morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-11
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 19.9

We finished the last bit of "The Roller Coaster" and enjoyed the somewhat easy hike along the ridgeline into West Virginia... Mountain Momma! 4 down... 10 to go! We made it to the unofficial half way point, and got our picture taken in front of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. We have quite a few zeros in our near future. Then we'll be moving fast through PA on our way to NY where we'll spend more time with the the home front.
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Harpers Ferry Zero Day

To: Interstate 70 Footbridge
Miles today: 22.8

We left Harpers Ferry early in the morning and made our way across the Potomac River into Maryland. 5 down... 9 to go! We enjoyed and easy hike along the north banks of the river, and then up along a ridgeline for almost the entire length of the day. We got to see many historical sites including Gathland State Park and the War Correspondents, Fox Gap and the Reno Monument, along with the original Washington Monument. At the end of the day, my mom and dad (Ethan's Grandma and Grandpa) were there to pick us up. We'll be spending the next couple days spending time with them and touring a few other historical sites around the area.
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Interstate 70 Footbridge

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

We made our way back thru Harpers Ferry to further explore downtown, the battlefield as well as the ATC. I can't seem to get enough of the quaint little town. Ethan says it reminds him of the time we spent in Germany. We also made our way up to Antietam and immersed ourselves in history, but best of all... We got to spend time with our family.
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Zero Day 2

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 23.4

6 down... 8 to go. We passed the Mason-Dixon Line, and didn't run into any other thru hikers all day. There were however plenty of section and day hikers. We got a little lost near the end of the day... We've only went off trail a few times, but this was the most costly. We went about 1.5 miles out of the way thanks to some fake white blazes. We were the only ones in the shelter, and the rain we got earlier in the day didn't appear to be completely gone, so we pitched our tent inside.
Date: 2015-05-17
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Tom's Run Shelter
Miles today: 29.4
Weather: light rain

We hiked our biggest miles to date. The trail has been awesome. Two days in a row without seeing a single thru hiker. But it's Sunday so still plenty of day hikers and section hikers. We passed the official halfway point at Dead Woman's Hollow Road... There's supposedly a good story around it involving a couple of hikers who parked their car there.   We also ran into a bushwhacker who goes by the name old night hiker. He doesn't like to use trails he just came down from the side of the mountain in the middle of the woods with his dog. Crazy thing is it was about 930 at night and completely dark. He offered us some trail magic in the form of mandarin oranges some semi sweet chocolate chips and some peach schnapps. Weird ending to a great day.
Date: 2015-05-18
From: Tom's Run Shelter

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 22.9

We got up early and headed to Pine Furnace State Park for the half-gallon ice cream challenge. We got there at 7:30 in the morning but they didn't open until nine. We thought about skipping it and keeping on going so we can reach the hotel in Boiling Springs a bit early. But we got suckered in to staying. After our bellies were full we headed out for another easy hiking day. However around mid afternoon the skies lit up. We've never hiked in rain quite like this. Armed with pack covers they didn't do any good. We were soaked but also all our gear got soaked. Good thing we decided to make it to a hotel. The latter part of our hike brought us into the Sasqua Hanna Valley. It looks and smells a lot like Iowa. We hiked through cornfields and could smell a distant hog confinement factory. We saw a few other through hikers today. Werewolf was among them. He decided on a break from the storm as well and staying here at the hotel with us.
Date: 2015-05-19
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: light rain

We left boiling Springs and crossed the Susquehanna Valley... 13 1/2 miles of farmland. We hiked most of the day with Werewolf and also ran into Poppins and Stote several times. Once we made our way up another Ridgeline, the rocks were expected to be far worse than we've ever seen, but they weren't any worse than what we've dealt with already. In Duncannon, we arrived a little bit late in the eve. We ate a plate of spaghetti and made our way upstairs to a rundown hotel room... still better than primitive camping by far. We were planning to zero but this just wasn't the place to do so, so we'll push a little further with the big miles.
Date: 2015-05-20
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Horseshoe Trail Stealth Camp
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: broken clouds

After breakfast and lunch in Duncannon, we didn't get back on the trail until nearly 1 o'clock in the afternoon. We ate lunch and hike a bit in the afternoon with Werewolf, Stix and Buster. The weather was perfect for hiking, so we took advantage and hiked about 1 1/2 hours after dark. We are both getting a little burnt out from the big miles... hoping for a zero soon. If there's ever a place to do the big miles, Pennsylvania is the place to do so.
Date: 2015-05-21
From: Horseshoe Trail Stealth Camp

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We got an early start this morning thanks to what may have been a Porcupine right outside our tent. The morning hike took us through abandoned mining towns and a bit of some old coal country. As we became closer to our destination, the trail became unbelievably rocky we are finally starting to see why they call Pennsylvania Rocksylvania. The 501 shelter is a four sided shelter maintained by someone that lives right next to it. The best part, you can order pizza from town and have it delivered. We went to bed with a smile on our face! We ended up shelered with Brightside, Rolling Thunder, Heat Pack, Buster, Stix, Werewolf, Snickers and Taco. One more day of big miles then hoping for a zero.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow... Rocksylvania just got unbelievably rockier. Our feet are aware of every single one of them. We are still able to do the big miles but not without a lot of pain. There is not much elevation shifts all day... we pretty much just stayed along a Ridgeline. We packed the leftover pizza and eat it for lunch. As we are sitting down along the trail enjoying our food, a couple of trail maintainers came by and gave us both soda pop. It's Memorial Day weekend and the trail is getting more and more crowded with weekend and day hikers. We shared some nice conversation with several of them. We made it to Port Clinton by the middle of the afternoon. We have no choice but to hitchhike to Hamburg Pennsylvania for a resupply. We decided to zero but the hotel is all booked. We have to go another seven and one half miles down the interstate to find a hotel with availability. Thanks to an local trail angel we met at Walmart, the seven and one half extra miles were no problem.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Dan's Pulpit
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

Zack, a trail angel out of Port Clinton gave us a ride from our hotel to the trailhead at about 10 AM. We passed several day hikers and had conversation with many of them. One of them was station on the Kitty Hawk the same time I was. We hiked about half the day with Cruise Control and bumped in the Brightside several times. Great views all day... Pulpit Rock, The Pinnacle, and now we're camped with panoramic views off Dan's Pulpit. Our plan is to slow down a bit so we can line up our visit into New York City with nmy wife and daughter.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Dan's Pulpit

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 22.4

The story of the day was the rocks. They become more jagged with every step. We hiked with Werewolf again for part of the day. But the highlight happened at the end of the day. We made our way into Palmerton Pennsylvania. It's Memorial Day, so everything was closed. The owners of the 110 Tavern opened their doors, cooked for us, and even let us stay in a tent in the backyard. The best part, it was all free!
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 20.1

The morning consisted of a fun climb out of Palmerton. We hiked with Werewolf again, but we parted ways when we got to Wind Gap. We made our way into town... Day two of a hot meal. There wasn't as much love in Wind Gap. However, it was enjoyable nonetheless. Wedid laundry before stealth camping just above the parking lot of the Wind Gap Appalachian Trailhead.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

This morning was probably the worst as far as the rocks are concerned. We are looking forward to a change of pace. The lack of water sources had us carrying much more water on our packs increasing the torture on our feet from the added pack weight. But now we're at a church hostile in Delaware Water Gap enjoying some nice conversation with Cruise Control, Felix, Luke Trail Walker Attrition, and several others. Best of all... it's the third day of a hot meal. We cross the Delaware and into New Jersey tomorrow. 7 down... 7 to go!
Date: 2015-02-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Less than 2 weeks until I fly to Atlanta and the trip officially begins! In the meantime, I'll be packing and re-packing my bag to make it a little less lumpy looking. The weight is currently about 16-17lbs without food and water. I think I'll cover my roll mat with a bin bag, and I'm still not entirely convinced about the position of everything on or in the pack. It seems like no matter what I plan now, I'll almost certainly change everything when I'm actually on the trail, so there is no use worrying about it much.Still, very exciting to be all ready and waiting to go. After nearly a year of actively planning and choosing gear, and even more years dreaming about going, it will great to finally be on Springer in Georgia. It will be even more amazing if I can make it to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. For now though, Springer will do.
Date: 2015-02-28
To: Gear
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Just a few more days until I land in Georgia! This enormous amount of gear is less than 20lbs. (* = items not in this photo)Clothes:long sleeve baselayer topbaselayer bottomsshort sleeve toplong sleeve topfleece toprain/wind coatrain trousersconvertible trouserssocks x3underwear x2sports bracamp bottomscamp topwarm hatsun hatglovesbuffbandanagaitershiking boots (with insoles)Gear:(tent*)backpackquiltroll matsleeping linertent trekking poles x2headlampwater bladderCooking:stovepotsporkchlorine treatment drops(lighter/gas to be bought in US*)Littles:mini towelsmall pen knifesmall first aid kittoothbrush/toothpasteear plugsstuff sacks x3food sack/bear bag kitsunscreendiary/penlip balmhand sanitisercombsoapsunglassespack cover(duct tape*)(toilet roll*)Electronics:cameraipod/wirekindle/wire/waterproof caseUK phonepowerbank
Date: 2015-03-07
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke at 7, along with everyone else in the hostel. I had a microwaved chicken quesadilla for breakfast, which was delicious. I resupplied at the store but it was very expensive. Most items are literally double store prices. But I was extremely glad to get rid of my rice pasta blends and get some pasta and instant mash. I also got a lot of advice from veteran AT hiker, Baltimore Jack. We left at about 9.30, because my trouser button popped and I had to quickly sew it back on. A slow day today. Although a lot gentler than yesterday, it took me a lot longer to climb even gentle inclines. My toes ache from the blisters. My nose is running non-stop. My legs are stiff and achey. I'm making it, but it's taking more time and Mikayla is flying ahead. We saw a lot more day hikers today, and passed a scout group. The sun was blazing all day, but it took a while to warm up. I had to reapply sunscreen a few times, kept my hat and sunglasses on. I even converted my trousers into shorts (albeit with thermals underneath). There was a lot of mud, and even some ice still about. Combined with loads of rocks, it made the trail extremely slippy and I rolled my ankles a couple times. We saw a used up bit of Trail Magic - a cooler full of empty water bottles and cans. And also we saw a lot of scat, so that's every single day so far. But no bear sightings yet. I listened to a podcast about british history for most of the time, plodding along by myself in the sun. The views were incredible on the peaks. It will be a shame when the leaves come in and we miss all that. It just took a long, long time. We hit Low Gap at about 3pm. It was busy but the camp got busier. Only one person, Greywolf, stayed in the shelter and everyone else camped. At least 20 people, with the scouts further up. There were quite a few fires going tonight, it's the first night I've seen anyone do one. Like buses, a whole bunch come at once! Q-tip and Smallfly with their dog Charlie also showed up here. We met them last night at the hostel. Charlie (aka Goat) is an Aussie service dog. Q-tip actually gave us some of their trail made sushi! It was tuna, rice, avocado with seaweed wrapping. Absolutely delicious. It's supposed to drop in temperature tonight, but I'm hoping it just won't rain and then my tent/sleeping bag will do a better job. Tomorrow, we have to walk 15 miles including at least 2 enormous mountains. We are going to gain and lose about a thousand feet multiple times. I hope my feet can survive that. I hope that the sun holds for a little longer, we're predicted rain for a few days next week.
Date: 2015-03-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Shelter
Miles today: 12.5

My favourite part of the night is waking at 2.30am to find the inside of my emergency tin foil like bivvy is positively flooded, and my tent is almost bone dry. What does it take to stay dry around here??!! ~We left the shelter about 8.50, setting off once again into the humid fog. We walked in a train with Greywolf and Reepacheep for a while, but eventually separated into our own usual paces. Before that, we briefly played a game but I realised that it's so hard to even think of anything when hiking.Today there was just one massive climb, Standing Indian mountain that went up to 5,000 feet. After that it was mostly just little ups and downs. There were a lot of fallen branches and trees. The first part of the morning was okay. My feet weren't too bad and my left leg didn't ache. It seems to be like clockwork- after 3 hours my left calf starts tightening and pulling with each step. The afternoon was different. First it rained. Then it poured. Then it monsooned. I was soaked before I could even get my rain gear on. Brightside and Greywolf shot ahead. I met another hiker who was slack packing in the downpour. He didn't seem to know that there was another shelter anywhere near here, so I got a little anxious. But less than a mile later, I found the shelter. It was only 2pm but the day was over, it was so wet and miserable. I shed my rainproof layers and started cooking within 30 mins. I made the decision to stay in the shelter because it was dry and my tent is wet even on a good night. I hope the mice aren't too annoying. Once again, taped/plastered up my toes. At least they didn't get wet today, but I think my blister on the sole of my left foot is getting bigger. Maybe tonight they will magically heal themselves. Unlike many other hikers, we are not going to head to Franklin, the nearest town. Instead, we're going to an outdoors center a bit further along to pick up Brightside's next resupply and to finally take another shower. It will be about 3 days yet though. I have now been on the trail for one week and I'm sick of the rain and fog. But, still glad to be here.
Date: 2015-03-12
From: Carter Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.1

Last night, the mice weren't too bad but one of them definitely ran across my hat and my feet. It was very warm with lots of people. We left about 8.40 today and got into camp about 1pm. There was only one major climb today up Mt Albert. It was an actual rock scramble up. I had to throw my poles ahead and climb up with my hands. At the top there was a fire tower, where I met Brightside and Ethan at the top. There was absolutely no view at all, it was just thick white fog. From there the trail was relatively relaxed, with a few gentle up and downs. We made great time. I followed Brightside, Ethan and Chef whilst listening to music again. It really helps to ignore the pain in my foot.We're in the shelter tonight with almost the same people as last night, except for Reepacheep, who pulled a muscle and can't walk so far. There are 8 of us: Signage (an older woman who is hiking the AT for the second time) Greywolf, Smasher, Brightside and 3 guys from Rhode Island (Frodo, Ethan, Chef). The 3 guys have been making a fire the last few nights. Last night they actually cooked mini pancakes on a fire. I don't know why they carry pancake mix, honey, or spatulas but the pancakes did look delicious.Tomorrow there is supposed to be trail magic at 11, which is quite late for us, since we have to do a bit more than 14 miles tomorrow. I'm not excited about it, since I've noticed yet another blister on my left foot. There are now 4 on my left foot. But fortunately, my right foot seems to be healing very well. This morning, my left foot felt like a club. It was so heavy and just didn't feel right at all. But it seemed to sort itself out later on. I really hope that it won't do that tomorrow. The weather today was foggy but a little cold. We did get a tiny bit of sunshine trying to break through but not quite. Tomorrow is supposed to be very bad weather too, which is not good. We have now passed 100 miles on the Appalachian Trail. Just need to do this 21 more times and then it will be over! Broke my spork today and accidentally set my socks a little bit on fire trying to dry them. My gear spoilage costs are high this month.
Date: 2015-03-13
From: Rock Gap

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

We set off at 8.30, leaving Smasher at the shelter to wait for his dad. Smasher was the first person we properly met on the trail, and he's a cheerful chap, so I am hoping we will see him again sometime. I also said a sleepy goodbye to Greywolf, who opted to head into Franklin tonight. We passed Signage on the trail and she told us she was heading into town for the night too. Yesterday evening, she gave me some special hiker wool to stuff at the end of my sock which definitely seems to have helped with the blisters. Everyone is so kind and helpful out here. The Franklin tourist bus actually arrived just as we reached the road to ask if we wanted a lift in. Regrettably, we didn't take it. It's Friday the 13th and it was definitely unlucky for us. It rained 90% of the day, and not just that drizzle rain either. At least I already had my rain gear on, but it was still cold. The trail was quickly very muddy and miserable. It was impossible to tell one mile from the next, and for the last 2 miles I was convinced that I had somehow missed the shelter. When I finally did arrive at the shelter, it was already full up. It was a group of (I think) military guys who had camped there since lunch, and the Rhode Island express (aka Chef, Ethan, Frodo). Later, a few others turned up, including a woman who I briefly met yesterday, called Deerdog, and the Canadian couple (Axom? and Shrug) who I met at Muskrat Shelter days ago. It was freezing when I arrived at 3pm, but picked up a little later and the rain actually did stop for a while. However, I had already set my tent up in the rain. At least I had managed to mostly dry it out yesterday, but today it still got a puddle in it. I've pulled the sides out and staked them with sticks in an attempt to control the leakage from the rain. I've also put the emergency bivvy to use and half wrapped it on the wetter side of the tent, with my towel laid out on the other side. Early night tonight because of the cold and the rain. Tomorrow morning we might have some trail magic courtesy of the same pancake guy from before - Freshground. I really, really hope so. We will have to do about 17 miles to make it to the Outdoor Center tomorrow night. My left sole blister is doing better, but my little toe has another blister. I don't know what it will be like after tomorrow, but I'm going to ask at the Center if they have anything that can help. Brightside is also still having problems with her shoulder that aren't going to go away. She's jokingly asked me to walk on her back but that definitely would cause more damage than help. We both need a zero day soon, I think.Also the forecast for this weekend is supposed to be really wonderful and sunny. I hope that's true because I am seriously sick of the rain and fog.
Date: 2015-03-16
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 18.3

Quite a restful night, only woke up about 4 times. I had a poptart for breakfast. They're very popular on the trail because you don't need to cook them, and they have a lot of calories. A single packet of the healthier 'fruit' poptart is 410 calories. No one except hikers should be eating those! We left camp about 8.30. The sun was shining bright, but was hotter than yesterday with no wind. I got sunburnt, but not too badly, pretty much everywhere that was exposed. Everywhere that wasn't covered has a layer of salt. There were a few brutal climbs, in particular a section called Jacobs Ladder, which was pretty much a vertical climb for 0.6 miles. I stopped at a privy that had a door and a lock! What a novelty. Apparently some shelters in Tennessee don't even have privies.And I saw some wildlife for the first time today! A little brown mouse thing? I'm not sure what it was, but it was definitely not a leaf. I met up with Brightside and Luke Trailwalker for lunch. I can't seem to consume enough food at the moment, I feel so hungry all the time. I think I have actually lost weight around my hips though, because I can't pull my hip belt strap any tighter and it still feels loose. We ended up walking 18.3 miles today, into Fontana Dam shelter. I briefly stopped at the actual dam to use the vending machine, only to find that it was broken. It was so disappointing. The last couple miles of the 18 today was really tough. My blisters and my muscles all ached severely. The sun was still so hot, I was so tired and hungry, and the trail just went on and on. Eventually I got to the shelter, nicknamed 'the Hilton' because it's unusual amenities. It has space for more than 20 people, a water fountain and rubbish bin outside, and even warm showers in a building up the road! It was really wonderful to take a shower, even if it was a bit gross on the floor. After a day like this, it was so good to wash off all the salt and grime. We also had a bit of bad news. Brightside's drop box won't arrive here until Wednesday, and today is Monday. We were planning to take a rest day tomorrow anyway, but I think now we will have to. I'm not too concerned at the moment, since we have been making excellent time, so it's about time we took a couple days to rest up. And what better place than the Hilton?