morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2022-05-28
From: Harpers Ferry mile 1025.2

To: Rocky Run Shelter mile 1041.8
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: few clouds

Orchid prepared bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches and hard boiled eggs the night before. Had one sandwich for breakfast and one for morning snack and then the eggs for an early lunch. Definitely a bit sore start today. It wasn¢t too bad although it took a while to loosen up. Pack is back up to about 30 lbs with food and water. Today Pilgrim left first. We had a short hike until we got to the historic part of Harpers Ferry were the AT actually goes through the town. Once we caught up to Pilgrim on the climb to Weverton Cliff¢s we all hiked together for the rest of the day. Took the side trail to the cliffs which overlook the Potomac. Saw Cholula at the cliffs. Stopped for a rest break at the Ed Garvey Shelter were we saw Grass who is hiking with his father for a couple of days. Coming down into Gathland State Park we found some trail magic. A church group had burgers, dogs, fruit, snacks, dessert, and a variety of med stuff. Had a burger and a bunch of fruit. There is a downside to trail magic in that you don¢t get to lighten the pack. Climbed (of course) out of Gathland where we started getting the Mt Laurel again. They were just starting open and should be in full bloom in a day or two. Took a break at the second view today. Most of the day was in the green tunnel. Found some mushrooms today but not many wildflowers. Camping in the Rocky Run Shelter tonight with the other Thru hikers. Hopefully no mouse issues. Probably should have figured out a way to bring a good mousing cat. It¢s Memorial Day weekend and the campsites are packed with section and overnight campers. A bunch of day hikers have a campfire going and hopefully won¢t be up too late. Stumbles was at the shelter with some additional trail magic. Hopefully we won¢t have issues at the next shelter. One state down. Steps 28800Weather Forecast: 78/57 partly sunny. Sunny skies all day. Started at AT trail Mile 864.2
Date: 2022-05-29
From: Rocky Run Shelter mile 1041.8

To: Ensign Cowell Shelter mile 1057.6
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

Got up at 6 and was out of camp by 7:30 including eating and a stop at the privy. Pilgrim, Orchid, and I hiked together again for most of the day. The Mountain Laurel are almost in full bloom and we went through many areas of dense patches. Walking into the Washington Monument State Park there was breakfast trail magic hosted by a couple from Ohio. Eggs, biscuits and gravy, hash browns, bacon, coffee,and snacks. It was only about 1.5 hours after breakfast but I was able to eat a hash brown and some bacon. Leaving there we climbed the monument and got some nice views down into the valley. A bunch of miles later we started the climb up to Annapolis rock and then Black rock cliffs. Got some nice views and believe we could see Hagerstown. Annapolis rock has a Mcafee Knob style outcrop. Ate lunch up at the top. Leaving lunch we had about 5 miles to go and about 2.5 miles from camp we caught up with some college kids who were out ¢just doing the MD miles¢ of the AT and hiked with them into camp singing songs and telling jokes to pass the time on the rocky trail. Homeless person at the Ensign Cowell shelter when we finally arrived but they moved on about 30 minutes after we arrived. Besides the three if us there are a whole slew of Thru Hiker¢s here tonight. Relish, Play by Play, Sockmonkey, Cholula, Weebles, Chum, and Grass and his dad. Privy was awarded Shittiest Shitter of 2022 so that will be interesting in the morning. Slept in the shelter last night. Tentative plan is Hostel on Tuesday but we might also follow Relish and Play by Play for slightly longer days which may make the Hostel a quick resupply point rather than an overnight. Steps 29500Weather Forecast: 78/65 Sunny skies all day. Started at AT trail Mile 864.2Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-05-30
From: Ensign Cowell Shelter mile 1057.6

To: Tumbling Run Shelters mile 1075.6
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

No great sleep last night. Up every two hours to pee. However did manage to get packed up and eat in 1.25 hours and we were on trail by 5:45. About a half mile out of camp Orchid spotted a bear sitting by a tree. I was a little behind her and by the time I saw the bear it was just a rump retreating through the woods followed shortly by a cub rump as well. That was followed a couple miles later by the second black snake. Climbed up to the High Rock Ledge which was also exactly were I crossed the 200 mile mark. Made my sign and did the photo op and then downed the celebratory Papa John brownie. After that we entered a long period of very rocky trail on our way to Pen Mar Park. We¢d heard there was an ice cream truck there on Sunday and were looking forward to having an ice cream but unfortunately no trucks there today. Crushing blow to everyone as the heat was building. After the park we had a 1/4 mile walk in the sun to the Mason Dixon line where we crossed into PA, completing my second state. After that was pretty much a green tunnel day with ups and downs although the Mt Laurel is still blooming. It seems to grow in clomps so you¢ll get nothing and then a ton. Got to 86 on trail and we were stopping at every creek to cool off. Coming into Old Forge park was evidence of tons of blow downs and some new bridges from storms a couple of years ago. The PATC actually relocated one of their shelters due to flooding from the storm. Tumbling run Shelters (snoring and non snoring) are super well maintained and have a covered picnic table with flowers, privy with TP, and a cold creek to soak your feet in which we absolutely dis. I could only stand about 2 minutes per foot before having to switch. Tenting tonight as looked like the bugs could be an issue. Heat building but should be a short day into the hostel and a needed resupply. Relish, Play By Play, and Cholula came into camp late and Cholula reported that Sparky (who left Pen Mar Park 30 minutes before us) had broken his foot somewhere after and was off trail. Not sure how he got off as we didn¢t see him. Steps  31000Weather Forecast: 88/66 sunny. Sunny skies all day. Started at AT trail Mile 864.2Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-05-31
From: Tumbling Run Shelters mile 1075.6

To: Trail of Hope Hostel mile 1085.2
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

Slept pretty good last night. Seemed like there might be mosquitoes out so happy with the tent decision and kept the rain fly open all night for ventilation. Up, eaten, packed up and out of camp by 7. Naturally there was a climb straight out of camp up to Chimney Rock which was the only view of the day although the Mt Laurel is blooming which is really nice. Terrain varied from soft dirt to small boulder fields and after the initial climb not to bad with climbs. Short day today to get into the Trail of Hope hostel for a resupply and to beat the heat. This is near Caledonia State Park where we car camped a lot back in the day. Got a ride to the Walmart for a resupply, pizza place for lunch, and a chocolate milkshake at DQ from the reverend. Did laundry and shower as well and planned the next couple of days. Sheila tested positive for Covid (she¢s doing good) so this weekend¢s visit was pushed back a week. Hostel is full tonight with several camping outside. Besides Orchid, Pilgrim and Sockmonkey there is Sunshine, Survivor, Gandolph are three older Thru hikers (2 are women). Yogi, Chewy, and the four new Thru hikers that just started at Harpers Ferry Sam, Sean, Hayden, Jason. Steps 20500Weather Forecast: 92/69 & sunny. Sunny skies all day. Started at AT trail Mile 864.2Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...Note Jen is taking care of some other stuff and has limited time right now
Date: 2022-06-01
From: Trail of Hope Hostel mile 1085.2

To: Toms Run Shelter mile 1101.4
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

Real beds are nice even if many hostels don¢t believe in top sheets. Up at 5:30 and out the door at 6:30. The Reverend was kind enough to give us a ride to the trail head. Apparently God is with him as he doesn¢t believe in seatbelts. Entered Caledonia State Park where Dad, Jen and I went camping several times when we were young. AT goes through the day use area which is not far from the pool. I really don¢t remember much of the park. Figure we probably hiked some of the AT but don¢t know. Naturally immediately after the picnic area was a steep climb marked most difficult by the park. No views today but the Mt Laurel were very thick in spots throughout the day although in varying state of bloom from fully open to just starting to bud. Walked through the first pine forest of the trip and it smelled amazing. Leapfrogged Sunshine, Survivor, and Gandolph for much of the day. We crossed the official halfway mark 1097.15 at the same time as them. I¢d packed in some mint brownies for Pilgrim to mark the occasion and so all four that hit the mark got some trail magic. Less than 3 miles later they also crossed the 1100 mile mark. Temperatures were not too bad at this point but it had been mostly shady. However after that the final stretch to the shelter had limited tree covering and it immediately felt way hotter. Was definitely feeling the heat as it was mid afternoon. This shelter is also right by a stream, which is also ice cold, and there are camp chairs here. Spent much of the late afternoon sitting in the creek with the feet in the water. Storm warning but skies are still clear. A Potomac AT Club Ridgerunner  named Teflon and her trainer are here tonight. We walked up much of Annapolis Rock trail with her. Captain Crunch, Happy (FlipFlop from HF), and Domino Thunder are here as well. Sockmonkey didn¢t make it today so we¢re back to the three Duck-keteer¢s. Another hiker with a bad reputation, that tented at the hostel, fortunately pushed on so we don¢t need to deal with him tonight and hopefully he gets out of sync with us. Staying with family Thursday night. Then two nights in a hostel with a Slackpack day on Saturday, to work around an 18 mile no camping stretch due to narrow corridor in urban area. That will get us to Duncannon PA in 2 not 3 days. Steps 30500Weather Forecast: 86/65 Sunny skies all day. Started at AT trail Mile 864.2Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...Note Jen is taking care of some other stuff and has limited time right now
Date: 2022-06-02
From: Toms Run Shelter mile 1101.4

To: Cousins House mile 1115.6
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The shelter is about 4 miles away from Pine Grove Furnace State Park which is home to the half gallon ice cream challenge. Only ate a small breakfast at camp and then headed out. We got there before they opened and hung out waiting with Sunshine and Survivor until 9. I¢m about 1/10 of the way so I tried the 1/10 gallon challenge which was quickly defeated and had a really good breakfast sandwich. Survivor was working on the her first container when we left. With a scheduled pickup time we didn¢t do the museum.Nice flat trail through the park. Leaving the park we had a long climb up and then we took a side trail up to Pole Steeple, a rocky outcrop which had some nice views. Leaving there we headed for the pickup at Rt 94 from my cousin Karen who lives in Carlisle PA and was gracious enough to host the three of us. She has hiked and volunteered at a Camino in Spain and has a daughter in law (Rock Monkey) who hiked the AT several years ago. We were able to help celebrate her Mother Joan¢s 90th birthday. They took us out to eat and to the grocery store for resupply. Had a really nice visit and got to catch up with family. An awesome time was had by all - thank you Karen!Steps 28800Weather Forecast: 77/57 with rain but never rained until after we finished Started at AT trail Mile 864.2Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...Note Jen is taking care of some other stuff and has limited time right now
Date: 2022-06-03
From: Cousins House mile 1115.6

To: Rt 11 to Kind of Outdoorsy Hostel mile 1132.3
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept great in a bed last night. Home cooked breakfast including homemade yogurt. Had a great stay with my cousin. Can¢t thank her enough. Dropped back off at Rt 94. All of the elevation gain for the day was in the first half. Some fun little rock climbs but no views. Saw the original halfway point mt plaque. Nothing remarkable about the trail this morning. The Mt Laurel continued but was not as dense. Leapfrogged Oz for much of the morning. Got into Boiling Springs which starts the long section with no camping. Ate lunch at Cafe 101 which was pleasant. Most of the afternoon was hiking through fields, along fields, or in a narrow strip of woods between fields. Pretty flat afternoon and was shady for the most part. The honeysuckle was out in full force - quite strong smell. Got a shuttle from Rt 11 overpass into Duncannon, PA where we are at the Kind of Outdoorsy Hostel. Only Joy is here tonight. We¢ll get a shuttle back to Rt 11 and Slackpack tomorrow for a break. Tomorrow we¢ll also resupply for the next 4 day stretch into Port Clinton. Spent a while trying to figure out where to camp but not settled yet. Steps 32600Weather Forecast: 81/66 Sunny skies all day. Started at AT trail Mile 864.2Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...Note Jen is taking care of some other stuff and has limited time right now Because in the end you won¢t remember the time you spent in the office or mowing the lawn. Climb that goddamn Mountain. Jack Kerouac
Date: 2022-06-04
From: Rt 11 to Kind of Outdoorsy Hostel mile 1132.3

To: Kind of Outdoorsy Hostel mile 1149.5
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

Slept pretty good with bed and real pillow. The plan for today is an easy 17 mile slackpack from Carlisle back to the hostel. Got picked up at 8 by the shuttle driver and was on the trail by about 8:40. Fortunately the trail is much more direct than the roads. About 20 minutes into the day the 3 of us passed a Mennonite farm selling fresh strawberries, veggies, and ice cream. We quickly downed a quart of strawberries- my first of the season. Ice cream was considered but passed up in the end. Immediately after crossed over 81 and started the first of several meadow walks. Lots of wildflowers blooming and we saw our first monarch butterflies. We hiked along the Conodoquinet stream for a while and saw a muskrat swimming in the water. We got two nice views during the afternoon. One overlooked the Susquhana River as we did the steep decent into town. Orchid and I pushed to get back to the outfitter before they closed. We ran into Relish, Play by Play, and Big Hungry at the outfitter and went out to dinner with them. Also saw Catchup and talked briefly about his successful 4 state challenge. After dinner Pilgrim and I did resupply at the grocery store about 3/4 miles away while Orchid did laundry. Back and started putting away food, foot soak, journal, and shower. Fighting WIFI so hopefully get some uploads.  For such a simple lifestyle it¢s hard to explain how busy a town day feels. 9:45 and just starting uploads. Plan is four day push into Port Clinton / Hamburg for resupply  Steps 35600Weather Forecast: 83/53. Sunny skies all day. Started at AT trail Mile 864.2Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...Note Jen is taking care of some other stuff and has limited time right now
Date: 2022-06-05
From: Kind of Outdoorsy Hostel mile 1149.5

To: Tent Site mile 1167.3
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

We had decided on an 8AM start. Most of the hostel was asleep by 8:15 and didn¢t wake up until after 7. I was up late journaling and putting away food and spent time in the morning working on my backpack pocket for the vertical stays. The stay wore a hole through the pocket and I was using part if s bottle cap as a temporary field repair. So far seems to be just holding. I ended up leaving about 39 minutes after Orchid and Pilgrim. Forget to mention that Pancakes was also at the hostel- we last saw him at Open Arms hostel. He hiked out with a section hiker Mike that Orchid and i hiked with yesterday and we never caught them. Today had a 12 mile water cary to avoid a long steep decent to a spring. Combined with 4 days of food the pack was significantly heavier and it felt like it as well. Long walk through town and over the Junita snd Susquehanna Rivers. Fortunately the bridge¢s had separated walking paths. Once out of town the trail immediately climbed. Things were good until close to the top when the rocks started, the poison ivy was growing rampant, and there were about a dozen big blowdown¢s. Felt like almost as many blowdown¢s during this stretch as in all of the past week. Also 2-3 times as many had been removed. I tried to wash legs but if I don¢t get PI from today I don¢t know how that was possible as it was everywhere today. We got some views back into town and over the Susquehanna today which was nice. Trail definitely got bit more rocky today- a preview of what¢s to come at the end of PA. After the climb it was mostly a ridge walk. I hit the 300 mile mark a couple of miles outside of camp. We¢re camped just short of a spring at some existing tent sites. Mostly flat so that¢s good and we have water. We¢re on the push to Port Clinton/ Hamburg where we¢re planning to take the first zero in a long while. The shelter¢s didn¢t work out well for a four day schedule so we¢re primarily looking at tent sites. Update: No PI as of day 26Steps 29800Weather Forecast: 78/55 Sunny skies all day. Started at AT trail Mile 864.2Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...Note Jen is taking care of some other stuff and has limited time right now
Date: 2022-06-06
From: Tent Site mile 1167.3

To: Tent Site mile 1184.3
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

Woke up in the middle of the night slightly cool so added the fleece. Around 4 I woke up and added socks and zipped up the bottom of the sleeping bag. Otherwise it was great sleeping weather getting down to 52 last night. Despite an early wake-up we got out of camp about 7:30, well behind our target. There was not alot of remarkable trail today. Most of the trail was really good with only a few spots of rocks. We know the rocky portion of PA is coming soon but so far it¢s not fully here yet. Lots of rhododendron today but it¢s not blooming yet. Some Mt Laurel is still blooming. One downside of the thicker understory is you really don¢t see much off the trail. We had a partial view on the top of a Mt where there were lots of dead trees. Had a meadow walk again and spent time next to two different streams.The biggest thing we were hearing about was the flooded trail from the beaver dam which even had a dry feet alternate. However it was a very short 30m section that was flooded and there was a plank and logs to use so didn¢t get wet at allWe¢re at a tent site again but this time it¢s dry. And no water for 8 miles after. So we loaded up on water for replenish the day, dinner, breakfast, and the morning. Total of 13+ liters or 29 extra pounds of water for the three of us. Fortunately only need to carry most of it 0.6 miles. Probably not all will be needed but most will be drunk. Capital and Strongarm passed our campsite tonight. They were ahead of us after trail magic at Washington Monument so not sure how we got ahead. Sparkles (non binary), Sunshine and Daisy, Big Hungry, Relish and Play by Play are about 1/2 day ahead of us as we seem to be eating lunch where they are camping. Steps 25900Weather Forecast: 81/54 Sunny skies all day. Started at AT trail Mile 864.2Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...Note Jen is taking care of some other stuff and has limited time right now
Date: 2022-06-08
From: Tent Site mile 1202

To: Port Clinton mile 1220
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

With the rain overnight the tent, footprint, and rain gear were still wet when I packed up. Sleeping bad foot end was damp where it was pressed up against the tent edge. I think the tent is 84¢ but at almost 6¢ and with the slope of the tent I basically almost touch at the head and feet. Under very humid conditions there is a significant amount of condensation that collects on the inside and potentially gets on the gear. We went down and checked out the swimming hole and rope swings ( three total) before we left camp. Water and air temperature was cold or we might have gone in. The three of us got on trail about 7.Rocks weren¢t as bad to start the day and had some good stretches of nice trail. More rocks towards the end of the day though. It¢s really hard to predict as you¢ll be cruising on nice dirt trail and turn a corner into a boulder field. Several sections of fern forest and many stretches of Mt Laurel again. Still in full bloom so we seem to be somewhat keeping pace with the season. Got a couple of views today although nothing really spectacular. Lots of pretty unremarkable stretches of trail as well. Didn¢t see many people on the trail today except when we stopped for lunch.I had to stop to work on my left big toe with about 2 miles to go. Was hurting but no obvious signs of hot spot or blister. Put on gobs of ointment and seemed to go better. Shortly after that the trail took a steep decent into town. Lots of big steps and many sections of small loose rocks that were super slippery. Slid a couple of times but no falls. Normally my left foot is the tall drop landing foot as my right ankle is definitely weaker. Switched up to the right foot with the toe issue which made the decent feel really weird. Saw a porcupine climbing a tree on the way down. At the bottom crossed over multiple railroad tracks. Looks like there is a old style train excursion that leaves from there. Shortly after that got picked up by our shuttle and brought to the hotel via WaWa for some food and a milkshake. Lots of hikers here although don¢t know most of them. Oz and Bovi whom we¢ve met before and chatted with Bumble Beast as well.Got a shower and laundry done before heading out to dinner. Back at the room about 9:30, well after bedtime and didn¢t get to sleep until closer to 10:45. Steps 25400Weather Forecast: 80 partly Sunny. Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-06-09
From: Port Clinton mile 1220

To: Port Clinton mile 1220
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

So three hikers with all their wet gear in a hotel room¢¦ stuff is everywhere. And it stinks¢¦ bad. Orchid and I did a resupply run to Cabela¢s and Walmart while Pilgrim iced his leg and did another load of laundry. Naturally we stopped at WaWa on the way home for lunch and another milkshake. Once back in the room organized food for this shorter stretch. Did some repairs to the soles of my shoes to tide me over until Sheila brings new ones on Sunday. Also reinforced the temporary repair to my backpack¢s vertical load stay which had poked through the pocket. Otherwise worked on journal, Instagram, file uploads. For a simple life, hiking is really busy. Getting up about 5:40 to pack up and eat. On the trail around 7. Recently hiking until 5. Setup camp, get water, eat and its already about 7. Figure out what tomorrow looks like, journaling, maybe socializing with other hikers and before you know it¢s 9 PM and time for bed. Steps 8500Weather Forecast: 76/54 and partially sunnyJen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...