morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Lambert's Meadow Shelter

To: Troutville/Daleville Econolodge, VA
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

4:45 a.m. Got up to pee in the woods and the owls started hooting when they saw my headlamp -- no privacy! The moths, too, are attracted by the light and they flutter at the tent screen, their eyes glowing like sci-fi movie creatures.11:30 a.m. Saw another fat, healthy-looking doe grazing near the shelter this morning, and two last night on my way in. Chipmunks are out in force; they and the squirrels account for most of the rustling I hear in the dry leaves as I hike.   No bears yet!Have foregone my damp sports bra for my town bra today -- developed a rash yesterday. I need to find something with no cotton in it.Last to leave camp at 9:20, and have taken two breaks already to eat, drink, take the pack off, and take the shirt off and air it (and me) out. I scratched my bugbites raw and they looked bad last night -- bright fuchia soft scabs like blood blisters. Need a day in town to air them out, get dry and start to heal. My arms and legs make me look like I've got the bubonic plague. Sox took a photo of her legs with Pokey's and mine -- not a pretty sight -- we look as if we should be quarantined for the pox!Glad that Zippy, Pokey and Switchback are taking a zero-day in Troutville with us. I enjoy their company so much. Zippy's going to show me wood sorrel today -- more trail greens to add to my Ramen and mac & cheese.We're having a little farewell shindig for Peter Pan, one of the Two Jacks who invented and manufacture a down hammock. He's been out section hiking but needs to see a doctor. Will miss his enthusiasm.
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Passed through Punchbowl Shelter to get water. The frogs in the pond, once they got started, created a deafening roar -- thrumming like plucked bass strings. Glad the pond was not our water source -- there was a nice clean spring just down the hill.I ran out of bandaids for the infected insect bites on my feet today, so started cutting up minipads and duct-taping them on. Zippy and Switchback came by and we started a conversation about the many uses of feminine hygiene products in the wild: maxi pads -- like any form of sterile compressed cotton -- make good sterile dressings for wounds; tampons are excellent fire starters; etc. So gals, don't leave your supplies at home!Zippy found some yucca and made friendship bracelets for me and Riva Queen, fashioned after one that Switchback had been wearing since the beginning of his hike. Sturdy stuff.
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The last couple of miles of the day always seem to go on and on. The last part of the hike today was along a pretty river, though, and then up Brown Mountain Creek, where you can still see stone walls and stone house foundations from a settlement of freed slaves from the late 19th century. Fascinating to get a little history alone the way.Trail magic after a footbridge this afternoon, a man standing by his car handing out Dr. Peppers and Mountain Dews. Sooooo welcome! Pokey, Riva Queen and I were pooped out after a long trudge together. (Love hiking with them!!)A great moment this evening when Cimarron, the nearly-82-year-old hiking phenomenon and former Boy Scout troup leader, when, at 7 p.m., he announced in front of the shelter, "All right, everybody! Lights out time! Taps, everybody, taps!" An old soldier never dies; he just keeps marching.
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

A shorter day, but I was still beat from yesterday. Stopped in at Cow Camp Gap Shelter, a half mile from the trail, just to get out of the rain for half an hour. My respect for the hikers who endured 100 days of rain (1999? 2003?) has increased exponentially with just our daily afternoon thundershowers. So far we have at least had opportunities every few days to dry out completely (without having to check into motels or do town stops). I've heard horror stories of foot fungus, moldy boots and tents, bug bites that never heal because of the tropical clamminess. I bow down before you, oh brave, persistent rain hikers! (We're not worthy!) You are stronger willed than I might be under such conditions. I find the nighttime clamminess and morning damp grind my morning cheer into the mud. It's a chore to get out of the tent without bringing down a shower of condensation on my head or back, then to put on damp socks -- preserving the dry pair for the ultimate dire emergency -- threatened hypothermia -- rather than using it up for mere comfort's sake.Zippy and Switchback, the dynamic duo, got to the shelter hours before Riva Queen, Pokey and me, and so went on into Montebello to the general store and brought back town goodies! Cokes, chocoate, Hostess cupcakes. We had a little chocolate/sugar/caffeine fest after or respective instant noodle dinners. (I chipped in with cheddar slices on Triscuits, garnished with brook lettuce -- an hors d'oeuvre offering that Yankee Turtle and Thomas from Hamburg seemed particularly to enjoy.) I also handed out sticks of lavender and rose incense (my one luxury item -- I packed it in with my tent poles) and made everyone swear that they wouldn't split up -- or forget me -- while I was off the trail.
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Dutch Haus, Gesilligheit, Montebello, VA
Miles today: 2.3

What bliss! Two large coffees, a banana and a sleeve of fig newtons for breakfast at Montebello's general store.My tent was almost dry this morning, and completely dry (from the laundry line at the Dutch Haus) by afternoon. Lois and Earl are wonderful hosts, and after our free lunch (for ALL thru-hikers), my posse took off back to the trail, while I luxuriated in hanging laundry, tent, and sleeping bag on the clothesline, taking a shower, cleaning out my foodbag (in which I had buried an exploded container of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" in layer after layer of greasy, plastic, I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Butter-y baggies.I'm feeling like a real A.T. hiker now though, arriving in town with a nearly empty food bag (the sign of good planning rather than of good food or appetite): a third of a container of marge, a half cup of minute rice, an ounce of Parmesan cheese, and a handful of nuts -- the likes of which could sustained me for another day, in a pinch, even if it meant having to make a greasy peanut risotto.I'm sleeping on a balcony overlooking the kitchen and living room, rather than the hiker bunkhouse, so that I can make my twice nightly trek to the loo without having to put on my camp shoes, headlamp, fleece and glasses. What luxury to be back in the landy of flush toilets!My fingernails are almost clean. My bugbites still itch, but they're easier to care for when I have access to clean dry clothes. On the other hand, not hiking all day means that my hands -- usually on my poles -- are now free to scratch all day. I may end up having someone duct-tape my wrists together. A line-up of hiker legs would be a hideous sight indeed -- we look like escapees from the chicken pox quarantine.
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Dutch Haus, Montebello, VA

To: Providence, RI
Miles today: 0.0

4 a.m. I can't believe I'm goint to be sitting down for nearly 14 hours today. RIva Queen suggested that, just to stay in practice, I walk up and down the aisle of the bus with my hiking poles.2:45 p.m. Beautiful weather outside the bus. Wish I were hiking.6:15 p.m. Port Authority is such a hell hole! Enough to depress even the most upbeat traveller. But the diversity of bus travellers is fun, heartening -- a United Nations on wheels.I have put my hiking boots on for the walk from Kennedy Plaza home -- 3 miles or so, the only exercise I'll have all day.This morning in Waynesboro I bumped into Uncle Ben, who was waiting for his girlfriend, Grass, to arrive from Damascus. He was planning to aquablaze (i.e., travel by water) the Shenandoah with her and some other friends from the SideTrack Cafe there. While I went in search of a cup of coffee, he watched my pack, and ended up having to hold the bus for me. From the local diner, Bramble, the endearingly nutty fireman, emerged to give me a bearhug. He was having breakfast with Kaalogi (Butterfly in Navajo), whom I've been mistakenly calling Luke. Two tall guys bonding over eggs and home fries. Stuck in traffic leaving NYC -- could have hiked out faster. Today I travelled around 700 miles by bus. In 16 days, I'll start walking that distance.
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Providence, RI

To: Providence, RI
Miles today: 0.0

After some agonizing about when and where to get back on the trail, I¢ve decided to get back on ahead of the group I left, so that friends joining me for a week or two won¢t feel pressured to keep up an unrealistic pace (for a new hiker), but also so that I¢ll still be close to the group I left behind and can rejoin them without having to leave the trail again. I¢ll make up the sections I will have missed ¢ between Montebello, VA, and Pennsylvania ¢ after I summit Katahdin. This way, I won¢t have to worry about hitting early winter in New England. Completing the trail out of order goes completely against my perfectionist streak and my purist intentions, but that¢s probably a good thing for me to practice! Besides, the folks in Montebello (Dutch Haus proprietors Lois and Earl Arnold) told me that they do a bang-up job of celebrating thru-hikers who finish there ¢ I don¢t have to worry about an anti-climactic end to this journey!
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Providence, RI

To: Providence, RI
Miles today: 0.0

AT LAST! I¢m heading back to Pennsylvania tomorrow to get back on the trail by Tuesday. Hallelujah! My back (which spazzed out when I mistook myself for superwoman and did some heavy lifting) is finally in decent enough shape for me to get moving again. At least I know that the walking will keep it flexible. ¢Your little will can¢t do anything. It takes Great Determination. Great Determination doesn¢t mean just you making an effort. It means the whole universe is behind you and with you ¢ the birds, trees, sky, moon, and ten directions.¢That¢s a quotation from a Zen Buddhist, Katagiri Roshi, taken from Maine Rose¢s AT hikers guide for women. Once again, I want to thank the folks who are making this possible for me: Kath, Tricia (both who may join me out on the trail), Heidi (What about it, Heidi?) and Timm. These folks are my ¢ten directions.¢I¢ve also decided to conduct the rest of the hike as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund for underprivileged kids. (For more information, e-mail me at LauraMaxwell64@earthlink.net where you¢ll get my automatic vacation reply with details. Thanks in advance for your generosity!) I may be taking a break from teaching, but my students are always on my mind. I wish so much that more urban kids could get out into the wilderness. I know that my own students¢ camping experiences were mind-broadening for them ¢ even for the ones who refused to get out of the school van! There is nothing I can teach students in school that can replace KNOWING that there are still places in their own country where you can drink water that comes from the ground, wake up to birds singing instead of car alarms, see the stars at night instead of an orange haze, and be alone (without being lonely) for hours on end.
Date: 2004-06-28
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Backpacker Campsite
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: overcast clouds

On bus from Providence, RI to Delaware Water Gap, PA: Glad to be on my way back to the trail today. Even though my back hasn't fully recovered, it felt very comfortable to have to pack on this morning. It weighed in at 45 pounds with two liters of water and food for six days, and contains two books (which I'll regret later, I know).Walking down to the bus stop this morning, I found myself passing several otehr backpacking travellers -- mostly "persons of no fixed abode" on their way back from the YMCA/Travellers' Aid to wherever their next stop is. (Reminded me of teh joke I heard from Largo: "What's the difference between a hiker and a bum? -- Goretex.") I felt a kinship with them that I never have before, felt like stopping them and telling them that life on the trail is better than in town -- prettier, possibly cheaper, too, if they're living on veterans' retirement checks or disability. A fellowship of travellers. They certainly didn't look any less kempt than I am in my hiking gear -- some had better looking backpacks than mine! It does make me realize, though, how much like a troupe of hobos we hikers must look when we traipse into trail towns. It's truly phenomenal how welcoming folks are -- and not just at the diners and post offices! Good people.4 p.m. Back on the trail! No sign of my posse having come through DWG. It's more than likely that I arrived a day or two before them.The next shelter is 20 miles from here! But now that I'm up on a ridge, there isn't more than 500 feet in elevation change if I decide to go that far. And, there's a YMCA amp with a screen lean-to before that.Later: Saw a grouse today -- she looked and moved like a peahen. And a little chipmunk squeaked at me, sounded just like a rubber squeaky toy.Met Traillite in DWG. He's taking time off the trail after contracting Lyme disease -- yow! Time to break out the Deet.The ridgerunner, Garth, at this campsite says to prepare for rain tonight. I never sealed my tent seams, so we'll see how it goes... This is a gorgeous spot! Too bad there's no water source here -- and I'm down to 12 ounces for breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, I forgot to pack milk for this stretch -- nothing to put on my cereal. Nevermind.
Date: 2004-06-29
From: Backpacker Campsite, Worthington Park, NJ

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Downpour last night. Had a couple of puddles in the tent, but no worries. Slept in and let the sun dry out the tent. My $1 watch crapped out on me overnight, so I'm not sure what time I got moving, but I was the last one out of the campsite. Watched a glider overhead while I did my back stretches (feeling a little creaky today).Just as I had finished packing up, a bear moseyed (sp?) into the campsite -- my first bear sighting! Got some pictures before he saw me and ran off. This bust be a regular stop for him each day, after the tents have cleared out, to see what goodies the campers have left behind. HE seems to understand, though, that it's not safe to be there when people are around.Lots of wild blueberries today! Two varieties -- one a very dark, blue-black berry, the other more of a frosted blue.Two thru-hikers passed me late in the afternoon -- Southern Boy and Achilles. SB said he'd hiked with Riva Queen and crew for 4-5 days and figures they're probably 1-2 days behind. So I'll most likely see them within the week.At the Mohican tonight I'm tenting next to Walk Softly -- a young guy I met back at the Dahlonega Hiker Hostel! Amazing to see folks I haven't seen for months. I told him I'd had an e-mail from Scholar, who has left the trail after some soul-searching. Scholar, come back!Whipporwill is at it this evening. I'm slathered with bug cream tonight.Sunfish Pond was beautiful today! Lots of dayhikers out enjoying the views. Some neat cairns had been sculpted on the north side. Southernmost glacial pond on the A.T. My ankles got a real workout today going over the rocks. Glad I stuck with boots instead of switching to trailrunners or sandals. My hiking sticks, too, saved me from more than one face plant.Saw two more bears before arriving at Mohican -- a cub running away, then its mama, standing up on hind legs to see what had scared her baby. She was so beautiful. I know you're supposed to avert your eyes to avoid appearing threatening, but I had to look at her -- her brown eyes glowed in the afternoon sunlight. She looked just like a friendly neighbor, looking over the fence for a chat.
Date: 2004-06-30
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Climbed the Catfish Firetower this morning and got a tour and a triangulation demo from the ranger, who was expecting a 4H group to come through shortly. Nice service to the community! In her other life, she's a second grade teacher.Lots more blueberries again today. I figure I'm keeping bears off the trail by eating all those within reach. Passed a perfect beaver dam and a large lily pond (Beaver Pond -- go figure) resulting from their handiwork. The frogs were plucking their guitar strings.Got to the shelter and got water just after sunset. Eating lentils to the birdsongs. Walk Softly, Toe Break and his son Kevin are in tonight.Another workout for the ankles today, plus one nose-to-ground face plant and one slip-and-slide prat fall on the slanting rocks after the rain. No harm done. I fall well!Some beautiful views in the last three miles before the shelter -- vistas of Pennsylvania green.Taking a short day yesterday means I'm short on food for this leg -- there's my motivation to keep moving!
Date: 2004-07-01
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

I took a wrong turn on the trail today and had to backtrack a little. In that amount of time, Zippy and Switchback must have passed me, because when I rolled into Gyp's Tavern at Culver Gap, there they sat at the bar. Riva Queen and Pokey appeared soon after. So great to see them! Snowman had arrived at Brink Road Shelter shortly before I left and told me they weren't far behind.We sat and had burgers and beers then got back on the trail. And the drop box I was worried I wouldn't get to before the P.O. closed Saturday? Riva Queen's husband Davve is picking it up for me before he meets us on the road to Vernon, NJ, Saturday afternoon. What a guy! Then we'll find something festive to do for July 4.My pack is much too heavy -- again -- and it's splitting at the seams (in all of the places I didn't do repairs, and in some that I did). My boots may not be long for this world either -- I really imagined they'd last forever -- or at least for 2000 miles.There are 20 or so young teenagers at the shelter tonight, overnighters from local summer camps, so we're tenting a little bit away from them, but their excited shouting and chatter is loud and clear. Several are venturing toward our encampment with flashlights, looking for adventure or a place to pee. I hope they don't get curious and release my bear bag from its hanging place -- that was the best throw I've ever made! and on the second try, too! Right now, though, I am just thankful not to be one of the camp counsellors.
Date: 2004-07-03
From: Unionville, NY

To: Vernon, NJ (St. Thomas Episcopal Church)
Miles today: 11.8

Pretty walk today, much of it on plank walks across swamps (fairly dry) and at least a mile of boardwalk across a marshland bird sanctuary. Climbed Mount Pochuk -- lots of variety in the terrain today. Saw another ground hog (not a gopher as I had previously thought), and three baby raccoons playing in the woods. Noshed on blackberries along the edges of fields. Also ate a red berry (double berry) that looked like redcurrant with a sweet taste followed by an acrid medicine-y after-taste (and I'm not dead yet).One of the friends of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and of the trail was out in one of the fields we traversed with a weedwhacker, cutting pack the poison ivy and nettles, not to mention the grasses that harbor deer ticks. Thank you, sir! Some other kind soul had left four gallon jugs of water out on the trail for thirsty hikers. There seems to be no end of hospitality offered to thru-hikers.To top it off, we are here at the church, where we have been able to shower, do laundry, and sleep in a carpeted rec room for a $5 donation and a clean-up chore. We got to hear the organist practising, and out of the window we have a view of tonight's firework display, sponsored by the local volunteer fire department.Note to Wingfoot: Add "Pizza Station" to eateries in Vernon -- superb pasta in enormous portions. Not even we hikers could finish the whole plateful (except Switchback, who usually finishes what others don't eat -- "Are you done with that?" -- but couldn't this time).We're slackpacking tomorrow, south from 17A back to here, thanks to Dave, Riva Queen's husband, who is here enjoying some quality time with his wife for the July 4 weekend. A mere 15-mile slack pack tomorrow; my feet are applauding.Dragon Slayer and The Wicked Lobstah were both here this afternoon, packing up to hit the trail. Nice to put faces to the trail register entries. Here tonight are the Roman Noodles (husband and wife doctors from Georgia), Mushroom, Mississippi Mule, Wicomico Walker, Wizard, Pokey, Zippy, Switchback and me.
Date: 2004-07-04
From: NY 17A

To: Vernon, NJ (St. Thomas Episcopal Church)
Miles today: 15.2

Good day to slack pack -- lots of ups and downs over rocks, including one area with a ladder. Walked with Pokey most of the day because, sadly, Riva Queen has decided to leave the trail. I'm hoping I'll hook up with her again in a couple of months when I do my last section southbound (Delaware Water Gap, PA, to Montebello, VA). She has a few short sections to do also. Her spunk and sense of humor will be sorely missed. Meanwhile, many thanks to both RQ and husband Dave for lightening our loads today, and for the ice chest full of cool drinks waiting at the end of the day!Didn't get a good night's sleep last night -- for many reasons -- and ate a lousy breakfast of coffee, donut and pop tarts, so I was sleepwalking all day today, stumbling along. Pokey and I stayed together for th efirst 10 miles, then I slowed down to a shuffle.One nice thing about doing a section southbound occasionally is that you get to see everyone else who's doing the same section northbound in the course of a day. Pokey and I stopped at a rocky vista to chat with Snowman and check out the horizon for the hazy outline of New York City's skyscrapers. We also passed the Roman Noodles, Mushroom and Wizard (not slackpacking), Wicked Lobstah and Dragon Slayer -- folks I might not otherwise see unless we were at the same shelter the same night.We did our last bit of New Jersey today -- I've loved this state! It may be my favorite so far. Great variety of terrain from marshes to mountains, and this is the only state where I've seen bears so far!