morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-30
From: Free State Hostel

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up at 6am and drove to Free State Hostel and met a very nice lady named Mary Reed. She shuttled me back to Gathland State Park so I could head back North to my car at the Free State Hostel. It was a dreadful day of hiking in the fog, rain, and drizzle. I got to Pine Knob Shelter just past I70 and set up my tent next to the shelter. I sat at the picnic table and ate Mountain House Beef Stew. It was pretty good. I met Pete, Repeat, Pappy, and the 4 Horsemen (husband, wife, and 2 great dogs). We talked about the trail, politics, and of course the weather. This year has been tough on the early starters. The snow and cold was a challenge for everyone.
Date: 2013-05-01
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Free State Hostel
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

I was up at 6am. At 7am the sun was out. Yahoo. I enjoyed a leisurely hike to Free State and got in about 1 pm. I then drove up to Pen Mar and met the 4 horsemen and sat in the sun and talked. They were waiting to be picked up by a relative to celebrate one of their birthdays. I went out to dinner with Middleberry in Smithsburg, MD. It was terrible food but we need the calories. I was in bed at 8:30 and up at 7am. I decided to hike with Starwatcher and Middleberry for two days. I like the company.
Date: 2013-05-02
From: Free State Hostel

To: Deer Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

On the trail by 8 am to meet Star watcher on the trail. We stopped at the Devils Racecourse at 10:30 for a break. It has been a nice day with some sun and warm temps. At 2 pm we hit Penn Mar Park and took a nice break in the shelter overlooking the valley. I got cold drinks from the vending machine and we enjoyed the luxury of civilization for awhile. I set up my tent next to Deer Creek Shelter at 5:30 when we arrived in camp. We ate dinner and hit the hay about 8:30pm. I had lost my reading glasses and when we were sitting at Penn Mar a man came up and asked if I had dropped my glasses. Amazing. I got my glasses back. I will always carry a backup pair from now on. I can't read the map without glasses. Does that mean I am getting old. OK... Yes I am past my prime.
Date: 2013-05-03
From: Deer Creek Shelter

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a quiet cool night at Deer Creek Shelter. I loved the sound of the stream flowing nearby. I enjoyed some VIA Starbucks coffee and oatmeal before hitting the trail about 8am. I am still with Middleberry and Starwatcher. It was break time at Tumbling Run shelter. The trail was very rocky at times today, but hey we are in PA. It is the rocky trail state. The weather was perfect for hiking and the canopy had not destroyed the views along the trail. Later in the summer it can feel like you are in a green tunnel for miles without even a hint of a Vista.We got to Caledonia State Park about 3pm and Middleberry and I decided to call Mary Reed for a shuttle. Middleberry went to Ironmasters Mansion Hostel and I went back to my car at Free State Hostel. We said goodby to Starwatcher and made plans to get together next year and complete another section.My short section hike of 60 miles is over. I have to go back home and rest my aching feet. It has been 2 years of plantar fasciitis and everything I have tried has not worked long term. But, I must keep testing my feet with short trips from time to time in the hopes that some day I will be healthy enough for a long hike.
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Indianapolis 

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It is time for another short section hike with my longtime friends from Illinois. Paul, Rick, and I left Indy about 8am and after a few stops for gear and food we arrived at 5pm. Bears Den Hostel was packed. The 1978 thru hikers were having a reunion. They allowed us to eat dinner with them. It was great chowing down on pulled pork sandwiches, beans, salad, and chips. The conversation was all about the trail and the changes in gear over the years. It was very hot and humid but by 9pm it was cooling off and a breeze was blowing in the bunkroom. I arranged for a shuttle to Front Royal with Mike at 9am in the morning.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

It was a rough night in the bunk room. WOW---- some guy really could snore. He had sleep apnea and it seemed like eternity before he started breathing again. I was on the top bunk and when he got to snoring he literally shook the bunkbed. Oh well it is part of life on the trail.So Mike was there at 9am and we enjoyed good conversation on our way to Front Royal where he dropped us off at Rt 522. Right away we met a thru hiker called Occupy with his german shepherd. He was very ripe. I don't think he had been to town for many days. We started hiking and got to Jim and Molly Denton shelter before 1pm. We ate lunch and listened to Cliff Note play his guitar. Aqua Man and another hiker showed up and we found out that the Lucky Star Lounge had named a burger after him for eating a 2 pound burger in record time. He even showed us the menu. (see pic). The trail was ok but the heat was intense. I think it hit 95. We got to Manassas Gap shelter about 5:30 and found it crowded with tents but the shelter was empty. It was good to sit down and rest. The stream was close and flowing well so a sponge bath felt great. We talked with July and a German lady named, Wild Deer. They ate a gourmet meal with fresh herbs, veggies, and spices. I was jealous. July was a sheep farmer and Wild Deer had her own computer business in Germany. The moon came up and I think it may have been the brightest moon I have ever seen. July learned that it was the brightest full moon in over 100 years. Amazing. I set up my mosquito net in the shelter and lay on my pad with no bag and I was still sweating. It was good to be back on the trail. My feet were sore but nothing too painful as in the past.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Ashby Gap US 50
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: broken clouds

I slept well and woke up at 6 ready to beat the heat and start hiking. Rick and I started hiking at 6:30. Paul was going to catch up later. It was already hot and I was dripping sweat in no time. We got to Dicks Dome shelter at 10 am and took a break. Paul still didn't show up so we took off. Rick said he wasn't feeling well and thought he should get off the trail. It was very hot and pretty miserable but I didn't know how we could find a shuttle in short notice. Well, I called Mike and he was in route to Bears Den (as luck would have it) and could meet us at Signal Knob parking on VA 638. That was only a little over a mile away. Now all we had to do was get there in 20 minutes because Mike was on a schedule he wanted to keep. We hiked hard and after 20 minutes I couldn't find the sign or path to VA638. I dropped my pack and started running ahead. NOTHING. I ran back and remembered we saw a tent symbol on a post a ways back. I ran back and found an overrun trail that ended up leading to a parking lot. Yeh!!! I ran back a got my pack and yelled at Rick to follow my voice back down the trail. I left my poles and pack on the trail so Paul would know we were in the area. Just as Rick and I reached the parking lot Mike pulled up. Perfect timing. He had HeartWalker in the car also. I bummed some water and made plans with Rick to pick up Paul and I at Ashby Gap. Now where is Paul? I ran down the trail yelling for Paul and in a few minutes I met him coming up the trail. What happened. "Oh well, I went the wrong way when I left the shelter," says Paul. Wow, how can I keep us together for the next 3 days. The rest of the hike was uneventful. We hiked through Sky Meadows state park and got to US 50 about 1:45. Rick was waiting with the car. Cold beer and AC in the car sure was nice. We went back to Bears Den and checked in at 5pm after a nice rest in the shade talking to other hikers waiting to check in also. We drove down the road about 6 pm for dinner at a sports bar near town. Cold draft beer and burgers hit the spot.
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Ashby Gap US 50

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Rick and Paul decided to take a zero and see some Civil War battlefields. I got up at 5:30 and got Rick to drop me off at US 50 so I could hike to Bears Den hostel. It was going to be very hot again today so I drank a lot of water and started hiking at 6:30. At Rod Hollow shelter I took a break to rest and eat a cliff bar. I met some thru hikers (Banjo, Cat Lady, Cobalt, Hikehard, and a few others that I don't remember). At 8 am I took off and hiked hard while it was still morning and the sun wasn't as intense. Of course I hit the start of the Roller Coaster and started the 13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents. It really wasn't too bad. The canopy kept you in the shade but there was very little air movement. I hit the Sam Moore shelter at 11:30 and took a nice break to rehydrate and eat lunch. I met Whirled Peas, Red Specks, Smokey, Slider, and Beer Goddess along the way. It started to rain just as I reached Bears Den at 1:30. Rick and Paul had a good day of sight seeing and brought me a cold diet coke to enjoy as I rested in the shade. The shower really felt good.
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We got up at 5:30 and drove to the Blackburn AT Center for a short hike back to Bears Den. The last few miles to Blackburn were uphill and gravel. At one point the guys got out and pushed my Rav 4 up the hill. When we got there I saw Cat Lady and asked her where she was from. She said indianapolis. Wait, that is where I am from. What side of town. I am from the northeast. What: you went to North central high school. My boys went there. I said Matt and Ben. She goes, "no way, I know Ben, he took a friend of mine to prom. I have been to your house and my parents live a few blocks away."Gosh, it is a small world. It was an interesting start to the day. Then we discovered Rick was missing. Where did he go. We called his cell. No answer. Well we started hiking hoping to find him. We didn't find him. Then he calls. He is down the trail. We start hiking and still no Rick. Okay, did we get in front of him or is he hiking fast. We decided to each draw letters in the dirt along the trail then if we see the letters we know he is still in front of us. If he sees our letters he knows we are in front. It is a brilliant plan. Shortly we catch him. He needed to go to the bathroom (2) and so he took off and then he just started hiking thinking we would eventually catch him. I wanted to yell at him but I grew up with him and I know you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Well the rest of the day went smooth until we stopped at Raven Rocks for pics. We met Hippsy Gypsy and Oak and Oak took our pic. Paul and I sat and talked for a few minutes and then we took off. Again we assumed Rick was in front of us. I reached the Virginia state line and saw the sign post but no Rick. Okay I know Rick wanted a pick of us entering Virginia so where is he. I luckily have cell phone service so I call Rick and ask him if he passed the Virginia state line yet. He said no. So, I asked, where are you. He didn't know. I told him to look for someone to ask which direction he was going. He called back and disgustingly said he was going the wrong direction. He was a happy camper (hiker) when he arrived 20 minutes later. I think his trail name should be Wrong Way. Paul and I had a good laugh and off we went. We got to Bears Den about 1:30 and at 2 John gave us a ride back to Blackburn. At this point I decided to keep hiking and have them go to the Teahorse hostel in Harpers Ferry and check in before picking me up at Keys Gap (WV9). I had an easy 6 mile hike to Keys Gap,got picked up, took a shower and went next door to the Anvil with Red Specks, Whirrled Peas, and a cyclist that was staying at the Teahorse also. Tomorrow is the last short section into Harpers Ferry before heading back home.
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Teahorse hostel
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Whirled Peas drove us to Keys Gap for a short hike back to the Teahorse. She and RedSpecks then got to use my car to go to Wallmart for resupply. We had a nice easy hike back to Harpers Ferry and a nice relaxing lunch downtown at the Cannonball Deli. At 2 we went back to theTeahorse for showers and then a tour of Harpers Ferry. White Sidewalls went with us. I am talking to him and he tells me about a thru hiker named, Funnybone, who is a doctor that saved him from surgery on his foot. Gee, Funnybone is from Indiana and is someone I have hiked with on other trips. Amazing: it really is a small world.Whirled Peas and RedSpecks went with us to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Then it was time to pack for our trip back to Indy.There were about 10 cyclists staying the night also. We sat outside and had a few beers as we got to know each a little better. Some of their stories were quite entertaining.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Teahorse hostel

To: Indianapolis
Miles today: 0.0

We ate breakfast (waffles and fruit) and at 7:15 we headed home. It was a fun week of hiking but my feet did not do as well as I would have hoped. My heels throbbed, ached, and were just plain tender after a few miles of hiking each day. I guess I still have plantar fasciitis. Bummer, I was hoping to hike with Ranger Bob starting in mid July. I must cancel and give my feet more rest. Maybe a short hike in August or September .A big thanks to Rick and Paul for putting up with me for a week. It was definitely an adventure.
Date: 2013-07-20
From: Caledonia State Park

To: BIRCH RUN
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday I drove from Indy to Allenberry Resort. Got up at 6 packed and waited for a shuttle from Mike to Caledonia where I left off in April. Started at 8:40 and got to Quarry Gap at 9:30. It is a hot day. It started to rain when I got to PATC Milesburn cabin at 12:15. It was an easy afternoon but my feet are aching already. Not a good sign. There was a Scout Troop at Birch Run and a very scary guy named Lost. He was a SOBO but I can't hardly believe his hard luck story. Got in ten miles and hope my feet feel better in the morning.
Date: 2013-07-21
From: BIRCH RUN

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 9.5

Up at 6:30. Talked to Donut Man for awhile before heading out. Stopped for a nice break at Tom Run shelter at 10:50. It is very buggy and hot again today. I passed the 2013 MIDPOINT. I took some pics and signed the register. It is a milestone of sorts for me. If my feet will get better I may get to finish the second half. Got to the general store and decided to pass on the half gallon challenge. But I watched All Night and Just Mom enjoy their half gallon of ice cream. I did buy a burger and after some painful deliberation called Mike for a shuttle back to my car. My feet just aren't up to the task. I don't want to run the risk of further damage to my plantar fascia.
Date: 2013-01-27
To: Time To Let It Snow.....
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hello dear readers,Let me introduce myself, my name is Pathfinder, better known as Renee in the front-country. I figured it was about time I actually got my blog off the ground for my 2013 Appalachian Trail thru hike, after having it on my to-do list for a LONG time. I'd tell you how long, but then you'd think I don't actually want to do this, which is definitely not the case!   Time is such a strange thing....I used to think it speeded up and slowed down, ebbed and flowed through the seasons, but I can't help feeling that in the past few years all it has done is speed by at a terrific rate....too fast for me, frankly. I need some time to stop and smell the roses, and simply see where my feet are able to carry me. I'm thrilled I have the chance to embark on my great journey in just a matter of weeks now, but where has my prep time gone?
Date: 2013-01-28
To: I share part of my brain....
Miles today: 0.0

Hello again dear readers,Indeed, as many who work with me know full well, I share a good portion of my brain with the other manager in my division. Don't worry, she shares hers with me, too. We were promoted together, somehow survived the first 6 months the least of which was moving our hospital floor to another building (a truly thankless endeavor, you think moving your house is bad), to 5 years later and countless laughs and rants to each other later....In fact, as the news of my upcoming departure has gone thru the work grapevine, she's starting to get questions about my trip! I'm not sure if people really have us that confused (seemingly possible though we look nothing alike) but more likely because I've been holed up in my office training my replacement while getting 2 multi million $$ grant applications out the door. It's been a busy few months, and SUCH a relief, though bittersweet, going home today knowing this was really my last big hurrah.   The next month will be spent on more mundane, though very necessary tasks such as documentation and the like. While not working 12 hour days will definitely help with my hiking prep to do lists, I have to admit feeling sad this evening as I acknowledge an end to an era in my life. I've spent 12 great years at this job, and while my position has changed a lot thru the years I've taken some pride in touting that in my "adult" working life post-college I've only ever worked at 1 place, which is so different than many in my generation. Inevitably, post hike once I've hopefully moved out west where I so feel called to be, I'll be the newbie again, which while exciting is a bit scary, too.Guess I'll need all of my brain back....well, eventually. Definitely by March 1st!The picture is my wonderful birthday card from my coworkers last week, and while some have looked at me like I'm crazy for taking this trip, literally everyone has been excited for me. In my next great adventures, I hope I'm even half as lucky to be surrounded by so many fantastic people as I have right now.
Date: 2013-01-30
To: User error does not equate to buying new gear...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Good evening dear readers,I attended a digital photography class tonight, which I signed up for when I faced some hard truths a few weeks ago. I had been drooling over buying a new camera for my hike this year, and was very tempted....AM very very tempted! While I'm not into overly artistic photos, one of my goals is to take lots of photos that I can sigh and moon over post-trip. Many past hikers have told me they consider their photos to be a priceless part of their memories, and I'm totally on the bandwagon of carrying a separate camera and not relying (solely) on my iPhone5. I've been concerned, I thought justifiably, that my current camera might not be up to the task of taking GOOD pics, however. I had gotten some good shots during trips the past few years, but also a lot of not-so-good pics. Here are the undeniable truths I've come to realize lately:1. My current camera, while several years old now, still works perfectly well. Despite my thinking for a good several months last summer that something funky was happening with the screen when I turned it 90 degrees. Let's just say that I was wearing my polarized sunglasses at the time but didn't connect the dots for a loooooong time. 2. I have taken some GREAT photos with my current camera, including the lovely photo you see here, taken during a sunrise in gorgeous Durango, CO last June. Conditions were great, and this was taken in auto mode. Clearly, my current camera is inherently CAPABLE of taking good photos. 3. Until tonight, I have to admit I didn't know diddly-squat about ISO, shutter speed, f-stop, etc. My good ole point-n-shoot camera, while not as versatile as a digital SLR (rather giddily - I know what "SLR" stands for now!) allows me to change many manual settings, much to my surprise! 4. Based on my new knowledge and the basic changes I've made already, I have to conclude that it was good old user error that was preventing me from getting good exposures the majority of the time. Alas, no new gear for me.   The $20 I spent on the photography class was MUCH more cost effective then the several hundred $$ set-up I was considering (that I wouldn't have known how to efficiently use, before tonight).   {Quietly} I would like to point out that I have a replacement camera all picked out, down to the case and extra battery. Of COURSE, this is just in case something happens to my current camera during my hike, I want to be prepared, right?   User error, anyone?!
Date: 2013-01-31
To: Do I really need all this stuff?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hola dear readers,I've now added the majority of my gear to the "Gear" page, with final tweaks coming (some weights/prices need to be added along with things like my first aid kit and toiletry bag). It was really neat to think about what I really like with my gear, and clarified for me what I am hesitant about and may still switch out, or look for alternatives en route. However, the entire process took so long that I've come away from the experience thinking, "Do I really NEED all this stuff??" I'm embarking on this adventure in large part to simplify my life for a while, so I thought I would take some time to contemplate this topic further since you haven't been in my head the past 12 months. I can't even begin to estimate how many questions I've received thus far from family, friends, coworkers, my doctors, etc, about my trip (top 10 reactions/question list coming soon for your reading pleasure!) and many of them focus on gear and the fact that I'll be carrying all I need to survive on my back. Considering I've never been on a long distance hiking trip before, over the past year since I made the decision to go for it in 2013 I've been obsessively reading others' accounts of what they've considered "necessary". As many have before me, I've concluded it is a very personal a decision - what you are comfortable with carrying on your back in a safety vs comfort competing priority dynamic. What is important for one person isn't at all for another. And, you carry what you fear. Right now, my pack weight hovers between 25-30 lbs including food and 2L water. So, I'm on the higher end of the lightweight crowd, and no where near the Ultralight crowd. So, what do I fear? Being cold (hypothermic) and running out of water (dehydration). Both I think are legitimate concerns - I am a cold sleeper, and while I sweat buckets while hiking I cool off quickly when I stop, and the sweating doesn't help the fact I dehydrate easily.   I like to think I know my body well enough to prepare adequately, but not go overboard. I'm going to have to really talk with myself to leave at home the pair of fleece pants and long sleeved shirt I want desperately to add to my gear list! Rationally, I shouldn't need them with my layering system. Irrationally......I'd like to point out that I'm not carrying anything, after all, to combat my (somewhat irrational, considering I'm going to be stinky all the time) fear of being sprayed by a skunk. Bears, snakes? Bring them on, I'll carefully and respectfully base my behaviors on the situation. A skunk the size of a house cat? Eeek, I'm quickly heading in the opposite direction. I guess we'll see how much stuff I ship home in the first month!