morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Elkwallow Wayside

To: Front Royal Hostel
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up early and went into the bathroom. I met a lady, Patricia, curling her hair. She also works with the Patomac AT Club. She told me there is a very bad storm coming today. Then she gave me an article to read about some hikers that took cover in a building and the building was hit by lightning and caused the hikers some minor injuries. Hmmm. This made me think that maybe HoneyBee and I should get to the hut and stay put today. Ken offered us some cinnamon rolls before taking us to the trail. We hiked out about 8 am and in less than an hour I saw a bear run down a tree and run away. HoneyBee heard it but didn't see it. It sounded like a monkey. I am sure it was yelling for mama. I heard that only the juvenile bears climb trees. It wasn't real big but it was a large juvenile. It made my day. I finally got to see a bear in the Shenandoah's! And it was close. We didn't hike far when we got to a parking lot and I thought maybe we should get a ride to the hostel instead of staying in a hut during the storm. We met Wayne and Stuart who were also with the Patomac AT club and Wayne said if we could wait about an hour he could take us to Compton Gap. Great. We rode with Stuart to the parking area and hiked another 1.8 miles on the AT to the trail that takes us to Chester Gap where Front Royal Hostel is located. I skipped from mile marker 952.8 to 963.8. I will slack pack this 11 mile section in the near future. We got to the hostel and I found Nurse here! Awwww. It was so good to see him! I haven't seen him since Damascus Trail days! He was off the trail for various reasons. Gave me the chance to catch up to him. So tomorrow we will get a ride from Mike, the hostel owner, to Front Royal. MamaBee got us a room. She will be arriving in the evening and HoneyBee will be going home Monday after they take me back to the trail. I will miss her. It has been a blast having her with me.
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Front Royal Hostel

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0

Mike shuttled us to the coffee shop this morning. We had coffee with Popsicle. She is in search of a shoelace. Not any old shoelace but a Solomon no tie thing. She won't find one on Sunday morning. HoneyBee ate at the coffee shop and after we went to Wynn's Diner so I could have pancakes. I then walked a long mile and a half up a few small hills to church. Was soaked in sweat when I got there. It was 90 degrees already at 10:40 am. I had 20 minutes to make it. I guess that's why I was so sweaty too....almost had to run. Church was good. Lesson on Job 2:11. David and Stacy gave me a sweet ride to the Quality Inn where HoneyBee got our room. HoneyBee's dad had to give the front desk guy a piece of his mind over the phone because the room was reserved for Saturday and we were considered no shows and charged anyway. It was all straightened out. Thanks you PapaBee. Then we went to......drumroll.....a MOVIE! Inside Out is so cute. Went to the tavern and I had a snack. MamaBee arrived and took us out to the Cracker Barrel. Back at the room HoneyBee zonked and I called my dad on Fathers Day. Me and MamaBee talked a while. Oh and since I didn't hike today, I missed out on the tradition of hike naked day. Oh well, there's always next year! Not. Sleep is going to be sweet. Will be heading north to Harpers Ferry in the morning all alone.
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Front Royal

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept so good but still got up early. We all went for the continental breakfast at 8 am or so. Packed up all our stuff and me and HoneyBee went to the office where she checked out and got a receipt. She so gracefully told the man thank you for correcting the bill and he responded with "he was pretty irate" in regards to her dad. I have a new name for PapaBee. It is KillerDrone! Haha. We said our goodbyes at the trail head. Lots of hugs and pictures and I went to the woods. First thing was the exiting Shenandoah sign. Yay. Then up a hill with rocks and the poison ivy. Yup, HoneyBee is gone. She was my good luck. Things were sweet when she was with me. At least there's no rain. I arrived at the absolutely cutest shelter on the entire trail today at 2 pm. The Jim and Molly Denton Shelter has a porch, wooden couch, a solar shower, covered picnic table and day lilies around it. Beautiful stone steps also. I didn't want to leave. Hung out an hour here and had lunch then moved on. To early to stop. I got to Manassas Shelter at 6 and decided to stay. Set up my tent. I met a lady named Paisley and another named Hallnoats. Also Phu and Cowboy are here. A man named Mark was out walking his dog. He lives on this mountain. He told me about the roller coaster coming up. It is 13 miles of serious up and down terrain. He says it is the last hard section before getting to Harpers Ferry. Okay then, I'm ready. I am not in a rush. Dave meets me Friday in Harpers Ferry. Can't wait! Going to sleep now. And must mention, I passed 800 miles!!!
Date: 2015-06-23
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Morgan Mill Stream campsite
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Just an extremely hot, humid and kind of boring day. No views anywhere. Today had to be the hottest day yet. Did I already say it was hot and humid? I stopped at every stream and took off my shirt, soaked it, and put it back on to hike in it. Several times. Thankful for many streams today. I only met one person hiking today. Tracy lives in Appapomattox VA. She is doing a section hike. She told me how cute Harpers Ferry is. Can't wait to get there and spend time with Dave. Today started the section in Virginia known as The Roller Coaster. It is 13.5 miles of ridiculously tight packed ascents and descents. I decided to get 3 miles done of this section today. It is not easy. So tomorrow I have 10.5 miles of this mess. It will be broken up with a break at Bears Den Hostel for food and a cold drink of some kind. I set my tent up in a huge tenting area but there is only one other tent here. A girl named Brooke and her dog Gerdie. She is also a section hiker for 10 days. Had a light bit of rain this evening. Kind of nice. It cooled things off some. I plan to get up early so I can get that roller coaster done before the heat of the day. The picture I posted here is the page from my guide book. I highlighted the roller coaster. HoneyBee, you would not have liked this at all!
Date: 2015-06-24
From: Morgan Mill Stream campsite

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Was up early and planned to get on the trail early but talked with Brooke. Got some good information about the REI in Columbia. I am happy I got a picture with her. I think her dog Gerdie has Vizsla in her because she acts just like Tessa. I am happy to say the the Roller Coaster was a lot of hype. It wasn't all that bad but the rocks were terrible. I stopped at Bears Den Hostel to get a snack but the man said they don't open the store until 5. He felt sorry for me when I told him I didn't have any food and let me buy some tuna and potato chips. Never again will I leave town without my pizza. I thought I had enough food. I had trail bars given to me by HoneyBee but you can only eat so many of those. I took a shower with my clothes on so I could wash them. Sat outside and was dry in 5 minutes it was so hot outside. There was a beautiful view at Raven Rocks today. Sat there a few minutes with Popsicle. Got to the Blackburn AT Center and set up my tent. Sandy and her husband, Trailboss, are the caretakers this year. There is no charge to stay but donations are welcome. Sandy made us 5 hikers dinner. Chile on mashed potatoes and bread. And a brownie for dessert! Sweet. Found out today that Paisley fell and did a face plant on the rocks. Had to get a bunch of stitches in her face. Anything can happen at any time on this trail. Trying so hard to be careful. One more night having to blow up my leaking air mattress. Harpers Ferry tomorrow!
Date: 2015-06-25
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: AT Center
Miles today: 11.9

On the trail at 7. The first 6 miles went fast and then I just seemed to lose steam. Was excited to see a bear that was standing on a log just looking at me. I got out my camera but still didn't get the picture. He turned and ran away. I guess I am glad they are scaredy little things. Happy to see the VA-WVA border sign that also showed 1.9 miles to the AT Center. It was beautiful to see the Shenandoah River when I was coming down the hill. I loved crossing over US 340 bridge with cars zooming past. I made my way up the other side and to the AT Center side trail. I just can't believe I am here! The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is the psychological half way point! It really feels amazing. Got my picture taken and registered as a thru hiker. So many hikers hanging out here. I ran in to Salty who I met on my very first night in the Smokies! Wow, so long ago it seems. I walked over to the Camp Hill B&B and got a sweet room in the cabin. Dave was trying to be here today but won't make until tomorrow. I decided to stay in this sweet room anyway. Pizza, a glass of wine, a soak in the tub and a chick flick. And cotton sheets without having to blow up a mattress pad! Can't wait to see my sweetie and take a couple of zero's with him. Cute, cute town. Can't wait to see all of it.
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My sweetie is here! Staying in the only room left in Harpers Ferry Historical district......the bunk room at The Town's Inn. This building was built in 1840. We are on the top floor by ourselves. Our bathroom is down on the second floor. Dave and I walked about and did the trail southbound back to where I had gotten off to go to the conservancy. About a mile I think so technically this should be called a Nero day. The storm is bad this morning and suppose to last all day. Great day to be off the trail. We are going to all the museums today!
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Fairfax, Virginia

To: Fairfax, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We stayed in Fairfax last night after we picked up Tessa at the Kennel. I got some new hiking boots at REI. So needed since I am aged and my feet don't really like these tennis shoe looking hiker. They also had 500 miles on them. Today we went to Falls Church, VA and went to church services. Really enjoyed it but we don't like Fairfax. Just too many people and lousy traffic. Then I had to go to a walk in medical clinic because the red spot on my side where I pulled out the tic almost two weeks ago is now the traditional bullseye first sign of Lyme disease. Ugh. 14 days of antibiotics. I will now announce that I am going to Maine tomorrow. Doing a flip flop and climbing Mt. Katahdin on Tuesday morning and hiking southbound back to Harpers Ferry. Sooooooo crazy excited. So this was why I decided to get the antibiotics now. I don't want to be in the 100 mile wilderness and get sick. Can you imagine that? Things are going so well. I even gained a couple of pounds this past week. So rested and ready for a change in climate. Never been to Maine. Awwwwwwww! Excited scream! Hope I can sleep tonight.
Date: 2015-06-29
From: Fairfax, Virginia

To: Millinocket , Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Awesome day. Everything went perfectly. Smooth and easy ride to the airport. Plane was on time. Two hour flight to Maine then I walked .8 miles to Hanneford's grocery store. Then just across the parking lot to the bus station. It was a one hour bus ride to Medway from Banghor. But after I got off the bus no one was there to pick me up. This is the funny part. She picked up the other hikers, they got on the van so quick, and she drove away before I even got off the bus! I wasn't slow. She was looking for hikers with backpacks. I had my pack in a suitcase so it wouldn't get damaged at the airport. Anyway Paul had to come back to get me. I enjoyed our conversation. Talked him in to taking me to a different trail head because I want to climb up Knifes Edge and then go down on the Hunt Trail which is the AT. It will cost me $16.00 to go to the other trail. I met a couple, Jane and Alan, who told me what to do. They live just east of the mountain and can see it from their place. They have hiked up Mt. Katahdin several times. Thank you Jane for the great information and drawing a map of the trail I should take. Paul was great and cooked my frozen store bought pizza for me that I will be eating in the hundred mile wilderness. Got in to my room and organized my stuff. I will be leaving most of my gear in a borrowed daypack on the rangers porch so I can go light up the mountain in the morning using my own pack. Staying here at the lodge in my own room. We get a breakfast at the local diner in the morning and head out at 6:30 am. Soooooooooo excited. Weather is perfect and it is beautiful. Bionic Woman is here. She said she did Mt. Katahdin yesterday and had to get help from the Rangers because the winds were 80 mph. She thought she was getting hypothermia. I think I have prepared well. I put together my hypothermia kit with hand warmers in it. I pray for no rain. Must get to sleep. It is 10 pm.
Date: 2015-06-30
From: Millinocket , Maine

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today was one of the longest, hardest, most difficult days of my life. Ole Man from the AT Lodge shuttled us hikers to the trail head at Katahdin Stream Campground in Baxter State Park. Usually the hikers go up the Hunt Trail which is part of the AT to the peak and come down the same way. I wanted to take a different one up so I could go across Knife Edge and then start my southbound hike on the Hunt Trail. This is the way Jane, who I met on the plane, suggested I should go. So Ole Man drove me over to Roaring Brook. So I started on the beautiful Chimney Pond Trail at 9 am. This park is pristine! The most beautiful state park I have ever been to hands down. The trail was gorgeous. I signed in with the ranger before turning on to the Dudley Trail. I asked him if my time was okay and how the wind would be today. So far so good. The Dudley Trail went pretty much straight up. Then when I got above tree line it turned into boulders. Hard, hard, hard. Beautiful pictures along the way. I could see hikers going across Knife Edge and was looking forward to the challenge. I made it up to Pamola Peak and just had to pause at the beautiful world God has made for us to enjoy. Breathtaking! I had lunch before deciding to take on the edge walk. I am not afraid of heights at all as you can tell by most of my pictures but let me tell you now, I wanted OFF. I was just done. 20 minutes into this scramble with both hands and I wanted the torture to end. So very thankful the weather was so perfect. I got some absolutely beautiful pictures and I am very happy to be able to say I did the Knife Edge. It took me two hours, the most exhausting, painful two hours, to get across this ridge. I finally got to Baxter Peak and got someone to take my picture. Then I started my southbound journey down the Hunt Trail. This side started off gentle and went across what is called The Tableland. And then the huge boulders down began. It was just as hard going down this too. The bugs and the black flies are out. They are not real bad when moving but it is hard to stop to eat something. It took me so long to get down too. I finally got to Katahdin Stream Campgroung at 8:15 pm. Totally wiped out after 11 hours of hiking and rock scrambling. Thinking I may not hike tomorrow, we'll see. I do know for sure without a doubt, I will never, ever, ever, ever, hike up to Baxter Peak, ever again, as long as I live! NEVER! I am happy I did it though, and lived to tell about it. I only even got one bruise. I had to go 5.5 miles up just to get to the start of my AT southbound hike. So I hiked 10.7, or should I say rock crawled, today but only 5.2 counts for the AT. I soaked my feet in Katahdin Stream in the dark then crashed in my tent. So glad the day is over!
Date: 2015-07-01
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Abol Campgrond
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

I slept well. New mattress pad! So happy I didn't have to blow up a mattress after that long day yesterday. I got up about 6:30 and Hubble was already gone. Milkshake and Fahma, really it's Farmer but he says Fahma, were packing up to get on the trail. I got on the trail at 8:20. What a difference a day makes. Today's trail is a soft bed of pine needles with some roots, but I will take roots over boulders any day. Again, gorgeous scenery, this picture of Grassy Pond just makes me want to stay here forever. I passed Little Niagra Falls and Big Niagra Falls. Got to Daicey Pond and saw the sweet cabins across the way. The AT crosses the Nesowadnehunk Stream twice and requires fording. Nope. Didn't do it. It was raining all day. I took one step on the boulder to try to cross and immediately slipped. I am not going to lie, I took the high water .9 mile bypass and I am not ashamed of it. I am just too sore and not feeling it today. Yesterday just totally wiped me out. I was so happy to get to the state park boundary and drop in my permit. Half a mile to the Abol Bridge Campground and I went to The Northern Restaurant and had a Reuben sandwich! I saw a man and what looked like his daughter hiking up and asked them if they would like to share the bunk room. They said they were going in to town. Seth and his daughter, Rachel offered me a ride. She is hiking the trail and just started here in Maine. I didn't have to think long. I am now here at Katahdin Inn in Millinocket resting my weary body and washing clothes. Getting ready for the hundred mile wilderness starting tomorrow. You probably won't hear from me for 6 or 7 days. Looking forward to this challenge. Hope to see a moose!
Date: 2015-07-02
From: Abol Campgrond

To: Rainbow Lake Campground
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

Slept great. Went down to the continental breakfast and met the parents of a hiker who is finishing his entire north bound hike today. Merry and his friend Pippin started the hike on Feb 28th. Wow. I can't imagine how that will feel. Met Seth at 9 as planned but his and Rachel's plans have changed. Her 5 year old shoes didn't make it after climbing Katahdin so they have to go find her some shoes. He still gave me a ride back to the trail. He is a geologist. Very intelligent but keeps referring to his daughter Rachel as a teenager. She is 22. I think he is a little controlling. Got on the trail at 10 am and walked across the Abol Bridge just as a logging truck was crossing. The trucks have the right of way on the roads so hikers better move. Beautiful hiking today and a great view of Mt Katahdin in the distance. It's shrinking! There are a lot of hikers heading north to Mt Katahdin. They want to summit on the 4th of July. It's a popular thing to do. Also there are a lot who just like the challenge of the 100 mile Maine wilderness. I also ran in to Bionic Woman again. Can't believe she is back on the trail. She said when they rescued her they didn't get down the mountain until after 1 am. She was borderline hypothermia. She spent 3 nights at the lodge. She is tough to be back out here. I hiked on and I got to Rainbow Lake campsite and decided to stay. I think I am still not over that Knife Edge climb. Besides the lake is so beautiful, great place to soak my feet.
Date: 2015-07-03
From: Rainbow Lake Campground

To: Stealth camp mile 42
Miles today: 15.7

I slept well and woke up early and was hiking by 7 am. Got to Rainbow lean to and found Chelsea here and Bionic Woman who was still asleep in her hammock. I hiked up Nesuntabunt Mountain today. This picture is of Mt Katahdin from up here. It is a 16 mile line of sight view. Seems so far away. I still can't believe I climbed that. Hiked on and was doing great when all of the sudden, wham! I thought I was hit with a baseball bat. Right at my brain level was a tree stump. The branch of a tree had been cut off but this part was left. Man, I went straight to the ground and immediately thought I need my blood stop kit. Wow, no blood. Just a scrape and a lump. Taught me to remember to look up a lot more. It could have been bad. This is my worst injury so far. Hiking on I arrived at 4 pm at Wadleigh Stream lean to and found Buscuit there with his dog, Roo. His dog looks beat and she has a terrible rash or bug bites all over her belly. I feel so bad for the dogs. This just couldn't be good for them. Not good for us either but people have no sense. I met an 18 year old kid named Patrick earlier today who said he was staying here but when I left he must have changed his mind because he passed me 15 minutes later. Guess he didn't want to be shown up by this old lady. I've already done that since I have not met any one else who has crossed the Knife Edge. Only this crazy old lady did it. I am paying the price though. My knees have never hurt before. Maine is beautiful but it is beating me up. Found a sweet stealth camp spot by a stream. Maybe a moose will come to drink the water early and I can get a picture.
Date: 2015-07-04
From: Stealth camp mile 42

To: Cooper Brooke Falls lean to
Miles today: 17.7

Very good sleep. No moose. But I must say Maine is a lot of mud, mosquitoes and moose poop. Where are they hiding for there to be this much poo they have to be here somewhere. Early in my hike today I had to ford a river. My first time doing this since I took the bypass last time. I took my boots off and put on my awesome Zero sandals and stepped right in the fast moving water of the Nahamakanta Stream. No slipping with these sandals! My feet enjoyed the water. I met Henry who is hiking with his son Bennett. They said they are having a hard time. Henry misses his wife and Bennett misses his girlfriend and they both say they are tired. Also met Doug who also says he is tired. He didn't summit Katahdin. I understand them being tired though. Starting in Maine is extremely hard. First the beast Katahdin and then immediately the 100 mile wilderness. I am happy I didn't start here and that I already have my trail legs. I don't think I would have continued, seriously. I stopped in the middle of the day and played in Jo-Mary Lake. Washed all my clothes. Then when I got to Jo-Mary Bridge I celebrated having reached my 900 mile mark with a slice of pizza! Woo hoo! I arrived at Cooper Brooke Falls lean to at 5 pm. Nice. 17.7 miles in 9 hours. Thundercat is here. I met him at the AT Lodge. He is with another hiker who I can't remember his name. They are hurting because they thought they could handle 20 miles after doing Katahdin and just starting out. They both have bad blisters. We have 54 miles remaining in the wilderness. They are going to have a hard time. I just hope I have enough food. I have been rationing and I am hungry. I hope to keep the mileage up and get to town Wednesday early. If I can, then I have planned my food well. Oh, I guess it's not really all that wild since I am updating my journal! Internet in the wilderness, doesn't seem right.