morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Dans Path Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

Lonely day of hiking. Saw only one person on the trail and he gave me a banana. Tasted great... Saw a bear around lunch time. Stopped at the barn restaurant for early dinner. No one around. Just me and my fish sandwich. Had to carry water up and over a mountain for the shelter. Glad to see Tony Tiger and Tennesee Jed here. It was good to have a conversation with someone. It turns out that I've grown a taste for whiskey. Wierd what the trail does. Off to sleep with some help from Tennessee Jed....
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Dans Path Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Short day today with many lengthly breaks. Saw a few day hikers and Byte Code, Church Mouse and Not Guilty. Good to see people on the trail again. Beautiful day up until about 1 mile from the shelter and the sky opened up. POured then hailed. Still raining but has calmed down some. Just read in the journal that Hiker Nutt got off the trail yesterday. Too bad, shes an awesome lady.Wonder if Duct Tape will come rolling in this evening. I left dumascus without my trekking poles. Saw him yesterday at the Mt. Rogers Ranger Station and he is going to give me his because he does not use them. He said he has to hike 23's starting today at the station heading north. I Miss my poles!! Good thing they were cheap Scratt sport trekking system poles. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TODAY IS THAT WE CROSSED THE 1/4 POINT!!!!
Date: 2007-06-18
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Shenadoah National Park
Miles today: 13.0

After2 zeros in Waynesboro I was ready to get back on the trail. Walked into Senadoah National Park. Didn't get started until 10 am. Pack felt like there were bricks in the bottom of it. Gotta love freshly resupplied packs. On top of that I gained a sleeping bag liner and a water pump. So far I'm happy I got a pump. Came in handy today.
Date: 2007-06-19
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: few clouds

Started hiking at 9am. Arrived at the shelter at 9:30 pm. Lots of hiking all day. Another really hot and humid one as well. Had to go 7 miles this morning before getting water. Saw a bear this afternoon just before arriving at the campground. He was farily big. Sat in the woods waiting for mw to pass.Had a nice long break at the campstore with taffy and ice cream. Sat there waiting out a thunderstorm that never really came.Finally to the shelter and horizontal. There are these crazy cricket type bugs all over. Hopefully they stay out of my sleeping bag.Feeling great about pulling a 20. We hiked more than that though. Walked down a crazy paved path to the wayside then up the Discovery trail. Out of the way. Probably 1 mile out of hte way and forced to reclimb Loft Mt again. This time straight up the steep stuff.
Date: 2007-06-20
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Lewis Mtn. Campground
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up this morning still exhausted. Didn't sleep well last night. Bugs, storm rolled in, bat came to visit. Don't usually sleep very well in the shelters anyways.Arriveed at the first shelter for lunch. Talked ourselves into 13 more miles. The heat wasn't nearly as bad as yesterday. Dragging butt all day. My body was done at 10 miles. This park is messed up with how the shelters are spaced out. WIth no camping in between. And it definately is not flat or as easy as everyone promised. Climbed most of the day.We planned on going another .7 to the shelter but Coach, Kimchi, Mate, and Genesis were setting mp at the campground. Feet and legs were hurting pretty bad so decided to suck it up and pay for a site and enjoy some good music. Plus I Mate was carrying Destin. Damn chaffing.Good music once again. Tequila and wiskey. Yum. Nice-enuff and I are sharing his rainfly. Can only have 2 tents set up per site. Quite roomy though. Naked hiking day tomorrow. Should be interesting40 miles in 2 days. Simply amazing.
Date: 2007-06-21
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy Birthday Justine!!Haven't left camp yet. Thought I would jot down the story of the morning. We all ended up at hte store to find showers, coffee, and breakfast. Got what I needed, in the process of paying and the woman kicked us out because we stunk too bad!! "If your not buying something, you need to leave" And we were all in line to pay and get quarters for a shower. We were bothering her sinus'.What a woman. I think she needs a different job.Time to pack up, get naked, and hike.Lets see how the day goes.Later....What a liberating day. Spent the morning lettig Mate paint a mountain mural across my chest. Got on the trail at 1 pm. All 7 of us naked. It was awesome! Hiked 7.8 miles to the Big Meadows wayside for an awesome feast. Veggie wrap and blackberry sundaes.Walked back into the woods and clothes were off again. Awesome to see the comfort of people that wre nervout this morning.Came running into the shelter as the rain came. Nothing better than naked hikers running into a shelter away from the rain.Good to give the body a break and have a shorter day today. Tired feet though. Ready to shut the eyes.
Date: 2007-06-24
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Glad to hike out of the park. No more national park rules. As soon as we crossed the park boundary the trail got steep and very rocky. Funny.Staying at the Quality inn. Yet another hiker reunion.We are only days away from Harpers Ferry. Melody is coming out to see Nice-enuff for the weekend. Very excited to see her. Excited to here from some of women at the canoe base. LL, what are you doing back?? Think of the base often and always telling stories.
Date: 2007-06-25
From: Front Royal

To: Dicks Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

took a shuttle to the trail late this morning. Easy terrain. Very humidSaw Joe"Arstotle" at the first shelter. Always good to see him.Stopped at the 2nd shelter for water. Some section hikers were there ready to cook dinner and invited Nice-enuff and I to stay and eat. Had a feast of sausages and rice. Great surprise.Walked in the dark to get here. Looking forward to some shut eye. Good night.
Date: 2007-06-26
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

Hiked most of the day by myself. Had a hiker chat at a water source mid morning. Made for a great rest of the morning. Looking forward to tomorrow. Finishing the roller coaster, crossing a state line once again and headed to Blackburn Trail Center. Puts us a little further away from Harpers Ferry than originally planned but can't miss it.
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Blackburn Trail Shelter
Miles today: 11.1

West Virginia here we are!! Going to miss Virginia. What do I remember most about VA. The hills, the people, the hunidity, SNP, the highlands, oh, so much to love. But 535 miles is enough of one state.Climbed into West Virginiato end the roller coaster ride. Saw a bear about 1 mile across the state line. We had an awesome moment.Ended up at Blackburn Trail Center. Another beautiful plance with awesome people. Fed us a feast for dinnner. Having a slumber party on the porch. And yet another show from Genesis, Mate, and Coach. Kimchi is off the trail for a couple of days. Hope to see her in Harpers Ferry.Tomorrow! 1000 miles, Harpers Ferry, officially register as a thru hiker with a picture and Melody. Wow!!
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Blackburn Trail Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry- Blue Ridge Center
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

Had a horrible night sleep last night due to the no-see-ums and the heat. Got up at 6am, started hiking my 7:45. Made it to the ATC at 12:30. Great time. Easy terrian. Pretty rocky though. At the ATC was my mail drop and a growler of Brewhouse beer, El Nino. It was awesome. Between me and a couple of other people it went quickly. Had my photo taken to register as a thru hiker. None of it really seems real.Melody came in today. So happy to see her. Now we just have to figure out what to do for the weekend. Should be fun.Blue Ridge Center is great. So is this puppy sitting on my lap but it just farted. Oh, Peggy-O.1000+ miles. Don't really know what to say about it.
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Harper's Ferry - Blue Ridge Shelter

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: light rain

Took a while to get on the trail today but we made it. Spent some time at the outfitters I am now part of the water filtering community. Don¢t know how I feel about it yet. Feel the need to quit putting chemicals into my body.Bonzo helped us out a great deal with many things. He¢s a very cool guy. It¢s fun to have Mel around. Interesting but fun. Nice-enuff tends to be a bit different & I don¢t quite know how I feel about that but we¢ll see how the weekend progresses.Getting anxious making the miles to meet Grainger in Maine. I know he needs to know some dates to ask for the time off. Going to not think about it & just keep walking. If the day is near & I need to bump up the so be it. Otherwise if will drive me crazy.
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Extremely leisurely hike going southbound today. Lazy morning. Ran into many NOBO¢s. Philmont, Twing, & Big Brother in the morning. Than had a smoke with Skip & Aristotle. Saw Tony Tiger, Handyman, & finally met Kokopelli. Very excited to see Tony again. Lun & Vegas were at the shelter when I arrived with the greeting ¢Where in the hell you come from?¢It was a great day with Melody around the topic of Grainger comes up more liberally so I've been thinking about him more thane ever. Wish he was here but it would be overwhelming.I hear that I¢ll meet Rex tomorrow. Made a guy jump out of his seat when I told him my name. A little embarassing but funny. Hope I don¢t miss him.The temp was great today, probably 75 deg w/average humidity. Very grateful that the humidity broke for now at least.Off to finish my Sigurd Olson book ¢The Lonely Land¢. Been delaying finishing it for weeks. As darkness has overcome the trial, I can hear the fireworks of the 4th of July in 3 or 4 different locations in the sky.
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry Blue Ridge Center
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Another leisurely morning with an easy day. Spent the morning reading, drinking coffee, & talking about the world of outdoor Ed with a section hiker. It was good to have an in-depth conversation about a career path. Many times the conversations on the trail are so simple & the same.Walked into HF again. Has a little trouble getting a hold of Bonzo but he pulled through. What an awesome man.Socialized with him at his place for a while. Managed to fall flat on my face & scrape up my knees walking to the car. Very funny night. We had some great laughs.
Date: 2007-07-03
From: Devil's Racecourse Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain Shelters
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: few clouds

Pennsylvania!! - ¢Where boots go to die¢And do my feet hurt already.Early rise this morning was great. On the trail by 7:30. Crossed the Mason Dixon line by noon. Finally in the north.Been thinking about Fahmah. Where¢s Fahmah?
Date: 2007-07-04
From: Rocky Mountain Shelters

To: Tom's Run shelters
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Spent 2 hours this morning hanging out at Caledonia State Park. Just eating Pop tarts & cheese/crackers waiting for the grill to open. Then a cheeseburger, french fries & ice cream. It was a tough hill to climb afterwards. Finally lost my watch. Pretty good after 1000+ miles of having it in my pocket.Said farewell to Genesis, Mate, & Kimchi. They are going on a mini vacation for a week. Didn¢t see Coach this morning though. Going to miss them. It¢s still a long trail, might see them again I hope.Ran into Skip, he¢s feeling like crap. Was good to see him.The trail brought up thoughts of NLCB. Ran into a group of young women from a camp. Then just after leaving them there were blueberries all over the side of the trail. I hope this summer is going good in northern Minnesota. Miss it up there.Ice cream for breakfast as Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Nice-enuff & I plan to split a 12 gallon. Not up for the 12 gallon challenge. 12 gallon ice cream, 1 person. No way. All in celebration of the true 12 way point!!
Date: 2007-07-05
From: Tom's Run shelters

To: Alec Kennedy shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: light rain

Breakfast this morning was 1/4 gallon ice cream. 3 other thruhikers successfully did the 1/2 gallon challenge while we were pansies. But even that was too much ice cream. Especially at 9 o¢clock in the morning. Joe & Brisk were at the hostel. Brisk ate her 1/2 gallon yesterday evening.Easy walking for most of the day. Officially crossed the half way point. 1088 miles, more than that now but it¢s all really irrelevant.The sky opened up on us this afternoon. Climbed what seems like the only mountain in PA with a cascading waterfall coming down the trail. On the top were these incredible boulders that you had to maneuver. Climbed up them, around, & down. Joe was just ahead of me. It was a great time. Just when the rain let up it started to pour again. At this point it doesn¢t really matter. Wet is wet.Here at the shelter with Joe or Aristotle, Little Bug Shoe, Scuffles, Radar, & Nice-enuff. Probably going to go into Boiling Springs to breakfast tomorrow morning. That¢s exciting. This evening I ate an entire box of mac & cheese with room to spare. Beautiful.First night on the trail that I¢m sleeping CLOSER to Katahdin than to Springer. Awesome!
Date: 2007-07-06
From: Alec Kennedy shelter

To: Darlington shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up this morning with breakfast in Boiling Springs on the mind. Was a little disappointed with the overpriced caf©/coffeeshops but it was good cajun quiche. Made me think about grandma¢s quiche at Christmas time & how I missed x-mas to work to save for the trail. Was a good thought overall.After we got down into the valley it was a flat walk for about 15 miles. Looking the entire day at the ridge we had to climb up. Felt like we were never going to reach the mountains again. But when we finally did there was a sense of comfort, a sense of a home among Nice-enuff, Radar, & I. Joe was with us most of the day as well. Bought us dinner at Middlesex Diner. Funny name. Been spoiled lately with stops along the trail. Not much of a wilderness experience but an experience none the less.Had the opportunity to talk with Grainger. Very happy to do so. Very easily could have talked to him all day. Probably a good thing the phone died.Right foot giving me trouble lately. Feels like I keep pulling a muscle that goes over my arch. Keep stretching it out but it really aches. Yesterday my achilles was adding to the discomfort as well. Body needs a rest. Haven¢t had a real zero day since Waynesboro. Will make it into Duncannon tomorrow for the feast. Hope to stay at the Doyle.Life is good.
Date: 2007-07-07
From: Darlington shelter

To: Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Another day of going into town. The miles always seem longer than the other days. Hiked most of the day with Radar. He¢s a cool guy.The view from Hawk Rock was great. Looking right down into Duncannon. Wishing I had a hanglider. Instead, the rocky decent was the way.Once we were in town the Doyle Hotel was staring right at me. The 100+ year old hotel is a famous stop on the trail and the first real bar since the halfway point.Before heading to the Billville feast as the park, I sat and drank a cold beer in the Doyle bar and waited for Nice-enuff. Looks like it is going to be a good night.
Date: 2007-07-08
From: Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, PA

To: Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Ahhh, the first zero day since Waynesboro. Much needed.Last night was classic. Live music upstairs in the Doyle. Probably about 30 hikers are in town for the Billville feasts & most of them wandered down for the music. Had a great time. All one big family.Hear the accomplishment of the halfway point made the front page of the Pine Journal. Flattering & funny. Hope to read the article
Date: 2007-07-09
From: Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, PA

To: Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

2pmPulling myself out of town today¢¦at some point. Its 96deg and the Doyle is a lovely place to be. I¢m sure there is a mountain to climb on the way out of town. Always is.Got online & read the article. Made me laugh. Love that the growler was mentioned. Mom told me about the picture. Upsets me that they cut out Nice-enuff. If it it¢s the photo I¢m thinking of. So is life.Off to mail my tent home. Tony Tiger gave me his Hubba. Going to try it out. Figure out the $$ later.Thanks everyone for the support. ¢97 classmates, family, friends from back home, friends from the rest of the world, & friends I¢ve met along the way. Back to the Doyle.
Date: 2007-07-09
From: Doyle Hotel - Duncannon, PA

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

7/9 continued...Finally escaped the vortex of the Doyle. What a classic place. Had great laughs with Vicki & Pat.Walked out of town at 4:20 and it was 101deg with no breeze. Took everything I had to climb 900ft over rocks after hanging out at the Doyle for 2 days.Small gathering at the shelter due to it being the first out of town. Everyone has a story about the weekend. Probably the best weekend celebration of the trail yet. Using my new shelter for the first time. Love the room inside - height.The trail lately has spoiled us with restaurants & such. It definitely has not been much of a wilderness experience but an experience all the same. Oh, life is great.The Doyle has the best burgers. Consumed 2.5 of them while I was there.
Date: 2007-07-10
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: .1 Mi before Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: haze

Story for the day.After coming down from a nice break on Stoney Mountain, I was cruising down the hill, rounded a corner and this big ass rattlesnake started rattling at me, 4ft long and about 4-5 inches in diameter. Largest snake I¢ve ever seen. It rattled at me until I backed about 10 ft away. Sat there and had a moment with it as it slithered across the trail. Mojo came along finally, & Soco had been talking about killing a snake, eating it & sending the skin home. Needless to say he was very excited to hear of the Final?The snake was dead after a few good blows to the head. It was a group effort with Ox getting the snake to move. Mojo handing Soco weapons, & Soco doing the dirty deed.Never knew how much a snake moves after its head is cut off. Was even trying to strike.Arrived at the campsite after 24 long miles, at 10:30. Ate dinner & went to sleep while the boys cooked up the snake. Would have loved to try it, but just couldn¢t stay awake
Date: 2007-07-11
From: .1 Mi before Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shalter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Lazy morning due to the late night. Didn¢t start hiking until 11:00.Was the worst afternoon of hiking yet. Ran out of water & didn¢t realize it until after a steep climb. Looked at the book, water was another 6 miles. So just marched all afternoon.Arrived at the shelter, got a ride into town for dinner, easy as that. Great shelter, lots of people here
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Wasn¢t feeling the hike this morning. Just one of those days.Got an attitude adjustment at the swimming hole, water was freezing but refreshing. Hung out with the guys on the dam.This afternoon we decided to take a blue blaze and walk the wild game land road. Didn¢t chop miles but it rocks. Was a very goofy walk. Marched into Port Clinton after falling come down the extremely steep decline into town.Walked right to the firehouse, rung the buzzer & had beer in our hand in minutes. This state is weird.Between 6 of us we spent $100.00 on cheap beer & cheap food.Stumbled down to the pavilion at some ridiculous time in the morning. Pike County. Sideshow & Brisk were there. Always good to catch people.Perfect Day!
Date: 2007-07-13
From: Harpers Ferry- Blue Ridge Center

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Ah, yes, another zero day.Goal for the day was new boots, Yueling Brewery tour, and wander around. Accomplished all.The brewery was interesting to see. It is the oldest brewery in America. Learned that I¢m much more interested in drinking the beer than knowing how it¢s made though.Cabela¢s this morning was an overload. Took me 10 minutes just to make my way back to the shoes. Ended up with a pair of Memells.Hard to believe I¢m buying a new pair already but I guess there are 700+ miles on the old pair already.Bag O¢ Tricks showed up with a mission to start a party. And so it was. Had to be 40 hikers all bottlenecked in one town. Soco & I let our kicks R.I.P. on the power lines above the road. Took me about 20 throws, but they finally made it. Good times.The trail has been one big party in PA. We are always so close to a town and/or road.yet another hiker renunion at the pavilion. Lots of hikers.
Date: 2007-07-14
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 1.7
Weather: broken clouds

Didn¢t get to sleep last night until 4 am. Woke up feeling great but it hit soon after.Meant to make it on the trail at 1:00 or so. Next thing you know a local invites us to use her shower & internet.Sad to see Tony Tiger off. Lots of people with Lyme disease. Scary. Trust that I¢ll see him again.Danelle gave us a ride to the store & next thing I know she¢s driving us almost to the shelter. Didn¢t fight it. Have felt like I got hit by a bus all day.
Date: 2007-07-15
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Summit
Miles today: 11.5

Yahoo! A good day for a slackpack. Jester came to Eckville Shelter this morning with doughnuts & coffee. Met us at this restaurant with our packs. Mathewski, who we met at the Doyle was there & wanted to buy us dinner.This dinner was the most impressive feast. Salmon, shrimp, steak, appetizers, a huge spread of desserts, massive amounts of beer, & other forms of entertainment.Then we had the opportunity to have a couple of Murphy¢s. Refreshing experience ($360.00!!)Hiked with Tumbleweed & Otto. Easy hike. Took many lengthy breaks. Wasn¢t feeling the greatest.
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Blue Mountain Summit

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 13.4

Off to another late start this morning. Nobody¢s brain is working really. Enjoyed the fire, coffee, & company. Got on the trail around 11am. Oh, the rocks. For the most part they haven¢t been bad. I think people talk them up more than anything. Today was the first time in days that I¢ve been alone for more than a moment. It allowed me to process the last week or so.This state has been one big party. Staring at the Doyle, then Port Clinton, Eckville Shelter, Blue Mountain Summit¢¦¢¦.The trail angels in the area sure help it out. Thanks to Bag O¢ Tricks, Jester, & Mathewski. Started thinking about life after the trail. All exciting. Good hike with good thoughts.We were going to hold up at 2nd shelter but pushed on down the hill to camp by the river. Wound up in town to buy snacks & find the boys. They were hitching back to the trail when we were walking in.Wound up staying at the jailhouse hostel. Weird. Had to show a picture ID & give them SS#. Weird. But they haven¢t come to take me away so I think I¢m clean. The hostel is in the basement of the old police department building.Two more days left in PA. State was fun. The next long state is Maine. We¢re getting there. I keep thinking about Fahmah behind me. I¢m sure he¢s still walking along, enjoying the moments.The countdown is starting to happen already.