morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-28
From: VA 812

To: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

From: VA 812 To: Brown Myn Creek ShelterToday's Miles 18.90Total Miles: 795.2I am back on the Trail today and feeling good about it. My friend, Mary Anne, helped me out a lot today as I am trying to catch Calamity Jane. She first dropped me off at Blue Ridge Parkway mile marker 51.7 and I slacked packed to VA 812. I met a few new thru-hikers along the way as I have been off for what feels like forever. The first hiker I met was Blue Skies, Georgia and later on Pootz. I also saw many section hikers during the day. I passed Little Ottie's memorial site on Bluff Mtn. I believe he was four or so when he wandered out to get wood for the school and was found days later dead from exposer. I felt sad to think he died all alone up here in these beautiful mountains and was reminded to be careful along the way.I finally arrived at Mary Ann's car around one and still had a lot of miles to go. She took me up to the BRP again and I put my pack on and set off north It makes me feel good all over just to be hiking north again.It was getting late when I got to the shelter and a few tents were set up by the creek. I went up to the shelter and was the only one there for the night so again I set my tent up inside to feel safe. I met Dirty Ernie who is hiking with Blue Skies and they were camped below. My first night out in the woods: sigh!
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

From: Brown Creek ShelterTo: Seeley-Woodworth ShelterToday's Miles: 15.8Total Miles: 809.2When I woke up this morning there was a wet spot under my water bladder. I always fill it at night so I will not have to do it in the morning, so I could not figure out what had happened. It was a brand new one I had just purchased at Trail Days. I could not find any hole in it, so I packed up and off I went. Well I had not walked 50 yards when I felt something we on my backside. Yes I had a hole in my water bladder and had to unpack all my gear. Now I have been carrying a small 1-liter bladder to use for cooking and just in case but with being off the trail I had not repacked it. So I was left with a small 16 oz bottle for all my water! I really did not know what to do. I came to a roadside picnic area and there was a section hiker, who I had talked to while I was repacking, but he was not very helpful and drove off in his truck! So I went garbage diving and found an old Gatorade bottle (that smelled like cigarettes) and a 16 oz Coke bottle. I took them both and went on up the trail. Of course, I had no water in them and it was a very warm day. I stopped at every where Wingfoot had said there was a spring, walking a lot out of my way but never found any springs. By the afternoon, I was out of water and really thirsty. This was the first time in this hike where I thought I might be in trouble. I finally came across two women day hikers and we stopped to talk. I explained my predicament and they were wonderful giving me some of their water. I finally came to a stream at the end of the day, within a mile of the shelter. There was a large group of section hikers there and I joined them to fill my newly acquired water bottles and drank for what felt like forever!I arrived at the shelter and also discovered I had a blister on the top of my second toe the size of a small state! It had lifted my toenail completely off. I carefully took care of it went to the spring for more water. I met Scribbler, a section hiker, wrapped in a sleeping bag to keep the bugs away. He was a very nice young man and we talked about the trail north of here as he is walking south. He draws very well hence the name. Also here, is that large group of section hikers I met at the stream, but they are all tenting. One more section hiker came in and that was it for the night. It is hard to believe that I am the only Thru- Hiker here tonight. I asked if I could set my tent up in the shelter and nobody seemed to care. It is very buggy and I just want to stay dry and cool.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Seeley-Woodsworth Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: few clouds

From: Seeley-Woodsworth Shelter To: Harpers Creek ShelterToday's Miles: 14.3Total Miles: 821.1This week continues to be hard. My new blister is hurting but manageable. How can you get a blister in a pair of boots you have worn for 400 miles?And my pocket mail is making all sorts of weird noises!I was on the trail by 7:30 AM this morning and it was a pleasant walk. I got to the Fish Hatchery Rd and went up to Spy Rock. Most people went there last night as they have a hostel etc. I talked to some people later who said it was full so they had to camp anyway and the walk back was hard so I am glad I did not go. I had lunch at The Priest Shelter with Blue Sky who I had met while slackpacking south the other day, A Dogs Life who started on March 7 (the same day as me but I have never seen him!) and I had driven him to the Home Place at 311 to eat, and Kiwi. Dirty Ernie came in as I was leaving. The hike up to the Priest was not bad but the 5 miles down did my feet in! We crossed the Tye River on another suspension bridge and I took a break there as I only had 3 miles to the next shelter. When I put my pack on the thunder started so I hurried up the mountain. It never did rain but it sure made me walk faster! The poison ivy is so bad I had to walk sideways to avoid it in places. When got to Harpers Creek Shelter the same people I had lunch with were there. They were all going to go on but Blue Sky and Dirty Ernie decided to stay and we had some nice dinner conversation. I was glad they stayed or I would be the only one here. I have again set my tent up in the shelter and the boys are across the stream in their tents. Two more days of this week to go and tomorrow looks very hard. We all agreed to get up early for the big miles tomorrow.
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Seele -Woodsworth Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolf Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

From: Seeley-Woodworth ShelterTo: Paul C. WolfeToday Miles: 22.0Total Miles: 843.1I was up at 4:30 this morning in preparation for a long day. Dirty Ernie and Blue Sky were up at 5:00 AM. I was walking by 6:00 AM, and glad, as it was already warm. I had to climb the Three Ridges and looking at the profile map it was going to be a long day. Of course Dirty Ernie and Blue Skies passed me pretty early on but Blue Skies hung back and hiked with me for a while. The trial just kept going up and up. We had to do some rock scrambling in places but it wasn't too bad. I thought we had a hiked over two ridges all ready but Blue Skies said no we were only over one! He went on after that and I was left alone hiking for the rest of the day. I was going to camp along the way, as I did not think I could hike 22 miles, but when I got to within five miles of Paul C. Wolfe and it was thundering and I practically ran the rest of the way. So not only was it my longest day, it was actually my hardest climbing day with the Three Ridges, lots of rocks along the Blue ridge Parkway with poison ivy all over, and then Humpback Mtn to top the day off!I was so excited to see the shelter and all the guys stood and clapped for me as I trudged in to sit down. This is a nice shelter and has nice campsites next to a stream but with the thunder and then rain, we all stayed inside in spite of the no-seems that ate on us all night. Stealth, a Thru Hiker here tonight is so disoriented he can barley stand up and the boys said he kept falling down on the trail. They had to help him here. Also Dogs Life arrived and is sleeping on the second tier. I only had enough energy to eat and go to bed. Here tonight are Dirty Ernie, Blue Skies, Kiwi, Dogs Life and Stealth (all men and me). Only 5 miles tomorrow and Mary Anne will pick me up to re-supply and slack pack a few days in the Shenandoah¢s so I can catch Calamity.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Paul C Wolf Shelter

To: US 250 Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

From: Paul C. Wolf ShelterTo: US 250 Rockfish GapToday Miles: 5.0Total Miles: 848.1The noseems (bugs) drove us all nuts all night long. Any part of your body that was exposed to the air was chewed on, as if you were a buffet for these small black bugs. I finally got up and found a Deep Woods Off towelet and wiped my head, hands, and face and that helped. We were all up before 6:00 AM, except A Dog's Life. Dirty Ernie's wife called him at 6:30 and she was already waiting at the parking lot, so Blue Sky, Stelth, and Dirty Ernie took off. I was not getting picked up until 12:00 PM so I took my time. I had to leave around 7:30 AM as the bugs were driving me nuts. I tried to walk slowly but still arrived around 10:30. But there was a small store where I bought two candy bars and two drinks and sat down to wait. Also there was a small center with two very nice gentleman manning the desk. They had a huge relief map of both the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Skyline Drive and the AT. My friend, Mary Anne, arrived around 11:30 AM and back home I went to soak my soar feet, resupply, and get clean and pick up my new insoles.I am glad this week is over as it was hard on me emotionally and physically as I did more milage than I am use to and the water situation was not good. I think I was also lonely after having Calamity Jane, Hobo, and Flint with me so much and then to be alone all day hiking. At night there was always some other people, but it was different than having close friends around. I will be in the Shenandoahs tomorrow.
Date: 2007-06-02
From: US 250 Rockfish Gap

To: Skyline Drive Mile Marker 88.9
Miles today: 17.5

From: Rockfish GapTo: Skyline Drive Mile Marker 88.9Today Miles: 17.5Total Miles: 865.6I did a southbound slackpacktoday. I am trying to catch my hiking buddy, Calamity Jane, so I am walking as many miles as I can. My friend, Mary Anne, offered to slackpack me, so I took her up on it. And I am glad I did. The first 10 miles were really nice. The trail was well maintained with few rocks and gentle ups and downs. The last 7.5 miles were like last week. It was filled with poison ivy and rocks. I think if I had started out as I had planned with going 7 miles to the first shelter I would have wondered why people said the Shenandoahs were better than the Blue Ridge Parkway.Three people from the area set up Trail Magic at mile marker 90. It was wonderful to sit down and have someone cook you a cheeseburger on the grill. They had a lot of goodies for hikers, just not many hikers. I passed 3 other north bounders who could take advantage of the magic but everyone else was only going to the first shelter and the rest were days hikers. Like on the BRP, I crossed the parkway a number if times and I love the markers they have in this park. The trails are well marked and you know where you are most of the time! Congress authorized the making of the Shenandoah Park in 1926. You have to have a backcountry permit here like in the Smokies but the rules are not as strict. You are allowed to camp off the trail. I am hoping the trail is somewhat easier tomorrow.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Skyline Drive Mile Marker 88.9

To: IVY CREEK OVERLOOK
Miles today: 14.1

Today Miles:14.1 Total Miles:879.7Mary Anne dropped me off at 9:00 AM in the rain and I started walking. It was not bad at first and I was actually enjoying the cool weather and the walking was easy. But then the wind and rain picked up and the trail turned into a running river and I became miserable. The tropical storm, Barry, had hit the Shenandoah National Park. Leaves and small branches were falling and the bigger trees were rubbing against each other making the forest seem even more alive than ever. My boots filled with water and for the next four hours, I walked or sloshed my way along the Trail. One good thing was the terrain was fairly easy today, as I had to watch every slippery step.I climbed up to Blackrock, which on a sunny day would be beautiful. It is a huge outcropping of rocks. I was glad I only had to go around it and not over the top! Dundo and Loft Campgrounds were also on today's route but I only saw the outer edges of them. I did not see one other person all day and again felt very alone out on the Trail. I was going to pick my pack up and head on to Pinefield Hut at 3:00 when Mary Anne was meeting me, but I was soaked and emotionally done and just wanted to go back to my house. (I am beginning to think my time off did a lot of emotional damage to me. I got home and took a hot shower and put on dry cloths and will try the trail again tomorrow!
Date: 2007-06-04
From: SKYLINE DRIVE MARKER 88.9

To: LEWIS MTN CAMPGROUND
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

From: Ivy Creek OverlookTo: Lewis Mtn CampgroundToday Miles: 21.5Total Miles: 901.2After yesterday, I was glad to get up early and head back up to the Shenandoah Mountains in the sunshine. I got on the trail at 8:30 AM and was prepared for a long day. I do better when I can mentally prepare myself for the day. I believe that the trail is almost all mental and your emotions play such a big part in it whether you finish it or not and last week I really started to doubt myself and my abilities. I was also meeting Calamity Jane at the end of the day and that made a huge difference on how I felt. I did not think it would, but the loneliness just got to me. Again today, I walked all alone for most of the day, but at least I did run into a few southbound section hikers. And I ran into Kiwi at Swift Run Gap. I saw my first bear ever in the wild today. It was just after Kiwi passed me, and I really did not think I would see any wildlife and then I hear a noise off to my left. I looked over and there was a mother bear with two of the smallest cubs I have seen even in a zoo. They were far enough away that I was not at all scared and just stood there and took pictures. Seeing these beautiful animals made my steps lighter for a few miles but soon again I was getting pretty tired. Then again I came across a doe and her fawn feet from me and she was cleaning her baby. She did not run and I just walked quietly by and took another picture. What a great day. And then I finally saw signs drawn on the trail. Arrows that said this way to CJ I knew I was close and then I was at the cabin at Lewis Mtn Campground that Calamity had rented to get out of yesterday's rain and wait for me. I could not believe how happy I was to see her and we promised each other that was it, and we would hike together from now on.She had made a special dinner for me and we invited Kiwi to join us for out celebration!
Date: 2007-06-05
From: LEWIS MTN CAMPGROUND

To: ROCK SPRING HUT
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

From: Lewis Mtn CampgroundTo: Rock Spring HutToday Miles:13.0Total Miles: 913.4It was a leisurely morning because we needed to wait to the camp store opened to return the keys to the cabin. I bought a small bear to attach to my pack as a reminder of the cubs I saw and this wonderful wildlife park. We hiked out at 9:30 AM and had an easy walk to Big Meadows Campground. Calamity and I hiked pretty close to each other all day as it was nice to have company for a change. Most of the time we hike with a good distance between us, as she is a faster hiker than me. We saw a few deer and a couple of spectacular views but mostly we were just walking toward the thought of a cheeseburger at Big Meadows Lodge. We did say that Big Meadows Campground should have been called Big Rocks as we saw no meadows but lots of huge rocks and it was rocky underfoot.At the Lodge we went into the main dinning room and got a few strange stares from the better dressed tourists (but we had just had showers at the cabin so we could not be that bad). And we had the best cheeseburgers and then Kiwi walked in but he was too late for lunch. He also was staying the night there so we did not feel too bad for him. But, we could all order dessert and we ordered three different ones and then shared them all. They all had blueberries in them and were all delicious.Calamity and I hiked on to Rock Spring Hut where we met a whole group of section hikers who have been hiking once a year for about 20 years! And know they are bringing their children along.   We had fun watching them fix their gourmet meal and CJ could add parmesan cheese to their feast. And later Silver arrived. I had not seen her since VA I think, so it was good to catch up with her travels.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: ROCK SPSRING HUT

To: THORTON GAP
Miles today: 14.1

Today Miles:14.1Total Miles: 927.5We were out on the trail early today as it was hot and we were getting picked up at Thornton Gap to go to my friend Whyla¢s house. She lives about 30 min. from the Shenandoahs. It was a great hike for views today but the terrain was very rocky. My feet started to hurt about five miles out and continued for the rest of the day. I have again developed blisters on my feet. Same boots, same socks, go figure! I think it has been just too many miles lately.We walked by Skyland Campground but did not go in to eat as it was too early and we did not have the time. We climbed Stony Man and Little Stony Man Cliffs. At the top of Little Stony, there was a small pond about 10x4 feet. It was very unusual to see something like that on top of cliffs. You could see for ever down into the valleys.We were picked up by Mary Anne and she drove us to Whyla¢s house. It was great to see Whyla again and to use her hot tub! What a nice gift. CJ and I are going to be slacked packed for a few days and get some rest here in the country. I also have new boots coming that are the same kind I have been wearing. Maybe my feet will feel better in them.
Date: 2007-06-07
From: THORTON GAP

To: GRAVEL SPRINGS GAP
Miles today: 14.5

To: Gravel Spring GapToday Miles: 14.5Total Miles: 942.0My friend, Mary Anne, dropped us off at Thorton Gap to slack pack today. I have new boots and new inserts and with my foot problems we decided it would be good to do this a few days and break these boots in. After yesterday, I was afraid of today's hike with new boots but it turned out to be a wonderful walk in the woods day. We stopped at Elkwallow Wayside for lunch. I like this hiking and eating deal. It breaks up the monotony and helps with the calories. Sliver and a few other Thrus were there also. CJ and I had cheeseburgers and I added fries and a blackberry milkshake! It was a fantastic lunch and we were again stuffed as we started uphill. We got picked up at Gravel Springs. We went back to Whyla's for another great dinner and we both resupplied for the next days. It is always an ordeal to resupply to see if you have everything to live on in your pack.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: GRAVEL SPRINGS GAP

To: VA 522
Miles today: 13.2

From: Gravel Spring GapTotal Miles: 955.2Got dropped off to today and once again it was a "walk in the woods" day. Easy ups and downs and not to rocky. When I got dropped off today I had to use the privy. I walked up a fire road to find a secluded part to carry out this delicate business. I had my pants down and a bear came walking out of the woods. I looked at him (I think it was a him as he was pretty big) and he looked at me! My heart started to pound and he turned and ran across the fire road and into the woods. It was an experience for me and was only the second bear I have seen in the wild!The rest of the day was uneventful. We met Batman for the first time. He was hurrying to get to Front Royal and the Pizza Hut Buffet that ended at 2:00 PM.We also met a women ranger who was on her first day of her job and was trying to learn the trail. We hiked out of the Shenandoah Park today. After we left the park, we were again hiking through tons of poison ivy. It was good again to be able to take a shower and use that Technu after hiking. Calamity and I are becoming spoiled but we have put our time in and will lose this luxury hiking soon.
Date: 2007-06-09
From: VA 522

To: VA 55
Miles today: 8.2

From: VA 522 Total Miles: 963.4Today was the last day of slack packing out of my friend, Whyla's house. It has been good for my feet to get a little break especially with breaking in new boots.We only went 8.2 miles today as friends are coming over for a barbecue. I have put together a slide show of my pictures from the hike so far to show to people.Calamity and I stopped for a snack at the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter. It is a "top of the line" shelter with a separate cooking area and even an outdoor shower, and benches and chairs to sit on the deck. Too bad we were not staying overnight.Today we hiked through two fields of shoulder high grass and poison ivy. At one time I looked down and my feet and legs were entangled in the stuff. Luckily, tonight I get to have a shower and use that Tecnu scrub and cleanser and maybe I will not get it all over my body!It was a relatively easy and short hike but I was still glad to arrive at the car. Batman and O2 were there having a soda and some treats. We all stopped at the Linden Fire Department car wash and hotdog cookout and had some lunch and then went home and packed up for tomorrow. Back on the trail with full pack and new boots.Calamity and I are anticipating that Harpers Ferry will be a big emotional boost for the psychological part of this hike. We can't wait to get there!
Date: 2007-06-10
From: VA 55

To: ROD HOLLOW SHELTER
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Total Miles: 978.7Mary Anne dropped Calamity Jane and me off around 10:00 AM with full packs and we started up, of course. We stopped at Manassas Gap Shelter for our first break. We hiked on and had lunch at Dick's Dome. It is an unusual shelter as it has a dome shaped and shingles on the outside. We decided it was too early to stop at 1:30 PM so we just got water and then headed out again. The next shelter was 8.6 miles away. We walked through Sky Meadow State Park today. It was a great hike through there. A huge meadow was at the top that went on for about two miles and the path had been mowed down about 10 feet across. A breeze blew the tall grass and this kept the bugs off of us. We saw a small mouse that was not afraid of us and kept hanging around. We also saw a few rabbits in the meadow, an animal we rarely see in the woods.After about 12 miles, my feet started to hurt but we made it to Rod Hollow around 6:00 PM. This was a nice shelter with a great water source. It also had a hiker shower which was a pipe with water squirting out. It was nice to wash up after a long hot day. For the first time in a long time, the shelter was full plus all the tent sites. Here tonight are Dirty Ernie, Blue Sky Georgia, Evil Eye, Poots, Two Dogs, Silver, and about five section hikers.