morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Seeley-Woodworth shelter

To: Harper's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

It was surprisingly cold last night. I slept poorly and intermittently in my tent in the shelter, but no bugs at least. Both Donny and Mas were snoring occassionally, but I don't think that was my problem. We did have motivation in the morning to get to the free lunch for hikers at the Dutch Haus B&B. Got out of camp and followed the directions left at the shelter. Got to the pick up point about 15 minutes ahead of time, and were able to use a real bathroom (ah the simple pleasures). Earl from the Dutch Haus picked us up and brought us to the B&B. We relaxed on the porch and watxhed hummingbirds and goldfinches and blubirds in the yard while Lois made lunch. She served us hot dogs, muffins, corn, oranges, potato salad, and cheese. We scarfed it up quickly, and thoughit has literally been decades since I've eaten a hot dog, Dang was it good! Wanted to curl up and take a nap after, but had to get back tothe trail. Lois stopped by at the general store on the way back to the trail and I bought a $2 watch cap as Earl indicated it was going to be cold the next few nights, and we had already sent much of our cold weather gear home during the heat wave. We hoofed it up the hill to the AT, and then stareted a climb up a peak called the Priest. We all confessede something in the shelter log at the Priest shelter, and then headed down to the Tye River (970 feet from 4003 on the Priest) for a wash up. Got to Harper's Creek sheler for the night.
Date: 2008-06-17
From: Harper's Creeek shelter

To: Bear Spring
Miles today: 18.0

Very exhausted this morning when I woke up. Beyond what I've felt before. Waynesboro is screaming my name now. Rest in a real bed! Real food! I keep waking up every hour during the night. Maybe this is partly the Virginia Blues. I think it's also the unexpected and unscheduled "surprise" I've been dealing with 2 weeks ahead of schedule (Ladies....). I knew this was possible, and likely, but not in the form I'm dealing with right now. I have a greater appreciation for what some of my girlfriends deal with on a constant basis now...... Arrgghhh! (Sorry guys). Did make it up Chimney Rocks after a long, SLOOOW climb. Took a rest at Maupin Creek shelter, the first one without swarming biting gnats in quite a while (Yay!). Also, found wild ginger and pointd it out to Mas, who then collected some. (For some reason, I've been seeing these edible plants, but not generally tasting them. Since Mas collected the wild ginger root, I didi try it though, and it was quite nice. Very subtle compared to store-bought or restaurant ginger. Got to Bear spring late for out last waterof the day, then shortly after that saw Powder River and his Dad camping, so we allpitched our tents near them, and hung out for the evening. On to Waynesboro tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Bear Spring

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Awoke after a cold night inthe tents. Glad I got a watch cap at the Dutch Haus. We are all happy to go to Waynesboro today. Said goodbye to Powder River and his dad, and Donny, Mas, and I headed for town. It was an easy morning downhill walk, crossing 848 miles today. Got to the Rockfish Gap by noon and the folks at the Visitors center called a Trail Angel named Krispy who gave us a ride into town. So happy to be in town. Food, Sleep, Laundry, Good Times. Will Zero here tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a real zero day in Waynesboro, VA. This town is very friendly to hikers. Spent time eating, shopping for food for the next section, I bought a watch so I can be more self-sufficient in timing the water treatmetns and know what day it is conistently now (my Suunto altimeter, barometer,watch, compass thingy crapped out AGAIN!). Spent the night at the Grace Lutheran Church hostel. They open their basement up to hikers and provide cots, showers with towels, have a great hiker box and toiletry items, and luckily for us, Thursday is the night they serve dinner to the hikers, so we had a great meal withsalad, rice and black beans, and a delicious mexicancasserole. Also home-made brownies and ice cream for dessert. About 12 other hikers were there too. All free of charge and out of the goodness of these folks hearts and their commitment to helping us hikers. This has been a truly refreshing aspect of this hike (I think I've said this before), having stranges extending such kindness to us. Will head back to the trail tomorrow, and into the Shenandoah National Park. Next update will probably come from Harper's Ferry,the halfway point.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Calf Mtn shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Ran more errands in town today. Went to the library for more internet access, ate breakfast at Weasies (where the record for all you can eat pancake consumption is like 24 pancakes...), Finally left town after lunch, and got a ride to the trailhead from a local man that had us hiking by 3pm. Then we entered the Shenandoah National Park! This is the second national park of the trip. We signed in at the backcountry registration station and got our permits (which are supposed to be tied to your pack), and then hiked the 7 miles to Calf Mtn shelter. There were several section hikers there, two father/son teams, and a thru hiker named Archaeopteryx who had already complteted a thru-hike in 2005 (?), and was back enjoying some additional sections. The system for hanging your food from bears is different at the shekters in the SNP. Instead of a line and cable pulley system, there is a tall metal pole with prongs on the top, and a long pole that looks like a shuffleboard thingy (the thing that you launch the shuffleboard pucks with) which you use to hang your food bag on the prongs. This is pretty comical when you have someone like me trying to hold up this HEAVY steel (?) pole with a food bag filled with 6 days of food. I did completely fall down once while staggering backwards under the weight and tripping over a rock. FOrtunately this stuff is all just amusing to me.
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Calf Mtn shelter

To: Loft Mtn Campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: few clouds

Today was the equinox, a Saturday, and as we were told, "Naked Hiker Day" (designated each year on the equinox in recogintion of the start of summer I suppose). Started the day with some good conversations with Archaeopteryx. He's an interesting guy.   Had a great day hiking in the Shenandoahs, saw several weekend and section hikers, and got doused by rain at the end of the day, but fortunately we finished up at Loft Mtn campground where we could get 5 minute showers for $1, and dry our wet gear in the laundry dryers for 50 cents, and get single beers for $1 each. And for anyone who is wondering......yes I did.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Loft Mtn Campground

To: Swift Gap
Miles today: 17.4

Started the day today with an excessively long conversation with a camper at Loft Mtn., who believes that he has experienced 7 miracles that no mortal should have survived. Got a LOT of detail on 2 of those miracles before being able to progress with the day. Why is it so hard to end conversations with folks who are impassioned about things which have no meaning to yourself? It's as if their passion or belief traps you into not wanting to hurt them and thus listening to whatever they feel they must share with you. I do believe that you will usually get something out of these interations though its value or presence may not be immediately recognizeable. But still.   After leaving the Loft Mtn campground, we decided to hike 0.5 miles off the trail and down the hill to get breakfast at the LOft Mtn wayside. It seemed like a long hike down, but was worth it for eggs sausage, hashbrowns, coffee, and the topper...a blackberry sundae. Mmmmmmmm. Breakfast of champions. This is the thing about the Shenandoahs. The waysides, campgrounds and lodgess make "normal" food so readily available that it's hard to pass the opportunity by. It also allows us to carry a little bit less than we might in a normal situation as we knwo we'll get meals at these other locations. We hiked steadily all day,but there were definitely some hills that weren't indicated in my ATC "Thru-Hikers Companion" book. This made the day a bit longer and sweatier than we anticipated. At Hightop hut we met Midnight, a ridgerunner for the Shenandoahs. THis was the first chance I'd had to speak with one of these folks (who are employed by the ATC, or the local trail clubs to serve as travelling emergency contact points along the trail. It's an interesting sounding gig. Don't think I'd be up for it though. We wrapped up the day with a hike to near Swift Gap, where wwe found a very nice campsite. THis is where I realized that I'd forgotten my journal and "Thru-hikers companion" in the Ladies restroom at Loft Mtn. Arrrghhh! My first big forgotten item.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Swift Gap

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 17.0

After getting up and packing up gear, headed down to the National Park Service Ranger Station at Swift Gap to try to figure out how to get my journal back. I had hopes of maybe some maintenance worker or park ranger passing through LOft Mtn Wayside , and being able to pick it up on their way to Big Meadows (our destination for the evening). However, the park is big enough that there are multiple districts and personnel are restricted to within the district boundaries. Soooooo, was pondering how to deal with this when about 7 cars filled with Boy Scouts showed up. Fortunately, I was able to get one of the Boy Scout Moms to spend an extra hour inher day driving to Loft Mtn to pick up the journal, and bringiing it to Big MEadows where she was to spendthe night (and where I was heading as well). Whew! After that relief (didn't really want to lose 74 days worth of journal entries, as well as the other things), the day just got better. Saw 5 bears in the afternoon, and a timber rattlesnake as well. Did get soaked in a 15 minute torrential downpour (which apparently dumped hail on folks 10 miles north of us), but it wasn't too demoralizing as cothes dryers were to be avaialable at Big MEadows. At the Big Meadows lodge we ran into Archaeopteryx again, and we had dinner with him,and then drinks in the lodge taproom. THen, he let us sleep onthe floor in his room at the lodge which was very nice, and free!
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Thorton Gap
Miles today: 17.6

Awoke on the floor with access to plumbing....Yay! Thanks Archaeopteryx! Rather than splurge on breakfast, we had coffee and danish (both quite tasty) while doing our laundry at the Big Meadows campground laundry. Beyond being spoiled by the easy access to cooked food and beer, the biggest spoiler of the Shenandoahs will no doubt be the access to laundry and showers. It's soo nice to be clean. At the laundry we met a southbound woman section hiker named Mokie who put it very succinctly when she said "I can take the heat, I can take the pain, but the thing I really can't stand is that SOUR smell". Amen sister! The smell remains impregnated in our packs and even despite washing, our hiking clothes are now very rapidly becomeing re-stinkified every time we wear them. One of the real challenges in the coming heat will be tolerating our own smells (let alone the smells of other hikers, a few of which seem to have just given up trying to clean themselves already). Mokie also told us about a coming section called "The Roller Coaster", and a must=stop hostel called Bear's Den. We started hiking at about 11:30. Got to the Pinnacles Picnic Ground at about 4:00 and had a truly wonderful bit of fortune. When we entered into the picnic ground, a couple was there picnicing, and they invited us to come over and join them. Their names were Maria and Doran (sp?), Romanian-Americans, who were enjoying what Mas and I now refer to as "The Finest Meats and Cheeses in All the Land". Maria is interested in hiking the AT, and we had a lovely discussion while at the same time feasting on salad, a loaf of bread, some lovely cheeses, roast lamb, some very tasty hard sausage, hot peppers, kiwi fruit, and more. When we parted ways, they gave us the left over food, so we were able to enjoy it all again at our campsite, as well as this savory/sweet celery and apple salad that Maria had made. The funny thing was that as soon as we set up camp, a bear came through the area very near where we were, and kind of circled around behind the camp in the woods. We of course attributed this to the delicious smell of roast lamb and sausage. But once we ate up, we hung our food bags, and walked a ways down the road to a garbage can and spigot to dispose of all the ziplocs that had had emeat in them, and to wash out hands and faces (perhaps a bit of paranoia, but we felt less like bear lures afterwards.) A truly wonderful day. I am continually amazed by the kindness of the folks we all are meeting in these little moments.
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Thorton Gap

To: Compton Peak
Miles today: 21.0

After a great night with no bear visitation, got going to Elk Wallow Wayside. THis is the last stop in tht to spare h lighe Shenandoah National Park for Blackberry shakes, burgers, and light food re-supply (which most people need unless they are headed into Front Royal). After the time spant at Elk Wallow, we headed off toward Compton PEak, the intended stopping place for the night. Just before the peak, we scared 2 bears away from a campsite where there was a tent and a jungle hammock set up. The food bags were hung, bu the bears were just hanging around, waiting for us to go through before going back to harrass the campers. By size the bears fell into the so-called "Juvenile Deliquent" category (1-2 years old, and problematic. After passing through, we found an excellent campsite with just enough light to spare. THe Shenandoahs continue to e very good to us. Some folks have left entries in the shelter logs about bad times here, but not me, and not Mas either. We seemed to have timed things right to miss the hail, see the bears, and get wonderful trail magic.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Compton Peak

To: Trico Trail
Miles today: 20.0

Today we walked out of the Shenandoah National Park. On to the next phase, It was definitely a bit sad to leave this palce that has been so good to us. In addition to the things I've already mentioned, we enjoyed ripe blackberries, blueberries, and cherries. All delicious, all the fruit of the land. RIght after leaving the SNP, we got to the Tom Floyd shelter and were able to check on the status of Jogle, Becca, Samson, Donny and others who are now ahead of us. We ate LOTS of ripe mulberries today, as well as blackberries. Mmmmmm.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Trico Trail

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: broken clouds

Awoke with the knowledge that today would begin the dreaded Roller Coaster, which according to Mokie was "awful", and according to No Pain was "no big thing". No Pain does seem to understate some thing s given that he's thru hiked multiple times as well as being a Triple Crowner (thru hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest trail, and the Continental Divide Trail), and having thru-hiked the Florida Trail. Ran into SNack and Snap at a hwy crossing, they were about to do a section heading south with Snack's sister and brother in law. Unfortunately they did not have the excellent time inthe Shenandoahs that I had. They were suffering from the "Virginia Blues". GLad to see them though. It's always good to connect with the women on the trail. After passing Rod's Hollow shelter, we started the ROller Coaster. It was about 2:30 by this time. Perfect timing to do a rough section....maximum heat and humidity! We just plugged along, up and down. The trail follows these steep, rocky ascents and descents because the land ownership here is a ery narrow strip and doesn't allow the trail to meander its way up and around the hills. IT has to go where the NPS land is. We passed three young section hikers about 2 miles into it, and they were wasted by the section. They said "Are you trying to get to BEar's Den?" It was our goal, so we said "Yes". THeir response was "Good Luck" but not said in the way that actually means good luck, instead the statement indicated "no way in hell are you going to make it there at this point in the day you poor fools". How cheerful. It was their first day out though, and there's a big difference between legs that have gone over 900 miles and legs that have gone 10 miles (also they had very heavy looking packs). It was rough though. I sweat more that I have on any other section. Could have wrung out my shirt multiple times, and started to get chafing on my hips due to wet skirt, undies and hipbelt on the pack. THis only happens on the really bad (sweaty, hot) days for me). We did finally make it to Mecca (ie. the Bear's Den hostel) at about 7:15 though. What a reward! A stone building that was a home built in 1933, and then in 1983 bought by the ATC/PATC as a hostel. A beautiful, welcoming place. They offer the "hiker special" which for $25 provides a bunk in one of the bunk rooms, a pizza, a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, a soda, a shower, and laundry! EVERYTHING you are desperately craving wrapped up in a neat package. Also they have a full kitchen with utensils for cooking, and extra clothes you can put on to allow you to wash everything without wearing a towel or your rain suit while the laundry is going. Already there were Sanford and Aisle 9, Last Minute, Voodoo, Barfight, Buck and Fleur, and two woman hikers I hadn't had the chance to meet yet: Banjo and Twinkletoes. Every hiker in this area should stop here. It was managed by past thru-hikers Redwing and Hopeful, with their baby Hikelet (not her real name of course) who are employed by the PATC as hostel managers. A wonderful place!
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Keys Gap
Miles today: 15.4

Today marks my 80th day from the start of this trip, and the day that I will cross the 1000 mile mark. WOW! it seems all too real and yet at the same time unreal that I've come this far. Had a lovely relaxing morning at the Bear's Den hostel. For a small donation, I was able to make pancakes in the kitchen, and have coffee! A great breakfast, and the use of a kiychen for such seemingly mundane tasks as cooking and washing dishes has now become a rare and welcome treat. Deprivation expands appreciation. After packing up with now clean laundry and a couple extra food items (including my leftover pizza which I now get to have for lunch), got to the trail around 11:00. It was still slightly cooler than yesterday, though the humidity was still very high (Florida high I'd say), so the last three miles of the Roller Coaster were not nearly as draining as the first 10 miles yesterday afternoon. THe trail leveled out quite a bit after that. In the afternoon we passed some day hikers out with their dog (a chocolate lab), and shortly after passing them, here comes the dog. Not on the leash of course. We shooed it away and it repeatedly came back. Every time we sent it away, it went only 100 yds or so before coming back to us. IN the end the thing followed us for well over an hour, having apparently either gotten confused, or decided we were more fun to hike with than its owners. THe owners did start calling for it, but it didn't want to go to them. We even stopped and waited for about 20 minutes for th owners to catch up, but they never did. IN the end it followed us to teh road at KEys Gap and we didn't want it to get hit onthe rd, so we walked it down to the convenience store intending to call a local vet to get it. Just as we got to the store a woman pulls up in her car "Is that my dog?". She'd realized that if it stayed on the trail it would come out at Keys Gap. Too bad she hadn't realized that the dog should have been on the leash with some identification too. Irresponsible dog owners are so irritating. Anyway, we got back onthe trail to get a few miles closer to HArpers Ferry, and mangaged to find a spot for our tents just as a big storm came rushing in. Tents got wet, but the gear and stuff stayed mostly dry. TOmorrow will be Harper's Ferry!
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Keys Gap

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 4.5

Today I walked into Harper's Ferry, WV. THis is a significant milestone on the hike and considered to be the psychological halfway point (though it is about 85 miles short of actual halfway). Harper's Ferry is also steeped in history (Civil War history in particular), and a National Historic District. In addition, this is where the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has its headquarters. Hikers that reach this point register at the ATC office and have their photos taken. It's a great place to check and see exaatly where some of the folks you've hiked with and lost track of are. Walked over the Shenandoah River, and into town at about 10:45. Checked in at the ATC, and received 4 packages! Thanks to Patti, Kris, and my friends at DPI (Carol, David, Becky, and everyone else). Tuna, chocolate, tea, meds, MEDS, cookies, homemade brownies, and more! I was able to share with many people and everyone was most thankful. I also had the "record" for most boxes at the ATC office this year. You guys really make me feel loved. THANK YOU! AT the ATC office I also ran into Wannabe Goat. Sadly, he was leaving the trail today. A very nice person, with an easy way about him. He got homesick and was flying back home to the Pacific Northwest. People will still continue to drop off to the end I suppose. AT noon, Mas's friend Nikki came to town and we all had lunch and walked up to Jefferson Rock (where Thomad Jefferson looked down onthe Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and proclaimed the beauty of the land and waters) before they headed into DC, and I headed off to wait for Dad, who is meeting me here on his way back from Michigan and on his way to NC to pick up Conner and Strider for a week or so. Also managed to finally catch up with some more of Team Lovely as I had a note from Becca, letting meknow where she and Jogle were, as well as Vegas, Matchstick, Sanford, Aisle 9, and Mike. GREAT!
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero day in Harper's Ferry today. Got to introduce Dad to Becca, Jogle, Mas, Medium Rare, Spidey, and No-Amp. I was glad he had a chance to meet a few of the folks I've been hiking with and get a sense of who else is out here with me. Went to Wal-Mart for resupply, and had a giant stromboli for lunch. Spent the evening preparing my food and other items for the next leg, and updating this web journal. Keeping the web journal up to date has become a challenge. I takes a long time to add entries for the ten days to 2 weeks intereval that seems to come between internet access points. Again, I am so thankfula and appreciative of all the thoughts, notes, and goddies that folks have been sending to me. The 4 maildrop boxes/care packages in Harper's Ferry were lovely and ovewhelming. I was able to share that love and caring with several other folks, and the items sent were so thoughtful and delicious!
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Dahlgnen Backpack Campground
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Said good-bye to Dad at 7:30. Had breakfast with Jogle & Becca.   Went down town to mail stuff (bird books & clothes) home, then ICECREAM. Walked out of town on the C & O Tow path @ 1 pm. Planned to go to the 2nd shelter but it sucked, so instead pressed on to the Dahlgren Backpack Campground, a cleared area with picnic tables & hot showers and toilets. Awesome! Saw D & Lactose who are both sick, met Pegasus, Unicorn, Tailgate and Aqua Maria.