morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-09-29
From: Swatara Gap

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Once in a while, against all odds, a day just turns out better than you could have possibly imagined. Today had no right to be stupendous. The rain started in earnest well before daybreak. I was on the trail by 7:30 am, and, at that point, it was coming down fairly well, a good, soaking rain. By 9:00 am, it had increased to a drenching rain. The trail was a torrent, and my feet were quickly gushing about in my shoes. The temperature held in the high fifties throughout the day, and my fingers, quite wet in the morning, were cold. But the rest of me, particularly those parts shielded by my umbrella, were nice and toasty. By 11:00 am, the rain had stopped, and the day turned into a big, bold, blustery one, the kind I adore. My body heat dried out my hiking shirt and shorts, and all that remained wet were my feet. The terrain was a nice mix of some decent climbs, some ridge running, and a good dose of pleasant woods walking. Of course, I waited for those infamous Pennsylvania rocks to make things more difficult. The funny thing, though, is the rocks never really made their expected appearance. In fact, it was hard to tell I was in Pennsylvania! I know I'm not done with the rocks, but, boy, was it nice to have a day off from them. There were some spots that were indeed a bit rocky, but, in the scheme of things, it just wasn't bad today. That made all the difference. I enjoyed myself tremendously, morning rain and all, and, by the time I stopped, I had covered 24.1 miles, my longest day yet of the trek. Even better, I have ended up at Peters Mountain Shelter, which, given the forecast for more rain tonight and tomorrow morning, will keep me high and dry. It's 8:30 pm, and I'm the only one here, so my chances of a good night's sleep are pretty significant. With all the rain and accompanying winds, I saw plenty of downed limbs, branches and leaves throughout the woods today. Then, around lunchtime, I witnessed something new. A rather large tree, buffeted by the day's winds, was uprooted and began to fall. Mesmerized, I watched it come crashing down across the trail, no more than ten feet in front of me. Clearly, I should have reacted more responsibly and moved back, but I saw that I was not in its direct downward path, and, besides, I was taken by its fall, slowly gaining speed as it came to earth. Landing with a large thud, it bounced a bit and I watched as a large branch broke off from the impact and landed at my feet. Since leaving Connecticut, the AT has moved more west than south. Tomorrow, I pass through Duncannon, Pennsylvania, where, once over the Susquehana River, the trail turns to head more directly south on its way to Harper's Ferry, WV. Once I leave behind Duncannon around noon, I will have just 125 miles to go on my trek.
Date: 2016-09-30
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather wasn't the best, the rocks were back, and I had a great time. Go figure. It started raining again around 3:00 am. I laid awake in the shelter, listening to successive waves of heavy rain, wondering how wet it would be at daybreak. When I made my way out of the shelter to start hiking at 7:00 am, the rain took a breather. That was quite welcome, since it would allow me to get a little body heat generated before I had to deal with the cooling effects of rain. By 8:00 am, my furnace was stoked, and the rain returned. It rained for the most part all day long, but not as heavily as yesterday. It remained cool, mid fifties, and, without a drenching rain, I remained quite comfortable. Around mid-day, I crossed the Susquehanna and arrived in Duncannon. I didn't hang around long as I had my sights set on a shelter 22.3 miles from where I slept last night. With luck, I could make it there by 4:00. By "luck," I mean two things: one, that it wouldn't rain harder (it didn't), and two, that I wouldn't have to contend with too many rocks. On the rocks front, it was definitely more trying than yesterday, but I'd seen worse. So, I continued to motor along, staying mostly dry and keeping a good humor about the trail conditions. I got to Darlington Shelter at about 4:30. From what I understand, I have now withstood the worst of the rocks. From here on out, they are not as big a factor. I hope that proves to be the case. With rain again expected tonight and tomorrow, I am happy to be under roof. I have a relatively short day planned tomorrow and will be in Boiling Springs, PA, for a late lunch. I have planned my last(!) zero for Sunday, and I'll be back at it on Monday. Right now, the forecast for my last week on the trail looks great!
Date: 2016-10-01
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 14.3

This week, it rained Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, and during the day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Knowing that I had so few days left on the trail, I was a bit bummed by the prospect of being wet for a good deal of them. But a funny thing happened on the way to the finish line. I hitched up my knickers and found a way to enjoy the relative adversity of rain, rocks and cool weather. Today, I again awoke to rain, and I thanked my lucky stars that I had spent the night in the shelter. Breaking "camp" from within a shelter on a rainy morning is a complete breeze compared to doing it "outside," with a wet tent. This morning proved to be the coolest of my recent wet days, with temperatures hovering in the low fifties. Waiting an extra twenty minutes to start hiking to let a band of rain pass, I was on the trail by 7:30 am, and hustling to get my blood flowing. I would not get the benefit of a climb to help get warm; the trail today would alternate between flat and flatter. In the past, I have spoken of how flat (and rocky) parts of Pennsylvania have been. Hiking along 1,500-foot ridges, the elevation changed very little. The trail today was just as flat, if not flatter, but I walked through farms and flood plains at just 500 feet above sea level, without a rock in sight. Despite the continuing rain, it was delightful. This part of Pennsylvania farm country is just beautiful, full of hay bales, cows, horses, corn, beans and pasture. It was a welcome change from the woods-dominated ridges that had defined my first week in Pennsylvania. Given the easy terrain, I made terrific time and pulled into the town of Boiling Springs at 12:45 pm, after 14.3 miles. With its post office scheduled to close at 12:00 pm, I was surprised to see the lights on as I passed. Poking my head inside to find two customers still being waited on, I asked the gentleman behind the counter if I could pick up a box. He beckoned me in. Ah, the joy of small towns. The ladies were needing some extra service and the postal employee was all about helping them, even if it called for staying open well past closing time. I picked up my last food drop from Alison and headed to lunch. After my meal and strawberry milkshake, the latter having been a trail favorite of mine for some time, I was picked up by Kit, the owner of the Pheasant Field B&B, who, with her husband, Robin, runs a fabulous place. I was thrilled to arrive at their lovely place, and quickly jumped in a hot shower. As much as I have enjoyed the last few days, I am very happy to now be the beneficiary of heat, running water and a warm, dry bed. I look forward to my zero, the last of my trek, here tomorrow.
Date: 2016-10-02
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 0.0

To my Followers,Today, I am zeroing in Boiling Springs, PA, my last day of rest before finishing my hike on Saturday. With just 98 miles left in my Appalachian Trail adventure, I don't want to spend this journal entry talking about the trail, the weather, my plans or me. Rather, I would like to talk about you. To date, my on-line journal has been viewed almost 80,000 times, and has received over 200 emails. Countless other emails have been sent to my personal account. I have received impromptu visits along the trail, and have been treated to trail magic by Angels. In addition, Alison has seen and heard from so many of you asking after me, and she has passed on your well wishes. You have no idea how much I have appreciated your interest, enthusiasm and concern, nor can you know how much it has helped me succeed in this rather audacious undertaking. When all is said and done, I will have been out here for 170 days, climbing mountain after mountain, withstanding all that Mother Nature has, and missing my family and a life that I rather enjoyed. You have encouraged, queried, commented, shared, inhaled and exhaled, suffered, conquered, laughed and cried every step with me. You have picked me up and carried me along difficult stretches. You have made this journey more fun, bearable, worthwhile, life-defining and special. My journal started out as a way for me to capture a few thoughts and feelings and to offer updates to the few family and friends that insisted they would follow me. I had no hopes or dreams for it. Clearly, I enjoy writing, the process of finding the right word or phrase to capture a mood or feeling. But I'm only a good writer when I have something to say, and someone to whom to say it.From the beginning, your combined reaction to my journal has been nothing short of incredible. You have rocked my world. As a result, I have written with joy, and I am as proud of my journal as I am with the (near) completion of my 2,189 mile trek. You are the sole reason that the journal has turned out so well. As I return to my "normal" life, I will miss the affirmations that I have been so fortunate to receive from you these past six months. That we are now connected in a different way than before is a very happy outcome for me. I will keep that in my heart for the years to come. So, to each and every one of you, thank you dearly from this very appreciative AT hiker. May you each find the true color in your life. With love and gratitude,Blue
Date: 2016-10-03
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Pine Grove State Park, PA
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: scattered clouds

After another fabulous breakfast at Pheasant Field B&B (I highly recommend this place!), I was back on the trail. Leaving Boiling Springs, I passed through a few more miles of the Cumberland Valley (photo) before heading back into the woods and up on a ridge. Despite my restful zero, I just couldn't get out of third gear today. I could tell I was tired as I kept kicking rocks with my right foot, not picking it up high enough to clear them. In an attempt to help, I took a short detour off the trail to a general store that served Hershey's ice cream. Ordering another strawberry milkshake, I was hoping that it and an early lunch might get my engine revving. In the end, I'm not sure the milkshake helped, but it sure was delicious. I was able to put in 19.3 miles to arrive at Pine Grove State Park, a beautiful spot. With shower facilities, bathrooms and a water fountain, the park had all I needed to cleanly and comfortably climb into my tent to rest up for tomorrow. With a good night's sleep, I am hoping to find a bit more in my tank. Today's weather was greatly improved, with blue skies, some clouds and temperatures around 70. Tomorrow promises to be a carbon copy.
Date: 2016-10-04
From: Pine Grove State Park, PA

To: Rocky Mountain Shelters 
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: overcast clouds

What an incredible day of hiking! Everything seemed to come together, and I thoroughly enjoyed my last full day in Pennsylvania. Waking up in Pine Grove State Park, I was greeted by temperatures in the mid-forties as cool air had settled down into the park's lower elevations overnight. Luckily, I had to climb back out of the grove in the morning, allowing me to get warm quickly. Once back up on the ridge, I found a generally flat trail that moved through some beautiful pine barrens (photo), and, once again, perfect hiking weather. Better yet, I seemed to find my mojo again after it went missing yesterday, and I moved easily and quickly down the trail. All in all, a wonderful time. Towards the end of the day, as I lugged three liters of water up Rocky Mountain to the shelter there, I was startled out of my hiking reverie by a sound I had yet to hear on the trail. Fortunately, it served as an alarm and it stopped me dead in my tracks. There, no more than a stride or two in front of me, stretching across the trail, was my first rattlesnake. Once I stopped, he ceased his rattling and my heart settled down a bit. I took a few pictures as he moved off the trail, and then started to move around him. With my first step, however, he quickly took up his rattling again, and I hustled to leave him behind. Looking at my photos of him, I now realize how beautiful he was. But I must admit that I wasn't too focused on his snakeskin at the time. Running across him was much more scary than any of my encounters with black bears. Part of that is probably due to my proximity to him, a few feet at most, and part due to the very distinct, and very frightening, sound of his rattle. Tomorrow, I cross over into Maryland, the fourteenth and final state of my journey. (The last mile of my trek will be back in West Virginia, where I was in mid-July before jumping up to Maine.)This continuing progress all seems a bit unreal. With my move into Maryland, my time left on the trail will be easily tallied in hours. It doesn't seem that long ago that I thought in terms of months, and then weeks.
Date: 2016-10-05
From: Rocky Mountain Shelters 

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: broken clouds

Last night, thinking I would again be alone for the evening, I was very pleasantly surprised when Legs showed up with two other SoBo hikers. Alison and I met him in Rangeley, Maine, back in late July and had lunch together. We're both so glad that he is still on the trail, and thriving. Getting another early start, I thought that I wouldn't need all day to cover my intended 19.8 miles to Raven Rock Shelter. So, I took some extra time at lunch, and had a few nice conversations on the trail with some local hikers during the day. I find that I am quite happy to talk about my impending completion with anyone who expresses an interest!Today was cooler than recent days, certainly not moving out of the sixties, and probably staying in the low sixties. It was again ideal hiking weather and my luck seems to be holding out. The next two days are forecasted to be beautiful, and nightly temperatures will remain in the fifties. Saturday, when I hike three miles to finish up, might be a bit damp, but that's quite all right. As I am writing this, a barred owl has started to hoot, and I will so miss hearing their calls when my time on the trail ends. Tonight, I am in Maryland, having crossed the border from Pennsylvania this afternoon. I am staying in my tent at Raven Rock Shelter, and, like most nights over the past few weeks, I am alone for the evening. Today's photo shows the rattlesnake that passed in front of me on the trail yesterday.
Date: 2016-10-06
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Rocky Run Shelters 
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

And, with that, my last full day of hiking, I now have just sixteen miles to go. Tomorrow, I will hike thirteen miles, completing them by lunch, and, on Saturday, I will finish the final three, falling into the waiting arms of my wife and daughter. Today's 20.6 miles were rather uneventful, if you can call being on the threshold of completing a thru-hike "uneventful." The weather again was stupendous, the trail not particularly tough, and my legs somewhat tired. Not wanting to turn an ankle this late in the game, I slowed down in various spots and took my time going downhill. Late in the afternoon, I came across a Maryland state park with a shower, and, after four days of good hiking, was able to wash my hair and perk myself up considerably. The walk from that state park to tonight's shelter was only two miles, so I actually feel quite clean and civilized lying here in my tent and sleeping bag. This is my last night sleeping out on the trail. Tomorrow, after I finish my thirteen miles, I grab a ride and check into a hotel, awaiting the arrival of Alison and Holly around 6:00 pm. We'll have dinner together in Harper's Ferry and spend the night at the hotel. On Saturday morning, Alison will then run me out to where I left the trail, and I'll walk the final three miles. Alison and Holly will be waiting to greet me. What a way to finish!I'm excited beyond words to complete my thru-hike, but, then again, I haven't really come to grips with this being the end. For five and a half months, I have lived and loved this nomadic life.   I have also missed my family and friends, and the life I lead before. I know it's time to return, and I am thrilled by that prospect. Still, it's hard to process it all, and I expect it will take me some time. Happy Anniversary, dear Alison. I can't wait to see you and Holly tomorrow night!
Date: 2016-10-07
From: Rocky Run Shelters 

To: C&O Canal Towpath, Knoxville, MD
Miles today: 12.5

I cannot say enough about the weather this week! From Monday through today, it's been one great day after another. This morning even dawned quite warm, in the high 50s. I completed today's 12.5 miles without issue (or injury!), and have just 3.5 miles left for tomorrow morning. Today's hike was not terribly noteworthy, although I got a great view of the Potomac River (photo) before I dropped down off the ridge towards Harper's Ferry. I have yet to cross the Potomac (that's part of tomorrow's short hike), so I am still in Maryland. As excited as I am to finish tomorrow, my prevailing feeling today was one of tiredness. Body and mind know that the end is near, and my legs are yearning to ease up. I've had to mentally push all week long to stay in the game. Fortunately, my desire to finish strongly has beaten back any other thoughts or ideas. Having said that, I am definitely ready to go home, and look forward to it. Rain is expected for tomorrow morning and that's fine. Perhaps even fitting. Alison will drop me at the trailhead and then wait with Holly at the finish line.
Date: 2016-10-08
From: C&O Canal Towpath, Knoxville, MD

To: ATC Trail Junction, Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 3.5

It's a wrap! After 170 days, I have completed my quest to thru-hike all 2,189.1 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Having finished at Harper's Ferry, WV, I'm in the airport at nearby Baltimore to catch a flight home to Rhode Island. Alison and Holly are with me. In a steady rain, I was met at the end of my final mile by my wife and daughter in appropriately blue Power Ranger suits, joined by my childhood friend, Rich, and his wife, Mary Kim (photo). I didn't expect the "super hero" welcome, nor the addition of Rich and Mary Kim. Homemade signs marked the occasion, and our son, Sandy, joined over FaceTime. Seeing the welcoming party, I could no longer hold back the tears, and, stopping twenty feet short of the collected crowd, I let 'em go. It was a perfect way to end the trek. At this point, I can't unjumble my emotions and thoughts into anything comprehensible. I know there's relief in there, and pride, and a great deal of thanks to all of you. The sense of accomplishment that I know I will feel is not yet out at the surface. I'm guessing that I'm too tired to sift through it all, and, frankly, not ready to do so. Holly is coming home with Alison and me for her four-day Fall break, and I look forward to simply being in their company. I am repelling any effort to think about what I need to do after five and a half months away; that'll come all too quickly without my encouraging it. Having said that, I will be making a visit to my chiropractor quite soon, and I need to get back to my pre-hike stretching regimen as soon as possible. Once I feel capable, I'll begin my sessions at Fit Body again, in an attempt to properly direct the weight I know I will be putting back on. (When I get home, I'll be interested to see what the scale says.)As I go through the process of re-entry, I will be adding more posts to my journal. The frequency with which I do so will not match my past daily routine. I'm thinking that I will post an update on the first of every month, making it easy to remember for those of you who want to continue to follow me. I'll also be making a gear post soon, detailing those items that I carried with me or wore. What I will not do is jump to fill my life back up. I want to take some time to reflect and to see what, over time, feels right. I'll report as I make progress, and feel free to email me through my journal page. So, for now, please know how much I appreciate the notes of congratulations that are coming in, and the interest in my journey that you have all shown. It's all been more than enough to make a grown man cry.
Date: 2016-12-31
To: Almost Three Months Out
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday, I drove our son, Sandy, to the Boston airport to fly back to California after the holidays. Traffic was awful, and, on the way home, I put on some music to liven up the slowly-passing miles. Without necessarily making the obvious connection, I chose Bruce Springsteen's album, The River.While hiking the AT, I often sang to myself. I landed on a repertoire of four tunes that I sang in continual rotation: The Lovin' Spoonful's "Darling Be Home Soon", and Bruce's "Thunder Road", "The River" and "Drive All Night", the last two appearing on the album I chose for my drive home from the airport. Listening to these songs transported me right back to my trek. I felt the wind in my hair, the rain on my face and the cool of the mornings. I cried. In "Drive All Night", Springsteen writes: Through the wind, Through the rain, the snow,You've got my love....Heart and soul. On the trail, I was singing it to Alison, whom I was missing, particularly acutely towards the end. But upon hearing the song today, I realize that I was also singing it to the trail itself. Through the wind, Through the rain, the snow,You've got my love....Heart and soul. I haven't felt moved to write since my last entry, on November 1, even though I said I would update my post-hike journal once a month. Since then, Alison and I have been quite busy, with the holidays, and traveling, and some family events. As a consequence, I quickly moved from life on the trail back to a prior existence. While what we were doing was "all good", I could sense my longing for simplicity, for nature, for the AT. The trail captured my attention, occupied my thoughts, and animated my every movement for almost six months. It provided me a blueprint to follow, a cause to pursue, an enjoyment to experience. Walking away from it has been hard, and, being busy enough with other pursuits, I haven't really wanted to dwell on my loss. But, dwell I did today, listening to Springsteen. At one point, the traffic had almost come to a complete standstill, so I pulled off the highway onto the shoulder, snuck into the woods, ducked behind a tree and answered nature's call. The sun was setting, the wind was up and the temperature dropping. Standing there, in the trees, amongst nature's bounty, it all felt so familiar. And I was missing it all. Happy New Year.