morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-06-28
From: Bears Den Rocks/Bears Den Hostel

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

Hot and sunny is the forecast and I¢m hoping for this to be true. I haven¢t had hot weather to hike in for a long time. Many training hikes were in cold weather, starting in February with a series of snowshoe hikes in Massachusetts, some days only reaching single digits. I¢m going to enjoy the heat this year!Redwing and Hopeful are caretakers here at Bears Den! I last saw them in 2006 when they were caretaking at Blackburn Trail Center. Their newborn girl is now 4 or 5 years old.At 11:15 AM I¢m seeing the rocks and the view of Rt. 7 looking west, and I remember searching these rocks for my boots & arch supports that morning in 2008 when my boots were stolen, ending my hike that year.Mountain Squid is at Rt. 679, doing trail magic. I last saw him at Miss Janet¢s in TN. He remembered me from doing trail magic at Crawford Notch, NH one year when he brought his truck up & we helped hikers together. He has until July 15 to do magic and will move up the trail as far as Port Clinton, PA. I got a Snickers bar for being in Snickers Gap.The weather is indeed hot and muggy and I drank 3 liters today in 8 miles. It¢ll take some time to get used to managing my water on the trail. But it¢s very important to have enough on hand. I know how getting depleted can cascade my system into dangerous territory almost before I know it.We have 16 hikers for supper & 2 late arrivals. One is a retired guy from Texas (Hot Drinks); he¢s English, in the US for 35 years. He seems very fit and wants to go all the way. I overheard some of the young ones refer to me as an ¢old man¢ today but they were not being mean spirited. I¢ll adjust to it I think.Free pasta supper tonight, with soda and fresh brownies, courtesy of Laura Jo & Brian. Nice surprise and the stay only cost a donation. Thunder this evening and then a brief downpour, and then clear the rest of the night.
Date: 2011-06-29
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harpers Ferry, WV/ATC side trail
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Today I got to do my first injection under ¢trail conditions¢. Blackburn has a campground with tent platforms, tables and a privy located almost at the ridge. So I did my weekly injection here in private about 7 AM. Then I got going because I want to reach the ATC office around 3 PM.At 10:30 AM I reached Keys Gap for an early lunch and a rest. Here Yoga Boy (red hair, straw hat) caught up with me and also Hot Drinks stopped by. I slept a bit and felt better. Some locals asked about my hike but I told them the truth, it was only my second day, and I¢m so glad to be out here.I reached the ATC office at 3 PM. I'm section hiker #149 for this year and they took my photo. My last photo was in 2000 on my SoBo section hike. My first photo was in July, 1997. Already one small tick, the problem kind, and he dug his way into my flesh. Since this area is the beginning of Lyme territory it should be on everyone¢s mind.
Date: 2011-06-30
From: Harpers Ferry, WV/ATC side trail

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

I've got food for 4 days and I've sent a push box to Duncannon, PA. The tow path is sunny and hot, and I should be walking here early in the morning instead of at 1:30 PM. At 4 PM I pass the spot called the ¢Canal Club¢, a gay hangout on a stream that feeds the Potomac River.From 5:30 ¢ 6 PM I¢m at Garvey Shelter having supper and I meet two NoBo women thruhikers - Honeybee and Chickadee. They weave wrist & ankle strings in bright colors when they are resting. These are giveaways for trail angels, rides, etc. on their trip. In the register I read that Baggins is 2 weeks ahead of me!At Gathland, at the water pump, a young woman hiker wouldn¢t talk with me. I asked about the shelter and she wouldn¢t say anything. She¢s not here tonight but I bet she¢s camping up on the ridge.Reached Crampton Gap Shelter at 8 PM and at first I thought I had it to myself. I hung my food bag because there is now a bear pole here and I saw flipped over stones only 14 mile away from here, on the sidetrail to Gathland.Later, after dark, Goopah came in and I lent him a light to help him cook supper. He carries thick rebar staffs instead of hiking poles. They must weigh 5 lbs. each; I guess that's the point.
Date: 2011-07-01
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Got an early start and did my first adventure blaze starting at White Rocks, at the communication towers. Here I bushwhacked my way to a paved road and walked it down to Fox Gap, reaching it at 11 AM. I was here about 5 years ago but this time I found a new side-trail to a new granite monument, at this Civil War battle site. The monument is to a fallen flag-bearer of the Confederate States. The inscription bothers me because it translates roughly to ¢God will vindicate¢. I took a lot of photographs and rested here, had a snack.I reached Dahlgreen Back Pack Campground, right near the Old National Pike, and this time actually took a shower! There was soap and shampoo inside, thanks to others and it was a nice temperature to drip dry in the sun. There are 4 hikers here but they keep to themselves, 2 others passed me earlier today, same deal, oh well. So far none of the long distance hikers want to spend time with me. I can understand it, they are focused on moving up the trail, and perhaps even more so now that they have reached Harpers Ferry, a goal they may have worried about when they were starting out last spring.I napped at the picnic tables inside Washington Monument SP, and then moved up to the monument. Two in the parking lot weren¢t hikers but spoke up and said they wish they had their cooler and sodas for me. It is strikingly hot in the sun. That was a nice thought, but I got cold water and answered their questions as if I were a thru hiker.Suppertime doesn¢t end my day of hiking out here. There is sunlight until nearly 9 PM and the temperature isn¢t cool enough to sleep anyway until after dark. So I might as well use the time to move up the trail. This would be different if I was with a trail family. So supper is at Pine Knob Shelter and then I head on to Pogo.Everyone here is camped out on the bare ground & rocks near the water, hardly low-impact, and this is where the ¢new technique¢ of distributed sites is supposed to be working out? I went to explore. With nothing to orient me (no signs) I found the privy and then a string of stone fire rings uphill on the E side of the trail, and further N than I expected. There is nothing in the Companion or Databook to help guide a hiker. No sign at the trail and the sites have no numbers to indicate them. And they are overgrown from lack of use!
Date: 2011-07-02
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

The weather is still hot and dry, since Tuesday (today is Saturday). No hint of afternoon storms. Trail is dusty and the soil is starting to crack, making patterns. Temps are OK for sleeping with no covers. No bugs except for occasional mosquitoes in the evening but during the day the gnats swarm me in sunny areas so I take my breaks in the deep shade.By 8:15 AM I am on the last climb before Wolfsville Road. To my left is a large rock slab where I remember having breakfast in 1997. I had cereal with milk, unusual for the trail. A very clear memory triggered by seeing the location. I¢m on the lookout for snakes so not listening to music while I walk. I notice a couple of thru hikers are still in bed at Ensign Cowall Shelter. My thoughts move to Pen-Mar, an old pavilion spot with a great view to the west. I¢m guessing there will be food, events, music, and cold drinks as part of the long July 4th celebration. (I was wrong). The temp will reach 98 today.I reach Pen-Mar County Park at 2:15 but I¢m pretty depleted because I¢ve had only 1 liter of water since 9 AM. The rest rooms are clean, have cold water and there is also a drink machine. I hang out here for the afternoon to rest and rehydrate.Pen-Mar isn't very nice, some rude people there, and I was told to get my dirty ass off the picnic table. "people eat on that table!" Later after walking around a bit I sat down with my 3rd soda and dropped it, a lady gave a wise-crack ¢well that was dumb¢ and all I could manage was a sarcastic ¢thanks¢. She later came over and apologized. She¢s in her 70¢s, talks a lot but seems OK. She offers rides to hikers as a way of meeting people and making a little bit of money.Reached the shelters and both are occupied, one with a single hiker, the other with a pair. None talk to me, show any interest at all. Two other hikers are camping with a dog and I don¢t go near them. I set up on a grit & dirt platform. During the night a heavy rain came.
Date: 2011-07-03
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

The early morning walk is mild & quiet, mostly flat or downhill, just right for a Sunday, with a nice Black Rat Snake along the trail. The heat will build up though and I¢m planning to sit quiet for most of the afternoon. I walk up to Antietam Shelter to get a photo, strong memories of the place & things have changed here. There are thru hikers here; Levi, Ketchup and 1 other. They lounge while I try to chat them up. Levi is from near here so he¢s arranged some help through this section & they aren¢t in a hurry. I think they have their sites set for the Billville Hiker Feed starting on Friday & they have plenty of time.Late morning is busy on the trail, lots of locals getting some exercise & a few section hikers. Nice to see people out here but I¢m not sure why they are attracted to this piece. The trail here has few views so on a muggy day there¢s no breeze, all are soaked for their efforts. The climb to Chimney Rocks is nearly 1000 feet and the spot has isolated boulders to rest on for lunch. I¢m about 200 feet from the trail and I can watch the hikers and no one sees me. They, like me, are watching straight ahead as they walk, not looking side to side. I have my bagel & cream cheese, and think of treats at upcoming Caledonia SP.I adventure blazed to PA 233, and then walked the road for 4 miles downhill to Caledonia SP. But the walk seems dangerous to me, the cars are all coming too close, and they are driving fast. I walk facing traffic, about 2-3 feet into the travel lane until I know the cars see me, and then I move to the left side of the white line. This way I know the drivers see me. No one honks, and a pickup even stops to offer me a ride, asking if I¢m lost. Nice rest & kickback at Caledonia, mellow talk with Ipod, Big Daddy and then Hot Drinks and the Dude show up. Baggins is here at the shelters! We chat until dark and I tent among the rhodies past the water source.
Date: 2011-07-04
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnace SP/AT Museum
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I nearly overslept but broke camp and met Baggins at 7:30 AM as planned. We walked & talked about 3 miles together and we¢ll meet up again at Billville. She then wants to head to NH for some more serious hiking. After Milesburn Cabin I choose to do a long road walk and meet Catfish Hunter as I walk listening to music. But he wants to talk & I¢d like some company & we set a strong pace together. Cruising along we miss the next spot where the AT crosses the road, so we continue on, talking politics and skipping the white blazes to Birch Run Shelters. When we pick up the trail again, 2 miles later, he breaks for lunch and I move on. I¢m nearly out of food so I¢ll eat at Tom¢s Run Shelters instead. Along the next section I meet up with Skyhigh and once again I have someone to walk & talk with. Both young guys pushed me to pick up my pace but I hold on & feel OK with it. Two miles past my lunch stop, Skyhigh & I come up on Catfish Hunter again. He got a ride at that road, jumped ahead and now has plans involving a woman, a lake house and a day off!I walk the old AT (dirt, then paved road) for the last 1.5 miles and reach the Pine Grove Furnace store the same time as Skyhigh. He manages his 1/2 gallon of ice cream in 28 minutes, I get a couple of grilled cheese. Levi is here talking with some other hikers. He says hi, recognizing me from Antietam Shelter & gives me a compliment when I mentioned finishing my first week on the trail, and I¢ve gone almost exactly 100 miles. He perked up at that. Maybe he now has the thought that I'm not an ordinary section hiker.
Date: 2011-07-05
From: Pine Grove Furnace SP/AT Museum

To: near Boiling Springs
Miles today: 18.2

In the 90's again today for certain. I walked with music, alone for the entire day. At about 6 miles I reached a blue-blazed trail on the left. I thought it was for water so I stupidly followed it downhill over .5 miles, a real mistake. It is likely the trail to Mountain Creek Campground. I had a snack here and regretted the lack of water & poor water planning. This is becoming a theme. Found a spring about a mile further and then heard some kids. They are making a primitive shelter, of cut saplings lashed together. Their bicycles are nearby; one is fishing in the stream. PA 34 is only about 14 mile from this spot. I don¢t say anything about all of this as I go by.It¢s a day of contrasts in terrain, next came a 1-mile walk on an old railroad bed in a low, swampy area. The air was thick, not moving, filled with bugs but my strong feelings of unease were out of proportion to all of these conditions. I felt better once the trail brought me up to higher ground as I headed to Rocky Ridge.Last night I had 3 dreams about this hike. An old friend was so approving of my hike and happy for me. Two friends from my 2006 hike were disapproving, and thought I could do better, find something more adventurous. And then came a long anxiety-danger dream where I was assaulted by 3 unknown things or animals as I walked along the trail.Rocky Ridge was a great treat for me. The heat was still there in the woods but at least the air was moving, I felt I could breathe more easily. The boulders are 2 or 3 times my height with narrow passages & white arrows to guide us. It¢s a hint of things to come in Maine at Mahoosuc Notch.It¢s too hot & sticky to sleep, even near midnight. I choose to stay out of town, short of Boiling Springs, well off the AT, hidden. The push over Center Point Knob, after a snack at the Alec Kennedy junction, went well but end-of-day fatigue set in and I was missing what the trail offered me those last few miles.
Date: 2011-07-06
From: near Boiling Springs

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

The radio says its 64 degrees at 7 AM and it¢s expected to reach 90. It is an ¢ozone action¢ day and so I¢m told to limit outdoor activity. Maybe I should¢ve respected that message. I buy a baseball cap at the ATC office, in forest green. I¢ll lose this in another 2 days. A quick talk with some locals, a nice cup of coffee, a look at the boiling springs and I¢m off towards Cove Mountain Shelter 21 miles away.The first 13 miles should be easy. It¢s a flat trail walking along field margins, with 11 road and 1 railroad crossings. The roads don¢t all have signs. Making it more difficult is the availability of water; only 2 good water sources before the shelters, one at Scott Farm about 10 miles away. There¢s a nice section of the valley walk for 1.5 miles along the edge of Conodoguinet Creek.Short of food I want to lunch at the Middlesex Diner at US 11, about 8 miles away. Well I really screwed this up and it affected the rest of the day. When I reached the bridge over the PA Turnpike I was convinced this was really US 11 and, with a lot of trouble, got down to the road surface. I walked this road for over a mile before I came to my senses. Then I realized, I¢m on the PA Turnpike, I could get arrested! So I get to an overpass, climb another fence and reach US 11 but now I¢m past the Middlesex Diner. I walked to Denny¢s in the broiling heat, have breakfast and then buy some extra food, pack it up and get back to the trail.Later, walking along the Conodoguinet Creek I¢m cornered by 2 large dogs that press me up against a large tree, and then an old man & woman come up behind them. I was outraged, angry and let them know. I got my message into their thick heads when I said I could¢ve really hurt these dogs and chose not to. ¢I¢m a stranger in these parts, hikers are from all over the world and these nuisance dogs are going to come across the wrong person someday¢. I finally got an apology.I find NateDog and JackRabbit asleep at the spring near the Wolf Trail. I missed the water stop at the Scott Farm, but there¢s an excellent piped spring here, my first good water in the Cumberland Valley. I douse my head in the cold water, drink a liter, and after about 20 minutes feel like I¢m coming back to myself. I was physically drained, and so were these other hikers. The extra miles in the heat, on hot pavement, took a toll on me. So my choice is to join these boys 1 mile up the trail at Darlington Shelter or to push past, alone, only to fall short of the next shelter. I choose to hang with these boys. About 6 PM, 2 Amish women come in and camp with us. One is Chloe, NateDog has met her before.
Date: 2011-07-07
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA/Billville Feed
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: few clouds

Great conversations with NateDog and Jackrabbit last night and this morning. I felt connected, respected, and look forward to hanging out at Billville on the weekend. My plan is to hike past Duncannon and reach Clarks Ferry Shelter today. Then on Friday hike to PA 325 Clarks Valley to get back here. All of this falls apart and I don¢t hike out of Duncannon until Sunday morning!The morning walk is beautiful, through large corn fields between the ridge w/Darlington Shelter and the next mountain, Cove Mountain. It¢s about 3 miles wide with PA 850 and a small swampy area in the middle. At the small bridge I sit, snack & relax and watch the swamp insects buzzing around. I wonder why I don¢t do this kind of thing more often, just sit & look.The climb up Cove Mtn. starts to hurt my feet and some blisters open up. I¢m at the corner of Cove Mountain, at the power lines & viewpoint. The big problem is a large blister just behind my big toe, it¢s going to hinder my descent & change my plans. The blister might be related to all the road walking yesterday, the continuing residue of my big mistake?I travel slowly on the descent; the trail is rocky and crosses several rock slides on the steep slope. By the end of the descent my right knee is bothering me from favoring my left foot so much. I¢m going to need to rest at Duncannon.Walking in town is hot, muggy, the air isn¢t moving. It¢s always so much worse in town on these hot days. The woods have so much natural cooling to help us I feel sorry for those living in towns along the AT. Miss Janet spots me resting at a gas station store & steers me to the Doyle Hotel. By 3 PM I¢m eating bar food, and checking email. A line of T-storms make their way through at 4 PM and I think ¢I¢m glad I¢m not hiking in this!¢ By 5 PM I¢ve reached the baseball field & pavilion that I will call home for the next 3 nights. I¢ve arrived at the Billville Hiker Feed.The skeleton crew is here, hikers shouldn¢t be here until tomorrow. My status is a little odd, I¢m not in the group of hikers they are honoring; I haven¢t hiked all the miles from Georgia. And I¢m not a Billville member; I¢m as old as many of them and perhaps I¢ll support them in the future. Along with their antics and mission of bringing humor to the AT, Billville has become a support system for the active hikers: passing on the lessons of the trail (along with some bullshit lies), the unfounded legends and the unprintable real-life stories of hiking days past.Last August I said hello to Trail Angel Mary at the Rutland Long Trail Festival. She doesn¢t remember me but she¢s kind hearted and includes me into the evening meal. I didn¢t yogi this, I swear! I had food in the pack and was only hoping to camp quietly at the field. Once Mary got it together we sat down to a meal I¢ll never forget, and she whipped this up for 40 of us; on a kitchen stove that I had doubts would work at all.
Date: 2011-07-09
From: Duncannon, PA/Billville Feed

To: Duncannon, PA/Billville Feed
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The Big A$$ Breakfast is great, but for me the best part was walking by the kitchen at 5:45 AM, seeing Trail Angel Mary sitting quietly, we chat & she gives me fresh coffee. What an angel! Those who want to try scrapple get a taste this morning. I¢m drinking OJ today, a lot of it. Dirtnap is here but he¢s got his own agenda, we will catch up more in a few days at 501 Shelter.The hikers do V-ball, Leki Pole Toss and other games through the afternoon. Everyone has found their own group it seems, some getting together for the first time in weeks or months. Baggins & I talked about her plans and I convinced her to switch to an alcohol stove of a different design. We find that Little Bird will make her one and a trail angel from Maine will bring her to Gorham, NH if she¢s ready to leave early on Sunday. I get a Miss Janet haircut, get in on a ride to Mutzabaugh Market for resupply, and spend time with Worn Heels, Dude and Hot Drinks.The hikers played games all day and then danced to a local band until late. Jackrabbit has a permanent smile on his face all through this and he¢s glad we argued him into staying and take the day off from his hike. Drinking wasn¢t evident, but a lot was happening in town. It¢s really 2 separate parties. It¢s my first Billville Feed, and I¢m witness to a 10 year old AT phenomenon.
Date: 2011-07-10
From: Duncannon, PA/Billville Feed

To: Kinter View
Miles today: 13.9

I¢m glad to be leaving town today, I want to be in the cooler woods. But some last minute things before I head out for the hike: a talk with some of the trail angels. I let Baltimore Jack, Tricks and Can Do, Will Do all know about my recent illness, more as a safety thing for me. If they hear I¢m not doing well, or sidelined on the trail, it might mean something serious. So please do what you can. Some knew about my illness and all want to help. This is the trail angel network in action, supporting us as we hike. I¢m on the road by 9 AM, slowly getting out of town. First I watch turtles from the Juniata River bridge, then move quickly over the Susquehanna. The ¢big climb¢ is about 1000 feet and now I¢m in the woods with some light breezes. It¢s Sunday and there are day hikers out here, including a couple who are doing trail trimming duties. After about 8-9 miles I rest and snack at the new bridge (2003) over PA 225 and Catfish Hunter walks up, looking fresh as a daisy. He¢s one to catch rides when he can; it¢s more of an adventure for him that way.Most other hikers left before me this morning so I¢m pretty much alone with my thoughts. In July, 2000 I walked southbound in this section, the day after my ¢Long Night¢ encounter with a black bear. Dude, Hot Drinks, Worn Heels, Turtle Feet and more are all at Peters Mountain Shelter for the night. The area is undergoing reforestation so lots of temp fencing and signs. A young couple is here on their first AT camping trip, excited to have thru hikers to talk with. For supper the others are crowding the table, not making room, not really welcoming me. In 2000 the old shelter was a few hundred feet from here; it¢s been dismantled and brought to the AT Museum at Pine Grove Furnace SP. I got to sleep in it then, after moving away from that bear.I get water, have my supper and then head out; it¢s still hot and I have a couple of hours until dark. I push on another 2.5 miles and reach Kinter View with a nice opening in the trees, looking S to other ridges beyond.