morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-19
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 9.6

Gravel Springs Hut, 8:01am - The Waiting is the Hardest PartMatt showed up as expected on Thursday evening. Sharyn dropped him off, along with their dog, Sadie. We left just as darkness fell and hiked for about two hours, rolling into Rock Spring Hut just before 11pm. We tried to be as quiet as possible but still woke up the shelter. I hurriedly climbed into the completely empty upper bunk; Matt cowboyed under the picnic table. However, Sadie soon grew restless and shelter residents getting up in the night were apprehensive about a strange dog. Matt soon relocated to parts unknown, dog in tow.We had a nice hike the next day with a rather relaxed pace. As expected, we didn't have a whole lot of wildlife sightings. Dogs tend to keep wild animals at bay. It was a beautiful day but much cooler than recent days. I even got a small bit chilled when we stopped for lunch at the Pinnacles picnic area. We had a mild surprise just before Stoney Man Mountain when the AT followed a nature trail for a short distance. The problem was that dogs aren't allowed on nature trails. Luckily, Matt found an alternate parallel trail that rejoined the AT just before Little Stone Man Cliffs and thus was able to enjoy a morning view. The day's highlight, though, was Mary's Rock, a boulder outcropping just before the steep descent to Thornton Gap.On our way down to the gap, we fantasized about buying a soda from the vending machine at Panorama. Our dreams were soon crushed by a visit from reality: Panorama was closed. The sign on the door read "Closed from November 2004 until May 2005." I was pretty sure it was past May of 2005, but who am I to argue with the National Park Service.After a disappointing but lengthy break, we pushed on to Pass Mountain Hut, the evening's destination. We passed Ug along the way. His shoes were killiing him so he's hiking up to Front Royal to rectify the situation. We arrived at the shelter and set up camp in some remote sites. We cooked dinner, chatted with the residents (Ramblin' Man, Corporal, Peanut, and a brownie troop), and waited. While at Big Meadows Lodge I had found an unused computer terminal. It was ambiguous whether it was a public use terminal so I was quick and stealthy. But in my brief usage I discovered an email from Lydia, aka Chicken Feet. She was planning to meet me at Pass Mountain Hut. And so, we waited.After the shelter went to bed we relocated to our tents. I had been napping for about fifteen minutes when I heard a familiar voice outside. Chicken Feet and her friend Magnet had arrived at long last. They had planned to leave their car at Terrapin Hostel and catch a shuttle to Thornton Gap but had failed to confirm the plan with the hostel owner. He wasn't there when they arrived so they had to drive down themselves and were running behind schedule. We visited for an hour or two before turning in for the night. I hope we didn't disturb Peanut too much, camped out a few yards away.[See tomorrow's entry for account of today]
Date: 2005-06-21
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

9:17pm - The Longest TimeWell, Romer never showed up last night. But E.P.I.C. Flop did. We've ping-ponged with each other for a long, long time but hadn't actually seen each other since Hot Springs. Reunions are fun.This morning involved a lazy start and a good round of hacky-sack with Crickett, Litmus, Bassline, and Matt. Today was also Crickett's 27th birthday. Eventually Matt and I wandered to the trail and began our northbound mosey. When we passed under I-66, Matt proposed we hit Snickers Gap a day early, on Wednesday night instead of Thursday morning. I readily agreed. The revised plan lets us get in some heavy mileage days and also gives me a chance to go into DC for an evening. That should be a lot of fun and I'm really looking forward to it.At that moment, Roamer showed up! We talked a bit and swapped war stories. She hiked on since Matt and I still had a few calls to make on his cell phone, but we met up again minutes later. A picnic table was located directly beneath a mulberry tree covered with ripe fruit, and - well, you can imagine. It was messy.We had a short lunch a few miles later at Manassas Gap shelter but didn't linger. The register warned of many local copper heads. We hiked a bit further to Dick's Dome Shelter for a snack. Dick's Dome is easily the most confusing shelter I've ever seen. Why would anyone think a round shelter was a good idea? Why I ask, why?It didn't matter; we hiked on. We decided to push for 19 today and do 10 tomorrow. We cruised through Sky Meadows State Park before encountering a bizarre character just short of Ashby Gap. Samsonite the Luggage Dude was walking north with a tent under one arm and a suitcase under the other. After a short distance, he dropped them, backtracked, and picked up his other suitcases and carred them forward. Nobody is sure what his story is, but according to the register he's been in the area for two days. Originally he was heading south bound. I wonder, though - if he completes the trail, is he eligible for a 4,000 miler patch?Rather tired, and nearly exhausted in Sadie's case, we reached the shelter at six. We had done the last nine miles in less than three hours without realizing it! We plopped down and made camp then dinner. We spent the evening chilling with the Garland 5, Hiker X05, Bassline, Clearwater, and EPIC. Roamer made a brief appearance. Her crew had gone 0.8 miles down the road at the last crossing to a restaurant. They moved on, but I'm not sure if it was to outlying campsites or the next shelter. Time will tell.Also, today was the summer solstice, known on the trail as Naked Hiking Day. I didn't participate, but rest assured that it's not just an urban (rural?) legend.
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Iron Master's Hostel, Pine Grove Furnace State Pk
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: moderate rain

9:58 pm - The MiddleBonnie and I got an early start in an effort to beat the heat. It was a really easy stretch of trail, which made up for the less than spectacular scenery. Still, it was nice to occasionally recognize a section from the 24 hour orienteering race. There was also an abundance of camping spots. I'll have to remember this place next time I'm looking for somewhere to backpack for three or four days. There's tons of intersecting trails and jeep roads so it would be pretty easy to plan your own adventure.This afternoon I passed the halfway mark of the trail! Well, "mark" is a stretch - I took an educated spot as to the actual location. There is a ceremonial marker I'll see tomorrow, but due to trail reroutes it is currently two miles north of the actual midpoint.Just after passing the midpoint the heavens opened and it began to pour down buckets of rain. Bonnie's leg was hurting so we went slowly to ensure maximal drenching. We arrived at the Pine Grove Furnace campstore soaked to the bone, where I proceeded to celebrate the midpoint with the half-gallon challenge.The half-gallon challenge is a scheme concocted to sell lots of ice cream. A hiker sits down, spoon in hand, and attempts to devour a half gallon carton of ice cream. The prize: a tacky wooden spoon. I didn't hike naked; I skipped the quad state challenge [Editor's note - Quad State Challenge is hiking in four states (VA WV, MD, and PA - total of 40 miles from VA border to PA border) in one day between midnight and midnight]. I felt like participating in at least one silly tradition so I plunked down five bucks and sat in front of a half gallon of peanut butter twist. Thirty nine minutes later, victory was mine. I had the second fastest time of the day, losing out only to Troll with his thirty one minute wave of destruction.EPIC Flop did the gallon challenge - drink a gallon of milk in an hour and keep it down for another. He barely ate or drank all day and succeeded. But the man inside the store told him he could only get a spoon if the milk is frozen. I guess that's the problem with participating in non-existent traditions.A bunch of us hung out for a long time - Skywalker, Socks, Sleeveless, EPIC, Bonnie, White Water, Nurse Ratchett, and the Troll family. Cricket and Litmus showed up just before dark. They're still tired from the quad-state challenge and slept for a lot of the afternoon. Most of us are staying at the local hostel, which was the location for the amazing firefly light show just after dusk. A nearby meadow was illuminated by thousands of eerily blinking lights. The hostel is also home to a secret room used to house runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad. Tonight, hiking meets history.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Iron Master's Hostel, Pine Grove Furnace State Pk

To: Little Dogwood Run
Miles today: 15.4

7:39pm - Fade AwayToday started with banana pancakes, followed by a hike. Minus the pancakes this seems to have become my normal routine. Bonnie and I went slowly so she could take it easy on her knee. We posed for pictures around the halfway marker, which was just off from the actual halfway point for both our trips. We chugged onwards and took a break at Tugg Run for lunch, chatting a bit with Skywalker in the process. We didn't get too much further before stopping for an afternoon snack. Hey - when a convenience store is only 0.2 miles off the trail, it's almost an obligation to at least stop in for a soda.Bonnie really started fading in the afternoon. Between the heat and rocks she was really suffering. After huffing over a rock scramble, she exclaimed it would be a lot of fun if only she had the energy. Consequently we ended the day just before the Alex Kennedy Shelter after 15.5 miles instead of pushing all the way into Boiling Springs.Other than the fact that I'll be attempting 29.5 miles tomorrow to reach Duncannon, I really like this campsite. It's an open area right near a small creek, far superior to the nearby shelter. There's also plenty of extra sites nearby - one could almost fit a small boy scout jamboree in here. But we don't have to - we've only got Cricket & Litmus, Moose & Popsicle, Socks and Sleeveless, and Bonnie and me. There's also a few newbies, including 49er and a couple whose name I didn't catch. I'll probably turn in early tonight so I can get an early start tomorrow. I've chosen the easiest terrain possible (I hope) for 29.5 miles, but it's still a long friggin' way.
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Little Dogwood Run

To: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon PA
Miles today: 29.6
Weather: broken clouds

10:22pm - The Boys Are Back in TownBonnie and I started hiking early - real early. We got up at 5:15 (yes, that's 5:15) and were hiking by 6:10. We saw all sorts of wildlife - groundhogs, rabbits, and even a fox. Basically, we saw all the varmints that live near farm fields, quite possibly because we were walking through farm fields for the last two miles before Boiling Springs.Boiling Springs is a scenic, quaint little town. A pond cuts through the middle of town, dividing a park and a classic small-town main street. Unfortunately, I didn't have much extra time to linger. I grabbed a snack from a cafe and checked the ATC message boards, finding a note from Phoenix in the process. She and the boys were meeting me in Duncannon tonight - as was my camera. I vowed that nothing short of death would stand between me and Duncannon.I left Bonnie on the ATC's front swing and started the Duncannonathon in earnest. I flew over the open, grassy terrain. In my first two hours of the day, Bonnie and I made it four miles to town. I covered the next eight miles in two hours fifteen minutes. I walked a short ways to a diner for a filling lunch before resuming the wilderness trek. I continued to make excellent time, despite a brief thunderstorm, blistering heat, black flies and a sudden influx of rocks in the last eight miles. I reached the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon at exactly 6:00pm - 29.5 miles in less than 12 hours.Inside, I joined May Fly for a drink and also Cuppa Joe, a man I have perpetually been two days behind. We'd heard of each other but never met. I left a message on Phoenix's phone and went back to our table to decompress. Before too long, the bartender asked if there was a Papa Razzi in the house. I took the phone, and heard from Crazy Legs that they were twenty minutes out.Shortly thereafter, a familiar trio walked through the door. - Crazy Legs, Professor Nutbag, and Phoenix. The duo had arrived in town Wednesday night and had spent the last two days at Bridge's house in Delaware. Low Bridge will rejoin us in Port Clinton. After checking in and getting a shower, we celebrated our reunion with dinner. Of course, much time was spent swapping tales from the last month. Has it really been that long since Glasgow?Also, I am now reunited with my camera! It arrived this week and my Dad shipped it to Doyle. I've only shot a few seconds of footage so far, narrating an extremely abbreviated version of the last month's events. It's curious, the camera broke on the day I separated from my group, and I got it back the day I caught back up.
Date: 2005-07-02
From: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon PA

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

9:30pm - Take it EasyIt was a day of comings and goings, of greetings and goodbyes. Today was the last we'll see of Phoenix in her role of trail angel. She's driving back to Boston for a wedding. She doesn't know what she'll do next, but we all wish her luck and offer a heartfelt thanks. She's been more than a "support crew" - she's been a good friend that I've enjoyed getting to know a bit more in each town.We hit the trail in the midafternoon after saying goodbye for now. Well, Professor and I hit the trail at least; Crazy Legs had left a few hours earlier. I didn't make it far until I saw Crazy Legs and Live Strong hacking it up, with Live Strong's girlfriend Rachel watching the action. I came to hack the Appalachian trail, and hack I did. Our efforts, soon bolstered by Professor Nutbag, were so successful that we got sucked into the shelter for the evening. Three miles - a new low, but I don't mind a short day after yesterday. My left calf is feeling a bit tender so taking it easy sounds about right.It's been a lazy evening. Professor has picked up a backpacking guitar in my absence and spent much of the evening playing along to the radio. We found a good rock station with a great mix of songs, and plenty of Bruce. I can't say I expected to hear Devils and Dust on the radio, especially a few months after the album release.The night is now winding down with the same laid back pace that has characterized today. In the distance I hear fireworks, but can't see anyting in the woods. Perhaps we'll luck out tomorrow and get a view.Finally, if Nirav is reading this, here's a register I left in Darlington Shelter yesterday that I thought you might enjoy.Hikin' in to Darlington ShelterMe and Wayne* on the first of JulyHikin' in to Darlington ShelterOut of the rain hoping to get dryWe're moving on to Duncannon cityWhere the girls are pretty but they just wanna know your nameHikin' in to Darlington ShelterGot a Leki connection with an uncle of Wayne'sWe hiked twelve hundred miles without seeing a copHumming rock and roll music, all day long we don't stopSinging sha-la-la-la, sha-la-la-la-la-la...*sometimes I call my pack Wayne. The world don't know what me and Wayne might do.
Date: 2005-07-03
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Rausch Creek
Miles today: 24.3

9:14pm - It's All About the WaterI didn't mean to do a 25+ mile day. Honestly, I didn't even want to. I had my sights set on a 17 miler, but sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do.Today started innocently enough with an easy ridge walk. I left early and alone, enjoying a cool morning of solitude. It didn't take Crazy Legs too much time to catch me, though, and we had an early lunch together at the Peters Mountain Shelter, a behemoth of a shelter. It dwarfed an ancient tiny shelter nearby that was built by Earl Shaeffer, the first AT thru-hiker.The two of us again ping-ponged to Clarks Creek where I spent nearly an hour relaxing, soaking my feet and reading. I was also hydrating. A spring listed in the guidebook at which I planned to refill had been missing, and a trail relocation had added an extra mile before Clarks Creek. We planned to continue another 4.3 miles to Rattling Run, cook dinner, and hike onward to the Yellow Springs Village campsite for the night. However, life played a trick on us. When we arrived, Rattling Run was bone dry.A local who arrived at the same time as us couldn't believe it. "It's always flowing," he cried in exasperation. And yet, a dry creek bed was all that existed today. Camping away from water wasn't an option tonight. We needed it for cooking and also for general hydration purposes. I had a liter and a half - enough to hike wherever I needed to go, but not enough for dinner and breakfast. It was 7.4 miles to the next stream crossing, and we didn't have much of a choice in the matter. We hiked on, arriving with just enough daylight left to set up camp and cook.Well, most of us anyways. There's no sign of Professor. I hope I'm wrong, but I have a feeling he'll dry camp somewhere along the way.
Date: 2005-07-05
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

8:36pm - One Thing Leads to AnotherWe lingered at the 501 Shelter for a long time this morning. We were only hiking 15 miles so I figured I'd kill time where there were some magazines. Eventually Skywalker, Whitewater and Nurse Ratchett showed up, prompting our departure. It wasn't because we don't like them - much to the contrary, I hope they catch up. But the arrival of people who camped 4 miles back is a subtle signal that you're taking too much time to get going.We hiked over some of Pennsylvania's famous rocks. I think I stepped right over a rattlesnake at one point. Every other person ahead and behind me saw him coiled under a rock in the middle of the trail. At least I'm consistent - still no rattler sightings to date.This afternoon was one calamity after another. I was leaning against a tree and must have been standing on a wet root, because the next thing I knew my back was scraping bark as I slid down to the ground. A few hours later, my camera screwed up again as I was trying to film a turtle. Honestly, didn't I just pay a lot of money to fix the damn thing? And then, thirty minutes before reaching the shelter the on-again-off-again drizzle became a violent down pour, soaking me to the bone. Yeah, what a lovely afternoon.At least the shelter is big, dry, and half empty. Our usual trio hacked for a bit while Che and Peanut looked on. 49er is tenting nearby but has pretty much stayed to himself. Well, off to read the quality magazines in this shelter - May's Maxim.
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton Pavilion
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked into town early this morning as the rains finally subsided. I headed straight for the Port Clinton Hotel for a shower. Mayfly was there and recommended the burger, which I had. It was huge and extremely good. While showering, Crazy Legs showed up, and Skywalker, Whitewater, Nurse Ratchett, and 49er showed up while I ate. Mayfly had a friend with a car present and hooked Whitewater, Ratchett, and myself up with a trip to the grocery store and Cabella's afterwards. Port Clinton has nothing in the way of grocery stores - in fact, this town doesn't even have a pay phone. Our journey instead took us to nearby Hamburg.As we were pulling our of the Port Clinton parking lot, Mayfly said, "Low Bridge is yelling for you Papa." Sure enough, Bridge had just arrived. We exchanged greetings and then I left on my shuttle run. For those of you that don't know, Cabela's is a huge outdoor store. It's quite impressive in and of itself. I bought a new pair of shoes. Mine still have a bit more life, but I figured that this will likely be the best outfitter I'll see for a while. Cabela's also gave me a free ride back to town.Everyone was on the porch of the Port Clinton Hotel, including Bridge and his cousin Perry. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to linger. I rushed to the post office, running into Che and Peanut once there. I borrowed some boxes from them and arranged my packages. My camera was sent back to Precision Camera Repair, its accessories were sent home, and my new shoes were sent ahead to the Delaware Water Gap.At long last I returned to the hotel's porch. My pack was there but everybody had vanished. I figured they had relocated to the hiker pavilion as per our plan for the day. But once there I discovered the only pavilion resident was a hiker named Ox. Quixote and Live Strong soon showed up, but the Dream Team remained absent. We cooked up dinner and ate some blueberries dropped off by a guy driving past. We discussed arrest warrants in the state of Pennsylvania. Gozar even strolled in before dark - talk about an unexpected surprise. I thought he was way ahead of me, but apparently that's not the case.But for all this evenings occurrences and shenanigans, one question looms over everything: where the heck did the guys go?
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Port Clinton Pavilion

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today started with a huge breakfast. Livestrong, Quixote, and I went to the 3 C's restaurant where Livestrong and I both had the "nibbler platter" consisting of pancakes, a slice of french toast, an egg, a bacon strip, a piece of ham, a sausage link, a biscuit with sausage gravy, a piece of toast with chipped beef, and home fries. As we were eating it began to pour outside. We watched the rain and CNN, where we learned of a terrorist bombing in London. Glad to be indoors in a small town on such a morning.I hiked out around 9:30, travelling down mist-shrouded paths. At the first shelter I found a clue as to the location of the others - Crazy Legs signed the register last night. I had a nectarine and some cherries before continuing. I soon passed the Pinnacle, an overlook with a lot of rock scrambles around it. The views were nonexistent, but I did find a deep crevasse. I peered into it but didn't go down since I was alone. One slip and I could be there for days.After a nice walk over a woods road that provided a much appreciated reprieve from the ridgeline rocks I came to a road. I crossed it and kept an eye out for the shelter that was supposed to be nearby. I didn't see it within a few minutes so I double checked my guide book. It turns out the shelter was down the road itself, not on the other side. I backtracked to the road and sure enough, I found blue blazes on the telephone poles. A short walk later I turned a corner and found a familiar cast of characters playing hacky-sac.It turns out that they did tell me yesterday they were hiking out, but it was while I was rushing to package my camera. I didn't hear a thing due to my preoccupation. While I was wondering where they were last night, they were doing the same thing concerning me. They left me a note near the shelter where I ate lunch but I apparently missed it.Eckville Shelter is another excellent Pennsylvania shelter. Like the 501 Shelter, this one has bunks, but these are padded. It also has electricity, astroturf, a flush toilet in a nearby shed, a solar shower, and a fridge with sodas and snacks for donations. It's nowhere near as big as the 501 shelter, but it is still quite impressive.We've got another full house - the full dream team, Livestrong (who picked up the note left for me), Quixote, Bridge's cousin Perry, Whitewater, Nurse Ratchett, and Gozar. It's supposed to pour tonight - rain from a tropical storm - so we're all packed in tight. Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.Also, Professor is currently working the phones. There's a "Hiker Feed" in Duncannon this weekend being put on by his Billville friends. We're trying to line up a ride back. I guess we'll find out soon whether or not we'll be successful.