morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-17
From: Oven Bake shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Cache rolled out early followed by Evergreen, I slept in, hiding in my tent from the cold. I caught them soon and Cache kept up with my fast pace, I was quite impressed. We got water at a hotel, picked and ate several apples from a tree nearby then waited for Evergreen. We passed the time by chucking our apple cores into the road and watched them get run over...yes I know I'm five. I also stop when I see a tree that looks like it can be pushed over...whatever its fun ha. Anyways evergreen caught up and we headed out, cache jumped ahead of me and was almost running, I had to pick up my usual pace to even keep with him. Once we hit the shelter Cache said today was the best hiking of his life...he was cruisin. Evergreen his 18 year old son couldn't even keep up and stayed 7 miles behind at a shelter we passed. Otis and Uncle Ben were at the shelter when we showed up, they yellow blazed here, they were busy calling Cabelas to inquire about the buffet. A section hiker was there with us snored all night. Otis got up and went to sleep under the picnic table outside then around 4 Uncle Ben got up and they just decided to start hiking it was so bad. The section hiker woke up and said "wow those boys really wanted to get to that buffet early." I laughed knowing they left because he sounded like a damn chainsaw.
Date: 2008-09-18
From: Eckville Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So our original plan "cheese burger march" to wendys turned into Cabelas buffet march. We had an interesting hike on the highway, it was so narrow on one bridge we had to hope up on the railing when a semi would come by. I only had 2 granola bars for the 15 miles that morning and was feeling the calorie deficiency. We made a poor choice at paying before we scoped out the buffet...we paid and marched right past it in confusion then turned around to see the meager buffet. Oh well, it was mostly salad...but mom would be happy with that so I loaded up on veggies. We planned to stealth behind a gas station, got some snacks and headed around the back of the gas station to find the state police station was there. Guess we weren't stealthing there, we talked to a local who told us to camp down near the canal and headed there. We ended up camping on a bike path.
Date: 2008-09-19
To: Eagles Nest
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We headed to cracker barrel for an amazing breakfast. The Whiz held true to his word and met me in the parking lot giving me trail magic. It still amazes me that people just give you stuff cause your hiking. Doesn't get old though. So we headed back to the trail via the interstate...cute through a cornfield which was fun then onto the interstate where a cop pulled up..."what the hell do you think you are doing, do you think you're supposed to walk here!?" Cache responded "well sir we got directions and this is the most direct route back to the trail, we've walked here from Maine." The cop not impressed asked, "do you see anyone else walking out here...any bicycles? NO?" ..."well when you put it in that perspective...what would be the quickest way back to the trail not using this road?" the officer told us to jump the fence and cut through the cow pasture to a parallel road. Cache said "thank you officer, p.s. I love your state" then turned and jumped the fence. It was fun to cut through a massive herd of cows who were very interested in us and many got up to come check us out. Once we got to the road a farmer saw we looked lost and offered us a ride back to the trail. I got to the outfitter and felt lazy not wanting to hike yet so I went to the tavern and got some food. Then to the post office to send some things home. Hit a bluff and made some calls, chatted to Cheney about a possible bike trip then off to meet up with cache and evergreen at the shelter.
Date: 2008-09-20
From: Eagles Nest

To: William Penn
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: broken clouds

Woke to noises of Cache making a fire so I got up and helped. These cold mornings its nice to warm up clothes before putting them on. The smoke helps with the smell as well...we won't talk about the smell. Cache shared some fudge he bought at cabelas for breakfast and out. I led w/ Cache on my heels, I stopped to check a viewpoint and he jumped ahead. As he passed he said, "Yell if I get in your way" He picked up speed darting ahead then tripped and sped up more to catch himself. Instead he tripped again and nose dived into a rhododendron rolling onto his side. Our eyes caught with a little smile and I said, "you're not in my way" and passed him. I just heard a roar of laughter and didn't see him until the Hertlein campsite which had an amazing swimming hole. He shared the story with his son, and apparently took another dive shortly after the first. We had lunch and headed out...I haven't seen them since.
Date: 2008-09-21
From: William Penn

To: PA325
Miles today: 24.0

Had a nice double decker shelter to myself, cache stayed at the last shelter while Evergreens mom visited him. I came across an old towns ruins with a neat shelter that looked like a hobbits house. Saw a beer today..or more of its rear as it fled up the trail and into the woods. I was coming off of Stoney Mountain when the trail changed. First I came across a section of trail where rocks were clearly torn up and tossed off the trail. Then a nice section of large stepping stones which I stopped to take a picture of. I have taken plenty of pictures of rough trail, never a picture of a nice trail yet. I continued on happy 22 miles into the day I had excellent walking. I heard a loud clink somewhere in the woods and paused to listen. I said to myself, "self, I bet whoever is responsible for this piece of art I'm walking on is doing work right now up ahead." It was 5:30 on a Sunday so I felt chances were slim, but sure enough I rounded the corner to see two men. Park and Tim were laying huge stones under a large rock bridge so the supporting rocks didn't get washed away. The said they were going to leave 2 hours ago then started making a waterfall..."Well this is meditation bridge, so we thought we'd put in this waterfall." Ha they have been maintaining this section of trail for years and I talked to them for some time. They were having fun with it and I suggested they make trails for a living to which they responded, "No then we'd have to do it." Yet they obviously spent a lot of time out here. I continued on across the road and to the top of the 5 switchbacks so I would not have to tackle them in the morning. Camped practically on the trail right on top.
Date: 2008-09-22
From: PA325

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I stopped in at the first shelter this morning to check out the shelter Park and Tim built years ago. It was more of a tree house...minus the tree..so just a house? This fort could fit 30+ hikers easily and had a very different approach and design to it. I like variety, well done guys. I was on the same ridge all day then down across a large bridge and road walk into Duncannon. Got my maildrop at The Doyle hotel, thanks for the cookies mom...I ate cookies till I felt sick. My book said The Doyle was a "vintage hotel built in 1900s." What they didn't say was by "vintage" they meant, not repaired since 1900s. But the staff was nice so I overlooked the holes in walls and stains everywhere.
Date: 2008-09-23
From: Duncannon

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Up and out early...the doyle the only hotel where you can't wait to get back to the woods...Over 2 mountains, one of which I met Duncan another trail maintainer who was out doing maintenance at the shelter ahead. Man PA maintainers are legit! Met Ed and Greg, two locals out for a walk. We talked for a bit, they asked all the usual questions I get "where do you get food?" "How many miles do you do a day?" "Have you seen any animals?" "You're not gonna rob us right?" Anyways with the 2 mountains gone I dropped into a valley for 15 or so miles. Through farmlands of southern PA...an awesome walk, through cow pastures, bean and corn fields and small town streets. I stealthed in a nice grassy field a few miles before boiling springs, PA.
Date: 2008-09-24
From: stealth

To: Stealth
Miles today: 0.0

Uneventful day so here is a thru hiker dictionary.White blaze - AT trail is marked with white blazesBlue blaze - Side trails are marked by theseYellow blaze - Hitching via yellow lines on roadAqua blaze - travel via waterPink blaze - Hike faster or slower to catch a female hikerZero - 0 miles hiked that dayNero - near zero..short day usually into/out of townCowboy camp - camp w/o tent just throw your mat and bag on the groundSlack pack - hike w/ a day pack only get a ride back to packFlip flopper - starts one way then skips ahead to other end of trail and hikes backI'm sure there are more I missed, sign the journal if I'm forgetting something.
Date: 2008-09-25
From: Stealth

To: Quarry Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Short walk to a park where I learned the famous store, home of the half gallon challenge, was open. The half gallon challenge is to eat a half gallon of ice cream in celebration of crossing the halfway mark. (which was actually 2 miles south for us) Last Master rolled in and asked "you ready to eat some ice cream?" I grabbed the last Butter Pecan which left Cherry and Peanut Butter. It took me 50 minutes to finish mine, Last master only about 35. We had to move 3 times to stay in the sun, it was already a cold morning. I skipped lunch since I was still full from my ice cream breakfast and cruised into Quarry Gap shelter. Another sweet shelter with rhododendron all around. Last Master came in shortly after and we made a huge fire as the rain came in. Glad to be in a shelter that doesn't leak.
Date: 2008-09-26
From: Quarry Gap

To: Pen Mar Park
Miles today: 20.7

Lots of shelters to jump into and escape the rain but the rain held off. At second shelter I met a trail runner named Dick who was out even though the season was over. I pushed to the boarder of PA/MD and stopped to turn around and curse at PA and yell in joy for being done with it. It wasn't so bad, easy hiking but rocks going every which way threaten to roll ankles and make your feet sore. I was passing through the park when Chevy yelled my name. One Gallon showed up and as he said "I talked to fat jim the security guard he said the police only come to the gate and shine the light in, hes supposed to leave at 8 but is leaving now(6)." So we ignored the $500 fine for being in the park after dark and camped on a stage in one of the buildings to stay dry. Thank goodness cause it rained something mean and lightning was crazy.
Date: 2008-09-27
From: Pen Mar Park

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

10 miles to town to meet Cory..one of my campers from camp chateaugay had told me via phone that his backpacking trip that summer was his least favorite. I would not stand for this as it has been my life for the past view months and told him to join me for the weekend. I hiked with Cheverlegs and One Gallon to the road, 4 trail runners passed us, Chevy turned and gave me a smirk as they passed and started jogging behind and I joined the crew. Several minutes later I said, "So Chevy where do you think you'll stay tonight?" The guy in the rear jumped as he was startled since he passed us long ago. The other 3 whipped their heads around in astonishment. It was mean keeping up with them with our 40lb packs on but hey its our trail and we need to mix things up. So anyways....I met Cory and his mother in town and she drove us back to the trail with her head out the window. "I'm sorry I just have a sensitive nose." ..."its ok, the hiker welcome is roll down all the windows, i'm used to it," I responded. We were only going 7 miles from that point so we made sure to take every blue blaze to viewpoints we saw. In doing so we managed to pass the same 3 weekends 3 times...every time we saw them they were sitting down. We rolled into the shelter with Chevy and set up..I rolled over to notice an anthill in the shelter and demanded more space. Rain started shortly after and at dark 4 section hikers moved in, they were loud and started cooking so I got up with Cory and started a fire. They were amazed that a fire could be started in the pouring rain and we played along that Cory was a thru-hiker.
Date: 2008-09-28
To: Rocky run Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I planned another 7 mile day...14 with Cory which was pretty good since he did only 16 on their week long trip. We took it slow and stopped at the original Washington monument which looked like a stone milk jug. We raided a juice vending machine and headed to a backpackers "rest stop." Put together by the state of MD with free hot showers! Corys mom would be happy I thought. She still kept her distance when she showed up. I don't mind she brought me matza ball soup, bagels and a honeycomb apple! With Cory off I hiked a few more miles to a brand new shelter with hard wood floors. A section hiker rolled in late and I listened to him curse out stink bugs for a while before he settled down. Then he cleared his throat every 10 seconds (I counted) consistently until I fell asleep to the noise.
Date: 2008-09-29
From: Rocky run Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

There was a nice long bike path into town. I passed a crew of bikers on a break they passed me, I passed them again then the second time they passed I stood aside and held my thumb out and threw a fit when none of them stopped for my hitch. We shared a good laugh and onto the ATC office. I had my picture taken, Southbounder #57....there were over 700 northbounders. We lounged around the ATC for a while then One Gallon, Last Master, Chevy and I headed up the hill out of town and camped at the top.
Date: 2008-10-01
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I stayed at the hostel till 1:30 updating my trail journal till I was burnt out. Last master made a heaping pile of pancakes in the morning while we talked with the caretakers. I saw a sign on the other side of a tree and stopped to read it "you are now entering the roller coaster! 10 mountains up and down" "Oh is that what all those ups and downs were" I thought to myself..how come theres no sign for southbounders? Met One Gallon at the shelter and bed early.
Date: 2008-10-03
From: Front Royal

To: Gravel Springs hut
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Breakfast was 64oz of OJ which is not the breakfast of champions and I had a slow start up a big mountain. Got a ride out of town with a guy that trains dogs for the DEA...it made me nervous ha. Into the Shenandoah's, finally some views over 2k again!
Date: 2008-10-04
From: Gravel Springs hut

To: Stoney Mtn.
Miles today: 23.4

What...a store on trail? I like this place got an ice cream cone and a banana for breakfast. Lots of ups and downs, one 2 mile incline without a break to Marys Rock. Amazing view and a perfect spot for lunch. Got to Stoney Mtn there were a lot of people coming down with huge cameras and a few leftover at the top. I cooked dinner under a rock outcrop and listened to a father yell at his kids to stay away from the edge. When I packed up and came back up to the viewpoint 2 guys inquired as to why I had a huge pack and where did I just come from. After explaining about the AT and my walk they snapped pictures and it was hard to get moving as I was now a celebrity of Stoney Mtn. I headed down and stealthed camped in a flat area.
Date: 2008-10-05
From: Stoney Mtn.

To: Lewis Mtn
Miles today: 17.2

This morning I came across a large bear who wasn't like the 2 I encountered the other day. It didn't care I was there and went about its business. I pushed on and was thinking about how many miles I have left 920! ekk I feel like I'm nearly to the end but have so much more to go. Moral was dropping for the first time since NY. I thought I'd treat myself to a meal at an upcoming restaurant. I asked a man with his daughter for directions and after he headed on his way as I double checked my book. I looked up to see him coming back and he told me he had a map at his campsite that he could show me. As he pointed out things on the map his wife talked of food. It started with 2 apples but I ended up Yogi'ing (term for getting food from people at picnic/campsite areas) pretzels, mac n cheese, chocolates, a mountain dew, bag of sugar, a bottle of wine and an opener. Trail named the Wino family as Susan said she tried to make her daughters initials the same as her favorite wine and just said she painted her living room the color of the wine. HA Iceman was her husband and their 2 daughters "hawkpatuee" and "quickfeet." And the tenderfoots. I left glowing with all my new food and later got some summer sausage from a couple ending their trip. I hiked to a viewpoint and was enjoying wine/cheese/sausage and the apple when I heard a lot of noise and see a bear 20 feet away heading up to my tent. I snapped a pic for mom as it was so unaware of my presence then as it got too close for comfort I stood and yelled. It turned looked at me gave the expression "oh SH**" and bolted down the mountain. I made sure my food bag was hung well that night.
Date: 2008-10-06
From: Lewis Mtn

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Did a quick 11 by noon, running at times. Hiking alone all you think about is miles. Saw 5 bears today bringing the total to 7. Took a nap a 15m. which was a bad idea cause it was hard to get started. Struggled the last 5 miles, set up camp quite exhausted and a troop of 10 middle aged women roll in. Their leader approached me and offered to trade a fudge cupcake for a lighter. Hers was taken on the plane and it didn't look good for the leader not to have fire. Great trade on my part as the lighter was Stretchs spare he had let me borrow. ha I was off to bed but woken up again by this same women who gave me all their dinner leftovers which I devoured and hit the sack hard again.
Date: 2008-10-08
From: Blackrock hut

To: Paul Wolfe
Miles today: 25.0

Make it to town day...resupply and real food so I pushed hard running past a couple(i normally stop to talk) going north and just saying "big miles today can't talk." Got to the outskirts of town to a closed information booth...a tourist pulled up to ask me, the guy with a backpack, directions. I informed them I had no clue and walked here and they drove off. The town had a list posted of trail angels that offer free rides into town and the 4th name picked up. Nice man sowed up and informed me the YMCA allows hikers a place to camp outside and a free shower. I got my mail drop and some cookies and headed to the Y went to look at the camping arrangements which looked exactly like where you expect a bum to live in town and decided not to camp. I went in for a shower and met an elderly gentleman who struck up a conversation. He offered me a ride back to the trail head and a stop at the supermarket and told me he'd meet me upstairs. He had moved to VA because "My kids had the talk with me...I was trying to avoid that, but they're worried no ones around to check on me." He was in good spirits, health and humor though. It was near dark when he dropped me off and I ran the 5 miles to the shelter, I stopped at some flat ground and contemplated camping till I saw all the gravestones. Nearing the shelter I smelled smoke and 20 minutes later could see the blaze of a fire. Chevy was there alone said One gallon waited up for friends and Lastmaster had finished his Flip-Flop and he was now alone.
Date: 2008-10-09
From: Paul Wolfe

To: Harpers Ceek Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

Lots of veiws today, we came across a 3 mile blue blaze that would cut off 7 miles of the AT but fought the blue devil and pushed on. The 7 mile trail took us across the back of a ski mountain then up and over 3 large ridges. Clouds moved in fast obscuring the view but its still fun to be on a bluff as clouds are just rushing past you. We got in just before dark exhausted and hit the sacks fast. Cheverlegs (chevy) is another 18 year old on trail and is from new hampshire.
Date: 2008-10-10
From: Harpers Ceek Shelter

To: North Forks River
Miles today: 16.2

Woke up to the priest today. 997 feet of elevation to 4,603 with 36 switchbacks. And we pray....It was quite gradual as we expected with all the switches, we tried to count but after double digits were to tired to do the whole sesame street Count "11! HA! HA! HA!" We thought we reached the top 3 times as it leveled off would go in 500 feet and go up again. Seemed like it was another mile before we hit the actual peak. Then down to spy rock...Cheeze Whiz, the 05 NOBO I met told me about this place in CT and I was eager to check it out. It was a giant half sphere rock that you could climb(any side you choose, we tried everyway) The top offered a 360 view of the mountain ranges surrounding you. The priest which we slayed and a look as to where we were headed. We saw a large mtn far away with something on the top (we would see it for days to come). At the top we heard people far away..."wooooooo" then from a different mountain "woooooooooooot" so we joined in from a 3rd location. We climbed, explored, rested and tried to get the falling acorns to land on our heads for 4 hours. A good amount of day hikers were showing up and we were out of water so we decided to move on but I recommend spy rock as a must see place on trail. We were quite dehydrated and on the next up we came across 5 apple trees, each covered with different varieties. We gorged, one person shaking the tree and the other picking up what fell until Chevy stopped eating, looked at me and announced "My stomach hurts." "Mine too," I said. So I packed up my remaining apples and Chevy put a few in his hands for the journey onwards. We stopped at dark at north forks river and camped next to a large boulder. We woke in the morning to notice a full grown tree was growing on the top of the boulder with roots running all the way to the ground. Natures amazing.
Date: 2008-10-12
From: Brown Mtn Creek Footbridge

To: James River
Miles today: 20.4

Snake rattle and roll. The trail turned bent and grooved all morning. We headed to punchbowl shelter which is said to be haunted by little Ottie. He was sent to collect wood at 5 years of age and ended up being found dead days later. He was 7 miles away up well over 3k feet a monument stands in his resting place. We crossed the James river and camped on the other side next to some locals who were shooting paintball guns all night.
Date: 2008-10-13
From: James River

To: Cornelius Creek
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

A killer up ...not fun in the morning, just keep your head down and keep trucking. We strode along a ridge and came to a bend in the trail where Towelie and Pyro were taking a break. They were Maineiacs (from maine) work in a kitchen together all summer and needed something to do in the down time. They started in Harpers Ferry and headed south and said at their slow pace they met so many southbounders. Towelie shared some of his coffee with us and we headed on our way. They passed Chev and I when we stopped at a campsite to cook lunch over the fire. We passed them again having coffee break on a large uphill. The next person we saw was dressed in sleek dress pants a collared button down and black high gloss shoes. He was holding his designer sunglasses and was 5 miles away from the closest road. He was headed up a mountain with no view and was not sweating a bead. At the road we saw a lone black bronco in the parking lot and concluded he had to be a hit man and stepped up our pace. Up to 4225ft the highest we've been since mosilauke in NH. We finally came to that object atop apple orchard mountain that we had been seeing for days now. It was a former military radar station but looked like a massive soccer ball. There were no apple trees on top by the way...very misleading.