morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-01
From: US 522

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today's hike: 24.1/979.4 US 522 to Rod Hollow ShelterMoney spent: $117.22-lodging 61.05, Stadt's 34.46, supplies 13.49, Martin's 6.12 (food), Ramsey's Hardware (alcohol) 2.10Today's Wx:Partially cloudy and cool (58-62)In the office at 8:20 after getting a ride from the FIRST vehicle on my hitch back to the trailhead!! and at the shelter at 6:45.Overall, today was an easy hike day-made excellent progress all day.Denton Shelter is really nice (but had warnings about mice and diseases) and Manassas Gap is old style (but had warnings about snakes!). Yipes what is happening to nature here!Met GWOT and Ranger Rick, two sectioners SOBO to Damascus-good hiking guys!Hiker Note: After the Sky Meadows State Park trail junction, the AT goes slightly downhill and you come across some large grassy areas that would make great campsites if you can't make it to Rod Hollow.Trail thot's: A lot of people out on this beautiful Sunday looking at the array of wildflowers, especially the new blooming trilliums. Saw at least 50 flowers gazers today.Today begins the last month of my 28th year of military service-hiking the AT not a bad way to end it all! Had a little party tonight as this will be my last night in Virginia-tomorrow it's West Virginia.Got to the shelter and met Rob who has just graduated from Med School and will begin his Internship (residency) this summer in July-good luck doc! We had a great evening together enjoying the foodstuffs that Scrubs gave me at Skyland Lodge.Met two guys from PATC out working trail maintenance today at the Linden trailhead-Bob and Dan-thanks guys!This hike is dedicated to Laura-the lady going to Pennsylvania and the NPS supervisor at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Centor. They gave me rides into and out of Front Royal-THANKS!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAWV 05
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's hike:9.9/989.3 Rod Hollow to Bears Den HostelMoney spent:$17.33 lodging and washing at hostelToday's Wx:Overcast, cool (50s), with drizzleIn the office at 9:00 and at the Bears Den Hostel at 2PM-just couldn't pass this one by, with a shower, clothes washing, Internet to update trailjournals, fellowship, etc.Trail notes: Today's hike featured the Virginia roller coaster, an area of many ups and downs. I think I may have a couple more miles of this tomorrow when I leave Bears Den.Obviously, I didn't get down mountain to Harper's Ferry area tonight. Instead, I helped Dave split wood all afternoon and then got to meet Queen Diva, (who since November, now runs Bears Den) and we had a wonderful salad and lasagna dinner! Also, one more day in Virginia, but I cross over to West Virginia in the early morning. This hike is dedicated to Miss Bellinger, my fifth grade teacher at Venetia Elementary, in Jacksonville, Florida.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAWV 05
Date: 2005-05-03
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

TODAY IS 1K DAY-1000 miles when I arrived at David Lesser Memorial Shelter!It is so wonderful to be in West Virginia-one of the fifty best places on earth!Today's hike: 20.5/1009.8 Bears Den Hostel to Harper's Ferry WVToday's Wx:Partially sunny and cool-perfect hiking weatherIn the office at 7:30 and at the ATC Office at 3:45.I really enjoyed my stay at Bears Den. I had a lot of fun splitting wood with Dave and Doc Rob and then we went inside and Queen Diva had a wonderful dinner with salad, lasagna, rolls, and lemonade-it was delicious!Today's hike was fairly easy, it went pretty quickly. The only area worth mentioning was the last 2 miles or so going into Loudoun Heights which were surprisingly very rocky-must be prep for Penn State! BUT when you see that left turn, downhill to the ATC HQ at 1.9 miles, it IS all good!Took time to get my picture taken at Lesser Shelter with some "1000" signage-Corduroy was just leaving when I got there at 12, so he kindly took my picture. He was headed south to complete a few sections of the AT after leaving Harper's Ferry. He said he took a train into town, so that can be a planning option. This year's thru hikers who have arrived and signed in at Harper's Ferry:1) Snowbird   4/62) Hydro      4/123) Thicket   4/204) Ron NTN   4/205) Jbyrd      4/21 Super! 6) JustMark   4/227) Juicekey   4/27 Allright!8) E         4/27 Way to go dude!9) Robin      4/27 Rockin'10) Early Bird 4/30 Way to go gal!11) xxxxxxxx   5/2 Imposter-so no name12) Big Daddy D 5/3 No name for number eleven because, although this guy signed in as "complete" and got his picture in the book, I know for a fact that he hasn't completed the AT south of Harper's Ferry-BECAUSE I saw him on trail and he told me what he had to do BEFORE he returns to HF to continue NOBO. That was before I arrived at HF and saw what has been done. He has made everyone's number ONE higher beginning with mine, so I am actually NOBO # 11 not 12. This is not even close to the "hike your own hike" idea, this is a flat out lie! This hike is dedicated to the REAL top 11 AT thru hikers of 2005-congratulations to all and warm regards to all my hiker buddies!!The ability to move and freedom are as one!Big Daddy DGAMD 05
Date: 2005-05-04
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It is so wonderful to be in Maryland-one of the fifty best places on earth!Today is my 70th trail day, so now I've been out here for 10 weeks averaging 100 miles per week-not bad for an old timer!Today's hike:15.5/1025.3 Harper's Ferry to Rocky Run ShelterMoney spent:$93.94-lodging 65.72, postage 6.30, supplies 10, ATC postcards 1.33, lunch 10.59Today's Wx: Good-partailly cloudy and cool-65 degreesIn the office at 11:30 and at the shelter at 6:00. Took a little time with writing letters and sending a mail drop to Port Clinton. Then I visited the ATC office and hiked the AT to the historical area, did the tourist thing, and had lunch.I actually got going across the bridge at 11:30, followed the C&O towpath until begining the ridge climb where you remain until the 600' descent down the somewhat rocky chute to get to Rocky Run Shelter at 1000'.At Crampton Gap, where you can view the outside exhibits of Gathland State Park, I found this area to be an enjoyable rest stop-a very nice, scenic park.At the shelter, which is a really old structure (1940), there is an awkward seat right at the opening which has locks to close up the tool storage area underneath the shelter floor, so there is not much headroom. There are metal chairs and a table at the fireplace. There is a separate cooking area which, sadly, has been pilfered to make firewood, so it is almost a wreck! But the neat thing here is the swinging bench and the gushing spring for water (jets out of a 3" PVC pipe).Tonight I am joined by John who just began his section hike from Harper. He just finished his first year of college and wants to go as far NOBO as he can this summer.This hike is dedicated to Bugsy, who today (last year), was on his last day as the Commander of Red Flag at Nellis AFB NV. He was one of the good ones I've had the pleasure to serve with in our Air Force. Stay safe my friend and check six!The ability to move and freedom are as one!Big Daddy DGAMD 05
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Devils Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 20.5

Today's hike: 20.5/1045.8 Rocky Run to Devils Racecourse ShelterToday's Wx:Sunny and cool, 60s.In the office at 8:00 and at the shelter at 6:15, after the biggest climb in Maryland-almost 550'-just to descend 250' to the shelter!Today I met a day hiker, Harry, who walked with me from Reno Monument Road to Turner's Gap. Boy am I glad I didn't go to Dalhgren Backpack Campground last night, as the wonderful inn-the Old South Mountain Inn-would have been irrestible and I wouldn't have eaten anything from my obese foodbag!In the Washington Monument State Park, I met a police officer-a Maryland Natural Resources Policeman, Jeff White. The actual monument was built by the citizens of Boonesboro to honor Washington. Construction began on July 4th, 1827.Just before the I-70 footbridge, you go between two yards and one has a nice bench and a log book to sign. This is "Windswept on the AT" in Dick and Jeannine's yard-it is a very nice ammenity for hikers-thanks!It is really amazing how many different types of butterflies and moths we see trailside-they add so much beauty along with the splashes of wildflower color.This hike is dedicated to Cinco de Mayo, por supresto!The ability to move and freedom are as one!Big Daddy D
Date: 2005-05-06
From: Devils Racecourse Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It is so wonderful to be in Pennsylvania-one of the fifty best places on earth!Today's hike:25.4/1071.3 Devils Racecourse to Quarry Gap SheltersToday's Wx: Overcast cool AM-at 9:00 at Pen Mar Park it was 48 and windy. The afternoon continued overcast, then hazy with low 60s,in other words, perfect hiking weather!In the office at 7:30 and at the shelter at 6:15-a pretty good hump for a 25-miler.Today's items of interest:1) Kind of crazy how there are three goups of shelters in Penn State that are less four miles apart: Deer Lick Shelters, Antietam, and Tumbling Run Shelters.2) Today at 3:15, as I was en route to Caledonia State Park, I met a day hiker named Will or the "Blue Ranger" due to his outfit. I was surprised when he said he'd started at CSP, but was going to Pen Mar SP, which was almost 14 miles away, with less than 5 hours to dark-he said he could make it. But what was interesting was that he was the first black hiker I've seen on the trail! We need all types of folks out here!3) A tree fell as I was on trail today. I heard a loud crack, looked left, and saw a big tree falling towards me! I scurried ahead and looked back as the upper branches of a 50' tree crashed on the trail where I had been standing opening a snack bar-WOW! 4) Maryland's idea of "Pack It In, Pack It Out" means NO trash cans anywhere along the trail. Since I pick up trash everyday-today including five plastic bottles, I had to burn them versus tossing them in the trash. However, Pen Mar Park (on the border) does have trash cans, but the two STATE parks the AT passes through in MD have no trash containers.I was just settling in at my fire at 8:30 when I heard voices coming up the trail. That's when Steve and his two sons showed up. Steve has been here many times as he grew up here and continues to live nearby.This hike is dedicated to Mr Fisher, my sixth grade teacher at Palmquist Elementary in Oceanside, California.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAPA 05
Date: 2005-05-07
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Tenting
Miles today: 18.3

TODAY IS AT HALFWAY COMPLETE DAY!!Today's hike:18.3/1089.5 Quarry Gap Shelters to TentingMoney spent:$14.95-provisions at PGFSP store.Today's Wx:Partially cloudy with sunny warm spells (70s) then cool in the afternoon. However, it is 55 at bedtime now. In the office at 8:30 and at the Pine Grove Furnance SP at 5:15, and then later at the tentsite at 7:15.I started a little late as I enjoyed the company of Steve and his sons. I visited Birch Run and Toms Run Shelters today-Birch is brand new and nice, even has mothballs strewn around-to keep out mice? Toms is a double and in a big area for tenting, but the ground is pretty bare so they have some fenced off areas for "re-forestation."At Birch, I met Mike and Scott from NVA. They are members of a hiking club and were up in Penn for a long dayhike today. Good guys and Scott gave me some granola bars and a yummy jelly and peanut-filled vs peanut butter sandwich-the combo was REALLY good-I'll have to use that idea for myself.At Toms, I met Jay and Katie Sexton. They live w/in a mile of the shelter and help the shelter overseer keep it tidy. They want thru hikers to come visit them and get trail magic, as once you pass the shelter about 1 mile down trail you come to a hard-packed gravel road, Michaux Road. They live west (left) up the easy grade 1/4 mile to a stop sign. Then just 1/8 mile further on Michaux Oaks to first house on left, number 4. These folks moved from NJ to PA to be near the trail and both have hiked about half the trail. I suggested they make a picture map and leave info at Toms Run for the days they can take people OR just leave a big trail magic sign at the road.Lastly, I should have gone to the Sexton's Place tonight, but despite their repeated invitations, I said I wanted to go the hostel at PGFSP and also eat the halfway half gallon of ice cream at the camp store. Well, did I ever blow my foot off on that-I got to the hostel (so mad I won't mention their specific name here) and the place is FULL with a weekend booked training seminar for youth leaders. There was not even one room or any assistance getting lodging from the overseer. I went next door, got my ice cream and stuff, and sat down and began eating it-right after I put my jacket and long zip-on leggings back on as it was a cool afternoon. Then a blinding flash of the obvious occurred-I have to go find a campsite as now it is 6:45. So I tossed the ice cream and hiked on. Just after the "halfway" marker sign, I saw a spring right on the trail and I thought, "Aha where there's water, there will be campsites!" and sure enough, I found a nice one within 50 feet of the trail.So tomorrow, I will see if the folks in Boiling Springs will be more available for thru hikers needs.This hike is dedicated to the PATC crew out working today on the trail just prior to Birch Run Shelter: Dave, Leo, Mark, Fred, Bob, Tom, Nan, and Miss Elizabeth. The crew were out building "turnpikes" which are raised "sidewalks" beside swampy, muddy areas on the trail.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAPA
Date: 2005-05-08
From: Tenting

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Happy Mother's Day!Today's hike:18.4/1107.9 Tenting to Boiling SpringsMoney spent:$116.22-Gelinas Manor lodging 70.20, BS Tavern 46.01Today's Wx:Sunny and warm, high 70s.In the office at 8:00 and in Boiling Springs ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office at 5:30.Hiker Note: There is error in the Data Book, page 33!! Hunters Run Road and Pa. 34 are reversed-you actually get to Pa.34 within 1/2 mile of Fry Shelter!On trail today I met several people due to the fine weather and Mother's Day. I was pleased to met Don, from the Mountain Club of Maryland, out working on the trail alone on this afternoon. He was digging up cut off roots-unbelievable that he would do THIS on this Sunday-THANK YOU!!About 10 minutes later, I met Perry, a member of the Susquehanna ATC who was out enjoying a beautiful Sunday walk!As I approached Boiling Springs, I came out upon a plowed cornfield and turned left to follow the gerrymandering blazes as they went through the fields approaching the town. It was warm with a wonderful breeze and I just got into a great feeling-that's what I am hiking the trail for! I met Pathfinder out walking with friends. He plans to walk the Smokies this year-great hiking dude!Earlier, I met Xman. He is hiking to Front Royal to complete the AT from Springer to Duncannon PA-awesome!Today I struggled to keep going as I didn't feel very well-I'm sure I was still irritated about the BS at PGFSP with no room for a single thru hiker. But I pressed onward and now I have passed 1100 miles, so I'm cheered by that and the wonderful meal and good cheer I found at the tavern.The B&B I wanted to stay in is next door, but it is closed, so I'm here in this museum and loving being taken for $70!! and they can't manage breakfast before 8:30!! I'm sure I will have words about that in the hot Cumberland Valley tomorrow!Too bad the Tavern closed early (only open tonight due to Mother's Day, normally closed Sun and Mon) as I would have slept at the pavilion just next to the Regional ATC office. This hike is dedicated to the great folks at Boiling Springs Tavern-Geoff and Mike and the rest of the staff were just super to this old thru hiker-many thanks-you all made MY day!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAPA 05
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Boiling Springs

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike:25.7/1133.6 Boiling Springs to Duncannon (Doyle Hotel)Money spent:$49.05-gum&gatorade at BS 2.30, soda at DC Kwik mart 0.95, lodging 17.50, dinner 12.04, laundry 2.25, supplies 5.50, breakfast at Goodies 7.36, super glue 1.15Today's Wx: A warm spring day, clear, light winds, low 80s. I enjoyed my stay at Gelinas Manor, but it was a bit ornate and pricey for the average hiker (college age). However, Leo and his wife were excellent hosts and the accommodations and breakfast were good-thanks a lot!In the office at 9:45 and at the Doyle Hotel at 7:00, for a 9+15 hour, 25-miler.Today looked like a perfect snake sighting day-warm, sunny, and walking in shin high grassy fields. Sure enough, in the first hour, I saw a 15" garter snake right on the trail! I wonder how many I missed!The farmers were disking their fields, the woodchucks were gathering mouthfuls of grasses, the birds were singing, the cows were moseying around their pastures-it was an beautiful pastoral walk most of today. The barns, silos, pig sties, milking sheds-I loved my walk today! The ATC, MCM, and the CVATC really make it easy to accept the "Duncannon Challenge" because there is ONLY one shelter between Boiling Springs and Duncannon, and that one is 21 miles NOBO, so you may as well go stay at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon!I got a late start due to breakfast at 08:30 at the Galinas Manor B&B. I waited until 9AM to visit the Mid-Atlantic Regional ATC office and work a pocketmail problem I was having with pocketmail's tech reps-they helped me fix the difficulty over the phone-sweet!Many thanks to John at the MARATC office for his assistance and patience.So I started out and found the going easy and FAST-I was at the Scott Farm ATC Trail Work Center in less then 4 hours (10.3 miles). I decided that if I could get to the Cove Mtn Shelter area (21.6 miles) by 6PM, I would press on to Duncannon. I did that and I was having a beer and checking into Doyle at 7PM.The only tough part for today's hike was the 600' climb-straight up-to the ridge run going to Cove Mtn and then you have a 2 to 3 mile rocky road to the shelter turn-the shelter is DOWNHILL for an advertised 0.1 mile, so I blew it off.A special thanks to Geoff and the staff at Boiling Springs Tavern. They treated me extremely well, made me feel welcome, and made my dinner a treat! Note: They normally are closed on Sunday and Monday, but yesterday were opened for Mother's Day-I finally hit a place on the right date!!One hiker note: There is a man "Ishmael" who will provide accommodations that thrus can afford. His name is Bruce Dunlavy and he normally can handle hikers early or late in the season. Get his phone number from the MAR ATC office!This hike is dedicated to Leora Richardson my seventh grade home room teacher at Lincoln Junior High School in Oceanside, California. She was the best teacher I've ever had by far, may she rest in peace!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAPA 05
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Duncannon

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike:11.3/1144.9 Duncannon to Peters Mountain ShelterMoney spent:$11.78-lunch at Doyle 11.43, denatured 0.35Today's Wx:Sunny, light winds, 80sIn the office at 12:15 and at the shelter at 5:45.Last night at the Doyle I couldn't believe the train traffic thru the town-I guess this track line is really busy all the time! Spent a few hours this morning getting email and trailjournals all updated and since folks started coming for lunch, ate there also before I left, but I forgot to give Vicky the room key!.It is really amazing how fragrant the forest is during Spring! I thought I'd have more trouble with pollen and allergies, but so far that has been no problem.Yesterday during the farmland grass walk, I saw two hikers, at different times and places, who had visible ticks on them! Tis the season, but none on me yet!The last two days the spiders have really been busy spreading webs everywhere-at the end of the day my pack looks like a good Holloween accessory!One of the joys of hiking is getting to the top of a long climb, hot, and getting a nice cool breeze and seeing the green, tranquil mountain top-it brings joy.Leaving Duncannon today, after crossing the two bridges, the AT gets right back with a 1000' climb to a ridge walk to Clarks Ferry Shelter-a nice one, 100 yards off trail with an excellent spring-tasty water.The walk to Pa. 225 is pretty easy-a few rock scrambles, but very thru hiker doable. The 3 miles to Peters after 225, are basically an old dirt road walk, very easy! Table Rock is an interesting rock that faces towards the valley below.At the shelter with Parson tonight who's on an overnighter checking out his gear before he goes to Damascus for a two week NOBO beginning Monday.This hike is dedicated to TB and 47 years!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAPA 05
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Swatara Gap 
Miles today: 23.5

Today's hike:23.5/1168.4 Peters Mountain Shelter to Swatara Gap (Pa.72)Today's Wx:Sunny and warm-85 degrees. Threatening thunder storms in late afternoonIn the office at 7:15 and at Swatara Gap at 5:15 with weather getting bad and no shelter within 7 miles.Got started early to go far today. The 6.5 miles to Pa. 325 at Clark's Valley go quickly-I made it in 2+45 without hurry. Hikers should PLAN to go to this area if they can tent out-there IS a large flowing creek and many areas to camp-I wish I had known that the hike would be easy, fast, and there was water and camp spots. I would have gone there vice staying at Peters Mtn Shelter.The climb to Stony Mtn is thru hiker easy-it is an old road that is a very gradual climb-literally no sweat until you get to 1400' and then it is not too bad. There is a GOOD spring at 1250' on your right (but it floods the trail) with an old wall next to it.The hike has a few soggy spots that might be gooey after rains, but I was able to motor along inspite of the nearly calm 85+ temps today. There are a few eroded spots, but so far at mile 118, the Penn State is no more rocky than any other. The trail past the Yellow Springs Village Site has a gag mailbox on it-too funny! The path to the Rausch area is very good-don't forget to collect a few coal lumps for your fire! This area was a coal community around 1900 and the tailings are still visible.I did not go to the Rausch Gap Shelter area, but I was told by a few SOBOs that the privy caught fire and burned the building and some of the surrounding area-WOW!On trail today I met Blingfoot and Bean Pie, two sectioners heading to Duncannon.Also, I met Jeremy and Professor, my second group of actual SOBOs this year. They began at Mt K last July and in October hit the no money wall. They have just begun again on Mother's Day from Port Clinton-good hiking guys-it was a pleasure meeting you and sharing info over our lunch break.Lastly, I made the Swatara Gap in just a little time squeeze as I didn't want to go 7 miles although it would have been close with a little less than 3 hours of light left-I don't hike until it is dark! I was willing to continue as I have a tent, but weather concerns erased that thought. The air felt like rain and the sky really looked like an imminent thunderstorm was coming, with that distinctive dark cloud buildup. So, I hitched a ride to what was supposed to be a 2 mile trip (per our "never erring" 2005 Data Book) and Frank drove me the 7 miles to the KOA Kampground.It is pricey for lodging, but has good food, some re-supply, a pool, Internet, good, friendly help, and an amazing number of permanent trailer residents who are an easy yogi opportunity.This hike is dedicated to Frank, from Pine Grove, who gave me a ride down to the KOA Kampground.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAPA 05