morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: VA725 Parking Lot
Miles today: 21.8

June 7 --I am tenting at the edge of an AT parking lot on level grass next to a picnic table with Minnesota I.P.A. on the other side of the table near the shore of an unnamed rather loud brook at the foot of a nice foot bridge, but the brook is barely heard because of the traffic on I-66 that is unseen yet it is not difficult to discern a Toyota p/u from a Ford Taurus as long as the 18 wheelers have passed. My sleep last night was a disaster. I woke several times cold in my silk liner and $10.38 Wal-Mart fleece sleeping bag and was awake before 6:00 because of the many calling birds and the nearby shelter inhabitants. My theory on chilly sleeping is, because I sweat salt all day that is still on my skin at night, the salt absorbs moisture in the air which cools me more than I wish. My socks and shirt, which I lay out to dry(ha!), are very damp in the morning. I will try more clothes on tonight, but I was so tired at lunch, ~14:30, that I laid down on my back on a gravel road in the sun and immediately began dreaming wierd stuff, so wierd it woke me up within one minute. Today's walk had no substance, there were a few rocky trails, flat packed mud and mooshy and squishy sections and a bunch of connecting road sections, esp at the north end of the SNP. The trail through the park seemed like a back alley of the Skyline Drive, crossing in the middle of nowhere, rarely at lookouts and close enough often to hear traffic, esp those Harley Davidsons. Except for the first night, I never found a tent site along the trail, it was just too thick and overgrown. Even tonight after leaving the park boundary I saw no impromptu sites. The park waysides were a nice treat even for only a restroom with hot water sinks. It was a pretty weather day and I made good time, the late afternoon long climb up High Knob was a little nasty, esp battling bugs, the eyeball hovering bugs being the most annoying, and now mosquitos are on me when I stop, but worse was the two very tiny ticks I pulled off my finger and forearm this evening here at the tent site. I couldn't tell if they were baby wood ticks or those bastard deer ticks, either way, I am creeped out by 'em and looking at all of my little skin spots over and over again.
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Sand Spring
Miles today: 13.7

June 9 --Another long, hot day with the hiking highlight, "the Roller Coaster" section of the AT which is a continuous series of 6 or 7 ~300' to 500' hills, steep at times, rocky most times and muddy wet with springs and streams in between. After the coaster ride, which was no fun, and only had one overlook at Beare's Den Rocks, nothing much, I crossed VA7 and wandered 0.3m downhill on VA679 to the Horseshoe Curve Restaurant where Tracee made up my big order of food, supersized and delicious. I entered the empty place wet from sweat and the A/C as her 3 dogs barked and sniffed. As the locals, and family, drifted in and out of a place that resembled Cheers in atmosphere, with more character, I absorbed the background and history, from clippings, citations and memorabilia of this place and the Horseshoe Curve Foundation, which is the community support organization which Tracee and Jim Wink founded. Coming up this weekend is a fundraiser for the local volunteer fire department. Great job. And the restaurant serves as the local live music venue, booked 'til September. Bravo, support live music everywhere. While feasting, the weather changed drastically. I had heard distant thunder rumblings since early afternoon and by 16:30 the sky was very dark and the rain started not heavy, but the power went off twice for about a minute each time. I hung around until ~18:00 when the western sky looked like it was clearing, walked 0.3m up the road back on the AT, across the WV border to a spot called Sandy Spring, on my own near a spring, weather is threatening, the wind is strong, swirling at times, it should be a chilly night, the run for Harper's Ferry tomorrow, as thunder in the west continues.
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Sand Spring

To: Harper' Ferry, WV
Miles today: 16.1

June 10 --It was a calm early morning at 4:30 after a moonlit night and I took an early start at 7:21 up an intimidatingly named Devil's Racecourse, which was a wide path of managable large rocks, not too steep. All went well until the trail followed the VA-WV border, a ridge of several miles of uncomfortably misplaced rocks, a border, I guessed, because neither state wanted it. Soon the noisy US340 was nearing and before long I was crossing the Shenandoah River and heading up the hill to the side trail to the ATC Headquarters where I was greeted warmly, logged in as thru hiker #292, offered snacks, drinks, telephone, couch, internet and a restroom with a big kitchen sink with plenty of hot water for washing off over 500 trail miles of VA. I checked email and found that cousin Sandy wanted me to call her, her plan was to pick me up here for a visit with her and Joe in nearby Frederick, MD. She didn't have to say it twice, the 16.1m off the mountain in 6hr 9min was well worth the reward that followed. After a quick stop at the small Harper's Ferry Post Office, crowded with a few thru hikers and laced with B.O., which sent Sandy quickly outside for more familiar scented air, we were off to MD. While I was unloading my gear, Joe came racing out of the house with an ice cold brown bottle for me and the visit only got better. After cleaning up I joined them as a guest to Sandy's Garden Club picnic, which was held in a huge barn, very clean, full of people and catered food, and I nearly dove head first into the large tray of macaroni and cheese, but the tray of potato salad was in the way. It was a feast for me, and everyone there was so nice, and friendly, I was treated like a prince.
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Frederick, MD
Miles today: 0.0

June 11-- The day began as Sandy had predicted, "In the morning we will be invaded with kids", her 2 grandsons, Kyle and Ryan, and shortly after, Cole and sister Sydney, friends. My business of the day was to bump half my mail drop to Boiling Springs, PA and send stuff home, and go to Wal-Mart to shop for a watch with an altimeter. No luck there, or Best Buy so I ordered one for $66 on-line. The kids were like walking puppies as we walked 1/2m or so to the PO, all up/down the side walk, Sandy somehow stays calm through most of this and manages to coordinate plans for a bar-b-que dinner for her entrie family JoAnn, Jimmy and the boys Stacey, Michael, Eli and Kyra, and Joe made the best grilled flank steak, sliced thin. As everyone came and went, we talked and laughed, all this activity over stimulating, but I slept much better from fatigue mostly. A very wonderful day.
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

June 12--The boys arrived around 7:30 and I was in no rush to leave, so I checked email, updated the on-line journal briefly and had a chat with Kyle before he left to see his Mom at work. Sandy made a nice egg/cheese sandwich for me and I packed up and added 4 peacock feathers to my pack before leaving. The hostess of the picnic, Birch, has peacocks on her farm, so I now carry memories of the memorable stay. Sandy drove me back to Harpers Ferry to the AT and by 13:00 I was following the white blazes through the historic town and across the Potomac officially into MD. The path along the river and canal was very easy, but boring too, free miles until it cut into the woods and under US340. When Sandy and I travelled US340 we saw big signs "Appalachian Trail" at that overpass and I couldn't figure it out, until I was there on foot, that the trail passed under the highway at that point. The trail was relatively easy from then onward, no nasty rocky sections, Crampton Gap at Gathland State Park was a nice spot. The eyeball bugs bothered me until dark, and I kicked everything with my right boot until tears were in my eyes. I settled here late, about 20:30 last night, at Rocky Run Shelter, tenting in a nice spot in the woods nearby. Yak was already here.
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Devil's Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 20.6

June 13--The long day of ended abruptly after dinner as I tired quickly in my tent at the start of the 0.3m approach trail to the Devil's Racecourse Shelter, appropriately named. I took the steep, winding, very rocky path down in search of water which I packed back up to this site right off the trailsince there was no suitable place for a tent, even the shelter was empty at 20:00. Shortly Trigger arrived and set up his hammock nearby and later another guy who I had met earlier at the Dahlgreen Backpack Campground, which features restrooms with hot water showers, set up his hammock. It was a good, quiet sleep, but chilly because of my sweaty skin. Most of the ~35m,so far, of MD have been very pleasant. The trail follows parks and Civil War historic sites and is popular with the locals, I saw more than 30 people yesterday, Saturday. At one point the trail went on a residential yard boundary before crossing I-70 on a foot bridge. Still the eyeball bugs are the worst impediment in the heat. The day ended while in the tent with a brief fringe thunderstorm shower. On to the Mason-Dixon Line!
Date: 2009-06-14
From: Devil's Racecourse Shelter

To: US 30 Near Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: few clouds

June 14, Flag Day --It ended as a long walk by chance, not necessarily by choice, as the choice was to stop 3m ago at the Rocky Mtn Shelter, but arriving at the side trail, I saw a sign 0.3m to the shelter. I checked the Companion and found water was 0.5m after a steep walk to the shelter. I thought about it, no thanks, I had it with that last night. The map showed 3m off the mountain to US30, which will serenade me to sleep, and my guess, a good one, was that water would be nearby. There's plenty of spring water in this hemlock-maple groveand my bed is a soft one on built up humus. The day was beautiful, a nice cool start, sunny all day and by noon I was at Pen Mar Park, where the whole place was prepating for the weekly music/dancing, square I think. The park is gorgeous, covered dance floor, covered picnic table areas, outside picnic areas, a consession stand, which provided me with 2 hot dogs and a cheeseburger, hot water restrooms and a panoramic view of PA, just overlooking the Mason-Dixon Line. I spoke with 2 local couples, 20 questions, but nice, before I left. Good trails today, some flat, some climbing, some rugged and all contained rocks of some degree. My eyes are closing. I caught an eyeball bug with my right eye today.
Date: 2009-06-15
From: US 30 Near Caledonia State Park

To: Near the AT Midpoint Marker
Miles today: 20.8

June 15 --Another day of beautiful walking, miles on roads, some gravel, some paved, that was pushed beyond the shelter by the "1/2 gallon ice cream challenge", to commemorate passing the 1/2 way point at Pine Grove Furnace State Park General Store. I easily downed, not a 1/2 but 3/8 gallon of Turkey Hill Black Cherry and washed it down with a nice hot dog then getting a gallon of water to go before leaving the park where I am tenting in a nice quiet spot in the woods. Last night's sleep, too close to US30, was a lousy one, traffic going by all night and I awoke very cold several times. If that happens tonight then I plan to get out of here real early and into Boiling Springs. I met many thru hikers today, names I've forgotten except for Liefe, who was most rude. I spent time with Trigger at the general store and met nice thru hikers there, most stayed to camp in the park, $$. Today was the end of 12 weeks, 1/2 way, with my total milage 1091.2m, about 1/2 way, and on track for July 4 w/e in NJ. Tomorrow is a mail drop in Boiling Springs and a hotel stay, I bought some stuff for tomorrow's run at the general store, cheese and cakes. I need sleep.
Date: 2009-06-16
From: Near the AT Midpoint Marker

To: Boiling Spring, PA
Miles today: 18.5

June 16 --It was a nice, peaceful sleep on a level bed of brown leaves that was less than a minute away from the old 1/2 way marker which is really 3.2m north of the existing midpoint, this because of constant trail relocations. All was going well, I had just gotten onto an old railway bed, flat and black, cruising along at top speed when I hit a snag, a real one. A rather large tree had fallen across from right to left and seriously blocked the trail at about 4' high, too low to go under. My stubborn voice, annoyed at the obstacle said the pack will not be removed, so we're going over it. As easy climb up, I was thoughtful about jumping down with the weight of the pack, and how my legs would react, What I didn't consider was that my pack was not ready, and decided to try to stay on the slanted log. The ripping sound of my hip belt was pretty long and loud, and one of the 2 retaining buckles on the right side was gone and never found, and the belt strap was nearly torn away from the belt. Fortunately the pack weight was low and the damage tolerable with the pack slightly cockeyed. Occasionally, since VA, warning signs have been posted regarding the aerial treatment for gypsy moth caterpillars and today I saw positive results. On a few oak trunks I noticed tens of caterpillars, all facing the ground, not moving, until I poked with my pole, and then reacting, they literally broke in two into a juicy mess. Nasty stuff. Closer to Boiling Springs, I emerged from the woods and walked between corn field and soybeans, a right angle turn to a road and on to more acreage, past a hog farm, back into the woods and into Boiling Springs where I caught up to Smiling Bandit. A woman walking her dog approached and offered her yard and an outdoor dollhouse for shelter if we wanted it, very nice! I had my mind set on a B&B and I think he moved on, but we both stopped at the ATC Regional office around the bend where I saw Miss Scarlett and Newt, identical twins and 2 home town friends, who would later spend the night in the dollhouse. I checked into the Gelinas Manor B&B, and explored the town which took 5 minutes. No beer sales in PA except at a state store or bar take out, 2 six pack maximum, wierd. I found my way to the Boiling Springs Tavern, the bar full of thru hikers. They served a killer local stout, dark brown, and I ordered the best restaurant food on the entire trip, fired cheese, chef salad and penne pasta with vegatables, very similar to what I make, spinach, eggplant, onion, etc, and plenty of bread with real butter. I went back to the B&B, and with the 8:30 breakfast I would have plenty of time to pack my mail drop, figure a repair of the pack and run to Duncannon for a zer0 day.
Date: 2009-06-17
From: Boiling Spring, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: light rain

June 17 --It was a restless sleep. The victorian B&B was adorned with antiques, specifically antique clocks which were not synchronized so it seemed every five minutes I would hear the coo-coo, grandfather, grandmother, whatever, along with the frieght train horn 4 times during the night. I got going in time to ask Leo for a needle large enough to accomodate the waxed lacing cord I have for pack repair, he complied, and I soon had the hipbelt ready for full load which followed. I breakfasted with a local couple who were celebrating 27 years of marriage, Scott and his wife, who's name escapes me, a very nice conversation based on those 20 questions, and more. Speaking with adult, non-trail humans is such a pleasant change and they were exceptional, over a most presentable and delicious breakfast by Kitty showing off her kitchen talents as we ate in their lovely garden backyard. On my way out, I stopped at the outfitter for boot adhesive for my severely peeling soles and applied it at the ATC center next door. The label says let it cure overnight, hmmm, well on went the running shoes since most of the walk to Duncannon was more farmland. So at 11:30 the rain came as I went on my way, rain pants, gaiters, no jacket, cool, and the best part about rain... no bugs! Along the way, through a swampy, wet section, was a long, very well built boardwalk deck, professional. Later, along the slippery way I managed to go down for my 3rd time this trip. The 1st was a trip, near Fontana Dam, the 2nd a slip, trying to cross a stream, and now a long sl-i-i-i-ide as I tried to plant my right foot on a slight downhill, it just kept going until my left knee, now following, hit a large rock, ow. No harm though, just a photo of a 4' muddy skid mark. My late start would force the headlamp out when arriving at Duncannon, but the zer0 day following was the reward for the effort, and the rain had stopped, brightening my spirit. I arrived at the Doyle Hotel bar where many recognizable thru-hikers were putting them down, Stats one of them, who informed me that there was no room except floor space, he offered his where there was already one, but on the way back down stairs he asked a guy if he had room for me, he said lets go check. His roommate father was already in bed with lights out on the 3rd or 4th floor, two bed room, but they warmly accepted me, I passed him a $10 bill and dropped off my pack, spread out my bag while we chatted briefly. Lying in the sagging bed, he said that I may've gotten the better part of the deal and I made my way back to the bar for food. No, kitchen's closed, and no, there's nowhere else in town that is open. Beer, cheetos and bagged popcorn, too much of a bad thing.
Date: 2009-06-19
From: Near PA325

To: Lickdale, PA
Miles today: 19.0

June 19 --After a very restful sleep even with my 5am bird call alarm clock, I lingered in/out of more sleep through the rummagings and comments of the magic cooler, and was packed by 10:17 just as Mr. Ed and his lady lifted the lid. I crossed the road, disappeared up the rerouted trail to the recognizable old stony road up Stony Mtn to Sharp Mtn where I found Mike completing his lunch break. We walked and talked for a while, he'd zer0 in Port Clinton, stay at Rausch Gap Shelter tonight. I was looking forward to my Swatara Gap destination and zer0 next day, and I was steaming full speed, head down, through the wide puddled, flooded trail, and soon Mike let me go as the cool overcast start began to give way to brighter warmth. It was enjoyable recalling the trail from ~2 years ago, and I stopped for an 8oz cheddar cheese, purchased at Pine Grove Forge SP, at the stone arch bridge crossing Rausch Creek, and moved on, too fast and, head down, too far, because I missed an unmarked left turn and continued straight downhill for probly 1/2m before admitting something was wrong, back uphill retrace, all this after a ~400' climb up Second Mtn. This only delayed my arrival at Swatara SP where a nasty little ~200'er awaited and, heavily sweating once again in the now hot sunny, humid, late afternoon, I noticed the familiar dirt streaks that appear a the elbow insides on such days, thicker lines on serial days of sweat, rain, more sweat, wo where everything turns to clay, skin feels like clay, pole grips, clothes, water takes on a taste of clay and clothes a scent, I recall that Adam was made from clay, I now have more respect for that passage. The day ended with a long, rideless 2.5m roadwalk to the Days Inn at I-81, exit 90, a great $ deal, but alas, no beer to be had nearby, PA has some funny beer laws. I had a Wendy's #3 Triple Cheeseburger, Taco salad and chili chased with a pint of Breyer's Butter Pecan. The last time I ate a Wendy's was when Dave Thomas was still flippin' 'em.
Date: 2009-06-20
From: Lickdale, PA

To: Lickdale, PA
Miles today: 0.0

June 20 -- A great zer0 day, probly the best yet, albeit, no beer. I was on the internet most of the morning/midafternoon updating, etc. I met Old Goat '06, and Check6 his wife in the lobby. Old Goat finished at Katahdin with Betty Kelly, Energizer Bunny '06, who I met at the December08 Mohican Outdoor Center AT Thru-Hiker presentation, he called her, she's biking around Lake Superior, 1400m at ~68 yrs old! So for today I haven't been outside, rain mostly anyway. I'll pick up something, plenty of fast food around, and repack for tomorrow's 17 miler, I hope that there is a ride in my future.
Date: 2009-06-21
From: Lickdale, PA

To: Hertlein Campsite at Shubert's Gap
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

June 21 Summer Solstice --The noise generated by the converging creeks resembles the steady wind of a warehouse ventilation system, the good thing is that it is constant, non wavering, no voices, here at Hertlein Campsite at Shubert's Gap. For the first day of summer the day was quite comfortably mild and the trail was managable, with some rocky stretches, but the boots have become a major problem. The attempted glue down, applied at Boiling Springs, is a complete failure after 3 days walking, the soles are peeled back further, leak water and mud, and collect all types of trail debris. I saw in the Companion that Cabella's is 1m off the trail at Port Clinton and may be a stop in my future. I plan to put a stitch through each of the boots before setting out tomorrow. I walked with Check6 and Old Goat for several miles today and had nice talks. They stopped at 501 Shelter where a surprise visit from 4 home town friends was waiting for them. The familiar sights seem to appear quickly, not spaced as I remember them, but that was N->S so that may explain why. The days rocks and bugs have tired me today, that's it.
Date: 2009-06-22
From: Hertlein Campsite at Shubert's Gap

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

June 22 --Another late night entry, but not because of a late arrival here at the Port Clinton Community Pavillion lawn in my tent, it was the 1m trip down highway PA61 to Cabella's for replacement boots that caused the routines to slip. I will know tomorrow evening how well I selected, Cabella boots, mid weight, $70, felt 0k walking back with a guy I hitched with down there, named Cog I think, here recovering from Lyme disease, but I may have a photo of him at home, he was one of the Croo at Lakes of the Clouds Hut closing weekend last year where I was with the HHHers. The trail was punishing today, rocks are becoming unmanagable with the poles, and flooding in some sections 10' wide, or more, and with the crappy boots, that have peeled back to where the rubber sole is ripping, not only allowing water penetration, but mud and plenty of it. This pavillion is down a short embankment from the highway and makes Hwy 30 by Caledonia, last week or so, sound like a butterfly stampede. There is a full box of food to pick up tomorrow, 10 days I think. Most of it will be sent back along with anything I can strip out of carrying, so I'll be coming in on light weight the rest of the week. The highlight today was a photo taken of a snake that I'm guessing was a type of rattler. The head was triangular, banded with bright yellow, and the tail, although not a distinct rattle like the movies, was different, the last 2" black and tapered down to pencil size, there may have been a tiny rattle at the tip.
Date: 2009-06-23
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Dan's Spring
Miles today: 18.8

June 23 --Whatever I get from writing this journal or anyone gets from reading it, get this, walking from Port Clinton, PA to the Pinnacle in new Cabella boots does not make your feet love you, more. On the way down on a stony road I had to switch to the running shoes which took me as far as Dan's Spring, where I tented, ~4m short of the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter where I had planned to make with the headlamp. Instead I was digging out rocks to make a suitable tent site in a spot that recently hosted a campfire. I received my new altimeter watch which is useful for locating my position and elevation, the thing even predicts the weather! Pulpit Rock and The Pinnacle were spectacular just as I remembered, on this hot, sunny afternoon. The big rock hopping has begun, very slow going, water is plentiful, spontaneous springs are everywhere.