morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-19
From: Little Dogwood Run Campsite

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

We were up and on the trail by 7:30. After about 4 miles mostly downhill, we were in Boiling Springs. What a beautiful town. We walked along the street and on a path around the lake and came to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of the ATC. We were going to have breakfast on the patio there but I saw a caf© just a block away and convinced Iris that we should get a hot breakfast there.  The Caffe 101 was bustling with customers. Hikers, bycyclists, and town people mingled together and enjoyed the hearty fare.It was misty or lightly raining most of the day, but this was probably a good thing because we were walking through little villages and AT Farmlands all without the normal shade of the trail most of the day and would have been sunburned in sunnier weather. We hiked along Conodoguinet Creek and saw many varieties of flowers and crossed numerous footbridges. We leap frogged during the day with the two guys from the campsite we passed up last night and a retired firefighter from Toledo who called himself Sir Dickspatcher  because of how his job title dispatcher had been mangled by a new employee at one time. The worst mile of the day was the last one uphill to the shelter. Lone Wanderer was the only one at the shelter when we arrived and he had a fire going. Sir Dick joined us later. The two other guys came in also, but set up their tents away from the shelter and never joined us. The privy at this shelter was bigger than my own bathroom at home! We changed into dry clothes and enjoyed our dinner. Sir Dick strung a line by the fire and we hung our socks to dry. He and I propped our shoes and insoles near the fire to dry out after the long day of hiking through the wet grassy trail. I was standing apart from the others and talking to my husband on my cellphone when I saw my shoes smoking. By the time I reached them, one heel had melted from the heat of the fire. As the rubber dried, it made a hard golf ball sized lump inside my shoe. This was not a good way to end the day. I told Iris that the strikes against me were accumulating. I began praying that God would make it plain to me if I should be off the trail for the time being. I bargained that I wanted it to be plain, but I didn't want a sign that would be too painful or too expensive.I had to blow up my air mattress twice during the night.
Date: 2017-04-20
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Riverfront Campground in Duncannon PA
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

Lone Wanderer left before we were up and we never saw him again. We left fairly early ourselves, but I had to stop twice to work on carving out the tumor of hard melted rubber that was gouging the inside of my right heel. It was difficult cutting through the leather and hard rubber but I finally managed to get it done. The damage had been done to my foot already though and moleskin only helped a make it a little more bearable. We stopped at Cove Mountain Shelter for water. The front steps had been removed from the shelter and metal flashing had been added all around the floor; there was a note explaining that these measures had been taken because of porcupines causing problems there. There were also bees buzzing all around the shelter. I was glad that we were not planning to stay there for the night. We met Renee from Springfield MO near the shelter. She had just flown in and was on the trail for her first day this year. She was hoping to complete the rest of her section hike of the AT this year. She and Iris exchanged phone numbers in hopes that they might meet up the trail later this summer.It was a rough rocky steep  downhill into the town of Duncannon. Then it was a long hot walk through the town sidewalks through rundown neighborhoods to get to our campground. Miles on city sidewalks are much harder on the feet than miles  on the trail. Rosie from Springfield MO was tenting at the campground when we arrived.  We talked for awhile and then cleaned up as best we could and got in the truck to head to the Doyle Hotel for dinner. We didn't want to stay there, but we felt like we at least needed to experience a little of it. Renee was staying there and eating already when we arrived. Vicky was a hoot as our waitress and I enjoyed my 1/3 lb bacon cheeseburger and sweet potato fries immensely. After dinner we drove back to Boiling Springs to Gelinas Manor for the night. Tomorrow is a zero day!!
Date: 2017-04-21
From: Gelinas Manor

To: John Stempa's garage off Smith Gap Road
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

What a treat to take a hot shower, wash my hair, have fluffy towels, and sleep in cotton sheets in a bed under a roof!We enjoyed a luscious breakfast of Italian egg bake, fresh fruit, pastry, and hot tea in the morning.Kitty Gelinas is a fascinating and entertaining hostess.We left about 11:00 to drive to Hamburg.  There we used the laundromat, organized our resupply for the next leg of our hike, went to a grocery store, got new shoes and an air mattress for me at the world's largest Cabelas store, and ate at Logans Roadhouse for dinner.We drove to the home of John 'Mechanical Man' Stempa in Kunkletown where we had plans to stay for the night.What a switch from Gelinas Manor! At Stempas' home we slept on the concrete floor of his garage. There was already one hiker there; we talked only briefly while getting our sleeping areas arranged and then it was lights out.
Date: 2017-04-22
From: Kitatinny Visitor Center

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: few clouds

The garage floor was more comfortable than I thought it would be, and it was out of the rain that we got last night, so that was nice. John rode in my truck with us to Kittatiny Visitor Center just over the NJ/PA stateline in the morning. We go out there and he took my truck back to his house. We hiked back south over the Delaware River Bridge and through Delaware Water Gap. We stopped at the Church of the Mountain Hostel for the restroom and to fill our water bottles.There were views from Council Rock and Lookout Rock on the uphill stretch out of town Since it was Saturday there were more people than normal out on the trail. One family was out with a basket looking for Morel mushrooms. A scout troop was out. Several young men were camping at one of the lookout points for the weekend. We got to Kirkridge shelter earlier than we usually stop. It had sprinkled on us most of the day so it felt good to change into clean dry clothes and eat a hot meal. There was no bear pole or bear box, so I got to throw the bear rope over a tree branch for a change.  There were two young men here going north; they are not very talkative. We went to bed before dark just because we were bored and cold.
Date: 2017-04-23
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: John Stempa's garage off Smith Gap Road
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

It got close to freezing last night and was very windy, but my new Kelty bag kept me comfortable. We enjoyed the views from Wolf Rocks early in the day. Today was a day of Pennsylvania rocks in full force. Just about every step was on rocks of some sort: big rocks, small rocks, smooth rocks, pointy rocks, shifting rocks. I joked that I thought the trail maintainers came out each year and dug up rocks from the woods and planted them in the trail.  I understand why thru hikers call the state Rocksylvania. We were undecided if we should stay at the next shelter tonight or push on to Stempas for the night. Iris' poison ivy is really bothering her so in the afternoon we made the decision to head past the shelter and on to Stempas. I was still struggling over my decision to stay on the trail or head home to see the new grandbaby. I kept praying about it and thinking of the strikes against me so far. I kept praying that God would make it clear to me, but that it would not be too painful or too costly. About a mile from our destination for the day, my pole got caught between rocks and I fell flat. My pole has snapped in two pieces but thankfully my wrists and knees were ok. Iris had broken her nose on a similar fall in PA last summer. This was my final strike. We hiked on to Smith Gap Road where John Stempa picked us up in my truck and took us to his home. We dropped him off there and drove into Kunkletown to eat at the only place in town, the Kunkletown Pub. We got off on the wrong foot by coming in the back door, which was in our defense, closest to the parking lot. Then Iris who is gluten free, asked for the steak and was told they were out of it. The waitress didn't know what gluten free was so she couldn't help. We finally ordered and ate and went back to Stempa's home again.After showers, we slept on the floor in the garage again, this time with a different hiker. This year's section hike is over for me. I am sad and relieved at the same time, and excited that I will get to see my new grandbaby soon.
Date: 2017-08-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I drove to Bears Den Hostel with my granddaughter.  Last summer I stumbled into Bears Den after hiking in cold rain for two solid days. Even after a hot shower, clean clothes, a warm dry bed for the night, and the prospect of a sunny day, I was not ready to continue hiking the next morning.  I needed a zero day!  My friends hiked on without me and I caught a ride into Harpers Ferry.  I rested and let my raw sodden feet recuperate for two days until my friends met me again.  This year I am with my seven-year-old granddaughter tenting on the lawn at Bears Den for a night. We will begin our hike into Harpers Ferry in the morning and I will hike the section of the trail that I skipped last summer.
Date: 2017-08-22
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

Emma and I made pancakes in the Bears Den kitchen and ate breakfast with a nice woman from Germany and a guy from Ireland.  The AT draws folks from all over the world.  We were hiking by 9:00.  We enjoyed the views from Bears Den Rocks.  It was a terribly hot humid day but at least not rainy.  We stopped frequently to rest and drink water.  Lunch was at Raven Rocks with more great views.  We met about 25 people on the trail today. Most were day hikers and two were hiking with dogs. We moved slowly through the heat of the day. I rejoiced when we finally finished the Roller Coaster.We did have rain for about an hour late in the afternoon. By then I was so hot and sticky that the rain felt nice.  It became evident that we would not make it to the David Lesser Shelter before dark, so we took the side trail to the Blackburn AT Center.  Three college guys from Michigan showed up to tent.  After dinner and a recuperating rest on the screen porch, we used the solar shower and got our things settled into the Hiker Hut for the night and talked about our options for the following day.  We had planned for two ten-mile days.  Now we had only done 8 and had 12 more to get into Harpers Ferry.  Cheryl the caretaker was planning to drive into Harpers Ferry the next day and offered to take our packs with her so we could slack pack the 12 miles.We had the hiker hut all to ourselves.  I was glad to be under a roof when I awoke to a terrific thunder storm about 10:00 that lasted for a couple of hours.  Emma slept soundly through it all.
Date: 2017-08-23
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Teahorse Hostel
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up refreshed and had breakfast and packed up.  We agreed to let Cheryl take our packs into Harpers Ferry so we only had to carry food and water for the day.  The overnight rain had cooled things down.  With lighter packs and lower temperatures, we set off down the trail.  We made it to Keys Gap, the halfway point for the day,  by lunchtime.  We thought we were almost to town when we began to see the Shenandoah River.  We still had a hot hike over the long bridge across the river, and then the trail turned back along the river and went back uphill into town. There were not nearly as many hikers on the trail today.We finally made it to the ATC visitors center just before the 5:00 closing time. We took pictures and Emma was entered into their book as a section hiker.  Then we had another half mile to walk down the sidewalk to the Teahorse hostel.After showers and clean clothes, I offered to take Emma out to eat to celebrate but she really wanted ramen noodles for her supper. So I called in a take-out order for a steak dinner for me, picked it up, came back to the hostel, and made ramen for her.  We both enjoyed our dinners.  There were several others at the hostel with us: two couples from Michigan, a young woman finishing a Thru-Hike she had begun last year, and an Australian military guy here in the US for college classes.  Emma enjoyed talking with all the other hikers, and they all let her know how brave and strong she was for hiking.I have now hiked almost 700 miles of the AT,
Date: 2018-05-04
From: US 58, 1.1 miles north of Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite at Whitetop Mountain Road/USFS 89
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: overcast clouds

On the drive to Damascus we saw a highway sign proclaiming May the fourth be with you, since today was May 4th. John and I met Janet at Fox Creek and VA 603 and left her car there. We drove to US 58 north of Damascus and began hiking around 1:00. It seemed pretty much all uphill and I was feeling lousy and going very slowly. I had to take many breaks and at times I thought I was going to throw up or pass out.   We crossed paths with 6 or 8 nobos and a couple sobos and a family of 8 thru hiking with young children.  The views from Buzzard Rocks late in the day were gorgeous.  We enjoyed the views and took pictures before pressing on.We stopped to camp at a campsite at Whitetop Mtn Rd and USFS 89.  As soon as we ate and hung our food bags, I was in bed. The high point of the day was getting the bear rope over a suitable branch on the first throw.  Those who know me well will understand how tired I was when I say I left Janet up alone while she was making a fire.
Date: 2018-05-05
From: Campsite at Whitetop Mountain Road / USFS 89

To: Campsite just past The Scales
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

5/5 Happy Cinco de Mayo We got up early and were on the trail by 7:30. We had an easy 2.5 miles downhill into Elk Garden at VA 600.  We ate breakfast there and chatted with a couple of Boy Scout leaders from Raleigh. Their scouts had already gone on ahead. We stopped at Thomas Knob Shelter for lunch (where we intended to sleep last night).Even though rain was forecast for 90%, we only had about 20 minutes worth. We made it to Wise Shelter about 4:00, used the privy, had a snack, got water, and continued on.In Grayson Highlands, we only saw a few of the wild ponies at a distance. We heard others in the distance several times but didn¢t see any up close. We did see several cows as we hiked through their pastures.  We crossed paths with too many people to remember today - thru-hikers, section hikers, and day hikers ¢ notably three or four Boy Scout troops preparing for Philmont and a group of about 20 ladies in their 60s and 70s just out for the day.Some guys had a huge fire at The Scales and were doing trail magic. We enjoyed their meatball wraps immensely. They also had lots of booze and some hikers were really enjoying it. Some had been hanging out there all day!  It was an exposed area and super windy. It also seemed like it would it might be loud late as the booze was flowing so we decided not to camp there and hiked another .3 to a campsite.  Since we had just eaten, we only had to hang our food bags, set up our tents, and get ready for bed. I managed to get the rope for our food bag over a suitable branch on my first throw again. Four young people were also tenting at this campsite for the night. Rain started shortly after we set up tents. We all retreated to our tents about 7:00, trying to fall asleep while listening to cows bellowing in the pasture next to us and hoping to stay dry and get a good night¢s sleep.
Date: 2018-05-06
From: Campsite just past The Scales

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

It rained heavily during the night but stopped around 6:00am. My tent was wet on the outside, but I was warm and dry inside.  At least it wasn¢t still raining when we were packing up. We left by about 7:30 and hiked uphill for a mile or so then three miles downhill to the trailhead where Janet had parked. Sue met us there. It was sunny by then so I hung my tent over Janet¢s car to dry and we sat in the parking lot to eat a late breakfast. When it began raining again, we packed up quickly and got back on the trail. We had a rough two mile uphill section. Janet left her pack in her car and hiked up with us, then turned around and hiked back down to her car to go home. I think she might¢ve been crying when she had to leave the trail.  We had a long easy downhill stretch past Hurricane Mtn Shelter and into a gap. It rained on and off all morning.  Around 3:00 we made the decision to get off the trail at Dickey¢s Gap at VA 16 and try to catch a ride to the Baptist Church hostel in Troutdale for the night.  While we were trying to hitch a ride, another hiker joined us. A van stopped for us within a few minutes. The driver was a ridge runner who had thru hiked himself last year. He took us the 2.7 miles down the road to the hostel and dropped us off. He wouldn¢t accept any cash from us, so we just thanked him profusely.  For a donation to the church, we got a shower, charged our phones, and are in a bunkhouse with four other hikers and a 65 year old NY lady biking cross country.  We are clean and dry, with full tummies, and a roof over our heads for the night. We¢ll hitch back to trail tomorrow morning. The hiker who hitched with us said he got great footage of the wild ponies in Grayson highlands. Check Mattc276 on Instagram for his video.
Date: 2018-05-07
From: Dickey Gap

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

We didn¢t leave the hostel until 9:00am. It was 2.7 miles back to the trailhead at Dickey¢s Gap. We started walking but got a hitch after walking about a half mile. We started our hike with a two mile uphill then two+ more downhill through a cow pasture to the Trimpi Shelter area where we had originally planned to stay last night. The weather was beautiful and clear. The trail was a good mix of ups and downs and ridgewalks, with plenty of water sources.  We heard we can order pizza from the Mount Rogers Visitor Center next to Partnership Shelter so that was our goal. My feet were complaining and I decided I would stop at the stream a mile or so before the Shelter to rest and soak them. Around 4:30 while we were up on a ridge, the wind started picking up and we started hearing occasional thunder. Not wanting to get drenched made me ditch the stream idea and push on as fast as I could go. I succeeded in acquiring huge blisters on the balls of both feet. It only sprinkled a bit on us just before we got to the shelter but then it stopped.  This shelter is two levels. Since we got here late, we are up an awkward ladder on the second level. That¢s going to be tricky to maneuver for bathroom breaks in the night! There are probably 25-30 people either at the shelter or tenting nearby.  I was offered an leftover slice of veggie pizza and a tangerine by those already here eating so I took it gratefully. I pretty much inhaled the food, hung my food bag, and dressed for bed. I managed to get the rope for our food bag over a suitable branch on my first throw again - three for three on this trip! I really enjoyed using the REAL bathroom at the visitors center and getting to wash my face and hands with soap there before bed. I was able to get a call out to my cousin Mike about plans to meet him tomorrow in Atkins. I also called mom for a few minutes before losing reception. By 8:15 I was going to bed! Six or seven younger hikers are downstairs and Sue and I are upstairs with three guys our age. I¢ve got earplugs in but I can still hear the kids downstairs. I hope they quiet down soon!
Date: 2018-05-08
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins VA 683 / US 11
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

I popped and treated huge blisters on the bottom of my feet this morning and we left the shelter around 9:00. It was a beautiful day with a lot of ridge walking. We got passed soon by the younger folks from the shelter but leapfrogged all day with some guys closer to our age from Michigan.  Dogwoods were starting to bloom. Not many trees were leafing out yet in the higher elevations. We had very pleasant hiking about three miles in late afternoon alongside a stream in rhododendron tunnels.  There was trail magic at the old Lindamood School near the Settlers Museum. What a blast reading the rules for students AND teachers from a century ago. The last few miles were agony for me. The blisters on the balls of my feet felt like I had a marble in both shoes. Each step hurt.We finally made it to VA 683 by 4:30. I got a chocolate milk and Hershey bar with almonds at the Sunoco while waiting to be picked up by my cousin Mike. We got to his house in Rural Retreat around 6:00pm. We had showers and did laundry, and Esther fixed us a fabulous dinner.  It was fun catching up with my cousins and Uncle Bud. It was very interesting hearing how Mike and Esther were raising Alpacas and Bernese mountain dogs.  We stayed up talking well past hiker midnight. i fell asleep trying to figure out what to do about my feet.
Date: 2018-05-09
From: Atkins VA 683 / US 11

To: Davis Path Campsite
Miles today: 3.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I understand now what thru-hikers mean when they talk about getting caught in the ¢town vortex¢. It was very hard to leave Mike and Esther¢s place today. Breakfast was blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, mint tea, and a breakfast casserole of last night¢s leftover potatoes with fresh ground pork sausage from the neighbors, pigs with eggs on top.  Esther gave me essential oils to treat my blisters. Sue and I reworked our plans for the next few days to do less miles and hope for my feet to heal. After repacking the resupply boxes we had sent to their house earlier and stopping at the grocery store for a few additional items, Esther dropped us off at the trail in Atkins about 1:00.  We walked along the road and under the highway before turning into a cow pasture. It was all exposed and very hot. I have never been so close to so many cows! One was right on the trail heading our way. Thankfully another hiker has just passed us and was twenty yards in front of us. He and the cow faced off for a few seconds and then the cow turned aside. She looked like she was coming right back to the trail so I picked up my pace and she veered back away until after we passed.  We hiked a short way to the old Davis Shelter spot. The shelter has been torn down but the picnic table and privy were still there for use. We had plenty of water so it made a great place to stop. We set up tents and took a short nap. I got the rope for our food bag over a suitable branch on my first throw again - four for four.  Several hikers passed through and chatted. It was an easy ¢nero¢ (nearly zero) day. It was relaxing to stop early without feeling pressure to make more miles. I wouldn¢t want this much free time every day but it was great this day for my feet. An early bedtime should mean an early start tomorrow morning.