morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 25.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Tonight is my last night in Virginia. It's hard to believe by tomorrow afternoon I'll have put the 541 miles of trail in this state behind me!Jetwash and I walked 25.8 miles today from Jim and Molly Denton Shelter to Sam Moore Shelter, about 21 miles from where we leave VA for good. I'll walk the VA/WV border for a bit, but then a few miles from Harpers Ferry the trail cuts off the border and into WV. Wow, Harpers Ferry has seemed so far away; it's incredible to think I'll be there tomorrow!Tomorrow Jetwash and I split up again. His dad is meeting him at Snickers Gap, so he'll be leaving the trail for a day or so. By the time he catches up, I'll be meeting my dad and slowing down a bit. Additionally, unbeknownst to Amy, I'll be catching a ride back to Buffalo with my dad in an attempt to de-stress my love. I probably won't get back to the AT for a week or so, meaning Jetwash will put quite a few miles between us. I guess that's the way it goes.The hike today was quite wavy. We didn't have any huge climbs, but we were going up and down all day. At one point we actually came to a sign warning us we were about to enter the roller coaster section of the trail!This whole area is rich in Civil War history. Confederate Colonel Mosby was the most influential and well-known figure in the area, but other confederates of acclaim left their mark. For example, Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson marched his troops through Ashby Gap (which we crossed today) on his way to the first Battle of Bull Run. It'll be neat to visit a bunch of the historical sites on the trail over the next week or so. I'm most excited to see Harpers Ferry!Well, time to hit the sack.986.3 miles down, 1188.7 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I have Crampton Gap Shelter all to myself tonight. It's quite the change from the last time I was here. A Boyscout troop that had walked a quarter mile from the State Park had claimed the shelter, leaving Becki, Jim, Colin and I to pitch tents on this crazy hill haha! It's funny thinking back to that trip.I'm glad I wrote earlier and got some frustration off my chest. I'm still feeling a bit uneasy, but now more because I'm having a hard time digesting all the conflict that took place in these mountains. I passed through Gathland State Park on my way here, which commemorates the Civil War Battle of South Mountain. As I stood at the top of the field, I visualized all the dead bodies piled up in the 100 yards or so before me. It was a similar feeling I experienced in Gettysburg years back. I know the Civil War was a "necessary" war (I use the term loosely), but the casualties of war are always ugly. Like I said, it's just a lot to digest.Switching gears, this ridge along South Mountain is the route by which Osborne Anderson fled north after the botched Harpers Ferry raid. He had no food for days and the October nights were quite frigid. It was a much less pampered hike than my current one, but I'd like to think I'm following in his footsteps nonetheless. A simple Christian man who loathed oppression. I'd thought I'd find inspiration in his story and I was right.1020.1 miles down, 1154.9 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Cowall Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 20.6

Today was a beautiful day for a nice, relaxing hike. I walked 20.6 miles from Crampton Gap Shelter to Cowall Memorial Shelter. It was a great stretch of trail with some interesting historical sites. I passed through Fox Gap and Turners Gap this morning, both of which were quite alive during the Civil War Battle of South Mountain. In fact, it was at Fox Gap that Major General Reno was mortally wounded, becoming the first Union General to die in battle. The Battle of South Mountain was part of Gen. Lee's September 1862 Antietam campaign, during which he hoped to gain recruits and supplies, and make a push into PA. Unfortunately for him, his plans fell through and his army was pushed back into VA. after defeat at Antietam. There was a plaque at Turners Gap that discussed Marylanders impression of invading Confederate troops during the Antietam campaign. They described them as filthy, grimy and foul smelling, yet lean and with the appetite of a pack of wolves. That sounds an awful lot like thru-hikers!Turners Gap is also home of the Old South Mountain Inn, built sometime in the latter half of the 18th century. During its lifetime the tavern has had some famous guests, including Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, it was reportedly a favorite hangout of Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. During the 1920s the inn wasn't a tavern at all, but a brothel! However, I wouldn't doubt a few politicians still found their way inside during that era! Now the building is once again a tavern and restaurant, although it didn't open until 5pm today, so I couldn't get any lunch. Instead I did lunch at the original Washington Monument, a few miles up the trail from the inn. On Independence Day 1827, residents of Boonsboro, MD built the monument out of native stone atop the ridge to commemorate the life of our first Commander-In-Chief. Although the plaques would suggest the residents completed the structure in one day, that's a feat of which I'm not entirely convinced. The spiral staircase inside the tower leads 30' up to a viewing platform, from which one can see into both WV and PA. Also visible is the battlefields of Antietam. It's worth noting that Union forces actually used the monument for signaling during the battle. It was quite pleasant at the Washington Monument, so I took a long, refreshing nap. In fact, the whole day was quite refreshing. Tomorrow I'll be leaving MD and entering PA, putting a 6th state under my belt. WOO HOO!1040.7 miles down, 1134.3 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Tom Run Shelters
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm lounging out this morning at the Quarry Gap Shelters, 30 miles from the Cowall Shelter. The last time I was at these shelters was 8 years ago on one of my first AT hikes. They made a strong impression on me then and I swore I would someday return. Now that I'm here again, I must say my memories weren't exaggerated - this setup is QUITE luxurious. The two shelters sit roughly 15' apart, connected by a roofed cooking area in the middle. The whole covered area is complete with a picnic table, metal stove plate, optional wind walls, a skylight and candle fixtures running the length. Around the shelters there's a bed of gravel and a stream running parallel. Jim Stauch the "Innkeeper" even has potted flowers hanging from the shelter rafters and around the yard. And to top it off, there's a park bench right next to the stream, on which I currently sit. I wasn't originally planning to come here last night, but rather stopping at the last shelter. However, events the night prior served as an impetus to push beyond. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say I wasn't looking forward to spending the night at the last shelter. About 6.5 miles from the shelter I met two guys heading south who told me about the Quarry Gap Shelters. Once they started describing it, I realized it was the one I'd stayed at way back when. Immediately my mood brightened. It would mean walking an extra 6 miles, but I'd avoid some peeps that would be at the shelter before it, stay at a phenomenal shelter, have a chance to reminisce AND cut 6 miles off my day today. I ended up getting here around 7:15pm last night with plenty of time to do dinner, etc. before it got dark. Plus there was a pretty chill crew here, including Riverside and Home Brew. Good times!In other news, yesterday I crossed the MD/PA border. Furthermore, I'm now only 17.2 miles from the halfway point!1070.3 miles down, 1104.7 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Tom Run Shelters
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I've been antsy as hell today. I knew I was only doing 13.6 miles over fairly easy terrain, so didn't leave out of Quarry Gap until 10:30am and tried to go slow. I didn't do so well with the whole going slow thing and ended up getting here at the Tom Run Shelters at 4pm. Since no one was here and I didn't have a book to read, I read the shelter log front to back - what a page turner! (note my sarcasm)Fortunately, a good crew of peeps has showed up since then. JP, a section hiker, was the first to show up and he's currently snoring away in the "snoring shelter" (there's twin shelters here). Apple Sauce, Cruise, Fire Hazard, and Cantaloupe showed up after JP and have been good company. Cantaloupe just made a fire that's warming me up pretty nicely. Now we're all sitting around strategizing about how to tackle our half gallon of ice cream tomorrow at Pine Grove Furnace. 3.6 miles to go to the halfway point!1083.9 miles down, 1091.1 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Ironmaster's Hostel

To: Campsite
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

I clearly underestimated the powers of my dad and uncle Kevin. I had planned for us to do 7.5 miles today, but instead we pushed 11.4, affording us the ability to get to Boiling Springs, PA tomorrow night and watch the Sabres game! WOO HOO!We found a nice campsite by a stream, although the sound of cars and voices reminds us we're not too far from civilization. I guess that's the nature of the AT in PA.We stayed last night at the Ironmaster's Hostel in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The park is centered around an old charcoal-fired blast furnace dating back to the Revolutionary War, during which it was used to produce firearms. A ton of infrastructure was built up around the furnace during its heyday. In fact, the hostel we stayed at last night was originally the mansion house of the family that owned the furnace. By the mid-nineteenth century, the mansion house became an important stop on the Underground Railroad - the woman who maintains the hostel even showed us the secret rooms beneath the floorboards!Being the halfway point, the Pine Grove Furnace State Park is home to the Half Gallon Challenge. I ate my half gallon of Moose Tracks ice cream in 26 min. and 13 sec. - impressive, yet way beyond the 4 min. 23 sec. record. Strangely enough, I didn't even feel sick when I finished! I even got a cheap wooden spoon that reads "Member of the Half Gal. Club" as a prize! Quite the accomplishment.Today I bid Jetwash goodbye yet again. This time I probably won't catch him again since I'll be coming home for a week or so. But it'll be worth it getting to see Amy, family and friends (and maybe even the Sabres in the Stanley Cup series IF I'm lucky!). It'll be a nice and well-deserved break.1098.9 miles down, 1076.1 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-05-28
From: Campsite

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 8.1

Today was my last day hiking for a while. We did 8.1 miles into Boiling Springs. From there I hitched back to Pine Grove Furnace to get my Dad's car, then returned to Boiling Springs for my Dad and Uncle Kevin and the three of us got a motel room along the I-81 so we could catch the Sabres game. Unfortunately, our boys lost in overtime At least I'll be able to watch Game 6 in Buffalo though. And with any luck Game 7 too. I have my fingers crossed!1106.8 miles down, 1068.2 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: overcast clouds

And so my writing strike comes to an end! I got back on the trail in Boiling Springs Saturday, but haven't felt like writing since. My first few days were a bit melancholy as I once again had to say goodbye to Amy (she drove me down) and find out I was in a thru-hiker void on the trail. This, compounded by some other personal issues I was trying to sort out, made it easy not to write. Fortunately, I met up with Patches a few days back and we've been hiking together ever since. He's been very good company and I'll be sad to part ways with him tomorrow at Wind Gap, where he's meeting a friend.To recap the last few weeks, I got off the trail May 31 and was in Buffalo until June 9. I started hiking again June 10 from Boiling Springs. I hiked 21.6 miles to Cove Mountain Shelter that day; 32.9 miles to Rausch Gap Shelter Sun, 6/11; 31.2 miles to Sand Spring Mon, 6/12; 24.5 miles to Eckville Shelter yesterday; and 24.2 miles to Outerbridge shelter today. The hike has been fairly uneventful in all but one way: THE ROCKS!!! They come in all different shapes and sizes, but share a common goal: to cause me as much pain as possible. Supposedly the rocks only get worse the closer we get to Delaware Water Gap (about 36 miles away). Well, I'm hoping to make 30 of those miles tomorrow, so I should get to bed.1241.2 miles down, 933.8 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-06-15
From: Outerbridge Shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 30.6
Weather: scattered clouds

My last night in PA! I'm glad to see it go. It was an enjoyable state at first, but then these rocks started up over the last few days. Terrorists. All of them are terrorists I tell you! I only have 6.5 miles left and then they can all kiss my rosy red Irish ass!Today I hiked 30.6 miles from Outerbridge Shelter to Kirkridge Shelter, which I might add was my last 30+ mile day. YEE HAH!Today I climbed out of Lehigh Gap and up Blue Mountain, an area devastated by nearly a century of zinc smelting in nearby Palmerton. In 1980, the EPA shut down the furnaces and a few years later deemed the ridge a Superfund Site. Although rehabilitation has been underway since then, the ridge still looks like a nuclear fallout zone. There's no vegetation, just rocks and dead trees. Quite creepy. I'm glad the AT intersects sites of environmental devastation rather than insulating hikers from it. It makes us face our society's ecological wrongdoings straight up. In other news, today Patches and I split ways. He's meeting his friend tomorrow in Wind Gap, so stayed there while I pushed the remaining 9.5 miles here. It was great getting to know him this past week, and having his company sure made it easier to do big mile days! I have no doubt he'll catch up in the next few weeks. Nothing more to say tonight. Time to sleep.1271.8 miles down, 903.2 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Just north of Blue Mtn. Lakes Rd.
Miles today: 17.6

Yesterday I took a much needed break in Delaware Water Gap. My feet were feeling quite atrocious, so for much of the day I sat around and read my Star Wars book. There was a good crew of people at the Church of the Mountain Hostel, including Mr. Breeze, Old Graceful, Mr. Pink, Sven, Tail Wind and Yahtzee. It was good times!I was definitely ready to hit the trail this morning. I hiked 17.6 miles from Delaware Water Gap to just north of Blue Mountain Lakes Road, where I'm stealth camping. It's kind of nice being camped out by myself. They only downside is the bugs, but I'm under my bug net watching them trying to find a way in HAHA!Today I crossed the Delaware River, leaving PA and entering NJ. State #7 under my belt! 7 to go! I'll be in NJ for a few days and then onto NY!A few miles into NJ I came to Sunfish Pond, a popular day hike destination that was SWAMPED with tourists and locals! The pond was formed by the scooping action of glaciers during the last Ice Age. It's actually the southernmost pond of that sort I'll come across on the AT. There's a sign at the site that says the pond is one of the 7 natural wonders of NJ. I can't imagine it takes much to make that grade!Well, dinner awaits!1295.8 miles down, 879.2 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-06-18
From: Just north of Blue Mtn. Lakes Rd.

To: High Point State Park
Miles today: 0.0

What a brutally hot day! Rumor has it the thermometer reached 95o today. I was forced to take a long break during the hottest hours of the day. That, coupled with me puncturing my water bladder, has me stealth camping behind the High Point State Park camp office, rather than 2 miles up the trail at High Point Shelter. Sven and Tail Wind actually gave me the idea, and are camping here too.The heat certainly wasn't unique to today. It's been brutal the last few days. Last night I stripped down to my underwear when I went to bed and still sweat the night away. That is, until I was awoken by what sounded like something large falling out of a tree, followed by a noise I likened to that of a potato gun. Fortunately, although the sound continued for some time, it moved away from my tarp as I heard something run off. I had no clue what it had been, but quickly fell back asleep and didn't think about it again until this morning. Today I was replaying the event in my head when all of a sudden a deer came running toward me unaware of my presence. When it spotted me, it stopped dead in its tracks and ran off in another direction. As it fled it made a snorting noise I instantly recognized as the sound I'd heard the night before. In retrospect, it sounded nothing like a potato gun, nor do I think the deer fell out of a tree! It's nice to know it was only a deer though!Although the heat was rough today, two random acts of kindness put me in a good mood. The first was atop Rattlesnake Mountain, where I met 3 overnighters. Upon learning I was a thru-hiker, they gifted me cookies, chocolate and some cereal. It was great! However, that occurence couldn't compete with the 2nd act of kindness. Around midday I decided to break for a few hours at the day use shelter atop Sunrise Mountain. There was a family there having a Fathers Day picnic when I arrived. I said hi, but did my best to stay out of their way. I couldn't help but hear them talking about their strawberry shortcake and immediately starting salivating. I had no intention to "yogi" food off them, but gladly accepted when they offered. That was some great shortcake!The bugs are out in droves tonight. My bug netting worked pretty well last night, but there were a few kinks I'll try to work out tonight.My mashed potatoes await.1320.7 miles down, 854.3 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-06-19
From: High Point State Park

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: haze

Today took a toll on my morale. I hiked 25.9 miles from High Point State Park to Wawayanda Shelter. The first half of the day was oppressively hot, so I opted to break for a few hours midday. I figured the siesta would be relaxing, but the bugs were brutal, as they have been for days. I set up my bug net, but still some got through. To make matters worse, I found a few deer ticks on me. That scares the hell out of me because they're so small - I'm sure I can't possibly catch them all. That's all I need, to catch lyme disease and have to get off the trail. It really does scare the hell out of me. After my siesta I had 9.2 miles left. It wasn't hard to finish (especially because it started to rain, which cooled me off), but the whole time I was asking myself how much longer I could do this. I can't stand the heat, nor can I stand the bugs. They bother me both while I'm hiking and while I'm in camp, so I have no solace. I'm getting sick of this. I need a big morale booster.I was planning on writing about some other things I encountered today (fawn), but the combination of the bugs and Fossil, who's talking across me, is driving me nuts! I'll end this here.1346.6 miles down, 828.4 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Graymoor Monastery

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: few clouds

Wow, I just went back and read over my last journal entry. I'm glad to report I'm in much better spirits. Since then I hiked 26.3 miles from Wawayanda Shelter to Fingerboard Shelter (6/20), and 20 miles from Fingerboard to US 9 (6/21). Being my birthday, a few friends met me at US 9 and we stayed at Rachel's parents' house in Carmel, NY. They took me out to dinner and Brenden bought me ice cream, which ruled! They all went home yesterday but Jim (AKA Stigmata) is sticking around to join the hike for 2 weeks. We enjoyed a nice zero day yesterday and spent the night at the Graymoor Monastery, where the friars let hikers sleep in the picnic shelter. Although pizza delivery was an option, we hitched to a gas station for dinner and groceries, where we got some Dunkin' Donuts and ice cream. Mmm!!!It was a well-deserved zero day, but today it's back to business. We're hiking 19.4 miles from US 9 to the RPH Shelter. Stigmata's been handling the hike OK, considering he hasn't been on the trail the last 3 months. I'm somewhat tired, so going to take a nap, but I'll leave you with this little tidbit. Today we crossed Old Albany Post Road, which is one of the oldest unpaved roads in the nation. The road dates back to the 1660s, when Dutch settlers expanded Native American trails to accommodate wagons. Pretty cool. 1412.3 miles down, 762.7 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-06-24
From: RPH Shelter

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Stigmata and I came to grips with reality yesterday and accepted it wasn't realistic for him to do big mile days fresh on the trail. As a result, we've decided to do mileage in the lower teens. Although it'll put me a bit behind schedule, I've been looking forward to hiking with Stigmata for months now, so it's worth it. Last night we stayed at RPH Shelter, where we revised our itinerary while eating pizza delivery (the concept doesn't even seem weird to me anymore). Later that night, around 1:30am, everyone in the shelter was awoken by a cop shining his maglite in our faces and bombarding us with questions. Being half asleep, we were seriously confused. It wasn't until 15 minutes after the cop left that some volunteer firemen came in and explained they were looking for 2 lost hikers. Never a boring moment on the trail!Today Stigmata and I hiked 9 miles from RPH to the Morgan Stewart Memorial Shelter. We met Gashes, who thru-hiked in '99, at Hosner Mountain Road, where he had some beers waiting for unsuspecting thru-hikers. I don't drink, but Stigmata joined him for a beer and we all got to talking. We had planned to go into town to mail some of Stigmata's gear home, so Gashes offered to drive us in. This guy ended up shuttling us to the Post Office, grocery store, library, and back to his house to get some denatured alcohol for our stove. Quite the trail angel in my opinion!Next we made the short hike to US 52 and Danny's Pizzeria for a tasty lunch. I'm starting to wonder why I even carry food!It was nice getting here tonight and learning Cosmic Punchline is spending the night. We also met a local named Nights Out who's a bit weird but pretty cool. Good times.1421.3 miles down, 753.7 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-06-25
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: moderate rain

Rain, rain, rain! When I checked the forecast yesterday it showed nothing but rain for 10 days! We've been getting it in spurts for a few days now, but today it began to pour. Stigmata's feet got soaked, which didn't help the raw spots that have developed on the backs of his heels. As a result, we decided to cut the day short and stay at the Telephone Pioneers Shelter, 9.1 miles from the Morgan Stewart Memorial Shelter.It's been slow going, but I keep reminding myself that Stigmata hasn't been on the trail for the last few months: his feet haven't callused over, his muscles haven't toned, and his lungs haven't become accustomed to the ups. In retrospect, it was a dumb move on both our part to have assumed he'd be able to hit the trail doing 20 mile days. The rain let up this afternoon just long enough for us to build a fire here at the shelter and dry some gear. All in all, it hasn't been a bad day. I'm just hoping we can get to Lee, MA by 7/5. If I stretch it further, the bank might break before I reach Katahdin! ¡Aye Dios M­o!1430.4 miles down, 744.6 to go!Bear Can