morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Didn't sleep all that well last night, this shelter (Rod Hollow) is very noisy. There are bees living in the structure. There were 2 mouse traps here, so Josh set them and baited them with crackers. One (near me) sprung in the middle of the night-by a raccoon! The other one wasn't touched. It did rain last night-and I do like the sound of rain on the metal roof.We entered the roller coaster first thing today. I suppose I should explain what the roller coaster is. It's approximately a 17 mile long section of the AT where if you look at the elevation profile map it looks like the profile of a roller coaster. All ups and downs. And the bad part is they are all steep-short 300-500 foot climbs but steep. It really took a lot out of me. I hiked slower than 2 miles an hour today. There were some lovely spots along the way. We stopped for lunch at a stream and sat on a log with our feet in the icy cold water.Bears Den Hostel is gorgeous. It's an old stone house built in the 1930's. It was the summer home for a doctor and his opera singer wife. The setting up here is spectacular, very nice, clear, a welcoming place. There are 2 other section hikers doing a SOBO section. The lady watching the hostel is here for the week only while the regular caretaker is on vacation. Hopefull,(the lady here) actually lives and runs the Blackburn Center-we'll pass there tomorrow.So, I'm showered, laundry done, well fed. I have a bunk with real pillows tonight and don't have to worry about raccoons!On the trail today I saw a lot of pink flame azaleas blooming. The pink ones smell so good. Lots of blueberry bushes blooming. I saw several jack-in-the-pulpits and several other flowers. I have no idea what they are. I did see an Indian pipe yesterday.I've decided I just need to cut my mileage down to 10-12 miles for now and try to get my trail legs before pushing the 15 mile days. The only problem is it's so early in the day when 10 miles are done, but if I go slow, the main pack will catch up too.And tomorrow I will finally enter the 5 state???-it's a border walk for awhile between VA and WV.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: campsite near Keys Gap
Miles today: 14.1

We left the Bear's Den Hostel this morning and finished up the last 2 humps of the roller coaster. I found out what that is all about. The trail used to run up along the ridge of the mountains but there is an old road along the ridge and when the road got busier it became too dangerous for hikers. So, the trail was relocated off the ridge so you have to hike up and down over the spines of the ridge for a long way.We did have to cross another very busy divided highway this morning. That's the second or third busy road crossing we've had to do. Not too much to say about the trail so far today. We made it to Blackburn Center for lunch. We didn't go down to it-except that Josh went with an empty platypus bag for water.We will make it as far as we can to Harper's Ferry and tent tonight.I just met a SOBO-Dane and his dog Pickens-nice guy.We also saw a rattlesnake on the trail today-laying right across the trail. I got some good pictures of it with Josh's hiking pole laying next to it for size comparison.We stopped at the David Lisser Memorial Shelter which is at the 1000 mile mark on the AT. What a beautiful shelter. It has a covered pavilion with a porch swing on it! We took about a 1 1/2 hour break, made dinner and then hiked another 3 miles to the campsite. It's about a 1/4 mile from the road-has a privy here too! So tomorrow morning we only have about 6 miles to hike to Harper's Ferry. Pick up the mail and catch the Capitol Express into DC.Josh is definitely quitting the hike. He is so moody I don't really want him around.I got my Henry Shires tarp tent set up without any problem. I think I will like this tent. I've only slept in it once before and not in a rain storm yet. So, I'll wait to see how it works.The hike from the Lesser Shelter to here so far is a cake walk-flat, pretty daffodils planted along the trail.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: campsite near Keys Gap

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: broken clouds

We crossed the Shenandoah River at 8:10 am and into Harper's Ferry. We got to the ATC headquarters before it was even open so we went to the post office, picked up my next food drop and bounce box and went back to the ATC building. I got my picture taken-number 39. I did see Roja's picture in it-he was (is) out doing a section. I went through last years photos-what a trip down memory lane. So many people I knew that I hiked with, it brought back lots of fond memories and almost brought tears to my eyes.The folks ate the AT Headquarters are fantastic letting us leave our packs while we went for breakfast and around town. I even had a little trail magic-I left my wallet at the ATC HQ-it had $130.00 in it-someone found it and didn't take the cash! Thank you so much. Josh and I were downtown at the outfitters when guy there approached me and asked if I was Judy Gross. He was looking for "Mom and Son" hikers and told me about my wallet at the ATC HQ!Well the train to DC which is supposed to run at 11:45 am is delayed until 5 pm. So, Steve my brother-in-law is going to pick us up here in Harper's Ferry.I was able to check e-mail here at the ATC HQ and have an offer from the Yahoo Women's Hiker List to slack pack me through Maryland. I will definitely take her up on it! What a wonderful group of women! Between the WH list and PACC (Professional Association of Custom Clothiers) of which I am a member there are a number of wonderful women along the trail I will stay with as well as a few members here and in NJ/NY.The campsite last night was fine. I sort of like my new tent. I sort of wish it had just a little more head room. But, I slept well. We got up at 5 am thus our early arrival into HF.
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Crampton Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Steve, my brother-in-law gave me a ride back to Harper's Ferry this morning. I met Rosie at the train station at 0900 am and after the required photo op moments, I headed across the bridge over the Potomac River and into my 6th state-Maryland (even though I have been in MD all weekend!). The first 2 1/2 miles is along the C&O Canal-or what remains of it. Most of the canal was dry. Some areas were boggy/wet/stagnant puddles, but the tow path was great. For 2 1/2 miles it's a broad/flat dirt road. I passed a few guys on bikes, some joggers, a few backpackers (SOBO) and others just out for a stroll. The path winds along the Potomac River then leaves the canal and wanders up to the Weaverton Cliffs. Rosie met me at the road crossing just before the cliffs with a bottle of gatorade and an apple. We chatted for a few minutes and then I was off to climb the 1000 feet to the top. It was really easy-both because I was slack packing and because of the 16 switchbacks going up. The view was mostly obstructed from the cliffs by the trees so I hiked on to the Ed Garvey Shelter which is really nice. I'm glad I didn't need water though because the water source is 1/2 mile down a steep hill! I took a lunch break at the shelter and moved on. The trail really was a piece of cake-a ridge walk, very easy. I met up with Rosie again at the Gathland State Park-it was only a 10 mile easy hike but I didn't want to do 17 mile day so we called it quits there (the next point she could have picked me up was 7 miles later). She then took me to Mary's house where I have been well fed and cared for!I'm planning on more short slack pack days as I don't really want to get too far north of here since Mary is giving me a ride to Trail Days. She and her son are going.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Crampton Gap

To: I-70
Miles today: 12.3

Mary dropped me off at 09:15 am this morning. The hike was easy for the most part. I ran in to a guy Veto that hiked last year but had skipped a section from Harper's Ferry to Duncannon, PA and is making it up now. It was fun to talk to him about last year-he summited Mt. K on Oct. 3rd with Lonestar and Black Snake.I passed two different groups of teens-one going SOBO and one group of obnoxious noisy boys going NOBO.The hike through MD is interesting. You go through a lot of Civil War sites. Today I went by the Washington Monument, several campgrounds and state parks.Otherwise a rather uneventful hike. I'm back at Mary's for the evening sitting on the swing on the front porch enjoying the evening breeze. Her house is about 1 1/2 miles from the AT. I'll hike past here tomorrow.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: I-70

To: MD 491-Raven Rock Hollow
Miles today: 12.7

Mary hiked about 8 miles with me today. I think I may have pushed her too hard and fast. When slack packing I can go about 3 mph-poor thing she was huffing and puffing when we headed out to the trail this morning. The mountains were covered in clouds, by the time we got on the trail they had burned off so it was hot and sunny. We passed several groups of kids again with huge extended frame packs all bulky and lopsided, with large sleeping bags, tents falling apart etc. Some of the kids were quite sullen and unhappy. They were all from NYC with a group similar to Outward Bound. There was one group though that seemed to be enjoying themselves. I stopped and talked to them for awhile.I met a through hiker-Stash-today. He is flying. He started March 10th and is in the process of doing the 4 state challenge. So, he talked for a few minutes and flew on by!The last couple of miles on the trail today were the prettiest. I walked through a field of yellow flowers and then down a hill into a hemlock forest with a loud bubbling creek at the bottom. There is something so soft and peaceful about pine trees/fir trees. The forest floor is softer, it's darker and I just find it cozier.Then Mary picked me up-we drove over to Devil's Racecourse-which is basically a river of boulders. You can hear water flowing under the rocks, but the boulders I was told are leftover from glaciers that retreated eons ago. I have a feeling it's what's ahead in PA! Speaking of which, I will enter my 7th state tomorrow! I have about 5 1/2 miles left in MD and only about another 40 to the halfway point.This is my last night at Mary's house (well until we leave for Trail Days). She lives in a house that was built in 1918. It's a fabulous old house with hardwood floors and beautiful woodwork. She has this massive dog that is part Akita and part German Shepherd. He is the most gentle dog I've ever met, with these huge soulful eyes. They have a large red parrot that is hysterical to listen to as it recites an ongoing monologue of nonsense sounds, words, and telephone rings. There are also 3 wonderful cats and a fish tank! And of course her 3 children, Austin, Forest, and Jasmine, and her husband John. They have been the most wonderful hosts to take me in-a virtual stranger. Mary and I met on the Yahoo Women's Hiker List-so virtual is the operative word!I have always volunteered my time with different organizations but have only very rarely been the recipient of other peoples goodwill and volunteer efforts. It is really a humbling experience to be on the receiving end of Mary's generosity.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: MD 491-Raven Rock Hollow

To: Rattlesnake Run Rd.,PA!
Miles today: 9.1

Short day, just 9.1 miles. I feel bad about doing so little but there is a madness to my method!I bid my(temporary)farewell to Mary this morning and was dropped off at the trail head. Rosie would meet me at High Rock with my pack. The climb up to High Rock was not bad. Big boulder fields and rock monsters along the Trail and now High Rock was something else all together. It is the location that hang gliders take off from. I always thought I would like to hang glide-it looks so serene, but I was so scared up on the rocky outcrop. There is no way I would be able to jump off the edge.The view was spectacular of this very broad valley full of farms. A young man-Peter Durgin, came up to the one overlook. He and his Dad have an orchard down in the valley and he just hikes to come to High Rock for the view. He told me some of the history of the area, pointed out where PA started-the Mason Dixon Line (3 miles away).Then I had a steep climb down more boulder fields to the valley. Then a nice walk to Pen Mar State Park where I met Rosie again and had lunch. Rosie provides you with the Lexus of slack packing. She meets me at almost every road crossing with gatorade, snacks etc. What a way to be pampered!The sign for the border crossing is missing, but someone wrote it on the post that used to hold the sign. The required pictures were taken, I have one foot in each state and then it was another high climb to near the top of a mountain. This was a PUD (pointless up and down)-no views, no summit-just up and down, but on the way down I entered another hemlock woods. I saw Pawxatanny, after all this is his home state. I saw a bunch of chipmunks, a small snake and I guess that's it for wildlife.Rosie picked me up, we're now in a motel. I'm showered and we'll go to dinner soon. State number 7-7 more to go!I've found there is a great benefit to this slack packing part. I am getting to see and meet so many people and visit many of the small town Americas. I'm in Waynesboro, PA tonight. This town is so charming. There are gorgeous old buildings lining the main street. Picturesque farms, mostly dairy. It's just so beautiful and rather than just walking across America and seeing the forests-which is just about all you see from the Trail-I'm seeing the towns and cultures of America. This is making my hike much more meaningful to me.Oh, I have a disclaimer to put here. My mileage may not be precisely accurate. I had a rather pleasant surprise yesterday as I was hiking. I looked at the elevation profile of my map which showed a few small but significant ups and downs. As I hiked, I knew I should be struggling up a steep incline but it just wasn't there. I found out later that that particular section had been re-routed last year and this "bump" was flattened. The trail was also shortened in that section by about 0.2 miles. I'm using the mileage from Wingfoots 2006 Handbook-so it may not be representative for actual miles hiked! There is no intent to defraud the readers of this journal.
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Rattlesnake Run Rd.,PA!

To: unknown
Miles today: 0.0

Today started out with a fairly easy walk through some open hunting grounds! I saw one hunter with a bright orange hat and heard a few gunshots. The forest was really pretty after a heavy rain fall last night. There was no crackling of dry leaves on the ground, the ? seemed rich in color, everything washed clean. It had been very foggy when we left the motel this morning but it was very clear in the woods. Rosie had given me a day glo orange hat to wear. I thought it was silly until I saw the hunter!I then had a 1000 foot climb to the top of the ridge but it was fairly easy to do. At the top was "chimney rocks"-you guessed it-more rocks with an overlook to the valley below. No towns just trees and a lake. From there it was a fairly easy ridge walk. Most of it smooth, occasional boulder hops. At one point the trail made a sharp right turn to the summit of the ridge, then about a 1/2 mile boulder scramble and then abruptly turned left and took you back to the summit. There was absolutely no point to this other than the boulder scramble. Which is fun when you don't have a heavy pack to unbalance you. When the trail went to lower elevations I was in a pine forest which smelled so good.The trail today ended at Caledonia State Park which has giant pine trees and rhododendron thickets, and a fast running creek. This is the park that has a swimming pool that the hikers like to use.I'm now in a motel again, washed and well fed. I think my hikers appetite is starting to kick in!
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel @Pine Grove State Park
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

It got really cold last night so I was glad I still had my winter sleeping bag. When I woke up this morning my thermometer said 45 degrees. I slept in a bit since it was only 10 miles to the park and the hostel doesn't open till 5 pm.It was Mother's Day last year at Chestnut Knob Shelter when I fell twice and hurt my shoulder! I hit the trail around 9 am and took a very leisurely pace. The trail was very easy. I stopped at Tom's Run Shelter for a long (2 hour) break, read my book and relaxed.Then on to Pine Grove Furnace, home of the half-gallon challenge. There are a couple of younger guys attempting this culinary feat. For me it is a grilled cheese sandwich, onion rings, 2 small things of Pringles chips and a large bottle of gatorade. Followed by a pint of ice cream of which I only ate half-so I did the half-pint challenge!Oh! At 2:15 pm today I did pass the 1/2 way point for the class of 06. It's at Stream Crossing. I took several self portraits as I was the only one around at the time!My jet boil is just about out of fuel and the store here doesn't have the canister I need but there were 2 almost empties up at the hostel. They should hold me over either until Boiling springs (tomorrow) or perhaps Duncannon on Thursday.
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel @Pine Grove State Park

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

Someone in PA has a very strange sense of humor! I was at the top of a climb near the end of a 15 mile day,there were huge rock monsters at the top and the trail, well, it went in and under, over around and through these rock monsters. There really was no real point to it, and it would have been a lot more fun had it been earlier in the day.It was 36 degrees this morning but within an hour of hiking I was in shorts and T-shirt. The trail through Pine Grove Furnace Park was flat and pleasant. I passed a 1/2 way marker from 1985 (I think). After the park it was a gentle climb up for 1 or 2 miles. There was some trail magic sitting by a tree-tuna packets and fruit cups.Turbo and Tuna Mac passed me at the trail magic. Shortly after that, while watching my feet as I hiked uphill, I missed a turn and went about 100 yards before I was sure I was wrong, turned back and found the trail without a problem.I stopped in for lunch at the James Fry Shelter which was a LONG 0.2 miles off the trail. Then the trail got really flat and nice for awhile. I crossed a RR tracks. They have very funny signs at the crossing "beware of trains"-what else would be on train tracks??? Then it was up and down 3 small mountains but this is where the trail got really tough. My legs felt like jello-all wobbly after boulder hopping. I sat down to rest and have a Snickers bar thinking the worst was over. Nope, more rock monsters, steep climbs. Anyway, I'm here at the shelter with Little One, Gunna and Gus just came in.Tomorrow is Boiling Springs.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

Well today was my longest day so far this year, but this wasn't really much choice-well there was if I wanted to motel it.It was pretty warm last night and the temp when I got up today was 50 degrees! I woke up-I got up-at 6 am. I would have gotten up earlier, but everyone else was still sleeping and it makes so much noise packing up. So, I was on my way before 7 am. The plan was we would walk the 4 miles to Boiling Springs and have breakfast there. Which we did but first, you come down off South Mtn into the Cumberland Valley which stretches about 17 miles across. It's all farmland. Some of the turns between fields were not well marked and all of us made the same mistakes.The Countrytime Diner wasn't exactly what I was expecting-it's more of a little cafe than a diner. But I had an english muffin with egg and cheese and coffee. I got a veggie wrap for my lunch. After the post office I continued on my way. Most of the day was shaded but at times I had to walk across open fields and it was very sunny and hot. It got up to 87. I took my time, took several longish breaks but hiked my way across the valley. There is no camping allowed along the way. The last 1 1/2 miles is a big climb back up into the mountains and to the shelter. I got here around 6 pm. My feet were none the worse for it. Gus is here along with Veto and his wife Bugs. No Joke, a guy that came into the shelter last night continued on. He is an interesting character. He reminds me of my brother David, I'll leave it at that.It is supposed to rain tonight and when I passed by some cows most of them were sitting down! The farm fields I passed were very nice, several had hay growing-waving in the wind. Some had corn that was just planted and only 2 or 3 inches high. Red wings and blackbirds were everywhere.Well, Duncannon and the Doyle Hotel tomorrow!
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi everybody,Just a quick update from me - HeartFire. I'm in Duncannon, PA. At the Doyle Hotel. Tomorrow Little One & Gunna will get here and the three of us are renting a car to drive down to Trail Days. It's great to be here, I'm looking forward to a couple of zero days. Marianne, my transcriber will have more updates for you soon.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up and out by 7am. The weather was calling for rain and even though it was clear out in the morning I hoped to get to town before it got bad. It was hot last night. I don't think it got any cooler than 70 degrees. I slept in my liner on top of my sleeping bag and didn't sleep well.The trail was down down off the mountain and across more hay fields. At one point the trail was lined with an explosion of white violets and then huge patches of daylilies-though they weren't blooming yet. I saw several bunny rabbits. Then the trail climbed back up to a ridge line which again was very steep. The ridge was long, mostly boring. I saw a bunch of ladies slippers. There were lots of rocks, at one point a nice view of the valley on both sides of the ridge, but the view was not so great-very hazy. Then I got to Hawk Rock which normally would have a fabulous view of Duncannon nestled in the bend of the Susquehanna River, but at this point rain seemed eminent and I knew I had about a 3/4 mile decent off the mtn., and it would be steep. So, I hurried to get down, but of course, as my luck often goes, that's precisely when it did start to rain. Fortunately, not very hard because it was a very treacherous climb down. I got my first taste of the infamous PA rocks!Then just as you're almost down (and the 3/4 mile took me 1 hour to negotiate), the trail goes very steeply back up a couple of hundred feet! It finally deposited me into Duncannon and I found the Doyle Hotel.When I walked in Argo and Traveler were there (it was 1 pm) and seemed to have already downed a few beers. Argo bought me a nice cold beer and some lunch. Thanks Argo. Gus and Vet and Buggs got in a couple of hours later.The Doyle, well, it's an institution on the trail. A run down old hotel. The building is about 100 years old and needs a LOT of work. The bed was very uncomfortable with floral sheets on the bed. There was a bed sheet in the window for a curtain, no screens, a chair, a tiny table and a rickety old dresser, no mirror. The bathroom is down the hall! But, the company downstairs in the bar was great and I enjoyed my stay.