morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Reeds Gap

To: Waynesboro, Va 
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: few clouds

Long day into Waynesboro to meet Michael & Tommie around 5pm. Had dinner with Flora & Fauna, Camel and Ashtray then camped at the YMCA with some old friends that finally caught us. Check back to find out who showed up.
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Waynesboro, Va 

To: Calf Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

The sun did not give anyone much of an opportunity to sleep in this morning as it steadily warmed up our tents. Around 8 am, everyone began to creep out for air. There were many chores for everyone, but breakfast was the first priority for Pat, Flora, Fauna, Uncle Ben, Tyson and I. We walked over to Weasie's and ordered pancakes, waffles, eggs, biscuits w/ gravy, home fries, bacon....you name it.After breakfast, we the group parted with Flora and Fauna, who were off to do laundry. On our way back to camp, we stopped at the Post Office for Pat's drop and then meandered to the camp ground. It was decided that we were pretty well provisioned and there would be no need for a trip to the grocery store.Pat and I packed up our gear and made our way to the YMCA fitness center for a $2 shower. Felt good to me, so I am sure it was heaven for Pat. Part one of the de-funking was a success, so we headed to the laundry mat for part 2. As we waited for Pat's laundry to dry, Wolf Cookie and Dances w/ Wolf Cookie stopped in to say hello. Wolf Cookie recently left the trail due to injury, but her husband presses on. They were nice enough to offer us a ride to the outfitter and then the trail. This was good fortune and we took them up on it. At the trail head were Ashtry, Camel and Tinder. They were all having lunch before heading out. Pat and I did the same and made it on the trail at 3:30pm. The trail was not very strenuous, but we ended our day at Calf Mtn Shelter, after a 7mi hike. The temperature was pretty high(90) and I was sweating like a pig. This is much different than the freezing cold and snow I, Michael, was used to. At the shelter this evening would be Theo, Footslogger, Ashtray, Camel, Dragon Slayer and Timber. Footslogger and Theo were to bed early as the rest prepared their dinners and chatted. The shelter is equiped with a bear pole, a new method for most. Hanging food proved to be quite a challenge. In the end, Ashtray ended up climbing the pole as camel lifted the food bags to him. It was quite a sight.All have retired to their tents, with the exception of Tinder, Pat and I who will be staying in the shelter. This will be a test, as there is no protection from the bugs which are out in full force. I hope I do not regret this(as a bug flies up my nose...really). Must end this entry now as the bugs are attracted to my head lamp and giving me no peace.Later, around 10pm, Flora and Fauna made it to the shelter and quietly layed out their bags and went to sleep.
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Hightop Hut 

To: Bearfence Mtn Hut 
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Hiked out to Swift Run Gap to meet Tommie. She brought Burgers! Michael went home and I continued on to Bearfence. Got in late and found a good crew in attendance. LWOP is carrying The Hobbit and every night someone reads a chapter or two out loud to the group. Tonight was chapter seven read brilliantly by Ashtray. LWOP, Pez, Scout and a few others are moving pretty slow through the Shenandoahs. This may be the last chapter I get to hear. That's OK, I know how it ends.
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Bearfence Mtn Hut 

To: stealth campsite near Stony Man 
Miles today: 16.2

Hiked out with Dragon Slayer. Great hiking with cloudy skies but no real rain to speak of. We made great time with good conversation. It's good to be hiking with her again. Made it to Rock Spring Hut for a water break where we met Flora & Fauna. They had left a note at the AT to stop there so we did. They have a friend that is flying into DC Saturday and wanted to see if my buddy Sam could bring her out to the trail when he comes Sunday. He is bringing her out and even putting her up for the night at his place. Thanks, Sam, for being so generous. Dragon Slayer and I didn't want to stop hiking yet, so Flora & Fauna left with us to put in a few more miles. We put in about 5 more miles and walked as the sun went down. We made camp after dark and DS and I cooked dinner.( Flora & Fauna had eaten at the shelter while waiting for us.) We finished dinner and hung out our food on a bearline and hit the sack.
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Tom Floyd Wayside 

To: Molly Denton Shelter 
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: moderate rain

Stopped in Front Royal for lunch and resupply. Tornado warnings and foot problems made us stay. Just started raining then. nice place!Sam's Entry:Raining in early a.m. but stopped as the sun came up. Hopped up early but needed my trekking poles to make it to the privy because my heels were throbbing. Fortunately, it was just a touch of the ol¢ plantar fasciitis and I was able to stretch it out quickly. My legendary catlike agility having been restored, I was well prepared for the homicide attempt¢¦We had hung our food bags the previous night to protect them from large furry woodland creatures.   Since I was the first up and about, I lowered mine, Sleeping Beauty¢s and Selma¢s, and then began to lower the ladies¢. This was no small feat, because while the guys had simply tied their lines to a signpost several feet away, the ladies had wrapped their line around the tree itself, threaded under rocks, etc. Little did I know this was a clever ploy to lure me directly UNDER their 15-pound bags of food and cooking utensils. I also did not know that someone had secretly frayed the line so that the instant it started to drag along the branch it would snap and BLAMMO drop cookpot-first right onto Sam¢s head. The noise was so loud that it made Sleeping Beauty twitch in his sleep. The ladies suppressed laughter while asking if I was okay. But I survived with nary a bump.Flora, Fauna, and Amy, no doubt cursing their foiled scheme, packed and set out. I waited for Sleeping Beauty, who as usual was up by the crack of noon, and we set out to cover the three miles to Rt. 522 and a hitch into Front Royal for resupply. Bought groceries, ate at Burger King, took off the boots to rest the feet¢which were now starting to become troublesome from all the pounding--then hit the trail for another 5 miles to Denton Shelter. I wanted to push on another 5 miles to Manassas Gap, but although the legs and back and lungs were quite willing, the feet were not. So I made the call to stop there. Good thing, too, because ten minutes later the wind came and the rain poured down, and soon the ladies came marching out of the wet to join us at the shelter. Also in attendance were Ashtray and Lucky Lucy, a section hiker who had popped down from the north. Word was a tornado watch was in effect¢but it never materialized and the rain stopped abruptly.Denton shelter is a delight. Drifted off to sleep with the light of the fool moon bathing the interior and a train whistling in the distance. Others might tell you they heard what sounded like a train blaring inside the shelter throughout the night, but I don¢t know what they¢re talking about. I didn¢t hear a thing. I was asleep.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Myron Glaser Cabin

To: Sam Moore Shelter 
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Walked out with Sam and went to Doc's BBQ for lunch. My friend Darrell had come to pick Sam up so we drove there and back. Darrell bought me lunch and a whole apple-caramel pie I decided to pack to the next shelter for the girls. Thanks Darrell! I hiked back to the cabin with the pie and found the girls just packing up. I didn't get around to leaving until 3:34. Just a short 8mi hike to Sam Moore Shelter. Caught the girls at a stream soaking their feet and hiked the rest of the way in. We were hiking in an area known as the rollercoaster. A sign read "Warning: You are entering the Rollercoaster. This section maintained by "Trail Boss" and his merry band of volunteers. See you at Blackburn Trail Center, if you survive!"nice...
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Sam Moore Shelter 

To: Blackburn Trail Center 
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Fauna's birthday today. Happy Birthday Fauna! We're off to Blackburn Trail Center for the night where Fauna's boyfriend will meet us to celebrate.Finished the Apple-caramel Pie for breakfast, yumm. Hiked to Bear's Den Hostel where I stopped for a lunch of Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby. Nice place here, but have to move on to Blackburn. Saw 2 rattlesnakes on the way. Had to move the second one off the trail. Good thing I was paying attention, as he was right on the trail and I spotted him just before I stepped on him.Reached Blackburn to find that Derrick had arrived. We all piled in the car and went to the store for provisions. Wine, Ice cream, etc. Just the essentials. Back to Blackburn where the caretakers fed us a wonderful meal. Thanks guys for the great hospitality! I have never seen a bowl of spagetti that big in my life! We followed that with a dessert plate complete with candles for Fauna. We had no less than four different items on our plates. A slab of cheesecake made by Derrick's aunt, a piece of chocolate cake made by Flora & Fauna's mom, and two types of ice cream. The other thruhikers were thrilled. After dinner it was time for the Sponge Bob pinata. Flora and Amy had some good wacks, but it was Flora tha finally did him in. She wacked the crap out of that thing! Candy and toys were flying everywhere. Also inside were some good thruhiker things such as deodorant, etc.Flora and I gathered some wood and she made a nice fire for all of us to hang out by and drink some wine. Dragon Slayer joined us a little later and we had a nice time just sitting by the fire and talking late into the night. Tomorrow Harpers Ferry!
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Blackburn Trail Center 

To: Harpers Ferry 
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

It was a pretty easy hike into town. I left later but caught up with Flora, Fauna, Amy and Derrick for lunch. It was good day for trail magic. We found a cooler of soda and fruit at lunch and later I caught up with Dragon Slayer and Wicked Lobstah just before Harpers Ferry at a stash left by Sevi, another hiker. Thanks Sevi! Well, I got checked into my hotel and got picked up by Derrick and the girls and we all (Dragon Slayer and Wicked Lobstah too) got a ride with him to dinner at a local pizza joint in Charlestown. After dinner it was back to their hotel for laundry and watching a little TV. Flora drove me back to my hotel where I was meeting my family tomorrow. Finally all cleaned up and ready for civilized company.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Harpers Ferry 

To: Harpers Ferry Hostel 
Miles today: 1.8
Weather: mist

Spent the day with the folks in Harpers Ferry. Michael and Tommie drove my parents up for a visit. We went by the ATC office where I checked in. I am officialy thru-hiker #213 to pass through the office this year. Right after Dragon Slayer and Wicked Lobstah. We met them at the office and they joined us for the rest of our day. We went by the outfitters where Baltimore Jack was working. I got to thank him for the great lasagna dinner he made for all 70 or so of us volunteers at Kincora Hostel during Hardcore trail maintenance. Then we went for lunch and even took everyone to the winery I used to work for, Breaux Vineyards. After all that it was time to hit the trail again. I packed up some food that they had brought (thanks Mom & Dad!) and hiked a short distance north on the AT to a nearby hostel for the night. Had a great dinner there of homemade stew and ham sandwiches that came from the folks and hit the sack.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Harpers Ferry Hostel 

To: Turners Gap 
Miles today: 15.9

Everyone was kicked out of the hostel at 9:30 am. It seems they close in the am and reopen at 5pm. So out we went... I caught up to Grass and Uncle Ben during the day. Glad to see them back out on the trail.Got to Turners Gap and called Darrell from the Old South Mountain Inn. This was a perfect place to meet my ride. I sat down in the bar and had a nice glass of Pinot Noir while I waited. Life is good!
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Turners Gap 

To: Pine Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: few clouds

Got dropped off back on the trail and started hiking at 5pm. Got to Pine Knob Shelter and found out all my hiking pals were together here last night. They all went out to the pub a short distance away. I'll skip it since it's just me. There are a few weekend hikers here, no one I know. I set up my tent and called it a day.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Pine Knob Shelter 

To: campsite at Falls Creek 
Miles today: 18.3

Did not get out of camp until late. It was to be a long day too... oh well. Passed a lot of streams today that the book says are not safe to drink. Looks like that will last into Pennsylvania. It was pretty late when I reached Pen-Mar Park. The boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania is the Mason-Dixon Line. So as the sun was setting I was crossing into Pennsylvania and out of The South. I hiked about one more mile and camped next to Falls Creek. As I was picking out my campsite, four other hikers that I saw in the park showed up. We all set up camp and called it a day.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: campsite at Falls Creek 

To: Hermitage Cabin 
Miles today: 7.6

As I was breaking camp I contemplated climbing down the bank to the stream to get some water. I decided instead to go to where the trail crosses on the way out. As I got there I noticed a sign by the stream declaring it polluted. Good thing I didn't drink out of it earlier. It was not too far until I made it to a spring for nice clean water. Hiked in to the cabin and met Sam. This cabin is one of the nicest I have seen. The overseers really love their job! Was hoping to see The Supreme Buddy Doc and my brother Michael, but they didn't make it out. Maybe later... Sam fried up some trout fillets and we had a good dinner. Thanks Buddy!
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Hermitage Cabin 

To: Caledonia State Park 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Well it was pouring down rain when we woke up. I was in no hurry to rush out into it. I took my time and decided to do only 10 miles today. Sam would take the car and see if he could find Flora, Fauna and the gang while I hiked, then pick me up at Caledonia State Park. When I got there after slogging in the rain for four hours, I ran into Bandicoot drying out under a pavilion. I told him about Milesbourne Cabin, where we were going to spend the night, and he said he would take us up on the offer to stay the night someplace dry with a fireplace. Sam and I drove to the cabin while Bandicoot hiked. We hung out there and had a few beers when Scuba came by. We invited him to stay since it looked like Flora & Fauna and company were ahead of us and not going to make it by. Sam just happened to be writing in the register when he noticed that they had been here today and signed the register! The cabins are usually locked so we didn't think to check earlier. They had come in out of the rain to dry out a little and remarked that they thought this might be one of the cabins Sam had rented for us. They were not sure what day we would be there, so they took off again. Sam and I decided we would go and see if they had stopped at the next shelter and pay them a visit. We had bought some beer at the store to share with other hikers and we took it with us. We arrived at the shelter to find only a group of section hikers in for the night. The gang, it seems, had decided to push on. Well, we tried. Anyway we got to share some beers with Dave and his buddies and a thru hiker that stopped by. We went back to the cabin and found that Bandicoot had arrived. We cooked up a pot of chili and opened a bottle of wine. Bandicoot started a fire in the fireplace and we had a cool time chillin' out at the cabin.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Toms Run Shelter 
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Sam dropped me back off at the park after a nice night at the cabin with Sam, Scuba and Bandicoot. Hiked in to the shelter to find lots of boy scouts. Been passing them all day. Looks like the trail and shelters will be getting crowded on the weekends now. I found a primo campsite by the stream and set up camp. Made dinner and promptly dropped it on the ground as I was geting into my hammock. I was wearing my sleeping bag at the time due to the chilly night air and it just slipped out of my hand and my pot landed lid down in the leaves. I scooped the lid back under and picked up as much as I could but a god bit remained on the ground. Like a true thru-hiker I used my spoon and ate the still warm pile of cajun rice from the top down. Only the very bottom layer encrusted with leaves and dirt escaped. After finishing dinner I hung in the hammock dozing until it was dark. I would have slept there but it was getting chilly without a sleeping pad under me, I'll have to try that so! me night. I got up, hung my food on my bear-line, crawled in my tent for some shut-eye.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Toms Run Shelter 

To: James Frye (Tagg Run) Shelter 
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I have just competed the "Half Gallon Chalenge" at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park store. The tradition is to celebrate the half-way point by downing a half gallon of ice cream. I feel pretty good considering. I did take a while as I do not eat that fast under normal conditions. Two hours and two minutes to down 1/2 gallon of Hershey's Moose Tracks ice cream (3520 calories, oh yeah!). I was told by the nice lady at the register that this was the worst choice due to all the chocolat chunks, fudge and peanut butter. This flavor defeats most, but I prevailed! According to the register, many could not finish and some took longer than me, so I'm happy. Leki-less took 3 1/2 hrs and I am very surprised Camel accepted defeat. On the other hand "Camera 2", Arwen, broke the record this year, 7 minutes and 57 seconds for a 1/2 gallon of mint chocolate chip. He wrote in the register "I came, I conquered, I shat green." and they got it all on tape!I started all alone as all my friends are a day ahead. That's OK, some things a man has to do by himself. As I was finishing "Sierra Marmot" came by and started. His time put mine to shame, 39 minutes 40 secs, but we both did the deed. I'm getting hungry for real food so we'll grab some burgers before hiking out of here. I think I'll just do seven or so miles to the next shelter this evening. I am coming to an 18 mile section with no camping so I have to time things right.   Well, I've crossed the halfway point and joined the Half Gallon Club. I feel pretty good. Ready to get started on the second half, feels like the begining of the end even though there is so much left to do. Next stop Katahdin.
Date: 2004-06-14
From: James Frye (Tagg Run) Shelter 

To: Boiling Springs, PA 
Miles today: 12.2

After the half-gallon challenge yesterday, Sierra Marmot and I ended up just hiking out to the next shelter. The Tree Huggers (Gandalf and Gimli) were there and they shared a cup of sasafrass tea with me, good stuff Gandalf! After a light dinner of macaroni & cheese I stayed in the shelter with Gandalf and Gimli while Sierra Marmot put up his tarp nearby. The next morning I headed out and would spend the day playing leap frog with the tree huggers. First I caught up to Gimli, then he passed me while I took a break, then I passed him, then I caught Gandalf, etc.... We crossed through some open corn fields and rolled into Boiling Springs. What a pretty town. There is an ATC office, so I went there to get my bearings. Galdalf & Gimli went to find their B&B for the night. I dropped of my pack and went to the Lake View Cafe. Gandalf and Gimli were there and said the Hambuger BBQ special was good. It was what we always called a "Sloppy Joe".
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Duncannon, PA 

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter 
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: overcast clouds

No rush getting out of town. I had to go to the store and the bartender at the Doyle Hotel gave a couple of us a ride at 1pm. Didn't have to hurry because I need to pick up a mail drop in Port Clinton and the post office is closed Sunday so a late Saturday arrival would mean I would have to wait there until Monday. So I'll just do a short day today and meet up at the first shelter out of town with Uncle Ben, Grass, Slim, Biscuit and Scuba. We all were in Hiawasee, GA together in what seems like a long time ago. Nice to be back among "old friends."
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter 

To: campsite near PA Rt 325
Miles today: 12.5

6:19 PM and the evening thunderstormis raging directly over head. LuckilyI heard it coming and got my tent upin time. The thunder is very loud andthe rain is pouring down in largedrops, making a huge racket poundingon my rainfly. There is a largepuddle forming in the low spot infront of the door and water issplashing up under the fly and ontomy gear stashed in the vestible. Ijust spread out my rain jacket tocover it all so it should be ok.Hopefully this storm won't last toolong. Uh oh, there may be a streamforming under my tent and over myground cloth, got to check this out!Nope, no problem just some splashing,my pack is safe. A little water underthe tent by my head but the floor iswaterproof and staying dry on theinside. It just got a lot brighter,the dark clouds are moving on...rainis slowing down too. Good thing Istill need to cook dinner soon. And goout to pee, all this water slashingaround is making me feel the urge.Well, the thunder is receding and therain slowing. the tent has kept meall cozy and dry. Except for myshorts and socks which I left out toget "washed." I had just stopped atthis spring to get water since I hadrun out not too long before. I got mywater and washed up before the stormcame. So I am relatively clean andhappy hanging out in my tent. Thebugs are even not bad right now, so Ihave the door open to let in somefresh air.I left the shelter this morning at9:45am. I have got to start gettingout earlier. Scuba, Grass and evenUncle Ben got out ahead of me, but Ileft before Slim and Biscuit. AtTable Rock overlook I sat down for ashort break and Slim caught up withme. Just as he arrived It started torain a bit. It had been alternatingbetween cloudy and sunny all day. Wewere close to the Peters Mtn Shelterso we took off and only got a littlewet before we got there. Grass andUncle Ben were already there andanounced their intention to stay. Itwas only about 1pm so I decided toeat lunch with everyone, but move on.While we were eating it started topour down rain. Biscuit was still outthere, so he got soaked before heshowed up. Slim and Biscuit alsodecided to stay. Grass was hopingthat Flora & Fauna would catch upafter their day off and reach thisshelter tonight. I would like to geta little ahead in case my friend,Darrell, comes to hike. That way wecan take it easy and everyone willnot get too far ahead. Also, I amaiming to get into Port Clinton onSunday. I have to pick up a mail dropon Monday so moving too fast is nothelpful. Everyone is in the sameboat. We could have pushed forSaturday evening, but then we'd stillhave to wait for the post office toopen on Monday. Besides I only havefour days of food! The terrain todaywas a little rocky, but otherwisepretty easy ridge walking. It waswicked humid though and I wasdrenched in sweat. I'm all cleaned upnow and the rain has pretty muchstopped at 7:15pm and the birds areback out and chirping up a storm.Time to cook dinner and maybe get tobed early so I can try and get hikingearlier tomorrow. Hah!
Date: 2004-06-18
From: campsite near PA Rt 325

To: William Penn Shelter 
Miles today: 26.7
Weather: broken clouds

Longest day yet - 26.7 miles!lunch at Rausch Gap, then a hike into the night w/ Fitz. He was very tired and falling behind and as the trail was very difficult and poorly marked I decided it would be best if we stuck together. Turns out his light died, good thing I waited. We arrived at the shelter after midnight. Hard difficult trail, especially in the dark.