morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-12
From: Myron Glaser front cabin porch

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Up earlier. The good life with a table to sit at for coffee and getting packed up. And porch rail to air stuff out. I¢m big on that, although I doubt I smell any better. (He doesn't, trust me, but A+ for effort- AH) Can¢t figure why privy locked here. Even had a name. Forest Dump.. cabin belongs to Potomac Appalachian TrAil Club. Used by trail maintenance people and maybe others.Was hoping shoes would make it, but not sure now. Can buy replacements if needed. They did all of NH and ME so high mileage. Will give them a few more days.Today hiking most of The Roller Coaster. A series of-- you got it, ups and downs. Passed the shelter I was heading to before finding cabin. It was a ways off trail too. Seems like most have been like that in SNP and now. Hope they get back to being mostly on trail. Started the roller coaster after about an hour. It is tough. Mainly the steepness, but also the amount of rocks. Have not been used to that so far in April. Length of assents was not bad. Usually half mile or less.Talked to Count for quite a while on trail. He was doing six day sobo test hike. Starting PCT in May. He and wife did AT in 2015. About my age. Retired. Met a couple other day hikers and then hiked with a couple more for last mile into hostel.Really worn out on last few miles. Roller Coaster almost got the best of me, but made it in by about 3:00. Shower and laid around until check in time at 5. Then got the Hiker special of bed, shower, frozen pizza, Ben and Jerry pint, and laundry. All for $30. Had pizza and talked to older lady who volunteered in kitchen. I¢m only one here now, so that might be it. No snoring in bunk room, unless it is me.
Date: 2018-04-13
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: 4 Mile Campsite
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

Had breakfast at hostel. First finished half pint of Ben and Jerry¢s left over from last night. Then had pancakes. Good hostel. Of course having a private bunk room helped. Got away before eight. Finished the roller coaster after a few miles. Good riddance.Stopped at Crescent Rock overlook just after entering West Virginia. Also called Raven rocks. Talked to day hikers there. Took my picture and me theirs. After that trail got easier. Gotta love WV.Talked to friend Beau H.from near Philly. Asked about him picking me up at end of hike. Sounds like a date. Will get home from there.At lunch stop I was sitting on big rock pile just off trail. Big like size of a garage. Heard some rustling coming around rocks. A turkey and I were both surprised. Turkey ran off. I just ate.Had water availability issues. Passed up a couple sources earlier and should have got some. Knew I was going to be dry camping tonight and needed to fill up. Opted for a weak spring and had to filter out a lot of floaters. Only other option was a spring, one third mile off trail. Hate to go off that far. Rested after setting my camp up. Then fixed supper. Windy and warm tonight. Extra lines on tent. Into Harpers Ferry tomorrow morning. Will visit Appalachian Trail Conservancy office. HQ of org that manages the trail.
Date: 2018-04-14
From: 4 Mile Campsite

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

Four miles to Harper's Ferry was fairly quick. Talked to a section Hiker named Slow Leak. He thru hiked in 2006. Was now in 70¢s. On down and across Shenandoah River bridge and up to Appalachian Trail Conservancy office. Registered and had picture taken. Hung around some and charged phone. At 11 got to a pub for burger, salad, and beer. Good stuff. Ended up buying new shoes. Light weight model. Seemed good at end of day after 10 more miles. More cushion but not as rigid in sole. We will see.Crossed Potomac River. Hiked on canal tow path for a few miles along Potomac which Shenandoah empties in to. Then up long climb and then level rocky path. Stopped for water at Heathland State Park and then short distance to shelter. Water here is ok, but guide said might be unreliable. A lot of weekend campers. Had supper with 4 guys near me. All from PA.Gonna try for early start tomorrow and get to a shelter. Rain coming in.
Date: 2018-04-15
From: Crampton Gap

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: few clouds

Got up early and out by 6:30. Hiked hard and made shelter by noon. One other here to stay already. We made a fire and just hung around waiting for rain. Got colder and windy which is really the worst part. Shelter pretty good and facing now mostly sideways to wind. I am in corner and don¢t think will be getting any direct wind. 5 others showed up and 2 are renting so five total in shelter.Tomorrow is biggest question with more rain predicted. Hoping to get to Waynesboro PA, but maybe pull up short and try to get a ride if I decide that is best. Staying mostly warm. Expect to overnight when I get in bag.
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Wolfsville Rd. MD17. Waynesboro, Pa
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Miserable night in shelter. I should have put up tent in shelter but did not think it would leak as bad as it did. And since there were 5 of us would have been quite a disruptive. All were getting dropped on. Hiker next to me moved even closer to get away from her drop. Oh great. I did put piece of foam over me that shed some. That covered about half. And used my raincoat around foot box. But already wet.It rained hard for 6 hours or so. Slowed up about dawn. Couple in tent faired pretty good. Glad because it's their second night on a Flipflop thru hike. Recently retired from GA. She seemed really frazzled last night, but better today. I and Solo last ones out of shelter. By that time, I had lined up ride to Waynesboro so I knew I had plenty of time.Rained light most of hike. Used new umbrella most of time. Not easy to get positioned in place to go hands free. Have to work with it. Keeps a lot of upper body dry and some of legs. That is if calm. Later on rained a little harder with wind. Was on smooth trail at time so held it into wind. Some very rocky places today but managed to stay upright. Got to meeting place early. Waited about half hour for Dennis to get there. Good guy. Has been moving hikers around for about 20 years. For a fee. Fairly long distance. He is giving ride back to trail tomorrow.Used dryer here to do sleeping bag and a number of other things. All dry now. Walked to nearby Applebee¢s for supper. And then to Walmart across parking lot for resupply. Repacked food and called it a night. Hope to make some better distance tomorrow. At least weather is just iffy, not the horrendous forecast yesterday.
Date: 2018-04-17
From: Wolfsville Rd. MD17. Waynesboro, Pa

To: Antietam Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

Great night's sleep. Needed that. Picked up by Dennis at 8:30 and to trail. He gave tour around area. PenMar Park was quite a summer home place hundred years go. Many large and smaller summer homes. Mountains and cooler were the draw. RR came here from east. Also Camp David is in area and underground Pentagon and a former fort. Riley I think.Weather is cold. Stayed in thirties all day with clouds a few flurries. Got cold in wind at times and when I stopped. Moving most of time and comfortable with mid layer and rain wind suit. Had to cross 2 streams that were high. First one found a wide shallow spot and fast walked thru. Ankle deep so socks wet. New shoes do good at getting the squish out but wet rest of day. Other stream I met some Sobo hikers who told me of a private footbridge up stream. Bushwhacked to that a quarter mile and then back to trail. Found a butt pad on trail. Carried it forward and caught up with ¢the four sisters¢- only one of them is a thru-hiker(a flip-flop from Harper's Ferry, so just starting. Other three doing 2 weeks. Butt pad belonged to one of them. We talked a little and then moved ahead. They are stopping at shelter back from where I am.Got passed by Maple. Young kid but moving fast. Started GA in February.He said 2 more behind him, but I did not see them. They may have passed me after I got to shelter.Lots of rocks today. Passed over Mason Dixon line into Pennsylvania after 10 miles. Signed register there.Decided to hike on to this shelter. Warmer hiking and was feeling good.This shelter is on an island in stream. Water high but had not been up by building. I¢m only one here. Tent in shelter. Good combo. Made supper as it snowed pretty good for half hour. Hung food and in tent about 7. Down to about 28 is forecast. Will be nice and quiet with no one else.
Date: 2018-04-18
From: Antietam Shelter

To: Gravel Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.4

Cold night but comfortable. Down to 27. Got up for a moment and back to bag. Rolled out finally about 7 am. Got to next shelter and met Traveler, a German hiking north from Harpers Ferry to Maine. Taking his time. Seeing other sights too. Here on 6 mo visa. He is here with me tonight too. Interesting stories of other travels.Over Rocky Mountain was challenging with some rock scrambles and the like. Was still cold most of day. Sun out after mid morning but had to keep wind gear on until just befor finishing for day. Suppose to rain tonight and into tomorrow but hopefully cease by mid day.Got to Caledonia state park after lunch. Cleanup crews working on damage from creek out of banks. Very steep climb up mountain from there. Then on to shelter. Rhododendrons in this area. Have not seen them at all this hike. Can¢t quite figure thT out. Have been Mountain Laurel always though. Don¢t even consider that they would be blooming yet.At a nice shelter tonight. Even has a porch swing. Two sleeping spots for 4 and a covered picnic table in middle.
Date: 2018-04-19
From: Gravel Gap Shelter

To: Iron Master Hostel
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

Up pretty early and left shelter 7:30. Seemed cold overnight but stayed about 40. Put on another layer during night. . Rained some. Stopped by morningHiked fast for an hour. Then rain came again for a couple hours. Used umbrella effectively and stayed dry. Stopped for lunch after rain. Some sun but windy and colder. Then some mor rain with sleet mix. Hiked thru an area being worked on to reforest and remove invasives. Some had been burned. Was an interesting spot up high but surprisingly flat. May have been farmed but never saw any rock walls or piles of rock.Met Four Days in afternoon. Walked and talked with him for a mile or so through a flat and very wet area. Wet mainly from the rain a couple days ago. He is retired Air Force colonel.Walked into state park and things closed up. There is an AT museum that I was wanting to see but no. Hostel even closed till 5. Waited almost 2 hours to get in. Quite an old place but nice enough. Four Days and Capt Turn around and me here with caretaker who took our $30 and made us pizza. Shower and laundry and warm dry bed. Priceless.
Date: 2018-04-20
From: Iron Master Hostel

To: Alex Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Breakfast at hostel. Iron Master Hostel was set up for about 40 hikers. Would be a busy place with that many. With only 3 and the Caretaker Holly, it was very pleasant. Hiked out with 4 Day and we checked out rest of park along the AT route. Really got along good with him. Wish we could stick together for a while but schedules, etc not letting that happen. I hiked on ahead after a couple miles and made good time to PA route 94 by about one. Decided I had time to go to Mt Holly Springs to a restaurant 2.5 miles west. Not a great hitching place but got a ride after about 15 minutes. Enjoyed a hot meal and beer. Talked with a couple down the bar. She was there trout fishing and he was visiting son and grands. She also knew about BOW that Amy is involved with. So asked and received a ride back to trail from them. Sweet.Five more miles to shelter. Talked to sister Alice. Then up to a ridge with rocks called The Maze. Fun getting thru with a few times throwing poles ahead so could climb. Then on into shelter. Pizza Hut only other one here. He has been overseas teacher for 10 years. Thailand, Singapore and Tanzania. Interesting. Not sure his next step so hiking the trail. Going south from NY in a Flipflop thru hike with three segments.Oh yeah. Weather much improved. Sunny and warmer. Still cool though and expected to drop to low 30s. Tent in shelter again. That combo is keeping me warm. Just hope there is some day I can hike in shorts and T-shirt right out of camp.
Date: 2018-04-21
From: Alex Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: moderate rain

Was kind of cold overnight but not terrible. Seems like has been that way many times. Even with temps ranging from 27 to 40. Figure it was about 33 last night. Tonight about40 for low.When I got up this morning talked to who I thought was Pizza Hut from last night. He seemed to have an accent and was telling me different things about his hike. He was wearing a full hood and still a little dark. Finally I asked him ¢Are you Pizza Hut?¢ No!! He was Freak Out and came in about 10:00 last night. I was asleep and didn't hear him come in at all. Pizza Hut still in bunk! Freak Out a NOBO from Belgium. Had to drink coffee from aluminum pot because I lost my cup yesterday. Got a replacement when hiked thru Boiling Springs. Also had breakfast there. Nice town.Today¢s hike different in that there were about 15 miles of mostly flat and smooth trail. Ups and downs only at beginning and end. Also skirted farm fields quite a bit and through some pastures. Stiles to climb over fences when necessary.I'm in my tent away from shelter. Another single Hiker. O positive and a family of dad and 3 sons are here too. Two adopted Ukraine boys about 17 and a 13 year old. Home schooled, charismatic group. Talked some religion and a lot of trail talk at picnic table for supper.
Date: 2018-04-22
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Down off mountain this morning after a good night. Did not seem quite as cold last night. A mile or so of field walking then back into the forest. Long steep climb up to ridge and start of rocky trail. This is what Pennsylvania is famous for on the trail. Stayed up on ridge most of time, then a beautiful view from Hawk Rock, looking down at Duncannon and Susquehanna River. Steep down to town. Quite a few day hikers in this area. Talked to Amy and Chris on the way down. They are from 40 miles away but Chris grew up here. He has had a recent hip replacement. Hiking up trail, so I would say it is working. They ended up picking me up just up from trail head and taking me to grocery store and then back to trail in downtown area. Great couple and very nice to do this favor. I went into famous Doyle hotel and had lunch. Good soup and burger. They had rooms but after getting key to check out, opted to not stay. Called another place and they picked me up hour later after I made a couple other stops nearby. O Positive came into Doyle. He was planning to zero there. Two nights? Also, The Family rolled into town just as I was leaving. They planning on hiking out to next shelter.I had planned the same, but just plain tired today. 22 days of hiking. Need a rest and a room by myself. Got to motel about 4 and have been taking it easy. Needed this I think.Will hike out tomorrow for 5 more days to end at Port Clinton. Talked to Beau about working out arrangements to meet him there and worked on my flight home. Originally, I had aspirations of taking the train back to Chicago, but that idea has faded. Too long of a trip.
Date: 2018-04-23
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Ridge top campsite. Mile 1163
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Got ride back to Duncannon right on time. Hiked thru rest of town then across busy Susquehanna River bridge. Wide river. Did not know it was so large. After two miles finally back in forest and climbing out of valley. Two plus mile up and among rocky spine of ridge to first shelter. Fun hiking on the rock slabs at very top of ridge.Got to shelter and found The Family still there. I got water and talked to them for almost an hour. They were slow getting out this morning. Getting enough water here for rest of day and camp tonight. Only other option is at the next shelter but it is way off trail and guide says down a very steep trail. I¢d rather carry it now than do that. But with four days food and this water the pack is heavy.At lunch stop, 3 guys day hiking, passed me going south. Later, as I was leaving they were coming back, but one was vomiting. I decided to hike ahead.Here by myself tonight. Leapfrogged with Family several times. They passed my camp as I was setting up. They are planning to camp at road a mile north. I had enough of roads today. Will see them tomorrow.Talked to Beau last night. Think he will be picking me up Friday night and bought ticket home for Sunday evening. Down to last few days.
Date: 2018-04-24
From: Ridge top campsite. Mile 1163

To: Rausch Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Cool and windy. Really slept good. Made breakfast in tent which I usually do anyway but closed it back up as soon as stove done. Good Tastykake blueberry pie to eat. Local favorite I¢m sure. Yum. Sun up. Hope it warms up quick.Hiked down to road crossing. The Family camped here. Did not see them back in the woods. The rest of the day was flat and I would say boring as the AT goes. Best thing was the rock bridges. Several of them. Lots of work to build I am sure. Rain is coming, so stoppped at shelter early. Got a fire going and set up inside. The Family came in and then about 5 nobo thru hikers. A couple in shelter but others had to tent. They are all hard core high milers. Probably be hiking in rain tomorrow. Going to another shelter. Hopefully tapers off by later as predicted.
Date: 2018-04-25
From: Rausch Shelter

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained overnight and more this morning. The nobo thru hikers up and gone early. They are really pushing fast. The Family and I hung around and talked waiting for rain to let up. Had a second cup of coffee even. I finally got going about 10:30 after saying good bye to them. They are going to hotel tonight and zero tomorrow so will not see again. Great bunch. Was nice to get to know them the last 3 days. Pappy John, Dima, Vladik and Michael.Still raining a couple hours later but quit after that. Just damp and foggy. Hiked a few miles and crossed an interstate and then up a long climb to ridge top. Stayed on top rest of day. Some bad rocks at times. Hurting my feet again. Big shelter tonight with just 2 here. Has a 2nd floor via a ladder. Tang is other Hiker. We both think may have met last year. She is doing same as me. Completely what missed last year.
Date: 2018-04-26
From: William Penn Shelter

To: Rock 'n Sole Hostel
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Nice night in shelter. Not quite as cold. Used up last of my gas this morning for coffee. Perfect. Sun bright and trail mostly dry. Tang staying late in shelter, but awake when I left.First few miles flew by on smooth trail. Got to a highway and then rocks started. Slow going. Stopped a couple times as normal. Second time a guy named Dan was there. Talked quite a while. He was doing trial hike prior to doing Long Trail in Vermont. Then more rocks and a really long wet stretch. It was fairly level and lots of pooling. Walked around a lot of it but still had wet feet. Made it to highway and called hostel for pickup.Craig picked me up and a couple miles to the place. Great place w lots of neat features such as outdoor shower with plenty of hot water, a privy built with old doors and outdoor sink. The bunk house has what is needed and only 6 bunks so crowd control. And there is a vintage trailer for rent too. Already suggested to Amy that this could be a Hostel she would be up for. Especially the trailer. Supper on the main house front porch. Good food and dessert. Dory and John are other guests. John is supporting Dory hiking. In true Hiker fashion, I ate some of what Dory could not eat of her meal. Can¢t wait for breakfast.
Date: 2018-04-27
From: Rock 'n Sole Hostel

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained overnight Dory and John were really quiet and I slept till 7:00 when breakfast came. Wow what a nice service. As anticipated great breakfast with juice, coffee, fruit, egg bacon sandwich. I put my word in to shuttle back to trail at 8:45. Got rid of empty fuel canister, trash and whatever else could go. Lighten up load for last day.Not raining when started but after a short while started up again. Rained steady for couple hours. Not hard. Used umbrella and stayed dry as can be expected. Needed a break so went 0.3 off trail to shelter and out of rain. Hate to go off that far but did not want to just stop in the rain.Rain let up after going again. Now rocks to contend with which slows you down. Only hikers I saw today were probably monks. Dressed that way at least. And finally the long steep descent to Port Clinton! Walked thru Reading and Northern rail yard and into town. Went to barber shop and had coffee and donut. Barbers welcome hikers. Lots of antiques and memorabilia. Steady flow of customers. When a lull, I asked and received a haircut and shave.Left there and hiked the half mile to Blue Mtn Road which was the actual place I started from when returning to trail last July. Changed my clothes under a bridge and went back to Port Clinton to hotel and restaurant. Had a nice long supper of cheese steak and fries. Beau got there about eight as planned and we drove back to his house in Conshohocken. Visited with wife Polly and family. Shower and bed. Long day and now the hiking is complete.
Date: 2018-04-28
To: Conshohocken, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Had a fine day with Harringtons. Great breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Then did a few things with Beau around house and neighborhood. Took Robert to karate. Big event of day was trip to Simeone Auto Museum. Excellent collection of racing cars from early 1900's and later. They were even running a few in the big parking lot in back of building.Great supper of beef stew and salad. Just what I needed with fresh greens and comfort food. Feet and knees feeling as expected. Sore but not too bad. Getting workout here because the room I'm in (Mary's) is on the 3rd floor.  Next day Beau and I took a drive around the area. Looks of old mansions and other neighborhood visits in Philadelphia and nearby suburbs. I like this area because of rolling hills and curvy streets in many areas. Many more geographic features than I'm used to in the flat lands of Illinois. We all went out for pizza. Each of us ordered individual pizzas. Kids liked that. Good pizza too. Then time to get packed up, say goodbyes and head to airport. Beau dropped me off for 5:30 flight. Amy picked me up at O'hare and home by 9:00. Good to be back.
Date: 2018-04-30
To: Sandwich, IL 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Talked to John H over weekend, so went to help he and Kurt Monday morning. The weather has been so poor the whole month of April in most of the eastern US. But it changed a few days ago and planting is on in full force. John got me acclimated to pulling the 50' field cultivator and worked the rest of the day in a couple fields. Glad to jump right into this. No time to fall in to a rut of missing the trail etc.  Three days doing this was really good and was ready for a rest day after that. They finished the corn planting and so I was pretty much done too.