morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-28
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Campsite at Mile 1019.6
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Cleaned up and had a pancake breakfast at Bears Den Hostel. Packed up quickly and was ready to go. I had about 4 more miles of the Roller Coaster to do but I was both aware of what to expect and ready to knock it out. Everybody I met wanted to talk and I was relaxed so it took awhile. But the major event this morning was crossing the border into West Virginia. Two very talkative young women happened by so they took my picture. We spent 15 minutes talking about hiking. So far the trail in WV has been fairly tame, of course with many rocks and water and mud from the recent rains. At a road crossing this afternoon I looked left to see "Welcome to West Virginia" and to the right it said "Welcome to Virginia". Right away a local hiker came by and said the trail goes right up the border. I guess a couple of miles ahead I will cross into West Virginia again and Virginia will be officially done. I am camped about 4 miles from Harpers Ferry WV. Tomorrow I will hike to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visitors Center there to pick up a resupply box that Marlene sent. Marlene and I traded messages this morning and I sent pictures of today's events when I could. It was a good day. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-29
From: Campsite at Mile 1019.6

To: Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters, Harper's Ferry WV
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

A simple and fulfilling hike today. A few miles from my campsite to town. It was a stark reality to suddenly glimpse the big muddy Shenandoah River through the trees and hear its powerful roar. Paralleling the river for awhile I came to the long bridge and hiked across. Winding through town a bit I came to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters. You have to do that. They give you a big welcome and tour to make sure you enjoy all the amenities. It is tradition to have your picture taken as part of this years through hiker class. My number is 442 as the hikers are in sequence as they come. I got a post card with my picture on it. They also have a really cool topographical map of the trail, Georgia to Maine, that I got to see. Marlene sent a resupply package there so I am set. Cousin Eddie was there with her parents whom I had met briefly way back in Damascus. They offered to take me with them to Walmart and the Outfitters so I could buy a new fuel canister for my stove. They are in town in their RV to see Cousin Eddie. That was a very nice time. I am staying at the Econo Lodge and will take today off and a zero day tomorrow to rest. Then on north into Maryland. Marlene and I have had long chats on the phone, always so good. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-31
From: Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters, Harper's Ferry WV

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After leaving the Econo Lodge I wound my way through Harpers Ferry on the trail, seeing a few of the sights, until I got to the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. There I became part of a Junior High field trip from somewhere in Pennsylvania. When the teacher and the chaperone found out I am a thru hiker I became a celebrity and was peppered with questions. That was fun. After crossing the Potomac I was officially done hiking the trail in West Virginia and began the 40+ miles of Maryland. Following the C & O Canal tow path for a few miles was very easy level hiking paralleling the river. Then a 1000 foot climb up to Weverton Cliffs and later White Rock Cliff, both with a good view. Beyond that, hiking in Maryland has been in a close woods over often rocky and muddy trail, but generally fairly easy. I am at the Rocky Run Shelter with mostly a new group of hikers. Cousin Eddie is still in town with family for a few days, Macguyver is too, and Smeagol has speeded ahead into PA. I am in a deep valley with no phone service. Thunderstorms are about to explode and we are all settling for the night. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-01
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter 
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike took me past several parks and monuments commemorating various Civil War battles and famous generals. I also saw the original Washington Monument, in Washington Monument State Park, placed high on a ridge overlooking a beautiful valley. Another oddity was going into a residential area, right down the property line between two homes and into a back yard to access the footbridge that takes the AT over I-70. If you can get their attention the 18-wheeler drivers will blow their horn at you. I did. I was at Annapolis Rocks for lunch and to filter water, another beautiful overlook from jagged cliffs. The terrain today was much the same as yesterday, or probably even more rocky. My left ankle is sore and I am considering going into a town to get a room so I can ice it. I will decide in the morning. I was able to take several pictures and videos and send them to Marlene today. It was good to have that contact. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-02
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter 

To: Pen Mar Road, Waynesboro, PA
Miles today: 9.9

I left the shelter before 7 intending to cross into Pennsylvania and then decide on a stopping point for the day. Soon into it I realized my left ankle soreness continued. There were some climbs that would normally not cause concern. The trail was sometimes fairly easy with a wide tread and little elevation change. But, the Maryland section has had very rocky sections as well. Rocks today were as bad as I have seen the entire trip. There were areas where I could look downhill as far as the eye could see and be faced with a jumble of rocks so tangled that I could not see the trail route through the trees. White blazes were masked as the dappled sunlight made everything look like a blaze or nothing look like a blaze. I decided to take it slowly. There were times when I stopped and looked all around, 360 degrees, to see the trail behind or before to get my bearings. The rocks were hard on my ankle and I got concerned about long term injury so I looked at the guide book for options in Waynesboro, PA to spend the night and ice it. I took many breaks and significantly reduced the food bag weight. No problem, I have plenty! Finally I came to beautiful Pen Mar Park and rested on a bench. I called Marlene and decided to stop for the day and try to take care of my ankle. Ahead I came to the Mason-Dixon Line at the border MD-PA. That continues to be a great feeling when I can mark progress from state to state. Pennsylvania has a lot of trail and has the reputation for the worst rocks in the last 185 miles before New Jersey, but that's a concern for another day. I made a few calls and got a shuttle to a hotel where I could walk to get the supplies I need. I spent the afternoon and evening with my leg elevated and ice on my ankle. If necessary I will stay another day rather than risk making it worse. My daughter Charity has given me some exercises for shin splints so I am doing those as well. Marlene and I have talked and are beginning to anticipate her visit in about a week. That will be fun! Pray for my ankle to heal. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-04
From: Pen Mar Road, Waynesboro, PA

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

After stopping in Waynesboro, PA on Friday, I spent the remainder of Friday and all Saturday with ice on my left ankle, elevated, to try and give it a chance to heal. I have been experiencing stabbing pain in the ball of my ankle, feeling like an electric shock. Today I wrapped my foot and ankle with a bandage for support and hiked ahead to Tumbling Run Shelters. There were a couple of climbs and some rocky sections. I took it slow, covering only 8.2 miles for the day. I can still feel the discomfort but did not slip or fall so there is no new injury. I am planning low mile days for most of the coming week and hope that will make it better. A fellow hiker with shin splints did not follow doctors orders to reduce miles for awhile and he paid the price so I want to learn that lesson. Also the legendary 185 miles of terrible rocks in northern Pennsylvania are just ahead so I need to be in good shape to start into that section. Marlene is coming to visit me for my birthday this Friday. I hope to be near Boiling Springs, PA by then. It will be so good to see her, no matter how short the time. So today went well. Tomorrow I will do the same and hike about 12 miles, and so forth the rest of the week. Pray it goes well. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-05
From: Tumbling Run Shelters

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I took it easy to baby my left ankle. I wrapped it in a support bandage and planned to do a short mile day over fairly easy terrain. The first nine miles took me to Caledonia State Park for lunch. Since it had rained all morning the pool and snack bar there were closed so I got under a roof and had lunch from my pack supplies, comfortably sitting at a picnic table. As I was leaving the park I crossed a bridge to find some campsites and noticed a bathroom building with the lights on. I went inside to find an outlet so I spent another hour resting under the awning while I charged my phone. Short mile days are relaxing. After that I had a big climb but a short 3 mile hike to the Quarry Gap Shelter for the night. This is a double shelter with a connecting breezeway between for cooking and social time, very nice - even had a pot of flowers hanging. I met O2 there and we two shared one of the shelter spaces. There were two in the other one as well and all the others tented or had hammocks. The rain stopped and we had a quiet evening and a good time in the close woods setting. My foot did pretty well today and I plan to play it by ear the next few days until Marlene comes to see me. Can't wait. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-06
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Campsite North of Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

Did a bigger day today. I wrapped my ankle again and started the day planning to hike about 13 miles to a shelter. The terrain was very easy, some of the easiest I will find on the whole trip. I completed the 13 miles by lunch time and had lunch at the shelter. O2 and I decided to hike ahead to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, almost another 4 miles. The pull of a cheeseburger and fries at their camp store was too much to resist. It was another easy hike ahead and we enjoyed the lunch and I bought a few items to top off my food bag as well. The place seemed a little unorganized when we inquired about renting a campsite to set up our tents for the night. There were free showers about a half mile ahead so O2 and I did that and then we hiked another two miles to find a perfect little tent site along the trail in the woods. We are set up for the night. The day went well and my ankle seems good after a 19.6 mile day over easy trail. There were two good milestones reached today. First, I reached the mathematical halfway point - 1094.9 miles hiked and 1094.9 miles to go. Second, I passed the 1100 mile point. So that was fun. Tomorrow might be a little harder so I will see how my ankle does. No phone service here so no contact with Marlene tonight. I will see her soon. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-07
From: Campsite North of Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Backpacker's Campsite, Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Broke camp early with O2 and we beat the rain by a few seconds. We hiked in the rain all morning, stopping at the Tagg Run Shelter for a mid morning snack. It was very cold while sitting in wet clothes and not doing the heavy work of carrying my pack. I had phone service so Marlene and I talked to finalize plans for her visit in Carlisle, PA to celebrate my 68th birthday on Friday. We loaded up and hiked on fairly easy trail with a few steep climbs thrown in. Shortly after lunch we came to a high knob with large exposed rocks sticking out of the top - called The Rock Maze - and it was a maze of narrow passages and boulder climbing in two big sections. Fun but hard to do safely over wet rocks. A few miles ahead we came to a large corn field and several hay and barley fields laid out in large rectangles over a half mile on a side. The trail carefully skirted the edge and was routed around and between the fields to make us hikers be good citizens and respectful of the private property. After nearly getting to Boiling Springs we were routed across a hay field to a grassy spot in the trees where there are tent sites. We are set up for the night and settling in. In the morning we will follow the trail through town and hopefully get a hot breakfast as we pass through. Then I will hike to the next town, Carlisle, PA, and wait for Marlene to arrive from D. C. Should be great. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-08
From: Backpacker's Campsite, Boiling Springs, PA

To: Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 8.4

Today's story begins last night as Squeaks, a thru hiker also from Birmingham, who started her hike a little after me, was very close to my location and went on a mission to meet up with me so we could hike into Carlisle together this morning. My wife Marlene and our friend Allison, who are both also friends with Squeaks, are flying in to meet us in Carlisle, a trip they've been planning for some time. The trip also coincides with my 68th birthday on Friday, June 9. Squeaks invaded our campsite last evening phone in hand making a video of her quest to find me. The video is hilarious and includes her finally tracking me down in my tent last evening. After meeting up and catching up we settled in for the evening. This morning Squeaks, O2 and I hiked into Boiling Springs and had breakfast, and then hiked an enjoyable and fairly easy hike to Carlisle, PA. Marlene and Allison had reservations at a hotel so Squeaks and I got an Uber ride to the hotel and checked into their rooms and enjoyed cleaning up and resting while awaiting their arrival. It was a bit emotional when Marlene arrived at the door, since we had not seen each other since parting at the parking lot that cold day back on March 3 on Springer Mountain in Georgia. We packed a lot of fun into the rest of the day. I will not go into the complicated details, but Squeaks is raising money to fight pediatric cancer, a disease hitting very close to all of us, but especially Allison's family. We celebrated her passing her half way dollar goal, along with my birthday celebration. Marlene and I had a great time just catching up and being together after so long a separation. I can not do it justice here to describe how special it was to have her here even for such a short time. To be continued. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-09
From: Carlisle, PA

To: Duncannon, PA Assemblies of God Church Basement
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

Well the story gets a bit more complicated. About 900 miles back when I had recovered from my stomach bug and returned to the trail to finish hiking the Smokys, I met a thru hiker named Cousin Eddie, a young woman from Texas. Since then Cousin Eddie and I have hiked together some and have also not seen each other for stretches of over 200 miles. Over time Cousin Eddie and I have learned that we share June 9th as our birthday. I met her parents in Damascus, Virginia and again in Harper's Ferry West Virginia recently, where they were very kind to give me a ride to do some errands in town and also asked me to join them for dinner one evening. After their recent visit in Harper's Ferry Cousin Eddie was also on track to catch me in Carlisle PA while Marlene was visiting. Long story a little shorter, she made it into town on June 8. So, Cousin Eddie was able to meet Squeaks before we dropped her off at the trailhead to hike north from Carlisle the next morning. Then Marlene, Allison, Cousin Eddie, and I spent the morning helping Cousin Eddie take care of some issues with her hiking shoes and we also celebrated birthdays again. Then Marlene and Allison dropped us off at the trailhead and we hiked 17.6 difficult miles that day with a very late start, getting all the way to Duncannon, PA and staying for free in the basement of Pastor Mike's house, Pastor of the Assemblies of God church. Their church began this ministry this year, about three weeks ago. I can vouch that they are doing a great job and the hiker grape vine is abuzz with good things to say about their kindness. Marlene and Allison had anticipated the hiker rat race and had plans to do "tourist" stuff but I have not heard the details yet on their travels. We packed a lot of good stuff into her visit. It was so good to have her here. Goodnight Sweetheart
Date: 2017-06-10
From: Duncannon, PA Assemblies of God Church Basement

To: Campsite at Mile 1163.3
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

I will summarize this entry. Cousin Eddie and I got a late start from Duncannon as she had to receive a supply box at the Post Office when it opened and I had to shop and then we had to repackage all our goodies into our food bags. We experienced some of the famous Pennsylvania rocks today and got to the campsite with just enough time to set up and eat before dark. We crossed several bridges over rivers as we left town and had a huge complicated climb up to the ridge overlooking the rivers and the town, pretty but a tough climb. Tonight we are exhausted but happy to be making progress across Pennsylvania. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-11
From: Campsite at Mile 1163.3

To: Campsite at Mile 1180.9
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

We were up early at the campsite, expecting to hike a couple of miles to filter water and have breakfast because the campsite does not have a water source and with our late arrival last night we were out. When we got to the road Gene and Melanie, a local couple, had a trail magic feast set up for the hikers. Drinks, snacks, hot dogs, burgers, fruit, candy, jugs of water, chips, and various supply items, and we were even able to unload our trash so we didn't have to carry it. That was so good and it powered me all morning. The remainder of the day was a long hot hike over more of the Pennsylvania rocks. We stopped for lunch at a trail junction and were entertained by a very tame deer and her fawn. We met many new hikers today and some others I knew but have not seen for hundreds of miles. That was fun. We are camped at a good site with a water source, tenting. O2 and Still Steve are here also, so I have caught up to them again. At various points today I got messages from Marlene updating me on their trip home, with a final verification that she is safely at the house. So good to hear that. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-12
From: Campsite at Mile 1180.9

To: Hertline Campsite at Mile 1199.3
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a good early start today. We are trying to do two fairly long days to get to Port Clinton for resupply, and the PA rocks may have something to say about that. I have a kind of brace on one ankle and the other is wrapped with tape. So far this is working well. The rocks are treacherous. It feels so good when we get a section of more normal trail mixed in between rocky sections. Elevation gains have been minimal, although I started right away this morning with a 1000 foot climb to the ridge top. Thankfully the trail stays on the ridge for miles with more minor undulations along the crest. I left first and Still Steve and Cousin Eddie and I met at the William Penn Shelter for lunch and to filter water. We had a good rest and started out again for the afternoon. About 2 miles ahead we met Slick, a 2004 thru hiker, doing trail magic at the road crossing. Sandwiches, fruit, drinks, candy, snacks were there in abundance and Slick did not want to carry it back home with him. We helped out. Ahead were some of the nastiest rocks we have come across so far. I just had to laugh because it was hard to believe the trail tread in some places. I think I am actually getting good at hiking on rocks now, but you cannot let your guard down for a single step. I felt strong after all the extra food. At the 501 Shelter Cousin Eddie and I took a break just to see the place - very nice shelter with bunks, solar shower, real chairs, etc. We met the caretaker and Gadget Girl was there for the night. It was decision time and Cousin Eddie and I decided to hike ahead six miles to a campsite to position ourselves for the run to Port Clinton tomorrow. It was a long tough hike late in the day. More rocks but we just did it. We arrived at the beautiful Hertline Campsite and got set up for the night. It was a pretty and remote place with quiet evening sounds. I soaked my feet in the icy cold stream, almost freezing but it felt great. Bat Man was there also. We had a short time to chat and then we went to our tents for the night. A good, long, hard day in Pennsylvania. I sent Marlene some pictures as examples of the rocks, but there is nothing like meeting them in person. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-06-16
From: Port Clinton, Pennsylvania

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

After a few hiccups with the shuttle driver I was dropped off in Port Clinton around 8 and was on my way. A little meandering thru town and I began a one thousand foot climb which was a good test of my strength after the down time. Did fine. Sent pictures to Marlene from Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle when I had service. The PA rocks are ever present and make the hike a little tougher when you are not at your strongest. We are also beginning to have water issues as springs are fewer and some are dry. When you can get it you have to load up, making the pack weight heavier. I did 14.8 miles today, all I wanted after being under the weather. I am at Eckville shelter which is a converted garage on private property with a caretaker. Good enough for hikers. The caretaker will never be nominated for an award based on people skills, however. So I'm in for the night. Goodnight Sweetheart.