morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-15
From: US 220 Dalesvile 

To: Black House Gap
Miles today: 13.6

UP early backpacks packed . breakfast at 7am One track was being picked up & shuttled to the airport to pick up her car rental. breakfast was with willow phoenix rising onetrack & myself,usaul jovial morning.Breakfast came and went ,back to the room & put my pack in willows room & went down to say goodbye to ONE TRACK .After so many miles(over 400 miles) it all finished. Her shuttle arrived luggage in she drove off. It felt very im personal after all that we had been thru. Thats the life of the trail. People come into your life & only travel with you so far. Then for there own reasons they go. Thats life. I talked with willow fpr an hour then it was my turn to hit the trail.Hopefully will catch up with willow along the trail.The walk out wasjust what the doctor ordered. fresh mnt air & sunshine. Im taking it easy as ive got new superfeet sole inserts. I reached Fullhardt Knob shelter in time for lunch. the terrain is easy & the long green tunnel is cool. Got to Wilson creek shelter intime for an early dinner 5pm. Filtered some water 3 lrs 7 headed for Black Horse gap.Did not take long before the rain threatened. It all blew away. time to sleep & i can hear thunder.
Date: 2009-06-16
From: Black House Gap

To: Fork Mnt
Miles today: 16.1

Rain rain & more bloody Rain . Besides the wild pigs that grunted & rooted around near the tent all night i rested well. The air is full of clouds .i love the rain on the tent all night but do not like to pack up in the rain. Everything is wet Hiked the hole day in the clouds & fog missed the views @ Taylors Mnt Montvale Harveys Knob Sharp tool & mills gap. called into bubbles Gap shelter. Lazer was still in his bag @ 10.30am Penny @tron were up .Gave penny a hand to bring down there bear bag which was about 25ft in the air.Penny could not quite do the job so i gave her a hand. The line snapped & bag hit the ground with a THUD.TRon was not happy to say the least T had ruined his $100 cooking gear. The pot had a dent in it but no holes. The stove was 2 soda cans($2) >the look from tron was over the top. I apologised to penny who said not to worry about it as it could have happened anytime. Left the shelter & was going to go to buchanan so i could go to the library 7 get my journal updated.2 cars in 1/2/hr back to the track i went.got to Cove Mnt shelter for sn afternoon lunch break.On the way to the shelter in the clouds i watched a squirrel do a leap of faith into fresh air 15 ft off the ground . Why didnt the stupid squirrel just climb higher??? aquick stop as no water st shelter 7 headed for Va614 Jennings creek. decided to go to middle creek campground for an early dinner . dried my tent out while eating a cheese burger & chicken tenders .My feet are sore but ive not pushed myself.The superfeet have not given me grief yet. The turnaround to the campground is 2.4miles. So added to my trail miles ive had a good day out.The climb to fork Mnt is a 1100ft elevation in just over a mile. Found a nice camp for the night on top of the Mnt.It started to rain again Set up camp quickly & settled in. phoned home to mum sister & one track .she arrived home safely. Can here whimperals calling .they sound good to begin with then up like a broken record going over & over & over, its cold time to sleep
Date: 2009-06-17
From: Fork Mnt

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: moderate rain

Well the storm rolled in & did it rain rain rain. It was lovely curled up in the tent Until i had to make a loo stop at 5am. Next thing my bowels gave an involuntary movement insde my sleeping bag 7 tent.Talk about shit hitting the fan.In reality inside my tent.for what ever reason my body just let go.i cleaned up with toilet paper i had but was not enough. the rest of the paper was 10 ft in the air & 30 ft away from the tent & its bucketing down.only one way to do it .Grin & bare it.After an hour of cleaning i had had enough & went back to sleep.When i got up my tent was covered with 30> 40 spiders. got a late start after 9am7 still pouring down.As it turned out the hole day was wet & cold & hiked in the clouds.in camp we are all wet & tired.Have gone from 1320ft to 4225ft at AppleOrchard Mnt . In camp tonight is mauri bob cloud watcher whaley wrath a spice rack lazer & tom tom
Date: 2009-06-18
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Big Rocky row
Miles today: 19.1

Thank god it stopped raining all my gear is wet wet wet.Got an early start with maui bob & lazer. clouds lifted & we had some lovely views the rhododendruns ?are loosing the bloom & the ground is covered in purple petals. Lazer dropped off the pace,maui bob & i continued .Took photos of more fungis. on the trail this black snake came off from my right side & slithered right in front of me & in a hurry. I quicklyput my hiking pole into it to wrap it up or ay least stop it for a photo shoot.The snake curlrd around my hiking pole . maui bob got a photo but when i tried to get my camera out it took off at a great rate of knots. got to Matts creek shelter 7 emptied by backpack to dry out .got to johns hollow shelter about 4.30pm had an earlt dinner 7 pushed on for a couple of hours.finally got to big rocky row after couple of hard climbs.2000ft in 3 miles at the end of a long day. lazer joined me tonight at this Mnt camp site.Maui bob & wrath stayed put in Johns Hollow shelter.am very tired but a good mileage day.
Date: 2009-06-19
From: Big Rocky row

To: Cow Camp
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

had a great nights sleep woke in the wee hours of the morning dont know why just did. t could see this strange light filtered thru the trees. Im just laying there looking. I thought it was a hiker doing s night hike but the movement was very slow. after a little while it dawned on me that it was the moon rising. how the mind plays tricks when you are half asleep. got up 6,30am & on my way 7.30am. Body was sore from the big day previously.Lazer was still in his tent. the morning started out nice & fine.then came the humidity.by mid morning incame the rain again. lunch at punchbowl shelter . I was still drenched . the horse flies are driving me crazy.od they they bite hard.left the shelter just after squatter i wahoo .They were going to the blue grass fiddlers festival in Buena Vista. Iwas going but changed my mind. Ill push on to Waynesboro instead.had only gone a couple of miles when i bumped into a SOBOhiker .hi hello how are you going .His reply was where do you come from::australia :: no where in AUST;; Perth:: WEhere in perth KALLAROO :: Here we are in the middle of the A.T. & this guy OUTBACK used to live in MULLALLOOthe next suburb over. HE now lives in Rockingham. He is the first Aussie ive meet out here. We both agreed our trail The BIBB is a more diverse & interestingtrail than what we have endured on the A.T. so far.But i take the A.T. for what it is with no expectations &loving it. After our exchange I wish i had taken aphoto of our encounter.Maybe we will meet back home in the BIBB office???The walk along the cascading creek seemed to go on for miles. The bugz & flies are driving me crazy.Then it was the 2000ft climb in 2 miles that took its toll on me.I could feel the dehydration coming on.Finally got into Cow Camp.Home alone tonight . put my tent up had dinner & bombed out.
Date: 2009-06-20
From: Cow Camp

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

the rain that came all night was torrential. I put my tent in the shelter just in time.Did not sleep much for the noise of the rain was deafening. in the morningi packed up slowly. went to put my superfeet soles into my boots. strange they would not fit in. took the sole out 7 turned the boots upside down & 6 half chewed acorns fell out. Some thing had been busy having a meal in my smelly boots. YUk . just reminded my of how acorn got his trail name when a squirrel half filled his backpack. this morning felt fine . I was on a mission for PIZZA at Montebello. time just went so quickly. Got to spy rock rd & it is a dirt track 1.9 all down hill then 1.9 all back up hill. the pizza better worth it. Got to the store to find out they did not do PIZZA only chilli bean soup.T was so hungry had the soup & half a loaf of bread a danish roll 5 bannanas choc milk a mnt dew 1 ltr water. i was done .Now for the trip back yuk.meet the Texans at the spy rock car park. Have a blisted foot calf muscle is not right. its a long hike to the priest shelter.i stopped at Spy rock for photos the wind was very strong & had to struggle to hold on.lovely vistas.got into camp very tied & sore but wanting to be in waynesboro so i can zero for 2 days SLEEP
Date: 2009-06-21
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Cedar Cliffs
Miles today: 19.7

Planned for a big day. The drop off the back of the Priest 1200ft down ended up being a nice switch back trail to do. The climb up from the TYE river was a good workout.900ft up.Got to Harpers Creek shelterfor an early lunch.The trail was not very obvious .looked around & found a blaze between the privy & the tent area. After nearly an hour came across the TEXANS. Disbelief Im going the wrong way & i dont know how. NOT HAPPY 4 dead miles So it was an hour uphill.Came across danny & lauren & we all did the Mau-Har trail instead. Still do not how i missed the trail.danny is very interesting to talk to. His family historygoes back to the first boat loads of migrants to come to America in the 1600s.Danny is only 20ish plays & sings rockabily, blue grass & plaa few instrumentsHe is also enlisted to join the army.Lauren is an actress heading for CHICARGO.The hike on the Mau-Har trail was quite tough.Eventually got to Maupin Field shelter & meet by the Texans plus the ridgerunner. Told the runner the signage at harper shelter ::were as useless as tits on a bull::he agreed there had been some complaints .Had a snack filtered some water . It was 15.8 miles to the next shelter i would like about 7 miles. The trail was quite rocky but flat. Got to around Cedar cliffs after i had dinner on the track and refilled water .I was exhausted & decided to camp on the cliffs. Great sunset &a gentle breeze blowing. set up camp & bombed out . had to get up during the night to let the water out .the view below was stunning. like a xmas tree full of lights.the stars were shining not a cloud in the shy Its another reminder of why im out here for those special moments. back to sleep.
Date: 2009-06-22
From: Cedar Cliffs

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

awoke early for the morning pee 2am The view over Waynesboro was a stunninglight show. its so beautiful standing here naked on a cliff top with a soft warm breeze blowing & the xmas tree lights below glowing.Went back to sleep & got up at 6.30 am >back on the by 7.30. Made good time getting to paule wolfe shelter. Went up 7 over Hump Back Mnt in know time & then it was all down hill to the shelter.Had a quick lunch then mossied into Waynesboro. arrived at Rockfish Gap & rang for a trail angel to come and take me into the church hostel.Norman (the angel)arrived 20 mins later & drove caboose & myself into Wayneboro.Norman has been doing angel work since 1986.GREAT JOB NORMAN & all the angels aswell.We were both dropped off at krogers All the texans arrived at the same time.then 10 x 10 arrivedas well.I had to wait until the church opened up at 5pm . Time passed slowly as i was tired when the doors did open i was the first one in.They only take in 15 per night. The church is very cleantidt & friendly.had a shower & made my camp bed in a large room.innesota smith snored his head off all night. Am allowed 2 nights stay then you must move on. the hostel only opens for a 6 weeks period. It cloes this sunday coming. had a good rest but not a good nights sleep
Date: 2009-06-23
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Did nothing but lay around and relax. Tried to journal in the hostel & library. Went & did laundry. Had a AYCE chinese FANTASTIC value. Had a crowd of hikers in tonight. Sat up & watched GOOD WILL HUNTING nice relaxing day & night.
Date: 2009-06-24
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

went to the methodist church for a soup kitchen lunch. Something differnt to experience,Then went to the outfitters to have a look at my hiking poles.Beaytiful They could not fix them so with leki warranty im the proud hiker with 2 new poles.Back to the YMCA camping ground tonight as im only allowed 2 nights at the church hostel.Spent most of the arvo in the library, when a lovely surprise entered the building. WILLOW. She has come in a day early to catch up with me. WILLOW is a beautiful married woman who is meeting her husband TIM in acouple days. I loved our hiking time together lots of fun.Anyhow it was back to the Ming AYCE buffet. Had a lovely dinner then it was back to the ymca tent land. The fire flies are amazing . the air is lite up like a huge sparkler Beautiful
Date: 2009-06-25
From: Waynesboro

To: Calf Mnt
Miles today: 6.9

Had a crappy nights sleep. some bimbo came into the tent area & started singing her heasd off at 1.30am . In the morning SMILEY is packing his bags & going home. He got bad news at 4am that his mother has just passed away.Went & meet willow for breakfast at wezzeys diner. agreat character place for breakfast.Then went & met phoenix rising at the church hostel.Twent & packed my gear & the 3 of us headed to the MING AYCE again. WE all had a belly full of food.( eat until it hurts) Im heading back to the trail after lunch. Phoenix rising is still having shin splint problems.Atrail angel Du Bos came in looking for another hiker who was not there. asked him if he had time to take me back to the trail head as soon as i finished lunch with a stopp off at the outfitters on the way He came back 30 min later. Waynesboro has the most amazing trail magic on the trail so far. Can not express enough gratitude to this town & the dedicated people who help out the hiking community.Said goodbye to willow & phoenix rising & left for the outfitters. It took only a few minutes to change out the filter & get a replacemrnt fiter body for the damaged part. Wrath also joined me being taken back to the trail head. Wrath actually looked clean & respectable. Got our registration for the Shenandoah N/P over with & into the park i went.LOOKING for BEARS. Did really good time getting to CALF Mnt shelter.The atmosphere in camp was wonderful. so much music& singing in the camp . In camp tonight is YOU tron penny grizzela lazer crock star bam bam wrath & me
Date: 2009-06-26
From: Calf Mnt

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: clear sky

Well at about @am there is this blood curdling scream NO NO NO STOP STOP . Then there is another voice from the tents asking if a bear was has got him??Im standing in the middle of no where hwatering a tree when this scteaming started. My first reaction is to turn on my head light to see what is happening. Nothing just YOU standing in the middle of the shelter screaming his head off & im standing there naked as the day i was born peeing on a tree with my light advertising my activity. Light out and back to sleep before i get accused of something. A good laugh all round in the morning at breakfast.Lazer & grizzela have left early Most are planning a big day 26 miles.Caught up with grizzela ;;hes a 25yr old hobo been on the street/road for 7 years &man can this guy sing & plat guitar ;; As we are walking a bear comes down this tree faster than black lightening. I tried to get my camera out for thephoto shoot but this bear has other ideas & is gone with the wind BUGGER another missed opportunity gone.Had lunch at Black rock hut & kept going. Got to loft Mnt campground &wayside srore & pigged out. Took about 1 1/2 hrs off to rest. Got into Pinefield Hut late. There were 5 section hikers in & they brought in the trail magic An esky full of BEER. The music flowed again. I actually had a light beer. It was a fun night . Scarecrow & myself tented quite a distance from the hut.We had this noise walking around the tent Thought it was a bear.But recognised the snorts as deer and went back to sleepThe damn deer came around 4 times during the night. I had my 2 water the tree events during the night. On the last occasion the deer came around and starting drink my pee YUK. I just lay there & watched. Went back to sleep sort of.Had another big day planned
Date: 2009-06-27
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Hut 
Miles today: 20.6

Scarecrow & myself did not sleep to well because of the deer. Have mentioned to scarecrow about the baseball being played in Washington DC . Its possible with a big effort to get to Harpers Ferry by the 3/7/09 into town for the game & enloy the 4th july celebrations. A seed is planted. Weheaded off & had lunch at Lewis Mnt campgrounds. Had a good rest then onto Bearfence Mnt. Anoyher good camp tonight after a long day
Date: 2009-06-28
From: Bearfence Hut 

To: Skyland service rd water tower
Miles today: 16.1

Up & off early.The mission is breakfast at Big Meadows Wayside. we ended up going into a campground looking for a soda but got invited to a picnic table instead. Had some left overs& a soda.Talked these real lovely christians who have a gathering once a month. Minnesota smith was also there. Minnesota invited himself to another table on the way out. This guy is a real pro at inviting himself to a picnic table.Scarecrow & myself need more YOGIING lessons(:HEY BOO BOO THERES A PICNIC BASKET FOOD BUT YOGI :That night scarecrow & myself had some more trail magic in a campground venison corn potatoes & a soda Then it was a 1 mile hike to the shelter No cooking tonight my belly is full of venison.It rained a litle getting into camp.
Date: 2009-06-29
From: Skyland service rd water tower

To: Little Hogback Mnt 
Miles today: 22.2

Had a nights sleep. The restaurant did not open until 7.30am & scarecrow was still asleep, so i left him there.I went down for breakfast& enjoyed the viewsalong skyline drive into the valley below,spectacular.Had a hearty Appalachian breakfast then back to the trail. Not manu views along the way. Mission for the day is dinner at Elkwallow wayside.Along the way Squatter was slack packingWe were all heading to the same placew for dinner.Pigged out on fast food again.We thought we might be able to make Gravel Springs Hut. Scarecrow & myself are quite tired after the long days we have been doing.We made camp on Little Hogback Mnt. Very yired & slept well. The lights of Front Royal are below us & beautiful.
Date: 2009-06-30
From: Little Hogback Mnt 

To: Mosby Campsite
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: scattered clouds

These 20 mile days are taking there toll. Body feels great but feet are so sore. Toes are completely numb.Nothing to really complain about at all.Scarecrow was going to zero in Front Royal but i put it to him to zero in D.C. instead. A much better opion i thought if we are going to make D.C. We have a lot of miles to do & the mission is on. TYPICAL blokes.Baseball & the 4th /july celebrations , hope its worth it. It was a long day with not many views.Just pushing miles.Finally gor out of the Shenandoah N/P Scored 1 1/2 bears 40 > 50 deers & lots of coyote & bear poo.Some hikers have seen up to 23 bears & had close encounters. Got into Mosby campsite after dark.Slept well with rain about & lightning
Date: 2009-07-01
From: Mosby Campsite

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a good nights sleep> have to do big miles again. But the body just wants rest & the brain is singing ::TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME:: still requires over 50 miles in 2 days. Lets go. Scarecrow has made enquires for train baseball tickets & accom. We are set with a few hurdles to jump over.The day is hot & muggy. Not an adventurous day just miles.In the arvo the rain started . Bloodt hell did it bucket down. I feel like a drowned rat.Got into Rod Hollow Shelter & greeted by cloud walker dry and snuggled up in his bag.I had a shower from the shelter gutters runoff. Soon joined by tibetian scarecrow bottom bunk spice rack & 2 other newbies. the no see ums bite like crazy all night. I dont like shelters.
Date: 2009-07-02
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: VA : WVA State Line
Miles today: 27.9

I just love getting out of my lovely warm fart sack (sleeping bag) & outting on cold dripping wet cloths.Just grin & bare it.Will warm up soon. The 2 newbies are up 5am making noise but dont leave until after 7am. We got up at 6am & hiking by 7am. Do or die day. First we have to RIDE (HIKE) THE ROLLER COASTER which srarts near Snickers Gap. 13.5 miles with 10 ups & downs. A couple of the climbs i got a bit drippy, most were easy. Got to Bears Den Rockswith great views over the valley below.Went up to Bears Den Hostel. Owned by the A.T.C. & run by the P.A.C.T. I wish we were not on a mission cause this place is one of those hostels rich with character & history. Had a coke & scarecrow made some phone calls to confirm our bookings. ITS now up to us. Packs on we are off Took photo of the 1000 mile marknearly 1/2 way home.Stopped at a spring for an early dinner. We had a long night ahead.Still hasd 15 miles to do & its about 6pm. A night hike is definetely on.Got to 9 pm & on came the lights. We still need another 5 miles. Walhed until 11pm. Found a camp on the trail & died. The body was very tired but the brain was hyper after the 28 mile day.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: VA : WVA State Line

To: Harpers Ferry (Washington D.C)
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Active brain tired body. Up with a slow hike into Harpers Ferry. We were very pleased with our effort to get here.Found our way to the A.T. conservany. Signed the trail register & Lauren took our Photos. Im the 582 hiker in & scarecrow is 583. we had a joint photo.Im planning a few zeros in D.C. Besides the baseball & the 4th july fun there is also the smithsonian museums to see as well. In Harpers will waiting for the train we just ambled thru the historical townsite. Had breakfast. The train from Chicargo was 30 min late.finally the no 30 train arrived. We got into D.C.Just over 11/2 hrs later found our way into the hotel & booked in.Had a shower 10 min to relax back on the metro (train) & off to the game. Atlanta Braves playing Nations Washington. One track has text threatning me to back the braves. They come from near her hometown in Alabama. Great crowd & atmosphere. 10s of thousands of people at the game. Its like a carnival. BRAVES won one track would be happy . Im just grateful to be here. Went & had an Indian dinner after the game at midnight. Not many people around. We are staying in the GEORGE WASHINGTON UNI near the FOGGY BOTTOM metro station The hotel is a great location we dont get much for your dollar.
Date: 2009-07-04
From: Harpers Ferry 

To: Harpers Ferry (Washington DC)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Had an early breakfast & tme to explore. The Lincoln Memorial is about 4 blocks down the road. took some photos & walked around. Up to Capitol Hill & back to the Smithsonian museum. Indian History. In the arvo there must be 400>500 thousand people around. The harmony is absolutely wonderful.Strong presence of security & orderly conduct. went to Capitol Hill for a concert @ 8pm but could not here the music. Left the area & headed back towards Lincoln Memorial for the fireworks. It was so crowded . We got a spot just outside the umbrella of the fireworks. The noise & the exploding array of colour was amazing scare croe had ear plugs in I dont blame him The thump from the explosions makes my chest swell with excitement. The finale is the most intensive array of colour & noise ive ever seen or heard. The mob going home was very respectful& orderley.Amazing harmony with so many people out.We went & had a Thai dinner in Pennslyvannia Ave & a glass of Aust red wine hmm .We had an early night in bed by 11.30