morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-19
From: Pinnacles Picnic Grounds

To: Little Hogback Mountain
Miles today: 18.0

It is another pleasant day in Shenandoah National Park. Rain threatened but never did more than drizzle a few times. I just got done watching a nice sunset here on Little Hogback Mountain, where I¢m camped tonight. I saw a bear about 1.5 miles back as I was crossing over Hogback Mountain; it was maybe 10-15 yards from me. It saw me first so by the time I looked, it was running off thru some tall grass. I also saw about a dozen deer today. I¢m going to miss their tameness once I¢m out of Shenandoah. I spent some time talking to tourist and answering the usual questions about how far, how long, what do I eat, etc. I stopped for a cheeseburger for dinner at a wayside on Skyline Drive, 0.1 miles off the trail. It cost $7.00 with fries and a coke, but it was good, better than the Lipton Noodles I would have had. I have fifteen-miles tomorrow to Front Royal, VA and re-supply for the final 52 miles of Virginia. It is a windy night tonight, a nice change from the hot and muggy nights all week and no rain is forecasted for tomorrow.
Date: 2004-06-20
From: Little Hogback Mountain

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Today is a beautiful day with a nice breeze and sunny skies. Good views, I saw a few more deer, a pleasant way to finish off the Shenandoah section. I got into town at around 7:00pm, after taking my time all day. Plus I ended up having to hike the 3.5 miles from the trail to town. I never got a ride, these are miles that don¢t count, and I hate that. I stopped at KFC for dinner and then on to get a room at Super 8 Motel. Tomorrow will be a zero day for laundry and re-supply.Shenandoah was a lot of fun and meeting so many people along the way was an added bonus. I hope to return one day to drive on Skyline Drive. The drive is about 100 miles long and has 71 views along the way.
Date: 2004-06-21
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I re-supplied for the last stretch of Virginia I should finally be out of this state by Thursday, a moment that has been played out in my head a few hundred times over the last month. It will actually become real. I saw Big Stick today, hadn¢t seen him since around Damascus. I also saw Lefty and Michigoose, and Joe Flamingo around town. I made a few phone calls and checked E-Mails. I enjoy reading those E-Mails from everyone, thank you. I was going to send out an E-Mail but couldn¢t think of much to write.
Date: 2004-06-22
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

I started hiking out of town at 12:30pm after having lunch at KFC. I walked about 2 miles down the road when I got a ride for the rest of the way to the trail from a guy who thru-hiked a few years ago with his wife. Trail names were Bear and Turtle. I am out of Shenandoah now and back to a trail of mostly thru-hikers. Met up with Sunshine while I was taking a break at a well-placed picnic table, 2.5 miles before we got here. It¢s great to see her again. It¢s been since a little past Hot Springs, NC that I saw her last. I thought she was way ahead of me, but she took two weeks off to heal her feet and got back on the trail today. She filled me in on where a few other people are. I¢m not as far behind them as I thought.As for today¢s hike, it rained a few times today (every time my shocks and shoes get dry it rains again) otherwise a nice day though a bit hot and humid when it wasn¢t raining. I could tell I was out of Shenandoah as the trail is back to rocks and roots and I saw a total of 3 people all day. I am camped out tonight near the shelter with Sunshine. The shelter is known for a copperhead that hangs around. I looked but didn¢t see it, although there were some recent entries in the shelter register of eyewitness accounts. I spent part of the day thinking how glad I am that I¢m still out here and still Northbound. A little pride began to sink in as I approach 1000 miles. I hadn¢t felt that in a while. There are some big milestones coming up in the next couple hundred miles. Getting out of Virginia, and then checking in at the ATC Headquarters in Harper¢s Ferry, WV, then the halfway point, then getting to less than 1000 miles to go, then seeing my parents and nephew at about the 1200-mile point.
Date: 2004-06-23
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up to light rain, packed up and went down by the shelter to eat. Hung out there until 11:30am talking to two guys who had been asked by the shelter¢s overseer to take a look at the snake problem by the shelter. I hiked in rain most of the early afternoon but it never down poured so it was nice for keeping cool on a hot and muggy day. I took a nice break at Doc¢s BBQ diner. It¢s about a mile off the trail and was worth the walk. I had a tasty chicken dinner then I got a ride back to the trail from the owner and hiked 3.5 miles to the shelter.No view to speak of today. Tomorrow I¢ll go thru a 13.5-mile section referred to as the ¢Roller Coaster¢. There are 10 ascents and descents over the 13.5 miles. It¢s an area where the trail goes thru a ¢very narrow corridor¢ as the book put it.
Date: 2004-06-24
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Ridge past Pigeon Hollow
Miles today: 12.2

My last night in Virginia! I thought I was going to hike a little further today, but I never seemed to get moving to well and this ¢Roller Coaster¢ section was of no help in the matter. I got to this spot with a nice view to the west, looking down on Shenandoah Valley, and decided to call it a day. I had dinner and watched a nice sunset. I¢ve been hearing of a few people who are heading home once they get to Harpers Ferry. I still think about how long I¢ll last. I don¢t think about Maine too often, it still seems to be an impossible dream. I know at any moment I could decide to quit and going thru this section today I was reminded of this. The climbs were steep and it had me thinking about some of the early days. One difference being the temperature, it was a hot one today, no rain, but hot and humid. I was dripping sweat all day.Tomorrow, I lay my head down in West Virginia or, I should say, someplace other than Virginia!
Date: 2004-06-25
From: Ridge past Pigeon Hollow

To: Harpers Ferry,WV
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

I am Thru with Virginia and over 1000 miles! It was an easy hike into historic Harpers Ferry today. Hot and Humid weather kept me sweating all day until the temp¢s cooled with a thunderstorm. The rain caught me about 10 miles from town. Staying at the Hilltop House Hotel, overlooking the Potomac River. A beautiful place where they have hiker rooms at discounted prices. I had dinner at a little tavern down the street, walked around town a bit and then hung out with a few other hikers. Arms is here, haven¢t seen him since Erwin. Also Sunshine, Rooster, and Spiceman, and I saw Flatbed and Whiskey earlier today. Got into town after the post office closed so I¢ll be getting my drop box tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing what I got from Home.
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Harpers Ferry,WV

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Went to the post office today to pick up my drop box and another box with some goodies and notes from home. Enjoyed reading a letter from my Grandma and the 3 issues of the Linden Lines my dad sent. I must admit I got a little teary eyed while reading them. Missing home hasn¢t gone away.After lunch I went to the ATC headquarters and had my picture taken for the 2004 hikers photo book. I was number 452 signing in. The rest of the day I spent walking around Harpers Ferry and enjoying the sunshine. Made a few phone calls home and packed up my stuff for the next stretch.
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: broken clouds

It is a beautiful day today, sunshine, a nice breeze and user-friendly terrain. Walked along the Potomac River on the C & D canal tow path for the first three miles and then hiked up to South Mountain, the only climb we had today. This area is steeped in Civil War history and South Mountain had its share of battles. The trail goes thru a state park, where there is a memorial to the war correspondents of the Civil War and some signs detailing some of the battles fought in the area. Tonight I am in Maryland and will be here tomorrow as well after that I¢ll be in Pennsylvania. Also here at the shelter is Joe Flamingo, Sunshine, Mad Scientist, A2, and Calamity, who is starting a five-week section, Northbound today.
Date: 2004-07-14
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Power Lines Past Washington Monument
Miles today: 9.3

I am back on the trail after going AWOL for the last 15 days. Not long after leaving Crampton Gap Shelter, I turned around and walked Southbound back to Harpers Ferry, two days later I was on a train to Chicago. Spent about a week home and since I have been to D.C., Gettysburg, and I took a tour of the Harley Plant in York, PA. I didn¢t think I¢d be back but after getting recharged and refueled (I lost over 20 pounds), I felt like getting back on the trail and trying to complete this hike. As for today¢s hike the first white blazes I hiked were with my Mom, Dad and David (my nephew). It was nine miles north of where I started. We hiked up to the first monument erected for George Washington. After that they drove me back about a half mile south of Crampton Gap Shelter at Gathland State Park and I began again, Northbound. Today I felt like I was hiking because I wanted to rather than because I had planned to. I haven¢t felt this way in a while. I hope it continues.
Date: 2004-07-15
From: Power Lines Past Washington Monument

To: Devil's Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 15.9

Second day out and I haven¢t seen any thru-hikers. I saw a couple of section hikers going Southbound and they told me there are about a dozen or so two and three days ahead of me. Good views from Annapolis Rocks on a beautiful day. Good to be back on the trail.
Date: 2004-07-16
From: Devil's Racecourse Shelter

To: Antietam Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Great day today, sunny, cool breeze, good views from high rock and Penn-Mar State Park. I crossed the Mason-Dixon Line, crossed into PA and met up with a thru-hiker, Big Tree, who actually started the same day I did. I got a Hot Dog and Chicken from a couple guys with their kids having a cookout. ¢Nuff said!
Date: 2004-07-17
From: Antietam Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

20 miles today! Something I¢m going to do more consistently for however long I¢m back or at least for however long the terrain is so hiker friendly. Since Harpers Ferry the trail has been easy hiking and I want to take advantage of that. I met up with another thru-hiker today, Sardine, who took about a week off the trail and is also putting in 20-mile days.The ridge runner for this area is here tonight, trail-name is Butta. He thru-hiked last year. Also here is a southbound section hiker doing Mass.to Shenandoah and Sardine.
Date: 2004-07-18
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Sheet Iron Road
Miles today: 20.8

Passed the halfway point, I now have hiked more miles than I have left to hike. I had lunch at Pine Grove Furnace State Park near the halfway point. They have the Half Gallon Challenge, eat a Half Gallon of Ice Cream at the halfway point. I didn¢t go for it. Instead I had a Cheeseburger and Fries. I didn¢t see any thru-hikers today. Sardine was gone before I woke up. He¢s trying to catch up to some people he was hiking with. I met a guy named John, who was day hiking and he has hiked most of this area. I had a nice conversation with him. I didn¢t get started until 10:00am. As I was waiting out some morning rain and still put in twenty miles. The trail in PA. thus far, has been awsome. Camped out tonight by myself near Sheet Iron Road a little past PA 94.
Date: 2004-07-19
From: Sheet Iron Road

To: US 11
Miles today: 16.6

There was flat terrain much of the day as the trail went thru the Cumberland Valley. I stopped in Boiling Springs, PA for lunch today. Boiling Springs is another small town that the trail goes right thru. I had a Ham and Cheese Sub or Hoagie as they are called, and two slices of Cheese Pizza. I also stopped by the ATC¢s Mid-Atlantic Regional Office and got some water. This stretch didn¢t have any reliable water sources. After Boiling Springs it was eight miles thru Pennsylvania farm country. I am hiking alongside ten to twelve feet corn stalks. I am going right thru the farm fields.I got to the US 11 Road crossing and had dinner at the Flying J truck stop. I am staying tonight at the Super 8. I haven¢t had a shower or laundry in a week.
Date: 2004-07-20
From: US 11

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I made it into Duncannon, PA just as the thunderstorms came rumbling thru. If I¢d gotten about two-tenths of a mile further to the Mobil station in Duncannon I would have stayed dry, instead I was soaked. I hung out under the shelter of the gas station for about twenty minutes drinking chocolate milk and watching the rain. Duncannon is another town the trail goes thru and everyone is very friendly. I am staying at the Doyle Hotel tonight. The Doyle is a 99-year-old hotel and there has been a hotel on this spot since the 1700¢s. This is according to the owners, Pat and Vick. I hung out at the bar most of the night with a few other thru-hikers. I had heard the place was kind of a dump and wasn¢t going to stay here, but it wasn¢t bad and the owners are working to fix it up.
Date: 2004-07-21
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Clark's Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up late today and had lunch at the Doyle. Re-supplied for the next stretch and finally got out of town at around 4:00pm. It was a tough hike up Peter¢s Mountain on a hot, humid day. The few beers I had before leaving town didn¢t help. I was dripping wet with sweat the whole way. I had planned on going about 7 more miles to the next shelter but there was no way, not today. I am staying here tonight with a few other thru-hikers, Pop tart, Hippie Long stocking, Utah Mike, and his dog, Sardine and Mountain Goat.
Date: 2004-07-22
From: Clark's Ferry Shelter

To: Yellow Spring Village Site
Miles today: 19.7

It¢s been raining for the past few hours now. It started with a heavy thunderstorm and hasn¢t stopped. I was hoping to go a couple more miles but decided to stop and make some dinner during a slow down in the rain and then, as the rain started up again, I decided to set up my tent. It had been another hot and humid day and the rain felt good¢¦for a little while. I had some nice views earlier today overlooking Pennsylvania farm country. I camped near the Yellow Spring Village Site tonight. It is a section where the trail goes thru the area that the village used to be.
Date: 2004-07-23
From: Yellow Spring Village Site

To: Fisher Lookout
Miles today: 21.1

I woke up to rain and it rained all morning. I had to go thru the horrible task of putting on soaking wet shoes and socks and still wet shirt and shorts. It remained cloudy and hazy, hot and humid the rest of the day. I had to cross a stream that was flowing strong from all the rain. The water was knee deep and with the strong current it was tough going to get across. I almost fell in a couple times. The good part was that my shoes and socks were already wet so I didn¢t mind walking into the water. I later found out there was a log going across the river, about 10 yards up stream, I didn¢t notice it.I camped near Fisher Lookout tonight, not much here but fog right now. Hopefully there will be better views tomorrow.
Date: 2004-07-24
From: Fisher Lookout

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I am staying in Port Clinton, Pa tonight. I am at a pavilion that the local church let¢s hikers use. I met up with Big County tonight; I haven¢t seen him since TN. Also here is Utah Mike, his dog Goat, BroodX, and London along with a couple others and a group of Boy Scouts.It was a rocky trail today, the trail in PA is known for the rocks and today I really began to notice them. They come out of the ground in all directions and are brutal on the feet and ankles. I¢ll have all day tomorrow to rest them because I have a box to pick-up at the post office on Monday.The weather was awesome today, breezy and cool, making for a couple great views including the one I woke up to at Fishers Lookout.
Date: 2004-07-25
From: Port Clinton, PA

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

Had a nice campfire by the pavilion last night. I had beer, roasted corn, and good conversation.Today I walked about 1.5 miles to a huge Cabela¢s store. I had some lunch and checked in at Microtell Inn. I showered and did laundry now I am just relaxing with the TV.
Date: 2004-07-26
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Pulpit Rock
Miles today: 7.7

I got my drop box from the P.O. this morning, walked down to the pavilion to leave a few extras in the hiker box, stopped by the outfitter in town to get a couple things and then back to the trail at around 2:00pm. I stopped, to eat a Sub Sandwich that I packed, about 2 miles out of town and took my time the rest of the day. I got to Pulpit Rock and had dinner with great views of the valley below.My feet got some rest because the rocks weren¢t too painful today. I am feeling good and no rain today, only for a few afternoon sprinkles. It¢s nice to have dry shoes and socks. We¢ll see how long that lasts.
Date: 2004-07-27
From: Pulpit Rock

To: Allentown Shelter
Miles today: 14.9

Rained all day, it started last night and except for a few short breaks, hasn¢t stopped. It was slow moving today making my way thru the rocks of PA. I took a few stumbles and falls and ended up on my butt during one fall, first time for that. Shoes and socks are soaked again and the tent¢s wet. Being dry and clean doesn¢t last long. More rain forecasted for tomorrow as well. I am staying in a shelter tonight. I¢ve got my stuff hanging to dry. Also here is Pop Tart.
Date: 2004-07-28
From: Allentown Shelter

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

I woke up to rain and decided to sleep in a little longer. I finally got to hiking around 11:15am. The rain had stopped and my soaked things are now just damp. It is a nice day much of the time. The rocks and the trail were still wet and I had to take my time again going thru some of the rockier/boulder sections. A strong thunderstorm brought heavy rain in the late afternoon. My shoes and socks are soaked again. There is no pleasure in putting on wet shoes and socks in the morning. I am staying in the shelter tonight with Froggy Pete, another thru-hiker.
Date: 2004-07-29
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

It was a tough climb up Blue Mountain. It was the rockiest part of the trail thus far. It was a case of; if you don¢t like heights, don¢t look down.   It was hot and humid all day and the climb up had no tree cover around. I am here tonight with a couple of Southbound section hikers, Froggy Pete and Blue toes, who I met yesterday and is a section hiking Northbound to Delaware Water Gap.
Date: 2004-08-01
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

It is two-tenths of a mile to NJ from here. I am staying tonight at the Church of the Mountain Hostel. It is a nice place run by the church with showers, bunkroom and a room to relax with a couple couches and chairs. Also here is Pop Tart, Tex, Slimer, and a couple of Southbound section hikers. It was another tough day ion the rocks of PA. It was hot and humid weather but no rain so no complaints.
Date: 2004-08-02
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Near Blue Mountain Lakes Road
Miles today: 17.8

It felt good today being in NJ. As for the weather it was another hot and humid day. As for the terrain the rocks don¢t just disappear when you cross the state line, although it wasn¢t nearly as bad as the last few days. I got an early start today, hoping to go 25 miles to the next shelter. But the humidity was brutal and I took many breaks.   I got here at 7:30pm and made dinner then decided to camp here. It is still very humid. I spent the rest of the night catching up on this journal. I¢ve been neglecting writing every day and after a few days of not writing I don¢t remember much about the days past. I got to do better with that. Two other things to note:   1.        Saw a rattlesnake today. I newer saw any in PA.   2.        Meet a Southbound thru-hiker, Dances with Moose, he started at Kahtadin on                           May 26. First person I¢ve met who has further to go then I do.
Date: 2004-08-03
From: Near Blue Mountain Lakes Road

To: Green Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

All times are EDT.7:30am¢Waking up to a foggy humid morning. Forecast calls for another day like yesterday, it should cool off on Thursday. Even though it hasn¢t rained, everything is damp from the humid weather. My radio is sweating. I am going go dig a hole for a #2 and then get my food bag down.2:30pm¢Stopped for lunch here at Brink Road Shelter. I met a day hiker earlier today who said this is the hottest day of the year around here, I believe it. I am going to get back hiking at 3:00pm.   That way I¢ll have missed out on the hottest part of the day. Pop Tart just showed up, he camped a few miles South of me last night.10:00pm¢I didn¢t leave the shelter until 4:00pm. I walked three miles to a road crossing where, about a quarter mile down there was a bar and grill. I had a burger and more than a few beers. Pop Tart walked in during that time and we didn¢t leave until around 7:45pm. I made my way three miles, some of that in the dark, to Gren Anderson Shelter. A lot of people are camping around here. It must be a couple of groups; it is too dark to tell right now.
Date: 2004-08-04
From: Green Anderson Shelter

To: Secret Shelter
Miles today: 18.4

2:30pm¢I am having lunch at High Point State Park. It is another very hot and muggy day. I can¢t seem to drink enough water. I found out this morning there was about four different groups camped by the shelter. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the YMCA. As I was coming down the trail to the shelter, it was like looking at a sea of headlamps.4:30pm¢I am still at High Point State Park, took a little siesta in the shade. I will be hiking shortly.9:15pm¢I am staying, tonight, at the ¢Secret Shelter¢. The shelter is not mentioned in the books or marked on the map. It¢s located on somebody¢s private property about two tenths of a mile from the trail. I found out about it from a South bounder while I was in Delaware Water Gap. It¢s an enclosed shelter with electricity, hot and cold water, a shower, a big sink to wash clothes and a big fan to cool off in front of. I¢m glad I found out about it. It¢s like an oasis in the desert. Also here is Pop Tart.
Date: 2004-08-05
From: Secret Shelter

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: broken clouds

11:15am¢I am taking a break in Unionville, NY. Re-supplied here and now I am eating lunch at the cemetery. Even though I¢m still hiking in NJ, the trail runs along the state line and Unionville is a half-mile from the trail. It may seem odd to be eating lunch at a cemetery but it is right by the trail and hikers are able to get water here. There aren¢t many springs in NJ; often the water source is a spigot on the side of a building, or house, or in this case, a cemetery.9:30pm¢No one else is here at the shelter tonight, but I expect Pop Tart to be showing up soon. Temps are much cooler today and that made for a pleasant hike. I stopped and talked to a trail maintainer today as I was going thru Pochuck Swamp. The maintainers have built a half-mile of Boardwalk to get thru the swamp area. Included in this section is also a suspension bridge. It¢s very impressive. He told me it took 14 years to complete, including land acquisition and 7 years of building. You got to love those volunteers. One last thing, something someone wrote in the shelter register here: ¢Every day, one mile at a time, Every mile, one step at a time.¢That says it all.