morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-10
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

OK, so I said the plan was to come here. What I really wanted to do was make it to Pine Swamp, the next lean-to about 4 miles away. The snow however was the worst today. I read in the Warspur shelter (5 miles into today's hike) that 2 yahoos had snow shoed from my prospective destination to Warspur. They called the depth 1.5-2.5 feet. They did this 3 days ago, f'ing great. Well I can attest that the snowmen did not lie. Depths for me ranged from 6 inches to 2.5 feet with the average around a foot. Thru hikers commented in the register about how rocky the section I had just done was, but I was none the wiser as I couldn't see s__t beneath the surface. Literally as I'm walking I'm formulating a contingency plan for what to do if I should sprain or even dislocate an ankle. A contingency plan was hard to formulate however when your cell phone doesn't work. I had 3 bars at the 4,000 foot lookout but it doesn't help if the call won't go through. I even took a picture of my shins at the shelter to show how busted they were from the ice crust. I've been staying positive but F___ this snow. I never liked Frosty anyway. At least its warm and I've already got the sunburn to prove it.Plan for tomorrow is to hike more than 15 miles. No set destination.
Date: 2010-03-12
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

Got all set up at the Holiday Motor Lodge by 11:00 A.M. and had the rest of the day to resupply and relax. Chose the locale for its reviews in the Ricefield register by previous NOBO's and because of the location. Resupplied at the Food Lion for an outstanding $67. I purposely ate before hand at the Lucky Star Chinese buffet to avoid over buying food. The hardware store had shoe goo and I was good to go.
Date: 2010-03-13
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

Got my money's worth out of the hotel. Check out was at 1 and I did. I wanted to get 15 miles in but I'm taking it easy as I'm not in 100% trail shape. I should be 120% by Damascus. Shoe goo didn't hold up but should keep the boots from falling completely apart and at least give me the option to repair again in Damascus. I won a personal victory in Pearisburg and didn't consume any alcohol. Got to the shelter with plenty of sunlight left and getting water was easier than it has ever been. The rain kept up all night long and with the snow melt, every creek and stream is 4X its normal size. I took pictures of the shelter and there is water running under the picnic table. Its even a good 4 inches deep under the shelter. My pack is quite possibly the heaviest it has been during my whole time on the trail. Most hikers drop weight while I just find excuses to pick it up. I'm well over 40 pounds and might even go as far as 50. I have no plans for tomorrow but am considering tenting or stealth camping for the 1st time. We'll see.
Date: 2010-03-15
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: VA 606
Miles today: 7.7

Well yesterday I didn't feel like hiking at all so I just put an 8 mile day in and called it quits. It really revved my engines for today until I realized that my Teva's were just too torn up to make it all the way to Damascus. Luckily there was a Pearisburg resident, Tom Hoffman, who had cards at the Wapiti shelter as a shuttle driver. At Trents grocery on RT 606 after some pizza I gave Tom a call and he gave me a ride back to the Wal-Mart in Pearisburg to pick up a new pair of shoes. I got a pair for $20 which was $3 less than the shuttle ride. From there I called up Woodshole Hostel and Mike came and picked me up. Mike and Neville from Woodshole Hostel really are the best and I'm glad I didn't miss out on Woodshole as I had previously skipped over the hostel. I did some work for stay at the hostel and am presently sitting in the bunkhouse writing this entry. Dinner consisted of salad and homemade pizza. Everything about the pizza was homemade; the dough, the sauce, the pepperoni, and even the bell peppers were grown locally at a nearby Amish farm. The company was good too as a section/thru hiker I had met about 1/2 mile from RT 606 showed up at the hostel per my advice to stop by. "Boomer" was the section hiker from Oklahoma who intends to hike this year to Harper's Ferry. Coincidentally, Boomer has hiked everything South of here whereas I have hiked everything North. Tomorrow over breakfast I'm sure we will compare notes.Funny thing happened today. As soon as I told Mike and Neville what I had learned so far from hiking the AT was that I really wanted/still want a dog, they showed me a stray dog which they had taken in. "Imnotep" was her name or translated as "walks in silence". A very mild mannered Wiemaraner mix about 2 years old who loves to snuggle and cuddle. They immediately offered her to me and I am a bit distraught to have to say no as I know the Smokies are coming soon. Also, they've been conversing with a local police officer who can take the dog in, but I'll be sure to check back with Mike and Neville on my car ride back North to see whether or not they have found a home for Imnotep when I finish with the AT.
Date: 2009-04-01
To: The decision to hike
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it has been a few years since I've done any long hikes and I just can't seem to get over that. Often I think about the excitement of sitting at the terminus of a long trail anxiously anticipating the joys of an upcoming adventure. I have spent the last few years traveling the country full time living in our house on wheels - a large fifth wheel trailer pulled by a 13000 pound truck. Now it is time to do some camping of a different sort. Mrs. Lwop for some strange reason doesn¢t like for me to take off walking for six months at a time and as much as I try to irritate her she just won¢t say those words that are magic to any long distance hikers ears - ¢Take a Hike!¢. So, after a long period of negotiation we decided that a three month hike is what I need to get this flabby body back in shape. Since I¢ve already hiked the lower half of the A/T at least twice, I¢ve decided to hike the northern half again. This would give me a second complete A/T hike and the timing works well with our other plans for this summer.I invited a long time friend (Bearbag Hanger) and after about three seconds of deliberation he asked ¢When do we start?¢. On or about May 1st at Harpers Ferry WV.
Date: 2009-04-02
To: Gear
Miles today: 0.0

I am planning to use basically the same gear I used on my other long hikes. Much of this was used during my (not journaled) hike from Georgia to WV in 2002. It is old and a bit ragged but for some strange reason fits me perfectly. My Mountainsmith pack has almost 5000 miles under its belt but refuses to die. The Nomad Lite tent is still functional although I often have to argue with the zipper. An alcohol stove and one of my many sleeping bags and I¢m about ready to go¢¦The one new item is an Olympus Tough 8000 digital camera that should be arriving today. I once mentioned at dinner at Elmer¢s in Hot Springs that I consider a camera to be my most important piece of equipment and that feeling hasn¢t changed. This camera seems to be designed with me in mind. It is almost indestructible and waterproof to 30+ feet. It will be tested.I also picked up a second hand but never used Pocket Mail device so I will be using that to keep this journal up to date. Mrs. Lwop has graciously agreed to post my entries and will have her hands full making corrections and making it readable.I am certainly not a gear-head and feel it is not the gear that makes a hike successful. It is what you store inside your head that is most important so I will not bother to list all that I take. I figure my pack with food and water is somewhere between 30 and 35 pounds depending on how much coffee I have at weigh in. I am sure that some gear will be swapped out as I go since the trail can be tough on old stuff and old guys. But us Greybeards are also pretty tough¢¦
Date: 2009-04-02
To: Preparation?
Miles today: 0.0

As usual I do not intend to do much to get ready for this hike. I did do the Ocean to Lake (Florida, Lake Okeechobee) hike in February so at least I¢ve had my backpack dusted off. During our travels last year the Mrs. and I did manage to get in some great day hikes - many at higher elevations. I did some small sections of the PCT and were able to do a little trail magic while spending much time swatting mosquitoes. Anyone who thinks there are lots of bugs in Florida has got to get out on the PCT. Florida is cooler too¢¦. It was 105 degrees when I hiked and did trail magic near Hat Creek in California. The minute a hiker opened the cooler the ice fractured from the change in temperature. It seemed strange to see hikers ignore the cold Pepsi and dive for the ice. Anyway, I also managed to do some hiking in Glacier National Park where it felt strange not being on the top of the food chain. Heat there and on Mt Rainier was not a problem as there was plenty of snow on the ground - and that was during August. I have also been able to get in some miles here in the Ocala National Forest where January and February are prime hiking months. I need to lose about 40 pounds and it just ain¢t gonna happen anywhere but on the trail. So there is no need to worry about conditioning as the trail itself will take care of that. So, the plan (what there is of one) is set for me to take off from Harpers Ferry on or about May 1st and head north until I either I reach Maine or my three months are up. Again, I intend to hike only as long as I am enjoying myself so Katahdin is not the ultimate destination. You are all welcome to follow along on my journey and share a laugh or two through my journal.Happy Hiking,Lwop
Date: 2009-04-26
To: Almost time to go
Miles today: 0.0

Well,in two days I'll be getting on a train (with Bearbag Hanger) at Palatka, FL and after about 16 hours we should arrive in Washington DC. There we will have to wait about 8 hours for the first train to Harpers Ferry. Since we will arrive so late in the day we figure to start hiking on Wednesday April 29th. I still have to get my gear out of the shed and figure what to take. I love to hike but hate to plan - its such a strain on my limited brain capacity. I did buy some food so the important stuff is taken care of. I will be using some mail drops - mostly just to receive my maps. I have my pocketmail service up and running and any guestbook entries will be forwarded to it. Skunknocker is out on the CDT so I hope he will be too busy to annoy me this hike. I figure I am about 50 pounds heavier than when I finished my thru-hike in 2004. It is the equivalent of carrying an 85 pound pack. I will be paying for letting myself get so out of shape. Instead of posting my daily mileage I should be posting pounds lost. If there is a better weight loss program than the A/T I'd like to know. I am getting anxious...Goodnight, see ya'll on the trail. Lwop
Date: 2009-04-27
To: Leaving
Miles today: 0.0

I am about to head out to pick up BearBag Hanger for the trip to Palatka to catch our train. I eventually got things packed - after dragging my feet all day yesterday. Loaded with five days food and about 2 1/2 quarts of water the pack weighed in at 36 pounds. That represents 13.58 percent of my body weight - well within recommended guidelines. But the extra fat I¢m carrying will not help out on the trail especially if it the weather remains so warm. That also includes an extra shirt that will not be making the trip. So, I guess I didn't forget to pack anything. It is really a strange feeling putting away my large pile of keys - not much need for them in the woods - but strange not to have them anyway. We will be on the train all night and not get into Harpers Ferry until just about everything is closed tomorrow. We plan take a little time Wednesday in Harpers before we head out. Can't miss stopping at the ATC office and the outfitter. I checked the weather for Harpers Ferry and they are expecting a high today of 94 degrees. Seems strange since it has been in the mid 80's here in Florida. Later,Lwop
Date: 2009-04-27
To: on the train
Miles today: 0.0

Monday at 8:30 PM we are sitting on the Amtrak train at the Savannah Georgia station. The train is not 100 percent full but is close to it. This train continues on to NY and that seems to be the most common destination. It really isn't a bad way to travel. There are electric outlets at each seat and many passengers are entertaining themselves with electronic devices of one type or another. BearBag Hanger has a phone that shows with Google Earth exactly where we are as the train moves along. I'm still in the dark ages using an 18th century pocketmail device. The train is moving again and a sliver of moon is visible above clear skies. With a little luck we will have more of that. Later...
Date: 2009-04-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We arrived in Washington after what seemed like days on the train. Maybe we each got an hour of sleep. So about 7AM we headed out and explored our Capital. It looks like taxiing people is the business to be in as we found plenty of construction and no sign of a poor economy. All tourist places were packed. We visited the Korean War, WWII, and the Vietnam war memorials. I got Bearbag Hanger's picture at the Vietnam Wall. I'll try to post it someday as he served in Vietnam. I located the name of someone I grew up with - actually he used to beat me up since he was older and bigger. I didn't like him at the time but since he died serving our country I've gotten over that. We also visited the Whitehouse, Capital Building, Lincoln Memorial, and the Natural History Museum. We had to go there to look at the dirt and rocks. Washington is well worth a visit but you need way more than 8 hours. We walked at least ten miles and my feet will be hurting even before we hit the trail.Oh,! I forgot to mention we got to the top of the Washington Monument. We got back on the train and arrived at Harpers Ferry in time for dinner and checked into the Towns End Inn - with hostel style accommodations. Now I am showered and clean and exhausted. Bearbag Hanger (who from this point forward will be designated by initials BBH in this journal) and I have pretty much gone without sleep for at least two days. Tomorrow we officially start the hike - after breakfast and stopping in at the ATC office to sign in and visit for a while. I forgot to mention that it is hotter here in DC and HF than it was when we left Florida. BBH wants to hike to some place that rents out tree houses and I think that is the plan for tomorrow. I'll go anywhere where I can get some rest. Goodnight.Tomorrow A/T!!!!!Lwop
Date: 2009-04-29
From: Harper's Ferry, W.V.

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We were up early after a wonderful nights sleep. BBH wanted a big breakfast so we walked over a mile to eat. On the return trip we stopped at the ATC office and chatted with the nice people there. We had our photo taken and headed to the outfitter. BBH needed a P38 and I got some bug repellant. At about 11:00 we headed out on the trail {in the rain of course). It drizzled most of the day before turning into a steady rain late in the day. The first three miles in MD the trail follows the C&O Canal Towpath - what that means to a hiker is we were walking on flat ground. That is one of the longest sections with no ups or downs. At the end of the canal I kept my eyes on the ground as this is where Pez and I found $12 in '04. No luck this time. The trail then started to climb and I was pleased that I had little problem moving my fat butt uphill. Didn't keep up much of a pace but can't complain for the first day out. We stopped at the Ed Garvy shelter and had lunch. We got chilled in the strong breeze - it was cool enough to see your breath. Four miles later we stopped at Gathland SP and cooked our dinner - Mac & Cheese and a hot cappuccino for me. We discussed the tree house cabin but opted to rough it and headed on to the shelter. There were four other section hikers there already. One who snores and is just outside the shelter in his tent - now I know why. His friend says his real trail name is Snorasauris Rex. It is chilly and damp and I will find out tonight if my choice of a light weight sleeping bag was a mistake. My feet are sore but all and all I feel pretty good. I feel at home in the woods and am looking forward to this hike. It is now 8PM - hiker midnight. Goodnight.Lwop
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

As usual for the first night out I didn't sleep too well. There was snoring and I am sure I added to it while I was asleep. I usually use my polartec as part of my pillow but I was wearing that. I should not have cut my hair so short - my head was cold. Anyway, after my morning coffee and some hot oatmeal we were on our way by 7:30. We headed into Rocky Run Shelter where BBH had his second breakfast. The Rocky name is appropriate as the trail in that area is rocky, but I've not had any serious foot problems yet. Today I have the luxury of changing my socks and underwear. Four days is about the limit. Day one wear them normal. Day two turn them around. Day three inside out normal and day four inside out and backwards. You have to put them in the laundry bag real fast so they don't get up and run away.Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. After RRShelter we hiked on and stopped at the Dalgren Backpacker Park. They have flush toilets and hot showers. We passed on the shower since it was about 50 degrees out and we would have to drip dry. No long distance hiker ever passes up a flush toilet though...We hiked on to the Washington Monument State Park with visions of cold Pepsi's flashing in our head. No luck when we got there - the machines were not filled for the season yet. Probably they will fill them tomorrow. We ate lunch there and used the pay phone where I was able to call home and also send my journal. As soon as we stop hiking we get very chilled - to the point where we start to shiver. I guess our Florida blood has thinned out a bit. We passed by the monument as we needed to get moving to warm up. We arrived at our destination somewhere around 4:00 PM. I was feeling pretty spent. After a hot dinner and a hot drink it was time to get into the sleeping bag to stay warm. My two liter nalgene canteen just sprung a leak at the seam. It made it through a full thru-hike in'04 only to die on the second day of this trip. I can use it for now by only storing it upside down. I believe we pass a Cabela's next week where I'll try to find a replacement. It is now 8PM and I am about ready to sleep. I will try to answer some emails first. Goodnight, Lwop.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Devils Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 13.1

I awoke this morning after a good nights sleep to the sound of raindrops on the tin roof of the shelter. The four backpackers we met the night before pitched their tents leaving me the shelter to myself. I can't smell that bad yet so maybe it was my snoring. One member of that group (trail name Catfish) offered to pick up a replacement nalgene canteen and ship it to my next mail drop after they finish in a couple of days. Wow, what trail magic - although I turned down his generous offer. I can get by for now.We left the shelter around 7:30 in fog and rain. We moved along at a good pace except where the rocks slowed us down. This was the section where I took two falls in one day in '04. Then I was in good shape - now one fall could send me home as the elbow I recently broke is not 100 percent. At about 12 we reached Wolfsville Road and opted to walk the .3 miles to the Free State Hostel. We showered, did some laundry, and picked up some snack food to get us through the next two days. It is one of the nicest hostels along the A/T. By 3:00 we were back on the trail climbing in the pouring rain. While it felt good to be dry and clean it didn't last long. The last few miles seemed to drag on. I had little energy and was soaked between the rain and sweating under the rain gear. After a tough climb we followed the blue blaze trail to the shelter and gave up what we gained with that climb. Tomorrow will start off with another good climb - I guess its good training for the Whites. Well, we are three for three - three rainy days. At least there is no shortage of water along the trail. Tomorrow we should finish with Maryland and head into the stony state. Two states down and eight to go. Enjoy life. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2009-05-02
From: Devils Racecourse Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

I awoke to a loud unidentified crash at about midnight. BBH thinks it was a tree falling close by. There was no woman with us so it can't be verified. At about 2AM the skies opened up - and the sound of the rain on the metal roof of the shelter was deafening. BBH doesn't do shelters and prefers his hammock. I am a shelter rat. We were on our way at the usual time but first had a long climb to reach the A/T from the shelter. We stopped at Pen-Mar where we again found an empty soda machine. This one really hurt as it was a Pepsi machine. At Pen-Mar we met Highwayman - who is also doing HF to Me. We will probably run into him again. This section of trail brings back lots of good memories. This is where a good friend did tons of trail magic for me and Pez on our '04 hike. We had been pushing hard and a few days of slacking was just what the Dr ordered. Not to mention the cherries, donuts, bananas, and soda. Again Rosie I thank you - for that and your trail work. We stopped at Deer Lich shelter for lunch and then coasted into Tumbling Run for the night. We were here by 4:30 and since it had stopped raining for a while we hung things out to dry. This is a nice shelter - actually a double shelter. One for snorers and one for non-snorers. I'm alone in the snore shelter. It is obvious someone works very hard to keep this place nice. The outhouse is clean and stocked with TP. There has been lots of recent trail work in the area. Nice job and thanks to whoever has worked so hard for us hikers.The plan for tomorrow is to get an early start and after ten miles head into town to resupply. There is a place to get some pizza on the way...Even though it is only 7:30 I am about to climb into my sleeping bag and go to sleep. Maybe tonight there will be no falling rain or trees to wake me. A very good day spent on the trail. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Not a drop of rain all night last night. Just as we got up this morning it started again. All day it rained and it is still coming down at a steady pace. We were on the trail at 7 hoping to get to the grocery whose Sunday hours we were not sure of. Either we were on wet slippery rocks or ankle deep in mud all day. As soon as you stopped hiking you started to shiver - so we kept moving. When we reached US 30 we headed to a nearby Pizza place and split a large pizza. From there we called a local motel that is supposed to pick up and drop off hikers at the trailhead. They said it would be at least two hours before anyone could pick us up. We were cold and wet but opted to just pick up some items at the grocery and head back out on the trail. Nothing is going to dry tonight as it is pouring out - and feels like 100 percent humidity. We arrived at Quarry Gap shelter shortly after 4PM. The trail maintainers seem to have a competition going over which shelter is maintained best. I would have to say that this one is the winner. It is beautiful - with hanging plants. It just has to be seen. I've been in motels that weren't as nice. My fingers are too cold to type so I'll just say goodnight.Lwop