morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-07
From: Betsy and Bill, hosts Hanover 

To: Betsy and Bill, hosts Hanover 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is a zero day, and I spend most of the day at the library catching up on the journal. I'm still having trouble posting the pictures. Don Quixote and I hang out there until it is time for him to pick up the car. The rest of the day is very sad for me. This journey is way outside my comfort zone, and it is hard to discribe how easy it is to become dependent on fellow hikers for moral support and companionship. I feel like the future has lost it's footing and I will be going forward with a heavy heart as well as a heavy pack.
Date: 2016-07-08
From: Betsy and Bill, hosts Hanover 

To: Trapper John Shelter 
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a steady climb mostly on a very humid day. I was able to get a lot of miles in though I don't like to make camp so late. I arrived at the shelter at 6:45 and that means eating in the dark. One thing about the AT is that you never know what you are going to get. I was looking forward to a spot called Holts Ledge described as having a precipitous drop off. I imagined a bit of damp rock to walk on, but instead there was actually several feet of brush separating me from the cliff unless I wanted to go to the edge for a look. Rain forecast for tonight, so the rocks will be slippery tomorrow.
Date: 2016-07-09
From: Trapper John Shelter 

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I climbed Smart Mt in the rain today. It made for a tough haul without the payoff of any views. I spent a rare night in the shelter because of the lack of tent sites. It is an unusual six sided shelter a little cave like with only two sides open. Also, this was a dry camp, so had to carry water a ways up to it. My feet are going to be wet tomorrow - hopefully no blisters.
Date: 2016-07-10
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel 
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained off and on today. I climbed Cube Mt, and the rocks were slippery and my feet were wet from yesterday, (wet shoes and socks), so I could feel the blisters on both my little toes come back to haunt me. I ran into a local TV station doing a report on trail magic. Of course they were offering some to get you to sit and talk about your experiences on the subject, very good though I was trying to beat the weather today. Went to a hostel called Hikers Welcome. Nice in a hippie kind of way. Legion and Sweets were very nice and convinced me to stay another night and get slack packed tomorrow for my hike over Mt Moosilauke.
Date: 2016-07-11
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel 

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel 
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow, that 9.3 sure felt longer. These climbs are getting more difficult, steeper, longer, and with bigger rock scrambling. The day was overcast but dry. I stayed on the summit for a good half hour, but the views were illusive, the windy conditions also making it much cooler. My feet are really hurting at the end of the day.
Date: 2016-07-12
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel 

To: Eliza Brook Shelter 
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: few clouds

Today was Wolfe Mt. Again, it was a hard day of scrambling around with lots of muddy parts because of the recent rain. Took me a long time for the milage. Now we are in The White Mountains and the shelter here is really a work of art with such fine craftsmanship. After ten at night, a group of twelve 18 to early 20 somethings stormed the sleeping camp headlamps blazing a blinding path for anyone foolish enough to open their eyes to see what all the commotion is about. One tent was being set up less than eight feet from mine, the young man's headlamp shining right in my face. So I figured I might as well watch the show. Took him about ten minutes.
Date: 2016-07-13
From: Eliza Brook Shelter 

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I knew before I started this day would be short. Just how short I couldn't have guessed. The peaks of Kinsman Mt were in my sights this morning. But first, last night's events. So at 5:30 this morning I go get my food bag out of the bear box, (a heavily reinforced metal box), and find it on it's side a couple of feet from where it was last night. This thing must weight eighty pounds empty, full of food it was pushing 250. I put it back as best I can and start breakfast. I have a view of the campground and noticed the guy from last night rummaging around on the ground. He had not been able to get all of the food into the bear box so had to hang it last night. Apparently the bags that he had hung up were not up to standard, because the bear ate most of they're food. I had managed to dry out my shoes yesterday, but I have blisters on my little toes. There is a small marsh towards the top of the first peak that hasn't been maintained, (usually boards on blocks), so my feet get a soaking in swamp water for the rest of the day which shortened the hike because of the blisters I already have. I have reached a crossroad on this journey which I need time to come to terms. I know I will continue with my hike, but it may take me a while to post. Please be patient.
Date: 2016-07-14
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Franconia Notch 
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: broken clouds

After careful consideration, I have decided that this is as far north as I can go. I want to enjoy the southern half of my hike, and the chances of that happening by continuing north are bleak. I will still have to deal with my foot issues, but at least the trail will be smoother. So I have hitched a ride to Lincoln where I will be catching a bus to Boston, and then a train to Harper's Ferry. Overnighting at the station in Boston should be interesting. I will be staying at the Teahorse Hostel tomorrow night.
Date: 2016-07-15
From: Boston Train Station 

To: Tea Horse Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The Station here in Boston is nice and clean. I'm waiting for the 6:10 am train to DC to catch the one to Harper's Ferry. It is a small commuter and will stop many times getting to DC taking nine hours. The night at the station was uneventful, but I still didn't get any sleep. I'm looking forward to my arrival at the Hostel.
Date: 2016-07-16
From: Tea Horse Hostel 

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter 
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm back to where I began, and I certainly have a different perspective. Benjamin runs a clean hostel, and I got a good night's sleep. Though I will have to consider myself a 'lash', (long a$$ section hiker), I stroll about town with an air of confidence. Entering a bar/restaurant when asked what I would like I easily say, "I would like a place to put my pack, the location of your bathroom, anything local on tap, and a menu please." Knowing your priorities is much simpler on the trail. I got a late start this morning, so planned an easy day. With late afternoon thunder showers, I was able to show off by getting a nice fire going that lasted through the evening - impressing the young people out for a few days hiking.
Date: 2016-07-17
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter 

To: Bear's Den Hostel 
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

It is a beautiful day, and I am glad to be hiking here in the south. I had been warned that the heat can be tough, and it is mighty hot out, but I haven't gone a day to date where I'm not soaked in sweat anyway - I'm careful to keep plenty of water on hand. I love the occasional views of the mountains, and the rest of the time I am shaded by the trees. Best of all, there is a trail bed kinder to my feet. Fresh from New Hampshire, I'd describe the trail conditions as fit for an old lady, with a walker, towing an oxygen tank, while smoking a cigarette. This is about to change, for tomorrow I'll be facing the dreaded roller coaster - a series of steep up and downs stretching for a dozen miles or so. Bears Den Hostel is a stone cabin like retreat on top of one of the first of these mountains run by an esentric man with equally esentric clientele which made for an interesting evening.
Date: 2016-07-18
From: Bear's Den Hostel 

To: Rod Hollow Shelter 
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Ah, so short lived my bravado of yesterday. Mountains are still mountains though shorter when stacked one after another. At the end of the day, I was delaying the last mile hanging out at a stream when a thunderstorm caught me by surprise. I got completely soaked, but redeemed myself with another blazing fire to finish the evening and got most everything dry by nightfall to the amazement of my fellow hikers, (fellow hikers are very low key about showing amazement I think ).
Date: 2016-07-20
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter 

To: Gravel Springs Hut 
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

Just to be sure yesterday wasn't a fluke, I went for big miles again today. Also, this is the first day in the Shenandoah National Park where the shelters are called huts. SNP is known for its wildlife and sure enough I saw the back side of a black bear as it ran away. I enjoyed a beautiful day and nice trail.
Date: 2016-07-21
From: Gravel Springs Hut 

To: Pass Mountain Hut 
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

It is a beautiful day today with just enough breeze to keep the heat and humidity down. I saw the back side of a bear as it took off into the woods, something that I have been looking forward to. Last night a trail angel stopped by the shelter with a pack full of microbrews. The two that I had were very good. We got to have a great talk, there is a brewery down the trail in a couple weeks called Devil's Backbone he suggested I stop by. Tomorrow I'm going into Luray for a supply pick up. There's going to be a heat wave, so it will be a nice break.
Date: 2016-07-22
From: Pass Mountain Hut 

To: Helping Hands Hostel 
Miles today: 1.1

An easy walk to the highway, and with a phone call, I am picked up by Allison and taken to her hostel. She has only been operating for a year so is still figuring things out. She has a nice place with bikes to use in town. I've had my supply box sent here so I'm all set for a relaxing afternoon. We talk a lot about the workings of a hostel, and I hope she does well. The heat wave is looking like it's going to last for a while - the index temperature here for tomorrow is 111. I'm going to have to be careful with the water in the days to follow.
Date: 2016-07-23
From: Helping Hands Hostel 

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Fortunately the trees offer shade, because the humidity really makes for tough hiking. I saw my second bear early in the hike today. It was a couple hundred feet up the trail, so we had plenty of time to check each other out as I approached. This bear was slow to respond, but I continued slowly foreword speaking in a firm voice, and it moved off the trail. When I got closer, I could see that it hadn't moved but twenty feet and was watching me so I had to loudly display my desire to pass which got results but with a huff on it's part - not exactly what I was hoping for. Midway through the day, I came around a corner disturbing a timber rattle snake sunning itself on the trail. I was within a dozen feet as it was coiling up with a buzz before I could stop. I didn't bother with the firm voice, but beat a path around it. With the heat comes thunder storms, and one was chasing me to the shelter, but this time I won. Finally after all is done and I'm falling asleep well past hiker midnight, I hear what sounds like a plastic bag caught up in a ceiling fan - so I storm out of my tent headlamp blazing to find a racoon has climbed up the bear pole, (a contraption for hanging your food out of a bear's reach), and is doing its best to empty my food bag. Fortunately this shelter also had a bear box located near it, just farther away than I had wanted to hobble in the morning, so all was finally well. What a day in the Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2016-07-24
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Lewis Mountain Campground 
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The heat continues, so I've kept the milage short today and arrive at the campground in the early afternoon. The trail was moderate, and I saw the back side of my third bear as it took off into the woods. With time on my hands, I decide to check out the wood burning ability of my cook stove. I have a Tri Ti sidewinder cook set that works with esbit cubes, alcohol, or wood. The camp store had Jiffypop, so I thought I'd give it a try. Works great, only needs a little bit of wood, and boils water faster than the alcohol. It made great popcorn as well. So while I'm kicking back eating my popcorn and drinking a beer, watching the thunder storm roll in I hear what sounds like an air horn going off somewhere in the park. Faintly I hear a man's voice say, "honey, go in my tool box and get my gun". City folk...
Date: 2016-07-25
From: Lewis Mountain Campground 

To: High top Hut 
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: few clouds

This morning I figured out what all the fuss was about last night. While making my breakfast in the vestibule of my tent, I hear something. Peeking around my tent, I see a bear quiet as a cat come to investigate the bear box at my tent site that is only ten feet away. It turns it's head just as I see it and pauses, looking sheepish at me. Not to wake my neighbors, I give it a stern but soft command to get out of my tent site, and it slowly backs up before bolting into the woods. Not ten minutes later I hear loud scratching sounds behind my tent. This time I get out of my tent to find it standing on its hind legs raking a tree with its paws. This time I'm sure I woke up the neighbors. I saw three more bears today and honestly I'm over it. Clearly the SNP is going to have a problem on their hands as these bears are habituated to humans, and it's just a matter of time before there is a conflict. The day is very hot and muggy, so the milage is low as I make my way through the park.
Date: 2016-07-26
From: High top Hut 

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather is slightly cooler today, and I look forward to a nice hike. I am now nervous as I walk down the trail as I am not very comfortable with the interaction I've had with the bears so far. When I get to brushy narrow parts, I'm careful to make enough noise as I hike. I come to a water source not marked on my map and pause, deliberating on whether I should take advantage of this unexpected opportunity. The source is weak, and it looks like too much trouble. As I continue a loud crashing to my right and another bear! This one is slow to respond but does move far enough for safe passage. When I get to the campground I had planned on staying at, it is only 3: 00 pm. Normally a 15 mile day would be fine with me, and it's 6.5 miles to the next hut with thunder showers building up all around. For some reason I decide to push on, so I stop at the camp store and buy two 'ugly apple fritters' at 450 calories a piece, a cup of coffee, and fill up on water. I covered the next 6.5 miles in under two hours - completely unheard of for me. When I get to the shelter there is a lone hiker there that goes by the name Going Postal. He spends the next couple hours talking about his hike. He's just finished his through hike and had to come back to catch this section he was shuttled around this spring due to a fire. As he talks, he's moving around occasionally sitting on the picnic table. As it grows dark he puts on his head lamp and settles down. The spotlight of his lamp shines under the table where we can see a small copper head is coiled. No one got bit this night by some stroke of fate. I like to think I had something to do with it.
Date: 2016-07-27
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Calf Mountain Hut 
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: moderate rain

The heat continues to be a challenge, and some how I didn't look at the maps this morning so I left carrying my usual water supply which is two 24 ounce bottles. Between talking to Going Postal this morning and not getting a good night's sleep, I didn't follow my usual procedures. In the back of my mind I could hear myself saying, "hey, you just did over twenty miles - only thirteen today." Everything seemed ok though my legs just didn't have anything and I was really having to grind out the climbs. Around 10:00 I took a break and finally looked at the map. I got a grim wakeup call when I discovered that there wasn't any water sources until just before my destination. I had eight more miles to go and had already drank most of one bottle leaving me with a scant 30 ounces left. In the SNP the trail crosses Skyland Drive many times, today in two places so I could always flag down a car. One thing I can't do without more water is eat any of my dehydrated food. I figured I would tough it out and save the road crossings for an emergency. Normally I would have at least 48 more ounces plus a source on a day like today. Each road crossing I reevaluated my status and decide to move on. Finally I came to the water source, I now only had a little over a mile plus the three tenths the hut was off the trail. But the damage was done and after a soaking from a thunderstorm, with another on the way, and the last bit steeply uphill, I ran out of gas. I simply can't make my legs move. I've never been so frustrated on this hike till now. I must have looked like a maniac yelling at my self to move. I did manage to drag myself to the shelter before the next storm hit. I learned a lesson today for sure.
Date: 2016-07-28
From: Calf Mountain Hut 

To: Stanimals Hostel 
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: moderate rain

Not too surprising, I feel like crap this morning. My feet hurt and have been keeping me up at night. This is the third night I've stayed in the shelters because of the weather, and it is hard to get an early start. Fortunately, I don't have far to go today. I have a resupply box at the post office in Manchester and will be staying at a hostel. I will be leaving the SNP today and entering the Blue Ridge Mountains. I am careful to take my pack on and off without twisting my back, and today it is light because I don't have much food, but I still somehow manage to pull a muscle somewhere. I'm in sorry shape and can't wait to get into town. Thankfully I only see rabbits and deer today. The bad weather hasn't let up, and the heat adds to my weary mood. When I get to the highway, I head over to a vendor like snack bar, but before I get there a guy in a pickup flags me over. He turns out to be a shuttle service and takes me to the post office and then to the hostel. This is a very friendly hiker town, but everything is miles apart and shuttles are nessesary to get around. Fortunately the town realizes this and there is a list of volunteers who are willing to do it for free. I think I'm going to take a couple days off, and hope that this weather pattern breaks.
Date: 2016-07-29
From: Stanimals Hostel 

To: Stanimals Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I am visiting with other hikers taking a break from the heat. Everyone has a story about how they have been dealing with the heat wave we've been going through, and we are all ready for it to cool off. I'm taking this opportunity to go to the local outfitters to try yet another insole that might help my feet. I think I need some down time, and this hostel will be my oasis for a little while. Most everyone is leaving in the morning. We decide to have dinner at the nearby bar and grill, so six of us head the few blocks and enjoy some local ambiance. I'm sorting out the new challenges I'll be facing in the next part of the hike. I am familiar with most of them, but the newest may turn out to be the hardest, and it is going to take me some time to mentally prepare.
Date: 2016-07-30
From: Stanimals Hostel 

To: Stanimals Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0

This is the first double zero of the trip for me, and I really need it. I am trying to get ready for the isolation I may experience going south from here. Most north bounds have passed through, and the south bounds haven't gotten here. This is compounded by my missing Linda and home. I do my best to take care of my end of the finances while I'm away, but there are things Linda has had to deal with that I would have done had I been there. I know that it has been difficult for her, and I'm grateful that she has tried not to burden me with too many details and is taking care of things.
Date: 2016-07-31
From: Stanimals Hostel 

To: Stanimals Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Another night at the hostel, my rationale is waiting on the weather. I know I've got to get over my fear of thunder storms, but I'm not there yet. Apparently this is the pattern for the month, so I'm going to have to get over it. Besides, I forgot to mention that yesterday I helped Adam who owns Stanimals shuttle a hiker back to the trail. On the way back, I noticed that he only had an eighth of a tank of gas, and he was going to be out of town for a pickle ball tournament, (like mini tennis or really big ping pong), and had hikers scheduled for pickup in the afternoon. So I thought he'd like to have some gas instead of a night's charge. I pull up to the pump and of course the cap is on the other side. Now his car won't start, and I don't have his wife's number. He's not answering, so I find a tow company and arrange a tow back to his place. I guess I'll charge it, but he calls me back and wants me to use his guy. Now I have to cancel my tow and wait for his guy. Needless to say this takes a long time, so I don't count that day as a true zero. I thought the weather in Eureka changes fast, but out here it's all over the place.
Date: 2016-08-01
From: Stanimals Hostel 

To: Stealth Camp 
Miles today: 17.8

It's good to be back on the trail. The weather though hot and muggy is better than it's been in a while. Trail conditions are as nice as SNP, and I hope I'm over the jitters of the last few days. Only heard a bear today and that's alright with me. I'd like to mention a piece of gear that has been priceless for me. I bought a sit pad that folds up and slides down the side of my pack. It weighs maybe three ounces and looks like a mini closed cell foam pad. Everyone touts the one made by the same company as the air mattress, and I did buy it, but I also got this one as a backup because it only cost $2.50 and weighs maybe two ounces. I ended up taking this one because it fits into the pack better. I use this all the time. It keeps my seat warm and dry, but especially cushioned. I'm finding that many things in my kit thatdidn't cost much are indispensable.
Date: 2016-08-02
From: Stealth Camp 

To: Harper's Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: broken clouds

It's going to be a foggy wet day, and weather underground is predicting bad thunder showers this afternoon. I have Three Ridges to climb and The Priest Mt with a 3000 ft gain after, so I'm cutting the day short. I get to the shelter by 2:00, when the weather is supposed to get bad, nothing happens all afternoon and evening. I met some section hikers and enjoyed their company till bed time.
Date: 2016-08-03
From: Harper's Creek Shelter 

To: The Priest Shelter 
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm getting ready to go but by 7:00 it is pouring rain. The bad weather is finally here. This goes on till 11:00, and in a few minutes I'm on my way. I didn't know what to expect from the climb up The Priest, but though steep the trail was well graded. Two of the section hikers were also planning to climb up today, so when I got to the shelter, I got a fire going for their arrival. They never showed up, so I had it all to myself. When I passed them earlier, they were moving mighty slow. I think their wives came and picked them up at the bottom of the mountain.