morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Wilson Gap 1005.9

To: Day 79 - Wilson's Gap to Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 13.7

I started early because I knew I'd be slow. The leg looks worse after the workout yesterday. I wrapped it up, took some ibuprofen and headed for Harper's Ferry. It wasn't long before Andi and Yvanna caught and passed me, and soon after M and N caught up too. The trail was nice at the start and pretty even so I was able to keep up for a bit. Eventually, as the trail got rockier, they walked away from me, but they all waited at the next spring and we agreed to meet at the Virginia/W. Virginia border. The trail became a rock pile and I had to pick my way through. I thought we still had about an hour to the border when I saw everyone sitting at the sign. I guess I wasn't going as slowly as I thought. We hiked down to the bridge that crosses the Shenandoah River and on to the ATC. We dropped our packs, grabbed some drinks, picked up our mail drops and got our pictures taken. We were hikers # 928, 929 and 930. About one thousand ahead of our start.The Administrator got us a price break at the Econo Lodge and we headed there. We settled in to watch the Germany/Algeria game. I put my leg up on pillows and put an ice pack on it. Natalie's brother Aaron came out from D.C. and took us all out to dinner. We went to a place called The Canal House. Very nice place. The food, if not organic, was free range raised and very fresh. We had a great time, but we were all very tired. We went back to the hotel, Aaron left for home and we all hit the hay. Thanks to Aaron for traveling so far and treating us so well. It was greatly appreciated and a pleasure to meet you.Zero tomorrow to get the swelling down and get ready for the next thousand plus. Bye for now.
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Day 80 - Zero Day at Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 0.0

Andi and Yvanna leave for Washington D.C.. A sad morning, but as I said, I'm sure we'll meet again on the trail. They'll catch this gimpy old guy with no problem. Icing the leg so we can hike out tomorrow. TTFN
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Day 82 - Crampton Gap Shelter to Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5

The sun was shining through the trees when we woke up. No rain last night, not much sleep either. I just don't sleep well in shelters.Amy "Stardust" came into the shelter around 9:30. We've seen her off and on over the course of the hike, but haven't had much of a chance to talk. She's from N.C. and has hiked in and out of several bubbles. We'll probably meet again somewhere along the trail. Also at the shelter were Sassafras, who we see every so often, and a friend of hers who started today with an eleven mile hike. They were the first out with M and N and me shortly after. We left Amy eating breakfast.We made our way over decent terrain to Fox Gap. There were memorials there dedicated to Gen. Jesse Reno, a confederate flag bearer, and a troop of soldiers from Michigan. We hiked through battlefields, some kept clear, some overgrown by forest, for most of the day. Amazing to think of the thousands who fought and died all around this part of the trail. About two miles further on was Washington Monument State Park. This was the first monument completed to honor George Washington. It was first erected in 1827, but has been restored several times. Cool stonework tower.We had planned to do more miles, but the threat of severe thunderstorms led us to cut the day short. We are staying at the Pine Knob Shelter after hiking 12.5 miles. A little more rest for my leg can't hurt.The rain threat came and went so I'm going to tent. We've been lucky with the weather. The storm yesterday was worse ahead of us, knocking down tree limbs and raining in sheets. Tonight it appears to be skirting us again. We had some rain and wind, but nothing terrible. The kids can have the shelter, along with some other hikers we don't know, I'm on the ground. Time to sleep.Night All
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Day 83 - Pine Knob Shelter to Falls Creek 1061.1
Miles today: 18.6

Smithsburg was about 8 miles away so we started early. There was some rocky terrain with steep descents to test my leg. We were hoping to resupply quickly and get back to hiking.The trail took us to Annapolis Rocks and a nice view. After a short break there we hiked through to Wolfsville Rd. That led us into Smithsburg a mile and a half downhill. The guide listed a Rite Aid, where I hoped to get new insoles for my tired, 1000+ mile shoes. When we got a mile down the road we spoke to a man working in his yard who told us they had moved the Rite Aid a few miles away; Drat!We continued to the super market he said was still in the strip mall and to what we thought was a sandwich shop. The sandwich shop was closed for the fourth so we ended up eating junk food from the grocery.We were dreading the climb back up the mountain road and rueing our bad luck with the resupply when a trail angel named Kimberleigh walked over and asked if we would like a ride up to the trailhead; Yes! She let us pile into her car, told us some local history, and said we'd be able to order pizza from Pen Mar Park about ten miles away. Thanks, Kimberleigh!We hiked over some rocky up and downs to Pen Mar. My balky leg seemed to be doing better as we went along. At the park we met Fonz, a thru we've seen on and off along the trail, who gave us a half a pizza so we didn't get any more.We rested for a bit then moved out to find the Mason Dixon Line. We didn't go very far before we officially crossed into the north, out of Maryland and into Pa. There was a campsite a mile further on at a creek so we headed there to camp. Unfortunately the water there had been contaminated by runoff a couple of weeks before so we couldn't soak our tired feet.We met a family from Canada, north of Quebec, who we'd camped near before. Toe Salad (dad), Fimby (mom), Otter (son, 12, I think), Tenacious Bling (daughter, 11), and a 15 year old daughter who, like many 15 year olds, didn't want to hang out with old people. They sat with us by our fire and shared some supper and small talk.Tired and sore, time for bed.TTFN
Date: 2014-07-05
From: Falls Creek 1061.1

To: Day 84 - Falls Creek to Quarry Gap Shelter 1081.0
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: clear sky

We hiked to Pa.16 and hitched into Waynesboro, Pa. A woman named Judy picked us up and drove us to Bobby D's where she was meeting people for breakfast. She said if we were getting something to eat she'd drive us where we had to go afterward. We grabbed breakfast and when we were through she drove us to the Pharmacy and waited for us there. Then she drove us to the grocery store. Thanks Judy. Her mom was friends with Eva Cassidy's grandmother (the late Eva Cassidy was an amazing singer), who was known for her kindness to thru hikers. Kinda cool. We hitched out of town at 11 and got a ride easily from a hunter/hiker who dropped us at the trail. Thanks. Yellow Beard was there waiting for a frien. He's taking a break in Harrisburg. We took off not knowing how far we'd go. We got to Antietam Shelter where a nice creek was flowing and soaked our feet. We decided to hike to Caledonia State Park about eleven miles away where there was a snack bar. Anything for food.On the way we climbed Chimney Rocks which had a nice view, but we didn't stay long because we wanted to beat closing time at the park. We made it with an hour to spare. We had some food and drinks, chatted with a bunch of kids out for a fifty mile hike and then hiked two more miles to Quarry Gap. There were some tent sites there and we met Wilderness Hawk, Cinnamon Girl and T Bird from N.J.. Talked for a bit then set up camp. Had a fun talk with the Administrator. Now to sleep.TTFNTomorrow the half gallon challenge.
Date: 2014-07-06
From: Quarry Gap Shelter 1081.0

To: Day 85 - Quarry Gap to Stealth Campsite 1101.3
Miles today: 20.3

Up and out by 7a.m. Headed for the half way point and then to Pine Grove Furnace State Park for the half gallon challenge.I left first and moved along quickly with my greatly improved ankle/shin and some good terrain. I passed Cinnamon Girl, Wilderness Hawk and T-Bird at a spring. I later saw Atlas and Shea when I stopped at Birch Run Shelter for water. I hadn't seen them since the Devil's Backbone in Va. I also saw Delaware hiking solo. She said Gadget had gone off trail for a bit.When I got close to the mid-way point I waited for M and N who were right behind me. We crossed together, took some pics and after a half hour break moved toward Pine Furnace. We passed a second half way sign [the trail is always in flux] and took more pictures there.We'd been quick hiking all day and got to the store at Pine Furnace at 1:30. 17 miles in 6 hours. Mike and I were going to take the challenge of eating a half gallon of ice cream in thirty minutes, but by the time we got there I was more interested in a cheeseburger sub so Mike went after the prize alone. He got a half gallon of vanilla and wolfed it down in under ten minutes; no contest. He collected his prize, a wooden spoon acknowledging his deed, then got some chicken nuggets to wash down the ice cream.I had two dishes of ice cream, the sub, a side of fries, a Gatorade, a root beer, a sprite, a honey bun, and a second sprite. A different kind of challenge, but no spoon.We hiked another couple of miles to an old campsite and settled in early. Into Boiling Springs tomorrow.TTFNP.S. Natalie did her part at Pine Furnace. She had a banana, a peach, cheese fries, ice cream, a Gatorade, and a coke. Usually she'd out eat the both of us; off day I guess.
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Stealth Campsite 1101.3

To: Day 86 - Mile 1101.3 to Carlisle Pa. 1125.5
Miles today: 24.2

Good night's sleep! I woke early and after a quick breakfast took off for Boiling Springs 16.2 miles away. M and N were ready to go as I left and I figured they'd catch me soon enough.I passed a few tenters along the way, but no one I knew. The day started out with moderate temps and a light breeze. They had predicted high heat and it showed up later in the day. I saw WH, CG and T-Bird about an hour out. They're meeting friends in Boiling Springs.At ten miles I went through a series of rock formations called the Maze. It was kind of cool, a little scrambling; a nice break from the woods. It's funny how they twist the trail sometimes. They took you up and over, down and across, and after climbing over the boulders for ten minutes you could look back at where you started about fifty yards away over smooth terrain; nice.Three miles later I found another plaque marking the original half way point. Three half ways in two days! I took some pictures and moved on.Coming into Boiling Springs I passed through fields of corn and wheat. Wide open spaces. It seems strange when things open up like that after the closed in feeling as you hike in the forests. The trail led out to a street and a narrow bridge that brought you into town. The kids caught up to me there. We hiked along a canal with the cleanest flowing water I've ever seen. You could see to the bottom of the canal bed no matter how deep. Absolutely sparkling.We headed through a park along the canal to the ATC office. On the way, there were three kids selling lemonade at a little stand with their Dad. We had some nice cool drinks, a quarter a cup, and some free water. Delicious.At the office we met Delaware, Shea and Atlas as well as Duck who we had met briefly yesterday. We asked about some place to eat and were directed to a restaurant up the street. On the way there we found out why the town is called Boiling Springs. I had thought it was like Hot Springs, with super heated water coming up out of the ground, it actually takes it's named from a cold spring that bubbles up out of the rock as if it were boiling. We got water there and it was the cleanest I've ever seen. We hung out at the restaurant for an hour charging our phones then headed to the P.O.Mike went out ahead to book us a room at the Super 8 in Carlisle, Pa. 8 miles away. He wanted to do some speed hiking and neither Natalie nor I can keep up. We finished our business at the P.O. and followed half an hour later. We made good time and got to Carlisle at 6:30. I hit the pool, Nat hit the shower, and Mike hit the hay.We went across the street to the Middlesex Diner for supper. My in-laws, Sterling and Ellie, have told us about this place for years. They always told Amy and me we should stop there on our way down to see them in N.C.. Of course, when I drive I rarely stop. I had to walk to Pa. to finally take the time to try the place out. Good choice! Short money, good food, and a lot of it. Next time we drive down I'll take Amy there.Now we're all crashing after our big day. Another big day tomorrow.Bye for now.
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Carlisle Pa.

To: Day 87 - Carlisle to Duncannon 17.6 miles
Miles today: 17.6

Didn't start hiking until about 10. We thought we might make it to Duncannon for resupply and to catch some of the Germany vs. Brazil World Cup game. We traveled through all kinds of terrain today; farms, fields, forests and rocky ledges.N was still catching up from yesterday. It was a big day for all of us and she's feeling foot sore and tired. My leg is feeling much better so, after lunch at Darlington Shelter, I decided to quicken my pace to make the game. The trail became much rockier and had some climbs and descents, but not too bad.It was very hot and humid and the small black flies that linger just inches from your eyes were a consistent bother. I spent a lot of time swatting at them while trying to keep my balance on the rocks. We had met a mother/daughter hiking team this morning at breakfast. Bad Camel and Popeye are from Michigan and had been hiking with their husband/father, but he had to leave the trail with an injury. They're thinking of flip-flopping to beat the heat. I told them it could be almost as hot up north as here.There was a nice looking green tinted timber rattlesnake on the side of the trail. about three feet long, just sleeping on the rocks.The downhill into Duncannon was steep and rocky. I heard from Mike that Germany was ahead 5-0 at the half so I was in no hurry and waited for M and N to catch up at the edge of town. We walked together to the Doyle, an old pub and hostel. Duck was there and he shared a mail drop with us, Thanks Duck.The weather came on the TV and warned of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in the area so we called it a day at 17.5 miles. While we sat in the Doyle the tornado warning horns were blaring outside. No one seemed too concerned so we stayed where we were and had some food and drinks.We decided to stay at a motel a couple miles away. Dwayne, from the Stardust Motel picked us up and we're staying there.Big miles tomorrow? We'll see.Night All
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Day 88 - Duncannon to Rte. 325
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We caught a ride from a local back to Doyle's. He said the tornadoes had hit the other side of the mountain and that he had been out all night cutting up fallen trees. We grabbed some food at Quikie Mart. The owner was from Duxbury, Ma. His dad has a store there and his uncle has one off of 3A in Hingham. A bunch of hikers stopped at the mart. Duck, Voodoo [a young woman from Beverly, Ma.], Wilderness Hawk, Cinnamon Girl and T-Bird. After crossing the Susquehanna River we climbed up and away from Duncannon. Today was a day to slog through. My feet are getting beat up. My own fault, I should have gotten new boots by now. I had always planned on buying a pair before starting Pa., but not many of the small outfitters near the trail carry my size. The high heat, long days, and humidity are starting to catch up. I spent the last three hours hiking today arguing with myself about why I'm out here. I always end up with the same answer, to finish, but some days just feel like crud.We are closing in on an important point in the hike, to me at least. After 14.5 miles tomorrow we'll have less than 1000 miles to go. Let the countdown begin. Little bits like that keep me going.I think I took one picture today. There were some overlooks, nothing dramatic, all through the haze of humidity.There were about eight different hikers that we leapfrogged during the day. Only Duck and VooDoo ended up camping near us along a little creek off of Rte 325. I soaked my feet in the cold water for about 20 minutes.A couple of slack packers, Daddy Longlegs [from Portland Or.] and Rudy [who works in Nashua] were being picked up by DLL's wife. They offered to pick us up some sodas for the morning. Thanks!Well I am beat. Quick supper, bed, and hope for a better tomorrow.TTFN
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Rte. 325

To: Day 89 - Rte 325 to 1180.4 Stealth Camp
Miles today: 19.6

Daddy Long Legs and Rudy came by at 6 a.m. with sodas and cupcakes. Nice trail magic from fellow hikers. Thanks guys!The days are beginning to blur. Lots of rocks, lots of foot aches and lots of miles. All that I want to do is get to Hamburg Pa. to get some new shoes. We hiked heads down for most of the day trying to avoid breaking an ankle or toe on the gazillion rocks. Actually the hiking itself isn't bad, not much vertical. The rocks aren't unlike some of the hikes around home. We're just doing lots of miles over them so it seems worse.Duck and Voodoo were near us most of the day and we saw Bad Camel and Popeye too. There weren't to many other hikers near us though. The best part of the day came at Swatara Gap. The kids hitched into town [Lickdale] and I waited for them at one of the coolest bridges I've seen. Built in 1890 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company from East Berlin Conn. It spanned a shallow river where people were tubing the current. A very nice place. There were blackberries growing next to the bridge so I dug in while I waited.It wasn't long before N and M got back with subs, Gatorade and some snacks. We sat at the bridge and ate. There was a trash can there so we emptied out our junk before hiking up the one vertical of the day [always when you're tired]. We would have hiked further, but thunder and rain forced us to quit early.We made ourselves a spot off the trail and were glad we didn't need to cook in the rain. I'm laying in the tent listening to the rain. I think I'll call the Administrator.Good Night
Date: 2014-07-11
From: 1180.4 Stealth Camp

To: Day 90 - Friday 7/11 1180.4 to 1202.3
Miles today: 21.9

Even though the rain ended early last night everything still feels damp. There's not many things worse on the trail than putting on damp clothes in the morning. With the high humidity today, nothing ever got dry.I've decided Pennsylvania is the pits. Mike says I'm just miserable because of my sore feet and he's probably right. This is not a good place to hike with aching feet and tired shoes.We hiked out early to get to get close to Hamburg. We need to get there before the P.O. closes at noon Saturday. We saw Duck and VooDoo again. Duck is going off trail for a couple of days so we won't see him for a while.Today was kind of boring, not counting the fall I took in a boulder field. A slight slip of a trekking pole and "down goes Frazier". I don't think there's any real damage; bumped both shins and split my knee. Maybe I'll try a walker instead of poles. There was one nice view in twelve hours of hiking. It clouded over after lunch and was just drizzmal. Wet and dark and dreary. A day to trudge through.We put in 21.9 miles and will still have to quick hike to make the P.O. in time tomorrow. The three of us will be looking for new shoes at the Cabella's there. Finally a big outfitter. I hope they have my size. I don't even care about the brand if they fit well.TTFN
Date: 2014-07-12
From: 1180.4 to 1202.3

To: Day 91 - Saturday 7/12, 1202.3 to 1216.5
Miles today: 14.2

Mike and Natalie woke early and made a mad dash for Hamburg 11.7 miles away. They needed to pick up N's mail drop before noon. With the rocky terrain here we weren't sure how long it would take. I wasn't far behind them, but my focus was on new shoes and some town food.The trail did turn out to be somewhat difficult with runs of boulders thrown in to slow you down, no views, and little water. I passed a few hikers coming southbound who told me M and N were only ten or fifteen minutes ahead, so when there were clear trails I tried to pick up my pace. I never did catch them. I stopped for water at a spring a few hundred yards off the trail and they were flying.When I reached Port Clinton, the town next to Hamburg, there were four other thrus there who were going to Pa. 61 to hitch to Cabella's, the outfitter. I figured I'd let the hitchhike parade thin out and walked down to a motel to get some h2o. It was so humid today I was dripping like an old faucet.I called Mike. They were already at the post office! They made it in four hours - Wow! I hiked to Rte. 62 and learned that the shuttle to Cabella's was coming soon. I took the ride in and Natalie and Mike were already at the store. N's mom, Linda, had sent some cookies in the mail drop so I made sure to get some. Mint chocolate chip, mmmm,mmmm. Thanks, Linda!Soon we were all in new hiking shoes. I got my 13 1/2's, wore them for a couple of hours then traded them in for 14's. I'm a growing boy. The Cabella's is crazy big. It's like the Bass Pro at home, more a theme park than a store. We were there for quite a while shopping [yes Natalie, take your time], eating [there's a restaurant, fudge shop, and general store upstairs] and drinking endless refill sodas.We walked to a steakhouse for lunch, lingering over our food for two hours, then did some resupply and headed back to the trail via the shuttle. It was six o'clock before we resumed hiking. We did a couple of miles up the longest vertical we've seen in a long while and set up camp.The shoes feel good. Maybe Mike was right and Pa. won't seem so bad when my feet aren't aching.Good Night All
Date: 2014-07-13
From: 1216.5

To: Day 92 - 1216.5 to 1228.5
Miles today: 12.0

I may have spoken too soon. A bad day on the trail to mark our third month. The new shoes are ok, but we're all tired of Pa. I guess the Virginia blahs hit us late. I've been hiking sore for so long with the right leg problem, the blisters and the torn off toe nail, that I don't do more than limp along the trail most of the day. I don't think I mentioned the toe nail before; a blister under my little toe pushed the toe nail up and I caught it on a rock and tore it off. There's also the constant humidity that keeps everything you carry damp and you hike wet from sweat all day. Someone call the Wambulance, we've got a bad case of whining here.Natalie looks very tired and I think the hard pace of yesterday really drained her. Mike, being in incredible shape, doesn't always understand that we mere humans can't match his pace. After 11 miles today N asked if we could zero. Unfortunately, we were in a bad place to catch a ride. We tried hitching for almost two hours with no luck. We hiked back into the woods, but after a mile I said, enough. 6 p.m. we stopped and set up camp. Mike's not very happy about it. He wanted to get some miles in to make it to a town three days away, but I think we need the rest more than the miles today and he, as usual, is willing to be disappointed about the mileage. Thanks, Mike.I can hear the two of them chatting it up and laughing so I guess it's safe for me to sleep [unless it's a trap; Mike can be pretty cunning]. I'm grateful that he puts up with my grumpy, contrarian nature. I never would have had a chance at completing this if he wasn't here. Don't tell him I said that. I hope the early night will lead to a good day.Ta.