morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-11-17
From: US 30 Fayetteville

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 13.2

Started off today with a great breakfast. Then showered and packed up. We started with a mile and a half walk to the trail on a nice cleared shoulder. Once we got to the path we could see at least 2 footprints on the trail ahead of us but the path was still 5¢ deep. It was beautiful but slow going and tiring. Rusty was so happy to be in the snow though and sprinted around for the first mile.  We actually got hot hiking since we were working hard trudging through the snow. Pete took his jacket, hat and gloves off and just had a tee shirt and light pants on. I did keep gloves on but no jacket or hat either.  We had to hike through some boulder area that Rusty fell through so Pete carried him. Pretty funny but when Pete first tried to set him down part way through, Rusty jumped back up so he carried the rest of the way through the boulders. Then Rusty was ready to be set back down.We ended up seeing a bunch of hiking groups today: a Howard County hiking group that was day hiking and 4 Boy Scout troops that were doing an overnight. Also at 2 shelters there were fires going which made me want to stop and join them.  We made it to our shelter around 3 and I was so happy to be done and able to put on nice dry socks.  I was also happy no one was here. We made a dinner that included Forager recommendations of adding butter and summer sausage to meals instead of Ramon.  It was very tasty.  By 5:30 we were in our beds but we actually stayed up talking and then texting our Clemson gang during the Clemson/Duke game. We only have 1 bar of service so cannot get the Internet. It¢s 1030 now though so very late for us. Maybe tonight I¢ll actually sleep normal.
Date: 2018-11-18
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I did sleep much better last night going to bed at a normal time. We were meeting a friend for a hike/lunch today so I set my alarm for 6:30 to make sure I knew to start getting ready then. Because of the snow and cold making it hard to sit down for an enjoyable long break, I made my coffee while still in bed.  Actually made a nice start to the morning.  Still it was hard to put cold wet shoes on but as usually our feet got use to it quickly.  The snow was still pretty but also made for an annoying, wet, cold and slippery path.  We got to the Mason Dixon line and it reminded me of my first backpacking hike on the AT with my son Dan 2.5 years ago. It was where we started. We are going to stay at the same shelters as we did last time except that then we were warm and slept in tents. Right after that we got to Pen Mar Park where we met Eileen and Kathleen.  It was so good to see them! It¢s funny but while hiking I don¢t think that much about missing people, but when I see them I really miss them more.  I decided then that I have to stop on Tues night in Harper¢s Ferry so I can go to my Cape friends Thanksgiving dinner party Weds.Unfortunately and really stupid but Pen Mar State Park does not open its parking lot until 11 so Kathleen had to move her car and couldn¢t hike with us. Instead she parked her car at the next lot which was at High Rock view and we hiked there. Very nice for us though we put our packs in her car and walked the 3 miles to meet her without packs. Eileen came with us and really enjoyed it though the snow made it slow going. High Rocks was beautiful but we ate lunch in Kathleen¢s car because of the cold. Her car was extremely cozy - warm and comfy seats!  Also Eileen brought us a great lunch - fresh rolls, cheese, salami, grapes, apples, almonds and chocolate!  She also gave us nice warming nippers: Fireball, Baileys, Kailua, and Jamison. Thank you! We enjoyed our long lunch and company. The spot was busy with people stopping by to get a view and we had fun watching them.  About 2 we decided we better start hiking to our shelter.  When we hopped out of the car, Pete realized one of the cars was stuck in the snow. He went up to them and told the driver how to get out. He also helped push them out. Then we started our hike. It had some pretty views though my phone died so could not take pics. Antietam Creek was too high so there was a 2 mile street walk around which we did. We ended up walking in the moonlight to the shelter. We got in around 6. I dropped my pack then went to get water. I could not find the path so I just headed through the snow to the running water sound.  We filled up enough for dinner. At the shelter I immediately switched to warm dry clothes then sat to snack. Pete first got his pad blown up and his sleep area set up then changed.  We enjoyed 2 freeze dried meals, a turkey casserole and a pad Thai, then had a nightcap - Fireball and Jamison. Thanks!Then we crawled in a warm beds.
Date: 2018-11-19
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.7

About midnight a hiker came in to our shelter and quickly unpacked and moved to the upstairs spot to sleep. Actually I was quite impressed how quiet and quick he was. Rusty did not bark fortunately but I did let the hiker know I had a dog. Both Pete and I woke early and tried to be very quiet. I needed more water but did not want to put my wet socks/shoes on so I put bags over my nice warm socks and then put on my crocs. Then I went through the snow to the stream and got my water. My feet stayed dry! I made oatmeal and coffee and the other hiker woke up and joined us. His name is Production and he is a flipflopper finishing at Pine Groove State Park. He got his name because he takes long breaks where he sets up everything - makes a production. He walked 35 miles yesterday because he wants to finish by Thanksgiving.  He started at the end of April.Also Rusty is now eating in the morning since I¢ve been being slower at getting out.  Rusty now wakes up and wanders around then comes back and eats.It still was hard to put on our wet cold shoes but at least it was warmer. All through the night we heard the snow melting. It actually sounded like rain at times. The hike started uphill so we quickly warmed up and took a layer off. The path was still muddy, wet and snowy but had great views. We stopped at Annapolis Rocks for a nice long break in the sun. It was still a beautiful view but was foggy. We needed water but did not get it at Annapolis Rocks since it¢s a 1/4 mile hike down to it and there was water everywhere. I was wrong though and there wasn¢t actually water for another 5 miles at the Washington Monument State Park. We got our water from the pump and sat to enjoy it except that it had a metallic taste. We did still both drink almost a liter but really prefer spring water. We also bathed Rusty with the pump since he was muddy a mess.  For the next 1/2 mile the path was still gross but then it became pretty dry. It looked like it really did not snow much there. We got to the Rocky Run shelter around 3:30 and it is beautiful. We walked down to the spring and got lots of great tasting water. We had spicettes and peanut butter and Nutella for a snack. Pete also had summer sausage which he shared with Rusty.  Pete noticed how beautiful the sky looked so climbed up to the campsites to see if he could actually see the sun setting and he could. We joined him and I showed him the camp spot Dan and I had camped at during our trip. We watched the sun go down into to the trees then went back down to the shelter. We made a nice Ramon bomb for our last night out here. We do not get much reception in the shelter, so Pete went out of the shelter about 20 yards and the reception is great. He is getting his son Matthew to pick us up tomorrow in Harper¢s Ferry. Then we had the best nightcap Kailua and Baileys - thanks!
Date: 2018-11-20
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry ATC HQ
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Neither Pete nor I slept great. We both fell asleep around 7 then woke up at 11 and couldn¢t get back to sleep. I think we were both too excited about seeing family. We talked for awhile and I¢m guessing fell back asleep sometime around 1. We both woke up around 530 and it was still dark. I did get up anyway and made coffee and oatmeal. We packed up and were out by 715; sunrise was around 7. We had a 16 mile hike so assumed we be done around 2.  MD paths are nice and wide for the most part so easy terrain except that they were waterlogged.  We had to walk up on the sides a lot. MD also is beautiful with a lot of great overlooks and historic sites. My favorite is Weverton Cliffs which overlooks the Potomac.  Walking over the Potomac on the Byron Memorial FootBridge to Harper¢s Ferry is great too. It¢s absolutely beautiful along with the town Harper¢s Ferry which the AT goes through. Once again it reminded me of my hike with my son - we were so happy to get to town.  We walked up through town and there were groups of students exploring the town. One of the groups asked if we were hiking the AT and were quite impressed that we had walked more than their tiring 1 mile. Another group surrounded Rusty and took a ton of selfies with him since he was the prettiest dog they had ever seen. Their chaperone was really funny admitting that Rusty was the highlight of this field trip.  We ended at the ATC HQ exactly when my mom and dad were walking up. It was wonderful to see them! We went inside and had our picture taken for the 2018 album. I looked through the album to see if I could find a couple of the hikers that I started with but did not see them.  It was great talking to the people at the HQ.  They are so positive and encouraging.My nephew Matthew came in shortly after and it was great to see him. He came to pick up Pete. He is a very handsome VA Tech student that really seems a lot like Pete.Then we headed to my parents house for a long Thanksgiving break. I am really looking forward to seeing people, lots of showers, real bathrooms and great food!
Date: 2018-11-25
From: Harpers Ferry ATC HQ

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

I had a great extended Thanksgiving break. I planned to have all my mail drops done and everything ready but had too much fun socializing with family and friends. Ended up having to go out this morning to get little things I forgot for my boxes.  Also I only did boxes till Christmas since I plan to come home for that holiday too. And with all the extra cold gear, I had a hard time packing my bag. With a weeks worth of food it weighed 47lbs. I really should have reorganized and removed things. A lot of the weight is food though. Usually in the Shenandoah there are food places open everywhere, but they are closed now for winter which is a real bummer.   My parents drove me back to Harper¢s Ferry and we stopped in the ATC HQ to use the bathroom. Once again it was great to talk to the staff since they all love the trail.I headed the wrong way to the AT path and fortunately my parents knew it and saw me. They pointed out the right way which was pretty funny.It was a warm sunny hiking day. I switched to shorts and a tee within a mile. The WV path is beautiful overlooking the Potomac. I walked with 2 older men for the first couple miles and we talked about how relaxing backpacking is when you have unlimited time. They were just enjoying a day hike today.  Then I crossed over the Shenandoah River bridge which is beautiful. Then headed uphill to VA. I met a hiker there that had a beautiful Springer spaniel. He was day hiking also and we walked together for the next couple miles talking about fun hikes in this area. He has hiked a lot and gave me new places to hike for next year. After he turned around, I met a great couple, Bonnie and Bob, who walk this trail often. They were picking up trash. We were talking about how wet and flooded the trail was. Bonnie mentioned she had waterproof socks and I told her a friend, who paddleboards all winter, told me about them last tues and I was planning on getting a pair. Bonnie took her pair off and handed them to me since she thought I needed them more. They also asked me if I needed anything else - so nice!We got to the shelter around 3. This shelter has a path leading to double swing and picnic table which are under a roof. The campsites have picnic tables too. It¢s suppose to rain tomorrow morning though so i am staying in the shelter.  We did enjoy the nice night but by 6 were in bed and asleep. Rusty heard something around 8 and took off after it barking. Fortunately he came back fine but I did put his leash on. Then I wrote my blog.
Date: 2018-11-26
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Sam Moore shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

As expected it was raining in the morning. It¢s suppose to stop at 10 then start again at 2.  We are going to the next shelter which is in 14 miles so we can wait till the rain stops or 10 at the latest. We ate and stretched and enjoyed the slow morning. It was just drizzling when we started at 10 and I was very comfortable in my new waterproof socks and rain gear. Around noon I started getting hot though and took off my rain pants and at 1 my rain jacket. My feet were warm but I did keep the socks on since the path was pretty wet. Most of the day was foggy but the sun came out for about an hour and everything sparkled. Then right after passing Bears Den Rocks it started raining again. We only had 3 miles to go but I did put my jacket back on. We got to the shelter at 430 and the rain stopped. I got our water, towel dried Rusty, hung my clothes to hopefully dry, changed into warm dry clothes and made dinner. It was completely dark by the time dinner was done and only 530. As usually got in bed by 6 for my long winters sleep.
Date: 2018-11-27
From: Sam Moore shelter

To: Signal Knob parking lot
Miles today: 14.1

It sleeted during the night and was quite loud hitting the tin roof of the shelter. By morning it had stopped fortunately. We had an easy time getting moving this morning because after todays hike we were getting picked up by my college friend Kathy for the night. Also my clothes did pretty much dry last night since it was so windy.It was cold and sunny and an easy pretty hike through the woods. We really made good timing and I called Kathy to tell her we¢d be early. Unfortunately the parking lot I gave for pickup was a gravel lot off a pretty bad gravel road. I called to ask her if she wanted me to change the pickup place but she said she¢d make it and she did even though she had a little car. I was quite impressed. It was great catching up and the drive to her house was beautiful.  She lives in the country and can see the mountains from her house.  She has two 6 month old corgis who were very excited to meet Rusty. Old man Rusty though wanted nothing to do with them. I however really enjoyed watching them play. I also enjoyed all the great food and drinks I was given. Connor, Kathy¢s son, made us a great dinner which I enjoyed watching him make. It¢s really great to see families cooking and eating together.  Yes, especially when I get to share! We had a relaxing rest of the night watching sitcoms.  I also loved seeing all their Christmas decorations and listening to Christmas music.  I really will miss decorating.
Date: 2018-11-28
To: Mountain Home Cabin
Miles today: 16.1

I slept great even though it was in a Penn State decorated room. I went downstairs and packed up my bag. Kathy had laundered my clothes and they were folded neatly for me - so nice!  She also offered to send some clothes back home since I had really overpacked after Thanksgiving. I reorganized my pack and made a send home pile though I did add an orange hat for hunting season.  Also Jon gave me Scotch Guard to spray the undersheet of my tent so water would not seep in - great idea.Jon made us tasty omelets then drove me in his Jeep back to the trailhead. It was fun riding in the Jeep on the gravel road. We walked together with the 3 pups for about a mile. It was windy and cold but all the dogs loved it.  There were a lot of branches that had blown on the trail. The winds were over 20 mph last night and today were in the teens. The feel like temp was 17.  It was comfortably walking but freezing when you stopped. There was a hostel right off the path and I decided to stay there. I emailed and fortunately they had room and accepted dogs. I got to the hostel around 4 right as the owner Scott was pulling up. He is a 2016 thruhiker so is fun to talk to and his cabin is perfect. He has a big collection of tea which I really enjoyed. He also has lots of food to buy that is priced fairly.  It¢s after 10 now though so time for bed. Rusty and I are the only ones here tonight.
Date: 2018-11-29
From: Mountain Home Cabin

To: stealth spot on top of mountain after Elkwallow parking
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept great in the cozy cabin. Scott came in at 630 to make me an excellent breakfast: French toast, maple yogurt, cantaloupe, apple slices and grapes. Scott and Lisa also own a beautiful historic house that is next to the cabin that is a bed and breakfast. The property is only .1 miles off the AT.   The cabin has a boot dryer. Though my shoes were dry, I put them on the dryer during breakfast (Scott suggested it). After packing up, I enjoyed putting my warm shoes on - what a great way to start a hike on a cold day!I started hiking around 8:30. It was cold, cloudy and windy. The sun did come out around noon and depending on which side of the mountain I was on varied from cold to warm. That makes it hard because I kept taking my jacket on and off which means stopping to take my backpack on and off. There was still snow and ice on the cold side of the mountains which was quite pretty.About 4 miles into the hike, I entered Shenandoah National Park. I was disappointed all the waysides were closed since they are known for good food; however, the views were great with all the leaves off the trees. Also, though I could see skyline drive road, there weren¢t many cars. The AT parallels the road and crosses back and forth which would be annoying if the park was busy.  Unfortunately the shelters were at inconvenient spots for me. I was not ready to stop after 13 miles and did not want to walk 26. I waited till after 4 and got water at the first stream I crossed. Then I looked for a stealth spot which did take an hour so I ended up setting up at 5:00 with a beautiful pink sky. The ground was frozen so I used a rock to hammer in my tent stakes. It was dark and freezing by the time I was ready to start dinner. We ate quickly and then dove in our tent and under our quilt. It did take awhile to warm up but now we are very content. It is in the upper 20s.
Date: 2018-11-30
From: stealth spot on top of mountain after Elkwallow parking

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Set my alarm for 6 this morning so I could hike all the light hours 7-5. I did enjoy a beautiful sunrise but did not leave until 7:30. Even though the temp was suppose to be 30 it felt nice because there was no wind. The hike was beautiful with many great views. The path on top of the mountain was covered with ice and snow but the lower part was clear. Part of the path had lots of snowy pine tree branches that were covering the path. It smelled beautiful and made me sing Christmas songs (once again Kathy thanks for letting me stay with you - I loved listening to Christmas music and seeing your decorations!) though showed how bad the winds must have been earlier this week.  Once again there were tons of squirrel and deer so Rusty is happy but exhausted. We both were ready to be finished at 4 but I wanted to get to the next hut (shelters are called huts here). It¢s suppose to rain all day tomorrow and we plan on getting to the Country View Motel, our next mail drop, tomorrow to watch the Clemson game.  The first half of the last mile was on the side of the mountain and was over an icy path. It was bad timing since it was getting dark and I had to walk so slow. We got to the hut and got water. It was dark when we made dinner though we still got in bed by 7.  From this hut we can see a town and Christmas lights.  Tomorrow we have another 20 mile day so we will try again to start by 7.
Date: 2018-12-01
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Swift Run Gap
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: fog

The all day wintry mix was suppose to start at 9 today so I set my alarm for 6 so I¢d be ready to go when it got light.  I have a 20 mile hike to get to my hotel.  I started hiking right at 7 which ended up being the clearest part of the day.  The freezing rain started at 8 but was really light and short.  It did bring in the fog which lasted pretty much all day.  The ice was still bad on the ridge in the high elevation.  The deer were everywhere today so Rusty has fun.  We walked as fast as we could only stopping for a long break around 9 to feed Rusty.  The others stops were probably 5 mins to eat a bar which I shared with Rusty.  We actually made it to the pickup spot at the park entrance around 2.  That was the fastest pace we have done.  We stayed warm and beat the heavy rain.  I called the hotel from skyline entrance and they picked me up in a nice warm pickup.  We stopped at the deli before going to the hotel so I could get food and beer, a great Full Nelson VA Pale Ale.  I did my laundry and blog and finished right in time for the great Clemson game.   We planned on taking a zero tomorrow but it¢s suppose to be in the upper 50s so need to hike but will do a short hike tomorrow.