morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-15
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Charles Town, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD! I love and miss you!Today was a great lazy day. We laid around all morning. We sorted out food, looked at future resupply towns, and got excited for the short states to come. We walked around for a bit and got some food. After that we hit the casino for a bit. It was a fun experience though we are all too tight to load the machines full of money. Ponds and I are hiking out tomorrow. The Rock has to stay until Tuesday and wait for Anna to get in. 1,020 miles down! I am looking forward to what the other half has in store. I am loving the trail and this hike. I am surrounded by some awesome people as well! Very thankful!
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Greenbrier State Park
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It was by far the hottest day on the trail yet. The heat was miserable. I absolutely hated it. The Weather Channel was saying high 90s today so I knew I needed to get an early start. I wanted to hike as far as I possible could before it got so hot. I was up at 6 and out of camp around 7am shortly behind Flinch and I Believe. I got to the Gathland State Park just before 9am. There was drinkable water out of a pipe along with bathrooms. I used both while I charged my phone for a bit. I consumed two liters while I was there and filled up another three. I also had the two liters I drank on the hike in this morning. It was insanely hot by 11am. I was stopping every half mile to ring my short out and let my body cool off for a minute. Every mile felt like five. At this point I knew I was going to the lake. There was no way around it. I needed to cool off and I was day dreaming about being underwater sea life. I did my best to just keep walking because when I stopped for a break my body just wanted to stay right there. I could stop in one spot and look on the ground and see where all the drops of sweat were hitting the dry dirt of the trail. I also started to cramp up from being so dehydrated. My pee was a dark yellow, if I could even pee. I came across a road crossing where Uphills was waiting for her husband Roots. She have me a Gatorade that I didn't even taste it went down so fast. I was about two miles from the road that goes into Boonsboro, MD. I got there and just collapsed under a tree. Maverick showed up shorty after, then came Ponds. Flinch and I Believe came marching by as well after they took a break at the free campground for backpackers. The three of us were dead. Beirut already hiked on to get to the campground and get is a spot as soon as possible. Boonsboro was a two mile hitch into town. We instantly threw up our thumbs and scored a ride in a few minutes later. The breeze in the truck bed felt so good! We got dropped off at a place called Dan'a Pub. I instantly had six glasses on ice water, along with another four after my meal. I also had two cokes and four free beers that a local bought us. All this with a steak and cheese made me feel much better. If you walked out the door, it was like a wave of hear almost knocked you down. The AC felt amazing! Uphills and Roots walked in for a beer and food as well. I talked to them for a bit. They ended up giving us a ride back up to the trail and we went straight to Greenbrier State Park. Beruit was already here laying in the shade and had a campsite for us. I took a long cold shower since te lake was already closed for swimming. We are abou .2 from the lake so that is going to be nice in the morning. They are calling for over 100 tomorrow so I am probably staying right where I am. It is Ponds, Maverick, Beirut, and I here tonight. I am soaked just laying in my tent even after having a cold shower. This lake sounds like a great spot for a zero day! I really hope it cools back off to the 80s again soon.
Date: 2014-06-18
From: Greenbrier State Park

To: Greenbrier State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I was wide awake by 6am. Ponds was already up and making his morning coffee. Maverick and Beirut were asleep until 10 or 11. It was already muggy in the early hours of morning. It got hotter by the hour and wa party cloudy before the sun came out. Already seemed like a perfect day for a zero day. Around noon we walked down to the lake and sat on the beach. We had lunch at the extremely over priced consession stand, but it was worth it. Hiking food seems less and less tempting when something different is around. After lunch we spent hours swimming and just hanging out in the lake. It was extremely hot and of you got out of the water, you could feel the heat. The beach was packed for a Wednesday, but I guess it was from it being so hot this week. Most of us started to feel burnt around 4:30 so we walked back up to our campsite. We all took nice cold showers and rinsed our clothes out in the sink. I took mine in the shower with me to rinse them. You may get nauseous if you saw the color that comes out of these clothes when I rinse them out. Take the darkest yellow pee you've seen, add some light dirt to it, then stir it all up. It's a good reminder to keep these "clean." We all wanted anything but trail food, so we decided we would hitch to Dan's Pub again. We walked the straight uphill for two miles on the road before we finally got a ride. Of course we were all soaked again since it was so hot. I had a few glasses of ice cold water before enjoying my free beer thanks to another local gentleman. I also had a caeser salad and steak and cheese again. It was great! The salsa reminds me how much I crave greens on a regular basis while on the trail. A guy names Henry sat down next to us as we were finishing up. A complete stranger, who not only bought us a round, but also gave four of us a ride in his Nissan Leaf (completely electric car and very small) a ride back to the campground. It was so cool! Around 9pm I got a text from Willy Wonka informing me that abou 15 people from our trail family are going into Washington, DC tomorrow. She wanted us to hitch there. I said we would think about it and figure it out if we could even make that hitch happen. I called it a night around 11pm. A very severe storm moved in. Lightning was everywhere and very close. Hard rains and some small hail too. It was cool to watch from inside my tent. It kept me up for a while before I actually fell asleep.
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Greenbrier State Park

To: Washington, DC
Miles today: 0.0

This trip was one of the best decisions I have made on this hike yet. I text Flinch last night since I knew Carl was in town having a zero day with her. He was supposed to be driving back home to Maine today. He called me and said he would gladly give me a ride into DC on his way home, even though it was completely out of his way. Ponds and I were up at 5am. I took a shower and packed up my stuff which was mostly soaked from the rain last night. Carl picked us up at the entrance to the park off US 40 around 8am. This was about half a mile from where he was dropping off Flinch and I Believe so it work out great. He drove us calmly through the morning traffic which I know he didn't like and literally brought us right into DC on 17th ave next to the Washington Monument. We jumped out, and he headed back to Maine. THANK YOU SO MICH CARL! Ponds and I really appreciate that. It was around 10:30am and we were starving so grabbed a bite to eat at a street side cafe before checking out the White House and Monument. We were a little shocked by all the people running around the concrete jungle. We waited for a few hours until everyone else showed up. We got some pretty judging looks from people around us since we smells so delightful and had packs on our back. After we met up with everyone, we walked around an check out everything possible within a two mile radius. It was so interesting and cool to see. Some of the others coming in from Harpers Ferry arrived around 8pm. The lady at the front desk of the Comfort Inn loved us! She let us for 13 people into two double bed rooms. Willy Wonka set it all up, so thank you to her! We all cleaned up and went out to explore the nightlife of DC. We had a blast!
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Washington, DC

To: Washington, DC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After a late night that ended around 5am, everyone was up for the free continental breakfast by 9am. We wasted no time. Everyone took showers and we hit the streets of DC. We took the metro right to the Capital Building. Swamp Donkey hooked us up on this one. A week or so ago we commented on a picture of his congressman on Facebook saying "I'm a veteran hiking the Appalachian Trail. I would love to meet you in person while in DC. Possible?" He personally messages him back, out him in touch with his secretary, and set up a tour of the Capital Building for 13 hikers. It was great and so cool. When we walked in, the very attractive young lady whom worked for the Mississippi sector aaid "Ethan?!?!" It turns out she went to school with Boucher. Small world! Swamp Donkey's Congressman came and found us after voting and had his picture taken with Swamp Donkey after talking to him for a bit. What an effort he made to make sure that happened. We continued on our tour for 2-3 hours and learned so much. It was outstanding. We grabbed lunch after that before heading to the Aerospace Museum. Talk about interesting history. A few of the guys decided to catch the 6:45pm viewing of the IMAX D-DAY. It was worth every cent of my $9. Very impressive and educational. We headed back to the hotel after that. On the way back, the massive calis that wraps around the bottom of my left ankle cracked in half. I'm assuming from showering so much and it drying up plus walking around DC in crocs. I decided not to go out with everyone tonight since it was pretty sore and I wanted it to heal. So, Pope and I hung out and watched movies all night. Everyone got back around 4am again. Needless to say I'll be sleeping a lot tomorrow night once I'm back on the trail. It was an amazing trip and I'm very thankful for the experience.
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Washington, DC

To: Foxville Road
Miles today: 10.6

I cannot believe I made it a mile today, let alone almost 11. I slept for 3-4 hours last night. After breakfast, we loaded in Rocky's rental car (all six of us in a small Kia) and drove to Harpers Ferry, WV. A few of the guys had packages to pick up there before the post office closed at noon. We hung out around the ATC for a bit before Rocky drove Ponds and I to where we got of the trail before going into DC. There were day hikers everywhere today. By far the most I have seen in a long time. Maybe the most ever. I found out why shortly after I started hiking. I did not stop until I came across the beautiful Black Rock Cliffs. The view was great even on a cloudy day with rain showers. Ponds caught up with me at the Pogo Memorial Campsite. There was a hotel at this spot many, many years ago. We were questioned again by numerous amounts of day hikers. We found out there was a parking lot about a half mile down the hill that connects with the AT. That is were everyone was coming from. A few bus loads brought people up for a day hike up to the cliffs. Ponds thought he might stay at the campsite for the night. I used the privy and decided to keep hiking. I made it to the MD 77/Foxville Road crossing. I hitched into Smithsburg, MD to resupply at the Dollar General since we didn't on the way to the trail this morning. I came across some stuff called "New Skin." It's a liquid bandage. I decided to get a room for the night and let this massive crack across the bottom of my ankle heal. I started applying layers every 30 minutes. I took the time to clean some clothes and grab dinner. I have enough food for a week or so. Rock and Annerrrrrr are going into Waynesboro, PA tomorrow so I plan to meet them there hopefully. Ponds ended up hiking on and caught the at the shelter tonight. I cross into PA tomorrow along with pass the Mason-Dixon Line. Almost 6 down and 8 to go. I cannot believe it. It's a great feeling!
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Foxville Road

To: Pen Mar County Park
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It was absolutely impossible to hitch a ride back to the trail where I got off for some reason. After trying for a few hours I have up and called a cab. It was well worth my $10 in time and hassle sitting there for a few more hours. I got dropped off and hiked the easy 8 miles to Pen Mar County Park. I called Rock and found out him, Annerrrr, and Bliss were in Waynesboro, PA just down the road. I also called Ponds. He was about four miles ahead. I decided to hitch into town and hang out with them for the night. I got dropped off at the Days Inn and got a room. I text Ponds and told him I was in town and he could stay if he wanted. About a hour later he showed up at the laundry mat we were at. The room we were on had the most comfortable bed I have ever had on a hotel. We walked to CVS and the Dollar General before getting dinner. After that we stopped at a local pub in town for a few beers. They loved hikers here. $2 16oz drafts. We called it a night around 10pm. We watched the TV show Naked and Afraid for a bit which was interesting. I didn't make it one whole episode before I was out. Tomorrow morning we will be stopping by the WalMart before hitting the trail. I'm not sure how far I'll end up going. Annerrrrr is still breaking her boots in so they are doing 8-10 mile days. Bliss is trying to catch a few other hikers, so we will see what happens. The big group is only about 20 or so miles behind us. Hopefully they will catch us soon. It was awesome catching up with Rock, Annerrrr, and Bliss. They are a lot of fun to be around. Waynesboro, PA is a very cool old town. They are very hiker friendly here. The crack in my ankle is almost healed and no longer hurts. New Skin is certainly great stuff and has worked well for me. It is like Super Glue for Skin. I'm thankful it worked. I cannot wait to hit the official halfway point that is coming up.
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Pen Mar County Park

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

What a day it was! We hitched a ride to WalMart then a man gave us a ride back up to Pen Mar. I started hiking and hit the Mason-Dixon Line along with the PA/MD border. What a cool feeling to finally be in the North, and I walked here! I was pretty excited and felt great. I did not stop much today. That might have been a mistake though because I never took my boots off to let my feet dry out. There was not a lot of water today either so that may have been another reason I did not stop much. I took my first break 8 miles in and had lunch with Annerrrrr, Rock, and Bliss. Ponds had a fast 15 miles to do where he was meeting his dad to go into Gettysburg for a day or two. I did not stop hiking for another ten miles after lunch. My feet were killing me after that. I ran into Potatoes, Bliss, and Wild Turkey. They were going for Caledonia State Park which has a pool. I decided that sounded great and did the same. I got to US 30 around 8pm. We walked the .5 miles to a place down the road that has food only to find out it's closed on Mondays. We night hiked into the park where Roots and Uphills had a campsite. They were waiting for us. I set up my tent, had a small dinner, took a cold shower, and passed out as soon as I got in my tent. I was worn out. I looked at my feet finally and found out why my toes were hurting. My right pinky toe looks like it grew another toe because of a massive blister. I absolutely love my boots and hate to get rid of them, but it seems it is time as my feet have grown (or swollen). I'll deal with it tomorrow. Rock and Annerrrr must have stayed at the shelter after lunch. I knew they wouldn't come here today. It was a long day. Great sleeping tonight!
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up by 7am with very sore feet and toes. We left the camp site shortly after that and high out by the pool. Roots was already hiking by the time I got up at 7. I was dreading putting my boots back on today. We hung out until the poolside snack bar opened at 11. The picnic area in the park was very nice. I called Miss Janet just to see where she was at these days. I told her what was going on and she said "I'll be there in two hours!" I was nervous and excited about getting new boots. I hate changing what works, but clearly it is time. Bliss, Potatoes, and Wild Turkey hiked out around noon. Shortly after that, Annerrrr and Rock hiked in. Miss Janet pulled up around 2pm. Rock and Annerrrr came with us. She took us to Shoe World. I narrowed it down to two different pairs. The Keen Pittsburgh and the Merrill. Keen fit my feet the best. I was walking in a size 10 Asolo which run small. My feet have grown a whole size. I am now a 11 wide. I also went with sick liners to hopefully keep away some blisters while breaking the new boots in. The boots feel great waking around the store but we will see what happens on the trail. We stopped by the post office so I could ship my old boots home. Then we went to Lowes. I built Miss Janet a ramp for her dog so it can get it and out of her van since it is so old. Our last stop was food of course. We got back to the campground around 7pm and Rock, Annerrrr, and I got a campsite for the night. I took another shower with soap this time that Miss Janet gave me. I then soaked my foot in Epsom salt which she also gave me. I hope to get some sleep tonight. I'm trying not to think about breaking in my new boots. I kept my Superfeet from my old ones so hopefully that works. The half way mark along with the half gallon challenge is coming up soon. Probably about two days away. I have to remember to take break and let my feet air out while breaking in these boots. The blister popped itself today so that is good. The group is now only 13 miles behind us and should be here tomorrow. Hopefully we can all do the half gallon challenge together. Looking forward to that. Off to bed around 11pm.
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: moderate rain

I probably shouldn't have done a 16 mile day for the first day breaking in new boots, but why not? The mileage was not to bad today but making sure to take breaks and rest my feet was a challenge. It's never fun breaking in new boots. I only planned I do a ten mile day this morning but I ended up going another 6 to put me closer to the half gallon challenge tomorrow. We left the campground around 9am and hiked a mile in the wrong road back to the AT. Google Earth corrected us. Oops. Warm up. Once we got back on the trail, the first shelter came pretty quick. I was very nice and has a care taker whom maintains it. It looked like an old time cabin where someone could reside. I left there planning do only do the 8 miles to the next shelter. I was very dehydrated when I got there and had a raging headache. This was my 4th time today stopping and taking my boots off to let my feet air out. Rock and Annerrrr hiked in right behind me only stopping for a minute before hiking on. There was a local guy who was a little off to say the least. I walked a few hundred yards down to the creek and consumed a few liters of water. I also had a good sized snack to get some energy. It was still early and I felt a lot better so I decided to go to the next shelter. It was an easy hike but my feet were sore so I just strolled and took my time. I got there and found Beruit already set up. Ponds hiked in about 30 minutes after me. Beruit never saw Rock and Annerrrr, neither did I nor Ponds, so get must have shot off the trail tonight to camp. I cooked up a few Mountain House meals I have had for a while and we made burritos with it. Then a massive thunderstorm rolled in. Probably the worst I've gotten yet. Lightning struck the closest I have ever seen it in my life. It stood my hair up and I could feel and hear it before the thunder. It was intense. We were standing on the covered picnic table that was built near the shelter. Lots of heavy rain tonight. I have 3 miles to Pine Grove Furnace where the half gallon challenge and the AT museum are. The half gallon challenge is where a hey hiker has passed the half way mark (I will in the morning) and consumes a half gallon of ice cream as fast as they can. You can pick any flavor. They say not to pick your favorite because you will no longer enjoy that flavor. I like vanilla and that's what I'm going with. Bring it on. We will see how far I make it after that. I'm in bed by 9pm and it's still storming. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Toms Run Shelter

To: Deer Run Campground
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Two swimming spots in one day along with the half gallon challenge. It was a good day. I was up around sunrise at 5:30am with a sore throat. I felt tired and worn out as well. It took me forever to get my stuff packed up an ready to hike. Rock and Annerrrrr rolled in around 8am. Indy and I hiked out with them a few minutes later. We crossed the half way sign and took pictures with the awesome Gatorade trail magic that surrounded it. The 3 mile hike into Pine Grove Furnace State Park was easy but I was hacking all kinds of stuff up. Five of us did the half gallon challenge when we got there. It takes place at the general store. Ponds showed up after us and finished before all of us. He dominated it. It took me 28 minutes to eat a half gallon of Hersey's vanilla ice cream. The last bit of it I was drinking the vanilla soup. Almost sick, we all walked over to the AT Museum and check it out. We then all walked the .5 miles to Fuller Lake to swim for a bit. We got yelled at by the life guard for swimming in a no swim zone. After that Shepard picked us up and took us to the Inn where everyone was getting some day drinks and watching the soccer game. When that was over he dropped us off and slack packed us to the Deer Run Campground. 18 of us got an one room cabin for $50. Needless to say it was packed so I planned to sleep on the ground outside. We went swimming in the pool for a but before hanging out by the fire. Doc is here with his car too. I still feel like crap and cannot stop coughing. I slept under the stars but did not sleep all night. The shivers hit me too. I was swearing all night and kept getting cold then hot then cold. The last time I looked at my phone was 4am. I kept coughing and spitting stuff up too. It was not fun at all. My right was is clogged up and my head in aching. I'm getting out of here early tomorrow so I can set up camp early tomorrow night and get some sleep.
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Deer Run Campground

To: PA 850
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After sleeping only two hours or less, I was up by 6am feeling like crap. I packed my stuff and hiked out. I was in Boiling Springs, PA a few hours later. I ate lunch and was feeling a bit better after hiking. I was hoping to hike off my sickness but it isn't working as well as I hoped. Doc was there with his car. I bought him lunch to slack pack me to PA 850 and pick me up there. It was like a flat grassy roadway all the way passed Carlisle, PA. I crosses over I-81 once again. I had three liters of water on me and did not need it all. Doc was at the road waiting for me. He took me straight into Duncannon, PA where there was a backwoods healthcare clinic. They do not take insurance and it is $60 out of pocket for hikers. She got me right in and instantly said strep throat after checking me out. I smelt like crap so I felt bad for sure. She sent my z pak prescription to the Rite Aid. Doc ran me up there and then I got a room down the road at the Red Carpet Inn. It was the farthest thing from nice but a perfect place to rest. After I was done hiking I did not feel like moving. Doc is staying with me tonight before he heads out tomorrow. Very thankful he was around with his car to help me out. I do not plan to leave my bed tomorrow. I want to get over this as fast as possible. Lots of liquids and rest.