morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Woke late this morning, chatted for a bit and then went by the lodge on my way out. I got a little ways up the trail before my feet and legs began to warm up (it was cold last night and this morning). I got into Skyland just before lunch and had to wait for about 15 minutes before seating started. I had a bacon cheeseburger and a blackberry sundae. Then I kept on plugging. I don't know that I will go as far today as I am planning. I met up with Suge again at Pinnacle's Picnic area, and hiked to Thornton Gap to get some food and drinks at "Panorama" before doing the last mile and something into Pass Mtn. Hut. Ate chili for dinner and 7-grain for dessert. The mice are all over here-running around in broad daylight! I'm glad I'm in my hammock! At the shelter with Suge, Chigger, Camel, Tinder, T, and some others. I got a looonnnnggg day tomorrow too if I am going to make it to Front Royal to meet Tina.
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Home in W'boro
Miles today: 26.5

Woke early (0600) this morning and got moving as quick as I could, after saying bye to Tinder. Ate 2 granola bars as I walked and made it to Elkwallow Gap wayside at 0930. Had a sausage, egg, and cheese muffin, hashbrowns, coffee and a blackberry shake for breakfast and called Tina to set up my pickup this evening, and then pushed on. The trail was beautiful!! -fields of ferns and wonderful smells! Then came a series of great views down Hogback Ridge and the following peaks. I had an interesting encounter with a fawn and its mother today. As I was walking along I saw a doe jump up suddenly and her fawn jump up beside her. The mother ran a little ways down the trail, and the fawn walked slowly towards me. As it got closer, it proceeded to walk right under my trekking poles!! The mom gave a snort and kind of a scream and then ran off. The baby hobbled away slowly and I let it get a little ways away before I snapped this photo. I had a nice ridgewalk today until the end when the final descent brought me down into Front Royal. I didn't see any thru-hikers after this morning, but there were lots of people out in the woods- many section hiking, some day hiking, and several groups. I was supposed to meet Tina at the KFC, but when I wasn't there, she decided to head towards the trail. She found me walking down US 522 into Front Royal, and then we rode into town for dinner. A nice (sleepy) ride home and now I get to work on the computer for a couple days!
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Home in W'boro

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

Had a fivesome of hikers in for the night: K-less, Arms, Rooster, Minus One, and No Worries. This morning I took them over to Pam Bennett's house and she shuttled them. Then we went to breakfast at Oma's and Grandad's. It took a while to say all the goodbyes and get started. Sandy, Tina and I didn't leave Waynesboro until 12:30, and after dropping Sandy's car in Harpers Ferry we rode back to Front Royal and Tina dropped us off at 1630 to start the trail! It drizzled rain on us, and it was foggy misty walking into the first shelter. But it is a great shelter, and plenty of room (for Griffin too!) My appetite was good, but I had way too much dinner! The goulash and Bear Mtn mush for dessert--about 1200 calories just for dinner! It's about 0940 now and I am all cozy tucked into my hammock and ready for bed. I'm missing Tina after being in Waynesboro for much of the month of May.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up about 0615- took a little time getting going, and left at 0720. Sandy and I hiked well, taking a few pauses, and about 3 actual breaks. We found some trail magic under a footbridge after VA 55! (Lipton Brisk Teas) We also stopped at Manassas Gap Shelter for a snack and to check the register. We started hearing cicadas, and then I began to notice them on branches and elsewhere. Pretty soon the noise from them was deafening!! I had a couple fly into me and one hitched a ride on Sandy's pack for a while. I even brought a dead one back for Tina and her school kids. We heard them for much of the rest of the day, and saw them some more. A very nice hike today. The trail was muddy in some areas, and the undergrowth is just amazing--thick and dense, but the trail itself has been very nice and smooth. We're at a nice shelter tonight, fairly large and with a cooking pavilion. The spring is very strong and has a good high pipe, and there is a cold water shower just down a ways from the spring.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Crescent Rock
Miles today: 13.1

Up at 0620--Sandy and I took our time getting out this morning and we hit the trail at 0800. It was hot and muggy feeling this morning, and we were in the "roller coaster" section of 10 ups and downs in 13 miles. We took a couple of breaks, lunched at Sam Moore Shelter, and we paused a fair bit to catch our breath. My neck was kinda bothering me, resulting in a low grade headache, so I didn't mind slowing down and taking my time. At about the 9 mile point Griffin began to look as though he was favoring his left front. After a short break we could see it very clearly, so the decision was made to stop at Bears Den Hostel. We talked over our options, and soon after we got there two people came in from a trail and hopped in their van to leave. We waved them down and explained that one of us needed to get to Harpers Ferry. They kindly agreed to shuttle Sandy, so I stayed and kept an eye on Griffin. After Sandy returned we looked into staying at the hostel, and decided it was a little too much, so Sandy headed home and I got back on the trail at 1930. I hiked till just after 2100 and decided to camp at Crescent Rock--just over the WVA side. I am out of Virginia now, all 535 miles of it!!
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Crescent Rock

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: light rain

Last night about 2300 some high schoolers showed up at the rocks and began partying. It was rather interesting that they didn't notice the hammock and pack about 30 feet away--I think they had other stuff on the brain. Anyhow, I survived a couple of close calls with fireworks, and within an hour it quieted down some and I slept. I woke this morning at 0540 to the carnage from the night--beer cans, some select pieces of clothing, and other trash. I thought everyone had gone and left it, but as I was packing, two valiant souls came out of the woods and began packing up the trash! They must have seen me packing up my stuff, but they didn't say anything, and they returned to the woods just before I left. It was a good hike this morning, although still muddy. I got into Blackburn Trail Center fairly early, filled up on water, and checked the register. Tinder wrote in that he is leaving the trail for the year at Harpers Ferry! Sad news, but I hope to catch up with him sometime, and I'm sure that he has gotten what he wanted from the experience. I wonder if those who get all the way to Katahdin are still looking for more? I got to Harpers Ferry about 1230, went to the ATC headquarters and signed in, then headed to the PO and got my supplies. I finally made my way to the lower town, picked up a couple of things at the outfitter, and got a late lunch at the Secret Six Tavern. A fun (fast) day in Harpers Ferry trying to get everything done and get moving again. It's great to be here, and to see some other hiker folk too! I am hiker #246 to check in this year (of maybe 700 or so who will probably check in) Got out of town at 0615 and hiked hard, arriving at the Edward B Garvey Shelter at 1830. A long haul to the water source here (it took 20 min to get water) but otherwise a really nice shelter! I ate my ramen and nutella for dinner and chatted with the other 2 guys here, Josh and Kaalogii. Bandicoot showed up during the night hours. I did 3 states in 24 hours today--VA, WVA, and now I'm in MD!
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke this morning at 0620. Hiked out at 0700 with Josh (he is hiking from Harpers Ferry to wherever by Aug 10) He and I talked a bit, to the Dahlgren Campground, which has free showers, which I used happily! Then we said goodbye because he was staying and I wanted to go a ways farther. I went about 5 more miles and decided to go the short distance down US 40 to the Dogpatch Tavern where I met back up with MC and Willow, who exclaimed that they thought I was out ahead of them! It was great meeting up with them and we spent quite awhile talking and catching up. I got a cheeseburger with the works and a fellow insisted on buying us beers. I had 3, which was 2 too many, and that cut my day fairly short. I only hiked out to the first shelter--no 20 miler today. Guess that just means I have to hike harder tomorrow.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: light rain

Woke about 0640 this am and took my time getting going. Not off till 0815, but I was still the first one out. Much more comfortable hiking this morning with the clouds keeping the sun at bay. I made good time, and about the time I was looking to take a lunch break, there was a cooler with grape juices in it!! I got the last one--and so I put off lunch for a while. I went across Raven Rock Hollow (MD 491) and began the climb. Just a little way from the top there was a large rock with water tumbling down forming some small falls and a SOBOer there taking a break. It was a little cooler near the water, a breeze keeping the bugs off, and several rocks to sit on...a perfect lunch spot!! I spent 45 min chatting with Zero, who had an extra pb&j that he gave me. He had just gotten started at Pen-Mar Road and plans to hike back to Georgia. After I left there, Bandicoot caught up to me, so I followed him the rest of the way to Pen-Mar Park. The concessions there are only open on Sundays, but I remarked that there was a pizza place a mile and 4 tenths up the road, but I wasn't really that hungry. The park maintainer then said, "Oh, they deliver!" and that sealed the deal! Six of us ordered and ate subs and pizza. It began to rain just after I called Tina and we finally packed out at 1840 (2 1/2 hrs) after the rain stopped. Bandicoot, Heat Miser and I hiked hard and made it to the shelter (4.7 mi) at 2050 after making a 20 min mistake going off the trail. It's late now, off to bed!
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Milesburn Cabin
Miles today: 20.8

Woke this am to rain pattering down on the hammock--kind of a surprise because I didn't expect rain today, but here it is! Got up at 0640, hurried around packing stuff up and eating, and got moving at 0740--with the rain coming down steady, but not terribly hard. I was soaked in short order but it wasn't too cold (as long a I kept moving). The hiking was rocky at times, but the trail was good walking and I arrived at Caledonia State Park at noon, to find everything closed up, and just picnic tables around. I figured that I would hike up to the next shelter and stop to fix lunch, but across the bridge was another area with a pavilion, which I rested under and fixed a Mountain House Chowder and cream of wheat for dessert with tea. I then hiked up to Quarry Gap Shelters--a very nice layout there! Two small shelers with about 15 feet between them, and a roof built in front of and between--set in among mountain laurels with a stream in front. I didn't stay though I wanted to--moved on over some more very nice trail over several short ridges, and descending into Milesburn Cabin, I came across Patrick and Sam who had rented the cabin for the night! They said that I could stay, and with a couple more miles to hike and still raining, well...it was a no brainer. So tonight after about 3 dinners I will sleep inside a (rustic) cabin--which is warmer and dryer than anything else I could have hoped for.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Milesburn Cabin

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 19.6

A quiet morning at the cabin this morning on halfway day. Pat and Bandicoot (who showed up during the night) slept in some, so I said goodbye to Sam and hit the trail at 0820. The time flew by, and I got to Toms Run Shelter just after 1100. After there it was a nice even downhill most of the way in to Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The mid-point was actually just before the park, but the park is the place to celebrate. The store there does a Halfway Half Gallon Challenge where you are supposed to eat a half gallon of ice cream to celebrate your halfway mark. I met up with Uncle Ben, Grass, Flora, Fauna, and Darth Venader on the last leg into the park, and we bought a half gallon between all of us (I didn't want to be sick, I just wanted a little ice cream). I also got a cheeseburger and onion rings with a coke. Then the group of us went down to the lake to swim a little. Bandicoot swam just beyond one of the marker bouys and was warned by the lifeguard. We all thought that was it, but about 1/2 hour later some park ranger shows up threatening to arrest him and slap him with a $300 fine. It was rather extreme we all thought, but several other locals there said that the rangers harassed many folks so it wasn't just us. I called Tina to make sure of our meeting point tomorrow in Boiling Springs, PA, and then set off about 1600 to make the last 7 miles into the shelter. I set up my hammock and made dinner. Now it is dark and getting colder, so it's time to head off to bed!
Date: 2004-06-13
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in this morn - Didn't get up 'till just before 7 - Finally got out at 0800. I was about an hour behind "schedule" so I rushed a bit, but I can only sustain so fast for so long, so I didn't manage to make up any time - I stopped for a few scenes and pics. Nice trail today - a few muddy and rocky areas, but mostly some good smooth trail to enjoy! The last couple miles were thru fields in the valley - Very flat, and not bad walking, although if the sun were out it would really be scorching - Entering Boiling Springs across some very pretty streams, and then walking along the manmade lake which is fed by 40 springs. The lake is crystal clear and a constant 53 degrees, and it forms the centerpiece for a small historical town which seems to be popular with the fishermen. The mid-atlantic ATC office is located here, right on the trail, along with the post office. I met up with Tina at the outfitters about 1230 and we went over to Anile's (italian eatery) - Tina had a vegetarian pizza, I had a hot special sub - and we spent most of the rest of the day talking with other hikers (Flora, Fauna, Kevin, and Bandicoot) and reading our books by the lake. Dinner was steak and potatoes at a truck stop joint - good and cheap! Now a zero tomorrow to stroll around this quaint town with Tina!
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Boiling Springs

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in again this morning (0815) then we went down to breakfast in the lobby - then back to our room to try and finish packing. I always want to bring a little of everything (esp food) and I can take forever to pack, getting sidetracked and whatnot - I got it all figured out by 0945. Tina and I went back into Boiling Springs to the ATC office. I left my pack there and we walked around a bit, talked to a few other hikers, and I got a lite lunch and berry smoothie at the cafe - Tina and I said goodbye about 1130, and I got back to hiking - The majority of the day was hiking through fields and along roads to traverse the Cumberland Valley, which is part of the great valley of the Appalachians, which stretches from Roanoke Va to the Delaware River. This was a 17 mile section with only two places you can stay - one being Boiling Springs, and the other is a Super 8 motel on Rt 11 8 miles north of Boiling Springs. I made the 14 miles out of town to Darlington Shelter, just out of the Cumberland Valley on North Mountain. PA has been OK so far, some mild rocks, water a little hard to come by, but the miles are rolling on by, even in this heat, so it must not be too bad. There are several others at shelter tonite: Little Chicken, Tarzan, Pita Man and his dad (who are from Israel)(Pita Man gets his name because he makes his pita bread in camp every nite - he mixes up dough, flattens it out and bakes them over the fire!) - Note that this shelter is to be demolished in 4 days - It was built in a guys backyard originally, and then moved up here, a new shelter should be constructed in fall of 2005 - but that will mean a year with nothing here.
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke early (0500) and then napped for another bit - got up at 0645 and hit trail at 0730. Came down off ridge first thing, and was assaulted by mosquitos - had to roll down my sleeves, swat about my head, and most important, Keep Movin! The low damp areas were rough, but soon enough I was back out into fields and away from them. Up and along another ridge, and then a steep descent starting at Hawk Rock, followed by about 3 miles of road walking into, through, and out of Duncannon PA - I got in about 1130 - ate lunch at "The Doyle" - which according to the Companion is one of the original Anheuser-Busch hotels. It is pretty run down now - a room is $15 a night now. I didn't stay, but I got a cheeseburger and onion rings, talked with Patrick the Sole Brother, Uncle Ben and Grass, and then I moved on - The schedule out of here is interesting because the water is a little tough to come by, and with the mileage to Port Clinton I would either have to do several really big mileage days, or a couple slower ones, and have a half day out on Sunday. So I'm doing less rather than more. I hiked 4.5 miles out of Duncannon, arriving at shelter just after 1500 - setup my hammock, and got some water (incredible spring! flowing super fast and ICE cold!) Then I laid in my hammock napping and reading until 1800 - Patrick showed up and I fixed a little dinner - Then Ben,Grass, Slim and Biscuit showed up. The sun is down now and with the dark come mosquitos again, so I run to my hammock for refuge.
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: haze

Pennsylvania has begun to show it's teeth. There were lots of rocks today, slowed me down a bit this morning, and it didn't help that it was hot and I was fretting over water - some water sources between shelters are poorly marked, so I kept thinking that I had missed the spring I was trying for and I would have to use the creek at the road. Finally I found my spring and all was well - I got trail magic at the road, a five gallon bucket full of snack bars(nutri-grain and such) I ate six for lunch, and then began the climb out of the valley. It looked to be a long hot climb, but just as I got going it began to rain - so I stayed fairly cool! The rain lasted a little less than an hour, and when it ended I was settled into the ridge portion of this afternoons hike. The AT passes by remnants of several old mining villages from the 1800's, about all I could see were some areas where it looked flatter and grassy instead of regular undergrowth. A t-storm got going about 1800 this evening, and I missed the shelter during it - realizing what had happened, I turned and backtracked about a mile - arriving totally soaked. It stopped raining about an hour ago(1930) and now I lay in my hammock with a full belly, ready to sleep!
Date: 2004-06-18
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

My watch died last nite (again!) so I just got up with the sun (sorta - it was 0630) Had dried blueberries and a granola bar for breakfast - packed all my damp gear together and set off on the trail. A nice morning, cooler, still very humid, and the gnats and mosquitos were buzzing a bit. Ran into Marathon and Just Phil a couple times as we took some short breaks or whatnot - after the final climb to Blue Mtn Ridge I saw nobody - The ridge started out narrow, rocky and sparsely vegitated, but soon it began to widen out and the trees got thicker. There were more rocks, but also some very good, smooth sections where I made up some time. I wasn't going too fast today, because it seems that yesterday I twisted my right ankle a little bit - this morning it was rather stiff and not too happy about moving, but I stretched it out gently and just walked on it. I got a few twangs out of it throughout the day, but I tried to be easy on it and keep from getting tired and sloppy. I arrived at the 501 shelter - a really nice place - and we ordered some food from the pizza place in Pine Grove (I got the cold special sub) and otherwise I have just been taking it easy tonight. Sleeping in the shelter (it has 4 walls and screen windows) - Hope the bugs aren't too bad! - Oh BTW - I just went under 1000 miles today - a triple digit # finally!
Date: 2004-06-19
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton Pavilion
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: few clouds

Got bitten by some mosquitos last nite, and I wasn't quite as comfy sleeping on the bunk with my pad as I am in the hammock, but I stayed in the 501 Shelter! Folks were up early, and so I rolled out at 0550 - packed and hit the trail at 0650. Some good rocks again today, some smooth areas, but overall my pace was somewhat slow today (I'm taking my time navigating thru the rocks). Stopped about 1400 for lunch and water at Eagles Nest Shelter which was about 15 miles from the 501 (long morning) Stayed there for about an hour, not sure if I wanted to push on to Port Clinton or not- then decided, what the heck - and here I am! Today seemed like it took awhile, mostly because I had to concentrate on walking, kinda like driving in heavy traffic vs just rolling along on cruise. It is nice being in town though - a 1lb burger at the hotel/restaurant, and called Tina to let here know I was in. Now I swing in the hammock - word is it may get into the 40's tonight - glad I still have a warm bag!
Date: 2004-06-20
From: Port Clinton Pavilion

To: Port Clinton Pavilion
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Lazy morning - got up about 0810, after sleeping with a streetlight and cars rolling by on PA 61 - it is amazing how the light on my hammock decieves me, it it difficult to tell when it is morning because it is light even at night (and I don't have a watch) - Moseyed around for a bit packing my gear and planning on heading up to Cabelas for some sightseeing, when Pole Climber shows up with his wife. He had just completed a section here in PA which took him over the 1000 mile mark, and he was stopping at the pavilion to see who all was there. He had some extra gatorades which he gave us and he offered to take me up to Cabelas! I threw my stuff in their van and off we went - got me to a pay phone - and then caught back up with me to get me across the road to Cabelas. He was really happy to be able to help out, and even gave me some money to buy myself an extra meal! (I was trying to cut down on my expenditures some - and unwittingly yogied a meal from him) Fatten me up some for my trip he says! I had a great time at Cabelas - lots to look at - 3 huge aquariums (55,000 gal) and one of the staff gave me a ride into Hamburg where I did laundry and made some phone calls - then I walked back to Port Clinton (it was a beautiful day again today!) and ate my dinner, did some postcards, and prepared everything for an early day tomorrow.