morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Saddle Gap - campsite
Miles today: 20.9

Microsoft crashed my pocket PC last night when I tried to save my journal entry. Some things are hard to escape even out in the woods.It rained all night and was still sprinkling when I woke up. My tent was soaked from the rain on the outside and condensation on the inside. I didn't want to get up and deal with this. I was dry and wanted to stay that way. I finally got up around 8 and was ready to hike by 9. I just shook some of the water off the tent and stuffed it in its sack.The three hikers in the shelter had all departed before I got up. The fog was thick this morning and I couldn't even see the shelter from my tent, which was less than 50 ft away. The fog remained for most of the morning. I had expected to hike a lot of easy miles today since most of the trail was downhill. The trail was rocky in a lot of places today which slowed me down and made my feet sore. I slipped on wet rocks and fell twice today. Fortunately I was not injured. My legs and feet have been holding up well recently. I have a few blisters/sores on the back of my heels from debris getting in my boots for a couple days when I didn't wear my gaiters. I had to replace the elastic cords when I got to Daleville. I am back to only taking vitamin I occasionally now.I stopped for dinner at Johns Hollow Shelter. Rockman and Bonnie Carolyn were there. I had not met these north bound thru-hikers before today. Rockman asked me if the rumor was true that I had a spreadsheet listing out a hiking schedule for the entire AT and all my food mail drop contents. I admitted it was true. I am not sure who the informant was. After eating my Lipton cheese and noodles meal, I gave Rockman and Bonnie Carolyn a 30 minute introduction to biofuels (www.biofuels.coop) and then hiked up to Saddle Gap for the night. I took my Mountain Hard Wear Gore Windstopper hat off on the way up and stuffed it in my cargo pocket. A while later I stopped and noticed it was missing. I left my pack and hiked a half mile back down the hill until I found it. This hat is awesome and a key part of my layer system to keep warm. The temperatures at night the past few days have been in the low 40s and my Marmot Trails bag is really not suited for these temps. I have been wearing all my clothes except my rain gear to bed at night to stay warm. I am not endanger of freezing or hypothermia, but I haven't been warm and cozy.I realized tonight that I didn't pack enough food for this section. I have a day and a half to get to Dutch Haus B&B, but I only have one days food. I had planned correctly, but didn't get it packed correctly. The extra food must be in the box I mailed to Dutch Haus. I will have to stretch out the rest of the food I have.
Date: 2007-05-19
From: Saddle Gap - campsite

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: broken clouds

Wow! It has now been two months since I started hiking the AT. I woke up this morning and was determined to get an earlier start. I had packed up by 7:30 and was on the trail. The skies were clear today. The temperatures were probably in the low 40s as I started hiking. Low temperatures are an encouragement to get moving to stay warm and if the sleeping bag is not to warm and cozy it easier to get up and get moving.I only ate half of my breakfast food so I would have some for tomorrow. I made my first stop at Punchbowl Shelter. Batfink was still packing up his gear when I arrived a little after 9. He departed as I checked my maps, wrote a journal entry for yesterday, and signed and read the shelter log. We passed each other a couple times in the morning and then he moved ahead. I like to stop and take breaks more than other hikers. I passed through a small area where the trees were noticeably larger than most. A sign said it was a 4.5 acre plot of old growth trees including a 300 year old chestnut tree, a 157 foot tall white pine, and a hemlock with a 40 inch diameter trunk. I was trying to make it to Brown Mtn Shelter for lunch, but I grew tired and hungry before I got there. I stopped by a creek, took my shoes off, and ate the last of my pizza wraps.I noticed a new blister on my left heel, so I removed the superfeet insoles and put the Dr. Scholls Tri-comfort soles back in my boots.About a half mile north of the creek, I came to a forest service road and found Renegade set up with Trail Magic! This was great, I hadn't had any food trail magic in a long time and it was a great time for it. I had two cheese sandwiches, a couple cookies, an apple, and a coke. I talked to Renegade for about 45 minutes, then hiked the last two miles to Brown Mtn Shelter. I took another break to review my maps and the shelter log. There was now a 2,500 foot climb up to Bald Knob in front of me. I felt like stopping for the day, since I had already hiked 14 miles. If I had enough food I probably would have stayed there. I didn't so up I went over Bald Knob, down to Cow Camp Gap, up and over Cold Mtn, and finally down to Hog Camp Gap. Hog Camp Gap is an open field area that appears to be a very popular camping spot. There were about 8 cars by the road and a bunch of tents in the field. I found a spot for my tent, went to the spring about a half mile away, cooked dinner, and retired to my tent. I got here after 9 PM as it was getting dark.I have about 11 miles to hike before lunch tomorrow. I need to get started early. The Dutch Haus B&B checks the parking lot at the fish hatchery at 11:00 and 12:30 for hikers to get the free lunch. I know I won't make it there by 11. I better get some sleep.
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Fish Hatchery Rd - Dutch Haus B&B
Miles today: 10.0

I added my rain pants to my night time clothing last night and was reasonably warm all night. The temperature was probably in the upper 40s. I woke up at 6:00 and was hiking by 6:45.The weather was cool and breezy so the miles went pretty easy up and over a few hills to Fish Hatchery Rd. I only took two short breaks in this 10 mile stretch. Once I got to Fish Hatchery Rd, I made a left turn off the AT and down a rocky dirt road to the Montebello fish hatchery. I was excited to be heading to the Dutch Haus B&B for lunch, but I kept thinking about having to climb a mile back up this road tomorrow.I reached the Fish Hatchery around 12:00 and looked around the place until Earl arrived at 12:30 to give me a ride over to the B&B. I sat my pack down and Earl started preparing lunch. I had missed the 11:00 lunch when a couple othe hikers were there. I was the only one eating now. Earl asked me if 3 hamburgers would be OK. My face lit up and I said yes! I was really hungry after skimping on food for a day and a half. Earl grilled the three burgers and turned them into one cheeseburger and one double cheeseburger which he served me with hash browns, a slice of cantelope, a piece of cake, and some lemonade! After lunch I took a shower and put my clothes in a basket. Lois washed the clothes and I hung them on a line to dry. This is the first time I have used a clothesline since Cloud 9 Hostel in GA. No static cling from drying nylon clothes in a dryer!. I sorted through my supply box to ensure I have enough food to get to Rockfish Gap and updated my journal. They are serving Lasagna for dinner, my favorite! I am ready to move in here permanently. I am sitting on the front porch in a cotton bathrobe, watching hummingbirds overlooking the beautiful front lawn. There are also a bunch of garden birds at the feeders out back. The lunch is free for thru-hikers, the room w/ laundry service and breakfast is only $25, and dinner is $12. Earl also shuttles people to the post office and store. They also offer slack packing trips, but I am still sticking to hiking north carrying my full pack all the way for now. It is tempting this time to get to stay here another day.Dinner was great salad, lasagna, and pumkin pie. I sat on the front porch watching the hummingbirds and petty the friendly cat this evening.I met Dorothy and Toto here. Gator Gump is here along with his wife Cindy, who is hiking with him for a while. Rockman and Ziola caught up to me here. There are also a couple section hikers, Mr Clean and Pug Nose, here.Tomorrow I am trying to make it to Rusty's Hardtime Hollow. It is 21 miles with a lot of uphill.
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Fish Hatchery Rd - Dutch Haus B&B

To: Maupin Shelter - Rusty's Hard Time Hollow
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The cat at the Dutch Haus found me at 5:30 this morning. It was on the bedroom window sill meowing. I was awake and wanted to use the computer to upload some pictures, so I got up. I was able to upload about 10 pictures I think. It is a slow process and it is difficult to get much time on shared computers. I went out to sit in a rocking chair on the front porch for a while before breakfast. The friendly cat was waiting and jumped up on my lap to be petted again. I never did find out what the cat's name was.Breakfast was served at 7:00 and was very good (eggs, sausage, watermelon, and some type of cake with a berry filling. I prepared for the shuttle back to the trail. Earl gave Ziola and I a ride back to the Fish Hatchery and the other hikers were slack packing from other locations. Lois and Earl provide a wonderful place to stay. The food was great and they do everything to make sure you enjoy your stay there. It was definitely one of the best stops I have made. (www.dutchhaus.com)The hike started with a one mile hike back up the rocky dirt road to get back to the AT. The trail then went up and over Main Top Mtn. The trail was not too bad from there to the Tye river. There were a few ups and downs with some rocky areas and then a long decent to the Tye River at 1,000 ft. I passed Mr. Clean and Pug Nose headed south back to Dutch Haus. I sat on a rock by the river and ate my tuna fish and crackers for lunch.After lunch I had to do a lot of climbing. The trail headed back up to 4,000 ft at three ridges over a distance of about 6 miles. I passed Gator Gump, Dorothy, and Toto slack packing back to the Tye river for a shuttle back to Dutch Haus. They advised me to reconsider my plans to go all the way to Rusty's Hard Time Hollow today. It was after 3:00 and I still had about 9 miles to go including some steep rocky areas. I was feeling good today. I think the three meals at the Dutch Haus and a 1/2 day off relaxing were the reason. I reached Maupin Shelter at 7:10. Batfink and Dude were there for the night. I talked to them for a few minutes, signed the trail journal, and then headed out for the additional 2.5 mile hike over to Rusty's. I reached Rusty's by 8:30 when it was still light out. There was a group of 6 hikers (Pythagoras, Tintin, Stalin, Yard Sale, Granite, and Nomad) sitting around a 55 gallon drum with a fire burning in it. They welcomed me and told me where everything was. Later I met Rusty. We sat around talking for a while and then around 10:30 went inside to watch a movie, The Outlaw Josey Wells. After the movie Rusty was cooking hot dogs around midnight. I ate 4 hot dogs and had a soda. This is a very cool place that is only open to hikers. I am glad I have taken the time to come over here. Some people want to hike for the wilderness experience only, but for me places like this are an equally as important part of my journey. There will be pancakes for breakfast!
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Maupin Shelter - Rusty's Hard Time Hollow

To: Paul C Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up around 6 AM as usual, despite having been up until 1 AM last night. I was the first one up. I went outside and wrote yesterdays journal entry. Mystery Chicken and Rusty were up a little while later. Rusty started a fire in the wood stove, so he could cook pancakes for everyone. I brought some wood in from the storage bin to refill the box by the stove.After everyone had all the pancakes they wanted, everyone who was leaving gathered up their things. We sat around and talked for a while and around noon Rusty drove us back to the trail. Rusty has a wonderful place and I hope to come back another time.There is something in the woods breaking branches. I m in my tent and a little concerned. I need to get up and hang my food bag in a tree.I didn't feel as energized today. It was a little warmer and not as breezy today. I stopped for about a hour up at Cedar Cliffs. It was a wonderful overlook view. I reached the Dripping Creek parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 3:30. Granite was sitting on the curb eating some food. I stopped to talk to him. Earl from Dutch Haus drove by and waved.The rest of the way to the shelter seemed to drag out. I was getting tired, it was overcast so it was getting darker than usual, and my feet wanted a break. I finally reached the Paul C Wolfe Shelter about 8:30. Most of the hikers were already in their sleeping bags trying to sleep. It appears to be everyone from Rusty's except Nomad who stayed at Rusty's.I cooked some stove top stuffing and read some trailjournals updates from other hikers I have met. Now I am going to hang my food in a tree and get some sleep.
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro, VA - Inn at Afton
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning I only needed to hike 5 miles to Rockfish Gap, so I stayed in my tent until about 8 AM. I found out that the snapping branches last night was Pythagoras gathering fire wood and not a bear. The hike to rockfish gap took a little over 2 hours then I checked into the Inn at Afton. My friend Jimmy from North Carolina drove up to join me for a few days of hiking in the Shenandoah National Park.We went in to Waynesboro. The post office was the first stop. Jess had sent my mail drop to the Inn, but they had not received it. I called the post office and they confirmed they had the box. They told me they don't deliver mail to the Inn at Afton. I don't understand that, but I got my box. I washed clothes at the laundromat next and ordered a large pizza from the Lil Ceasers in the same shopping center. Then a quick stop at the outfitter and back to the hotel to plan the next section of hiking with the maps from my mail drop. Later we went to the grocery store to get a few things.We set up the tents in a grassy area near the hotel. Jimmy is going to use my Contrail Tarptent and we needed to seal the seems. I also resealed one of the seems on my rainbow tent. Later when we went back to take the tents down, I dropped the room key in the tall grass and we couldn't find it, so I had to go to the desk to get a new one.Later I was putting stuff back into my backpack and I laid the pack on the bed. When I lifted it up the bed was soaked. The bite valve for my hydration system was on the bottom of the pack and the weight of the pack caused it to open. This dumped about 1.5 liters of water on the bed. The clean up staff will probably think I wet the bed. So ends another hectic town resupply visit.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro, VA - Inn at Afton

To: Wildcat Ridge Trail - campsite
Miles today: 13.7

We were up about 7 AM this morning and checked out of the Inn by 8. We walked down the hill to the trail. There were a couple of hikers at the bridge. We talked for a few minutes and then move on to the other side of the bridge, where we met Trail Angel Jeff P. We talked to him for a few minutes and then Rockman walked up. Jeff drove Rockman into town and we moved on up the road towards the trail. Gator Gump and his wife were not too far behind us. Jimmy and I started talking about diesels and various projects and walked right past where the trail turned off the road and back into the woods. Fortunately we only walked a couple hundred feet past the turn, before my senses kicked in and I realized there weren't any white blazes. Gator Gump caught the turn and yelled at me just as I turned around. We leap frogged with Gator Gump most of the morning. We all sat and took a break together at the top of Bear Den Mtn. There are about 8 old metal tractor seats mounted on posts up there.Jimmy and I stopped at Calf Mtn Shelter for lunch where we met south bounder Scribbles. Gator Gump and Cindy continued down the trail. Later we saw a four foot long black snake on the trail. We also saw a rabbit hop down the trail in front of us and stop. It let me get as close as 5 feet away before it moved off the trail.Jimmy is hiking in sandals and is has some blisters on the balls of his feet. He tried made multiple attempts to try and stop the blisters (socks, second skin pads, and duct tape) none of these were completely effective, so we will have to see how well his feet hold up tomorrow. We are planning to hike to Loft Mtn Campground which is about 13 miles away.Tonight we are camping off the side of the trail. I put my pack down on the side of the trail and went into the woods to find a good camping spot. Then I heard Gator Gump call my name. He had stopped just a hundred feet further up the trail and found an existing campsite area, so we joined them.Several deer have been roaming around the camp all evening. They have gotten as close as 10 feet away and have been here for hours. I still here them out there alone with a whippoorwill that won't stop.Vanessa, Jimmy says "Hi".
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Wildcat Ridge Trail - campsite

To: Loft Mountain
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I was the last one up this morning. I heard Jimmy, Gator Gump, and Cindy moving around and packing up while I was still in my sleeping bag. I packed up and Jimmy and I started hiking around 7:30. Jimmy tried some new blister pads and a pair of liner socks this morning. We hiked about 5 miles and stopped at Blackrock Hut to get some water and eat some food. Gator Gump stopped in briefly to get water and then moved on. We hiked another 0.6 miles and reached Blackrock summit. It was a field of large rocks cascading down the mountain side with good views, so we took off the packs and climbed to the top of the rock pile to enjoy the view for about 30 minutes.Next we hiked 1.7 miles to Dundo Group Campground and had lunch. I had bacon and cheddar cheese in spinach wraps. There was a school bus there and about 30 high school age kids there.After lunch we hiked 5 miles to Loft Mtn Campground. We took showers and then found out the campground was full. It is Memorial Day weekend and I am sure it will be packed everywhere in the Shenandoahs. We saw about a dozen day hikers out today.The grill at the wayside was suppose to close at 5:30 and it was 4:40 so we rushed 1.6 miles down the trail and over to the wayside in 30 minutes. Surprising what a hiker can do when there is a cheeseburger waiting. We had cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes. We sat there for a while and the place didn't close. They were staying open until 6:30 for the holiday weekend. While we were there two deer came up into the parking lot and walked around looking for food.We left the wayside and hiked up to loft mountain. We are cowboy camping (no tents) under the stars tonight on a rocky cliff we good views. Tomorrow we plan to hike about a mile down the mountain where the AT goes close to the Skyline Drive. Once we get there it will be a half mile walk along the road back to the wayside for breakfast! I had weighed myself when I stayed at the Dutch Haus B&B. I now weigh 161 lbs. That is down from 195 lbs. when I started preparing for this hike last October. I need to start eating more before I disappear.
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Loft Mountain

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

We were up and on the trail by 6:15 after a great night sleeping under the stars. There are a lot more thru-hikers around the past couple days. A lot of hikers that went to Damascus for Trail Days are back on the trail. Yesterday I met Stone Age, Triple Deuce, Eula, Sublime, Gorilla, Pooch, Ross, and Truffles. I also saw Sandwitch, who I had not seen since Neels Gap in Georgia back in March. Today I also met Breadless Horseman, Cougar (who started April 14th and has already caught up to me), Symbol, and Yorkie. Hikers are everywhere again. The Shenandoahs are also full of section and day hikers since it is Memorial Day weekend. Jimmy and I hiked about a mile and a half to where the trail runs along the skyline drive. On the way there we saw a bear. This bear did not go running away when he saw us. Things are different in the national parks. The bear was sitting next to a tree about 15 feet from the trail. He looked at us and continued to paw at and eat shrubs. I got my camera out and made a video and took pictures. We washed him for about 10 minutes. He would occasionally look at us but never moved any closer or farther away. As we walked away the bear turned around and watched us. We hiked about a mile farther and got on the Skyline Drive to head back 1/2 mile to the wayside for breakfast. We hid our packs on a hill along side the road so we didn't have to carry them. I had eggs, bacon, toast, hash browns, and a blueberry muffin. Jimmy had blueberry pancakes, eggs, and bacon. When we walked back up the road and up the hill to get our packs, we heard a large animal go crashing through the woods. It had to have been a bear about 20 feet from our packs. I won't do that again.We hiked a few miles to Pinefield Hut and took a break. It was about 75 degrees and breezy with a nice sounding stream next to the shelter, so we just stayed there for about 2 hours. From there we hiked 2 miles up to a ranger station at Simmons Gap and stopped for lunch. It was up to 80 degrees now and the sun was shining brightly. There were many unshaded sections of trail today. After lunch some clouds moved in, but the temperature didn't drop. We hiked up about 1,000 feet to Hightop Hut where we are spending the night. There are about a dozen thru-hikers here tonight. Jimmy will be going home tomorrow. We will hike 3 miles to Swift Run Gap and a friend will pick him up and take him back to his car in Waynesboro. Jimmy has done well keeping up with me the past few days. His feet are blistered and his muscles sore, but I think he has enjoyed the experience. He saw a bear in the wild for the first time, deer that just follow you around, snakes, chipmunks, great views, and lots of trees. I am sure he will be happy to get home and soak his feet for a while.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Redgate Fire Road - campsite

To: Neighbor Mtn Trail - campsite
Miles today: 20.1

It was clear and sunny this morning when I got up. I hiked up to the shelter and found Dude, Sublime, and Batfink still hanging around. I filtered some water and talked for a while. Then I headed down the trail towards Skylands Resort. I got there at 11:45 and the dining room didn't open until 12:00. I found Rockman, Pooch, and Tom Dooley waiting outside. Some hikers stayed outside to eat food from there packs, while others of us went into the dining room for a meal. I had a garden salad, 1/2 pound bacon cheddar cheese burger with fries, blackberry ice cream sundae, and a pitcher of lemonade. It cost $20, but I enjoyed it.There have been more views from the trail the past couple days, but the skies are so hazy that it spoils the views. Everything just fades into the hazy skies. It has been hot and humid the past couple days. I will be glad when I get a chance to take another shower and wash clothes, but I am not sure when that will be. I need review my plans for the next couple days.