morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Tumbling Run Shelter 

To: Quarry Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Left the shelter at 6:50 after a pleasant night in the shelter. Todays hiking was rocky with streaks of nice smooth trail. While I was stopped at Rocky Mountain Shelter for lunch I was able to figure out why my pump filter was not working. Now I'm able to filter water and that's a burden off my mind. I had a late lunch at the Caladonia State Park consisting of a cheeseburger, fries and large Pepsi. It was so filling that all I ate for dinner was snacks. There are a lot of weekend hikers at the shelter and they took all the shelter spaces and the prime tent spaces. I'm tented in a small area with five other tenters all crammed together. I picked up a couple of blisters today and I'm feeling soreness all over my body. I've planned a thirteen mile day for tomorrow, hope the feet can take it. I'll have to duct tape the hot spots an my feet, hope it helps.
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Quarry Gap Shelter 

To: Tom Run Shelter 
Miles today: 13.6

On the trail at 7:20 needed an early start as today was going to be the longest day hiking for the first week. I taped my blisters and hot spots with duct tape and it seemed to work great. Todays trail was just what I needed, a lot of flats and smooth paths. Pennsylvania is known for its rocky trails, however the real challenge begins after I leave Duncannon in another four days. Need my feet to be ready for the task. Milestone For Today - I passed the halfway Georgia to Maine milage marker this afternoon. There is a ceremony at the next grocery store where you have to eat a half gallon of ice cream as part of the celebration. So tomorrow I'll skip breakfast and tackle the half gallon challenge on an empty stomach at around 10am. I also ran into a hiker today who I hiked with in 2013 mostly in Georgia. Just so happens I was sitting at a picnic table with three other hikers after I arrived at the shelter. One of the guys looked familiar and after comparing trail names we connected. Of the ten or fifteen hikers that I got to know and hiked with in 2013, I happen to run into one again on the trail. Unfortunately he is doing a 200 mile section south bound, so we will not likely see one another again. Great to see you again Backyard Dog.
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Tom Run Shelter 

To: James Fry Shelter 
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: scattered clouds

On the trail at 7:20 hiking the four miles to Pine Furnace State Park to participate in the half gallon of ice cream challenge for breakfast. When I got there at about 9:30, Smiley was eating a bacon, egg, cheese and ham sandwich. It looked so good that I decided to skip the ice cream and go for the sandwich. I didn't feel like I could complete the ice cream challenge, as my trail appetite hasn't kicked in. I did watch six or seven hikers put down the half gallon. After the breakfast sandwich, some ice cream, a coke and ice tea, I left the park around 12:30 to hike the next seven miles in the heat. I arrived at the shelter at 3:30,pumped some water and cleaned off the sweat and dirt.As I was eating dinner, Purple Heart walked into the shelter. She is retired Air Force and received the Purple Heart after losing an eye during an attack on her vehicle, two soldiers that were with her were killed. She has their names tattooed on her wrist in memory of them. Now Shoe Leather has also joined us for the night, everyone is sheltering for the night due to thunderstorms that may push through the area tonight. Going to be in a motel room tomorrow night in Boiling Springs, first shower in five days.
Date: 2016-06-21
From: James Fry Shelter 

To: Boiling Springs, Pa 
Miles today: 12.0

It didn't rain last night, but waited until I was already 15 minutes on the trail and then it let loose with lightning, 50 plus mph winds and marble size hail. I hid behind the largest tree I could find to protect myself from the hail. However, I might want to rethink that plan the next time as a much larger tree was blown across the trail about 300 yards ahead of me. Today was probably the most uncomfortable day hiking thus far. The heat and the humidity are on, plus the five ups and downs made for some unpleasant hiking. I also climbed through the area known as the Rock Maze. It's a rock formation about 400 yds. long made up of boulders that you have to squeeze thru or climb over. Plus it's not marked very well as I lost my way several times and had to back track to get back on the trail.I'm in Boiling Springs tonight staying at the Allen Berry Resort.   I took a much needed shower, the first in five days and did laundry. I feel much better now
Date: 2016-06-22
From: Tumbling Run Shelter 

To: Darlington Shelter 
Miles today: 14.3

Today I thought was going to be a day of hiking thru corn and wheat fields. However, the trail stayed mostly in the wooded hedge rows, eliminating any chance of getting a sun burn. The day was cooler, with less humidity and a little breezy. Not a bad day for hiking. Not much of anything happened while hiking. I took a half mile detour to eat at a diner around noon. I had spaghetti and meat balls, side salid, sliced beets and apple sauce, I think my trail appetite is starting to kick in. Side note - My feet regressed today, I'm now the owner of a blister on each heal. The pain was so bad that I had to stop and use mole skin and duct tape to prevent any more blistering. I actually considered getting a shuttle and going to Duncannon to give my feet a rest. But I came to my senses and pushed on enduring the pain. The duct tape really helped, as I was only about two hours late in arriving at the shelter. I'm going to take a day or two off in Duncannon to give my feet a chance to heal. Tenting tonight so that I can get a good night's sleep.
Date: 2016-06-23
From: Darlington Shelter 

To: Duncannon, Pa. 
Miles today: 11.3

I was packed and out of the shelter by 6:30, because of the distant rumble of thunder. Fortunately the storm missed and I only experienced thirty minutes of light rain. Today was the worst yet. That's because of the 11.3 miles I hiked, at least 10 of it was on pointy jagged rocks. My feet were already suffering, but now they are dead. I knew Pennsylvania had a reputation for rocky trails, but this is unbelievable and I haven't even gotten to the worst sections. I will be taking two zero days in Duncannon just so my feet have a chance to recover. The next 150 miles are supposed to be a real killer.So my first week back on the trail I accomplished 82 miles and I was hoping my trail legs would be established. I have to average 100 miles a week to reach my finishing goal by mid-September. Taking two days off is going to set me back, but I think I can make it up later.
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Duncannon, Pa. 

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Today was spent primarily for foot care. I didn't do any unnecessary walking, but I did get a shuttle ride into town with legendary Trail Angel Mary. While in town I visited the ATM, picked up my bounce box at the Post Office, ate pizza and drank a beer for lunch. After coming back to the motel, I restocked my food bags and prepared everything to return to the trail tomorrow morning. I decided that taking one day off would be sufficient for foot relief. I've been eating gigantic meals trying to replace calories lost on the trail. I can now say that my trail appetite is on, I'm sure that I could complete the half gallon ice cream challenge with no sweat.
Date: 2016-06-25
From: Zero Day

To: Peters Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 11.0

After visiting the post office to mail my bounce box to Pine Grove, Pa., I started down the trail through the center of Duncannon at 9:40. The trail wasn't too bad except for a two mile section that was very rocky, thankfully that was the only section that was difficult for my sore feet. The feet are somewhat okay, the zero day yesterday has helped. Tomorrow the situation is not so good. It's 18 miles to the next shelter and limited water sources, so I'll have to carry the additional weight of four full water bottles. Notes of Interest - the Peter Mountain Shelter has a distinguishing feature. It probably has the steepest descent trail to its water source. The path is .2 mile long, but descends to the spring over 400 feet. The unusual characteristic is, there are 300 steps that make up a stairway of rocks, I can verify that there are 300 steps because I counted them.
Date: 2016-06-26
From: Peters Mountain Shelter 

To: Rausch Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 18.0

Today was a test of endurance, 18 miles. I started on the trail at 6:20 knowing that it was going to be a long day. The trail wasn't as rocky as I had feared, but it still was rocky enough to slow down progress. My feet actually felt good, the major issue was the lack of water sources along my route. I had to be aware of how much I was drinking and were I was going to be able to refill my bottles. I eventually made it to the shelter at 6:15, making it one of the longest days I've ever kept a pack on my back. Staying in the shelter tonight, to tired to set up the tent.
Date: 2016-06-27
From: Rausch Gap Shelter 

To: Wlliam Penn Shelter 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

Left the shelter at 7:20am. I wasn't to concerned about an early start with a moderate amount of miles planned today. Todays obstacles included a 600 foot up and down and a 1000 foot up. Normally these aren't big obstacles, but in Pennsylvania all the ups and downs are rocky. At least there were sections that were flat and smooth. I was blessed again today with some trail magic consisting of canned soft drinks left on the trail by trail angels. That makes it three days in a row I have received the magic. These drinks sure come at the right time and are appreciated by the hikers.A nero day tomorrow in Pine Grove, Pa.
Date: 2016-06-28
From: Wlliam Penn Shelter 

To: Pine Grove, Pa 
Miles today: 4.1

Short easy day, made the 4 miles in two hours. I met the shuttle at 9:00 and was in my room at 9:30. Picked up my bounce box, did laundry and ate lunch at Subway. Oh I forgot, it rained last night as I was tented, so I had to dry my tent and foot print in the sun this afternoon. I'm packed and ready to go tomorrow.
Date: 2016-06-29
From: Pine Grove, Pa 

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter 
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

The shuttle picked me up at 8:30 this morning, dropped my bounce box at the Post Office and was on the trail at 9am. A cool front came through last night and the temperature is forecast to reach only the mid 70's, with lower humidity and a cool breeze. Hiking today was the most comfortable since I started 12 days ago.I'm in the shelter tonight with One Step. He's a thru hiker from Utah and about my age. We'll probably be seeing a lot of each other as we hike to Maine. Not much to comment on, I'll be very happy to leave Pennsylvania in about a week.
Date: 2016-06-30
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter 

To: Hamburg, Pa 
Miles today: 9.3

Started on the trail at 7 am and was hoping to reach Hamburg by noon. There was one obstacle, a 1000 foot down covering over a one half mile coming into town which was one of the steepest I've encountered on the trail. Needless to say my knees and feet were feeling it. After reaching the bottom I still had to walk 2.5 miles to the motel. Along the way I ran into One Step, he was headed back to the trail, because the only motel in Hamburg didn't have any single rooms available and the double rooms were around $100. We decided to share a room together, One Step is taking a few days off the trail to visit some friends in Philadelphia. One Step and I enjoyed pizza and beer at Pizza Hut and a beer later at the motel pub.I'll be taking a zero day tomorrow, planning to visit the Cabela's Super Store which is supposed to be the largest Cabela's store in the country.
Date: 2016-07-01
From: Hamburg, Pa 

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

One Step's friend from Philadelphia picked him up at 9am. Afterwards I walked over to Cabela's and walked around the store for two hours. The store was gigantic and filled with a lot of great stuff. After I left Cabela's I walked over to Walmart to pick up a few things that I couldn't get in Pine Grove. These next few days are going to be challenging as I'm going to attempt to hike 75 miles in four days. I might have to extend it a day or two, just depends on how rocky the trail is.
Date: 2016-07-02
From: Zero Day

To: Eckville Shelter 
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Dropped my bounce box off at the Post Office and was on the trail by 8:15. The weather today was the best, temps in the low 70's, low humidity and breezy. Tomorrow is suppose to be just as nice. The hike was typical Pennsylvania, some sections were very rocky and some were smooth. As long as it's balanced I can live with that.Arrived at the shelter at 4:30 just in time for a grilled hamburger provided by a local thru hiker. Nice way to end the day.
Date: 2016-07-03
From: Eckville Shelter 

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 17.4

Today was the worst day I've encountered on the trail since I began over two weeks ago. I left the shelter at 6:30am and didn't get to Bake Oven Knob Shelter until 6:15pm. There were three extremely rocky areas today, the first at Dan's Pulpit, then Bake Oven Knob and the Knife Edge. The Knife Edge was about 300 yards long with massive rocks laying at angles like a knife's cutting edge. So far this ranks as the most difficult non technical climbing I've ever done. It would have been very hard without a pack, but carrying a pack and trying to walk on the boulders was for me very intimidating and dangerous. The trail goes right across the top and there is no way around it. After thirty minutes of careful scrambling,I eventually made it across. All of the rock climbing and constant walking on rocks is wearing on my feet and knees. Notables for the day: 1) I saw the largest black bear I'ever seen on the trail today. He was about 50 yards down the trail when I spotted him, beat my poles together to make some noise. At that point he ran back into the woods. 2) My hiking shoes are getting destroyed by the rocks. I am having to use Gorilla tape hold every thing together. I'll need to get a new pair at an outfitter in Delaware Water Gap.Pennsylvania is wearing on me with all the rocks and rock scrambles.
Date: 2016-07-04
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter 

To: Palmerton, Pa.
Miles today: 7.7

I enjoyed one of the best nights sleep last night in the shelter. The major problem with this shelter is getting to the water source. The spring was a half mile down the mountain side, which was very steep and rocky. Seems like the trail gods just want to stick it to you after you've completed one of the worse days you've experienced in hiking by making you do a mile round trip to fill your water bottles. Started on the trail around 7am and after two hours came across some trail magic provided by Knitting Bull. I ate a hot dog, bag of chips, broccoli and cauliflower salid and drank a coke. I had skipped breakfast this morning and was going to just snack on the trail. I guess the trail gods felt sorry for me for the punishment they handed out yesterday. I made it to Palmerton by 1:30 thanks to another trail angel giving me a ride into town, saved two miles of walking. Staying tonight at the Palmerton Hotel. This is without a doubt the worst hotel I've stayed in on the trail, but I'll take as it is raining and I'll be dry.I've been hiking along with a couple of thru hikers named Nature, she's from Germany and Umbawa, not sure where he is from. They have been hiking together for four weeks. Don't think it is a trail romance, they are just compatible and hike the same speed. I had dinner and a couple of beers with them tonight, probably will see them a lot as their schedule calls for ending their hike in September about the same time as I am.
Date: 2016-07-05
From: Palmerton, Pa.

To: Stealth Camp 
Miles today: 11.8

Some days you just don't have the energy to reach your intended goal. In my case it was the LeRoy Smith Shelter. But a lot of it had to do with the first three miles of trail at the start of the day. To begin with I had to hike 2 miles from Palmerton just to get back to the trail head. Then once I started on the trail I was having to climb the steepest 1000 feet of trail west of Vermont. It was rocky (all of Pennsylvania is rocky), very challenging and at times I was having to use both hands and feet to move up. As I was sitting on a ledge about three fourths of the way to the top, I was wondering why I was doing this and wondering what it would cost to be rescued. Then a twenty something kid comes up from below and scrambles right past me. That motivated me to push on.Although it took me 45 minutes to reach the top, it took another two hours to reach what I considered solid ground. I hate all the rocks in Pennsylvania. So I have been on the trail for 3.5 hours and only advanced about five miles. Oh I forgot, you have to carry all the water you need because there are not any reliable water sources until you reach the shelter over 17 miles away. After 8.5 hours of sweating and drinking 2/3's of my water, I decided to camp for the night as I was at least five miles from the shelter and wouldn't reach it until 8 or 9pm. I was just to slow and lacked the energy to continue. Hopefully tomorrow morning I'll get an early start and reach the shelter in two or three hours. I have enough water to do that, plus it's cooler in the morning and I can make better time. Tomorrow is another water problem with no reliable water sources, except at the next shelter which is 13.8 miles away. Did I mention that I hate hiking in Pennsylvania.
Date: 2016-07-06
From: Stealth Camp 

To: Stealth Camp 
Miles today: 11.4

I was up and hiking at 6:30 as I had to refill water bottles at the LeRoy Smith Shelter. When I arrived there I collected just enough water to hike the 4.6 miles to Wind Gap.Wind Gap is a small town about a mile from the trail. I planned to eat lunch at a deli, top off my water bottles and take a one to two hour break from the heat. I finally started back on the trail at 3:30 and with temps rising and the scarcity of water over the next 20 miles, I have to carry as much water as possible so that I can safely reach the next water source. I'm really drinking a lot of water, generally 3 to 4 qts. a day while hiking. Well this year's hike is probably over. I have been getting calls from my brother Alan that my Dad is in the hospital and not doing well. I'm leaving the trail at Delaware Water Gap, Pa. on Friday and will be flying back to Gainesville from Allentown, Pa. I will probably not return to the AT this year. If I return next year, I'll be at a good place to pick up where I'm getting off. New Jersey, New York and Connecticut only comprise about 210 miles of the trail and overall is rated easy to hike.
Date: 2016-07-07
From: Stealth Camp 

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pa. 
Miles today: 12.6

I didn't sleep well last night as the sound of jet engines from planes taking off and landing kept me up most of the night. I was on the trail at 6:15 only carrying about 40 ozs. of water, that would have to sustain me for the next 6 miles until I reached the Kirkridge Shelter. The temps and humidity have returned to more seasonal levels. For some reason I've been sweating a lot and my clothes are usually soaked by mid morning. Around 1pm the rain came down and after it was over it really became muggy.I arrived at the Pocono Motel in Delaware Water Gap at round 4pm. After checking in, I ran into Nature and ETA looking for the laundry center at the motel. They are staying at the local church hostel and came to the motel to do laundry. They knew that I was leaving the trail tomorrow, so they wanted to get together at the local tavern for a few beers after dinner. I have really enjoyed getting to know Nature, Umgawa, Smiley and One Stepper, guess they will complete the trail without me.
Date: 2016-07-26
From: Dalton, Massachusetts 

To: Mark Noepel Shelter 
Miles today: 13.9

I flew into Dalton yesterday afternoon and left the motel at 6:45 today under pleasant conditions. Last night at the motel I ran into Smiley who I hadn't seen since my first week in Pennsylvania. He and I are sheltering tonight along with Roadrunner, who's from Lakeland, Fl. So happens Roadrunner's bother and I went to High School together. Hiked into Cheshire, Ma. at 11:45, not bad 9 miles in five hours and had lunch at Diana's Twist. The hiking today was good for a first day being on the trail. Tomorrow will be a short day of only 10 miles.
Date: 2016-07-27
From: Mark Noepel Shelter 

To: Williamstown, Massachusetts 
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

Left the shelter this morning at 6:45. The objective today was to hike over Mt. Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. I made it to the top at 10am and had breakfast at the Bascom Lodge on the mountain summit. The heat and humidity are making it difficult to hike after mid day and hard to make the necessary milage to complete the trail as scheduled. Had dinner with Roadrunner in Williamstown at Desperado's. He's been doing long sections of the trail since 2010. Roadrunner is 72 years old and is beginning to realize that this is his last year on the trail as he is leaving the trail at Hanover, N.H.I'm beginning to think that the trail has passed me by, I am going to give it to Hanover before I make a decision to continue.
Date: 2016-07-28
From: Williamstown, Massachusetts 

To: Congdon Shelter 
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Roadrunner and I took a shuttle to the trail head and were on our way at 7am. Today was a combination of big ups and big downs. I made it to the Seth Warner Shelter by 11:45 to pump some water. Do to the heat I'm caring all of my water bottles filled to the max, as you don't want to run out of water. I think that I drank about five quarts while hiking today. I was about a half mile from the shelter, when I could hear thunder in the distance. I picked up the pace and arrived at the shelter about thirty minutes before the rain started. Just my luck, the shelter was full, so I found a tent platform and setup the tent and had all my gear inside just as the rain started. I am going to take two nero days as there are some difficult climbs ahead and the heat is very uncomfortable.
Date: 2016-07-29
From: Congdon Shelter 

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter 
Miles today: 5.9

Took a nero to the next shelter, so that I could dry out my tent and other gear that just seems to absorb moisture out of the air. Hit the trail a little later than usual at 8:45, but because it was so humid I hiked at a slow pace to avoid as much sweating as possible. As I was about an hour from the shelter it started raining and continued as I arrived at the shelter at 2:15. It is 7:30 the shelter is full and hikers are still coming in. Guess they will be tenting tonight. It is supposed to be cooler the next few days, so maybe I can enjoy the hiking. Roadrunner should catch up to me at the shelter tomorrow afternoon.