morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Grayson Highlands/Massie Gap

To: Hurricane Campground
Miles today: 16.2

After our night in Marion, Lipstick drove us back to Jerry's to pick up Twinkletoes and then on to Grayson Highlands SP. With day packs(which for all of us are the top pouch of our regular backpacks) hiking poles and raincoats we were off. In the park are wild ponies and on this leg of our journey we got to see a group of them grazing within 100 yards of the trail. They paid no attention to us as we studied them. A couple miles later we crossed terrain which looked more like savannah in Africa than Virginia. From it's open expanses we had great views of Mt Rodgers, other mountains east of us and the range of mountains 20-30 miles west which I suppose we are heading toward. Perfectly blue skies dominated all day. We never donned jackets and we covered the 16+ miles in 10 hours. 9 considering breaks. My shin has hurt a lot during the final 3 hours of this day. Many thru hikers have complained of shin pain. I hope to manage this. I think that it's stress at a ligament attatchment. It hurts a LOT more going downhill than up or on level ground. Upon our arrival at Hurricane campground( a .5 mile blue blaze trail off the AT) we were greeted by Lipstick who shuttled us around the large campground to see the different sites. After choosing one she produced chicken salad sandwiches and side dishes from Jerry's Diner thus relieving us of cooking and cleaning chores. SWEET!!!! Twinkletoes and I tented on the tenting pad, Lipstick and Racoon set up in the Explorer again. Later, Alec
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Hurricane Campground

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

After a good night I awoke & got a shower in the bath house near our site. Not something you get to do often along the AT! We ate light and got going t o hike our short 2.1 miles to VA 650 where Lipstick met us in TrailAngel (TrailAngel= Ford Explorer)who carried our packs. She drove us to Jerry's again for a "brunch" where I had more sausage gravy over biscuits w/ eggs as I had on Monday after our Whitetop adventure. Yumm!! I got to call Mary Lynn on the pay phone there to discuss our Thursday meetup @ Rt 16 for our return to Damascus for Trail Days, an annual hiker festival. Back at the trail's intersection w/ VA 650 we bid Lipstick and TrailAngel adiey and donned the packs for our short 3.9 mile day by 2 pm. It's strange to stop so early but w/ my 3 pm meet up with Mary Lynn the next day being only 10.6 miles away there was no point to hiking much further. Lipstick drove to a road that gave her access to the AT & she hiked in for a couple hour visit there at the shelter. Our leisurely pace today gave us plenty of time to visit w/ fellow hikers Trout, Neon, Hare and the General. At dinner I sauteed the ramps Twinkletoes and I had gleaned the day before and they made a special addition to my tortellini. I even got to catch up on my journaling. It is supposed to rain tonight(60%). I hope it's light or not at all.   Later, Alec
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: VA 16/ Mt Rodgers NRA Headquarters
Miles today: 10.7

This turned out to be a tough day. It was to have been easy. The hiking wasn't difficult but the pain was. As the day wore on the hurting in my left shin got worse and worse. Racoon was reticent to leave me on my slow pace although I tried to get him to hike on ahead to meet Lipstick earlier. They had a predetermined time to meet and he was in no hurry so he hung back some to keep me company. Twinkletoes didn't and headed on ahead for the Dr Pepper awaiting at the Offices of the Nat'l Forest Service overseeing the Mt Rodgers National Recreation Area. I got there about 1 hour ahead of Mary Lynn's arrival but I had to limp pretty badly as time passed. I am mighty glad that Trail Days will give me some time to rest this leg. We met Slightly waiting in Partnership Shelter which is in sight of the Hq Office and chatted w/ him for a few minutes before walking the last few yards of the day. We were all heading back to Damascus and the fete.Later, Alec
Date: 2008-05-16
From: VA 16/ Mt Rodgers NRA Headquarters

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 156.7

This post will cover a lot of time(and miles). Mary Lynn and I got to Damascus late in the afternoon of May 15 and took our room at the Mountain Laurel Inn. It was a very nice time what with being together with Mary Lynn again. We only had the one night there and tented w/ the gang including Rabid, Pick,Twinkletoes,the Thinker, Toze, Longshot, Cookie Monster, et al. The festivities and comraderie were nice but that kind of party isn't my scene and on Saturday when it had become apparent I would need a lot longer to heal than 3 days we decided to head on home. It would be more fun being around James, Maddy and Mary Lynn. And sleeping in my own bed. At home I got good intervention re: the shin. It was 10 days before I tried hiking again. I slackpacked 3 different sections of the trail near home, each time expanding on the section I had hiked in early March from the Tye River to the Pedlar River. By the way, I am claiming those 32.5 miles as part of my thru hike since they were done just before (early March) I started from Springer. It was a beautiful section of the AT and I am amazed that it took me 55 years to set foot on this part of my home territory. In completing these short hikes I met a bunch of folks I had hiked with early in the hike. On May 29 I tried out my new lighter pack hiking for two days from Reeds Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Beagle Gap where Mary Lynn picked me up to be at James's 3rd birthday party. It was a HOOT. I went back on the trail Monday June 2 and hiked up to Thornton Gap where Mary Lynn and my Mom picked me up to return for Elizabeth's (my niece) graduation ceremony. That time Mary Lynn was already playing hose to buddies of mine from the trail. Racoon, Still Bill,Timeless and Babu were there then. Sunday they headed on and Rabid,Pick,Freefall,Cookie Monster, Thinker and Twinkletoes came in. This northward direction leaves me a gap in my hike. I have 249 miles to hike yet from Partnership Shelter to the James River footbridge. The way I see it I need to go forward because I have two weeks off the trail for my trip to Albuquerque for Lauren Woody's (my niece too!)and John Laws wedding on June 28. No trail is stopping me from this party!!! If the hike works out right I'll get to see lots of fall color in New Hampshire and Maine. Summit Katadin. Then get to come home and hike during the fall colors all the way back to the James River. I miss James a lot on this trip so it's even more fitting that a river named after him is my end goal!!!!
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Trail Days

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 81.7
Weather: clear sky

I write these next couple sections in July having returned from Albuquerque and a wonderful time w/ family and friends. And having seen a LOT of white blazed trail....it's just centerline on various Interstate Highways such as I-76,70,44,40 and 81. And travelling about 77 miles an hour faster than my usual 3mph. I regret that I have been lax in journaling from the Shenandoah Nat'l Park and points north. I have mental notes from which I draw a collage of scenes I give you here. In SNP there are lots of scruffy trees and few of the magnificent forests you find in GA,NC and TN.Pushma and Pullma, 2000 thru hikers gave fantastic Trail Magic and kindness!Gypsy Moths abound, dropping leaf parts and poop thru the canopy making the exact sound as a light rain shower.Bear and deer do not act the same inside the boundary of that park as they do outside it. LOTS of car/motorcycle sounds. Places to go eat burgers/sprite or big breakfasts! More people on the trail w/ different reasons for hiking than thru hikers.....nice. Just north of the the Park at Tom Floyd Wayside (Shelter) I met the last hiker, Slightly, whom I met before going off trail for recuperation. Aggie Sterrett handles hiker relief VERY efficiently. I got a ride from Linden to her local Trader Joe's, shower and laundry in time for a great take out Indian dinner. Great visit and back on trail earlier than I usually get out!!Thanks Aggie!!!!The roller coaster is a #$^&$#. The Bear's Den Hostel is a SAVIOUR after a day of that up/downing in HEAT. Hikers who have liked all of VA celebrate a LOT upon walking across the VA/W VA stateline. I watched as Snackies, Barackus and Mike whopped it up. There is a great view at this place. The Blackburn AT center ROCKS(showers too). Rocks are the AT on the way from Blackburn to Harper's Ferry. The AT center in Harper's Ferry is sort of ......less than I was expecting. Food in HF is great. Lots of hikers hang out in town. So do lots of other people. The history of HF is very interesting. The views in town are great especially the one from the point at which the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers converge. It's a LOT easier to hike into a place like Harpers Ferry than it is to hike out of it.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Larrick Family/Potomac River
Miles today: 2.0

Storms had motivated 4 of us to get in a motel over in Charlestown for the night of June 14. That plus the pure pleasure of the ambiance of a nice resturant w/ friends and good food. I rested VERY well that night. Refreshed I decided to give myself a while to tour Harper's Ferry for a while as a Father's Day treat. It was nice to just so slow and walk w/o a load on my back. At 3 I heades across the Potomac at the same time as a train which travelled on a trestle not 200' from me. I like trains.I hikes along on the tow path of the canal that preced the trains for just over two miles, taking every opportunity to slip out to the riverbank just off to my right several times. The view along the Potomac is spectacular. To my great good fortune I walked out to see the view upon the property of the Larricks(Dick and Cookie) and their beautiful daughters and grandchildren. They were celebrating the birthday of one of the women and shared not only delicious food but the warmth of the embrace of a loving family. They could not began to know how satisfying it felt to just soak up the vibration of their exchanges being a loving family. Dick welcomed me to camp there for the night and I did so gladly. My little voices squeaked milesmilesmiles but I know a good thing when I see it and jumped at the chance to spend a night on a river scene of such tranquility and beauty. The moon was almost full and the gurgling waters and crickets chirping framed a special moment along this trip. Pure PeaceThank you Larrick Family for a very special moment in my Traillife. Alec
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Home

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well . . . there's been a big time/distance jump here. All the daily tasks inserted into 15 - 20 mile hiking days have left no time for journaling. Here's a brief summary to bring everyone up to date:Hiked in to Duncannon, PA on June 22. Stayed at The Doyle - very "special" place. Mary Lynn picked me up on the 23rd and we began a road trip to New Mexico for my neice's wedding (Lauren Woody). We stopped the first night in Columbus, OH and the second night in Missouri. Camped there near Lebanon, MO. Camped the third night in Santa Rosa, NM. (You sure can make distance in a car!)We began a return trip to VA in tandem with my son and daughter-in-law (Alexander and Gina) who are spending some time state-side after a year in Honduras. Arrived back in VA on July 1. Spent time at home resting and visiting family until July 5. Later . . .Alec
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: light rain

Zander and Gina drove me back to Duncannon, PA (3.5 hour drive from home) for my return to the trail. We ate pizza in Duncannon with The Thinker and, after farewells, I headed back out of town on foot. The initial mile of road walking afforded great views of the Susquehanna River. Next, Thinker and I climbed the 780' up out of the river vally which winded me somewhat. I can tell it will be a few days until I get my "trail legs" and lungs back. 4.6 miles was an easy stroll all in all.Later . . .Alec
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Rausch Gap
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: light intensity shower rain

Today's hike should have been easy walking but seemed tougher for me because I'm a little out of condition from all the time I just spent away from the trail. Thinker and I hadn't intended to come all this way today but got caught in between a couple of campsites/water sources too early in the day to stop so we had to do a "big mile" day. I hurt some but tomorrow will tell whether I really messed up by pushing too hard. There is a huge crowd camping here due to a "gathering" of hikers over July 4th weekend in Duncannon. Luckily, we are along a stream and there are lots of good tent sites.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Rausch Gap

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

Today was payback for pushing too far yesterday!There were 2 small and 2 moderate climbs that really sapped my energy. I'm not sore but have little stamina. At least I'm moving!Today, the trail crossed I-81 again. This seemed strange because I thought with the trail having turned east toward NJ we'd have left the I-81 corridor for good. I got in to the 501 shelter late (almost the last one arriving) and got a tent site but most of the sites were gone. There's still this huge crowd of hikers moving along together now because of the bottleneck the Duncannon July 4 party created. The up-side to it is I'm seeing a lot of familiar faces I haven't seen since NC and TN. Also meeting new hikers.Later . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-09
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles' Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Now I'm hiking in the PA rocks. They aren't so bad yet but my right heel hurts and walking on sharp rocks all day make it worse! Luckily the rocks are in seams so you get breaks where your feet can recover from the pounding. I also got rained on and my shoes and socks got wet. My feet feel good though and I hope to dry everything out tomorrow. I'm in a nice camping area here at Eagles Nest and I'm with Thinker and Long Shot who I know from my Springer to Partnership days. Banjo and Orion are new hikin' buddies.Rain is over and it's clearing up.Later . . .Alec
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Eagles' Nest Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Another jump forward in time and distance. It seems like PA is nothing but a pile of rocks. My right heel continues to nag and I know I'm really needing to rest in order to "heal the heel" : )Mary Lynn is coming this evening to slack pack me a couple of days in hopes this can assist my recovery. She'll get me, Thinker, Zen and Key Chain off the trail at Palmerton. Looking forward to some R & R!Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Little Gap, PA
Miles today: 5.0

Thinker and I started out this morning out of Palmerton. After scrambling up a mountain made out of rock (I mean having to claw my way up with hands and knees at some points) I was worse for the wear. We only got 5 miles before deciding to call it a day. Between my sore feet and Thinker's intestinal troubles, we thought a day off might do us both good. We called Mary Lynn from the trail. She was waiting in Palmerton to take Key Chain and Zen back to the trail. She picked us up at Little Gap around 2 p.m. and took us to Stroudsburg where we have a nice hotel. Hot tub here I come!Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-17
From: Little Gap, PA

To: Wind Gap. PA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Made a few miles today out of Little Gap. Mary Lynn left us at the trail and returned to VA. My heel is still sore but Thinker and I have a goal now. We've been to Delaware Water Gap by car and have seen the nice church hostel there so we know there's a quaint little town to head to. We're anxious to return to the hostel where Thinker stayed on Wednesday night. Mary Lynn and I stayed in Stroudsburg (another charming small PA town).Met up with Cayenne, Sundance and Pilot at Little Gap and hiked a while with them. Good to reunite with long-lost hiking buddies!In a hotel in Wind Gap now. Ordered a pizza for delivery to the hotel room - it's almost 10 p.m. and we still haven't eaten dinner. We have showered and made our phone calls, however.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-18
From: Wind Gap. PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: few clouds

Made it to Delaware Water Gap. Stayed at the church hostel but decided to pitch a tent out back since the hostel was crowded. Took some much needed rest then ate dinner at a great little diner beside the farmer's market. Got free Blueberry pie thanks to the generous owner of the diner!There's a full moon tonight and some of the hikers are departing the hostel at dusk for a night hike. Should be great for them!Thinker and I will rest much of tomorrow then head out late afternoon for a short hike out of DWG and OUT OF PA! Looking forward to NJ and moving off these sharp #$@ rocks!Later . . .Alec
Date: 2008-07-19
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Backpacker campsite
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Got shuttled to Stroudsburg with 11 other hikers seven of whom went to see the new Batman movie. I went to a couple of stores with Cayenne, Tailgate and Thinker then to lunch and the library. Back on the trail by 3 pm. Crossed the Delaware River walking beside mad traffic on I -80 Bridge. Goodbye PA! Lots of people floating on the river and picnicking at DWG Nat'l Rec Area. Climbed some then hiked a couple of easy miles to the campsite. Lots of hikers camping here. Water has been an issue for the past few weeks and may continue to be so. There's no water here but we got water earlier. Very hot today so I'm glad we didn't do more miles than we did. Tomorrow promises more heat and we're headed on. Might meet up with Sweet Potato and Brahma Bull whom we've been tailing for a couple of days. Twinkletoes arrived at DWG shortly before our departure. She got a ride there from Wind Gap. She may just skip that portion and join up with us once again in the next day or so. More later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Crater Lake

To: Mashipcong Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

It rained last night and that cleared the air of some humidity and made today less hot than the last two. Got going late (9 am)and hiked alone to the Glen Anderson shelter where I met Achilles and SUV. Nice views from the ridges today - especially from Sunset Mt. Pavillion where you can see 50+ miles in all directions. Had a nice lunch at Gyp's Tavern where I took in all the photos from the days Babe Ruth was a regular visitor. They seem to have killed bears here in that day . . . but not now!Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Mashipcong Shelter

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 14.3

My destination today is in NY but I am still "in" NJ. Thje trail just runs along the stateline and to get into Unionville you cross it into NY. I still have blister pain on my heels though taping makes it tolerable. It slows me up and I arrived in town later than everyone I spent the night with last night. I did get in to town before the post office closed, however, and got my package.At the P.O. Butch spotted me as a hiker, asked if I wated a ride to the mayor's house and drove me the 10" walk to Mayor Dick's house. Dick opens his home to hikers. Dick, Butch and Bill run an amazing hostel offering a place to sleep, showers, laundry, breakfast and dinner. The mayor is a widower and insisted he derived great joy from helping hikers in exchange for the 44 years of bliss in his married life with his wife, Pat. I don't know but it sure felt like us hikers got the better deal! Tonight there are 20 hikers benefitting from Dick's generosity.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Unionville, NY

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 0.0

It's so gloomy out that I'm staying at the Mayor's house another day. Deli sandwiches from the General Store in town, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, a nice nap, a tour of the town's used book store and a movie made the day very pleasant indeed! I needed a day off to allow my blisters to heal.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Unionville, NY

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

I got drenched 15 minutes after leaving town and walked in rain on & off for about 1 1/2 hours. The sun came out and dried everything but my socks and shoes. I did discover that if you pull off your shoes and wring out your socks and insoles repeatedly you can almost dry the inside of your shoes. The hike today went over a small mountain then onto a mile long boardwalk through marshland. It's a fascinating sight given the normalcy of a dirt path.Ice cream, fruit, and water refills at a Gardening Center preceded our climb up a 900' mountain and then a 3 mile hike to tonight's campsite - Wawayanda Shelter. The mosquitoes are terrible because of the nearby lakes, ponds and marshlands. The tent completely eliminates that nuisance but you must conduct a "hunt" immediately upon entering the tent and before sleep to rid the inside of the tent of those little hungry, bloodsuckers!Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

First day in NY state - more rocks now - big ones! Not like PA rocks sticking up out of the ground like stone spears - these are the kind you have to scramble over often using your arms and legs to pull your body across to the other side. It's tiring. Later . . .Alec
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: West Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 8.4

Made one mile this lazy a.m. to the visitor center @ Lake Tiorati where I had a hot shower and sort of did laundry in the bathroom sink. A nice visit here - hit the vending machines and just enjoyed a leisurely time. I got into the shelter just ahead of a prolonged set of showers so was forced to stay instead of reaching my goal of William Brien Shelter. West Mtn shelter has a big drawback in that it's 6 miles off the trail but has a spectacular view of the Hudson River Valley. Too bad its foggy or I could easily see the NYC skyline. Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-28
From: West Mtn. Shelter

To: Graymoor SLC
Miles today: 12.2

I slept well being alone at West Mtn. The only disappointment was the view down into the Hudson River valley was somewhat obscured by rising mist. The hiking is slow as my left heel is still sore but around 3 pm it just ceased hurting. Bear Mountain seems more a park than a village but it offered the chance to get burger/fries/Coke for lunch. I ate with Rookie - one of the few people my age at this point on the trail. Many of the hikers moving past me started around mid-April. Tonight there is a large contingent at Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. This is some sort of Catholic retreat facility. We got pizza delivered here which was a treat!Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Graymoor SLC

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

A tiring day. There is not a lot to report today except to say I hiked. One short stretch this morning offered the feel of deep forests with huge, old trees but that lasted only 10 minutes. My heel no longer hurts so that helps.There were lots of blueberries, huckleberries and raspberries along the trail today. I ate a LOT!Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-07-31
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Ten Mile River Lean-to
Miles today: 12.7

I've made it to the next state (Connecticut). There's not much to say about today's hike. I did see an Amtrak passenger train speed by the only Amtrak station of the whole AT. It was heading north from NYC. It seems that you can only board a train on weekends here - a disappointment for some of the hikers who wanted to go into NYC.I got really tired today. I hope it's merely from poor sleep last night plus 2 long days of hiking prior to today. No delies today but Kent, CT tomorrow.Later . . . Alec