morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Man, there is a lot to do on a zero day! The post office, outfitter, grocery store,pharmacy and laundromat were all visited today. It was a spring Saturday and there was lots of activity in Waynesboro including a car show on Main Street that was a lot of fun. I got to talking to some locals about my hike and they asked the usual questions. I had my answers ready. There is this great scene in Bull Durham where Crash Davis (Costner's character) is teaching Nuke how to handle the media in the big leagues. He makes him write down prepared answers like " I am just here to help the team" and " I just play them one game at a time and the good lord willing, things will work out." So for my tip today, I am giving my answers to the questions most frequently asked of thru hikers. In no particular order:                              ***** Yes I have read "Walk In The Woods" and yes, I thought it was funny and yes, there are people just like that on the trail. ***** No, I don't carry (fill in a crazy heavy item: a gun, a laptop, extra shoes,anti-bear spray) ***** I am hiking solo, but I am rarely alone or by myself.*****Today or originally? Originally I started at Springer Mountain, Ga., Today I started at (pick a random location 27 miles south of wherever you currently are. This always freaks people out) ***** Wherever I damn well please, unless there is a privy, then I try to use that.JUKEBOX
Date: 2008-05-18
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We got a great start out of Waynesboro courtesy of an early morning lift from Greg Bruno. Greg is one of a number of trail angels who make themselves available to shuttle hikers to and from the trail in Waynesboro. I found this sort of generosity to be typical of the great trail town that Waynesboro is. That was the good news. The bad news is the weather is pretty crappy today with rain and thunder and I was only able to hike 7 miles before the weather hit. I decided to hole up here as the trail thru the Shenandoah National Park is all ridgeline and I am averse to lightning! The weather is supposed to be better tomorrow and the plan is to do 20 mile days to Harpers Ferry. A Nobo named Pops came into the shelter shortly after me and we got to chatting and realized that I had passed him on Sassafras Mountain on the third day of my hike. It is sometimes a small trail. In the shelter with me are Respect, Jack Frost and Pops. JUKEBOX------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling
Date: 2008-05-19
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

Last night was one of the craziest nights on the trail. Despite my better judgment, I decided to stay in the shelter (as opposed to tenting) because the forecast was for thundershowers. I say despite my better judgment because the shelters in the Shennies are big stone structures built by the CCC in the 30's and my experience from the Smokies told me they are usually vermin infested. Anyway, it gets dark and everyone is reading or has gone to sleep when a shriek comes from the corner where Respect and Pony Boy are camped out. Apparently, a rat the size of a small dog was moseying into the shelter to get his due. We are getting used to the cute little shelter mice, but big ass rats are something totally different. Respect and Pony were clearly spooked and after we got done laughing at them, everyone booked out of the shelter to set up their tents in the dark. Respect lived in Mumbai for 6 weeks and for him to get spooked by a rat was surprising, but it was seriously huge. I was hiking with Pony Boy for a while this morning and at one point he stops and looks at me and say "I can't get that rat out of mind, its freaking me out"! He also had nightmares about the rat, hopefully he gets over it. The hike today was awesome an even more importantly, I saw my first bear! Respect and I were hiking out of a gap when I came around a corner and there was a bear about 25 yards away with his back to me eating some flowers. He was on his hind legs and I said "whoa" out loud to Respect. The bear heard me and looked over his shoulder and saw me, his eyes bugged out and he took off into the woods. Very cool! We are tenting tonight at Loft Mountain Campground; I am splitting a site with Jack Frost, Respect, and Cuda. We were able to get cheeseburgers plus re-supply at the camp store. That is my type of hiking. JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a great trail magic experience yesterday as an awesome couple from Nova Scotia took us in and fed us pork tenderloin, shrimp and beers in their souped up RV. They took pity on the poor hikers and we were appreciative of their Canadian hospitality. Unfortunately, the rest of the night did not go as well as the skies opened up on us after midnight and the temps dropped to about 40. When I got up it was miserable and wicked cold. Everyone was lamenting switching out their cold weather gear 10 days before but fortunately I had brought a bag liner and I kept plenty warm. As a result of the weather, we got a late start and didn't hit the trail until about 11:00 am. It was an off and on weather day and I got to the Hightop Hut about 5:30 pm. Needless to say, after our crazy rat experience, I was definitely tenting. Respect, Cuda and I tented in a site near the shelter. Also in the shelter are Halftime, Munson (the recently renamed Miles Seale for his striking resemblance to Woody Harrelson in "Kingpin"), Jack Frost, Vagabond, Rocco, and a handful of section hikers. JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: few clouds

The lure of a promised taproom at the lodge at Big Meadows had me on the trail bright and early. There are two lodges in Shenandoah National Park, former resorts that have been converted into rustic cabins with small hotels and restaurants. They are big stops with the tour bus crowd but they are also conveniently located close to the trail and after 4 days of wind and rain, the lure of a hot shower and laundry was strong. I got to the lodge about 3:00 pm and was able to get laundry done and myself clean by the time the rest of the crew I am hiking with strolled in. While I was doing laundry, I ran into Still Bill and Jesse Krout (Party Girl) and they were just coming back from trail days. I had hiked with them on and off all through the Smokies and had last seen Jesse in Pearisburg. It was good to catch up on trail gossip and it was also a good sign that I am catching up with hikers who left me behind while I was off the trail. Tonight I am splitting a room with Jack Frost and Respect and Monson. It is cramped, but we are dry and warm for the first time in days. JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket
Date: 2008-05-22
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Thornton Gap(U.S. 211)
Miles today: 17.6

It was another very cold, blustery day in the park and a number of us stumbled into the Skyland Lodge for lunch by noon. We all lingered and tried to get motivated for the afternoon but it wasn't easy given that the lodge was warm and cozy and the hiking was freezing. When I finally started again, I remembered to try and call Thorny. Thorny lives in the area and had wanted me to call him when I was getting near Thornton Gap. He picked me up there about 5:00 pm and we drove to his house on Lake Anna for burgers and beers and to meet his wife Wendy and daughter Rebel. We had a great evening and I really can't thank Thorny enough for his hospitality. It was a great break! JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-05-23
From: Thornton Gap(U.S. 211)

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: few clouds

Thorny and I drove this morning to Front Royal to pick up my mail drop. Front Royal is another 30 miles up the trail for me but I am hoping to avoid a town trip by getting my maps and such today. We also met Lil Mak and Popeye for breakfast at a little diner in town. They are about a day or so ahead but they are taking a few days off in town to meet their respective spouses for the weekend. It was great catching up; hopefully we can coordinate hiking together again as we get to New England. Thorny got me back to the trail about noon and I set off for a pretty aggressive afternoon. I shortly developed a problem, however, as I started to blister on the sole of my foot. I have had very few blister issues but this was troubling. Why I started having problems after 800 miles in these shoes I don't know, but if I don't fix it, this could really create a long term issue. I eventually made it to Gravel Spring Hut but not before running into two more bears. My bear count for the week is 6 and it doesn't get old. The deer on the other hand are a bit annoying; they stand in the middle of the trail and literally have to be shooed away. I have liked the Shennies but I am glad to be leaving because today is the start of the Memorial Day weekend. The shelter area and trails are chocked full of weekenders and the forest reverberates with the roar of Harleys from Skyline Drive. There are about 15 people in the shelter area tonight but I am the only thru hiker. Don't worry; it hasn't stopped the weekenders with 80 lb external frame packs from telling me my gear is all wrong for hiking! JUKEBOX------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Chester Gap--Front Royal, Virginia
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, today didn't go as planned but I guess that is part of the challenge. I had intended to hike 28 miles to put myself into position to get to Harpers Ferry by Monday but by lunchtime the blister on my sole had gotten worse and I had developed a second one under the toes of my left foot. I reached Chester Gap by lunchtime and I had a decision to make; try to push on the 70 miles to Harpers Ferry or go into Front Royal and try to solve my shoe problems. I decided that my feet are my most important asset on the trail and I needed them to be in good working order. I got a hitch into town and made my way to the only outfitter. The owner was very helpful but his selection was extremely limited and he didn't carry inserts so I ended getting a pair of trail runners that I am not 100% sure about. Unfortunately, I have little choice and I just have to hope they can get me to Harpers Ferry with minimal damage. There is an outfitter there that should carry the appropriate inserts and a bigger selection of shoes. Cross your fingers. I will hike out tomorrow and try to do three easy days to Harpers Ferry to give my feet a break. JUKEBOXNote: New Pictures added - Jukebox------------------------------Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Chester Gap--Front Royal, Virginia

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

The trail has been really crowded the last few days, just chock full of day and weekend hikers. It has really been the first time that I have seen so many people on the trail. The combination of the great weather and the holiday weekend has made the trail practically crowded. Unfortunately, it has also made for some less than pleasant encounters with day hikers and their dogs. Twice today I had aggressive dogs come barreling down the trail at me, barking and making a show off it. It is tough to instantly determine the dog's intentions, particularly if there is more than one as was the case once today. Everyone thinks their dog is "friendly" and won't bite but I think it is just bad form and impolite to let your dog go running down a trail without a leash. Even if the dog doesn't bite, it will likely scare the hell out of someone (like me!). My experience today has also led me to the decision that I need to carry a bit more protection in the form of pepper spray. I saw 10 bears in the Shenandoahs and I never felt threatened. I have really only felt threatened by dogs. That was the downside of the day. The upside of the day is that I ran into Shutterbug and his girlfriend outside of Manassas Gap Shelter. I hadn't seen Shutterbug since Daleville and it was good to catch up. We hiked together on and off the rest of the day and ate dinner together at Dick's Dome Shelter. I ended up tenting and they ended up hiking a few more miles. We both want to get to Bear's Den Hostel tomorrow and they figure they needed to get a few more miles in today to make it. It is just Jack Frost and I at the shelter tonight with a handful of sectioners and I am tenting in a great spot. JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel(Bears Den Rocks)
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

The hike today to the Bear's Den Hostel goes through a stretch of trail known as the "roller coaster", a 13.5 mile section that has 10 sharp peak and rapid descents. At this stage, this would not normally be that big of a deal but today was also the first really warm, humid day of late spring. With temps hovering in the 80's and high humidity, it was a sweat fest with lots of water being recycled. By about 2:00 pm, I was only 3 miles from the hostel but I was really feeling the effects of the heat; I was light headed, flush and drained. It took me 2 hours to go the last 3 miles but some of that time was spent talking to a scout troop in the middle of the trail. I have encountered three scout troops during my trip and I have been impressed by all of them. They ask great questions and are extremely curious about the challenges of thru hiking. I did mange to make it to the Bear's Den about 4:00 pm. The hostel is an awesome facility, a stone structure that was the former summer home of a local doctor. It is operated by the ATC and PATC (in a complicated relationship that I didn't quite get) and is extremely clean and well cared for. They also have one of the best deals on the AT; a bed, laundry, shower, a large pizza, a pint of Ben & Jerry's and a soda for $25. I had the Ben & Jerry's first. At the hostel with me tonight are Jack Frost, Shutterbug and Tall Drink, Ten88, Pusher, and a few sectioners. Pusher is a good kid; he is an 18 year old I met a few days ago who is planning on doing the "4 state challenge" the day after tomorrow. The challenge involves hiking from the Virginia state line, just outside Harpers Ferry, thru West Virginia, all of Maryland and into Pennsylvania in one day, a total of 43+ miles. He asked me if I wanted to join him and I told him I had a hard enough time with one state challenges! Four states are better left to younger legs. JUKEBOX------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Bears Den Hostel(Bears Den Rocks)

To: Harpers Ferry, WV(Towne Inn)
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: light rain

It is almost heaven, wild, wonderful, West-By-God-Virginia. Harpers Ferry is the psychological half way point of the trail (the actual half way point being about 70 miles north) and it represents a great opportunity to celebrate the achievement and to also refit and get prepared for the second half of the hike. While the trail has leveled out from an elevation perspective, the grade of the trail has been very rocky. More than anything, this slows me down and causes me enough discomfort to limit my miles on some days. Added to this fact is the footwear I picked up in Front Royal is just not going to work out. While I am not having the same types of blistering issues, my shoes just don't fit well, don't offer enough sole support and are going to have to be replaced. The outfitter in town has a great rep and I am hoping they can set me straight. When I got into town, I first went by the offices of the Appalachian Trail Club to register as a thru hiker and to get my mug shot taken for the hiker book. They also have a room set up for hikers where I was able to use the internet and check out the pictures from all the hikers who had made it to Harpers Ferry before me. By the time I left the ATC, it was time to get cleaned up and get something to eat. I am staying in a bunk room at the Towne Inn in downtown Harpers Ferry with Jack Frost, the General, 20 Blisters and Pusher. We all ended up hoisting a few in celebration and getting our plans together for the next 1000 miles... but mostly hoisting a few. JUKEBOX ------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Harpers Ferry, WV(Towne Inn)

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The outfitter in Harpers Ferry is small but very well stocked with lots of gear focused on long distance hiking. I was able to get a pair of Vasque Trail Runners that fit perfectly and a new pair of super feet inserts. I also shipped the last of my cool weather gear home. My pack is now as light as it has ever been, coming in at around 27 lbs with food and water. The rest of the day was spent visiting the sites and eating. After eating lunch with the general, we have decided to hike out together tomorrow as we both do about the same miles and have a similar finish date in mind. I am going to meet my brother, Eric, this weekend in Fayetteville, Pa which is about 60 miles up the trail. To do 60 miles in 2.5 days will be a good test of my new shoes. We will leave first thing tomorrow and the weather is supposed to cooperate giving us long days to make our miles. JUKE BOX------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!
Date: 2008-05-29
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

The Free State, the Old Line State, the land of pleasant living, America in miniature, the home of steamed crabs, cold Natty Boh, the O's and trips "down 'e ocean," state of my birth, Maryland My Maryland. I got an early start today and strolled out of Harpers Ferry, WV and into Maryland. After spending 5 weeks in Virginia, clicking off 2 states in as many days is a bit novel but welcome. It was a beautiful day and the General and I hiked 13 miles by the time we stopped for lunch. By the time dinner rolled around, we were near the I-70 overpass and also near a tavern called The Dog Patch that is only 0.5 miles off the trail. That was a no brainer. Of course, as is my penchant on this trip, it was a biker bar but being as close to the trail as it was, there was other hiker trash there to balance out the atmosphere. Respect and Applicator were already plenty relaxed when we got there and we had fun catching up. The sun was setting as we left The Dog Patch to hike to the next shelter, about a mile up the trail. The General and I set up our tents in the dark and the only other soul here is the local ridge runner. JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-05-30
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: clear sky

After a rocky morning on the trail, the General and I caught up with Capt. Jack at lunch. I had last seen Jack at Uncle Johnny's in Erwin and as usual, there was lots of passing of trail gossip back and forth. Today marked another milestone as we left Pen Mar Park in the late afternoon and crossed the Mason Dixon Line into Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is infamous among AT hikers for its rocky trails and we got a good preview today. The area has also received a great deal of rain in the previous weeks and the mosquitoes just busted out today when the wind died this afternoon; it made for a pretty miserable last few miles. We arrived at the shelter area around 7:30 pm and ran into Pusher who had completed the 4 state challenge the day before. The shelter system in this area is unique in that there are actually 2 small shelters (jokingly labeled "snoring" and "non-snoring") rather than one larger one. The shelters are also specifically labeled as "backpacker" only, no camping. The shelters are extremely well kept, particularly give their proximity to local roads, and the ridge runners and caretakers will evict locals who come into camp. We found this out as DNR rangers showed up as we were arriving and kicked out a group of locals who were planning a camp out. This was probably in our best interest as I am waxed and I probably wouldn't have gotten any sleep with a party going on. The General and I are tenting and sharing the shelter area with Capt. Jack, Pusher, and a brother from Seattle. JUKEBOX
Date: 2008-05-31
From: Tumbling Run Shelters

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

I was meeting my brother Eric in Caledonia State Park at 10:00 am this morning so we were up and hiking by 6:30am, my earliest start to date. It was a good thing the General and I got an early start as thunder started rumbling about 9:00 am. I was pretty sure we could make the park before the rain and I was almost right. Almost. At 10:00 am, just as we hit the park entrance, the skies opened up and we got drenched. By the time we located my brother, we were properly soaked which made for a fun ride to Baltimore! My brother Eric and sister-in-law Dawn took in the wet, smelly hikers nonetheless and we had a great afternoon. The skies cleared and we grilled some steaks and enjoyed the evening. Eric even loaded his old 30g iPod with a load of new stuff that I have missed over the last months, how cool is that?! The jukebox is back in business! The General and I are crashing at my brother's tonight and we will hit the trail again tomorrow. JUKEBOX------------------------------Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 2.2
Weather: light rain

We had a great albeit brief visit with my brother Eric and family. We were able to get our gear cleaned up this morning and get a proper diner breakfast before we had to make the drive back to the trail. It was after 3:00 pm by the time we arrived at Caledonia State Park and the General and I had little energy for a long hike. We had planned on staying at the Quarry Gap Shelter for the night that was just up the trail. When we arrived, we were truly impressed. The Quarry Gap Shelter may be the nicest I have seen on the trail. It is immaculately clean with two separate 4 person sleep platforms connected by a common area vestibule. The water source is a beautiful spring that runs about 20 feet in front of the shelter. The caretaker has even put a park bench and plantings near the bubbling spring. The General and I have the shelter to ourselves and Jack Frost is tenting nearby. JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.