morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-09
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

Very rocky trail to Wolf Rocks. Trail better there. Nice view of where I'm headed, Tott's Gap and Mt. Minsi from Nelson's vista. Met sobo hiking couple from Australia called Sand Groper 1 & 2. Nice view of Delaware River from Mt. Minsi summit. Hard cloud burst just down from Minsi summit. Nice woody descent to Delaware Water Gap. Night at Church of the Mountain Hostel. Rice dinner at Kirkridge Shelter. Crossed 900 miles to go mark.Day 2. Total AT Miles: 1289.30
Date: 2003-04-27
From: VA

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 31.8
Weather: clear sky

Wasn't even trying and got another 30 done. Not sure if it was the 0-day, or the half dozen Krispy Creme donuts I had for breakfast or the easy terrain. Was thinking about stopping at the shelter back but it was swarming with bees (also got a close look at a doe on the hillside) plus it had no water source. Bryant Ridge Shelter is impressive- two stories like Partnership. Caught Dimples & Java and A-Train & Grunt. Tomorrow starts the Blue Ridge Parkway, which leads throught the Shendoah's and up to Harper's Ferry (the approximate half-way point!). Got news that the Death Squad has hit the Parkway.
Date: 2013-05-10
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Tent Along AT Mile 1305.30
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Considered staying at Mohican Outdoor Center but it was full. Cook rice dinner on front steps Mohican Outdoor Center. Sunny day, hot in pm, comfortable in evening. Tent set up in nice spot. Rain expected about 10 pm.Day 3. Total AT Miles: 1305.30
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

Nice day, into the shelter well before sundown. Saw the first snake of the trail today, a thin green fellow. Flick, Sub Man and Tenderfoot (a SOBO) were at the shelter. Just trying to average about 20 to time my arrival in Harpers Ferry so I can visit some friends in DC on the 11th.
Date: 2013-05-11
From: Tent Along AT Mile 1305.30

To: Tent Along AT Mile 1321.30
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had good night, some rain, stayed dry in tent, mostly drizzle. Overcast morning today. Nice lunch at Brink Road Shelter. A little drizzle during the day. Did 16.0 miles today. A bit of sun after 4 pm when I set up the tent a bit north of Gren Anderson Shelter. Have a nice spot on low rise just off trail on leaf litter. Tent dried out.Day 4. Total AT Miles: 1321.30
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked today and caught A-Train & Grunt again. Saw Tree too, pushing on to Harpers by the 10th so he can take a week off. The shelter is in a really idylic valley where freed slaves did sharecropping 100 some odd years ago. An Israeli named Guy was at the shelter, on the trail for a few weeks for vacation. Have to stop into town tomorrow for a food resupply.
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

Couldn't get a hitch into town so we used Guy's cell phone to phone a shuttle. The town (Buena Vista said "Beeyounaa Veestah") was really spread out and I probably walked 4 miles between shopping and hitting the PO to mail a Mother's Day card. Didn't get back on the trail until about 1 in the afternoon. But I'm in no hurry.
Date: 2013-05-13
From: Murray Cabin

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

Walked 18.5 mi today. Nice day with clouds and some sun. Cool breeze all day. Wore jacket on and off. At Wawayanda shelter for nite with nobo hikers Minutia, Captain Handy and Strider. Cold nite forecast 35 degrees!Day 6. Total AT Miles: 1357.60
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Mtus Virginia

To: VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

(taken from post card)Hello from the BLue Ridge Mtus in Virginia, so named because of a natural haze. I'm feeling better after taking a "0" day for my pulled shin muscle. It's geting warmer so the bugs are out as are teh buds and blossoms. I saw a big doe yester day and beer scat on the trail. I can't wait to be marching through in New Englans so I can see more friends and family. Hope all is well at teh ranch!yours in kinship,mark
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Mombasha High Point
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Walked 16.0 mi today. Another nice day much sun n cool breeze. Wore jacket early morn n at lunch. Crossed NJ/NY state line just before 8am. Nice traverse bellvale mtn on glacier polished bedrock. Many blowdowns probly from sandy. Camped at nice flat spot next to trail north of Mombasha High Point.Day 7. Total AT Miles: 1373.60
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked w/ A-Train & Grunt. I realized today that they hike faster going uphill than they do going downhill. A few miles before the end of the day was Three Ridges- the trail planners decided that instead of having a 3 mile trail section go by a waterfall it should be 8 miles and go over three consecutive ridges. An excellent workout. Too lazy to walk another 2.5 to Rusty's Hard Times Hollow hostel, but I hear it's great. Want to get into Waynesboro early tomorrow.
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Mombasha High Point

To: William Brien Shelter
Miles today: 15.7

Walked 15.7 rocky miles today. Crossed 800 mi to go mark. cool morn with some sun. Bit of drizzle at midday then sunny pm. Met thru hikers corbett and hedgehog and section hiker mud mixer. In tent at William Brien Shelter.Day 8. Total AT Miles: 1389.30
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: scattered clouds

A-Train, Grunt & I hauled the 21 into town and got there around 2, 2:30. The best trail magic, ever happened. We hadn't even thrown out our thumbs to hitch and this guy pulls over in a white pickup and offers a ride. He then takes us up to a motel to pick up Grunt's package, gave us the grand tour of the town, brought us to a motel and then asked, "When's the last time you boys had a home cooked meal?" "Couldn't even tell you," we said. He then said he'd be back in an hour to take us out for dinner. We checked into the Quality Inn after some discussion and then Bobby picked us up and took us to Shoney's seafood buffet for dinner. It was excellent, a lot better than the breakfast we had had in Gatlinburg. We talked with Bobby- he's a grounds keeper at a school and said he just likes to show hikers some Southern hospitality and meet different people. Grunt & A-Train are meeting with Dimples & Java to go hang out at one of the local colleges for tomorrow but I'm gonna push on.
Date: 2013-05-16
From: William Brien Shelter

To: Bear Mountain Bridge Motel
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Walked only 9.1 mi today from tent site at william brien shelter down to palisades parkway then over west mtn and bear mtn. good morn for hiking - cool with breeze. At bear mtn bridge motel by noon. Will cross hudson river tomorrow morn. That will be AT mile mark 1400.Day 9. Total AT Miles: 1399.40
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Waynesboro

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: thunderstorm

Despite a late start (had to do laundry then call a shuttle) I put in my 20. Met Fixy again along the way for the first time in a while- he just walks from dawn until dusk and tents out, consistency is smart. Finally met Donkey at the shelter (and by "finally" I mean walking for two months reading people in the shelter registers and slowly catching up with them) along with Lucky & Sparrow. A bunch of kids were with their families tenting by the shelter. One cute little girls asked Donkey, "You're hiking to Maine?" "Yup." Then she pulled out a PayDay candy bar and gave it to him, "If you're hiking that far you're gonna need this."
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Bear Mountain Bridge Motel

To: Tent Along AT North of Sunken Mine Rd
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

Walked 16.5 mi today. In the 10 days i have been out i have walked 163 mi for avg of 16.3 mi per day. Today when i walked across the hudson river i passed the 1400 mi mark from my start last summer at springer mtn, GA.Another beautiful day in the NY woods. cloudy bright with cool breeze in am. Sunny with breeze in pm. Trees were generally taller today so that canopy was higher up with more open understory with less shrub and brush on forest floor. had brief but close view of pileated woodpecker in flight - black wings with splash of red and white about the head.Day 10. Total AT Miles: 1415.90
Date: 2003-05-04
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: light rain

The trail is starting to grate on me a bit... the typical Skyline Drive blues I guess. The original trail used to run where the road is now so it was relocated to be off the road and yet cross it for all the scenic overlooks people drive so far to see. Which means the trail crosses the road sometimes 3 times in a mile and does a lot of useless climbs and descents. Ah well, it is relatively easy going. Too bad it's rainy and foggy, not many good views and the ones you do see are nothing special compared to what I normally see in a day on the trail.
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Tent Along AT near Sunken Mine Rd

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

Chilly night last night, should have put on rain jacket n poss rain pants. Walked 17.7 mi today. Another good day for walking - sunny with breeze in am and cloudy bright with breeze in pm. Saw n photo pink ladyslipper orchids along trail. made rice dinner at ralph's peak hikers club shelter where i met 4 club members and also thru hiker aloha. Mostly woods walking today with nice view from high pt of canopus lake. Also views of adjacent ridges from summit of shenandoah mtn. am in tent near morgan stewart shelter for the night.Day 11. Total AT Miles: 1433.60
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: light rain

Wet, drizzly, cold. Thermometer said 36 in the morning and another said 38 around noon. Donkey & I stopped into a campground and ate a 2000 calorie lunch of honey buns and cinnamon rolls and microwavable burritos. Met Cakes after lunch (one of the Six Pack whom I passed without meeting as they took a day off the trail). Caught Ben and his father and brother just before the shelter- it's Ben's 21st B-day in 2 days and Donkey & I plan on making it one to remember. At the shelter we bummed a few wool blankets off some ladies in the real cabin by the shelter- definately helped with my now insufficient 40 degree bag and Donkey's liner and bivy and the dog's short hair.
Date: 2013-05-19
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

The drizzle started before 5 am. So I packed up a damp tent. Drizzled pretty much all day. Trail talk says drizzle n poss rain thru week. Oh well - we did just have 7 clear days in a row! Even with a drizzle many interesting sights today. Saw the Dover Oak - I think the oldest tree on the trail, like 10 ft thick at base. Saw beaver dams, lodge and the actual beaver itself! Trail passed thru nature conservancy sponsored Pawling Reserve. Walked thru cow pasture among the cows. Pretty brown cows with white faces and white feet and ankles. Met nice family at Telephone Pioneers Shelter who gave me a fresh orange! Cook rice dinner and fill water bottles at Telephone Pioneers Shelter. Pull into Wiley Shelter where I will spend the night. Hiker Doctor Fish Sticks pulled in at about 6:48, so I have company.Day 12. Total AT Miles: 1450.20
Date: 2003-05-06
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Solid day. Hit one of the Waysides (restraunts/gas stations/gift shops) that the Park Service operates in the Shenandoah Park for dinner and one of the famed blackberry milk shakes. Ben caught up way after dark and slept on the picnic table. Onward to the festivities at Front Royal!
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a work day. I walked 19.7 mi. So not too much fooling around. Shortly after starting at 6am crossed border from ny into ct. Morning was misty and wet from yesterdays drizzle. Met and walked a bit with hiker day glo on 1000 ft climb of schaghticoke mt. Both early and late in day had nice walks along housatonic river. Can hear river from my stop for the night the stewart hollow brook shelter. Predicted thunder storms have not materialized but probly will tommorow.Day 13. Total AT Miles: 1469.90
Date: 2003-05-07
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Easy day into town, where we'll be staying at the Terrapin Station hostel (due to insufficient people to go in on a motel). Believe it or not caught Nickle & Dime of the Death Squad and we merry hikers trooped into KFC for a feeding. Saw Demion at the outfitter's (awesome people there, but they're so new they're not in any of the guides). Demion, Latch & Fishhead are doing an "Aqua-blaze." White blazing is when you go on the official AT, blue blazing is when you take side trails, yellow blazing is when you walk on the road. They were going to take a canoe from Front Royal to Harper's Ferry. Another strange thing- Demion got sponsored by a backpack company to try out their new "pack"- pack being two saddle bags that strap onto your thighs and a fanny pack type thing. I'd like to know if it makes it to Katadin. Nickle & Dime & Cakes moved on but Donkey & I stayed to party with Ben & Co. Well, Wit gave us the idea of getting some party duds at the Salvation Army (only $5 a bag of clothes) so Donkey and I went there and got decked out, 70's style. He got a safari shirt and tie and khakis and I went with the polyester old man pants, Bannana Republic shirt and tan sports jacket. Wit got Ben a suit too so we were all styling. Two British dudes, one wearing a Simpson's tie and no shirt on the trail, were at the hostel so we invited them too. We all crammed into Ben's dad's carravan and drove a half hour to a town with a good pub- and yes, it was definately karaoke night. We had a blast and showed Ben a good time. And yes, I have pictures. Lots of them.
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Belter Campsite
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: few clouds

Morning starts well enough. Chat with Toeller while packing up. Say good-bye to Mud Mixer who is going to town. Warm and misty morning. Follow trail along Housatonic River. Trail comes to paved road and ends. Walk along road and back to junction finding no blazes. Investigate private driveway across from road junction where there is a fancy AT trailhead sign. Find no white blazes. Flag down local in a Subaru who says many get lost here and that trailhead is uphill on paved road. After half-hour of frustrating circling am back on the trail. Cross paved highway and descend to cross stream on slippery moss covered rocks. So far have not been many of these. Large stream crossings have always been bridges. At to of rise above stream meet hiker Camper Man. Feel sure I met him last year in the Smokies. Will have to check my notes when I get home. Continue to Pine Swamp Brook Shelter where I make my rice with diced ham and peas dinner. Meet hiker Yarrow who is just getting ready to depart shelter. Late morning and afternoon are sunny, hot and humid with limited breeze. My legs are fine, but I'm panting. Take it slow since I have time to reach my stop for the night. Between 2pm and 5pm hear load road noise from motor speedway at base of mountain. Have tent setup and am washed and in night clothes and in tent before thunderstorms start at 6pm. Much thunder some lightning and little rain. At 7pm storms start up again - less thunder some lightning, some pea sized hail and more rain. Heavier rain starts at 2am. Good thing I woke up at 1am to pee. Learned later that thunderstorm was much worse at Salisbury.Day 14. Total AT Miles: 1485.20
Date: 2003-05-08
From: Front Royal

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Short day due to post-party readjustment and the fact that the next shelter was probably full. Donkey & I got lucky- we made a shelter to sit out a thunderstorm then made the next one to sit out a wicked hail storm- hail the size of mothballs or marbles. The roof of the shelter was metal so the experience was like being inside a really big speaker; couldn't even hear each other yelling. Southern Yankee of the Six Pack rolled up pretty well soaked through a bit later. Nice section hiker from Virginia Beach was also there. He said he almost stepped on a copperhead yesterday, then he poked it with a stick (which made it coil up and get pretty ornery)- got to remember to look out for them and not to poke with sticks.
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Belter Campsite

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Trees dripping in morning but active drizzle and rain has stopped. Mostly pack-up inside tent. Shake-out fold and pack wet but not dripping tent in mesh pocket on back of pack. Use un-enclosed privy at Belter Campsite for morning constitutional. It's simply a "throne" in the woods with no enclosure - but I am grateful! Last night I was in Belters Campsite #4. To my knowledge, no other campers were in the other sites. I'm pretty comfortable being in the woods on my own at this point. Another misty morning walk. Cross Housatonic River on bridge at US highway 7. Trail parallels river upstream. Cross old iron bridge at Falls Village, CT near turbine building for hydro-electric plant. Trail passes Great Falls on the Housatonic River. The total drop from top to bottom is probably a couple hundred feet. The hydro-electric plant water inlet is visible at the top of the falls. Make 1000 foot climb over Prospect Mtn. Probably my largest sustained climb so far this year - even if it's not a very steep climb. Abort plan to make rice dinner at Limestone Shelter since it's 0.5 mi off trail and continue last 5 to 6 miles into Salisbury. Arrive private home about 11am. Will be here two nights. Meet owner. Get yogurt, cut fruit, soda and chips at local grocer. Dry tent on back porch and make rice dinner. Do laundry and take shower. Put my feet up. Call Cindy. Life is good.Day 15. Total AT Miles: 1496.30
Date: 2003-05-09
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Bears Den
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: light rain

Almost done with a 13.5 mile section called the "Roller Coaster", with 10 peaks. The story goes that the cheapest real estate was over the peaks- nobody wanted that land. So the USFS acquired it and that's why the trail runs over said Roller Coaster. Wet and cold all day, but Donkey and I got lucky and ducked under the porch of a cabin in time to beat out a healthy thunderstorm. The storm wasn't going anywhere for a while so we figured we might as well not either and hopped in our sleeping bags for a nap. Staying in the Bears Den Hostel, which is a summer house built in the '30's by a doctor in the style of a castle, with battlements and everything. Really nice folks working there and everything you need. Including Tombstone pizzas.
Date: 2003-05-10
From: Bears Den

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

Got a really late start, about 1 PM, because I'm still a bit ahead of schedule and only did 11.1 today. Somehow managed to be done before 5 all the same. Another 9 miles and I'm in Harper's Ferry! Halfway home! Over 1000 miles!
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Hemlock Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: moderate rain

First day out from my zero was challenging. Overcast, trees dripping, very wet ground, water running down much of trail, still draining from yesterdays considerable rain. But not actively raining until after i was in the hemlock shelter. So i didn't use the umbrella on trail today. Walked only 13.4 mi but did 3200 ft elev gain passing 4 high points inc bear mtn 2316 ft and highest point in CT and 2602 ft mt everett - 2nd highest pt on trail in MA. So also crossed state line from ct into ma. Also passed 1500 mi trail completed. There are 4 other hikers at shelter, inc 3 i met before. So lots of friendly chatter on a cold and drizzly evening.Day 17. Total AT Miles: 1509.70
Date: 2003-05-11
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Got up with the sun and did the 9 miles into Harpers Ferry by 8:30. Took the 10:30 train into D.C. and going to hang out for a day or two with some friends. Going to be meeting Munko probably on March 20 in Duncannon, PA just 15 miles outside Harrisburg.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Hemlock Shelter

To: South Wilcox Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: broken clouds

Cold night in bag. Up at 4am. Make rice dinner, filter water, pack. Walking at 7am. Gray overcast drizzly day with gusty wind in the tree tops. Cold wet and windy - lovely. Coming off everett mtn group slow due to deeply flooded trail. Footpath generally better drained once down in housatonic valley. Make 2nd crossing housatonic on road bridge. We've been paralling this river upstream for five days now. Arrive south wilcox shelter 5pm. Immediately get into night clothes. Supposed to be 35 tonight. Right now my feet are warm. We'll see how long that lasts. Weekenders tom and eric are here to shiver with me. Walked 19.7 mi today. Should be longest day this trail week.Day 18. Total AT Miles: 1529.40
Date: 2003-05-15
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: moderate rain

Back to the trail. Kind of- ran around town until 1 PM. Met the good old gang- Rock Hound, 3 Sock, Thin Mint & Beef Stick. Very psyched to see them again! Also saw Chaos, who's going to Trail Days; she solved her blister problem by hiking in sandals full time. Signed the register at ATC headquarters- I'm the 68th thru hiker to get my photo taken (although I'd have been in the 30's if I could have signed in on sdunday when I actually arrived in town). With the late start, cranked my 20 miles for the day. The last 7 or so were in the dark in a downpour. Soaked and a bit cold even in my bag.
Date: 2013-05-26
From: South Wilcox Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Up at 5am. Same routine as yesterday - make rice dinner, filter water, change, pack and go at 7:40. Overcast but not actively drizzling. Cool again today. Wear rain jacket and rain pants all day again. Sun peaks out about 3 times durring course of day. Ground very wet and soggy from all the recent rain. Meet section hikers debone and erin on trail. Hiker point man passes me again. arrive upper goose pond cabin about 3:30pm. Hiker mud mixer is here plus other 3 met earlier in day. Walked 15.8 mi today. Sun comes out about 6pm. Good omen for tomorrow. Day 19. Total AT Miles: 1545.20