morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Partnership shelter

To: Atkins, va
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

 The past 3 days have been great Monday we walked through the Grason Highlands, it was beautiful clear weather. They're basically big meadows on the top of this mountain range. They had a controlled burned while we there. It was wild. Than afer that we stopped to feed the "Wild Virginia Ponies" I had somes apples so I took off my pack and walk down a bit to feed them a piece of apple out of my hand, while I was doing that some of the ponies started wondering towards my pack sticking their greedy fat noses in my pack looking for more apples. No damage done. The day ended nicely with a fire and food. Later that night some skunks were fighting and woke us up.
Date: 2005-04-14
From: atkins, va

To: chestnut knob shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: clear sky

 We didn't leave untill about 12:10 and we got to our shelter about 3ish. We only did around 11 miles today. The weather was crappy so we just split 2 $40 rooms among the eight of us so now we are watching Home Alone 3. In a clean room with clean clothes, warm showers and a warm room. Good Bye for now.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Chestnut knob shelter

To: Helveys Mill shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

 I am not quite sure of the date I could try to figure it out but it is not necessary. Alot has happened during the last week but I have been getting in really late. I haven't been writing in my journal because I don't have a flashlight or candles. There were some highlights though. But perhaps I will write my adventures tommorrow but now I will sleep.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Helveys Mill shelter

To: Wapiti shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

 We were sleeping in a shelter, Something had woken Scrubs up for the third or fourth time. We already knew that it was some kind of animal that was digging around for trash or such. Now the animal was at the foot of the shelter. Scrubs was a little aggravated so he sits up and starts to beam his light. All of the sudden he saw a raccoon under the picnic table. He also spotted something else half-way under the picnic table. Sure enough the dab-gumm raccoon was tring to steal my brandnew pack. So we took it and put it in the shelter. The next morning my camera which was on the outside pocket of my pack was gone. We may have saved the pack but that dab-gumm raccoon took off with my camera. Bummer (So if you happen to come across a camera mail it to me). Please maybe the goofy raccoon took a picture of himself, would be funny to develope to file to see whats on it.
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Wapiti shelter

To: Pearisburg, va
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I made it to Pearisburg on Sunday afternoon. It was to late for mass but, I did get a great package from my Mom and Dad and also my Grandma. Then, I headed off to the Super Wal-Mart Center to add a few things to my food bag. I got my food and started making my way back to the checkout. On the way back I spoted a huge$1,000 big screen T.V. That had Oceans 12 on top of it. I had to stop and look around, I musted have looked as if I was about to commit a crime. I slid the DVD in and accidently hit Play. It was working I stood there watching trying my best to play the part of a half seriously thinking about buying it consumer. Then, I eased on a box behind me and sat watching for a little bit. It wasn't five minutes after that I busted laughing out loud with a coke in my hand and a box of Little Debbie's, I watched the whole thing for free (Now that's a good deal) Thanks Wal-Mart This beats going to the movies!!
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Pearisburg, va

To: VA 635
Miles today: 19.9

 Two nights ago Team Dummer gave me and Chino an invite to come back with them to their parents 5th wheel for dinner, shower, breakfast and a little relaxation. The next day they dropped all of us except Chino who thought that it was cheating for a 20 mile slack-pack. Great food by the way, Thanks. We also saw two big black King Snakes. I also swam across a creek like Tarzan on a vine. I did pretty good until I got to the other side I busted my ass right where the rocks hit the water.
Date: 2005-04-27
From: nashville, tn

To: Virgina
Miles today: 0.0

after a few days of R & R in Nashville my mom drove me back to Virgina. I will take off Thursday morning by myself from "Peaks of the Otters". Hoping to catch up to Chino and team Dummer. I will be haulin ass making 20 to 21 miles a day. Hopefully
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Buchanan, VA

To: Marble Spring
Miles today: 27.4

Well I'm back on the trail I went to TN for a few days because I felt sick. I feel fine now. My mom even drove up to check on me. Thanks mom. I never did thank you for driving up like thatI was to busy being an ass. I am out here on my own, being independent. When she (you) came up. I felt like a little kid again. I guess the bottom line is that people really do care about me. So, I should just let them help me and be appreciative of it. So thanks again MomI love you, Love Fifer
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Marble Spring

To: Brown Mtn Ceek
Miles today: 27.3

I covered about 27.4 miles today. I was shooting for This shelter but it is still about 5.5 miles off so i just called it quits. I decided to stay at this campsite tonight becuase my feet are really sore. Now that I have eaten and rested I feel much better. But, I am still going ot stay put for the night. I guess.
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Brown Mtn Creek

To: CrabtreeFarm Road
Miles today: 21.8

I am gaining on them slowly but surely. I was on my 2nd day of rain it was so miserable and cold. I was just truding along. When all of the sudden I see this paper plate nailed to a tree with my name and a note written on it. It had my camera and had an arrow pointed on it. It described what to look for. Sure enough they were there. I ran into Traction and his family. They had cooked burgers had a fire Mountain Dew and also had a huge tent for all of us. It was right infront of the Preist Shelter.
Date: 2005-05-01
From: Crabtree Farm Road

To: Paul C. Wolfe shelter
Miles today: 30.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today I hauled butt to catch some folks like team Dummer and Chino. I didn't catch them today but, hopefully soon enough. I did 30.6 miles today which is my longest day so far. I got to the shelter a little after dark. As I was coming down this huge hill it really got dark. I don't have any sort of flashlight or headlamp so of course I almost busted my ass a few times. I did make it though. I even managed to cook in the dark. Then, when it came time to eat I got the "clever" idea of eating by the light of my stove.( I know smart huh?). So I figured, "why not set my stove up on something to see even better?" The closest thing was my jar of peanut butter(I know even smarter). That thing caught on fire and melted to the ground so much for that peanut butter. After eating I just went to bed and didn't bother cleaning up the pot.
Date: 2005-05-02
From: paul c. wolfe shelter

To: blackrock hut
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today i hopped foot into town, only 5 miles , only to realize my package from my mom some how got lost. The little old lady at the front was real sweet and eventually called a "trail angel" for me, to get to town so I could resupply. So i did. The guy that took us (me and pinetree who,by the way; can curse worse than my mom) into town even offered us a ride back to the trail in 1 hour. I finished grocery shopping early so I ran over to a shoe repsir place. The guy there reminded me alot of Coach Nashe. Maybe realted; who knows. Anyway, he managed to talk me into insoles that cost more than the shoes($36) Oh Boy! After that I managed to cover 20 more miles and met J and the newlyweds again.
Date: 2005-05-03
From: blackrock hut

To: bearfence mtn hut
Miles today: 33.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today me and J got this crazy-ass idea to cover 33.8 miles on the AT. We did it and it wasn't so bad. Just a long day though. With only a mile to go we got some trail magic from a couple, "singing sister section hikers." One , miles-to-go (her name) had only 58 miles left of the AT to finish. Yes! They did sing to us "Happy Trails"
Date: 2005-05-05
From: pass mtn hut

To: hostel
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: broken clouds

We pulled into this hostel at the end of the day. It's run by an exthru-hiker of bothe the AT and PCT. He was great. He seemed to cling to his prime in 60"s with his bald but, long hair and green peace parifanalia all over the place. If he ever reads this I hope he doesn't get the wrong idea. Great Guy; just how he was with his frisby, golf, and vinal records. That's all It sure was great to have a shower and clean clothes after a week of grunge and crap. We even worked in a movie and some Chess.
Date: 2005-05-06
From: hostel

To: rod hollow shelter
Miles today: 27.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Not much happened. We pulled 27.9 miles in hope to do a 30 miler into Harpers Ferry tommorrow. We met some neat folks and got some more trail magic (coke with lime). I met one man, about 60, who was from Minnesota and was going backpacking for the 1st time. Soo cool. I hope I'm that adventureous when i am around that age. Also that brave.
Date: 2005-05-07
From: rod hollow shelter

To: blackburn trail center hostel
Miles today: 17.8

We celebrated cinco-de-Siete today(I know,I know it's really May 5th). We did celberate with these great folks on the 7th though. They worked at this hostel for hikers and cooked us fajitas and several cokes and also coronas and somw wine with our dinner. Such great people and it was all based on donations. I love Cinco-de-Siete!!!
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Harpers Ferry

To: rockyrun shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

I stayed at Harpers Ferry last night with Chino and Jay. It was your typical tourist trap with lots of history and all that jazz. Boy was it a beautiful location. Ypou got Virgina on the right, Maryland on the left. The Shanendoah on the right and the Patomic on the left and you're sittin' in West Virgina. Yesterday as we pulled in at noon I barely missed mass. I ate so much man did my stomach bulge out after 1/2 a pizza, a meatball sub, candy bars, milkshake, and tons of coke. Yum! Today as we left I ran across a homeless guy that had recently been layed off. I guess he was headed to Harpers Ferry for work? Mw and Chino only did 15.5 miles today so we had plenty of time for a fire, chess, and just talking. Part of our conversation was figuring out what to do with our lives after the trail. Chino may open a hostel and He thinks I should work oustside like a Forest Ranger or something. Who knows?
Date: 2005-05-10
From: rocky run shelter

To: antietam shelter
Miles today: 32.5
Weather: clear sky

Today I left Chino again cause I'm trying to catch Team Dummer by Thursday. I heard,by Jay who was slacking south, that they would give me a ride to trail days is I caught them in Boiling Springs by Thursday. Here goes nothing. Today is Tuesday and T've got 85 miles to Boiling Springs. Holy Crap!!; that's alot of miles to cover. Towards the end of the day I make it to Pen-Mar Park whcih is .3 miles from MD/PA Border. I sat and had a couple of cokes and then this 26 year old woman starts hitting on me after an hour she found out that I was only 19 and finally quit. She did by me an Iced Tead which was great Now I am in PA.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: antietam shelter

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: scattered clouds

 Okay I know I did 32 miles yesterday but I just looked at the book and if I want to catch those guys I'll have to pull a 40 mile day. I'm thinking, "No way!" So I did 11 and hitched up to Boiling Springs. One guy picked me up in a convertable! Now that's hitching with style. I got to town by lunch time. I wasn't supposed to be here till this time tommorrow. What to do? What to do? Well I just sat in the park and watched the ducks for a while. Then, I went to the grocery store. On the way I joined some Highschool Freshmen for a soccer game that lasted for about an hour. Then, back to the park for more duck watching. wow, I think every one atleast once in their life time should take time to experience, the wonders of the simple pleasures.
Date: 2005-05-12
To: Trail Days Ttrip
Miles today: 0.0

Last night I went across some tracks and fell asleep in some field. (Don't worry mon hobo's do it all the timeand they hardly every kinda ever find then dead. ha ha ) It wasn't a great night's sleep because the train kept blaring by in the night. Then, at about 4 it started raining. Normally this wouldn't be a problem since I've got a tarp. That's when I discovered that it had leaks. So I headed to the park for some more duck watching; throwing the tarp away on my way. The boys did come and it was great seeing them and swaping stories. We even stopped at the Homeplace again for dinner.
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Trail Days trip

To: Toms Run shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We stayed at Dewd's place last night with food and laundry. This morning we got up at 4 a.m. to drive back to PA to the trail. We picked up Miles McDuff on the way so between Team Dummer(2) Team Awsome(2) Mr. Smith, Pacer, Miles, and myself we did have a Car load. They dropped me off and I covered about 16 miles since 2 p.m. for the day
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Spring campsite

To: Peters mtn shelter
Miles today: 28.7
Weather: clear sky

Today I started out slow and sore after yesterdays 36 mile day. I also knew that I had to do about 30 miles today. Oh Lord!! As I'm walking along I'm staring at the ground cause it's so rocky.(Everytime I looked up I nearly faceplanted) So I'm walking and I stumble across a fur ball on the trail. Holy S***! (My intial thought) Then, I calmed down when I realized that it was just a "bambi" it was small enough to fit in my pack. So I tapped a rock with my pole to wake it up. It didn't move. my heart sank. I was looking at a dead baby deer. I figured I'd give the rock on last tap. Sure enough he sprung to life and darted as goofy as he could on his long lanky legs. That little guy was dead asleep; more like it. I made it to the last shelter for the day(I planned on camping a little further)When I pulled in, there was Mountain Dew in his sleeping bag, sick as a dog. I'm staying here with him tonight I want to make sure he will be okay ( beside my mom would kill me if she knew I left someone sick out in the wild) and we'll catch the rest tommorrow together.
Date: 2005-05-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, Son-of-a-gun! I thought I'd learned my lesson about doing big days. Welll, I guess not. Since I stayed with Dewd last night; we pulled a 35 mile today to catch back up with the group. We started early and we ended late. When we did finally pull in the guys had some left over chicken and pizza waiting for us. That tasted soooo good. The day is done and now that it is over; I'm glad we did it. Hopefully not again any time soon though.
Date: 2005-05-20
To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we slowed down a little. At least compared to what I've been used to doing. We did 23.7 miles into Port Clinton. Everyone else was already there so me and Dewd snuck into the hotel room. It was about the same size as my room at home. I did have a rocking chair too but we threw it in the closet to make room for the 5 of us (Mt.Dewd, Web, Pacer, PJ, and me) and our smelly gear. Later on that night we ate dinner downstairs where the waitress was really rude. I still had a good time though!
Date: 2005-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today is when we start to hit the notorious Rocks of Pensylvania sometimes it seems like people dig up perfectly flat rocks and sets them on the edge just to piss us off. Don't get me wrong, I'm still loving the trip but, these rocks might not be on my top 10 "favorite things" list if you know what I mean. Then, we made it to the shelter full of boyscouts singing with nearby 12 yr. old girl scouts singing as loud as they possible could. Really though, it's not that bad.
Date: 2005-05-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We did an easy (near 18) mile day into Palmerton. Me and Webb were ahead and caught the first hitch. The hostel is free and it's apparently in the basement of an old jail. You can't tell though. Bummer. We had dinner and all that jazz. I also had to call Cliff and cancel our reunion. Dewd did the math for me on his phone and I'd have to AVERAGE 32 miles a day for 5 days. I hate that.I missed him but, that's just too much for me to do.
Date: 2005-03-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I graduated from law school in December after returning to active duty for the War. As a result I graduated in December, took the bar exam in February, which left me perfectly set, time wise, to begin a thru-hike. I have been piecing the trail together over the last four years in both weekend and section hikes but have come to the realization that this will take years and will never be as satisfying as completing a thru-hike. I will be starting from Springer on April 1 and hope to arrive at Katahdin by September 1.
Date: 2005-03-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As far as how I got my trail name, 'Doc' was my call-sign when I flew jets for the Navy. When I hiked Georgia in '01, I kept talking about how I looked forward to the Holiday Inn in Hiawassee, GA. The 'gentleman hiker' part was added since I always shave when in town and therefore I don't look like I have been hiking. I have been section hiking for years but have found section hiking to be frustrating. Just as you are getting used to the trail you have to leave. When you are wondering what lies over the next peak you have to wait months to go hiking again. Plus, in terms of expense, travelling to and from the trail can be quite costly. Finally, I have just become obsessed with finishing the trail and I don't want to wait a decade or more to complete my hike.
Date: 2005-03-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

To let you know more about me, I am originally from New York, went to the University of Arizona for undergrad, and then served as a Naval Officer, stationed in Pensacola, Fl; Milton, Fl; Meridian, MS; Newport, RI; and Norfolk, VA; and deploying all over the world. I returned to NYC in 2001 and studied at Cardozo Law School. After voluntarily returning to active duty for the war, I graduated this past december. In the Navy I flew jets, served on a guided missile frigate, and served in a coastal warfare unit. In terms of my legal career, I hope to go into Plaintiff's Toxic Torts which is sort of Environmental Personal Injury Law. While in law school, I founded the Outdoor Adventures Club where I led students on day hikes, weekend hikes, sailing, kayaking, and rock climbing trips.
Date: 2005-03-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just two weeks to go until I begin my hike. I have been going through my gear to see what I can do without. Whenever I do a section hike I usually find that there is another thing I can do without. My biggest weight saving item this time is a bivy shelter instead of a traditional one man tent. I will be using the Black Diamond/Bibler Lightsabre Bivy. It weighs just over a pound but is only "highly water resistant" and not "waterproof." My plan is to use the footprint as kind of a "tent umbrella" in heavy rains by simply placing it over the bivy. From the few reviews out there it seems that the worst thing that happens in heavy rain is that a little bit of water pools around the middle. I am using a synthetic fill sleeping bag so I am not too concerned.    I will be leaving the trail briefly towards the end of April to travel to Washington and argue my case before the Board of Veterans Appeals. I had been receiving GI Bill benefits until I volunteered to return to active duty for the war. A war I didn't even agree with. When I returned, the VA denied me benefits. Gotta love how the government takes care of veterans. If I had never volunteered to serve again, I would not be dealing with this. If only the hearing could have been scheduled this month while I am home wrapping up loose ends.    On an administrative note, I plan to update the journal whenever I get to town which will be more frequent at the beginning, probably once a week. Well, back to waiting for April 1.
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Athens, GA

To: Springer Mountian
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I am in the shelter on Springer in my bivy sack. It is pretty cool, nice, comfortable and dry. Darth Packman and I hiked in a mile from the parking lot.We decided to take a lazy, slow start due to the weather which called for sever thunder storms which never appeared. We decided to go ahead and start the trail so that I could get an early start tommorrow since Packman has to go see a man about buying a kayak tomorrow. Good to be here at last. The shelter is full of great people from as far away as Arizona. Pacman had center stage offering advice to those of us gathered here. It's pouring outside tonight. Feels good to be warm and toasty in my bag.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Springer Mountian

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

After a night of freezing temps and endless rain I began my trek North. One of my trekking poles wouldn't lock so I borrowed Pacman's and attached my own to the side of my pack. The day started with trailmagic supplied by Mountain Squid in the parking lot of Springer. Two doughnuts later I said my goodbyes and hit the trail again.    Almost immediately upon leaving the parking lot on Springer Mountain it began to snow. I hiked in rain gear and gaiters the whole day. My first fall of my thru-hike happened while crossing a wooden bridge with frozen water on the surface. One of my trekking poles got stuck in between the planks of the bridge and when I reached back to grab it the rest of my body kept going forward.    I reached Hawk Mountain after only 3.5 hours of hiking and claimed my spot in the shelter. I've fallen into a great group of people and I knew that a fire would really improve morale. A few of us gathered wood and placed it in the shelter to dry. Later we placed the wood in the fire pit, covered it with white gas that Amy was eager to get rid of, and used fire sticks supplied by Scott who was section hiking to Neels Gap. Once we got the first set of wood to burn we covered it with more wet wood so that the fire would be insulated from the wind blast and would be dried by the fire.    The shelter was full that night but when Sheera showed up cold and wet, we made room for one more. There is a saying on the trail, "there is always room in the shelter."