morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We do love Big Agnes!!! She managed to keep us dry throughout the night, aside from our feet which had gotten a bit damp. We decided we would take it easy today. We only had to hike about 17 miles in the next two days to meet up with Millie. We headed down to the camp store to shower and do laundry. Other hikers started to show up while we were there, with lots of wet gear to dry as well. As we were heading back to our site, we ran into Napoleon and Key Lime!! We hadn't seen Napoleon since the middle of April, and had never met Key Lime before. He had been off trail for three weeks getting his foot back in hiking shape, and she had gotten off the trail for awhile as well. It was so GREAT to see him (and meet her) again. After a long process of drying gear, and packing up, we finally got ready to go around 3pm. Back to the store we went to enjoy a beer with them and a snack. We met Raven there, and Reroute was also there with a friend. We hiked about a mile when we stopped to get a bite at the Loft Mountain Wayside. They had black bean burgers, so we both enjoyed one of them. Weirman also ate a pork sandwich, and we were ready to hike the short distance to the next shelter. The trail had turned into a river in some spots. We heard the rainfall from last night was over 4 inches!!   When we got to the shelter, Key Lime, Napoleon, and Raven were there! We had a nice dinner and headed off to our nice DRY tent.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Pinefield Hut

To: mile 902
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We got up that morning and again there are curious deer right outside the tent. We know we have another short day today, and the weather looks promising, so we are in no hurry to hit the trail. We hike to Hightop Hut, which is at mile 899.9 according to our book.   We stop there and enjoy a nice lunch. We are able to get phone reception, so we call Emily and wake her and Hadley up. Oops, 8:45 on a Saturday in Alaska is 12:45 in Virginia. It is great to visit with them, and we head back down the trail at 2pm, knowing we only have about 3 more miles to go to meet up with Millie at 5pm. As we get out of the woods by mile 902, we see two ladies sitting in the parking lot. They tell us they have been waiting for us.   I hoped they hadn't had to wait too long. They were doing their first trail magic!!!! They had beer, and water, and lots of snacks.   Napoleon and Key Lime had been through ahead of us, and told them they HAD to wait for us and they did!! We had such a wonderful time chatting with them. Napoleon had named them, Goatmama, and Just Sue!! We stayed there for an hour I think, then they gave us a ride to Swift Run Gap, where Millie was picking us up!   Thank you to them, we so enjoyed meeting them, and appreciate their kindness.   Millie showed up and we decided to drive back to Loft Mountain to camp. What a difference two days made. When we were there on Thursday, there were probably 8 other campers there, and tonight the place was packed!! We enjoyed a nice dinner of beans and rice. A wonderful day on the trail
Date: 2014-05-18
From: mile 902

To: Milam Gap
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

After seeing the remnants of Millie's blister, and my pain in my back, we decide to try something different today. Millie and I would drop Weirman off at the spot where we stopped yesterday, and we would drive up to the Milam Gap parking area and hike towards him, southbound. We would meet somewhere along the trail, then all hike back to the car. We were about a half a mile into the trail, when we noticed a couple hiking with their two grandchildren. We stopped to visit with them, and they asked me my trail name. I told them I was Knitter, and the lady got a bright smile on her face and said she had been following our journal!!! Her grandchildren were Butterfly and Tracker. They gave me a brownie, and she said she had seen us last night while we were waiting for our ride, and thought she recognized us!!! They had met Flossie and Squirrel yesterday, and she follows their journal as well.   How random is that??? It was so wonderful to talk with them, Millie took our picture together and they gave her a brownie as well, Weirman did not get to meet them however. We got back to walking, and soon we ran into Napoleon and Key Lime. It was good to see them one last time, but they "caught" me slack packing. We ran into Weirman around the Lewis Mountain Campgrounds, so we stopped there to eat lunch. After a long break visiting with other hikers, and the store employee, we got back on the trail. We decided to drive to Big Meadows to camp for the next two nights. Millie's back and her blisters are getting worse.
Date: 2015-03-18
From: Milam Gap

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We traveled a lot of miles today, around 900, but only six of them on the trail. We flew from Milwaukee to Washington DC, and took the train to Vienna, the last stop eastbound, where Mike, our shuttle driver picked us up. He drove us to Milam Gap in Shenandoah National Park. We started hiking around 3 pm. We only had six miles to cover, and we had fresh feet, ready to tackle the trail. We stopped for a snack, and two deer came by to say hello. We made it to the shelter, three guys from New Jersey were there, on a spring break hike. David, and brothers, Daniel and Josh. It was fun to visit with them. We looked for a tent site, but they were either really rocky, or very sloping, so we asked the guys if we could pitch the tent in the shelter. It was cold that first night, but the guys put their rain fly in the front of the shelter, and it helped break the wind.
Date: 2015-03-19
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We thought we would get an early start today, but when I finally woke up, after sleeping possibly three hours all night, it was 7:30 already. We got up and made breakfast of oatmeal, and broke camp, we hit the trail around 9:00. We were planning to hike to Pass Mountain Hut, over 15 miles away. We made pretty good time , and stopped for lunch at the Pinnacles Picnic Area. We ate 5 servings of bacon!! We figured we were recharged up to finish the days miles. We met two women from Louisiana, hiking the park. One of them was limping, and I felt bad for her, but she was all smiles. We found them later in the day looking for their shelter, thinking they had missed it. We assured them it was still ahead, and it was about ten minutes up the trail. We got to Mary's Rock, and I dropped by pack and "ran" up to see the view. We had met another hiker coming down, and she said the road was closing at 5pm. We figured it was because of the storm we heard was coming. We headed down the trail and made it to the shelter around 6pm. There was still a smoldering fire in the firepit,so we fed the fire and had a nice warm fire going, when Daniel showed up. Not long behind him was David, and then Josh. It was good to see them again. We snacked a bit and again pitched the tent in the shelter. Another night of not much sleep for me.
Date: 2015-03-20
From: Pass Mountain Hut

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

Weirman was the first one up and let us all know that the snow had arrived as predicted. Again we "slept" later than planned. I still haven't gotten into the trail sleeping situation. We got moving around 9:00 again. It was that heavy wet sping snow that feels like soft sand. We leap frogged with The Jersey Boys until we stopped at Jeremy's Run for lunch. It was cold and we made a chicken soup mix that " someone" had put WAY too much chili powder in we couldn't eat it, so we packed it up and figured we could add some potatoes to it to calm it down a bit. We noticed footprints in the snow going off trail, and figured the boys had missed a white blaze. We were the only ones on the trail, we knew they were off course. Weirman went up a bit to see if he could see them but no luck. We headed off down the trail. It was getting deeper and starting to drift in places. The beauty of the morning enchanted forest had turned into an angry orchard. The snow started to fall off the trees in huge ice chunks, some of them would hit us in the head, and man did that hurt. Finally, Daniel showed up, and told us they had hiked as far a cell phone tower and realized they had missed a turn. David came along, but no Josh. We was hurting, so they stayed behind to wait for him. We pushed on and got to the turn to the shelter which was .2 miles east. The trail to the shelter was very steep downhill. We knew it would be ugly in the morning. Another southbound spring break hiker arrived with the boys, so we had lots of good company for the night. Unfortunately they were all really good snorers. Again, not much sleep for me. I'm remembering why we tented most of last year.
Date: 2015-03-21
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We managed to "wake up" at 6:30 and packed up our gear. We headed out around 7:15. Extra Sharp, the other southbound hiker was up with us, but the Jersey Boys were still sawing logs. The snow was soft and deep. It was hard hiking until around 11:00, when it started to get less and less. There were tons of people hiking today. It was Saturday, and the road in the park was open again. We stopped and visited many times today. We called Emily and talked to Hadley as well. It was good to hear their voices. The snow was gone by the time got to Tom Floyd Shelter. We had completed the shenandoahs!!! The rest of the day was great, warm and sunny. We got to hwy 522, and started to hitch to Front Royal. Within minutes, we had a ride!!! He took us right to our hotel!! Our first trail angel!! We did the usual town chores of laundry, and getting our first resupply box from home. Thanks Laura and Emily. We had a great dinner at the Mill restaurant.   Cold beers and warm burgers.
Date: 2015-03-22
From: Front Royal

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a nice night of sleep in the hotel, and got packed up. We went down to eat in the dining room where they were serving a continental breakfast. I wasn't feeling very well, but I managed to eat a bowl of oatmeal and a yogurt. My entertainment was watching a guy eat at least 30 pieces of bacon!!! He took the whole pan ful twice, and ate it like a bowl of popcorn. Amazing. Anyways we got a ride back to the trail around 10:30 and were planning to hike only 5 miles to the Jim and Molly Denton shelter. When we got there, it was so beautiful. The shelter is pretty incredible, with a big adirondack chair on the front deck, a cooking pavilion, and a solar shower. We were enjoying our lunch, when this young couple showed up from the north. We visited with them about our hike, and he said that when he turned 60, that was he was going to do. I told him that today was my 60th birthday and I was living the dream. We stayed there for almost 2 hours talking, and decided we would hike to the next shelter. The weather was beautiful and we had a great walk to Mannassas Gap Shelter. We were the only ones there, so we could spread our stuff all over the place. We were able to FaceTime with Emily and family, and were so happy to see them. They sang Happy Birthday to me, and Hadley said we had two "beautiful butterflies" with us on the trail. We pitched the tent in the shelter, knowing it was going to be cold night.   It was a great day and the perfect way to spend my birthday.   Thanks to everyone for all of the support.
Date: 2015-03-23
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

What a bright morning it was today, but so cold. We got moving around 8:30. We ran into a hiker named Brooks who was hiking south to Front Royal. We got to Dick's Dome around 11:00 where we ran into two guys hiking northbound. That was the only people we saw all day. It was pretty easy going until we got to the south end of "The Roller Coaster" , 12.5 miles of tightly packed up and downhills( though I think the uphills were way more going north!). It was another sunny day, perfect for a walk in the woods. I couldn't imagine doing those hills in 80 degrees.   We got to the shelter a Around 6:45pm, and made a quick dinner, and hit the hay.
Date: 2015-03-24
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 11.0

We got into our usual routine in the morning, and got on the trail about 8:30. The roller coaster second edition was awaiting us. Only 7 more miles to go!! Up and down, mostly up it seemed. We met 11 people throughout the day, all of them southbound, mostly day hiking. I never did get warm, the north wind was pretty much blowing all day. We made it to the 1000 mile marker!!! We decided we would try to stop at the Blackburn AT Center. The last guy we met on the trail, wasn't sure it would be open, as the caretaker is still in Peurto Rico for the winter. I had read where it said it was open all year in the AWOL book, so we thought we would give it a try. We started the descent to the AT Center, and let me tell you it was quite a downhill. When we got there, it was completely deserted, but the cabin was unlocked. The main house had a screened porch where there was information for staying there. There was a nice cabin with a wood stove. It was heaven!!! Weirman spent quite a bit of time cutting firewood with a crooked bandsaw, and no axe to split any of the wood. He built a roaring fire, and kept it warm and toasty in the cabin all night. I slept the best night since we started hiking. It was so nice to have a warm place to relax. I knit for hours it was great.
Date: 2015-03-25
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The sunrise this morning was incredible. We took our time getting moving, it is hard to leave a warm cozy cabin. By the time we did leave, it had started to rain. FREEZING RAIN!! The rocks were coated with a film of ice which made them treacherous. The up hill out of the AT Center, was SCARY. Luckily we didn't lose our footing on any of the rocks. It was a quarter of a mile of steep uphill rock stairs coated in ice. When we made it to the main trail, it was the same story, only not as steep. Every step was a thought process, a calculated move. The roots were as slippery as the rocks, and there were LOTS of rocks. Weirman dubbed it Spinter, spring was trying to come, but winter just can't lose it's grip. Our packs, gloves, and hiking poles were coated in a thin sheet of ice. Around noon, it started to warm up a bit. We came to the highway, and we were walking on the state line between Virginia and West Virginia. We met Greyghost in the woods and visited with him for a few minutes. He helps maintain the trail with the PATC. We thanked him for all if his hard work. These guys put in countless hours into keeping the trail safe for us hikers. In a few hours we were in Harpers Ferry. We got a room at the Econolodge just off the trail. The people here are really nice, and the room is great. We ditched our packs and walked into the ATC. We visited there for a long time, and got our resupply box that Laura had mailed for us. We took our picture in front of the center, and mailed two postcards.   Then we walked to the downtown to find a place to eat. We decided to try the Cannonball. It was sooooo good. The beef burrito bowl is delicious. We were the only ones in there so we had great service. We went and got a six pack of Yuengling and abag of pretzels and headed back to our hotel. It is still so cold out. We face timed with Emily and her girls. Finally finished Virginia!!!!!!! Hooray.   Tomorrow we leave Weat Virginia and head into Maryland.
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

We got up and ate a big breakfast at the hotel. We headed over to the ATC to pick up a few more things and get our picture taken one more time. It was calling for sun, but it was old and wet and windy. We left town as we enjoyed the historical stops along the way. We crossed over into Maryland. After a long walk along the canal, we headed into the woods. All of the shelters in Maryland had been closed for about a week while they did some tree removal. A hiker was killed on March 15th when a tree fell on him at the Ed Garvey Shelter. We had the go ahead to hike, when we left Harpers Ferry. We stopped at Ed Garvey Shelter for lunch and visited with 5 students from the University of Chicago doing a spring break hike. It was getting warmer as the day went on and there were lots of parks to hike through. We had heard it was going to rain, so we picked up the pace. We arrived at the Rocky Run Shelter around 6:00, and it started raining as soon as we arrived. There was a father and son hiking southbound that we shared the shelter with. Phil and Matt. Good times visiting.
Date: 2015-03-27
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ensign Cowell Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

Got out hiking and thought we could get water at the Dahlgren backpacking campground, but it was all locked up still for the winter. Hiked on to the Washington Monument, and that was cool. Went into Pine Knob Shelter to eat lunch. I was craving mashed potatoes last year, and this year it seems like we have them at every meal.   Yikes!!! When we got to the Pogo Campsite, it looked like a war zone. They had taken down so many trees! There wasn't any place to pitch a tent there anymore. We met a group of Boy Scouts out for a weekend hike. They are training for a Philmont trip later this year. There were quite a few hikers headed south, it was Friday night. We got to the shelter, and about ten minutes later, five guys showed up who were hiking to Harpers Ferry. I am always envious of these week long hikers who can bring along fresh fruit and veggies and wear blue jeans!! One of them had forgotten gloves and long underwear. It was going to get cold tonight. His friend was kind enough to loan him his mothers. I told them that was a good one, borrowing your friends' mother's underwear!!
Date: 2015-03-28
From: Endign Cowell Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

No snorers in the shelter last night!!!!   It was too cold to waste much time in the morning, so we headed out early. The boys were all still sleeping. It was Saturday so we met several people on day hikes since we were near Pen Mar Park. We got there, and ate a whole summer sausage. Yum. We crossed the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania. Let the rocks begin.   It was cold. All day. When we got to the shelter around 4:30, it was all I could do to put up the tent, make some dinner( mashed potatoes!!! And chicken) and crawl in my sleeping bag and shiver.   Talked to Emily and Laura and Hadley on the phone and crashed.
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Up and at em by 7:30, it was 16 degrees this morning. BRRRR. We hiked about 2 miles and got to Old Forge Picnic Area where they had bathrooms and good water. All of water bottles were iced over, so it was a trick filling them up. Weirman's straw was frozen in about an inch of ice. We made good time, hoping to hike to a restaurant about a half mile off the trail for a warm meal, but when we got to the road and called, the number was no longer in service. We decided to hitch a ride into town to get a few groceries anyways. We were picked up by the second car that passed us. It was a girl we had seen earlier on the trail doing an 11 mile run. She gave us a ride to a convenience store where we were able to get sandwiches and lots of junk food for the next few days. Yes we bought some honey buns!! Someone had decorated two trees with Easter Eggs!! We arrived at the shelter, this is probably one of the nicest on the trail.
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: campsite at mile 1100.6
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

Ok. Yeah we hiked some miles, climbed some hills, ran into a few other hikers. This is my day to tell you what it is really like on the trail for a 60 year old woman. First of all let me say, I could never do this alone. Weirman is my rock and I appreciate him everyday. He never leaves me too far behind, always gets me my water, hangs the food bag, and goes out in the middle of the night with me to pee. What more could a girl ask for?   That being said, this isn't easy. When we were back in the Shenandoahs, I noticed some blood in my pee, and pain urinating. We got to Front Royal, and I went to a walk in clinic. I had to wear Weirman's underwear because all of mine were dirty. I'm not sure why he still had a clean pair.    I had a UTI, urinary tract infection. I never had one before in my life. Five days of antibiotics, and hopefully that is gone. We have been hiking since Thursday, and I need a shower BAD. I have never been this smelly or unclean. After a while it doesn't seem so bad until I get a whiff and then phew.... I have yet to spend the night this year on the trail with a woman. My whole body hurts.   I mean everything. My head. My feet. And everything in between. You have lots of time to let your mind wander on the trail. Songs get stuck in your head for days. This is the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know it is not for everyone, but for me it is THE BOMB.
Date: 2015-03-31
From: campsite at mile 1100.6

To: Alex Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

This was our first night pitching the tent. We found a beautiful spot. We got hiking early, it was cold again this morning. We haven't seen to many hikers out on the trail, so when we saw two young ladies approaching, we were excited to stop for a visit. Besides we were climbing a hill and I can use any excuse to take a break from that. When they got closer, I recognized them from the trail last year. It was Baggie and Cheeseburger! They had 150 miles of Pennsylvania to finish, and were hiking for a few days. It was so great to see them!! We visited for quite a while and headed down the trail. Privies. The bathroom of the woods. Do not pee in them however. Climb up the hill, open the door, just to see the conditions inside, then pee, and jump in to poop. The seat is cold, sometimes full of sawdust or other remains and try to "relieve" yourself.   I think digging a hole and making a poop grave is way more fun. The weather is getting warmer, or else I am just getting used to the cold.
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Alex Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

We were excited to get moving today because we knew we could get a good breakfast in Boiling Springs, just 4 miles up the trail. I love this town, it is so quaint. We ordered the backpackers breakfast at Cafe 101. It was delicious. Then we headed over to the ATC. We visited with the ladies there for too long. I bought a t- shirt. We left around 11:00 with 14 + miles to go. It was a BEAUTIFUL day for hiking, around 55 degrees and full sun. We made good time pushing through the fields and forests of the Cumberland Valley.   We got into our last climb before the shelter,and took in the view. It was so unbelievable.   You could see through the whole valley. When we got to the shelter, there were three people there. COMPANY!!!   A female!!!   Melissa had just started a SOBO starting at Duncannon. Santa and Pippen are two young men hiking from Harpers Ferry to Maine. It was so nice to have company in the shelter again.