morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I was third out of the shelter this morning 7am with a big mileage day ahead of me, 22.3. This would be my biggest mileage day yet if I can make it with out my feet and or my legs falling off. My first challenge was climbing "The Three Ridges". That would be a 2000 foot climb in 3 miles. It really wasn't all that bad but again very long and steep and a lot of rocks to step on, over and around as you near the top. The first shelter that I came to was Maupin Field Shelter, 6.2 miles into the day. I stopped for lunch there to tank up for the 16.1 miles to do in the afternoon. Now I would assume that with that many miles to the next shelter the terrain would be favorable. But noooooo... I had some tough climbs, lots of rocky terrain and some questionable trail blazes along the way. Finally I got over the last mountain and starte the 5 or so mile descent to the shelter. It was now 5 pm. Am I going to make it by dark? As the trail smoothed out some I turned on the afterburners and! was cruising at at least 3 mph. That is kind of dangerous because one missed step and you could turn an ankle, twist tour knee or worse yet fall. To top it all off it was starting to thunder and rain. I did make it by 7:30. I was relieved to be at the shelter for the night. I set up camp and had supper. I did some playing as well as other late comers came in. Here tonight are Baldylocks, the Aussie Couple Zan and Mike, Mapman and Robin, Tatto and Pigeon, G'rock. A long day but a fulfilling day. Now I am ready for the 25 mile days in the Shenandoah's.Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

I slept in a little this morning after my 22.3 mile day. When I did get up my legs were a little wobbly and the bottoms of my feet were a little tender. But after walking to the privy and back everything started to loosen up again. I ate m usual breakfast of oatmeal and hot chocolate, packed up and I was on the trail by 8:30. The walk into Waynesboro was all up hill which is very unusual. Most always it is down hill into towns. The trail was not a problem though and I was able to cruise right along. I passed some old homesteads along the way. The only parts left were the chimneys and parts of foundations. It made me wonder who and how did people exist on the sides of these mountains. It must have been a hard life. Going over the top of Humpback Mountain yesterday there were mammouth rock walls and along what was called the Howardville Turnpike the down hill side of the road was all stone work. It must have been something to see in their day. When I got out of the woods I wen! t to the visitors center to arrange for a shuttle ride into town. This is something area citizens do as a public service for hikers. There were a lot of trucks parked over to the side and I guess it was a film crew working on a sequel to "Bruce Almighty" This one starring Steve Cantrell of The 40 Year Old Virgin movie taking the starring roll. COOL. I am at a Quality Inn. I have done laundry, resupplying (thank you all for sending me such delicious and useful items), had too much town food, had a shower and now I have to reorganize my pack so I can hike out in the morning. I was at the McDonalds and heading back to the motel when it started to rain. A man in a bright yellow Corvette pulled up and asked me if I wanted a ride?. A ride I said, in a Corvette I said, now let me see how long did it take to make that decision? I guess I don't want one though, I did not fit very well and I looked like an old man rolling out of it into the Quality Inn parking lot in front of my frie! nds. LOL. It was a short hiking day but it has been fun. Now back into the woods for me.Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

I had a couple of town chores still to do this morning so I didn't get out of town until 9:30. I stopped and registered at the park entrance for a back country permit that allows you to hike through the Park. The first 7 miles were regular miles lots of ups and downs. but after that the trail smoothed out and I started to cruise. The second half of the day, 13 miles still seemed to take a long time. I rolled into the shelter at about 6:15. I cooked one on my Sister's spagetti meals that she had sent me. It was yummy. Thank you Dot. Here at the shelter are Rusch Hour, Just Judy from Blue Hill, ME, Penguin and Tek from Bristol, Me, Jimmy C Bullwinkle and RockSitter. It is going to be a cool night for sleeping. Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Shelter
Miles today: 21.4

Up early and out of the shelterearly. I was going to do a big day.The long mile days I try to startearly. At noon I stopped at LoftMtn. campground for a cheese burger,fries, and a blackberry milk shake.Boy did that hit the spot. This campground has an outdoor Amphiltheaterwhere they give out door concerts.There is a big stage and the seatsgo up the side of the mountain. Theyface the valley and the sunset. Itwas very cool. After a nice lunch Iheaded out and still had to do 12more miles before the day could end.I pulled into camp at about 6:30. Iset up camp and had a pot of mysister's fabulous spagetti andpeperoni. Boy is that good. All thehikers want to know who is cookingwhat smells so good. Here at theshelter tonight are Rusch Hour,Penguin, Tek, and Just Judy. Tentingis Out break. It was a long day buta good day. Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Hightop Shelter

To: Big Meadows campsite
Miles today: 20.4

Time to get up and and get the morning chores done. It is hard to be the first one up in the shelter because as soon as some one gets up the noise gets other people up and others would like to sleep in but can't. The is shelter life. A big mileage day is planned for today, 20.4 so I need to get going. I am not the fasted hiker but I am consistant. I was off on the trail by 7:30. By that time a couple hikers had already started out. The early starters usually have cold breakfast such as poptarts or breakfast bars or carnation instant breakfast. I like to have oatmeal and hot chocolate, so I am a cooker in the morning. That takes a little longer. I stopped at Bearfence Shelter for lunch, wow 12 miles in already but it is 2 pm not 12. 8 more miles to go. The views in the Shenandoahs are far and few between but when there is one it is worth stopping for as long as the trail passes close by. I got to Big Meadows Campground at about 6 pm. I walked up to the check in booth and the ! Ranger said "oh you must be Banjoman" now how do they do that. Well it seems Just Judy and Rusch Hour had told them that I was coming in and arranged for me to share their campsite. Usually there is only two tents allowed per site. I set up camp and then we went to the lodge for supper. Wow a real restaurant. After eating we went downstairs where they had live music. A man singing and playing guitar. That made me homesick for "Friday Night" While at the pub Rusch Hour and an I arranged with a couple ofsection hiker, Jimmy C Bullwinkle and Rock Sitter to take us 22 miles up Skyline Drive so we could slack pack southbound to Big Meadows. Slack packing means you hike with only a small day pack with a few essencials for the day, snacks, water, TP, camera and anything else you want. Now we hiked south bound so we could stay at the same camp ground for the night. The plan was in place and now time for bed.   Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Beahms gap

To: Big Meadows Campsite
Miles today: 20.0

We met our trail angels at 8 am at the lodge and they drove us up ahead on Skyline Drive and Rusch Hour and I headed southbound. One of the nice thigs about southbounding is that you are going against the traffic and you get to see many hikers that you haven't seen for weeks. Each time you cross paths you stop and catch up on trail news and gossip. The high light of the day was when I crossed paths with Bama. I didn't recognise her right away. She, like the rest of us has lost significant weight. We chatted and caught up on some stuff but Rusch Hour and I still had 12 more miles to go and it was 2:30. Off we went and hoped to see each other at a shelter up the trail. Now back at the Camp Ground and another supper at the lodge and another night of live music, this time a trio. Nice harmonys and music but it was Friday night and I wanted Rock and Roll, Wharf style. The other hikers asked the band if Banjoman could come up and play a couple but they never called me up. Oh well. Nice night and a long day of hikingBanjoman
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Big Meadows Campsite

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Now with the slack pack all done the challenge of the day was to get back up Skyline Drive to Beahms Gap so we can continue north. Rusch Hour and I walked out to the road and stuck out our thumbs. We stood with our thumbs out for over a half an hour with no luck. Then a Park Ranger came by going the other way and pulled a u-turn in the road and came back towards us. Oh no I thought. We are going to get arrested or be told you cannot hitch hike in the park. But there was a third possibility that we hadn't counted on. The Ranger picked us up and took us about half way there. A little bit of trail magic from the Park Ranger. We then got another ride from a former hiker and we were at the Gap and headed north. A short walk today to Gravel Spring Shelter. At the shelter are Mapman and Robin, Bamma, Little Wing, Low Gear, Outbreak, Rusch Hour, Tattoo and Pigeon, Just Judy and three section hikers. It was a great night of visiting, stories, and of course music. What a great time he! re in the Shenandoah's. Cold tonight and windy. a nice night for sleeping.   Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Town day. The whole shelter is up early and headed into town I was the last one out of the shelter but I was on a mission, town. The hiking was extremely easy and the miles went fast. Rusch Hour and I were in town by noon. A visit to KFC and then on to the Quality Inn and we started with our town chores. A nice relaxing warm day with a sit beside the pool while making calls. A nice town day and back on the trail on Monday.Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The day started on the cool side and it was raining. It was hard getting out of my nice and warm bed.. But another big mile day for me was in store. I didn't get out of the motel until 11 am. I had over 15 miles to do today.I started out with my usual quick step and long stride. But after about an hour I slowed the pace a little. I was not going to do 15 miles and keep skipping along. I mostly am hiking alone during the day. Most hikers have very different paces, usually faster than me. But you know it is the old story of the Tortise and the hare. Slow and steady will get you there every time. After about the first 5 miles I stopped for lunch at the Molly Denton Shelter. Only 10 more miles until I can stop for the night and it is only 2 pm. Now lets see, 8 more miles, at 2 miles per hour is 4 hours so I will be at the shelter at about 6 pm Not too bad. now figure in about an extra hour for stopping at views, rest stops, talking with Southbound hikers, and bathroom or should! I say tree watering breaks. Now 7 pm. That is just about when I pulled in to the shelter, tired, tired, tired. But wait I still need to get water from the spring that can be as far as 1/4 of a mile down a side trail. Set up my sleeping mat, bag and assorted things for the evening. Time to cook supper have a snack, clean up and chat with other hikers. Of course you can't forget that I am Banjoman and the hikers want their dose of live music which I am pleased to accomodate. I always tell new shelter mates that I have a rule about music. It is "if you know the song please sing along". Now with all of that done it is finally getting dark and everyone is in their bags and asleep. The hike today was very nice, not to many ups or downs. Here at the shelter tonight are Rusch Hour, Cash, Wild Bill, and me.Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a quiet night last night at Dick's Dome Shelter. We were in our bags by dark. Then around 9:30 Tattoo and Penguin hiked in with their head lamps on. We made room in the already cramped shelter for them and then off to sleep. I was up this morning at 6:30. I had breakfast and started to pack up for the dys hike. I had 18+ miles to do today. The morning seemed to fly by with some easy and some hard spots. I stopped at Rod Hollow Shelter for lunch. Just past this shelter starts the "roller coaster". The roller coaster is 10 climbs and 10 descents in 13 miles. I didn't know just what to expect but I found out that it was hard. I am spending the night at the Bear's Den Hostel. The hostel was built in the 1930's as a home was transformed into a hostel in the 1980's. It has 26 beds. This hostel offers hikers a bed, internet access, small resupply items, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, Pizza and showers and laundry. All the services that hikers need and want. The hostel is close ! to full tonight. Some of the people here tonight are Identity Crisis, Cash, Rusch Hour, Butter Fly Skies, Ghost, Wild Bill, Tattoo and Penquin, She Bear, and others. It was a long day but it is done now. Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

What a great night last night. I had pizza, soda and Ben and Jerry's. Everyone was in a good mood. We were all fed, showered and laundered. I got my guitar out to do a little music and noticed a full size guitar in the corner. I tuned it up and off I went. It was fun playing a full size guitar with the full sound and feel. I played until about 10 pm which is quiet time. A nice hostel. I would recommend it. A lazy morning. Breakfast was at 8 am. It was French Toast Caserole. Pretty yummy with syrup and OJ, tea and coffee. I lounged around the hostel until 11 am when I headed out on the trail. Short miles today. I had to do the remainder of the roller coaster. After the roller coaster, the trail flatted out nicely. There quite a few rocks that had to be stepped over. There were a lot of hikers that passed on through this shelter to town, Harpers Ferry. Now we are all 1000 milers. This shelter is exactly the 1000 mile mark. The David Lesser Memorial Shelter has a large front porch, an adorandak style couch, windows in the shelter, a pavillion over the picnic table, but .25 miles to the spring, what is that all about. Here at the shelter tonight is Spirea, Lichen and Car Bomb, Tattoo and Penguin, Cash, Rusch Hour, Wild Bill.Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-15
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 9.4

I have been over 1000 miles on foot. That is astounding to me. It seemed like it took so long to do the first 100 miles. I remember back to that time and thinking wow now I am getting somewhere. Now it is 900 more miles and I think where did they all go. I have seen some wonderful natural wonders and geological marvels. I have seen or heard of many hikers getting off the trail for many different reasons. I am hiking with just an amazing group of friends and we all have the same goal. Lets all go to Katahdin one step at a time and experience what there is along the way. I know that with every step I take, I am one step closer to home in Maine and Mrs Banjoman and my Family who I miss ever so much.The shelter was up and on it's way to town early today. I think every one was out by 8 am. The trail into Harper's Ferry was mosly level with good walking so cruising along at 3 mph was the pace of the day. Harper's Ferry is where the Headquarters for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is loacated. It is their job to monitor all the trail clubs that maintain the trail and work with the Government on securing land around the trail, keeping it more wild. When you get to town all the hikers go there to get their picture taken and get a number as to what number Thru Hiker you are for this year. My number is 334. The town is loaded with hikers and it is very hiker friendly. There is a great outfitter here and plenty of restaurants and resupply options. There are too many hikers here tonight to even try to list them. I did meet up with Indiana and we shared a room and also Bama and Little Wing are here. Little Wing and Bama left Rusch Hour and me a box of trail magic in Front Royal! . It was some left over resupply that they had. It had some nice stuff in it. Thank you Little Wing and Bama. Even trail magic comes from other hikers. Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-16
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

It was tough leaving town today. There were so many hiker friends there that were staying another night. It would have been fun to hang with them another day. Indiana and I left the Hotel around 8 am and headed to the Post Office so Indiana could mail a package and Bama asked me to mail a package for her. We visited the Appalachian Trail Conservancy one more time to pick up some alcohol for my stove. We then headed off towards the Potomac River. I crossed on the foot bridge and then hiked along the C&O Canal Towpath for 3 or 4 miles and then up and over Weverton Cliffs. The trail mellowed out from that point on and was just rolling along the ridge. I stopped at the Ed Garvey Shelter for lunch and then just walked past the Crampton Gap Shelter and on to the Rocky Run Shelter for the night.I have been hiking close to 700 mikes in my New Balance 964 Trail Shoes. From the day I put them on in Erwin Tennessee, my feet have felt great. All of my blisters healed up right away and there were no more blisters to be had. I have hiked in rain, mud, over miles and miles of sharp rocks and on lots of paved and dirt roads. I can't say enough good things about these shoes. I am not sure how far they will take me before I need a new pair but I will let you all know. At least they have gone 700 miles. Here at the Shelter are a family of 6 utilizing the shelter and us tenters are Mapman and Robin, Wild Bill, Indiana and Me. Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: few clouds

It was a nice night in my tent. I didn't put on my rain fly so it was a starry night for me. I had fun watching the fire flies fly around my tent until I dozed off.In the morning I got breakfast and headed out around 8 am. I hiked about 2 miles and came to Dahlgren Backpack Campground. What is unique about this place is there are hot showers and toilets for the campwers to use. The camp ground is free, the showers are free and the toilets have flushes and not an outhouse. I hiked through Fox Run Gap which was the site of a famous Civil War battle. I then hiked on to the first Washington Monument. It is a very impressive stone tower on top of the mountain. That was 7.5 miles of hiking this morning. After lunch I had 8.2 left to go before the day was done. Coming out of the trail from the shelter we came upon two day hikers, Smoothy and Fly by Night. They hiked in 2003, the wet year. They had trail magic for us. Donuts and sodas. Boy did that hit the spot. I ate the donuts right then but saved the soda until supper. You never know when trail magic is coming your way. The trail this afternoon was ver! y rocky. I couldn't get a rhythm going at all because I had to stop or slow down to manuver around the rocks. I made it to the shelter around 5:30. I had one of my Sister's spagetti dinners, yum. The music started around 7 pm and went till dark. We had fun singing and talking the evening away. Here at the shelter tonight are Mapman and Robin, Wild Bill, Brain Freeze, Little Wing, Bama, Indiana, Kilgore Trout, a group of Boy Scout traveling north and a group traveling south, and a few other hikers that I don't know. It has been a fun day of hiking.Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-18
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Happy Fathers Day to all the men out there. Today has been filled with so many things, I hope that I don't leave anything out.The day started as they all do. Up early and breakfast. I got a call from my Son Bill and my Daughter Becky around 9:30. They were up on the roof of their Grandparents house reshingling the roof. It was already hot in Maine and extra hot on top of a black roof. Then a couple of hours later I got a call from my son Robert. He is the reason that I am called Dad. I had a nice chat with all three and I am so very proud of each one of them. When I got to Harpers Ferry the other day I had a package waiting for me at the outfitter. It was from my Step-children. I anxiously opened the package to see what was in the box. There was a bag of home made cookies and the most wonderful book that they put together. It had little picture cut outs of each of them and a poem with each page. It took a lot of work and of course my eyes all welled up. I love all of my children and stepchildren. This is one of the hard things about being on the trail, missing my family.My schedule was to be at Pen-Mar Park by noon for lunch. Pen-Mar Park is on the Maryland/Pennsylvania border, as well as the Mason Dixon Line. When I got to the park and found where the other thru hikers were congrigating. As I approached Bama said, "Banjoman this man is from Maine". His name is Clayton Bogart and he lived and grew up in Lebanon, Maine. I had a great time talking with him and having him tell us about him self. He has just lost his wife of 53 years recently and comes to the park every Sunday and talks to Hikers because they are so nice. He wanted to buy each of us what we wanted from the snack bar. We all thank you very much, Clayton.They had an eight piece band playing music for listening and dancing. I talked with their manager and Yogi-ed a walk on with the band. This band was stupendous. They called me up in the second set and let me play their Fender Strat. Then I was off to cross over the state line into a new state. Pennsylvania is our 7th. Now I am off to the shelter for the night 5.5 miles up the trail. Here tonight are Kilgore Trout, Brain Freeze, Mapman and Robin, Wiild Bill, Indiana, Bama, and Little Wing.Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-19
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was another great day. I hiked past three shelters before we came to Quarry Gap Shelter. But that is the beginning and the end of the day. Now in the middle we all went to Caledonia State Park. There at the park is a snack bar which is always good, bathrooms and an Olympic size pool. In the bathrooms were showers as well. When I got there a thunder storm was just starting and they had to empty the pool. Most of the people just packed up and left instead of waiting out the storm. Robin asked if we, thru hikers, could shower off. They said yes. I went in to the shower with my clothes on and washed them on my body and then I took them off and washed my body. It felt good to be clean once again. I tried to yogi free entrance to the park for us thru hikers since there were no people there. They wouldn't do it but they did give us the camper discount, $1.50 off the price. Scored again. When they opened up the pool again I went in for a swim. It was very refreshing. Here at! the shelter tonight are Indiana, Kilgore Trout, Wild Bill, Bama, Little Wing, Mapman and Robin, Brain Freeze.Banjoman