morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-13
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Campsite near Spring before Cedar Cliffs
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Ok it took us three hours to climb what was left, which was most of it, up the Three Ridges from Harpers Creek Shelter. And if that is not a clue¢¦it was a labor. Stopping frequently to catch a breather we climbed steadily literally from the first step out of the shelter. We did get many awesome views through the ¢Green Tunnel¢ that is the AT, but early on they were blocked by heavy fog. On several occasions trail switchbacks gave views up and down where we could see hikers ahead or behind. At times this can be disconcerting as one grows weary and sees but a speck of a person ahead and you know that you too have at least that far to go before the summit. At least today we know that this climb is the last of any significance until we get to Waynesboro. And in my case I head home, but Ed continues NOBO to Harpers Ferry. Once over The Three Ridges we pick up speed. That is good because today we plan on about 10 miles and have 7 yet to go. A sunny day developed and nice weather was a welcome¢¦and a curse when we hiked about a half-mile through a field when we crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once heated up things got dicey. Mainly, we were not finding the so called campsite, even after a SOBO told us it was about a mile ahead. We passed several springs but found no camp worth site on a boulder strewn mountainside with only the AT providing any similarity to level ground. At least we had good cold water. Finally we determined to take any site wherein we could squeeze two tents. And we were blessed with a marked overlook with rocky but pretty level opportunities. Accompanying this site was an awesome view of the Shenandoah Valley. Maybe the best one I have seen yet. This location was also accompanied by cell service, which we had not had for a couple of day so contacting wives was a real plus. Unfortunately, for me I had nearly a total bonk leading up to finding the campsite. I was able to force water but food was another matter. At camp I finally ate some dried fruit and risked attracting animals to my tent by keeping some rather than bear bagging it all. Our planned hike tomorrow was important so we could make Waynesboro as early as possible on Sunday. I had a train to catch and sure want a shower before catching it. And I assume the person sitting next to me would appreciate that too. So I went to bed a bit anxious as to my condition in the morning and how I would manage about 11 miles. Thankfully no real long climbs and we planned an early start to give us as much time as possible.Blessings,
Date: 2016-05-15
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

For some reason I did not sleep too well last night. It could have be partially because other AT hikers in the room next door did exactly what they told us they were going to do while hiking into town¢¦party hardy. Actually they weren¢t noisy enough to keep me awake, I don¢t think. Last night after dinner I had wanted to do Ed a favor and take his clothes to the laundry. He hikes with minimal clothing and must change at the laundromat into a pair of gym shorts and his raincoat to wash. Since I¢m going home I wanted to do that for him. The hotel people told us it was a 24-hour place. After a long walk there last night I discovered it was not. It opens today at 7 so I wanted to hustle there and get¢er done.Once back from that I packed up to be prepared for the shuttle coming at 1:30 and we headed to a popular local eatery, Weasie¢s, for lunch. Talk about a place that is all and more of its advertisement! Fully crowded in a small dining area they were hustling to fill orders and clean off tables as fast as they could. At first glance one can see this is a great place. And it offers amazingly large portions for reasonable prices!!! Just perfect for hikers. Breakfast all day long too it appears. From here Ed and I would say goodbye as he heads one direction to the Rockfish Outfitters to pick up a mail drop and I head the other back to the motel to await my shuttle.It was nice to hike with Ed and I hope we can connect again next year at Harpers Ferry to continue the trek NOBO.On the way to Staunton to catch Amtrak the shuttle stopped at Subway for me to secure food for the 10 hour plus trip. I got to the station with about 45 minutes to spare. Staunton is an amazingly historic city with what looks like most of its building intact and in use. The Amtrak Station like most is location in the old part of town so I could take advantage of that and some time to kill to walk a few blocks of the city. This is definitely a place worth returning to for a visit. The train ride itself was uneventful, just long. I was pleased that we actually arrived in Cincinnati and Union Terminal on time! Time of course was very early Monday morning. To be exact, 1:30ish.Blessings,
Date: 2016-09-30
From: Hampton, TN/Dennis Cove Rd

To: Pond Flats campsite
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

Today I began the last section of the AT that I need to fill in all the gaps from Springer Mtn. to Harpers Ferry. I was blessed to be accompanied on this hike by Chris Pack and Josh Sosby. This was their first hike on the AT. We began our hike yesterday with an almost 6 hour drive from NKY/Cincinnati to Hampton, TN. In Hampton we stayed at the Braemer Castle Hostel, owned and operated by Sutton Brown. We arrived late and had a bit of a challenge finding the hostel after dark. Once in the accommodations were quite comfortable. Mr. Brown would be our shuttle driver tomorrow.I had actually been to Hampton in 2014 and utilized Mr. Brown's Grocery for dinner and some resupply while staying at the Kincora Hostel. Our day began with breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. What better fuel for a hike! First we were shuttled to drop our car, actually Chris's truck, at the TN 91 trail head. This is where our hike would end on Sunday. We then were delivered to the trail head at Dennis Cove Rd.The first stop was Laurel Falls. I was anxious to see this as I had heard how beautiful it was. To this point the trail was nice and relatively flat. Beyond we began to climb Pond Mountain. Pond was more of a challenge that I expected and my two partners were somewhat unprepared for hiking in real mountains! In our home area there are hills but nothing even close to a bona-fide mountain.I had planned a short day partially for this reason, plus a warm up to a longer day tomorrow. Let me tell you was I glad to be back on the AT. The first blaze got me to realizing I was in a way "home". This year of only just making up missed sections has not really quenched my desire to get on with my journey to hike the entire AT.
Date: 2016-10-01
From: Pond Flats campsite

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

After a much harder than expected hike up Pond Mountain, we found a very good campsite..and slept good. Today's hike started off quite easy as we descended Pond Mountain to Watauga Lake and Dam. We had absolutely beautiful sunny weather, coolish temperatures and nice views much of the day. We ate breakfast/lunch at the lake, filled up with water and headed on after about 45 minutes. Shortly we would be in the area where bear activity has closed an AT shelter and curtailed all activity, except hiking through on the AT. When we passed the shelter a few folks were there, but looked like they were not staying but just resting. As a reminder, this section I skipped in 2014 specifically because of bear issues and being alone at the time did not want to risk not being able to pass through far enough to miss nosy and hungry bears. About 1/2 mile past the shelter, I was behind Chris and Josh enough that they were out of sight. I hear a voice hollering and soon distinguish a man is calling after me.   Behind me coming up toward me is a man obviously not a hiker as he had no equipment. Turns out he was a fisherman who had arrived to the area by boat. He and a buddy, had a visit while camping last night from a "black panther" that destroyed coolers left in their boat. Upon a short quiz..he didn't know the area was closed due to bear activity; he showed pictures of puncture holes in coolers...just like a bear's claws or hey maybe a "black panther" too, would make. He seemed to buy my explanation that it was in no way a black panther and seemed genuinely alarmed that he had camped in a closed location. I even pointed out a sign just down the trail a bit, that he had passed as he caught up with me. Well this area has been closed for three years now because of bears and it sure looks like at least one more. I caught up with my team at the dam, where we headed back up the mountain starting with a rather tedious road walk. Thankfully, a lot of daylight even for the fall season was still remaining as we had plenty of uphill hiking left before reaching camp.  Heading into camp the young guys were again ahead of me.  Upon reaching Vandeventer two hikers already set up in the shelter pointed me down hill toward the water source to where the other two had decided to set up camp.  At a saddle, and still about 400 yards up from the spring, they were in process of pitching their tent.  Unfortunately, we would be sharing the leveled area with a hive of yellow jackets!  Thankfully at the late evening hour and darkness fast approaching they were hardly active at all. One of the guys has headed out to find the water source to no avail.  Fortunately, one of the hikers at the shelter had informed me that it was a piped spring.  We would need to find that water in the morning for sure as all water sources ahead were reportedly dry until after the trail head at TN 91, about 11 miles north.
Date: 2016-10-02
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: TN Highway 91 (and Home)
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

This morning I begin the last leg necessary to fully complete my AT journey from Springer Mountain to Harper's Ferry.  2016 has been used to fill in not so much to advance in my journey to hike the entire AT.  Obligations this year have made hiking more unfeasible.  Next year I will embark northward from Harper's Ferry.  Before leaving our campsite the three of us head further downhill to locate that spring, which could not be found yesterday at dusk.  Once found it was a steady trickle and took a long time for us to all fill up what we would need for the entire day.  Most of the day was spent in the woods without much views.  However, the view from Vandeventer Shelter is awesome.  The trail was offering us a rather easy day as the terrain was primarily downhill with only short uphill sections.  Some may think this odd, but I was looking forward to seeing the Grindstaff Memorial.  I had read about it and wanted to see how deep into the forest it actually was.  See picture.  It is a rather crude stone and concrete structure.  Can you imagine getting the coffin and materials up onto the mountain in 1923. That must have been a real chore; done by really dedicated and loving family and friends.Approaching TN 91 and our cars, we began to see day hikers.  Just before that though a hiker passed me who was obviously out for a long time.  From experience I could tell he had his "hiker legs" and was rolling along.  Hiker legs we did not have as it takes at least 4 to 6 days for most to start getting into that kind of condition.  Asked him where he had started that morning.  He had started near where we had started the day before!! He was moving!  Youth and hiker legs how awesome.  At the car we took our time getting ready for the 5+ hour drive home.  A nice long weekend to finish this part of my AT hike and with two friends to boot.  Just a fine finish. Thanks Chris and Josh.Logman
Date: 2017-05-12
From: Home

To: Harper's Ferry, WVA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well the next section finally begins!  A journey that began in 2014, was planned to be completed in 2015, was not a reality.  Things happen, my plan certainly was not God's for me. I learned a lot about myself; met many good people; and, a few that I still keep up with.  After basically a year off from my AT journey, I will begin again just over a week.  From here on out I will be more realistic about daily mileage, although I do want to push myself some.  And importantly I'm more realistic about the amount of days/weeks apart from my bride of almost 44 years.  Being away from her has been my most challenging challenge..and I knew that would be from day one in April 2014 the day I started the Approach Trail to Springer Mountain.  This section will be about 300 miles.  I have already begun planning the next section which I may do yet in late summer/early fall of this year if time allows. Right now as this is being written, I have been putting final touches on mail drops, gear preparation and plans we have for a "meandering" trip back home from Delaware Water Gap.  Cath will be meeting me there and our trip home will commence.  The plan is for that part to take about a week, including a stay in Northern Ohio Amish country before heading south and home.  I'm a bit concerned about being in less hiking shape as I wanted to be.  Weather, job commitments, and even a slight foot issue  have deterred training I had hoped to do.  And leading up to leaving this next week is chocked full of obligations as well.  One thing is certain...I will be glad to be underway with only hiking, journal writing, eating and sleeping to focus on...and of course enjoying the view from the trail.  Blessings,
Date: 2017-05-21
From: Cincinnati, Greyhound Bus Station

To: Pittsburgh, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Yes, it's true. I'm traveling by bus. I would have rather been on the train again, but connecting schedules from DC and Harper's Ferry allowed only one hour leeway to arrive and depart. The Bus option approximately 12 hours...too long but safe. So here I am on the way to Pittsburgh where I change busses for the last leg to DC.This is a long layover, approximately 3.5 hours before leaving to arrive in DC at about 4:30am. Yes, that's as in the morning. Jim Weber, a Journeyman at Reset Ministry, who is from the Pittsburgh area recommended a place near the station within easy walking distance. And after sitting for several hours walking was relaxing. I ended up not eating at Jim's recommendation but at an awesome fish grill nearby. One thing I feel certain and that is after this pre-hike journey I will be ready for the hike to begin. The photo from the start is the bus station in Cincinnati conveniently located adjacent to the Jack Casino. So far I've seen 3 bus stations each better than the last. Ugh...for Cincinnati!The last stop today, which is not the last for the trip, is somewhere between Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Why we go to Baltimore and back to DC is odd. Anyway the hope is that I can sleep some before DC. In DC I have a monster of a wait of about 12 hours. Plenty of time to finish one of the two e-books I have. Union Station is very near the Capitol Building. Should I stop by? Blessings,
Date: 2017-05-22
From: Bus

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0

Having arrived at the station in DC about 4:45 am or thereabouts and scheduled to catch the MARC train to Harper's Ferry at 3:30, I knew there was to be a long sit. I didn't however think it would be as hard as it was...not by far. First off there was no place that I could find to recharge my phone. Very problematic when that was to be my reading material for the day. I sparingly read my ebook off and on all day. Sleep...no real sleep now for well over a day. Surprisingly I actually don't feel that bad. A good sleep at the Teahorse Hostel will be imperative for a good first day of hiking tomorrow. The final obstacle was how cumbersome my backpack is in the protective travel case. It was so much so that going to the men's room was even a challenge. Didn't really want to spend more but decided to pay for two hours of storage time for my bag so I could take a walk. Sitting for so many hours was doing me no good. Weather outside the station was nasty rainy but I had a small umbrella just for that occasion The Capitol was not far away so that was my destination. Back at the station I enjoyed more time without the big bag before retrieving it to await the train departure to Harper's Ferry.Arrived in Harper's just after 5 pm; went straight to outfitter to purchase fuel, which I could not travel with and then headed up hill to find the hostel. Nice place and anxious to eat something buy food items I did not carry from home and hit the sack for much needed and awaited sleep.Three others at hostel tonight: Pipp from Florida; Sweeden from New Jersey and Daddy Long Legs from Georgia. Blessings,
Date: 2017-05-23
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

A Perfect start to my journey...good weather, a level canal path leading out of town for first few miles, and a good rest after a long trip here. Walking was a good elixir for the sitting I had done. About halfway in the trail went through Gathland State Park, the first of several Civil War historic sites this section will take me through or near. While there another hiker, like me, was reading the information signs, as we got headed back to the AT I asked if he was a thru hiker...yes...where you from...Campbellsville, Ky!! Wow the first guy I meet is another Kentuckian. Good campsites at the Crampton Gap Shelter. Met a "just out of college" hiker...Eric, recently graduated from Wake Forest. He studied economics. He seems to be carrying too much stuff. Rain was expected tonight. Thankfully it began after dark and was light.Fairly easy hike today. Good to get started into shape, which I estimate to take 6 to 8 days.Blessings
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept great last night for the first night in a tent for while. The bit of rain last night slowed the start and was just a little concern as the planned length today of 12 miles may be long for day two. And with heavy rain expected tonight I wanted to reach camp early before it began. Hate setting up in the rainMore interesting historical sites today. First up was the Reno Memorial commemorating the site where the first Union general was killed in the Civil War (Reno). Very interesting to pop out of the woods into well kept clearings at these sites. Next up was the Dahlgren Backpackers Campsite complete with restrooms and showers. Not quite in the middle of nowhere but a good spot. I stopped long enough for a bite of lunch and to dry the tent. While there I meet Mike a guy about my age out for six days and going north like me. We hiked together the rest of the day.The final historical monument of the day was the original Washington Monument. Very cool with one heck of an awesome view. We spent about 20 minutes there before pushing on.Right before camp the AT crosses I-70 on it's own footbridge. That was kind of fun. At camp we quickly got to work setting up as the sky darkened, the wind picked up and the feel of that storm pressed on us. After getting tents up, the next challenges were eating and refilling/filtering water for tomorrow. That done I hit the sack certain that rain was coming.Blessings,
Date: 2017-05-25
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

It did rain last night...a lot...and much more early this morning. My campsite turned into a pond. Luckily it was daylight when I discovered that so much water was there that I had to get packed in order to keep as much dry as possible. The packed tent weight was easily 6 to eight pounds. Normally just over three. The food bag which was hung up on a bear pole was of course soaked. Thankfully I got my clothes, except the ones I was wearing safely in my dry bag. The sleeping bag too put away. Leaving camp the rain was so intense it was hard to see. Fortunately, these were intermittent hard downpours.And of course the day started with a climb...and my back many pounds heavier than usual. The forcast didn't look promising for an opportunity to stop and dry out. The casualty of the day was my Spot Messenger stopped. That hurts. I stopped at the next campsite about 1/2 way up the first climb that had a covered picnic tables to change batteries to see if that works. Nope. However, I did meet Ed from Arizona with whom I would hike with for the next two days. Ed, is a retired Firefighter/EMT. Again today we were hustling to reach camp before the next evening storm. Not much to see today and not much time to see it. Right before a very challenging climb and with the storm making noises, we had to ford a stream, my first on the AT where shoes had to be switched to camp shoes for wading. As a result of all that I did not quite make it to the Shelter before getting wet. My tent still way too wet to use, I was thankful that this was an awesome shelter with plenty of room for all. I was completely exhausted after that final climb and blessed with a whole bunch of really fine young adults at the shelter. One young man hung my food bag so I wouldn't have to get wet again What a blessing to see such good young folks out here.I really had to get my stuff dry as carrying the extra weight was a burdon. Good thing tomorrow appears to be a better weather day. Some trail names: Mumbles and Buffalo, Chili Mac, War Cry, KB (will change to Pickles when I see her next), Rocket Man, Katz, Cricket, and the guy helping with my bag...Tasteless.Blessings
Date: 2017-05-26
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 9.6

After a most challenging day, I decided to hike short today. Also very much wanted to avoid tenting so as to keep tent dry. I had stopped today at Pen Mar Park to dry my tent and didn't want to get it wet again immediately; also one reason to hike short because we had left camp late after wiping it some and then one hour spent at Pen Mar to dry. Along the way shortly after the Park I passed the boundary marking the Mason-Dixon n-Dixon line. "Honey I'm not in the South anymore. "Ed got off trail Near the Park to resupply. We hope to meet up again as he will not be taking an extra day. The rest of the hike was rather easy today. I was looking forward to arriving early to rest , eat better than I had the last couple of days and rest before pushing on early tomorrow morning to pick up lost miles and to get back on schedule with adding more miles not hiked today.Walking into camp I saw War Cry, a lady hiker from Colorado I had met earlier in the day, moving her tent. The reason, two guys already set up in one of the two shelters had discovered two rather healthy and beautiful black snakes near her campsite. Seven feet of one was actually climbing a tree. Black was preferable as War Cry had heard that rattlesnakes had frequented the area last year. I have heard that black snakes scare off rattlesnakes. ..let's hope so. I shared one of the shelters with just one other guy. A rather unusual guy from Michigan and huge. He was having trouble breathing, could hardly get to his feet, and I have no idea how he hiked here with very heavy gear. I will say he was very knowledgeable of the AT and according to him had been doing small sections since 1989. Great meal of bean and cheese burritos! Can't hardly wait for town food tomorrow.Blessings