morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-20
From: 2.9 miles north of Alec Kennedy Shelter, PA

To: Darlington Shelter, PA
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

On the way today, I went a half mile off-trail to the Middlesex Diner in Carlisle, PA for breakfast. Surprisingly a patron at the diner picked up my check and insisted on paying for my breakfast! He knew I was a hiker because I had my pack next to the table. It was a generous gift of trail magic, especially since I had two complete breakfasts. Later in the day I met volunteers from the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club who were out maintaining National Park Service boundary survey markers for the AT. The shelter tonight has many SOBOs, NOBOs, section hikers, and through hikers all mixed in together, which is making it a very community experience on a beautiful moon shadow evening. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-04-21
From: Darlington Shelter, PA

To: Clark's Ferry Shelter, PA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today the trail passed directly through Duncannon, PA, so I stopped for lunch at the Doyle Hotel. While at the hotel, I got another stamp for my passport, bought some denatured alcohol for my stove, recharged my phone, mailed a postcard, and had a huge hamburger. It's two days in a row now that restaurant food has been so close to the AT. Duncannon had some road hiking to a bridge which took the trail across the broad Susquehanna River, which so far is the largest river I have encountered on the trail. Once over the river there was Gatorade trail magic on the side of the trail. Perhaps it was a gift from a York Hiking Club member, which is the club maintaining this section of the AT.
Date: 2016-04-22
From: Clark's Ferry Shelter, PA

To: 8.7 miles north of Peters Mtn. Shelter, PA
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

I am tenting between shelters tonight in order to even out my daily mileage. Today was forecasted to rain but we only had very light sprinkles in the morning. Tonight is forecasted for thunder storms. When hiking, I am still stopping every hour for fifteen minutes. I added tick checks to the fifteen minute break routine of trail yoga; cooling my shoes, inserts, and socks; eating; drinking; changing layers; and checking the guidebook for water sources. There is no modest way to check for ticks. If I go off-trail to check, I am in tick habitat with my pants down. My method is to stay on the trail, take one last look in both directions, have my mirror unfolded and ready, and then just do it. I hope never to get a tick, but hope is not a plan. I am due for re-treating my clothing too. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-04-23
From: 8.7 miles north of Peters Mtn. Shelter, PA

To: 4.7 miles south of William Penn Shelter, PA
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

It rained last night, but then, as if on schedule, it stopped at 5:30 a.m., just as I was taking my tent down. The cool wet morning was transformed into a cool bright sunny day by 10:30 a.m. I am tenting on a high windy ridge line tonight, which is perfect for drying the tent out, which I packed away wet this morning. I even "found" rocks to cover the tent pegs (that is an inside joke.) I love my Guthook IPhone AT navigation app. Today it called-out a water source and tonight's tent site, which weren't called-out in the AWOL AT Guide. The two products complement one another, rather than replace one another, and I use both, although I use the AWOL AT Guide more often. I am feeling very smug about getting 2.1 miles off-trail into the Lickdale, PA Wendy's, eating my favorite bad food, and getting back on the trail in one hour! It's important to stand a little sideways so drivers can see your pack. Also, hold both trekking poles so they are visible to the driver. Now you look like an Appalachian Trail hiker in need of some magic. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: 4.7 miles south of William Penn Shelter, PA

To: 501 Shelter, PA
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I hiked during a beautiful morning and then I left the trail to go into Pine Grove, PA where I met some old friends for dinner tonight. I am using Pine Grove as a resupply point as well. I am at the Econo Lodge in Pine Grove, which is right next to a Dollar General store, which is a hiker's supermarket. I intended to do laundry at the I81 truck stop, but the wait was too long for the one washing machine there, so I bought laundry detergent and hand-washed in my hotel room. Did you know that the top of a 500kVA padmount electrical transformer is a good clothes dryer? It's a little trashy, but I am a through hiker. Having and taking time to see old friends during my hike without the pressure of a tight schedule is wonderful. It's making this hike about the journey, which is how I hoped it would feel when planning the hike. I am back on the trail in the morning to put this great weather to good use. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: 501 Shelter, PA

To: 1.9 miles north of Eagles Nest Shelter, PA
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I am tenting between shelters again tonight. This morning I got a shuttle ride out of Pine Grove, PA at 6:00 a.m., and after a trip through a fast food drive-through, I was back on the trail by 6:30 a.m. There was a 20% chance of rain in today's forecast, but we didn't see any of it. The trail profile in PA is very level, but at times north of Duncannon, PA the trail surface can be boney rugged and slow-go, as it was today. I was passed by a younger through hiker whose plan is to finish the trail in four months. I loved hearing about his itinerary and details of his own hike-your-own-hike, which is one of the trail's ethos. But most incredibly, the young hiker hasn't lost even one pound! I also met a NOBO section hiker from Mobile, Alabama whose trail name is Trip, the antithesis of my trail name. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-04-26
From: 1.9 miles north of Eagles Nest Shelter, PA

To: 3.1 miles north of Windsor Furnace Shelter, PA
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

This morning I left the trail and went into Hamburg, PA for a fast food breakfast. The strip north of Hamburg is home to many big boxes, to include the largest Cabela's in the universe. I was able to get back on the trail from Hamburg by 11 a.m. I only met four sections hikers today, which is the fewest people I have seen on the trail in a long time. This afternoon's and evening's weather was odd in that the same rain and thunderstorm seemed to circle me every couple of hours, and just as I got weathered-up, the storm would move on and the sun would come out again. I took a big-league fall today, only my third of the entire hike. The first two were in snow in January and February. Today's fall was on wet rocks, which has the potential to be much more consequential than falling into snow. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-04-27
From: 3.1 miles north of Windsor Furnace Shelter, PA

To: 4.1 miles south Bake Oven Shelter, PA
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I am having a much better attitude today. My fall from yesterday is turning out to be inconsequential, but it serves as a reminder of how quickly things can change on the trail due to a mistake. The trail today had its sections of geologic chaos, but overall it was much smoother than yesterday's trail, which helped my better attitude. Tonight I am tenting in a lush little meadow near a water source, and although there is room for more tents, I am the only one here, so far. I am safe, dry, and warm .
Date: 2016-04-28
From: 4.1 miles south Bake Oven Shelter, PA

To: 4.8 miles north of Outerbridge Shelter, PA
Miles today: 15.7

I was moving early this morning so that I could cross Lehigh Gap before it started to rain this afternoon. Lehigh Gap's northern slope is very steep and rocky, such that you need to stow your trekking poles and pull in all your pack adjustments so that your pack fits tight to your back, and then climb hand-over-hand as you ascend the gap. I felt fortunate to be ascending on dry rock and not descending on wet rock, which would be nightmarish. It started to rain at 3 p.m. after I summited the gap, and since I'd been on the move since 5:45 a.m., I decided to set up my tent for the night. I am on a ridge that looks like it's at tree line, yet I am only at 1,500 feet. The stunted growth on the ridge is from a century of zinc smelting at what is now the Palmerton, PA superfund site. For a state that has so much culturally, historically, and aesthetically to showcase, it's unfortunate the AT traces here, of all places. Anyway, I got snug in my tent just before the rain started and I let the rain hitting my tent lull me to sleep for an unexpected late afternoon nap. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-04-29
From: 4.8 miles north of Outerbridge Shelter, PA

To: 8.4 miles south of Kirkridge Shelter, PA
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: light rain

Today's hike was over relentless rocks that only through hikers Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble could love. The rain held off until the late afternoon and I was able to pull-off the trail and get my tent set up for the night just before the rain started. I had dinner under the rain fly again, just like last night. Tomorrow I have a hard-stop. I will come off the trail tomorrow and return home to Vermont on 1 May for a week. During the week off the trail I will get to my every-two-months ophthalmologist appointment, hang out with my lovely wife who I haven't seen since early January and celebrate Mother's Day weekend with her. It's raining gently on my tent, but I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-04-30
From: 8.4 miles south of Kirkridge Shelter, PA

To: 6.7 miles north of Kirkridge Shelter, PA
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: broken clouds

Farewell Pennsylvania! Today I crossed the Delaware Water Gap into New Jersey and I am ecstatic to be here! I feel fortunate to have endured without injury the arduous Pennsylvania trail north of Duncannon, PA. The AT slices through seventy-two miles of the northwest corner of NJ before entering New York. Tomorrow I will rent a car and drive home to Vermont for a week off the trail. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-07
From: home

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It was pointed out to me that life is sweet when you take a vacation from your vacation, as I did this week. But I was busy, really. I got to my ophthalmologist appointment, my dental cleaning appointment, got my first haircut since December 2015, gained seven pounds, put new tips on my trekking poles, re-treated my clothing for ticks, got replacement shoe inserts, new socks, and replaced my custom-made water bottle holders with new and improved custom-made water bottle holders. While repairing a tear on my pack, I discovered that the internal frame to my pack was broken as cleanly as if it was cut with a hacksaw. The pack is over ten years old and has sentimental value to me, so I will try the pack as a frameless ruck and see how it goes. At least it's lighter without a frame. Tomorrow afternoon I will fly to Charlotte, NC, rent a car, and then drive to Sylva, NC to spend the night there. Monday morning I will shuttle to Fontana and start the Smoky Mountain National Park NOBO. After finishing the Smokies, I will shuttle to Erwin, TN to hike to Roan Mountain, TN NOBO. After hiking to Roan Mountain, TN, I will rent a car and drive to New Jersey and pick up the trail where I left off on 30 April. My return to the South is to hike winter-bypassed high elevation terrain. For an explanation, see the second sentence of my very first post. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-08
From: home

To: Sylva, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a travel day from my home to Sylva, NC by airplane and rental car. Tomorrow I will be shuttled from Sylva to Fontana, NC and I will enter the Great Smoky Mountain National Park NOBO. It was great to be home for a week to relax, reconnect, and refit after four months away on the trail. I am looking forward to hiking the Smokies in their springtime glory this week! I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-09
From: Highway 28, Fontana, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter, NC
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: few clouds

Today I started hiking later than usual because I needed to be shuttled to my start point from Sylva, NC. I planned on hiking a bit further today but the next shelter is closed due to recent bear activity. In the Great Smoky National Park you must stay in the park's shelters unless the shelter is filled and then you are permitted to set up a tent next to the shelter. Our shelter tonight holds fourteen hikers and it's filled so I am in my tent, which I prefer. There are four other tents set up too. The many young hikers here are having a social evening tonight around the fire ring and the fewer older hikers not so much. Today was my first hiking day under a full canopy of leaves, which gave the trail a more closed-in feeling to it. I was told the timing of my week off the trail was fortuitous because the weather here was cold and wet last week. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-10
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter, NC

To: Silers Bald Shelter, NC
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was cool and windy; perfect for hiking. The morning was overcast, but now it's a beautiful Spring evening, although still very breezy. I am tenting next to a shelter that is filled with section hikers from Florida and Alabama. I did some hiking over 5,000 feet today and there will be plenty more and higher elevation before I leave the Smokies. Hiking is a very social experience now that the shelters are filled every night, which is nice to see. The bears are out and moving, but I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-11
From: Silers Bald Shelter, NC

To: Icewater Spring Shelter, NC
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

Early this morning I heard thunder gradually coming my way so I packed up my tent and gear before 5 a.m., had breakfast, and then hung around waiting for it to get light before starting to hike. The rain started just at first light so I waited in the shelter for it to stop, which took thirty minutes. I went over 6655 foot Clingman's Dome today in dense wet fog that limited visibility to about one hundred feet, so the spectacular views will have to wait for another trip. Because of my lower latitude, 6500 feet is not yet above tree line, which is fine with me. The afternoon today was a completely different weather day, with drier, warm air and sun. There are many hikers at the shelter again tonight, so I am tenting near the shelter. I can't even remember the last time I slept on a shelter deck, so crowded shelters makes no matter to me. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-12
From: Icewater Spring Shelter, NC

To: Cosby Knob Shelter, NC
Miles today: 20.3

This morning in clear weather I traversed a long, 5,000 foot high ridge line that provided my first long distance views of the Smokies. The early morning sunlight dramatically highlighted the wispy clouds in the tree tops for as far as I could see. The afternoon, on the other hand, was thunder storms, rain, and closed-in clouds all around me. I am sleeping in a shelter tonight because the shelter isn't filled, although we seem packed in, but there is a ridge runner here making decisions about shelter space. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-13
From: Cosby Knob Shelter, NC

To: 2.8 miles north of Davenport Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I exited the north end of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, which I bypassed last January due to a winter snow storm that made the park's high elevations an unwise choice for me. Anyway, the park is beautiful any time of the year and this past week was no exception to its beauty. I am staying the night at Standing Bear Hostel which is strategically located just off the AT at the park's northern boundary. The hostel is very camp-like in a charming way. Tomorrow I am being shuttled 100 trail miles north to Erwin, TN to hike a high elevation section I bypassed during a first week of February snow storm. This section includes 6000 foot Roan Mountain. After Roan Mountain my winter bypassed sections are completed and I will return to the AT in New Jersey and continue NOBO. Last night I dreamed that a bear took my peanut butter.
Date: 2016-05-14
From: 6.2 miles north of No Business Knob Shelter, NC

To: 4.8 miles south of Cherry Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I was shuttled 100 trail miles north of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to hike the second and last of the two high elevation sections I bypassed last January and February. After my shuttle ride this morning, I did some resupply in Erwin, TN and then started hiking in the late morning. The section of trail I am on straddles the Tennessee and North Carolina border, as the trail has for many, many miles already. Tonight I am in a campsite with a water source, which is always my ideal spot. After the crowded shelters of the past week, it's nice being here with just two other hikers. Many hikers must be at the Trail Days festival in Damascus, VA this weekend. Tonight is a cool, cloudy, blustery night, but I am safe, dry, and warm.
Date: 2016-05-15
From: 4.8 miles south of Cherry Gap Shelter, NC

To: Clyde Smith Shelter, NC
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was notable for its unseasonably cool weather; consequently, I was in knit hat and gloves and fleece vest until the afternoon. I had just been thinking of sending these items home too! But it was a day of bright sunshine and beautiful clear blue skies, as compared to yesterday's gray sky. I am tenting at a shelter and everyone here is hoping it doesn't get as cold as last night. We are above 4,000 feet but well protected from wind. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-16
From: Clyde Smith Shelter, NC

To: Overmountain Shelter, NC
Miles today: 15.5

Today's hike brought me over 6200 feet and tonight I am tenting next to a 4650 foot elevation shelter which overlooks a beautiful valley. In the morning I passed Roan High Knob Shelter which has the distinction of being the highest elevation shelter on the AT. The shelter I am tenting next to tonight is a converted barn whose loft seems as big as a dance hall, compared to other shelters. The trail's trace went over several balds today, which always provide spectacular long distant views. Incredibly, this morning I saw icicles hanging from ledge rock! I would never have guessed mid-May icicles in North Carolina, even at elevation. Tonight I am safe, dry, and warm.
Date: 2016-05-17
From: Overmountain Shelter, NC

To: 9.2 miles north of Overmountain Shelter, NC
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

This morning I was moving extra early to have some momentary solitude as I traversed a series of 5,000 foot balds collectively called the Roan Highlands. At first I was disappointed that my hike across the highlands wasn't going to see the sunrise, but I needn't have worried about the sun because the low clouds, wind, mist, rain, and fog across the highlands, valleys, and mountains made me understand and appreciate that I was looking across the most ancient and beautiful lands and mountains in North America. I have finished hiking the two high elevation AT sections I winter weather-bypassed last January and early February and tomorrow I will travel back to my most northern point of progress on the AT, which is New Jersey, and then continue northbound on 19 May to Maine. Tonight I am resting at the Mountain Harbour Hostel in Roan Mountain, TN for my long nine hour drive north tomorrow to New Jersey. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-18
From: Roan Mountain, TN

To: New Jersey
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a long day on Interstates 81 and 80, but I arrived safely late tonight. Along the way, I stopped for a five day resupply of trail food and stopped at an outfitter in Waynesboro, VA to pick up a few things. While in Waynesboro, I gave a very young through hiker a ride back to the AT, which was a fun thing to do. Tomorrow morning I will return the rental car and start NOBO. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-19
From: Jersey Shore (of the Delaware River)

To: 11 miles south of Brink Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

This morning I over-slept and then went to a real diner for breakfast. After breakfast I went to the post office, supermarket, and gas station to fill-up my rental car, and then I returned the rental car. The rental car company then shuttled me to the AT and I started hiking at 10 a.m. Today's hike was in perfect warm sunny weather; however, the trail was littered with glacial scat most of the way. It's going to be a chilly night tonight, but I am still equipped for it. I am safe dry and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-20
From: 11 miles south of Brink Shelter, NJ

To: Gren Anderson Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was another gorgeous weather day for hiking here in New Jersey. All day long I hiked in bright sunshine and a cloudless blue sky. The forecast for tomorrow has some rain , but I'll be unconcerned until it actually starts raining. I treated myself to a beer and lunch this afternoon at a tavern that was very close to an AT road crossing. I was careful not to eat too much because I still had some afternoon hiking to do. When I arrived at the shelter tonight a trail angel named Snores greeted me with a cold soda and took my trash from the last two days, which was very thoughtful and a nice end to a day's hike. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-05-21
From: Gren Anderson Shelter, NJ

To: 5.3 miles south of Pochuck Mtn. Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: moderate rain

The forecasted rain held off today, but it was cloudy and cool, which are ideal hiking conditions if hiking efficiency is of prime importance. The first thirty-eight NOBO miles of New Jersey was on a rocky long ridge line, but this afternoon the trail left the ridge and came down to old farm country and a smooth trail surface. The section of trail I am hiking follows the NJ/NY border closely, and although I am hiking the AT in NJ, I am in the small village of Unionville, NY tonight having pizza. Incredibly and very graciously, Unionville allows hiker tenting in their public park in the middle of the village, provided that you sign-in at the village office or the general store first. They provide a portable toilet and a water spigot too. Also, I was instructed to move into the park's gazebo if it starts to rain during the night. It is the best of trail magic. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight in the Unionville, NY park.
Date: 2016-05-22
From: 5.3 miles south of Pochuck Mtn. Shelter, NJ

To: 3.2 miles north of Wawayanda Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Last night I slept very comfortably on the lawn of Unionville's village park, but you know a community likes its old Yankee ways when the church in the village center starts to ring the time starting at 4 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Just minutes after starting to hike this morning I was back in New Jersey. The trail traced through some wet lands today and there was a mile or two of elevated boardwalks to get the hiker above the water. I only saw one section hiker today and no through hikers or flip floppers. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.