morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Stanimals
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up in the packed shelter to heavy rain. Ate oatmeal and coffe, put on my waterproof socks and rain gear. Had no phone or internet during the storm but as it passed I was able to connect with Robin and arrange to meet at the Wayside on Skyline.  Luck have it I walked almost a mile passed the turnoff before I realized it.  Looks like the cold and wind will last all week but the rain is passed. Had another great night at Stanimals: he fixed a special room for Robin and I and helped plan the specifics for tomorrow¢s shuttle. Great to have Robin join me!!
Date: 2018-04-17
From: Stanimals

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: scattered clouds

We decided to regroup at Stanimals Hostel...He is an awesome young man and had his associate John Sipe shuttle our car to the South River Picnic area then take us with packs to Loft Mountain Wayside for a 20 mile hike back to the car. We had a mile hike to the trail then onward.  We were passed by Blindstride, an aspiring med student, who just enjoyed a hot meal at Wayside. This part of the SNP is still suffering from fire damage and is not very pretty but the great views make up for it.  We climbed Flattop Mtn and quickly made Pinefield Hut and pitched the tent next to the quite loud stream and prepared for  another cold night down to freezing.
Date: 2018-04-18
From: Pinefield 

To: Hightop Hill
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We hesitantantly crawled out of our cozy bags, ate breakfast and hit the trail. We climbed Weaver Mtn we strong cold wind and occasional flurries finally arriving at Hightop expecting another cold windy night. We met Shake n Bake and Alder NOBO and, Farmer 65 and his daughter Butter SOBO.
Date: 2018-04-18
From: Pinefield 

To: Hightop Hit
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

We hesitantantly crawled out of our cozy bags, ate breakfast and hit the trail. We climbed Weaver Mtn we strong cold wind and occasional flurries finally arriving at Hightop expecting another cold windy night. We met Shake n Bake and Alder NOBO and, Farmer 65 and his daughter Butter SOBO.
Date: 2018-04-19
From: Hightop Hut

To: South River Picnic Area
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We lost Blindstride yesterday with  stomach ailment. Wrath man lied again. It began to pour rain at three in the morning and soak the campsite. We had left the door open to avoid condensation and the rain soaked the bottom of our bags.  The rain pretty much cleared by 10a and we struck the soggy cold tent, cooked a hot meal in the shelterand hit the trail for a nice short hike back to the car at South River. We stopped for lunch at Powell Gap and to dry out the tent in the wind. The car looked really good! except mice got into Robin¢s clothes and chewed holes in everything! We drove to Lewis Campground to regroup. Alder and ShakenBake had made it and were already set up and doing laundry.  The last cabin was taken and the forecast for another freeIng windy night prompted us to take advantage of the car. We drive to Harrisonburg for hot showers, laundry and a steak.Tomorrow I will slack Pack and try to make up some miles while Robin secures the next campsite or cabin in the park.
Date: 2018-04-20
From: South River Picnic

To: Big Meadows Campground 
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

On a clear day you can see forever! We recharged and slackpacked from South River. It was clear, cold, and very windy all day. We got wind burn and sunburn! Zipped up Hawksbill Mountain for spectacular views.  Robin went ahead and secured a campsite at Big Meadows. Hard to believe with the weather there are so many campers and hikers but we are near DC and the huge metropolitan area in Spring!
Date: 2018-04-21
From: MM 926

To: Thornton Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

We woke up early at Big Meadows  Campground after a very cold night.  Everything froze and the trail didn¢t thaw until after 10 in the morning with direct sun! Thankfully the strong wind of the past three days subsided and it was finally calm. We had no phone or internet at the campground but where I got off the trail we had both.  So at about 8 I resumed hiking while Robin secured reservations for indoor accommodations for the next three nights! The unseasonably cold weather has not deterred the vacationers from the park. I look forward to clearing the busy park and hiking in the wilderness! This day was full of lots of rocky ups and downs with many spectacular unobstructed views.  I met Robin at the picnic area near the Skyland Resort and she was able to meet me at the road crossings and still have time to explore the park.  We left the park for the ¢Open Arms¢ hostel by Allison and a warm night!!
Date: 2018-04-22
From: MM 942

To: Skyline 15.9
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a warm restful night at Open Arms, left Luray at 7:30a and Thornton Gap at 8:10a.  Nice easy ups and downs. Rattlesnake Point lived up to its name. An unleashed golden retriever found one sunning on the rocks and in short order was aggressively bitten!  There is a leash law in the park and apparently for more than one reason!  Cresting Hogback Mountain gave a great view of the last four mountains I must climb tomorrow to complete the hike thru the park. Plan is to do it tomorrow then take a break as the forecast is for rain and instead of hiking, tour the Luray Caverns.
Date: 2018-04-23
From: Skyline 15.9 MM 958.1

To: MM 976 Crossing Hwy VA 638
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Finally through the Shenandoah Park! Rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow so I want to put down some miles. Harper¢s Ferry is about 60 miles north and I was hoping to reach it Friday but it looks like I won¢t. Nailgun picks me up Friday and it will be just south.  Leaving the park the trail descends sharply into warmer greener terrain...very pretty and finally flowers!! It is Spring! A black snake was sunning itself on the trail. We are going to take a zero and tour Luray caverns then Robin returns to Raleigh.
Date: 2018-04-24
To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Forecast of steady rain all day so ... took a zero and drove with Ms. Robin to Luray and toured the Caverns. My godfather, Uncl Arve, took me there when I was twelve in 1962 and they still highlight the same pipe organ and ¢fried eggs¢! We capped the day off at the Hampton with the Jacuzzi and a good nights rest!
Date: 2018-04-25
From: VA 638 MM 976

To: Whiskey Hollow Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 8.9

We started late today on account of the rain and would have hiked on however Sky Meadows Park prohibits stealth camping. Tomorrow will be rough with over 13 Miles on the ¢Roller Coaster¢ with tight ascents and descents and 15.3 Miles to the next shelter. Enjoyed the early stop with Bryan and his son Mike at this awesome new shelter. About 40 Miles to Harper¢s Ferry ... another milestone in sight!
Date: 2018-04-26
From: Whiskey Hollow 

To: Bears Den
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

Left Whiskey Hollow feeling strong. Good thing because the Rollar Coaster kicks Butt! Met ¢No Shoes¢ who started in Feb with Camo and the NOBOs from Harpers Creek Shelter. I should have noticed the Coaster is a half marathon in one direction and was made nasty on purpose. I hiked 12 hours and just made it into Bears Den at 7:30! Glen and Catherine are awesome hosts. For $30 hiker special they provide bunk, wash, pizza, shower, pint of Ben &Jerrys Coke and breakfast! Great too because it rained all night! Was an exhausting day but was able to pick guitars and meet some very interesting people, including Strummystix who is hiking with me and Karen with REI. Also, the place host scouts and foreign hiking groups. We had some neat kids from Germany.
Date: 2018-04-27
From: Bears Den

To: 4 Mile Camp
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Had a great breakfast of pancakes at the Bears Den then geared up for a walk in the rain: love the Showers Pass waterproof socks! Keep tor feet dry and toasty! Rain was not bad and finally let up at noon. Catherine at Bears Den insisted I take my leftover pizza and had it wrapped in tin foil. What a great snack later in the morning. I was able to coordinate with Nailgun to meet tomorrow and my cousin Anne-Marie for later in the week near PA. After a solid day I made camp at 7p No Shoes had been here three hours. Really looking forward to Harper¢s Ferry tomorrow morning!
Date: 2018-04-28
From: Four Mile Campsite 

To: Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: clear sky

Forecast for last night was 0% chance of rain and it poured together with hailstones!  I was so excited to teach Harper¢s Ferry I skipped breakfast, struck the wet tent and, knocked out the last four miles to town. Today was a big day reaching this milestone! And, having Nailgun share this accomplishment was even more meaningful as we started this adventure together. He successfully completed the entire trail.  The descent into Harper¢s Ferry comes with incredible views of the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. The town is clearly one of the great Civil War landmarks. This weekend just happened to be the big kickoff weekend for the Flip Flop hikers beginning a thru hike from Harper¢s Ferry so no, all the displays and vendors were not there to celebrate my arrival! It did however make it more festive. Nailgun picked me up and went to his home with a stop for a late breakfast. We pitched our tents in the front yard to dry them while we spent the afternoon on the porch sharing and reliving the many great memories and friends from the trail.  It was a wonderful day capped off with a super barbecue dinner with Mary and her parents and, a trip into town for ice cream!
Date: 2018-04-29
From: HarperÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Ferry

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Nailgun was up and ready with coffee and oatmeal. I selfishly kept Nailgun from going to church this Sunday.  Mary and her folks prepared a wonderful guest room for me and I was well rested.  We drove the hour plus drive to Harper¢ Ferry and still sat in the truck sharing the great memories! It was very sad parting but the trail pulled me away and off to Maryland for a very civilized walk along the canal and river. Maryland doesn¢t allow alcohol or stealth camping along the trail. The trail passes through one historical landmark after another, mostly civil war and I¢m feeling like an 1860 soldier on the trail. The wind blew hard and cold all day. I pitched the tent and hit the sack early to try and get warm!
Date: 2018-04-30
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Hit the trail after a leisurely breakfast and met Strummystick coming up the trail.  Lots of Flip Flop thru hikers just starting the trail from Harper¢s. Three sisters in their sixties hiking together have been on this exceptionally easy section for three days! We will have to follow up! Hiked to Washington Monument in Washington park and climbed the stairs to the top.  The tower was commandeered during the Civil War and used as a signal tower. This section of trail is clearly a walk in the park and you can easily do 20+ miles a day but I¢m holding back so my cousin,Anne-Marie won¢t abandon me for hiking so far past her house Thursday! Weather is finally warming but after last night I¢m getting a 5 Degree down bag before hiking the Whites in New Hampshire.
Date: 2018-05-01
From: Pine Knob

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

We are right in the middle of the Flip Flop bubble. The trail has been super easy and we have a beautiful  cool night but some of the hikers haven¢t learned the basic etiquette of no talking after dark and were loud until midnight. The road noise from I-70 was obnoxious. We couldn¢t escape early enough and finished breakfast struck camp and hit the trail hard to get ahead. the climb up Raven Rock was the first hard up yet the shelter and campground still packed!
Date: 2018-05-02
From: Raven Rock

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

One camper sat up talking until almost midnight! Campfire put smoke in the tents ... all the seasoned hiker cleared out before 7a while the 25 others were still in the sack! They haven¢t learned to knock out the miles in the morning when it¢s cool. Today hit almost ninety and I¢m getting stinky. Found a delightful cool stream by the Antietam Shelter and went downstream and stripped down and laid in the water..ahhh! Scrubbed my clothes and dried all in the sun and headed on to find after only a mile a feast in trail magic! ¢Fresh Ground¢ had it all: Cokes, hot dogs, fruit, and all sorts of goodies. I ate way too much. Research and Strummystick hung out with a few other thruhikers: I pressed on to Tumbling Run Shelter, my last stop this trip and was the first to arrive at this awesome shelter, complete with caretakers Kurtz and Tanya who had cold sodas.  They even had snoring and non-snoring shelters! Most hikers prefer their tents with big screen and privacy however the trail is on a ridge subject to extreme winds. The shelters provide protection from the bad weather.  It appears we finally got ahead of the bubble! Amen!!
Date: 2018-05-03
From: Tumbling Run Shelters 

To: South Mountain Hotel
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today is another short hot day with a break in the small town of South Mountain PA. Folks in PA have been awesome! I have to leave the trail for a memorial service for Mom in Utah and will return in a few weeks. I hiked to Swamp Rd MM 1077.5 and left the trail for the mile walk to South Mountain and discovered there is no phone or internet signals. The tavern was very hiker friendly and loaned me the use of their phone to call Anne-Marie. She rescued me and together with Sandy capped the day off with a nice filet and glass of wine!
Date: 2018-05-25
From: South Mountain-Swamp Road

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: light rain

Finally getting back on the trail.  I only have 17 days and hope to put the rocks of PA behind.  So far PA has been lovely with great facilities!  I took Amtrak from Raleigh Thursday and stayed with Anne-Marie and Sandy: they were awesome as always and had me well fed rested and back on the trail at 8:30a!  I was feeling strong but my pack is heavy with Winter clothes and 5 days of food. During my three week absence it rained a lot and now the leaves are providing shade and the streams are all flowing. So, despite the heat I¢m making decent time. Trail so far is somewhat flatter: really helps us old geezers with COPD! This is Memorial Day weekend so I plan to avoid the shelters and stealth camp alone in the woods. Made great time today 20.3 Miles with the heat.
Date: 2018-05-26
From: MM 1097.8

To: Whiskey Spring Road
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The days are longer now so we can put in more miles.  Since we are having a heat wave I struck camp early after oatmeal and coffee and hit the trail at 7a. It was already 75. I arrived at Pine Grove Furnace SP at 9:30 hoping for a hot meal at the snack bar but it was closed,  even on Memorial. Day weekend until 11!! Obviously it¢s government run! Pressed on to Fuller lake and wow what a treat.  I was able to cool off with a swim, dried in the sun and moved on. Lots of hot trail and by LTE afternoon I stopped at Tagg Run for water and a quick dip. Should have called it a day then but pushed on for the Maze. This as a hard hot climb.  The Maze is really neat boulders that you climb between thru and they wind all over on and on. Very neat. Wind started picking up with storms brewing and it was getting late. I hadn¢t planned on the Maze taking so long and it would be hard to make the campsite before dark...not a problem!! While getting water the rain started the really came down before I could get out my rain gear and pack cover so everything got soaked.  I found a flat spot off trail and called it a day.  I put up the tent and crawled in.  Tomorrow will be a short day. I¢ll need to dry out! The trail goes thru Boiling Springs PA and I should be able to have a nice meal!
Date: 2018-05-27
From: Whiskey Spring Rd

To: Darlington Shelter 
Miles today: 13.9

Today was to set a mileage record across the flat trail through Cumberland Valley, 23 Miles. You can¢t camp along the trail through the entire valley except by Boiling Springs. I awoke to find all was soaked and in my hurry to set up last night I didn¢t notice I pitched cramp on an ant hill. I packed quickly and it looked like it might rain again at any moment! Heading out toward Boiling Springs the clouds broke and the sun came out with I nice wind. Stopped in the middle of a cornfield and spent an hour drying out the tent and all my gear.  It¢s Memorial Day weekend and Boiling Springs is a real Norman Rockwell town with pond, ducks, and parades! Whole town is decorated for the occasion.  I stopped at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for a stamp in my passport. Worried about getting thru the valley before the rain and dark ... like last night, so I grabbed a couple hot dogs, skipped the parade and hit the trail.  As I approached Carlisle, flood warnings were issued. I decided to listen to my wife and booked a room In Carlisle.  Attacullaculla said I should listen to my wife: this is supposed to be a holiday. I checked in as the rain started. I really missed hearing radio stations and the Apple nano has weak reception and difficult to tune. Robin bought me a Sandisk receiver and it is awesome!!! After 30 years with Apple, they have never asked my opinion about anything and their products  are really out of sync with users. You can trash your nanos and shuffles.  For $30 the Sandisk does it all and the radio easy to operate. Memory is easy to add without screwing around with iTunes for podcasts and music. For the trail it charges easily; is the size of a postage stamp and weighs almost nothing! Carlisle is really a farm town and the Middlesex diner is incredible! Their breakfast special is $2.99!! This was a great break.
Date: 2018-05-28
From: Carlisle

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The Days Inn was great! Slept late and had a huge breakfast.  It was overcast, foggy and drizzly and only could do 18 miles so I waited for the weather to lift a bit. It was nice and cool all day ...Amen!  Met Mongrel and Turmoil  NOBO and we flip flopped all day.  The trail went nicely through fields and along streams with lovely boardwalks and bridges. It¢s still the Memorial Day holiday and a gazillion folks came out to walk on the trail; that is until it leaves Cumberland Valley in a steep rocky climb.  The second half of the day lives up to the PA reputation: very rocky and slippery when wet.  All stayed wet all day so rather than stay at the commercial campground In Duncannon I booked a room at the historic Doyle hotel originally built by Budweiser in its heyday which, is clearly not today! This town in the Susquehanna River has clearly seen better times!  Forecast is good for tomorrow then for rain all week.  I¢d like to make some miles tomorrow but my new shoes are a tad narrow and blistering the little toe on each foot so I may just have to cut back on the miles.
Date: 2018-05-29
From: Duncannon, PA

To: MM1163.3
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Came out of the bathroom at the Doyle and standing there was ¢Butter¢ from the Shenandoah! She and her dad ¢Farmer¢ were in the room next to me. I joined them for breakfast at Goodies and met Okie. They have been doing about 8-10 Miles a day and I have been off the trail almost three weeks. Today the weather has been decent. Leaving Duncannon you cross two rivers then straight up the rocky ridge.  Very hard to make miles. I had only 11 by 5p so kept hiking to get in over 16.  Had a lot of distraction from a court case I have and it was very hard to not slip on the slippery rocks while on the phone. Weather is supposed to turn bad tonight and stay rainy all week.  Allentown was 93 today but will be in the 70s all week with rain. It is the Appalachian trail!
Date: 2018-05-30
From: Campsite MM1163.3

To: MM1179.6 Just West of I-81
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Okie showed up as I was just leaving the campsite at 9! He already covered the 5 Miles I did last night. We hiked together off and on all day.  If I maintain 15 Miles a day average I will be in Unionville New York June 11th.  We are going to try to make Port Clinton by Sat morning. There are two lines of heavy weather heading our way so making New York is optimistic for this leg. Phone battery is down to one charge left for three days so I will upload pics later
Date: 2018-05-31
From: MM 1163.3

To: 501 Shelter 
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

Poured rain all night after midnight. Tent has been awesome. Rained cooled the air and had a great sleep. Okie and I wanted to do a 20 today but weather isn¢t looking great so we headed for the 501 Shelter with a stop at William Penn Shelter for lunch.  Rocks were slippery. Most of the trail was decent but a large stretch of large boulders are mossy and slippery. Lost my footing and fell three times.  Didn¢t hit my head though...am learning! I was able to twist and land on the Pack. Came across two turtles mating and tried separating them but she wouldn¢t let him loose so I left the to it!  501 Shelter has a solar shower and a neighbor caretaker allows us to plug in chargers so we got showered and charged. Plus, some of the hikers moving at my pace ended here which adds to the commaraderie. At least the rain has cooled the air and the heat was not oppressive. Plan to resupply at Port Clinton which we may or may not make tomorrow, weather permitting.
Date: 2018-06-01
From: 501 Shelter 

To: MM 1214.4
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the day in rain and drizzle and planning a short hike with Okie to a full service rock and soul hostel of only 8 Miles. The weather cleared and I wanted to get in some miles and he needed to go to Cabela¢s to buy a new tent so we split and I stopped short of the sharp descent into Port Clinton for a cooler quiet camp alone. It was a lovely day with lots of spectacular scenery and wildlife.
Date: 2018-06-02
From: MM1214.4

To: Eckville Shelter 
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

Great night sleep. Anxious to zip into Port Clinton for breakfast. Very steep descent to the railyard and the confluence of two rivers Scuylkill and a feeder. Really neat town, super hiker friendly.  Frank¢s Barbershop really gives Mayberry a run for the money: all the male seniors hanging out drinking coffee and eating donuts. Had a great breakfast at 3C¢s.  Since Robin was picking me up in another day, I skipped reprovisions and started the hard steep climb back up. Okie is now a day behind but made Cabelas, the largest in the world, and has a new tent. The hot sun brought out the snakes and thunderstorms which at the end of the day drenched us. It was very slow going with all the rocks and boulders then near the end of the day a smooth trail; finally! I have caught up with the ¢bubble¢. All bunks were taken at the Eckville Shelter, but there were plenty of tent spaces, water, phone charging and free beer and watermelon!
Date: 2018-06-03
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Summit PA 309
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Time for a break.  Robin picked me up at the Restaurant at about 4p after driving from Raleigh in the rain and stopping at Anne-Marie and Sandy¢s house.  We checked in and reprovisioned, washed everything then went out for a meal. With the storm coming the timing was perfect. Plan a late start tomorrow then back to it!