morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-16
From: Pa.309 Blue Mountain Summitt

To: port clinton
Miles today: 26.7
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning we were up and on the road by 6, we had to go by and pick nanners dad up so he could drive us to the trail. We stopped at a store to get coffee and biscuits and met a guy who said he loved our hiking shirts and loved what we stand for. We then made it to the trail at 7 with our hiking poles and one light pack. The first 4.1 miles to the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter was mostly dirt path with just a few rocks. We then hiked up to Dans Pulpit which was a huge flat Rock structure that looked like a good place to stand and preach. We then hiked down to the road and walked .2 to the Eckville Shelter to get water bc it was a very hot and humid day, so we filled up every chance we got. We realized we had 11.5 in by 11 but stii had 15.2 to go. We left there with a 1000ft climb up to the pinnacle and then over to Pulpit Rock which had a great view of the valley below. We realized we only had 7.7 to go at it was just 2:30 so we were making good time. The trail was much easier today even though we still had some rock hopping and scrambling to do. We then just called nanner and told him we would be there at 5:30 so he could drop our packs off. We didn't stop anymore and made the road at 5:25 and nanner was there with our gear. His brother drove us a mile to Wal-Mart where we purchased food for tonight and some snacks for the next four days of hiking. Nanner is this young man we met in 2010 while hiking and call him out trail son, he always meets us when we are hiking and always helps us in anyway he can. We thank u nanner for everything and anytime u need us just call. We are in port clinto and will have to go to the P.O in the am before continuing our journey. We have 1217.1 miles to go. God Bless
Date: 2015-08-17
From: port clinton

To: 501 shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: few clouds

The day got off to a good start we were up and out at 6:45 and we walked to a diner .8 down the road for bf. The diner gives u your money's worth that's for sure. We then walked back to the P.O. to pick up our food box that y's guy sent us. When we arrived we seen where the P.O. doesn't open until 12:30 where our book said 7:30. We knew we couldn't go back 3 miles to Wal-Mart and we couldn't stay there until 12:30 so we started hiking and would have to make do with what we had. But, u will c how God works things out a little later. The first thing leaving Port Clinton u walk thru a RR yard and then start a 1100ft steep climb out of the town. We had to hike 9.3 miles until our first water source so we carried 4liters because it was hot and muggy. Once we made the climb the trail was pretty level with a few patches of rock but alot of dirt. When we arrived at the spring we had lunch and filtered 4 more liters of water. We then crossed PA. 183 and then passed Fort Dietrich Snyder Marker before making it to the Hertlein Campsite for a break. We were thinking of stopping there but decided to continue and try to make 501 shelter by dark. We only seen one hiker all day and that was 3 miles out of town. The day was humid and we had no air moving at all. We then made it to Round Head, Shower Steps and knew we had to get moving bc it was 6:45 and we had 3 miles still to hike. We then started hiking faster but had some rocks and boulders to hike over and then we jumped a bear to our right and for about a half mile it followed us down the trail at the same distance until we finally make a left hand turn in the trail. We then jumped 4 quail before finally reaching 501 shelter at 8. We set up then Ratman took a solar shower before dinner. Now, to how God works things out. Remember earlier about the food box and we may be short with food, well we came around a corner of trail and there sat two cans of tomato soup which we are eating now and a couple miles later a pack of ramaen noodles, God is good. God Bless
Date: 2015-08-18
From: 501 shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

We started hiking by 7:00 and the weather is still great but a little humid. We see back home they are always getting rain but we have blue skies daily. We first hike about 4 miles on flat terrain and pass an opening on the side of the Mtn where in 2010 there were 10 guys lined up hangglidding it was awesome to watch. We then after 11 miles of hiking went under I-81 which felt like home bc we can get off of I-81 onto I-26 and be home in 1 hr. We then tried hitching a ride into Lickdale,PA and after 15 min a lady who thru-hike in 1989 gave us a ride. We went to Wendy's to eat then over to the gas station to get water and snacks before trying toget back to the trail. We also purchased 4 hamburgers from Wendy's to have for supper. While in the store I talked to a man who then offered us the 2.3 mile ride back to the trail. We made it back by 3 and had to climb up to 1500ft before going down to the shelter. We were about 1.5 miles from the shelter when we hiked by an old graveyard and it was eerie. Right before hiking thru this say .5 mile stretch the birds were singing, the wind blowing and we were being attacked by 100's of knats. But, as soon as we entered this creapy area the wind stopped,the birds stopped and the knats vanished. Then when we made it thru all 3 continued doing what they were doing. That area had silence while we hiked thru it. Then the last mile we ran to the shelter bc it started thundering real bad. We made it and the storm passed us up with barely a sprinkle. We ate our burgers and relaxed the rest of the evening. God Bless
Date: 2015-08-19
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: scattered clouds

We were hiking by 6:30 this morning after a good nights rest. The trail was very easy with really not much elevation change and little rocks. In the first 4.5 miles we came to Yellow Springs Village Site, where the sign said it was an old coal camp. We then made our way to Pa 325 where we took a break and ate. We were pleased to have 11.5 miles in by 10:30. The ridgerunner showed up and we chatted for about and hr before we realized we needed to get going. We then stopped .4 up the trail to refill our water from a spring. We then hiked to Peters Mtn Shelter where we took a break but climbed down 300 rock steps to the spring to get water. We have noticed that we have been drinking more water with the humidity being so high. We then made our way over to PA 225 where we crossed via footbridge. We had planned to hike all the way to duncannon but after talking to the ridgerunner and spending 45 min getting water down those steps we decided to hike 4 more miles to the shelter and call it a night. We have 2.4 to the road then bf in town before hiking on so we can get to boiling springs Friday. God Bless
Date: 2015-08-20
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Pa.850
Miles today: 13.3

It rained a couple times during the night and rained for about 15 min around 6 this morning. We were the only ones at the shelter. About 6:30 it stopped raining so we packed up and started hiking to town. The trail was rocky until the last .7 down to the road. It was 2.4 miles down to the road, we then hiked .6 across the bridge and went to a gas station that had a subway. We ordered two subs to pack out so we could eat them for dinner. We then hiked 1.2 miles to Market Street where we had bf at a small restaurant across from the Doyle hotel. We were outside on a bench packing up when a guy pulls in and asked what direction we were hiking then handed us 20 dollars and told us to have a dinner on him. We thanked him for such a kind gesture and walked .5 to the woods where we had a 1.7 climb up to Hawk Rocks. As soon as we reached the woods it started pouring the rain. We were making good time and started talking about hiking the entire 30 miles into Boiling Springs until it started raining very hard for two hrs straight and the trail became a river, the water was actually pushing rocks down the trail and was above our boots. Actually we expected a boat or a big fish to come by at any moment. We made great time to PA. 850 but were drowned. We had done 13.3 by 1:30 with 2 hrs spent in town. Tumbler wanted to walk to the nearest house to see how far it was to a town to get dried out so we went maybe .2 to a house where this nice guy gave us a ride 5 miles to a very very very local motel where u check in at the bar, we joked that no one under 21 could get a room bc the sign said no one under 21 allowed. So here we are in a warm room resting and drying out. We have 17 to hike tomorrow into Boiling Springs and stay on schedule. The weather is suppose to be good but after all the rain we don't know about the trail. God Bless
Date: 2015-08-21
From: Pa.850

To: boiling springs
Miles today: 16.6

We left the motel this morning around 6:45 and the skies were blue again with no clouds,a big change from yesterday. We walked .2 to get back to the road where we would have to hitch to get back to the trail. As we arrived at the road we noticed a pickup pull into the grocery store parking lot. I told tumbler that could possibly be our ride to the trail because the two guys stared at us like they never seen a hiker trying to get a ride back to the trail. This town in not a hiker town and is not listed in the guide book. Where we got off the trail bc of the rain isnt a normal road to hitch from. We went over to the store to get a coffee and I started talking to the guy who we saw in the truck. He was getting coffee as well. We told him what we were doing and he bought our coffee for us. We then went to hitch but no cars were going our way, so I had tumbler go ask him if he could give us a ride back to the AT. He said yes and that they never see any hikers in this town. We made it to the trail at 7:40 and hiked thru two fields before climbing up to the shelter. This would be our only climb of the hike today. We then made it down to the valley at 400ft to 550ft hiking in fields of hay,corn and soy beans. We crossed I-81 again and then I-76 before crossing two other roads and arriving in Boiling Springs. We had hiked 16.6 miles n 6 hrs and where ready for a break. We walked .3 up to the Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse. They let thru hikers stay for 40 dollars a night. We checked in and showered before walking .8 to town for lunch. We went by the ATC and then had pizza for lunch. We stopped and bought some snacks and pops for the room then hitched a ride back bc we didn't want to walk anymore. We were informed by a Northbound section hiker that a South hiker had told her he had met us in 2012 in the whites giving a talk of hiking the AT at one of the huts for out work for stay. We are taking a zero tomorrow before heading on to Va we are 100 miles from reaching our home state. God Bless tomorrow Iwill post some more interesting stats from our hike so far.
Date: 2015-08-22
From: boiling springs

To: boiling springs
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

We took a zero today before heading out towards our home state of Va. Here are some interesting stats so far on the trail. The first thing is animals seen on the trail deer 47, bear 7, grouse 22, moose 2, raccoon 1, turkey 22, snakes 35 including 1 rattlesnake. We have had 77 trail magics. We have passed 55 SOBO hikers that started at Katahadin so far. We have passed 126 shelters and hiked over 112 mountains that are named in the guide book. The hikers we have met and the state or country they are from is Illinois 5, Norway 1, Minnesota 1, Colorado 3, Va 20, Ga 16, NC 10, Missouri 3, TX 18, Penn 12, NY 6, Mass 10, mich 8, ark 1, Louisiana 2, Tenn 9, Conn 1, Cal 2, NJ 7, Fla 9, nh 2, Kansas 3, wva 2, alabama 4, Arizona 1, Delaware 1, Oregon 2, sc 5, ind 1, Maine 4, Canada 9, Germany 4, Kentucky 1, Wisconsin 4, RI 2, Maryland 4, Washington 1, Vermont 9, Mississippi 1, Ohio 7. We have hiked 1346.40 miles for out church fundraiser. That's all the stats for now see ya in Va. God Bless
Date: 2015-08-23
From: boiling springs

To: halfway spring
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light rain

This morning we were up and checking out at 7, when we went to the front desk the lady couldn't find us in the computer. She finally realized they had cashed us out yesterday, so for two nights and a breakfast we were charged 43.60 what trail magic. We walked the .8 down to the ATC where we would start on the AT and in the hiker box found oatmeal,Luna bars and two boxes of nabs, great trail magic again before even starting our hike. We decided to go up to the cafe and we split a bisquit and gravy platter with a cinnamon swirl latte. We then started hiking around 8:30 and had a great hike beside the pond in boiling springs and then thru a field before hitting the woods. Once we started into the woods we had a very little gradual climb up to Center Point Knob then down to Whiskey Spring Road. We seen many day hikers and trail runners going in the opposite direction but no thru hikers in either direction. The day was good for hiking bc it was not humid and we had sunny skies. We made it to Pine Grove Road for lunch and couldn't believe we had hiked 11 miles already. We then hiked on easy trail for 8 miles to Pine Grove Furnace which is where the half gallon ice cream challenge takes place. In 2010 I ate mine in 16 minutes but we didn't partake this yr. We had two sodas each and talked to a couple nice people about our hike so far. We then hiked 2 more miles where we have stopped for the evening. The day was easy hiking with easy climbs and also easy descents. God Bless
Date: 2015-08-24
From: halfway spring

To: Tumbling run shelter
Miles today: 27.6
Weather: light rain

Today ended up being a huge mileage day for us. As we hiked and it was a perfect hiking day weather and trail wise the miles flew by. We hiked first up to the Toms run shelter where we took a bathroom break. We then had a short climb before the trail leveled out and became easy. We could hike faster but until u meet a NOBO u spend alot of time cleaning spider webs. Since PA the spiders have been bad. We then made it to Michener cabin where they were doing a talk on hiking to a local college group. We then reached the midpoint sign at 1094.6. We then crossed Shippensburg road and entered the section where I read a book about two girl hikers getting shot by a local recluse one survived and one didn't. The one that did made it to Shippensburg Rd to get help. So this section was a little creepy so we picked our pace up some. We stopped for lunch at the Milesburn Cabin. We then pushed on to Quarry Gap Shelter which is the cleanest double shelter with tent platforms on the trail. We then decided to hike 2.6 down to U.S. 30 Caledonia State Park and hitch in for a late lunch. We made the road by 2:30 after 18 miles and walked .3 to a restaurant which was closed so we hitched 4 miles to this great pizza place. Two great guys picked us up and even offered to give us a ride back to the trail, we greatly appreciate ur kindness. We ate at Giacomo's which has the best steak sub on the trail. We then caught a ride back to the trail and hiked 9.6 miles of the same trail to where we camped. We made camp at 8 and caught up with t-dog who we met in 2012 in the White mountains. God Bless
Date: 2015-08-25
From: Tumbling run shelter

To: ensign cowall shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

We started hiking at 8, we figured after 28 mile day we would sleep in for an extra hr. We first Made our way to PA.16 to try and hitch into Waynesboro so we could go to wal-mart and eat at Applebee's for lunch. We hiked the 6 miles by 10:15 and had no luck with a ride so we decided to hike up to the next road which was Pen Mar Road hoping someone coming out of the park would give us a ride. We made it to the road and starting walking towards town and a cop drove by so I told tumbler I wish he could have wrote us a 5 dollar ticket for a ride to town. The next they u know he is coming back around the curve and pulls right up to us and asked where we are heading. We told him and he puts his blue lights on to stop traffic until we get in. On the BMT we got a hitch with an ambulance and now a cop car can u believe it. My hat goes off to the police in Waynesboro for their kindness. We got some funny stares exiting the cop car and walking in Applebee's. We then went to Wal-Mart and started our walk back to the trail. About 15 cars went by when a lady stopped and picked us up. It was a blessing bc she said u does not pick up hikers when she is alone but said tumblers smile caused her to stop, not my great smile or muscular physique lol. Her husband was a retired prison minister and we told her about our youth hike fundraiser and we both agreed we were blessing for each other. We then went .1 and reached the mason-dixon line and into maryland. We then hiked .3 up to the state park and rested for an hr. We then hiked up to High Rock and made our way down to MD.491. We then hiked thru part woods and part fields until the last mile in the woods to our shelter where they had tent platforms. We made it about 7 and were happy to be in Maryland. The trail was easy again with a few rocks and two little climbs but other than that pretty easy. God Bless and we have to say we were blessed for the two rides of kindness from two strangers who are not strangers anymore.
Date: 2015-08-26
From: ensign cowall shelter

To: ed garvey shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: broken clouds

We started hiking at 7 after a good nights rest. We had a climb of 400ft to Black Rocks then hiked on to Annapolis Rocks where we took a break. These rocks are where people come to rock climb and there are beautiful views. We then hiked 2 miles down to I-70 footbridge where we had to cross the interstate. We then hiked up to the Washington Monument where the local citizens erected this Monument in honor of George Washington. We then hiked 1.8 to Dahlgren Backpacker Campground where u have showers right on the AT. Of course we took full advantage of this. We then continued hiking until we reached Gathland State Park where we rested for 30 minutes after 21 miles. The trail in Maryland is rocky in places but very easy to hike with no real steep climbs or descents. We then pushed on 3.7 miles to where we are camping tonight. We are 7 miles out of harpers ferry Wva. We will hike n in the morning to the ATC main headquarters and get our photo taken for the 2015 thru-hiker book and then rest the rest of the day. We will be n VA on Friday. God Bless
Date: 2015-08-27
From: ed garvey shelter

To: harpers ferry
Miles today: 7.0

We were up early and hiking by 6:15 excited to get into harpers ferry. We hiked 2.3 to Weaverton Cliffs with a view of the rivers and Harpers Ferry. We then made our way down to the C & O Canal Towpath and walked 2.8 miles until we crossed the bridge into Harpers Ferry. We then hiked .7 until we reached the blue blaze trail to the main AT office. This is where u get ur pic taken and put into this yrs thru hike book. We were numbers 21 and 22 going SOBO. We then went to the P.O. to get our box that Brandi Barnette sent us with homemade baked goods, thank u they were great. Also Robin Table sent us a gift card thank u so much. We then caught a bus to Charles town and our in a motel resting with Va in our thoughts. I want to say that we have had many blessings up to this time on the trail from complete strangers. I want u to thank of all the blessings God gives u daily but also the ones u miss bc u don't realize it's a blessing. When a complete stranger comes into ur life daily u might be their blessing or they might be yours. Ur smile or just a hello might be the first person to acknowledge them today. Or they might do something for u that will Bless u. We met two great people who gave us rides and were blessings to us but they also said we were blessing to them. So open ur eyes and maybe God is sending u that stranger to Bless u today. God Bless
Date: 2015-08-28
From: harpers ferry

To: sand spring 
Miles today: 16.0

We left the motel at 8:50 to walk over to Wal-Mart to catch the bus back to harpers ferry. We thought the 9:15 went there but we were wrong we had to sit in front of Wal-Mart until 10:15. We made it back to the ATC at 11 and on the trail by 11:30. We first crossed the bridge over the Shenandoah River then into the woods and onto Va. We met two groups of about 15 kids with a leader out hiking. It makes us smile to see the young people out here instead of on their phones or computers. We then hiked to W.Va .9 at Keys Gap. We had lunch there and talked with a section hiker from Fla. Who was leaving and heading to Richmond before heading back to Florida. Him and his wife invited us to come to Pompano Beach Fla. and hangout with them when we get a chance, we told them when they hiked the smokies next spring we would be glad to hike with them. We then had to get moving with such a late start. We hiked to Blackburn Center trail and stopped again before finishing our hike for the day at Sand Spring. The trail and weather was great again and we seen two big blacksnakes and 3 deer. We are happy to be in Va. We found out our deaf friend from SC passed today from cancer. His name was Isaac Langley and he was a great man and a great Christian who loved the Lord. Please pray for his family and rejoice nowing he is with our father in heaven playing his guitar and singing with the angels.God Bless
Date: 2015-08-29
From: sand spring 

To: dicks dome shelter
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: clear sky

We were on the trail at 6:30 and had only 3.8 miles until we reached bears den hostel and a cold soda. The trail was easy with a little climb up to the hostel. We also entered the roller coaster which is part of the trail that is 13.9 miles long with 10 up and downs. After stopping at the hostel we started our roller coaster ride. The trail was rocky and wore us put bc Maryland PA and wva spoiled us with very little up and downs. We hiked all day with very little rest bc we wanted to get thru the roller coaster section. We finally made it out around 3 and stopped at Rod Hollow Shelter for a siesta and water. Problem was no water so we hiked on and found a stream a mile down the trail. We then pushed on to a great spring with clear water and very cold where we filled every bottle up so we could get to camp and eat then go to bed. We had a few field walks and then a 600ft descent in a mile to the shelter. We can say we know we are in Va not bc of the boundary sign but bc of the trees,the differant birds singing,the new smells and just the trail dirt itself reminds me of home but not the stinking lousy rocks they are the same in every state. The last thing we and u need to apologize to your mom and dad's and mamas and papaws who told u that old adage that we are lucky bc when they went to school they had to walk 5 miles both ways and up hill both ways. I've tried figuring how that's possible but after hiking the AT NOBO,SOBO,walking backwards,forwards and sideways I feel I'm always hiking uphill so I'm sorry mama and papaw in heaven and mom and dad bc I believe I believe now lol. God Bless and remember smile be happy give thanks and always always walk with Jesus it will be the best walk u ever take.