morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-18
From: Skyland Lodge/SNP:MP #38.5: Stony Man Overlook

To: SNP: Pass Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 9.0

Day 89 miles AT/10.8 miles totalSkyland Lodge/Stony Man Overlook (933.1) to Pass Mtn Shelter (942.9)Sunny, HOT, hit 84 degrees today (I was told)Dinner: Sundried tomato tuna tortelliniWildlife: Deer, hooting Barred OwlsHikers: Several sectional, 1 SOBO, 2 NOBO (at hut)I didn't try very hard to find a ride to yesterday¢s stopping place, and instead opted to hike a blue blazed trail that skirted the base of Stony Man Rock and was slightly shorter than the AT summit trail. Even though I hiked a total of 10.8 miles, only 9 were new. My sun sensitivity continues so I pulled out the umbrella in order to take off my long sleeve shirt after my mid morning break. Met two section hikers heading south who also carried umbrellas. By afternoon I was really happy to have it. The summit at Mary¢s Rock was beastly as was the 1.7-mile, 1200¢ descent to Thorton Gap. The heat also seems to have brought out the bugs. Nothing requiring repellent, but they are around. I met Rosy Eagle, a SOBO hiker from Rhinelander, Wisconsin early in the day. He started last year and was back to finish this year. He¢s Eagle because he notices everything and Rosy because his wife says he views everything about his thru-hike that way.Passed several couples coming up the switch backed trail to Mary¢s Rock ostensibly on a ¢moderate 4 hour round trip hike¢, who clearly could be in for a surprise. One young woman was already hunkered down refusing to either go up or angry that she still had a ways to go down. Later at the hut, we talked about other people heading up with less than an hour of daylight.I was the first one at the shelter around 4:30, joined by Simon from the UK out for a four day hike, and at dusk, NOBOs Crash and Hoboken arrived after a 20 mile day. Musings: Many parts of the AT skirt Skyland Drive. From Stony Man, the trail is just below the overlook, like a secret path the motorists will never know about, or like a second-class citizen¢s path not unlike the servant¢s passages on Downton Abbey.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To:  Mountain Home B&B; Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

And now a message about my day.Beside starting out with bronchitis, the only aches and pains I¢ve experienced thus far have been that outside left knee IT band (?) issue and some minor blisters and pinky toe hot spots. The knee pain was disconcerting as it appeared at the end of day two and I was hobbling on the downhill stretches real,y slowly. The ER Doctor had examined it while I was getting checked for bronchitis and didn't find any problem, so that was a relief. I took ibuprofen or Aleve for a few consecutive mornings and the pain is now gone. Despite my shoes being really broken in (enough so that they are even beginning to fall apart), I developed a two blisters, also on my left, on the outside pad near my big toe. I used moleskin on them, and one has since disappeared and the other is calloused. Both of my pinky toes are ¢hot¢ and sore by the end of each day, but I think that¢s a structural thing for me. They sort of go numb during the day and they remained blister-free. The sun has been my enemy, though, as antibiotics make my skin sensitive to sunlight. Both the back of my legs and my hands are blistered. I¢ve been hiking in my black wool gloves and yesterday, left my black wool tights on as long as possible before switching to my high gaiters. Only another day or two and I'll be done with those meds. I have no calf, hamstring, quad or back pain to which I think I can thank my Y, yoga and circuit classes. I try to remember to stretch each day, but I tend to forget since my muscles feel pretty good thus far. Even my tight right hip that has prevented me from getting to deep in the triangle pose is non-existent. I haven¢t slept soundly yet-between the first week of bronchitis, getting re-used to sleeping within the confines of a sleeping bag or sharing spaces with big time snorers.My day begins by running my fingers through my hair, splashing some water on my face and packing up the bag and tent if it is being used. I'll heat water for coffee and maybe some oatmeal, otherwise it's dried fruit or protein bars. I¢ve started hiking 5-8 miles before lunch. I¢ll eat my snacks as I¢m hiking or take a few short breaks. The past few days I taken longer lunch breaks, stopping to write and taking my shoes off so my feet can air out. Then it's another 5-8 miles before stopping at shelter (where there are places to hang or store your food), a privie, and camp spots or a mouse-inhabited shelter. Or I shoot for a hostel, like the place I¢m taking at tonight and will be in two more days again as I approach Harper's Ferry. During the day, I¢m hiking alone and passing people along the trail and at night I¢m hanging out with hikers heading in both directions or just out for a few nights. My day's end with a big dinner, maybe a little wash down using the bandana and an Aveda peppermint foot relief massage. Incredibly, the days fly by much fasrer than you could ever imagine.
Date: 2016-04-21
From:  Mountain House B&B

To: Dick's Dome Shelter; Northern VA
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 11 15.2 miles in 9.5 hours Front Royal (969.4) to Dick¢s Dome Shelter (984.6)Overcast to partly sunny, in the 60s 70s?Dinner: One pot tacoWildlife: Dead raccoons, turkey, deerHikers: Several sectional, NOBOS Ryno and Scorched Heels at the shelter After an awesome breakfast, headed back to the trailhead only to discover that I could have picked the trail up at the adjacent driveway (#7), just east of Mountain Home. Instead, I walked the highway again for that 14 mile. Did get to see a family of raccoons, although they were all roadkill. The ascent to the Denton Shelter would have been challenging at the end of the day yesterday, but staying there would have been worth it. Best. Shelter. Ever. Like a little hiker compound.Today¢s travels took me past a sign demarcating the western front of the southern confederacy during the civil war. I walk along and over old stone walls that make me wonder who put all the effort in defining these mountain parcels now being reclaimed by the encroaching forests. Advancing civil war armies? Slaves? Children? I had a nice chat with four older men out day hiking including ¢Skiman¢ a former thru-hiker. Decided to push on to Dick¢s Dome Shelter, making this my longest day yet at over 15 miles. Dick¢s Dome is a four-person geodesic dome adjacent to a babbling brook. In places you can hear the water flowing under the stones. I¢m staying with two NOBOs tonight, both of whom just did a 28-mile day from Gravel Springs Hut, which the astute reader may recall was my abode two nights ago. The last few miles of the trail was very smooth, but at the end of the day all you think about (at least for me) is how fast I can go to get to the shelter marking the end of my day. The bottoms of my feet are the sorest and I actually think about them when I first lay down for the night. My feet are wondering what I'm doing to them and they are not pleased. Ryno had phone reception and we learned that Prince died. In 2011, I was on a canoe trip when we learned that Amy Winehouse had died. Not that either of these culturally icons directly impacted me, but it's interesting to be out of the loop. We also learned that the woman missing in Shenandoah was found. A suicide. There is some chatter about a potential fire ahead on the trail showing up in our Facebook group feeds.Now this we do want to be kept in the loop about.Dinner tonight was a taco noodle bowl. Another keeper. Musings: I have a completely different mindset about pace and bears in the late afternoon vs morning. In the morning, I take notes, look around and sort of keep an eye open for wildlife. But the end of the day, if I were to see a bear I¢m already thinking how I'd blast by it because nothing is going to stop me from reaching my shelter.
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Sam Moore Shelter; Northern VA

To: Bears Den Hostel; Northern VA
Miles today: 3.0

Day 133 miles in 1 3/4 hoursWeather: Rain in morning, clearing to sunny skiesDinner: Pizza and Ice creamHikers: Many day hikers and NOBOs flying by me, mostly uphillWildlife: BoyscoutsIt rained really hard all night off and on, and was still raining in the morning. All the guys got wet, but Victoria and I stayed dry in the shelter. I had decided to take a "Nero" day here at the hostel, so I stuck around camp until the rain abetted. Three miles and two up and down hills later, passing lots of hikers, I was enjoying a shower and free wi fi. For $30 you get that, a bed, laundry, pizza, soda and a pint of ice cream. Hung out with Canadian "Biscuit" for a while, the Holcolm and Crash showed up, NOBOs I met at my first shelter. Not sure exactly how I passed them up as they favor 20 mile days and whatnot. Not much else to report except I clean, well fed and my feet are resting comfortably.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: David Lesser Shelter; Northern VA

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 9.3

Day 159.3 miles in 4.5 hoursDavid Lesser Memorial Shelter (1014.1) to Harper's Ferry (Teahorse Hostel)Clear, sunny, 80¢sLunch: CheeseburgerDinner: Cake and con queso dipWildlife: Pileated woodpeckersHikers: Two SOBOs flipfloppers just starting out, NOBO Cosmo and two vacationers; met three more NOBOs signing in at the ATC officeCosmo left 10 minutes before I did at 7 a.m., but had been at the ATC office for over an hour by the time I arrived around 11:30. The trail today was mostly downhill, but rocky. I keep forgetting to report that I've been hearing pileated woodpeckers, but today I saw three or four of them near the trail. I passed along the Potomoc River, which from above I could see was one big ledge. I was reading it for possible paddling routes, but mostly I thought I¢d be grinding the skin off the canoe if I ran it at these current levels. I got my photo taken as Flipflopper #78. Nera showed up while I was there and we headed out for burgers. She took a zero here today. After lunch, we grabbed my Resupply and bounce boxes and headed over to my hostel. By then, it was after 3 p.m. and the post office closed at 4. Got that done and came back to shower, repack and procrastinate writing. Musings: Did Cheryl Strayed really have that encounter with those two dubious hunters as told in her memoir or might that have been a literary invention on her part? After all, scenarios like that completely play into a parent or spouse¢s worse nightmare. And make for a good story. Thus far my stories are nothing but boring nice people.
Date: 2016-04-26
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Rocky Run Shelter, MD
Miles today: 15.4

Day 1615.4 miles in 8.5 hoursHarper's Ferry Teahorse Hostel (1023.4) to Rocky Run Shelter (1038.8)Weather: Overcast, threatening thunderstorms predicted between 2 and 8 p.m., sunny/hot in the afternoon Dinner: One pot chicken veggie orzo pastaWildlife: 1 deerHikers: SOBO flipflopper Pyroeis, two young guys still at the first shelter at 10 a.m. carrying school backpacks and duffle bags, a Camino-bound hiker out for some practice and a large group of Learning in Retirement folks; shared the shelter with two sectional hiking friends from Indiana (MuffPower and Squeezebox). 15.4 miles flew by today because of the relatively flat trail, the fine weather and hiking with Nera. After Benjamin made the hostel guests waffles for breakfast,, I hooked onto a ride with A-Tex heading out to catch a 6:45 train. Met up with Nera, who had been staying at a hotel, at the bridge and we we were on our way by 7 a.m. Thunderstorms and severe weather had been predicted to arrive mid to late afternoon. The two-story, Swiss chalet-like Ed Garvey Shelter is 5.6 miles south of Harper Ferry. It is the first of several bigger shelters constructed of logs and with fire pits and seating. We stopped there for a snack, where we met three young men hanging out at the shelter, Pyroeis, who got his fabulous trail name due to an unfortunate incident with an alcohol stove and Heet, and who was waiting out the predicted storms and two other guys who looked like they just got up after playing video games all night in a friend¢s basement. By the time we reached the Garland State Park in Maryland at noon, we had knocked off 10 miles. After leaving the park, the heat increased and my sunburned hands were again on fire (not literally like Pyroeis, but quite inescapable just the same). Hiked the last 5.4 miles in 3 hours and arrived at the newer Rock Run Shelter by 3:30 p.m. The trail was wide for most of the day and Nera and I could walk side by side chatting away. This was both a new distance and speed record for me. Our shelter included two pipe-smoking men, MuffPower and Squeezebox, from Indiana. The longtime friends had left their families at home while they were out for a weeklong sampling of the AT. One of them had a muscle strain and had taken a zero there. Nera and I took over the top level of the newer two-story shelter and spent a relaxing evening cooking our dinners, writing and reading. As of bedtime, the storms had yet to materialize. Musings: All of today's musings were talked out loud.
Date: 2016-04-27
From: Rocky Run Shelter, MD

To: Ensign Cowald Shelter, MD
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: moderate rain

Day 1715.7 miles in 9.5 hoursRocky Run Shelter (1038.8) to Ensign Cowall Shelter (1054.5)Rain, drizzle, fogDinner: Chicken broccoli with walnutsWildlife: Herd of deer, birds galoreHikers: Several, plus the shelter was fullish (Traveling Tom, Precious One, Quiet Man, Retainer, Postal Poet and me.)Who knew Maryland had so many rocks? And pileated woodpeckers? I saw many of both. The storms finally hit around 5 a.m., but they were more heavy showers vs. severe weather. Nera and I started out together, ahead of the Indiana guys, and as the rain continued to fall, but they caught up to us each time we took a break¢at the Dalgren Backpackers Campground, at the Washington Memorial/State Park and finally at the Pine Knoll Shelter, where we had stopped for lunch, but where they were going to stay. We past more stone walls and Revolutionary War historical sites. Nera wasn't planning on doing another 15 mile day today, but the first two campsite options were under 11 miles. The next shelter was another 5 miles away. The rain turned into a mist, then just heavy fog. It was sort of fun walking through the forests like this. At one point, I stopped to take off my rain jacket--and lost Nera. I think she took the .25 mile turnoff to the first campsite, one that supposedly offered stunning views of the Annapolis Rocks presumably when fog is absent, but I kept on walking deciding that hiking would keep me warmer that setting up camp in the early afternoon drizzle. But, oh boy, where those last five miles tough ones. There was a reason there were no other roads or other camping opportunities. Just miles of jumbled rocks and boulder fields. I left Nera a ¢100¢ message spelled out in rocks somewhere along the path for her to find tomorrow, marking her first hundred miles. Postal Poet arrived at the shelter tonight after I did, and he saw it, so I hope she does too. Tonight¢s shelter has quite the cast of characters. Three of them started in Harper's Ferry almost a week ago and are only traveling shelter to shelter. That means tomorrow's distance is only 4.9 miles. They all have heavy packs. Traveling Tom plays the recorder hand has a voice and storytelling sense exactly like the late folk icon Utah Phillips.Musings: There are some hikers who attempt to hike either all of the 40-mile Maryland trail segment, or even adding in the 8-mile section of West Virginia in order to say they hiked four states (Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania) in one day. But I¢m in awe of anyone including the AT speed record holders, Jennifer Pharr Davis, Scot Jurek and Heather ¢Anish¢ Anderson, that are able to make it quickly through those boulder fields.
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Trail of Hope Hostel, Fayetteville, PA

To: Shippensburg Road, Fayetteville, PA
Miles today: 11.0

Day 2011 miles in 4.5 hours (slack packing)Shippensburg Road, Fayetteville, PA (1093.2) to Trail of Hope Hostel, Fayetteville, PA (1082.2)Weather: Overcast, partly sunny, temps in the low 50sDinner: Sloppy Joes, baked beans, potato salad, pickled eggs, cookies and cakeWildlife: BirdsHikers: Hiked today with ¢Step and a Half¢ passed The Postal Poet continuing NOBO after his stay in Waynesboro, another NOBO, ¢Pineapple¢, two new Flipfloppers (Atlas and Just Gary) here at the hostel tonight; several weekend hikers out for the weekendWell, today was going to be my zero. But I had got a lot done yesterday and Sunday¢s forecast is 100% precipitation and two of yesterday's hikers had done this same trip and found it enjoyable and the shuttle wasn't leaving until 10 a.m., so¢¦.I got 11 pretty easy miles in today. Step and a Half and I chatted the whole time, and like my day hiking with Nera, the miles really flew by. Today¢s hike started out in another cloud, but soon descended into more pine forests and rhododendron tunnels. We passed two shelters, both immaculately maintained, but a special shoutout must be made to the Quarry Gap Shelters¢two side by side log structures with a connecting skylight roof, potted plants and tent platforms. We had the pleasure of being able to meet the caretaker as he was coming up for his weekend maintenance. I¢ve been curious if these exceptional shelters include personal investments or if the local clubs decide which shelters are targets to receive additional amenities. Turns out to be mostly personal and a matter of pride coupled with a wee bit of competition between some of the caretakers. For example, Quarry Gap Shelters will soon be receiving a porch swing like the one I had seen at the David Lesser Memorial Shelter a few nights ago. And no, I didn't take any photos. Google it.Was back at the hostel by 3:45. Another delicious dinner served by this church, a trip to town to buy some groceries to replace the food resupply that never showed up, and another day in the book. Side note: Postal Poet told us he was hoping to see Atlas soon and he showed up at the hostel tonight. Introductions were made over dinner and I was explaining about my original trail name, Arachne, which ¢Atlas¢ totally got. I may go back to that as ¢Hacknee¢ still sounds like cat trying to cough up a hairball¢a colorful description of my first two weeks, to be sure, but not a very poetic one. either.
Date: 2016-05-01
From: Shippensburg Road, Fayetteville, PA

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA
Miles today: 8.8

Day 218.8 miles in 4 hours Shippensburg Road, Fayetteville, PA (1093.2) to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA (1102)Weather: Rain showers in morning, drizzly in the afternoon, 40s or 50sDinner: (Two) Hawaiian burger at the PineGrove General Store, and pulled pork sandwich, chips and salad at the Ironmaster HostelWildlife: Foggy birds, hooting Barred owlHikers: Four day strollers, four thru-hikers at hostel (Giggles, Rabbit, Rambler and Padre)100% chance of rain was predicted until 11 a.m. this morning, and with only a 9 mile day on deck, I decided to first attend the Trail of Hope Church with fellow hiker Just Gary. Those who know me, know that I¢m a Unitarian via Methodist. Gary is a Catholic. This service was neither, and I expected no less. Ultimately not either of our styles, but a warm congregation and sincerely good people. Gary and I were shuttled up to Shippensburg Road where he headed south to slack pack the same section I did yesterday and I resumed my hike north toward Pine Grove Furnace State Park, the location of the half gallon ice-cream challenge and Ironmaster Hostel. The trail was relatively flat and I passed two halfway demarcation signs, the current one for 2016 that moves every year based upon changes made to the trail like a section reroute, and a permanent one that a fellow made for the trail several years ago. Alas, even though I doubt not my ability, and even with all my smack talk, of eating a half gallon of ice cream at this historic location, it was just not to be. After hiking all day in a cloud and arriving in a cold drizzle around 4:30, I just wasn't feeling like ice cream. Plus, although this is about the halfway point for NOBO hikers, it wasn't my halfway point. However I highly recommend the Hawaiian Burger, which I devoured instead at the general store. It was at the Pine Grove General Store where I met Giggles, a woman I had heard about from another Facebook Group hiker-and who coincidentally also knows Nera. Ordinarily I'd be inclined to say ¢what a small world!¢ except that my world is limited to a singular line and Facebook that all of us are following. Soon after, Rambler and Padre arrive. I first met this daughter and father team at the Teahorse Hostel in Harper's Ferry where they started. Dad is spending three weeks hiking with his daughter before he leaves and she continues on to Katahdin. They are cruising. All of us were headed to the Ironmaster Hostel which didn't open until 5 p.m. For $5 more, dinner was included, so yeah¢¦dinner number two was ready at 7 p.m. after showers and device charging. This hostel is in a lovely old building¢more like an historic B&B, except we are all in bunk beds and rooms separated by sex. I should sleep well tonight.
Date: 2016-05-03
From: Kennedy Shelter, PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 233.9 miles in 1.75 hours Alec Kennedy Shelter (1117.4) to Boiling Springs, PA (1121.3)Weather: Overcast, after rain stopped at 7 a.m.Dinner: Whatever I feel like fishing out of my food bag, or appeals to me at the Pittsburgh train stationWildlife: Myles SamuelHikers: Silver Fox (last seen at the Trail of Hope Hostel), and Matthew, who I¢ve only seen come into camp at dusk (of the Gravel Springs Hut)Some small thunderstorm rumbles and rain started last night around 9:30. Rain was still falling this morning when we woke up, but was finished by the time we headed out. Even with the rain¢s white noise, and sharing space for a second night with the same two non-snorers, I still didn't sleep very well. Maybe it was the shelter journal entry about the possible norovirus outbreak five days earlier that we read about after settling in for the night? Or maybe it was because of the narrow bunk with its single vertical 2 x 4 brace to keep you from rolling off it?Regardless, I was wide awake when I turned on my phone and saw texts, emails and even a Facebook post telling me that my daughter had gone into labor (almost 10 days before her due date). At 3:45 a.m., Myles Samuel was welcomed into the world. My daughter picked a good day to summon me home. I was four miles from the Mid-Atlantic ATC office in Boiling Springs. Only Harper's Ferry, WV or Duncannon, PA would have provided closer access to an Amtrak station. Those 3.9 miles flew by. I don't think I even noticed the two knobs I ascended, one being Center Point Knob, another one of the Appalachian Trail numerous (albeit historic) midpoints. I did notice another large sinkhole type feature that I passed in the woods. I forgot to report that we had passed a few of these yesterday, wondering about their origins. The holes are as deep as a foundation, ranging from fruit cellar to garage size. I arrived in Boiling Springs by 10:35 where I had arranged for a shuttle pickup at 11 a.m. With good cell coverage, I had been able to book my train through to Milwaukee from the trail at the Alec Kennedy Shelter. That undertaking, in itself, completely differentiates this trip from any of my past experiences. I am now on a 2:36 train with free wi-fi, traveling across Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh. I will connect with the train to Chicago that has my shower and a bed awaiting me. In less than 24 hours, I¢ll be meeting the newest member of our family. When I return to the trail, I almost couldn't have a better restart point. The first 12 miles north from Boiling Springs in basically a flat line through farm fields and forests. And then, yes, a few miles more and I hear there might be a few rocks to watch out for. See you up the trail in a couple of weeks.