morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-14
From: campsite past Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: mist

Long day. But mostly flat and by the time I hit the uphill, I was glad because my foot was really hurting and it doesnt hurt hardly at all going uphill. Very rocky the two miles before the hostel ao that just seemed to take forever. Got to Woods Hole Hostel just in time for dinner! After dinner, took a hot shower and set up my tent. The people running the hostel are very nice, but it is a more rustic hostel. When I come off trail, I definitely like flush toilets and an indoor shower.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Decided to take a zero day at Woods Hole and Im glad I did - it rained ALL DAY. Neville, Michael, Goat, and Stone Bear - great hospitality! I had a great day - got a massage, ate good food, played cards with some friends. Zima on the otherhand had a pretty tramatic day starting off with getting zapped by the electric fence around the pigs. She was shaking like a leaf for about ten minutes. Later in the day, she was happily laying on the porch and I went up to the barn loft where the hostel is to play cards out of the wind and rain and I guess she came looking for me and when she couldnt find me, she went to our tent up the hill a ways. I found her up there soaking wet from the downpour rain - poor baby puppy. She stayed by my side the rest of the evening.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

TRAIL DAYS!! Got a ride from Good Vibrations, MAD JAC, and Waterboy. Set up my tent and wandered around overwhelmed in the afternoon. Rained in the evening so I stayed in my tent happy to be dry and listened to the music coming from he stage across the street.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

TRAIL DAYS!!!Went to the all you can eat pancake breakfast, Zima got the rip in her pack sewed up, I got a hair cut, got my laundry done, BOUGHT MY NEW PACK! (YAY!), went in the hiker parade and let Zima be a naughty dog and bark through the whole thing (everybody else was yelling and whistling and it was cute that she joined in), took a nap afterward, Zima did some of her tricks in the talent show and was a big hit (she is a pretty well known puppy on the trail)
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Damascus

To: RV Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Resupplied and packed my NEW backpack in the morning. Met up with MAD JAC and Good Vibrations for lunch at Blue Blaze Cafe and then went with them to an RV park for the night. MAD JAC is thru hiking the AT and his wife, Good Vibrations is RVing along the AT. Thanks for the ride you two!!
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: "campsite west"
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Woke up early, packed up and got dropped off back at the trailhead by Woods Hole Hostel. My new pack definitely is going to take some getting used to - right now it hurts, but I heard that is normal. The uphill coming out of Pearisburg was not fun.Today is day one of trying to catch Canary, Bandit, and Jackson!
Date: 2014-05-20
To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: broken clouds

LONGEST DAY.Got in just as it was getting dark. My muscles are sore and hate me right now. BUT, I am in a good place to catch Canary and her two pups in Daleville by Saturday. She stayed here last night, so Im only one day behind now. Zima didnt get to play frisbee tonight because it was too dark, so she decided to chew her rawhide to get her excess energy out. ... Yes, Zima still has energy after hiking 23.6 miles.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Third long day in a row aiming to catch Canary, Bandit, and Jackson. And knowing she is only hiking seven miles tomorrow, we hope to catch her at the hostel around dinnertime. Overall this hike is loosing the novelty and excitement of thru hiking. But dont worry, we have NO intentions of quitting anytime soon... mainly because I want to be a thru hiker and theres NO WAY I want to start the trail over at Springer!! Haha
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Niday Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

We caught them!! Finally!! We caught up to Canary, Bandit, and Jack-Jack at Dragons Tooth. And hiked down the very rocky (and fun) cliffside in the afternoon with them. Got to the hostel, ate dinner at the Homeplace Restaurant, showered, and went to bed. Aiming for another 16 mile day tomorrow and McAfee Knob. Zima is very happy to have other canine company (its been awhile)
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 16.6

McAfee Knob today! Most photographed place on the AT. I felt in shape hiking around all the day hikers that were getting tired and not carrying a 40 lb. pack up the mountain Got to the campsite with just enough daylight left to get everything set up.
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Daleville, VA

To: fire road by Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5

Had a great waffle breakfast, left he hotel around 10am, caught up to Canary at Curry Creek and had lunch there. Hiked on to the shelter and found very little/no good tenting spots. The shelter was on a mountain side. Found a spot on the trail to the privy so set up there. A little while later, in walks a group of Boy Scouts who decide to stay! Dumb Boy Scouts - we made it very obvious there wasnt room. So I went back up the hill to the trail because I heard there was a fire road up ahead... and Yes! There was! ... Went back down the .2 miles down switchbacks back to the shelter, quickly packed up all my stuff (it was starting to get dark), filled up 7 liters of water - enough for me, Canary, and all 3 dogs and went back up he hill heading toward the fire road. Lucky for Canary I met her just as she had turned toward the shelter. So up to the fire road we went, set up in the dark, and camped there for the night. Later I went to find out we were very smart to do this as the Boy Scout group was NOT a fun group to camp with. Kids talking back to their parents, one of the moms of the group and bad blisters and the guys wouldnt help her out so some thru hikers did, one hiker in the shelter woke up with a kids sleeping pad on top of them, they were up early and loud and very unorganized, etc. Im glad we were camping on nice flat ground in a quiet place off the trail.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: fire road by Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

My new shoes hurt. Why when I finally am used to my new pack, now I have new shoes to adjust to. Ugh... something always hurts every day. But nothing as bad as when my foot hurt a couple weeks ago so thats good. Easy hiking today - even Fork Mtn wasnt that bad. Spent almost four hours hanging out at the swimming hole by Jennings Creek and talking to a bunch of nice local people about our trip. Got to the shelter at a decent time and it was a really cool shelter with lots of space so we stayed in there for the night.
Date: 2014-05-27
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Springs campsite
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: thunderstorm

Pulled ahead of canary because we have different maildrop locations. I want to hit Buena Vista on the 29th. Great hiking day today - I was up and over the big hill by mid morning before it got hot out. Got trail magic from Houdini at Thunder Ridge (where it started thundering) But decided it was warm enough that rain wouldnt be a big deal to hike in so kept going all the was to marble springs. Set up for the night there ready for a storm and the storm never came. Bugs are bad, so I hung out in my tent reading for the evening. Zima does NOT do well in the heat - Poor puppy She still is not feeling well and is tired more than usual.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Marble Springs campsite

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Easy morning. Made it to Johns Hollow Shelter by noon (9.6 miles) Ate lunch there and then headed up the mtn. Whew! What a climb! Two thirds of the way up it rained which was perfect because it was so hot. I was thinking about carrying Zimas pqck for her because she was dragging so much. But then the rain came, cooled us both off, and I was hiking with the energizer puppy again!! Got to the shelter and Lost Boy had found and killed a rattlesnake and was frying it up for dinner. I tried it - it was chewy. Not something I would want to eat again. Zima tried it and spit it out!! haha. What a baby. Got in early enough to play a little frisbee, do a tick check (I pull about twenty ticks off Zima every night) and then I read some of my Harry Potter book before going to bed. I only have to be on the trail by about 9am tomorrow and have an easy hike in to Buena Vista.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Blue Dog Art Cafe in Buena Vista
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Easy hike in. A little longer than I normally hike going into a town, but tomorrow is also a short day to meet back up with Canary, Bandit, and Jack-Jack. Got to the shuttle pick up spot early so got to sit and relax there for a little - the storm last night helped drop the temp. for today. Didnt rain at all while we were hiking but did a little once I got to town. Took Zima for a walk in the evening (yeah, I know... weird that I still take my dog for a walk after hiking 11 miles in the morning) but going for a walk without packs is really nice.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Blue Dog Art Cafe in Buena Vista

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 6.3

Short day. Stayed in town until 3pm, then caught Canary and pups on the uphill (she hiked 17 miles today) Got to camp, set up tent, got water (0.3 miles away), ate dinner, and now it's 930pm... time to read Harry Potter! Less than 14 miles for tomorrow's plan which means I don't have to leave camp until 8 or 9am.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Slept in this morning and left camp around 9am. Middle of the day found a nice rock to sit on and drink a soda (trail magic), eat goldfish crackers and finish reading Harry Potter book 1. Got to the Priest Shelter just after 5pm and decided to stay the night. Only Canary, Lil' Spoon, and Longbow here tonight with us. Second half of the hike today was definitely tougher than we thought it would be. And we are NOT looking forward to tomorrow's 3000 foot climb.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Easy downhill, got our group picture on the bridge. As for the uphill, I actually ENJOYED it! Probably because it is the last BIG climb for a long time (until the Whites) Got to the shelter early, so was in bed by the time it was dark.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: broken clouds

ZIMA'S BIRTHDAY!!! My baby puppy is 3 years old today!!! Got up early (but not quite as early as Canary) and was on the trail around 7am. LUCKY PUPPY - In the planning for this trip I agreed to let Zima slackpack (I carry her pack) on her birthday... I was NOT prepared to hike over TWENTY miles with it!! She got lucky that Canary had it in her itinerary to hike 20.9 miles today as her last day on the trail this year and we wanted to hike with her... so Zima got to slackpack for 20+ miles. SPOILED ROTTEN. (I'm not bitter at all)Said goodbye to Canary, Bandit, and Jack-Jack today in Waynesboro We will miss hiking with them for sure. They really made me appreciate everything on the trail more since they were only out for 2 weeks. And we had some great parts of the trail the last 200 miles - like the climb down from Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, stupid Tinker Cliffs (WAY steeper mtn than I ever would have expected), staying at Four Pines Hostel & the hotel in Daleville, stealth camping on a fire road because the shelter was FULL, climbing & coming down the last 4000 foot mountain, and finally today - Canary's first 20+ mile day w/a pack!! Woo-hoo!!
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a zero today. Canary, Bandit, and Jack-Jack wore us out! 237 miles in the past 15 days.Zima and I went to the outfitter today and I bought new shoes (the new shoes from Daleville were NOT working out very well) We camped in the park near the new hiker pavilion that the town just dedicated this year and grilled out with Baird and Dragonborn. I also got Harry Potter book 2 today so was able to start reading that. It was a very relaxing day, but we are ready to hit the trail tomorrow morning.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

New shoes are working great! Not I just gotta ditch the old "new" ones. Long hiking day - hard to come out of a town with a heavy pack & hike 20 miles. Especially because there was no water source for the last 12 miles of that 20 (also why we had to do 20 miles - to get to the next water) Shenandoahs are nice, but the shelters are spread out every 11-12 miles and there are no designated campsites in between. This means we either hike 11-12 miles a day (not enough) or 22-24 miles a day (too much) Also water is limited. It started raining in the evening so we slept in the shelter tonight.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Blackrock Hut

To: "dispersed camping" just past Simmons Gap
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

Thanks to Lemco!! She is a future thru-hiker that lives near the trail and offered to mail my old shoes and stuff home! Yay! Thank you!Went to Loft Mtn. store for drinks/snacks, hiked to Pinefield Hut for dinner, but decided to keep heading north to camp. Dispersed camping is hard, but I found a good site (near a stream too). I'll admit, I am a little worried about bears tonight since I don't hang a bear bag anymore. There are bear droppings everywhere and a lot of hikers have seen them too (but I haven't yet)Did a thorough tick check on Zima tonight because I didn't have time yesterday - YIKES - that was work. I think Zima needs a zero day in a hotel so I can give her a bath. Her fur just isn't soft anymore. She needs her nails clipped too.
Date: 2014-06-06
To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

"A mile today is a mile less tomorrow"Saw Lemco again - what a trail angel - a very kind lady Also Zima got 2 bags of treats from Susan & Midnight (black lab puppy) - campground hosts at Lewis Mtn. campground. Spent some time there - made dinner & read HP book, then hiked on to the shelter to camp for free.
Date: 2014-06-07
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: "dispersed camping" by Stoney Man Summit Trail
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up & got moving late - I blame Zima - she snuggled in around my head and clearly was NOT ready to wake up. Stopped by Big Meadows Lodge for lunch and spent too long there (these waysides sure are a distraction to hiking north!)Found the signpost!! ... Two years ago my mom and I came out to Washington D.C. and we stopped by the Shenandoahs and hiked a couple miles on the AT. I got my picture taken by one of the signposts, so this time coming through, I found that exact signpost and took a picture by it Went on to Skyland - spent too much time there too. Got out at dark to go find somewhere to camp.
Date: 2014-06-08
To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

Packed up early, saw SIX bears today including one NOT afraid of us at all. Got VERY close. Also 2 baby fawns. Does was definitely protective. Short day - resupplied in town (maildrop) First time hitch hiking! It was hard - took an hour! Everybody was shocked it took that long - we all blamed Zima.
Date: 2014-06-09
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Debated hiking 13.1 or 23.6 miles today and decided that 13.1 was better for many reasons. 1) I would get to Harper's Ferry on Friday no matter what I hike today 2) to finish reading HP 2 tonight 3) Zima's tick check is easier in daylight 4) not rushed at the wayside 5) getting in before dark is always a good thing
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

Consistent hiking all morning - got to shelter 10.5 miles in and saw a new hostel advertising free lemonade & cookies just for stoppin by - so I did. And I took an hour nap in their porch swing Then hiked on to the shelter. Met Simple & Mother Earth at the shelter
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: "campsite" before Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

Left hostel after eating some pancakes. Hit 1000 miles today!!!! But we had to make our own sign because we missed the actual sign (hiking with Mother Earth & Simple) Also, we hiked the VA/WV border for a while. Terrain was great though. Stopped at a gas station for food & soda - got a ride back to the trail and hiked quickly to the campsite to avoid what looked like a storm coming again (never actually came)
Date: 2014-06-14
To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Got my picture by the ATC - hiker #558, went to lunch, then the outfitters where I saw Brave! We hiked together my second day in Georgia and she remembered us (once again, Zima impressed somebody with good behavior!) Anyway, Brave was kind enough to take us to Walmart to resupply and then to her house for the night. Ordered pizza, took a shower, and watched the hunger games movie - great relaxing night!
Date: 2014-06-15
From: Harper's Ferry

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

Went to Braves parents house for the morning and hung out at the beach. Zima had SOO much fun!! We also got to go kayaking together. I may or may not have got a little sun burn. Hiked out of town up Weverton Cliffs in the evening.
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Pogo Memorial campsite
Miles today: 19.8

Woke up EARLY this morning - was on the trail by 7am! Woo-hoo! I'd love to make that a habit. Got to Dahlgren Backpack campground for lunch and decided to keep going. Got to campsite early, but decided to stop because of the rain coming. Good thing too because it started to rain around 6pm - just after I got my tent set up and dinner made. And now I'm chillin' in my tent and Zima is SNORING away. She was a very tired puppy today because of the heat.
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Pogo Memorial campsite

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: clear sky

LONG day, but I feel good. This morning was HOT and miles went slow. We stopped at Pen Mar Park, ordered food/soda - delivery!, dried out my tent and then hiked on. Close shelters helped me keep moving north to the next one. Feet are TIRED and not happy with me. Zima is also VERY tired. Poor baby.
Date: 2014-06-18
From: Tumbling Run Shelters

To: Toms Run Shelters
Miles today: 25.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Ten miles to Caledonia State Park - drank a lot of root beer there. Left the park after talking to Brave - plans to meet her at 5pm for trail magic! Got there just in time - burgers, sodas, and CAKE!! to celebrate the halfway point!! THANKS BRAVE!!! BEST trail magic ever!!! Hiked on to shelter, got in at dark, and went to bed.
Date: 2014-06-20
From: footbridge, stream, campsite

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: clear sky

Rock maze was fun/challenging, felt good to be at center knob with only downhill and long day of flat walking ahead. Boiling Springs was a great little town - I would have liked to have more time there, but north we went! Zima did enjoy her swim and left the baby ducks alone (once again... perfectly behaved puppy) Hiked through the Cumberland Valley today. Long day, but overall pretty easy - flat, NOT rocky at all.
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Hit ROCKY PA. Zima did great though and was able to step between the rocks. Made good time into Duncannon for the hiker festival. Split up from Mother Earth, Wrong Way, and Stargazer when I hiked out of town that night. I'm sure they will catch up soon.
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: campsite before Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Again, LONG day, but I was up and out close to 7am, made good hiking speed. Trail magic at PA 325 - burgers & soda! And comfy chairs to rest in. Great to have at my half way part of the day. Gave me energy to go all the way to 24+ miles. Got to camp before 7PM! (impressed myself with my hiking speed today) Talked w/A Bear, Pockets, & Hoops for a while - looks like I caught a small bubble of hikers. On to 501 tomorrow? My feet didn't hurt until about 18-20 miles today, so that's good.
Date: 2014-06-23
From: campsite before Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Round Head campsite
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Trail magic @501 shelter. Long boring day hiking. Talked with Double R about AKC obedience (he also has shown dogs) Camped with Snickers (section hiker) and Bamboops. Both Wisconsinites! Mother Earth not only caught up to us today, but has passed us.
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Round Head campsite

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: moderate rain

Hmm... "long boring day" is becoming a common theme in my journal entries. For those who didn't know - I write in a handwritten journal every night and then type them all online when I find a hostel with wifi. I try to keep them in the present tense, but it is funny sometimes looking back at them when I type on here.Hiked mostly by myself today - I must be picking up pace because I left at 730am and was able to hike the 21 miles into town and get there just after 6pm. We FINALLY met Zig & Zag (hiker/dog) that we have been hiking near since the beginning of our hike. Pups got to play a little - Zag is a cool pup.
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Port Clinton

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Picked up maildrop at post office and headed uphill. Climb wasn't that bad. Hardly any bad rocks today except around Pulpit Rocks & the Pinnacle. Saw our first copperhead SNAKE today! Worst part of today were the gnats - ugh, I hate them! Thunderstorming right now - good thing I have Zima instead of Ruby! Looked at trail book part 4 (came in maildrop) - YIKES! But good that hostels seem cheaper & dog friendly again in New England.
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

ROCKS, ROCKS, and more ROCKS.Thought about going 24.2 but then we hit rocks. Knife Edge was comparable difficulty for Zima as Dragon's Tooth and Back Oven Knob was ALL ROCK from the road to the shelter
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Smith Gap Road
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My feet hurt. I asked Bagger for trail magic - his parents are picking him up tonight at this gap and they are bringing Zima & me water. We got here around 7pm so it would have been 9 before we got to the shelter but we have NO water, so we were going to have to hike it. THANK YOU to BAGGER'S PARENTS!!! We really really appreciated all you did. You saved us from a long miserable 4 mile evening hike.Zima's paws are cracking Poor baby pup. Planning on 2 under 20 miles days to Mohican Outdoor Center. We need a break. Stupid rocks.
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Smith Gap Road

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: broken clouds

Forgot to write in the last journal entry - the climb up from Palmerton - FUN, but HARD! I let Zima slackpack so she could balance & climb better. Stowed our trekking poles too. *Canary - hike this with somebody*Woke up and felt great - good nights sleep & well hydrated. Hiked continuous through the day in order to hit Bagger's parents at each gap with trail magic. Got the last shelter at 430pm and decided to hike into town. Ate pizza & hung out with Mother Earth, Pocket, and Hollywood. Feet really hurt, but tomorrow will be a short day.