morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-24
From: Zero Day

To: Hight Top Hut
Miles today: 22.1

Stanimal took Tatiana and me back to the trail after picking up Blackbear and Chair. The three of them slackpacked south and I went north with my full pack. Half a mile into my hike I saw my first bear!!!! I watched him for 20 minutes before he finally moved off the trail. I did not tell him about the blackberry ice cream I was planning on having for breakfast - or I would have had a friend for life. Stopped by the Loft Mountain Wayside for blackberry ice cream while my breakfast was being fixed. It was up and down small hills all day. And then two miles before the hut (shelter), I saw my second bear!   WOWMet Looper from Kansas City, MO who is a retired attorney. Re: the title today - there is a hiker names Lions, and there are mosquitos and now bears as well. Well, we have known there have been bears but this is the first sighting of themselves and not just what they do in the woods.
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Hight Top Hut

To: Rock Springs Hut
Miles today: 23.9

See I told you I would be picking up miles having rested up at Stanimals - and having new shoes and smooth trails. Dr. Zoom and Lions came into camp late last night. The three of us hiked together thru the day. Finally we got to the Big Meadow wayside for blackberry shakes!! The we hiked another mile to have dinner at the Big Meadow Lodge before heading up the trail to the hut. The shelters are now called huts. Still have three sides and come complete with shelter mice. Maybe here they are called hut mice here! Some shelters seem to have more mice issues but then some hikers leave candy and food wrappers. The mice might be annoying but they aren't dumb! This was my biggest mileage day with my full pack. When food calls you do what you need to do.PS No, I don't know who the kid is in the photo but he looks rather bored. That's okay, I always told my kids it is good to be bored! And they always gave me that "dad is lame" look.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Rock Springs Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

I left camp at 6 am. and did four miles to have breakfast at Skyland Resort and Restaurant. On a normal day I will snack for breakfast but it sure is nice when someone else cooks a full breakfast. And it was a FULL breakfast buffet, AYCE. The warm smell of coffee and bacon couldn't cover up the odor of eight smelly hikers. Then we sat on the patio for three hours before hitting the trail. When we came upon the Pinnacles Picnic Area none of us looked pitiful enough to score free food. We took another long break. The walking is wonderful and makes breaks a delight. I saw another bear on the way to the hut. It kept running in the direction of the trail, so I had to keep an eye on it. Dr. Zoom saw his first bear today. Seeing them makes us remember we are in wilderness¢¦yet a few miles from AYCE places!
Date: 2014-05-27
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Chester Gap/Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 22.7

I was up early again for a long day and a good breakfast. I hiked 7 miles to the Elk Hallow Wayside to have breakfast. Along the way I saw two more bears and one bunny.We met a section hiker from NC who offered to take our packs 10 miles down Skyline Drive and wait for us. WOW. That is some good trail magic! So half of the day was a slack pack. You can go faster with less on your back! It was another 12 mile stretch with no water source, but it was cool and since we didn't have a heavy pack, it was great. Even a brief rain was welcomed. We arrive at Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel and for $30 you get a bed with sheets, laundry, pizza, and a pint of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. This again is a home hostel, run by a Thru Hiker - Mike Evans. These proprietors know what hikers need...and I need some more ice cream! Sorry Lady Trip, no longer is Chubby Hubby more than just the name of ice cream! We are now out of the Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Chester Gap/Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Signal Knob
Miles today: 20.2

Went slack packing today with Dr Zoom, Rosey, Impact, and Lions. We passed by the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter (yes, we are back to calling them shelters). This shelter has a porch with chairs and a solar shower! The Hilton of Shelters! The rocks have seemed to disappear from the trail. Hopefully they will stay away for a while. After a good day's hike I returned to the Terrapin Hostel. After a shower, Mike (the owner) took us into Front Royal for resupply and dinner. There was lots of thunder and a bit of rain today. Back home the electricity goes out in this kind of weather - here we live without electricity so it just doesn't matter! Thought the sign for a "primitive" church seemed funny - could this be where cavemen go to worship? Actually the Primitive Baptist Church is a strict Baptist group that doesn't believe in Sunday School - as it takes the responsibility away from the parents to teach their own children (sorry kids, you still have to go to church and unlike Lady Trip those Baptist preach LONG sermons), banishes musical instruments because it doesn't say they were used in the New Testament and they do ritual foot washing - segregated men and women of course. In this case the word Primitive means original. The picture is also indicated those Baptists know there is only one way...theirs!
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Signal Knob

To: Bears Den Rocks
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Entered the Sky Meadows State Park and the "roller coaster". This is a difficult section of the AT. It is full of PUDS for 13 miles. PUDS - Pointless Ups and Downs. The trail passed Mt Weather which houses the secret underground city overseen by FEMA. This is the place where the government will relocate if a nuclear war or other major disaster hits. On September 11 some of the congress were evacuated to this underground bunker city, complete with its own transportation. Area B, the underground part, covers 600,000-square-feet. The National Gallery of Art also has a plan to relocate masterpieces there if under threat. This was the place they dropped Dick Cheney on 9/11. (Google: FEMA and the Hidden Underground Government) Bears Den Hostel was built in 1933 by Dr Lawson and his wife as their summer home. It is built like a faux Medieval castle. At one time the Lawsons also had a petting zoo on the property. Upon their deaths in the 1960s a realty group purchased the house. Their plan was that the house and surrounding area would become part of a country club community, but the project went belly up when the developers could not get permits. It sat empty for 20 years. In 1984 the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) purchased the lodge and 66 acres and now it is a hiker hostel and a lodge for groups. Also a place for great views. This was part of an effort by the ATC to reroute the trail back into the wilderness and not just through trail towns. Here tonight are Two Pack Jacks, Chops, Movin On, Greg from Portland OR, and Murphy, and several south bound hikers
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Bears Den Rocks

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Finishing the "roller coaster" only to start the Devils Racecourse. It is a short, rocky up hill climb. It has been raining much of the morning, but major showers are due mid afternoon. We entered West Virginia for a short time, and back to Virginia. The trail will take us in and out for a while. Stopped by the AT Blackburn Center for a snack and stayed for a couple of hours and played a game called Cards Against Humanity which is like Apples to Apples but only dirty. Oh my! AyCE and Mackerel came in. Haven't seen them since Woods Hole Hostel. Also Dr Zoom, Rosey and Lions caught up. This afternoon I got into Harpers Ferry, home of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), the overseer of the trail. We all got our picture taken and I am #305 to make it this far.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Gathland State Park
Miles today: 10.6

I dropped my pack off at the ATC and did a short hike into Maryland. Another state!!! West Virginia has only 2.7 miles of trail. Went over the Potomac River on the Byron Memorial Footbridge. Then followed the C&O Canal Towpath. Arrived at Gathland St Park, which is the home of the War Correspondents Monument. A memorial to Journalists who died during war. Returned to Harpers Ferry to wait for Dr Zoom to pick us up to head to Virginia Beach for 5 days. Most will remember that this is where John Brown, Abolitionist, had a failed uprising to take over the arsenal here in Harper's Ferry in October of 1859. The rebellion was put down by Robert E. Lee. Brown was hung in December of the same year. The Civil War would begin in 1861. While a significant event leading to the War happened here in Harper's Ferry this little town (population 325) changed control between the North and South during the Civil War 8 times. It is also interesting to note that it was then Harper's Ferry, Virginia as West Virginia didn't become a state until 1861 as this part of Virginia seceded from Virginia when it became part of the Confederacy.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Gathland State Park

To: Southern Shoes NC
Miles today: 0.0

A vacation from hiking! Dr Zoom has arranged for Rosey, Impact, Apple, Naked Ninja and I to stay at his parents house at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. We rented a SUV and put six hikers and their packs (crammed) and drove seven hours to get here last night. After arriving last night we all sat in the hot tub until midnight. We will be here until Thursday, enjoying good food, the beach, the hot tub and a break from the trail.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Southern Shoes NC

To: Vacation Day
Miles today: 0.0

Last night we watched The Lego Movie. Very funny. And we found out that "Everything is awesome". Followed by the hot tub. This morning we cleaned our packs, and I sprayed my pack and tent with Permethrin, with is an insect repellent. Now we are off to the store to buy fixins for Taco night. Dr Zoom's parents, Father Zoom and Mama Zoom, will be home from work at 6:30 and we will have dinner ready. We are heading to the beach, just to swim in the ocean. Everyone got sunburned yesterday. So, just a short time today. ---no swimming today because of winds and undertows.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Vacation Day

To: Going No Where Today!
Miles today: 0.0

It's another sunny day at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Outer Banks are a stretch of 200 miles of beach and barrier islands. It was along this stretch that the first child of English descent was born, Virginia Dare, 1587. Also located along the Outer Banks is Kitty Hawk, the site of that first amazing flight of the Wright Brothers, 12/17/1903. Major wildlife sightings: 4 deer, one raccoon, and 4 squirrels--all in the backyard of the Foster home. Took a drive south to Jennette's Pier and watched everyone not go in the water. Still no swimming today. Doing a lot of dozing thru the day. Just resting up to get back on the trail. Just about ready to be back on the trail. We are so thankful for the Foster's great hospitality. Not too many would put up with such a gaggle of hikers! We waited until 6:30, after the life guards went home, just to swim in the Atlantic Ocean. It was cold!!
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Going No Where Today!

To: Still at the Beach
Miles today: 0.0

Our last day of rest. I have added four pounds not to my pack but to me, which I am sure will come off again in the next week. But boy it has been fun to work at GAINING weight!Today is my half way point. I started 76 days ago, and if all goes according to plan, I will be finished in 76 days. Note to Lady Trip¢¦you need to get going on all those projects you said you were doing when I was gone,because now I am coming home¢¦Finally got to go to the beach and actually swim without warnings flags. But it meant more sunburns for all. Mama Zoom and Father Zoom took us out for Thai food for dinner, and the Surfin¢ Spoon (frozen yogurt) for dessert. They just got a few more ¢kids¢ who did clean up pretty good. Thank you Mama and Father Zoom for your great hospitality. Now all our laundry is finished, backpacks are clean and aired out. Its back in the minivan for the ride back to the trail. We are ready for the second half of the Appalachian Trail experience! Now some of you know that I am moving ahead and missing the thrills of Pennsylvania. Back when I was stationed in Connecticut (Navy)I hiked that section which was really a ONCE in a life time experience! So I will be heading by train to NYC on Friday and take another train back to the trail on Saturday! Okay dear wife, stop texting me to ¢take a hike already¢ ¢ soon I will be back on the trail. Here is the reason why I am moving ahead - note how often they mention snakes! http://www.appalachiantrials.com/7-reasons-hike-pennsylvania/
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Still at the Beach

To: Last Day of Vacation
Miles today: 0.0

Thank you so much, Mama and Father Zoom, for this much needed rest. We are all ready now for the second half of the hike. We loaded our gear and ourselves back in the car for the long drive back to Harper's Ferry. We stopped at LL Bean, REI for a brief shopping trip. Naked Ninja works for LL Bean at the flagship store in Freeport, Maine, so he can use his employee discount. We then dropped Apple at Union Station in Washington DC so he can get back to NY. He will be off the trail for ten more days for family activities. I went back to Teahorse Hostel for the night. It was a full house, every bunk was taken. Rosey and Impact hit the trail and Dr Zoom and Naked Ninja took the car back and are heading to a friend's house. They will be back on trail on Saturday. As we go our separate ways for a while there is still the possibility of us all meeting up again before Katahdin!
Date: 2014-06-06
From: Last Day of Vacation

To: AP Rail Road Station
Miles today: 415.2

As I am relocating on the AT I took the train from Harper's Ferry to Washington DC Union Station. There was a two hour layover before boarding the train to New York Penn Station. I spent the night at ROW NYC on 8th near Times Square. This room started at $210 for the night. Every morning I would check and the price would be lower, so I would make a new reservation and cancel the old one. Final cost $118. That is really good for a NYC hotel (and if you know me I love a bargain!) However on the AT I could spend 4 days in a beautiful hostel and get a pizza AND a pint of Ben and Jerry's! It was rather a cultural shock to be in the city after so long in the wilderness. I am glad I only had a day in the noise and lights and people and traffic. Back in 1979 when I was stationed in Connecticut, I had the opportunity to hike with my friend Jamie from the CT/NY border south to Harper's Ferry for a month. It was a great time as her friend would pick us up at a road crossing every night to go back to their place. It made doing the infamous Pennsylvania Rocks bearable. But like I have said, been there, done that! Since I have hiked this section, I will be traveling ahead by train to catch the AT near Wingdale, NY.
Date: 2014-06-07
From: AP Rail Road Station

To: Ten Mile River Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

On my way to catch the train I found a 24 hour Starbucks at 5:30 a.m. and savored every drop!!!I took the train from Grand Central Station in New York to the Appalachian Trail station. The train only stops at this station on Saturdays and Sundays. When I got to the station I headed to a deli for a roast beef sandwich before getting back in the trail. The trail in NY was nice which is good since I haven't hiked for a week. Getting the city off of me and back to the woods. I finished the short stretch in New York and hiked into Connecticut. In the camp tonight are Mango and Sunshine, a married retired couple from Florida, Reef, a section hiker from Massachusetts, two ladies from Indiana, and a father and son (age 10) just out for the weekend.
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Ten Mile River Shelter

To: Stewart Hallow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

It was an early start to the day as the Country Market opens at 6:30 for breakfast. I took a side trail to the Bulls Covered Bridge built in 1842, over the Housatonic River. A little further down the trail we had breakfast. Sausage breakfast sandwich, coffee, chocolate milk, and orange cupcakes. Great way to start the day. The trail started nice and then turned rocky. We passed the road to Kent, CT. Kent is a non hiker friendly town. The laundromat has a sign, "hikers not welcome". Now I know that "hiker trash" is in a class above (or is it below) everyone else, but we don't boast about it and try to treat all non-hikers equally. Some of my best friends are non-hikers!It was a very difficult trail by the end of the day with a 600 foot decline over boulders in 1/2 mile. WOW. In camp tonight is Mango and Sunrise. Ready for a good night's sleep!
Date: 2014-06-09
From: Stewart Hallow Brook Shelter

To: CT 4 Guinea Brook
Miles today: 4.1

The rain started at 4 a.m. The weather app says it will continue until tomorrow. On this section of trail rain is not a blessing! The first 2 miles continued along the Housatonic River. Then it was up hill to Silver Hill over very slick rocks. Since the rain is continuing and the rocks are also continuing, I decided to get a room in Cornwall Bridge, CT. A phone call to The Amselhaus brought me to a three bedroom home with laundry, kitchen, dining room, living room with cable TV, all to myself!!!! The view overlooks the river. The building was an 1830s addition to a colonial home and was opened as Mrs. Wadhams Boarding House. It seems odd to be in such a spacious, gracious place all alone. Alone is good...esp after NYC! So I am drying out my tent and enjoying a comfortable chair watching TV and listening to the rain.
Date: 2014-06-10
From: CT 4 Guinea Brook

To: Limestone Spring Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

Two more hikers came in last evening, Cinderella and Bangarang. Cinderella got her name last year as she was always the first on the trail in the morning clearing the spiderwebs. Her boy friend Bangarang is thru hiking this year. The rain has stopped and it is time to get some miles in. The trail crossing Guinea Brook is unsafe so there is a bypass on the road. I went up Sharon Mt(1200 foot) and crossed over the Housatonic River twice. It was a rocky trail in some spots but all in all a good day in the woods. The shelter is 1/2 mile from the trail, so I doubt anyone else will be here.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Limestone Spring Shelter

To: Undermountain Road
Miles today: 4.1

The wind kicked up in the early morning hours, but the rain held off. It was a short day to Sharon, CT for a stay at Bearded Woods One-of-a-Kind Bunk & Dine, the home of Hudson and BIG Lu. But first a stop at When Pigs Fly Southern BBQ for lunch. Really great Georgia Peach BBQ Sauce. Owned by chef Bennett Chinn this Southern guy has been well trained at the CIA (not that one, the Culinary Institute of America!) And you can taste the quality and love for good BBQ! Then to the Post Office for my resupply box. Thanks Lady Trip - especially for the extra goodies! Hudson section hiked the AT 2004-2008, and has done many other hikes. In hostel tonight Paul, Big Sky (both section hikers) and Squatch, who does movies of hiking (squatchfilms.com).
Date: 2014-06-12
From: Undermountain Road

To: Jug End Rd.
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

It was a slack pack day so I can spend another night at the Bearded Woods Hostel. After a wonderful breakfast, Hudson drove Paul and me north and dropped us off at Jug End. Paul hiked north and I went south. The trail led up and over Mt Everett, (where I took a spill on the slick rocks), Mt Race, and Bear Mountain. There once was a rock observation tower on Bear Mountain, but now it is just rocks! Bear Mountain is the highest peak in Connecticut. Saw Mango and Sunrise heading north. They were trying to get to a town to hang out tomorrow because of the rain storm that is coming. Crossed into another state - Connecticut to Massachusetts. In hostel tonight are Squatch, Fifteen (his shoe size is 15, from Boise, ID), Sprout, Green Ghost.
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Jug End Rd.

To: Bearded Woods Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Since it is Friday the 13th and a rain storm with thunder and lightening has decided to grace us, Fifteen, Squatch, and myself are taking a zero day. The two young, brave kids, Sprout and Green Ghost are heading out into the weather. The two resident dogs at the hostel are Cedar and Glacier. Squatch is here to get film footage, talking with hikers for another AT movie. Scott "Squatch" Herriott is a stand up comedian, actor, and film maker. Some have questioned my skipping the PA trail. I am aware this makes me not a thru hiker but a section hiker. I made that decision back in April having suffered a pretty badly sprained ankle. I am just grateful for the opportunity to continue the hike. There is a saying among hikers: We all have to hike our own hike. I am just glad I can be on the trail!
Date: 2014-06-14
From: Bearded Woods Hostel 

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: broken clouds

The rain storm ended about 5 this morning so it is back to the trail in Massachusetts. After a wonderful breakfast prepared by BIG Lu, Hudson drove us back to the trail. The first six miles were flat. Fortunately with some mosquitoes a nice breeze came up and they stopped pestering us. Then it was up to Jane Mountain and up again to East Mountain I arrived at the shelter at 1 p.m. and was the first one in camp. That meant I got the prime spot: a tent platform overlooking the ravine. I think, by far, it is the best view I have had from my tent!!In camp tonight are Radioman, Blitz, (father and daughter) and Bangarrang, all are from Boise. Radioman got his name because he carries a solar/windup radio so he has dinner music. Also Uffda arrived last night. He is from North Dakota and will begin law school mid August.
Date: 2014-06-15
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Shaker Camp
Miles today: 11.2

This morning I left the camp after everyone else. I am doing a short day since it is Fathers' Day. Lady Pastor Trip wondered why if it was a short day I didn't make it to church. Ah, I am in the church of the Creator! How much closer to God can one be but in the woods? Though I did miss Pizza with the Pastor today! The trail went over several Bog Logs. The trail maintainers use these over marshy areas. Just like wet, slippery rocks one must be careful not to slip and fall. The trail passed Benedict Pond. This looked more like a lake but it doesn't go by the size, it goes by the depth. Thus it is a pond. The I went up to The Ledges. Guess what that means. Yes, more rocks. After that it was an easy hike into Shaker Camp. From here, going north, camps have tent platforms. It helps save the vegetation. I set up my tent to lay in the sun. Slight breeze blowing. Life is not just good, it is great.
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Shaker Camp

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

I was up early as I have been wanting to get to Upper Goose Pond Cabin for a long time. The AT went up and over Baldy Mountain. Passed Knee-Deep Pond, Goose Pond and an old chimney from the Mohhekennuck Fishing and Hunting Club, which started in 1908 and served its members for 72 years. The name Goose Pond is obvious as this is a gathering place for many Canada Geese. When I arrived at the cabin and met Bootsy, the caretaker for this week. Each week there are different volunteer caretakers. She hiked the AT last year. I helped her canoe to a spring across the pond and filled up water jugs for people to use while at the cabin. There is a nest on the front porch with four baby birds in it. Ah, so sweet. Having helped out and picked out my bunk I went for a swim, with all my clothes on. Clean clothes and clean body all at once. In the cabin tonight are Moses and his 10 yr old son Bearbait who are doing a 450 mile section hike. What a wonderful experience for father and son - hiking together! Also here so far are Ranger, and M, thru hikers and Helen and Ben, section hikers.