: 16.6

Poured most of the night but it made me sleep better, listening to the rain on my tent. It was so damp and humid today that it was hard to breathe. The water was running right out of me. I went to the ATC headquarters building in Harper's Ferry and signed in as the 498th thru-hiker to make it this far. A nice stranger offered to take me to the market and bring me to here and a ride back in the morning. I really needed a shower and laundry this was a very brave person!!
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Harper's Ferry Hostel

To: Pine Knob shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: light rain

The hostel wasn't bad I actually liked it. i used the kitchen to boil a dozen eggs for today. i only took a 1/2 dozen. I had an interview with a lady this morning about a documentary she is doing on trail magic. She was nice she took me to the market for resupply and took me back to the trail this morning. A cyclist rode by my side talking to me as I walked along the C&O bike path for about 2.5 mi until the A.T. turned off. The guy makes postcards. I visited the George Washington Monument today. I got here just before dark.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Pine Knob shelter

To: Home of McGyver 05 and Christina Waynesboro PA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: moderate rain

Rained all night last night Everything is damp again. Walked out of Maryland today now in PA. Got to Rt. 16 with Twist and Oliver the dog so we could hitch into town together. A very nice and brave lady Christina turned around and offered us a ride, a place to stay, dinner, and a resupply run, as well as did our laundry.Her husband Josh thru-hiked in 2005 (McGyver 05) have really done us right , they are very nice people. I'm still in shock a little because it is pouring with lightening and there is tornado warnings. A giant THANK YOU to Josh & Christina. This act of kindness will never be forgotten. Crossed the Mason dixon line today.
Date: 2014-06-12
From: Home of McGyver 05 and Christina Waynesboro PA

To: Stealth Campsite 1.5mi N of Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.4

I was still in a state of shock this morning. After Breakfast Christina drove Twist Oliver and I back to the trail for a 6:30 start. Started raining in the am and continued all day on and off. Got to the Caledonia State Park to find it's snack bar closed due to poor weather conditions for swimming. When i got to the last shelter I once again left a perfectly good shelter to continue on, after about 1.5 mi it started to let loose from the sky, of course it did! So i found a flat spot on the side of the trail and put up the tent luckily I erected it without getting the inside wet but i was drenched. I'm here chillin!!
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Stealth Campsite 1.5mi N of Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Campsite N of PA 94
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: broken clouds

Why of course it is Friday the 13th as i crossed the halfway point today. I opted out of the half gallon challenge for the Draggin challenge, 2 cheeseburgs, 2 hot dogs, fries, and 2 gatoraides, no problem! My feet have been wet for days now stinky shoes really bad. Pushed to here for a good staging point to make the PO in Boiling Springs for my new shoes the PO closes at 12 Long day I'm a little beat up.
Date: 2014-06-14
From: Campsite N of PA 94

To: Boiling Springs, PA Allenberry Resort
Miles today: 8.1

Managed to get to town for the PO and a really nice breakfast at cafe 101. headed to this place which is very nice. It seems like fly fishing is "in" around here. Going to Rest, Relax and eat today head out in the morning. I'll call it a Nero. I'm very happy about my new shoes, thanks Sweetie!!! Sometimes you just need to stop walking for a bit!! I'll call it my fathers day treat to myself!!
Date: 2014-06-15
From: Boiling Springs, PA Allenberry Resort

To: Campsite 7.5 mi from Duncannon PA
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: few clouds

6/15 Happy fathers day! I decided to stay for breakfast this morning so it was a fairly late start out of Boiling Springs. Mostly flat field walking today. I came upon this site and couldn't resist, so I'm set up near the stream. I would say the Allenberry Resort is in my top 5 places to stay, I also liked Boiling Springs a quaint little town.
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Campsite 7.5 mi from Duncannon PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

6/16 I got into Duncannon at about 9:30am hit the supermarket for resupply, then a visit to the Iconic Doyle Hotel for lunch. Vicki pulled out her 2005 pictures and found me I was there on 6/20/05 I looked through the book and saw lots of familiar faces from 05. I had ice cream then back in the woods. Lots of snakes today big black ones. Oh yeah lots of rocks too.
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite near PA 72
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: few clouds

6/17 Thunder and lightning last night not to mention rain tons of it. Up and out early muggy, buggy, muddy, rocky and sweaty. Had a baby deer come running up to me just like a puppy until it got about 5ft from me and realized I wasn't it's mother then it ran off. It freaked me out a little. I saw a snake swimming in one of the rivers I got a pic. I'm happy there is a river near this campsite. I was offered a ride to LickdalePA but I declined I already have too much food.
Date: 2014-06-18
From: Campsite near PA 72

To: Campsite near Snyder Monument
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: light rain

6/18 Up and out early stopped at one of the road crossings for some trail magic gatorade, cookies and fruit it hit the spot on such a HH day. Sweat was running down my legs all day. Had lunch at the 501 shelter. I'm alone here at this stealth site. Spruce and Shakes went on. Lots of squitos, I'm not comming out of my tent until morning. Storms brewing in the distance.
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Campsite near Snyder Monument

To: Hamburg PA Microtel
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

6/19 Thunder lightning and pouring rain hit hard last night very damp conditions. Packed up pushed to Port Clinton. Raining again! Got a ride here for 5 bucks. This hotel is expensive but I needed it after being so wet and bitten up. Did the 15.4 by noon.
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Hamburg PA Microtel

To: Campsite near Hawk Mt Trail
Miles today: 17.3

6/20 It was a most enjoyable hotel stay last night. All showered and well fed. Spruce and I walked to Cabelas World Headquarters store and asked for a ride back to the trail and they said yes. The driver said in 05 when I went through there Cabelas was the only store there. Now there is everything, it got huge in 9 years. Not feeling it today very sore right foot,have to slow down. Came across some weekenders (ginger snap) they cooked me some hot dogs and told me about this site up on the side of the mountain. I like it here, I'm all alone except for the black flies everywhere.
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Campsite near Hawk Mt Trail

To: Stealth campsite on path to Palmerton
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: scattered clouds

6/21 Very cool this morning, I'm liking it. Lots of rocks today very hard on my sore foot. Stopped for lunch at Blue mt. B&B. Had trail magic at Bake Oven Rd. Crossing. I'm camped about 1mi from Palmerton on the winter trailto town. Very long day I'm beat up. There is a train nearby it could be loud tonight.
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Stealth campsite on path to Palmerton

To: Wind Gap PA Travel Inn (dive)
Miles today: 20.1

6/22 My campsite turned out to be one of those cool you just had to be there sites, good sunset. Tough climb out and long. The rocks are taking their toll on my feet. Walked the 2.5mi to here. Dive hotel for sure, might be the diviest hotel I have ever been in, but the shower works.
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Wind Gap PA Travel Inn (dive)

To: Delaware Water Gap PA Poccono Inn
Miles today: 15.5

6/23 Anybody headed to Wind Gap you should avoid the Travel Inn it is buggy, dirty, shady, and unsafe. I ended up walking out of town the 2.5mi it is not a hiker friendly area for sure!! I pushed to get out of PA but I ended up here another dive. I'm not sure what is going on in this country but the motels are all on the edge of closing they are such dives maybe we need to get some american owners again because the Indians are just taking the money!
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Delaware Water Gap PA Poccono Inn

To: Old YMCA camp near Blue Mt. Lakes Rd.
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Out of PA and into NJ it's a good feeling. Walked with Sprit Hawk most of the day. Stopped by the Mohican Outdoor Center for lunch. The two of us were about to set up camp and a girl approached out of nowhere and invited us to camp at an abandoned YMCA camp they are trying to rehab. Good swimming in the lake after a hot day. I'm in my tent and Sprit Hawk is in an old building, too many squitos for me, even though it might rain still rather be in my tent.
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Old YMCA camp near Blue Mt. Lakes Rd.

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: light rain

Got a rare glimpse of two bears mating this morning. Long day again, got in late. I'm alone here, my food is in the bear box. I hope the bears don't like my smell. Thundering now, rain coming soon. You can hear one constant buzz from the squitos.
Date: 2014-06-29
From: Campsite on top of Buchanon Mt.

To: Campsite on West Mt.
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

NY is tough I was trying for a longer day, but this is where I got too. Should be a good view of NYC, I'm only 34 mi from the city. After dark I will go over to the view. I walked to a lake today for the vending machines. Very hot and sweaty. Water is sketchy in this section. Lots of day hikers today. Should be a good sunrise in the morning. My feet are feeling better since PA ended.
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Campsite at Dennytown Rd.

To: Clarance Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: few clouds

Feeling very bad this morning. Very late start took everything I had to get going. Something is wrong with me?? Barely made it out to the state park, tried eating made me feel worse. My head hurts badly. I thought about staying here but my condition is worsening by the minute. I'm burning up, then the chills. I'm very sick!! I think I have a fever on and off. Called my Girlfriend Susan she and her son are coming to get me. They are here it is 5:30pm. I have all I can do to make it into the vehicle. Arrived at my home at 7:30pm.
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Clarance Fahnestock State Park

To: Cheshire MA My Home
Miles today: 0.0

Woke in the middle of the night in a pool of sweat, burning up. My mom called 911 I was taken by ambulance to the hospital about 9:30am. After stabilizing me they took blood and urine, and xrayed my chest because I kept coughing, after about 4 hours the doctor made the diagnosis of a tick born fever/Lyme disease. I'm now on antibiotics for two weeks along with several other meds. I'm very weak. I have decided to pull the plug on the rest of the journey. This sickness has left me very weak and will take a good portion of my money I had saved for the trip to pay for the hospital bills. I don't have insurance. I'm sorry to let anyone down who has been following me on this adventure. I feel to continue would jeopardize my health and welfare. I want to thank all who helped and supported me during my time on the AT
Date: 2014-07-03
To: Cheshire MA My Home
Miles today: 0.0

In the end I hiked 1420 mi in exactly 3 months. Upon reaching Delaware Water Gap PA, this marked the actual completion of a second(section) hike of the A.T. I had section hiked from this point to Katahdin in the 90's with my son. Though this was not my goal from the start I will accept the section hike, this is probably the only way I am going to be able to deal with not going back on the trail after 1420 miles. So now I have credit for a complete thru-hike in 2005 and now a complete section hike. My goal was second thru-hike but I had told myself that if I had a serious illness or somebody in my family got sick that I would stop at that point and accept whatever I had accomplished. It is a very tough trail!! I'm very grateful to all who have helped and supported me along the 1420 mi that I walked. I learned a lot, met many nice people, had tons of fun, and enjoyed right up until the day I got sick! If you are thinking about hiking the A.T. I say do it, you won't regret it!!
Date: 2014-02-17
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The equipment list has been completed!I found during the initial planning phase of this hike, that I became quite the equipment nerd. I definitely do not count grams, though I am patently aware of how much weight is on my back. Presently, I estimate my base weight at ~20.5 pounds. With 5 days food on board and two liters of water, my total weight is somewhere around 33 to 35 pounds. I doubt I'll carry two liters of water, unless there is a significant distance between reliable water sources. I am nearly certain I'll participate in an equipment "shakedown" at Mountain Crossings Outfitter upon reaching Neels gap. I'm waffling about how long I'll keep carrying the Microspikes. Also, I'm not thrilled with my sleeping pad selection (Thermarest NeoAir). On one hand, it is really comfortable, and I've slept well on it in the past. On the other hand, I have a vivid picture in my mind of this thing being utterly destroyed early in the trip. Hopefully I can address these two items at Neels gap. Incidentally (an not necessarily related to equipment), I read a good book about the psychological aspects of the trail, specifically related to keeping one's head on straight while hiking the trail. To wit, I've talked to a handful of successful thru-hikers, read White Blaze forums until my eyes bled, and spent countless hours researching equipment and reading equipment reviews. And after all of that (whew) I found Zach Davis's book, "Appalachian Trials." Basically, it answered practically every question I had about the trail, including a great chapter on equipment. For those contemplating a thru-hike, (or those already committed) I highly recommend spending $8 and reading this book. It was THAT good, and THAT helpful. Still, it may be good exercise to read White Blaze ad nauseam--those who have gone before us provide an avenue of knowledge. Sometimes it's confusing and contrary, but definitely worth your time.