morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-06-06
From: Snickers Gap

To: Harpers Ferry Main Street
Miles today: 19.9

Crazy BritYet another great day of hiking with great company. We got an early start from Snickers Gap, our target was Harpers Ferry, this is the Headquarters of the Appalachian Trail Conservatory.We started out real well, everybody was feeling good, we still had to do about 3 miles of the roller coaster, not to rough just enough to make you feel your alive.Once these climbs were over it became a pleasant hike the type people think the whole AT is like, nice path with big trees shading you from the sun.This did not last long we were soon walking over a rock strewn path, these are really tough, your feet are never stable, your knees take a real pounding especially on the downhill sections, no one likes these.We come to a rock outcropping called Raven Rocks, I decide to do a Live Facetime with the added bonus of John Denver singing West Virginia. This was done because we had crossed over into this State 3.2 Miles Back, we used Dans phone for the Music and mine for filming the view, came out real good.We soon get to a point where we can see the Shenandoah River, it¢s in full flood, hope the foot bridge is open. We cross over the river on the US 340 Road Bridge, the traffic is crazy the commuters coming home from Washington, after we cross over we are only 1.5 miles out from Harpers.The walk into town is an easy one just a short climb at the beginning, we follow the white blazes and are soon in the bottom of Main street, time for a milk shake. We go down to check on the river, both the Shenandoah and the Potomac meet here.Barbara arrives and we drive up to the ATC to register and get out photos taken to go in the year book. This done it¢s home to Barbara¢s daughters house for a BBQ and z. Early night had a tough day19.8 Miles49.901 Steps143 FloorsAnyone can walk on the flat, more fun hiking over pointed Rocks.Only got 1186.0 miles to go before we summit Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-06-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Crazy BritNo miles a zero day in Harpers FerryWe took a zero day today, great to lie in bed until 7:00 am. Had a lazy breakfast a few coffees then drove into Harpers Ferry, we did the history tour in lower town.This was the major arms manufacturing place in the USA and it was started by a Brit YES a BRIT in 1774 and the town grew because it was on the confluence of the Potomac and the Shenandoah Rivers so they could generate power cheaply.The town grew rapidly and was a major manufacturer of Arms and Ammunition, specializing in Rifles and pistols.In 1859 on October 16th John Brown led a raid with 21 men on the main Armory and took it over, and the Army caught him 2 days later on the 18th and he was hung on December the 8th.This was one of the actions that led up to the Civil war, and the well known song ¢John Browns body lies a mouldering in his grave¢ was penned from this action.The town built on the hillside reminds me of an English fishing village, a really interesting place lots of history, all of the above information I knew nothing of.Had lunch in a great restaurant with good food and beer, by this time Barbara was ready to pick us up, she had been to lunch with one of her friends from the NOC.Now it was time for shopping to get our food and bits and pieces for our start back on the trail tomorrow. Had a great day not walking over rocks. Tomorrow we will be in Maryland, states are coming down now. After 3 great days spent with Barbara¢s and David¢s Family Slack packing, tomorrow it¢s back on the trail with a 6:00 am start. We have 17 miles to hike to z campsite, be good to sleep in a tent again, now it¢s time for bed.Anyone can walk on the flat, but it¢s a lot more fun to live on the EdgeNo MilesAnd we still have 1166.1 miles to go before we summit Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-06-08
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Dahlgren backpackers campsite
Miles today: 17.7

Crazy BritWow first time in a long time we have to carry full packs, makes a lot of difference.We have left Harpers and are back on the trail, lots of rocks on the trail getting us ready for the dreaded Pennsylvania rock central.We are now in Maryland and we are heading to a campsite 17.7 miles north up the trail.The going is pretty good only 2 major climbed today, but these are pretty long and the trail is full of sharp rocks. I was hoping my shoes would last another 200 miles but now not so sure.We are meeting such cool people from all walks of life. Today we were hiking with a mother and her two sons one is 13 the other is 9 years old, they are carrying their own packs, real nice kids. We make it to the campsite set up our tents and what do you know there is a restaurant just up the trail. This will beat a Subway sandwich so we walk up and have a great dinner and a few beers, now back at the camp site, have a coffee and time for bed after all its almost 9:00 pm and we will be up and gone by 5:30 am.Goodnight see you tomorrow Anyone can walk on the flat, but its so much more fun to walk on the edgeOnly got 1148.6 miles to go before we summit Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-06-09
From: Dahlgren backpack campground

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Crazy BritGreat day of hiking apart from lots and lots of rocks must be getting us in shape for Pennsylvania.We got a nice early start left the campsite at 6:05am, nice to get a good start to the day.About 2 miles out we came to the Washington Monument we stopped for a photo op. Really cool place lots of History here. On the road to the monument there are boards with all of Washington¢s life written on them. No wonder he is so revered by the American people the tower is only about 50 ft tall built of stone, and has extensive views over the Maryland countryside, we were there early so no visitors were there, had the whole place to ourselves.We were making really good time until we hit all the rocks, this really slows you down, you have to be careful as you could easily hurt yourself then end your trip.We were going to look at the Annapolis rocks but it would have ment a Hike of trail down hill of a half a mile, to far for us, so we sat on the trail and had lunch. The bugs are out in force now got some bug spray, but I think it just attracts them and it¢s Deet.We stop by a nice stream to replenish our water, we thought it was the stream by our campsite, but no the stream is still half a mile away, and of course it¢s up hill, from here it¢s 1 3/4 miles to the campsite, this is really uphill, one of the hardest climbs so far.We arrive at our destination for today really tired these climbs at the end of the day are especially hard. Set up our tents and cook our dinners, thanks again Juliet it was delicious. A nice cup of coffee and I am ready for bed.See you in the morning 18.8. Miles44.218 StepsFloorsRemember anyone can walk on the flat, but it is so much more fun living on the edgeOnly got 1060.8 miles to go before we climb Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-06-11
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: US 30. Fayetteville PA
Miles today: 9.6

Crazy BritNot a lot of miles today just getting to the Trail of Hope Hostel in Fayetteville.Well last night the temps dropped, good job I had my puffy jacket the boys were jealous that I had kept it, thank you Janice I love it.This morning started off cold and wet had to put on wet sock liners and then my socks these then went into wet muddy boots, no point putting on dry socks as they will be wet in a couple of yards.Good job we have a big climb right away this will warm up my feet and get the heart rate pumping. I have on my wet pants and top, got a little sweaty, but as we crested the climb it got really misty and a bit cold I was glad I put them on.It¢s supposed to start raining again in a couple of hours, this will make it a bit slippery on all the Rock piles, I know I have said it before but if there is a rock pile the AT will go right over it every time.We have a steady hike just taking one break at the two hour time, we have a good pace going even over all those Damn rocks! Rocks all over the place and it¢s only going to get worse, I have been up to the northern end of Pennsylvania and I know how rocky that is, Great!!!!This being a 9.3 mile day we are finished early and first thing we do is to go to Timbers Restaurant to eat. Good food and great coffee. Just down the road is the Hostel we are going to it¢s called the Trail of Hope Hostel. Run by a church Ministry, great place nice and clean with hot showers, just what a hiker needs. I had a nap, then we ordered Italian take out, delicious even had a Desert of Tiramisu a good choice.Now it¢s up to bed do my journal, get my gear ready, try to dry my boots a bit, stuffing them with newspapers, seems to work ok.Love these short days you can get the miles in then relax a bit. Tomorrow we have a 18 mile day I believe, we try to average 100 miles per week, so for today¢s short day we will have to make it up somewhere.Anyway for today we are all clean and showered, laundry is all done, we are ready to go again, town food tastes great !!!!!, GoodnightAnyone can walk on the flat, much more fun living on the edge even if it¢s a bit WetOnly got. 1107.3 miles to go before we stagger up Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-06-12
From: US 30 Fayetteville

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 16.2

Crazy BritGreat Day today apart from a noisy night at the Hostel, they were working overnight laying new black top on the Highway, got a ride up to the restaurant ¢Timbers¢ had some good food and coffee.From there we had a walk up the road to get back on the trail, as usual there is a big climb out after walking thru a nice park. The trail is in good shape today it¢s dried up a lot after the big storms.We are walking along a nice ridge line not to many ups and downs so we can make good miles. We pass the Quarry Gap Shelter, this has to be the best Shelter we have seen so far, it has Caretakers that comes in every day to tend the flowers. Yes he has put up hanging baskets and flowers all out in the front of the shelter, even has a little wishing well.There were a couple staying there celebrating their one year wedding Anniversary, they even got married in the park and had their wedding night at the shelter.Time to carry on heading ever North, we have lunch at the Birch Run Shelter, another well kept place. I can¢t believe the trail just has a few small muddy spots here and there, as we come out on to the Shippenburg road there are two sets of Trail Angels set up Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Drinks. One of the guy¢s started his Thru hike the same day as Dan and finished within a couple of him but they didn¢t recognize each other.As we carried on David picked up a set of keys, we met a guy walking towards us and guess what they were his. At this time we were looking for the Midpoint of the AT, the guy informed us that we had in fact just passed it, couldn¢t believe it.So we walked back sure enough there was a little sign. Apparently the older grand looking sign complete with flags got burnt down in a forest fire, the remains we can see all around us.So on we go to the Toms Gap Shelter, not as grand as the last two and it¢s only a four person deal just right for us.Time for a coffee and some dinner, collect some water and I am all set think I will have a Hot Chocolate before bedtime, got to get my journal done.I have called Janice she was supposed to be going out with Greg and Alice Hobie and Mary to Celebrate our Wedding Anniversary, But she is not feeling good with her Bronchitis, so she will be a lonely girl at home in bed, so sorry sweetheart.Now it¢s time for a Hot Chocolate then Bed.Goodnight allLike I always say Anyone can walk on the flat , but is sure more fun living on the EdgeOnly got. 1091.1 miles to go before Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-06-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.0

Crazy BritGood job we were in the shelter, last night it rained pretty hard, we were nice and cozy in the shelter there were only the three of us very nice.I told you Yesterday about the halfway sign that we were told it got burnt down, but just up from the shelter on the trail there was the sign so we got our photos taken, just to prove the fact.We are heading towards Pine Grove Furnace they have a snack bar serving breakfast sandwiches they are awesome, together with hot coffee, just the ticket.This is were they have the half gallon of ice cream challenge, people try to eat the half gallon as fast as they can, most eat half then they throw it all up.They also have the AT Museum there. Very interesting place, we spent some time there, on we go up the trail it is still raining a little, but that just keeps you cool, good for hiking.We are heading towards the Alec Kennedy Shelter it¢s supposed to rain again during the night, it¢s a hard hike today lots of Rock piles and of course the White blazes go right over the hardest places, if you are following me on face book you will see what I mean.It¢s a long 19 miles to the shelter very rough. We eventually get to the shelter it¢s a nice place, it was originally built for three persons but now it has been enlarged to take at least 8.I have cooked my dinner, had a coffee, doing my daily journal now I can have a hot chocolate and relax almost time for bed, it¢s nearly 8:00 pm after all.It was really great to actually pass the Half way point, I had a big lump in my throat, of course I didn¢t tell the others it was very emotional for me. At this time I have to give a big shout out to my two Hiking Buddies Oh and Barbara Daves Wife. Without these two guys it would have been very very hard to accomplish what I have at the moment. They are setting the pace, I feel really strong and I know we will make it to Mt Katahdin baring any stupid accidents. Thank you so much David and Dan, thank you Barbara for driving us all over, and for your families hospitality, around Harpers Ferry, it¢s going to be hard to repay.We are over Half way Whoop! Whoop!Time for bed goodnightAnyone can walk on the flat,but around here there is no flat, live on the Edge.Only got 1118.8 miles to go before we summit Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-06-14
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Carlisle PA
Miles today: 11.9

Crazy BritHad a really great morning of hiking from the shelter above, up to Carlisle. We were hiking mostly thru farm land, lots of Corn and Mazes. It still baffles me that the famous AT Trail is about 8 inches wide and only a couple of inches deep after all the hikers that have gone thru these sections.The highlight of the day was coming into Boiling Springs, what a cool town. My first sight was coming over a bridge and there was a guy Fly fishing fog trout mesmerizing watching him, he was good, one of my favorite things to do.I sat beside the lake and waited for the others to catch up, I wasn¢t sure where the Cafe, coffee shop was, they soon came and we walked around the lake and went to the cafe.There were a few hikers there already they told us we were in for a treat. Boy they were right, great food and coffee, I was hungry so I had 2 eggs bacon, home fries, wheat toast, and two large pancakes. These were large portions, I eat all mine David was stuffed and left some, 3 Cups of coffee I felt Great.Just down the road was an Outfitters with the Best Fly Fishing section I have seen in the USA. The staff were great you could tell they loved their jobs at the store. The guy said he was going fishing on the way home after work, nice and helpful, told me to come back when I am not so busy???Just across the road is the Appalachian Mid - Atlantic regional office so we went in got my passport stamped, another nice person running this office, I like this town.We left town walking up a road to rejoin the AT Trail saw a sad sight a dead deer in the hedge such a beautiful animal, good to be back in the woods to a much slower pace even tho the town was slow, cars still wiz by.Today Dan introduced me to Mulberries they were so good, we found lots of trees full of berries, so after I tasted my first berries I was hooked. Of course they are pretty small but they certainly taste oh so good.We came across a small grave yard, it was so sad to see the grass and weeds overtaking the graves, the oldest we could read was in 1773, hell those Brits were still in charge then.The sun was out great day hiking, we are heading to Carlisle for a hotel, shower and wash clothes they are a bit smelly.Talk about showers it¢s kind of embarrassing, having a shower and seeing all the trail dirt going down the plug hole.Had a shock after getting our room I decided I had earned a cold beer, so I walked to the gas station with Dave to get my reward. To be told I would have to walk about another 1 -1/2 miles to buy a beer. Now I really needed one Dave said your on your own so off I went in search of the elusive Pennsylvanian Beer. This is Stuipid I had to walk 3-1/2 miles to buy 2 - 6 packs of beer Bud Light 10$ per 6 pack it¢s a PA rip off, big yes.I had come so far so bought them sucker!!!!!!!Time for dinner so must close, got a good hike tomorrow into Dunncannon P A. See you tomorrowAnyone can walk on the flat, but you have to live on the Edge in P to get a BeerOnly hot1060.2 miles to go to Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-06-15
From: Carlisle

To: Duncannon P.A.
Miles today: 15.6

Crazy BritWhat a Day had a really good Hike thru lots of Farmland, and then into the Rock piles, these are just crazy you could hurt yourself really bad if you slipped and fell from the trail.There are a number of viewpoints along the way. It¢s nice to be able to see the rich farm land of Pennsylvania spread out in front of you. I never get tired of these as you can see from my Facebook Photos.We got some great Trail Magic on PA 850, ome really nice Husband and Wife with their Daughter in Law and a really cute 4 1/2 year old little girl. They had all the good stuff, burgers, hotdogs, water melon, cookies, Cokes and Gatorade, they had done their homework, thank you.There was a great view of Duncannon from the Hawk Rock View point. This town is a bit on the sad side, all of the manufacturers have closed down, it was here that they built the Glider hand carts and all associated garden stuff.I was meeting up with the guys at the famous Doyle Hotel, we met in the bar, man this place has seen better days, it¢s falling down and really dirty, it was once a high class place, sadly it¢s on its last legs. David didn¢t want to stay, Dan said it would be an experience not to be missed.The whole building is in a really bad state of repair, I refused to have a shower it was so bad. To ease the discomfort I went and bought a bottle of Jack Daniels, and some Cokes, DN got the ice, and we sat on the balcony and drank it, highly Illegal but it tasted all the better for it. I slept in my sleeping bag, thought it was safer.Time for Bed Goodnight Anyone can walk on the flat, but living on the Edge staying at the Doyle is something else.Only got 1048.3 miles to go till we climb Amy Katahdin
Date: 2018-06-16
From: Duncannon

To: Campsite at mile marker 1169.3
Miles today: 21.5

Crazy BritBig Day 21.5 miles these have to be done because of the water and campsites available.Well after staying at the Doyle I can now stay anywhere. That place is a Sh..Hole, don¢t know what would be best pull it down, or put tons of money into it to bring it back to its former glory.We had a great breakfast across the road, the owner thought us rather crazy to stay at the Doyle. Dan wants to Slack pack today, so David and myself head out to the Trail. It's a long way to get there over a mile and a half.It¢s a hard climb to get to the top of the ridge, really rough and rocky, it¢s hard on the feet and knees. There are some great views again today, can¢t get enough of these, seen a couple of deer today they are white tails.Today we again had some Trail Magic just the right stuff that hikers need, and as an added bonus the site they chose was on PA 325 right on a beautiful River. And as an added bonus he had a fly rod, and he let me have a go. Loved it never caught a fish but had a great time.One last hill for the day I hate these hills at the end of the day, plus it a high mileage day. David is all ready there getting set up, as I was fishing and he left me to it .Tents all up, food is hoisted away from the critters lots of Porcupines here we have been told. Anyway dinner is done, journal is almost ready to send, so it¢s time for Bed Goodnight.Anyone can walk on the flat , but it more fun living on the edge avoiding porcupinesOnly got 1021.6 miles to go befor we summit. MT Katahdin
Date: 2018-06-17
From: 1169.3 campsite

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

Crazy BritWow today it has been so hot in the high 90 degrees, plus high humidity makes for one long HOT day. And on that the damn bugs trying to get in your eyes, not my favorite hiking day.Looking for a stream or river tomorrow so we can wash off the sweat and dirt, good job I picked up some soap, wet cloths just don¢t cut it. A useful tip to save weight in your pack, take out the wet cloths and dry them out, then when you want one just wet it with water and it is as good as new.Only had two big long climbs today and a couple of fairly long rock piles to clamber over. I know it gets boring telling everyone about the rocks and I know from my visit to Pennsylvania last year testing gear, that it¢s going to get worse, but we should be out of PA next week with luck.We had to cross a swamp today, made by Beavers, cute little buggers until they make a Lake right across the AT Trail. This was a real pain to cross, I was going to take a video but thought better of it. I was pretty deep and muddy. Beavers are pretty smart dam builders, someone said they are going to have to move the trail.Again today we met another Trail Angel parked in the Swatara Gap car park, really cool guys had ice cold drinks, cookies and candy, he had never been a hiker just likes to help out, he also walks up the trail a mile either side of the Gap picking up litter just to keep his part of the forest clean. He also asked us about the Beaver dam and said they might have to get a horse in there to break it up, thank you sir.Well we have made it to our campsite all hot and sweaty, going to do a 19 mile day tomorrow, so we will only have a short 9 mile day into Hamburg and a hotel with a shower, laundry and a beer or two.Had my dinner, now time for a Hot Chocolate and Bed.Anyone can walk on the flat, but it¢s more fun clambering over rocks and living on the edge in Pennsylvania.OH Yes another big thing we are only 00.2 miles away from being under a 1000 miles before we summit Mt Katahdin