morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-22
From: Blackburn Tent Site (1011.3)

To: Camptons Gap Shelter (1034.1)
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Forgot to mention that I Entered WV yesterday. The Trail follows the border of VA and WV crisscrossing back and forth. It Leaves VA for good just south of Harpers Ferry so I finished VA sometime before noon. I am still fascinated by fireflies. I got up last night and there were tons around. A bit surprised to see them in the woods. Last saw them about 2 weeks back when we camped in a large field. Made good time to Harpers Ferry arriving before noon. Stopped by AT Headquarters to get my picture. I was number 1026 thru hiker to come through the HQ. I initially planned to stay in or around Harpers Ferry, but since I got in early, decided to grab lunch, a bit of resupply and move on to the next shelter 4 miles away.  Got to the shelter by 4 and decided to move on to the next shelter 4 more miles away. So ended up doing 8 more miles than expected this morning when I got up. So overall a good day. I Was in 3 states, VA, WV, and MD, made the unofficial halfway point (AT HQ at Harpers) and made it 8 miles closer to Maine than I planned. It is very hot and humid as I go to sleep. I'll have to get an AC unit for the tent. Maybe at the next town.
Date: 2017-06-23
From: Camptons Gap Shelter (1034.1)

To:  US Route 40 (1046.2)
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Rained a bit last night. Had to get up about 3:30/4, put the fly on the tent (I had it staged and ready to go. ALWAYS have to be ready for rain!) and quickly got clothes out on the line into the tent. Drifted off for a bit more sleep. I set my alarm for 5:30 since I committed to meeting Mary's cousin at 11 so needed to be on my way by 6:30. It was raining when I got back up so packed up and ate in the tent. It wasn't raining to hard when I took down my tent and finished packing. Was on my way by 6:30.  I had to hike fast as I needed to do 12.5 miles by 11. Luckily only a light rain for just a hour or so and mostly easy hiking. Some long rocky stretches that slowed me down. I made the designated meeting spot just before 11 and met Mary's cousin. It was a Nice 1/2 day off, especially as the sun came out and it got hot and humid. I must say I enjoyed being inside in the AC. I wonder how my fellow thru hikers were fairing in the heat and humidity?? I had Dinner with few of Mary's cousins and her aunt. Was really really tired at 9 got to bed and passed out.
Date: 2017-06-24
From:  US Route 40 (1046.2)

To: Deer Lick Shelter (1069.3)
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: broken clouds

Guess it rained really hard last night. Mary' cousin said it woke him up at 2. I spoke to folks on the trail and they confirmed how hard it rained. Fortunitally for them, it was done by early morning so they did not have to break camp in the rain. It was a beautiful day to hike. So much so that I walked slower than usual just to enjoy the day. It was cool, low humidity and a light breeze. Almost like a very early fall day. Trail was wet and muddy from the rain last night. Made going over the rocks additionally challenging. In fact I slipped and broke one of my (expensive) hiking poles. Fortunately Will is at my sisters doing a zero and is going to REI and can get me a replacement pair. Mary is going to meet him later in the day, will get the poles and give them to me tomorrow. How lucky is that!Passed a bunch of thru hikers today. Everyone's spirits were high and all had renewed excitement hiking as it was a such a nice day and we all passed alot of milestones the past couple of days. Finished VA and WV, passed 1000 miles, passed through Harpers Ferry, and crossed the mason Dixon line into PA. Official half way point, 1095 miles, and the Ice cream challenge (eat 1/2 gallon in under 30 minutes) for many tomorrow. I'm doing a short Day and meeting Mary around noon followed by a zero with her so I'm just over 2 days away from 1/2 way done!! Late in the day ran into trail magic in one of the parks. Folks had beer, soda, hamburgers and lots of other junk food for us thru hikers. Got into camp around 6:30. just a beautiful night. Set up camp, made dinner and encountered the first of summer mosquitos. Oh joy for that.
Date: 2017-06-25
From: Deer Lick Shelter (1069.3)

To: Caledonia State Park (1082.9) 
Miles today: 13.6

Always exciting when you wake up and know you'll be hiking towards a day off the trail. I was up early as meeting Mary later today. Met few new thru hikers on trail. Stopped and chatted with them a bit.Another really really nice day hiking. cooler temps, lower humidity. How long will this last?Got to park where I was meeting Mary at noon. many people were out enjoying the day. Mary arrived shortly after I did and we drove to the hotel. A hot shower was the first order of the day!Of course food and beer was consumed. We did have a little challenge finding a place to eat as many of the restaurants were closed on Sunday - except for all the chain places which I avoid. An update on Will, trail name la-z-boy. You may remember he went off trail for 5 days awhile back to go to bonnaroo. He arrived at my Sisters on Saturday afternoon for a zero on Sunday. Mary surprised him and also arrived at my sisters. She dropped him off at Front Royal this morning. He reported in that he camped at mile 993 (beginning of the roller coaster!) so just a little less than one hundred miles behind me. We will meet up again at some point, just have yet to plan when.
Date: 2017-06-26
From: Caledonia State Park (1082.9) 

To: Caledonia State Park (1082.9) zero 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Always nice to sleep in a real bed. I woke up and my neck,back and hips were not sore. Sleeping on the trail is about 80 as comfortable as a bed so I always wake up a bit sore and achy, goes away as soon as out of the tent and getting ready for the day. After a morning shower and coffee Mary and I were on our way. The rest of this post is written by Mary. Enjoy! A zero day with Will and Tom though on two different days. Will spent Friday and Saturday night with Tom's sister Barb and husband Rick in Fairfax Va. I surprised Will by flying to D.C. on Saturday to visit and dropped him on the trail in Front Royal Sunday morning. Not a lot of places for him to resupply in the next few days so I drove to Harper's Ferry and left 3 days of food for him at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Then I drove to Caledonia State Park and picked up Tom for a zero day on Monday. Three AT stops in one day! Today we spent a leisurely day touring Gettysburg. Tomorrow I take Tom back to the trail. Thank you to Barb and Rick for feeding both Tom and Will as they passed through and a big thank to cousin Tom Bidinger and the Bidinger cousins who took in and hosted Tom last Friday night in Frederick MD. Lots of trail magic in Virginia and Maryland!
Date: 2017-06-27
From: Caledonia State Park (1082.9) zero 

To: James Fry Shelter (1109.6)
Miles today: 26.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Up early and had two breakfast at the hotel. One by myself, one with Mary. Hit the trail right around 8. I was pretty excited to get going as the halfway point was just over 12 miles away.Hiking was easy and it was cool with very little humidity. Just before noon made the half way point. Not a very exciting sign as you can see. Had lunch just a few feet north of half way point.Made it to Pine Grove Forest State Park where I did NOT participate in the 1/2 gallon challenge (eat a 1/2 gallon of ice cream in 30 minutes or less). I did have a burger and ice cream cone. Visited the AT museum and proceeded on. I had only planned to hike a few miles and stealth camp, but the one spring I planned to get water from was dry so I soldered on a few more miles before camping. I'll have to be careful with water as PA has a tendency to be dry this time of year.
Date: 2017-06-28
From: James Fry Shelter (1109.6)

To: Darlington Shelter (1135.9)
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: clear sky

Up early as I wanted to get some miles in on what may be the last cooler less humid day for awhile. Was actually quite cold last night. Maybe low 50's high 40's. Has to put my rain jacket on to eat and break camp. Some tough terrain early on so miles were slow. Took much longer to get to Boiling Springs than I had hoped. Grabbed a sandwich/early lunch in town and moved on. Rest of the day hiking was pretty flat and easy. Strolled through lots of farm fields. Temps, especially when out in the fields, rose throughout the afternoon.  Made some good mileage, 53, the past two days.
Date: 2017-06-29
From: Darlington Shelter (1135.9)

To: Peters mountain Shelter (1158.2)
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today the PA rocks reared their ugly head. Had 11 miles to get to Duncannon. I Was up early hoping to get into town early, but the rocks had their way. Really slows progress. They are all different sizes and spaced very unevenly. Sometimes you can walk on top of them but mostly just have to pick your way through. Many many opportunities to twist an ankle, break a trekking pole, or have a nasty fall. For the first time in two days some nice views from some rock outcrops. Made it into town about 11. A nice couple gave me a ride to the store. Had to shop very quickly as they were just picking up a few items and were taking me back to town. Since I did not have a chance to plan ended up with WAY more food than I need for the next few days. Always a pleasure giving extra food (and weight!) a stroll on my back and around the AT. I've been carrying and eating lots of Oreos. Chocolate ones are especially good. 140 calories per ounce. That's 2 Oreos but I never eat less than 6 at a time. They go straight into my mouth. No futzing with twisting them apart and eating the insides first! I got a bag of peanut butter ones. Can't wait to give them a try.Had lunch at a local pizza joint then headed out of town.  A very nasty 700 foot climb right out of town. Of course was rock filled, hot and humid. Good thing the gnats were busy swarming me and getting in my eyes. Kept my mind off the rocks and the climb. Made it to camp about 6. Walk to get water was very difficult. Steep rocky .2 miles down hill. Looks like it will be a nice night out.
Date: 2017-06-30
From: Peters mountain Shelter (1158.2)

To: campsites (1183.5)
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: broken clouds

Wow covered 100 in the last 4 days. Took Will and I 10 days to do the first 100!PA rocks took the day off today so I was able to make good progress. Was very quiet on the trail. I passed one thru hiking couple and 2 maybe 3 day/section hikers passed me headed south. Hot and humid. Was totally drenched on the few easy up hill section. Never quite dried out in between. Took a stream bath mid afternoon, but the effects did not last long. Stormed from about 5 to 7. Just enough rain to make everything nice and damp. I'm leaving my clothes out to "dry" tonight. Can't wait to put'em on in the morning. Btw. Peanut butter Oreos are not as good as the chocolate ones imo.
Date: 2017-07-01
From: campsites (1183.5)

To: Black Swatara Creek Campground (1204.3) 
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

Rocks rocks rocks and more rocks. No wonder hikers call Pennsylvania Rocksylvania. Nothing we haven't hiked through before, it's just miles and miles of them. Physically and mentally draining. Just when you think you've made it through a stretch of them and have a bit of easy hiking (very little elevation gain in PA - so far) another long stretch. It isn't the large bolder fields (which can be kinda fun to pick through) it's the miles of the "smaller" one that take a toll (actually many tolls!)Here is an interesting read.  http://articles.chicagotribune...Couple of thunder storms to deal with later in the day. I waited them out under my umbrella under hemlock trees. Somehow bent one of the splines of my umbrella. I'll need another. I keep going back and forth on whether or not to carry the umbrella (7 big ounces). Just when I decide I'm going to ditch it to save some weight, out it comes and I'm glad I have it. I am now thinking of ditching my rain jacket (6.6 oz) as I haven't used it in weeks. A new problem. It has been so humid that clothes never really dry out. I got some nasty chafing on both of my hips. I could feel it coming on and thought I addressed it (some medical tape) early enough, but at the end of the day when changing into my dry sleeping clothes saw two nasty areas. Around the tape! It will take some extra care to make sure it doesn't get any worse. I had some chafing a couple of weeks ago and the taping fixed it right away, guess all day with the humidity and rain is taking it up a notch or two. Good thing only July and August left to deal with heat, humidity and late afternoon pop up thunder storms!
Date: 2017-07-02
From: Black Swatara Creek Campground (1204.3) 

To: Port Clinton (1217.5) 
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

Only 13.2 to go to port Clinton to meet my folks, a zero afternoon and zero day tomorrow. Amazing how energized the thought of a zero makes you feel. Rocks rocks and more rocks. Seeing a theme here??? I Can't wait to get out PA. Not only the rocks but lots of traffic noise through most of the state and lots of busy road crossings. One person commented "wouldn't it be ironic if you got hit by a car while hiking the AT". The trail trail has paralleled I-81 and I-78 so always seems to be the drone of highway noise in the background. Last few miles today seemed especially tough. Rocky stretches and a VERY steep down hill into Port Clinton. One of the steepest sections after the Dragons Tooth??Met my parents in town. They had sandwiches, root beer and beer in the car for me. Showered did laundry and hung out. Nice relaxing afternoon. Even took a power nap. First one in months!  Update on the chafing. Took care last night to wash and air out the areas. Used a product called body glide which I've been carrying since day one first thing, then once again later in the morning. That seems to have halted and even started to cure the rash!
Date: 2017-07-03
From: Port Clinton (1217.5) 

To: Port Clinton (1217.5) zero
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Ah. A night in a real bed in an air conditioned house!  Got to plan my next resupply with my dad. Out to a local for breakfast, hair AND beard cut. Got'em both extra short. That should help with heat dissipation, ease of clean up, and will trap less spider webs when I hike early in the morning. Hiking early is great to beat the heat, but often many spiderwebs across the trail. You can't seem'em, but you feel them across the face! Did a resupply then back to my parents to hang out. My brother stopped by for most of the day. I forgot to mention that Will, who is about 110 miles behind me, also planned to come to my parents to zero. He called about 3:30, so my folks set off to get him. I'll see him tonight and tomorrow morning. He will zero here tomorrow, I'll probably get back in the trail in the afternoon.
Date: 2017-07-04
From: Port Clinton (1217.5) zero

To: Port Clinton (1217.5) zero Day 2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

An unexpected second zero day. I am planning to meet up with Haze to hike. Just so happens he was finishing up in Port Clinton today, is grabbing a hotel room and hitting the trail tomorrow. So made sense to stay at my parents an extra day.  Besides Will is zeroing today with me and my parents so an extra bonus!I took Will to the barber shop for a hair cut and beard trim, but he decided last moment to get a very short hair cut and his beard removed. We now both look like clean cut day hikers! After the barber shop took him to resupply. The good thing is nothing else exciting to report. We basically hung out with my parents on their back porch for most of the day. I did get to see a really good fireworks display last night. Only had to travel about 50 yards to the end of my parents street to see them. Pretty much right overhead so got the full effect of them. Back on the trail early tomorrow. I'm guessing back into the fun rocks of PA. At least only about 80 miles till the Delaware Water Gap and New Jersey.
Date: 2017-07-05
From: Port Clinton (1217.5) zero Day 2

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter (1240.0)
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Less than 1000 miles to go, 950.3 to be exact. Left my parents house early and picked up Haze at the hotel 2 miles from Port Clinton. At this point I should not be surprised, but in the lobby was a bunch of the "kids" I've been hiking with for months - Radar, Spring Break, P-tang, happy hour. They should have been a day or two ahead of me especially since I double zeroed. Of course lots of smack talk ensued "I just took two days off so you guys could get ahead of me and here you are!" Another couple - hot sauce and ziplock - also there. I've been running into them quite a bit the past month. We took off about 8:30. Hiking wasn't too bad. Rocks and rocks vs. rocks and rocks and rocks and rocks. That is till the last 7.5 miles and the PA rocks kicked it up several notches. Just totally physically and mentally draining. One mile out from the shelter I commented "just a mile to go, how bad can it be". Well we found out it can be pretty bad. AND we hear it continues to get worse AND it is suppose to rain all day for the next two days. Just can't get out of PA fast enough (53.6 to go).
Date: 2017-07-06
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter (1240.0)

To: stealth camp (1261.6)
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: scattered clouds

We got up extra early so we could break camp before the rain started. Started to rain lightly as we started hiking. Although it threaten all day just a very light sprinkle now and then. Just enough to dampen the rocks. Was some easy hiking early on. A couple of rock Fields and a couple of difficult bolder fields. An early knifes edge section was a challenge. Picture is of Haze navigating one of the easier bolder fields. Late in the day we had to load up on water as none for a 20 mile stretch due to the superfund site just outside Lehigh Gap / Palmerton and just no water sites. We were excited to carry an extra 6 lbs of water. As soon as we crossed the Lehigh river a significant uphill climb. 1000 feet in 1.3 miles, 800 of which in 3/4 of mile (btw for you Boston/MA folks the John Hancock tower is 790 feet) I'm sure the steepest we've done so far. Parts were absolutely terrifying. Had to climb on hands and knees, sometimes on stomach, at times literally straight up and over boulders. Most of the way through wet slippery rocks/boulders. No way could I have done it going down. Both Haze and I though so dangerous that it should not be part of the trail and irresponsible of the AT to have it be a section. If you google top 10 most difficult hikes/sections/climbs on the AT, this section is listed. After the climb did a few miles and stealth camped on a ridge.
Date: 2017-07-08
From: stealth camp (1261.6)

To: Wind Gap (1278.1)
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: mist

Apparently it rained very hard last night. When I woke had as much water/moisture in the tent as ever. We waited till about 8:30 for the light morning rain to subside, then broke camp. We had decided to hike 16.5 to wind Gap and grab a hotel room. Morning hiking wasn't so bad. Around 1 we broke for lunch at a cross road. Laid out our tents and stuff to dry on the road. Big time hiker trash. Hiking after lunch into Wind Gap was difficult. 7.5 miles of nothing but rock. Not much elevation gain, just pounding and pounding of rocks for hours on end. Made it to the highway in one piece and quickly hitched a ride to the hotel. Person was nice enough to let us stop and get some Beer. Dinner at a local pizza joint. Cab service in Wind Gap not good. Waited 45 minutes for a cab to the pizza joint, an hour for the return. Had we known we would have walked as less than a mile both ways.
Date: 2017-07-08
From: Wind Gap (1278.1)

To: Delaware Water Gap (1293.6)
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: few clouds

So so close to leaving PA. NJ under a mile just across the river. Met Haze's step son who was hiking with us today. We had a good BIG breakfast at the Wind Gap diner then off for the final miles in PA. We slack packed (left almost all our gear in the car). WOW what a difference. Was able to fly over the rocks without the extra weight. Some rocky sections and a few small boulder fields but overall not as bad as the past week has been. We heard the rocks continue into NJ but for less than 5 miles. Bet you'll be glad to not read about rocks anymore. Entered Delaware Water Gap and encountered a nice trail magic event. Hot dogs, sodas, etc. Pitched tents on the grounds of a local church, got 3 days resupply at Walmart, then burgers and beer at a local. On to New Jersey tomorrow.
Date: 2017-07-09
From: Delaware Water Gap (1293.6)

To: Tent site (1314.5)
Miles today: 20.9

How nice to be in Jersey. Crossed the Delaware early in the morning. Trail started alongside a nice creek. While rocks continued, not quite as bad as PA. Also many people out hiking, lots of views from the ridge line, which we hiked for most of the day, that distracted us from the rocks. As the day progressed they seem to diminish. Sunfish pond, above, was beautiful. Amazing but the very first pond we passed by on the AT. Some lakes, but Haze and I can think of no other ponds.  Was sunny low 80's and low humidity.  Camped at a tent site. First time the mosquitoes were out in force. Was good to dive into the tent in the earlier side. Heard from Will. He is at 1222, about 92 miles back.
Date: 2017-07-10
To: Mosey's place/high point state park (1336.3) 
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: clear sky

I mentioned the mosquitos are out in force here in NJ. when I went to bed, an army of them were hovering around the netting of tent. Ha ha on them!Up and on our way a bit after 7. Some "easier" hiking and good views in the morning. By lunch/noon, somehow we only made 10 miles. Could not figure out why as were we're moving along (obviously not). Afternoon hiking was tough. PA rocks made a guest appearance. Caught many of the thru hikers off guard. We all were expecting them to be pretty much gone by now. Arrived at High Point State Park a bit before 6. Bam! Trail magic. Taylor pork roll sandwiches and cokes!So how many thru hikers are passing through on a given day? The folks providing trail magic - and they set up early this morning - said we were around 40 so far. And I know some of the young bucks will we passing through over the next couple of hours. The young bucks seem to start later in the morning and finish later in the day. Us in the Masters Division seem to start earlier and finish 6ish. Staying at Mosey's hostel (really just a house with 6 bunks set up in one room) so showered and washed some clothes.
Date: 2017-07-11
From: Mosey's place/high point state park (1336.3) 

To:  NJ Route 94 + .2 (1357.1)
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

Today finished 90 days and 13 weeks on the trail. Averaging 15 miles per day, 17 miles per hiking day (90 days - 10 zeros). 833 miles to go. First two days in NJ were tough, but not as difficult as PA. While the first 1 to 1.5 miles today were a bit challenging terrain changed and turned into a great hiking day. Through woods, marsh land, ridges, fields, etc. Best day in about 2 weeks. Got New shoes and a replacement umbrella today. We had to "sprint" to the post office before it closed. Covered a mile in 12 minutes! Granted down a road but with packs....  Ate pizza for lunch and Packed out HUGE sandwiches for dinner. Weighed close to a pound each. Today we Hiked 2 to 3 hours less than we have over the past couple of weeks but still covered 20 miles. Just shows how terrain effects travel times.