morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Pine Swamp Branch

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

Thought I'd write a bit about how an average day looks for me:6:30- Wake up when early hikers leave the shelter, then go back to sleep.7:30- open eyes and think about getting up from my uber compfy sleeping bag and thermarest7:45- get up, get dressed (if i didn't sleep in my clothes)7:50- eat breakfast (hot in winter\cold in summer(May onward))8:00- stuff sleaping bag into stuff sack, roll up thermarest set aside lunch, fill water bladder and generally pack up to leave8:15- poop8:25 start hikingSnack, pee, rest, snack pee, rest.......1:00 eat lunch, preferably near waterHike, Snack, pee, rest, snack pee, rest.......at some point curse the guy who made this part of the trail so steep5-6 arrive at shelter/days end6:00 cook dinner,unpack7:00 hang food bag on a bear line if camping or on mouse proof line if in shelters.7-9 depending on company and day difficulty chat, plan tomorrow9:00 sleep
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Laurel Creek 

To: Pickle Branch
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: clear sky

Left a little late today which sucked because i had a long day ahead but hiking with The Crazy Train (The Dude, Ohm, Jew Dog and 1/4 Moon) is great fun late starts and late finishes.I rolled in after dark to find Beatbox and Stretch at the shelter.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Pickle Branch

To: Campbell shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

The day started with a climb up to then down Dragons Tooth Mountain It was really rocky and steep on the way down. I met Stretch on the way down and we eventually made it to Lost Spectacles Gap then on another 2 miles to a road. Checking my Thru Hikers Companion book i discovered there was a petrol station 0.4 miles down the road- Stretch and I did not need much convincing so off we went.1 hour later full of coke, hot dogs and twix we headed off. Stretch out paced me and headed off up to McAfee Knob which you have probably seen on a postcard at some point in your life. I made it up there just in time for a beautiful sunset and to find Beatbox with Tom Dooley and Pooch with their dogs Roxi and Pete.Hiked in the dark for an hour using my headlamp to the next shelter to find Breadless there dozing good to see him again.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Campbell shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Up at 7 and moving by 7:30 with an empty pack (food) and the sound of the next town calling my name. It's been really hot since leaving Pearisburg up at 90°F/32°C from 12 until 3 on most days. I ran out of water about 2 miles from town which was my own fault and not fun. Got to the road and headed straight for the shop where i bought a coke the size of my head drank it, refilled it for free and went to find Beatbox and Breadless at the outfitters.Ended up getting a motel room with Beatbox at the Comfort Inn for $20 each. The room was awesome we even got a rubber duck in the bath tub. It felt so good to be clean, we got some beers, ate at waffle house and watched TV till 2AM- good times.
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Daleville

To: Fullhardt Knob
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Headed out to the truck stop to do laundry, went to the outfitter and bought new boots to try and heal my painful feet. Mailed my shoes back to Guz then went to BBQ and had some of the tastiest ribs i've ever had. Hit the trail at 3 hiking to the Fullhardt Knob Shelter (great shelter name). 1 guy there named Chainsaw which, he informed us, is because he snores a lot. I decided to tent near Beatbox who always tents (tarps).I always sleep really well in my double wall Mountain Hardware Sky Ledge 2 person tent but it is really heavy (5lb's/2.25kg) and takes ages to set up and take down I'm thinking about trading it for something.
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Fullhardt Knob

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Beatbox and I left at 7:30 hoping to do a big day, I've stopped cooking breakfast in the morning so i'm just eating pop tarts cold yummy. The trail shadows the Blue Ridge Parkway for the next section meaning we come across a lot of road crossings and lookouts over the valley below. Beatbox and I hiked together a lot today which was unusual because he usually hikes faster than i do. We rolled into Bobletts Gap shelter around 3:30 and escaped the midday sun for an hour and a half. At 5 we heard thunder rumble in the distance but thought nothing of it and decided to push on another 6.6 miles. About 0.5 miles out the heavens opened and we got drenched in the hardest rain i've felt on the trail yet. There was no lightening but it rained really hard. I decided I needed to get out of the rain so tried to put up my tent as quickly as possible. When I had the tent up I got inside to find a nice big puddle of water waiting for me- oops. Sitting in the tent in a puddle of water was not my idea of fun, the rain stopped after 30 minutes so i decided to pack up all of my stuff and hike on. Beatbox had turned back and gone to the shelter. I stopped at an overlook and set up a drying line to dry my stuff. I cooked dinner on the side of the road and a couple of tourists stopped in their car to talk to me about my hike. With my stuff dry I decided to pack up and hike on to find a nice place to camp around cove Mtn. Turns out there are no good flat spots around the mountain so i night hiked with my head lamp for 2 hours arriving at the shelter at 10pm, there was noone else there so i had the place to myself.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: few clouds

Up at 7:30 and out by 8 today. Hiked all day and didn't see another North Bounder till i got into the shelter. Met a couple of south bounders who, like most south bounders, were a little odd. I met Butter at the shelter and chatted with him for a while, had some Mac&Cheese and hit the hay.
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: James River Campsite
Miles today: 13.2

Short day today, woke up late (9) and started hiking at 10am. Rolled into the campsite at 4pm and relaxed. Planing a trip into town tomorrow to pick up a mail drop so camping 1 mile from the road to get an early hitch in tomorrow. Breadless and Betbox caught me up at 5:30 and set up their tents nearby. There is a train track across the river from the campsite and the sound of the train woke us up in the middle of the night.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: James River Campsite

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Got an early hitch into Glasgow with a nice lady in a mustang convertible. Glasgow Virginia is a bit of a dump (except the library) so we didn't stay long. We got food, lunch and headed out of town. It took over 1 hour to get a ride, so long that we decided to make a sign saying ' Hiker to trail' just as we put the finishing touches to the sign a pick up truck pulled up and let us ride in the back on top of a pile of scrap metal. We got back to the trail at around 4 and hiked another 11 miles to the 2nd shelter. We climbed 3 huge hills to some great look outs but the view was somewhat limited by the aweful pollution around that day. The shelter was right beside a pond and the sound of frogs was deffening. I woke up in the middle of the night to find myself itching and covered in buggs. I didn't sleep well at all because of the no-see-ums in the shelter that night. I was so pissed off that i got up at 6 and left by 6:30am
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Brown Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: broken clouds

Short day again today setting us up for getting to the interstate to hitch the 200 miles to Trail Days. We got to the shelter at 3:30 and lazed around for the rest of the day. I took a bath in the stream and set up my tent. It rained at 5 and a few more hikers caught up with us and stayed in the shelter.Almost forgot, 2 milestones today dads birthday and my 2 month trail-aversiry.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Brown Mtn Shelter

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 1.8

Up at 6:30 made it to US60 by 8 and got a hitch to the interstate by 9. We waited by the on ramp for an hour and watched the cars wizz by without anyone stopping to pick up Breadless, Beatbox and I. More hikers arrived with the intension of hitching to traildays- we got picked up at 10am by the Madd Hatter who was on his way to trail days from Vermont. He was checking the exits on his way looking for hikers to pick up. He took us all the way to the trail days camp ground. Thanks for the ride Mad Hatter
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Trail Days/ US 60

To: Hogs Camp Gap
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: clear sky

Got a hitch with Beatbox from 2 fantastic guys who took us all the way from traildays back to the trail. Lost my Passport in the guys car and did not realise for 3 days luckily he found it and mailed it to Guz so big thanks to him for being so nice.Hiked 6 miles to a campsite and met Mike, Bucket and Water who I have not seen in ages. Spent 1 hour trying to set up my new hammock just right and eventually got it done. My first night in the hammock was great i slept really well I could have pitched at a better angle to avoid the wind that was blowing through the camp site.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: VA 664

To: Fish Hatchery Road
Miles today: 19.9

Hi all, I worked on my journal a bunch last night added about 15 new entries and a couple of pics, new entries start May 3rd.Tried two new things today: slack packing and heading south boundThe Bed & Breakfast took myself, Bucket, Water and Mike 20 miles up the trail and we walked south back to the B&B to spend a 2nd night. The trail was very hilly and rocky today it got really hot in the afternoon which made things difficult
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Reeds Gap

To: Wanyesboro
Miles today: 19.1

Water, Bucket and Mike decided to slack into Wanyesboro, I decided to walk it with my pack. Good hike today It dawned on my towards the end of the day that i hike at pretty much the same speed weather i'm carrying 5 or 30 pounds on my back. I got into town and headed for the Hostel run by the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. It's a free place but most people donate some money and clean the place in the morning. It is run by lots of little old ladies who were really friendly and welcoming. The hostel is in the basement of the church with a kitchen and lounge area that we can use. I headed for the local chinese place then returned to the hostel.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Wanyesboro

To: Calf Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Half day today, I was torn between staying in town with Beatbox and heading out to make some miles, i opted for the later.I ditched my sleeping pad in Waynesboro as i don't need it with the hammock so would only use it in shelters. By sending it back to Guz i resign myself to sleeping in my hammock every night rain or shine but i shave 17oz from my pack which is worth the trade off.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Calf Mtn Shelter

To: Loft Mtn Campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

The shelters here in the Shenandoah National Park are spaced a little weird like today you could go 13.5 or 27 miles neither really appealed to me so i hiked a 20 to the loft mtn campground (where they expect you to pay to camp) then walked .25 miles and set my hammock up in the woods for free.I saw my 2nd bear of the trip today which was awesome, i saw it when i was looking for a place to setup my hammock, i decided not to pitch right where i saw it and moved on.
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Blackburn Center

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Stopped in at the campground on my way past and got some breakfast. I pass 5 of these campgrounds on the 120 miles throught the Shenandoahs and plan to take full advantage of the camp stores so i can carry less food and just resupply more frequently.Met some new faces at the Hightop hut, Eula, Stonage and Tripple Deuce were there and were great company. Breadless and Beatbox caught up with me today after i left them half a day behind in Waynesboro.
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Blackburn Center

To: Big medows Campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Well its Memorial Day Weekend here in the USA so everyone has a 3 or 4 day weekend. Shenendoah National Park (the most visited National Park in the country) is really busy we are seeing lots of weekend and section hikers on the trial.Eula, Stoneage, Tripple Deuse, Breadless and Beatbox and I stopped for lunch at a campstore and stayed far too long (about 2.5 hours) drinking soda and eating junk food. about 2 hours after leaving we heard thunder in the distance and 30 minutes later the storm was over us. It was a hot day that i'm starting to come acustomed to here in Virginia so i decided a bit of rain might cool me off- i put my waterproof cover on my pack and put on my gators to stop my boots filling with water. All of a sudden it was like someone turned off the lights it got really dark and then the rain hit us and hit us hard if there had been somewhere to take cover i would have but there wasn't so we just kept walking. After 20 minutes of rain the trail became a creek that sent water over my gaitors and into my boots and soaked them. Mother nature was not done yet, it soon started to hail stone- hail stones on my exposed leggs and arms was not nice. The whole thing lasted about an hour in which time i'd covered about 2.5 mile. We came to a road crossing where we were rewarded with bright sunshine. We dried off for 30 minutes and then hiked on aiming for the Big Medows campsite we knew would be packed full of people on holiday.Arriving at the campsite we started to walk down the rows of packed sites. Breadless, Beatbox and I must have looked a real sight to most of the people in the campsite who looked at us with mixed looks of pity, distain, and intrigue. After 5 minutes a couple started to chat to us and knew about the trail they recognised our plight and said we could pitch out tent, hammock and tarp on their camping spot. Bruce and Cindy Scarlett took us in and fed us hot dogs, burgers, soda and beer which was really nice of them. They were really interested in hearing all about the trail and took really good care of us. They were lovely people.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Blackburn Center

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

There was more thunder and lightning during the night, we left Bruce and Cindy at around 8 very greatful for their generosity. I got ahead of Breadless and Beatbox who stopped at a restaurant for some food. I got to the parks main picnic area at around 1pm and was surrounded by people barbecuing and eating great food, how could a dishevelled hungry looking hiker not be offered food by someone. It didn't take very long for someone to offer me some food. I was approached by a young boy (about 8 years old) who started talking to me and led me over to where his family were eating. They were really interested in my story and offered me some water mellon which tasted really yummy, i thanked them telling them how hard it was to get fresh fruit on the trail in a flash a large bunch of grapes was thrust into my hands again i thanked the family and said how mad my mum would be if she knew how little fresh veg & fruit i get to eat- this must have hit a nerve with Debi (a mom) who then gave me a banana to take with me also- many thanks to Tammy, Lindsey, Matthew, Debi, and George for taking pity on me.Saw 3 more bears today a mom and 2 cubs. Bears are not hunted in the park so they are not as affraid of humans as they are elsewhere.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Hog wallow flats
Miles today: 16.5

Today I went on a treasure hunt. My friend Guz who is doing an amazing job of sending me all my maps and other supplies as well as storing all the gear i keep shipping back to him passed through the Shenandoah National Park about 2 months ago and hid a present for me along the trail. Supplied with photographs and a treasure map i spent 15 minutes hunting down the treasure. The treasure turned out to be a bunch of stuff guz had lying around his car at the time: a mint, some toothpicks and a cigarette (which is odd because he doesn't smoke and neither do I). It was a real buzz to find something from him in the middle of Virginia left 2 months ago!Later that day Beatbox, Breadless, Sublime, Batfink and the dude passed by another campstore and ate crisps, drank beer and milkshakes (a combination that cane back to ahunt later that day)Breadless beatbox and I stealth camped tonight (camping at an undeveloped site) it was a bit hard for the others to find flat ground for their tarp and tent but I had no probelms setting up the hammock.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Hog wallow flats

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shellter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

Beatbox and I got out early and headed 10 miles and hitched into the Town of Front Royal. We were picked up by a girl driving a really cool mustang car who seemed really interested in talking to hikers. We resupplied got All You Can Eat chinese buffet (can you tell what i crave when I'm hiking?) then got back to the trail to hike a few more miles to the next shelter. Thanks to Focus's wife (Mrs Focus I guess)for the ride back to the trail.We got the the Jim and Molly Denton Shellter to find quite the crowd there enjoying this amazing structure. The Dude, Breadless, Sopra, Ross, AAA to name a few. The shelter had a front dexk with a great bench plus a seperate covered cooking area. I set up my hammock but hung around at the shelter till nighfall
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shellter

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

Passed through the Sky Meadows State Park it really reminded me of Newby Hall in England, we walked through some large open fields with waist high grass and huge treed dotted here and there.We passed by Dicks Dome Shelter which was an odd shape, plus i was expecting it to be purple.Waffle caught up with us today which was cool. He's been doing 23-26 mile days to catch us for the last 2 weeks. Waffle shares my birthday but is only 18.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: few clouds

Really short day today in order to set us up for getting picked up at snickers gap tomorrow. The terrain was really rocky today so a 7 miler took us a little longer had it been flat. That being said we had a nice lazy day with a long lie in and a long lunch. I read half of Harry Potter 5 today. I'm carrying it as my luxary item until I'm done which i hope is soon as it weighs about 3 lbs.We entered an infamous section of trail called the Roller Coaster renowned for its rocky viewless ridgeline path and its 10 substancial acents and decents
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Snickers Gap
Miles today: 3.6

Beatbox and I got picked up at 10am this morning by My friend Courtney's dad.Courtney and I worked together at Sargent Center in New Hampshire for a year. She lives in Herndon Virginia and her parents live in Round Hill about 4 miles from the trail so she invited me to stay there for a couple of nights. The Mercers (Brad and Noreen) live in an amazong brand new house. BB and I were given our own rooms with en suite bathrooms and double beds it was awesome. Brad and Noreen were amazing hosts they cooked us eggs and pancackes with fresh fruit every morning and took up out to eat twice!Its impossible for me to list everything amazing about our visit to the Mercers but special mention has to go to Brad's media room that is an impressive room in his house that is home to his High Definision widescreen Projector and cinema seating.
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Snickers Gap, Courtneys

To: Blackburn Center
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Having finished 2 fantastic days off at Courtney's parents house I headed back to the trail in the evening to hike 7 miles.Beatbox and I had an amazing time at the Mercer house and were thoroughly pampered by her mom and dad we can't thank them enough for being so nice to us.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Blackburn Center

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Two milestones todayLeft Virginia after a long 520ish miles crossing into West Virginia passing through that state and into Maryland (3 states in 1 day)andCrossed the 1000 mile mark today, big phycological boost!Arrived at Harpers Ferry West Virginia at 11:30 and headed for the Appalachian Trail Headquarters to register. I am Northbound Thruhiker 196 to pass through this year. Left Harpers ferry and headed to the next shelter, felt pretty good when i got there so i pushed on to make one of my biggest days yet.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

What I ate today:Breakfast-2 Apple struddle Poptarts-1 Granolla barLunch-2 tortillas w/ cheese, mayo and salamiDinner-Instant Mashed potato-1 3oz packet of tuna-1 packet or Ramen (super noodles)Snack-2 granolla bars-1 handfull of each mixed: m&ms, raisins, dried pineapple and cranberries-2 powdered drink mix's
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: clear sky

Another Milestone today: left Maryland and entered Pennsylvania crossing the Mason Dixie line that seperated the North and South during the American Civil war.It was really hot today (has been for ages now) i find drinking a lot of water helps but i'm starting to smell really bad after 20 minutes of hiking. luckily all the hikers smell terrible so we cannot detect each other's stench.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

This is probably the best shelter i've seen on the trail complete with skylight and hanging baskets. Big Gulp, Walnut, Low Gear, The Dude, Waffle, Beatbox, Jazz Nuts, Yard Sale and myself all in for the night.
Date: 2007-06-09
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Midpoint Marker
Miles today: 18.3

today is a momentus day! Passing the physical half way point on the AT!!!!!!!1087.1 miles completed! with the 1/2 of the trail done tradition is to celebrate by taking the 1/2 gallon challenge- to eat a half gallon of icecream in one sitting (thats 4 pints of Ben and Jerrys). It took a while but i eventually guzzled down the whole thing along with the other guys I'm now travelling with.After following up the ice cream with a burger and some fries we walked 2 miles and camped in the woods.
Date: 2007-06-10
From: Midpoint Marker

To: Boiling Springs Campsite
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

Yard Sale, The Dude, Beatbox, Waffle, Knifey Spoony(aka Batfink) and I are traveling together as a group now and have been for a few days. They are amazing guys to hike with and are a lot of fun to be around.We walked through a lot of farm fields today where the corn plants are currently at around waist height. PA (pensylvania) is famous for its lush soil and good agriculture.Our camp site for the night is just outside the town of Boiling Springs quite a posh town that have set aside some land for thru hikers to camp on just outside of town the only problen is that it is about 15 meters from the train tracks and we were woken 6 times in the night by trains.
Date: 2007-06-11
From: Boiling Springs Campsite

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Left town at around 10 after breakfast at the local gas/petrol station. hiked most of the day with a guy i have met a couple of times before the legendary GatorGump.Now I say legendary because no hiker from the class of 2007 has caused more online controvecy. Gator is a 22 year old trapped inside the body of a 50 year old man. I don't have time to tell the whole story but Gator had a heart attack 2 years ago and is hiking the trail as one of his life long goals. Gator pissed a bunch of people off when he posed for a picture with his ass cheeks on the plaque at the start of the AT, he has been turned away from hostels and had abusive comments left on his guestbook. Personally i think the guy is a riot and the majority of the class of 2007 think he is freaking cool. Gator's pride and joy (other than his daughter) is his trail journal. I strongly recomend it if you are looking for a good read.(the may 23rd picture is freakin hilarious)Gatorgump