morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-08
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Primative Camp, South of Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 10.0

Started at 1409 ft, hiked down to 1128 ft elevation. Packing 2.5L of water. Steve with 3L. Feeling heavy. Same meal plan for today. Passed David Lesser Shelter and Route 9 at Keys Gap WV. Thought we might have to walk 3/4 mile to a local store for water, but found a stream of sorts. Steve found a tadpole in his water bottle, treated both with UV light. Let the tadpole go, not on our menu. Saw much of the same trees, including large wild cherry trees and one ripe cherry, which we shared. Lots of berry brambles and wild grape vines. Walked over lots of rocks, using poles and keeping head down. Kicked a few rocks and bruised a few toes. but, I stayed upright on the trail. Saw a half dozen thru hikers, mostly northbound and some number of day hikers again-so close to Harper's Ferry. But, mostly this day was a walk by ourselves. Enjoying the sounds of woodpeckers, wind in the trees, trees talking to each other and the clang of our hiking poles as it hits rocks. But, I didn't expect the occasional hollow sound my foot makes when it hits the earth that lays over the life giving pipeline of the mountain, the pulsing arteries of the trees. The roots offer an occasional foot hold on these steep down hill paths. And, then there is the bergamot (bee balm) aroma again that stops you in your tracks. We set up two hammocks for the night. A few bruised toes, bruises and blisters on my hips. Steve's foot looks good. Night toddy of pedialyte and Ibuprofen. All is good.
Date: 2019-06-09
From: Primative Camp, South of Harpers Ferry

To: Ed Garvey
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Pulled up our solo camp in the woods and headed into Harper's Ferry with our packs on. Stopped at the AT Headquarters and had our picture taken for their book. Part of the AT uses the C&O canal. Lovely contrast; river, train, town and footpath. Walked 3 miles on the canal tow path before ducking into the AT trail to climb 700 vertical feet on rocky terrain before the rain set in. Walked the ridge with a pack cover and rain coat to Ed Garvey Shelter where we stayed the night. Great two story open shelter. Hung our hammock on the roof rafters. Shared the upper level with 3 other hikers. Had to walk 0.4 miles down a steep path to get water. Dropped the UV purifier and broke it! So much for purifying our water. Met 3rd Timer (GipCGirl), a delightful 72 yo Austrian woman hiking the AT for the 3rd time-thus her trail name. Met Lisa and Theresa on their 1st day of section hiking, and Monk who is a thru hiker working on deep listening. Everyone is on their own journey. Ate chicken in a bag, string cheese and pedialyte for dinner. I don't think I am feeding Steve enough, but he does not complain. Ibuprofen, then off to the hammock. Must be 6:30PM--hiker's midnight. Close to 8:30PM 5 other hikers arrived at the shelter, sounds like Torch and Goodwill and others. From the sounds of this lively group, they are young, fast and funny. 9:30 rain continues and all are tucked in.
Date: 2019-06-10
From: Ed Garvey

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 10.0

Left the shelter by 7:15AM, most hikers gone by that time. Clothing is slightly damp and well worn. Same outfit, different day. Ate cold oatmeal and dry fruit. Walked on the ridge over slick jagged rocks that demanded respect. The rain stopped. Walked thru Gatland Stare Park and then back into the forest. The forest was misty and magical. Passed tall ferns, large mountain laurel in bloom, and vibrant green moss blanketing tree trunks. Heard the chirps and trills of song birds and felt the vibration of a wood pecker in the forest. "Hello old tree". "Hello young one". Ageless in the forest. Need to replenish food supplies tomorrow. Plan tuna for dinner and breakfast again. Need to do a better job feeding this boyscout. He is master at reading the environment, identifying trees, plants, animals.  Feeling a little unsure about this trek, but found solace in Spenser's comment "if it is scary and hard, you are on the right path". And Murdock, recalling a bumper sticker he saw on his bike trip around the country, "Don't believe everything you think mom". Bless my little gurus.
Date: 2019-06-11
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: moderate rain

The plan today is to resupply. There is a market 2.2 miles off the trail in the town of Boonsboro, MD. Up at 6:30AM, packed and on the trail at 7:15 after feeding Steve tuna, cold coffee and dry fruit for breakfast; dry fruit for me. Most folks on the trail by 7AM. Walked 3 miles to the road and 2.2 to a fresh fruit market, they offer nothing I could consider for meals along the trail. So, we walked further into town, nothing open! Walked 2 more miles to the other end of town to a Weis grocery store. Met 2 delightful 74 yo New Zealand couple riding their bikes from Miami to Toronto! Oh, The People You Meet (Jackson's next book). Tired now having walked 7 miles with a light pack and 5 more to go once we are back on the trail to the next shelter. Weather is threatening rain. Not looking forward to more miles with a loaded pack. Got 2 fresh peaches and enough food for the next 5 days; that makes 10 more pounds to carry each. Mercy. While I shopped, Steve made phone calls outside the store and secured a ride back to the trail head from a woman named Cathy who has family in Woodstock. She saved us 4 miles of a road hike. At the trail head we saw Theresa, tearful and leaving the trail after 3 days. We gave her a fresh peach and stayed with her until ha shuttle came to take her back to Harper's Ferry. We finished our lunch and started on the 5.5 miles to Pine Knob Shelter. We walked thru Washington State Park. This was a hard hike for me with a fully loaded/overloaded pack. I was cramping and tired. Had to stop in the park and took a quick nap before heading out again. The terrain was rolling with 800 ft change up and down. Wild roses in bloom. Saw a doe tending her fawn and a turtle in the path. Lovely section of the trail, just too much weight. Skipping breakfast is not recommended. Arrived at Pine Knob (elevation 1385 ft) to find Lisa all by herself. We set up our hammocks and tarp outside the shelter and helped Lisa with her tent. Got water from the spring and drank it as it was because I broke the UV purifier earlier. The dinner was fine-cold and right from the bag, but that is 2 lbs that I do not have to carry tomorrow. Chatted with Hurricane, a lovely bloke from NZ walking the AT for 3 months, averaging 20 miles/day.  Steve took off his bandaid on his foot...completely healed! That boy is amazing. No opening, just a scar. Put on a new bandage on for protection and went to bed. 7:30PM, hiker's midnight.
Date: 2019-06-12
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Ensign Cowilll Shelter
Miles today: 8.0

Using Awol's Guide 2019 Northbound to select campsites, factoring in elevation, pack load and general sense of well-being. I had hoped for a 15 mile days, but opted for an 8 mile day. It looks like we average around 1.5 miles/hour. We break break 20 minutes mid-morning and take 30 minutes for lunch. Weather factors in whether we opt for a shelter or set up in the woods. Shelters generally pack around 8-12 people and amazingly most leave by first light to get back on the trail. As Murdock says, "you have nowhere to go and all day to get there." (lessons from his bike trip). For thru hikers who started in Georgia, this is close to mid point in their hike, many now average 12-20 miles/day. For now, on our 6th day, we need 12 hrs of rest to recover from 8 hrs of hiking.  Birds once again graced the forest with their song. There was mountain laurel in bloom and the scent of wild rose and honey suckle which stopped me in my tracks once again. The path was rocky...truthfully, we had to rock hop and bolder scramble. But, we stay upright! Every foot placement is intentional and the pace is slow. Rain is threatening and expected during the night. We arrived at the shelter, tired. Saw our AT family, Lisa who now goes by Echo because her laughter echos thru the camp, and the delightful and funny brothers NoBro1 and NoBro 2, both in their mid 60s. and their buddy Moonwalk. All characters. Usual dinner, usual routine. Waiting for the rain.
Date: 2019-06-13
From: Ensign Cowilll Shelter

To: PenMar Park
Miles today: 10.0

It pored during the night. Torrential rains. Heard a hound bark. Thought about bears. Everyone in the shelter uses the bear poles at the shelter to hang their food items. No citing of bear on our hike thus far, however the thru hikers have many stories and evidence of bear attempts on their food canisters, though most of these encounters with bears are from the Shenandoah National Park. We were snuggled in our hammocks on the second level of the shelter under a aluminum roof. Though it rained all night we were warm in our down sleeping bags with liners. Clothes hanging from rafters to dry or air out. If you have been wondering, this is now 7 days without a change of clothes or shower. The forest is forgiving. We planned to hike 14. 5 miles today to the next shelter, but it was raining when we got up and no plans of it letting up. Everyone got up anyways, first light, breakfast and most start with a plan but let the day decide their fate.  Today's hike was through the rain. We were wet and cold. We start out the rainy day with a raincoat on and then after 30 minutes we are more wet from sweating, so the jacket comes off. The pack stays covered though. Don't want out sleeping bag or hammock wet.  That would make for a miserable night. We walked up 1000 ft on rocky terrain and through a field with power lines. We stopped at a shelter for lunch to be out of the rain and then kept going. The hike down hill was rough. Bolder scramble, rock hopping. Only, no one was hopping. Careful and slow and still we fall. At least, Steve did. Strained his left knee, not that he complains, but it is evident. We had to continue just to get down the mountain. PenMar Park is next on the map. we came into PenMar Park just as the rain stopped. This is the park where my niece Suzie married her love Troy. Again we saw Echo who is taking a zero day to meet up with friends. Met Denis S, a delightful gentleman who works at the park and offers rides to hikers. He suggested a hotel and gave us a number of a person who would drive us there. It did not take that much convincing-cold, wet, tired and now hurt. Great choice the day has made. We were ab;e to shower, wash clothes, and go out to eat. Only I got sick after eating dinner. Go figure, after eating camp food, and drinking the mountain water, I got sick from the dessert.  It is not that I overate either. Steve and I got one entree each and shared a dessert. Had a good night sleep and in the morning, with Steve still stiff, it was an easy decision to take a zero day. Saw GipCGirl in the lobby getting breakfast. She is moving on. We will await Jackson, who is off today, Friday, as it is more convenient for him to pick up his dad today. Looking forward to a visit from Jackson, Rachel and Josie. The plan is to go out to dinner with them. They will take Steve home where he will resume work and I will continue on the trial for 93 more days, unless the trail has other plans for me too.
Date: 2019-06-14
From: Boonsboro, PA

To: Holiday Inn, Boonsboro, PA
Miles today: 0.0

So, I stopped counting days. Not sure if I will count weeks. Jackson, Rachel and Josie came into town to pick up Steve. We had a wonderful visit. It was great seeing all of them.  I will miss Steve. He was a great partner- patient, accommodating, keen and knowledgeable about the environment. He pointed out trees and plants of every description. He turned around to check on me. He was a great leader and a great partner. But he has work to do. After a leisure day around town, Jackson, Rachel and Josie took Steve home and I went back to the hotel to bed. Ready for the next day on my own.
Date: 2019-06-15
From: PenMar Park

To: Tumbling Rum
Miles today: 8.0

On the trail by 7:15AM, 1st day without Steve. Steve was a great partner; patient, accommodating, keen and knowledgeable about the environment and easy with people. HipCGirl was still at the hotel so we got a ride together to the trail head! Did I just meet a trail partner?  I hiked with GipCGirl, a 2 time thru hiker on a section hike this year. We walked a half a mile on the wrong path before we realized it, laughed, turned around and got back in the trailhead. Just her way of teaching me a lesson on what to do in this instance. I listened to great stories about Australia, Papa New Guiana, South Africa-all of which have been home to her. There was stories about dream time, elders, and stars. We walked on a soft moist pine-laden path thru thick forest. We came to Tumbling Run Shelter and found  the young newly married Professor who taught English in China and will return to Japan to join his wife who is teaching also.  More deep conversations about prejudices, social injustices and life.  Had lunch, napped, dinner.  A DC hiking club cam into the shelter to offer trail magic¢fresh fruit and a beer.  Then off to get my water from the spring, hang near bag, prepare my camp for rain in the morning, then journal writing and to bed. Just like at home.  Snug as a bug in a rug.
Date: 2019-06-16
From: Tumbling Run

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hand in hand we ran barefoot in the grass, my Baby Girl and I. Then I woke up and hiked up 1000ft right out of camp, soft rain, slick rocky path, struggling with every breath and muscle cramps, but I still could feel the hand of that precious little girl of mine, Spenser, and I loved every minute of it. Still hiking with GipCGirl who knows the trail like the back of her hand. Trying to conserve water because there is no water for next 10 miles.  Once on the ridge, the path was soft pine laden with stretches of molders that demanded your full attention. Feeling heavy with 2.5 liters of water and wet gear. Crossed power lines fields and an occasional road before tucking away into the forest, traveling a narrow path under the canopy and feeling like a mole.  I do believe one could navigate the world without major interaction with the general populace.  Thank goodness the people on the trail are genuine, interesting and kind.  3 miles before the shelter ran into trail magic again, this time in Caladinia State Park.  Hamburgers, hard boiled eggs, chips and Gatorade! Perfect timing-having a headache from dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.  Outstanding group of amazing trail angels who get together in the park to offer this to hikers. Then another incline hike to the shelter.  The last stretch was like coming home- eautiful green tall Rhdodendrum archways and stone steps. It didn¢t matter that it was another 250 feet incline, one couldn¢t help but smile.  Freshly planted flowers graced Quarry Run. There was David, the Trail Runner, to greet us and gently remind us of the principles of ¢Leave no trace¢.  I set up my hammock in a thicket of rhododendron. Hydrated well at a running spring. Chatted, mashed potatoes, ramen noodles, took med for headache, and went to bed.  Listening to birds and a running spring.  I know exactly where I want to take you hiking.
Date: 2019-06-17
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.6

You wouldn¢t think walking 10-13 miles is hard, but it sure is.  Same routine, up, packed, ate, on the trail be 7:15. Walking with GipC Girl. Such a delight. Professor is behind with a badly blistered toe. Rain last night and in the trail. Pack cover on, rain coat comes off after 30 minutes.  More wet inside the coat from sweating.  Might as well get a shower while walking. 3rd day wearing same clothes.coming into pine, pine paths, few rocks which give my toes a break. Slight path diversion due to reforestation. Mountain laural now with pink variety. Red spotted newt walking slowly on path; can¢t fault him, he was a tadpole once and will return to the water shortly, I suppose much like humans. Only, we turn to star dust. Walking @ 1.5 miles/hr. Taking every 2 hr pack-off breaks for 10 min, lunch for 30 min. Tired of peanut butter. Trail angels (elderly couple sitting in their car just tickled at hikers response) on the path-cooler with soda and bags of chips. In camp met darling 16 year old boy, with a full head of hair, hiking with his 75 year old grandpa. Grandpa, a thru hiker of years past, goes by the name Snail.  I offered a new trail name for them-Tortoise and the Hare. It is always up to the hiker to accept or decline a trail name.  Also met March Forth and her husband Go Forth. Professor came limping in. Such a beautiful laughter he has. Met Doc, a walk onto the set of Gray¢s Anatomy. Could easily be a walk onto Fifty Shades!  Same routine. Bed as early as possible to recover from the day. Others hikers, usually those who hike 20 miles, come in after that. Plan for a short hike to State Park and to quietly celebrate 65 revolutions around the sun.  GipC Girl and Professor will continue on with hopes of reconnecting up in a few days.
Date: 2019-06-18
From: Toms Run Shelter

To: Pine Grove State Park
Miles today: 3.3

Terrestrial down pour all night. Brief reprieve at 5AM. Up then to wipe off tarp, fold and put in plastic bad so not to wet hammock and sleeping bag.  Left at 7AM, carting my 1 liter of water for short day hike. But the additional liter I am carrying with wet clothes, pack, tarp make for  a heavy walk. Still with bruises and blisters on my hips and a sore right clavicle. Toes are better but they still let me know they are there.  My shoes are heavy and I now have mole skin on my right ankle where my shoe rubbed. Seems that is the only place I have lost weight!  Gentle terrain. A shirtless young hiker passed me and I holler what anyone else would ask. ¢Why do you smell so nice?¢ He bathed in the spring this morning and is saving his shirt from being rained on.  I should do the same-bathe in the spring that is.  Came into Pine Grove Furnace SP where I have reserved a camp spot near the bath house.  This is a day of rest. I waked a half mile to the park and set up my hammock. Rain is called for tonight. Went back into town to the General Store which cateres to hikers. Most hikers long for this store to take the half gallon ice cream challenge. Not for me, even if it is my birthday. Went to the AT museum. Relaxed. Ate a sandwich at the General Store and was ready to walk the half mile back to my camp site when I hear 2 delightful and very tired thru hikers (Biscuit and MacIver) asked at the general store where they could camp. The State Park office is closed. There is a shelter out of town aways.  The hostel is full. I offered my site which has more space then I need.  Another thru hiker (Bear Bait) came thru with the same situation.  When I offer her the same, Biscuit asked what my trail name was. When I said I don¢t have one, ¢Generosity¢ she joyfully shouted. And, there it was. I got my trail name.  Gen for short. Better than ¢Flat Tire¢ offered by Steve because I was behind him struggling to walk up the hills.  I¢ll take Generosity thank you. And true to her name, Bear Bait hung her bear bag containing her food directly above her hammock.  As she said, she wants to make sure no bear gets her food. She'll fight them off first. She has bear teeth marks on her tooth paste tube as proof. And so it goes. Thinking of mom who gave birth to me on this day and the bear who might take it away.
Date: 2019-06-19
From: My Holly Springs

To: Holly Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Marie, owner of Holly B&B (motel) picked up young Bear Bait and I at  Pine Grove Furnace state park and drove us to her B&B; a lovely vintage motel. Found a roach among my things, but I swear it was one I broght in from the woods. Rest day planned. Had a salad for lunch and dinner and just milled around town. Passed a stream and naturally thought ?Am I thirsty? Got re-supplies on food at the Dollar General and caught up on journaling. Trashed the ramen noodles and tortilla wraps for freeze dried fruit. Plan to hike tomorrow to backpackers campsite outside of Boiling Springs Springs, PA. Expect no water along the way, but this should be a casual 8 mile hike with some climb, so carrying 1.5 liters.
Date: 2019-06-20
From: My Holly Springs

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 10.0

TA (total ascent) 1,515 ft, TD (total descent) 2,058 ft, TG (total grade) 403 ft/mile.  Don¢t you recognize me. I am your brother. Come through me so that I may squeeze you, hug you, love you and gently spank you and that¢s exactly what he did. Happy birthday to me again. There were 4 knolls and at the top of each knoll were great boulders. Each time squeezing through them, climbing up them and sliding down, once with the pack off. At the last summit, there were deep caverous rocks and I smelled bear. The sky opened up with torrential  downpours. It was a lovely walk down the gentle-slopped mountain all by myself. Soaked to the bone, feet and socks, pants, shirt and phone not working; all wet, concerned about blisters. Walked through open corn, soy and wheat fields. Ate blackberries from a tree in the rain. Met Josie, Hazit (SA colloquialiam for 'how's it goin'?), both from Johannesburg SA, and Tin Can on the trail.  In town stopped at the ATC Mid Atlantic regional office and had a salad at a local diner. Rain is expected all evening and through the night. Decided to stay at a hostel to dry out. $20 plus $3 for laundry. Josie and Hazit stayed at the hostel too. The ¢hostel¢ was a shed with bunks in it, dirty, musty and cluttered. Saw my first tick on the 'funature'. Slept in my sleeping bag. And so it goes. More and more I preferred to camp outside with the AT family. Still, able to be independent; walking by myself, but easily find great support, easy conversation and plenty of laughter.
Date: 2019-06-21
To: Holiday Inn, Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 8.2

Started off a little late, after coffee and a glutten-free danish. Did I say glutten-free? I meant gilt-free danish. Started down the road at a good clip when I saw the sign "slow down", and so I did. The path was mucky with light brown dirt, not the dark rich dirt from the mountains that you would pay someone to paste all over your body, but the kind that is riddled with pesticides and fungicides from the flanking fields of corn and soy. The only way to stay safe of the path is to walk in the middle of the muck, besides it is one of the 'leave no trace' principles which promote minimal impact. Passed fields, flowers, an old cemetary (1809), PA Turnpike and walked over a railroad. Heading south on the trail was Old Turtle (tortoise/snail) and grandson I call Hare. They are heading back to Boiling Springs and getting off the trail. It was always about spending time with his 16 year old grandson and exposing him to some of the trail. That he did well. They will be heading back to CA after a little road trip in PA/VA. What a delightful duo. I am still working of lightening my load so I ordered a smaller phone charger which arrived at home. Steve is willing to bring that to me. Though I have been walking for 2 wks, it is a short 2 hr trip by car. Walked Route 11 into the town of Carisle and am staying at the Quality Inn. Looking forward to their visit (Steve and Floyd, his seeing eye dog).