morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-06-06
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Late start this morning. No need to rush with only 5 miles to hike for the day. Didn't leave until 8:45 and terrain was extremely easy. Usually I can guess how far I've gone by time and after an hour passed I figured I was about 2 to 2.5 miles from the road. Fifteen minutes later I was at the road. 5 miles in an hour and 15 minutes. HAHAHA. Milo's dad was meeting him their and offered to give us all a ride to the outfitter and the buffet. Very thankful for that. The Chinese buffet didn't disappoint. Easily 1 of the best buffets I've ever been too. All the Chinese foods I wanted plus sushi. And they even put all the hikers into their own room right next to the buffet. HAHA classic. Ate their for an hour, then lounged around town waiting for the hostel to let us in.The hostel opened their doors at 5 and about 15 hikers set up cots in the basement. The hostel also has shower, a/c, and a big screen tv with movies. A nice place to relax. Also, today is Fishnet's birthday and the hiker community came through for him cooking a taco dinner for everyone at the hostel. Very cool. Then their was also cake with trick candy. Very funny. A little drama at the hostel though tonight. A thru-hiker "jay" who is a very sketchy awkward individual ended up leaving the hostel after already setting up his cot and unpacking his stuff. I've never met him before but apparently others have and all have some kind of weird "Jay" story. This hostel wants everyone to sign in and take their picture for the hostel records they like to keep. He apparently refused to have his picture taken and left the hostel. Very strange situation, no one really understands.After that it was a very chill night at the hostel in lounge watching tv. Not sure what my plan of action is tomorrow aside from getting laundry done. Might hike, might not, might try and see a movie. I don't know. Loving life on trail.
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Waynesboro VA

To: Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Decided to take a zero today. Record high temps in the area, I have to do laundry, and I just feel lazy today. We had to leave the hostel this morning at 9am but they let me borrow a day pack to carry my laundry and few other misc items in around town instead of full pack which I could store at the hostel. Was able get laundry done early this morning then Towns and I decided to try and see Hangover II at the theater 5 miles outside of town. Didn't real plan how we were going to get their but we figured we could get a hitch easily enough and lets be serious Im not going to walk far on my day off. Well our 1st efforts failed miserable noone wanted to stop so we changed locations. Went into the grocery store packing lot and helped some old ladies put their bags in their car and tried to get a ride to movie theater by asking how far it was hoping they would offer to drive us. Failed again. Went back to the main st with new positive attitude and putting all the power into our thumb for a ride and with 5 minutes we got picked up. Success.Well the movie theater is way outside of town and we knew getting back was going to be another issue but still went to see Hangover II. It was funny but the 1st one was definatly better. Then back to road to try and thumb our way back towards the hostel. It was easier than we thought, in the 2nd wave of cars from the light we got a ride. Success again. It's the little side adventures like this that make the trail a lot of fun.Got back into town and chilled until 5 when they opened the hostel door again. Went to chinese buffet again for another amazing dinner. Then is was time to resupply on an extremly full stomach and some how I still bought way to much food. Even when I'm not hungry and I can go from deli to deli through the Shennadoahs. Oh well. All in all a very relaxing day off but Im ready to hike again. Bring on the Shennies.
Date: 2011-06-08
From: Waynesboro VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Out of the hostel at 9 and was lucky enough to catch a ride from Santa's Helper who has been staying at the hostel for a few days shuttling hikers around. We got to the trail around 9:30 to start following the white blazes again. A few miles in we had to register as thru-hikers at the Kiosk for Shenandoah Nation Park. The trail in the Shennies is exactly as advertised. Very day hiker friendly with easy terrain grades and of course no views under the green tunnel. In the Shennies the trail crosses skyline drive 28 times with camp stores and wayside centers very close to the trail to get food along way. A hungry hiker paradise.Not a very exciting day on trail but I did see my 1st bear. A young adolescent about 200 pounds running parallel to the trail a couple hundred feet to my left just crashing through though the woods. It was nice to finally see a bear and I just watched him until he vanished. So apparently bears do exist. All in all a good day on trail.
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Good start today. Got up and out of shelter early to beat the heat. Another hot and extremely buggy day. Magic early on from Pigeon, who is unfortunately getting off trail because she can't stand the heat anymore. A couple apples, some soda, and a snickers and I was back on trail again. I was sorry to hear she was getting off but was very thankful for a nice 2nd breakfast.Arrived to my 1st hungry hiker oasis. A camp store only .2 from the trail were I was able to eat a bunch of food and take a nice long midday break. Really no need for me to buy any more food at the camp with my food bag weighing me down but soda, chips, ice cream, and candy are just way better than what I'm carrying.Again more easy terrain through the Shennies and again no views under the green tunnel. I think the Virginia Blues are starting to get to me. But I was able to make plans with my cousin Javid to meet up in Harper's Ferry and take a couple days off to chill with him in DC. That will help motivate me through the final stretch of Virginia.The weather threat late afternoon showers and even heard some thunder but unfortunately no rain to cool us off. I hoping for rain soon, some of the springs and streams we rely on for water are going dry.
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: broken clouds

Another day in the green tunnel of Virginia. Definitely think I caught the Virginia Blues. So ready to be done with this state. Good news is that we have less than 100 miles until the state line. It was quick 12 miles this morning and made it to another camp store for a long lunch break. One dollar yuengling bottles. Yup! A chill break as more hikers gathered at the store for their lunch.The second half of the day was much of the same as the morning. More view less terrain. The best views are actually from Skyline drive overlooks. Damn windshield tourists. However I did see my 2nd bear on trail. A big 500 pounder standing right on trail about 30 feet in front of me. We caught eyes and as I reached to unlock my camera from it's zip-lock prison he bolted into the woods. Thought briefly of chasing him but didn't for fear of being labeled a backwoods paparazzi. So I just watched him run over barrel over saplings and then a few hundred feet from the trail he stopped, stood up on his hind legs, looked at me one last time and then walked off. It was pretty exciting and my best bear encounter on trail. Hoping for a few more but I'm pretty sure I intimidate the bears. I haven't seen many because they are afraid of me always running away. Just a bunch of wusses.Rest of the day was slow and lazy. Just meandered along. Good day on trail and chill night at the shelter.
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Late start on trail this morning. I blame the birds. They didn't start chirping until about 7:15 and I didn't get on trail until 8:45. Probably due to the chilly morning and clouds. Much cooler temps today than the last few weeks. Partly cloudy all day and a nice breeze made for great hiking weather.Just moseying along trail when to my surprise trail magic. Great unexpected magic in SNP. A family was grilling up burgers and hot dogs, their was cold soda, candy, and fresh fruit. Amazing. They were doing trail magic because a member of their church had thru-hiker last year and gave them the idea. Well I was very thankful.It was a hard place to leave with so much food but it was time to get back on trail. Clouds started to form overhead and I made into shelter just before the rains started. It was a great storm. Cooled everything off and reduced the bug population. Took about an hour long nap at the shelter while it rained. Very lazy day on trail. After the rains stopped I started hiking again and made it to shelter were a few section hikers had already set up tents and I had the shelter to myself. Even with the little rain storm today I was still able to start a great fire to keep the bugs away. A section hiker had been trying to light one for some time, he even poured some of his denatured alcohol on the wood and still couldn't get one started. I kicked up some of the wet leaves to gather the dry ones underneath and few dry sticks. In a few minutes I had a little fire going and laid the bigger logs around it so they would dry out. Haha silly sectioner. Eventually, the fire got hot enough to burn the logs and the fire lasted all night keeping the bugs off me in the shelter.Chill night by the fire watching the fire flies flicker all night. Looking forward to getting famous SNP blackberry milkshakes tomorrow..
Date: 2011-06-12
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Tom Floyd Hut
Miles today: 23.6

Great day on trail. Early start at 7:15 a cruised through the cool morning hours. Saw a doe nursing a fawn right on trail. They were not afraid of my presence until I got with 5 feet and they scattered. The doe ran into the woods off to my left. The fawn clumsily ran down the trail in front of me the dove off trail to my right behind a small fern that barley covered a third of its body. Terrible hiding spot and if I was a hungry coyote that fawn would be breakfast. That fawn needs to learn to hide better and quickly.Made it to the last wayside store in SNP. Finally got a blackberry milkshake for 2nd breakfast. It was amazing. As good as advertised. More easy terrain with a couple of same Virginia views looking down on endless farmlands. Got to the 1st shelter for lunch which was .2 miles off trail. Didn't plan on going down but decided might as well fill up on water. Good decision. In the spring, trail magic, cold gatorade and mountain dew. Nothing like a cold soda to with my tortilla's filled with summer sausage and cheese for lunch.After lunch, meandered along trail and a couple afternoon thunder showers cooled me off. I like it when in rains briefly for 10 minutes or so. Makes for very comfortable hiking. Towards the end of the day the trail left the Shenandoahs. Almost out of Virginia. Quiet night at shelter as I'm the only here again. Really looking forward to meeting up with my cousin in DC. The lure of beers and BBQ have gotten me through this final push out of Virginia.
Date: 2011-06-13
From: Tom Floyd Hut

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 26.5
Weather: broken clouds

Perfect day on trail. Perfect weather. Easy terrain and big miles. It was nice overcast day with cool temps and a comfortable breeze. It made for super enjoyable hiking however Blahginia continued on this view less day. Completed my 1st marathon on trail though.Last night in Virginia. Excited to see that state line sign tomorrow. Chill night at shelter with a great fire and some new faces.
Date: 2011-06-14
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another great day on trail. Got an early start this morning so I could ride the roller coaster in the cool morning hours. Oh Virginia how I loath thee. The infamous roller coaster section of Virginia is 10 steep ascents and descents over a 13 mile section. In true Virginia fashion they are of course view less.. One last curve ball before we leave. The roller coaster wasn't really that bad or as tough as people made it out to be, just annoying.Stopped at the Bear's den hostel for lunch. Some cold sodas go well with tortilla stuffers. Bear's den was a very tempting place to stay but tomorrow I will in DC. Finally left after a long lunch break continued my ride on the roller coaster when in a few miles I saw a wooden sign "Welcome to West Virginia". I've never been so happy to see a state line sign. I hugged the sign and when I was safely across the border gave Virginia the finger, turned my back, and continued walking with a new hop to my step.A few miles later another sign "1000 miles". I can't believe I just walked one thousand miles. Chilled for a little while at the sign then continued on my way. Made into shelter and again I'm the only one here. Not sure where everyone is. A very peaceful shelter with a nice swinging bench. My food bag is pretty much completely empty and for dinner finished off what was left. So my meal was a cup ramen noodles, instant mashed potatoes with a salmon pouch, any my last tortilla. Yum. Thank God I'm going into town tomorrow. Really looking forward taking a couples day off in DC. FOOD, FOOD, FOOD.
Date: 2011-06-15
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry, WV....DC
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

Excitement took over and I couldn't sleep. I was on trail by 6am after eating the very last thing in my food bag, 1 snickers bar. A little spring in my step helped cruise the 9 miles into Harper's Ferry and made it to the ATC before they even opened their doors at 9. They took my picture and I registered as the 435 thru-hiker to make to Harper's ferry. A little surprised at that the number was so low. I was 670 at Amicaola and that didn't take into account the hikers who start at the top of springer. I guess a lot hikers have either got off trail or I passed them. Any way it's very exciting to finally be in Harpers Ferry, my 2nd mental checkpoint on trail. The next checkpoint will be when I get back into New England.Well I arrived in town a lot early than expect and my cousin was going to be here at noon so I had some time to kill. 1st things 1st I got a real cup of coffee. Went into the gear store to fix my trekking pole tips which broke a couple hundred miles ago and the woman at the store even gave me a free muffin. Nice. Then got an oreo cookie milkshake and walked around town for little while taking in the sites. Then another milkshake just because I can.Javid arrived in town about quarter of 12 and we got lunch at one of local restaurants their. Very cool seeing him again. I haven't chilled with him in a long time. Filled him in on my adventure so far and learned about his travels in China. Then off to DC in style as I got picked up in a BMW. (To my friends at home: No I do not know what model it is so don't ask.)At house chilled most of the day just being lazy. It was great seeing my Aunt Suzie when she arrived home from work and filling her in on my adventure. I haven't seen her in a long while either.Beer, ice cream, chips and dip, cookies, and everything else I've missed was all here. Very relaxing end of the day. I'm very fortunate to have family by the trail. Also the 1st time I looked at my photos. Kind of strange looking back at Georgia and reliving the memories.
Date: 2011-06-16
From: Harpers Ferry, WV....DC

To: DC with Aunt Suzie and Javid
Miles today: 0.0

Prepared to sleep in this morning but the curse of the trail woke me up early than expected. Auntie Suzie made me the best breakfast I've had on trail. Three eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast and real coffee. Lazy morning just chilling listen to music and watching tv like a normal person. The rest feels great. Made it down to REI to get some new gear. New gaitors because mine just broke, bug spray which I haven't had in over 4 days, a hat, and another food bag. I wish my entire pack weight was food instead of just 50%. Ate pizza for lunch and watched 127 hours. Feels great not moving with no where to be.That night Javid and Siobhan cooked an amazing dinner. Shrimp, streak: with some sauce I can't pronounce, corn, potatoes and watermelon salad. Easily the best meal I've had in a long time. When asked what I wanted to eat for dinner my answer was anything but pasta and that meal was perfect. More familiar faces came over too. Auntie Amy, Warren, Andrew with little Jayden and Roshan. It was great to see everyone, show them pictures, and fill them in on my adventure. It was a fun night with good food and good company. Like always after a day of rest I start to get antsy and ready to hike again. Only 1166 miles left. Haha not even half way yet. But I've made it Harpers Ferry were about 50% of the hikers have already dropped out. Next milestone is getting back into New England. Looking forward to what the trail brings.
Date: 2011-06-17
From: DC with Aunt Suzie and Javid

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

Leaving town is always hard to do. Leaving family in a very comfortable setting is even harder. But the white blazes never stop so it's time to get back to the trail. After a big breakfast and resupply, Javid drove me back to Harper's Ferry to continue my journey. I wasn't planning a big day out of town so I wasn't to worried about my 2pm start. After finishing the few last steps in West Virginia I crossed into Maryland. I never knew because apparently I missed the sign. Maryland started out very smooth cruising along a flat 3 mile path along the river. The day continued and I trudged along felling lazy after my time off. Clouds started to form overhead and the rains started just as I set my pack down inside the shelter. I finally won against mother nature. Only one in the shelter again tonight. Wondering where all the other hikers are?
Date: 2011-06-18
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Annapolis Rocks
Miles today: 14.2

Late start this morning, didn't get on trail until 9:15. As I continued to pass the white blazes I was feeling very lazy and unmotivated to hike on. Maryland has been amazing country though. Great for an unmotivated hiker with very easy terrain and historic state parks with tons of information about the civil war. The trail passes through old battle fields with and monuments. Their were a lot of places to take a nice break and even learn a little.When I arrived at the original Washington monument a car caravan passes me. The guy in the lead car asks me if I'm thru-hiking and when I respond yes he stops the car and says I have some magic for you. Amazing! He gave me a bag full of pepperoni rolls, chips, cookies, and cold cans of mountain dew with real sugar. It was an awesome surprise. Chilled at the Washington monument for over an hour eating and then moseyed along to Annapolis rocks. Great views of the rocks. Thought about hiking on but with no motivation decided to camp their and just pitched my tent.Ended up passing out from 5-8 and woke up just in time to catch the end of sunset from the rocks. Across the valley you could see lighting strikes as it looked like a storm was going to roll over this way.
Date: 2011-06-19
From: Annapolis Rocks

To: Raven Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Surprise, surprise another late start on trail. Was back on trail by 9 and only 2 miles in I decided I wanted a cup of coffee. So I just stopped took out my stove and made some coffee. Just another day on trail. It was a very enjoyable day on trail with some more easy terrain. Made into shelter at 2:30. Was just starting to eat my lunch when a very intense rain storm hit. It poured for the rest of the day. Well, the weather decided my distance today. Just stayed in shelter and read a lot. Just chilling with out a care in the world. Then as the evening rolled on and the rain continued a few other thru-hikers caught up to me. Shaka, A-game, Vegemite, muffin man, sparkplug and even pigeon came in late. It good times in the shelter. A lot of fun seeing familiar faces and catching up our trail experiences since the last time we met. So I guess in the end the slow days worked out for me. I'm back with some good people on trail.The past few days on trail I've felt very lazy and unmotivated to hike. I think from all the excitement surrounding last week: getting out of Virginia, passing the 1000 mile mark, getting to Harpers Ferry, and heading into DC, I wore myself out mentally. Last few days I've been trying to get re-motivated to hike the 2nd half of this trail. Still a long way to go.
Date: 2011-06-20
From: Raven Rocks Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Well the laziness continues. I was up at 7:15 with the rest of the shelter but didn't get on trail until 9:45. The morning section was extremely easy and fast into Pen Mar Park. Pigeon and Sparkplug showed a little while later and we were able to order pizza to the park. I ate way to much food at the lunch so a nap was in order. We all ended up passing out on the picnic tables for 30-45 minutes until the maintenance guy said we could sleep on the tables. Hung around the park for about four hours then decided it was time to hike again.Just after the park we passed the Mason Dixon line and into the 7th state on trail, Pennsylvania. Cruised the rest of the day into shelter. Approximately 5 hours of hiking and about 4 hours of breaks. That's a good day on trail.It was another chill night at shelter with Pigeon, Sparkplug, Shaka, a-game, c-spike, muffin man, and Poppins. A great fire and a fun group.
Date: 2011-06-21
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The rains came in late last night about 3am and didn't stop until around 8:30 this morning. Very slow lazy morning as we all waited to make out move. When I heard the birds chirping I knew it was only tree rain we were hearing so I hit the trail about 10am. Cruised the morning section as the sun came out and made it to Caledonia State park by 1.The afternoon turned out to be extremely hot. Well, Caledonia has a pool with water slide and snack bar. So it was an easy decision to take another 4 hour break chilling by the pool. Trail life is tough. We're really roughing it out here. Pigeon and I finally left the pool at 5 and flew the last 10 miles making it to shelter at 8. Another great trail day. Good crowd at the shelter and ended up just cowboy camping on the porch. Tomorrow we pass the the half way point on trail and the AT tradition is to eat a half gallon challenge: means eat a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. My 1st choice of ice cream is oreo cookie followed by cookie dough and if neither are available I will settle for chocolate chip.