morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-06
From: Ironmaster's Mansion 

To: ATC Backpacker Camp 
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Decided to zero yesterday due to the heavy rains and presumed the trails would be like small creeks. Seem like i ate most of the day starting at the motel, then at the Italian Taxi then back at the Holly Inn tavern for several beers and a few plates of huge wings. Got a lift from the Holly Inn back to the ATC museum which is where I left off. It was still closed so I decided to start hiking anyway.  The trail was still pretty sloppy and in several areas was had small streams running down them. It was impossible to keep my shoes and socks dry so I just gave up early in the day.  It rained most of the day and my trusty umbrella came out and did great.  I still get some strange looks when I pass people but my guess is that they are jealous of my hands free tool and that I am pretty dry.  Finished the audiobook "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn".  Another classic but a hard book for me to listen to with all of the different dialects.  Part of the trail walks you through and around some private farmlands.  Along one of these areas I walked up on a large frog in the middle of the muddy trail and surprised it just stood there, so I took a picture and moved on.  Got close to the campsite so decided to hike into Boiling Springs to find some food and did at Cafe 101.  After devouring a soup and sandwich combo, I also polished off an apple fritter. It was so good, I got two to go for breakfast in the morning. On my way back I stopped at the ATC Mid-Atlantic office and chatted with one of the volunteers.  Also met another FF hiker at the office  who was headed back to the Holly Inn.  He was having issues with his shoes and was coming back to the Boiling Springs outfittter to get some different shoes.  Ended up back at the ATC Backpacker camp which was about 19 miles for the day.  As I was setting up my tent, I found out just how close the railroad tracks were to the campsite. Several trains came by and shook the ground and train whistle was deafening.  Hoping they will not be too many trains tonight.
Date: 2017-05-07
From: ATC Backpacker Camp 

To: Doyle Hotel 
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: light rain

Did I mention the campsite was near a railroad track?  The trains came by all night blowing their whistle and the steel wheels screeching as they rounded the bend where the campsite was. Before night fall, 5 more tents showed up and made camp while the rain lightly fell. The first part of the day was reasonably flat but muddy from the recent rains. The later part of the day became tough with the rocks and ascents. Hiked through some beautiful yellow fields of flowers as the AT followed property boundaries of farmlands. Today I was listening to Grapes of Wrath audiobook which was ironic due to the rich farmland setting I was in most of the day. Stopped at the famous Doyle Hotel in Duncannon. Total mikes for the day was 25.6.
Date: 2017-05-08
From: Doyle Hotel 

To: Yellow Springs Campsite. 
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: few clouds

Last night around midnight, a loud tornado-like siren went off. I listened carefully for any message to leave the hotel as I assumed what I had heard was a fire alarm. The way the Doyle looked to me it would go up in a flame without much effort. Thankfully there was no fire and the siren turned down and only the quiet street noise could be heard through my bedroom window. As you leave the Doyle, the AT walks through the neighborhoods of Duncannon. There were many kids waiting on street corners waiting for the school bus to come pick them up. Seemed sort of surreal, that I was hiking the AT through a neighborhood of kids heading to school.  Crossed over the Susquehanna River amongst all of the traffic going to work. Then started the climb up the ridge line paralleling the river. The ticks make the climb that much harder but once in top it flattened out and I made pretty good time. Met up with Chrissy & Checklist who were both flip-floppers from Harper's Ferry.  Passed Clark Creek, which reminded me a lot of our Creek at our cabin in N.GA.  I talked to a section hiker that told me he thinks the worst part of the AT in Pennsylvania is coming up right after PA 501 and 20 miles north of that. If that's true then I will be in that section on Wednesday on my way into Port Clinton. Stopped at the Yellow Springs Campsite. The last two spring crossings on the trail were definitely yellow in tint and color. 24.7 miles today.
Date: 2017-05-09
From: Yellow Springs Campsite. 

To: Campsite few miles north of the 501
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: clear sky

Camped with Tree Beard from Knoxville last night who is flip-flopping from Harper's Ferry. I have met several FF from HF now and they all have a real thirst to get to Katahdin. Tree Beard also is a hammock camper and was able to look over his set up. It was cold and windy last night and Tree Beard said the wind sails through his tarp but the rest of his gear keeps him warm. The weather today was perfect with a nice cool morning and never got too warm in the afternoon. Stopped at a nice campsite with an overlook-type view for a nice sunset. No one at the campsite as of this posting so it's nice and quiet. The relentless rocks on the trail are starting to get a bit rougher and my feet and ankles are quite sore tonight. 25.1 miles for the day. My brother-n-law is coming to meet me Thursday morning at Port Clinton so he can experience 2 days of hiking and camping in the AT. I will be returning home after my brother-n-law leaves the trail. Will be fun to share this adventure with another family (male ) member. For some reason none of my female family members wants to join me .
Date: 2017-05-10
From: Campsite few miles north of the 501

To: Port Clinton Hotel 
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: broken clouds

Passed 1,200 miles early in the morning! Saw two more Gardner snakes on the trail, each slithering off the trail as I approached. Found some trail magic on the trail and picked up some fig bars. Makes for an extra breakfast which I did enjoy. Hiked through several miles of a prescribed burn area which made for some not so good looking areas. The rocks on the trail seemed to get a littler worse than yesterday but not as many easier stretches which made yesterday feel better. Left ankle and right foot are sore, so looking forward to slowing down over the next two days. Very steep descent into Port Clinton and walked across a railroad yard toward the town. Checked into Port Clinton Hotel, did some laundry, resupplied and made a bunch of calls to line up my plans with my brother-n-law coming in tomorrow. Had dinner at the the hotel which was substantial, cheesesteak, fries and a few cold ones. Met a family that was out for the day, visiting several watering holes in the area to celebrate the mom's birthday. They had a few shots and a few beers, ask me a several questions about the AT and then headed out back home.
Date: 2017-05-12
From: Port Clinton Hotel 

To: Hawk Mountain Road
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

After I logged my TJ post last night, I was still at the bar of the hotel. Two guys had been sitting next to me for a while and had also been asking me about the AT. They paid and said goodbye but then returned a few minutes later and gave me a sack of almonds they purchased next door from the Peanut shop. Talk about trail magic!Woke up early and walked down to the 3C Restaurant for breakfast before my brother-n-law arrived from Philly. It was a little less than a mile hike down to the restaurant which sounds far but was no big deal. You never think about walking to breakfast when your home, right?My brother-n-law arrived from Philly right in time and we parked his car near the AT. We packed up and headed out for our short journey together.  It's great to share this experience with your family and friends. We had tough ascent out of Port Clinton but once we made it to the ridge line, all was better. We stopped at Pulpit Rock for lunch and then the Pinnacle. It spit rain on us for few hours during the day but not too bad. We made good time for the day, being this was my brother-n-law's first AT hike plus the first real test after his full knee replacement. Later in the day we met up with Snowhite (FF), Grapevine (FF) and Wallstreet NOBO. Made camp and had a good time talking about family and getting updated on everything that was changing. Cold evening and found out that my Zpacks Duplex tent really is a two man tent, no problem. 15.1 miles for the day.
Date: 2017-06-12
From: Hawk Mountain Road

To: Bake Oven Knob shelter 
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: few clouds

I have been off the AT a few weeks enjoying some family excursions and more weddings but got back on the trail a little before noon today. Today was very hot and reportedly got up to 92. Met a large group of Boy Scouts early in the day at one of the scenic view points. They were from Indiana and the terrain and treacherous rock path were testing them all. There was a few sections of the trail that were nice but in general, the path was very rocky and in some cases difficult. I know I have plenty more of this in my near future but seemed more difficult after being off the trail for almost a month and after gaining back a good bit of the weight I had lost. I also broke both of my carbon fiber poles (just above the tip) while traversing the rock sections. I have tried to fix them from splitting up the remaining pole so we will see how they work in the morning. Today's section only had two good spots for water and as hot as it was today, reminded me of my hike through N.GA this past October. Stopped Bake Oven Knob shelter to drink and pick up as much water as possible and then moved just north on the trail for a nice campsite. The shelters name was very appropriate for today's hot conditions. 17.4 miles today.
Date: 2017-06-13
To: Leroy Smith shelter campsite 
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: clear sky

Was hot again today and the trail was exposed in many areas, particularly on the rocky summit (Blue Mountain Ridge) overlooking Lehigh River. There is also very little water along this stretch of trail. There was a 20 mile section after I left my campsite this morning with no water sources. Thankfully there is water here at the shelter site but about 1/2 mile down a rocky road. Most of the trail today was very rocky and my feet are taking a beating. Was very glad to fill up on some water tonight and put my feet up. Not many people on the trail which I was expecting a lot more after taking several weeks off. Stopped at the Leroy Smith shelter campsite. Hoping for a better day tomorrow. 23.6 miles today
Date: 2017-06-14
From: Leroy Smith shelter campsite 

To: Backpacker Campsite (NJ)
Miles today: 25.2
Weather: clear sky

What a difference lower temps, some shade and access to water make in a day of hiking on the PA rocks. Saw several rabbits and a few deer along the hike. Seems like all of the ferns are out in full force along the trail. Really makes it beautiful to walk along a grove (or what ever you call them) of ferns. Sometimes I feel so far away from it all while hiking the AT and then all of that changes when I have email exchange with a former employee living in Manila. I know some folks don't like being connected on the AT but I wouldn't have any other way. Left PA and said hello to NJ this afternoon. Stopped at the Backpacker Campsite just a mile short of 1,300 miles from Springer. Less than 900 mikes to go!25.2 mikes today
Date: 2017-06-15
From: Backpacker Campsite (NJ)

To: Gren Anderson shelter
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday I stopped in Delaware Water Gap to resupply at Edge Of The Woods Outfitters and then stopped into the Apple Pie backers for lunch and also picked up a few apple pies. Had one this morning for breakfast. Yum. Finished the audiobook "How Google Works". As a previous technology business co-owner I really enjoyed this book and wish it was around when I was in business. Really great insights. Hiked along the northern banks of Sunfish Pond.  Beautifully quiet and peaceful this morning. While walking along the pond, I ran into three ladies taking a break. One was Koolaid who had been in the trail for five months starting last year and the other two had started at DWG. A SOBO passed me singing to his music and I asked how he was doing, he said "blessed beyond measure". I think I can agree with him whole heartedly on that point. Passed Blue Mountain and had the pleasure of running into two crews of younger hikers, around 12-15 a crew plus 1-2 or seasoned hikers. Stopped at Gren Anderson shelter. Four other hikers are here tonight. Meeting my fraternity brother tomorrow for a weekend hike on the AT.  26.2 miles for the day.
Date: 2017-06-16
From: Gren Anderson shelter

To: Unionville, NJ
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

Did laundry last night in a trash bag and some Bonner soap. Clothes still a little damp this morning but at least smelled better. Passed Sunrise Mountain and the large pavilion. Stopped at the High Point State Park HQ and waited briefly for my fraternity bother Joe to be dropped by his girlfriend. We had a good hike but did get into some rain and rocks of NJ came out to welcome my fellow hiker. Stopped at Unionville, NY and camped in the town with about 10 other hikers in the towns park. A little strange but made for a nice campsite but was adjacent to public basketball court that the kids were playing till late in the night until a few of the sleeping hikers yelled at them to be quiet and then they left. We ate at a local bar and had some cold beverages, ribs and hamburgers for dinner.  Great way to start our weekend hike on the AT   20.0 miles today
Date: 2017-06-17
From: Unionville, NJ

To: Campsite near Route 94
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

Not many hikers got much sleep last night due to the basketball kids and the extremely bright light on a telephone pole directly over our hiker tenting community that automatically turned on after night fall and did not turnoff until morning. Needless to say we had a lot working against us last night from getting a good sleep. Joe and I got up, had breakfast on the bench by the basketball court and started our hike. We had a manageable day of 11 miles but had some steep ascents and very humid conditions that drenched us both by the end of the day. We met Simon and Alison a couple from the UK (hiking in remembrance to what we would call wounded Warriors here in the US) at one of the mountain top views. They were NOBO thru hikers and told us of some of their adventures, both getting sick with the dreaded norovirus and having to stay in a local hotel for five days before they felt better. We decided to find a campsite near route 94 where we had arranged for Joe's girlfriend to pick him up as they were headed to a family dinner in CT to celebrate Father's Day.  Once we found and set up our campsite, several of last nights hikers passed by and told us of a farmers market close by and invited us to join them. We did and had a wine tasting and some ice cream (I know strange mixture) before heading back to camp. A great day overall and really appreciate Bother Joe for taking the effort and time to spend some time with me on the trail. YITB.
Date: 2017-06-18
From: Campsite near Route 94

To: Wildcat shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: few clouds

Joe and I waited at the farmers market for his girlfriend to pick him up and I enjoyed some chocolate milk, bananas for breakfast and powered up my backup batteries.  After Joe left I tackled the "staircase" as it's called and started to get into a lot more rocks today. I finished "In Harms Way" today which is another great book about the sinking of the US Indianapolis and the unbelievable ordeal the survivors went through before getting rescued. Left NJ, entered NY about halfway through the hike. 8 states down, 6 to go. Hiked along Greenwood Lake high in the ridge line. Listened to boat races of some type on the lake which is very long. Today's high heat and high humidity caused the rocks to be wet and.slippery. I slipped three times today, one time so bad that my iPhone was ejected from my shoulder harness pouch and was smashed against the rocks. The phone still works but has become more difficult to type over the cracks in the screen. Now I know how every teenage and college person feels like with a.busted phone. Happy Father's Day to everyone out there. 17.4 miles today.
Date: 2017-06-19
From: Wildcat shelter

To: West Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 22.8

Day was full of strenuous hiking. New York is very beautiful and the woods are very different from state's south of here. The New York trail is certainly getting us ready for what's to come later on the trail. Hiked with two very good (and young hikers). One of them was from Switzerland and the other from PA. Today had storm after storm and we were shelter hoping trying our best to stay at of the worst of the rain and thunderstorms.  During the rain we went through the "lemon squeeze" which is the photo above.  Tough to get through when it's dry, even worse when it's raining. Stopped at West Mountain Shelter which is know for its night time views of New York City (about 60 miles away). I decided to tent as the shelter was full.
Date: 2017-06-20
From: West Mountain Shelter 

To: Graymoor Pavillion
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Much shorter and easier day although some of the climbs were difficult. Highlights were going through the Trailside Museum and Zoo, walking across Hudson River and the Anthony's Nose. The AT walks right through the zoo, which is the lowest elevation on the trail (120') and saw my first bear! Stopped at the Graymoor as they advertised a pavilion with electrical outlets (on the last bit of power in all my devices), a shower ( haven't had one in 9 days) and tub to do laundry in.
Date: 2017-06-21
From: Graymoor Pavillion

To: RHP Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

Today's weather and hike was one of the best in a few days. The trail in northern NY has moderated and made for a reasonably fast day of hiking. Half of the folks that were at the Graymoor last night were camping at Lake Canopus about 5 miles back. Stopped at the RHP shelter with 18.9 miles for the day. Two of the shelter maintainers came by to check on the place as well as take out the garbage. The shelter was close to a street so we all ordered pizza's. Pretty awesome dinner after a good day of hiking. Hoping to have a solid day tomorrow so that I can ease into Kent, CT by Friday.
Date: 2017-06-22
From: RHP Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: clear sky

Stopped in at the deli and had a greT breakfast sandwich, chocolate milk and a large Gatorade. Hiked by Nuclear Lake which was beautiful but the naming of the lake made me weary about jumping in :). Passed by the Dover Oak which is on the side of a road and tree covers easily covers both lanes and many of its limbs have been pruned back.  Stopped at the Wiley shelter which has a book exchange box.  Clever idea but I am reading books by audio so doesn't help me. Staying in Kent, CT tomorrow night so will be saying good bye to the guys I have been hiking with for the past few days; PD, Fish and Ricola.  Great weather and the trail was pretty moderate but I am dog tired tonight. 25.6 miles for the day
Date: 2017-06-23
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was short but difficult hiking due to the humid and hot conditions and several pretty steep ascents as we approached Kent.  Left NY and made it into CT.  I believe that's 9 states down and 5 to go through. Hiked up and over 10 Mile Hill and along 10 Mile river. Stopped in at Kent CT where I checked into the Fife and Drum Inn. Took a well-deserved shower and rested for a little bit.  Did my laundry in the sink and set out my clothes to dry. Waked back down the main street eating my way toward the outfitter where I purchased a new pair of Oboz hiking shoes.  My last shoes were a poor choice due to the rocky conditions and hoping that these new shoes will give my feet some added protection from the rocky conditions. Saw several of my hiking friends hanging out at the newly built hiker shower and bathroom center. Sounded like they were going to stay the night and leave in the morning due to the weather that was coming in tonight.  Looking forward to a comfortable sleep in the AC.
Date: 2017-06-24
From: Kent, CT

To: Belter's Campsite 
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning started off raining a little coming out of Kent with cloudy skies but ended up being a very nice, not as hot and muggy, as the last few days have been. I passed a few section and day hikers but did not see any of my hiking friends from the last few days. Walked along the Housatonic River for a few miles which was very nice and provided me with some flat trail to make some time. Also went through the Split Boulder which is much like the Lemon Squeezer back in NY but near as difficult. Stopped at Belter's Campsite. This is an all tent site with a privy with no walls. What it lacks in facilities it makes up in beauty of a very peaceful setting set amongst very tall pine trees and forest floor full of pine needles. Decent miles today which will help me get as far north as possible before I go home on Wednesday of next week. I have a lot to do back home before our family gets together for a long 4th of July weekend.
Date: 2017-06-25
From: Belter's Campsite 

To: Glen Brook shelter
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: clear sky

It rained last night which made the the packing up pretty wet but the rest of the morning the weather dried up and became nice day. Passed the 1,500 mile mark a little before 11 today. A rain shower soaked me and the trail early this afternoon which caused all of the rocks to get very slippery and treacherous to either ascend or descend. For me descending is always the most challenging and where I tend to slip.  Hiked past Lionshead and Bear mountain and then up a steep Mt. Everett.  Made it into another state this afternoon, saying goodbye to CT and hello MA. The forest in this area is beautiful with large short needled pine trees.  Stopped at Glen Brook Shelter.  About 10+ tenters here tonight.
Date: 2017-06-26
From: Glen Brook shelter

To: Shaker's campsite
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: few clouds

Much cooler sleeping last night due to the passing weather and higher elevation at the campsite. Probably 10-12 campers saying the night here. I bumped into FD who I thought was ahead of me but ended up hiking the rest of the day together.  He is 22 from PA and a very good hiker.  Early in the morning we met up with a family just opening the tailgate with trail magic folks from Mt. Aire, GA. The dad had been thru hiking and the mom and kids drove up to support him as well as hand homemade food. I also learned that he was hiking on behalf of CHOA (Children's Health Care of Atlanta) due the three times they saved his son's life while he was growing up. I told him that my daughter works for CHOA and will love to hear this story. The weather was cool most of the day and did hike past several other day hikers. At the end of the day we also bumped into Ricola which was a surprise and camped together at Shaker Campsite. We had dinner together before it started to rain but enjoyed seeing my hiking friends before I leave the trail tomorrow afternoon. Going home for about a week to enjoy a long 4th.
Date: 2017-06-28
From: Shaker's campsite

To: Jacobs Ladder Trailhead
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Late last night around midnight, some animal was screeching bloody murder and woke everyone in camp. It was clear some animal had been mauled and my guess was it was an owl. The next morning we had a nice hike up to Upper Goose Pond with my hiking buddies FD and Recola . Stopped in at Upper Goose Cabin got a nice tour from the caretakers a mom and a daughter who told us that she had been volunteering one week a summer since she was 8 years old. They also told us that there was 27 hikers that stayed at or around the cabin last night. After our visit, I left to hike down to the Jacobs Ladder Trailhead to be picked up by a shuttle driver. I will be off the trail until later next week.