morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 19.1

I ran into a very nice couple, Tim and Elaine Hunt, who were section hiking the park. After some conversation he informed me that he did a thru-hike back in 2006. Also found out that they live near me in Raleigh, NC. "Cohiba" is his trail name and he also did a journal, http://trailjournals.com/cohiba. Go check it out. We talked about how different it was to do a journal even as far back as only 7-8 years ago. Now I can mostly do anything from my phone, which is basically a mini laptop, but he would journal on a piece of paper, take pictures from his digital camera and send it home via snail mail for his wife to post. It was pretty cool to talk to these great people and always good to take a break from hiking. The girls didn't really get up at 4:30am like they said they would, but by 6 am they were pretty loud, so I was up before my 6:30 alarm. I didn't get going till about 8 as the weather improved and got much much warmer. The stretch had very little water and with the heat I struggled to get to the 1st "hut" of the day. (In the Shenandoahs they call shelters "huts")Most of the trail in the park follows Skyline Drive. Which means 2 things. #1 there are many places to stop and get food, drinks, (called waysides) and the nice campgrounds to camp. #2 With all the touristy stuff all up and down the trail via the road it means more bears! Black bears! Trashcans line the road which attracts bears, but these bears are almost like puppy dogs as they are so used to human interaction they are almost domesticated. I saw my 1st bear around noon, but I wouldn't of seen it if it wasn't for an informative motorist. As I was moseying along this guy in his SUV starts waving his hand at me and yelling what I thought was "beer....beer!" So I thought to myself, sweet! Trail magic! This nice tourist is offering me a cold one which would be very nice on this warm day. As I was walking towards him with a big smile on my face, he screams one last time....BEAR!!!!! That moment from the left corner of my eye about 20 yards away I see this big black blob run into the brush. I jumped back now knowing what this guy was saying. The bear just sat in the bush knowing we were looking at him. I was happy to see my 1st bear, but was disappointed that I wasn't getting a beer. I even told this guy what I thought he said, maybe then, just maybe he had a cooler of them in his vehicle. But no dice, no beer, but a bear! Cool!Lost mountain was still closed for the season but was opening up the next day. Great! I was 12 hours too early. But I pitched my tent anyway away from where anyone could see me, and I was lucky enough to have the indoor plumbing bathrooms unlocked. Not that I needed them to use, cause I have the woods for that, but I could now charge my phone and the 3 batteries I carry with it. This campground is huge with over 100 sites, so it was easy to be stealth. Downed some shrimp Ramen on my own picnic table, and didn't even have to hang a bear bag, cause I had my own metal bear box to store it in. Ya me! The simple things.Song of the day, Hanginaround, -Counting Crows
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Hightop Shelter
Miles today: 15.3

Hiking in the Shenandoahs can get you kinda spoiled. For instance there are these things called "waysides" that are little places along Skyline Drive where you can get a hot meal, cold drinks, and even some limited resupply if needed. There are many of these along the 100 mile stretch of the National Park, and I hit one of them this morning!I didn't rush too much to get out of my tent this morning as I was quite comfortable and sleepy still. Wasn't until 8 till I climbed out of my tent to start the day. After my usual Pop-Tart and iced coffee breakfast I started north on the AT to get to my first wayside and some hot breakfast. I reached the place around 10am, and no one was there other than the few workers. It's still early for the big park spring rush and it helped that it was only a Tuesday as well. I ordered pancakes with bacon and eggs with coffee. Now this is not the cheapest stuff cause there is no competition . They have you just where they want you. Oh well, I knew that going in anyway. They also have a little knick knack store for souvenirs and lite supply so I picked up some sun tan lotion and a bottle of over priced eye drops for my contacts. The weather was very nice as it was cool in the morning, and warm with a brisk breeze in the afternoon. The wildlife are really out now, though I didn't see any bears today like yesterday, I did see 2 black snakes and several deer who just sit there and look at you like an imbecile. It's amazing how these animals don't budge in these National Parks. Cool, yet amazing.Hightop is a very nice hut as most of the shelters/huts are improving a bit as you head north. Great water supply, view of sunset to the west, soft campsites for tents, and even more rare was phone reception. I haven't seen Slumberjack nor his brother since the shelter after Damascus, yet here they are out of the blue. 2 other day-hikers were there, along with Lighthouse from Buffalo, and Scorch of Louisville, KY.I have the urge to get up early tomorrow since today was mostly a lazy day, so early to bed I go and set my alarm for 4:30am900 miles!!!Song of the day, Won't get Fooled again, -The Who Meet the new boss,,, same as the old boss!
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Hightop Shelter

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 20.8

I did actually get up at 4:30ish, and was hiking by 5:50am and sneaked out while everyone was still asleep.This is definitely the hottest day so far! Probably mid 80's and it's starting to get humid. The trail in the morning is very nice and peaceful. Makes me want to get up that early every morning, and I'm not sure why I don't. the sun is out that early and it's not bitterly cold anymore. Plus you don't feel like you have to rush to get anywhere, which today I didn't. They say that there is a better chance to see bears in the early morning but I didn't which was sad, but no snakes either which was great! Hate those things!The next wayside is the big one at the park. Big Meadows Campground and wayside. I got there the same time as Lighthouse and we both ordered a very delicious cheeseburger and fries. The diet coke went down just as fast as the food, and we both went back inside to see what else we can shove down our throats. Scorch came in a little later and the 3 of us were sitting outside in the shade eating ice cream sandwiches and cold Miller Lites. Great combination! At 3pm I had already did my 20+miles and didn't really want to go any further. After all we were at a campground with all the amenities! Shower, laundry, power for our electronics, and comfortable tent sites. I eventually convinced Scorch, a mid 50's and very strong hiker from Louisville to share a site with me as they allow 2 tents per. So instead of $20 we got it for $10 each.We chit chatted for a while and it was interesting to see a married guy out here with spouse support. Very rare indeed! He was going to take a "trail-cation" once he got to Front Royal to spend time with his wife for a week before returning back to the trail. The night was just fantastic! No chance of rain and temps just right was the recipe for a no rainfly night in the tent. I kinda like this early going days. I should do it everyday! I'll see how I feel in the morning.Song of the day, Whiskey River, -Willie Nelson "Don't let her memory torture me"
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to a "Chamber of Commerce" morning in the Shenandoahs, warm sun is out, birds chirping, and supposedly, according to Scorch, there were coyotes around our tent last night.Scorch is up and running, but I'm a little slow today. It took me a while to get packed up and moving, as it was almost 9 before I left. I walked towards the trail and the outdoor amphitheater, when I discovered I had 4G cell coverage on my phone and decided to sit and journal for a while... Goodness a lazy start. Around noon I arrived at Skyland Resort for lunch. This was not a wayside but a restaurant that I looked completely under-dressed for. Most of the people there were tourist staying at a fancy cabin probably, and here I am stinky, full bearded and hungry as a..... well.... as a thru-hiker. I can't seem to stop getting burgers no matter where I go. Its either that or pizza. Guess it's my hiker craving. I get a yummy bacon cheese burger and a Diet Coke. (which is really becoming a delicacy) The Shenandoahs are known for their blackberry ice cream, and they should be! Very very good, even though it isn't blackberry season.With the lazy start and the big lunch I still managed to get 18.4 miles in today the trail was not terribly difficult, plus no bears or snakes seen. A few great views as seen above, but with the green foliage starting to appear you have to actually side trail to the views to see anything. Still worth it. Tons of people at the shelter, among the weekend hikers are Lighthouse, Scorch and the Jersey Boys. Also I finally caught up to Mudderfingers & Cool Story again. They were with Rocket Girl and Dorothy who I haven't seen for a couple weeks. It started to rain during dinner, so I rushed in my tent to get an early nights sleep.Song of the day, Smoky Mountain Rain, -Ronnie Millsap.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Tom Floyd Shelter
Miles today: 23.6

Cloudy and rainy most of the morning but started to get pretty humid. The last wayside in the Shenandoahs going north is Elkhollow a bunch of us stayed there for about an hour enjoying the comfort of knowing we could walk inside and eat. Its a good feeling. The rain and lightning showed up very quickly but I was fortunate enough to be near Gravel Springs Hut and a chance to wait out the rain. Several others were there doing the same thing and after another hour of non-hiking we headed back out to much cooler temps. We finally ended up at the north end of SNP and took a celebratory picture. (Above) Not too long after I saw my second bear! A small black one up the hill yjust tooling around eating whatever it could find. I would say it was about 100 yards away and niether of us could find the mama. It was cool to see a bear in the wild but i was hoping to see more than just 2. Oh well, I guess Ill have to wait till New Jersey. The 4 of them, Mudderfingers, Cool Story, Rocket Girl, and Dorothy are heading to Trail Days in Damascus and then Disney World for a "trail"cation. So I won't be seeing much of them anytime soon.We stayed at Tom Floyd Shelter, which was completely full when we got there. I looked around for a tent site and found one about a quarter of a mile away from the structure. It was ok because the spring was down that way anywho. I wasn't going to hike back up hill to the shelter for dinner so I just settled in my tent for the night while it was sprinkling off and on. Song of the day, Sumpin New, -Coolio
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Tom Floyd Shelter

To: Mountain Home B&B
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: few clouds

Happy Mother's DayAt this point it's been 8 days since my last shower and 14 since laundry. I decided to Nero just outside of Front Royal, VA at a new place called Mountain Home B&B 2.9 miles away. Just before I got the the hostel I received some trail magic at the bridge from Flex and her mom 60 Rocks. Flex is a thru hiker and left a cooler full of soft drink pastries and fruit. Yum! Thanks Flex!If you are a thru-hiker and dont stay at Mountain Home B&B you have just missed out. Even if you are just passing through you should stop at this place. Lisa and Scott ("Possible" 2012 SOBO thru-hiker) bought this pre-civil war home last year and is turning it into a B&B plus a hiker hostel only a pitching wedge away fron the AT. The "cabbin" is now complete and mostly used for hikers. Lisa said it used to be used as slave quarters back in Civil War times. The house however has a 4 year time table before it's complete. Lisa gave CV and myself a tour of the old house. It was built in 1847 and redone in 1869. She said there are accounts of bother Rebel and Union soldiers staying in the house at the same time! Just crawling with history. Definitely a highlight of the trail journey. Lisa or Scott will also take you into town for resupply, laundry, and real food which CV and I did. Definitely stop here!In the morning Lisa made us breakfast and off we went back to continue our hike.Song of the day, Jail House Rock, Blues Brothers!
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Mountain Home B&B

To: Stealth camp
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Lisa made me scrambbled eggs with toast, OJ, and of course coffee. I loved staying here and will definitely come back in a few years to see the renovations that they made on the old home. Can't wait. But for now it's business as usual and on with my hike. I started off with CV who is a younger girl who attempted the hike last year only to get off in Connecticut. She seems tmy o be struggling again with something so I asked her if she wanted me to pray for her. She loved that I would and I did. We stopped at Manassas Gap Shelter that has a solar shower. We didn't need one so we just stopped for lunch and moved on. CV is only doing 8-10 miles trying to let the NOBOS catch up to her so she could find a group to hike with. I hope that my little time with her helps and that she will complete this hike. It was starting to get warm and very humid so I made plenty of stops along the way and drank a lot of water. It is going to be like this for a few days and I'm just not used to it at this point. The bugs are coming out as well which makes it just that much more fun. Even at my final stop for camp the bugs were relentless and I couldn't wait to climb into the sanctuary of my tent. Just about that time it started to rain which I liked very much. The bugs went away and the temps dropped for comfortable sleeping.Song of the day, 18 Wheeler -AlabamaMovie of the day, UHF, "You don't wanna know.... I wonder why I asked?....
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Stealth camp

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Well thus is definitely the hottest most humid day (almost 90) so far, and what perfect timing. ... It's the beginning of the "Roller Coaster". The Roller Coaster is a section about 20 miles long that just simply goes up about 500' then down about 500'. It probably wouldn't be that bad really if it wasn't for the weather. The trail however is nice with lots of streams and covered by trees so there was a little break from the beating sun and lots of water to stay cool and hydrated. Most of the day I leap-frogged Tree, One Day, and Fun Size. All 3 of us struggled with the RC and Tree I consider a strong hiker. The good thing about today is at mile marker 999.1 is the Bears Den Hostel run by the ATC and probably the nicest hostel on the trail. Just before I get there I hear thunder in the distance and it started to get very dark. As tired as I was, I didn't want to get caught in the storm so I rushed as fast as I could to get to Bears Den. They have a hiker special which is a bunk, shower, laundry, pizza, soda, and a pint of Ben and Jerry's for $30. Deal! Tree and a section hiker was already there making their pizzas and talking about the storm thats coming in. Downstairs is a den where the hikers hang out with satellite TV and a bunch of movies on DVD. We decided to watch The Way which is directed by Emilio Estevez and is about the Camino trail in Spain. A very good movie and a must watch if you havent seen it. Last few days I have been getting very emotional about the trail even though I'm not exactly halfway through. I am very comfortable out here and don't want it to end. I still have 1200 miles to go and nervous about finishing. Not nervous that I won't finish, but that I don't want the adventure to ever end. Makes me wonder why I'm out here again.Song of the day, In the Summertime, -Mungo JerryMovie of the day, The Natural. The saddest part of the movie is when a young Roy Hobbs says that the Cubs have sent for him.... Poor guy.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 11.2

Loved just about every minute of Bears Den Hostel that I didn't want to leave, I did stay till noon though. In the morning they have all the pancakes you want and fresh brewed coffee, plus whatever else you can find is up for grabs in the hikers pantry. There is no exact time you have to leave so I messed around on the computer some and took a second shower. This is to be my last day in Virginia..... Well sort of. Its the end of the "Roller Coaster" and at some point you straddle the border of West Virginia and Virginia. The whole right foot is in one state and the other foot is in the other deal. Don't know if thats actually true but it's darn near close. It was a huge break weather wise cause it stayed misty and cool all day without any break in the sun. Which for hikers, especially after the last few days, it was welcomed! Unfortunately I had to deal with business stuff for most of the day which kept me on the phone. I won't get into details, but at one point it looked like I had to jump the trail and go home. However by days in it worked itself out, but I missed an enjoyable hiking day and only getting in 11 miles.The cool and the mist continued when I got into the shelter. There were 2 guys I haven't met before and they were both weekend hikers. One had a bottle of Wild Turkey whisky with him and offered me a shot or two. Sorta trail magic. I partaked in a swig which calmed me down a tad and made me very tired after dinner. If im not mistaken I believe I'm in the middle of a cloud. It stayed wet all night but it didn't seem like rain was falling. It just appears. I'm not a meteorologist so whatever. Yay! 1000 miles!!!!Song of the day, Chain Gang, The Pretenders
Date: 2014-05-15
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: ATC Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 8.7

The "psychological" half way point! Yay! It's ATC day. The Appalachian Trail goes right through Harper's Ferry, West Virginia and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is where you do your celebratory picture. (Above) Even though it feels like the halfway point the real milage half point is still about 70 miles away in Pennsylvania. The morning clouds faded away and the warm sun came out brought it's humidity again with it. By the time I got tonthe ATC it was noon and I was sweating. TwoForks, Indiana, and Gee was already there are got their pictures done. I also weighed myself and I'm down 24.5 lbs from the start. Wasting away to nothing. I got some trail magic from Scott Carter as he got me a night at the Holiday Inn Express in Charles Town, WV and some much needed strip mall overload. I ended up at Applebee's twice in about a span of 4 hours. And right beside that was an IHop. Oh I'm definitely hitting that in the morning! Thanks to Scott for the room. Much appreciated! Also my good friend Angela is coming to do the Maryland Challenge with me on Saturday. We will call her "Echo" for now on. Simply put, complete all of Maryland in 24 hours. About 36 miles to be exact. It's gonna be rough but with a little push with a friend it's very doable. Sorta, kinda, an off day tomorrow. Song of the day, We are the Champions, Queen
Date: 2014-05-16
From: ATC Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Harper's Ferry Hostel
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: light rain

Echo and I dominated the IHop. Well, at least I did. Even though this was to be an off day we still had much to do to prepare for the Maryland Challenge. I had a ride set up to park Echo's car in Pennsylvania and get back to Harper's. Unfortunately after an hour drive our shuttle never showed up. We called, left text, and emails. No go! I was extremely upset, but just had to keep telling myself to take the trail what it gives you. There is a reason for everything. By the time we got back to Harper's the shuttle guy called back and apologized. He was on a rescue run to help a lady who was on the trail, as he volunteers to do so. She had to be rushed to the hospital and at the time he still didn't know what was wrong with her. We arranged that he would shuttle us back to Harper's when we were done with the challenge on Sunday. Hope he shows. :/We parked Echo's car at the Tea Horse Hostel and took the AT to the Harper's Ferry and some dinner and touristy stuff. Little did I know how much rain we got yesterday. It helps when you are in a Holiday Inn, but over 7 inches fell in just a few hours. About 20 park rangers occupied the lower half of Harper's and cleared out most of the buildings next to the Shenandoah River. According to them the crest of the river was going to rise so much that there was a threat of the river reaching the buildings. Also there were going to close the bridge that crosses the river which is part of the AT at 6pm. Fortunately we were able to get there just minutes before they closed the gate and we were off to the hostel. About another mile and a half we reached our final destination of the day at Harper's Ferry Hostel. Just our luck there were over 60 Boy Scouts occupying the lawn with their huge towering tents. At first they were loud and obnoxious, but over time they settled down as the night came to a close. A German couple who made it from Georgia to here decided that they have had enough and are going back home to Germany in a few days. They enjoyed the hike but didn't have the desire to continue on for the second half. It was sad in a way for me, cause I seem to be enjoying the trail more and more as the days go by. But they were honest and a very enjoyable couple to talk to.We set our alarms for 3am, to hopefully be night hiking at 4. It's a long way to Pennsylvania from here so an early start is essential. So is an early bedtime. Song of the day, -Freebird, Lynard Skynard