morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-07-08
From: Darlington shelter

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Pleasantly cool last night. We awoke to blue skies and a dry tent!  Trail today headed down Blue Mountain, across a few more fields and then up and along Cove Mountain.  AWOL in his AT guide makes an ominous mention of the rocks on Cove Mountain but really they aren't that bad. Great views of the valley, Duncannon and the Susquehanna River from Hawk Rock. Weather clouded up mid morning but there was some blue sky most of the afternoon. A shoutout for the great trail work coming down from Hawk Rock. Tons (and tons and tons) of rock steps. Wreck got to town first and checked us into the famous Doyle Hotel. Ah the Doyle. Built by the Budweiser folks, this was some hotel in its heyday. Alas, like the rest of hard scrabble Duncannon, those days were quite a few years ago. Wreck caught a shuttle to the local market to resupply, we've showered (apparently only the 3rd floor shower has any soap), and cleaned clothes (Wreck, in his rain gear doing laundry, met a very nice local who after talking for awhile proceeded to go next door and come back with a bowl of seasoned rice and some cake - NOTE: Wreck has concluded that in rain gear, with beard and emancipated body he looks like he could use help) Afterwards we went to the Pub for dinner (a second one for Wreck?) and are now rapidly heading toward sleep as a few more fireworks go off in the general vicinity of the Susquehanna and the Saturday night traffic on Market St speeds by.
Date: 2017-07-09
From: Duncannon PA

To: Peters Mtn shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It got a little cool with the window open in the Doyle last night. We had a corner room with curved windows no less. The Doyle in the 30's must have been something. And in reality most hikers we talked with still like it today - although the restaurant/bar downstairs is one of the biggest current attractions. We went for breakfast across the street - nicer than 2015 says Wreck and then headed back on the trail which for the first two miles today meant walking through nearly all of Duncannon and crossing the Juniata and Susquehanna River bridges (and passing the AT only strip club -The Cabin). Then it was up Peters Mountain on well graded trail with plenty of switchbacks. Got to Clarks Ferry shelter and picked up water for the day and for the first half of tomorrow. Ironically, although this was the only reliable water supply on Peters Mountain, it was a fantastic one - we drank heavily and then carried  way too heavy a pack the rest of the day - Wreck alone carried 4 liters of water much of the day. Trail was pretty rocky in the morning - lots of nice trail work positioned some huge flat rocks to walk on - but the rock to rock to rock hiking began to wear down Brighty's feet. Mercifully the afternoons' trail consisted of much more soil and less rock. Poison ivy continues nearly everywhere except the trail itself (lots of nonnative invasives also -  especially Japanese silt grass and mile a minute vine) . Did see some flowering raspberry and starry champion blooming which was nice. Lots of day hikers out on this beautiful Sunday. We talked for quite a while at the Table Rock overlook with a friendly young hiker from Harrisburg. We're camping at a site just a little north of the shelter. This shelter is a super nice two story one but the weather is so nice we had to camp. Not a cloud in the sky currently - we're trying to stay awake to see this sunset. Temperature suppose to drop near 60. Sounds like perfect sleeping weather to us
Date: 2017-07-10
From: Peters Mtn shelter

To: Yellow Springs campsite
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

''Twas the best of mountains, twas Peters Mountain". Well, not really but there definitely was a difference between the two mountains today. Another quite pleasant coolish night. We both slept well. Woke to blue skies and the weather was great all day. Trail across Peters Mountain was nice it's just that, evidently humans have been rough in the past on ole Peters. The forest understory is full of invasive plants.  After about 6 more miles of hiking we dropped off of Peters and picked up some water from Clarks Creek. Encountered some great trail magic there curtesy of a father of a current thruhiker. - cheeseburger, chips and drinks. Thanks so much!!  Powered by our second lunch we headed up Stoney Mountain. Stoney it was but more great trail work. Lots of stone steps, stone waterbars, stone bridges. Lots of stone period. The forest was much less disturbed. Climbing up the mountain Wreck came upon a large black racer stretched actoss the trail doing his impersonation of a traffic counter. We stopped and got some water from Rattle Run and from there to our campsite saw lots of rosebay rhododendron in bloom. Nice trail AND nice woods.  One constant since we've been in PA has been an abundance of fungi (Wreck found this the case in 2015 as well). Very colorful fungi - orange, yellow, red, brown, green, purple and - oh yes white. We're really enjoying them. Quite a few others at this campsite. One of the real downers for us is the number of smokers on the trail (seems like long distance hiking and smoking wouldn't be a winning combination but ....). Anyhoot, when you camp with others you can expect to smell cigarette smoke and alas, this is the case tonight. Ah well - such is life even in paradise.
Date: 2017-07-11
From: Yellow Springs campsite

To: 0.9 m N of I81
Miles today: 12.0

We had a panhandler in camp last night - a white tail deer. It showed up soon after Wreck arrived yesterday. He drove it off after it showed an extremely bold interest in his food bag and pack. Last night after everyone had gone to bed it came back and made the rounds. We were fine but several folks that had clothes and stuff in vestibules had them removed and either chewed on or licked (for the salt). Glad we didn't have to wear them!  Our beautiful July weather transitioned to typical July weather. Warm last night and high of 90 today.  Humidity was up there too. Definitely warm but only really hot in the few open areas we had to cross. Trail worked its way along Stoney Mountain (still our favorite in this area) and then down to Rausch Creek. Picked up water at Stoney Creek before heading up and over Second Mountain. We've noticed several small streams the last two days that must be draining old mining areas (yes, they are orange). Reminds us of our time in West Virginia, which might be almost heaven but has bunches of acidic, orange waterways.  After coming down from Second Mountain we went through Swatara Gap State Park. Despite the parks proximity to the interstate it seems like a nice recreational retreat. The AT, other hiking trails, a bike trail and kayaking river all run through it. Just before crossing the historic iron bridge we encountered great trail magic in the form of ice cold Sprites (same place that Wreck had enjoyed a root beer in 2015). Thanks so much!!  Talked with Lucky as we were enjoying our drinks. He found a banded pigeon the other day on the trail that couldn't fly. Carried it on top of his pack for a day (the pictures were great) until he could catch ride into town to wildlife center. They evidently located the owner and were treating bird until it could be picked up. We told him that was one lucky bird (and he should change his trail name to Birdman). He told us his pack needed an extensive cleaning in the next town. Wanted to get a little ways up this next mountain before camping.  Found this nice site maybe a little too early but we weren't sure about what else was ahead.  We can hear I81 in the distance - that was our fourth and last crossing of it since we've been on the AT.  Temperature is starting to get a little colder so we're anticipating a good nights sleep.
Date: 2017-07-12
From: 0.9 m N of I81

To: Round Head campsite
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke early today. Temperature was nice but you could tell it was going to be a warm one. Finished climbing the mountain we started yesterday. At the top, and for the next couple miles, (say AT miles 1184-1186) were what we both thought were possibly the worst couple miles on the AT. First because it was just covered with non native invasive species - Japanese silt grass, garlic mustard, long bristled smartweed, tree of heaven, mile a minute vine, multiflora rose - all in abundance. The only native in abundance?  Poison ivy!  Second because the trail isn't well maintained (Wreck noticed the same thing in 2015). The tread in most places is 12" or less so in mid July all the surrounding vegetation (we're talking about you, poison ivy) has grown into the center of the trail. Ugh!!!  Thankfully the trail and forest improved afterwards. Sometime before the William Penn shelter Wreck encountered two plump white goats happily eating silt grass besides the trail. Maybe we should employ a team of goats up and down the mid Atlantic AT - there's certain a bunch of silt grass around!  Trail was fine the rest of the day flat but with some very rocky sections. Weather hot and humid but a partial cloud cover and the shade from the tree canopy helped. We reached the 501 shelter around mid afternoon. This is one of those deluxe shelters near the road. The shelter maintainer lives right next door. You can order pizza delivery from Pine Grove so, of course we did. It was Brighty's turn to choose so we had a large meat lovers pizza. Ate it while having a really enjoyable talk with the shelter maintainer, Borderline. We both took advantage of the shelter's solar shower (cool for Brighty, cold for Wreck). Refreshed and fed we headed out a little after 5 pm. The next three miles were the rockiest yet in PA. Got to this nice campsite with a nearby view. Saw a great sunset, just heard a little distant thunder but we're snug in our home away from home and ready for some sleep. Looking forward to another day on the AT!  Brighty thinks PA rocks!! . . . Maybe not!
Date: 2017-07-13
From: Round Head campsite

To: 0.5m S of Eagles Nest trail
Miles today: 9.6

A memorable day - for good and other reasons!  No rain last night and so it was another hot and humid day.  Luckily this morning we passed by a super swimming hole near the Hertline campsite. The 501 shelter maintainer had told us about it yesterday. Beautiful blue pool created by dam on creek, rope swing on overhanging tree. It was only 10 am but too good an opportunity to pass up for Wreck, although his swinging plunge was definitely not the most graceful - it was refreshing though. Trail continued flat with very rocky sections interspersed throughout the day. Went by a little history this morning also, the Fort Dietrich Snyder monument, site of a French and Indian war outpost. Shortly before 4pm, Wreck, in the lead stopped for a break and checked radar. Looked like a nasty weather cell was heading our way. He walked back to Brighty and together they headed back to his original break area. On the way, Wreck in the lead again heard a yell?shout?cry? and turned to see Brighty galloping down the trail. Not a sight he usually sees so he headed back and find out a rattlesnake had just rattled "good afternoon- don't step on me" to Brighty. We alerted a couple other hikers right behind us and got some fair pictures of him heading away. We also concluded that Wreck had possibly walked three times pass the snake without noticing it. (When it rattled a second time as it headed out everyone but Wreck could hear it - water from this morning plunge had plugged up his ears worse than ever.) We decided at the rest stop that it might be wise to set up our leanto due to the approaching weather. Good move as it poured buckets for quite a while. Eventually at almost 6pm we got a short rain stoppage and decided to go no further today. We set up the tent and the deluge began anew. Needless to say, we cooked in the vestibule. Received a total of almost 2" of rain before it died down right before dark. Wreck went out to finish chores and the whole camping site was a pool of water. Luckily our tent was on the edge of the pool but we decided to move it a couple feet further up in case more rain comes tonight. (Unfortunately, that's the prediction). Lots of damp stuff in the tent and packs  but we're semi dry and warm in our tent. Hopefully we don't float away tonight!
Date: 2017-07-14
From: 0.5m S of Eagles Nest trail

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 11.4

No more rain last night but about 5am it started again - but just a light rain. Brighty started out a little after 7am while Wreck packed a very wet tent and headed out shortly after. Despite little rain in the last 10 or do hours the trail in spots was a stream and, in some cases, a cascading one. Feet were immediately soaked but this was the last day of our Phase3a and when you have a warm shower and soft bed waiting for you at the day's end the wetness just isn't that bad. Trail was - again - mostly flat with some very rocky sections and a wickedly steep descent into Port Clinton. Brighty, the snake magnet, was in the lead when we saw a good sized copperhead stretched across the trail. It politely moved off trail - but not too far off. We gave it a wide berth. By noonish the light rain had become a pretty hard rain (think we ended up with s little over 1" of  precipitation today) and that continued until just before reaching Port Clinton when it nicely stopped so we could change into dry clothes at the car, head to Wendy's in Hamburg and then home. Phase 3a of Brighty's AT adventure is complete. PA was rocky on Brighty's feet, Wreck enjoyed the snakes more than Brighty but we both really enjoyed the great colorful fungi we saw. We now will head to a wedding celebration this weekend, will get in a little hiking next week (hopefully), then a reunion in CO. Phase 3b, when we flip to Maine and head south is scheduled for early August.  Stay tuned.
Date: 2017-07-18
From: Gathland State Park

To: Turners Gap, Md
Miles today: 7.5

A couple days home from PA and it was time to get a few miles on the AT in Maryland. Brighty wants to save the last section into Harper's Ferry for her finale so we started at Gathland State Park and headed north. Civil War history walk today as the battle of South Mountain was fought at Gathland (and Fox and Turners Gap) all that we passed today. Weather typical summer, hot and humid. Unfortunately Brighty's heel really started flaring up today. It's been bothering her off and on since near Roanoke but today was the worst. She's going to head to doctors tomorrow to get it checked out. Fingers crossed.
Date: 2017-08-04
From: Turners Gap, Md

To: I70 footbridge
Miles today: 4.7

Well ... Brighty's visit to the doctor resulted in a plantar fascia diagnosis. Rest, stretching and vitamin I were prescribed. We "rested" on a great NPS reunion trip to Colorado.  Now, after some two weeks off trail and with new boots for Brighty, we head back to Maryland for a short test of the heel. Another hot summer day with a smattering of dayhikers and section backpackers. We stop at the original Washington Monument. The heel feels "okay" and Brighty declares herself to be ready for Maine. Plan is to head north towards the end of next week. We'll hike south until her heel says enough or the snow starts to fly (or the combination of long nights and cool weather convince us that we'll finish the rest of the trail next year.) For now it's time to get a couple of root beer floats to celebrate our successful day!
Date: 2017-08-12
From: Katahdin Stream campground 

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 9.9

Will bullet this as we're pooped- up at 5am, on the road from Bar Harbor to Baxter, Pothole dropped us off at Katahdin Stream campground- great to be up in the Maine Woods, met Pothole at Daisy Pond and walked with him to Big Niagra Falls where we had lunch- followed a beautiful stream (the Nesowadnehunk) down to where it joined the West branch of the Pennobscot River. Then  a couple of miles of river walking. Mosquitoes plentiful. Both of us actually had to apply Deet twice during the day. Quite a few rafters on the river today. Met Pothole at Abol Bridge and off we go back to Millinocket for the night.
Date: 2017-08-13
From: Millinocket

To: Nesowadnehunk Field campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Stayed in Millinocket last night. Up and had breakfast at the Appalachian Cafe, checked out Brighty's favorite art gallery in Millinocket (the only one?) and the temporary visitor center for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. This is one of our newest park units preserving a great section of Maine's north woods adjacent to Baxter State Park - a couple great floating rivers, unique geology, etc etc. After that we headed out to the monument. Just dirt roads now and in Potholes Prius we were hesitant about taking the loop road. Got over to the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Already looking forward to coming back for some paddling. Next we headed up to the north gate of Baxter, Pothole's favorite section of the park. Stopped at South Branch campground to visit with ranger friends of Pothole and then on to this campground, closest to the AT that we could get reservations for. Plan is to camp here tonight and head to Katahdin Stream early tomorrow and climb Katahdin. Early to bed - so we can be early to rise
Date: 2017-08-14
From: Katahdin Stream campground

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2

Climbing day!!!  Up before 5 am to break down camp and drive over to Katahdin Stream campground. Plenty of parking at 5:45 am. Ate breakfast, packed and started up the mountain by 6:20am. The Hunt trail (AT) starts gentle, after about a mile it gets steep and at about 3 miles it gets really steep (hand over hand steep). Iron hand/foot holds in the really steep spots. Brighty did great (a reoccurring theme all day). With Pothole leading the way and Wreck providing an occasional helping shove from the rear we reached the Tablelands on top the mountain by 11:30 am. Another mile plus and we were posing for pictures on the summit. Great weather, fantastic views (going up and at the summit) large crowds on top. Due to time considerations we decided that we would go down via the Saddle trail (more great views). Pothole galloped down the Hunt and drove around to pick us up at Roaring Brook campground. Fantastic day. There's a reason the Penobscot Indians called this mountain the greatest. Unquestionably Wreck favorite mountain on the whole AT. Thanks to Pothole for his phenomenal assistance. Without him, it wouldn't have been nearly as good. Got to the Millinocket hostel about 8 pm. Ate a celebratory dinner at the Scodic Inn, showered and it's nearly 10 pm. Sleep is calling - loudly.
Date: 2017-08-15
From: Abol Bridge

To: Rainbow Lake 
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Quick, quick turnaround for us. Up at 5 am. Wreck headed over to the Appalachian Cafe where he bought sausage biscuits (and coffee for Brighty). Ate and packed back at the hostel and caught shuttle to Abol Bridge. Best view of Katahdin on AT is from Abol Bridge.  Took some pictures and headed south.  The northern half of the 100 mile Wilderness is pretty tame. Only "climb" of the day was up Rainbow Ledges. Another great view of Katahdin. Not a whole bunch of trail traffic today. Two other southbounders and a handful of northbounders. Both of us dragging despite the easy terrain - hungover from yesterday's climb. Got to this campsite about 5 pm. Pretty large crowd here now (mostly bubble of NOBOers). At the tail end of dinner the rains started (beautiful blue skies most of the day). We're in the tent hoping for a break to brush teeth before sleep. Doesn't sound like it right now.
Date: 2017-08-16
From: Rainbow Lake 

To: Sand beach, Nahmakanta Lake. 
Miles today: 12.3

Well, the rain lasted longer last night than we did (no teeth were brushed). Both of us slept hard. Woke to the cry of a loon - further proof, not that we need it, that we're not in Virginia. Today's trail profile looked pretty flat - but nothing in the 100 mile is too easy. Lots of roots, rocks, and short steep ups and downs. There's been a ton of great trail work through here but this is a rugged stretch of AT - the "to do" list of trail improvements is still a long one. Brighty's feet were feeling it today - and not in a good way. Hopefully better Vitamin I management will help. That said, this is a fantastic area. The lakes, ponds, and streams are beautiful. Yesterday we followed the shoreline of Rainbow Lake for miles. Today it was the Roaring Rainbow and Pollywog Steams. Pollywog gorge was pretty impressive. Wreck declined to get to the very edge of the rim. Great rock everywhere - huge square boulders, cliff faces all covered with moss, ferns, lichens, and, in some cases tree samplings. Love the smell of the spruce fir forest . Not a lot blooming now but lots of berries - blueberries to eat, and red (painted trillium and bunchberries) and blue (bluebeaded lily i.e. clintonia) to enjoy. Got to this great campsite on Nahmakanta Lake a little after 6pm. We borrowed two lawn chairs from  a boaters campsite down the beach and enjoyed some cheese and beef stick at the waters edge. Ate our dinner there as well.  Just as the sun disappeared a moose came out of the brush maybe 60 feet away and walked into the water for a drink. How's that for a great end of the day?  Unfortunately neither of us had our cameras ready. By the time Wreck got his it had walked further down the beach and was heading back to the woods. Still exciting. Definitely getting cooler now (felt like the third week of September most of the day). We're bedding down, ready for another good nights sleep.
Date: 2017-08-17
From: Sand beach, Nahmakanta Lake. 

To: Sand Beach, Jo-Mary Lake
Miles today: 11.5

Not as cool as we thought it was going to get last night. Had breakfast on the beach (we're going to miss those lawn chairs) and off we went. Another picture perfect weather day. While it had some really rocky, rooty sections, lots of nice trail today.  We hiked along Nahmakanta Stream for a long stretch. Almost all the foot traffic is heading north - ran into a father\daughter team that we met first down at the Woods Hole hostel. Dad (whose been joining his daughter for various sections) tore his rotor cuff just south of the Maine line and still hiked for several days through perhaps the hardest miles on the AT.  Hurt us just to think about it.  Brighty's feet held up better today so that's good news. Her feet were still happy to get to this campsite - another beautiful sandy beach (no lawn chairs though). Wreck went for a swim and we both laid out and enjoyed the late afternoon sun. One other hiker here, Action Jackson, hiking north. Nice guy, excited about finishing the journey. We've eaten, completed chores and as the sun sinks behind the mountain have been driven into the tent by the "no see 'ums". We'll enjoy the last bit of twilight from inside the safety of our insect netting.  Good day today. Looking forward to tomorrow!