morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-14
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: VA 311
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: light rain

Short day today for our first day slack packing and it was great! Hiking without our full pack weights was weird after so long carrying them, we felt like we could practically fly down the trail. Brittany's shin felt fine so we hope a few more days of easing back into it will have her good as new!
Date: 2017-06-15
From: VA 311

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: broken clouds

We slack packed again today, but really pushed it with our mileage since hiking with light packs is so easy and a 20 mile day felt like nothing! We started the day hiking up to the most photographed point on the AT, McAfee Knob. The latter end of the day was a little scary as we were hiking on an exposed ridge line while a massive thunderstorm rolled in. We got soaked but made it down into the town of Daleville without getting zapped.
Date: 2017-06-16
From: Daleville, VA

To: Blackhorse Gap
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

Third day of slack packing and it's still great! Brittany got some new insoles from the Daleville outfitter this morning which will hopefully ease some of the strain on her shin and prevent any new injuries. Besides hitting the 1/3 mark of the trail, we had a pretty uneventful hike today, but found camping at a beautiful spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway with an overlook to the surrounding valley.
Date: 2017-06-17
From: Blackhorse Gap

To: Middle Creek Campground
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

Another day of slack packing today, and we were pretty glad to not be carrying our full packs in this heat. Temperatures have been in the mid 80s all week and with humidity hovering around 99% we've actually been wishing for rain! Most exciting today, we came upon some tail magic! Mid afternoon, just before we started our last big climb for the day we came across a cooler stocked with ice cold drinks and fresh fruit...it was heaven.
Date: 2017-06-18
From: Middle Creek Campground

To: Thunder Hill Shelter 
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

We had our last day slack packing today, and we sure were glad of it as we climbed over 2200' up Floyd Mountain. The hikers we have been slack packing with are Deluxe and Smooth Talker. Deluxe's girlfriend Jess also started out with them attempting a thru-hike but tore her quadricep about a week into the hike and now provides support for Deluxe and any hikers in need by driving packs up to points where the trail crosses roads so they can hike without them for a while. And while we have loved hiking with them, and certainly enjoyed the weight off our shoulders these past few days, we're ready to hike on with our packs. So after the first 11 miles today we picked up our packs  and continued on with them, only a few more miles up and over Apple Orchard Mtn (another 1000' above Floyd) to get used to hiking with the extra weight again.
Date: 2017-06-20
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was another tough one, we had a big climb up to Bluff Mountain first thing in the morning and, even though we got an early start, we were feeling the heat by the time we reached the summit. The day only got hotter, but we had the motivation of getting into town to keep us moving, so we only took a few quick stream and spring stops to dip in and cool off. When we finally reached the road leading into Buena Vista, our planned resupply stop, we got a call from trail angel Craig, who we had met at trail days, telling us he would pick us up bring us to his home for a barbecue and showers! Craig and his wife Tonia thru-hiked in 2015 and have been helping hikers in the trail community ever since. We enjoyed an awesome home cooked meal, dessert, showers and had a great time talking trail and music (Kevin and Craig have the same favorite band, Phish). They were kind enough to let us stay the night and will take us back to town in the morning where we can resupply before heading back out onto the trail!
Date: 2017-06-21
From: Buena Vista, VA

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy Summer Solstice! We resupplied early this morning, but dilly-dallied around town as the heat of the day set in, enjoying AC and internet while we had it. Once we got out on trail, it was a long climb up Bald Knob that had us regretting our massive Taco Bell lunch before it was over. Once at camp, however, we were rewarded with some cold soda trail magic from a sections hiker's wife who drove up to visit him, sweet!
Date: 2017-06-22
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We were up bright and early today to get a head start on a section of trail called "The Priest" (where the shelter log before descending allows you to give your "last confession"), one of the longest and steepest continuous descents on the AT (over 3000' elevation loss over ~4 miles). With all the hype we were pleasantly surprised by how well we fared (no injuries!) and feel prepared for another big day tomorrow!
Date: 2017-06-23
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: moderate rain

Another long day today, we climbed, essentially, a mirror of the crazy descent we did yesterday (and going up it was just a little harder than going down). We made it, but we are very tired and looking forward to relaxing a little in town tomorrow when we will hit Waynesboro, VA! (Last town before we enter Shenandoah National Park!)
Date: 2017-06-24
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.0

We had a nice easy hike into Waynesboro, VA this morning with our only excitement being a small bear we saw hurrying away from us as we passed it's hiding spot (up a tree)! We had hardly stepped off the trail onto the road into town when we were offered a ride by a local trail angel. He gave us the rundown on services the town offers to hikers (free showers and camping!) and even recommended an awesome breakfast place called Weasie's, where we pigged out before starting our errands for the day. After getting our free showers at the YMCA and resupplying we got lunch at another highly recommended restaurant in town before we headed over to the local brewery. We had heard the had a nice area for hikers to hangout, charge our phones and use the internet, and of course try the locally brewed beer! We even got to see some live music and decided to stay the night in their free hiker camping area with hammocks and a covered pavilion for us to use!
Date: 2017-06-25
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: broken clouds

We left town this morning feeling refreshed but sad to be moving on so soon as Waynesboro has been by far the most hiker-friendly town we've passed through so far. We got a ride back to the trail head from an incredibly kind couple, Maryanne and Kenneth, who sent us off with a generous donation for us to "get ourselves a good meal" at one of the wayside restaurants we'll pass in Shenandoah National Park. (We most definitely will!!) Hiking into SNP we've encountered mostly gently rolling hills and fairly even trail so we're hopeful it will stay this way and we hike through the park!
Date: 2017-06-26
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

The Shenandoah's are certainly exciting! We saw 6 bears today! The first two occasions we saw one "yearling" sized bear (not too big) on its own, but our third sighting was of a mother with two cubs right on the trail! We were with two other hikers (one of which was carrying Bear spray so we felt a little safer) but the momma bear was unimpressed and went about her business eating berries and leaves as we waited down the trail for them to move away enough for us to pass, exciting! We wound up waiting so long we had to hike a little in the dark at the end of the day to make it to camp, it was still an awesome experience but I think we've seen enough bears for a while.
Date: 2017-06-28
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Byrds Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

We got off to a great start today, with eggs and french toast for breakfast at Big Meadows, the abundance of real food in Shenandoah NP is really spoiling us! We planned to make it about 18 miles today, however, after a nice lunch and siesta at the Skyland Restaurant (another Shenandoah wayside stop!) we decided to call it a day a little early. Even with the slightly less challenging terrain and all the extra food, we've been pushing some big miles this week, so a little rest will do us some good.
Date: 2017-06-29
From: Byrds Nest #3 Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We hit our last wayside in SNP today, so we hung out extra long and stuffed down every last snack we could as we'll be back to eating 3 meals a day out of our food bags again tomorrow. Though it's sad to be leaving such a beautiful (and food filled) park, we're excited to be almost out of VA!
Date: 2017-06-30
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We left Shenandoah National Park today and were not looking forward to going back to our same old food bag meals of tuna and Ramen Noodles when we got a little trail magic to brighten our day! We stopped into Mountain Home Cabbin Hostel to get out of the heat of a while (and because we heard they give any thru-hikers the stop in lemonade and cookies) and met a section hiker who offered us chips and sandwiches as he had bought to much food on his resupply. So after about 3 sandwiches and a half bag of chips each we braved the heat again for a few last miles into the shelter. On top of our sandwich trail magic the shelter is one of the nicest on the trail, with a solar shower, front porch and horseshoes! To top it off we're super excited to be seeing Brittany's parents tomorrow when they visit for the weekend and give us some much needed R&R!
Date: 2017-07-01
From: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter

To: Ashby Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We were up and out early today, eager to make it to Ashby Gap to meet Brittany's parents for a little vacation day! We had about 15 miles to hike to the gap where we would be picked up, and we made it about 13 before a storm rolled in and it started to pour. Nothing could slow us down, however, and we pushed through it to make it, getting soaked but probably a little cleaner too (which we're sure Britt's family appreciated once we got in the car). Time to relax by the pool and put the nearest buffet out of business!
Date: 2017-07-03
From: Ashby Gap

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

After a wonderful day off yesterday, we took our time enjoying every last minute with family before getting back on trail today. With a late start we didn't make it very far but we did hit the 1000 mile mark, meaning we have walked 1000 miles and are almost half way to Katahdin!
Date: 2017-07-04
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a tough day today. We did the first half of a section called "the roller coaster" yesterday, and  were feeling motivated this morning to finish it up when we ran into some false trail magic. After only a few miles on trail this morning we stopped into Bears Den Hostel, just off the trail, and were offered to slack-pack the rest of the roller coaster by a past thru-hiker. We were super excited as it is a very difficult and frustrating section of trail, with constant, steep, ascents and descents, covered in small, unstable rocks. Unfortunately, after waiting some time for the would-be trail angel, he realized he would not be able to slack-pack us after all, so we headed back out, disappointed and behind schedule. After all that we decided to call it an early day and stop into the Blackburn AT Center, where hikers can stay for free on the screened in porch (no bugs, yay!) and shower, after only 11 miles hiked. We were just happy to be somewhere comfortable, but got way more than we expected when Kevin was chatting with the caretaker and found out she was also from Buffalo! She was so excited, and took such a liking to us after that, she fed us dinner and gave us each a heaping portion of apple pie and homemade ice cream for dessert! To top it off the Center had a view of both the local fireworks display and we could just make out the fireworks from Washington D.C. on the horizon! There is a saying that "the trail provides" meaning when you really need something, one way or another you can probably find it on the AT, and today when our spirits were low and we needed something to pick us up, that's just what we got at Blackburn!
Date: 2017-07-05
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

We made it! To the official, but not actual, halfway point of the AT! Technically the halfway point of the trail this year is at mile 1094.9 so we will hit that in a few days, but Harpers Ferry, WV has always been considered the official halfway point so we'll take it!
Date: 2017-07-06
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We got rained on the last few miles of our day yesterday, and it continued to pour through the night and into this morning, making getting out on trail today pretty tough. We hung out at the shelter for a while hoping it would let up, but finally gave in, stuffed our feet into wet socks and boots, and headed out into the downpour. (The only thing that made leaving a little easier was the black widow spider we found living in a corner of the shelter just before we left!) The terrain in Maryland so far had been fairly level so we were able to make good time despite the rain. Even so, we called it a day early to let our feet dry out before they got too torn up from being soaked all day, and we're taking the extra time at the shelter to hang everything up to dry and get ourselves out of the rain for the night.
Date: 2017-07-07
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke up to rain again today, and after lazing around the shelter hoping it would let up, got the weather from some passing hikers promising sun. This was enough motivation for us to, once again, pull on our wet boots and head out. By the time we got on the trail the rain had let up enough that Brittany, not needing it, hiked out without her pack rain cover and didn't realize it was missing until about a mile into our day. So, after a late start, we were slowed again as she hiked back to the shelter to retrieve it, after which we though we could finally really get moving for the day. Another mile in, however, we encountered a more enjoyable diversion, a Campground with free showers! After getting clean and warm, as well as laying all of our belongings out to dry in the sun (finally!) we pushed on to Washington Monument State Park. Just before we reached the park we ran into our friend Deluxe (the thru-hiker that helped us slack-pack when Brittany's shin was hurt) and caught up for a while before realizing it was almost 2PM and we still had around 17 miles to do for the day. After that, we hurriedly checked out the original Washington monument, and got a brief history lesson on our first president as we followed the trail through the park. Finally, we got into our groove and made good time the rest of the way to our planned camp for the night, except for one quick stop for some trail magic (granola bars and snack crackers, we'll take it!) hiker 'Yoda' had left by a road crossing! A great way to end a long day.
Date: 2017-07-08
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: clear sky

We were up early and hiked into PenMar Park to try to get a ride into Waynesboro, PA for a resupply. As we entered the park we were approached by hiker/trail angel 'Soggy' who offered us a ride to the store and back to the trail after we shopped (with a stop for pizza along the way)! Shortly after leaving the park we hiked across the Mason-Dixon Line, officially leaving the South and entering Pennsylvania!! Late in the afternoon we got rained on again, but it was ok because we also ran into some amazing trail magic! 2007 thru-hikers 'Ox' and 'Two Wheels' had three coolers full of beer, soda and water, along with hot dogs, candy bars, cookies and fresh fruit!!! We hung around so long we wound up hiking late into the night to get to the shelter, but it was definitely worth it.
Date: 2017-07-09
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: clear sky

Another big day today! We hit the actual halfway point of the trail (1094.9 miles) and rolled through Pine Grove Furnace State Park, home of the infamous half-gallon challenge (hikers eat a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting). Unfortunately when we hit the park we still had about 7 miles left to hike for the day so we did not participate, we did however witness several hikers we've been traveling with complete the challenge with ease. Looking forward to Carlisle, PA for Timber's birthday tomorrow!
Date: 2017-07-10
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

We had an exciting day for Kevin's birthday today! Starting out with breakfast at a local deli, only a mile from camp, where we enjoyed breakfast sandwiches and lots of snacks to kick off the day right. Then, about 12 miles into our day, the trail passed through the town of Boiling Springs where we stopped for a quick lunch before pressing on the last 8 miles to Carlisle. Once in Carlisle, we discovered the only Wegmans (Kevin's hometown/favorite grocery store)  along the trail was only a few miles out of town! We rounded out the birthday celebrations with dinner there, followed by a second dinner at the Middlesex Diner (famous among hikers for its huge portions) competing the day without eating our of our food bags once! Awesome day!
Date: 2017-07-12
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We got an early start today, but slowed down as we passed through Duncannon, PA to eat lunch at the Doyle Hotel, a famous hiker stop with great burgers and cheap beer! We eventually made it out of town and to the shelter for the night (no porcupine sightings yet!).
Date: 2017-07-13
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter 

To: Greenpoint School Road
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: broken clouds

We've been hearing about some serious storms headed our way for the past few days, so we were up early today trying to get as far as possible before things got messy. We almost made it to our planned stop for the day when the downpour began. While we can handle the rain, when the winds began to pick up and with some alarmingly close lightning strikes we called it, found a ride into town to hunker down, and got out of the storm.
Date: 2017-07-14
From: Greenpoint School Road

To: Fort Dietrich Snyder Monument
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: broken clouds

We had our sights set on Stone Creek Hostel for tonight, where we would be able to do laundry and dry out (hopefully for the last time before we're home in NJ!). Most of the day went smoothly, until about 3 miles before the Hostel when we hit a flat section of trail completely flooded out by the storm yesterday. We slogged through shin deep water, constantly concerned that we had accidentally left the trail and were walking down some stream, for the last 3 miles of the day and were more than relieved when we finally reached the Hostel and were able to get out of our sodden boots and socks. Yuck. Fortunately we were able to shower and get warm and dry as well as wash and dry all of our clothes. The Hostel, run by incredibly generous hiker - 'Breatheasy', also allows thru-hikers full access to a stocked pantry and fridge for snack and meals (for only $5!!), so we were able to chow down and rest up! It was definitely worth pushing through the flooded trail and helped recharge us for the last leg of PA before NJ!
Date: 2017-07-15
From: Fort Dietrich Snyder Monument

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

The plan for today was to hike into Port Clinton, PA (one of the few PA towns the trail runs directly through) and resupply, before hiking on to the next campsite, only a few miles out of town. We made good time into town and quickly got a ride into neighboring Hamburg, PA (home of the nearest Walmart, as well as the worlds largest Cabelas!) where we resupplied and treated ourselves to some Pizza Hut! Unfortunately, we had difficulty finding a ride back to the trail in Port Clinton, and wound up walking the ~2 miles back (which isn't far for us in trail miles, but adds quite a bit on when we're already planning a 20 mile day). So once back in town we decided to stay at the Pavilion Port Clinton offers to hikers for camping. Though we were bummed to not be hiking on we were pleasantly surprised to find trail Magic from several local organizations in the pavilion (powerade, fruits and donuts in the morning) and enjoyed an evening with several other hikers staying there as well.
Date: 2017-07-16
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter 
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

We had another short-ish day today, just feeling generally wiped out from the heat and rocky terrain in PA. We rested in comfort though, stopping for the night at the Eckville shelter, which boasts a solar shower, flushing toilet and outlets to charge our phones!
Date: 2017-07-17
From: Eckville Shelter 

To: Sunny Rest Resort
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: few clouds

Another rough, rocky day in PA. We hiked a section dauntingly called the Knife's Edge, a narrow, rocky ridge line that offers great views if hikers dare to look up from their feet for a moment. We carefully planned to stop at the last shelter before Lehigh Gap (an infamously rocky and waterless 17 mile section we plan to take on tomorrow) but found it full upon arriving, with no camping options for our hammocks. We were faced with a tough decision, hike 17 more miles to the next water source (putting our miles for the day at almost 40), hike back south to a campsite (hiking miles we've already hiked and will have to hike again is possibly worse than hiking a 40 mile day, we're not sure), or hike down into the town of Palmerton and stay at the only lodging available, Sunny Rest Resort (a clothing optional community). With much trepidation, we opted for Sunny Rest, so we have a place to stay and water to fill up on before tomorrow, and that's about all there is to say!
Date: 2017-07-27
From: Vernon, NJ

To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We climbed the stairway to heaven this morning, a hike we've done several times before our thru-hike, we remembered it being much harder the last time but it was still lots of fun! We met up with a few hikers we spent time in the Shanandoah's with (Ms. Frizzle, Calories, Banana Split and Stoop Kid) and brought them all back to Brittany's parents for some poolside relaxation and pizza (of course)!
Date: 2017-07-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hello all, just a quick update as we realize we haven't posted in a while and know a few people have expressed concern. We are alive and well! We arrived at the Delaware Water Gap (PA-NJ border) last week and have spent this past week relaxing and slack packing in NJ with Brittany's parents, getting some much needed rest and recovery time for the final push to Katahdin. Thank you all for your continued expressions of love and support for our hike, we cannot possibly express how much we appreciate each message of encouragement we receive!
Date: 2017-07-31
From: Manitou Road

To: Dennytown Road
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

We're back on trail, full packs and all today, after a wonderful 11 days of slackpacking and zeros at Brittany's parents house in NJ. We're both feeling recharged, refreshed and possibly a few pounds heavier as we begin the final third of our trek! We took it nice and easy today, as the first day back with full packs after a break can be hard on the body, but we're itching to get back to full speed starting tomorrow!