morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Humpback Mountain

To: Country View Motel, Elkton
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I hiked 12.4 miles in the drizzle and fog approaching the Shanandoah National Park outside of Waynesboro VA to a place called Rockfish Gap. Several weeks back there was a significant fire in the Park and the word on the trail was that AT hikers were being re-routed via shuttle from Rockfish Gap in Waynesboro to Swift Run Gap outside of Elkton - a total of about 45 trail miles. The AT conservancy was crediting Thru hikers with this portion of the trail as the fire was something no one could do anything about. Being a planner, I re-routed Mail drops and had Kim send me a replacement set of trail shoes to Elkton to be picked up today. I had experienced a "wardrobe malfunction" with them about 7 days ago after just about 400 miles of wear and they were being held together with duct tape, moleskin, and some para-cord. Two days ago I learned a large section of the trail had been re-opened, and today, I understand the rest is now open as well. Because of the shoes, the maildrop, a hotel reservation, and some future planning, I had little choice but to get a paid shuttle from Waynesboro to Elkton.   I will now have to figure out the best way to make up the 45 miles sometime in near future.Today was the third day in a row without seeing any Northbound Thru-hikers. There were plenty of Southbounders who had parked somewhere along the Shanandoah National Parkway and were just day hiking - all shared an encouraging word about my northbound journey. One very nice aspect of today's walk was the number of stream crossings with plenty of water from last several days of rain. Another was how cool the day was (50's) and how the fog cast a very calming feelimg in the forest.One somewhat funny story - I passed a day hiker in his mid 60's who gave me the once-over from top to bottom - starting with my USS George Washington Carver ball cap that also has an "Oaklandish" emblem ironed to it, he then glanced at my very scruffy beard, my one hiking pole and one walking stick, and finally, my feet, where the orange duct tape keeping everything stuffed in had just about completely unraveled- he said nothing but I imagined he was thinking "what in the hell happened here? Shortly later, I passed a 20-something year old female hiker who took one short glance and said "You're good - you are getting very close to an Outfitter in Waynesboro!"
Date: 2016-05-01
From: Country View Motel, Elkton

To: Primitive Site, just south of the Pinnacle
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: light rain

Hiked today from trailhead in Elkton to a primitive site (picture above) just shy of the Pinnacle - a total close to 30 miles. This was possible because I was on the trail nearly 12 hours and much of it was conducive to speed walking. The weather in the morning was rainy and cool; cleared up a bit as the day went on, but tenting in a thunderstorm right now. Have some cool pictures on this site's address and will post a few to Facebook in a bit.The trail ran very close and periodically across the Shenandoah National Parkway all of today. Not many cars due to the fog and rain I suppose. I did come across both section and thru-hikers today going north and south. Also met "Blissful" (who really was), a 2007 thruhiker who is now a ridge runner. If you google ridge runner you find they are either people who ran moonshine or those who educate, inform, guide, and help hikers on the AT. She was the latter!Made one minor detour to the Skyland Resort and Restaurant which is at mile 932 on the trail. Was planning on getting a hot chocolate or coffee and keep on walking, but when I noticed the Warriors were on TV in the bar, I ordered a pint of IPA and some fries smothered in cheese, ranch dressing, bacon, and red onions. Watched 20 minutes of the Dubs mopping up the Trailblazers and got back on the hike. While I was chatting with the bar tender, a couple next to me from Auburn NY started asking questions about the hike.   During the conversation, I told them about my linking it to fundraising for Alzheimer's research and support (see dougswalk.com).   As they were leaving, the man reached into his pocket and gave me $40, wishing me good luck with the fundraising. Now I know you don't always find trail angels on the trail...sometimes they're watching basketball games and sipping beer nearby!I kept a close count of what I consumed today for food, as I'm still hovering around 150, down from 167 at the start of the trip. Am going to post details on Facebook.
Date: 2016-05-02
From: Primitive Site, just south of the Pinnacle

To: primitive site by jenkins gap
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: mist

A fellow hiker shared the following with me and I thought you might enjoy reading it. - you will probably have to cut and paste. http://static1.squarespace.com/static/56a590ee1a5203313c3859be/t/56a7e11a89a60a721010fc53/1453842714741/Warrens+Book.pdfIf you are ever thinking of doing this hike, you may want to follow the invitation on the sign and take a short walk first...or not!
Date: 2016-05-03
From: primitive site by jenkins gap

To: Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: light rain

('This is the same exact post today as on Facebook).Roseanne Rosanna Danna (that's a look-up for my younger Facebook Friends) use to say, "If it's not one thing, it's another!" My hike on Tuesday was very short distance-wise (about 4 miles) from a well-soaked tent site to The Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel (the owner of the hostel is a "Dead-Head" and Terrapin Station is a 1977 Grateful Dead album that is only 6 songs long, mostly because the Terrapin Station Medley is over 16 minutes long!). While my tent did not get struck by lightening Monday night, this tree in near-by Compton Gap did. You can see the base of this very healthy tree was ripped open by the strike and there was some smoke and ash coming from its top. I called the Shenandoah National Park office and with my GPS device was able to report the latitude and longitude of the tree. While they suspected it would not be an issue, due to the recent wildfire in the park, these three nice gentleman arrived at the scene shortly later. The picture was taken by fellow thru-hiker "Lucky Duck" who is a photographer, which is why the picture is so clean.All this excitement? "Straight outta Compton"...gap.
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

After 51 days of hoofing it, I am taking my first "Zero Day" - aka, a day off. From one reference at the Whiteblaze website, the average number of zeroes for a through-hiker may be something like 20. Because I need to be back in Oakland, Ca by mid-August to start a teacher credential program, I have been hesitant to take any zeroes to this point. Now that I have a bit more confidence I can complete the journey I may let up a bit and give body and spirit a bit more rest. When I'm on the trail, there are hours that go by where I have a very quiet mind...then there are days where I just can't get a song out of head. As I'm coming up on 1000 miles in a week or so, the song "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)'" by the Scottish Band, The Proclaimers, has been on my mind. Sending this one out to my wife Kim:"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" (edited a bit down)When I wake up, well, I know I'm gonna beI'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to youWhen I go out, yeah, I know I'm gonna beI'm gonna be the man who goes along with you...But I would walk five hundred milesAnd I would walk five hundred moreJust to be the man who walked a thousand milesTo fall down at your door....When I come home (When I come home), oh, I know I'm gonna beI'm gonna be the man who comes back home to youAnd if I grow old, well, I know I'm gonna beI'm gonna be the man who's growing old with youBut I would walk five hundred milesAnd I would walk five hundred moreJust to be the man who walked a thousand milesTo fall down at your doorDa lat da (Da lat da), da lat da (Da lat da)Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-daDa lat da (Da lat da), da lat da (Da lat da)Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-daWhen I'm lonely, well, I know I'm gonna beI'm gonna be the man who's lonely without youAnd when I'm dreaming, well, I know I'm gonna dreamI'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with youWhen I go out (When I go out), well, I know I'm gonna beI'm gonna be the man who goes along with youAnd when I come home (When I come home), yes, I know I'm gonna beI'm gonna be the man who comes back home with youI'm gonna be the man who's coming home with youSent from my iPad
Date: 2016-05-05
From: Zero Day

To: Northeastern University,, Boston 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

So today is my second zero day in a row. After Walking about 4 miles to the Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel on Tuesday, I took a shower, did some laundry, rented a car (Enterprise was on my side), and then drove to Maine where I am picked up Kim Wednesday at the airport ( it was a surprise). We are now in Boston and meeting up with Grace, Liam, and Kyle to watch to Alex graduate from Northeastern University ( he also thinks I'm still on the trail).. I don't usually like surprises, but this is fun! Will be back in VA on Saturday with a plan to complete the previously missed section I talked about by end of day Sunday....then, will restart at Front Royal on Monday, moving North. For those following my GPS, I was a little distracted this past week and have been told it was off for some periods when I thought it was on. My bad.
Date: 2016-05-06
From: Northeastern University,, Boston 

To: Back to Trail - Stanimals Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Returned today from Boston back to tVA. After a near-o on Tuesday, took zeroes Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to get to and back from my son Alex's graduation from Northeastern University,Will get shuttled to Rockfish Gap tomorrow to complete the earlier section of the AT in the Shenandoah's that I missed.
Date: 2016-05-07
From: Back to Trail - Stanimals Hostel

To: Loft Mountain Campground-ish 
Miles today: 26.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Got an early start out of Stanimals Hostel with Adam dropping us at the Rockfish Gap Trailhead at about 6:45. Hiked 26.7 miles to a primitive site just east of the Loft Mountain Campground. Have arranged to get picked up my Mike's shuttle at Swift Run Gap tomorrow pm. This will compete the section I bypassed earlier. While I have been off the trail for a few days, this apparently is the first day in a long while without any rain. The trail was very wet and slippery in the morning, but by the afternoon relatively dry. My legs were achy all day and my feet swollen...probably should have been stretching the last several days while not hiking and trying to keep feet elevated. The trail crossed Skyline Drive numerous times today and there were plenty of hikers who were just out for a short stroll. This section of the trail, more than any other to date, is welcoming to all. Saw few critters but for,the first time got within about 10 yards of a deer who just stared at me for the longest time - until I tried to get my IPad out of my pack for a picture...then she ran away.The picture above is from Black Run Gap. Apparently, this area was pretty active millions of years go with the earth's plates shifting and lava oozing out. The lava was initially black colored basalt that eventually metamorphosed into the greenstone seen today.   Makes for pretty views but tough hiking in sections.
Date: 2016-05-08
From: Loft Mountain Campground-ish 

To: Terrapin Station Hostel, Front Royal
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked today from a campsite beside Loft Mountain Campground, 18.7'miles to Swift Run Gap where Mike Evans (AT 1995, PCT 1998) picked me up and shuttled me back to his Terrapin Station Hostel in Fromt Royal VA. This completes the section I bypassed last week. The picture above is Mike (peace sign) along with two hikers who are also spending the night here - "Haz no Horse" (reference to Shoshone Indian Chief) and Momma Skillet (a wiz at dehydrating food for the trail). Mike is a wonderful man and welcoming host whose $30 a night hostel includes a pint of Ice cream, 2 sodas, and 2 small pizzas. He has been a ridge runner, activist for Greenpeace, and a civil servant, among other things. "Haz no Horse" has built homes for a living and at 72 years old remains a very active hiker. Momma Skillet paints when she's not dehydrating food. I've learned that there are no strangers on the AT, only people you haven't met yet...and they're all good!My walk today was through a part of the 10,000 acre forest fire that was recently extinguished. It generally looked like a controlled burn with a good part of what I saw contained to one side of the trail. Refer to photo journal for a look-see. Leaves are still blossoming on the trees above but the ground below is green and growing rapidly with all the rain. There was a little rain again last night and parts of the trail today were flowing with water. It's good to see, but a little sloppy to walk in.
Date: 2016-05-09
From: Terrapin Station Hostel, Front Royal

To: campsite by skymmeadows 
Miles today: 21.3

Hiked 21.3 miles today from Terrapin Station Hostel to a campsite outside of Sky Meadows State Park. Had rain from about 8 am to 2 pm, heavy at times. The ground is so saturated now that many parts of the trail look like small streams. Many of the actual streams are so high that any rock crossing built for staying dry was either partially or all submerged. Other parts of the trail are just a muddy mess, with hikers going further left and right of center to try to get some solid footing. Saw only two other North bound hikers - Pants the Pirate and Zen Master. I know there is a bubble of hikers a few days back from my stay at Stanimal's hostel in Waynesboro.Part of the hike today went past Mosby Campsite named after Colonel John Mosby. Here's the scoop on him: John Singleton Mosby (December 6, 1833 ¢ May 30, 1916), also known by his nickname, the "Gray Ghost", was a Confederate army cavalry battalion commander in the American Civil War. His command, the 43rd Battalion, 1st Virginia Cavalry, known as Mosby's Rangers or Mosby's Raiders, was a partisan ranger unit noted for its lightning quick raids and its ability to elude Union Army pursuers and disappear, blending in with local farmers and townsmen. The area of northern central Virginia in which Mosby operated with impunity was known during the war and ever since as Mosby's Confederacy. After the war, Mosby became a Republican and worked as an attorney and supported his former enemy's commander, U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. He also served as the American consul to Hong Kong and in the U.S. Department of Justice.Good to know I was operating in Mosby's Confederacy" all day today! More rain in the forecast for tomorrow and pretty much the rest of the week, but as they say, No Pain (check), No Rain (check)...No Maine!Tomorrow brings the "Roller Coaster" which I will ride into Bears Den Hostel!
Date: 2016-05-10
From: campsite by skymmeadows 

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked today from Sky Meadows to Bears Den Hostel, a total of 16 miles. About 9.5 miles of the walk was via a section of the trail known as "The Roller Coaster." The Roller Coaster is described as a 13.5-mile length of trail packed with non-stop ups and downs. "The Roller Coaster is the A.T.¢s swan song in Virginia, offering the last memorable piece of trail before reaching the ¢psychological half-way point¢ at Harper¢s Ferry, W.Va. Known for its constant elevation change, you¢ll climb more than a dozen significant hills for a total of 5,000 feet of gain as you make your way toward West Virginia. The tread is rocky, and the climbing is short but steep without a switchback in sight thanks to an unusually narrow right of way for the trail.Well that description is pretty darn accurate but what's left out is that when it rains for days on end, parts of roller coaster are underwater and other parts are a muddy mess (see other pictures posted in this journal). I plodded along at about 2 mph with my most significant accomplishment being that I didn't fall! For every challenge there are many rewards and one was passing the 1000 mile mark today and the other is staying at the Bears Den Hostel. Built in 1932 by Dr Huron Lawson, the Hostel is a castle-like lodge with features like a curved living room wall that was constructed to enhance,it's acoustical features for the Doctor's wife who was a Soprano opera singer. Today, it is owned by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and operated by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. $30 gets you a shower, bunk, laundry, and a dinner that includes pizza, soda, and a pint of ice cream. The upper lodge area includes a full kitchen where hikers can make there own pancakes in the morning and a comfortable and spacious living room. While I really do wan to get to Harper's Ferry tomorrow, leaving here will not be easy!
Date: 2016-05-11
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Teahorse Hostel
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked 19.9'miles today to Teahorse Hostel in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. I am now in "almost heaven" ' and it rains here too! After completing the last few miles of the roller coaster, the trail today was mostly flat and relatively mud-free. It was foggy and cool until about 1:00 pm and then the skies opened up. Saw a few hikers but mostly walked in solitude. It was very pleasant. I'm just jazzed becuase I haven't fallen in the last five days!'Tomorrow I'll write a little more about what I see in Harper's Ferry, but for now here is some info from the ATC website on their,Headquarters - "The ATC Headquarters in Harpers Ferry is located roughly at the half way point for the Appalachian Trail, a photograph at ATC headquarters is a standard ritual for those hikers intending to walk the entire path. One of the functions of the ATC, as the lead organization in managing and protecting the A.T., is to maintain the official 2,000-miler registry of all those who have completed the A.T. Another, less official function, is the documentation of hikers who reach the halfway point. These hikers, whether hiking Northbound, Southbound, or Section hiking (completing portions in multiple trips) almost universally stop by the ATC headquarters for a few minutes. Having a simple Polaroid under the ATC sign after hiking 1,000 miles is a milestone anticipated by many hikers. The pictures are signed and numbered in the order the hikers arrive. Although hikers are not entered into the official 2,000-miler registry until completing the full Appalachian Trail, the ritual is nonetheless a memorable recognition of their progress."Funny reference to Poloraid above, heh. Not only wasn't it a Polaroid, but when my picture was taken today, I was given a postcard of it 5 minutes later.
Date: 2016-05-12
From: Teahorse Hostel

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked 23.5 miles today from Harper's Ferry WV to Pine Knob Shelter in MD. ThIs is one of only two days in Maryland where the trail is about 40 miles long before crossing the Mason Dixon Line into PA. Before moving much this morning, visited several historic sites in Harper's Ferry including John Brown's "fort", Jefferson Rock, and several churches which seemingly were all used as hospitals at some point during the war. On the trail, went through Fox Gap where where two Civil War Generals lost their lives in the same battle and got to see the original Washington Monument, which looks a little like a honey jar...but as my mother use to say, it's the thought that counts. Pictures of all of these can be found in the photo log.The day ended with a meal that couldn't be beat (to quote Arlo Guthrie) made by my wife's cousin Tricia and enjoyed with she and her husband Cornie at a parking spot just a half mile or so from Pine Knob Shelter. Thanks to both for a great meal, conversation, and a few vital supplies, including an aged liquid one!More rain in the forecast for tomorrow but the good news is I won't get wet tonight and it's suppose to end by 2:00 pm...that said, when it does come down later, it's suppose to be like that rain storm in Caddyshack - heavy with thunder and lightening - I will be careful not to hold my poles over my head!
Date: 2016-05-13
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Deer Lick,Shelters 
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked 22.7 miles today ending up at Deer Lick Shelter,mile 1069. The trail had a bit more elevation change than yesterday but still tame compared to other states. What was difficult, and perhaps a precursor to what PA has to offer, was a couple of rocky sections where there basically was no trail. If you took your eye off a blaze, it was easy to get sidetracked, The folks you see in the picture above are all staying here tonight, some tenting, some in the shelter. Two are Canadians, one is a Deacon, and the other a heavy metal-punk rock touring band member from none other than,the Garden State! Hikers do indeed come from every walk in life! The hiker density that existed right around Harper's Ferry is tailing off a bit, and I imagine by Monday, will be back to just seeing a few hikers each day.The early part of the day offered heavy rain again, but by about 3:00 pm the sun broke through. Some highlights of the walk included passing through another historical site, this one related to General Lee's retreat from Gettysberg, and crossing the Mason Dixon line at about 4:00 pm. The Mason Dixon line was developed to settle land disputes between colonial Maryland, PA, and Delaware, but per Wikipedia, "the Mason¢Dixon line symbolizes a cultural boundary between the North and the South (Dixie). After Pennsylvania abolished slavery, it served as a demarcation line for the legality of slavery."Tomorrow calls for more bad weather, but it looks like things could be changing for better after that. I saw Miles yesterday morning near Jefferson Rock in Harper's Ferry. He is the UNIV of New Hampshire Chem Engineer I've written about before, about 30 years my junior. We had some of the same professors at UNH! He had just started the Four State Challenge which is to be in WV, VA, MD, AND PA all within 24 hours. He had gotten up early on 5/12, hiked back to the VA border from Harper's Ferry, WV and was about to have breakfast when I saw him. He would then hike the 4 or so miles in WV and all of Marlyand, crossing over the Mason Dixon line into PA well after midnight the next day! MD is just a little more than 40 miles to put that into perspective! I'd say "oh to be young" but there's no way I could do anything like that at any age!