morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-25
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Campsite at view on Hightop Mountain
Miles today: 15.4

DAY 80Up early, and it was nice to eat breakfast at a picnic table. By the time everyone was ready it wasn't too early, but it was nice to all hike together again. We took a little slower pace as Brenda doesn't quite have her trail legs yet (but wow, she's done some big miles right out of the gate!). Nice, leisurely day today. Mary stopped to soak her feet in Ivy Creek today as they were sore. We did make it over the 900 mile mark today.It was a struggle to get the miles in today because we got trail magic 3 different times. First it was trail magic provided by Snapple and her friend who arrived just as Mary came into the parking lot and threw up her hands and said "I'm here, where's the Magic?". The girls had just stopped and had a cooler of soda, chips, apples, rice crispy treats and more. We chatted with them for a while and then reluctantly moved on. Later, as we came down into Simmons Gap to have lunch, "Snapchat", who hiked in 2017 was set up. She had applesauce, gatorade, chips and more. We ate our lunch, supplemented with her trail magic and talked for quite a while about the trail. She said when she hiked she was at this spot on this date, and finished her hike on September 1st.We decided if we didn't get going we wouldn't get to where we wanted to go. We also had trail magic at Powell Gap, gatorade in a cooler. We met a southbound flip flop hiker named "Penny". Nice night at the campsite with a great view to enjoy while we had dinner, and later we watched the sun go down. Took lots of pictures trying to capture the beauty of the evening, but I'm sure the pictures won't do the views justice. Also enjoyed chatting with Gene who was out hiking for the day before heading to a family gathering for memorial day.No cell phone service today, so we couldn't call my sister Sue to wish her a Happy Birthday. We were able to get texts out this morning though.
Date: 2018-05-26
From: Campsite at view on Hightop Mountain

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 20.1

DAY 81Up pretty early to get started on a planned big day. Some commotion last night as something came through camp making a strange noise. Not really sure what it was. Kingsman said it sounded larger than a deer, so we are thinking it could have been a mother bear with cubs making the noise.Brenda decided to take a nero today, and is going to catch a ride from Gene. She will jump up to Big Meadows Campground and try to get us a site on this holiday weekend. She hiked down with us until the first gap, and waited for her ride.We tried to pace ourselves by hiking about 5 miles to the picnic area where we could use the restrooms, stretch, and have a snack. Then we did another 5 1/2 to Lewis Mountain Campground where we grabbed a sandwich, some chips, and a chocolate milk. We met up with Papa Dale & Kingsman there just finishing their lunch, and they told us Brenda had secured a site and we were all set.By the time we made it to Hazeltop Mountain we were getting tired and struggled to make the last 5 miles. The area around Big Meadow is rocky and Mary's feet were very sore when we finally arrived at the campground. It had sprinkled on and off throughout the day, but as we approached the campground it started to rain a little steadier.When we finally found our site we were greeted by Brenda with big cheeseburgers she had bought, and they were still warm. She also had beer and Doritos to go along with the burgers. A burger and beer never tasted so good as we sat dripping wet devouring them before we even finished setting up our tent.After setting up our tent we made our way to the showers to clean up, and then we got our laundry done and made our way back to our site to head to bed.
Date: 2018-05-27
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Byrds Nest #3 hut
Miles today: 14.0

DAY 82Started the day off with the breakfast buffet at the Big Meadows Lodge. It was a nice buffet that included omelettes, waffles, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit and more. Kingsman knew Mary has been hoping for blueberry pancakes and asked one of the workers. They were not doing blueberry pancakes, but gave him a pint of fresh blueberries which he gave to Mary and she enjoyed on a waffle and by themselves.Back on trail we hiked out near the campground and met some nearby campers who mentioned there had been a mother bear and cubs on the trail every morning recently. Looking off down a hill we spied a couple bears in the distance. Couldn't get any good pictures as they were too far away.The weather was better today as the skies were clearing. We made it to Skyland Restaurant and Mary and I split a sandwich. Just before getting there Mary had caught her foot on a rock, and the top of her right foot was bothering her. In her frustration she spilled a just opened Frappuccino she bought to go with the sandwich. I went in to get her another one, and hoped to bring her some blackberry ice cream that we heard they had. Unfortunately, they only had vanilla or chocolate, so we will wait for ice cream at another wayside.We got back on trail and the skies started to look like we might have showers. Kingsman was ahead of us and came upon a rattlesnake beside the trail. He texted us and Papa Dale, but we didn't get the texts. He actually started to hike on but came back to show us the rattlesnake, and we all got some pictures.As luck would have it, it started to rain and the thunder and lightning started. We were getting drenched as we arrived at Pinnacles Picnic Area. We saw that there was a fire in the fireplace in the pavilion and saw Kingsman waving us in. There was a family who were hoping to enjoy a picnic in the park, but moved into the pavilion and lit a fire to cook on. We all warmed up by the fire and tried to make a plan. There was talk of getting a ride to a nearby hostel or hotel to get out of the rain, but in the end we all decided to move on and hopefully get a spot at Byrds Nest Hut.We arrived at the hut to find Kingsman had let the hikers there know we were coming. Laugh had moved to the floor of the shelter to make extra room so that Papa Dale, Brenda, Mary and I could set up in the shelter for the night. Kingsman set his tent up nearby. After seeing mice, Laugh also decided to tent. Originally Laugh planned to hike further and not stay at the shelter, however, a large bear was blocking the trail and no matter how much noise he made, the bear would not move off trail.The night was not restful as we knew there were mice throughout the shelter, but we did stay fairly dry. In the morning there were at least 6 or 7 mice playing "tag" along the walls of the shelter. The mice had no fear of the hikers.
Date: 2018-05-28
From: Byrds Nest #3 hut

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 17.5

DAY 83After "enjoying" breakfast as we watched the mice "play" we packed up and got back on the trail. The plan was to try to make Elkwallow Wayside for lunch. The trail had lots of rocks, and we had some foggy views. Looks like rain all day, but we decided to make the side trail up to Mary's Rock even though we knew the view might not be great. We left hiking poles at the start of the side trail so that the others would know we headed that way. At Mary's rock we got some pictures, and Kingsman arrived just as we were getting ready to head back to the trail. He took a picture of Mary and I and then we all headed back to the trail. The rocky trail added to the soreness of Mary's feet, and when we eventually arrived at the wayside Papa Dale & Brenda had already gotten a ride. Kingsman said they had gone to Front Royal. As we were coming up to the wayside we heard air horns blowing and lots of yelling, and we knew that meant they were trying to chase off a bear. We watched figuring they were chasing the bear away from the wayside and towards where we were on the trail. We never did see the bear, but heard about it from other hikers when we arrived. We enjoyed a burger and fries and after we finally got our blackberry ice cream. Mary didn't think the ice cream lived up to all the hype we have heard about how good it was.Lots of ups and downs today which was tiring. We did manage to make camp before the rain started. We were still full from eating at the wayside, so after setting up the tent we didn't bother with dinner but just had a snack. Rain in the forecast, so off to bed.
Date: 2018-05-29
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 13.4

DAY 84Today's goal was to make it to Terrapin Station Hostel which is where I can pick up my new trail runners. Very humid and sticky today as we hiked along the trail.We reached the side trail to the hostel and hiked the .7 miles as quickly as possible as the mosquitoes were out in full force. I stayed at this hostel in 2011, and thought it was a nice place to stay. We arrived and found that the yard was overgrown, and when we opened the door Mary knew she wouldn't be able to stay as the bunks are in the downstairs of a split level, and it smelled musty like a basement in need of a dehumidifier. I asked the owner if my package had arrived, and he said he hadn't received it but would check today's mail. He came back and told me, "no package". I got on the phone with North Face and found out that my order was cancelled. They said when they tried to verify the billing address it didn't match what we gave them. The issue is that in Groton, NH there is no post office. So, when you order online and put in the zip code it comes up as Hebron, NH. You would think that they could have figured this out, but no, they cancelled the order without even calling. They said they could reship the order and have the shoes overnighted. I decided to have them shipped to Harpers Ferry Post Office as that seems like best location based on how far we will hike.We made the .7 miles back to the trail and continued on. We hadn't had lunch as we originally planned to eat at the hostel, but since we decided to move on that didn't work out. Back on the trail Mary was in the lead and as she was hiking she stopped suddenly and said "bear". It wasn't a large bear and it was moving quickly away from us. I told her she was supposed to just stop and quietly let me know that there was a bear so I could get a picture, not yell "bear". Still seeing lots of deer, and they seem to just pose and look at you not concerned at all.There is a trolly that will take you from rt 522 into Front Royal for 50 cents. However, it only picks up twice a day, once at 8:55 am and again at 2:20 pm. We missed the trolly after having to hike to the hostel, so we decided to hitch. Amazingly, two different minivans pulled over at the same time to offer us a ride. We hopped in with a dad who was taking 3 of his children to the local field to fly some planes. I hopped in front and Mary was in the middle row next to a young girl. Mary apologized for being sweaty and smelly to which the girl replied "That's ok, my dad gets like that a lot". Great family, and we were dropped off at the Quality Inn which is where Kingsman, Papa Dale & Brenda are staying.After getting cleaned up and getting our laundry done we enjoyed dinner across the street with Papa Dale, Brenda and Kingsman at the Pave Mint Taphouse and Grill. Had burgers and fries and enjoyed a beer. Happy to have made a few extra miles than planned today as it sets us up better to make it to Harpers Ferry by Saturday before the post office closes.
Date: 2018-05-30
From: Front Royal

To: Whiskey Hollow Shelter (Dick's Dome)
Miles today: 15.2

DAY 85Up early and met Kingsman, Papa Dale and Brenda and had the continental breakfast. Planned to meet at 7:00 am for the shuttle back to the trail.Headed down the trail and we decided to check out the Jim and Molly Denton shelter. Very nice shelter with solar shower, porch with chairs, horseshoe pit, separate covered pavilion with picnic table and more. Mary stretched under the pavilion as it was starting to rain. A couple girls in long cotton dresses ran in to check out the shelter.As we were leaving we met a group of Mennonites who are doing a section of the trail. We played leap frog with this group throughout the day.Had lunch at Manassas Gap Shelter as we needed a privy break and Mary wanted to stretch. Papa Dale, Brenda and Kingsman were sitting at the trail to the shelter having their lunch. They didn't need to make the extra .1 in to the shelter. As we arrived at the shelter we saw TNT and a Biscuit and one other hiker having their lunch. The trail all day has been muddy after all the rain, and the trail to the shelter was extra muddy.After eating our lunch I went to the spring to get water and Mary headed back toward the trail as she wanted to soak her feet in the stream before resuming our hike. We pushed on through the off and on rain and made it to Whiskey Hollow Shelter. Papa Dale and Brenda set up in the shelter, but we were worried about bugs so we set up our tent. Kingsman tented as well. Our plan is to hike the 18 to Bears Den Hostel tomorrow. Poison Ivy is starting to show up along both sides of the trail, and with the slippery muddy conditions it is hard trying to avoid the numerous plants as they also climb up the trees.Met a flip flop hiker named Izzy at the shelter, she is from Vermont.
Date: 2018-06-01
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 19.9

DAY 87Got up this morning and had tea and enjoyed the "make your own pancakes" breakfast. Decided we will just go as far as we can today. Not an early start, we didn't get on trail until 8:30. We still had about 4 miles of the "Roller Coaster" left, so more rocky ups and downs. We were having trouble getting into a groove today as the terrain was rough and we were worn out from a big, wet day yesterday and the weather this last week which has been hot, humid and rainy. We hiked along and all at once Mary said "Hey, the state line!" Just like that Virginia was done and we were in West Virginia. This lightened our mood as we reflected on our 1,000 miles and now we had finally completed Virginia which is 1/4 of the trail in itself. Neither of us said it, but I think we both were thinking it, lets just push on into Harpers Ferry today.We struggled all day with the footing, if it wasn't muddy it seemed to be rocky with no way to get into a good hiking rhythm. A sign of things to come in Pennsylvania. As the afternoon wore on it was finally verbalized, we were marching into Harpers Ferry tonight. There wasn't a lot of talking, mostly just cursing as we stubbed our toes on rocks or flailed our arms about as we tried to keep the gnats and mosquitoes off our bodies. Mile by mile we made our way north until we finally could see the bridge and Harpers Ferry. Like Mary said as we crossed the bridge, "It seems like people should be cheering us on and waving banners". Mostly nobody is around, the ATC office closed hours ago and tourists are all at dinner or in hotels. We climbed the steep steps of the blue blaze trail off the AT up the hill, through town, and suddenly we were standing at the steps of the ATC, the psychological halfway point. Nobody was around, but we took some pictures of our tired, sweaty, bug bitten bodies in front of the sign. We had arrived at 8:00 pm. Then we decided to head down the road to join Kingsman, Papa Dale (or No Filter), and Brenda for dinner at the Anvil restaurant.I really reflected today how far Mary has come and how proud of her I am. From the first day when she was worried about the steps at Amicalola to now when she pulled a 20 mile day out of her hat after a very tough 18 miler yesterday. We may not be the fastest, or hike the furthest in a day, but we belong with all the other thru-hikers, and I see no reason why we can't complete this journey.
Date: 2018-06-02
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0

DAY 88We both are pretty sore this morning. Breakfast and then a trip to the ATC for an official check in. We were number 477 & 478 for the NOBO's, and got our picture taken for the book as well as a couple post cards to send home.After registering we spent about an hour checking who is in front of us, looking at photos and maps, and talking to other thru-hikers. Decided to head to the post office to get my shoes, and arrived only to find out that surprise, they are not here. I call Northface and they tell me that the receiver refused the shipment. I check with the post office and they tell me yes, they don't accept shipments from FedEx. Great, I'm right back to square one. I told them to just cancel the order.We decided to head to the outfitter to see if they have any hiking shoes. They don't carry Mary's Brooks, and they don't have anything I can use. They tried to sell me Altra's, but I don't think it would be a good idea to start out with zero drop shoes without easing into them. We were able to get new tips for Mary's poles, but we are both stuck with worn out shoes. Mary's have lost all the cushion, so she needs something soon as her feet get very sore on this rocky terrain.We cheered ourselves up with a pizza and then decided to try to catch up on the journal. Later Papa Dale (now also known as No Filter) and Brenda called and we went out to dinner at the Anvil again. Then back to the room to organize and pack for tomorrow. Once again we zeroed, but I don't feel like we got much rest as we walked all over town trying to get stuff done. Harpers Ferry doesn't have a great place to resupply unless you can get a ride to Walmart 5 miles away. We made do with some resupply from one of the hostels and a convenience store. Northward tomorrow!
Date: 2018-06-03
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

DAY 89Not up any too early today. Made our way down to breakfast where we met Kingsman getting ready to head out. He said his knee was sore but he was going to give it a go. While we had breakfast Papa Dale & Brenda headed out. We packed up and headed out stopping at the ATC for a Gatorade where we saw Redhawk and Cribbage checking in. We also made a quick stop off the trail down in town at the outfitter for a few last minute items.As we started over the Railroad bridge we met a flip-flopper just starting his journey with his girlfriend and parents seeing him off. He was all excited and had nice, clean gear. It made us think back to how far we have come. Shortly it started raining and the wind picked up so we donned our stinky rain gear. We are looking forward to our time off in about a week so we can see family and clean some of our gear and replace some items, namely our shoes.We headed over the bridge and put West Virginia behind us and entered Maryland. The towpath was nice, but had a lot of puddles to dodge due to all of the recent rain. We soon turned off the towpath and headed up onto the ridge. On the ridge the trail was a mess, deep mud with a trail that doesn't allow water to drain off. Also, the sides of the trail are covered in poison ivy, so if you avoid the mud you risk walking in poison ivy.We had taken off our rain coats for the climb because we were too hot, but at lunch we put them back on because it was now raining harder and it was getting quite cool. The trail today has been the worst we have seen due to the unavoidable mud, and when there wasn't mud there were rocks. When we finally arrived at the shelter we were happy to see Papa Dale & Brenda had already made it there. We were concerned though that Kingsman is not here and we didn't see him all day and neither did Papa Dale. We both have texted him with no response, we hope he is ok.On a happier note, the shelter is nice and we are sleeping inside as the bugs are not out tonight, and this way our tent can stay dry for a little longer. Our shoes and socks are just caked in mud with no hope of them drying. Our best hope is that our pruney feet dry some and come back to life over night.
Date: 2018-06-04
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ensign Cowell Shelter
Miles today: 15.7

DAY 90Kind of a sad day as Brenda has to make her connection to get to the airport to head back home. She only hiked about 4 miles to the Washington Monument where we had to say goodbye. It was great having her here to hike with, and she will be missed. She will certainly be on our list of newly made friends, and we look forward to seeing her again in the future.We were glad we stayed in the shelter last night as it poured around 11:30. The trail was a little less muddy today, but the rocks are now increasing. Real slow going in parts. We also realized we have to start eating more during the day. The last few miles we were out of gas, Mary had to stop and get into tomorrows snacks, and by the time I got to camp I was so hungry that I was shaky. We ate immediately once we found a campsite. The problem is most of the dinners we eat might be 500 - 800 calories, and we split them and that is just not enough calories. We'll have to start supplementing our meals with some extras. We hate carrying the extra weight, but we can't function unless we have fuel. We do eat plenty in town (It seems to be all we talk/think about), but it is just not enough.I forgot to mention that at the Washington Monument, just as we were about to leave, Kingsman arrived. His knee is bothering him, so he pulled up short yesterday. His phone got wet so he was having trouble with it and hadn't received our texts. His wife will be coming to visit for a few days, and he can re-evaluate his hiking plans. He hiked with us most of the day, and we all dried out at Annapolis Rocks, where we saw a group doing some rock climbing and we took some good pictures of the view. We also stopped at Blackrock Cliff for some views.After a foggy, cloudy start, it cleared up and became a cool, breezy, day which was good for hiking. Just perfect for tenting tonight at the shelter. We are going to try to just go into town for resupply tomorrow and get right back out on the trail. We planned the days out until we will go home and we should make the official halfway point and also make the half gallon challenge before we have to leave. I think Mary has hiked over 1,000 miles just for this challenge. Will try to get an early start tomorrow as we could be delayed by trying to get a ride to town and back to the trail.