morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-07-27
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadow Campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Start time at 7:15 am. Left that weekender finally. ¢Jon¢ I kept running into him. I keep bumping into too many nosy experts, over informative experts these past two days. Also left Bounce, the other NOBO behind, I think? But i have no interest in spending any time with such a devout atheist. He might be okay, but why? I don¢t trust that dude. id rather stay solo, hike on. Although i sorta wonder if the chance to talk about Jesus does arrive, will i be available? In the meantime, im trying to keep whatever comes out of my mouth posistive. Keeping it shut otherwise. Set the behavior of a Christian out here. There¢s very little Christianity out here. Mostly Atlas, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings¢¦..Lots of deer today, two more bears. Saw a group of bucks, all in velvet. Camping is $20 at Meadows Campground. Another shower!!
Date: 2017-07-28
From: Big Meadow Campground

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Good start time at 8:00 am Mrs Nanette (neighbors) made coffee this morning. Percolater, cream, sugar¢¦..Awesome. Had a cup, chatted a few, then hit the trail. Drizzled a fair amount this morning. Made it to Skyland restaurant at noon sharp. Then ate $30 worth of lunch, dessert, and coffee. (Prob 5 cups) Saw a fawn and a doe licking each other¢s face. This morning had a lot of deer.  One small bear. Todays lunch was awesome. 2 hrs later, on my way back to the trail, right at the trail register, i ran into Bounce. He walks up and notices the donation box is full of money. There were a lot of $1.00 in it. Cost of trail map. He starts questioning the lock, the brand, makes a comment about his ¢pick set¢ he pulled a 24 miler yesterday he said. We chatted for a second. I started hiking, but stopped twice before i saw him again. Did he seriously hang back for 20 minutes and pilfer that box? I questioned him yesterday. This did not help. The lunch was awesome, proceeded to crush the next 11 miles to get to this shelter. It rained hard all day. The shelter already had 5 people. The bf/gf on the top shelf seemed a bit overly affectionate. Bottom three practically asleep. Tent next to me, two dudes, Laughing and giggling a little too much if you ask me. All in all incredible day hiking. Great lunch, tipped $10 cash. Really felt good. Like the Lord was with me today. Just felt good, and i was soaked to the bone! In the tent now with ear plugs. The rain sounds like a quiet drizzle with these. Really hope i have signal would love to text Jen tonite.
Date: 2017-07-29
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: moderate rain

Certainly not a big mileage day, late start at 10 am. Didn¢t sleep very well at all. Storm last nite was a killer. And i had food in my tent, so i was afraid to fall asleep till i could hang it. Normally i would not care but this is SNP, bears everywhere. The storm did let up at midnite and i was able hang my food then. Took a Benadryl and put my ear plugs in. Didn¢t wake up till 8 am. My tent was half dry surprisingly. One puddle of water. Not bad. And one salamander. Made it to Elkwallow Gap grill around 2:00. Chilled for 2 hrs eating. Coffee, post cards, Bounce showed up. Then just came on to here. Not the destination i was hoping for, but w that storm yesterday and the long lunch. I¢m cool. Also took a bad fall on the way to EW, slippery log, my feet went left, i went down like rock, skinned my knee and elbow pretty good. But otherwise very lucky.
Date: 2017-07-30
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: US 522 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Pretty easy day, should have been done by 2 but took a lot of breaks. Finished at 4. Made it to Mountain House ¢Cabbin¢. Nice place. Couple people from Stanimals are here. Nickel, Texas Dreamer. Did not relay my plans to Bounce at the hwy. Simply put my pack on and came here. Not feeling this crowd ive been hiking thru. Hiker Trash. Okay to chat with, but three people in front of me i do not trust. So nice to text Jen. Got a decent resupply too. Staying up late to eat ice cream.
Date: 2017-07-31
From: US 522 

To: Random campsite
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: clear sky

Nice stay at the hostel. What is it w woman caretakers at hostels? Major control freaks. Yet they invite so much chaos into their lives by hosting hikers. They are super nice, and super accommodating but man¢¦ Another great day for weather. Made a small break at the Tom & Molly Denton Shelter. Super nice, one of the nicest shelters on the trail. But at the privy, did someone actually take a shit in the shavings bin instead of the toilet? Seriously. I¢ve about had it with some of the low life behavior out here. Got caught between shelters and had to night hike some. A lot. Till 10:15, right above Rod Hollow shelter now. It¢s a flat spot. That¢s all that matters.
Date: 2017-08-01
From: Random campsite

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Bears Den was not my destination. I had this plan to get to the ATC Blackburn Shelter/Hut, 18 miles out. No problem. But instead i woke up late, and didn¢t rush. Then i took a long break for food. Started the ¢roller coaster¢ today. Ready to conquer it. Instead it whipped me. By 5:00 i had covered half my goal. Horrible attitude today. It was hot. I was drinking water. I got a headache. Started texting Jen because I was having a bad day. Made sure to stress her out too. Over bullshit. Just lost my mind today. Really dealing with the mental side of this hike right now. Physically im good, but im tired of the wods a little, the heat, the grind, the schedule, im home sick and the realization that all this time, energy, resources, and im only halfway¢¦¢¦. stopped here at Bears Den because i thought they might have some drink machines. Now its become the best decision ive made all week. Awesome!! $30 for laundry, pizza, ice cream, one soda, shower, and indoor bunk house. Im crying and complaining about only doing ten miles today but i should be happy. I am. I am so blessed to be out here. Blessed w a good woman back home. Today was not a ¢win¢ but I did break the 1000 mile mark and im gonna be in Harpers Ferry tomorrow nite. Cant hit a homerun every day, but its cool. I really needed to call it today. Glad i did.
Date: 2017-08-02
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 20.0

Start time 6:45 from Bears Den. Woke up at 4:50 am w/out the alarm. Just knew it was gonna be a real charge to H.F.  Did the 20 miles to the ATC by 6 pm. Nice day. That is the key. Early start and no long breaks. Lot of history in this town, staying at Tea House hostel. Im thinking of skipping the ATC headquarters in morning and just hiking on. Cutting yesterday short to regroup at Bears Den was the best thing ever. Good decision. Feeling good physically, still homesick right now. A lot actually. But finishing VA was huge. Weighed in at 163.
Date: 2017-08-03
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Dahlgreen Camp
Miles today: 17.8

Late start, texting Jen this morning. Bunch of Facebook b.s., basically ruining my morning. (over nothing) I did make it to ATC, registered as hiker #1705, really wish i could have hung around more, but needed to hit the trail. My goal today was the primitive backpackers campground. Showers, tent pads, picnic tables. Made it by 715 pm. Not bad considering a start time at 11 am. Really nice stretch from HF to here. Went thru Gathland State park. Bathrooms and showers. Met a SOBO, proceeded to use the worst language and descriptive adjectives about a woman at this campground. I¢m hoping nobody saw us talking. It was horrible. So embarrassing. I left. Another example of hiker trash¢¦.. Good day hiking otherwise. Really got to stay focused on these hikes, get em done. Tea House hostel wasn¢t bad. $37 i think. HF would have been a good place to zero. But miles to go¢¦¢¦
Date: 2017-08-04
From: Dahlgreen Camp

To: MD Hwy 17
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

Made it to HWY 17 Maryland. Kindness of Russ. Said a prayer, and it was really answered. First guy to come by and picks me up. Then let me tent in his yard.  I ended up sleeping in his shop. Bad T storm. Nicole today thru Instagram, so nice, so supportive. Russ raises backyard chicks. Marker 99 Hatchery. So nice to get off the trail for a 12 day. Physically good, but struggling mentally. Normal. It will pass. Smithsburg was okay for mail drop, but with no lodging, i had made a bad call to ship a package here. Thank goodness for Russ, he drove me to the post office just in time, and grocery store was across street. He gave me his cell number just in case i ended up stranded. I was. I got really lucky today, or really looked out for. Thank you.
Date: 2017-08-05
From: MD Hwy 17

To: Chimney Rocks
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Last nite at Russ¢s was great. I ended up moving into his garage because of a huge T storm. It dumped a lot of rain. He fed me a breakfast of scrambled eggs and coffee and then shuttled me back to the trail head. Start time 7:45. I hit PenMar park and Old Forge park. Didn¢t really crush it today, but stayed steady. Been getting a lot of Instagram support because of Nicole. Ever since SNP, the trail has had more amenities available. Seems like i pass something everyday.  I¢m not complaining. I remember starting out, used to write ¢amazing day¢ hiking, ¢another amazing day¢, but now¢¦.. while it is still amazing, it is a lot of work. Ran into a Mennonite today. He was going up to Chimney Rock also. He flew up the hill. Granted he wasn¢t carrying a pack, he still seemed like he was moving. It¢s tough at this point to ¢crush¢ it everyday. I really enjoy my breaks too much. Trying to stay steady though. And when i do need a break, or late morning, i take it. Seems like i need a lot too. Funny how this hike seems to resemble real life more and more. If you stay steady, don¢t feel bad about your breaks, your 12 days, long lunches. Remember not only did the tortoise finish the race, he actually won it.
Date: 2017-08-06
From: Chimney Rocks

To: Random campsite
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Start time 1:00! No kidding. I woke up at 8:15 but just felt so tired and i was so comfortable i stayed down. Had cell signal, texted a bit, read some, made some hot c w/ bfast. Just stayed down. Believe it or not. It was easy to choose to stay in late this morning. Went thru Caledonia State Park around 5 pm. I could literally see the concession stand. Passed Bounce on my way into the park sitting at a picnic table. Scarfed down a couple hot dogs, Pepsi and got back on the trail. All in all, ever since SNP, the trail ha gotten easier or more manageable? There¢s defntly been more amenities. Cool w me. I¢m sure this 12 day probably killed my average, but oh well. You can¢t hard charge everyday. (Hat started his new job with Knghtcorp) I think they are three other NOBO¢s around. They are down the hill at the shelter. Bounce is a fully committed NOBO but only because he doesn¢t have the money to flip. I wonder what the story is on the other three. Never met them but most people flip at HF. I didn¢t. Still committed to a NOBO hike.
Date: 2017-08-07
From: Random campsite

To: Random campsite
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

Pretty rainy all day. The woods kinda turned into a bunch of streams. Noticing how nice Pennsylvania woods are. The streams are crystal clear with white sand bottoms. Gives the appearance of even clearer water. Met a ridge runner today, Julie, not bad looking either. Made it to Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The site of the 1/2 gallon challenge. I was pretty cold and wet, and hammering down a block of ice cream did not sound appealing. Felt more like hot coffee and hot food. Really nice park, the AT follows thru it. Ought to consider coming back to these places. Saw a cool chevy van called a Road Trekker 210. Looked like something i should buy, quit this shit. Ha! Ha! Travel in that. Had some stuff at home, the van may have to go back in the shop. Tough to not worry about stuff at home, while you are walking all day. You¢ve got to have someone there who can handle things. My AT Guthook App is messing up. Really rely on that. Maybe it needs to rest overnight? The terrain thru PA so far has been really nice, very forgiving.  Went thru one area today, right before the state park. Bunch of old looking cabins. Kinda dark. All had elec ran to them, and they were close to the park but seemed a bit dull.  Not sure what happened to the NOBO¢s behind me. Never saw them today and i was at Pine Grove for almost two hours. Stopped today at 730 vs 830. Fog was setting in, and head lamps can make visibility worse w/ reflection. I¢ll make the other 2 miles up tomorrow. Texted Fred today about my leave of absence. He said don¢t worry about it.
Date: 2017-08-08
From: Random campsite

To: US 11 Carlisle
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: mist

It¢s amazing to go from where you slept last nite, to waking up where you end 23 miles later.  Went thru Boiling Springs. Way cool, check out TCO outdoors. Also earlier in the day, i hit Green Mountain General Store. Ate a huge late breakfast, can really hike on one of those meals. Cheeseburgers, fries, ice cream. Made a couple long breaks today, but still pulled into Days Inn at 8:30. This stretch is, or the second half of yesterday is really flat. Made it to 3mph. So nice. Pennsylvania so far has been nice. Where¢s the crazy rocky sections?
Date: 2017-08-09
From: US 11 Carlisle

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

Late start, probably noon. The Days Inn was good. Slept like a brick. Got my tent dried out by hanging it in the bathroom. What a mess. Leaves and forest debris all over the tub. I did clean it up. I set my tent out in the morning on the grass. It was dry in ten minutes. Pretty much got work done. Made it to Duncannon by 8pm. Pretty uneventful day. Met a couple at Hawk Mtn. On their 3rd date. On my way to Riverfront Campground and came by this place, Duncannon Assembly of God. They let hikers crash in their rec room. Shower. Free. Bought a pizza from Sorentos. Felt a little dizzy after starting today. Bought a couple Naked/Bolthouse¢s when I got here. Pretty comfortable experience here at the church. Only person here, the pastor thought this might be the first nite this season they would not have any hikers. I already feel like this was a better option than tenting in a campground. Gotta find a way to get more out of the time on the trail. I can¢t simply look at my feet the whole time and think of pizza and ice cream.
Date: 2017-08-10
From: Duncannon PA

To: Random campsite
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Its 5 am, having coffee in the basement of Duncannon Assembly of God. Way cool. I¢m comfortable. This hike has been incredible. Really tests your limits, but then provides rewards. Small comforts. I¢ve got 67 days to get to Baxter State Park. Im gonna enjoy and give thanks for every single one of them. So nice waking up early, having coffee.  Left the church right at 8 am. Merged with traffic on my way out. Made a good climb to the ridge, then hung out up there for 15 miles. Came down, reclimbed to this ridge and set up camp. Family of porcupines right here with me. Making a lot of noise. Scared me at first. You know how your mind wanders¢¦..finally jumped up, out of my tent, clutching my knife ready to take on whatever the heck is stalking my tentiste. It was a baby porcupine! Ha Ha. His parents were howling to him, as if to rejoin them. He froze. Too funny! I hope they don¢t sneak over and chew my shoes or the tent. Long ridge walk. Kept looking for distractions. Listened to a sermon.
Date: 2017-08-11
From: Random campsite

To: Random campsite
Miles today: 15.2

Late start, did not wake up till 8:15. Probably even longer to get started, 10:15 or so. Slow start, then rained all day. Got water at the Rausch Shelter, then it started to rain pretty good. I started out but turned back and went to the shelter instead. Tried to ride it out for an hour, it sorta let up while i was there. Made some hot chocolate, ate some Oreos that i¢ve been carrying since Smithsburg? No one else came by, had the shelter to myself, tried to chill, convince myself to get moving. I am always gonna have Swiss Miss and Oreos from now on. I ventured out and got rained on the whole day. It did let up at times, but got me thinking about up north when it starts to get cold. Rain will not work. Dangerous. I¢m in my tent now. So loud. The rain. Gonna need my ear plugs.
Date: 2017-08-12
From: Random campsite

To: PA HWY 183
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: light rain

What an amazing day! Another couple hikers came into camp around 10pm, in the dark, w/ headlamps. They were looking for a tent site. It had started raining again. Thankfully there was a site up the trail about a 100¢.  It was pretty dry today, and boring. Then the rain started around 4 and it was on! Lightning too. The trails turned to rivers, couple times i had to check for a white blaze to make sure i was still on the trail and not walking a stream bed. Something about bad weather, i really do well in it. A couple day hikers, one gave me all her water. She probably regretted that generosity, but it was raining so hard probably didn¢t matter. Woke up at 5:59 am dreaming i was teetering on a roof. Made it to PA 183 at 6:15 pm. Out of food, and completely soaked. Awesome Day! Even with the constant bugs. (when it¢s not raining) Gnats!!
Date: 2017-08-13
From: PA HWY 183

To: PA HWY 183
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero Day at Rock n Sole Hostel. Got up around 6:30, Mrs. Jody had an awesome breakfast for me at 8:00 am. Bacon, eggs, cheese, bagel, fruit, juice, coffee¢¦. Dinner last nite was incredible too. Stayed up till 11:00 pm watching ¢StarDust¢. Eh. But still a cool thing to do. Laying in my bunk. Bout to head off to a church service w/ them. Why not? I can send a few prayers up, give thanks for the many blessings i have and received on this hike, and before. One thing i¢ve noticed, i¢ve met hindus, atheists, messianic jews, non believers,¢¦. None of them have the lives that Christians have. They just seem to have so many facets of their lives in order.   The sermon was about the third commandment, ¢You shall not take the ¢reputation¢ of the Lord in vain.¢ You, His people, His Son, represent the Lord. Act accordingly if you are going to carry his name. It was a good sermon. I¢d like to hear his sermon on the fourth commandment.
Date: 2017-08-14
From: PA HWY 183

To: Random campsite
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Got to the trailhead at 8:45. Penn¢s rocks are not bad, not yet anyway. Met some hiker trash right before the shelter at Pocahontas Spring. Decided to pull up short, let him hike on. Ill tent here. Good spot. Cloudy today, almost rained. Trails are still holding some water but nothing like Saturday.
Date: 2017-08-15
From: Random campsite

To: Random campsite
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: moderate rain

So far so good. Day 2 of this 5 day run to DWG. Stopped just shy of 20 because this spot looked good. And there was some deer here. Also just past the shelter, so if any NOBO¢s are behind me, specifically hiker trash #2, they¢ll stop there. Dude asked me again, first words out his mouth, ¢where did you sleep last nite?¢ I do not trust people that look like they live on the trail. Saw a fawn today. Struggling. Not sure footed. Not sure of what to eat.  Hope it finds a family soon. My pack is still heavy from the resupply. Still warm at nite. No sense of cold weather yet. So far, even though it seems like work, the trail is okay. Ended today at 7:20 pm. Right beside a stone wall. Looks way old. Nice crowd at the shelter. Would like some company, but why bother. Saw a girl hanging up stuff.  Probably SOBO¢s ?
Date: 2017-08-16
From: Random campsite

To: PA 248 HWY
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Decent start around 8:15 am. Got into the habit lately of making Hot C and oatmeal in the morning. Takes time but it¢s nice. I need to quit it. It¢s taking too much time. Pretty nice weather still. No sign of cold temps. Was at a shelter today and saw a sign for Bert¢s Restaurant & Hostel in Palmerton. I wasn¢t really planning on detouring, but this hostel is attached to a restaurant. Free laundry too. I was kinda sick of the food i got at my last resupply at PA 248. The AT climbs. I could either hike for 2 more hours and start that climb or i could hitch a ride into town, get a shower, haircut, dinner¢¦. I¢m at Bert¢s Hostel tonite. That dude i¢ve been dodging is here. I sat with him at dinner tonite. He¢s okay. I still think outside of the AT he¢s homeless. Drinker. Drug user? His feet look horrible, like a homeless person¢s. He is not here right now. Its 10:30 pm. He¢s out walking around? Nothing is open. Saw a black snake today.
Date: 2017-08-17
From: PA 248 HWY

To: Random campsite
Miles today: 19.1

Amazing day. Long. But they all are when you hike till 8pm (12 hrs) Bert¢s restaurant and hostel was really nice. That detour into Palmerton was worth it, always wonder if i¢m making the right call. It was. That dude ¢Joe¢ was okay. When i left he was still in bed. Killer climbs out of town. Amazing where you sleep one nite, and where you sleep the next. Met a couple NOBO¢s today. Started in March. No shit. ¢Stride¢ and ¢Two Sticks¢ Been seeing some SOBO¢s this week. Kinda cool. Four of them at the last shelter, they were worried i would bunk them. Not a chance! Nasty. Two of them were filthy. They¢re feet. Black from walking around the shelter area with no shoes. You couldn¢t have paid me to share a shelter w/ them. Three blondes and one dude. So many opportunities for the Nightstalker. LOL! I shared my candy with the boy. Ha Ha. They were young. I wanted to ask their names, but i was afraid they were gonna respond with ¢Tex¢, ¢Squeeky¢¢¦. They totally assured me there was plenty of stealth camping spots onward. Not the case.  I knew of this; nothing was noted in Guthooks App. And this is the second time ive been ¢assured¢ of camping spots just down the trail. Always when someone doesn¢t want to share. Bad info like that is dangerous, esp when sundown is an hour away. Saw a black bear today. Penn woods WMA bear. This guy was huge, and close. Both of us looking down and about to cross right on the trail.
Date: 2017-08-18
From: Random campsite

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

Slept hard last nite, late start this morning. It¢s raining. I¢m making Hot C w/ oatmeal. Chill for a few this morning. Got some texts from Kevin last nite. Keeping a couple packs of oatmeal and Hot C for mornings like this is perfect. The rocks in Pennsylvania have not been that bad.  Caught some rain today. Got drenched. My shoes are about to come apart, 450 miles on this pair. Low energy today. The rain helped. Once again, bad weather to awaken the senses. Been seeing a couple SOBOs. Made it to DWG by 7:30. Not bad. 16.7 miles since 11:15. Late start can kill a day.
Date: 2017-08-19
From: Delaware Water Gap

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

Got a lot done this morning. DWG is a cool town, the church hostel was really nice. Got up around 6:15 and made some hot chocolate. Started to talk religion w a guy named ¢Grandpa¢. That last 5 minutes. Bought some shoes ¢Oboz, Scapegoats¢ My Hoka¢s lasted 450 miles. Left town at noon. Scratched Jen a letter. Met some young dudes today.  One was ¢lost¢ not really, but separated off trail. His buddies were concerned because he wasn¢t answering their shouts. Later we chatted. They were really blown away by my hiking. I talked with them a little about the professional / personal balance in life. I think they got a lot out of my advice. All fifteen minutes of it¢¦.. One of them wanted my name and wanted to shake my hand, the one with a David Bowie tattoo! They cared about their friend. It was evident. Made it to M.O.C by 7 ish. Ate my food, and some leftovers from an event. Somebody¢s dessert platter, cookies, cakes, and even an ice cream. I am stuffed. That was a real highlight today, making a good impression on those young men. It¢s cool to give concern for your brothers.