morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-29
From: Hightop Hut

To: Lewis Campgroud
Miles today: 11.6

The ridge runner said there was a tropical storm on the east coast and we were going to get hammered today. My dad walked 6 miles to a park and waited for my mom to pick him up. Bear Bag and I continued a few more miles before my mom picked us up and took us to Harrisonburg to stay at a hotel. We resupplied and went to Buffalo Wild Wings.
Date: 2016-05-31
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Thornton gap
Miles today: 14.1

We arrived at Skyland Restaurant at 9am and ate breakfast. Then we hung around to let our electronics charge. Two hours later we left. When we got to Thornton Gap, 1.2 miles before the shelter we were aiming to stay, I turn to Bear Bag and say "you mean to say we could stay in a hotel and eat real food tonight?" I got my phone out to look up hotel prices, then a man in a truck asked us if we needed a ride into town; we said yes. His name is Aleve, and he started a thru hike this year, got to PA, then injured his leg. He was out doing a practice hike to see if he could get back on the trail. We got Pizza Hut for dinner.
Date: 2016-06-04
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We did the first half of the roller coaster today. It was very hot and very humid. We got to camp early again. The last few days we have been getting to camp between 1-2pm. It is definitely boring sitting around all day waiting for Dinner, then dinner comes and goes and you ate just waiting for the sun to go down so you can sleep. When I leave Harpers Ferry I am going to start hiking later into the day so I am not bored at camp.
Date: 2016-06-06
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Miles today: 8.7

I crossed into WV. It is good to finally be out of Virginia. I am the 480th northbound hiker to make it to the ATC this year. We arrived at the ATC around 10am and had all day to spend in Harpers Ferry, while we waited for my friend Jesse to pick us up at 5pm. I went out for lunch with Bear Bag, Strider, Magellan, Journey Man, and 3 section hikers doing 400 miles. I then went back to the ATC to hang out in the hikers lounge, where I waited for Jesse to pick me and Bear Bag up. I will be spending the week off at his place outside of D.C. Bear Bag will be getting on a train to head to Maine where he will be finishing his hike heading south back to Harpers Ferry.
Date: 2016-06-14
From: Manasses, VA

To: Edward B. Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 6.9

First day back on the trail after a fun week off in D.C. On the way back to Harpers Ferry Jesse and I stopped at Wawa for breakfast. I got dropped off at the side trail to the A.T.C. where I got back on The A.T. I walked thru Harpers Ferry and across the Potomac river. Once I crossed the river I was in Maryland and on the C&O Canal Towpath. 2 years ago I biked all 185 miles of the C&O from Cumberland, MD to D.C.
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Edward B. Garvey Shelter

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 9.1

My right foot started hurting yesterday, and today the pain continued with each step I took. I had to stop early. I hate that I have only done 16 miles in the last 2 days. Smithsburg has an urgent care that I will probably stop in to make sure it is not a stress fracture.
Date: 2016-06-16
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: mist

I had no foot pain today. I decided to walk past the town with the urgent care without stopping. All day I was racing to beat the rain and lightening storm. Someone gave us fresh strawberries at the shelter. I finally met another person from Rochester, Roc Steady, a 70 year old man who lives a couple miles from me. He started in Georgia but is unfortunately planning to get off trail tomorrow due to foot pain.
Date: 2016-06-17
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: PA 16 Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 12.4

When I got to Pen Mar county park I decided I would go I to town to eat at a restaurant, and buy a few more snacks. It turns out the town is having an A.T. hiker fest tomorrow and are letting hikers tent in the county park, so I decided to stay the night.
Date: 2016-06-22
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 27.3

I did some Slackpacking today with Two Soles, Blade, Wankles, Waterboy, and Dash. We got a shuttle back to Pine Grove Furnace in the morning. When we got back to Carlisle we where able to stay at a friend of Dashes house.
Date: 2016-06-23
From: Carlisle, PA

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We all got a late breakfast, then Dash dropped me back off at the trail. Everyone else was planning on taking a couple more zeros. When more hikers got to the shelter they all just started smoking weed in the shelter and acting like annoying little brats. It was the first time I had to deal with rude hikers.
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Clarks Ferry Bridge
Miles today: 12.6

I got to Duncannon at noon, went to a delicious BBQ restaurant. I stopped by the Doyle hotel, which is a popular hiker hang out spot. I called my brother and he picked me up just outside of Duncannon and drove me back to his place in Philadelphia. After showering, we went out with a few of his friends.
Date: 2016-06-28
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: broken clouds

The first time I ever hiked on the A.T. was this area. It was neat hiking this section again. This time around was much nicer. 18 miles into the day I saw Apple Jack setting up his tarp to wait out the incoming storm. I also waited, and a few minutes later Nona came by and waited with us. After the storm passed we hiked on, but were not quick enough to get to the shelter before getting caught in another Storm.
Date: 2016-07-03
From: Hertline Campsite

To: Hamburg, PA
Miles today: 18.8

I got into Hamburg around 6:30, went to the store, then started walking to the hotel. Hamburg has a Cabelas that I will go to tomorrow to try to find a new pair of shoes. When I left the wal-mart a man offered to drop me off. When I got to the hotel I ordered some pizza.
Date: 2016-07-08
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter

To: Little Gap
Miles today: 5.9

The climb out of Palmerton may have been the toughest so far. It is a 1000 foot rock scramble straight up. When I got to Little Gap a couple had some Tomato Pie, brownies, chips, watermelon, and pop. They were nic enough to give me a ride to Wind Gap where I had a hotel for the night.
Date: 2016-07-10
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Campsite, Sunfish pond
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

I headed to the Delaware Water Gap and stopped at the Village Farmer & Bakery where I had some good food and pie. Blue Sky was there with some friends who met him to spend a couple days off trail. They were nice enough to drive me back to the trail. I walked a few more miles to a campsite, but the water source was dried up so I was stuck to spend the night with the water I had.
Date: 2016-07-11
From: Campsite, Sunfish pond

To: Brink Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

I stopped at the Mohican Outdoor Center for breakfast. A couple miles after the MOC I saw two huge black bears crossing the trail 15 yards in front of me. I did not know they got that big. They stood on the trail starring at me and would not move regardless of ho ugh noise I made, so I decided to slowly back away while along noise until I was out of sight and waited 10 minutes then went back and they were gone.
Date: 2016-07-12
From: Brink Shelter

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 26.7

When I got to the High Point State Park headquarters I saw Blade again. We decided to push on to Unionville because they had a bar a grill. We got to the bar and grill 4 minutes before the kitchen close but we where still able to order food. We camped at a town park that allows hikers to camp at.
Date: 2016-07-16
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

New York continued to kick my ass today. It is beautiful, but tough. It is very hot and humid. On top of that the good water sources are few and far between. Most of the streams are dried up, and the water for ones that aren't have a disgusting yellow tint. Luckily a lot of trail angels have been putting gallons of good water at trail crossings on the roads. I came across a big pond with a bunch of people swimming, so I jumped I for a bit. After swimming I came across a section of the trail known as "The Lemon Squeezer". It is a very narrow path between two rock walls. I needed to take my pack off to squeeze through. Then immediately after that is a sign that says "< easy way, A.T. way >". I went toward the A.T. way and saw a jam of 6 hikers trying to climb up, one by one, a 90 degree wall that is 10 foot tall. I waited my turn, then climbed.A few hundred yards from the shelter I saw wild child picking blueberries. I joined in and filled my water bottle a quarter of the way up.
Date: 2016-07-17
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Bear Mountain
Miles today: 12.7

Another rough day in NY with extremely hot weather and little access to water. I had to cross over the Palisades Parkway, which is very busy. There really should be a pedestrian bridge over the Parkway for safety. I was able to see a cool sunset on top of Bear Mountain, where I stealth camped.
Date: 2016-07-18
From: Bear Mountain

To: Fort Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 2.8

I got to the bottom of Bear Mountain to find the most disgusting park (Hessian Lake) I have ever seen. It was completely trashed. You literally could not see the grass because of all the trash the trashy people left behind. 20 employees and a garbage truck were there trying to pick it all up, they probably need to do this everyday because a bunch of disrespectful punks are apparently not capable of walking to a trash can. Once I walked through the garbage dump(park) I walked through the Trail side Museum and zoo, which had some Black Bears and other zoo animals, all of which are more well behaved than the real animals who trashed the park I was just in.After leaving the well behaved zoo animals I went into Fort Montgomery and spent the rest of the 105 degree day at a motel eating BBQ.
Date: 2016-07-24
From: Clarence Fahnestock State Park

To: RPH SHELTER
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

I got out of camp late, and arrived at RPH Shelter at noon. At RPH you can have pizza delivered to the shelter, so obviously I ordered one. My shoes came off, I got comfortable, and found the book "The Martian" in a hiker box. Needless to say, I did not leave. And my damn pack just got 11 ounces heavier because I started reading the book.
Date: 2016-07-27
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

A couple hundred yards after crossing into Connecticut I came across some trail magic where I had a bacon and egg sandwich. A few miles after the trail magic I went swimming in a river. Today was very hot and most of the water sources have been dried up. Today was also the first time I really felt very dehydrated. I was down to a half liter of water, feeling like crap, and still had 3 miles to the shelter. As a SOBO (South Bounder) passed by I asked of the next water source was flowing, he said the Brook at the bottom of the next mountain was. After hiking up and over the next mountain, I strolled up to the running brook looking like Leo from The Revenant, then sat at the brook for an hour while drinking.
Date: 2016-07-29
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: light rain

I woke up to the sound of rain on my tent, and I was not feeling good. I stayed in my tent while reading The Martian until finally heading back on the trail at 11am. 2 miles in I came across some trail magic. After leaving the trail magic I was feeling exhausted so I stopped at the next campsite, which had a bench swing that I spent the majority of the rest of the day on.
Date: 2016-07-30
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Toymakers Cafe
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

I woke up feeling much better. I was able to set up camp just before the rain started. I am camping behind Toymakers Cafe in Falls Village. I got dinner with Dragon Head. Later, while I was in my tent, a fella named Joyride shows up and set his tent near mine. Space was limited. We got to talking through our tents, I don't even know what he looks like.
Date: 2016-07-31
From: Toymakers Cafe

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 7.0

I ate breakfast at Toymakers Cafe, then packed up in the rain and started my hike to Salisbury. I had some good views of Great Falls. I stayed at Vanessa Breton's hostel in Salisbury, which is conveniently located across from the grocery store. After stopping at the store I spent the remainder of the day reading and eating Cheetos.
Date: 2016-08-02
From: Glen Brook Shelter

To: Mt. Wilcox South Shelters
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I had more trail magic today. The last 4 miles of the day I had done last summer. I passed a man, and as I passed him he said, "I recognize your voice, you're Tetris, I am Joyride." He was the guy I met at Toymakers Cafe.
Date: 2016-08-03
From: Mt. Wilcox South Shelters

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

I got up early to get to Upper Goose Pond Cabin as early as I could. Dragon Head, Joyride, Wild Hair, Buckeye, and Little Bear were all there. I spent the day floating in the pond. This is definitely the best shelter I have come across on the trail.
Date: 2016-08-04
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

I had a couple pancakes at the cabin this morning. Blade and Bad Apple where at the first shelter I passed. I had not seen them since NY. The 3 of us and Joy Ride decided to all go to Dalton, MA tonight. Our first plan was to set up camp at the house of Trail Angel, Tom Lavardi. When we got to his place in town we could not stay there because it was already way too full of hikers. We did see one SOBO (Southbounder) hiker at the house who had just bought a goat and was planning to hike the rest of the trail with it. This seems to me like a very stupid thing to do.We left Tom Lavardi's and tried to find a good spot to stealth camp in town. We seemed to have found a good wooded spot behind a couple restaurants, but we were not going to set up until it got dark.The 4 of us ate at Paddy's Restaurant. The owner sat down with us for a few minutes to talk and gave us a discount on our meal. Wild Hair, Buckeye, and Little Bear walked in a few minutes later. Once Paddy's closed the 7 of us went to Jacob's Pub. We all stayed there till closing time, 1am. The 7 of us went back to our previously scouted stealth camping spot, Little Bear and I being the only sober ones. Everyone but us two were making a huge ruckus and flashing their headlamps all around. It took the cops 5 minutes to show up and tell us to camp elsewhere...so we all split a couple motel rooms.
Date: 2016-08-05
From: Dalton, MA

To: Gulf Rd./High St.
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: light rain

Everyone from last night decided to zero today. We all went back to Paddy's for lunch. Blade, Bad Apple, and I hitched a ride to the movie theatre from a local Sheriff. Joy Ride got a hitch to the theatre from someone else. We had a triple feature, seeing The Secret Life of Pets, Suicide Squad, and Bourne. The staff gave us all free popcorn and pop because we are hikers. We got a hitch back to the trail from the Chief of the Fire Dept. We walked a mile down the trail then stealth camped near a trail side parking area
Date: 2016-08-07
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: moderate rain

I got out of the hostel early, then stop at Dunkin Donuts for breakfast. Since it is Sunday there was a ton of people on the summit of Greylock, because you can drive a car up it. Wild Hair's wife's cousin was one of the people up there giving trail magic. She had Jerky, Strudels, and fruit for us.I stopped in Williamstown to resupply and eat at Papa John's. Since I am a hiker I was able to get everything at Papa John's half off.
Date: 2016-08-10
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: William B. Douglas
Miles today: 15.3

This morning I stayed in the shelter waiting for the downpour to stop. As soon as it started to die down I was on the trail. At the base of Stratton Mtn. I came across some trail magic by Storyteller, who thru hiked a few years ago. The summit of Stratton was covered in fog. Stratton is where Benton MacKaye was inspired to propose the creation of the A.T.
Date: 2016-08-11
From: William B. Douglas

To: Manchester Center, VT.
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I got a ride into town from Miss Janet. Wild Hair and Buckeye were both at the hotel I stayed at. I stopped in a local restaurant that Storyteller recommended and tried some Poutine. Then I went to the outfitter to get a pair of Darn Tough socks because the Smart Wool socks I had did not even last 100 miles before getting a hole in them.Wild Hair and I saw Bourne at the theatre, then I resupplied, and we ate dinner at another local restaurant.
Date: 2016-08-13
From: Manchester Center, VT.

To: Bromley ski warming hut
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

I hitched back to the trail at noon. I got to the top of Bromley a couple hours later. A lightning storm was on the way so I hunkered down in the shelter on the summit of Bromley. The lightning storm was one of the worst I have seen. Tomorrow my father will pick me up to take me home for a week for my cousins wedding.
Date: 2016-08-23
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

I stopped at Moose mountain Shelter for lunch. I saw Outstanding, Finch, and Golden boy there. I have not seen any of them in literally 1500 miles. We caught up then all headed to the next shelter. Ptarmigan came strolling into camp shortly after I had gotten there;I had not seem him since Pearisburg, VA. Today was a reunion day.
Date: 2016-08-24
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Fire Wardens Cabin
Miles today: 6.7

I hiked up Smarts Mountain today. The reunions continued as I found Bear Bag sitting on the deck of the shhelter at the summit of Smarts, although, after seeing him there I think the mountain needs to be renamed to Stupids. We spent the rest of the night exchanging info on good places to stay during the remainder of our trips.
Date: 2016-08-27
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Chet's Place
Miles today: 9.3

I headed up to Moosilauke in the morning. I met Pizza halfway up. At the summit I drank a Mountain Dew that I carried up from the Hikers Welcome Hostel. The trail down Moosilauke is very steep, luckily I only fell once. Pizza, myself and another hiker were able to hitch into town from a couple ladies who were planing on doing a section of the A.T. and wanted as much info about trail conditions as we could give them. They dropped us off at Chet's Place, which is a free hostel. Chet is one of the nicest people in the A.T. community. when you arrive he asks you 3 questions any thru hiker should be able to answer to make sure you are a thru-hiking, before he lets you stay at his place. When I passed the quiz I saw Wild Hair for the first time since Manchester Center, VT.
Date: 2016-08-29
From: Chet's Place

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Wild Hair and I got breakfast at Flapjacks Pancake House, then went back to the trail. Wild Hair got to town about 15 trail miles ahead of where I did, so we went our separate ways as we each got back on the trail. Halfway up my first climb out of Kinsman Notch Bad Apple came flying past me, I had not seen him since our great time in Dalton, MA. We camped at Eliza Brook Shelter, where I watched the film "The Program", about Lance Armstrong, in my tent while snacking on reese's.
Date: 2016-08-30
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Chet's Place
Miles today: 8.8

Today I went up and over South and North Kinsman. One of the Cairns on top of South Kinsman is a throne, so I sat on the throne while I ate a snack. A SOBO saw me and said "Tetris!", I didnt recognize him at first but it was Jesus, who I spent a few days with in Virgina, he ended up flip flopping. I stopped at the Lonesome Lake Hut for a break, and was treated to a free lunch by the staff because they had extra food. I went back into Lincoln today and stayed at Chet's place again. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for tomorrow, so I am going to zero and make sure I have a gorgeous day on Franconia Ridge.
Date: 2016-09-01
From: Chet's Place

To: Garfield Pond
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

I started the 3800ft climb up to Franconia Ridge and Mt. Lafayette early. just before reaching Franconia Ridge a bunch of us stopped at Liberty Spring campsite to refill on water. There I met Pooky, and saw Willow again, for the first time since Unionville NY.  The weather on franconia ridge was absolutely perfect with great visibility. Bad Apple, Pooky, Willow, Furiosa, and I all stealth camped near Garfield Pond. We all cooked and eat dinner around the campfire.
Date: 2016-09-30
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin!!!!!
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

I completed my thru hike today! My buddy Jon flew in from Atlanta to hike the final 100 miles with me. I sumitted with Pookie, Ptarmigan, Outstanding, Fireball, Pluto, Terrible Lizard, and Two Sips.TetrisGA»ME 2016- "It all fell into place"I have already gone back and completed the couple sections I needed to make up.
Date: 2016-02-26
To: Brazos Bend State Park (TX)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Berk and I have been getting in shape for a thru-hike for some time. I enjoy a twice weekly group workout with some cross-fit alums. They really push me to my limits. And I take Berk to these classes for running as well, often with her full backpack and hiking boots. I also work out at home, although at a more leisurely pace. And I have put on a number of hours/miles on a treadmill at various inclinations. And we both enjoy hiking the hills at my ranch in west Texas.We recently had a dress rehearsal hike at Brazos Bend State Park. The hose to my 3L water bladder failed immediately and dumped all the water in my backpack. We hiked 7 miles in a half-day on Friday. Berkeley was ¢hunting¢ during most of the hike. I¢m sure she could have caught a fat cottontail if I had let her loose. Thankfully, she didn¢t try to take on one of the park alligators. We had a very enjoyable hike Saturday of 8 miles in full gear. I had planned another 2-mile slackpack hike, with Berk in her hiking boots. She much preferred this mode, but the trail was closed. My new Exped air mattress was great. It uses a snozzelbag to inflate the mat which is very efficient. Unfortunately, I forgot Berk¢s sleeping pad and left it at the house. We did enjoy a sunset serenade from Horned Owls hooting.Overall, a very good dress rehearsal hike.
Date: 2016-02-27
To: Greenville, SC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

With respect to preparation, the good news is that I know what to expect, also the bad news is that I also know what to expect.Today was mostly final preparations for Berkeley. I got her a rain slicker (in pink, her favorite color to match her backpack) and a fleece jacket. Having forgotten her sleeping pad on our dress rehearsal hike, I now have it packed under my groundcloth around my tent. I spent much of today vacuum packing her food. She will be eating a puppy chicken/rice blend with over 500 kcals/cup.   She already had her hiking boots and food/water containers. And she got a final checkup from the vet before we left: all shots up to date, flea/tick/heartworm Rxs, as well as doggy antibiotics. Don't have anything for snakebites though.Yesterday was a start for carbo loading, another name for the youngest granddarling's 7th birthday celebration. We started out with "7" pancakes and then had a party at Dave & Buster's. She selected a cake that was very heavy in the icing department. a good time was had by all.