morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-18
From: Clarence Fahnestock State Park 

To: Stealth site south of Hemlock Springs 
Miles today: 16.0

The tent was not as muddy after this deluge so clean-up was easier. I had to walk the mile back to the trail, but was there by 7. I have noticed some changes over the last few days. There are less mosquitoes and I have seen few chipmunks. They have been replaced by squirrels and I'm seeing deer daily now. Rhododendron and beech stands are becoming frequent. The trail is becoming rockier and purple slate is seen in some spots. I only saw one nobo today. The hiking today was fairly unremarkable. A few nice views. The highlight was stopping at a gas station right on the trail that had lasagna. That was lunch. I had them make me a pastrami sandwich that I lugged out for supper (and beer). I had planned on stopping at Hemlock Springs Campsite for the night, but it was really crowded and noisy. I forgot it was the weekend. I pushed on to the top of the hill and stealth camped. I got in early enough that I was able to really let things dry out from last night. I don't think there will be rain tonight. 7 hrs
Date: 2012-08-19
From: Stealth site south of Hemlock Springs 

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Shortly after starting out I took a side trail to get better views of the Hudson River up on a cliff. Then I descended to the Bear Mt Bridge that crosses the river. It was really fun to be able to look up and down river so far. Very little boat traffic on Sunday morning. I have been descending gradually from Mt Washington in the White Mts to this point. The park after the bridge is the lowest elevation on the entire AT at 124 ft. It will be uphill to Clingman's Dome in Tennessee and then a drop down to Springer Mt. I climbed to the top of Bear Mt over beautifully crafted stone steps. Stone masons must have spent thousands of hours laying that path. It leads to a stone tower on top that had nice views all the way around. I stopped for a snack and drinks at a visitors center on the Palisades Parkway. Made good time after that and stopped at Lake Tiorati where I got a shower and hand washed some clothes. Just as I was arriving at the shelter Jay and Shilo caught up. Moving was there too, but he headed on after a break. It was good to catch up with them. I hadn't seen them since Hanover. 9 hrs
Date: 2012-08-20
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Furnace Brook stealth
Miles today: 21.0

Most of the morning was very rocky. Lemon squeezer 2 was much tighter than the first and you couldn't turn around once you started through it. Fascinating rock formations. Although the elevation didn't change much on the profile map it was constant up and down. One hundred feet up and one hundred feet down is hardly more than a straight line on the profile. What often looks like an easy walk is actually an obstacle course. This was particularly true outside of Greenwood Lake. The trail ran a ridge above the lake for a few miles and it was rough going. I ran out of water just before Cascade Brook and it was dry. Fortunately Furnace Brook had water, although kind of brownish. There was a nice stealth site as well. 10 hrs
Date: 2012-08-21
From: Furnace Brook stealth 

To: Lott Rd, Unionville, NY
Miles today: 22.2

Rained over night, but the tent was already dry when I got up, so packing was easy. Early enough start to watch the sun break through low cloud layers up on the ridgeline. Again the hiking started out rough but gradually got easier. Passed into New Jersey, but will hug the state line for a few days. I stopped at Long House Creek to dump my colored water and get fresh. I was able to speed up some and got to NJ 94 in good time. There was a produce center just off the trail and I had a peach, orange, cherries, blueberry muffin, and ice cream. Moving came in and then Turtle Box. Visited with them for a long time. Just as I was getting ready to leave Floater came along. A quick stop turned into 2 hrs. Back on the trail, after a few pastures, came a beautiful boardwalk across low land. Butterflies and bees were working overtime. The boardwalk was 0.8 miles and well maintained. Then I started a 3 mile gradual climb up Pochuck Mt. It was probably the nicest climb up a mountain that I have had. It was like being in a park most of the way. Down the back side was steeper but still in good shape. Stopped to fill up with water near the bottom of the mountain even though there were several miles to go because there aren't any water stops along the way. It was flat hiking through low-lands to Lott Rd. I road-walked into Unionville and pitched tent in their memorial park. Ate dinner at the pizza place . 10 hrs
Date: 2012-08-22
From: Lott Rd, Unionville, NY

To: NJ 23 (Port Jervis, NY)
Miles today: 8.8

Light rain last night. At 6 I was at the door of the general store for coffee and doughnuts. Then underway with nice trail all the way to the High Point shelter. The last couple of miles to NJ 23 were more rugged. Had a nice view of a stone veterans memorial that looks like the Washington Monument. When I got to the High Point Ranger Station had to take a taxi to the hotel. Did the usual eating, cleaning, and resupplying. 4 hrs
Date: 2012-08-23
From: NJ 23 (Port Jervis, NY)

To: Brink Road Shelter 
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

After eating at the hotel, I took a taxi back to the trail. It was a rocky start, but gradually the trail smoothed out for fast going. Good views throughout the day, although it was a bit hazy with the warm weather. Saw two hen turkeys early in the day and a vee of geese flying south. Ate lunch near Gren Anderson Shelter after I backtracked for water. Dry streams continue to be a problem and it sounds like that isn't going to change soon. Stopped for a second lunch just off the trail at a tavern in Culvers Gap and stopped at the shelter for the night since I knew there was water and I wasn't sure about the campsite ahead. 7.5 hrs
Date: 2012-08-24
From: Brink Road Shelter 

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Birds started early this morning so I did too. Underway at 5:30 but the batteries in my headlamp quit in about 15 minutes. Just enough predawn light to continue. Nice sunrise up on the mountain. Pretty views all day as I was on ridges most of the day. Ran into Shambo (half shaman-half rambo) as he took a break. I hadn't seen him since Monson, ME. Around 14 miles in I came to a dirt road. The AMC has a little camp there and I stopped for lunch. When I came out Shambo was crossing the road so we hiked together for several miles. I pushed hard late in the day and got to the P.O. with 8 minutes to spare. I shipped home some things I don't need. Makes my pack over 1 lb lighter. I'm staying at The Church of the Mountain Hostel. By the way, when I crossed over the Delaware River I entered PA. If you've lost count, that's 7 states done and 7 states to go. 9 1/2 hrs
Date: 2012-08-25
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Leroy A. Smith shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Went to breakfast at the diner with Floater. Two-Step and Splits came in as I was leaving. Back at the hostel I got packed and was on the trail before 8. Initially, it was fairly good walking but by mid-morning it was predominantly rocks. Real tough on the feet. I ate lunch right on the trail as there were no significant landmarks for about 5 miles. I saw no water sources on the trail all day. I had loaded up with 3 liters at the hostel. Stopped at a motel just off the trail in Wind Gap and bought water. It continued to be rocky climbing out of the gap and all the way to the shelter. Two-Step, Splits, Jay, and Shilo are all here. 7 1/2 hrs
Date: 2012-08-26
From: Leroy A. Smith shelter

To: Little Gap Rd (Hampton Inn)
Miles today: 10.8

I was wide awake at 3:30 AM. Did some writing until 4:30 and was hiking by 5:30. My sister, Nancy, was picking me up at Little Gap Rd to spend the day/night off trail. Early hiking was much easier than I had anticipated so the second half of the morning I was able to take my time and enjoy some of the vistas. The last descent into the gap was over big boulders. Still got to the road 15 minutes early, but Nancy was already there (or at least near by). Checked into the hotel and then the usual routine of food, resupply, food, laundry, food, visit, food. 4 1/2 hrs.
Date: 2012-08-27
From: Little Gap Rd (Hampton Inn)

To: Bake Oven Knob Road stealth 
Miles today: 13.7

Had a great visit with Nancy. We had breakfast early but took our time. She had me back on the trail by 8:30. About a mile into the hike I took the detour that goes around a Superfund cleanup site from zinc smelting up until 1980. The top of the mountain was completely deforested. The detour was easy walking but when I rejoined the trail it was boulder scrambling most of the way to the Lehigh River. In fact I lost the blazes for a significant portion of it, but I could see the bridge I needed to cross. At the water source near the Outerbridge Shelter I ran into a couple I had seen several times in the last few days and finally learned their names -Marian and Jana. They are Czech but have lived in the US for the last 10 years. They are on a 14 day hike. Hiking continued to be reasonable until Bake Oven Knob where it became large boulders again. I saw a bald eagle there. 6.5 hrs
Date: 2012-08-28
From: Bake Oven Knob Road stealth 

To: Eckville Shelter 
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

It rained last night so it took a little longer to break camp. Dreary morning. I spent a fair amount of time in clouds. The first couple of miles were boulder scrambling but then the trail followed forestry service roads until lunch. The afternoon was rockier but not too bad. In camp early enough to really dry things out. This shelter is at a home and there is a shower (cold). Having well water from a spigot is nice. I've had several people ask me why I fall so much and does everyone fall that much. Most people will fall a few times during the hike. I fall because I have weakness and clumsiness in one leg from an old injury that left me with nerve damage to my leg. I have trouble lifting my leg high enough to clear roots and rocks. If it wasn't for hiking poles I would go down a lot more. I am not very graceful coming down the trail with legs flailing and poles clanging. In fact, the other day I saw a rabbit sitting on its haunches, holding its belly with it's front paws while it laughed. 7.5 hrs
Date: 2012-08-29
From: Eckville Shelter 

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: broken clouds

A really nice sunrise this morning as I ascended out of Eckville. Most of the climb was on well maintained forest service roads so went quickly. At Pulpit Rock there was an astronomical observatory. You know you're in the middle of no-where when you see that. I was able to load up with water to my maximum 3 liters at Pocahontas Spring. I knew it would be my last water opportunity all day. The descent into and ascent out of Port Clinton was steep and rocky. Once I was back on the ridge line the footing improved but it was a long, tedious hike with little in the way of landmarks to judge progress. I almost went by the sign for the side trail to the shelter with my head down. There is water here and nice tent sites. 10 hrs
Date: 2012-08-30
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: 501 Shelter 
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

I slept in and got on the trail around 8 AM. Woodsy had been at the shelter and mid-morning we did some walking together. The hiking was nice until lunch. Got water at the Hertline Campsite. After that it got quite a bit rockier with a climb for a while. Got into 501 Shelter early and was able to take a shower (cold) at this nice caretaker maintained site. The highlight was that Woodsy and I were able to get pizza and soda delivered since this shelter is right on the road and near Pine Grove. Flounder came in for the evening as well. 6.5 hrs
Date: 2012-08-31
From: 501 Shelter 

To: PA 72 & 443 Int (Harrisburg)
Miles today: 12.8

Got an early start under headlamp for the first 45 minutes. A little rocky but then it smoothed out. At about 7:15 I went through 1000 miles for the trip! Dang! Met up with Moving and shared the rest of my pizza from last night. After that it seemed like the early morning rush hour as I passed the next shelter and other sobos got going. I got passed by Shambo...Moving...Void...Shipwreck...Anchor...Ken Doll. I have to remind myself that I'm twice their age and I'm older than their parents. I was at the intersection by 11 AM and my shuttle was there in a few minutes. By noon I was in Harrisburg. Caught a movie and then was able to check into the hotel. Lazy afternoon/evening as I wait for Debbie, Sam, and Luke to arrive. Can't wait! 5 hrs
Date: 2012-09-01
From: PA 72 & 443 Int (Harrisburg)

To: PA 72 & 443 Int (Harrisburg)
Miles today: 0.0

Everyone slept in after getting in late last night, but it's great to have us all in one place. Toured Lancaster and Amish Country and then took it easy back at the hotel. We grazed on junk food and watched TV.
Date: 2012-09-03
From: PA 72 & 443 Int (Harrisburg)

To: Campsite beyond PA 325
Miles today: 17.6

After an early breakfast at the hotel the family had me on the trail before 9. It was a difficult goodbye for me. I won't see Sam and Luke until I finish because of their busy schedules. I'll see Deb again in three weeks. The first hour of hiking I was pretty down but gradually got back in the swing of things. I spent a lot of time examining the reasons I'm out here to get my perspective back. It didn't help that it poured for about 1.5 hours. It was a cold, windy rain and I had to stop and put on my raincoat. Very brief stops for my breaks. The trail was pretty good thankfully. Water was a little difficult to find which is ironic when it's raining. Finally got water at PA 325 and hiked out of the gap 1.5 miles to the campsite. Wind was still blowing hard and it was 65 degrees at supper. Fortunately everything is dry except my shoes. The trail was an ankle-deep river for a few hours so they are saturated. I don't look forward to putting them on in the morning. 7.5 hrs
Date: 2012-09-04
From: Campsite beyond PA 325

To: Riverside Campground, Duncannon
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

At 4:30 it was pouring so I ate breakfast and went back to sleep. It had eased up by 6:30 and I was underway by 8. It began raining again at 11 but it only lasted an hour. The rock was slick so it was slow going and I didn't make the progress I would have liked. I have entered the Chesapeake Bay estuary and crossed the Susquehanna River into Duncannon. Staying at a private campground and got a shower. Supper at Subway. Dried everything out. Because I didn't make the progress I would like, tomorrow will have to be short for campsite availability to work out right. 6.5 hrs
Date: 2012-09-05
From: Riverside Campground, Duncannon

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Walked into Duncannon and ate breakfast at Goodies. Continued on around 7:30. It was steep and rocky but gradually improved. At one point I thought it was going to rain so I dashed to Cove Mt Shelter. Took a nice break but it only sprinkled. Stopped for lunch and water at a stream that wasn't in the guide book. Loaded up with water because Darlington Shelter is dry. Arrived there early so was able to do some repair work and air everything out. 6 hrs
Date: 2012-09-06
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Little Dogwood Run stealth
Miles today: 18.3

Had a quick descent first thing out of camp and then it was flat until the last 3 miles of the day. The trail was as smooth as I have seen in a long time. I had 6.5 miles done by 9am and so I stopped in Carlisle to get breakfast #2 at a diner. I did the next 8 miles, without taking a break, in under 3 hours. Had a sub in Boiling Springs and stopped in at the AT mid-Atlantic Office. They were able to help me with some questions I had. Between Carlisle and Boiling Springs the hiking was closer to civilization than I am used to. I crossed 8 paved roads, a gravel road, and a railroad track in 5 miles. I wasn't out of hearing distance of traffic often. Also spent a lot of time in agricultural fields, mostly beans, corn, and hay. The woods are changing. This is the land of maple, sassafras, cherry, and walnut. The stream I am at tonight is the first one in a long time big enough that you can really wash up. I got the line for my food bag snagged in a tree and it took me an hour to get it free. 6.5 hrs
Date: 2012-09-07
From: Little Dogwood Run stealth

To: PA 233 Ironmasters Mansion Hostel
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: few clouds

Didn't get going until 7am but the hiking was nice for 2.5 miles. Then I hit the "Rock Maze," a 0.4 mile rock pile (huge) reminiscent of Mahoosic Notch in Maine. No where near as difficult and I was through it in about 20 minutes. I'd like to think that this is PA's last laugh at me, but with 2 more days here I don't know. Stopped for an early lunch at a general store and then finished the hike with minimal breaks. Arrived at Pine Grove Furnace State Park early. Unfortunately the AT Museum is only open on weekends and the same for the general store. Check-in at the hostel isn't until 5 so I took time to get caught up on logistics and writing. 6.5 hrs.
Date: 2012-09-08
From: PA 233 Ironmasters Mansion Hostel

To: Rocky Mt Shelter 
Miles today: 22.5

Started out from the hostel on a road for a bit. Saw a small bear cross the road and go up the trail. I was able to get a quick picture before he saw me and then he took off. I was pushing hard all morning because a cold front was coming through and there was talk of thunderstorms and hail. It was pretty exciting to get to the sign indicating the half way point. The mileage on the sign is not correct because it changes every year with trail changes. It was a moment to pause and realize that this chapter in my life is half over. Around 12:30 the wind started kicking up, it got dark, and I began to hear thunder. The rain wasn't long in following. I had to stop to load up on water at a stream that was the last spot I could depend on until I stopped for the night and there was no water there. By this time it was pouring and the trail was a river. I made quick time in getting to Quarry Gap Shelter. This was the nicest shelter I have seen. It actually is two shelters with a covered area in between for a picnic table. There were mums hanging from the overhangs. There were thickets of rhododendrons that made the pathway. I really was tempted to stay but by 2 the storm had passed. I proceeded on to the next shelter. After a day of great hiking it was disappointing to hike through yet another boulder strewn ridge for the last 1.5 miles to the shelter. I am the only one here and there are no obvious tenting options so I'm staying in the shelter, something I haven't done since Maine. 7.5 hrs
Date: 2012-09-09
From: Rocky Mt Shelter 

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: clear sky

Made good progress all morning. Stopped at Tumbling Run Shelter for a break. The caretakers came along and I had a nice talk with them. Went by two more shelters all spaced close to each other. About 1 PM I left Pennsylvania for Maryland and crossed the Mason-Dixon Line. Right after that I came into the Pen Mar County Park. A really nice view west into the valley. A live jazz band was playing. People everywhere were cooking out and enjoying a pretty Sunday afternoon. The concession stand was open and I had a lunch feast. Shortly after leaving there I had rain but it wasn't hard and I didn't even get out rain gear, but it really dropped in temperature. I stopped at Raven Rock Shelter for water. At the creek there was a raccoon that had been in the water and was now on the banking. It was obviously sick and I decided to move on to another water source. I found a good spring about a mile further. A chilly evening. 9.5 hrs
Date: 2012-09-10
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a little slow going starting out this morning with a rocky ascent, but once up on the ridge line the trail improved. My first break was at Black Rock Cliffs where the view was great. Still only 55 degrees at 9 AM. I next stopped at the Washington Monument. Probably not the one you're thinking of. This is the original monument constructed in 1827. This also had great views. I could see the mountains of W.VA and VA and PA. The afternoon hiking was pretty nice and I made fairly good time. Its a good thing I'll be in Harpers Ferry tomorrow because after breakfast I'll be completely out of food. 9.5 hrs.
Date: 2012-09-11
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: US 340, Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Got up and started with a beautiful sunrise. There would have been a steep, rocky descent, but it was tempered by 17 switch-backs. Made it much easier. Then it was on to Harpers Ferry walking on the old C&O Canal Towpath. It was neat to have the canal on the right and the Potomac River on the left and the towpath sandwiched in between. As you approach the town you find the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac. I crossed over the Potomac on a RR bridge. The river is the border between Maryland and West Virginia. Harpers Ferry "Lower Town" is where the armory so crucial during the civil war is located. As soon as you enter the town you see the fire house that John Brown used as his "fort." The whole area is well curated by the park service and interesting to walk through. I had a second breakfast and resupplied the best I could. There isn't a real grocery store anywhere near by. I came into town carrying only coffee and lemonade mixes. I then hiked on to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters. I am the 70th sobo so far. The people there were really nice. They take a picture of every thru hiker and keep it in a log book. I was able to catch up on how far ahead all the people I know are. I have checked into a hotel for the night and will be off and going again tomorrow after a relaxing day today. 3 hrs.
Date: 2012-09-12
From: US 340, Harpers Ferry

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

It was a 900 ft ascent out of Harpers Ferry to the ridge line over fairly good trail and then easy hiking all morning. At Keys Gap I went down the highway to a mini-mart to try to supplement my resupply. Still not able to come up with sources for protein. I ate lunch at the top of a cliff and watched two fawns graze below. They still have their spots. I had been running the boundaries of VA and W. VA but entered VA for good around 2pm. At the same timeframe I went by the sign indicating 1000 miles to go. It was exciting when I got to 1000 miles total, but this was a different feeling. It was somehow more pleasing. Around this same area I entered the "Roller Coaster" which is a 13.5 mile section with 10 ascents/descents. I went over three of the mountains and came out to a road just before the hostel. I walked down to a restaurant to get a pre-dinner snack of a burger, onion rings, and beer. The hostel is an old castle and is beautiful. Nice shower and laundry facilities. The deal also includes a whole frozen pizza, Ben & Jerry's, and soda. GREAT place. The hiking was so comfortable that I marveled at how well I was moving and was quite pleased with myself. I had time for conversations. I was considering the implications of being humble versus prideful when suddenly, where there wasn't anything to trip on, I tripped over my own feet. My sweaty face and arms dove into the dirt. It was a while before I thought it was funny, but He clearly has a sense of humor! 7.5 hrs
Date: 2012-09-13
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: clear sky

So I wouldn't disturb anyone still sleeping, I had breakfast on a cliff looking west in the pre-dawn. It was another beautiful day that reached the mid 70's. All morning I hiked up and down over rock until I finally finished the roller coaster just before noon. It took me quite a bit longer than I had planned, so I had to really hussle the rest of the day and got to the shelter at 5:45. I'm the only one here. I am in the Sky Meadows State Park. 9.5 hrs.