morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Spy Rock

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

Well isn't it true the best thing for a bad mood os some sleep - had a great day today! Think it might just have been a touch of the Virginia Blues. Don't get me wrong - I love Virginia. It's been full of beautiful views and varied terrain, but it is a really long state (over 500 miles) and it can definitely wear on you a bit so I'll be happy to arrive in Harpers Ferry even though I have really been enjoying this state. Oh, and whoever said Virginia was flat LIED!I saw my lovely sunset and beautiful sunrise and was really glad in the end I stayed at Spy Rock. Always try and remember what Klarity said to me once in passing 'Whatever decision you make will be the right one!' I think it's important to remember that confidence in all our decisions. Anyways, so I slept great and was up and off early (for me) at 7 to go conquer 'the Priest.' It really wasn't too bad and about 9 miles into the day, I crossed the Tye River so 3 guesses what I did there.After that had a long, steep climb up for 6 miles during which it rained and threatened thunder (was getting flashbacks from a week and a half ago going up the ridge as the weather got bad). Lucked out though ad no thunder and the rain was actually nice helping to cool off on the uphill. Not too much wildlife sightings today - bunch of squirrels and a couple deer running from something (from what I didn't stick around to find out...).Shelter tonight has been like night and day. From seeing no one to having a ton of people (maybe 15?). HAve had a great night hanging out with Hedgehog, Pig Pen and Hollywood as well as meeting some new faces. Apparently there is a moody rattlesnake that lives under the shelter and a bear that likes to creep around the tents from what I read in the register (last night included). I'm in my tent anyways so suppose I'll take my chances with the bear. Gonna ask a lot of my body and attempt a 21 mile day into Waynesboro tomorrow so off to bed for a hopefully early start. Wish me luck!
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Grace Church Hostel
Miles today: 20.5

Booya! Walked 21 miles today and was finished by 3:30 - that's definitely a record for me. It's amazing the distance you can cover when you start early in the morning and the most bizarre thing is that I feel pretty good! Feet were obviously pretty sore but my body felt strong. I am really thankful that my body is willing and able to take on this hike!Was up early this morning, packed up and headed out around 6am along with Sugar Ray, Hedgehog and Hollywood who were just ahead of me. It's a little daunting knowing you have such a long day ahead of you but just attempted to take it one step at a time. Was a great walk - the weather was beautiful (morning air is always the nicest!) and there were some rocky ups and downs in the beginning but then were rewarded with nice cliff views and then the afternoonn was a nice (fairly) level path. Saw a turtle in the middle of the trail today which was pretty cool. Aside from that afternoon went by pretty quickly and I motored into town and met Hedgehog by the visitors center. We were just sitting around when a man, Randy Johnson, stopped and offered us a ride into Waynesboro!And as an added surprise, guess who I found in town... Powernap! Had a great afternoon in town - showered at the YMCA, ate at the Ming AYCE buffet (where they have a special 'hiker' room. Someone jokingly asked if was their policy to seat us separately and actually it is! Apparently, they think hikers will bring in bugs - haha!), unsuccessfully attempted photo CDs at CVS, watched some crappy reality tv at Powernaps motel room and hung out back at the hostel here where the caretaker women here gave us ice cream. This is a really great church hostel here - everyone has been welcoming. Me, Red Stack, Eric the Red, Hedgehop, Hollywood and Sugar watched a VHS about the AT called 'Heading North' (was 80's-riffic!) which was a nice bit of inspiration as we irk the last few miles out of Virginia. Tomorrow will probably hang around town in the morning, and then off to the Shennandoahs!P.S. Found out today Sweet Tea has gotten off the trail! He will certianly be missed but I hope he enjoys the rest of his summer.P.P.S. Found out Island Boy (a section hiker from the Florida Keys I met a few days back in a shelter) passed away in his sleep the other night at a shelter! R.I.P. I suppose at least he went peacefully while doing something he loved.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Waynesboro

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Another day in paradise. Was up early, had some breakfast, sorted my resupply, went to Radio Shack, and went to the P.O. (Gonna send my bounce box home as spending too much money sending it place to place and not using it). Met up with P-nap this morning after leaving the hostel (which was fab by the way! Sally and Jill were such sweethearts!) and while we were packing up got a call from... Klarity! She was on her way to Waynesboro to meet us!Was so great to have part of the crew together once again! So we went for a breakfast at Weezies (blueberry pancakes - yum!), did some laundry at the laundramat and had a visit to the outfitter all thanks to trail angel ______ who shuttled us around town and hung out for the afternoon.Just before 2 we got dropped off and entered the Shenendoah National Forest where we've just walked to the first shelter. Was a lovely walk today - we ate some wild strawberries, took a nice, long roadside break with Trinket and Co., saw some strange X-File type stations on a hill and some random seats built into the ground on top of the hill. We also met a couple of stray labs just wandering around the shelter tonight (one of whom is currently sniffing around my tent as I write!). At first we were concerned that they might be lost or thirsty, but then their collars said 'I am not lost. Please do not feed me. I will go home! Ha. It's been a good night - had some dinner, yoga with Klarity, tested out Powernap's hammock (which was super comfy and hard to get out of!) and just chilled by the fire. It's been a great day to be on the trail!P.S. Waynesboro must be the friendliest town on the trail yet. They literally have a list of trail angels you can call for rides around town. And everyone at the Grace Hiker Hostel was fantastic!
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well the Goochies were reunited for a day but now split again (temporarily!) Klarity, P-Nap and Not Bad decided this morning to go to the Bonnaroo music festival in TN and they just realized that it starts tomorrow so they headed out today. Sad to see them go, but it actually works out quite well as I will be taking off a bunch of days after Harpers Ferry to visit my friend Shilpa (yeah!!) so we should all be at around the same point after that. Great hike today - another shortish day. Hiked with Bodacious (who is on his 3rd thru)for part of it. Weather has cooled a lot and it was raining a little which was pretty refreshing. That shelter dog last night apparently fell in love with Grapevine (who was the least receptive to him - hilarious!) and slept by his tent and hiked out with him. Grapevine ended up calling the owner cos the dog actually was lost and she came and picked him up at one of the road crossings.Animal sightings today - squirrels-lots, deer-4 (and they obviously know they aren't hunted here as they aren't as afraid of you. While sitting down eating my lunch one came over and was just having a snack next to me - pretty entertaining!) and bears-2!! (woohoo!) The bears are actually right here at the shelter. When we got here after about 5 minutes one walked behind the shelter and then soon after one was way up in a tree next to the privy munchin on cherries or something. Didn't realize those big boys could climb so high in the trees! It's really not as scary as you'd think though, the bear obviously sees you but wants nothing to do with you. Nevertheless, I won't tell my parents until tomorrow because they would probably worry. It's funny how the things most ppl fear (bears, snakes) is probably different slightly to what thru hikers worry about (water sources, ticks). Shelter is super full tonight with Grapevine, Nails, Trooper, Pilgrim, Moon Walker ('09er), Sugar Ray,zen Dog Veggie Scraps, Zeb, Bodacious and many more. Off to bed - hoping for a big day tomorrow and possible some Wayside cooking thrown in there!
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: broken clouds

Long walk today and another one planned for tomorrow and then I'll be able to take it easier (on a schedule to get to Harper's Ferry). It's amazing how quickly your mindset can change during the day and how that can affect your hike. For example, I was really dragging for a good part of the middle of the day. Was just super tired and not feeling like hiking at all - especially a long distance. And then this evening right before I got in I was cruising along (after 20+ mies!) uphill into camp and it wasn't so bad. Have been surprising myself with these longer days and the speed I can sometimes pickup - I am really not a fast person! Think it mostly had to do with the end of the day kick to get my dinner. As Marine Corps Joe put it tonight, I was like 'a horse headed back to the barn.'Weather was great today - which of course meant the gnats were back out tonight (have I mentioned how much I dislike them!) but the walk was very lovely. Also had a couple adventures into civilization - stopped by a campground store for a little resupply (after wandering around lost for a little while) and walked a mile to the Wayside (yup a mile in addition to the 21.4 trail miles walked) for a chicken caesar wrap and blackberry milkshake (totally worth it!).Animals seen today - squirrels-lots, deer-probably 7, bears-0 (though quite a bit of bear seat... lots of berries - those bears eat well!) Probably the funniest encounter was this afternoon, was just hiking along and rounded a corner not really paying attention and a deer came around the corner doing the same thing. We both scared the crap out of each other for a second and the deer jumped to the side of the trail and waited for me to pass. Hmmm... doesn't sound as funny writing it down. Maybe you had to be there? Haha. Shelter is pretty full with many of the same people from last night - Sugar Ray, bodacious, Pilgrim, Shagman, Zeb, Veggie Scraps, Grapevine, (red) Zen Dog, Boomer and fireball. Well goodnight all!
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Well it's a late night so am gonna try and keep it short. Another long day but lots of short breaks throughout the day and got chatting to a load of people. I remember back when I was in the Smokies, Homeward (a former thru hiker who was sectioning) had said to us that when we passed through the Shenandoah's we would be like one of the tourist attraction - and I can see a little of what he was talking about. Lots of people are curious ad interested to see if you are a thru hiker which is a lot of fun. Got talking to a lad of people today, most memorably with Diane and Betty, two lovely ladies, whom I sat down with for a half hour and was chatting away. Could have hung around with the two of them all day (definitely kindred spirits!).Walk was good and the breaks helped to split it up a bit. It is quite handy being in the National park here with picnic areas and little shops along the way. Am actually staying at a (proper) campground tonight with about 10 other hikers. We had a great meal, Red Stick read me some Whitman, quick shower ($1 for 5 minutes - robbery!), went to the lounge for the "live music" (not very good but then we didn't stay too long either - was no Chicago Mike!) and now back to the campsite for a few beers. Actually more beers than we can drink so they will sit undrunk (too heavy to pack out - oh the hiking dilemmas!). I tried to help by drinking one but am tired now o have left it to the Aussie (Boomer), German (Fireball) and American (Sugar Ray). Sure they can handle it just fine!P.S> - The sky here is amazing tonight! Just got out of my tent to go to the bathroom (hazards of drinking beer while tenting...) and because there is a big open meadow the stars just seem to go on forever. Its one of the most incredible skies I've seen! (Max Patch probably still takes the cake though!).
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Byrds Nest #3
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Three months on the trail today! Was a nice relaxing morning. Had meant to sleep in a bit but the birds had me awake about 5:30 (June is their big mating month so all the men are trying to show off for the lady birds). Relaxed around camp and headed over to the lodge for some blueberry buckwheat pancakes with the other hikers. Then was off to pack up - and there were deer all over the place! Saw a fawn as I walked over and while I was packing up my gear and tent, two deer were in the campsite with me having a snack. Guess they weren't bothered by me i I'm not bothered by them!Walk in the morning was vert pleasant. Spent a lot of time trying to find wild strawberries (apparently they are everywhere but I only saw them when Powernap found them) with no luck. Fireball also informed me they are everywhere so tomorrow I'll have him show me some. topped by the Skyland Resort and had lunch with Boomer, Sugar Ray and Fireball. This park has been great with restaurants along the trail but not so great for the bank account! We had some burgers and then laid out on the grass for a couple of hours digesting.About 2:30 we headed out for the final 6+ miles to the shelter, just as a rain storm threatened to start. And sure enough, it did hit... with thunder and lightening right as I was coming over a ridge again! Luckily the trail started descending just as the storm really picked up. Unluckily, as I was going down the trail thunder and lightening struck out at the same time and I got a shock from my trekking poles (I am beginning to develop a phobia of lightening...). So that obviously freaked me out so I threw my poles down, took off my pack and crouched by the side of the trail til the weather cleared slightly.Luckily Boomer was along shortly after and came in to the shelter with him. Actually staying inside the shelter tonight with Sugar Ray, Fireball, Boomer and two section hikers (One &______). Was great to have a short day today and gonna attempt to get to bed early to catch up on some much needed sleep!P.S. Had a beautiful sunset tonight and the shelter was faced just right so we could all see it from our sleeping bags (yes, we were in bed that early!). There is something about sunsets and sunrises (and campfires!) that you just never get tired of. It must be in our core to enjoy that quiet moment of reflection before the day comes to a close or to watch a new day come alive, full of possibilities.
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Byrds Nest #3

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Was a lovely lazy morning and headed out to begin my walk. No luck with the strawberries again but did see lots of blueberry bushes that weren't quite ripe (still another month or so for that). Also lots of mountain laurel, wild columbine and fly poison blooming along the trail. Had hoped to make it 11 miles to the Wayside on just my breakfast and a Clif bar but my stomach was having none of it (my attempts to fool it by just drinking lots of water was unsuccessful). So when I ran into Sugar Ray taking a break had to join in.We made it down to the (final) wayside about 1:30 and had another great lazy afternoon! Treated myself to a veggie burger, fires and blackberry milkshake (have been a fan of all the blackberry desserts in the park!) - after all it's 3 months since I left Springer Mountain. There happened to be a great bluegrass band playing (the Shenandoah Shakers) so we laid out on the grass and listened to them for a couple of hours. Red Stick even picked up a guitar and joined them in playing some Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan!Around 4 I decided to make a move and head the last 6 miles to the shelter. Walk was good and I was just hoping the rain would hold off - and luckily it did even though it was threatening all day. Arrived at the shelter and set up my tent in the last designated tent site (tenting in the Shenandoah's is limited). After I set up my tent, I noticed that the post in front of it had been to hell and scratched up by a bear... hmm... There were also signs up around the shelter warning of problem bears in the area, so I chickened out and Boomer helped me move my tent to the field that a bunch of other hikers were sleeping in. The shelter was so crowded tonight! People rolled in all night long, well after I was asleep - there were probably at least 20 people there!
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal Hostel
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

Was up and out super early this morning - probably on the road by 6:30. Slept great last night - really glad I moved my tent because Sugar Ray and Eric the Red said the bears were roaming around all night. We cruised along this morning and had arrived at the hostel by 10:30! Hostel was run by Mike, who had hiked the AT and the PCT and set up the hostel in the basement in his house. Was a great afternoon of doing chores, napping, watching soccer and hanging out. Then in the evening we went with Mike and Junker (the ridgerunner for the section coming up) to a local pub for dinner and some pub trivia which was great. There was live music and cheap beer. We didn't win but just as well because Sugar Ray named our team 'Northern Aggression' as a joke and I don't know if that would have pleased many people in the bar (some of whom were packin!). Haha!
Date: 2010-06-15
From: Front Royal Hostel

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Was a wonderful lazy morning. Was still awake by 6:30, had a little breakfast and we all got a shuttle to the grocery store at 8 to resupply. (great grocery store we went to - really good natural food selection which is right up my alley!). When we all got back to the house, packed up and then loitered around with Mike til almost 12. Then myself, Fireball, Boomer and Sugar Ray all headed out on the trail.Was a nice relaxing day, took a mile break at the first shelter where we met up with LJ (London Joe) and we all hiked out together. Had some trail magic today from King Krawler's wife JoAnn which was completely unexpected and exciting. Really enjoyed the afternoon - was was overcast and raining slightly which was pleasant, saw a deer and found some wild strawberries and ate a couple (turns out they were fake ones though - d'oh!). Arrived at the shelter and have been hanging out all evening (beautiful shelter!). Also had a nice dinner of burritos. Haven't talked much about my cooking in these entries but I've been trying to be more experimental and healthy in my meals. When I do local resupply have been packing a fresh pepper and onion as well as cheddar cheese often (all which will stay good for a few days). So tonight cooked rice and beans with Cuban spices with peppers and onions, put it in a tortilla along with some cheese and had a delicious meal. Takes a little linger to prepare than your typical Knorr sides but is super tasty! Who says your diet has to suffer out in the backcountry?!
Date: 2010-06-16
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Was rainy all day today. It was nice actually - enough to cool you as you walk and then of course our daily afternoon downpour and thunderstorm (as I'm climbing of course!) but luckily the lightening held out today.Wild fruits of the day: mulberries and black raspberries (also known as huckleberries or hawthorne berries). Thanks to Veggie Scraps for the lesson! We all sat around the mulberry trees eating delicious berries that stained our fingers purple. Haha - it was totally worth it! Also surprise of the day - met back up with Beans and Pyro! Don't think I'e seen them since Hot Springs! We all had a good time hanging around the shelter tonight but I am supertired tonight so gonna cut this short and go to bed. Need my rest for long day tomorrow (not as fun as it sounds... it's apparently 14 miles of ups and downs with no break - sounds kind of like Georgia to me!)
Date: 2010-06-17
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

I want a refund - that roller coaster was crap! It might not have actually been too bad, but I think I was just tired and really looking forward to some time off. There were a lot of rocks thrown in for good measure too. Think the roller coaster was like a last kick in the teeth from Virginia before we leave - haha! Wasn't bad as it's made out to be, but still I'm glad to have it behind me!Highlights of the trail today - blueberries! Know it's still early and most won't be ripe for a few weeks but the bushes were everywhere and came across a few ripe ones. Also had a very nice lunch break with Veggie Scraps and Zeb (+Luna) on Bears Den Rock. Had a great breeze and nice overlook. At the end of the day, I was dragging the last couple of miles and not paying attention much. All of a sudden thee was movement next to me and what looked like a black, furry dog running away - nope, definitely a bear! I must have almost stepped on it! He ran about 20 or 30 feet and then stopped and looked at me. Since he was still on the trail and banging my poles didn't seem o make him (or her) want to leave, I decided to backtrack and hang out for a few minutes. Staying tonight at the Blackburn AT Center which has a free hiker hostel and the caretaker served us spaghetti and root beer for dinner!! Here tonight with LJ, Stix, Sugar Ray, Fireball, Veggie Scraps, Zeb, Pyro and Beans! On to Harpers Ferry tomorrow for some R & R!P.S. - Passed 1,000 miles today - woohoo!