morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Hightop Hut

To: Bearfence Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 12.4

Now hiked total of 902 miles of AT since starting out last yr! Temp 53 all day with drizzle all day long. Wore shorts, t shirt and poncho: hiking kept us warm. Saw 3 wkend hikers, but that's it. Went to Lewis Campstore along the trail. I bought, heated up and ate a bean burrito, mozzarello stick, carrot cake. Take It Easy got peanut butter and bread to make sandwiches, Peanut M&M's, and a six pack of beer to bring to the hut(here in the park shelters are called huts). The hut is .9 miles from the store. Made excellent time today, even tho we hiked a lot of ups. Saw 6-8 deer at close range, never even spooked them, just looked at us, ready to run, but didn't. They were large, healthy deer. Take It Easy walked straight into a tree handing across the path--copuldn't see it for the brim of his hat. He got quite a knot on his head . I should mention that I fell the other day--1st true fall. I just keeled over when I stepped wrong. I fell to the left, catching myself with my hands. It counts as a fall cause my knee touched the ground ---but it didn't bleed. It's 3 p.m., we've changed into warm ddry clothes, are sitting in our sleeping bags, eating, drinking beer and watching the woods. Take It Easy tells me he's gonna put peanut butter on my lips when I'm asleep so the mice will get me--yuck! He's such a tease. Neat sight: a red bird with black winds; sparrow sized. Happy birthday, sister Jan!
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Bearfence Mtn Shelter

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Tstorms and heavy rains all nt into morning. While hiking fog thickened to 50yds at most visibility, temp dropped to 43. We were kinda comfy with shorts, t shirts and ponchos. Temp dropped to 43 degrees according to the Big Meadows Lodge porch thermometer when we finally arrived around 12:45 to ask directions to the Big Meadows Wayside. Fog was so thick nothing past 25 yds away was visible, not even the road and path we were directed to! Got to Big Meadows wayside to eat chili and thaw out, not seeing Big Meadows at all cause of fog. The Wayside was full of a group of bicycle riders who'd picked a poor day for their club outing. It felt so good to get warm and have hot bowls of chili before heading back out. Fortunately the fog lifted somewhat while we ate. Within one mile of the wayside there was trail magic at the Big Meadows Campground! A sign on the trail said to step off the path to the first rv. Jesse Kraut and Bill(thru hikers) fixed up hotdogs, Yuegling beer, and hamburgers; they offered to drive us to the laudromat, too! How nice! Check for their picture which I'll be posting soon. At shelter, "Local Boy" and 2 couples of section hikers from Michigan who were amusing to watch as thy've only hiked a few days and learning skills and how to master camp chores. Nice people. Also an Asian couple is here, standing a short distance away from the shelter next to their fire, dining and snuggling. Right now it's very cold and windy.Lots of interestingly colored birds.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mt. Hut
Miles today: 15.3

Temp in a.m. 42, winds 20-35 mph clouds rolling in. Heavy fog and mist at each peak(8-9 of them), so no views. Rocky path. Wore rain gear pants ponchos winter hats for warmth against wind chill. Wind was all we could hear as it barrels down slopes sounding like a train. It pushed us all around like boats when we navigated around the Pinnacle. 35 minutes before getting to the shelter we ran into a couple of day hiking families, and a man who said it's supposed to start raining tomorrow night. Hah! Within 10 minutes a T storm and downpour broke out when we ascended to the shelter! Take It Easy had already taken his raingear off, I had mine still on. Take It Easy got sopping wet walking to the hut . It is COLD! Domas and Chatterbox arrived here dripping wet. Hardbound(a Roanoke, VA physician's assistant) is here for the night, too. Bitter cold, humid and windy.
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Pass Mt. Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: moderate rain

woke to 41 degrees wind20+ SNOW &rain mix! Windchill factor too dangerous. No one is going hiking --too risky. We all stayed bundled up in our sleeping bags, chatting some or dozing. Around noon, rain shifted to being just snow flurries. All waited til wind abated somewhat at 1, then all flew to next wayside 7 miles away after 3 hrs hiking to warm up and eat hot food. Fingers got stiff with the cold, but otherwise it was quite cold but not at the verge of threatening hypothermia. Take It Easy acutually just wore shorts with his top body layered in clothing, poncho and hat. I wore my rainsuit(useless as for warding off rain cause it absorbs water, but good for warmth retention), wool ski cap and poncho . Glad to reach wayside ; ordered burger platter, and BBQ platter. Supposed to eat at picnic tables outside, but staff allowed us to sit on the floor in a back corner of the ajoining gift shop to eat cause of the weather. 2 tourist couples came in and talked to us while we ate and they shopped. One couple had just come from touring the Tidewater VA area as part of their VA tour! Domas and Chatterbox came in for food and warmth as we left. Chatterbox irked at self cause he left his pocketknife at the shelter. That's a shame. Arrived at shelter before 7:30 p.m.; making good time even tho rain and drizzle and fog were terrible. Ted& Coffee at this evening's shelter had holed up, waiting out the weather, but going now to night hike to next rd crossing to get ride into Front Royal.Of course, it would be at least 9 p.m. before he'd reach the road, so he said with a laugh that he'd get Coffee to limp, so maybe someone would offer them a ride They ate and left into the darkness. Good to see Ted, sorry he's night hiking in such cold, but he says he's fine and shelter is filling up. Chatterbox Chad surprised us by having brought up a 6 pack of beer from the wayside. He shared it with us and geve one to Ted before he left. Tahnks, Chatterbox! In return for a park wayside map and schedule, Ted gave me a VA Wine Tour map he'd picked up somewhere. I'll enjoy using it for planning future tasting trips. Ted gave Chatterbox a cigar in thanks for the beer. Good energy circling around here ! Going to sleep with full tummies and dry warm sleeping bags.
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal, Scottish Inn
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Dawn broke with sunny clear skies! Temp 42, but that's fine, at least we can pack away our ponchos and know we'll stay dry. Early this am at 4:15 a man came into the shelter, crawled onto the loft platform and into his sleeping bag he'd carted in under his arm. Who is this guy and where did he come from? Turns out he'd been tenting up the hill from the shelter since late afternoon. But just before 4 a.m. a bear started growling next to his tent--his food bag was hung on the bear pole so it wasn't his food the bear wanted. The bear kept growing despite the man's yelling at it. So the man quickly walked over to our shelter for protection. Glad the bear stayed away from all of us! Met the other 2 hikers who are in the shelter: section hikers--one was former militay. Hiking today we met Blue Jay(hiking southbound from Vermont). He suggests we look up Trail Angel Mary Perry in Duncannon, PA to shuttle us around. Blue Jay seems to be a funny and upbeat happy guy. Also we met Just John who looks familiar, perhaps cause he went to Trail Days last yr. He volunteered that he's read my trailjournals.com journal--cool! First frustrating boo boo of the hike so far: we accidentally crossed the road to Front Royal, and hiked almost 3 miles past the National Zoo Breeding Center and several stream crossings before realizing it! Easy to do since there's no way to know what road your'e crossing(no street signs at crossings) and often you cross more roads than the AT Guide lists between landmarks. Well, we turned back, retracing our steps, got to the road to town and had TWO--yes, 2!- vehicles turn around and pull up next to us offering us a ride into Front Royal!! We hopped into the truck bed of the pickup driven by a couple(thanks, anyway, kind van-driving lady who we thanked but turned down!). They were generous enough to suggest driving us around til we found a room at a hotel. First hotel--no room; second hotel, Scottish Inn, we got a room. Doing wash at the laundromat was top priority--all that wet stinky clothing need it! Discovered our bear bag which doubles as our laundry bag was accidentally paked up by one of our shelter mates last night We'll have to buy another. Sights today: snow till lingers along the trail--proof it's still very cold! Going to Victoria's for dinner based on recommendation from our trail angels who drove us into Front Royal. MMMMM..dinner was delicious at Victoria's! Staff was great and we enjoyed a nice conversation with the chef, too. If you go to Front Royal, dine at Victoria's for good food, presented with flair, and good prices. And remember, if you go into Waynesboro, be sure to get lunch at The Purple Foot--it's wonderful.
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Front Royal, Scottish Inn

To: Front Royal, Scottish Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Shopping resupply chores, getting new replacement ponchos(others torn/ripped from heavy frquent use). Ate dinner at Dean's Steakhouse. My prime rib was good. Take It Easy not happy with his--not high quality. Met Handyman and Long Stride who were eating at Dean's. They were eating, resupplying and hitching back to the trail tonight around 8 p.m.--wow!
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Front Royal, Scottish Inn

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Sunny, partly clopudy, tempt 71. Picked up by Wendy/owner of Weasel Outfitters at 8:45 a.m. as planned at MacDonalds and dropped off at trailhead. Yesterday a gentleman dining with his mom at McDonald's offered to take us as well, but we went with Wendy. Great hiking day--not too bad to have to re-hike the miles we'd done the other day when we overshot the rd to Front Royal. Gentle ups and downs thru pretty forest while chipmunks scampered and chased one another. Also saw squirrels. Met a nothbounder, Steve, who was hiking to Manassas Gap Shelter 10 miles in from F.Roayl. Also talked to several southbounders, but didn'te exchange names. We got to Manassas Gap Shelter at 1:30, decided it was too early to stop hiking since TIE's feet were feeling ok. So we trotted another 5 miles north to Dick's Dome Shelter. This shelter was built like a wooden igloo. It's the smallest shelter we've encountered, only acommodating 4 hikers. Right now it just the 2 of us. We arrived here at 3:20 with ample time to get our chores done before the rain forecast for tonight begins. There are 3 bats or more waking from their slumber at the peak of the dome: inside--above TIE's sleeping bag. TIE took a pic of them with the flash, but it may not come out well as the bats are so dark-colored against the dark shadowy dome. Green Mountain Man from Connectivut is here now. A father/son group went stopped to look at the dome and went on. 7p.m.: one bat took flight, flitted outside and back in. It's overcast and 1 hr before sunset. 7:34 p.m.. 2 women hiked in--they're gonna tent nearby. In the shelter journal there's a picture Budge drew of high water surrounding the shelter and rippling around the picnic table which is located a few ft from the shelter entry. Looks like if it rains we'll be swamped here!
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain started last night at 8 p.m.. Rained thru night. Misty fog and drizzle ALL day- only saw the sun glow weakly 3 times during day. Saw a boxturtle, flying turkey, crossed dozens of raging swollen streams-flood conditions here, and we each got our feet wet only one time during a stream crossing, but it didn't matter much since feet were soaked from walking thru and near wet grass. Shame we couldn't see much of Sky Meadows cause fog limited our visibility 10 less than 100 yds. A family with a son and daughter and their uncle arrived 1/2 hr after we did at this shelter. The kids want to stay with us in the shelter, parents are tenting. The girl, trailnamed Kiowa, and her brother "Sherpa" have sleeping bags like we used to have(40 degree bags--hope they stay warm tonight. Parents set up kids' tent in case other hikers show up. Take It Easy's highlight of the day: surviving wet feet without getting blisters on hike to this shelter. Our morning start temp was 61, 4 p.m. tempt is 59--not a warm day. 8:30 p.m.: invasion of 25 BoyScouts with 4 leaders! So long peace and quiet! They're all tenting. Parents decided to get kids to sleep in thier own tents so we have shelter to ourselves now. Dog Boy, then Train King (both thru hikers) stopped by shelter at dusk then left to night hike.
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Sunny in 60's today! Set out intending to keep our feet dry on every stream crossing, but one of us wasn't lucky. TIE stepped both feet into a creek within 30 minutes of our start when a boulder he stepped on tipped, dumping his foot into the rapids What a trooper--he plugged on, later changing into dry socks and bandaging a raw blister that popped up on a toe. Our initial goal was a shelter 10.9 miles north, but as the day went along, we finished the Roller Coaster(10 ascents and descents, some of which we traipsed up and down yesterday). Once we reached that shelter goal in early afternoon, the clouds started rolling in and building up. Rather than hike 12 miles to Harpers Ferry tomorrow in the rain, reinjuring TIE's blister, we decided to hike 3.2 miles farther to this shelter. Pleasant hiking, lots of day/wkend hikers. No surprise to find the campground by the shelter FULL of Boy Scouts! Other weekenders are here, too. Sunstone and his 5 friends are here. We met them earlier today as they were preparing to leave thier cars at Snickers Gap to start hiking bout 10.5 miles from here. Tom(with Sunstone's group) is a physical therapy student/former UVA grad. 8p.m.'ish the Four Sisters showed up! We've heard so much about them from Thud and other hikers. They are 4 thru-hiking girls who aren't actually sisters, just good friends. Sunstone, Tom, and 4 Sisters are in the shelter with us. The rest of Sunstone's group is cowboying in the adjacent picnic table pavilion(this is an ultra-modern comfort shetler/campsite). Started raining about 8:30 p.m. Guys cooked steaks at the picnic gazebo/ All of us had fun talking. Learned one of the four sisters is going to be a freshman at the same Colorado Springs College as War Paint! Hope tomorrow's clear weather. 10:15 p.m.: a few minutes ago I heard something rustling the fabric at the head of my sleeping bag. Thinking it was a mouse, I put my hand back to shoo it away & I got stung! TIE put on his headlight when I blurted out in surprised pain. He squashed, not a mouse, but a large hornet! Time now to consume maximum does of antihistamines around the clock. Oh, boy
Date: 2008-05-18
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Comfort Inn, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Overcast, 55 degree morning. Headed out on mostly level, but rocky trail. Started to rain 30 minutes before getting to Harpers Ferry Put on ponchos, slap on our waterproof pack covers and hoped TIE's feet don't get wet. All of his fresh blisters don't need to backstep in their healing process. Saw lots of kayakers in the Shenandoah River as we crossed the bridge into Harpers Ferry following the Four Sisters a few yds ahead. We all went directly to the ATC headquarters where we met Weapon of Mouse Destruction, examined the graphic relief amp of the AT, had our pictures taken and put into this yrs album(we're section hikers 46 and 47). We hoofed it to the Comfort Inn where we stayed several yrs ago when we biked the C&O Canal Towpath(185 miles). The Comfort Inn isn't cheap, but hotel options are few in Harper's Ferry as there's only 1 other hotel and it's far away from the AT. Comfort Inn has coffee 24/7, is super clean, has a blow dryer in your bathroom: yippee!, microwave in each room, frig, too, and plenty of great towels, continental breakfast and pleasant staff. Plopped down our packs and walked to The Pub, a small pub/restaurant with great local ambience, good food and beer; a cozy local bar. At chicken sandwiches and burgers--quite tasty.Then we resupplied at the 7-11 across fromt The Pub. It's unfortunate there are no grocery stores within walking distance. The food we'll be eating on this leg of our journey is more on the "junky" side than we'd like. All set now to prop our feet up, watch golf on tv, and rest for the upcoming advnetures. It's 5 p.m.. and the rainclouds have quit dripping. Our stomachs are filling up. We've showered and sink washed most of our clothes(nearest laundromat is more than a mile away). I'm ice-ing my hornet sting-swollen right hand and wrist, slinging back antihistamines on schedule, with my fantastic partner whos blisters from too much rain-hiking are airing out. Cooking a pizza in the microwave for dinner. Life is sweet!
Date: 2008-05-19
From: Comfort Inn, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

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

Sunny start. Very windy: 20+ mph. By noon clouds were rolling in. Great hiking on smooth C&O Canal Towpath for 2.5 miles then a winding up for 1/2 hr or less, then just mostly cruising on fairly level path with some stones to step around or between. Hiked out of WV into Maryland today! Met one thru hiker and one PCT hiker at first shelter at lunch time. Came to Crampton Gap where there's a museum, ruins of a barn circa 1880's, and a huge stone arch memorial to war correspondents--the only one of its kind in the country. According to our guide, we were supposed to find Crampton Gap Shelter .4 miles from the Gap But guess what---it doesn't have any sign on the trail! We saw blue blaze on a tree, but there sometimes are side trails off the AT that are unnamed and not in the guide. We walked about 10 minutes past the blaze as we were unwilling to walk the .3 miles off the AT where the shelter may or may not be. Luckily, 2 southbounders, Gear Gal and Little Debbie came toward us. They told us they'd heard this shelter was unsigned, so we all walked down the blue blaze trail and there was the shelter! Gear Gal and Little Debbie sat and chatted, signed the shelter register and left for home, finished with their 3day section hike. Peggy, an Atlanta native who quit her human resource job to thru hike---and today marks her hike day #1, hiked from her start point of Harpers Ferry, is here for the night. Peggy's very friendly and awaits being trailnamed. Also here are Pocket Change(met her at breakfast in Wayensboro Quality Inn--she's a friend of Thud's) and her companion Budge(got name for wearing hat advertising Budget Inn of Franklin,NC). Nice evening.
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Crampton Gap Shelter, Maryland

To: Pine Knob Shelter, Maryland
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: fog

Deja vu: rain poured down during the night. Fog was with us thru the first half of the day. By noon it was raining hard for several hrs, quitting around 2:30. Doesn't this sound like most of my other journal entries> It's unbelievable how much rain, fog, wind and cold temps we're still enduring! Toady's temp hovered around 52. We can't wait to have sun dry our ponchos and then pack them deep in our backpacks. We're hoping for sunny and warmer days soon, as this yrs adventure on the AT will come to a close next wk when we hike into Duncannon, PA. As for today, Peggy, Pocket Change& Budge and us all got off to a later start than usual--9a.m. cause of the wet chilly weather. Our goal was to reach this shelter. Peggy's goal was to do 7 miles to the Dalgren BackPack Campground; Pocket Change and Budge's goal is to hike 20 miles to Ensign Cowall Shelter. By noon it was downpouring. We took refuge under the roof overhang of the restroom building at Dahlgren Campground where Pocket Change and Budge stood. They were figuring out thier next plan. Apparently, Budge is suffering from some health problems. They were coordinating a pickup by calling some Maryland friends to get them, and house them while Budge's maladies heal. Hopefully they'll be back on the trail after a few days and be able to finish the AT before college kicks in mid-August. We'll miss them. Today's hike included many historical landmarks. There are frequent signs informing us of numerous significant sites. Fox's Gap was the site of a major Civil War battle, at Washington Monument State Park we saw the fog-enshrouded monument built in honor of Geoprge Washington, and read about how the locals used it as a vantage point to watch battles taking place in the lower valley. Tombs of 2 generals were next to one field; stone fences/walls and foundations remain from lives of the past. It's been very interesting to read the signs as we walk thru forests and fields. Imagining what struggles our forefathers dealt with occupies our minds. My right hand and arm to almost the elbow is still swollen and extremely itchy. However, the swelling is gradually going down. It's not red or inflamed lookin--whew! Trail was fine til heavy rains came, then became huge puddles and streams. Uncomfortable encouter with a man who walked out from the side path to Rod Hollow Shelter. He walked toward us with no pack on, both hands in his pockets and just stood with a grim expression. I kept one hand on my pepper spray,ready, just in case. Then he announced he has an abcessed tooth and hiked into Boonesboro yesterday for treatment and got a ride back to the trailhead, and is holing up at the shelter. That's virtually all he said, all in a monotone. Then he turned and walked back toward the shelter. Odd. Seems like if he could do all that walking, and just now walk .3 miles up the side trail to us and back another .3 miles to the shelter, he'd be using that energy to walk forward to the next shelter. Hmmm. Perhaps he's a good person who's bubbly personality is temporarily disabled by his abcess.