morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 11.0

It was even colder last night. I hit 1,000 miles a couple of minutes after I left the shelter. I continued with the Roller Coaster and ran into so many people doing day hikes and weekend trips as it is the beginning of Memorial Day Weekend. My first stop was at the Bears Den Hostel which is like a castle. It is owned by the Appalachian Trail Club. This is a really cool place. I look forward to staying there when I do this section again. After leaving there it was like I had a huge power boost and was really moving through the rocks at a fast pace. I got here to the Center at 1:00 pm. I got a bunk and just sat back and relaxed. I also helped a work crew a little and played host for a couple of hours taking care of hikers that were coming through to get water and check things out. The Trailboss and his wife Sandy run the center. With 2 work crews staying here and the holiday weekend it is really crowded in this area. They cooked us a dinner which is actually trail magic as it is not normally prepared for the hikers. Have a full belly and am getting tired. Looking forward to getting into Harpers Ferry tomorrow and to visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 11.9

Has a good time at the Blackburn Center. Was up early as everyone else was up early. It was fairly rocky but not much in the way of elevation gain or loss. Trail was still very busy with the holiday. Solo and Otto left me a message to call them when I got here but I got here 2 hours earlier than I thought so I sat at the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) Headquarters for a while. Got my picture taken in front of the building and signed in as North Bound Thru-hiker #250. In 2012 I was #499. Looked back into some older albums, especially 2012, to see the people I know and to refresh my memory of others I had forgotten. Also had a chance to share some of my experiences and to give some info to prospective hikers. I also got to talk to several children and their parents also. My mail drop didn¢t make it so I will be staying here at the Teahorse Hostel another night. Laurel is a great hostess and makes some excellent waffles every morning. WE have quite an array of people here. A mother and daughter from China, a cyclist from Kentucky, 2 other thru hikers from Canada, and some kayakers. When I finally got ahold of Solo and Otto they took me to lunch in Harpers Ferry then went to the outfitter to see if they could help with my tent poles but to no avail. I have had a good day otherwise.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.6

Woke up to the smell of waffles and coffee. I can tell who is hiking and cycling as we were the first to be at the breakfast table. Laurel offered me a work for stay, (small jobs to pay for night¢s stay), by mowing her lawn which I was more than happy to do. After that I went back to the ATC Headquarters for a while and then slackpacked from the ATC side trail to down town Harpers Ferry. It was a whopping .6 miles. Took me about 15 minutes. After I got to see a few exhibits Solo called to find out where to pick me up for a burger cookout at a friend¢s house. They forced me to eat 3 cheeseburgers (haha). He brought me back there to the hostel and I will be getting another good night¢s sleep. Will be another late start tomorrow as I will have to wait for the mail to be delivered.
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke to the waffle breakfast this morning. Went to Harpers Ferry and what a difference it was from the weekend. It was so quiet. The Park Rangers were just opening the exhibits so I was the first one of the day to visit most of them. I then headed up to the ATC headquarters to see who else had arrived in town. Met Black Bear, GQ, and his dad Walking Man. At 10:30 I headed back to the hostel to see if my mail came. As I was walking up, Laurel was checking the mail and it was there. She let me take care of my stuff and I called Big Agnes to order my new poles. I will get them next Tuesday in Boiling Springs, PA. That means I will have to stay in shelters for 7 more nights. Had lunch in Harpers Ferry with GQ and Walking Man then hit the trail at 1:15. As I crossed the Potomac River where it joins the Shenandoah River I entered Maryland and said goodbye to West Virginia. 5 states down, 9 to go. As I walked along the tow path I was able to pock wild strawberries. Not very tasty but very juicy. I then ran into a pair of geese with 4 or 5 babies. They let me take a couple of pics. I then proceeded to this nice shelter. Unfortunately someone died here on March 15th when a dead tree fell on his tent. Maryland closed all their trails so they could cut down all suspect trees around the shelters. We are full here tonight and it looks like we are all headed to sleep.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Started at 7:00 this morning to clear skies and high humidity. First rest stop was at Gathland State Park and the War Correspondence Monument. From there I continued until I ran into a trail magic cooler with ham and cheese sandwiches, soda, and oranges. What a great lunch. Next it was on to the original Washington Monument where I met Plodder who started a thru hike in 2012 on March 22nd, the same day I started but we never met each other. He has to get out at Harpers Ferry so now he is trying to finish. Not long after that it started to rain hard and I walked in for about an hour. It stopped just before I got here. Got a fire started to dry out clothes and have had dinner. Will do a little reading and call it a night.
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Raven Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 13.2

Been keeping pace with a woman from Maine named Black Bear. I like talking with her while we are all eating dinner. I am starting to go a little crazy not being able to put in more miles because of being tentless. Just have to hold out for 4 more nights. Saw a deer nursing a fawn in a meadow but didn¢t want to disturb them so no pics. Stopped at Black Rock Cliffs to get some video of the view. As I was heading up the last climb a hiker who was taking a break said ¢Hi Voltron, how¢s it going?¢ He had been following me on trail journals and recognized me from my pictures. His name is Last Chance. This shelter is brand new. I think it is the newest one I have been in, Double Decker. It sleeps 16, has a covered area for the picnic table and is spotless. There are 7 of us in the shelter with TJ tenting. Looking forward to pizza tomorrow before entering Pennsylvania at the Mason Dixon Line.
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Raven Rocks Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.2

Up and on the trail a little after 7:00. Tried to take my time as I only had 4 miles to get to the Pen Mar Park. I ended up getting there at 9:30 and I had to wait till 11:00 before I could order pizza. I sat on a bench and started to read a book when Last Chance showed up. We sat there shooting the breeze when a trail angel showed up with a cooler full of Gatorade, Snapple, Bananas, oranges and cheese crackers. We talked with her a while before she moved closer to the trail. Our pizzas and soda were delivered pretty quick and we both ate 12 of our pizzas and packed the other half for dinner at the shelter. After my 3 12 hour lunch it was time to move in. Right after I left I reached the Mason Dixon Line and entered Pennsylvania. I just kept going after that and got to these twin shelters. 1 is marked ¢Non Snoring¢ and the other ¢Snoring¢. These are really taken care of. The Overseers came by and brought us sodas. Going to do a 19 miler tomorrow. Will stop at Caledonia State Park for lunch and to go swimming.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept fairly well. Got up early as everyone else was. Hit the trail at 6:50 with Cheeseburgers on my mind. It was a humid start as it has been the last couple of weeks. I was drenched with sweat within the first mile. Lots of day and weekend hikers out as it is the weekend. That will be the norm seeing we will be so close to towns for the next few hundred miles until we get into Vermont. I got to Caledonia State Park at 10:15 and went to a quiet area and got into the creek to cool off and clean up. It felt so good. I got to the concession stand just as it opened and ordered two cheeseburger combos. The fries were great for a hiker. Nice and greasy. Nothing in the way of views so it was a pretty quick hike to get to here. I weekender brought out plenty of apples for all of us. I ended up eating 1 for dessert and putting 2 in my bag plus a banana for breakfast. Will hit the 12 way point early tomorrow and then a stop at The Pine Grove State Park for the 12 gallon challenge. That¢s a 12 gallon of ice cream in one sitting. I will decide what to do after that. Will check out at AT Museum while I am there for sure.
Date: 2015-05-31
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 17.1

The nights have been pretty nice with temps in the 60¢s. Left at 7:10 this morning and hit the 12 way point a couple of hours later. Couldn¢t believe the name of the road where it is at this year. The road is called ¢Dead Woman Hollow Road¢. Got a couple of pics and took a video. I then stopped at Tom¢s Run Shelter for a water break and to sign the shelter log. After that I hit the old Midpoint Sign and took a couple of pics of that. I then hit the 1,100 mile mark where a turtle greeted me. I arrived at Pine Grove Furnace State Park and went straight to the store to get my first container of ice cream. I got a quart and a half of Moose Tracks and finished that. I then went back inside to get a pint of Chocolate Ice Cream to make my half gallon. I ate it in 41 minutes. 20 minutes later I got a huge Buffalo chix wrap. I sat and watched Sponge Bob who I met last night at the shelter eat his half gallon and the Cat Napper, who I met in 2012, ate his half gallon. Cat Napper said he uses one of my view photos from 2012 for his screen saver. I went and checked out the A. T. Museum and headed down the trail. About a mile in I took a very short side trail to the creek and washed up there before heading here. The terrain in Maryland and so far here in Pennsylvania has been real nice. Most of the shelters have been really taken care of. Nice and clean. Just me and Spongebob here tonight. Should be a quiet one. I got here just before a quick shower and got the fire started. I have had dinner and am looking forward to being back in my tent tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-01
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 12.0

Got a good rain last night and early this morning, slept in until 7:00 as it was just Sponge Bob and myself at the shelter. Got on the trail at 7:55.The first climb was nice and gradual but the next one got steep just before I entered the rock mazes. The mazes are a lot of fun for me as it breaks up the monotony of just putting one foot in front of the other. Actually, I had to use my hands to pull myself up in a couple of places. Had 4 short climbs in a row until I got to the farm fields. Glad I didn¢t have to walk through them this morning as the grass was thick and I am sure it was really wet from last nights rain. The corn is much shorter than 2012 as I am a month earlier this year. Watched a storm moving up behind me from the fields so I picked up my pace to get me to the ATC Mid_Atlantic Regional Office here in Boiling Springs. I crossed the street to the P.O and my poles hadn¢t arrived. I decided to go to Caffe 101 for lunch before calling Big Agnes about my poles. Had a Rueben Sandwich and a strawberry shake. Then I went back to the ATC office and called Big Agnes. They said the poles were in a nearby town and should be here today. I went back to the PO and they were there. I decided to stay at the free campsite seeing it is going to rain tonight. I am all set up and hopefully the rain will be done by morning. Should be in Duncannon on Wednesday.
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Rained all night and all day until about 3:00 pm. I sat in my tent and finished the book I was reading and then looked ahead in my guide book all the way into New York. After that I took a 2 12 hour nap. When the rain stopped I went to town to charge my phone and get some food. I got back here at 5:15 and cooked dinner. While I was eating it started to rain again so I am back in my tent. I am still camped next to a cornfield and the railroad tracks. Several trains pass here every day and several more every night. They wake me up but I am able to go back to sleep. Rain should stop tonight so I will be back on the trail in the morning.
Date: 2015-06-03
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

After being in my tent so long I was up at 5:15 and at the Mid Atlantic Regional Office for the AT by 6:10. I plugged in my phone to charge and headed to Caff© 101 for breakfast. I then went back and got on the trail at 7:10. I was able to keep a good pace as the terrain is fairly level. Hiked along several fields of mostly corn, wheat and I believe soybean. The crops are so much shorter than in 2012. The temps have been nice. I find it hard to believe I have been wearing my down jacket around camp in the morning. As I hiked I was able to pick some wild strawberries and the mulberries are also starting to ripen. I got a couple handfuls of those to eat also. When I got to the foot bridge over US11 near Carlisle, PA I decided to hang my tent and rain fly to dry. I stretched my lines for the rainfly across the walk. As I was just finishing my snack a jogger comes up so I start to untie my lines but he says he¢s got it and before I can say anything he jumps over the lower line and runs right into the upper line tearing a huge hole in my rainfly. He doesn¢t stop, just says he¢s sorry and continues on. I was in shock as I just got my new poles 2 days earlier. Will call Bug Agnes tomorrow and see if they can do anything for me. I think a new one will cost $120-$140. I got here to the shelter at 1:45. I got a fire going which took a while as everything is wet. I met J who started January 31st. I was following his trail journal before I left. Last Chance is here also and we are all going to the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon tomorrow. I also met a couple, Sassafras and Ascot, and one other hiker named Tur Tur. Will probably get up early to get to town.
Date: 2015-06-04
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.3

I was on the trail at 6:02 and did 3.7 miles in my first hour. A nice start for the 100th day. After that I had a steep little climb and then I hit a rocky area. I saw a deer when I came out to a pipeline clearing. She just stood there for about 30 seconds and then took off. I just hiked and I got to the Doyle at 9:35. That means I was doing 3.22 miles an hour. The Doyle doesn¢t open until 11:00 am so I went to Goodies and has breakfast. As soon as the Doyle opened I got a room, then a shower and then went in on laundry with J and Last Chance. Ate a great cheeseburger in the Doyle Bar. I then called Big Agnes and they set me up with a used rainfly for $60 which is half price. I will pick it up in Delaware Water Gap 8 days from now. I met Last Chance¢s wife as she brought him a resupply then I got the grocery store shuttle. The grocery store will pick us up at 4:00 and bring us back when we are done for free. Had dinner with Tur Tur in the bar and came to my room to get my pack ready for the morning. Will have breakfast again at Goodies then hit the trail.
Date: 2015-06-05
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After a filling breakfast at Goodies I hit the trail. I walked through the neighborhood, crossed the Susquehana River and started my climb back up to the ridge line. After the climb it leveled out and I made good time. There were a couple of view points but it was real hazy with all the cloud cover. I seen another deer as I came out of the woods out into a pipeline clearing. Got here at the shelter early. This is a nice 2 story job. The deck had enough room to set up my tent body to get away from the bugs. The water source is down a steep trail with 295 steps. I only wanted to go down once so I filled up everything. Looks like I will be in bed early.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Glad I was in the shelter last night as we got a pretty good rain storm. Hit the trail at 7:15. I took the side trail to the Kinter View. I was standing on a boulder and as I went to leave both my feet went out from under me and down I went on my ass. I looked to see if I had a bruise when I got here to the shelter but so far so good. Water was plentiful today and the overcast with the breeze made it a perfect hiking dat. Stopped and has lunch about halfway through then caught up to Last Chance and hiked with him for a while. I also hiked with another thru hiker named Salty Dog. Got in here at 2:10 and had first dinner. Got my chores done and am getting ready for second dinner then hit the sleeping bag for another long day tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Everyone was up by 5:45 am. I ate breakfast and was the first one out. Last night 2 hikers came in that I hadn¢t seen since day 1. I met them at the Hiker Hostel where I stayed the night before I started. Ironman Bill and his son Just Pete had just gotten back on trail after being off for a few days. They had started a few days before me. I was about 2 hours into my hike when I saw a bear in the trail about 100 ft in front of me. It was a decent size bear of 225 lbs. It looked up and saw me then took off before I could get my camera out. I got to Swatara Gap at PZ 72 and ran into Salty Dog who was talking to Cat Napper. I hiked with Salty Dog the rest of the way to the shelter. When we got to the shelter we waited for others to show up so we could all order pizza together. We ordered 6 of them for the 7 of us plus 6 liters of soda. As I was leaving to meet the pizza guy Croc Rocket showed up. I hadn¢t seen him since the Smokies. Right after that Ice Cream arrived who I hadn¢t seen since the first 2 weeks of the hike. In the end there were 12 pizza boxes empty in a pile. We all had a good time but now it¢s off to bed.
Date: 2015-06-08
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

1200 miles done. Again the entire shelter was up by 6:15 am. I had breakfast and hit the trail at 7:25. I really took off. I was just hopping on the rocks that I encountered early. It seemed like I had endless energy. After the only little climb I had I started to slow down. I stopped to mark the 1200 mile mark and take a pic. About 30 minutes later I ran into Salty Dog once again and hiked with him. When we got to the shelter sign neither of us looked at our paperwork and ended up going the wrong way. We got about 3 tenths of a mile when we realized we were still on the AT and not the shelter trail. We turned around and arrived here at 1:15. Without a tent I need to stay here with a storm front moving through tonight. Had my leftover pizza for lunch and set up my place in the shelter. Going to get firewood then eat dinner and go to bed.
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

That storm hit fast and hard a little before dark. First came a torrential downpour followed by quarter sized hail. So glad I was in the shelter. We all made it through and an hour later it was all over. With so many people here I was up early. Left at 7:10. The terrain had steadily been getting rockier. It doesn¢t seem as bad as last time. I don¢t know why as it is the same trail. Saw a deer today when I crossed a woods road. It was really steep dropping down into Port Clinton. I know most of the people at the shelter were staying there or in Hamburg. When I got to PA61 I walked toward Hamburg to the Walmart to resupply. It was about a mile there and a mile back. I had a turkey sub and a pint of Half and Half for lunch then hiked back to the trail. Got here to the shelter early. Salty Dog was right behind. Croc Rocket came in about 7:00. I set my tent up in the shelter because there are so many spiders I don¢t want to get spider bites as some of them can be nasty. Looking forward to a shower and a phone charge at Eckville Shelter tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Started earlier than planned but that was okay. The rocks got even more plentiful today. Had a couple of nice views today though. I got to the Eckville Shelter at 10:20. I plugged in my phone and took a shower. I washed my pants and shirt them went back to the shelter and ate lunch. I started to read a book then Salty Dog came in. I stayed at this shelter in the 4th of July in 2012. I packed up my stuff and was on my way at 2:40. It was a nice 4 plus hour break. I only had 7.4 miles to go so I took my time. My feet are getting sore from all of the rock hopping and my shoes are also taking a beating. I am here with a different Wolverine than the one I met in Virginia. Also here is Nature Boy who I have met before but only found out tonight that he lives in Naples. That¢s pretty cool to have someone from home out here. Went to get water and filled my two bottles when my Sawyer bag broke. Luckily I have another one coming in in a couple of days, but will have to figure something out to get me there. I have my tent set up as there isn¢t going to be any rain tonight. Another 16.8 tomorrow will put me in a great position to climb out of Lehigh Gap on Friday. It is a fun climb but would like to get off the top before it gets too hot.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: George W. Osterbridge Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

What an interesting day. Hit the trail at 7:05. A couple of miles in I saw a doe. She kept eating as long as I didn¢t move but as soon as I went for my camera she took off. Trail was nice in the beginning but then as I neared the Knife¢s Edge it started to get rocky. Knife¢s Edge is real challenging. I had to climb on these boulders which were high and it was pretty well straight down on each side. Wanted to film it but needed both of my hands. I stopped at Bake Oven Knob Shelter with Nature Boy and met Grandmama Bear. Went to get water and seen a porcupine. Took a pic but I couldn¢t really see him in it. Right after that about a miles and a half up the trail, we ran into Trail Magic. It was donuts, fresh fruit, rice sides, mac n cheese, along with bread, peanut butter and jelly to make sandwiches. I had an orange, a banana, and 6 donuts. There were also several gallons of water as we are starting to run into dry springs and water sources far off trail. Thank you Starman for the trail magic. It was awesome! I came across another woods road and seen a buck. I am tented here just before the shelter. Will carry a lot of water tomorrow as it will be a long haul between sources.