morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matt's Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Lots of critters last night but nothing that concerned the dog, no growls or barks. He just sniffed the air and went back to sleep. I got down to 39F last night, no wind. We left before 0800H and headed up Apple Orchard Mtn. There is an FAA bldg ontop with a big Radome and many small antennas. It was sunny and warm -another shorts and t-shirt day. We stopped for a mid morning break @ Thunder Ridge Shelter, nice spring. The shelter has a register left by David Horton!! but it needs a new pen or pencil if anyone lives near there... We stopped for lunch North of Petites Gap and then attacked High Cock Knob, the heat made it the hardest climb of the day. We came within 50 ft of a small whitetail the dog didn't chase it and it didn't run away, too hot. After that it was easy except for te heat madee it uncomfortable. The dog's tongue was hanging out side ways so we rested in the shade periodically. We took another break 2 miles before the shelter at the creek to get water. I had a tick crawling on me so I decided it was time to leave. We arrived at Matt's Creek Shelter by 1700. We decided to stay and use up our food and save the 5 miile road walk for the am. It was warm and only dropped to 41F, no wind.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Matt's Creek Shelter 

To: Wild Wood Campground
Miles today: 2.0

Left Matts Creek Shelter and headed for Wild Wood Campground for our mail pick up. They don't have any pet friendly cabins so we are tenting it, somuch for a day off. We are a quarter of a mile from the bathroom and the woods only provide thin cover so... more walking. It's finally warm, too warm to lie in the tent. So we just lie on our air mattress'. The ticks like this. Fontana and I are infeted with them. They are dropping from the tent ceiling...yikes. They are Lone Star and dog ticks. We ended up walking 4 of the 5 road miles to the campground then a truck without ATV's stopped and gave us a ride, thanks. I did the essentials: shower and laundry. The store has a limited supply so I ended up with OJ, reese's, butterfingers and snicker's so much for real food. I raided the hiker box and ate a veg meal, ramen and some snack mix. I am still hungry!!!!
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Wild Wood Campground

To: Brown Mtn creek shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The owner gave us a shuttle back to the trail head. We were hiking by 0800H. Summited Bluff Mtn by noontime. Dog went wading pack and all by Pedlar dam. Met a guy from VT who did a 20 + mile day -he stayed at the shelter too. Dog found and old deer leg and chewed on it all evening. It rained off and on all night.
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Brown Mtn creek shelter

To: Seeley Woodworth shelter 
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

We left after 0900H rainy and cold -foggy and windy. No views today. Arived at Shelter and met the "the honking hiker". He has a honking pig on his pack. He is going HF to Springer then K to HF. He had a heavy pack and gear. MSR Whisperlite, Spot, a strobe on his Leki and the food bag must have weighed 30lbs. I thought about helping myself once he was snoring but he hung it on a bear line and I wasn't leaving my sleeping bag.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Seeley Woodworth shelter 

To: Harper's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

A whitetail came to visit the shelter and Fontana ran after him hells bells. We left by 0730H it was still chilly -41F, but dry and the. Sun was out. We stopped for breakfast at Priest mtn shelter then crossed the Tye River. We planned to try and make it to Maupin Shelter but 0.8 miles from Harper's Creek Shelter it started to pour rain. So we ran for the shelter to wait it out. Soon others came... a man and a big wet dog named Moose and then 3 others and a dog named Tyler. The man and the dog stayed until the thunder and lightning was over. The others waited out the rain. They ended up staying for supper then heading off to camp by the river. Later that night CZar showed up for the night. He told us Beerman and Omegaman said Hi. We meet them at Bobblet's Creek Shelter.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Harper's Creek Shelter

To: Wolf Shelter 
Miles today: 22.3

left at 0730H and headed over the three ridges and to Maupin Field for breakfast. It started to snow so we left -just a few flurries. Crossed by Reed's Gap and saw a few cyclist out on the BRP. Just before Cedar Cliffs a cloud blew in and it started raining then it stopped as soon as I got my stuff on. We crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) and it got windy and started to hail. It stayed cold and windy until we dropped in elevation. We stopped to take a look at Grassy Hollow and when we got back to our packs along came Panama Red. We all stayed at the Wolf but Font and I tented down by the creek. AS soon as I had my tent set up it rained -just a sprinkle off and on. Font yogi-ed some peanuts from Red. Now they are friends for life. I took off Font's collar, harness and bandana and let him run around naked and free. He has gotten really skinny this year. All I can think of is AYCE Pancakes for 5.95...food must have more.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Wolf Shelter 

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

bright and sunny perfect day!! We got back to the car before 1000H. We gave Panama Red a ride. Fiirst to Kroger's then to the Outfitter and finally back to the gap.   I just turned on my phone and "Possum 2006" called she was at the Gap. We met at the Outfitter and chatted for a while then we got a hotel and we visited most of the day. After it was chore time: laundry, more shopping and feeding time. We searched the city for postcards but couldn't find any and gave up. I heated up 4 veg spring rolls and ate them and fed Font. Fontana and I went out for a walk and I got a big veggie pizza and a real coke with sugar!! I stopped into 7 eleven and they had postcards!! Back to hotel to stuff myself and sleep.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Ok so we got a shuttle to VA 522 near Front Royal -thanks again Bill!! We were hiking by 1345H -up hill and hot. We saw many deer and then after crossing Skyline drive just South of Marshall Mtn we spotted a sow witb 2 cubs. We just stood there and watched them and eventually the skampered off and we continued on our way. A couple of weekenders stopped by the shelter for a chat and left after we had finished setting up our tents. Clear and starry night 66F.
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

left around 0630H we are going slow today. We made it to Elkwallow by 0943H. I got a juice and an apple and a can of dog food for the skinny hound dog. We took another break @ Pass Mtn Hut- 95F. It's like being in a broiler. We ran out of water before the hut...so we filled everything up and headed for Thorton Gap. We got a ride from Bob to Swift Run Gap -we had already hiked from Thorton to Swift in October 2007 with Possum right after I ran the MCM. We headed the wrong way but figured it out before going uphill. We made it in plenty of time to set up tents but eat in the dark -nice sunset. It was clear and 66F. I got up to water the leaves and evil moths with glowing eyes invaded the tent. I was swatting at them and thedog got scared and ran out. I had to go out and chase him down and.drag him in. Anyway those moths bite, one bit my finger then I ende his/her light seeking career permanently. The tick invasion continues!
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Hightop Hut

To: Loft Mtn Campground
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

59F this am up and packed early filled up with water at the spring and left @ 0734H. Stopped @ Simmon's Gap for breakfast. The ticks were waiting in the grass for us. We waTched cyclist speed down Skyline Drive...might have to put that on my list: bike SLD and BRP. We stopped at Pinefield Hut for an extended lunch break to stay out of the noon sun. I put my wtch on the picnic table and it went up to 124F. Only 84F in the shelter, another scorcher!! I gave Font the extra supper I had packed and he devoured it. Lots of deer and some big brown bunnies. As we got ready to summit Loft Mtn a thru hiker told us nothing was open/no food that we were hoping for. Also that there was no water until Black Rock Hut.. 9 miles away so we stopped at a mud puddle and filled our bottles. We decided to stop early and set up camp. We found a nice site on the ridge. It was a nice change not to eat in the dark and see the food too. @ 2100H it was 70 and windy -nice blood red sunset. A thunder storm that threatened while we were on Loft Mtn was moving through the valley below us. It had a big head and the flashes filled the sky. The wind blew hard throughout the night and branches were snapping. I had already made sure the trees over us were alive. The trees in Shenandoah have been devasted by disease. I was botten several times by wasps, yellow jackets and other biting insects -my floral aroma must attract them to me.
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Loft Mtn Campground

To: Calf Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Up early and off by 0630H stopped for a quick break and to fill up with water @ Black Rock Hut, spring only trickling. Another broiler oven day, had to conserve water and camel up every chance. Bunnies, birds and more deer everywhere -saw another pileated. We took shoe off breaks at most road crossing. We finally made it to the shelter and set up our tents -nice cedar chip platforms. We heard random gun fire all evening up until 2230H. It was another warm night 70 then it dropped to 61F by am.
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Calf Mountain Shelter 

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Up late off by 0730H, one more warm sunny day -where's the rain?? Easy rolling terrain with good views -the trees are blossoming now. We rolled into Rockfish Gap at 0933H. We headed for the YMCA for their free shower and towel ... Possum called and we met her in Charlottesville, got lunch to go at Whole Foods/Paycheck. We went to a local park and spent the afternoon visiting in the shade of a big oak tree. Fontana slept most of the time when he wasn't eating. We dropped Possum off and looked at pix of the new Grand baby. I got a new cook book, thanks again.
Date: 2010-03-09
From: VA 522 front royal

To: manassas gap shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Our shuttle arrived @ 0830H left port clinton and arrived @VA 522 just after noon. It started out wet and muddy then it turned into mid calf deep wet snow. We saw 4 deer one with an orange tagged ear, 2 bunnies and several hawks. We had planned on Dick's Dome BUT the going was slow. warm night 50's
Date: 2010-03-10
From: manassas gap shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: few clouds

OMG!! more snow... thigh deep in places. we saw 4 deer today all dead in the trail... I kept the dog from taking any soveniers or rolling in the carcasses. colder today no shorts. feet soaked to the bone, wore the same wet socks from yesterday. The snow is mostly ankle to mid calf deep, rotten with a high water content so we postholed all day. Only saw 2 day hikers all day at Sky Meadows Park. We arrived at Rod Hollow early and stayed because the forecast was for rain and we didn't know if we would find a dry spot to camp. day #1 no shower same clothes x's 2 days.
Date: 2010-03-11
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn hostel
Miles today: 18.0

left rod hollow after 0730H this was the start of what is known as the "RollerCoaster" 13.5 miles of relentless ups and downs. hmmmm I guess we didn't notice because we were so happy not to be postholing through the snow. there was more snow right after "Devils Race Track". Then the ankle deep mashed potato snow filled the trail once again. We stopped at Sam Moore Shelter for a break found a big bag of weed, lighter, book and a bar of soap in the mail box. I left the dope and took the nice windproof lighter -perfect for lighting my fuel cubes. Made it to Blackburn by 1730H -warm inside -2 others here and they made a nice fire -headed to Harpers Ferry tomorrow -will pick up extra food because we are behind a day.
Date: 2010-03-12
From: Blackburn hostel

To: KOA Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: moderate rain

ok so it started to rain and rain... we didn't leave Blackburn until 10454. The rain on the tin roof and the predicted 2" made us want to stay in our bags all dayand read. Finally, we decided to go for it. No more mash potato snow -the trail is now a raging river. we tried to avoid the water but gave in and slogged our way to Harpers Ferry. we got our pix taken at the ATC, numbers 2 and 3, and headed out for the KOA 1.5 miles away on the road. we got about a blockdown the road and up drives julie and brenda the mother and daughter that was at Blackburn last night. They gave us a ride to the KOA. We arrived just after the place closed... but Dale let us in anyway dog and all. He gave us a cabin for the price of a tent site. So we have heat, lightz, beds, showers and a roof -flood warnings tonight and the wind is really blowing hard. some campers arrived lateand they are tenting under the awning... we showered and did the wash you clothesin the show thing then headed for thelaundry mat to dry them. Fontana was accosted by a little girl who slapped him on the head pulled his tail then she lead him around and was going to let him outside after I told her not to. the parents did nothing. We cooked a late supper and crashed for the night in our protected shell.
Date: 2010-03-18
From: James Frye

To: Darlington
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: scattered clouds

up @ 0700H and off by 0740H, 32F this am much warmer than the night before at Birch Run. Up and down all day until the Valley then flats for 17ish miles, warm and sunny. Stayed way too long in Boiling Springs and ate too much. Ran out of daylight and arrived just before 2100H. We have the shelter all to ourselves. I saw one tent on the way in. Lots of live deer, rabbits, cows and birds tonight. It's still 50F a welcome change. ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz 11ish miles until laundry, town food, shower and a bed. My socks literally stand up on their own...all worth it.
Date: 2010-03-21
From: Duncannon, PA

To: coal mines 
Miles today: 19.3

off @ 0736H across the bridge and finally in the woods. met boy scouts and 3 dogs on their way out -one/dog not so nice -lots of poop on the trail -warm and sunny. lots of white tails a big jake and some hens. camped near coal mines on old road -hotand humid all night. the hound stood up in the tent a few times to sniff the air,no growls but he had a serious look -tail up, muscles flexed and a mean stare going on. eventually he nested back up and went to sleep.
Date: 2010-03-22
From: coal mines 

To: Wm Penn
Miles today: 23.0

rain...rain...thunder and lighting...rain...thunderstorm...slippery rocks, big water crossing, one of us went around the other 2 walked across the log. just as we started to dry more rain. a canadian from ottowa was at the shelter -he had his stuff everywhere. we moved it to one side while he went touse the woods. we went to get water and found a big pile of crap tp and all beside the spring....I found another source Liz used drops to treatthe water and used the spring anyway. He wentback down to clean up his "mess" not sure how -I would avoid that spring
Date: 2010-03-25
From: microtel

To: microtel
Miles today: 0.0

more eating and shopping -bought a new pair of trail runners and some superfeet inserts -UPS'ed a box to the Mohican Center with five days of supplies for me and the hound. took a mid day nap and packed up for the morning shuttle pick up. had the sulfur burps all day and the shits I hope it's just the town food and not giardia since I don'tfilter or treat the water. I bought a big bag of black licorice and pepto to make it go away.
Date: 2010-03-26
From: microtel/ NY 17

To: stealth tent site
Miles today: 15.0

Mike picked us up @ 0730H and we were back on the trail by 1000H. straight up from the road. Liz and Font took off while I ate my bagel with jelly and english muffin. The terrain was more up anddown than PA and lots of lakes and ponds. We arived at Wildcat Shelter early so we kept going. We tented on the West side of ___ mtn near Greenwood Lake. It was a cold night. Font and I tried to tarp it but a coyote was near and started barking and howling. It sounded like he was trapped or hurt and Font wanted to go investigaate. WE moved back into the tent. I took off in my crocs and went to see what was going on. I climbed back up to the peak and down near where the noise was coming from and banged my poles together. I could hear something moving up toward me so I hiked back to the tent content that it wasn't trapped or hurt. he continued to bark and cry but he was moving. Cold night it dropped to 27F when the sun went down and was 24 in the tent. I wore all my clothes including my rain jacket and pants. It was still cold but not too bad.
Date: 2010-03-27
From: stealth tent site

To: unknown tent site
Miles today: 17.0

cold am we didn't leave until 0900H -it was sunny but cold hiked in gloves all day more ridge walking the rocks are purple/pink and lots of composites. I cooked up my last night's supper that I missed and had it for lunch to lighten my pack plus I could not locate my snacks that I set aside accusing liz and the dog of stealing them... we crossed a road where the ladder over the fence had caution tape andasign that the bridges were washed out but there was no alternate route posted so went on thru anyway. one brigde over a river was pushedover sideways from a flood thenome of thebog bridges connecting the board walk were missing... we just walked through the cold deep water. the boardwalk was verylong with a nice big bridge over the main river -this was a bird santuary viewing area it was hard on the feet. we crossed the road near glenwood?? NJ and went up until we found a place to camp. there was lots of graffiti and trash once we left NY and went into NJ.
Date: 2010-03-28
From: unknown tent site

To: High Point -NJ
Miles today: 18.0

up early because 37F feels warm now -off @0740H gray day only glimpses of sun we ran into a day hiker who said it was going to rain tonight. we walked and extra half mile at the Walkill Santuary due to missing blazes. We were back and forth between NY and NJ the trail follows the state lines. We encountered some fenced in dogs that were not happy we were passing by -shepard and an akita and we could hear a small yapper in the house. the ones outside looked like they live outside all the time and they need a bath and a brushing. We reached High Point Shelter and it started to sprinkle then it stopped but we decide to stay insteadof going on 4.4 to the next one. George Gryb is here with his tent set up in the shelter. The bear box had food left in it so took one instead of my usual supper it was a curried indian dish, not bad. There is some oatmeal in there too. I am thinking about firing up the stove and aking some but it is pouring rain...we'll see. It's 0330H and 45F. I am hungry and tired of lying on the hard shelter floor. oatmeal mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Date: 2010-03-29
From: High Point -NJ

To: Gren Anderson SHELTER
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

poured rain all day we decided to call it quits early today. this shelter was dry unlike the High Point one last night and we weren't sure what condition Brink Road SHELTER would be in. Soon George showed up - and he sent his tent up in the shelter. Lots of conversation about politics and food. On the way we stopped at Massipaqin shelter for a short break where 4 young lads had done 4.5 miles from Rutherford shelter. theysaid they would catch up with us... when George stopped in that same shelter they were still there -cooking ramen and rolling smokes, needless to say we never saw them again.
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Gren Anderson SHELTER

To: Mohican Outdoor center
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

another rainy cold day!!! it was in the 30's we went to Brink road shelter for lunch break. I put on dry clothes and crawled into my sleeping bag with the dog. We made hot tea with lunch. Then packed everything back up and put back on the wet clothes and left for the Mohican Outdoors Center... the trails were cold streams that made my feet freeze. Once upon the ridge the wind was kicking up and we were pelted with hail then rain and then snow. We finally made it just before dark @ 1900H we got a cabin for 28/each. It had a loft with a ladder -the dog just neeeded a little coaxing. we had a hot shower -hand washed our clothes and I strung up some mule tape for clothes lines. Then we heated water with a stove and ate and drank tea. I had put foot heaters in my shoes and they exploded black iron oxide all inside my shoes it was like black mud. Fontana and I tried to sleep up in the loft but it was 85F up there so we movedto the kitchen floor. Liz woke up and said she would try it so we swapped. the bed down stairs had a giant crater in it. I readlate into the night.....
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Mohican Outdoor center

To: Church of the Mountain Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

we left the Mohican Outdoor Center after 1130H and headed for The Delaware Water Gap. We met up with George and leap frogged into the Gap where George was being picked up. Great views today unlike the fog of the last 2. The trail was dry for the most part lots of day hikers out you could smell their clean fresh clothes. Liz stopped to chat with george while Font and I cruiisedaround the town and found a dead flattened rat. I will post a pix when I get home. anyway, we got a place at the Hostel and went out to find food. We stopped by "The edge of the woods" outfitter who opened up just for us to browse.   We went to the gas station where Liz bought a sleeve of fig newton's -the fake ones for a buck. I went Dough Boys Pizza for a large extra sauce no cheese, onion, pepper and mushroom pizza -which was gone in 5 minutes. Bill from Michigan showed up -he is doing a short section but big miles each day Port Clinton to NY22. Liz heated up her black bean and ramen trail supper. They both went to bed early while I stayed out in the livingroom andwrote more postcards and read lots of snoring.
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Church of the Mountain Hostel

To: near Leroy Smith shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

great views of the Delaware Water Gap on the way up and out. the trail is getting rockier but not bad. It was warm enough for short sleeves and shorts. otherwise an uneventful day. I made a fire for the first time the bugs are out now -not biting yet.
Date: 2010-04-02
From: near Leroy Smith shelter

To: near George Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Fontana woke up with a sore right paw. he was not himself and holding it up. We left by 08 I figured that if it got worse I would try to kennel him until we could hike to Port Clinton and pick him up. He seemed to get better but he continued to limp. He would bound off after squirrels as usual but limp and hold up his foot. I leashed him to restrict his activity and took lots of breaks. He didn't get worse. I worried about the descent into Lehigh Gap because it is steep and a giant rock pile. I went slow but he bounded passed me leaping and jumping across the rocks. I opted to wait and see how he was after a short easy day (Hot 86F). When we reached the shelter there were three guys anda dog all sleeping there. we got water from the spring and left. we tented upthe trail.while we were eating a guy who I thought was a fat girl came bushwacking through the woods into our campsite -well gimpy didn't like that at all and he fiercely growled and barked at him -we didn't have to worry about him coming back. It was a warm hazy nights with the ciity lights in the distance.