morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Pulled a rather easy day today. Caught word that Loon and Lizard will be hosting a hiker feed this Friday. Had to slow down just a bit to hit it right. Started following along side the Blue Ridge Parkway today. Took lots of breaks, it was really hot and humid. Passed the 1/3 of the way mark a few miles back. I can't decide if it's flying by, or crawling. I've got the next 9 days planned out. That's the most days in a row I've had planned since I started. It's nice not having plans, but these are ones I'm really looking forward to. We'll see how much I stick to them.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

Extremely hot and humid today. I'd say mid 80's. Jenkins Creek was nice, and Podini met a nice fly fisherman. I think his name was Jeff, who gave her a ride to the store to pick up some Gatorade and ice cream bars. I gave him my website and he took a picture of us and said he'd send a copy over email. He was catching little rainbows on a bead-head nymph. He told me to pick up one of those 4 piece rods for hiking, but they're expensive. We'll see when I get farther north. Low miles tomorrow because of the hiker feast.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Marble Spring Campsite
Miles today: 12.2

Terrible news. The hiker feast was too good to be true. I waited for 3 hours and nobody showed up. I had such high expectations too! Must have been some breakdown in communication between the planners, the executers and hikers. Not good luck but not really bad luck either. I got my tent set up before this nasty thunderstorm rolled through, so that was good. Three people passed me today, two started at Springer on May 2nd and I started April 4th! That's an entire month after I started and they just passed me. That's an average of 25 miles a day. Simply insane. However they want to do it, I'm taking my sweet ass time. Glasgow tomorrow, hopefully do laundry. I haven't had clean clothes in 12 days.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Marble Spring Campsite

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up insanely early this morning to hike the 8 miles to town before the Post Office closed. First time up at 5:15am since Vermont. While in town I bought 4 scratch tickets to hand out to the crew I was with. As always, the Fugitive ended up being the lucky bastard he is...hehe. He won $8 and split it with me, so I broke even and he won $4. Podini won a dollar and used it to pay back the money she owed me. Good clean fun from the Virginia lottery. It has been a long day.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

Pretty uneventful hike today. Hell of a climb halfway through though. From 960' to 4,059' The switchbacks were terribly steep too. and then we get to the top and their isn't any view because we're inside a cloud with visibility of about 15ft. I'd never want to live in a cloud, everything gets so damp. I'm staying at the Dutch Haus Hostel tomorrow. Should be some awesome food, comfortable chairs, clean showers, and even laundry. What a novelty! Fourteen days in a row is a bit much to have been wearing the same unwashed clothes, even if I wasn't hiking and sweating buckets in them. The smell is awful, but not quite intolerable. Hopefully, a nice easy ridge walk tomorrow.
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Dutch Haus B&B
Miles today: 10.0

What a nice place. Everything I expected and more. I had one of the best showers in my entire life. Feels so good to be clean, well, as clean as I get now. It was a lot of money to stay at this posh hostel, but I figure I have to splurge some places. I don't like worrying about money out here, but I'm burning through it like crazy. It's going to be weird coming back from this hike with about a dollar to my name...and probably some debt. I've always had a good solid bank account to rely on. It's not like I'll be in danger of not eating or anything, just flat broke. Anyway, I'm stuffed with homemade pizza and laying on a soft mattress for the first time in 20 days, so I'm going to sleep like a rock.
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Dutch Haus B&B

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

I hate my inherited brain. I forgot my extra battery and charger at the B&B. We were kind of rushed out, so I didn't go thru everything thoroughly while packing up. I realized it in time to catch Kip who was just going there. I gave him some money and asked him to drop it in the mail to Front Royal for me. Hopefully, all went well and I'll get it back there. Now I have one half charged battery for all of Shenandoah Nat'l park. When will the madness end?   I hit my head twice today on a branch and a bridge cable. Maybe it will knock some sense into me. Big day tomorrow to get just before Waynesboro to line up a nearo. Maybe 22 miles, we'll see. Podini and Fugitive pushed on in the rain so they can get to Waynesboro for a full zero on Thursday. Turns out we're all going to miss the infamous Rusty's Hostel but you can't hit all the amazing places. Some just don't work out.
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: light rain

Third longest day of the trip. A little tough because I didn't get up and out until 10:30. Got poured on pretty good, but hiked through it and mostly dried out. Going into Waynesboro tomorrow to resupply for Shenandoah. Probably camp at the YMCA for free. Maybe hit up the AYCE pancake breakfast at Weasie's. I got lazy and didn't set up my tent. We'll see how I sleep in the shelter. No signs of mice...yet.
Date: 2004-06-18
From: Waynesboro,VA

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Easy day out of town. Had a great stay in Waynesboro. I almost camped at the Y, but Scuba's girlfriend, Tina, offered up Scuba's house to stay in. He's out hiking, so it was empty, which was very trusting of her. Caterpillar donated a "hiker bike" to the Y which was very helpful to get around town. I hung out at the Quality Inn with Fugitive and Podini til midnight. Killed a six pack just to watch it die. I don't remember where that saying came from, but it sounds pretty cool, James Dean like. Podini made this awesome fresh chopped salsa, and we watched Bruce Almighty. It was insanely hot and humid today, up around 90 degrees and 100% humidity. Central Virginia is now officially over.
Date: 2004-06-19
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Super easy day today. Mostly cloudy, a lot cooler, less humidity, and flat trails. Started Shenandoah National Park today and hiking along Skyline Drive. The deer here are not even scared of people. I came within 5 feet of a young buck and it didn't even flinch. Also saw my first bear today! It wasn't too big, maybe 300 pounds. It was rooting around on the side of the trail about 100' away. Showed no interest in us and just wandered off. Also saw a wild turkey and 7 young-uns walking down the trail. I listed to Car Talk on NPR this morning which was a lot of fun. It made the first hour go by pretty quick. Might do my first 26 miler tomorrow. Let's hope the terrain stays easy. ...Time passes.....I just woke up to the feeling of a tick crawling on my leg. I pulled off all but one of his legs then I roasted him with my lighter. Then I felt kinda bad...NOT! I must thank him though for getting me to open my tent and see the beautifully clear night. Best starts yet, tonight, with a very pronounced Milky Way. No street lights or city light pollution. I've been highly disappointed with the stars south of here. Hopefully this will be a more common occurence now. Star gazing then more sleep.
Date: 2004-06-20
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Hightop Mountain
Miles today: 14.6

Plans fell through for the big mile day. The morning went really well, got out early. Then I was called upon to do my heroic good deed for the day. I came across two beagles on the trail that ran away from me, and I figured their owners were up ahead. I reached a rocky overlook just in time to see the second one following the first one down these steep rocky ledges. I assumed they knew what they were doing and began to walk away when I heard a rustle, yelp, and thud as one of them fell off the roughly 25 foot cliff. That's when I knew I couldn't just walk away. So I scrambled down to where the one still on the cliff was, carried her to the top and tied her to my pack. Then I hiked out and around the cliffs to get to the bottom where the littler one had fallen. I was afraid it would be severely injured or dead, but it was down there wagging its tail like nothing had happened. I carried her up to the top and pulled the ticks off of each of them. When Dr Space Monkey 5000 showed up we fed them some jerky and water. We named the scrawny one Scrapito and the younger, chubby one, Piggy. Only one had a collar, but no tags. We hiked them out to the next road crossing and I hitched to the Ranger Station. I think my Aunt Meg would be proud. But I can't help but think what will happen to them if no one claims them. They were so cute and in the whole mess of trying to figure out what to do with them, I forgot to take a picture of them! That took a few hours out of the day, so we knew we couldn't make the shelter. When we reached the top of this mountain, the westerly view was so good we decided to wait for the sunset. And what a sunset it was. Just wonderful to sit around right up until all the stars were out.
Date: 2004-06-21
From: Hightop Mountain

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: broken clouds

Had some of the flatest sections of the trail so far. It was another gorgeous day with highs in the 70's. Got to stop at a campstore at our 900.7 mile mark and celebrate with ice cream and soda. I only have $6 left and can't get any money till Front Royal because my new credit card will (hopefully) be waiting for me there. It's tough to be frugal with all these campstores every 10 miles. My feet felt every single mile today. Pretty sore, and I hope to do another big one tomorrow to set up a good schedule for hitting Front Royal. It got late so fast, even though it's the longest day of the year. Welcome to summer.
Date: 2004-06-22
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Range View Cabin
Miles today: 23.5

I was driven by milkshakes today. I saved my money all the way through the park and pushed 22 miles to get there before 7. I arrived way early at 5:37 and just my luck, the food part of the store is only open till 5:30...I was looking forward to that shake for 90 miles! and had to settle for a Pepsi and Fritos. I'm not impressed with Shenandoah Nat'l Park. Its too much like a hiker amusement park. And I was forced to camp out in the woods 100yds from the cabin. If you don't want people camping around trails, roads, shelters, buildings or water sources, then make some designated campsites away from those things! That way hikers don't have to tromp through prickers, thistles and poison ivy to find even a crappy spot to camp. End of rant.
Date: 2004-06-23
From: Range View Cabin

To: Tom Floyd Wayside
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I went slow today so the crew caught up to me. I thought we were going to do 2.9 miles tomorrow into Front Royal, but it turns out, Podini's friend is picking us up at Ashby Gap, 24 miles from here. Big difference!! It's going to be a long day tomorrow but it'll be a good zero spot on Friday. Saw my third bear today but he ran away before I could get a picture. It rained all morning, but the sun came out in the afternoon and dried things out. Left Shenandoah today, the flat trails have spoiled me. Back to rocks and mountains.
Date: 2004-06-24
From: Tom Floyd Wayside

To: Middleburg,VA
Miles today: 23.4

Got out at a reasonable time this morning and just kept plugging away at the miles. It's good to have a destination every 5 or 6 miles to break up the day. Reached the final destination by 6:15 and waited a bit for Podini's friend, Mabel, to pick us up. Had a nice smelly ride into town and stopped at the Safeway to pick up dinner fixin's and ice cream. Got to Mabel's beautiful house and did the shower routine, and cooked 3 pounds of spaghetti for 4 people. Yes, we had extra, but that's just breakfast for tomorrow now. It will be my first zero day since my sis's graduation. This is the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.
Date: 2004-06-25
From: Middleburg,VA

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

Slept nice and late today, 9 o'clock. Mabel shuttled us into Front Royal to pick up our packages and let Podini duke it out with the outfitter for a new pack. It took awhile, but the owner bought us pizza so it was all good. Got oatmeal cookies and a nice letter from Renee. It was a very funny and nice treat. I got to surf the internet for awhile and catch up on Blender news and browse websites of possible college prospects. We went to the Head Hunter restaurant for dinner and met Dr Space Monkey's friend. The small town gossi[ and wealth of this place sickens me. From what Mabel and Podini say, it sounds like a pretty shallow town. I hope to live some place a little more genuine.
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Middleburg,VA

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a LATE start today. Just took our time getting resupplied and packing up. It's easy to just sit around in a comfy chair. A comfy chair! Then after all the dilly-dallying in the house, we decided to go see Podini's horse, Gandolf. That was a lot of fun, seeing the big open countryside and feeding the horses carrots and peppermints. Finally on the trail at 4 pm. I entered the "Rolercoaster" today. It's a section of trail that has 10 ascents and descents over 13 miles. I think they should just call it Georgia.
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Just before Keys Gap
Miles today: 15.0

Just passed the 1,000 mile mark!!! I've just walked 1,000 miles. Wow! Pretty crazy to think about and even crazier to think I'm not even halfway. Saw tons of people today. I guess it must be the weekend. Tomorrow I get to meet up with my great aunt Judy. Should be a nice visit because I don't think I've seen her in something like 10 years. My parents told me there will probably be lots of packages in Harper's Ferry. Sweet!
Date: 2004-06-28
From: Just before Keys Gap

To: Hilltop Hotel, Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 5.9

Got in later than I wanted, but met up with Judy with precision timing. We picked up my (5!) packages and headed for lunch. She had some amazing stories of her recent trips and about family. It was great to get to see her and after lunch we did the touristy historical bus tour. Touristy, but also very interesting learning about distant relatives. They say Harper's Ferry is the psychological halfway point. I went to the ATC center where they take a photo of every hiker that passes through. I was #482 this year. A nice round number. Took so much time to sort through all my packages and make a new stove, that I ended up finding Swan, Ursa Minor, and Froggie Pete at the Hilltop. They let me crash on the floor of their room. It was so nice to get all the care packages of goodies. A little overwhelming trying to figure out how to carry all of it, but it's worth the weight. I got notes from so many family and friends, I just couldn't believe it.   I miss seeing all of them.
Date: 2004-06-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Everyone...Tim's mom here. Just want to let everyone know that I am beginning to post photos on this journal site. If you notice, under Rooney Tunes it now has a "view photos" option. Sorry it took me so long. The photos have been posted and linked from Tim's message board on his website but it seems so much better to include them here. It is a tedious process but I will try to get it done in the next few days. Talked to Tim yesterday, from Harper's Ferry where he spent the day with his great aunt Judy. He sounded very good. Has been hiking with Podini and Fugitive..not sure if he still is. His feet still hurt but not as bad as they used to. A sturdier boot seems to have helped. Many thanks to Sean and Dorian and crew at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports in Princeton, NJ for all their help and advice. We highly recommend them for their knowledge, expertise, and friendly service. Tim will be hiking across rocky PA for the next 10 days or so. He says journal entries are "in the mail" so stay tuned for the updates. Tim sends a big Thank you to all who have posted messages, sent letters, and/or packages. He greatly appreciates all the support. He misses everyone. Now that he is getting closer to New England...he'd welcome any rendezvous people would like to make with him. Call us and we can tell you his schedule in more detail.
Date: 2004-06-29
From: Hilltop Hotel, Harper's Ferry

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

I made a pretty uncharacteristic move today. I decided to slow down instead of speed up. If I went normal speed, I'd arrive in Boiling Springs on Sunday, July 4th. Not the best time to pick up a package seeing as the P.O. is closed on Monday as well. So, the question arose again. 25's or 13's? In order to celebrate the half way point appropriately, and hopefully enjoy myself more, I chose the latter. We'll see how difficult it is to go that slow over the easiest terrain yet. No reason to rush and now I'll have a chance at becoming a member of the half gallon club.
Date: 2004-06-30
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Rocky Run shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

Extremely slow and lazy day today. Feels weird to hike so slow and take so many breaks. I guess I'll just use this extra time to write some postcards and read some of my books. I lost the crew I was hiking with. They've moved on at normal speed. I guess there weren't many behind us. I've entered a lull. I miss laughing with them about the day's events. Not lonely so much as wishing I had someone to share these experiences with. Maybe that's all loneliness is.
Date: 2004-07-01
From: Rocky Run shelter

To: Pogo Campsite
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: haze

These days allow for frequent breaks, reading, and lots of thinking. Now that there is hardly any physical challenge to this hiking, it can become quite monotonous. There isn't much to the day, or to my life at this point. But that was part of coming out here halfway through my twenty first year of existence. To simplify, but also much more that that. To step off the "escalator of academics" that I was merely riding to the top. To really find direction in what I want to do and not what others advise me to do. So far, it has been that and so much more. Merely at the halfway point and I've already learned more that I ever thought I would. I hope this hike ends not only in enlightenment, but also hunger.
Date: 2004-07-02
From: Pogo Campsite

To: Mason/Dixon Line
Miles today: 14.3

I'm camped directly on the Pennsylvania/Maryland state line. Well, maybe 10 feet into Maryland, but close enough. Maryland seemed to take forever for such a small state. Probably cause I went so slow. Had some nice luck today just as I was getting worried about food supply. A nice section hiker asked if I wanted any food so he could lighten his pack. I got 10 packs of crackers, 3lbs of trail mix, and a couple Ramen packs. Then upon getting to Pen-Mar Park, I had my biggest splurge since the Dutch Haus. A 12" chicken parm sub and a garden salad delivered by the local pizza shop. Now I'm A-Ok on food and extremely content to boot. Tomorrow I begin state #7. Bring on the rocks.
Date: 2004-07-03
From: Mason/Dixon Line

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Found this wonderful place to camp up on the ridge. Very flat, and very soft ground for stakes. Those are the kind of things that make my day, a great tent spot. Also yogied some goodies today. I went by a big picnic area and saw a bunch of cars up near one of the pavillions. I almost walked away, but something in me said "Rooney!, at least go ask for a hamburger!" I figured it's akin to asking someone out on a date. What's the worst that can happen? They say no. And as everyone knows, you usually end up with a date, or in this case, raspberry danishes, watermelon, a chocolate chocolate-chip muffin, and a couple Pepsi 8 oz cans.(which by the way are the dumbest thing since individually wrapped cheese slices!) So, that too, made my day. It was pretty hot, upper 80's, but this will be the 4th night in a row I haven't even put the rain fly on my tent. One of these nights, I'll probably have to jump up and throw it on when it starts pouring but it's so nice without it. As I was hiking today, my mind drifted to the "what I want to do with my life" question. I got some very concrete ideas/dreams/goals that I'd like to strive for that I think would make my life most enjoyable. I'm hesitant to write them down just yet, but I can always revise them. I'm going to call it My American Dream. This hike has shown me how motivating it can be to personally challenge myself with dreams and goals that seem almost preposterously out of reach, and then through determination, prove all of my self-expectations wrong. I'll give "the dream" a little more thought before I try to put it into words.
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Happy 4th of July, and a happy 3 month anniversary to me! I'm 10 miles from the physical half-way point. I'd say that's pretty good timing considering I want to finish 3 months from today. Right on like clockwork, without planning any dates. I'm a half day "off schedule". If there is such a thing. Had the best time at Caledonia State Park where a family hosted their yearly hiker BBQ. Ate 3 hamburgers, and 3 hot dogs, and countless other chips, fruits, and vegetables. I think their last name was Caesar. I have their e-mail, so I'll be sure to send them my Katahdin picture. They take a picture of every hiker and make them fill out a bio sheet. I saw Pipe's picture from last year. She's a girl I met in MA who hiked last year. Guess we're on the same pace. Also, when I got to this shelter, who should I find, but Firecracker! I hiked on and off with her from Max Patch to about Overmountain Shelter. Turns out she lives around here and came up to do some trail magic. Some awesome peanut butter chocolate cake, and Coors Light. Good to see a familiar face again. It's raining so I'm in the shelter and a guy across the way is threatening to snore. Worse comes to worse, I'll throw my journal at him. And then my pen!
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 17.2

Passed the halfway point today and celebrated it in true hiker fashion. I attempted to eat a half gallon of ice cream! Yes, its a tradition many miles in the making. I skipped lunch in preparation and carefully chose mint chocolate chip as my challenge flavor. Time lapse photos tell the tale, but, in short, I completed it in 62 minutes, and then, went back a half hour later for a burger and fries. The ice cream alone was 2,240 calories and included 4 days worth of my fat intake. I bordered on nausea for a while, but then hiked another 7 miles out to the next shelter
Date: 2004-07-06
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 26.5
Weather: broken clouds

Longest day yet! It was very unplanned, I just kept walking. Pulled into Boiling Springs around 3 PM, and picked up my packages. It was really hot, so I drank a half gallon of lemonade and took my time packaging up all my food. I just got my early birthday present, a 2o gb MP3 player. It's so great to listen to my music again. I finally left Boiling Springs at 8 PM and planned on stealth camping somewhere in the valley, but dusk came and went as I walked to the sounds of Ben Harper and then Billy Joel. It was nice walking in the coolness of the night. I stopped for a snack at a spring and saw a headlamp walking up the trail. It was Baby Blue also night hiking so we continued on together to the next shelter. Pulled in around 2:30 AM after the marathon day and promptly passed out.