morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Home, Silver Spring, MD

To: Hightop Mountain, Shenandoah Nat. Park
Miles today: 0.0

In April, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) assigned me as trail overseer for an AT section in Shenandoah National Park. Accompanied by my wife Laurine, I paid my first official visit on April 26. I couldn¢t have asked for a better section! It lies in the southern portion of the Park covering from the Hightop parking area off of Skyline Drive south to the side trail to Hightop Hut - a total of 2.2 miles.   The Trail ascends 900' in the first 1.5 miles but it somehow seems like much less. The summit features 2 rocky outcroppings with splendid views to the west where, on a clear day, you can see into West Virginia.Using my timber-cutting hand saw, I removed a few blowdowns and cleared out some waterbars. My next visit occurred exactly one month later. Expecting to encounter some thruhikers, I came prepared with a cooler of lemonade and some cookies. No blowdowns this time and the growth was not sufficient to merit weed wacking yet. The featured flowers in bloom: wild geraniums, scads of them all up and down the trail. Also not a few trillium blossomed in their varying shades of white and pink.Only met one thruhiker on ¢my¢ segment - Snappy, a SOBOer also from the Washington DC area who began his hike by walking up the C&O Canal to Harpers Ferry then heading south. But after the trail maintenance was finished, I drove to Lewis Mountain campground where I met Forever North, Sean, and Carolyn. Later at an overlook on Skyline Drive I met Milkman. All were grateful for their refreshments.And after I hike 45 miles in NY starting Sunday June 5, I¢ll return to Lewis Mountain in a week and hopefully provide some more Trail Magic.
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Home, Silver Spring, MD

To: Lewis Mountain Campground, Shenandoah NP
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Time for some Trail maintenance, specifically on ¢my¢ 2.2 mile segment in Shenandoah National Park in the Hightop Mountain area. And of course, I wanted to take advantage of this trip to dispense some Trail Magic. I¢m hoping to meet some of those hikers I hiked and camped with from my NC/TN hike in May.So after setting camp in Lewis Mountain Campground, I went looking for customers. I met Ramblin Man and Corporal taking a brief break. They¢re heading on but I offered them a dinner if they found their way back to Lewis Mountain this evening. Asked about some others I knew. Turbo Joe is about a day ahead. Insanely Grateful is a few days behind. Walt may have left the Trail. Grits is far ahead.After checking out Bearfence Shelter, I drove south to the Hightop parking lot where by happenstance, Sleeveless, Socks, and Ug were sprawled on the grass taking a break. Gave them cookies and lemonade and told them if they make it to Lewis Mountain, there¢s a dinner waiting. They were enticed!The rest of the day was spent checking out the Trail up Hightop (needs wacking) and visiting Shawn Green, one of the Park Rangers. I also met John, the PATC ridgerunner. Shawn showed me where the tool shed was and how to use the weedwacker. I¢ll clear the Trail tomorrow.Back at the campground, I began dinner preparations. I noticed that 4 backpacking tents stood on the adjacent campsite and wondered if the occupants were also AT hikers. I walked down the Trail and met Socks first. She had just experienced an encounter with a mother bear and cubs. We walked back to the campsite together. Ug was next followed in a few minutes by Sleeveless. And they recognized my neighbors - fellow thruhikers Bruce Spruce, Squid Jerky, and Piker.Dinner was barbequed chicken (which took forever to cook on the charcoal), marinated peppers & onions, potatoes, guacamole, and crumbcake for dessert. We also met more hikers moving on to Bearfence: Bear and Camel. Also Jaybird (the third Jaybird on the Trail) who decided to camp at my site.The cooling evening temperatures, spurred by the constant breezes, made for a cool night. My clients had recently experienced a bout of hot humid weather so this change was unexpected. But everyone slept OK. The next day¢s breakfast was blueberry pancakes. The hikers were off by 7:30 and I was weedwacking by 8:15.
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Spivey Gap

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Yeah, this is the second time I've hiked this stretch in 2 months but I'm not double-diping on the miles.At the ATC meeting this week in Johnson City, TN, I joined one of the numerous organized hikes. Because I was so impressed with Big Bald on my earlier hike (I hiked over it on May 2) and with the prospect of a good conditioning hike with over 4,000' of elevation gain, I signed up for the Spivey-to-Sam's Gap hike.In contrast to the perfect climatic conditions May 2, today's weather was, frankly, abysmal. High humidity, overcast skies threatening rain all day made for a less-than-pleasant hike but on the other hand, that's typical for this time of year. We had a party of 13 led by George and Chuck (didn't get the last names nor did I get even the first names of all of my hiking partners today). We split into two groups and arranged car key swaps when we met in the middle. As it turned out (I'm sure by happenstance), all the women accompanied Chuck starting from Sam's Gap (lucky Chuck)while all us guys followed George from Spivey. As we smugly reminded ourselves, our hike's direction involved 600' more of upward elevation gain than our female counterparts.Making impressive time - less than 7 hours for 15.4 miles and 4,000' gross elevation gain - we all enjoyed ourselves. Despite the humidity and occasional light rain, the positive aspects prevailed, to wit:1. Noticeably cooler temperatures as we ascended up Little and Big Balds2. An impressive array of wildflowers, starting with the white rhododendron and including spiderwort, Queen Anne's Lace including some with a pink tint, black-eyed Susans, daisies, and several others which I couldn't identify.3. Precise timing in meeting the ladies - within minutes of our reaching at the highest point of Big Bald, they arrived so that we could enjoy lunch together in the grass.4. The walk over Big Bald which is impressive any time of year. Views weren't crystal-clear but we did see Roan Mountain and the Smokies.5. Good companionship in that we were all hiking-compatible with never more than 10 minutes separating first from last.6. The inspiration of youth: 13-year old Cody, hiking with his Dad Lee, was one of our stronger hikers.I recognized Low Gap campsite where I spent the night of May 1 with Walt. At that point, the rest of the hike was a breeze as we were back at the cars by 3:25.Photos to follow.....
Date: 2005-07-15
From: Skyline Drive

To: Hightop Shelter, Shenandoah NP
Miles today: 0.0

Time for a little Trail Maintenance today on a long-overdue portion. Leaving after rush hour, Laurine and I arrived at the Skyline Drive/AT trailhead for Hightop before noon. Picking up the weedwacker from the Ranger Station, I cleared the Trail in the first 200 yards from Skyline Drive where the constant sun exposure ensures rapid growth requiring frequent clearing. We then hiked the 2.2 miles to Hightop Shelter for lunch before I began wacking.Didn't think I'd meet any thruhikers today but wrong! En-route upward, I met Stops Alot and Ned the Fed. They're flip-flopping after reaching Harpers Ferry in about 10 days. Didn't have any goodies for them.Finished by 6, we headed to Big Meadows Lodge and enjoyed dinner before heading home. Saw numerous deer including one buck sporting antlers.
Date: 2005-08-11
To: Maine - the final push
Miles today: 0.0

Maine beckons.When I undertook my first AT backpacking trip in 1977, I certainly had no plan - grand or otherwise - to complete the entire Trail. Sure, the thought always lingered since I first heard about the Trail and saw it in Harriman Park as a child. It would be kinda neat. But people who did it either as a thruhike or in sections were in a whole other league.   And that 1977 Memorial Day weekend 33 mile hike in Vermont from Rt. 30 south to Rt. 9 took a toll on my knees, my feet, and my psyche. This was harder than I thought!But I returned to Vermont for another go the following year and also began covering sections closer to home in Pennsylvania and Virginia. With a good job and a young family to raise and nurture, any time off for true long-distance hiking was out of the question; it didn¢t even enter my mind. I finished the Long Trail in 1981 (never applied for recognition from the GMC), hiked the White Mountains twice in 1982 and 83, finished Maryland and more of Virginia as the 1980s ended. When did completion of the AT become a goal? I can¢t say - some time in the 1990s I suppose but only in a vague sense. But I did keep track of all my sections and mileage just in case. 2003: retirement! At this point, yes, I¢ve decided I want to finish the AT. Maybe over 5 years - yeah, maybe I can manage that. But all of my backpacking trips to date have been 4-5 days max - many shorter. I can¢t finish in 5 years at that rate. Need to ramp up, both my body and my gear. I hiked all of Connecticut and Eastern PA in 2003 but at year-end, I¢ve still covered less than 1,000 miles.Then Northern Harrier and I resumed correspondence after not seeing each other for more than 30 years. Our contacts were limited to Christmas Cards exchanges during which we discovered in the last few years that we both had come to enjoy backpacking. And he¢s planning a 2004 thruhike.So I joined him for the first 100 miles. That 100 miles was the longest - more than twice as long in fact - than any hiking I had ever done and I more than survived - I flourished despite my antiquated gear e.g. my external-frame Kelty procured in 1980. That hike was a watershed in many respects. The ball started rolling as I racked up miles in about a dozen hikes in 2004 and 2005, hiking in - and experiencing the conditions of - all 4 seasons.Now it comes to this: all that remains is the northernmost 297 miles from Gorham to Katahdin and I¢m on the threshold. August 17 finds me ¢beginning the end.¢ Like before, I¢m now facing my longest hike by far, exceeding my previous personal highs by over 100 miles. But I¢m ready. And fittingly, Northern Harrier will meet me near the end and summit Katahdin with me. For there¢s no doubt that without him, I wouldn¢t be at this point now.1977 to 2005. 28 years - longer than my children have been alive. I will finish the Appalachian Trail. It¢s about to come to fruition.
Date: 2005-08-22
From: Frye Notch Leanto

To: East B Hill Rd., Andover
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: few clouds

Didn¢t sleep real well, perhaps because the night was warm and my sleeping bag was clammy in the dense woods but I was still ready to get up at 5:40. Oly stirred shortly afterwards and got up himself. By the time I left at 6:49, he was almost ready to go himself. Said our goodbyes but probably will see each other again given our similar hiking paces.Initial 600¢ ascent longer than anticipated but not difficult in a technical sense, i.e. no steep sloped rocks or high steps. The downside was lack of rewarding views since the ridge topped out in dense evergreen forest having risen from the hardwoods of Frye Notch Leanto. The descent had its moments but also some easy parts such that I felt I was making the best time yet on this hike. This was confirmed when I reached the Cascade Trail with the signs indicating I had hiked 3.6 miles in 2 hours 10 minutes, still less than 2 mph but much better than previous days. And I had stopped to talk to some SOBOers.Top of the falls was impressive but I declined to take the side trail for the full view. Steep ascent greeted me from the Cascade Trail. This is a rare case of the trail going uphill to the road crossing. En-route, I met Castaway, a SOBOer who¢s making big mileage along with fishing for some of his meals.After talking to a woman camped near the road, I stepped out and stuck out the thumb. Two logging trucks came by with the second one stopping for me. I enjoyed talking to the driver, a young guy who owns the truck and contracts with the paper companies to haul out the timber. This was his second load today. We talked about logging which is still very profitable in this part of Maine. They don¢t clearcut - no more than 10% of a tract is cut and nothing within 100¢ of streams. So the forest remains intact. This appears to be sustainable logging. After being dropped off in Andover, I walked 100 feet to the Guest House and walked inside where the first person I saw was Vapor. He summoned Sandra who checked me in, recognizing my name and noting that I was a day late. ¢Yeah, well, the trail is tough.¢This is a nice setup with a bunkhouse on the top floor along with shower, a bargain at $15 per night. Packs and boots must be left on the platform outside. Vapor is waiting for appliance batteries to recharge before he moves on (he stayed here last night) so we talked. He¢s a 24-year old Clemson graduate. I showed him photos of Sandra & Alicia and described Alicia¢s experience in the Peace Corps.Did all the normal town things except laundry which comes tomorrow after the slackpack. Showered, had lunch, unpacked maildrop, bought some supplies, phoned home.After tomorrow¢s slackpack, I¢ll have 50 miles in the books. At this point, I feel pretty good about this hike in that I¢m into the hiking groove. But I¢m definitely behind schedule - this will take longer than I planned. How much more I¢m not sure at this point.
Date: 2005-08-24
From: South Arm Rd.

To: Bemis Leanto
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

First, a few reflections on Andover. I liked the town - it's reasonably convenient to hikers with the friendliness to match but it's not real touristy. It's a typical New England town off the beaten path with town green, general store, Congregational Church, and other vestiges of New England. For hikers, the grocery stores' contents are rather limited but that's the trade-off. Sandra from the Andover Guest House dropped me off at 8:10 where I began an immediate steep uphill to Old Blue and the Bemis massif. Part-way up, Vapor passed me having camped last night at Hall Mountain Leanto. I was on the Old Blue summit in 2 1/2 hours, not bad for a 2,200' ascent. Like the previous peaks in Maine, the views and setting rendered the ascent worthwile. After a brief steep descent, the walking was easy by Maine standards until the Cascasde Trail where the footing became rough. So it was another tough day for the body with falls resulting in 2 twisted ankles, a wrenched left shoulder, and twisted right knee.I met a SOBO couple Yellow Beard and Moxie. Trying to remember all these SOBOs in case I see them when hiking this fall.Although I enjoyed the views and the scenery in the woods with the various colored mosses, the rougher footing made for a slow day. Also, some rain began falling lightly necessitating the pack cover. A crowd awaited at the shelter area but most of them were tenting, Bowdoin college freshman on an orientation trip. In the shelter itself were Archimedies and Ambler Rambler, the latter needing only to hike to East B Hill Rd. to finish the AT. Vapor was asleep in the corner.Soon the shelter was full as the threesome I met at Full Goose - Thumper, O'Connor, and Snowyman - came. They had zeroed in Andover. Then Pacman followed by Yard Sale who had hiked with Vapor most of the way from Georgia. The 9 of us fit just well enough in this shelter built for 8. Tenting were Radio, Krazy Katie, and Angry Andy.Vapor told an interesting account of how, camped by himself last night before a fire he had built, he found an animal circling him. It appeared to be a cat of some sort - too small for a cougar but seemingly too large for a bobcat. A lynx perhaps? There are lynx in Maine, no?
Date: 2005-08-27
From: Piazza Rock Leanto

To: Poplar Ridge Leanto
Miles today: 8.9

Saddleback day - magnificent! The perfect weather was just what one needs for a day like this. I was the first to leave and actually beat all the youngsters up the main Saddleback peak. Of course they all passed me shortly afterwards, especially as I underwent my usual struggles on the downhills.I'm definitely getting stronger on the uphills. I made it up Saddleback without stopping to rest - over 2,000'. In this kind of ascent, I witnessed the typical change of forest habitat - hardwoods to spruces & firs to scrub and blueberries. The rewards for this ascent were stunning. Saddleback is a gem! Although I couldn't see Katahdin as advertised, the views' beauty was matched only by the scenery at the top with the alpine grasses and flowers. So I made the most of my time on top, lounging, snacking, thinking and reflecting on God's Creation.AFter the main Saddleback peak comes The Horn and Saddleback Junior. Both involve 500 or so foot descents in between. The descents were difficult - I'm sure glad the rocks are dry. Any thoughts of moving beyond Poplar Ridge Leanto were tempered by the slow time required on the descents. On the last descent from Saddleback Jr., one difficult stretch necessitated my taking off my pack. But at least the last mile to the shelter was easy.The usual crowd at the shelter was augmented by a SOBOer named That Guy who proved very adept at solving Vapor's riddle for the evening. He also informed us of a grim weather situation looming over the next several days. Well, we've had 4 great days in a row - more than one can expect from the Maine mountains.I used my tent tonight as I didn't trust the shelter's baseball bat-type floorboards. But Pacman and Yard Sale said they slept well.
Date: 2005-08-29
From: Sugarloaf Summit house

To: Caribou Valley Road
Miles today: 2.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Throughmost of the night, the wind howled and I didn't sleep real well although that was likely due to drinking 2 cups of tea last evening. I was the first one to stir at about 6. The winds have diminished to near zero and the temperature outside is surprisingly warm. No rain, but the still-heavy fog creates a thoroughly wet atmosphere. Left at 7:20 but spent 25 fruiltless minutes trying to find the side trail. By the time I found it and walked gingerly to the junction with the AT, the rain started again. The first mile was easy, then the expected steep descent into the Carrabasset Valley commenced. From the SOBO dayhikers I met (hearty souls!), I learned that rain was expected for the next several days. What was that I said yesterday about getting used to the steep descents? Not today - this was brutal over slippery rocks although not as outright dangerous as Bemis. I was very slow and my knees hurt quite a bit. Vapor and Yard Sale passed me - told them I'd see them at the hostel and I'd likely beat them because I was bailing at the road below instead of continuing up the Crockers. My reasoning was simple; with the forecast, I'd rather check into the hostel early and slack pack the Crockers tomorrow. The last half-mile wasn't bad so I found myself at the road at 10:20. As a little used gravel/dirt road, I expected to walk the entire 4.3 miles to Highway 27 but after about 2 miles, a car came by and the couple picked me up, taking me all the way to Stratton. So naturally, I was the first to arrive at the Stratton Motel/Hostel.Pacman had made it there yesterday and couldn't hide his surprise that I was the first to arrive but I explained about bailing out at the Caribou Road. This is a fabulous hostel! The top floor has the sleeping area; downstairs has living rom with cable TV, high-speed internet, free telephone, bathroom & shower, and the best fully equiped kitchen of any AT hostel I've been to.Ate lunch at the White Wolf Inn (tried the wolfburger per Doug's suggestion - a bit much!), did laundry, phoned Laurine, and reached Northern Harrier who naturally talked me into continuing to commit to Katahdin. Vapor and Yard Sale arrived mid-afternoon and said the Crocker ascent and descent weren't bad. But I don't regret my decision. Feels good to rest the knees. Met Don, the motel/hostel owner. He just bought the motel last April to augment the roadhouse which he also owns. He's a very accommodating host. Dinner was also at the White Wolf where Radio, Krazy Katie, and Angry Andy are staying. An AMC trail crew of about 15 people gave the lone waitress plenty but she managed to balance all the demands of us hungry customers with aplomb. Told the trail crew I was an overseer in Shenandoah National Parke for the PATC for which they expressed appreciation. I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep and tomorrow's slackpack.
Date: 2005-08-30
From: Caribou Valley Road

To: Rt. 27 Stratton
Miles today: 8.3

Did my slackpack southbound today. Even though the south side of Crocker is steeper meaning I'd have to descend it, I felt it more important to get an early start which was more feasible by beginning at Highway 27 and hiking south.Don dropped me off at the trailhead at 7:35. What a difference a light pack makes! Under overcast skies threatening rain, I began with a steady ascent, levelling off after 2 miles to first a fast easy portion followed by a slab with rougher footing. The final push up North Crocker, the higher of the twin summits was steep but I still covered the 5 miles total in less than 3 hours.No views - no surprise. Continued on to South Crocker (500' descent followed by 300' ascent) and ate my sandwich by the side trail. On the descent, rain began rather steadily but 5 minutes after I had put on the rain cover and rain parka, it stopped. Met Buckeye and his daughter Elizabeth on the descent and recommended the Stratton hostel to them.I knew the descent would become steep and it was but I found it less taxing than yesterday's. Maybe it's because every step was certain, i.e. I knew where to place my foot at the next step. Even the rockfield was manageable but of course slow-going. From the rockfield lay a scenic view of the Crocker Cirque below with the bog and pond. Past the rockfield, I met a couple on a day hike who promised me a ride if I was still on the road when they left. Great! Past the Crocker Cirque campsite, the trail was easy and would you believe, the sun came out with predominantly blue sky? But I'm not lulled into thinking this portends a change. Hurricane Katrina's aftermath will reach Maine tonight.I walked the entire 4.3 miles of Caribou Valley road and managed to secure a ride on Rt. 27 to Stratton putting me back at the hostel by 3:15. Buckeye and Elizabeth came by at 5. Also at the hostel is Critter who stealth camped the previous night and arrived early this morning.At the excellent grocery store across the street, I bought a homemade blueberry pie for the 4 of us to share. No leftovers!Going over the maps again. Even with my planned zero day tomorrow, I think I can reach Monson by Sept. 6 and hopefully reach Katahdin by about the 16th or 17th.
Date: 2005-08-31
From: Stratton

To: Stratton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero day. Don drove Buckeye, Elizabeth, and me to a restaurant down the road as the pouring rain from Hurricane Katrina beat down on us. After a stop at the bank to cash my travelers checks, we were back. Buckeye and Elizabeth are hitting the Trail again today, rain notwithstanding. I¢m zeroing as is Critter.Bought more supplies at the grocery store and watched the TV coverage of Hurricane Katrina¢s effect along the Gulf Coast. Scary and depressing - it would only get worse. Makes any stresses or problems I face - whether on this hike or otherwise - seem extremely trivial.Bought another dinner to cook in the hostel kitchen for tonight. By day¢s end, I¢m ready to resume the Trail tomorrow.