morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-21
From: Fish Hatchery Road Dutch Haus B and B

To: Reed's Gap VA 664
Miles today: 19.9

Now I know why the Hobbit stayed here three days -- to slack pack. Today was a long (19.9 miles) but great day --without a full pack. Steve and I slack packed from Fish Hatchery Road to Reed's Gap. We went by Spy Rock, went thru the Priest Wilderness and over Priest Mtn, then thru the 3 Ridges- Wilderness, up the ridges, and past Chimney Rock. This is the last 4000 footer for a long time. There were lots of day hikers out on the mtns- Boy Scouts, trail runners, a group of hikers from PA, and a Professor (Dave Horton) with his class from Liberty University. The class was called running. Today we saw great views on the trip. Lots of conversation and generally a fun day. Earl drove us to the start and we had to hike up Spy Rock Road to the trail (about 25 min 1000 feet). We hiked the trail from 8:00 to 5:30. It was tiring but fun. Earl picked us up at Reeds Gap 30 min from the Dutch House. He will take us back tomorrow. On the way home he did a great thing. He pulled over on the Blue Ridge Parkway and showed us a panorama of exactly where we had hiked ie: Fish Hatch Rd to Spy Rock to The Priest down to Cripple Creek then to the Tye River up and over Three Ridges and down to the gap. It was awesome seeing how far in the mtns one can cover in a day on the AT (especially without 40 lbs on your back).Tomorrow we go to Wolf Shelter 3 miles from Waynesboro. We need to pick up Steve's mail drop in town. About 75 miles to go to Booten's Gap.Note: Took my first fall today. The morning was cold and there was ice on the rocks. I stepped on one rock and poles went in the air. I fell, tumbled ,and ran into Steve. No harm. No one hurt. All is well. Also, for those who are not familiar- a slack pack is hiking witout your full pack. You only use a day bag with basic gear.
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Reed's Gap VA 664

To: Mill Crek Wolf Shelter
Miles today: 14.1

Earl took us to the trailhead after breakfast. Got there at 8:15- Nice day. Beautiful day. Perfect weather, easy ups and downs. Lots of rocks, however,for three forths of the trip. But enjoyable overall. Great vistas and overlooks. Not a lot of people on this part of the trail given the day (Sunday) and the conditions. I did run across the group from Harrisonberg PA, the same group that I saw yesterday. When we got to the top of Humpback, we could see a ski area in the distance. Yes in VA. They were open but the coverage looked sparse. Not any skiers. It was called Wintergreen. We actually went past some of the condos on the hike. Also, a golf course at 3000 plus feet. I wondered what that would do to the drive off the tee?? Nothing eventful, nice easy stroll in good conditions. Got to the shelter @ 3:45. Nice new shelter and creek. Put my feet into the creek to get the swelling down. Quite refreshing. Felt great. My blister is almost covered over. Happy trails Peace
Date: 2009-03-23
From: Mill Crek Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Up and out. No breakfast- just a coffee. Short day today. Took some photos on the bench at the shelter named for John Donovan. No relation to Steve. We hiked in great weather again. A little cool to start- about 30 degrees. We got to town in 2 and one half hours. We got a free ride from a trail angel, Bill Gallagher.(They have a list of 25 people you can call for a free ride, great town). His wife lived in Franklin MA, and her dad was an AD at Dean College. The football field there is named for him. We plugged in at the Quality Inn but not before Bill toured us around town. Steve went to the outfitter, and I am meeting him at the PO later to get the mail drop. Erin's foot is still bad, so she has opted to go home. Knowing her, she will be back later. I am in the Waynsboro, VA Public Library typing this. I went to the Kroegers to restock and went to work out and get a swim at the YMCA. I went back to get some rest before dinner. We went to an AYCE Chinese place suggested by Bill. It did not disappoint. Bill will pick us up in the AM at 7:30. So far I have traveled 225.7 for this section. Tomorrow we will do 20 miles on the Blue Ridge, the next day 21.4, and the third day 15. It is supposed to rain on Wed and Thurs. I hope this works out. That will complete the section to Bootens Gap on Skyline Drive. Then to DC to get my car and home. I will be out of computer touch for the next three days or so. Happy Trails- Peace
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Black Rock Shelter
Miles today: 20.0

Slept fairly well last night for being in civilization. Up early @ 6:15 to get ready. Packed and had breakfast in the motel (waffle, juice, cereal, and coffee). Bill met us at 7:30 and took us to the Skyline Drive. Nice day for a hike. Cool and sunny. We had to register at the station as thru hikers and give them our itinerary for the hike and put a tag on the back of our packs. The USNPS requires this of back country hikers. Same in the Smokies. There were gradual ups and downs no real tough climbs, so we kept a good pace 9 and one half hours for the 20 miles. Of course, we felt good after a 5 mile day yesteerday and resting the legs for a while at the motel and in the pool. Cooked a nice dinner: raman, tuna, hot chocolate, and a pop tart for dessert. Some one had left embers in the fireplace so we got a fire going for the night. Steve is an admitted fire bug. Steve saw some deer 20 yds from him while he was hiking alone. He is hiking much better and got in shortly after me to the shelter. Tomorrow we do 21.4. Should be interesting and long. Early to bed. It is getting colder. Happy Trails Peace.Note We crossed Skyline Drive 10 times today. I think you cross the drive some 48 times during the trip.
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Black Rock Shelter

To: High Top Shelter
Miles today: 21.4

A cold wave came thru last night and it got real cold. Up and cooking at 7:15 (Just getting light) and off at 8:15. Today will be our longest- 21.4 miles. The day was cloudy and cool but no rain to start. Saw some great views today and crossed Skyline another 10 times. Black Rock Mtn was a real interesting rock formation of rock with pieces of shale going perhaps one-half mile down the side of the mtn. Saw lots of deer close up today about 20 in all. No Bear but lots of signs of them (Scat, balls of hair, prints etc) Steve got tired and did not want to hold me up, so he tried to hitch to the shelter or to Front Royal from Pine Field Gap. He walked quite a ways on the Parkway (Yellow blazing) and got picked up by a friendly ranger who took him to High Top Gap. I called Jerry Gord,on for a ride tomorrow to DC but as it turned out (Carol would call on Thurs) he will be out of town and Carol was busy so we will neeed to go to plan b. The day was long but enjoyable. No real trouble with feet or blisters or the pack . Very comfortable hike. It was good to seee Steve had made the shelter and was OK. He had left signs along the way that led me to believe he was there. (We put a pile of rocks and arrows in the dirt if we leave the trail to go to a shelter etc . That way each will know if the other is taking a break etc) I saw the arrow twice and knew Steve was ahead. Also, I could tell from the boot tracks that it was he. Remember, I followed him and Erin in the snow at the start of the trek for some 5 or 6 days. I got to know their boot tracks pretty well. It is cold again, and I am in the sleeping bag at 8:00 with a headlight writing this with cold hands. Tomorrow, Bootens Gap and the end of this section.Note: Fell again today on the ice. I was checking out the campsites and bear boxes at Loft Mtn Camping Area and while off the trail and bushwacking slipped on an ice covered rock. Fell on my pack. It was great as a cushion. No problems. All is well. Happy Trails Peace
Date: 2009-03-26
From: High Top Shelter

To: Bootens Gap
Miles today: 15.0

Last day for a while. Slept well, a bit chilly. Rained hard all night. Got up and the floor of the shelter was all dew. The clothes that I left out and the sleeping bag were damp. Up early to get out. Put on the headlamps and packed up and ate in the dark. No cooking for me. Pop tart and Powerade. Got going around 7:20 or so as it was getting light. It was very foggy and I wondered if Skyline Drve would be open for cars. It closes down in poor weather. If closed, how would we get a pick up and getfrom Booten's Gap where I left off last year to Front Royal??? We got to VA 33 and saw cars coming onto Skyline Drive. Yes ! Good. We hiked on. Steve was real tired and fell behind for a while but I heard voices at a closed cabin at Pocosin and went down to find it occupied by two people from the local hiking club. They offerd me water and we chatted. When I got back to the trail, Steve was there. We went together to Lewis MTn Campground and found a pay phone to call Bill for a ride. He ,of course, asked about conditions and if the parkway was open. It was actually getting foggier. Steve decided to stay and wait for Bill. I was on a mission so I needed to go 3.3 more miles to get to Bootens Gap to make the connection between Pearisberg and Booten's Gap complete. (You hikers understand the reason for this). Just as I walked onto Skyline Drive at Booten's Gap, Bill Gallagher and Steve pulled up. What timing! (2:05 PM) We turned around because of the fog and went down Route 33 to Elkton and then 340 to Loray and to Front Royal to avoid the fog on Skyline Drive. Bill drove us to the place where we needed to take the bus in the AM then to another 5 star trail motel called The Blue Ridge. We went to a local pizza place and then watched some March Madness. We will neeed to take a cab to the bus in the AM. The bus leaves at 5:25 and goes to the Ballston Metro stop. Frank will pick us up there and take us to my car which is parked at his house. Note In all, I averaged 18.5 the last three days. and about 11.5 per day. This is less than usual. In April/May I hope to hike .some 279 miles. I have hiked 1,313 miles to date.Also, It is interesting that of the 14 tent/shelter stays,I never stayed in a shelter with any other hikers except Steve and Erin. On the other hand, Southside leaving Springer noted that he had to hurry along to get shelter space and sometimes there were as many as 18 people in and around shelters at night.Also, we never caught or heard from Heaven Bound after Buena Vista- would like to know how he made out?? And NoName and Neptune (SoBO)Until next time To So SI et al Keep Hikin' Happy trails, Peace Squire
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Harpers Ferr WV

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: overcast clouds

On the trail again. Left Jefferson at 5:30 ,got to Providence, and took the 6:55 AM Regional Amtrak to Washington DC arriving @ 2:20 PM. Trains are slow and a bit expensive but nice to ride. I didn't sleep at all on the train,but I read my Grisham novel and did crosswords. Not real sunny today- overcast but warm. Hung around Union Station and decided to take a hike (Yes a hike) I walked down to the Dubliner but choose Irish Times and had a going away beer. I caught the train at 4:45 to Harper's Ferry. This was a big one, a double decker with a sleeping car, dining car, lounge, and observation car . It was headed to Chicago. I got off the train and started the hike. I was not sure if I was only going to go 3 miles and go to a hostel, but I was wired and missed the road so I hiked 6.5 miles and got to the first shelter. I got in just before dark. I had fresh legs and ,of course, was anxious to get going so I did the 6.5 in 2 hours. The terrain, however, was very flat to start. I hiked for three miles along the tow path of the C and O Canal.   I passed miles 60 and 59 and left at 58. This old canal path goes for 180 miles from Georgetown DC to Cumberland, NC. At the shelter I met two guys - Easy Going who was a thru hiker and # 17 signed in at Harper's. He left mid February from Eckert College after his last exam. Great way to go. He had been off the trail with his parents , brother, and sister, so he looked pretty good. He was lamenting the fact that he had to leave his hiking mates. (Been there myself). Also, there was a guy named Jake from GA with a heavy accent. Nice guy. He took the MARC train to Brunswick and hiked the tow path from marker 55 to 58 then onto the AT where I left the path. Note: Of course. I spent a little time in Harper's Ferry taking photos and reading sign- John Brown's Fort and also some locks on the C and O Canal. They are still discernable. This is a very scenic since it crosses the rivers of the Patomac and Shenandoah. Joellen and I came here on our southern trip in the 70's. It hasn't changed much and is still a great place to visit. I also Called Johnny D on the hike . I miss my New England jaunts with the crew. Johnny et all VT to ME for 300 miles late April next year. Get ready. Happy Trails Peace
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Pen-Mar County Park 

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Ten states down-four to go! It rained every step of the way today- sometimes quite heavily. Up early 5:30 didn't sleep well last night. Jake was out early at 6:00, but I had to wait until 8:00 for Merry Mary to come and shuttle me to Pen Mar. I started the hike at 8:30 in the pouring rain and there was no let up. However, at PA 16 I got my first trail magic from a trail angel who left a Gatorade and a can of OJ. I chose the Gatorade. There was more trail magic at US 30 and the person left ham salad with crackers, a dessert, and a Slim Jim. Also, a third apparent bit of magic at Antietam Shelter who left a stack of hardwood and fire starter for the night.(Would have been extremely difficult starting a fire.) The trail magic made the rain tolerable. Two special treats in one day. Ran into two hikers at Tumbling Run Shelter- Lobster Legs and Hot Pants. Yes,she called herself hot pants. We chatted for a time then off... I arrived at Caldonia State Park at 3:50. Pretty good time again. I ate my trail magic under a gazebo and chatted with some visitors and headed toward the shelter. At the shelter I met LWOP (Malcolm and the Seashore people will know the meaning of this) and Bear Bag Hanger. They thru hiked in 04 and were doing 2 big sections in two years to do it again. Good company. Merry Mary was on the phone and told me her husband would pick me up tomorrow after my hike and bring me to their house to watch the Capital's game. Quite a long distance. He is a hockey fan who worked at the old Arena. He said he would take me back to the trail the next day. We will see.Note: Blister was OK todayCaldonia Park PA houses the Sen Thaddeus Stevens Museum. He was an outspoken abolitionist and owner of the Caldonia Iron Works. The works were torched by soldiers of the CSA on their way to Gettysberg Happy Trails Peace
Date: 2009-05-04
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park PA233
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: moderate rain

The tin shelter roof was busy all night. It rained very hard all night. I slept pretty well. Had a nice dinner. I ate two of Erin's dinners- a pasta and a rice dish, very good and filling. I had a chocolate treat compliments of the trail magic. Chatted with LWOP and Bear bag Hanger about trail and equipment. They are good company and know a lot about the trail and equipment. We got going at 7:30 after cooking breakfast. Today was a real fast hike but a real rainy one. It poured all day. In addition, it was cooler and windy and foggy. Not a nice day to hike. The trail was a mess because of the present rain and the all night downpour. There were puddles everywhere and at the end of the day, the down hills were literally rivers flowing quite quickly. Of course, my shoes and socks were soaked so I just walked through the streams and puddles. I hiked quickly and stopped at two shelters for a break and snacks. The terrain was very easy today. The easiest in a long time so it made the rain tolerable although I was really wet and a little cold. I planned to go to the International Hostel at VA 233 (This is the half way point on the trail), but I called Merry Mary (See yesterday's report)and she said he husband would love to pick me up. John arrived at 3:00 and drove me 50 min back to their house in Smithsberg. I am typing this from their house. We will watch the hockey game between the Caps and Penguins tonight as I try to dry out. John has last night's Bruins replay on now. He just got a call to pick up a hiker at Pine Knob who apparently has hypothermia. I do not doubt it. John is going to take him to Harper's Ferry. Fortunately, when I finished my hike, I took off all of my wet gear and put on my dry stuff. (Always keep a dry set of warm clothes to change into) My clothes are drying and my pack is drying out also. I do not think my boots will dry out tonight. I will try the newspaper trick and see if that works. Tomorrow I will get a ride back and hope to meet up with my sheltermates from last night. Perhaps the rain will stop although they are talking many more days of rain. Happy Trails Peace
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park PA233

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Raining a little when I got up at 6: 15, got ready to leave at 7:00 Merry Mary and John were driving me back we stopped for breakfast at a place in Morristown ?? Great spot- $10.00 for the three of us for 3 roll ups with eggs, sausage, and cheese and a coffee with refill. I got to Ironmaster Hostel in the park at 9:00, took a look around the hostel, and went on the hike. I met up with LWOP and Bear Bag Hanger at around 10:30 or 11:00 and hiked to the shelter. We stopped for a break at a shelter and again at a store on Green Mountain Road. They got sandwiches, I got a soda because I needed to use up more of my food before Duncannon. (Joellen has mailed more food to me there). It started pouring as we got to the shelter. I cooked dinner in the shelter and Bear Bag set up his hammock in the shelter on the beams between the poles in the shelter. They are there to support the bunk bed type upper bunks. Usually, there would not be any posts. LWOP and I are sleeping on the upper bunks. I am writing this at 8:45 ready for bed. All is well. Good Night Happy Trails PeaceNote: Blister not so good today- stopped 3 times to fix it before I got it right.Ironmaster Hostel is a nice old place where the master of the iron furnace lived. There is a hole in the closet with a ladder where they hid slaves under the floor. It was a stop on the underground railroad, quite a place!
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: US 11 Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 11.9

Rained all night-it started just as we arrived at the shelter but today is a nice day. The sun came out at 11:00AM and stayed out until about 2:00. I got a nice night's sleep overall. Cooked inside the shelter last night. We got with the birds and the sun. Today we did not cook breakfast. Boiling Springs is only four miles away, so I will eat there. Left the shelter first and headed out. It was nice flat terrain through lots of farmland- big type farms and fields. Got to town and went to the ATC HQ and visitor center there and got a coffee at a mini mart, went to an outfitter (really a fishing store), and waited for the guys to come in. I had some breakfast from the convenience store (Cafe was closed / Damn economy). When LWOP and BBH got in, we hung out awhile at the ATC and left after they ate. I was in town for about 2 hours. We left at 11:15. We hiked and chatted along the way. Nice hike ,mostly farmland. The sun had returned at about 11:00 am which made for a nice hike. We got to US 11 and got a cheap room at America's Best Inn- only .3 from the trail. We put 3 in the room, did a laundry, and went to a truck stop for some supplies, then to dinner at a 24/7 diner called the Middlesex Diner. Back to the hotel to watch the Caps and Penguins game. I went to the lobby to watch the game on a big screen so that the guys could watch what they wanted . Great game but Caps lost in OT 3 to 2. Tommy played well despite his injuries. Caps are ahead in series- 2 and 1. It started raining again at dinner and was raining heavily by the end of the game. I watched some of the Bruins, but it got late so I went to bed. (Found out the next day that they had lost) They are down 1 to 2. Good Night Peace Happy TrailsNotes: My boots came apart at the heel and will need new ones. I will perhaps try to get to Port Clinton and go to the store there. I can walk on them fairly well.This area of PA is a major truck depot. All the people in our hotel are truckers switching trucks to head east or west with other drivers. The interstates are loaded with trucks I 81,I 76, and PA Pike Joellen said on her drive to DC there were more trucks on 81 than cars.
Date: 2009-05-07
From: US 11 Carlisle, PA

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

I got up at 5:30 AM- great night's sleep. It rained again all night so the trail will be wet. (Actually, was not that bad after all) I went to the Middlesex Diner for breakfast, a great spot. We left for the trail at 8:15 AM and were on the trail at 8:30. It was a nice day all day today. The sun was out and the trail was not all that wet. It even got a little hot. I finally found a few hills and saw some great sights. One vista had a rock chair where you could sit down and take in the countryside which I did while I waited for LWOP and BBH to come up. This was the first time in days we had views. We stopped at Darlington Shelter for lunch. On the way, we met a thru hiker from 08 "Tourist" was his trail name. He was going So Bo on a section. At another overlook you could see the Susquehanna River and the valley below. Great scenery today, finally.  I hiked on by myself from the shelter and arrived at Cove Mountain Shelter at 4:00. LWOP and BBH came in a little later. Big Turtle and Rising Star were at the shelter. There were lots of stones on the way in. I had been following Big Turtle since Harper's. Interesting to put a name with the things people write in the journals. We talked some, chatted about Civil War history, and told trail stories, especially LWOP and Big Turtle. Rising Star knew the trail well also.   Tomorrow I will go to Duncanon and stay at the Doyle Hotel. Turtle and Rising star had a fire. This was my first fire this section as it has been too wet to bother. Nice night. Happy Trails PeaceNote Blister feeling much better today. Also, my boots were ok.Also, today was the first day that I needed to treat water. I had been able to get it from lots of places along the way: parks, stores, hostels, shelters, houses etc.  I never carried much but did not need to because of the temps and weather. Another note- the shelter was built by Timber Framers from an old barn 100 years old. It also had a resident Porqupine who chewed away at the wood and liked salt. So the boots were hung with the food bags.