morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-13
From: Zero

To: Ed Harvey Shelter
Miles today: 6.3

It was a nero day for me. A lot of the day was focused on resupply logistics. Laundry was "done" last night but was so bad initially that I probably should have washed it again.We shopped and Karie found me some protein bars, I assume so I look more like an athlete and less like a prisoner of war.We toured Harpers Ferry which is a really neat historic town. Karie dropped me off at the church and I made my way across the bridge into Maryland and down the three mile canal tow path which was flat and uneventful.The remaining miles were pleasant. Weverton Cliffs were scenic. The shelter is really nice and I'm staying on the second floor. Water is too far away so I will just get it first thing tomorrow morning. 6.3 miles were hiked: 1023.1 (Harpers Ferry) to 1029.4 (Ed Garvey Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-14
From: Ed Harvey Shelter

To: Dahlgren Camping
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

Ed Garvey was great. There were no mice that I could tell. The water was a little too far away, but all else was quite nice. I had a lot of options with today's distance, but I elected for a shorter day to Dahlgren Backpacker Campground.This place didn't receive nearly enough hype. It had hot showers, a bear pole, and plenty of great tenting spots. It was also in range of pizza delivery, which I took advantage of.Energy-wise, I'm just not feeling big mileage days, so consequently I'm walking fewer miles. The highlight today was the War Correspondents Monument. The area I'm hiking through is the exact location that Robert E. Lee commanded the confederate army to attack in some maneuvering prior to several famous battles. For some reason, I always envisioned these battle locations much more spread out than they were.The pizza and coke was also nice. Together with the hot shower I felt somewhat human for the evening. 10.9 miles were hiked: 1029.4 (As Garvey Shelter) to 1040.3 (Dahlgren Backpack Campground).
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Dahlgren Camping

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

I enjoyed the backpacker campground, and being in my tent for the first time in a couple weeks. It rained a bit in the morning, and I had never ending journaling to get caught up on, so I had a very slow start and left around 10:15 am.Washington Monument was a highlight. Basically, a bunch of rowdy citizens spent two days piling granite blocks to make a tower. It fell into disrepair, and it was reconstructed in the 1930's, and is now a historical landmark which will be maintained indefinitely with your tax dollars. It did offer some great views, and was used briefly in the civil war by union signallers.Another big milestone was passing over I-70, a main artery of our nation's interstate system. I made it to Ensign Cowall Shelter and met lots of new people. I'm staying in the shelter to avoid the rain. I did manage to dry out my tent mostly.A group ordered pizza, but I had already cooked dinner, and thought pizza two nights in a row was excessive. Plus I plan to get some tomorrow - apparently they deliver to the park we walk through. 13.9 miles were hiked: 1040.3 (Dahlgren Backpackers Campground) to 1054.2 (Ensign Cowall Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-16
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 14.5

It poured last night, and I was glad I was in a shelter. Someone left their stuff in the shelter and just abandoned it I guess. I think that's what you do when you're really tired of hiking.Anyway, the rain stopped around 9:00am, and my 9:30 I was on my way. The rocks were a bit challenging. Really most of Maryland is more rocky than advertised. I lost the white blazes a couple times when absolutely everything looked like the trail.When I got to Pen Mar County Park, I tried to order a pizza, but no one was delivering until 4:00pm. Then I got lucky and a private event at a pavilion was finishing up, and they had a lot of extra food!I had grilled chicken, fruit, vegetables, and potato chips. It was the best unintended trail magic to date. At least 10 hikers are their fill, and there was food left over.There were rumors of tornado watches, so I hustled to the next shelter, and set up my sleeping pad and sleeping bag. I even had time for second dinner before the thunderstorm started. Also, my journal is caught up to date for the first time in a week. 14.5 miles were hiked: 1054.2 (Ensign Cowall Shelter) to 1068.7 (Deer Lick Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-17
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Fayetteville
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

The shelter was comfortable, which is surprising since we were at 80% capacity. Typically, that's a little too full for restful sleep. It rained hard all night which is always calming, and it did not rain in the morning, as forecast, so despite two downpours this segment, I never got wet.I stopped at Tumbling Run Shelter for a little break. They even had some magazines there, so I read one of those. Most of the terrain today was pleasant, but there were a couple rocky sections that I had to put on my detective hat to stay on the trail. Faded white blazes kind of blend in with the moss on the trees.It was probably just an indicator I needed a break... which I got once I reached US 30 and made it to the Trail of Hope Hostel. It has everything you could want in a hostel, but is staffed by volunteers on rotating shifts, because it's part of a church outreach center. That makes things a little interesting.I did laundry and showered, then met up with friends from home on a family vacation (temporary trail name: Yorkville Sporks). We had a great time catching up and they bravely tried a nearby restaurant open only two weeks. After that treated me there, they shuttled me to Wal-Mart for a resupply, and back to the hostel. They have been following my trail journal and seemed genuinely entertained by my trail stories. I am very thankful for their company and assistance.Tomorrow is looking like another similar day, but I should reach the "actual" halfway point on the trail which will be a big morale boost. 13.2 miles were hiked: 1068.7 (Deer Lick Shelter) to 1081.9 (US 30 / Fayetteville).
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Fayetteville

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

Trail of Hope Hostel gets two thumbs up. It wasn't perfect, but somehow the rotating volunteers took care of everything and I even got a ride to the restaurant for breakfast, and then two people who stayed at the hostel and were in the restaurant gave me a ride to the trailhead.Mountain Dew and greasy food must be my optimal fuel because I blasted through the first four miles, and really all day. I stopped to talk to Jim Stauch, "Innkeeper" of Quarry Gap Shelters. He was constructing a stone / masonry patio beneath a porch swing.In fact, he built the porch swing I enjoyed at the Blackburn A.T. Center. It was amazing how much time and effort he was dedicating to making such a great shelter.I'm running into more and more section hikers. Thru-hikers are becoming the minority, especially on these beautiful weekend days. I had a good chat with a father - daughter team while drinking a trail magic Gatorade from dayhikers at the PATC Milesburn Cabin.They were a little ambitious with their mileage target, so I think I reassured them it was ok to dial it back a bit and enjoy it.I passed the halfway point! I wish it wasn't at a place called Dead Woman Hollow Road, but you can't have everything. Tom's Run Shelter has a lot of tenters, but I'm solo in the shelter for now. 16.2 miles were hiked: 1081.9 (Fayetteville) to 1098.1 (Toms Run Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Toms Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

My solo shelter experience was great. Toms Run Shelter has camping spread out in a wide area, which makes finding a convenient tree more difficult, but creates more tenting options.I woke up and was on my way by 7:30. It was a few miles into Pine Grove Furnace State Park where I met Odie who puts together the hiker yearbook. He took my photo as I began the half gallon challenge... and I was successful! 1.5 quarts of chocolate chip and 1 pint of peach in 57 minutes and 22 seconds.It was a festive time, but I wanted to cover some ground today. I visited the A.T. Museum, then stopped and got a shower down by the beach.I hiked the miles I hiked, and felt surprisingly normal despite the massive amount of ice cream in my stomach. I did decide to take a shorter day when I reached James Fry Shelter. There was a stream that I sank my feet into for about 15 min. and had a nice dinner with a section hiking family that's getting off the trail tomorrow to see about some storm damage to their house. I hiked 10.9 miles today: 1098.1 (Toms Run Shelter) to 1109.0 (James Fry Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-20
From: James Fry Shelter

To: MP 1120.6 Camping
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

I slept soundly. There was at least one snorer in the section hiking family, so I shouldn't have disturbed them too much. They were remarkably efficient, and were on their way by 6:30 am. I enjoyed a couple hours with no humans for a quarter mile in any direction before getting on my way. I found Chopsticks, who started February 6th, but has taken about 7 weeks off, putting him on a similar schedule as me. We have been leapfrogging, and it's always good to see friendly faces. I also found (Dutch) Joker and UmGahwa. They were with a group that has been trying to catch me for a long time!It's the benefit of signing the logs that as people pass you you're not a complete stranger, but I know how frustrating it is to see familiar names but never catch them.I stopped a mile into my day for a cheeseburger & fries with Mountain Dew. It was a nice boost, if a little ill-timed. There was a rock maze which was at times a little silly. The trail makers sent you around some rocks just for the experience.It was hot today and I took a break at the Alec Kennedy Shelter. I got through some farm fields and am camped just before Boiling Springs, trying to be a hair more frugal but it's about 95 degrees by my estimation and I'm slowly sweating to death. Hopefully the train horns revive me. 11.6 miles were hiked: 1109.0 (James Fry Shelter) to 1120.6 (Backpackers Campsite).
Date: 2016-06-21
From: MP 1120.6 Camping

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

After writing in my journal last night, I opened the fly on my tent and got a blast of air at least 15 degrees cooler than my tent interior. The interior slowly cooled over a period of hours and the trains played their part in the symphony of night noises.But, I saved money, and you can put a price on that. The thunder rumbling almost constantly this morning got me out of my sleeping bag. I was mostly packed by the time the rain really started. I got wet on my way into Boiling Springs, but enjoyed a nice large breakfast at the cafe, and spent time at the ATC Mid-Atlantic Headquarters.I got a decent phone charge and then it was hiking, mostly across farm fields and fairly flat paths by river banks. I got water at the ATC building out of a hose, so I avoided the farm runoff water, but tasted garden hose all day.I crossed I-76 and then chose to walk about 0.5 miles West to Carlisle for a Flying J truck stop break. I was probably the smelliest, but not outside the bell curve, so I blended in well enough in the trucker lounge.I got caught up on journals before heading on, ultimately up a hill to Darlington Shelter. I am here with Smiley, Wind Walker, and a section hiker from Germany - Blue Kitty. I am tenting tonight. 14.7 miles were hiked: 1120.6 (Backpackers Campsite) to 1135.3 (Darlington Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-22
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: few clouds

I tented on the fringes of the camping area, and listened to various animals walk around and the wind blowing leaves around. Sleep came and I slept well. I awoke to a peaceful beautiful morning, and despite leaving at 7:40, I was the last one out. I leapfrogged with Smiley, a former Chief Engineer at NASA. He did his preparation in this area and knows every nook and cranny. Water was a little light today, so we got extra at a stream we crossed.I somehow missed Cove Mountain Shelter, which was fine because I wasn't interested in the steep side trail. I knew I was getting close when I redirected some dayhikers to the appropriate romantic overlook near town (Hawk Rock). If you see more than 6 dayhikers, you are probably close to a town.I arrived in Duncannon and stopped in at the Doyle. I ended up sitting down for a salad (I was craving vegetables I guess) with UmGahwa and his gang. I eventually got my key and found the Doyle to be the pits. It was a good value at $25, but it was a building over 100 years old and there comes a point that you just don't want to see it suffer anymore.The hiker feed at Christ Lutheran Church was phenomenal! Every hiker I saw had a smile on their face. I thought about laundry, but got lazy and went to the bar downstairs to test my body against the 22oz lager and play some pool. 11.3 miles were hiked: 1135.3 (Darlington Shelter) to 1146.6 (Duncannon, PA).
Date: 2016-06-23
From: Duncannon

To: Peter's Mtn Shltr
Miles today: 11.0

I woke up, got a shower (when the bathroom was open), then went over to see about laundry at Sonny Daze. I stopped over to see my friends at Sunoco who sold me a large mountain dew and I contentedly browsed trashy magazines while waiting for my laundry. Giant bows are in, ladies!I checked out by leaving my old-fashioned keys in the door lock per instructions, and I headed out, and walked... and walked. I didn't realize it was a full two miles of town walking, including a bridge across the Susquehanna River, which is about a mile wide and two feet deep.I finally made it back into the woods, stopped at an overlook for a snack, then moved on. I got water at Clarks Ferry Shelter, and talked to a guy that did maintenance. He was the one that flagged trees that were removed before a hiker was tragically killed by another falling tree a couple years ago.There were some rocks in the remaining miles. I talked to some teenagers at MP 1155.3 at what they call Shock Rock, which is a place teens go and graffiti the rocks despite the $5000 fine warnings.I made it to Peter's Mountain Shelter before the rain started (mostly) and it is large enough to completely cool and eat in. I'm fully expecting spiders and mice tonight and am feeling alive. 11.0 miles were hiked: 1146.6 (Duncannon) to 1157.6 (Peter's Mountain Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Peter's Mtn Shltr

To: Rausch Gap Shltr
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Peters Mountain Shelter was great. It felt like an open air two story house. I got a decent start and left by 8:00am. I got a text that Britain voted to leave the European Union, so things continue to happen in the real world.Out here in hiker world, I am relieved the terrain has not been as rocky as advertised, yet. There are definitely rocks, but it's not like they're razor sharp boulders all day. Supposedly that's coming. The day was very ordinary all day.Q-Tip saw a rattlesnake inches from his foot today and left a note on the trail as a warning. I came 15 minutes later, but didn't see the snake. I don't want to interact with rattlesnakes, but if they're there, I would rather see them.I made it to Raush Gap Shelter. People are scattered camping around here, but the shelter is pretty nice. The water source is right in front of the shelter. Denim, Q-Tip, and Shoe Leather are here in the shelter with me.It was a long day, and my feet were feeling the 18 miles. I'm sticking close to the spreadsheet, which has some big miles, but should make for some interesting days. 18.0 miles were hiked: 1157.6 (Peter's Mountain Shelter) to 1175.6 (Rausch Gap Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-25
From: Rausch Gap Shltr

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Rausch Gap Shelter was nice. It rained periodically overnight, I think. That could have been the sound of spring water going into the stainless steel trough, almost like a Japanese garden and quite soothing.I got going a little after 8:00am. About 6 miles in, I came across trail magic in the form of Pepsi in a cooler of ice! It was a good break. I was tempted to join two hikers hitchhiking to Lickdale for some Wendy's but I stayed on the path, crossed I-81 and eventually made it to the William Penn Shelter. I had a nice privy / shelter log reading break there and reloaded the water before continuing on to the 501 shelter. All of the shelters in Pennsylvania have been nice, but this is a really nice shelter with four walls, two doors, and bunks around the perimeter of the shelter.I got a moderately cold shower which was bearable before my pizza and Mountain Dew arrived. I had a nice chat with the caretaker, Border-line, after listening to Cherokee and Syracuse perform a few songs on their ukuleles.I actually managed to catch up to a few people today which means that my pace has improved from worst-in-class to below average. I'm trying to hit some sort of resupply tomorrow, but don't have a specific plan. There are less than 1000 miles to go! 17.5 miles were hiked: 1175.6 (Rausch Gap Shelter) to 1193.1 (501 Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-26
From: 501 Shelter

To: Hamburg
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: scattered clouds

The sunlight through the giant skylight let me know that my time at the 501 shelter was at an end. I left later than I should have, but not too late. Today was rocky and long. Water was sufficient, but not overly abundant or convenient. One spring listed was dry. Fortunately I passed that one up and heard about it as I got water from a trickle near the Eagles Nest shelter.That distance felt like a full day, but I pushed on, because I didn't have any decent dinners and I wanted to stay on schedule to make it out of Pennsylvania. I leapfrogged with Shoe Leather a bit today. He's a reporter from the New York suburbs.The trail went on and on in a rocky obstacle course, relatively flat until a free-fall-like descent down to Schuylkill Trail. I elected to take this trail to walk to Hamburg.I did the 2.5 miles in about 50 minutes since it was flat and well graded. I got a room at the Microtel which was quite nice. I walked over (after the best shower on the trail to date) to Wendy's and had a great meal. I was relieved to make it to town and be able to rest in comfort. A hotel stop here wasn't absolutely necessary, but if budget allows, this was a well timed break. 23.9 miles were officially hiked.* 1193.1 (501 Shelter) to 1217.0 (Schuylkill Trail).*Adding 2.5 non-trail miles, I actually hiked 26.4 miles today.
Date: 2016-06-27
From: Hamburg

To: Windsor Furnace
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

I felt the miles from yesterday this morning, but I sauntered down to the very basic breakfast. I ate like a hiker and then ran into Steve, a Trail Angel giving rides around town as long as you "took care of him" in the form of $2.50 per ride. That suited me just fine.I was across the road from Cabela's, but it was still like a half mile away including a highway crossing. So he shuttled me there, then back to Wendy's after I resupplied. When I got all packed up, he drove me to what he called Port Clinton. I tried to get as close as possible to where I left the trail but failed. At least I didn't have to walk back from the Microtel. It was about 3/4 of a mile back to maintain my purist standing. Then I turned around, rehiked that section Northbound, hiked up a mountain and kept going.I was working up a sweat so the rain that started was welcome at first, but then it turned into a heavy soak-you-to-the-bone type of rain. I tried not putting my rain jacket on and that was a poor choice. Lesson learned. I got to Windsor Furnace Shelter and called it for the day. Very few miles were hiked (5.9): 1217.0 (Schuylkill Trail) to 1222.9 (Windsor Furnace Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-28
From: Windsor Furnace

To: Allentown Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

Windsor Furnace Shelter wasn't glamorous, but it got the job done. You get used to things like brooms being provided in the shelters, but this one didn't have one, rendering the floor quite filthy. I slept well, regardless. My sleeping clothes were the set but dirty clothes I probably should have laundered in Hamburg. It took a great deal of discipline to put on an entire outfit of damp clothes this morning. The hike today was full of Pennsylvania rocks, with occasional breaks. It rained more overnight, giving the rocks a slippery sheen and making things more difficult. A heavy fog shrouded most of the views today. I hiked a bit with Little Rhino and Lollygag, who I finally realized were writers on Appalachian Trials. They wrote a great article about planning their meals based on some scientific analysis of their base metabolic rates. I told them I was eagerly awaiting a follow up article. They were interested in my food plan and weight loss and energy, so I may have got a free counseling session.I reached Allentown Hiking Club Shelter with a vague plan to possibly do more miles, but rain was forecast to come so I stayed and stayed dry as a result. I even got a call home so I feel productive with my non-hiking hours. 16.5 miles were hiked:   1222.9 (Windsor Furnace Shelter) to 1239.4 (Allentown Hiking Club Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-29
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Outerbridge Shltr
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

Allentown Hiking Club Shelter was small and full of hikers. I met Pharmacist who famously killed 15 mice in one night in a Shenandoah National Park shelter (He carries mousetraps). Terodactyl also came in the rain and got the last shelter spot. I was on an elevated platform that kept me above the fray of wayward knees and elbows.I had some boulder hikes today along with the usual rocks. I failed to listen to the voice in my head asking me if I needed to "take care of business" at the Allentown privy. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania pulled a Tennessee and decided to space privies 33.5 miles apart from each other in this one single location. By Bake Oven Knob Shelter, I was out of options and attempted to use my plastic hand shovel for only the second time this hike. The shovel was worthless in the Pennsylvania rocks, so I did the best I could with rock relocations. If this was too much information, blame Pennsylvania. I was not feeling poetic about the experience.I made it to the next shelter which I ultimately shared with Bird (flip-flopper) and Pebbles & Odie 2.0 hammocking / tenting nearby. The water was unusually close and flowing well and the shelter is right in the trail. With the exception of the privy desert, all is well. 16.8 miles were hiked: 1239.4 (Allentown Hiking Club Shelter) to 1256.2 (George W. Outerbridge Shelter).
Date: 2016-06-30
From: Outerbridge Shltr

To: MP 1278.5
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: clear sky

I slept well and was on my way by 7:20am (7:33 after stopping for water). After a quick downhill I crossed a bridge and a road to find myself scrambling up a boulder mountain. I carried 4 liters of water today because water was scarce, unreliable, or polluted due to the zinc smelting superfund site.The ridge actually had beautiful views down into Palmerton which looked like a town you might construct for your model train from my perspective. The remainder of the day was more miles than smiles. I saw Bird and Pebbles at some point during the day. We got to Leroy A. Smith Shelter all around the same time. Odie showed up and Torch (flip-flopper) was there as well.We all had different plans, but mine involved hiking another 6 to 8 miles. Pebbles offered to get water for me when she got hers, which was outrageously generous considering the nearest spring that wasn't dry was 0.4 miles downhill. I made myself an early dinner and pushed on. I found another trail magic gallon of water at Wind Gap which was just what I needed. I sent out a Request for Heavenly Assistance (RFHA) as the light dimmed and I found myself in a rock field with no place to pitch a tent. I quickly found a perfect spot and sank all 11 stakes in between rocks with less trouble than at Uncle Johnny's backyard in Erwin, TN. 22.3 miles were hiked: 1256.2 (George Outerbridge Shelter) to 1278.5 (Camping).