morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-21
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter (VA)

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is National Hike Naked Day...well i don't know if it's national...but it is known A.T. wide. i unfortunately forgot until i got to the shelter at the end of the day...but i didn't run in to any unclothed hikers either. i did meet a really fun south bounder, Salamander, we ate our snacks together on a bench and just laughed like we'd known each other our whole trip. no matter who you meet out here...instantly become your family and friends just b/c they know what you're going through b/c they're going through it too. there is an understanding...no need for questions, no need for explanation.
Date: 2006-06-22
From: Rod Hollow Shelter, VA

To: Blackburn AT Center, VA
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

Click...Click...Click...Whoo! Today was 13 (give or take) miles of what is called and indicated by the trail crews as the Roller Coaster! Now those of you that know me well know that I don't ride roller coasters....I'm the kid that has to wait for their friends at the bottom. Although I got to walk this one it still wasn't fun but I did run into my first box turtle whom I named "The Lockness Monster". Right before the coaster was over I stopped in at the Bears Den hostel to cool off, get some snacks and Ben & Jerrys ice cream to get me to Harpers Ferry. Tonight I stayed at the Blackburn Trail Center because is a free facility for hikers, with a spagetti dinner and shower. There were about 20 hikers there. The center care takers were "Hopeful and Redwing" who hiked the trail before and are now taking the responsibility of maintaing the Center. I met alot of new hikers going SOBO and NOBO. It was great time with great people and a solar shower.
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Blackburn AT Center, WV

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: few clouds

Today the Blackburn Center was serving coffee at 6:30 am so I got an early start into Harpers Ferry. When I got to the 1000 mile mark, I got a party hat & medal. I hiked straight to the AT Conservancy to check in and get my picture taken. I was number 449 of those thru-hikers to come through Harpers Ferry this year. Rock Chalk, a thru hiker I met on my very first night on the trail, and I ate at an ¢all you can eat buffet¢ and believe me we sat there long enough to get our money¢s worth. My dad and Uncle Jim came to pick me up to visit and get clean at my parents condo in VA mountains.
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Ed Garvey Shelter (MD)
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today my parents, Uncle Jim and Aunt Frances drove on the Skyline Drive on our way back to Harpers Ferry, WV. We stopped at Milam Gap trail head. We were there for just a few minutes and were getting back into the van when I saw Coach Renn, Professor Fergurson, and Cindy Smith from VWC. They were there to day hike about 15 miles. Coach Renn hiked the entire AT during 1996 and 1997. Ran into ¢no piers¢ at a outdoor restaurant in Harpers Ferry, he also stayed at the Ed Garvey Shelter. My dad hiked the first 3.4 miles with me from Harpers Ferry.
Date: 2006-06-25
From: Ed Garvey Shelter (MD)

To: Pine Knob Shelter (MD)
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

This is my first full day in Maryland. I hiked about 11 miles to the Dahlgren Back Pack Campground. It started to rain so the group I was hiking with took shelter till it slacked off. I then continued another 5.5 miles in a lighter rain. Tonight it is raining so hard that I will sleep in the shelter instead of my tent. Last night was my first night in another state (Maryland) after 42 nights in Virginia. There were six of us in the Ed Garvey shelter. We have trail magic @ the shelter when past thru hikers bought sandwiches, fruit & cookies. Thanks. It rained most of the night. There are no shelters in West VA.
Date: 2006-06-26
From: Pine Knob Shelter (MD)

To: Rattlesnake Run Road (PA)
Miles today: 21.2

Today I got a late start because the heavy rains continued. I will hike into state number 7 today - only 7 more to go after PA. I took a break from the downpour at the Pen-Mar Park, which was 0.2 mile from PA. There is a $500 fine if you are caught camping in the park, so I continued in the rain into PA. My feet were all shriveled up and started to hurt from being so wet. I came upon a Trail Magic cooler full of drinks and most importantly a note with a phone number to call if I wanted to get out of the rain. The trail magic was from past thru hikers, the ¢Rose Sniffers¢. They took me to their home, fed me dinner and took me out for ice cream and provided me with a room of my own. This was a wonderful trail magic gift. They have two small children, the youngest is only 3 weeks old. THANK YOU!
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Rattlesnake Run Road (PA)

To: Caledonia State Park (PA)
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: moderate rain

This morning I was served a breakfast with hot pancakes. The "Rosesniffers" took me to the trail. I then slack packed about 15 miles and was again picked up my this wonderful family. It rained very hard today. Bill & Amy (Rosesniffers)served me hot dogs special from Buffalo, NY & corn on the cob for dinner. They were so nice they seemed like family, I had a great time at their home.
Date: 2006-06-28
From: Caledonia State Park (PA)

To: Ironmaster's Mansion (PA)
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: few clouds

This morning I was served a breakfast with French Toast. The "Rosesniffers" took me back to the trail in the morning and we said our goodbyes. The trail was very wet with alot of standing water from the recent storm. Today I PAST THE HALF WAY POINT and took the half gallon ice cream challenge. I had vanilla ice cream with blackberries that I picked on the trail. It took me 41 minutes to eat the half gallon. I saw Janice and her boyfriend (Jamie) at the ice cream challenge (Pine Grove Furnace State Park).
Date: 2006-06-29
From: Ironmaster's Mansion (PA)

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter (PA)
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Stayed @ the Ironmaster's Mansion last night, left early. As I was hiking, I came across mud and debris from the recent flooding. Ran into Janice & Jamie heading SOBO, they got a ride north so they could hike back to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, where Janice's boyfriend had to leave. I guess he then gave Janice a ride back to the trail. ATTN: trail news - Jamie proposed to Janice today as well...and she said "yes."
Date: 2006-06-30
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter (PA)

To: Darlington Shelter (PA)
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

Started early in the morning came to the town of Boiling Springs, walk around a lake, real nice old buildings well maintained, placing the community on the National Register of Historic Places. I hiked mostly through corn and wheat fields out in the sun making it really hot. Met a father & son section hikers at the shelter, I really enjoyed talking with them. Saw my first bear since leaving the SNP, I was getting water from a spring near the shelter, he saw me and ran away. He must have known my Trail name.
Date: 2006-07-01
From: Darlington Shelter (PA)

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter (PA)
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Today when I started hiking I was competely out of food, so when I got to the town of Duncannon, 11.3 miles from last nights shelter, I had to resupply. I also went to the Library to charge my dead phone and get on the internet. Saw the Doyle Hotel where some of my friends stayed the night, but I continued on to the next shelter.
Date: 2006-07-02
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter (PA)

To: Rausch Gap Shelter (PA)
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: broken clouds

The miles were coming easy today...maybe because i've finally got my trail legs or it could be because i ate some yummy chocolate cream filled donuts that i got in Duncanon...none the less 1:00pm came and i had completed 12 miles. Sooooo i forded on to the next shelter about another 12 miles away on pretty easy terrain but i was hit by a thunderstorm just before i got to the shelter. when i got to the shelter i realized that i lost my watch, pringles and CELL PHONE AND CAMERA, b/c i decided to run through the rain and i thought i was closer to the shelter than i really was. Sooooo i dropped my pack off at the shelter and walked back. first i came across my watch...which is a piece of junk anyway from the dollar store in Damascas, but it's lasted this long, right? then after 3 miles of retracing my steps i found my cell phone and camera...dry in their nice "Easy Zip" Ziplock. the pringles...i don't know where they are but some hiker behind me is going to get some soggy trail magic. needless to say everything that's important is accounted for but i did a total of 6 uncounted miles, ooo that hurts
Date: 2006-07-03
From: Rausch Gap Shelter (PA)

To: 501 Shelter (PA)
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

My legs haven't been this sore since my first week, but i can put in more miles than i used to be able to. so, i took it easy and relaxed for longer periods of time during my breaks. my motivation was a shower! the 501 has a shower...the faucet is a garden hose but it's still a (cold) refreshing shower we also had PIZZA DELIVERED b/c the shelter is 1 tenth of a mile from a road and there's a nearby town. we just called from a cell phone and then waited at the parking area in front of the trail head by route 501. the pizza was there in 20 min and was consumed quite timely as well. mmmm meat lovers...and hawaiian pizza...mmmmmm.
Date: 2006-07-04
From: 501 Shelter (PA)

To: EaglesNest (PA)
Miles today: 15.1

Today i relaxed and left around 9am and took a long lunch break with left over pizza from last night. the profile was pretty level but the terrain was rocky in places. it was a pretty uneventful day...i guess because everyone was celebrating the fourth at their houses. i got to the shelter around 3:30pm and read a book that was left at the shelter, Einstein's Dreams - a book questioning the concept of time and how different people make use of time depending on their perspective of it. i guess it kinda relates to "all the time i have on my hands." i heard a couple fireworks shows that were on either sides of the ridge from 9:30-10pm. i've seen enough fireworks show to picture what they must have looked like...i could hear the boom of the fireworks and then the crackle that it makes when the colors drip down like a weeping willow tree. i was the only one at the shelter so i set my tent up in the shelter to avoid the repeated occurance of precipitation.
Date: 2006-07-05
From: EaglesNest (PA)

To: Port Clinton, (PA)
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: moderate rain

today i hiked a short distance to port clinton to meet my dad to pick me up to go home to the beach for my brother's wedding. we stopped in delaware on our way down to stay in a hotel and play the slots at dover downs. there were a ton of people there because atlantic city was shut down.
Date: 2006-07-06
From: Port Clinton, (PA)

To: Norfolk, (VA)
Miles today: 0.0

my dad and i finished the drive home (leaving from dover, DE and driving to norfolk/va beach). we stopped by my college, Virginia Wesleyan to visit. and then picked up my brother, todd and sister-n-law, alex and my two nephews (and one on the way) cody and owen from the airport. it was crazy to be home...everything's the same, the world continues to be in motion, while i'm experiencing it in an entirely different way and at an extremely different pace. but it was great to have a break and relax at home and see family.
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Norfolk, (VA)

To: Norfolk, (VA)
Miles today: 0.0

today i went for a run to find out that my knees are now shot. backpacking has worn out my knees...maybe i'll become an ultra-lighter. today was my brother, brian's wedding at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. it was so beautiful and the music during the wedding was classy and the band for the reception was fun with great presence. the food, of course, was to die for and better yet an AYCE buffet. i had an awesome "hiker-tan" with a tan from the neck up, tan arms and a tan from the knees to the ankles...so i had to find a dress in my closet that wouldn't show my silly looking lines. i ended up looking like a blast from the past with a hand made dress from the 70's and some platform shoes
Date: 2006-07-09
From: Hawk Mountain Road (PA)

To: Port Clinton, (PA)
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Left Norfolk with my parents around 6:30am, heading back to the trail in Port Clinton, PA. i started about 1:30pm & decided i would slackpack South from Hawk Mountain Road back to Port Clinton, so i could see who was on the trail near me. First i ran into Rock Chalk, who i last saw in Harpers Ferry. Next i saw Samurai @ the Windsor Furnace Shelter, talked with him for awhile, then headed south running into Rapunzel & 42. Later ran into the brother & sister, Sue & Lucky Dime. The last part of the trail toward Port Clinton was filled with debris from the recent flooding. Met up with my parents & Buddy & stayed at the Micotel in Hamburg.
Date: 2006-07-10
From: Hawk Mountain Road (PA)

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter (PA)
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning my parents, Buddy & I were going to hike to Dan's pulpit before they return home. The trail started easy, but was wet from the flooding. Then the trail started to get rocky & slightly uphill. My dad unleashed Buddy, because Buddy is a good hiker & it would be easier to hike on the rocks. About halfway we came upon a deer, Buddy took off after him into the woods, which led him to 3 baby deer, which took off in every direction. Within seconds "Buddy disappeared in the thick forest. We called for him for about 10 minutes, when we decided to split up. My dad went back down the trail, I went up the trail & my mom stayed where Buddy went off the trail. We all were calling for him. About 25 minutes later, Buddy returned to the trail where he got off. My dad was returning when he heard my mom yelling that she had Buddy, he then called me on my cell phone. What a relief!! We all reunited and continued to Dan's Pulpit with Buddy on his leash. We found out that would be easier. As we approached Dan's Pulpit the trail got rockier, soon the trail was all boulders. The view was worth the rough terrain. We said our goodbyes and my parents left. I continued on to Oven Bake Knob Shelter where I met up with Rock Chalk, Sun Crow & Sunshine Daydream. PS - Buddy is just a small puppy, couldn't hurt a fly.
Date: 2006-07-11
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter (PA)

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter (PA)
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was long! i got to Lehigh Gap around 11am & had to ascent the mtn. on the other side which was completely Rock! if you stumble or lose concentration for a second you are a goner. It was sooo hot and we were in the sun during the hottest part of the day. There was butt scooting, crawling, hand over hand climbing & walking on edges of sharp knife like rocks. There was a steep drop off on both sides, difficult & dangerous. There was no free hand to get a picture. Good luck to the hikers going south. Rock Chalk and i hitched 1.5 miles into Danielsville, to celebrate not getting hurt & surviving the awful climb out of Lehigh Gap. I got some food & a milk shake while in town. We got a ride back to the trail and hiked about 5 miles when we saw Handlebar setting up camp for the night, talked for awhile, then went 6 more miles to the shelter.
Date: 2006-07-12
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter (PA)

To: Delaware Water Gap (PA)
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: light rain

The 1st part of the trail this morning was ok, after about 4 miles Rock Chalk and i got water & soda at a motel in Wind Gap, Pa. There were tons of mosquitoes today.   Right before we got to Kirkridge Shelter we got some trail magic from a cooler left with drinks, fruit, muffins & cookies. Thanks again. We then ran into Shebear. It started to rain so we stayed at the shelter till the sun came out, We then had a great hike to Delaware Water Gap, where we stayed at the Presbyterian Church Hostel. Lonewolf¢s mother came and took , Lonewolf, Rock Chalk, Cornbread, Sue, Lucky Dime and me out for dinner, she treated all of us. Thanks, Lonewolf¢s mom.
Date: 2006-07-13
From: Delaware Water Gap (PA)

To: Delaware Water Gap (PA)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The plan today was to do a little more then 15 miles, but we decided instead to get a ride by the local outfitter into the town of Stroudsburg to see a movie. Rock Chalk, Lucky Dime, Sue, Puffy Nipples, Cheeto and I, all climbed into the van to see Superman Returns. After the movie the plan was to do about 10 miles, but when we got back to the Hostel we saw Bright eyes & Catch up, there was a sign on the door that said, free dinner at 6 o¢clock. So now the plan was to eat dinner and do about 5 miles, but after dinner we talked and started to play cards till about 11pm. The next plan was to get some sleep. Finally the plan didn¢t change. It was a nice relaxing day. it's funny b/c the biggest gossip right now on the trail is about all the people that have gotten lymes disease...the symptoms are fatigue, muscle ache..a rash. hmm...everyday someone comes to the conclusion that they themselves have lymes disease. we are all hypercondriacs. but i guess when your life revolves around fatique/tirdness, muscle ache and trying to rid yourself of the uncurable pack rash you get a little edgey.
Date: 2006-07-14
From: Delaware Water Gap (PA)

To: Brink Road Shelter (NJ)
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was a hard day because of all the mosquitoes swarming around & biting us, but the scenery was beautiful around the lake. At the Shelter was Sue, Lucky Dime, Puffy Nipples, Cheeto and me. The mosquitoes were so bad that we all tented at the shelter. It was my longest day yet (24.8 miles) and I didn¢t get to eat dinner because I stayed in my tent safe from the mosquitoes. Could hear them crashing into my tent all night.
Date: 2006-07-15
From: Brink Road Shelter (NJ)

To: High Point State Park (NJ)
Miles today: 17.9

In the morning Lucky Dime, Sue, Puffy Nipples, Cheeto, and me hiked about 3.5 miles to Culvers Gap to have breakfast. Later on my hike I saw 5 bears bringing the total to 16 since I left Springer Mtn. in Georgia. The first two bear were running straight toward me & I thought oh no, then they saw me and split. About a minute later I saw bear #3 just off the trail and about two minutes after that I saw bear #4 & #5 sliding down a tree like it was a fireman¢s pole. There was a sign saying high bear activity in this area, the sign was right. The shelters had bear proof metal boxes to put your food bag in. The mosquitoes are still bad, so we went on to High Point State Park, where we caught a shuttle to stay at a motel for the night. We split a room five ways (Double Zip, Homecooking, Puffy nipples, Cheeto & me).
Date: 2006-07-16
From: High Point State Park (NJ)

To: Pochuck Shelter (NJ)
Miles today: 14.1

i forgot to mention that on Saturday we all went shopping and bought lots of food. Puffy nipples made a great dip with couscous and avocados. We enjoyed that with lots of chips. We made a fruit salad with peaches, strawberries and blueberries. We had cookies, donuts and other treats. Because of all the food we had to eat it all up this morning because we were getting a ride back to the trail at 12:00 noon. The mosquitoes are still in charge. You can¢t stop to pick blueberries or even take a sip of water. The mosquitoes are so bad i had bandanas tied all around my head only revealing slits for my eyes. The New Jersey Herald photographed and interviewed us on the trail dressed for mosquito protection. The reporter said the story should come out next week and can be viewed at www.njherald.com. At the shelter i met Mudflap, Daisy & their son Path Sizzle. We all tented in our Hubba Hubbas , to avoid being bitten all night.
Date: 2006-07-17
From: Pochuck Shelter (NJ)

To: Vernon, NJ / St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Miles today: 6.5

Today was a disaster. The mosquitoes are still the main event. They are so bad I could not even stop to tie my shoe. I had to wait until i got to an open road to avoid being attacked. I started to run and badly twisted my ankle. I made it to the road and got a ride to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel to ice my ankle. I lost my Wingfoot mileage handbook while I was running, and feel lost without it. Was hoping Cheeto or Puffy Nipples would find my book, but when they got to the hostel, they said they did not see it. I copy the info I needed for the next couple of days from Mudflap & Daisy¢s handbook. Wish the mosquitoes were not so bad so I could enjoy the scenery and the hike that i love so much. Thanks to all of you that have signed and wrote words of encouragement in my journal, it means a lot to me.
Date: 2006-07-18
From: Vernon, NJ / St. Thomas Episcopal Church

To: Wildcat Shelter (NY)
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

Today was a pretty easy day and the mosquitoes where all most gone. I hiked with Puffy nipples, Cheeto, Orangutan, Stinky, Mudflap, Daisy, Path Sizzle and Chow Chow. I entered New York today after about 10 miles. About 2 miles before the Wildcat Shelter there was an Ice Cream place called Bellvale Farms Homemade Ice Cream. We all had ice cream and asked if we could stay and cook dinner there and they said we could use the Hawk watching platform around back, so we did, and then had more ice cream. I met a slackpacker heading south for the day, named Birdman who knew Puffy Nipples and Cheeto and he said he would bring us donuts tomorrow morning at the Wildcat Shelter. Birdman is a nobo so he going to hike with us tomorrow.
Date: 2006-07-19
From: Wildcat Shelter (NY)

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter (NY)
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning Birdman showed up with Dunkin donuts. What a great start for hiking the "Roller Coaster" of NY. You had to throw your poles to the top and then climb up and then do it again. About 5 miles before the Shelter, I came to a road that led to Lake Tiorati Circle. It had a sandy beach and restrooms. I hung out there to cool off and after about 30 minutes Birdman showed up. We hung out a while and then headed for the Shelter.
Date: 2006-07-20
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter (NY)

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center (NY)
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Today i passed through Bear Mtn. trail side zoo and crossed over the Hudson river. the trail side zoo was okay and a nice thought but they didn't have the "means" to create a realistic natural habitat for the animals. when i went through the bears weren't out, probably b/c their exhibit area had a sand box to play in...but NO trees. if i were a bear i wouldn't go out in the july heat in NY either if there were no trees to lay under, or climb up or rub my back on. the bobcat was in a 5ftX5ft cage with a domestic cat's bed...and he was just sleeping. there were 2 coyote's with the same size cage just pacing in frustraion. and the river otter had a small pond to swim around in. i couldn't bear walking through too much more of this zoo because i get to see some of these animals in their natural healthy habitat and i can't believe that this trail side zoo isn't funded well enough to create a little realism to these wild animals. when i got to the Graymoor they had a shelter area next to a soccer field with a cold shower and a pizza delivery place the will drive right up to the shelter. NY pizza is great! Cornbread and i split a large pizza and Birdman and Mike the Hike shared a large pizza...my half was devoured.
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center (NY)

To: RPH Shelter (NY)
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Today we met Michelle, a librarian in Queens, who is a volunteer for the ATC in updating the hiker companion books. she hikes during the weekends a specific section in New York and lists any changes. this year she gets to add a privy, a hot dog stand...and maybe Jesse's place (see tomorrow's entry). Michelle plans on thru-hiking next year and will get to experience more sections of this illusive trail. The RPH shelter is a four walled shelter with bunks...and it didn't seem very Mice-y so i decided to stay in the shelter.