morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-27
From: Seeker Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

27 May 2011 Day 73Today's miles 20.7Maupin Field ShelterUp and on the trail by 7.30 and after a short thunder storm during the night it was a much cooler day and this made hiking much easier. As I set out I was hovering between a 14 mile day or another 20 mile day, as the weather was much cooler and I was feeling good I elected for the longer day, if I knew then what I know now it would have been the shorter day. I got to the shelter before this one at 2pm and ate lunch before moving on and climbing Three Ridge Mtn a 2000+ climb. It was quite rocky which made for slow progress at times and about 300 ft from the top I started hearing thunder, then the rain started. After I reached the stop a full blown storm was brewing and I had no other choice but to keep going and try to get down the other side as fast as I could. It became quite scary at times as the storm passed right over me , lightening not too far away and loud thunder immediately after it. The trail down turned into a stream with water filling my boots but thank god I got here in one piece but totally saturated. I'm not looking forward to putting those clothes back in in the morning as I don't think they will be any way dry, let's hope for a sunny day tomorrow. Today also had a rocky 3000ft descent from the Priest mountain which seriously tested the knees, it was as if the people who designed the trail looked for the rockiest fall line they could find and then decided to switch back the trail over and back across it for a couple of miles. I reckon I'm going to be sore tomorrow as that storm made me move much faster than I usually do.
Date: 2011-05-28
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul C Wolf Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

28 May 2011 Day 74Today's miles 15.8Paul C Wolf ShelterWell made it through the night without any snakes falling out of the rafters. Left camp this morning around 8 and spent the morning clambering over rocks which really bash up your feet so I'm glad I put in the long day yesterday. There was no serious climb today just rocky sections which made it slow going at times as some of them were like bars of soap after all the rain yesterday evening. I made it to the shelter here just after 3pm, this is actually a pretty nice shelter with a river flowing just in front of it, so the feet got a soaking this evening. Got to see a copper head snake that is curled up near some people tents down by the river. The privy here looks like it had a narrow escape with a fallen tree, the roof took a little bit of damage but it's still functioning. Just a 5 mile stretch into town in the morning with one climb first thing and then all down hill, let's hope that there are no rocks. I think the first stop when I get into town tomorrow will be ice cream, I've been craving one with the last few days, I think it's because of the heat. Taking a zero day on Monday there, been a while since I took the last one.
Date: 2011-05-29
From: Paul C Wolf Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

29 May 2011 Day 75Todays miles 5.0Rockfish Gap Waynesboro Up early this morning as everyone staying in the shelter were doing the same as all were heading into town. Got on the trail and did the 5 miles to Rockfish Gap in 2 hrs from where I called the B&B where I'm staying and they came out and collected me. I was in town shortly after 10 am and had a quick shower and then went to 11 o' clock mass in the nearby church. This took an hour and a half as there was a christening also during the mass and it was standing room only. After than I did the laundry and came back to the B&B and called some family and friends to catch up with the new back home. Then out for something to eat before chilling out at the B&B for the evening.
Date: 2011-05-30
From: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

30 May 2011 Day 76Zero DayWaynesboroToday is a zero day for AT miles but doesn't take into account the miles walked around the American towns doing resupply and eating, the town are not like home where you find most shops pretty close to each other. These towns are built for the car to get from place to place, so I've walked about 4 miles this morning getting everything done, oh well at least it'll stop the legs from ceasing up. I've decided to stay here another night and to slackpack some miles south tomorrow instead as the heat is cruel at the moment and is forecast to be so for the next few days. I plan on trying to do some twenty mile days over the next week but not sure if that will happen in this heat, I'll just have to play it by ear and see how I'm feeling each day and try to load up on the water at each source along the way. Spoke to some people walking southbound earlier and they said there is a 13 mile stretch coming up with no water so I'll just have to take it as it comes.
Date: 2011-05-31
From: Waynesboro

To: Skyline drive mile 92.4
Miles today: 13.4

31 May 2011 Day 77Today's miles 13.4Skyline drive mile 92.4I got up and had breakfast at 8 this morning and after getting a few tips from a couple of hiker heading south about what lies ahead for me I headed for the PO and picked up the package that Eileen sent me with the iPod also more curly wurly and fruit pastilles. At the moment anything with chocolate on it is melting in the back pack. I then got a shuttle the 13 miles up the trail around 10am and headed back to rockfish gap, it was kinda weird hiking south bound as I had to think of east and west the opposite way that my brain has been doing for the last 854 miles, I got back to the gap just after 5 and the owner of the B&B picked me up again. Back here it was great to have a shower after sweating buckets all day, any bit of an incline and the sweat just pours out me. Drank plenty of water as it was easy carry it in an empty back pack. I must o now and pack up all my stuff and have it ready for the morning, going to try and get out of here a bit earlier tomorrow and do 20 miles but the heat and the thunder storms forecast for tomorrow evening might scupper that plan.
Date: 2011-06-01
From: Skyline drive mile 92.4

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

1 June 2011 Day 78Today's miles 19.8Pinefield HutGot picked up from B&B shortly after 8 and was back on the trail hiking north from where I also started yesterday morning only this time with a full pack. I managed to do almost 20 miles even with the late start and a stop for ice cream at a camp store along the way. Nice trail most of the day with only a few short climbs towards the end of the day. I didn't even have to cook dinner when I got here as there was a couple here with trail magic of pizza and coke. Today on the trail I saw a turkey with some chicks and I also nearly stood on a turtle. I still haven't seem a bear but plenty of people have seen them, I'm not too disappointed. Time for bed now as its after 9pm.
Date: 2011-06-02
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mtn Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

2 June 2021 Day 79Today's miles 20.6Bearfence Mountain HutUp and on the trail this morning by 7am, the weather today was much cooler than the last few days for most of day so it was easier going. Stopped at the first shelter out for a break and then headed to a picnic area for lunch I got Lewis mountain campground at 5.30pm thinking that was where I'd be staying as the reports were that this shelter was closed due to a problem bear, met a park ranger who said the shelter was open again as they relocated the bear so there was no free camping there for thru hikers so had an ice cream and coke and headed on here a mile further on. Cooked dinner and hung my food on the bear pole, reading the register here it seems the bear has ruined quite a few tents here. Apparently the problem was caused by a section hiker who put his stuff in the shelter and then went up to the camp ground for a few hrs and the bear has free access to his food and continued the trend when people left their tents to come down to the shelter to cook, the bear shredded the tents. Passed the 900 mile mark today.
Date: 2011-06-03
From: Bearfence Mtn Hut

To: Rock Springs Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

3 June 2011 Day 80Today's miles 11.5Rock springs hutTook a real easy day today to let the feet recover from the last 2 days and had a really chilled out day. Headed out just around 8am and was stopped a few miles on taking a bit of dirt out of my boot when another hiker names Doc comes along. Doc works as a massage therapist and offered a foot massage shock of course I would be a fool to turn down so I sat on a tree stump and had a foot massage which was great. We continued hiking together to Big Meadows Wayside where we had breakfast and hung out writing post cards and chatting, then decided to have lunch before we headed out again. We eventually headed out around 4 pm and got to the shelter here around 5.30, no need to cook dinner as I was still full after lunch so just had a cup of tea. I decided to tent tonight as the bugs seemed to eat me last night and the late arrivals into the shelter keep you awake. So overall a very relaxed day not driven by making big miles. Tomorrow looking at breakfast about 4 miles from here and then another 11 onto the shelter, I've decided to keep the millage around 15 for here to Harpers Ferry and enjoy the rest of Virginia and not race through it.
Date: 2011-06-04
From: Rock Springs Hut

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

4 June 2011 Day 81Today's miles 15.3Pass Mtn HutUp and out on the trail around 7 and hiked again today with Doc. Our first stop of the say was 4 miles in at the skylands resort where we ate breakfast, cinnamon French toast, the second morning in a row and very nice it was too. Left there and headed for the pinnacle picnic grounds for lunch where we ate a few other hikers and got some trail magic in the form of other peoples leftover BBQ. Got steaks and salads and water melon from one family and sausages from another. Back on the trail after the break and climbed the pinnacle and then onto Mary's rock where I had to take a picture but I won't remember it for the view but for the long long rocky descent down from it. My feet had felt really good up until then but that downhill took it's toll on them. Got to the shelter around 5 pm and set up tent to camp for the night, cooked and did the usual stuff that needs to be done. Hoping to get out early in the morning and catch breakfast in the last wayside of the park 8 mikes from here, maybe more French toast!
Date: 2011-06-05
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Front Royal Terrapin Hostel
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: light rain

5 June 2011 Day 82Today's miles 22.7Front Royal terrapin HostelLong day on the trail today hiking with Doc again today. We had planned to head out at 6.30 but when we woke it was raining so decided to give it another hour, eventually got on the trail at 7.15 and covered the 8 miles to the last wayside for breakfast. Stopped for lunch at the next shelter and to load up on water as we had planned to stealth camp after about 20 miles but decided to push for this hostel. We arrived here around 7 pm after taking a wrong turn on the way. There was a shuttle going to town at 8 to get dinner so we went to town of ayce Chinese foods. Came back to the hostel and showered and did laundry. I decided that I would slack pack 12 miles back to here in the morning and stay a second night. Overall my longest day on the the trail but a very good day and last day in the shenandoah national park which really provided some great walking.
Date: 2011-06-06
From: Front Royal Terrapin Hostel

To: Manassas Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

6 June 2011 Day 83Today's miles 12.1Manassas GapLeft the hostel to go into town to get some resupply and get some breakfast before being dropped off on the trail 12 miles up at Manassas Gap and started heading south shortly after 9.30am. The hike was easy with the light pack on my back with a couple of smaller climbs and a 1000ft climb just before the hostel. Got back to the hostel just before 3pm and had a shower and went into town and had dinner. Heading out in the morning and moving towards Harpers Ferry the 1000 mile and mental half way mark.
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Manassas Gap

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

7 June 2011 Day 84Today's miles 15.3Rod Hollow ShelterI got a lift back to the trail from Mike the owner of the hostel and was back walking by 9.15am. Back walking on my own again today, I didn't bother stopping in at the shelter along the way today but took my breaks on the side of the trail at campsites and at a bench along the way. The day started with  a climb of over a 1000 ft and the rest of the day didn't have any more serious uphills I got to the shelter here about 4.30pm. The weather today was very humid so my shirt was drenched for the day even the shoulder straps of my pack were sopping at times. I'm hoping to do 18 miles tomorrow but a really hot day is forecast and also I'm entering a piece of trail known as the roller coaster which is a 13.5 mile stretch of rocky ups and downs so I'll see how it goes, at least there are plenty water sources along the way to cool down at.
Date: 2011-06-08
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn AT. Center
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

8 June 2011 Day 85Today's miles 17.7Blackburn AT CentreI managed to get an early start this morning, left the Shelter at 6.30am and headed for the Roller Coaster. The ups and downs would have been okay if they weren't the rocks to contend with. I made good enough time and managed to get to the Bears Den Hostel 9 miles on before 12pm, I stopped here for awhile and ate lunch before getting back on the trail at 1.30pm, the neatness cruel at this stage so it was slow progress, stopping slot to cool down and drink loads of water. I managed to get here about 5.30pm and had a dinner of spaghetti cooked by caretakers here which was great, I set up the tent for the night and took a cold shower. I hiked today with my shirt on inside out and only noticed it while eating dinner. Today had 2 mile stones I passed the 1000 mile mark and also left Virginia and enter West Virginia so good day even if it was a tough one. Someone described the Roller Coaster last night as a mini Georgia and that's what it was like. Time for bed now trying for an early start again tomorrow so I can hit town before noon.
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Blackburn AT. Center

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

9 June 2011 Day 86Today's miles 12.0Harpers FerryLeft Blackburn AT centre not long after 6am and headed for town. The hike wasn't too bad but it did get very rocky a few miles out of Harpers Ferry and I ran out of water a couple of miles out but that wasn't too bad as I knew cold drinks were getting nearer with each step. I got to the ATC in Harpers Ferry around 12 pm and got a cold cke first. Next was get my photo taken for their records, I am thru hiker # 367 passing through this year. After that it was check into the comfort inn and do the usual town chores shower, grub and laundry. I spent the rest of the evening in the air conditioned hotel bliss!Crossed from Virginia into west Virginia today.
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

10 June 2011 Day 87Today's miles zeroHarpers FerryI had planned on doing some few miles today but when I stepped outside the hotel this morning at 9, I decided it was too hot so I checked into the room for another night. I spent the day eating, napping and generally just chilling out but still managed to walk about 4 miles up and down the town going to the PO and getting fed.
Date: 2011-06-11
To: Dahlgren Camping ground
Miles today: 17.7

11 June 2011 Day 88Today's miles 17.7Dahlgren backpack campground.Got up early and had breakfast before I left the hotel and walked back to the trail. Started hiking at 7.30, the first couple of miles today were along an old canal tow path which made for level walking before turning into the woods again and heading up hill but not very steeply. Crossed from West Virginia into Maryland so another state done with, I think that makes 5 states compete now. I stopped in at the first shelter out of town for a break and to see what the shelters in Maryland were like and so far they are very good. I went to the next shelter but decided not to stay and go another couple of miles to this campground which has a shower with hot water so I had a shower when I got here. There is a restaurant a half mile away but decided to cook here instead and lighten the food bag. The rain and thunder has just started so heres hoping that tomorrow will be a little cooler than today. Also today I managed to walk an extra mile by getting myself turned around a  view and heading back down the way i had come up, took me most of a half mile to realise my mistake, plonker or what!
Date: 2011-06-12
From: Dahlgren Camping ground

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: few clouds

12 June 2011 Day 89Today's miles 18.9Raven Rock ShelterGot up at 6 and packed up the wet tent after last nights rain which wasn't too bad. Hit the trail at 7 and was moving pretty slow for most of the morning finding it tough to make miles, taking a lot of breaks along the way. I find I  often like that on the second day out of town, eventually I managed to get some kinda rhythm going and made some miles. 5 miles before where I stopped for the night there was a hostel 0.3 miles off trail so I headed there for an ice cream before pushing for this shelter. For the first couple of miles there was a thunder storm and some rain, I didn't bother putting on the rain jacket, the rain was welcome to help cool off. I got to this shelter just before 5 pm, this is a newly built shelter and very nice but involved a 1.2 mile round trip to get water for tonight and tomorrow morning. I'm in the tent at moment decided to put it up to dry it so staying in it as opposed to the lovely shelter. As today was Sunday there was a lot of day hikers out, I spoke with a group of girl guides and their leaders from kentucky who were out for a few days, nice people and a welcome break spent chatting with them.
Date: 2011-06-13
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: scattered clouds

13 June 2011 Day 90Today's miles 25.4Quarry Gap SheltersMy longest day yet and my feet are on fire, I hope a nights sleep will help them recover. Got up at 6 and hit the trail around 7 after a dry night in the tent. Today the weather was much cooler even needed to put on a jacket while I was packing up and it made for a nice day hiking only sweating on the up hills and a cool breeze blew most of the day. I hadn't planned on doing such long day but I got to the turn off for the shelter 5 miles back where I had intended to stay and it was 0.3 miles off the trail and it looked like another mile round trip for water so I decided to push on to this shelter and I'm glad I did as it is really nice even has hanging baskets real tidy towns material. The trail was very quite today no day hikers now that the weekend is over but also I actually didn't meet another thru hiker until one came into the shelter after me. I finished with the state of Maryland today and entered Pennsylvania the rocky state and there were a good share of rocks on the trail today. Tomorrow comes the half way mark and the half gallon ice cream challenge.
Date: 2011-06-14
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace Park
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

14 June 2011 Day 91Today's miles 17.0Pine Grove Furnace ParkUp and on the trail at 6.45 this morning the pull of the half way mark was the inspiration for the early start. I passed a few section hikers today but not any thru hikers, I passed the half way mark and got section hiker to take my picture there lucky they came along. I continued along to pine grove furnace park and got in at 2.30pm, decided not to do the half gallon ice cream challenge so I had a cheese burger and ice cream instead. The hostel didn't open until 5pm so I hung around the grocery store and went to the ATC museum. Checked into the hostel and showered, dinner and breakfast were included in the price but both were pretty disappointing. A couple of hikers played piano, guitar and fiddle for a while before going to bed.
Date: 2011-06-15
From: Pine Grove Furnace Park

To: Boiling Springs Campsite
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

15 June 2011 Day 92Today's miles 19.1Boiling Springs Campsite. Left the hostel around 8 after the breakfast of frozen waffles and headed back to the trail. The morning trail was pretty easy going but had a couple if climbs in the evening and I made it to the campground around 5.30pm. Set up tent and went for some food with a few other hikers we got a few 6 packs and came back to the camp ground and drank them to celebrate passing the half way mark and another 100 mile mark. I think from once I pass the 1181 mark I'll be switching to miles left to walk as opposed to miles walked.
Date: 2011-06-16
From: Boiling Springs Campsite

To: Cove Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

16 June 2011 Day 93Today's miles 22.0Cove Mtn ShelterUp and out of camp ground by 8 am and stopped got breakfast in cafe before a quick trip to the PO to send home old maps and pages from the guide book. Got back on the trail just after 9 and the rain started, a drizzle at first but then heavy so I was saturated quickly, but it only lasted for about an hour. The trail for the next 12 miles was eSy and flat moving through farmland and I was able to move at about 3 mph for a lot if it. For the evening it got a little rocky and with one climb before the shelter. I got caught out in a storm for the last 3 miles of the day so by the time I got into the shelter at 6pm I was saturated for the second time today and no chance of drying anything over night. Changed into dry clothes which feels amazing, cooked some dinner and hit the sleeping bag.
Date: 2011-06-17
From: Cove Mtn Shelter

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: scattered clouds

17 June 2011 Day 94Today's miles 4.1Duncannon Got up and left the shelter about 7.15 am and hit the rocky trail to town, got here around 9 am and headed for breakfast. Couldn't check into the Doyle hotel until 11 so I went to the laundry while I waited. I checked into my room after 11 and took a  shower. Hung out in the bar and had something to eat and chilled out. The Doyle is a old building and in need of some repair but full of character. There was a shuttle to the supermarket at 4 so I got that over and done with and as usual got too much I think. Spent the rest of the evening chilling out and having a couple of drinks with other hikers. I got some pointers for the next sections from an previous thru hiker.
Date: 2011-06-18
From: Duncannon

To: Peters Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

18 June 2011 Day 95Today's miles 11.3Peters Mountain ShelterUp and had breakfast before hitting the trail at 10.30 and took my time heading out of town, was going to stop at the ice cream but the shop was closed. There was a nice climb out of the town and then the rest of the day was spent walking on a ridge some times over rocky sections. I got into the shelter around 4.30 and there are a lot of section hikers here. The water source here us down a lot of steps but I was saved from this as other hikers had filled some containers and left them at the shelter.