morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and out for a short hike to US250 and Blue Ridge Parkway. Stopped for a couple of full up hot dogs and a Pepsi at King's Kettle Corn stand and then walked up to the Visitors Center to await Kim.Mike rolled in about 45 minutes later and we hung out there until Kim got there. We all then went into the YMCA where Mike and I showered (unfortunately the Hampton Inn Kim and I were staying in would not let us check in until 2), and then off to familiar city places like Starbucks to recharge electronics and download books/podcasts, Dollar General for food, a laundromat to wash clothes, Burger King for chow and then back to the trailhead for Mike to head back out. He is moving on ahead while I zero with Kim in Fishersville near Waynesboro.Weather and surrounding views are great. Very much looking forward to spending time with Kim.
Date: 2014-05-24
From: Waynesboro

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Getting caught up on the blog and all things AT. Head out to hike with Kim for a couple of miles before moving on myself onto Shenandoah Park and Skyline Drive. For those of you interested in coming out to hike the AT for a day or overnight or just get together for lunch or dinner from the DC and NoVA area, I will be in the window for next few weeks from Waynesboro to Harpers Ferry and beyond. Please send me a note at awillner07@gmail.com and we can see about putting something together. For potential places to link up, please check out the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website which has parking locations and trail towns and waysides that may be of interest.More to follow and thanks for checking out the blog!Put in a few miles and camp at a packed shelter area - Memorial Day weekend!
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: clear sky

Humid day making my way to the campground. With Memorial Day weekend, many section and day hikers out - good conversations along the way with several. Good to see everyone out.Met up with 3 students who are enrolled in graduate programs at Johns Hopkins. Two are from China, the other from Norway and were out for the day to hike to Blackrock summit. I talk to them a bit about being on the AT, having been out since late March and carrying what I need on my back. They look me over and then I whip some Chinese on them which, I think, takes them aback. We talk a bit more and I move on. I imagine an email going back to China that night from a Baltimore apartment that says in part: "Today we met this homeless derelict in Shenandoah Park who told us he had been in the mountains since March. What I found shocking was that he then spoke some words of Chinese to us. Admittedly, it was very, very bad Chinese but I found it unnerving that even the bottom of their society is learning our language - are they planning to flood us with them? What does it mean Baba?"End of day found me camped behind this camper at the campground enjoying others out enjoying the Memorial Day weekend. A good day all around.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: South River Picnic Area
Miles today: 20.8

Hiked today with Lunch and Captain Phillips (middle and right, respectively). Thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. Lunch is from upstate New York, nice and funny guy, who is a cabinet maker and renovates kitchen spaces as part of his own business. Captain Phillips is from Manchester, England, former Royal Marine and Army soldier, combat veteran of Afghanistan, Iraq and who also served in Belfast. He was named Captain Phillips once others learned that he now works as security on ships that may encounter pirate threats. Needless to say, I had fascinating conversations with both of them as we walked the trail today. I hope to walk with the two of them at some point in the future again - interesting guys and good pace setters.We ended up stealth camping at a picnic area once all the tourists had departed for the evening. Thoroughly enjoyed the day and good to hike with some new friends.
Date: 2014-05-27
From: South River Picnic Area

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Kim, Emily and Sasha drove up to do an overnight on the AT. Met them at Lewis Mountain Campground where I first grabbed a quick shower and laundry so that I could approach my family when they arrived.A talkative manager at the campground gave us some bogus information about how short and easy the trail was to the next campground ("The guidebooks are all wrong." he says. Sidebar: Never believe anyone who says (1) "This next part of the trail is really easy and flat." and (2) "I checked the weather and no rain for the next 3 days!")We did though have a very enjoyable hike to Big Meadows Campground, meandering for about 9 miles and then went to register at the campground (after an excellent burger, onion rings, blackberry shake, lemonade, and cole slaw dinner at the Wayside). Exciting night: Torrential downpours as Kim and Emily broke in their new (tarpless) hammocks; a bear and 2 cubs passed within 100 feet of the campsite (saw 2 other bear sitings); deer came through all night (we are apparently on their migratory path south); people next to us abandoned their campsite in the rain - stuff everywhere the next morning; and we learned that my one man tent can house two more people and a dog in a downpour. Kim and Emily handled it all very well, while I tried to find a motor home to move into - no luck. We were then rewarded with this rainbow - all in all a good day.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Skyland Restaurant
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we hiked down to Lewis Falls and then along a bit of the AT. Emily enjoyed the trail except, as this picture shows, when pieces of wood that looked like animals spooked her. A bit humid and warm. After a good hike, we enjoyed lunch at the Wayside, stuffing ourselves full of chicken fingers, milkshakes, and hamburgers. Mmmmm good.Kim and Emily then drove to Skyland Restaurant along the parkway giving me the chance to slack pack (small pack with very little in it - very nice). About 2 miles out from Skyland, skies opened up, thunder and lightning and fog. Found a place to huddle near some rocks until biggest part of storm passed over and then went on, quite wet, to the parking lot to meet them.All good and thoroughly enjoyed having Kim, Emily, and Sasha come out and join me. Thanks!
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Skyland Restaurant

To: Springfield
Miles today: 0.0

Today took a zero day to rest and recuperate in Springfield. Nice to be back for a visit and to spend time with Kim, Emily and a host of dog and cats.Spent most of the day turning the water faucet on and off to enjoy instant water access; opening and closing refrigerator door to feel coolness and look at food; and just enjoying the fact that, anytime I wanted, I could access a bathroom and all the toilet paper I wanted. A good day.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Springfield

To: Elkwallow Wayside
Miles today: 18.3

Today's hike is dedicated to my father. I walked by Jeremy's Run and Elkwallow, places that my Dad used to take us when we were kids and where I first hiked the AT.This picture is of my brother, Marcel, and me getting ready to head out on a camping weekend with my Dad and the dogs.Thanks to him for planting the seed many years ago that inspired me to take on this trek (although there are times when I am climbing up mountains in the heat and humidity that I wonder why he couldn't have just inspired me to lounge by a swimming pool instead...).My Dad's favorite quote: Press on: "Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin CoolidgeAn inspired day.
Date: 2014-05-31
To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 23.7

Broke camp early and moved through the Shenandoah mountains along Skyline Drive. Stopped at Gravel Springs Hut for a quick bite to eat late in the morning.Late in the day, I stopped at Tom Floyd Shelter - stopped to talk to other hikers I had not met before, Mud and Neckbone. Nice guys and enjoyed a quick conversation before moving on. Learned the value of keeping some extra gas in your tank. I had planned to stop at a new hostel but when I called Cabbins' I was told that there 5 spaces were all filled. So Il looked at the map and, late in the day, hot and tired, took on the hill out of US522 and pressed for another 5 miles into the Denton shelter area, an outstanding shelter with a porch area, solar shower and good tent sites. There I was rewarded by seeing my old friend Hoss (an Iowa lineman) who I had hiked with back in Tennessee. While talking a father of one of the other hikers came over and asked if we might be interested in some ice cold Cokes and grapes that he had brought in. Running into an old friend and meeting a trail angel with a cold drink at the end of the day - does it get any better than this? A good day.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Ashby Gap, US 50/17
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today Kim came out and walked with me out to Manassas Gap Shelter before turning back and letting me slack pack further. A nice walk and we ran into a Korean church group there out for the day where one gentleman told me about the nice and cool water that he had gotten in back of the shelter and was now drinking and immensely enjoying. Without filtering. All I could think was "what are the Korean words for 'bad idea' and 'what is your toilet paper situation?'"I was supposed to meet Kim at a side parking lot but unfortunately missed a not well marked path and kept going. Knowing that I should have seen it by a certain point, I stopped to check my guide, asked a passing trail maintainer for directions, and discussed with another thru hiker, Bucket List, all to no avail. Ahh, but I have my Garmin fenix GPS on my wrist and plugged in the coordinates which told me I had walked a half mile past it; the first time I had used the GPS on the AT. I walked back only to find that Kim was also having trouble finding the location in the car as well. With 2% battery left on my iPhone, we quickly came up with an alternate plan, walk another 3.5 miles ahead and met Kim at Ashby Gap, emerging from the woods to see Kim parked there in our car. Cool!Adapt and overcome; another good day.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Ashby Gap, US 50/17

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

Entered the Roller Coaster today which is a series of, as the guide says, "13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents." Up and down with some good heat and humidity thrown in. Made it through about halfway before setting up my tent at Sam Moore shelter.About 1:30 a.m. I heard some large animal (from my tent it sounded at least 30 feet tall) as it came crashing along the creek, rocks being shoved aside and, judging from the snorting and moving around into and back out of the woods, clearly agitated about something. This lasted for about an hour as this 50 foot tall animal went into the woods and then came back around my camping area (but never approaching my tent). Had the 80 footer tried to enter my tent, it would have limped away with a trekking pole in its kiester and my 1/2 inch Swiss Army tinker knife embedded in its foot - I was ready.Finally, it went on its way and I was able to stop yelling "No fear! No fear!" A good day and an interesting night.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Got up and headed to the Bears Den Hostel. Still in the Roller Coaster but the Den was a quick 3 miles away. When I arrived, there were no other hikers there. The folks at Bears Den allow you to go into the bunkhouse and hang out, drink a soda, shower and relax whether you stay there or not. I went in and took a shower, relaxing and reading (Jack Reacher) for a couple of hours before packing up and moving out.Just before leaving, another hiker came in (trail name: Fusion) and he told me about some good places to stay up north in Massachusetts and Vermont. Fusion is doing a flip flop: started at Springer Mountain in Georgia, jumped up to Vermont to hike south and will then fly back up to Vermont to hike north to Katahdin. He said the great part about doing it this way was that he was able to hike on his own and was the first into several hostels and the hosts were very happy to see him and took great care of him. He gave me names of several: Jail House Hostel in PA; Vanessa Breton in CT; Ten Mile Shelter in CT; West Mountain Shelter in NY; Cornwall Bridge motel in CT; Upper Grass Pond in MA; and Tom Lovardi's house in MA. Looking forward to checking them out.On another few miles to the Blackburn AT Center which is a couple of structures and a nice bunk bed building for four hikers. I was joined there by 25 teenagers on an outing who stayed in the main house and in several tents around the bunk building. I had forgotten how witty and quiet 25 teenagers away from home can be. Fun times and did not sleep at all. A good day.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Miles today: 11.9

Early departure - did I mention no sleep? - to meet Kim at Keys Gap for the walk into Harpers Ferry. We had a nice 6 mile walk in from there and met Mom and Hilda at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. This is the AT HQ and there I got my thru hiker picture taken and a number assigned (409) which I assume they will use should the police need to track me down on the second part of the trail.We posed for this picture in front of the building - Remarkably Kim, Mom and Hilda were willing to pose with me in close quarters despite the smell that must have been hanging around me like the cloud above the Peanut's character, Pigpen. Well done all!From there, we went to lunch in downtown Harpers Ferry at the Private Quinn Pub for a good BBQ sandwich and where the waiter charmed Mom and Hilda with the German he had clearly learned while a soldier in Germany. Then on to Charles Town for a stay in the hotel next to the race track. There my sister Nina and her son, Michael, joined us for a nice evening of sharing stories and getting caught up. Yes, another good day.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Appalachian Trail Conservancy

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked from Harpers Ferry across bridge and along the canal with Kim, Nina and Michael. Good fun and we saw about 20 turtles along the way in the canal water sun bathing and just talking about things turtles like to talk about. Good time hiking with all, thanks for coming!We had preplaced one of the cars at Weverton and there I said goodbye to all and climbed up the hill toward Weverton Cliffs. Nice path past Ed Garvey shelter and then on to Crampton Gap shelter area. In this area, there were major series of Civil War battles fought along South Mountain in particular, and I enjoyed not only the walk along the scenic and nice trail but the experience of hiking through history. Will have to come back and walk some more of this terrain.Finally into Crampton Gap where I found a nice lone campsite and set up by myself. Weather was nice. Ate an easy dinner, hung the bear bag, and got settled into the tent for the night. Slept very well, nice place. Another good day.
Date: 2014-06-06
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Washington Monument State Park
Miles today: 9.3

Experienced a sublime moment today. Woke up early and, quickly packing up, I quietly headed up hill past a couple of tents whose occupants had not yet stirred. Around 7:20 a.m., while listening to Lord Huron's Ends of the Earth, I glanced to my right. A slight wind was blowing which was pushing the leaves of the trees aside and allowing the sun to cast its light and heat on me. The trail stretched long into the distance in front of me, a dirt path and woods ahead inviting me forward The temperature could not have been more perfect and the scene, sublime. Quite emotional actually and I was thankful to have been able to have had that moment.Not publishing a picture today since it would be simply inadequate to capture that scene. Wishing all your own moment of grandeur and awe. A very good day.
Date: 2014-06-07
From: Washington Monument State Park

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

After getting into Washington Monument State Park, Kim and I traveled into Boonsboro to grab a bite to eat before heading into Hagerstown for the night. Along the way, we were comforted to see that Boonsboro is well protected by Brad Pitt as seen in this window in town.Heading out today again from Washington Monument State Park. Moving towards the half way point. All good!
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: light rain

Started off slow today and dragged a bit in the morning after what seemed like a long hot, humid walk - and it was. Got to Pen Mar County Park where there was a open air concert getting ready to begin. While there were hundreds of senior citizens getting settled in, unfortunately none of them appeared to have any food they wanted to give away. So on I went and in minutes crossed the Mason-Dixon line and moved into Pennsylvania.Continued to push on rolling hills until coming into the Tumbling Run Shelter campsite area which was crowded with weekend hikers. As I looked around for a tent site with what little light remained, a guy at the shelter said I could camp in the extra space near his hammock. I turned around to thank him for the offer and found I was facing Gandalf - tall, long flowing white beard and very wizard looking. I did not want to wake up in the middle of the night with him looking over at me, holding up his hiking staff and yelling "You shall not pass!" So I moved on to find what turned out to be a better site with some section hikers and went to bed after a quick bite to eat. Good night Gandalf, good luck with all that.
Date: 2014-06-09
From: Tumbling Run Shelters

To: Midpoint
Miles today: 29.4
Weather: broken clouds

Good long day to the AT half way point. Stopped mid morning in South Mountain, PA, about a mile and a half off the AT to recharge cell phone, grab a cup of coffee and take advantage of the newly installed shower at the South Mountain Tavern. Good break and some nice folks there. Pushed on over hill and dale and came out in the Caledonia State Park. Was about to continue down the trail when I spotted what appeared from a distance to be a snack bar next to a pool - it was and it was open! Score! Hustled over there and ordered a cheese burger, hot dog, ice cream and a Pepsi (Conversation: "Sir would you like a small Pepsi or the 32 oz large cup?" "Ma'am do you really have to ask? Do you have anything larger?") After good discussions with these fine folks and some other thru hikers, I moved out. The calories immediately went to work and I pushed on into the night to make the mid point of the AT where I grabbed a quick selfie.At the halfway point, I wanted to take a minute to thank all of you who have offered words of support through various means over the last few months - it means a lot and has made a big difference in inspiring me to do what needs to be done. Thanks - onward and upward! A good day!
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Midpoint

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I thought it might be appropriate, just after the mid point, to show you some of the moments I carry. These are various things entrusted to me by my wife, kids, and other family members and friends to carry on my journey north. Like the messages you send, they continue to serve as great touchstones inspiring me to move forward relentlessly, day in and day out. Thanks.Today, I rolled into Pine Grove Furnace Park where Kim met me to do some hiking along the AT. While we did not participate in the famous half gallon ice cream challenge, we did watch as multiple thru hikers wolfed down 1800 calories of ice cream in one sitting, some even getting up to go get a cheeseburger afterward. Impressive.Kim and I walked through the park (a day hiker told us the area had served as a German POW camp during the war) and on up the trail with Kim turning back at the 2.5 mile marker. I pressed on in what turned out to be a hot, humid day (luckily I was slack packing), up through 2 rock mazes (formula: Humid + Hot + Hills + Rocks = Not Fun) but eventually I was rewarded by Kim's smiling face coming out of Boiling Springs into the cornfields south of town to walk with me in to our stay that night at Allenberry Resort. Do not let the name fool you, it was a scene out of Caddyshack. Very nice people and folks and everywhere I turned I expected Ted Knight or Rodney Dangerfield to come around the corner. Classic. Another good day.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Boiling Springs

To: PA 850 - Mile 1134
Miles today: 16.8

Very nice walk today. Slackpacked again through relatively flat terrain.   Weather was overcast with rain threatening but it never happened. Slight wind throughout the day and the heat and humidity were bearable.Best thing about today's trek was walking through Pennsylvania fields. Some really nice scenes and it was a nice change of pace from the green tunnel. Walked past Carlisle over Route 11 bridge and back into the woods. One climb to Darlington Shelter (home of the Taj Mahal privy - just a big toilet with two seats side by side where I guess you can hold a conversation with another thru hiker) and then on to meet Kim again at the parking lot. She once again walked up the trail this time bringing a can of beer and a Dunkin' donut - I thought I had died and come back as Homer Simpson. A very nice end to a very good day.
Date: 2014-06-12
From: PA 850 - Mile 1134

To: PA 850 - Mile 1134
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Thought I would leave you with a picture of how I plan to do the second part of my hike.Postscript: The golf cart did not work out. Let me recap the final exchange:Park ranger (coming down trail): What the - ? How did you - ? Sir, please step out of the golf cart.Me: Ni hao ma? Shenme?PR: Sir, you are not Chinese, I know you speak English.Me: It is not as bad at it looks officer. If you will just help me get the back two tires out of the creek, we should be able to get this thing horizontal again.PR: Sir, first of all the Appalachian Trail is for foot travel only...Me: Well, most of the time going uphill in this golf cart I have had to push with one foot on the trail, so...PR: That is not the only problem. The Park Service is worried about animals getting hold of these types of things. A couple of years ago, a kid left a skateboard behind at a wayside in the Shenandoahs and a raccoon learned to use it. Wreaked havoc in the SNP for a couple of weeks. A buddy of mine finally tackled him coming out of a parking lot with some trash bags on the back. Quite a fight apparently, that raccoon did not want to give up that skateboard. If some bears get hold and learn to drive your golf cart... well you can imagine what we might be up against.Me: I get the picture. Sorry for the trouble officer.
Date: 2014-06-13
From: PA 850 - Mile 1134

To: PA 225 - Mile 1151
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

Was dropped off at the trailhead by Kim mid afternoon. After saying goodbye, pushed to make some miles.Did not see many other hikers and ended up solo camping in a nice site tucked into the woods as the sun was setting. Got the tent up, ate a quick meal and into the tent as it got dark. It is always interesting setting up camp with no other hikers around. You get the sense of being truly on your own (at least for a few hours). Will push hard in the morning.