morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-06-24
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Piney Ridge Junction
Miles today: 23.4

Woke up at 6 and out around 8. I was a little delayed because one of the section hikers was giving away a bunch of food!The morning was mostly blue skies and finally got to enjoy some views. About an hour in, I saw a bear! It was just a cub, about 30 feet away in the woods and scurried away when he saw/heard me. A bit later, I passed a guy that pointed out a mom and her cubs. Two bear sightings in one day after none on the AT yet! Although they are everywhere here- some people have seen ten a day. Maybe I¢m just too loud or something.In a few hours I got to Skyland, which has a lodge and restaurant. They have an All You Can Eat Breakfast, but after the trail magic I figured it would just make me sick so just got some fruit from the cafe.There was a picnic area not much later, but I saw some hikers I knew so decided to stop for lunch early, because I hadn¢t eaten in ten minutes.When I got to the next shelter, some section hikers were in there because dark clouds were coming in and could hear thunder. I was thinking about the same but got antsy so decided to press on. I figured if I could make it past the exposed peak of Mary¢s Rock in a mile, it would be downhill and I would be covered (and not at the highest point in case lightning).So I was running down the trail with my pack as it was sprinkling. I had the rain cover on, but didn¢t want to take the time to put on my jacket and figure I would overheat anyway. I made it to the peak before it got too bad and thought I was safe. Well, what I didn¢t expect was the downhill was all switchbacks down and exposed cliff. 99 percent of the Park is green tunnel, and this has to be exposed?! The heavens started opening up and was too late to put on my jacket, I was soaked. I just went down as fast as I could to get cover. Luckily, it wasn¢t thundering or lightning too badly. Was definitely double thinking my decision to not wait out the storm though!About an hour later, when I finally got down to a gap and normal tree cover, the rain stopped and the sun came out. Yep, as soon as I was past all of the exposed views. It was glorious though, was so nice to see! There were some other dark clouds that threatened, but the rest of the afternoon stayed dry.Got to the Elkwallow Wayside around 6 and got a sandwich, even though I had so much food I needed to eat. And I ended up getting blackberry ice cream as well, which was much better than the milkshake. A few other hikers were drying their gear out too. So it was another double wayside day. I¢ve gotten used to these, it will be weird going back to days with no amenities!Had originally thought about pulling a 28 mile day to the next shelter, but my feet were done. Misty and I just went to the first unofficial site about a mile ahead. There was one guy there (I think ¢knuckles¢?) and the ground was super rocky, but it would work. And since I had already eaten dinner, that saved some time.
Date: 2018-06-25
From: Piney Ridge Junction

To: Denton Shelter
Miles today: 23.6

Misty and I both set alarms for 5am to get a head start on the big day, but I was already up. Not sure why I didn¢t sleep well, maybe kept rolling off my pad? I accidentally put my pillow in the dryer in Waynesboro and now it doesn¢t inflate all the way so maybe that was it.Anyway, I got out around 6:30 after catholing it and leapfrogged Misty back and forth. The morning was pretty easy and I was booking it, almost running on some of the flats and downhills. Wasn¢t the plan, but ended up doing another ten before ten (10 miles before 10 am). There were a few views, but nothing great.A few hours in, I ran into a hiker going southbound I hadn¢t seen since the NOC. Can¢t remember his name, but I think he is an EMT from Richmond. Due to some logistics he had to skip around and already finished Pennsylvania and is now going south from Harpers Ferry.About a mile from the northern Shenandoah National Park boundary, I saw another bear cub! It was like it was bidding me farewell, not sure the bear situation ahead but there were definitely a lot in the Shennies!I got to the road crossing to Front Royal around 1:30, so I did 18.5 miles in seven hours including a twenty minute break at a spring. There was a guy with cold waters offering $5 rides to town, which was about four miles away. I was originally planning to take the local bus, but it wasn¢t coming for another hour and I wanted to get going. There were a few hikers trying to hitch, but not having luck since it was a fast blind corner with no good pull off area. So I took the guy up on his offer. I was able to share the ride with Sunrise, a hiker from Japan who also needed to go to the post office, so it was only a couple bucks.After picking up my care package, I walked around downtown. It is pretty cute, some empty storefronts but a lot going on. Including a beer museum! I didn¢t go there, but I did check out the local brewery. They were supposed to have laundry and shower facilities, but weren¢t working. I stopped by the visitor center that has gift bags for thru hikers. The only useful thing was a granola bar, but it was a nice thought.I stopped by an outfitter and a health food store before the supermarket, but forgot what I bought there so ended up resupplying a lot for only a couple of days needed.Walking out of the parking lot, a car drove by and I asked if they were headed towards the trail. They said no and I walked on, but they pulled over and told me to get in. Real nice couple and I think they went a few miles out of their way.The evening I booked it as well since the Shelter was still five miles away. It was worth it though, one of the nicest on the trail. Adirondack chairs, solar shower, horseshoe pit, and toilet paper in the privy! Misty was just getting in as well.I didn¢t finish everything until almost nine, but I think I will sleep well tonight!
Date: 2018-06-26
From: Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept until 6:30 and was super lethargic. Didn¢t get out until 8:30 and I think Misty was still in his tent.The whole day I went pretty slow and took a bunch of breaks. The hurried past two days must have taken a toll on me, I¢m not so young anymore! There also weren¢t really any views, definitely in the green tunnel now.It was nice not rushing though and trying to enjoy the moment. I spent a while at a shelter for lunch and a couple of benches at meadows.I got to the shelter pretty early (before 6), but figured it would be good to get to bed early and didn¢t want to start the Roller Coaster (a series of steep climbs/descents) yet. I set up my tent on a side trail far away from everyone just to ensure a good night sleep.After dinner and chores I was in bed by 8. Definitely observing hiker midnight tonight!
Date: 2018-06-27
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Woke up at six feeling much better and got out at 7:30. Pretty soon there was a sign for The Roller Coaster, a 14 mile stretch of short, steep climbs and descents with few views.All day I heard booms, and while it rained a bit I don¢t think it was from thunder. Maybe there is a military training facility close?A few hours in, I hit the thousand mile mark. Since reroutes have extended the trail to 2,190 miles it is not the halfway point but still a good milestone. There was another hiker picking blueberries right before it so we got to have a feast!I got to a shelter around 11 and wasn¢t planning on lunch, but it started to rain so I ate early. A couple other people showed up, so I hung around for a bit. Just as I was packing up to leave, Seamus walks in and shortly after was the whole mighty duck crew! I thought they were ahead of me, but I guess they also zeroed in Waynesboro. It was good to catch up, sounds like they will all be splitting up in Harpers as Big Money is finishing and some are visiting friends.A few miles after the shelter was the sign for the border with West Virginia. This is notable as Virginia is the longest state and many get discouraged in it. Personally, I found the opposite- I got my systems down and everything was clicking. Plus every day seemed to have at least one view or notable point of interest. I¢m wondering if it¢s people doing ten mile days so they are not seeing as much?The afternoon I tried to go quickly so I didn¢t get to the shelter too late. I guess the Roller Coaster was tougher than it felt, as I was only doing two miles an hour.Eventually I saw the sign marking the north end of the Roller Coaster. From there it was smooth sailing along a ridge and the sun even came out!There are two interesting locations I could have stayed at today, but it didn¢t work out timing wise. The first was Bear¢s Den Hostel, which actually is owned by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and is located in an old stone mansion. The second was the Blackburn Center, which is operated by the Potomac ATC club and has tenting, bunks, water spigot, and solar shower. Both sounded cool but would have not made sense for my schedule.I didn¢t get to the shelter until almost 7, luckily there were tent pads so it made set up easier. Unfortunately, the water was far down a steep hill so I started cooking even later. I didn¢t have a chance to eat my snack with the afternoon rush, so actually had a dehydrated meal and a pasta side. After a day of accomplishments - 1000 miles, Virginia, and the Roller Coaster, I deserved it!
Date: 2018-06-28
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Teahorse Hostel
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

Woke up a few times in the night due to heavy rain. I wasn't really expecting it, so didn't really set up my fly the best. But luckily my tent stayed dry. Unfortunately, I had to carry the wet fly out, but will dry it in town.I got up around 6 and was out at 7:30. The morning was rocky but pretty easy. I ran into Misty and we hiked over the Shenandoah River into Harper's Ferry together. First was a side trail to the ATC office. It was cool because the blue blaze went through Storer College and part of the National Historic Site, with old and storied buildings.We got to the office around 10am and it was pretty crowded with both hikers and visitors. They had a decent hiker box and some other resources. They also famously take your photo in front of their sign, which eventually gets used for a yearbook if you finish. We stayed there a good amount of time, then walked over to a Pizzeria. They had a 7-topping pizza, and Misty is vegetarian so we got SO many vegetables. Then we stopped by the Post Office, where I got a nice care package.Then we went to the hostel, which actually had a good basic resupply. Misty bought a few things and went on, will probably be ahead of me for a while unless he takes a bunch of zeros. I checked in and got settled, it is pretty nice house even though expensive (although I think everything here is, more of a cutesy touristy town with fancy Bed and Breakfasts). I hung all my gear to dry out and took care of other chores.I walked over to the library to update blog and explored Harper's Ferry/Bolivar. Lots of Bed and Breakfasts, Cafes, Antiques, and porches. Not really laid out for hikers but a cute place. I'm glad the hostel had a decent resupply and I ended up getting a salad and fruit from 7/11 - who knew?!When I got back to the hostel it was pretty full and smelly. Oh well, one night! Tomorrow I will head back to the trail and explore Lower Town Harper's Ferry, which I think has more of the historical sites (and overpriced ice cream shops)...
Date: 2018-06-29
From: Teahorse Hostel

To: Dahlgren Backpackers Campground
Miles today: 17.8

Didn¢t sleep very well and not sure why. I woke up at one point from someone snoring so put my earplugs in but kept waking up. The bed was great too!Around 7 I went out to the kitchen and the hostel owner was making waffles. We all hung around and ate for a while. There was quite an international contingent; there were a few guys from Germany and a girl from Japan. I had three waffles, plus orange juice and two bananas, and I probably ate the least of anyone!I got out around 9 and walked to the coffee shop (had already gone to the bakery yesterday and wasn¢t impressed). Cam and Seamus were there! My intention was to get a sandwich to go, but I ended up eating a piece of coffee cake there and getting a bagel to go, which I promptly ate outside.I walked down the side trail back to the AT. Shortly I reached Jefferson Rock, which was supposed to have good views. It did of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, but not really of Harpers Ferry.I continued on to Lower Town. There were a lot of historic structures there. Lewis and Clark supplied for their journey here, some railroad rivalry, then of course John Brown¢s raid and the Civil War. I passed by another cafe, but instead of picking up a sandwich for lunch I ate a pistachio muffin and cranberry scone. Then across the street was the other hostel with a cafe inside. I¢m glad I stayed at the one I did because it was pretty cluttered. Instead of getting a sandwich to go, I got a root beer float. Yes, for those keeping track I ate: 3 waffles, 2 bananas, egg and cheese bagel, coffee cake, muffin, scone, and float all before 11am! I never got that sandwich, but was so full I didn¢t need lunch.Finally leaving all the tourists and history exhibits, the trail crossed the Potomac and followed a canal trail. Apparently we crossed into Maryland here, but I didn¢t realize at the time and there were no good signs. Aiden joined me, he is a section hiker who stayed at the hostel last night. He took a gap year off between high school and college and is really chill. After a few miles, the trail went up the ridge but wasn¢t bad. Then it was basically smooth sailing the rest of the day.Leapfrogged Seamus, Cam and Aiden most of the day. We passed Gathland State Park, which has the estate of George Anthony Townsend (¢Gath¢). He was a big newspaper journalist during the Civil War but died alone and penniless. But the park had bathrooms and running water so it worked out! Passed a few more Civil War battle sites, was weird to think about the fact that soldiers were killed on the hills we were walking through. Like Harpers Ferry was different because that seemed historical, but this seemed like natural areas.Got to the shelter I was planning to stay at by five, so decided to press on. Just a couple miles later was a ¢backpackers campground¢ that had bathrooms, showers, and bear poles that everyone was staying at so it worked out well.Had delicious Good To Go curry in tortillas (thanks care packages!) and was done with everything pretty early, so was able to hang around and talk.
Date: 2018-06-30
From: Dahlgren Backpackers Campground

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 5:30 and was out by 7. The whole morning was pretty easy. I stopped at the (other) Washington Monument, which was supposed to have good views. The ranger had just unlocked the tower. It was interesting, but the views were just of flat farmland. Still haven¢t gotten used to that yet. At least there were signs indicating what we¢re looking at. And they had potable water!At lunch I was reviewing the guide and realized I would get to the shelter I was planning on tenting at way early. The next one would make it a 28 mile day. Well, better hustle then!In the late afternoon I arrived at PenMar Park. As the name suggests, it is right on the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is a huge complex with shelters, parking, bathrooms, etc. They were supposed to have a concession stand, but it was closed. I met up with Cam and Seamus there, who were planning to hitch for a resupply. We were deciding which of the events would be easier to crash - wedding or one year old birthday party. Was really thinking it was a good spot for trail magic and since it¢s the weekend...The last few miles weren¢t bad and I still got to the shelter around 6:30. Unfortunately the water was far, so I didn¢t get done with everything until late. But there was a nice flat formal tent pad and the only others there were Organic and Bob who were chill. There was no bear pole and none of us felt like throwing line or thought it would be an issue. The first time I haven¢t really done something will my smellies. It wasn¢t necessary planned, but 28 miles is my longest day on the AT so far!
Date: 2018-07-01
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

Slept until 6 and got out around 8. My muscles were a little tight from yesterday, but not too bad.Right out of the shelter was a stream. Turns out I had read the guide wrong- I thought it was the trickle to the south it was actually to the north. So I didn¢t have to go a half mile out of the way last night. Oh well, I could use the exercise!There were two shelters plus a picnic area with water in the first few miles, which is strange because usually they are 5-10 miles apart. And I think there is a stretch in a couple days where it¢s twenty miles between them.There was a good overlook at Chimney Rocks that actually was of trees/parkland, not just flat farms. I stayed up there a while figuring out some logistics for the next few weeks.I crossed a road right before the shelter for lunch and turns out there was trail magic! A guy whose son did the AT last year was in town and had cold drinks and cookies. I stayed there a while and Cam and Seamus caught up. They said there was a state park with a pool in a couple of miles. Originally I had planned to do 23 to a shelter, but considering all my breaks already, change of plans! One of the cliches you hear a bunch on the trail (after ¢hike your own hike¢) is ¢smiles before miles¢. Meaning don¢t get too wrapped up in covering ground you don¢t appreciate all it has to offer. Since I did a big day yesterday and I am trying not to go through PA too fast (which is hard because it¢s SO flat), I decided to take it easy.Caledonia State Park is a huge complex that was super busy (not surprising as it is a summer weekend). The pool was packed with kids and cost money, so we just hung out at the creek next to it. The water only went up to ankles, but it still felt nice. A lot of people were grilling, it smelled good but had to stick to concession stand ice creamAfter a few hours, we figured should get going but still got to the shelter pretty early. It was actually a really cute shelter (and I realize that phrase is rarely uttered). There were flowerpots, a sundial, etc.Great way to spend a lazy Sunday!
Date: 2018-07-02
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Pole Steeple
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Slept until 6:30 and got out around 7:30. A few hours in, I hit ¢1095.45¢ spelled out in rocks, which is the official halfway mark for this year (it always changes due to trail reroutes). Shortly after that was a recent sign marking the halfway point given 2017 distance (which was actually shorter than this year but I think it was placed after the actual mileage). Then I hit the 1,100 mile mark (with stones), and shortly after that the old school halfway sign. So in the span of a few miles, I hit four halfway marks!Overall the terrain was pretty easy, and I got to Pine Grove Furnace State Park around lunch, over 17 miles in less than six hours. Pine Grove is home to a convenience store/grill known for the ¢half gallon challenge¢. This involves eating a half gallon of Hershey¢s ice cream. Since they don¢t sell that size anymore, you actually have to get the 1.5 quart tub and then and extra hand-scooped pint. When I got there, Cam, Seamus, and a bunch of other hikers were doing the challenge. I debated it, but co concluded all it would do is make me sick so I opted for a burger and fries instead (with ice cream for dessert of course). They also had a small resupply, which wasn¢t the cheapest but meant I didn¢t have to get off trail.There was supposed to be an AT Museum next door, but it was closed. Someone said it was because they didn¢t have enough volunteers (I could never relate!) but was disappointing because I bet they have some cool stuff.However, further on in the park was a nice lake with a beach. Given the scalding temperatures outside, this seemed like a natural stop. They even had showers so I was glad I brought my Dr. Bronners. We hung out there a while, and I cooked dinner there since water was plenty. A bunch of people were continuing on to the next shelter seven miles away, but since I had already done 17 and was trying to take it easy, figured I¢d just stop at the first unofficial campsite. I decided to keep my sandals on since it was a short walk and I didn¢t feel like putting on socks and shoes, which probably wasn¢t the smartest idea considering a full pack and a rocky uphill.I reached the trail for an overlook and decided to see what was there. A couple were camping about a tenth of a mile in at a nice big spot, but I wanted to be closer to the overlook so continued on. The vista was nice so I set up on a less-than-ideal stealth spot so I could watch the sunset then crawl right into bed.
Date: 2018-07-03
From: Pole Steeple

To: Boiling Springs Backpackers Campsite 
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept pretty well even though it took me a while to fall asleep since it was so hot and I breeze. Got up at 6:30 and out at 8. The first few hours were easy until the ¢rock mazes¢. These were areas full of huge boulders with arrows on how to go since it wasn¢t intuitive. A lot of people were worried about this, but I thought it was fun and a good change.The shelter I lunched at was a bit off trail and right before town, so I don¢t think many people go there.Next I went over Center Point Knob, which had ANOTHER marker for halfway done with the trail. It was a steep climb up and down so I¢m glad at least something was there. It also was the border for the Cumberland Valley ATC club. It is sad to leave the Potomac ATC club, which has been since the Shennies and very good shelters. There are no shelters for the next 20 miles! Apparently it used to be the ¢Cumberland Valley Road Walk¢ until the ATC/government enacted eminent domain and had it go through formerly private lands.The trail went through a few pastures which was nice. The ground was soft and flat, and even though in the sun not super buggy.A quarter mile before town was a ¢ backpackers campsite¢. It¢s nice that the town provides this, especially since there isn¢t any camping or shelter for a while. It is apparently loud right by railroad tracks so we will see! I set up my tent and went into town.I stopped at the cafe for early dinner and Bob stopped by but I wanted a beer so went to the tavern. Apparently in Pennsylvania you can¢t buy beer at the gas station. It was a little overpriced for the carry out, but oh well.When I got back to the campsite, there were a few more hikers there. We sat around drinking, and a guy whipped out a travel guitar. Apparently he is carrying over 50 pounds but to each their own/ hike your own hike!