morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Harpers Ferry WV

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

My wife dropped me off at the ATC Center. Got back on the AT and walked through town. The trail follows the river for several miles before entering the woods and hills. Made it to the shelter where I met back up with MAU. I set up my hammock and a thunderstorm rolled in. After the storm we got a fire going. On March 15 of this year a hiker was killed behind the shelter from a falling dead tree. There is a small memorial to him. All the dead trees around the shelter have been cut down.
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Left early this morning and stopped at Gathland State Park. There is a war correspondent monument here. A few miles later we stopped at the Dahlgreen Backpack Campground. It has showers and bathrooms. Got some water and headed out. Couple of miles further we came to the original Washington Monument. Climbed up to the top before moving on and crossing I 70 on a footbridge. Arrived at the shelter where we are hammocking.
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Pen Mar Park
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke to heavy winds. Hiked a couple of miles to Annapolis Rocks where we took some pictures. After some nice flat trail we had a steep climb up to Raven Rocks . After a rocky decent we had a nice walk to Pen Mar park. Here two ladies gave us a ride 1.5m to a motel. Grabbing some food heading back out in the morning.
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Pen Mar

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

Got a ride back to Pen Mar Park. Raining hard. Stopped at Deer Lick Shelters. Two shelters that hold 5 each. Ate snack and moved on to Tumbling Run Shelters. Very nice shelters with covered table. The rain got harder and a cold front came in so we stayed here. Soon the shelter was full with thru hikers getting out of the weather. Everyone was second guessing about sending cold weather gear home. One shelter is labeled snores the other non snores.
Date: 2015-06-03
From: Tumbling Run Shelters

To: Birch Run Shelters
Miles today: 19.6

Today was a pretty easy hike. Mostly along flat ridge line. Went thru Caledonia State Park but nothing was open yet. Was hoping to get some food. Made it to Birch Run Shelter where 8 other hikers are at. MAU and I are in our hammocks. It has been cold the last two nights. We haven't gotton to the rock fields of PA yet but we know they are coming. T
Date: 2015-06-04
From: Birch Run Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnance State Park
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: light rain

After a couple of miles came to the official 1094.6 halfway point. It was a pretty easy 8 miles to the Pine Grove Furnance State Park. This is home to the half way half gallon ice cream challenge. It wasn't easy but I did it and got the little wooden spoon. The AT museum is also located here. They have displays of first time thru hikers and other trail history. We hung out here with other thru hikers until 5 when the Iron Masters Mansion Hostel opens. It is a English tudor brick mansion built in 1829. There are about 20 hikers here for the night . It has been raining again this afternoon.
Date: 2015-06-05
From: Pine Grove Furnance State Park

To: Alex Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Had breakfast at the hostel. Left hiking thru the park on nice graded trail. Went by Fuller Lake used in the iron ore production. Several miles later we climbed through an area called the Rock Mazes. We had to climb through and around various rock formations. From there we had several cllimbs and descents before reaching the Alex Kennedy Shelter.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Alex Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Made a short limb in the morning and then decended into the Cumberland Valley. We walked through several fields to Boiling Springs. They had a large summer festival going on in town. Ate at a local cafe and then continued through fields for the next ten miles. We stopped at Scott Farm Trail Office and resupplied our water. Arrived at the Darlington Shelter around 6:00. About 20 hikers here.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 11.3

Made a long decent this morning then a climb to the ridge. From there it was 6 miles of rocky trail. We decended to Hawk Rock and then made a steep decent to the outskirts of Duncannon. A quick walk through town and we were at the famous Doyle Hotel. A legend among the hiker community. The Doyle was built in the late 1800's and I don't think much has been done to it since then. They do have good food and cheap rooms with all hikers usually occupying them. We have a room for the night have washed clothes and resupplied for the next week.
Date: 2015-06-08
From: Duncannon PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Ate breakfast at the local cafe. The trail winds thru town and then crosses the river. From there we made a steep ascent and traveled on rocks for a while. Saw a hen turkey and several chicks. Couple of miles later saw a large almost black rattlesnake. Once again it didn't rattle. Went by Table Rock overlook that had a nice view. Arrived at the shelter with my phone going off for a tornado warning. It was a nice two story shelter. Good thing it was there were 25 hikers here riding out the storm. Needless to say it was an entertaining night.
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

Actually slept pretty good with the big crowd at the shelter. Woke to sunny skies. It was like the amazing race with everyone taking off in the morning to get to the next shelter 18 miles away. The trail was still Rocky with only a few small climbs. Made it to the shelter but decided to hammock near a small River. It was nice hearing the sound of the water. About a dozen hikers were at the shelter.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

A raccoon got into MAU's food bag and ate the sweet stuff. Shortly after we started hiking we came to an old settlement from the 1800's where they coal mined. Not much there now. We made a climb and then got into a rock field for the next several miles. The trail eventually followed an old road bed which was pretty nice. We got back into rock fields before reaching the 501 shelter. This shelter is different in that it is a bunk room with 12 bunks, a solar shower, and you can order food from town. 6 hikers were in the bunk room with about that many at the camp site.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: 501 shelter

To: Hamburg PA
Miles today: 24.4
Weather: light rain

Left the 501 and got right into the rock fields. Was making good progress when I came to a creek crossing. There were several large rocks to cross on. Several rocks in I slipped off the wet rocks falling frontwards. I put my hands out to protect my face and my hands went between some large rocks. When I got up my right arm was bruised and scraped but when I looked at my right hand my pinky finger was at a very bad angle. It was dislocated. Since I was 20 miles from the nearest town, I grabbed it and put it back in place. After all no one was going to hear me yell. LOL Hiked on with flat and rocky trail to Eagle Nest Shelter. Ate some lunch. Saw another hen turkey and chicks today. Hiked on semi Rocky trail for the next 9 miles. The last two miles was a very steep decent to a road that took me to Hamburg PA . Got the last room in town. Cabellas flagship store is here. 240000 sq ft of sporting goods. Finger is black and blue but works fine. Arm is bruised and sore. I have seen a lot of injuries from the rocks. Everything from stitches to really bad bruises on legs and knees. 76 more miles in PA.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Hamburg PA

To: Hamburg PA
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a scheduled zero today. I am a little sore from my fall yesterday. Washed clothes, resupplied and cleaned gear. Went over to Cabelas and ate some smoked elk for lunch. It was really good. The temperature is in the 90's today with high humidity. Rain is in the forecast for this afternoon and then some cooler temps are forecasted. A lot of hikers came into town today but with only one motel there are no more rooms available.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: Hamburg PA

To: Hamburg PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Decided to take another day off and rest my back from where I fell. Swelling going down on my finger. When we are in town we try to eat as much as possible. I have lost about 23 pounds since I started. My weight seems to be steady at 162 for the last few times I have weighed. Your upper body suffers the most loss when your on a long distant hike. You end up with muscular legs and thin arms.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Hamburg PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Got a shuttle back to the trail. There is a steep climb to the top of the mountain out of town. Came to Windsor Furnace an old establishment from the 1800's. Reached Pulpit Rock after a steep Rocky climb. Continued on an old road bed for several miles before coming to Eckville Shelter. This is an enclosed shelter with flush toilets, solar showers, and tap water. Some major Rocky trail coming up. Found out several hikers we knew have left the trail.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

Made a long climb up to Daniels Pulpit. Had a nice view of the valley. The trail is very rocky for the rest of PA. Continued on rocks to Allentown Hiking Club Shelter where I had lunch. Came to a gravel road crossing where I got some trail magic in the form of a coke and some cookies. Continued on to the Knife Edge. A high narrow Rocky ridge where there is no room for error. You traverse on large angle rocks and a fall would result in serious injury. Made it on up to Bear rocks for another view of the valley. Traveled through rock fields and over tbig boulders to Bake Oven Knob Shelter. The water was a half mile one way. The water sources in PA have been sketchy at best.
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a difficult day. The next shelter is 24 miles away with rocks the entire way. Hiked several miles to Palmerton and Lehigh Gap. This is a very steep climb where you actually have some vertical rock climbs to reach the top. Any falls here would be long and fatal. There are a lot of pictures on web of this climb. Made it up sweating a lot but no problems. After you reach the top you still have to traverse a steep rock field. Once on the ridge you travel through a super fund site where zinc mining has killed everything and it is in a restoration process. There is no water for 16 miles through this area to the next shelter. It rained on me three times before reaching the Leroy Smith Shelter. Once again it was a long way to water. In my hammock for the night. These rocks are beating my feet up.
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

My feet are really sore from all the rocks. After 4 miles of hiking came to Windy Gap. A nice man gave me a ride into town where I ate breakfast. Continued on rocks to Wolf Rocks. These are house size rocks you can walk across. Descended to Fox Gap and then on to Kirkridge Shelter. A nice large shelter that has tap water and only 4 hikers here. Wind is blowing and it is getting cool. Rain is on the way.
Date: 2015-06-18
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: few clouds

Woke to a light rain. The trail into town was not too bad with rocks. I was glad since it was raining. Got into town and hung out at the Church of the Mountain Hostel for a while. Made our way over to the Pocono Inn where we will be staying tonight and tomorrow night. This is the PA-NJ border. We will be entering New Jersey when we get back on the trail. Our feet need the rest they are really beat up from all the rocks.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Shortly after leaving town we crossed the state line and entered New Jersey. Made our way along the Delaware River for a couple of miles before entering the woods for a steep climb. Came to the backpackers campsite and after a couple of miles later we came to Sunfish Pond. This is the first glacier pond we have seen. Continued on and summered Kittatinny Mountain. From there we decended to the Mohican Outdoor Center. They were booked up for the night. We are camping about a mile away in our hammocks. Expecting heavy rain tonight.
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Brink Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

Woke to rain. Hiked along ridge line most of the day. It did start clearing about mid day. Had some nice views of the valley below. The rocks are slowly starting to thin out. The trail has been very nice in NJ so far. Arrived at Brink Shelter which is a very nice and fairly new shelter. There is a good group of 9 thru hikers here.
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Brink Shelter

To: Branchville NJ
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained again during the night. It was an easy ridge line walk into town. Got in early enough to eat breakfast. Went to a nice deli for lunch and then dried out some gear in the hot sun. Picking up enough food to get us through New Jersey and into New York.
Date: 2015-06-23
From: Branchville NJ

To: mashipacong shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Walked to the grocery store to resupply. They are very limited to what we can use in this small store. A nice gentlan gave us a ride back to the trail. Followed the ridge line and climbed up to Sun Rise Mountain. There is a very large pavilion on top. Continued on to Mashipacong Shelter where we stopped due to high winds and Thunderstorms. 7 hikers are here with us. Around midnight 12 girls showed up and started setting up their tents. They were from a nearby camp.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: mashipacong shelter

To: Murray Property
Miles today: 12.6

Woke to windy and cool weather. Hiked on nice flat trail for the first 6 miles. Got to High Point State Park and was able to get a hamburger and coke. There is a 220 ft tower on top of the highest point (see pictures). Left and traveled thru woodlands to the Murray Property. Jim Murray allows long distance hikers to use a cabin on his property. There is a solar shower, well water, and a privy. All the views are very nice. There are about 15 hikers here.
Date: 2015-06-25
From: Murray Property

To: St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Miles today: 13.5

Left the cabin with sunny skies. Very nice trail. Came to Wallkill Federal Wildlife Sanctuary and hiked about a mile around a large flooded marsh area. Had several ups and downs before coming to a mile long board walk that goes thru a large marsh area. Crossed Pochuck Creek on a large suspension bridge. Had some trail magic at a road crossing in the form of a cooler full of gatorade. Got to NJ 94 and decided to stay at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel about 1.5 m off the trail.
Date: 2015-06-26
From: St. Thomas Episcopal Church

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

Got a ride back to the trail from a lady at the church. Started off with a very steep climb up a very rocky slope called "The Stairway to Heaven". For the rest of NJ it was up and down rock outcrops. After crossing into NY we climbed up to the highest point in NY on the AT Prospect Rock. We had to climb over a lot of large rock outcrops one of which had a ladder to help you up. At one of the road crossings we got some trail magic in the form of a cold Pepsi Left in a cooler. Continued climbing over rocks to Cats Rock which had a nice view. Finally descended to flat trail and made our way to the Wildcat Shelter.
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Started out climbing over rock formations and made our way to Fitzgerald Falls. From there it was a lot of short up and down climbs. We made our way around a large Beaver Pond. We crossed over NY 87 and went by a large lake which took us to the Lemon Squeezer. This is a very narrow passage where you have to hold your pack over your head to get through. On the other side you have a vertical wall about seven feet high you have to climb. It started raining about this time so the climb was a little harder than normal. We. Climbed up to a ridge and followed it for about a mile to the fingerboard shelter where we heled up due to the rain.
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: West Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: light rain

Left the shelter in the rain. Traveled in open woodland mixed with rock fields for most of the day. The rain picked up in the mid afternoon so we decided to call it a day at West Mountain Shelter. This location is known for its views of the Hudson River and the skyline of NY City. During the night it cleared and you could see the lights of the city.
Date: 2015-06-29
From: West Mountain Shelter

To: Greymoore Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 13.4

Woke to a beautiful view of NY City. Left the shelter headed to Bear Mountain Zoo. Before we got there we had to climb over 700 steps up Bear Mountain. We arrived at the zoo and had hamburgers and hotdogs. The zoo is fairly small but still fun since it it's right on the trail. At the bear cage is the lowest point on the AT at 121 feet. Left the zoo and crossed the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge once the longest suspension bridge in the U.S. Traveled on up and down trail for about five miles to the Appalachian Trail Market located right by the trail. Got something to eat and then moved on to the Greymoore Spiritual Life Center. They let thru hikers stay at the pavilion on their ball field. It has a shower, electricity, and fresh water. There were 8 thru hikers there for the night.
Date: 2015-06-30
From: Greymoore Spiritual Life Center

To: RPH Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 18.8

Left the Greymoore and traveled on rocky up and down ridge line for several miles. Hiked around a large beaver pond and mad several climbs up rocky outcropings. Went by Clarence Fahnestock State Park. Climbed up Shenandoah Mountain where there is a 911 memorial U.S. flag painted on the rock outcropings on the top. Made a long decent to the RPH cabin shelter where we are staying for the night. It has 6 bunks and a hand water pump to get water. You can also get pizza delivered here. It started raining right after we arrived. The cabin is full and 9 hikers are tenting.
Date: 2015-07-05
From: Hosner Mountain Road

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Left the house from the party around 10:00. Made a steep climb and then followed a fairly level trail with only small ups and downs. Stopped at the second road crossing and went to the Deli. Got back on the trail and hiked on to the Morgan Stewart Shelter for lunch. At old route 55 we got some trail magic. A drink and some chips. Later we came to Nuclear Lake. We made our way around it and went to the Telephone Pioneers Shelter. About 8 thru hikers here.
Date: 2015-07-06
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Schagticoke Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

A few miles of hiking and we came to the AT Train Stop going into New York. Shortly after that we came to one of the largest oak trees on the trail. We then traveled across a large swamp on a boardwalk. Shortly after lunch we crossed over the state line into CT. There was a steep accent up Ten Mile Mountain. We decended down to ten mile River. Traveled by the river for several miles and then ascended to the Schaghticoke Mountain Campsite. We are here with four other hikers and some kids from camp.
Date: 2015-07-07
From: Schagticoke Mountain Campsite

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

About 3 miles into the hike we took the road and went into Kent for an early lunch. It is a beautiful small town. Back on trail we had a long steep climb up to Saint Johns Leadges. There was a very steep decent down to the Housatonic River. The trail followed the river and after a short climb came to the Silver Hill Campsite. A nice area with a water pump and a pavilion. Came a hard rain not long after we arrived.
Date: 2015-07-08
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: West Cornwell Road
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to wet gear. Had several big climbs today. Made our way to West Cornwell Road where we were picked up by Hudson who runs Bearded Woods Hostel from his house. He is a former thru hiker and has a great place to stay. Dried gear, resupplied, and cooking out tonight. Starting to have bigger climbs the last few days.
Date: 2015-07-09
From: West Cornwell Road

To: Camping on Ridge
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Left the hostel after a nice breakfast. Hudson drove us back to the trail. We traveled on nice wooded trail until we got to US 7 . Found out the bridge over the Housatonic was being replaced so we had to take a 3 mile road detour. Stopped at a church and got water and ate our lunch. Also found out the shelter we had planned to stop at was closed due to falling trees . We decided to camp on a ridge by a spring. There are six of us here tonight.
Date: 2015-07-10
From: Camping on Ridge

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 14.7

It rained all night but stopped by morning. We left to a long uphill climb. After 6 miles we hiked into Salesbury CT. Got a sandwich and donuts at the deli. Got back on the trail and hiked up Bear Mtn. The highest point in CT. A few miles later we came to the CT:MA border. Once in MA we followed a beautiful river before ascending up to Laurel Ridge Campsite. Also crossed the 1500 mile marker today.
Date: 2015-07-11
From: Laurel Ridge Campsite

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was just a long day of accents and descents. Also had some traverse of some big rock slabs. Went through a swamp on a boardwalk. After that we went by Shays Rebellion Monument. Crossed several open fields and then made our way to Tom Leonard Shelter. MA has definitely got us into more climbing.
Date: 2015-07-12
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Shelter
Miles today: 21.1

Today was a long hard day with many climbs going up and down like a roller coaster. Went through another swamp on a board walk. Climbed up to an area called the Leadges that had some nice views. Ended up at Upper Goose Pond Cabin. What a great place on a large remote lake. It's a nice cabin with no electricity or plumbing. It really gives you the feel of the pioneer days. The caretaker cooks pancakes and makes coffe every morning. You can swim in the lake to clean off. It' was nice to sit on the front porch and relax.
Date: 2015-07-13
From: Upper Goose Pond Shelter

To: Dalton MA
Miles today: 20.6

Had pancakes and coffee, packed up and headed out on a steep climb. After that it was pretty flat for the rest of the day with only some minor climbs. Starting to meet some South bounders. The highlight of the day was stopping at the Cookie Lady House. For 20+ years she has given thru hikers home made cookies. You can also purchase boiled eggs, cokes and ice cream. We hiked on and arrived in Dalton MA. The only hotel was full so we hitched 5 miles to the Quality Inn. It was nice to clean up after an afternoon thunderstorm.
Date: 2015-07-15
From: Dalton MA

To: MT. Greylock
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Made several big climbs all the way to The Cobbles. These are outcroppings of Marble with views of Mt. Greylock and the town of Cheshire. Made a decent down to Cheshire where we got some ice cream. Made several steep clims before reaching the summit of Mt. Greylock. Staying in the bunk room on the top floor of Bascom Lodge built in the 1930's. It has great views of the surrounding areas.