morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-01
From: Sawmill Run Overlook SNP

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: light rain

Norm dropped me off at Sawmill Run Overlook in Shenandoah National Park. Many thanks to Norm for his generosity. I was well rested and hiked from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. The day started with rain and mist with not many views to see. As I arrived at Pinefield hut Water tank was putting on his headlamp and heading out to night hike on the trail. As the evening was misty and wet I was somewhat skeptical about a night hike. I hadn't night hiked yet, although with the warmer weather there is an appeal about hiking in the cooler nights.At the shelter were, Florida Mike, Romie, a section hiker and his daughter from West Virginia, Runaway, Zagat and Book. Florida Mike is a section hiker who is planning to finish the trail in 50 years. He started in 1974 and plans to finish in 2024.I pitched the tent up the hill from the shelter and slept until 12:53 am when my phone, which was set to airport mode went off. Apparently Verizon can send you a message anytime with a loud alert stating you need to use their app called back-up assistant. So it rained most of the night and I didn't sleep all that well.
Date: 2013-07-02
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Skyline 65.5 Elkton VA
Miles today: 11.6

I was up and on the trail by 7:30 am. It was a misty morning and lots of deer were on the trail. I have to say that the deer seem to expect people to feed them as they have no fear. Unfortunately people come to National Parks and feed them which creates all kinds of problems for these deer who become domesticated. I have video of the deer but there were so many I have stopped taking any pictures of deer. The rain continued today and I hiked the first 8 miles to ------ shelter. Water Tank was here looking very wet. All of his gear was spread on the shelter floor and was soaking wet. I didn't expect to see him here. I asked if he was okay. Water Tank stated he'd got lost last night and wandered around in the rain for 8 hours until sunrise at 5:30 am. Consequently he'd only hiked 8 miles and was very wet. He gathered his gear and I went in search of water. I gave him a liter of water and off he went hiking.Allstate, Zagat, Book all showed up at the shelter. The rain came down harder and I had no desire to hike in it today. I ate some and layed down in the shelter for a bit okay maybe for 2 hours. Florida Mike arrived and announced he was staying here overnight. The day was still young and despite my reluctance off I went. When I got to the Elkton, VA entrance to SNP I decided to hitch into Elkton and stay at the Country View Motel. I had difficulty hitching but called the Motel and Robert Lyon the owner came right out and shuttled me for free to his motel about 6 miles away. The motel is a 1920's bungalow style that has been updated. I got a fried chicken dinner at the Country Deli down the road. Hand washed my hiking clothes and dried out my gear. Rob does cater to hikers, there's nothing fancy about the motel but it was dry.Rob promised to deliver me to the trail in the morning.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: Skyline 65.5 Elkton VA

To: Big Meadow Lodge SNP
Miles today: 17.0

The day started with rain and more rain. I would like to hike dry for a change. Rain causes chaffing in certain places and your feet. I waited out the heavy rain and had Rob drop me off on the trail by 8:30 am. I hike to the Lewis Mountain Campstore where a envelope was left by SIS thanking me for finding her wallet and delivering it up to Lewis Moutain last week. Any way its what we thru hikers would do for each other. I had called Big Meadow Lodge earlier in the day and made a reservation for a room overlooking the Appalachian Trail. Its very easy to walk in the rain when your walking to a hot shower, a dry bed and food.A couple of miles before Big Meadow I ran into a ranger leading a hike on the trail. As I motored by the gauntlet of nice smelling tourists, the ranger asked if I had time to answer some questions. I stopped and answered questions about my hike like water treatment, how much water I carry, what my pack weighs, when I started, what wildlife have I seen etc. I was rewarded with a Snickers bar from Mr. Ranger.At the Big Meadows Lodge I found Lady Bird and Chris eating. I joined them and had two hamburger platters in the Taproom.Around 8PM I found Harry wandering around the Lodge looking for food. He had lots of trail mud on him so I took him to my room and let him use my shower. I still don't understand Harry's english and my German isnt so good either. He was thankful to shower and joined me in the Taproom for his meal and my dessert. I had Blackberry cobbler with vanilla icecream. I slept okay until 6:45 when Harry came and woke me up as he'd left his food bag in my room while he camped at the camp ground. Argh, I wanted to sleep in.
Date: 2013-07-04
From: Big Meadow Lodge SNP

To: Luray VA
Miles today: 17.6

It was a hot day, I started on the trail after a good breakfast at Big Meadow Lodge. I stopped at Skyland Wayside and Lodge to have Lunch. A blackberry Milkshake and Hamburger of course. The skies darkened and I was hesitating to get back on the trail. Around 1:15 the rain came pouring with winds and lightening. By 2:00 PM the rain stopped and off I hiked. I came out to Route 311 around 6PM and decided to hitch into Luray VA for the 4th of July celebration. Well I went for the air conditioning and a large pizza. A camping family leaving the SNP picked me up and drove me 9 miles into Luray. The father asked me if I knew how to get to Heaven and proceeded to let me know how I might get to Heaven. It was good to be out of the heat, wash the clothes, and rest.
Date: 2013-07-05
From: Luray VA

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I walked part way out of town trying to hitch. The local funeral director picked me up and brought me back to the trail out of his way. His name was Alan and he is a local scout leader. He gave me a gatorade to go mostly because I was eying the cases of gatorade on his back seat. It was another hot day again and I caught up with Uke and Crispin at the Elk Wallow Wayside where we chilled in the shade and ate pulled pork, burgers and black berry milkshakes. It looked like it might storm so we lingered, well we were hydrating and relaxing.Uke asked me if I'd seen a bear yet? I told him that he makes too much noise and yells at the bears to get off the trail and I am always behind Uke so I never get to see any bears. Not only that I told him (jokingly of course) he smells so bad they smell him coming and run. Uke is a mountain of a man even though he has lost 50 pounds since Springer. Uke said that he'd let me walk in front of him so I could see some bears.Uke and I walked together for about an hour and he stopped to make a phone call. I went on and with in 5 minutes I saw my first bears. A momma bear and two cubs, imagine that. I caught them on video. I hope to upload it here.We walked on to Gravel Spring Hut where we met Julia and her brother section hikers, Alan a cyclist, a boy scout troop, Runaway and Romie where at the shelter too.I set up my tent and chilled around 6 PM. Uke and Alan played the Ukele and Mandolin for a bit.
Date: 2013-07-06
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: US 522 Front Royal
Miles today: 13.4

Today was probably the hottest day yet. I carry at least 2 liters of water when I walk on hot days. I also consult my guide to make sure I know where the next reliable water sources are as well as how far off the trail they are. I stopped frequently today to eat raspberries which were ripening for the first time. I stopped so many times I thought if I keep this up I won't get where I am going. I walked til about 2:30 and got a cab with Crispin into Front Royal. I got a room at the Quality Inn ate Lunch and sat out the rest of the hot day. I had intended to hike around 17 to 20 miles today but I see no sense in over doing it.I did wash, re-provisioned and got some good rest.
Date: 2013-07-07
From: US 522 Front Royal

To: Signal Knob parking on VA 638
Miles today: 16.4

I had breakfast at the Quality Inn, country ham, fried potatoes, three eggs, OJ and wheat toast.I hitched a ride out of Front Royal from a family going fishing. I stopped at the Molly and Jim Denton Shelter for a second meal. This shelter has a deck and Adirondack chairs, a solar shower. It was a very nice shelter.I hiked on toward the Manassas Gap shelter and got caught in a heavy rain. At the shelter was Ellen a vacationing National Park ranger from Mesa Verde National Park. Mesa Verde is one of my favorite National Parks, Ann and I had visited there three summers ago. I shared some stories with Ellen but decided to push on and make more miles. I made myself a dinner and moved on.I got to Signal Knob and there was wonderful trail magic in a cooler. I ate three pieces of watermelon. The rain had stopped and I decided to camp nearby as I noticed someone had cleared and area in the brush for camping.
Date: 2013-07-08
From: Signal Knob parking on VA 638

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Up early and on the trail by 6:30 am trying to beat the heat. I hiked into the State Park Sky Meadows which was fairly easy hiking. I stopped at the Rod Hollow Shelter and ate and early lunch as I was about to start the "Roller Coaster" a 13.5 mile tightly packed ascents and descents.While I was eating, Lost and Tedly rolled in. I hadn't seen them in quite a lot of miles. Tedly I last saw in Hot Springs and Lost I saw just outside of Erwin.It was nice to catch up and hear what they had been up to.I walked on the Sam Moore Shelter and ate lunch and took a two hours nap to stay out of the heat. Tedly and Lost had come and gone while I napped. The roller coaster was taking its toll on me. Folks its not the hardest 13 mile stretch but in the heat its hard hiking. I went up and down the first nameless mountain and my legs felt weak and rubbery, this was the first time on this journey that happened. The ups were steep as were the downs without switchbacks. I had to stop and eat more food.By the time I reached the Bears Den, around 6:30PM I had decided I was staying at the Bears Den. I ate pizza and icecream and talked with section hikers and thru hikers. I saw G-Ma for the first time in probably 600 miles. She is recuperating from a bad foot. Romie is here and told me he was "slack packing" into Harpers Ferry tomorrow for $10. I decided to do the same and get on the road early as its 20 plus miles and there was still 3 miles of the roller coaster to do. The Bears Den is a nice hostel to stay in.
Date: 2013-07-09
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry ATC HQ
Miles today: 20.4

I got up early and so did Romie and we hit the trail at 6:30 am. We made good progress as we were slack packing. We took pictures at the 1000 mile mark and I celebrated that momentous occasion with a woo hoo. I really did enjoy hiking with Romie I let him take the lead most of the way. We stopped about every 2 hours to eat and get water. The way down to the Blackburn ATC center was long and steep for getting water. It did look like a nice place to stay at though. It was overcast all day which helped cut down on the heat. We got a rain shower but it was cooling and brief.We were in Harper's Ferry by 3:30 PM. I had my picture taken outside the ATC Headquarters and my photo was entered into the book of 2013 thru hikers. I was given the number 1,002 that's how many thru hikers made it to Harper's Ferry and registered here. A guesstimate is only 300-500 will complete the whole AT this year. Around 14,000 hikers have done a thru hike. I found the Teahorse Hostel and settled in. I got a Steak at Secret Six restaurant and had ice cream later. I found Titus and his wife, Outback and Half Life at a local Pizzeria. I had a second dinner of a cheese steak. I just can't get enough calories at this time. Mesh and Miami were staying at the Teahorse Hostel, a very clean well run hostel. Ufortunately the fella next to me talked in his sleep all night and when he wasn't talkin he was snoring.
Date: 2013-07-21
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Pine Grove Furnace SP
Miles today: 19.1

I got to Caledonia State Park around 10 am and met Hump and Tinkerbell. They had recently blue blazed 150 miles down to Harpers Ferry on a home made raft. Wowsers! Today marked the true half way point of the Appalachian Trail. I passed it without fanfare. The half way point moves every year due to re-routes. The old half way monument was there still I said woot woot and took a picture and moved on. I got to the Pine Grove Furnace State park around 5:30 and checked into the Iron Masters Hostel. The Asst manager of the Hostel, Laurel I think was very helpful. After I finished dinner who should walk into the shelter but Hump and The Flying Scotsman. I was elated to see Iain as I thought he was several hundred miles ahead of me. We slept in the air conditioned women's dorm that night . I guess the men's dorm didnt have A/C.
Date: 2013-07-26
From: Swartara Gap Lickdale , PA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day as my new pack is failing. The Osprey Atmos metal stay broke and pokes the Oak in his back. My brother Jon came to the rescue driving me to the nearest REI in Maryland! I traded up to a Aether back pack with better suspension. I also got a new air mattress as I had a slow leak in the freebie I got from REI. Anyway still smilin and mile'n . Oh I did get a room with a Jacuzzi oh oh oh .
Date: 2013-07-27
From: Swartara Gap Lickdale , PA

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a late start out of the Jacuuzi this morning. I hitched a ride with a Boy Scout Leader up to the Swartara Gap parking lot on Route 72. I was on the trail by 11 am.There was very thick underbrush after Route 81 that I had to fight my way through. A Blackberry bush grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go. Sooo... I didn't beat around the bush, I beat it sensless until it no longer posed a threat to the next hiker. I was swingin my hiking pole with vigor and it felt good. My arm bled a little and I poured some water on it and hiked on. I think I have become a serial blackberry, raspberry, rose bush, cats paw killer.Along the way I met "Sweet Cheeks" and "Story time". They are thru hikers apparently doing trail maintainence for slack pack for the caretakers of 501 Shelter. I wished story time well as it was a jungle and all he had was some hedge clippers. I don't envy the trail maintainers with all the rain we have had. Poison ivy was thick and lush throughout this section. If you complain about the trail maintainers the only solution is to go do some trail maintainence your self. Be a part of the solution rather than complain, beat a thorn bush sensless you'll feel better.Any way I arrived early at the 501 shelter around 4 and stayed as big rain was imminent. ( Some places got 8 inches that night). I ordered the obligatory pizza and ate it all. The 501 is a pleasant shelter with doors and windows and a huge octagonal sky light. Sharing the shelter were Baby Face and Sparrows. Michael, Matt, and Morris were a three generation family giving Matt the experience of hiking and camping. They had planned to tent but the rain changed their minds. We answered many questions they had about thru hiking. I didnt sleep well but I was dry.
Date: 2013-07-28
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Up and out of the shelter by 8 am. The day was a day of rocks and Gnats. Gnasty Gnats GNOW what I mean? They attacked every opening they could find. I learned to put my buff over my ears to keep the incessant F flat whinning a Gnat does in your ear. They flew into the eyes 4 times. I Hoovered several down my throat, mmmm... They fly in shifts calling their friends to join the fun. They have heat seeking and moisture sensors that keep them hovering over you centimeters from your eyes. They undulate and oscilate in front of you as you move along. There were litterally thousands of them on duty this day.I was told that they are attracted by the moisture and C02 that you exhale. The only good thing I can say is they weren't like their southern cousins that bite you and suck yer blood out.The rocks give my knees and feet a good battering so I stop early at the Eagles Nest Shelter. Baby Face and Sparrows are tenting here. The Flying Scotsman rolled in before dark. Its good to see him. We caught up and shared some gnat and rock stories.
Date: 2013-07-29
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

I was out on the trail by 8 am leaving Flyin Scotsman to sleep. It had rained again during the night so it was good to sleep in the shelter and not have to pack up a wet tent.I got down to Port Clinton whoa it was a steep down at the end kinda dangerous the last few 100 feet down. It was lunch time and I decided I would go into Hamburg for well a Hamburger at Burger King...yum. I got a hitch down and a hitch back from the local ATC Ridge Runner who told me he had to pick up a thru hiker. So I was fed and back up the mountain in less than an hour. The BK meal helped power me up the next big climb out of Port Clinton.I met Dr. Suess and McGyver, two brothers hiking together. They come from New Hampshire. I met McGyver the first time at PenMar Park. They are going on to the Eckville shelter having spent the night in Port Clinton. I wasn't sure I'd make the 24 miles to Eckville but I thought if the trail was kind I would make it.I saw Harry the German at Windsor Furnace Shelter as I was leaving it. He's fallen again and I worry about his injuries. He had new lacerations on his shins and said he hit his head. He was done for the day at 5 pm saying he was going to a clinic tomorrow. There were others in the shelter so I didnt feel bad as I left him.I did make it to the Eckville Shelter just behind the brothers at about 8:30 PM.My brother Jon texted and offered to take me to breakfast in the morning woo hoo! He has been a great support over the last week.Eckville shelter is another shelter with a caretaker and solar shower and a flush toilet, hope I remember to flush. I slept well as I was exhausted. Yes the last few miles were a forest road walk which was easy peasy. Nice not to have to fight the rocks. However I do know that tomorrow brings many more rocks and rock hopping the day away.
Date: 2013-07-30
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Summit Rt 309
Miles today: 11.5

I went to breakfast with Jon, my brother, at Wanamakers General Store, which had excellent coffee but no breakfast..so I ate a deli sandwich which was really good. I was back on the trail reluctantly at 10:15 a.m. I climbed Hawk Mountain to Dan's Pulpit. The trail was very challenging with many boulder hops which were like obstacle courses. Walking on the rocks is almost like river rafting you have to pick a route to guide yourself through them, up and over and around the rocks. It takes a lots of time to pick your way through the rocks and you can never really get a good rhythm going. The rocks again are battering my knees and feet. I caught up to McGyver and Dr. Seuss at the Allentown Shelter. They were finishing a snooze and lunch. I stopped to eat and rest before the last section to route 309. When I reached Route 309 I made a decision to get off the trail and rest my feet and knees. They need R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression and elevation). I hitched a ride down 309 into Allentown to rest my weary body. My brother Jon came with new shoes and a silk sleeping bag liner for those hot nights. He's been an amazing support to me out here. Still smilin' even if my feet aren't.
Date: 2013-08-23
To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 0.0

Zero DayI have essentially walked 247. miles during the last 2 weeks. I am resting my throbbing feet for a day hoping to get back on the trail tomorrow, Saturday. I am 4 miles south of Vermont . I am well and in good spirits look forward to Vermont. Text to follow for the previous days.. I have put most of my energies into moving North.
Date: 2013-09-09
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel Glencliff, NH

To: North Woodstock,NH 
Miles today: 9.3

Stayed at the Welcome Hikers hostel in Glencliff, which was overflowing with hikers. The night was the coldest since April in Georgia with temps around 35 degrees.I was up early and hiked with One Eye and Half Life. We went up Mt. Moosilauke before 12 noon. I was carrying a full pack when most were "slack" packing going north to south. The falls down the North side of Moosilauke were phenomenal but very hard to get down. I fell twice and broke a hiking pole. I got a ride into Lincoln NH to an outfitter and was able to purchase a new set of poles. I will mail the broken poles to my brother Jon who can get them replaced at REI.I hitched into North Woodstock , NH and stayed at the Carriage INN. Excellent food at Waynes DELI and the Woodstock Station INN. I'm lickin my wounds but still smilin.Only 389 miles to go! Woo Hooo!
Date: 2013-09-21
From: Carter's Notch

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Hello all, I am currently in Gorham, NH to resupply and rest up. I did around 15 miles yesterday from Carter's Notch to Gorham arriving almost at dark. I have done 1,887.6 miles and have 298.3 more to go. Maine is 16.4 miles away. Woo Hoo! onward I go.
Date: 2013-03-09
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I thought I would begin our journal entry for this year's section hike of the AT. We hiked the first 400 miles of the trail last May, and now plan on picking up where we left off mid-April this year. The plan is to hike about 450 miles this year.Like last year, Spider has been working on a tentative hike plan to make sure we can do the hike in the time we have allotted. ET has accumulated most of the food we will be mailing to ourselves along the way. We got our hiking gear down from the attic, but still need to take a look at it.We made a list at the end of last year's hike about what worked and what didn't. So we plan on making some changes based on it. We have just started our "to-do" list for what needs to get done before we can leave for 1.5 months...It's already 30 items long!!More to come later.Spider
Date: 2013-03-22
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We continue to prepare for our hike of the next 450 miles of the AT.We have reviewed our gear and our plus/minus list from last year's hike. With that, we have changed/added some items for this year's hike. One of these is new pack raincovers. Last year our REI raincovers seemed to collect rain in the bottom of the cover and they didn't seem to be 100% waterproof in heavy rain. So we did some research and decided to buy new Osprey pack covers. Hopefully they will do a better job of protecting our packs in the rain.I've been watching the weather back in Roan Mountain, TN and Damascus, VA since that is the area we will be spending our first week of hiking in mid-April. I hope there are major changes in the next three weeks since it is cold with rain and snow now!!
Date: 2013-04-11
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

We are doing the last few things on our to-do list before we head to the AT next Tuesday. The attached picture is of my boots drying after I waterproofed them. We are trying a new product this year. I hope it works better than last year's product. However, walking down a flooded trail will probably challenge any waterproofing!! These are the same boots I hiked with last year's 400 miles. I hope they hold up for this year's 450 miles.We sent off our first supply box to Damascus, VA earlier this week. We will send Box 2 out just before we leave next week. Like last year, ET's mother will send out the 4 remaining boxes. Once again, we are having the boxes sent 3 weeks before we are scheduled to arrive at each location.We have been watching the 10-day advanced weather forecasts for our starting point of Roan Mountain, TN. If the forecasters are right, it looks like we will be wet the first couple days of our hike. I guess we will get a chance to test our new raingear right away!!