morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-16
From: Stealth site post Waynesboro

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: moderate rain

The rain held off overnight, though we woke up to heavy fog with everything damp. On trail by 7, rain started at 9, heavy rain by 1030. Any views of the Shenandoah's were obliterated by the fog. We wanted to get to the hut so we can avoid setting up tents in the rain. There is about an inch falling today and another inch coming tonight.The trail so far is more relaxed with easier inclines and declines. There have been numerous bear sightings through the Shenandoah's so we are on alert. I have had many bear sittings when campng in Ontario,, so would be happy not running into any here, the guys I am hiking with are all looking forward to seeing one in the wild though.Forecast is for more rain tomorrow 1-2 inches and 3-4 inches overnight tomorrow, yuk! That is flooding conditions.
Date: 2018-05-17
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Loft Mountain wayside
Miles today: 9.5

Awoke to another grey, heavy fog morning. Lots of rain overnight, glad to be in the hut. Originally looking at a short day, around 13 miles to the next hut. We planned for a stop at the Loft Mountain wayside to get a hot lunch - the trail in the Shenandoah's crosses the Shenandoah parkway and there are wayside restaurants every once in a while. Stopped in and met up with caveman and fog. Food was a bit pricey but it was out of the rain. By the end of the trail we were walking through 2 inches of water. Caveman and fog were going off trail and had a ride coming from caveman's nephew. Caveman drove all the way back from chalottesville to take us into Elkton to get out of the rain - awesome trail magic, thanks so much Caveman!!!! We are dry and off trail!!! There is 3-4 inches of rain plus hail and lightening coming tonight!Ordered pizza but for dinner, yum!
Date: 2018-05-18
From: Loft Mountain wayside

To: Elkton VA
Miles today: 15.3

Another rainy, foggy day, 1-2 inches expected over the day. Caveman arrived as promised at 8 am to shuttle us back to the wayside so we could slackpack back to the motel. Rain was steady through the day but it was nice to know that we would be able to dry out at the motel overnight.Views were poor again today due to the fog and no bear sitings. We did find a cool slamander which I think is a juvenile newt. I will post a picture shortly. End of day back at the hotel my feet were like sponges, heavily pruned up, yuk! This is when you can get blisters when they are softened up by being in soaking socks and shoes for hours - I am worried more about tomorrows hike which will be longer (looks like 21 miles) and we will be packing again and it is supposed to rain all day again. Boo, someone send the sun back.
Date: 2018-05-19
From: Elkton VA

To: Rock Spring hut
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: moderate rain

Got a shuttle from the motel guy back to the trail head on a very misty morning. Raincoats came off by about 11, then on and off throughout the day. It was a long day with a lot of water on the trail. At first you would start trying to hop from Side to side to avoid the inevitable soaker. Once you get that soaker, then it's walking right up the middle, through 2-3-4 inches of cold water. Feet were pruned up bad, soft and sore by days end with everything too wet to dry overnight. We all got spots in the hut to stay out of the overnight rain.
Date: 2018-05-20
From: Rock Spring hut

To: Pass mtn hut
Miles today: 15.3

We got to start dry today, and stayed that way for much of the day. Reached the Skylanders resort wayside and they were having an AYCE Sunday buffet-score!! A good two hours later we were back on trail stuffed and moving slowly. Got some spotty sun and some of our first views of the Shenandoah's, so all in all a good day. Tomorrow we are hitting another wayside to resupply and have lunch.The photo from top to bottom is Jinx, Kenya, Gravity and me.
Date: 2018-05-21
From: Pass mtn hut

To: Gravel Springs hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Overcast in morning and clearing in the afternoon, so everything except feet were dry today. We had an easy hike to light resupply at elkwallow wayside. We got there while their breakfast menu was still up so had a big bacon and egg breakfast then played cards until they changed to their lunch menu, then had lunch. A short 7 mile walk to the hut seemed to take forever. Kenya and gravity we're hiking ahead of me and found a bear on trail. No pictures as it moved quickly into the underbrush. Another night in a hut with rain coming overnight.
Date: 2018-05-22
From: Gravel Springs hut

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 13.4

Kenya had another bear siting today, just ahead of me on trail. This is our last day in the Shenandoah's and they have delivered on the wildlife sitings, but weather messed with the views which was too bad. Rain overnight last niggt, so water walking again today. Then an absolute deluge for about an hour. We hitched into front Royal just after noon and got settled into the quality inn. I got a replacement water bag for my broken Sawyer bag and we did a full resupply to get us to Harper's ferry and beyond.The heavy rains have closed sections of the trail in MD with high water, downed trees so we are hoping those are dealt with before we get there. They are shuttling hikers around some sections now.
Date: 2018-05-23
From: Front Royal

To: Whiskey Hollow Creek / Dicks Dome
Miles today: 15.4

Thats Kenya on the deck of our beautiful A-frame shelter that we had all to our selves. It could easily sleep 15-20! Got here after a sunny day of hiking, what a great feeling when everything is dry. Well almost everything, the trail is still really wet and flowing in spots, so shoes, socks and feet finished soaked but not everything else.Saw an epileated woodpecker fly right in front of me then go to work on a nearby tree. Also passed through a deciduous forest with massive trees, took a picture of a tulip tree that easily had an 8' diameter.Looking back on earlier entries, I see I am missing a lot of detail as I wait to get to town to catch up on the journal. I forgot to mention that about 6 days ago I picked up some poisen ivy rash somehow on my legs, left hand and upper right arm. At one of the waysides in the Shenandoah's I picked up some cortozone cream and when in front Royal picked up some Benadryl. Still nasty itchy, yucky.Working out logistics for when Trevor and Dave come down on May 28, looking forward to hiking with you boys and getting all the local updates!
Date: 2018-05-24
From: Whiskey Hollow Creek / Dicks Dome

To: Campsite near Spout Run Ravine
Miles today: 17.8

Awesome morning, got started about 650, it was sunny and clear, no wind and crossing Sky Meadows state park I saw 4 individual deer sitings, so cool.At about mile 995 we entered the section of trail known as the roller coaster for tightly packed ascents and descents; it is also really Rocky and involves multiple lengthy stream crossings. We are camped about 4 miles from the end of the roller coaster and while I really like rides, I won't mind getting off this one.So the forest is pretty much covered now, I have stopped bothering with sun cream as most of the walking is in the forest shade. Spring flowers have mostly faded though the trail in this section is carpeted with tulip tree flower petals, there are so many of them and they are huge! The understory has really filled out now too and encroaching on the trail which is making me paranoid that it is all poisen ivy.We will be getting close to Harper's ferry tomorrow but will probably camp outside of town so we have a full day Sat to get in and resupply.
Date: 2018-05-25
From: Campsite near Spout Run Ravine

To: 4 Mile Camp
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

A hot night in the tent and a hotter day ahead. The heat, combined with the rough Rocky roller coaster terrain was a recipe for a rough morning for me. The climbs seemed tougher than yesterday and I swear the rocks were jumping up just so I could slam my toes into them. I think I am just tired and not lifting my legs and my feet are paying for it. I forgot to mention that the nail on my baby toe is all black and blue and getting ready to leave me, so every stubbing caused "bonus" pain.The heat (90+) seems to have brought out the reptiles, lots of lizards about and several snake sitings. It would be great to have my son Brennan on this hike, he is still the only person I know that held a rattlesnake by the tail and captured a rat snake that was easily as tall as him (when he was 11). There have been many rat snake sitings, they are the biggest snake I have seen - some over 3.5'. The highlight for today was getting to a gas station at a road crossing where I had a milkshake, 2 litres of mango raspberry drink, fried chicken and potatoes wedges. We had to pack out water from the gas station for the last two miles of the day as the campsite we were heading to +4Mile camp, didn't have water. It is called 4 Mile camp as it is that distance left to get to Harper's ferry.
Date: 2018-05-26
From: 4 Mile Camp

To: Crampton Gap shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a big day as we rolled into Harper's ferry, the notional if not exact half way point of the trail. In addition to all the great civil war history, Harper's ferry also is home to the AT conservancy office which is where we arrived at just after 8am on a sunny Saturday of memorial day weekend. We had to wait till 9 for it to open so we walked around town a bit, got coffee read lots of historic placards. At 9 we got in, they took our picture for the yearbook and all the details of when we started, trail name, real name, etc. Then they assigned ua our number for NOBOs reaching Harper's ferry - I am number 385, when I registered at Amicalola falls in Georgia, I was number 992. They said that there have been roughly the same number of hikers this year as last (about 3800 have started heading north. It will probably be late fall before they sort through all the stats. The conservancy office has a massive contoured map of the AT, it was great to see where we have traveled, when you are in the mountains it is hard to visualize which mountain is which, it is neat to see the detail to understand better. The office was then invaded by about 35 scouts so we cleared out for a short tour of town.I forgot to mention that on the way into town we passed a bag piperwho was playing for a large contingent of folks who were marching from Harper's ferry to Arlington cemetery (60 miles). It was pretty cool.The town is very well preserved and chick full of history, the town changed hands 7 or 8 times during the civil war. We regrouped with Recon and G-bolt and went to a grill for burgers and beer, then off for ice cream before getting back on trail by around 130 - we still have a bout 11 miles to go to shelter. En route we passed a cooler with ice cold Gatorade - thank you to Newts Dad!We were running later than usual and found a picnic area on South mountain to get water and have dinner then onto the shelter.Poisen ivy update - still scratching like mad, but welts seem to be reducing in size so there is hope yet.
Date: 2018-05-27
From: Crampton Gap shelter

To: Ensign Cowell shelter
Miles today: 20.7

I am temporarily parting ways with my tramily after today. We need to get 21 miles up trail to stay at a spot where tomorrow morning Gravity, Kenya and Jinx can get out early to a roadside to get aride back to Harper's ferry. They have a house rented and gravity's girlfriend will be visiting. They will take a few zero's and get back on trail Thurs.I will be going into Smithsburg to meet up with Trevor and Dave who are coming down to hike for 5 days- really looking forward to that!Maryland hiking has been mostly flat, some small ups and downs and ridges area little Rocky but overall making good time on these trails. There are any more road crossings now compared to what I have seen on first half of the trail. I am guessing this is how it will be untill getting into Vermont and NH.This was Sunday of the long memorial day weekend and near the George Washington monument park there was trail magic extrordinaire - Breeze cooked up a full breakfast- bacon eggs sausage biscuits and gravy coffee cold drinks and a huge bowl of fresh fruit - we sat and ate and chatted for an hour. Another trail angel couple, Working Class and Lost and Found were there as well with cold drinks, candy treats and lots of stories about their 2016 through hike. The generosity of these trail angels continues to truly astound me. Breeze and her husband drove down from Akron Ohio to give this magic and have done it for 7 years!At the shelter, the boys got spots in the crowded shelter and I opted to tent. While setting up I struck up a chat with a scoutmaster out training his crew for aphilmont hike and he asked me to dinner - awesome trail magic again! 4 helpings of lasagna later I was stuffed and ready for bed. Thanks you to scouter Brian and Craig and troop 450 out of Annapolis!
Date: 2018-05-28
From: Ensign Cowell shelter

To: Raven rock shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: fog

Broke camp by 640 and walked the 1.5 miles to foxville road. Parted company with gravity, jinx, Kenya who were getting a shuttle back to Harper's ferry while I hitchhiked into Smithsburg. Got a ride quickly and ended up at the dollar general by 745. Forgot that it is memorial day and everything is closed though this store is to open later today. I am meeting Dave and Trevor at 3 so some time to kill which I spent most of in the laundromat as the only restaurant in this small town is closed. Spent the entire morning in the laundromat, then went to the dollar general to resupply for the next five days hiking with Dave and Trevor.Trevor's brother drove up from Harrisonburg, VA to shuttle the boys and pick me up - he was a great trail angel and brought a huge container of fresh strawberries- yum! He will also meet us at the end, near Boiling springs - both these trips are big drives so this is hugely appreciated- trail magic!We got on trail by around 4 and a short hike to the shelter which had a great camping area complete with picnic tables. Met up there with g-bolt and recon.A big thank you for the care package sent by my wife Heidi and a shout out and thank you to the morning fitness crowd at WMC for the well wishes video that Trevor brought with him. It is great to be hiking with friends from home and getting all the updates on life in Woolwich township.
Date: 2018-05-29
From: Reven rock shelter

To: Antietam shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

A 12 mile hike today. We started about 8 and ended around 3 with several breaks. Dave and Trevor can keep a good pace so we might try to go a bit further over the next few days. Started out in fog which lasted until 11, making and outlook spots useless. It was a good day getting caught up. We had a great campsite on a little island between streams and there was a picnic area with washrooms and fresh water and picnic tables where we hung out for the afternoon and evening. Hiker midnight hitting so in tents by 8.Dave and Trevor are struggling with the humidity as it is much hotter down here than back home.
Date: 2018-05-30
From: Antietam shelter

To: Quarry gap shelter
Miles today: 13.4

Had an earlier start today, on trail by 7. Foggy and hot humid so the lookout at chiminey rocks was a bust. .Pretty rocky ridge walking. Met Seven and Double tap (Amber) at the next shelter and got caught up with them, it was great to see them after so long. Also Met up with Easy Pete a little later in the morning- awesome to be seeing these folks who I thought were far ahead.Water spacing was far apart today so planned to exit trail and go to Timbers restaurant on US 30. This is a fantastic hiker friendly spot just 0.5 miles of trail with great food and ice cream. We met up with Easy Pete, Double tap and seven there, and had a great meal and entertaining lunch which was excellent and this was totally topped when we went to pay for our bills to find that a trail angel had picked up the tab for all of our meals - unbelievably generous!!! What a fantastic thing, it really made our day.The hike after lunch was short, only 3 miles, and we had great conversation with easy Pete on the way. The Quarry gap shelter is fantastic with tent pads, sheltered picnic and cooking area, swing and zen like water area. Cards and dinner, now getting ready for bed.
Date: 2018-05-31
From: Quarry gap shelter

To: Pine Grove furnance state park
Miles today: 17.2

The boys from Canada impressed me today with a 17 mile day plus. Bunch of extra walking around trying to find a tent site in the state park. The day was another foggy, humid, damp, yucky day but direct rainfall held off until we got close to our destination. We passed the official halfway point today and are heading another 7 miles to get to the store in the state park that holds the half gallon challenge. Through hikers are challenged to eat a half gallon of ice cream. It would have been easier if it was a hot sunny day but I got through a rock hard half gallon of ice cream in 53 minutes. My tongue was numb and I had sugar shakes and couldn't think very clearly afterwards, so probably not the smartest challenge. But I am officially in their books s having completed it. After the challenge we went looking to camp, and the skies opened up, finally found a spot with some help from trail angels. A nearby camper made us hotdogs. I was pretty near comatose from the ice cream, so thanks to Trevor and Dave for making all the camping arrangements. I went right to bed to sleep it off, while they went for a presentation at the nearby AT museum.
Date: 2018-06-01
From: Pine Grove furnance state park

To: Stealth site near Alec Kennedy shelter
Miles today: 15.4

Another good mileage day, it wasn't quite as foggy this morning but still damp and overcast. Trail was pretty easy walking. Trevor got a toe blister that had to be lanced and taped but was ok after that. We got to get .2 off trail to a grocery/ lunch bar at Green mountain for hot coffee and a great sub. Near the end of the day we entered an area called the rock maze. Dave had hiked on ahead of us so Trevor and I tried negotiate on our own and got a little lost even with all the blazes. Camped right by a stream so able to splsh around and cool down before dinner. Trevor shared his awesome backpackers pantry meal which was sooo much better than a rice side and tuna!Last night with the boys from Canada, will miss their company after tomorrow.
Date: 2018-06-02
From: Stealth site near Alec Kennedy shelter

To: Darlington shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is my Dad's birthday- happy birthday Dad!Major thunderstorm last night and very heavy rain, everything soaked and mud splashed. Both Dave and Trevor we're up and packed before I got out of my tent this morning, pretty Keen to get the last 4 miles of their wet trip behind them and back to a dry car and proper bed. I know that feeling on the last day of camp, you just want to get it over and into a hot shower. Well only about 75 or so days and that will be me feeling that way.The walk into boiling springs was nice with the last couple of miles very rural and reminiscent of the Grand valley trail. Boiling springs was celebrating foundry day and the while town was set up for craft shows food vendors etc and very busy. We had a good breakfast in town, then I went to the outfitters and got replacement shoes - my third pair so far. My last ones had 650 miles on them, more than my targeted 500 miles. I went with Oboz hikers this time.Saying goodbye to Dave and Trevor was hard, I wanted to jump into the car with them, the rest of today's hike will be a bit of a mental battle. Kendall took a picture of the three of us and I will drop that in here when I get a copy.I debated getting a room in Carlisle, 7 miles from boiling springs or doing the full 15 to the shelter. I was able to stop at lunch and dry everything out in the beautiful sunshine, so that convinced me to continue to the shelter. Trail was flat and rural then followed a river then up a mountain where I got the first lookout picture in Pennsylvania - yeah how about that PA already!
Date: 2018-06-03
From: Darlington shelter

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 11.3

Major soaking overnight, started at 9ish and went heavy all night long. I waited till about 720 for it to stop then quickly broke camp under very heavy grey skies. On again off again showers till about 10. Had to cross about 1.5 miles of hay fields where you couldn't even see the trail. Soaking wet shorts, socks and shoes plus a lot of tick paranoia walking in tall grass.Got into Duncannon about 1230 and had lunch with seven and double tap - there is a picture in the photos of the massive Stromboli I had.Next stop was laundry and tent drying. Then went to find the Assembly of God Church which offers a free hiker hostel in their basement - fantastic, clean spacious accommodation with a clean shower and full kitchen. Went for resupply, now back packing everything away for tomorrow. Gravity and boys are probably about 10-15 miles behind now so we should hook up in another few days.Trevor and Dave got back to Canada safely and are happy not to be carrying a pack today ;-)
Date: 2018-06-04
From: Duncannon PA

To: Stealth site near PA325
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: moderate rain

There were a couple of good views today, but I really should put in a picture of the rocks but forgot to take one. I will get one tomorrow and load it then.Had the hostel last night to myself up to about 730 when it filled up with 8 more hikers. They hadn't eaten yet so it was quite noisy till 10 or so, which is pretty late by my permanently exhausted body standards. Up and out of there by 650. The climb out of Duncannon into the mountains was tough, made more so by ascending into foggy clouds as you went. The fog burned off by about noon and then it was on/off sunny, great to shed some dampness.Legs and spirits were down for much of today's hike. My thoughts were mostly on the events leading up to this day last year when my mom passed away. Hey family, stay strong, wish I was there with you to share a hug and some fond remembrances.
Date: 2018-06-05
From: Stealth site near PA325

To: Stealth site PA72
Miles today: 16.3

Took my time getting started this morning, actually made coffee! Got on trail by about 730. Last night I was joined by the same tramikt from the hostel the night previous. They had been making some heavy miles, 26 a day, but have dialled back a bit and doing the same 16/17 that I have been doing. Rampage, minisauros, prophet, zebra, captain Ahab - fast hikers who I probably won't see for long once they get ramped up again.Today my legs felt strong and the hiking felt easy - the terrain was great, mostly flat with little stretches of Rocky bits. There was no rain overnight for a change and the sun poked out by noon. The trail went through Rausch gap which was the location of an old coal mining town of 1000 people. It was in a section of forest that was dark, dank and creepy looking and there was a community cemetery that really gave the feeling that it was haunted. Made great time and got to the campsite by 230. In hindsight I should have kept moving as this spot was too close to a noisy highway, but I wasn't sure I could count on a better stealth site ahead and next shelter was 9 miles. Trying to work out when to get together with the trailing bouge unit, looks like in a day or two now.Oh yeah, I stepped out onto a wider section of trail today to find two fawns not more than 10 metres from me. They were checking me out, no sign of Mom, as soon as I reached for my camera, gone!