morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-06
From: Petites Gap 770.9

To: Saltlog Gap mm 788.2
Miles today: 17.3

What a difference a day makes! And a good night's sleep! I quickly hiked the 10 miles down to James River where Waldo was waiting. He made me a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. Gotta love that man! I packed my backpack and we took off up another big assed mountain! Whoever told me Virginia was flat lied! We hiked up to the first bump of Bluff Mountain. Waldo carried my pack for me. Then I took the pack and headed on. I got a text from my son saying his labrador has cancer and they will be putting him down. I cried, for Ryan and for the dog (my grandson) all the way up the mountain. I went another 4 miles and found a flat spot to pitch my tent. The ridgerunner Regina stopped by later to check on me. She had met Waldo when he hiked back. She told me all the lush green plants around the trail and near my tent were stinging nettle. Yikes! Luckily I hadn't touched any. Had a peaceful evening and was asleep by hiker midnight (around 8:30).
Date: 2014-06-07
From: Saltlog Gap mm 788.2

To: US 60 mm 802.6
Miles today: 14.4

I slept in until 5:45 but was on the trail by 6:30. Hiked to the top of Bluff Mountain. There was a monument on top for a 4 1/2 year old boy who wandered away from the school house back in 1891. His body was found on top of Bluff Mountain, 7 miles from school. It made me tjink about Ryan's dog, Bo. I think I will make a little sign and build a cairn for him at a nice spot on a mountain. I met the ridgerunner and 2 others talking, stopped to chat and went on. Met Waldo in about a mile. He took me down to the Blue Ridge Parkway where the motorhome was parked. While I switched packs he made an omelet for breakfast. Is this 1st class hiking or what? We hiked in for a mile or so. I contined on for 10 more easy miles. Walked by a huge reservoir and a site that was owned by freed slaves who were sharecroppers. I ended up at the motor home with Waldo by 1:30. Almost felt guilty for quiting so early but we need some fun time too. Headed out for a motorcycle ride soon.Oh and yea, I crossed the 800 mile marker today! So we need to celebrate!
Date: 2014-06-08
From: US 60 mm 802.6

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Waldo and I hiked up the 2,000 ft 2.5 mile climb of Bald Knob, him carrying my pack, around 7am. It was cool and overcast (perfect hiking weather!). We got to the top and took a small break then I went to pull out my guide to see where I was going. I realized that I dropped the guide out of my pocket about a mile back. I told Waldo to text me a copy of the pages when he got back to motorhome and I hiked on. I went down and climbed another mountain. Then I heard someone yelling my name. It was Waldo! He had found my guide (Regina, the ridgerunner picked it up) and ran all the way back over 2 mountains to get it to me! My hero! I have never felt so loved! The rest of the day was mostly climbing up the back side of the Priest, a pretty daunting 4,000 ft mountain. I stopped in at the Seeley-Woodworth shelter. I met a hiker I had heard a lot about named Neon. We had so many mutual friends (including Waldo) but had never met each other. We started hiking and talking and I decided to go past the camping spot I was going to and go to the shelter with him. Got there about 5:15. There were 3 section hikers in the shelter. It was starting to rain so I pitched my tent, ate a quick supper and went to bed early. Rained during the night but I slept warm and cozy! Obsidian came in after I went to bed and I didn't realize he was there so I didn't get to talk to him. He is my good friend from Germany.
Date: 2014-06-09
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Blue Ridge Parkway mm 839.2
Miles today: 16.0

My son Ryan texted me last night that he had to put down his chocolate lab Bo last night. I decided to build a cairn monument (rock pile) with a note saying "In memory of Bo Langley, RIP" on the rock outcropping view on the Priest. I knew other hikers would add rocks and Bo would be properly memorialized. I did that and proceeded down the 5 mile descent of the Priest. Neon joined me. I had invited him to slack pack with me for the next few days into Waynesboro (the start of yhe Shenandoahs). We met Waldo at VA 56, switched packs, and hiked on. We had to climb 3 Ridges mountain next. It was getting hot and humid and that was a tough climb. Our last 4,000 ft mountain until New Hampshire. It was a tough climb, even without the heavy packs. We finished the climb and came to a rock outcropping that you could look all the way back to the Priest and the 3 Ridges. We were both totally amazed how far we had gone and how much we had climbed in 1 day! We finished up around 3, sat outside the motor home and drank a coke. Waldo cooked spaghetti and we ate dinner on the picnic table. Around 7pm Obsidian and a friend walked up. We offered them a cold drink and a chair. We talked for a while. I told Obsidian our plan for tomorrow, to slack pack 19 miles to Waynesboro, and invited them to join us. So all 3 guy set up their tents right there in the grass by the Blue Ridge Parkway. We weren't sure that was legal but who was going to be up there checking on us that late at night. We had a thunderstorm during the night but I slept right through it.
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Blue Ridge Parkway mm 839.2

To: Rockfish Gap mm 857.9
Miles today: 18.7

Up early and on the trail by 6:15. It was in low 60's and overcast. Forecast for rain by 4pm. Neon wanted to see how fast he could hike it so he was practically running. The trail was rocky and we were climbing a lot at first. I met Cuzie a woman from Florida who was finishing up a thru-hike from last year. Nice lady, more my age. Would like to see her again. She and Dad & Dirt Grub (nice couple we saw last night) camped on top of first mountain. I kept going, met a retired Army guy with his daughter. We talked and hiked for several miles. Next thing I knew we were at the shelter. I only had 5 miles to go! I pushed on. It was getting pretty hot and humid. I could feel the storm building. Made it to Rockfish Gap by 2:15 just 15 minutes behind Neon.I'm thinking that is a speed record for me! The rest of the crew came in and we drove down to Waynesboro for all you csn eat Chinese. Very good. Wondrring if that restaurant lost money feeding us hikers! Now chilling and getting ready for another 18 miler tomorrow. Going to see lots of wildlife in the Shenandoahs.
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Rockfish Gap mm 857.9

To: VA 55, Manassas Gap mm 973.8
Miles today: 115.9

I couldn't access the internet while I was hiking the Shenandoahs so I'm going to summarize the last week in one long journal. The Shenandoahs are like a fairy tale. Very beautiful, full of campgrounds and waysides (diners), and the wildlife and humans live together peacefully! I only saw two bears, small ones, on the trail but they didn't mind me and I didn't mind them. I saw deer every day, often within a few yards. They didn't even move away. I saw many snakes, none poisonous. Walked right over one today!Out of 7 days hiking the Shenandoahs it rained 4 times and it looks like we might get rain again tonight. But the rain mostly came late in the afternoon or in the evening. I hike early and usually finish before the rain. One time I was caught in a storm on top of a pretty high mountain. I heard thunder but never saw lightening so I kept going. It was all good, just got wet and cooled off.Because you cross the skyline drive several times a day I was able to do long miles and Waldo could slack pack me. So I spent every night snuggling with my hunny. What is not to love about that! Waldo did his usual trail magic and met me several times on the trail. He even hiked with me several days for 3 to 4 miles.We had a lot of fun with my hiking friends. Waldo parked the motor home in the campgrounds (Loft Mtn, Big Meadows, and Matthews Arm) as we worked our way through the park. So when hikers came in we invited them over for a beer or soda. One night Obsidian and Frankenstein showed up just as a storm hit. They had gone to the camp store and bought 2 packages of hot dogs and buns to roast on a campfire. We invited them in and Waldo boiled their hot dogs for them? We drank beer and watched them eat 10 hot dogs a piece, with chips and beer. Hiker appetites! Another night, Saturday before Father's Day, the campground was full but a 2012 thru-hiker named Jaws met several guys on the trail and invited them to camp with him. That night we had a camp fire and Jaws, Obsidian, Hoyt and Just Terry came over for beers. We talked hiking stuff until way past hiker midnight!The Shenandoahs were great but toward the end I was ready to move on. I now have about 45 miles to Harpers Ferry, WV. Another state! And will cross the 1,000 mile marker in 2 days! Getting closer to home (PA). I'm feeling great and hiking 20 miles a day is no problem. Life is good!
Date: 2014-06-18
From: VA 55, Manassas Gap mm 973.8

To: Campsite mm 992.5
Miles today: 18.7

It's getting hot and humid! Started hiking around 6am and it was over 70 already. I was dripping sweat up my first mountain right off. I was tired and frustrated by the time I met Waldo at a road crossing. I sat and ate lunch with him, adjusted my attitude and hiked on. I came to the shelter by 2:30. Way to early and to hot to pitch my tent. So I decided to go on 3.5 more miles to a campground.That is where the real fun began. I was on the infamous Roller Coaster (a 13.5 mile section of steep, rocky climbs). By 4:30 I was toast! I made it to the campground just as a guy coming south off the next climb came in to tell us there was trail magic on the next mountain. But I didn't have anything left to climb that mountain. So I pitched my tent and poured water on my head to cool off. Later a guy came by to tell us (I was camping with another older woman) that he was tracking a bear and it was within 150 yards of our camp. It was a bear that had given the forest service problems. I hung my bag and went to bed, too tired to even be afraid! As far as I know he never came around. I slept great!
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Campsite mm 992.5

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 14.6

What a day! It was hot, humid, buggy, rocky, difficult. But we crossed 1,000 miles and entered WV, another state. I woke to thunder at 5:00 am. I dressed quickly and rushed out to get my food bag. I ate in my tent, packed my bag and decided to pull down the tent. The rain never materialized. I had another 10 miles of the Roller Coaster. I'm not sure if the climbs, the rocks, or the heat were worse but all three really got me down. When I met Waldo at 11am I was ready to call it a day. Glad I didn't! Waldo hiked me out. It was getting cloudy and we thought we were in for a storm. That cooled things off a bit. Part way up Hoyt caught up with us. We took a break on some rocks at the top of a mountain. Then Hoyt and I took off, Waldo went back to the motor home. Hoyt had heard there was a hiker feed at the Blackburn ATC Center. That was only 5 more miles. We got sprinkled on but the rain felt good. We made it to the center around 4pm. I thought I would hike on but decided to stay. Lots of great hikers and the promise of good food! There is a screened porch with lots of comfortable seating. The Stoney Brook Organic Farm came over around 6pm to prepare a meal for us. Stoney Brook is a commune of people who live by the principle of the first church. They all work, worship, live together and share everything. Very interesting. They played musical instruments (harp, flute, violin, guitar) for us and served us the best meal I've had on the trail. Way too much to eat! We finished with dessert around 9pm and I quickly went to my tent. I was exhausted but very full. Slept through the rain all night.
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 11.9

Another great day! But wild! I woke around 5am ready to pack up and hike out. It was actually cool out. Guess we had a cool front move in behind the storm. Yeah! Hoyt and I packed up and hit the trail. We knew that Waldo would be at Keys Gap waiting with a soda. And Harper Ferry is where you officially sign in at the ATC headquarters, get your picture taken, and your official hiker number. The trail was rocky but not too difficult a grade. We met Waldo in the parking lot at Keys Gap. Hoyt sat down on a cement parking guide to drink his Mountain Dew. Waldo and I were standing facing him. A racoon came out of the bushes behind Hoyt, growled at him and attacked his arm! Hoyt threw his soda can at the racoon and he ran back into the bushes. We couldn't believe what had just happened! The racoon was obviously rabid. Hoyt wanted to hike on into Harpers Ferry so we took off at a good clip. We got there about 2 hrs later. We stopped at the ATC office, told them what had happened so they could get animal control out there. We warned all southbound hikers on the way too. Waldo took Hoyt to the hospital on his motorcycle. I'm waiting now too see what they do. I'm sure he is going to need rabies shots. Poor guy! Ill update this post when I hear.Oh, I'm official now. I'm hiker number 692. And I'll be in PA in just a few days.PS Hoyt had quite a few shots (tetanus, immunoglobulin, and rabies). He will have to stay in Harpers Ferry for another rabies shot on Monday. Then he will need two shots 7 days and 14 days after. Waldo will pluck him off the trail and get him back to get his shots. Poor guy! He is handling this much better than I would!
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Gathland State Park mm 1029.8
Miles today: 10.8

We were treated to breakfast by two dear friiends (Wendy & Denny Libbey). Wendy has thru-hiked and works at the ATC headquarters so she is a wealth of information. It was so great to see them. Waldo dropped me off to start hiking around 10am. I hiked around and thru Harpers Ferry. Then I crossed the river and was immediately lost. No sign or white blaze and I was on the C&O bkke path. I called Wendy and she told me where to go. I hiked on. It was cool and drizzling but you don't get wet in the green tunnel unless it's a downpour. Later on I hiked across a road and started climbing a mountain. A car sfopped in the intersection and someone yelled "Sherpa Mom". It was Wendy and Denny checking up on me. What great timing! I got one more hug and hiked on. The rest of the day was fairly easy. Tne trail was rocky but it was cool. I ran into my German friends, Joe and Runny Nose. So good to see them again. They hike further and faster but had taken 2 days off in Washington DC. We all met up at the state park. A very nice lady had trail magic (sandwiches, sodas, candy, etc). Then Waldo and I went down the hill to the motorhome. Quiet night, to bed early.P.S. Hoyt is staying in touch. The shots made him feel like the flu. He is with a friend today. Hope he recovers quickly.
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Gathland State Park mm 1029.8

To: Smithburg, MD mm1050.5
Miles today: 20.7

Another beautiful day for hiking. We are so blessed. It was cool and cloudy but no real threat of rain. I saw a lot of weekend hikers and boy scouts on the trail today. It was rocky but the trail is not difficult in terms of elevation changes now. I met Waldo at the original Washington Monument. Pretty cool! I had a sandwich and coke and decided I was feeling strong after two shorter days so I wanted to slack pack 20 miles. Waldo took off to do the laundry. Gotta love it! I saw Lt Dan and crew. Nice guys, I always enjoy talking to. I also met a new hkker named Lefty with his dog Lucy. He said he is hiking with a car but he has to hike in and then hike back to his car. So I guess he is doing each section twice. I hit a very rocky section and just when I was getting frustrated I met a woman named Rocking Robin hiking southbound. Really nice upbeat woman, hiking southbound thru the Shenandoahs. She said the rocks would end soon for me. Again, when I need encouragement, it appears! I finished the last few miles, met Waldo, and am now camped in Smithburg, MD. So excited that I only have 10 miles to hkke into PA tomorrow. I'm almost home!
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Smithburg, MD mm1050.5

To: Old forge picnic area mm1067.7
Miles today: 17.2

I started hiking early, excited about crossing into PA today. Not much to report about MD except more rocks. MD trail has not much too offer in the way of views, terrain, interesting things to see. I'm just glad its over. I met Waldo at Pen-Mar County park and had a quick lunch. We saw Lt Dan and group at the pavilion. Waldo walked me to the PA-MD border and we took lots of pictures. I'm so excited to be back in PA. I don't know if it is just me but the trail got better, the forest opened up a bit so there were things to see and even the bugs quit bothering me. Several other hikers commented about how nice the PA shelters were. Made me proud! Several of the shelters had two different buildings. One even had a Snoring and Non-snoring shelter! I met Waldo at the Old Forge Picnic area. We went into Waynesboro, PA to walmart, got groceries and supper. We also rented a movie. I am loving this first class hiking experience.Forgot to mention, my first day in PA and I almost walked right by a rattlesnake. He we slithering by the trail, rattling his tail and I was less than 3 feet from him. I was talking to another hiker and he saw him. We got lots of pictures and then hiked on. Guess I am back in PA!
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Old forge picnic area mm1067.7

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Long and hot day. I started early and walked by the Tumbling Run Shelter before anyone was out hiking. Got to greet Lt Dan and crew, my Japanese friend with her boyfriend, and several others. Then I proceeded to clear the cobwebs for everyone. The trail is rocky at times but still not as bad as MD or parts of VA. I was tired this morning and kind of short with Waldo. Poor guy was walking on egg shells by the time I left. He surprised me and met me at PA 233 with a cold coke. That little break and the coke helped perk me up. I hiked on to US 30 and there was Waldo again. This time it was arranged. I was taking my full pack and hiking out for a few days. I had lunch and took off. The humidity was rising and I had to climb for about an hour. I walked past the Caledonia swimming pool. Sure was tempting but I knew I had miles to make and I'm not a fast hiker, just a consistent one! I stopped at the Quarry Gap Shelter and talked to an older section hiker who was with his whole family (kids, grandkids, etc.). The shelter was very nice, two sections with a picnic table under cover between them. Even had potted flowers! I hiked on. I didn't get to the Birch Run Shelter until after 5pm. That is late for me. I pitched my tent, ate my supper while visiting with some hikers I hadn't met before, and laid down to relax in my tent. There was quite a crowd at the shelter and they didn't settle down until late. Oh well, I probably disturbed them when I got up early the next morning.
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: PA 34 mm 1106.7
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

What a great day! I got up early and hiked out by 6:00am. I knew I would cross the AT midpoint (1,092 miles) in just 2 miles. I took lots of pictures and celebrated hiking half of the AT by eating a little snack. Then I packed up and hiked on. I stopped at the first shelter, talked to a hiker I know named Mark from New Mexico. As I was hiking on I saw a car coming toward me on the trail. I stepped aside and as the car came by I asked, "Do you know you are on the Appalachian Trail?" The driver had on a PATC shirt and said he didn't realize it was the trail but he was driving in to do maintenance at the shelter. That was a first - a car on the trail! I hiked into the Pine Grove Furnace State Park and stopped at the general store. Thru-hikers are challenged to eat a half gallon of ice cream at the store. They get a commemorative wooden spoon if they finish it. I watched several hikers do it. No one got sick while I was there but I hear a lot of them do. I had a sandwich, a coke and an ice cream sandwich. Just as I was heading out guess who drove up - Waldo. He had been in Harpers Ferry getting Hoyts rabies medicine from our friend Wendy. She asked him to deliver a box to the ATC museum. And I just happened to be there! He walked me out a little while and I looked at the guide. I decided I could walk an extra mile and he could pick me up and bring me home. A bad storm was moving in. I hiked quickly and met Waldo at 4:00pm. Tonight I am at home, so excited. It has been 3 months since I've been here!
Date: 2014-06-26
From: PA 34 mm 1106.7

To: US 11 Carlile, PA mm 1125.5
Miles today: 18.8

It rained a lot last night so the trail was muddy and buggy to start. There were swarms of mosquitos but between my Skin So Soft and hiking fast I didn't get one bite! Not much to see in the morning between Hwy 34 and Boiling Springs. I did see one small box turtle. He was about 3 inches in diameter and so cute! I had to negotiate 2 rock mazes. They were not tough, kind of fun, squeezing between huge boulders or hoisting myself up rocks as high as I am. I hiked into Boiling Springs about noon. I just love that town, so quaint with a little pond and neat old homes. I stopped at the gas station for a coke. Mark came by and we talked a bit. I stopped by the ATC office to sign in then hiked out of town. The trail from Boiling Springs to Carlile is the nicest I have been on in 1100 miles. It was flat, soft dirt, weaving in and out of corn fields. I was mostly under tree cover but close enough to see the old farm houses and feel the breeze. There were lots of mulberry trees. Mark and I stopped and gorged ourselves. I came to an old cemetery, really interesting. Talked to a local who was there for a while. Then I hiked on. I met Waldo around 4. I was amazed tonight that after hiking almost 19 miles I was not even tired. I went grocery shopping, came home and cooked supper for Waldo and Hoyt. Waldo picked Hoyt up off the trail and brought him home so he could get his rabies shot tomorrow. He's doing well and back to hiking 20 milers. It takes more than a rabid racoon to slow him down! Tomorrow I will hike into Duncannon. To me that is coming home. So excited!
Date: 2014-06-27
From: US 11 Carlile, PA mm 1125.5

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 17.6

Waldo dropped me off around 7am on his way to tske Hoyt for his rabies shot. The walk was nice , easy terrain in and out of the green tunnel for about 10 miles. Then we started climbing and it got rocky. I was so excited to get into Duncannon and the Doyle I just pushed through. I told Waldo I would be at the Doyle by 3:30 but I was walking up the street to it at 3:00. I saw Lt. Dan and Southbounder hanging a poster outside the Doyle. When I got closer I read it. It said "Welcome Home Sherpa Mom". Vicky ran out and hugged me, said I was early. They had been planning this with Waldo. I was so happy I almost cried! I went in and everyone greeted me. I felt so happy to be home and grateful for such great friends. I had a beer and a barbeque beef brisket sandwich. Pat makes the best in the country. Waldo showed up and ate too. Then we took Runny Nose and Joe home with us for the night. They are my two German friends. We went out for ice cream and Joe amazed me how much ice cream he can eat. Waldo and I enjoyed some interesting conversation with the guys about German history and culture. Early to bed for tomorrow is another hiking day!