morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-21
From: Spivey Gap

To: Unaka Springs Road
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we slacked packed from Spivey gap to Unaka Springs Road. It was 11.1 miles and the terrain was very easy. I ran the last 2 miles because the ground was downhill with no roots or rocks and of course I did not have a big heavy backpack on. We got back to our hotel around 1 PM got cleaned up and went to dinner at Hawgs and dawgs with Texas Ranger, Cubs Win, Seven Beers, and Jim. The food and service were both fantastic! Tomorrow we plan on slack packing 22 miles and we are hoping it doesn't rain too hard. Once we finished our hike tomorrow we will have like 362.9 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2017-04-22
From: Devils Fork Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: light rain

One more day of slackpacking. The day started out fairly nice, it was around 60 degrees when we started at 7:15 am. About 5 miles into our hike we found a bear track right in the middle of the trail. It started to rain pretty hard around 12:45 but only lasted 15 minutes which was enough to get soaked and turn some of the trail to 3 inches of mud making it hard to walk without slipping. We were disappointed when we reached Big Bald because it was covered in fog, got very cold and windy and we didn't have a view. We ran into trail magic 3 times today which was awesome! The first 11 miles of our hike were good even though a lot was uphill. After that, the trail was very muddy for 5-7 miles. Thomas was actually hiking as fast as me today which was great because I wanted to finish the 21.9 miles before 5pm. We had 2 miles to go when I started hiking faster and then ran the rest of the way and got to Devils Fork Gap at 4:55pm. When we got back to the hotel, Stephanie (Bartender) and Jim (also a through hiker) asked us if we wanted to go to Los Jalape±os for dinner with them. Jim, Stephanie, Matt, Steem, and Doug all had dinner with us. We had a great night full of stories and lots of laughter!
Date: 2017-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today we took a zero to rest and also because it had rained all night and was supposed to rain all day. We did some laundry then went to Walmart to restock our food and some other things we needed. We had lunch at an Italian restaurant near Walmart with Jim, seven beers, Texas Ranger, Thomas and I. Our shuttle driver Doug, who we had dinner with last night, showed us some unique fishing lures he had made out of horse, rabbit, and deer hair. I'm not looking forward to hiking tomorrow morning because it is supposed to be 52° and raining and I'm sure it will be colder at the top of the mountains. I am hoping the sun will come out and dry the mud off of the trails.
Date: 2017-04-24
From: Iron Mt Gap

To: Roan HighKnob Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: snow

Thomas Texas Ranger Cubs win seven beers and I got a shuttle to iron Mountain gap. The beginning of today's hike started not too bad but as the day progressed the Climb got steeper and steeper to Roan High knob shelter. As we got towards the top of the mountain it became foggy and damp and rained a little there were about two miles of high rocks to step over and the path was a rocky ditch sometimes with streams of water running down. Most of the path near the top had no views because there were many pine trees. When we reached the Shelter, the aroma of fresh pine made it smell just like Christmas and I knew I was going to sleep well. There was a misty rain because we were in the clouds but the campsite was beautiful!
Date: 2017-04-25
From: Roan HighKnob Shelter

To: Apple house gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

What do you do when you wake up with your head in the clouds and there is no view???.... you hike 11 miles to get out of the clouds. Today was one of the worst days for me. The calf muscle in my right leg had a huge knot and it was making it hard to walk. I used compression wrap over the right spot and it seemed to help for a while. We hiked for 11 miles up and down without much change in elevation so it was icy mist and wind for several hours. We were on several bluffs but had no view because of the weather. It seemed like it was taking us all day to get out of the clouds. We finally left North Carolina and settled in a campsite. Texas Ranger made a fire and we all ate our dinner around it. The campsite had a huge rock formation that looked like a cave so 7Beers and I climbed it to see how deep it was. It was only 8 feet deep and was damp inside but it made the campsite unique.
Date: 2017-04-27
From: Camp site 410.4

To: Hampton
Miles today: 11.8

I woke up today with my leg still hurting but not as bad as The day before. Thomas and I wanted to get into Hampton because we had a resupply package waiting for us. Today's hike was Beautiful. It followed and crossed over the Laurel Fork river several times. Then it led to Laurel Falls. The trail down to the falls was several switchbacks of huge rock stairs that were very steep. When we got to the bottom by the falls we had to maneuver around a 2 foot ledge with a high Rockwall on one side and the gushing river on the other. Today was one of the most beautiful days of hiking I truly enjoy the sound of the rushing river beside us most of the day. We got to town around 2 PM and got a room at Braemar castle hostile. It was a beautiful big stone building that used to be a Pittsburgh lumber company but was now owned and run by the Browns. The caretaker at the hostel drove us to the post office to pick up our package and dropped us off at Subway so we could get something to eat. We got back to the hostel and watched a movie with other hikers, Ferris Bueller's Day off. Tomorrow we are getting back on the trail and should be in Damascus by Sunday.
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Wilber Dam Rd

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: few clouds

Today we met Texas Ranger Cubs win Jim and seven beers for breakfast. After breakfast we treated ourselves to a doughnut from Dunkin' Donuts. Thomas and I went back to the hostel to get a ride back to the trail and started on our way shortly after noon. There were beautiful views of the lake Watauga during today's hike from several mountain tops. The weather was gorgeous, 80+ degrees but it was getting hotter by the hour and we were moving slower. We kept joking each other about how we would love to jump in the lake that we saw several miles below. Since we started so late in the day we were only able to hike 11 miles to iron Mountain shelter. We got there around 7pm.
Date: 2017-04-29
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Unnamed Gap
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we started hiking at 8 AM and ended around 6:30 pm with a total of 19.9 miles. That is the furthest we have ever gone with our full backpacks. Tomorrow we will hike A little over 6 miles into Damascus. We plan on staying there a couple days. The beginning of our hike today was really easy. We hiked 5 miles in 1 1/2 hours because it was so flat. The terrain did have a lot more hills later on. We met up with Jim and hiked a few more miles after the shelter to a campsite near Unnamed Gap. We are all excited to have breakfast in Damascus tomorrow mornin
Date: 2017-04-29
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Unnamed Gap
Miles today: 19.9

Today we started hiking at 8 AM and ended around 6:30 pm with a total of 19.9 miles. That is the furthest we have ever gone with our full backpacks. Tomorrow we will hike A little over 6 miles into Damascus. We plan on staying there a couple days. The beginning of our hike today was really easy. We hiked 5 miles in 1 1/2 hours because it was so flat. The terrain did have a lot more hills later on. We met up with Jim and hiked a few more miles after the shelter to a campsite near Unnamed Gap. We are all excited to have breakfast in Damascus tomorrow mornin
Date: 2017-05-16
From: Harpers Ferry WV

To: Rocky Run Shelters
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Breakfast at Front Royal Diner with Pam than drove the hour or so to Harpers Ferry. Registered for my section hike and Dave dropped me off and drove away. Kind of a boring day. Lots of rocks already. Not a whole lot of big views. Ed Garvey Shelter is cute. Met Nemophilist there. She started her thru hike on the south side of Shenandoah. Went the long steep 0.4 miles down to water. Ugh but I needed water. Passed on through Gathland State Park and continued on all the way to Rocky Run Shelters. There are two shelters here. Arrived at 7 pm. My feet are having a hard time getting used to my trail runners. Soaked them in the creek while waiting for dinner to rehydrate. There are several others here but all in tents. Too nice to be in the shelters. Nice day.
Date: 2017-05-17
From: Rocky Run Shelters

To: Warner Gap Hollow
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Woke up at 5:15 and couldn't go back to sleep. Went and got my food bag and made coffee. Made some scramble egg breakfast tortillas, packed up and on trail by 6:30! Hiked almost 2 miles and found a free shower at Dahlgren Backback campground. Also charged my phone and got rid of trash. Starting off to be a great day. Testing out my Swiftwick socks today. Love them so far. The trail is smooth today too. Arrived at Washington Monument State Park at 9am. Met DoRag. He didn't even come 0.1 off trail to see the monument because he is doing the 4 state challenge and started at midnight this morning. Sounds miserable. I took my shoes off  and went up barefoot. Nice cold stones! Most of today was just kind of boring. Stopped at Annapolis Rocks. The elevation is just not high enough for me. Very hot today. I stopped more often and put my feet in water. Found a little campsite before the creek at Warner Gap Hollow. Hunters are out and have been shooting all day long. I am camped too close to them. Talked to Dave in the phone. He is home now. He could hear the shooting in the background. Hope I don't get shot tonight.
Date: 2017-05-18
From: Warner Gap Hollow

To: South Mountain, PA
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked out at 7:30am. Uphill to an unknown rock top view. Continued on and met Linda, Phil, I think, and dog Scout. Collectively Bounders. They have two cars and bound ahead and hike south. Met some guys who started at Harpers Ferry on Sun and Mon and are thru hiking. Patrick and Permethius (fire god?) Got to a cool place called High Rock by 9 am. Graffiti covered rock may have been old fire tower. Redleg took my pic for me. Also here was Wizard another I can't remember name. Deb and Colie, a mother and daughter hiking together found me at Pen Mar Park and gave me their leftover food since they were getting a package in Waynesboro. Trail Magic from a hiker! MD-PA border by 1pm. After reaching the border it seemed like the miles just flew by. Next thing I knew I was going up from 1000' elevation to 1900' elevation to Chimney Rocks! Beautiful up there. I decided to go on in to South Mountain to what used to be the Tavern. Still there but called motel. Had a burger, fries and beer! They have an outdoor shower and said I can set up my tent but there is a drunk named Billy here and I haven't decided as of 9:30 pm. Well it is 10:30 and almost everyone has left. I will tent here tonight.
Date: 2017-05-19
From: South Mountain, PA

To: Fayetteville 
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

I didn't get much sleep last night. Traffic went into the night and began in the weeee morning. I walked back to the trail at 7. Thought the 5 miles to town would be a piece of cake. Well it was some terrible boulder barf most of the way. I got to the road about 10 am and decided to call the Scottish Inn. Nikki picked me up and brought me the 3.5 miles or so. Shower and then breakfast at the Flamingo Diner! Will do chores and doctor my feet. Looks like rain tonight. I plan to head out tomorrow.
Date: 2017-05-20
From: Fayetteville 

To: Stream past Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Had breakfast at 6 am at the Flamingo. Packed up and found Nikki. She took me to the post office where I mailed home winter type stuff. Hope it's not a mistake sending home my long johns. Then she dropped me off on the trail at 9:15. Today's trail was so lovely. First was Caledonia State Park where the trail meandered on the edge of the park. Lots of folks out today with lots of dogs. It is the weekend and the temp is in the 60's. What a difference from yesterday's muggy hot steam bath. About 1 pm I arrived at the PATC cabin where there was a Boy Scout troop getting water. I ate lunch and talked a little. Later I met Tink and Think who are from Florida. Avid outdoor enthusiasts who have ridden their bikes from Florida to Oregon in one single trip! Wow! I find myself just a little envious of couples who do these things together. I also met a fun hiking group called the Wackos! They are from TX and LA. They started hiking sections many years ago and began another on the 17th. They are staying in a cabin while they do long day hikes. What a fun group. Thank you for the huge oatmeal cookie! I posted the picture with them in photos. Hope to stay in touch with them. When I arrived at Toms Run Shelter it was noisy with lots of folks out tenting for the weekend. I found a little stealth campsite 0.2 miles past them next to a lovely creek. Made stroganoff for dinner. Soaked my feet in the creek and then hung my food bag in a tree. I have not seen any bear scat but since I am so good at hanging my bag, thanks to Qinti, I might as well be safe. I will sleep better. It was really a perfect day today with lovely gentle trails. I hiked all day in my sandals. My feet are happy
Date: 2017-05-21
From: Stream past Toms Run Shelter

To: Campsite at AT mile 1112.9
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

The hoot owls made noise all night long. Got up early and made coffee and a breakfast burrito and hit the trail. Immediately saw the halfway marker! It's on wheels so it can be moved as the trail distance is always changing. I arrived at Pine Grove Furnace at 8:15 am. Met Trippin here. She began in Springer back in February but has spent some time off trail. I had a chicken quesadilla with avocado from the store grill. Saved half for lunch. Found out the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel was closed. Happy I decided not to come all the way here last night. Checked out the AT Museum and signed the log. The trail was nice again today. I decided to go to church this evening and was able to send a message to Carlisle Church of Christ. Member and my trail angel Ann picked me up PA 94 at 4:30 and brought me to town. Went to Arby's first and then service at 6 pm. Such a wonderful congregation. Everyone was genuinely interested in my crazy hike! After church Ann brought me back to the trail after stopping at McDonalds first for a milkshake! Thank you so very much Ann for everything! I hiked just a mile in and found the campsite by the stream. There were a few other tents on the other side. Hung my food bag and soaked my feet. Still having a little trouble with my right pinky toe. I was able to hike in my shoes today without the insoles.  Might be sandals tomorrow though. There is a huge section of about 18 miles where camping is not allowed. From here it would be about 22. I don't think I will push it. I think I will break it up and head to Carlisle. We'll see.
Date: 2017-05-22
From: Campsite at AT mile 1112.9

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I have decided to relax today. Did 8.1 miles in to Boiling Springs today. Today was kind of fun. I enjoyed the Rock Maze and then the gentle walk through the corn field. I messed up and didn't notice the trail to the view at Center Point Knob. This knob was the original AT midpoint. It took me 4 hours to go the 8 miles today but I took more breaks too. This is a really cute little town. I had a fantastic raspberry white chocolate latte and then a salmon ceaser salad. Was able to get in touch by way of message with a lady who has bunks for hikers with sheets!  Thank you Iceman for the phone number. I think my pinky toe needs the rest of the day off. Lisa from Buck Off Hostel picked up a bunch of us at the AT Conservancy. She has 5 bunks and others can tent. Beaker, Ringer and 1stSarge are here. Also is a young girl named Spitfire hiking a long section SOBO, and the mom and daughter team, Tenacity and CurlyQ. Sat around the fire while clothes washed and we ate hot dogs or grilled cheese. I am sleeping on the third level top bunk. Hope I don't have to get down and go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Date: 2017-05-23
From: Boiling Springs

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: light rain

I had a hard time sleeping last night. I think it was a combination of this hard thin mattress, the internet, the bright Christmas lights right outside, some snoring, and the fact there was really no sheets just a blanket and and old flat pillow. I used my sleeping bag on top of the quilt that was on the mattress. I need to go back into the woods for good sleep. I am writing this at 4 am while I listen to snoring with my earplugs in. And now the roosters have started crowing! I went ahead and got up about 5 and made some coffee. Waited for Shane to leave for work and jumped in his jeep for a ride to the AT conservancy. Had a great breakfast at Cafe 101 and was on the trail by 9. The trail was super lovely and flat meandering through fields and meadows for about 13 miles. I made great time. I met the Wackos again out hiking today. Lois called themselves that and it might stick with me but Francis wants a different group name. You guys are such an awesome group. Give me a new name and I will change it!  The trail went up steeply to Darlington Shelter. It was only about 2 pm so I continued on. Saw Early Bird and Thor again.  Got a pic with Thor. They drive up north and always hike south. I'm sure I'll see them again. I got water at the last stream before going up to Cove Mountain. I carried extra this time hoping to find a stealth campsite and not have to go to the Shelter but did not have any luck. I arrived at Coved Mountain Shelter at 6:30pm and tried to set up my tent I what I thought was flat. I had a hard time finding ground without rocks and my stakes just didn't work. I decided to just head to the shelter. There are 4 men here. A father and son team, staying in the Shelter and two others out in their tents. They are not hiking together but are all doing some sectioning. I have 4 miles to Duncannon tomorrow. I don't plan to stay there just eat and grab some supplies.
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Peters Mtn Shelter 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh my, this man in the shelter can snore! I got off the bunk and went and reset up my tent at 12:30am! Finally got some sleep. Was on trail by 7 and about 30 minutes in, a young man named Dakota hiked with me asking me all kinds of questions. He lives in Duncannaon and just finished high school and comes up here all the time. At first I was annoyed because he hiked so close behind me but later found him to be good company. He told me all about the town. He took my pic for me at Hawk Rock. I wish so so bad I would have gone one more mile to the sweet campsite up there. We hiked down talking the whole way and at 8:20 I was in town. Time just flew by. I went to the Sunoco to clean up and he went home. Oh breakfast at Goodie's was super delicious. Met Splint here. He is raising money for Make-A-Wish Foundation. He is going north so I will see him again I am sure. The hikers I have met this year are pretty amazing. I am really enjoying this years hike. Feels like my first year again! I did not enjoy walking through town to get back on the trail. I did stop at The Old Sled Works antique mall. I thought I read they had ice cream floats but it was old fashioned sodas. I didn't get anything and walked the 0.4 miles back to the trail. The trail goes across the freeway bridge. Ugh! I felt like Dustin Hoffman in Rainman. The trail climbs straight up out of town. Great views. At Clark's Ferry Shelter I met NoRush, who is camping here tonight, ToughBroad, and her husband Bearsweatz here to get water also. They Hiked the PCT thru in 2016 for their honeymoon. They hiked on and so did I. The rocks were not bad today. The other fantastic view today was at Table Rock. The elevation was only 1333' but the view was amazing. Slightly overcast all afternoon. I arrived at Peters Mtn Shelter just after 6 and thought about staying inside but there were lots of stinky hikers and Halfway admitted he snores. I pitched my tent. Made some mac n cheese and talked with section hiker Hans. Also met Rattler who had thru hiked back in the 80's. Gave me some pointers about what's to come in the rest of PA. I love my tent spot tonight. There is a 90% chance of rain but not major rain. Hope it's just light. I will sleep well.
Date: 2017-05-25
From: Peters Mtn Shelter 

To: Stealth campsite at AT mile 1176.2
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: light rain

The rain began at 2 am. I still slept really well last night. Got all my stuff gathered up and went to the shelter at 5:45am. Halfway was already leaving. He doesn't carry a tent and he has to get to the shelter to grab space. The shelter was 18 miles away. Made coffee and eggs but put too much water in the bag so I drank soupy eggs. Hiked out in the rain. Not heavy rain but just steady regular rain all day. Today had a long steady 3.5 mile climb up from 550' to 1650' elevation. As I was hiking up a tiny fawn got spooked and ran up the trail about 30 feet. It was a very rocky area and that fawn couldn't have been but a week old. The longest skinniest legs I have seen on such a tiny deer. No views today. I can't say it was miserable but I was cold. My feet were just soaked. I have been hiking with no insoles for some toe space and I think it was great not to have soaked insoles. I love my Swiftwick socks. They are awesome in rain. This has been my first day in rain since I have been on the trail. I arrived at the sign for Rausch Gap Shelter at 4:30 but since I new I wouldn't be in the shelter I hiked on to the most incredible campsite on the trail so far. I feel like I am in Maine! It is north of the bridge at Rausch Creek. The rain had let up about 3 and when I arrive and set up I was able to hang things up to dry. Priority was washing the stickiest socks I have ever had. Rain just makes me stink. I made myself a huge pot of Knorr chicken pasta and rice and ate it all. I will head to Lickdale tomorrow. I need to resupply but I am getting a room. My clothes are bad. Oh the stench!
Date: 2017-05-26
From: Stealth campsite at AT mile 1176.2

To: Swatera Gap
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: fog

This morning is beautiful! It was an Amy Grant morning. This is my fathers world: I rest me in the thought, of rocks and trees of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought. Perfect words for today. Left camp and found the cemetery. As I was walking back to the trail I was met by two hikers, Friendly Ghost and his wife Beatle. They are here from Copenhagen and both love hiking. The trail immediately went up to Second Mountain. As I came down I was in a beautiful field. This trail truly is just amazing. I crossed a couple of roads and arrived at Swatera Gap. There is a pretty iron bridge at the Gap. I walked about 1.5 miles toward Lickdale before a man and his father offered me a ride. They dropped me at the Comfirt Inn where there was not s car in the lot. The clerk told me they do not have hiker rates and because it is opening weekend for Hershey Amusement park they were very busy. Gave me a huge price and told me the room would not be ready until 4. It was 11:30am! I called the days Inn and they gave a better price. When I got there they gave me a room for $119.00. Best price in town. Better than the price though was a room downstairs with no windows. I loved it. Did the usual chores but can't find much hiker food. Got a pizza to pack out with me tomorrow.