morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-06-08
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day #56 On The Trail!Another Wednesday and another week on the trail comes to an end. Wowie zowie.Today, what with being in town and all, I had ice cream with all 3 meals. Also notable: I spent $13 on a fancy new titanium spork and saw Kung Fu Panda 2 in 3-D.But, it's time for: Thru-Hiker Profile #5. (And this one is a double feature)Trail Name: SmileyReal Name: Jill WagnerAge: 24Hometown: Attleboro, MAStart Date: 4/10Favorite Trail Snack: M&MsGo-To Dinner: Pasta w/ Olive Oil and GarlicStove: Pocket RocketBackpack: Gregory Z55Trekking Poles (y/n): yTent/Tarp/Hammock/Shelter: TarpLuxury Item: Town Dress#1 Favorite Piece of Gear: Her BackpackFavorite Moment: Watching the sunrise from Rocky Top in the SmokiesTrail Name: BlackfootReal Name: Josh DillinghamAge: 25Hometown: Cincinnati, OHStart Date: 4/10Favorite Trail Snack: Cashews and RaisinsGo-To Dinner: Instant Mashed Potatoes Stove: Pocket RocketBackpack: Osprey Kestrel 48Trekking Poles (y/n): nTent/Tarp/Hammock/Shelter: TarpLuxury Item: Tree Identification Book#1 Favorite Piece of Gear: PonchoFavorite Moment: Hiking over Max PatchI first met Blackfoot and Smiley at the Fontana Dam shelter just before entering the Smokies. And we've been bumping into eachother every few days ever since. Blackfoot hikes in Teva hiking sandals, which causes his feet to be... well... black most of the time. Smiley got her trail name because... I'm sure you can figure that one out.Before I began the trail, I had really only heard horror stories about couples hiking the trail together, the outcomes of which usually ended in sour breakups. It's hard enough hiking the trail alone, and as a couple it can be challenging. But these two pull it off fairly marvelously.The upside to hiking together is that you can split the weight of a lot of your major gear pieces, which works nicely as long as you can get along on a super consistent and constantly intimate basis. They have a pretty good system of things. Blackfoot hikes in front, keeping a good pace and clearing out the spiderwebs. They primarily cook on the fire, and just recently purchased their first replacement fuel canister. Unlike most couples I've seen, they do all of their own meals separately. Although, Blackfoot is known to coax a few extra sweets from his lady's food bag from time to time.The two of them met over 2 years ago while working with Americorps in Montana. After that, they lived in a teepee in Silver City, NM for awhile. Both are enthusiastic outdoors people and it is their love for backpacking, the simple trail lifestyle and the general idea of travelling long distances under their own power that spurred their decision to hike the AT. Before the trail, they were working for an outdoors therapeutic boarding school based out of Asheville, NC.They, like myself, are currently trying to figure out where they might want to settle once they finish the trail. Fortunately, time is on their side. Hike well my friends, and keep the love flowing.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Waynesboro

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Day #57 On The Trail!Today marked the first day into Shenandoah National Park. And boy it was hot. But, the terrain was fairly easy, and we made the 20 or so miles we had planned by 4:30. It seemed as if there weren't too many other hikers out in the heat today. Although, we did encounter some fellow thru-hikers who were slack-packing southbound, back into Waynesboro.Slackpacking is something I didn't ever realize was an option until just before I began my hike. The idea is to hike a section of trail without a pack, or with minimal supplies. There are two ways to accomplish this: someone ferries your pack ahead, or drops you off somewhere north and you hike back south to where your stuff is.A fair amount of us have decided that slack-packing isn't for us. Those who do it, justify it in the fact that to officially 'complete' the trail, all you have to do is hike every portion of the trail in some sort of fashion.For me, the journey is a one way trip, and my backpack is basically my home, holding close to everything I currently own in the world. To hike without it is not part of the trip that I am on. But everybody has to hike their own hike. Me and my backpack are slowly making our way north.Even in the heat.Cheers
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day #58 On The Trail!(Just posted day 57 too)Also known as day #2 in the Shenandoahs, which we've just been calling 'the doahs.' The appeal of the doahs is that the terrain is relatively easy, and since the trail parallels and crosses the Skyline Drive constantly, there is access to camp stores, waysides and restaurants. Today, we hiked 9 miles, trekked down to the wayside, and had egg muffins, sweet potato fries and blackberry milkshakes. Which rocks. Another interesting aspect of the Shenandoahs is that there is a large population of black bears that live in the park, most of which are very accustomed to people. It would seem that almost everyone has seen a bear in the park except for me. But I'm fine with that.Tomorrow, we cross a camp store and a wayside, and possibly a visitor center. So, we plan the day around ice cream, fried food and hopefully I can find a way to get my junior ranger badge.Living the rough life.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 24.4
Weather: clear sky

Day #59 On The Trail!Wow. Today definitely ranked in the top 5 days on the trail so far. The Shenandoahs are really living up to the hype.Let's see. Somewhere early in the morning, we surpassed the 900 mile mark. Woohoo. And then after a reatively easy 12 miles, we popped into a camp store for unnecessary snacks. I had a can of pringles, an ice crea sandwich and an oreo cookie laden brownie.A few miles down the road, a gal named Pigeon dropped some trail magic on us with a cooler full of cold drinks and other goodies. Thanks Pigeon.The hiking today was relatively easy, and the temperatures were super manageable. Mid-day we caught a nice rain shower that was a welcome cool-down. And shortly after it stopped, we found ourselves at the Big Meadows area, complete with Camp Store, wayside grill and visitor center. So, we had ourselves some fried foods and more goodies.After talking to a few rangers, I figured that I really didn't have the time to complete their junior ranger program. Which was a slight bummer. But, they had other ranger explorer booklets to work on, and we were able to earn ourselves Shenandoah Ranger Explorer AT patches. Which rocks.On the road next to the Big Meadows was one of those speed signs that shows you how fast you are going in digital numbers. So, we took turns seeing how fast we could run with full packs on. Hilarious. I topped it out at 14 MPH. Not bad for someone who's hiked 900 miles in the last 2 months.Somewhere in there, we were able to rock out 24 miles too. Plus, we finally saw some black bears. They were just chilling next to the trail. No big deal. At the Rock Spring hut, there is a rentable cabin that offered a decent view of the sunset, and the peopl staying their shared a peach and some watermelon with me.Tomorrow, we head into the town of Luray, to stay with friends of friends, or something like that. But there is a rumor of a breakfast buffet four miles out of camp too.Thanks Shenandoahs.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-12
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: The Lodge
Miles today: 14.2

Day #60 On The Trail!Wow guys. Wow.Today, we set out with two goals in mind. Breakfast at the Skyland restaurant, and then make it to Thornton Gap to meet friends of A-Game's parents who would whisk us away for a night in a real house.We've gotten into this lovely habit of over-glorifying things here in 'the doahs.' Every day the trail is slightly downhill, with handrails, paved in sections and with ice cream at every road crossing. Or at least that's what we would like to think. In reality, the terrain still has the usual ups and downs, although the ups have been a little less taxing. And that ice cream comes once every 15 miles or so. And it costs $4.50.So, the rumor we heard the day before about the restaurant having a breakfast buffet on Sundays was true. Except for this Sunday. Such a tough life we have sometimes here in 'the doahs.' I had to settle for fried eggs with country potatoes, virginia ham and a biscuit with gravy.The rest of the day was easy terrain. We escaped a decent rain shower inside the Byrds Nest Hut, and then traipsed down to the park entrance.Bill and Sara have retired from Washington D.C. to the quaint town of Washington, VA. Their home is unlike any other I have stayed in before. Secluded. Beautiful. Well-laid out. Fairy-tale like. They fed us a healthy dinner. And I just got to watch the Mavs win the NBA finals.Sometimes things seem to good to be true.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-13
From: The Lodge

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day #61 On The Trail!Today we awoke to a nice breakfast of poached eggs/huevos rancheros. Our gracious hosts gave us one last tour of their property, drove us to the store, and plopped us back on the trail. Thanks again for everything Bill and Sara. You guys are awesome.We bid adieu to Scrub, whose dad picked him up at the park entrance to begin a 10 day break from the trail and a visit with his girlfriend. See you on down the line buddy.So there I found myself, hiking with two ladies, 3 Hats and A-Game. 9 miles down the road we encountered the last wayside in 'the doahs' and took advantage of getting one last blackberry shake. We caught up with Spike there for a bit, and enjoyed some goat cheese sandwiches in the sunshine provided by miss Hats.And then another 6 miles to the hut, where the evening has been spent with more feasting and some great laughs.Tomorrow, we hope to pop into Front Royal, hit up the natural food store and get to the Jim and Molly Denton shelter, which has a solar shower and chairs on the porch.Glory days.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-14
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal Vortex
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #62 On The Trail!(Also Known As My 2 Month Trail Anniversary!)So, today I got sucked into the vortex that is Front Royal. In my last entry I was writing about my plan for the next day, and as I was writing it, I knew that I shouldn't have counted on it working out.We left at 7 from the shelter, hoping to get into town early, so getting out and on to the next shelter would be nice and easy. But, we ran int Blackfoot and Smiley just before the road, and talked them into coming to town with us. 3 hours later, as we were enjoying a monstrous italian dinner, the idea slowly came over us that none of us felt like getting back on the trail.So, we split a room at the Quality Inn, the cost of which was really reasonable between the 5 of us lazy peoples. But hey, sometimes you gotta take it easy. Lay out by the pool. And go out for ice cream at 8:30 p.m. And watch cable tv. And sleep in a real bed. Tomorrow, we plan to hike 23 miles to get back on track.We'll see what happens.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-15
From: Front Royal Vortex

To: Rod's Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: clear sky

Day #63 On The Trail!Today was magical. Last night, I shared a hotel room with four super people: Blackfoot, Smiley, 3 Hats and A-Game. This morning we awoke to my newly acquired ringtone, which I downloaded after being inspired by Snake Farm. If you do a google search for "Good Morning Ringtone" and watch the first video (20 or so seconds long) you can check it out. Pretty silly stuff.Continental breakfast filled us up nicely, and after, we were able to easily hitch out of town. As seen in the picture in yesterday's post, hitching goes much smoother when you let the girls do the work.So, off we went, merrily, on our planned 23 mile day. After 8 miles we came across a road and had to make a decision: keep cruising or try to get to the Apple House Restaurant 1.5 miles away. We decided that if we got picked up hitching within 15 minutes, that it was a sign we were supposed to go. Before we could even stick our thumbs out, a truck driving the opposite way of our destination pulled around and picked us up. It was meant to be.The owner of the restaurant gave us a plate full of free doughnuts, as his son had just started hiking the trail southbound from Maine. I had their BBQ Sundae: mashed potatoes, pulled pork, bbq sauce and coleslaw served in a bowl with kettle chips on the side. Delicious.And then, as we made our way back up the road, another fella offered us a ride before we could get our thumbs out again. Thanks Tim.And then the rest of the day, we hiked. Smiley set a good pace all day and the terrain was mostly easy.Tomorrow, we plan to stay at the Blackburn Center bunkhouse. And somewhere along the way, we become 1,000 milers.Radical.Cheers
Date: 2011-06-16
From: Rod's Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

Day #64 On The Trail! Well my dear friends, today we joined the 1,000 mile club. Crazy. It really is such a joyous milestone, and much worth celebrating. But at the same time, we still haven't hit the halfway point and have a lot more still on our plates. Still, celebration is better, and looking back on all of the days and miles that have brought us this far, it is so remarkable just to have made it this far. Incredible really.We definitely had to earn it today, hiking over a13 mile section of trail known as 'the rollercoaster.' It was a fairly strenuous stretch with 10 steep ascents and descents stacked up, one after the other. Our posse today grew to 6 people, with the addition of C Spike. And we really had a fun day, telling stories and jokes, with breezes and a little bit of precipation to keep things cool. Somewhere in the middle there we popped in at the Bear's Den Hostel to get some Ben and Jerry's ice cream and watch a few episodes of Seinfeld. Life is tough sometimes.Tonight, finds us at the Blackburn Center, a outpost run by the PATC, a local trail club, with free bunkhouse. Plus, the caretakers fed us a massive spaghetti dinner.Tomorrow, we hit Harper's Ferry: home of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the unofficial halfway point (we'll still have 75 more miles until the real halfway). And we will bid adieu to our dear friend 3 Hats, as she heads off to go rafting in Utah and then up to Maine to finish up her hike heading south.Supposedly momma hats may have some treats for us. And maybe the post office will have some goodies too.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-17
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: HI Harper's Ferry Hostel - Knoxville, MD
Miles today: 15.0

Day #65 On The Trail!Today, after a rousing rendition of the 'good morning ringtone' alarm clock dance party, our posse waltzed in 12 easy miles to Harper's Ferry, home of the ATC. Tri-Dub became a new member of our group for the day, so we were rolling 7 deep on the trail today, telling stories and laughing along the way. It was nice.At the ATC, they take pictures of all thru-hikers that pass through, assigning numbers to each one. So last night, I offered up $5 to the person who could guess closest to the actual number they would obtain, with the knowledge that last week they were in the 300's. I guessed that I would be #469, and won the contest coming in at #470.3 Hats' mom had delicious brownies and many other treats. Plus we got to see her in street clothes, which was weird. See you down the road friend. Your positive presence will be missed.And the rest of the day was kind of chaotic, scrambling around to the post office, outfitter, general store and getting out of town to do laundry and get a shower at a nearby hostel. I kept on meaning to grab some photos with my phone for the blog, but alas... lost in the madness. Hence, the historic drawing, poached off of a google image search. I'm sure that's legal.Blackfoot was feeling ill, so he and Smiley stayed behind in town, hoping he takes a turn for the better tomorrow. So, what once was 7 person party, is down to three, with myself, A-Game and C-Spike.Oh yea. After a little more than a month, we are finally done with Virginia. Feels great. And just like the cherry on top of the proverbial sundae, West Virginia went down too. Hello Maryland. Nice to meet you.You're next.Cheers
Date: 2011-06-18
From: HI Harper's Ferry Hostel - Knoxville, MD

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #66 On The Trail!Today was a fairly lazy day. I got word from Smiley that Blackfoot went to the doctor, who determined in his/her great wisdom that he just had a viral infection. Which is good news.We passed through Gather State park, the site of the Battle of South Mountain, where confederate troops were able to delay the union army to give General Lee enough time to regroup for the Battle of Antietam. There was a cool arch erected there, a memorial for the people who spent time writing and corresponding about the war. It was neat.Lots of people out hiking here in Maryland, what with the weekend and all. But, the shelters are nice, and the trail seems very well maintained. I think we can handle another day and a half of this state.Tomorrow, we plan to hike 21 or so miles as part of a plan to get into Waynesboro, PA. Every day brings us closer to the Mason-Dixon line. Cool.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-19
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ravens Rock Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Day #67 On The Trail!Another day in Maryland, which has proved to be a lovely state so far. Easy trail. Fair weather. Cooler temperatures. Real spongecake stuff.Today, I started the morning off hiking alone for about 3 hours. For the past few weeks, I've been hiking with friends, which is great because the time passes much more swiftly. But hiking alone is nice too. It gives me the sense that I am really out here 'doing it,' realizing the dream if you will.Then, I caught up with A-Game, and we cruised nicely for the rest of the day. We made a quick detour to get ice cream sandwiches from The Free State Hostel. And then we got rained on for a bit. Still a fair amount of section hikers and boyscout troops on the trail today. But at the shelter tonight there was a goodmix of new and old faces, and the usual good times.And tomorrow, we can cross Maryland off of the list of things to do. Enter Pennsylvania. And the north. And beyond.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-20
From: Ravens Rock Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Day #68 On The Trail!Another low mile day today, which was fantastic. It rained most of the night last night, so things were a little damp this morning, but spirits were high.Quickly into the day, we crossed the Mason-Dixon Line and the MD/PA border.The terrain was still mostly easy today, excepting one part with tricky wet rock hopping while on a decently steep descent. My two buddies and I hitched into Waynesboro, which took about 25 minutes. There we stopped at the post office, andon our way to the local grocer, got picked up by a lady who not only dropped us off, but called her husband who shuttled us around town to DQ and Hardees and eventually back to the trail. Thanks Bernard and Rhoda. You two rock.And so far, PA has been a breeze. We stopped at a park and threw the frisbee around for a bit, which was nice. And despite foul weather in the forecast, the sun came out with blue skies for the evening. Fantastic.Tomorrow, there is a park with a pool and showers 8 miles from here. We hope to do 19 miles.....Pool party anyone?Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-21
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #69 On The Trail!Wow. Today marked the first day of summer. Awesome. Last night, it started raining a few hours after midnight, and carried on until about 8 a.m. Things were not looking up for our planned pool party, especially when most of us at camp last night didn't leave until 9 or later. Then the terrain proved to be decently rocky and slippery.But after a few hours of walking, the sun started to burn through, revealing a nice lush forest. And the trail became real spongecake. After 10 miles, A-Game, C-Spike and I made it to Caledonia State Park, complete with picnic tables, a snack shack, and an awesome public pool with a water slide. $7 got me into the pool, a hot shower and a hot dog. And the sun was shining.Pennsylvania so far has a good amoun of rocky sections, athough the worst is yet to come. But also, the forest here is lush, and the shelters and campsites have been swell.Tomorrow, we hit the halfway point on the trail, then on to Pine Grove Furnace State Park for the ice cream 'half gallon challenge.' I hope they have cookies and cream.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-22
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Tagg Run Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #70 On The Trail!Another day, another milestone. This one proved to be pretty momentous.A quick thundershower rolled through this morning, but did little to slow our party from our intended goal: halfway point and the half gallon challenge.There had been some speculation on whether there would be a sign marking the 50% completion point for the trail, with several rumors floating around (the length of the trail varies from year to year, so the midway point also fluctuates). Turns out, that a local former thru-hiker had placed a lovely sign out for the new midway point some time in April. Great photo-op.Down at the state park, two quarts of ice cream costs $5.95. Myself, Mtn. Dew, Muffin Man, Sparkplug, C-Spike, Pigeon Pot Pie, and Poppins all began our race to devour at about the same time. I finished third, coming in at 23 minutes. Cookies 'n Cream. It was delicious down to the last gooey sludge drop.And then a few hours passed by without great occasion, as most of us took it easy and digested. Just before leaving, I tossed some disc with Mtn. Dew, and then had a cheeseburger and fries. Life is really rough.Tomorrow, we roll into Boiling Springs and meet up with an old friend.Stay tuned.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-06-23
From: Tagg Run Shelter

To: Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 12.2

Day #71 On The Trail!And then there were two. If you've been reading along at home, there were 7 in our party when we rolled into Harper's Ferry a week ago. For this reason and that, it was just A-Game and myself who strolled into Boiling Springs to meet up with Laura (Mobley) Stanley, who went to the same school with me for 11 years. The last few miles into town took us past some black raspberries, which were delicious. And then we had a small taste of what's to come with just over a mile of walking through corn and wheat fields. 14 more miles of that waits for us tomorrow, as we traverse the Cumberland Valley and make our way to the Blue Mountain range.Boiling Springs is a super cute and quaint town, with a spring fed lake in the middle that super clear, aquamarine waters. And it is also home to the regional office of the ATC, where we chilled and waited for our ride.Laura has been an awesome host, with a lovely and energetic family. She even had a box of big cheez-its waiting for me. Spectacular.And the rest of the afternoon was spent catchin up, eating cookies, playing with the kids, and we even got to watch the National Geographic documentary on the AT.Thanks Laura and Jonathan. It's been great.We've still got 170 more miles in PA. Bring on the rocks.Cheersblog directory