morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-02
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: light rain

Day 46 - Pickle Branch ShelterHoly. Crap. I have not seen rain like this since my first few days on the AT. It wasn't raining when we headed out at about 8:45, but it started within the first couple miles, and proceeded to steadily downpour for probably 19 of the 22.5 miles. You take that kind of rain and add a blister the size of Haiti, and you've got yourself a pretty unenjoyable day.   We did have a 2 hour siesta at one of the shelters, so it was fun to get to actually meet and talk to the people who we met in the dark at last night's shelter. They are all really cool people, and it would be cool to hang out with them for a little while. There was one section that would have been awesome if it was sunny and dry. There were a bunch of exposed boulders, which were slanted in all different ways and from which, if it were clear, the views surely would be amazing. However, I believe the two things in all of science that have the least friction together are my shoes and wet rocks, so I spent that time trying not to take a header off the cliffs. I suppose that was fun in its own way. There are a couple positives to hiking in the rain - you're not sweating like fat guy trying to get into skinny jeans, and you're motivated to reach your destination - hence the two hour siesta and still finishing 22.5 miles in around 10 hours. Oh, and you get to take a "cowboy shower" and get some of that stank off of you. It's the same group tonight as it was last night, and we had a good time hanging out in our nice and cozy shelter. I hope the mice spare us tonight. Side note: the hiking in crocs has continued - this time for probably 10 miles. I sure hope my blisters get better!Today's song: "Prince Charming" - Metallica
Date: 2013-07-07
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: light rain

Day 51 - Thunder Hill ShelterFor the first 9-10 miles today, the hiking was again quite easy. I enjoyed strolling down the trail without much effort, and took a break at a nice river which had a swimming hole. I wanted to get in, but I also wanted to keep my feet dry, so I opted not to. Xy and Elijah were there already, as they had stayed at the shelter 6 miles farther up the trail than mine. The majority of the rest of the day was all uphill, and it was pretty brutal in the end. It started with 1000 feet in a mile and a half - then, of cours it descended immediately back down 800 of those feet. Then, through various ups and downs, I gained another 3000 feet in elevation, culminating at Apple Orchard Mountain. There was what appeared to be a weather station at the top, and the views were seemingly endless. The mountain is much higher than most of the surrounding terrain, so I could really get a sense of the elevation. I got into the shelter at around 8:45, and there were 3 section hikers there who were already in bed. I was as quiet as I could be, and got to bed shortly thereafter. Just before drifing off to sleep, another guy came up to the shelter and asked if there was room. There was, so I said yes, he asked if I was a thru-hiker. I said I was, and he promptly pulled out a bottle of wine and a shooter of legitimate moonshine. We shared that fot the next hour or so, as he told stories of how he had thru-hiked 3 times and had come back (from Portland OR) to see he folks and do trail magic for people. He was an awesome guy, and I had a great time talking with him. His name is Thunder Heart, and he's even considering relocating back to the east coast to be closer to the trail. What a great ending to a tough day!Today's song: "Creep" - TLC
Date: 2013-07-10
From: Buena Vista

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

Day 54 - The Priest Shelter Sir Stooge and I were to be shuttled out of town at 8:30, so I woke up at 7:45, quickly packed and headed down to the cafe for breakfast. While hiking the AT, you definitely come to enjoy the little things, like coffee. It was delicious. An older gent by the name of Ken drove us up to the trail for a nominal fee, and we were off and running by 9:15. Sir Stooge and I hiked most of the day together, and it was nice to hike with someone after not having done so for a while. We took it nice and slow today, seeing as how we only had 20 miles to do and the terrain wasn't too bad. I've been in a hurry lately, partially I think I'm anxious because I feel like I'm behind (if one more person tells me I should probably flip flop, I'll........politely tell them that won't be necessary), and partially because I've been doing some fairly high mileage lately. So, it was nice to take it slow and not really worry about whether I would make it to the shelter before dark (not it really matters, since I have a headlamp - but it does provide some level of comfort).   There was a pretty decent thunderstorm which rolled through around 3.   Luckily, we both made it to a shelter while getting only a littlr bit wet. We hung out there for about an hour and a half while it passed, then headed out. During the last 6.6 miles, there was one neat spot called Spy Rock. To get to it required a little bit of bouldering, and once at the top there were 360 degree views from a big rock outcrop. It was really a great spot, and from it we could see The Priest which was shrouded in fog. It was cool to know we were going up there next. The climb wasn't bad in the end, and we made it to the shelter around 7:30. There was a big group of what seemed to be high school kids already there. So, we pitched our tents just in time for it to again start raining. Enough with the wet stuff already!Today's song: "Don't Fade On Me" - Tom Petty (this song came on as the thunderstorm was building momentum, and I envisioned a movie scene in which there's shot of me walking in slow motion while the lightning and thunder close in - and of course it can't faze me!)
Date: 2013-07-13
From: Waynesboro

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: light rain

Day 57 - Blackrock Hut 20.5I stayed up late last night, so I didn't roll out of bed until 8:45. The sleep sure was good though! I got the continental breakfast and coffee, and finally was out of there by like 10:45. I made a little sign to strap to my pack that says "Hiker to Trail ", so maybe people won't think I'm a psychopath as much when I'm trying to hitchhike. I intend to make another that says "hiker to town" as well. I started walking, and hadn't even gotten out of town yet when an old guy by the name of Bud stopped and picked me up. I guess the sign worked! He took me right where I needed to go, and I was on the trail by 11:15. Within a half mile or so I entered the Shenendoahs. The terrain was much more of the rolling hills type today, with no climb greater than 1000 feet, so it was a pretty tame day. I looked forward in my guide book and saw that there isn't a climb much over 1000 feet until basically Vermont! What great news! That made me feel good about the probability of maintaining a higher mileage schedule. There were some sporadic views, but nothing really much to speak of. The mountains are getting quite smaller here - they're more like hills - and they seem to be bunched closer together. They remind me of the mountains in northern Minnesota for some reason - especially those near Lake Itasca. I got to the shelter around 8 and chatted with a couple weekend hikers while I ate. I was surprised not to see any thru hikers here - maybe they jumped ahead while i stayed in Waynesboro. As I type this, there's rain coming down and thunder in the distance - what else is new?!?
Date: 2013-07-20
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

Day 64 - Blackburn Trail Center So pushing myself pretty hard in this heat the past few days was probably not the best idea. I was feeling good again this morning when I left the hostel, and it was a bit cooler. I still had 4 miles or so of the Roller Coaster left, which I dominated thank you very much. However, not too long after that I got lightheaded, got a little headache and stopped sweating. I rested for a few, then walked another few minutes before I got a huge wave of lightheadedness. I sat down right away, ate and drank some water. Then I got up and walked ridiculously slow until I got the the Blackburn Trail Center, which has a free hiker hostel. I think the heat of the last week or so finally got to me. I learned that the heat index had been upwards of 110 degrees, and I should have been taking it a little easier. I got down to the trail center and found that Hemingway was there and had been feeling the same effects. I just hung out there all afternoon and night, drinking lots of water and trying to stay cool. It was a very peaceful place - another lodge which had fallen into disrepair before the ATC/PATC purchased it and began using it as a meeting place. It's on a big hill with a view of the valley way below. Very nice, and a good place to spend an unforeseen nero day. Hopefully I feel better tomorrow!
Date: 2013-07-21
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Day 65 - Harpers Ferry 12.5I woke up at 6 this morning and hung out with Hemingway on the porch for breakfast. I left a little after 7 to hike into HF. I felt better, but still wasn't 100%, so I took it kind of slow to try to stay cool. Luckily it was only in the upper 70s at that point so it wasn't too bad. The going was pretty rocky, but overall not bad. The terrain was fairly flat which helped. I came across a couple who were out taking a hike from near the Blackburn Center into Harpers Ferry, so I hiked and talked with them for the last couple miles. I answered a bunch if questions about the trail (I'm always happy when people are interested in it) learned a little about them as we walked. We got near town and parted ways, and I finished the hiked into old town Harpers Ferry. I had been here once before and knew how cool it is, so I was very excited to be back. Plus, it's the (psychological) halfway point! Woohoo!I had lunch, then walked up to the ATC headquarters where I got my picture taken and was officially entered into history as a thru hiker who made it to HF! I also received a mail drop with some goodies in it from Haley, which was lovely! Afterwards, I walked the rest of the way to the Teahorse Hostel. It's far away from old town HF, but it is a really nice hostel. It almost feels like you're in a condo or something. Much nicer than any of the others I've been. I met a couple of young German guys, and we went to watch the USA men's soccer game at the Anvil Restaurant which is right next door. It's a pretty cool restaurant/bar and we had a really good time. After we crushed El Salvador, I walked to the old town, called Haley and got some ice cream. As i was walking up a set of stairs between Potomac and High Street, I heard someone yell "Indy!"   I looked up and it was Sir Stooge! I hadn't seen him since the Skyland Restaurant - he had just gotten into town, so we walked around a bit together before heading back to the hostel. We're both planning to zero here tomorrow because it's a cool place (and for me to make sure I'm over this heat exhaustion business). Also at the hostel was Patches, who I had met briefly at the road crossing near Buena Vista, and a handful of other guys that I hadn't yet met but who were all pretty cool. Today's song: "Hold on You" - Jeff Bridges
Date: 2013-07-22
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 66 - Harpers FerryHarpers Ferry is definitely a good town to take a zero in. I woke up around 8, had some waffles with all the other folks who were staying at the hostel, then lounged around drinking coffee and playing guitar for an hour or two. Afterwards I made my way back down to the old town and checked out a bunch of the museums they have. I spent probably 5 hours down there and could have spent more. There's an incredible amount of history in this one little town - from the fact that it changed hands between the union and the confederacy like 8 times to its hosting of the Niagara Movement's 2nd annual meeting at Storer College (which was a progressive college which educated freed slaves (and was open to anyone else who so chose to enroll)). The National Park Service has done a wonderful job in revamping and preserving the town's history, and if you have never been there it's definitely worth going. In the evening I met up with a friend for dinner who came in from DC, then hung out with the crew back at the hostel. One funny thing did happen - Bud had headed out in the morning to tackle the four state challenge, which includes hiking back south for 2.5 miles to the Virginia line before turning back north and hiking something like 42 miles. We all said our goodbyes and wished him luck. Later, when we went to dinner, we poked our heads in the little front room of the tavern, and who's sitting there? Bud! Turns out that he had in fact hiked to Virginia and back, but had gotten sucked back into Harpers Ferry and ended up staying with us again at the hostel! It was pretty hilarious! Today's Song: "Thriller" - MJ
Date: 2013-07-23
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Day 67 - Dahlgren Backpack Campground Today began with more delicious waffles. Then I packed up and headed out around 9:30 or 10. I enjoyed HF a lot and can't wait to go back!I crossed the bridge out of town and into Maryland, which was a great feeling. The trail follows the C&O towpath (a bike trail which, along with the Great Allegheny Passage connects Pittsburgh to DC (and which my buddy Russell and I biked a few years ago)), so it was extremely easy going for a few miles. In fact, the terrain was quite easy today, if a little rocky. There were only a couple little climbs and the temperature must have been only in the mid 80s (which is why I didn't want to pass out!). At one point the trail goes through Gath State Park, which is the former homesite of a New York Tribune journalist from the 1800s. This too, like Bears Den Hostel and the Blackburn Trail Center, fell into disrepair over time before the Maryland State Parks bought it and opened a couple museums onsite. I have been fascinated with all the history in this area, and it's definitely added a nice twist to the trail. I hiked part of the day with Sir Stooge and a guy named Uno. We all rolled into the campsite together, and then walked an extra .3 miles up to the road and the Old South Mountain Inn. This was a classy joint, but one that welcomed us in - and the food was delicious. The building is from the 1730s and has been everything from a restaurant to a private residence to the headquarters during a battle. It was also captured and used as a base during John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. It was so cool to be in a place with so much history, and to have a great meal on top of it. Afterwards, Sir Stooge and I returned to the campsite while Uno headed on to do another 5 miles or so. Today's Quote: "You must be studying the abridged book of ninja fighting" - TMNT
Date: 2013-07-24
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 68 - Raven Rock ShelterStooge and I were both out of camp by 7:30. We started separately, but hiked together on and off throughout the day. After a couple miles I came to Washington Monument State Park. Some citizens of Boonesboro, MD, built a large stone monument in honor of George Washington back in I believe 1824. After it disintegrated over time, the CCC fixed it back up and it was turned into a state park. I really like these little diversions from the normal trail schedule. The trail was fairly easy again, except that it was quite rocky in places. If this is a glimpse of what PA will be like, then it will definitely be a foot bruising state! There was a stretch today that was through open fields which had wild flowers everywhere. And feeding on those flowers were thousands and thousands of butterflies! If you stood still, they would just fly all around you, and you could look into the distance and see them filling the entire field. It was definitely a cool moment. I also took about a 10 minute break at some cliffs that overlooked the flat stretch of land beneath the mountain range. As I sat there, a group of 10-15 hawks circle above, dive-bombing every once in a while in search of prey. One swooped right down in front of me at one point to where it was within probably 10 feet. It was cool to watch how effortless they were as they rode the currents. That was a cool moment too. At about 5:30, Stooge and I made it to Raven Rock Cliff, which is .7 miles before the shelter. There was a nice view, and the cool breeze was blowing (it must have been low 80s today!), so we hung out up there for over an hour before heading to the shelter. We set up our tents at the shelter, ate some food and messed around on our phones since we actually had service! In normal life it's nice to get away from technology, but out here we eat it up whenever we have the chance! I even got a new book off of i-books - woohoo!Today's song: "I Don't Know" - Ryan Bingham
Date: 2013-07-27
From: Camp Spot After Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: light rain

Day 71 - Boiling Springs There were more ups and downs today than are alluded to in the guidebook, but overall the terrain was good. For the last 3 miles heading into Boiling Springs, the trail dumps you down into the Cumberland Valley (at least that's what I think it is) and winds through general farm land and corn fields. It was a huge change from the norm and I loved it. When I got into BS, I immediately stopped into Caffe 101 for some lunch and coffee. Bud was there, along with a few others i hadn't yet met - Boobear, Wash, and Hummingbird. We talked for a bit, they headed out, and I hung out for a while eating and immensely enjoying my coffee. When I left, I made the half mile walk out of town to the Allenberry Resort and Playhouse. Stooge's parents came to visit, and he and i ended up splitting a room. I had no idea what to expect from the Allenberry, but it's pretty sweet. It's a hotel/resort with amazing cuisine and, get this, a professional theater. I have no idea how it actually works (like where the people all come from, and why they come to the small town of BS just to go there), but it was hoppin'.   I can't really describe it that well - you just have to see it for yourself. For dinner; Stooge's parents ended up taking a few of us out to dinner at the Boiling Springs Tavern, which dates back somewhere to the early 1800s. The food was great, the beer was great, and I really enjoyed meeting and talking with Stooge's parents. They were also great. When we got back to the Allenberry, we all headed down to the onsite bar, which is located in the basement of the main lodge. I got to talk more with Boobear and Wash, which was nice. Eventually everyone kind of filtered out, and just as I was finishing up my drink a whole bunch of people from the show came down for their after party (they were performing "Annie").   So, I stuck around for a while and talked with a couple people who worked backstage. The whole rest of the evening was kind of surreal in a way. I think it's because the bar makes you feel like you're in the 1930s or something (and none of this should be taken offensively by the Allenberry folks - It's an awesome place and I had a great time) - there are no windows so you can't see outside, and the bar itself seems old enough that you could picture yourself sitting there in some year long since passed, with the cast and crew coming in for the after party as they always do. Maybe the whole Allenberry situation/scenario is one that seems like it doesn't or shouldn't exist in 2013, so it seems like you've gone back in time. Whatever it is, I felt like I was in "The Shining", and I fully expected to go down there the next day and have the bartender tell me they were in fact closed the night before. Yikes. Great time though, and I would definitely recommend it!Today's quote: "Heeeeeeeer's Johnny!" - The Shining
Date: 2013-08-01
From: 501 Shelter

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

Day 76 - Port Clinton Today the four of us (Stooge, Hotshot, Patches and I - Lotus and Uno had hiked more miles last night) awoke to the sounds of pouring rain. We all hit our snooze buttons for an hour or two in hopes that it would let up, but the forecast called for pouring rain all day. We all convened and it didn't take long to say "Screw that!" and take a zero. We ultimately decided to get a shuttle up the trail to Port Clinton (and the Port Clinton Hotel), with a plan to resupply at Walmart and Cabela's. We would then get a shuttle back to the 501 shelter in the morning to hike back north to Port Clinton. The four of us had a fun day screwing around at the amusement park that is Cabela's and hanging out at the hotel bar. It was fun to again be part of a group on the trail - I hadn't had that since The Four Horsemen. It probably won't last, as we all have different plans, but in the moment it's a great time!
Date: 2013-08-04
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Palmerton (Jim Thorpe)
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 79 - Palmerton (Jim Thorpe)Today's the day Haley came to meet me - she's going to hike with me for a few days, and I'm quite excited to see her!I busted butt to make good time down to Palmerton, which was tough because there were a few pretty brutal sections of trail. The Knife Edge was a razor thin (ok, not that thin, but thin enough that you couldn't really even walk on it) rock face which required use of both hands and feet. There were a few times where a misplaced step could have gotten me in a lot of trouble, and I was really glad it wasn't raining. Bake Oven Knob was another bouldering extravaganza which required lots of climbing and slowed me up a bit. Eventually, though, I made it down to the road crossing for Palmerton. Lotus and Uno were there trying to hitch a ride but weren't having good luck. I told them Haley was picking me up and that we would gladly take them into Palmerton. We all ended up eating lunch together in town, and then Haley and I dropped them off back at the trail. Haley and I actually stayed in Jim Thorpe - neither of us had been there and it looked cool, so by the magic of the automobile we drove down to check it out. It's a lovely old town turned tourist destination, and we had a great time checking out the shops along the main drag. We got some dinner and then got a drink at the Irish pub - it was really great to just have the chance to sit and talk - the most we ever get is a short phone call, and it's not enough! It was a great night, and we'll hit the trail tomorrow!