morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Troutville
Miles today: 10.9

Wednesday, April 25, 2007, Day 59Easy hike down to civilization. When I hit highway 220 in Daleville, I immediately got a hot cup of coffee and waited for Hike and Cat by the side of the road. We had started hiking at 6:30 am and it was only 10:00 am. I had intended to keep my pace up and stay on the trail, but had a slight sprain in my right ankle that was changing my mind. We all ate lunch at "The Three Little Pigs". I'll miss Southern food when I get north. No more grits, biscuits and gravy, hush puppies, pulled pork BBQ with slaw or sweet tea.I check into a Comfort Inn to rest my ankle. Make phone calls all afternoon and watch baseball all night.Nature's also had an assault on me, poison ivy. Not bad but a nice line of it from my knee to my ankle. I also had two ticks crawling up my leg at lunch. Like everyone, probably, I hate ticks.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Troutville

To: Hobblets Shelter
Miles today: 17.0

Thursday, April 26, 2007, Day 60Great hike today. Easy graded trails with no major obstacles. I can say that I'm not looking forward to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I crossed it 3 times today and the trail ran right beside it. I can hear cars as I hike and even now from the shelter you can year passing traffic. The AT crosses it over 100 times in Virginia, wonderful.I'm here with Cat and Hike, the Brain and Slo-go-en is from Berlin, NH and the Brain is from Vermont. It's nice to talk to New Englanders again as we trade stories of the trails we've been on up north.I/m psyched to get to Waynesboro where I will go to the Post Office to get my new digital camera and my new MP3 player. I miss having toys. If the AT eats these electronics, I'm not sure I'll replace them. So let's hope they hold up for the rest of the trip. 1/3 done today - 2/3's to go.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Hobblets Shelter

To: Cornelius Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

Friday, April 27, 2007, Day 61Great day on the trail with the big challenge at the end. Over 2000 feet gained over a 4 mile stretch. This after having walked 14 miles already. the summit of Floyd Mountain was pretty boring for the most part. I did see a 5 foot black snake at the base of the mountain. Black snakes are harmless, it's the others you have to wtch out for. I also saw a turtle, who oddly was on the top of Fork Mountain. Rather ambitious place to be for a turtle.Wildflowers are everywhere now - Trilium and Lady Slippers are my favorites. Will I get to see the Rhodadendrons bloom in the South? I'm not so sure. I'm hoping the Shenandoah's give me that.Met Pam (Ping) at the Shelter I;m staying at with Hike and Cat and the Brain. She is an AT enthusiast with a love for the outdoors. Great company as we all talked into the evening.I also let out my guilty secret that I'm a huge fan of Harry Potter books. With the 7th and final book coming out on the 21st of July, I will inevitably still be on the trail. The Brain and I decided it might be wise to jump off the trail and read it quickly so no one ruins the ending for us. I have a feeling it will be too heavy to carry in my pack.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Cornelius Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: broken clouds

Saturday, April 28, 2007, Day 62Off early this morning hiking with the Brain. Fairly easy terrain, with the big climbs before noon. Beautiful weather for hiking. Hearing it might get into the 90's by midweek.Talked sports all day with the Brain. Reminiscing Patriots Superbowl victories and Red Sox teams when Brian Daubach and El Gaupo were playing. Also finding out that the Brain is actually quite the brain. Scoring damn near perfect on his SAT's and getting full scholarship to an exclusive engineering school. He's one of those people you know will go far in life. He has the right attitude and a positive outlook.Rolling into camp I see an older gentleman preparing dinner for himself. It is Hans, my German friend from Nova Scotia. We eat our meals and talk soccer as Hans is hoping to catch the European League Championships this coming week in a town. I'm keepin my fingers crossed for him.I had planned to camp at the previous shelter, but a Boy Scout Troop had overrun the area, so I pushed another 4 miles to where I am now. In my tent again as the weather has cleared for a nice evening under the stars.Looking forward to the Dutch Haus. A small B & B, catering to hikers for a nominal fee, 25 dollars gets you a room, shower, laundry, lunch and breakfast. With a TV and internet included in the stay, I'm sold. It's 3 days away.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Sunday, April 29, 2007, Day 63Getting the hard climb out of the way in the morning is nice. That's how it was today and that's how it will be tomorrow. Great views from Fullers Rock. Less and less water on the trail recently has been difficult, but managing it okay. Saw two more black snakes and a strange thin green snake I'd never seen before.Camped near Brown Mt. Creek Shelter. On the site of what used to be a community of ex-slaves in the late 1800's - early 1900's. Rock walls and old foundations are all that's left.Took a dip in a very cold Brown Mt. Creek with Hike. Felt good on a hot day. Hoping it doesn't get too hot tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seely-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Monday, April 30, 2007, Day 64Big climb in the morning with several smaller ones in the afternoon. done hiking before 2pm. Hike, Cat and myself are planning to wake up early and hike the three miles to Montebello, VA. We are currently laying in our sleeping bags talking about food. Our favorite sandwiches, things we've eaten in previous towns. What kind of ham is your favorite ham? I hope they have chocolate milk tomorrow. Where is the next Chinese Buffet? This is the life of a thru hiker.Very much looking forward to my stay at the Dutch Haus. It is highly recommended and comes with great reviews. Just a nearo away.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Seely-Woodworth Shelter

To: Dutch Haus
Miles today: 2.3

Tuesday, May 1, 2007, Day 65Woke up at 5:30 am, on the trail by 6 am, and down the trail. A short walk down a dirt road and we arrive at Montebello, VA. A small town with one convenience store. We wait for it to open at 8 o'clock and enjoy fresh brewed coffee. As we relax a man pulls up in a red Suburban. He is Earl and owns the Dutch Haus with his wife, Lois. He takes us to the B & B, where we enjoy the beautiful log cabin in bathrobes as Lois does our laundry. They offer a free lunch to hikers and a 12 dollar dinner. The dinner is fried pork chops, Au Graten potatoes, and green beans. I eat three plates of food to the astonishment of two tourists from the Netherlands.I was able to catch up on sports on the internet watching clips of all the Sox highlights on Redsox.com. To my amazement, the Patriots have landed Randy Moss in a trade with the Raiders! The Pats are now stacked for another Superbowl run.Thank you to Earl and Lois of the Dutch Hause for their hospitality. An awesome stay at a comfortable home.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Dutch Haus

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wednesday, May 2, 2007, Day 66A great breakfast at the Dutch Haus and we're back on the trail by 9:00am. It is hot and muggy and I am sluggish. I am hiking with Cat and Hike still and we run into Hans on the trail. A quick blue blaze to Spy Rock gives us great views of the valley. A tough climb up Priest Mt. and we all decide for a short day to the next shelter for the night. Storms are moving in and we try to beat a possible thunder shower.As we descend into the valley, we approach the suspension bridge that crosses the Tye River. I find lawn chairs and coolers with fresh fruit billowing out of the basket. Trail Magic? A couple quick yells of "hello" brings a woman across the bridge. She is Double Nickles. An '04 thru hiker supplying cold sodas, doughnuts, sandwiches, chips and fruit to thru hikers! Excellent. Thank you so much to her for an unexpected lunch. We eat and talk for an hour and a half. Then the thunder starts. We help Double Nickles pack up her car and thank her. An uphill 2 1/2 mile walk in the rain brings us to the shelter and we watch the rain fall.Poison Ivy was everywhere today, once again I keep my fingers crossed and hope I have avoided my nemisis. Tomorrow a 22 mile day brings us to within 5 miles of Rockfish Gap, the beginning of Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

Thursday, May 3, 2007, Day 67The morning hike is calm as I ascend into the clouds climbing The Three Ridges. My last significant climb in the South. As I crest the first summit the rain begins. It is foggy and visibility is 30 feet. The rest of the day is rain. No views from the vistas and slippery rocks. I put my head down and hike.When I arrive at the shelter the rain has trailed off a bit. It's a big shelter and thankfully so, as it fills up quickly with section hikers. My friend Matt and his dog Varri are here as well as Hike and Cat. Jaybird and Jigsaw are here as well, 2 section hikers from Massachusetts. Four other sectioners from Allentown, PA are here and to my surprise, Hans rolls in late to take the last spot. He was only going to do 12 to 15 miles today, but pushed it out to 22.Five miles to Rockfish Gap tomorrow and then a hitch into Waynesboro to resupply. I hope to get to the first shelter in the Shen's tomorrow. We'll see what the weather brings.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Calf Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

Friday, May 4, 2007 Day 68A short five mile walk to Rockfish Gap with Hike, Cat and Hans brought us to Highway 250. As we got to the road I see someone waving us over to the parking area. It's the Brain getting back onto the trail. He introduces us to Earl, who started the "Trail Angel Network" that shuttles people to and from Waynesboro, VA. Perfect Timing. We get into town and all enjoy a big breakfast.I hit the post office and supermarket for resupply, then go to the motel my friends are staying at to say goodbye.Earl shuttles me back to Rockfish Gap in the afternoon and I'm back on the trail. I hike the 7 miles to the shelter just on the border of Shenandoah National Park giving me a modest 12 mile day. As I arrive I see Jaybird and Jigsaw in the shelter. It is the last night of their 11 day section hike. We talk sports through dinner and rank our top 10 sports movies of all time. My list goes 1. Hoosiers, 2. The Natural, 3. Field of Dreams, 4. Raging Bull, 5. Caddy Shack, 6. Breaking Away, 7. Rocky, 8. Slap Shot, 9. Million Dollar Baby, 10. The Karate Kid. Rudy gets an honorable mention. I enjoyed their company and wish them well as we all fall asleep by dark.Tomorrow I am on my own again, and I'm excited. I like the solitude of solo hiking. It has it's own energy. I like being around the groups I've hiked with, but I'm ready for the remoteness. I'm only a day or two behind some old friends so when I catch them I'll be ready for some companionship.
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Calf Mt. Shelter

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 26.6
Weather: light rain

Saturday, May 5, 2007, Day 69Wow, what a day. I knew I had it in me, but damn - 26.2 miles! A personal best for my thru-hike. Started at 7:30 am and got to shelter at 5:30 pm. I hope to do many similar distances through the shenandoas. Probably just a 20 tomorrow though.The park is beautiful. It is corrupted however by the Skyline Drive. A scenic roadway that runs through the center of the park and always within an earshot of the AT. It makes it accessivle to day hikers and motorists but ...and I know I'm being an arrogant thru-hiker again...but it's ruining this gorgeous mountain range for me. It shouldn't be there. Lots of dayhikers today, some nice, some not.It's raining and I am all alone in the shelter. A little scary. As I am writing, two enormous doe deer walk in front of the shelter. I mean Huge! I'm in my sleeping bag in the loft of the shelter because I feel safer from the bears. There is a large black bear population here. I want to see one, but I don't. Or if I do, on my terms. Good night, I'm exhausted.
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Shelter
Miles today: 20.6

Sunday, May 6, 2007, Day 70The sun, how I've missed thee. Bright morning as I awake. Awesome. After days of gloom, it looks to be a clear day. The temps stay low and that is good. Perfect hiking weather.I did three big climbs. Hightop, Saddleback and Baldface Mountains. Yet they were easy graded Shenandoah climbs and not exhausting. Fewer hikers on the trail today which was surprising. After so many yesterday on a cloudy day, it was quiet on the nice day of the weekend. I didn't mind as I only saw four hikers today. thank you to the trail overseer of the P.A.T.C. for the bottled water I found on the side of the trail.One mile before....(Pause)*There is something huge thrashing around outside my tent. Bear? Probably. It's big and making a racket. I keep coughing and making noises. It goes away and then comes back. I'm not scared by the noises in the night anymore, but at the same time I don't know what it is. Let's hope his curiosity is over...where was I.Ahhh Yes, one mile before my destination for a campsite, there is a small campground off the Skyline Drive. Lewis Mtn. Campground. There is a store there where I eat two ice cream sandwiches, two rootbeers and one cup of coffee, one carrot cake, then buy coldcuts and eight hamburger buns and make eight sandwiches. It takes me about 45 minutes to eat all of this and it's delicious. I make a few phone calls with limited cell phone reception and continue my hike.I meet an older woman - Janet at the shelter. She is a section hiker finishing her 1,000 mile this weekend. We have a great conversation over her dinner. I opt not to cook due to my inhalation of food back at Lewis Mountain Campground.Tomorrow I try to break my record of 26.2 by hiking 26.8. Here we go again! Stupid bear! Go Away! This thing is relentless. There's no food in here!
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Bearfence Shelter

To: Pass Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 26.8

Monday, May 7, 2007, Day 71Another clear beautiful day for hiking. As I take my tent down in the quiet of the morning, 3 deer walk past me not 40 feet away. As I take in this moment of beauty, I see a tick has attached itself to my leg. One moment I feel blessed by nature, the next I curse it. I pull the bastard off and start on my marathon 26.8 mile journey.About 8 miles into the hike I come around a corner and smell food, then see several large buildings. Big Meadows Lodge. I sneak up the side trail and enter the dining room cabin. Ahh....coffee to go for $2.00. It hits the spot and keep going.After a quick lunch on the run I come upon a group of 20 people on a guided tour of the trail. Ages 45 - 65. The tour guide is excited as I mention I'm a thru-hiker. He had just talked about thru-hiking the AT 15 minutes ago. Would I be willing to talk to the group about what I am doing? Sure. I give a 10 minute talk and take questions from the audience. I do a great job if I may say so myself. I have them laughing and in awe by the time it is done. The guide thanks me and they all wish me luck. I feel awesome afterwards as I have added to these people's vacations and educated them a bit about the trail. This trend continues throughout the day with two pairs of day hikers also very inquisitive about my trip. Unfortunately, it's slowing me down, but that doesn't stop me from stopping at the Skyway Lodge 15 miles into the day to get another cup of coffee. About a mile and a half rom the shelter I'm going to spend the night at - I'm beat. The sun is getting low and I'm tired. Then a crash through the woods and I've seen my first bear of the trip. Or at least his backside as he runs up the hill. I'm alert again and quickly get to camp. I'm alone here and its very quiet. I eat dinner and keep an eye out for my friend Mr. Bear. I'm psyched as I look through my maps and guidebook. I thought I was going 28 miles tomorrow, but it turns out only 23! This will allow me to stop into Elkwallow Lodge to get the famous blackberry milkshake served there, and maybe a hamburger.Tomorrow is my last day in the Shenandoah National Park. I'll have done nearly 100 miles in 4 days.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Pass Mtn. Shelter

To: US 522 (Quality Inn) Front Royal
Miles today: 26.5
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday, May 8, 2007, Day 72Another sunny day as I start hiking. I slowly make my way to Elkwallow Wayside store for my milkshake and hamburger. Delicious, even it a bit overpriced. I finish up with a cup of coffee and make way up Hogsback Mountain. About half way I meet a couple coming down the trail. "You must be Dice". Ummm...Yes. They had camped with The Brain last night and had a message if they saw a kid with a Red Sox hat on. They explain that The Brain will be at the Quality Inn in Front Royal if I want to split a hotel room. I thank them for the message and keep hiking. Front Royal? That would be another 3 plus miles. For the next hour a devil and an angel sit on my shoulders debating what to do. "Just go to Tom Floyd Shelter (23 miles) or move on to Front Royal (26.5 miles)? My feet are in bad shape and I'm tired. But what the hell, let's push it into another marathon. I put my head down and hike the Olympian distance.The sun is getting low as I hike the last three miles to US 522. I hear something in the woods and see two deer run up the hill over my shoulder. When I turn back to the trail I see what they're running from. Two bear cubs stumbling over the trail. These two guys were so adorable. They huddled up 12 feet away from me and I was struck by how damn cute they were. After a minute I wised up and took off. Momma bear wouldn't appreciate me around her children.I get to the highway and get the first car coming by on a hitch. Nice guy, knew I was a hiker and wanted to know about my trip.I find Brain and get into the hotel for Pizza, beers and ice cream by 7:30 pm. My feet are bleeding, a little from the abuse but it was worth the effort for a soft bed and a shower.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: US 522 (Quality Inn) Front Royal

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Wednesday, May 9, 2007, Day 73Got out to the trail by 11:00am and continued the trip with the Brain. I picked up my new digital camera and new MP3 player at the Post Office. Thank you Peter and Emily for getting these things for me. I've got my toys again!Pretty uneventful hike today. Got some great trail magic near VA725. Bottled water with drink mix for the hot day. Perfect. It helped with the long hike up the next mountain.Looking at the maps and guidebook, The Brain and I decide to go for big miles again and hike a 26 tomorrow. This sets us up for a 13 into Harpers Ferry, WV. Here we go again.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: clear sky

Thursday, May 10, 2007, Day 74Okay, no more 26's. the last 8 miles I spent suffering from fatigue and yelling at myself for putting myself through this. I need to realize that 20+ mile days should be spaced out. 4 26+ days, a 21 and a 15 in 6 days are too much to ask. Oh well...I made it and I'm glad. Just 13 miles to Harpers Ferry tomorrow, almost all downhill.The day actually started out great. Nice hiking through Sky Meadows State Park in the morning was relaxing. Unfortunately the next 13 miles was the section known as "The Roller Coaster" an up and down trail with 13 ridges to conquer. This is what put the hurting on me. Glad to be done with it.I arrive at Blackburn AT center at about 7:30pm. It's an old stone and log cabin buried deep in the mountains of Virginia. The caretakers Red Wing and Hopeful (husband and wife) have dinner waiting for me as I step up on the large porch. I meet Scratch who is section hiking and talk sports over dinner. Red Wing updates me on the Hockey playoffs which he is excited about for his Detroit team.I am sleeping on the porch as it rains outside. Very comfortable. But so tired. Easy day tomorrow.Oh, and thank you to Diablo for the nip of Jim BeaM Bourbon left at Rod Hollow Shelter. It's as if he knows I'm a day behind him!
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harpers Ferry Hostel
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

Friday, May 11, 2007, Day 75I enjoy a couple cups of coffee from Red Wing in the morning before I start my hike. Thank you to he and Hopeful for the hospitality.The day is full of milestones! First I hit the 1000 mile mark. Excellent. I feel a great sense of accomplishment as I pass this mark. Next I move into Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. An old historic tourist town where the ATC headquarters is located. I check in there and have my picture taken and register as a Northbound Thru-Hiker for their archives. I am #49 to come through the center. I enjoy seeing the pictures of all my friends ahead of me.As I leave headquarters, who comes around the corner but Diablo! I haven't seen him in three weeks when I left the trail for 6 days. I had passed him the day before but was unaware. He, Brain and myself walk anaother mile and a half to the Harpers Ferry Hostel where we spend the night. I cross the Potomac and now I'm in Maryland! State #6!Diablo and I go back to Harpers Ferry and hit the bars. I drink Jack and Cokes and get to watch the Sox play Baltimore on the TV there and a Yankee fan bartender talks baseball with me. He gives us 2 rounds of Kamakazi shots on the house. My kind of trail magic. We stumble back to the hostel and sleep.
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Harpers Ferry Hostel

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: light rain

Saturday, May 12, 2007, Day 76The hostel owner has pancakes and coffee going as I crawl out of bed. I'm a bit hungover but feel all right. I hit the trail with Diablo around 10am. We tell stories of the trail all day and enjoy the great weather.This section is rich with history. Civil War battlefields with memorials around every corner. Then there is a Washington Monument Park filled with Revolutionary War sites and museums. The Perk for thru hikers is the access to bathrooms and soda machines!We roll into camp and talk with an AT ridge runner about the trail. The rain comes down hard as we fall asleep. Another easy 20+ mile day with more to come.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

Sunday, May 13, 2007, Day 77I wake up early and pack up. Over breakfast I check to see if I have cell phone reception. Yes, I call my mother and wish her a Happy Mother's Day. We square away plans to meet in Duncannon, Pennsylvania for a trip to Philly to relax at my Grandparents.The miles come easy again on this flat terrain. Small mountains make for fast hiking. I meet up with the Brain and Diablo at Pen Mar State Park. The soda machine only takes quarters. Diablo and I go out amongst the tourists trying to get change for a dollar with only a little luck. We send the Brain out and he comes back with 5 dollars worth of change. Not only that, but a family has offered to have us join their picnic! We feast on sandwiches, salad, chips, brownies, potato salad, etc., etc. We answer questions and continually thank them. They are planning a wedding in August at the park. It's a perfect location and I hope it goes well for them. Thank you to all of them for a wonderful unexpected meal. It was delicious.We hike on and cross the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania. State #7! I'm back home in the north and this has me feeling great. I've hiked the entire section of the AT.I'm talking to an old timer about the trail as I hang out at the camp site and around the corner comes an old friend - Boy. I haven't seen him since Damascus, VA. We compare beards and share a laugh. He says he is hiking another mile and a half. He has completed the 4 state challenge (4 states, 24 hours), but by making it to the next shelter he'll have hiked 50 miles in one day. I congratulate him and tell him to get going, we'll catch up on times tomorrow. What an awesome day. I love the AT.