morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-26
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Pen Mar County Park
Miles today: 4.6

I awoke around 6:00 AM this morning feeling like a dump truck ran over me yesterday. I made breakfast and packed up camp and started my walk. My legs said "NO" and my brain said "GO" so I went. I had one real bad rocky steep downhill climb. Some drops were over 2 ft jumps to the next rock. It was rocky all morning. My knee braces were digging in behind my knees and taking skin with them. My right foot felt like the start of a blister. My shoulder pads were digging in and I was exhausted, to say the least. I walked into Pen Mar State Park around noon. My guidebook said they had vending machines so my mind was set on a cold coke. No machines were there. What a bummer. I saw a shuttle driver at the park that I had seen at a road crossing on Wednesday. She had given me her phone number in case I needed help. Well, I needed help. I was hurting from raw skin from my knee braces and my right foot was on the verge of a blister. She gave me a KoolAid drink and some fruit to eat. Oh yum. I called my wife and said I'm totally bushed and I'm asking the shuttle driver to take me to Waynesboro, PA to a motel to rest and doctor my legs. I got to the motel around 2:00 PM and cleaned up and dressed my bloody knees. I went to Applebee's to eat and then went to Wal-Mart for bandages and other stuff. I went back to the motel and did some doctoring up on my knees. I washed my clothes at the motel because I was a sweating mess. Temps outside were in the 80's. I cleaned my camp gear and tumbled into bed after watching "Alone" on TV.Thought for the day:We all learn by our mistakes and sometimes it's not pretty what we put ourselves through. Good day.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-05-27
From: Pen Mar County Park

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up this morning in Waynesboro, PA in a motel and felt refreshed. I shaved and cleaned up and went downstairs to a motel breakfast. Then I walked to WalMart and got a new umbrella and 2 leg wraps. When I got back to the motel, I shaved my head and showered and packed my backpack. After I had all my camp dishes washed I walked to the post office to mail stuff home. I had too much stuff to carry. I called Dennis the shuttle driver and he took me to Pen Mar State Park to restart my hike. It was a real good trail - almost no rock walks. It seemed like Virginia. I got to Deer Lick Shelter about 4:00 PM. I went 5 miles in 4 hours. I didn't need my knee braces which was good because the back of my knees were ouchy yet. I cooked supper and filtered water for tonight and Saturday for breakfast and part of Saturday. It started to rain about 7:00 PM but I was in my dry tent. The shuttle lady that took me to the motel on Friday had the inside roof liner of her van removed and hikers wrote on the roof. She gave me a marker and now The Leopard has his name on her roof too. My information bird is travelling with me again. I just have to pay attention to it more. It has been 3 days now that it followed me. Oh yes!Thought for the day:Everything has been thought of before. The difficulty is to think of it again.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-05-28
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Rocky Mountain Shelters
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I got up to a warm wet morning. It rained 1 1/2 hours during the night and everything was wet. My tent seam on the bottom of the tent sat in water and it seeped in under my mattress pad. So I had a wet pad for the sun to dry out. I hiked 10.2 miles today with some minor rock climbs but overall good. In the afternoon I met a couple guys hiking a section and one had lost his fitbit. I just smiled because I don't care for stuff like that. It doesn't make you a better person or the world better. I got to Rocky Mountain Shelter around 4:30 PM. Oh yeah, about a mile before camp I met a hiker that said a momma bear and cub were ahead. I didn't see them but maybe they saw me. At camp I met a fellow hiker with a trail name of Hooshr and I said I think my wife is following you on trail journals. I called my wife and she said yes he's the one so I let Hooshr talk to her. Life is so amazing when things happen in unexpected ways. It was a hot day for hiking. The sweat rolled more than the miles. You know us old goats shouldn't be out here, but we are. I had spaghetti and meat sauce and hot chocolate for supper and then my lights went out and sleep was sweet.Thought for the day:There is no better exercise for strengthening the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-05-29
From: Rocky Mountain Shelters

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at 5:45 AM to a brand new day. It will be miles before I sleep. My breakfast was a cup of soup mixed with instant potatoes and a package of spam. I hit the trail about 7:30 AM for a cool walk. I had a few bad rock climbs but stopped short of calling myself an idiot for being out here. Almost a mile before Caledonia State Park the trail got nice. In 2 hours I had done 3.4 miles. I'm going to get food at the park snack bar which opened at 11:00 AM. I got to the park about 10:00 AM and then worked on my journal until the snack bar opened. I ordered a quarter pounder with cheese and 2 hotdogs and a pepsi. Oh yum. I headed out for the Quarry Gap Shelter 2.2 miles away and it was a steep climb and 80+ degrees. The sweat rolled! I arrived at Quarry Gap Shelter about 2:00 PM. It was the best shelter ever. The floors and walls were painted. There were flowers growing outside and there was even a sundial. The caretaker was going up the same time I was. He had a 2 wheel cart with a bucket of pebbles that weighed 80#. Wow. The place looked like a homey place. I left for the next shelter about 7.4 miles away. It was nice walking - mostly - some ups and downs. About mid-way I heard some wicked loud cycles and thought they were on the road but they weren't. They came around the bend on the trail and they were flying. I had only seconds to dive off the trail. They missed me by inches, then gassed the cycles to throw dirt over me yet. After I put my heart back into my chest I went on. I talked to another hiker and the cycles had stopped for him because of a rock or log. They said they pay taxes so therefore they can ride on the AT. Really, they can't because the AT is foot traffic only. I'll report them when I get to town. The other hiker did call someone. I got to Birch Run Shelter by 6:30 PM and was a little bushed out. I ate some supper and had hot chocolate to drink. I sponge bathed and got on clean clothes and hit the sack. It was sprinkling a bit before I got to camp and was still trying to rain at 10:45 PM.Thought for the day:Goodness is the only investment that never fails.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-05-30
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Fuller Lake
Miles today: 10.4

I got up at 5:45 AM to a wet tent and wet trees and grass. Today was going to be a 9.6 mile day. I cooked breakfast which was a cup of soup/tuna/instant potatoes mixed and a cup of coffee. I left camp at 9:00 AM for my jog of mostly good walking over some rocks up some hills. I came across the new sign that's the 2016 half way point. See photo. It was 80 some degrees again so I took breaks to cool down and dry off. It was about 3:45 PM when I got to Pine Grove General Store where they had a grill and other food. I inhaled a 20 oz coke in no time. They grilled me a hamburger. That sucker was 1/2" thick and 4" square with onions and tomatoes. The bun was even square to fit the burger. A huge one I never saw the likes of. I had a 2 dip moose tracks ice cream snack. This place is the home of the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge. You have to eat it in 30 minutes and it's free. Me, no try. I got some tape for my tent floor seam that leaked every time it rained. I had to walk a 1/2 mile to Pine Grove Furnace State Park for a campsite. I had a real restroom and a shower for $20.50. That included a quiet campsite. Almost all of the campers had left today - what a good deal! The shower felt like heaven. Warm and clean. Wow, wow. This was the first shower since Thursday evening. I should go take another one since I could. The birds keep talking to me and the bugs keep biting. I had one big horse fly that almost wouldn't take no for an answer. My walking stick with a sweat wiper finally gave the bugger the message to leave. When I was at Pine Grove General Store four young amish boys came in to get food. They had hiked 27 miles today. They were young - not even 20 yet! I surprised them by talking dutch to them. They had a real eye opener. Well, it's time to sack out.Thought for the day:Children need models more than they need critics.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-05-31
From: Fuller Lake

To: Footbridge/Stream/Campsite
Miles today: 10.6

I was up at 5:45 AM and got camp stuff into my backpack and walked 1/2 mile to Pine Grove General Store for breakfast. I had a coffee and a big 4" square egg/ham/bacon sandwich. It was about 3" thick and was juicy. Does your mouth water yet? It was a big hunker. I hit the trail about 9:00 AM which won't be early enough but the store didn't open until 8:00 AM and I was the first customer. It was a gradual 3 mile uphill climb and hardly any rocks to cross. The sweat was rolling and the old man was strolling slowly but surely up and away. I met a few hikers coming and going. I saw nice scenery and some frogs and a lot of bothersome gnats and flies. I crossed Pine Grove Road, a railroad track, PA 34, Hunters Run Road, PA 94, Sheet Iron Road, crossed a stream on a footbridge, and right there was a campsite. I stopped for the day. I had 10.6 miles under my belt and the next shelter was 4.2 miles away and it was 4:00 PM. Plus I would have 2 rock mazes to go through plus all hill stuff. I set up camp and filtered water for my supper and cooking. My meal was ramon noodles mixed with a cup of soup and instant mashed potatoes. I had 2 warm sodas so I put one in the creek to cool down. I was the only hiker there all night unless the bears and other animals were watching. It kinda creeps a person out when you're all alone except for outdoor creepy things. I almost forgot to say about my hot chocolate mistake. I had one package left so I poured boiling water into the cup and out splashed hot water on my hand and the cup left my hand very quickly! I had one swallow left in the cup when it landed. What a bummer. That may or may not teach me a lesson in carefulness. I got over the loss, but not too soon. I washed my dishes, brushed my teeth and hung my food bag from a tree to fool the bears and then hit the sack. Thought for the day:Life lived just to satisfy yourself never satisfies anybody.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-06-02
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up at 6:0 AM in a room at the Allenberry Inn. I wasn't rested. My pack dishes needed washing and I had a host of other things to do. I decided for sure to take the day off. I had told my wife Marilyn it could happen and it did. I went back to sleep and woke up at 7:00 AM. I gave myself a haircut/shave/shower just because I could. I walked to Caffe 101 downtown for breakfast. It was only .8 mile away one way. It's like a hop and skip for a hiker. I had a 3-egg omelet with onions/mushrooms/cheese/bell peppers, an order of hash browns, sausage, and coffee. I stopped at the post office for mail supplies and at TCO Fly Shop for a new headlight. My old headlight was acting up so I retired it. I got a few things for my granddaughter Grace for her birthday. When I got back to my room I wrote my journal and wrote a letter to Grace. I got most of my food and backpack in order. I went to the resort restaurant for supper. I had 2 double cut pork chops, baked potato, and broccoli. It was very good. I called my brother and sister and my wife after supper. I packed more of my backpack and got ready to head out Friday morning wanting to do 14.3 miles to get through the no tenting area. It's supposed to rain during the night. I hope not on Friday.Thought for the day:Resolve to be better for the echo of it.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-06-03
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

I got out of bed at the Allenberry around 6:00 AM. I packed up and hiked to the post office to send stuff home to the good wife Marilyn. Then I went to Caffe 101 for breakfast. How does scrambled eggs/sausage/potatoes/toast/coffee sound to you? I hit the trail around 8:00 AM. I had a good flat hike most of the day. It rained about 1 1/2 hours but I just opened the umbrella and stayed dry until I got to this one farmer's field. The weeds were waist high and wet. I was drenched and water was dripping off my pant legs. Oh yuck. I had about one mile of this crap and then back into the forest and a lot more day. I hiked over I76 and I81 and a lot of other roads. The last 1 1/2 miles were steep uphill - blah blah. I had to get water a mile before Darlington Shelter because the water source at the shelter was unreliable. That meant 60 oz of weight for a bad uphill climb. I should have had more but I made do for the night and cooking. I had instant potatoes and gravy with carrots and peas. For dessert I had an apple. I arrived at camp at 4:30 PM after a 14.3 mile day. Oh ya, old man. I forgot a deal yesterday. I went to the Allenberry gift shop for a soda. I asked the old lady if they would take my mail so I don't have to walk to the post office. She said yes but why walk there. I said I'm an AT hiker and don't have a car. She said you don't look like a hiker and where is your beard. I said I don't do beards and I don't look like a hiker? She said no - you look fabulous! I think she needs new glasses or something. Well, the other day I was called a CIA agent and now fabulous. What's next? Maybe I'll be called a skunk next.Thought for the day:Have courage to be ignorant of a great number of things in order to avoid the calamity of being ignorant of everything.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-06-04
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.3

It was foggy when I got up at 6:00 AM. I ate some breakfast and headed out. It was uphill for a while then through a couple of hay fields with hay as high as my shoulders. I was glad it hadn't just rained. I got a little wet but not enough to make me grumble. I had a 5 mile stretch with a lot of rocks but not real climbers until about mile 9. I had a 600' drop in about 1 mile. The stone steps and rip rap seemed to last forever and it was raining to boot and hot. When I hit the road at Duncannon I was exhausted. I found a sewer lift pump cover and sat on it to recover some strength. I passed a gas station that had food so I got a 12 oz chocolate milk, a banana and a 10" hot dog. It took about 3-4 minutes to inhale that food. I hiked another 1/2 mile to the Doyle Hotel which is over 100 years old. It served food too. I got a room on the 4th floor. The room had a single bed, one 60 watt naked bulb hanging from the 9' ceiling, no a/c and had just 2 windows to open. Paint and plaster were peeling off the walls. But it was a roof and dry. It rained pretty hard during the night and it made me glad to be inside and not in my tent. I had my meal of catfish, peas, fries, soup, and several pepsis. I remember a couple days ago when I crossed a railroad track I saw a box turtle heading for the tracks. It was going to catch the Amtrak to Chicago so I named him Box. I also saw a 2' black snake on the trail. I told him to move 3 times and he wouldn't so I took my trekking pole and moved him away. Maybe he will listen better next time. (smile)Thought for the day:The only conquests which are permanent and leave no regrets are conquests over ourselves.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-06-05
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I got out of bed at 7:00 AM at the Doyle Hotel and it was kinda sprinkle/ rainy and making things more miserable. I went next door to Goodies for breakfast. They put 2 eggs over potatoes/ham/onion/green peppers. I had toast and coffee to go with that. I walked to Rite Aid and Mutzabaugh's Market for some supplies. Of course I had to walk about 3/4 mile one way. The Doyle opened for lunch at 12:00 so I gobbled down a big haddock sandwich with tomato and onion. I washed that down with pepsi and water. I left the hotel around 2:00 PM. I had 4.6 miles to the first shelter and 2 miles of that was on town streets. The rest was uphill and so rocky at times it was hard going to say the least. I rated it a triple sam hill. It also rained the last 1 1/2 miles. It got real blue stormy and the wind picked up something awful. I looked for a safe spot and got there and 5 seconds later a big branch came crashing down on the trail right where I had been just seconds ago. Wow. First the cycles want to cream me and now the wind and trees are after me. Must I go home to be safe? I hope there is no third charm after me. I got to camp about 4:30 PM and was wet from sweat. My umbrella kept me dry once again. I filtered some water and got into dry clothes and made supper. I had beef stroganoff and hot chocolate. I washed my dishes and talked with a local section hiker for a while. It's 9:30 PM and time to turn in if I want to turn out early in the morning. I'm sleeping at Clarks Ferry Shelter. There are four of us here tonight.Thought for the day:The best gifts are tied with heartstrings.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-06-06
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light rain

I was up at 6:00 AM and not feeling rested. The campsites around the shelter were not nice and I had too much angle and kept sliding down on my mattress pad. Oh yuck. I ate breakfast and packed up my gear. I had to wipe my tent dry because it rained during the night. Yes, I'm getting sick and tired of all the rain and wetness. The hike wasn't too bad. There are still a lot of rocks to deal with but the temperature was lower today and a gentle breeze was blowing. I was totally worn out and as the miles went by I became a slow snail. (I want my mommy please.) I got to Peters Mountain Shelter around 1:30 PM and went to the loft and took a nap and then felt a bit better. I went looking for a tent site and found one plus it had a big 5' snake lurking there. He left after I took his picture. I set up my tent and went to sleep again for several hours. Around 6:00 PM I made supper. This time it was spaghetti/meat sauce and a cup of mint tea. I cleaned up my dishes and got ready for bed. I had to go down .2 mile and 300 stone steps for water. A brutal climb for a worn out hiker. I packed up my things what I could in case I don't wake up in the morning so the rescue people wouldn't have to do it. Oh yes, I felt so bad and worn out I wondered if I would really wake up in the morning. 6.7 miles today.Thought for the day:What I must do, and not what people think is all that concerns me.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-06-07
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: PA 325
Miles today: 6.7

I did wake up at 4:45 AM and stepped out of my tent, found a big tree and took a pee break. I was alive. I went back to sleep and woke up at 7:00 AM and struggled about with breakfast and packed up very slowly. I left camp at 9:00 AM and had 6.7 miles to PA 325 where I was determined to get a ride to a motel and try to regroup. I got to PA 523 about 12:30 PM and lo and behold no signal on my phone. I walked about a half mile west up the hill and still nothing. I went back to the parking lot and there was a car there and a friendly young man. I gave him Trail Angel Mary's phone number to call and he left. Several minutes later he came back and said he would take me back close to Duncannon, PA to a Hardees and I could call from there. The man's name was Jason Tilley. A very helpful nice man. He wouldn't take a dime for the trip, so Jason was my trail angel for the day. Thank you very much, Jason. At Hardees I ate some fries and chicken strips. I tried to call Trail Angel Mary but her voice mail said hikers have to text her and I don't text. I called my son Chris and he made arrangements with Trail Angel Mary to pick me up around 6:00 PM. THANKS Chris. While waiting for my ride an older man with a walker and back brace came to Hardees with a younger couple to eat. When the older man saw me he asked if I was a hiker. I said yes. Then he said he was one of the State Troopers that caught the ex-con that killed the young hiking couple on the AT back in the early 90's. He even shook my hand. He was a nice chap for sure. A little after 6:00 PM Trail Angel Mary came with her van and took me to the Stardust Motel. She has been shuttling hikers since 2001. I was finally at a place to shower/shave and eat again. I cleaned up and walked about a half mile to The Ranch House Restaurant for a nice chopped sirloin supper. Well, the day ends with 3 trail angels helping me out. My hat's off to Jason, son Chris and Trail Angel Mary. Thanks a big bunch!Thought for the day:So many Gods, so many creeds, so many paths that wind and wind when just the art of being kind is all the sad world needs.Mileage based on 2013 Northbound THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller
Date: 2016-06-08
From: PA 325

To: PA 325
Miles today: 0.0

I believe I have walked my last mile on the AT. 1,164.3 miles it is. I had 2 tick bites on my leg. I got very sick and I had to return home to Indiana. Mileage based on 2013 THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller 1160.5Mileage based on 2016 THE AT GUIDE by David "Awol" Miller 1164.3
Date: 2013-06-17
To: Crunch Time!
Miles today: 0.0

Three weeks from today Pixie and I are starting the adventure of our lifetime! July 8th we will be traveling to Maine and on July 9th we hope to start our Southbound hike of the Appalachian trail. Springer Mountain in Georgia is our final destination, 2180 miles away!! I say hope, because the weather on Mount Katahdin can be very unpredictable. Let's face it the next 5-6 months will be unpredictable, thats my prediction. Only about 1/4 of the people who attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) finish. Most of those who quit are done in the first 100 miles, many of those in the first 30 miles. People who are not prepared or get hurt or just realize it isn't for them.   I have been section hiking the AT for the last few years. I have walked from Harpers Ferry WV to Great Barrington MA. Pixie has walked some of those miles with me, most recently from NY/CT. I feel we are both pretty well prepared    I want to try to answer some common questions we have been getting. No, we are not crazy. No, we are not carrying weapons. Lions, tigers and bears are not a concern. We have better odds of running into nut jobs walking around town.   We hope to get home by the first week or so of December. We plan on carrying 4-5 days of food at a time. Otherwise we will rely on small towns to resupply food and fuel. On occasion we may use some mail drops, food sent from home. (thanks Mom and Dad) Water is filtered from streams, brooks, springs etc. We will carry enough water to get from water source to water source. We are going to carry a guidebook that has information like; campsites, shelter locations, water sources, road crossings, and the services that are available in towns close to the trail. We will stay in motels, hotels and/or hostels from time to time to get showers, sleep in a bed and eat real food.~Led Steppelin