morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Manassas Gap Shelter, VA 

To: Rod Hollow Shelter, VA
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up around 9am and walked back south to where the trail magic was yesterday. I had lost my coffee along with some other items in the same bag and I thought this is where I lost the bag. I left my tent up and left my pack when I went the 2.5 miles down to the gap. When I got there, there was the guy that left out the trail magic, Tim. He was a local artist and he was going to Weasel Creek Outfitters; where he displays pictures. I told him to tell Brandon that, Zero said Hi. I did not find my coffee bag; so, I hiked back up to the shelter and went to sleep. It was about 12. I slept off and on, until 6pm. It was very hot and humid; so, I was basically trying to "beat the heat". Several people came through and I believed that I recognized "Winghearts" voice when he said, "that's Zero's tent". I didnt say anything as I was 1/2 asleep and 1/2 awake. Later came "The Caveman of Ohio". He saw my tent and kept saying, "Zero, Zero, Zero." When I responded, he said that he was going to do a night hike. I told him that I was too,"i'd like to get into The Rollercoster(this is about 13 miles of about 13 ups and 13 downs. Small elevation peak of around 1900ft to low of 500ft.) I left out about 7pm and got to Dick's Dome Shelter just before dark. There was "Wingheart, Back Yard Boogie, and the Toesocks" Wingheart said that Caveman had waited for me. As I always say when someone says that someone has waited for me; "Not smart to wait on Zero". It was good to finally meet Backyard Boogie. I heard that I would like him from several thru hikers. I said Hi to The Toesocks and headed out into the night. It would be a full moon tomorrow; so, the moon was shing bright when I went across Sky Meadows State Park. I turned my headlamp off up here and just enjoyed the moon shining on the grass. This park would be a good day pinic hike. I got down to Ash Gap and it took me awhile to get to Rod Hollow because I would stop alot and just enjoy all the night sounds and the moon shooting down through the trees. I saw a fawn that was right in the middle of the trail. I talked with the little deer to try to get it to move. It would not; so, I just went around the thing. I have never seen a fawn that would let a human get that close to it. I did finally get to the shelter well after midnight and set my tent up without trying to make too much noise,
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Rod Hollow Shelter, VA

To: Sawmill Spring Shelter, Va
Miles today: 7.0

I did not get out of my tent on this day until around 5-6pm. I slept well through the night, to daylight; then it became very buggy around 7:30am. It was very humid as well and the temperature was suppossed to be very hot; so, I just stayed in my tent and waited for the early evening. I must have saw 20plus thru hikers this day. It was the day that I knew would come. The pack had finally caught me. My days of being a novelty were over. I would just be one of the pack. I was hoping to get deep into New England before this would happen; but, here we were. I knew my hike would be alot different now. Not only would I be Co-existing with 10's of 100's of thru-hikers; day hikers; section hikers; over night partiers; but, I will have the oppression of 90plus degree and 90plus humidity late spring and summer days. It is a grand struggle with the heat; looking for shade; drinking water; dodging bugs; sweating profusely all day(even when you sitting); hiking in the cool of the evening or early morning. Or you can hike all night! It is a classic struggle of man vs nature. I did enjoy of meeting alot of new thru hikers(everyone a guy). I spent some time talking with Ross, "Yardsale", "The Breadless horseman", and some other guys that I dont remember. As I sat there and talked to them; I thought that I had these guys attention much like that Demagogue Female Thru hiker. Too Deep for right now. I did get hiking around dark and walked to The Sawmill Spring Shelter where I set up my tent away from the shelter and into the forest to get under the tree canopy to avoid the morning sun.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Sawmill Spring Shelter, Va

To: Blackburn Trail Center, VA
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

woke up around 10am when "Duct Tape"(section hiker to Harper's Ferry) said good morning when I stepped out of my tent. I talked to him and his son, "Toad Catcher"(he's about 12). The dad is a professor in The Baltimore area. I asked him, as I do with nearly everyone from Baltimore: "have you ever heard the song by Bobby Bear, 'The Streets Of Baltimore'"? I have yet; to have someone say, "yes, I've heard the song." We talked philosophy and anthropology. I also talked with Toadcatcher. He is a very deep young man and a strong hiker. He is a little asmhatic. The gave me about 10 Andes chocalte mints. They left out of camp before I did; but, caught them soon after I left the shelter. ********this spring is mildly tainted with a big frog living in it and crayfish. It is also damned up; so, you get sediment; animal goo; leaves; eggs; that do not flow out. If I got water here again; I would get the water down the creek some. I did not this day and this could have been a source of a future ailment. I drank some heavy Iodined water and was soon making the climb up to The Bear's Den Hostel with Toadcatcher. The little boy hiked ahead of me for about an hour and most of it was up to the Bear's Den Rocks. I was getting worried about him as we got to the top; so, I just slowed my pace for the last 15 minutes. Got to the hostel and was impressed with the big castle. There were 8 foot well fitted rock walls around the lodge where the hostel is located. There were alot of thru hikers here. Most of whom, I had met yesterday. I checked my e-mail and shook hands the a guy named "Kastantsa". He said he started hiking this year due to me starting so early. He said that if I could do it in Jan; he could do it in Feb. I ate well again and I was off to The Blackburn Shelter with "Yardsale". I told him to go ahead and I will try to stay with him. He was gone in 15 minutes. I still moved pretty fast. I got to the Blackburn Center just in time to get a big plate of spaghetti; brownies; and lemonade. Then I went down to the bon-fire and saw "Salaam". I met the caretakers, "Red Wing and Hopeful AT '02" There were a couple of sobo female 2 week section hikers who just graduated from Kansas U and Salaam named them "CHok and Rock". I could tell that they liked Salaam and said they should hike north with him when they get up in the morning, instead of south. They actually thought about it a second and said that they had made plans to hike south. Man, that was close. If they hiked north; Salaam's new thru-hike would have got real interesting. "Caveman of Ohio" showed up and he and I would leave for Harpers Ferry, Wva at daylight.
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Blackburn Trail Center, VA

To: Columbia, Md
Miles today: 13.0

I could only get about 1-2 hours of sleep; if that? The no-see-ums came through the mosquito screen on the center's porch; where I slept, with the bugs waking me up. I finally got out my tent and used it as a bivy and got some short restless sleep. I eventually just went ahead and woke up by 4am. I ate two big lipton dinners and drank some water. I also could not sleep because I needed to get to town to get a maildrop by noon and that was about 13 miles away. I was going to meet a friend in town; so, I was really excited. So was the "Caveman of Ohio"(said with "the werewolves of london" song in rythym). Caveman lead the whole way. We went up different blue blazed trails to the top of the ridge, where the trail is located; but, soon meet on the trail. We moved fast. I think we did the first 6.4 miles to gap before the state park in about 2 hours. We left The Blackburn Center around 5:20am and got to the gap at 7:20am. We had that much to go to Harper's Ferry, Wva. We did the next 6.6 in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Caveman could have went much faster; but, he stayed ahead and made sure I had the push to get up to Loudon Heights. We did stop and talk to several people. Caveman liked to talk to people and I do believe; that he is one of the most postitive thinkers and purveyors of postive peer culture that I ever met! When we talked; he had nothing, but postive and uplifting things to say about everything and everyone. He said, "you know, I have not met one negative person on the trail!" I told him that it was his outlook. So that you do not think he is a saint: he did hve some kind natured grumblings about his 1000 hiking partner, "Wingheart AT 96 & 07". Nothing bad; but, I do understand how hard it is to hike with someone for a thousand miles. Not an easy thing to do and remain amicable. We did get to town with alot of talking. Him and I talked about everlything imaginable and irrational. We split at the blue balzed trail to the ATC Headquarters. I went to the ATC; he went down to the river and the old city. From where he would double back up hill to the ATC. We do have our peculiarities. I retrieved my package that I sent here back in January and then went to the post office and got a package from Colin with a new camera. I went back to the ATC and met up with "Chica En Fueaga" and spent a great day with her. I also became terribly ill..... I felt bad from the time that I woke up from a nap. I soon had the chills and I was feeling pretty hot. That night, I soaked alot of bedding from my fever breaking.
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Comfort Inn, Harpers Ferry, WVA

To: Hampton, Va
Miles today: 0.0

This AM, I realized that I needed a place to convalesce. I think my fever was going to hang around for awhile; so, I called "Tamborine". She came and picked me up and gave me a bed to be sick in for a week or so. As of 8pm this day, I would have had my fever for 48 hours. It was very exhausting trying to drink all the fluids I could to keep up with how much I was sweating, 101-104 temp. So "Hawk" began saying things like ,"no one inside the shelter has the balls to come out and say somtething to them. This went on and on and was getting more graphic and profane. He said, "there is no law out here, we are thru hikers." This was the thing that kind of got me going was a thru hiker acting like this. I remember my hike in 1990 and I do not want hikers getting bad reputations from druken incidents like this. I finally could not handle the taunting anymore when one kid looked at me as Hawk said that no one had the guts to come out and say anything. Well, as anyone that can tell you that knows me; I stepped out of the shelter and said, " Im your Huckleberry." Not really, I did ask them to take their party up the hill. Then Hawk rushed me and then I called the police. Then they finally came and Hawk went to Jail. And I felt bad. Then Hawk stalked me until April 1st 2007 in Damascus this year. Where we soon became buddies and stride to forget about the past.
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Hampton, Va

To: C&O Canal Towpath, Maryland(Old campsite on river)
Miles today: 4.0

Tamborine dropped me off at the Harper's Ferry Library where I checked my e-mail and said goodbye to Tamborine. She saved my life(nearly). Her family accepted me and helped get the strength to get back on the trail. I basically walked 2 miles down the C&O and camped. My head was spinning as I was   walking. I set my tent up and it rained and a train went by about every 20 minutes very close and very loud. After awhile; it was quite soothing at this site along the Potomac. I was very glad to be back on the AT! Did not know if I would get over that flu.
Date: 2007-06-13
From: C&O Canal Towpath, Maryland(Old campsite on river)

To: C&O Canal Towpath, Maryland(Old campsite on river)
Miles today: 0.0

I was so fatigued from the up and down fevers that I stayed all day here on the Tow Path and listened to trains and the sounds associated with a big river like: boaters; wading fisherman; tubers; bikers; other thru-hikers; Canadian Geese; Trains and trains and trains which become soothing with their regularity; thunder;   insects buzzing; wind blowing. I did feel depressed with not hiking; but, I wanted rest more than to hike and do something about it.
Date: 2007-06-14
From: C&O Canal Towpath, Maryland(Old campsite on river)

To: C&O Canal Towpath, Maryland(Old campsite on river)
Miles today: 4.0

Walked into Harper's Ferry to get some water and ate 3 hamburgers. Got back and was tired; so, I enjoyed the river again. Feeling more depressed about not doing miles and doing less about it!
Date: 2007-06-15
From: C&O Canal Towpath, Maryland(Old campsite on river)

To: Ed GARVEY sHELTER; mARYLAND
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Walked up to the Ed garvey Shelter after a long morning of getting things together. It was a tough walk up Weverton Cliffs. It was a long climb; but, not that steep. I was happy to get to the shelter and feel like I was back on the trail by seeing other hikers. This area is very popular with day hikers; so, I had alot of company. I met a dad and son from Michigan. They gave me Alot of food; for which I was grateful and ate every bit of it. I was not much with conversation because my head still had alot of cobwebs; but I did teach the two some about the trail. The water is a serious .5 mile climb down to the spring and a tough .5 climb back. I did it twice.
Date: 2007-06-16
From: Ed GARVEY sHELTER; mARYLAND

To: Compton Gap Shelter, Maryland
Miles today: 5.8

I slept in and walked the short 5.5 miles to The Compton Gap Shelter. I still had my head "a swimmin'"; but, I got to the shelter without much effort because of the flat terrain. Met some new thru hikers; notably, "LifeTraveller". He was a 20 year old from Rogersville, Tn. That is a real country place. He has alot of wild interests and is veryu inquisative about natural phenomena. Not much else; had the shelter to myself and slept very well.
Date: 2007-06-17
From: Compton Gap Shelter, Maryland

To: Pine Knob Shelter, Maryland
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: few clouds

Felt alot better today. This good feeling began, after I talked and hiked most of the day with "Blue Yonder". She was from St Augustine, Fla and had read my journal before she left. She made me feel good and was concerned about my health and kind of hiked with me & pushed me some. Alot of flat ground and civil war and American Revolutionary war history. Went into the Dahlgren backpacker campground. A place that was just for hikers with showers. Crossed across the very congested I-70 footbridge. Nice to be free!Got to the Pine Knob Shelter and was introduced to the Gypsy Moth Caterpillar and Frass. All night long, these caterpillars eat leaves that drop along with poop all night upon my tent. It is a strange thing having this rain down all night. I met "Usual Suspect". A kindred soul as he worked with boys at the Cumberland, Md Old Dominion Outdoor Therapeutic Program. It is part of the 3 Springs Inc and I had been there several times in the past. It is a program of legends in the world of "getting boys honest" Richard Warren. Nice to meet him and see he was a NOBO.
Date: 2007-06-18
From: Pine Knob Shelter, Maryland

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter, Maryland
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: haze

Did not sleep well and woke up late. Was grossed out when I got out of my tent because of the fallen Frass(Gypsy moth droppings). There was a nice coating over everything. Got moving later in the day; after a long conversation with Flip floppers "Starvin' Marvin' and Pearls"; and then with a Mr Bernard. Mr Bernard was writing a book on the Inca's and loved to talk. Hiked pretty well over fairly level terrain; but, I still do not have the endurance to do big miles. Right before the Cowall Shelter; I hit "the wall". I was done for the day. Set up my tent around 6pm and laid in it early; after some discussions with "LifeTraveller; Stephen; Uncle Tom" and a few others. Felt kind of nautious because of too much ibuprofen & Tylenol & little dehydration; but, eventually got to sleep. I have had the feeling since I got back on the trail; after my bout with the flu; that I needed to make some miles. It was getting hotter and buggier everyday; and I needed some food.
Date: 2007-06-19
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter, Maryland

To: .25 mile below Pen-Mar rd in PA
Miles today: 10.0

Woke up really late and wanted to try to have a big day. It was already hot and by some accounts it got up to 102 degrees. I felt it going up Devil's Racecourse around 2 pm with the sun beatin' down. I had to take a break about .1 from the top because my head was spinning so bad. I just rested and wished that I was in better shape and hating having to re-train my body back to peak thru-hiker shape. Too be honest with you all; that's the deal with me. It all comes from the effort it takes to get into peak condition twice! It is bad enough back in Ga; but, now again in Maryland. It is actually a good place to recover with its long straight aways. On the way to Pen-Mar park on the Pa/Md line(4.5 miles); it began to thunder. From my days out here. I knew I had limited time until it rained. I was right at the Devils Racecourse shelter; but, I decided to race the storm to the Pen-Mar pavilions. I did a pace of at least 3 miles an hour and ran off and on with two other thru hikers: "Noodles"(the male version); and I forgot his name, but he just graduated from UT Austin. Both of my sides were killing me; but, I pushed through the pain, up to when I wanted to throw-up. I did make it. I was soaking sweat from the jog. I mean sopping wet. It did rain as I was under the dance pavilion and talked with about 5 hikers when "Almost lucky" showed up after completing the Maryland challenge(40 miles) from 1:30 am to 6pm. I called REI and had them send me some food to The Ironmasters Mansion in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. I had to use some cashback for emergency mountain houses(17 servings of lasagna; beef stroganoff; beef stew; and beef/mashed potatoes). I then went down past the state line and set up my tent in a misty dramatically cooler creek hollow. Slept good with dreams of some good food. I wanted to go more miles; but, my jaunt to avoid the storm wore me out.
Date: 2007-06-20
From: .25 mile below Pen-Mar rd in PA

To: .7 miles north of old/new AT intersection
Miles today: 14.5

Woke up at Pen-Mar really worrying about food. I went up and got water at the road and talked to a couple local boys; alot like Tn mountain boys; except the did not offer me a shot of whiskey; not that I would have taken it. I was still nursing; but, the jog into Pen-Mar showed me that I was ready to push myself. ANd I want to test myself. Some nice walking with a few rocks and some occasional steep 1 mile climbs; up to a rocky ridge. The shelters through this area are spectacular: Deer Lick; Antietam; Tumbling Run. When I got to Tumbling run: I met The Finneys. They maitain the shelter and feed me 3 apples and 3 cokes; and I took 2 more apples and a coke with me. It gave me the "Mo" to get moving up and over the Chimney Rocks which were a hell of a climb. I was really movin. I hiked till dark which was the 2nd longest day of the year. It was very cool, upper 40's with a 15 mph breeze. I had my 20 degree bag zipped up! It was awesome.
Date: 2007-06-21
From: .7 miles north of old/new AT intersection

To: Quarry Gap Shelters, Pa
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up late as it was still very cool and nice to lay there with the wind hitting my bare body inside my bug screen. As I was getting ready to leave; I drank the last coke. I am now a believer in cokes. If you drink 2; you can really hike. When I was leaving, I heard some people go by up on the trail. I had camped on a side trail. One thing about this part of Pa: it smells like livestock. I was not sure if it was just me or what; but, I always smelled that smell. I quickly met "Shadow and NumbToe". They started Jan 1, 2007; so, I knew of them and they; of me. It was good to meet. They are cool and about my age and from NC. I got going and made it to US 30 and went into Fayeteville, PA. I bought a dozen eggs and got a news paper. Walked into town .6 miles and got a ride out. I went down to Caledonia State Park and ate 4 Boiled Eggs. Beat the Storm to Quarry Gap Shelters and meet a 12 year old boy and a cute woman; who was his chaperon. Could not tell her relation. Called it a day after the storm hit and met the caretaker. This is undoubtedly the best maintained shelter on the AT. I loved lounging here; beauteous. Did wish I hiked more miles and wanted a big day tomorrow.
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Quarry Gap Shelters, Pa

To: James Fry Shelter, Pa
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up and met a pretty cool cat named "shovel". He made the mistake of telling me that he had a degree in American political theory. Well, he heard the entire story of Aaron Burr. It was amazing how much of that 460 page book that I remembered. We ended with talking about his passion. He is a DJ on Thursdays at 2-4 am on the U of Md radio. I went into a Public Enemy; Too Short; Pimpedelic; Erik B and Rakim; etc talk. We made good time. Doing alot of talking; but, hiking as well. We left about 10 am. We got to the nect shelter about 8 miles away; Birch Run. The ridge Runner was there. I ate 4 more boiled eggs; which is what I had for breakfeast and was completely out of food. We left again around 1 or 2pm and got movin. I went off and left "shovel". He is a section hiker that has been out about 3 weeks and for 1 more week. I got to the Ironmasters Mansion and finally found my REI dehydrated food and went down to the snack shop where everyone was doing the 1/2 gallon challenge. A tradition where thru hikers eat a 1/2 gallon of ice cream at the 1/2 way point. I did not do it as it is a tradition that I do not want to add to. I did eat about 5 servings of Mt House Lasagna and was full for the first time since Back at "Tamborines". At 7pm, I was headed off for a record day of 25.5 miles to the James Fry Shelter! I got in after dark to an empty shelter and went to sleep and got a little chilly. It got down in the mid 40's.
Date: 2007-06-23
From: James Fry Shelter, Pa

To: Darlington Shelter, Pa
Miles today: 27.2
Weather: few clouds

I woke up went I heard the birds chirping. Took about 15 minutes to get the juice to get moving because it was very chilly for the date. I did get going and just packed my pack in 5 minutes and got moving army style. I felt better than I had the whole trip and moving to the best condition that I had been on the whole trip, as well. I moved at a 2.5 to 3 mph clip all day. I just walked through any foot soreness or uncomfortableness and just kept moving. It is amazing with daylight from 4:45 am to 10:00pm how many miles you can do. There are alot of rocks through some of the trail on the way to Boiling Springs, PA. After that, it is alot of farmland skirting for 20 miles to the base of North Mtn; where the Darlington Shelter is located. It was a hot day and I was very desirous of having female companionship. None ever appeared and I was very lonely. I just keep moving. Some girl and dude came Mtn Biking along the AT north of Boiling Springs. She was quite a sight. Kept moving and got to Darlington Shelter with all kinds of hikers. There was thru hikers "LifeTraveller; Second Wind; Mountain Mike & Pumpkin(dog); Radar; and a group of section hikers that were all woman. I knew one from the SNP, Pansy. Slept better than I have since collapsing into the McQueens Knob shelter in Tn; going into Damascus.