morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-20
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday, we were in Virginia and stopped into West Virginia. And tonight, we're sleeping in Maryland. Maryland is awesome so far. The weather today was perfect for hiking since the storms last night cleared out the haze, heat, and humidity. The climbs were so gentle as to be almost non-existent. Great state. It should be longer!Bad Influence, 1/4 Moon, Ohn, and I had a leisurely walk out of Harper's Ferry which started after 10:00 a.m. following a brunch of burgers at the cafe. We took breaks alond the C & O canal path, at the Ed Garvey Shelter, and Gathland State Park, making for a long day of sunshine and loafing. Gathland State Park was a particularly useful resting spot because of its spigot, flush toilets, and vending machines. Nothing makes a hiker happier than nearing the hum of a vending machine. I tell you. Our rest was interrupted when a 300 pound man riding a driving mower started mowing circles next to where we were sprawled out in the grass.Since Shenandoah, I've been going through a routine I refer to as "Little Generals". This involves spreading maps and guidebooks out on a picnic table and plotting a plan of attack on the day, much like a general plotting his next military move. Playing little generals gives us the logistical leg-up we need to be at the right pub for lunch or at a park with vending machines at the hottest part of the day. Now that we're hiking closer to major urban centers, there are many options for dining and other diversions, and I feel like I'm becoming the Stormin' Norman of cold drinks and grill food. Little Generals has given me a stronger sense of map skills and a re-newed interest in the contents of my guidebook. I went so far as to buy the Pennsylvania maps of the AT (I had hike mapless before) just so I can feel the pleasure of unfurling them on a picnic table while staring at them with my glasses slid halfway down my nose, and my hand placed thoughtfully on my chin. Little Generals is best carried out when enough hikers are assembled to provide a data book, the Companion, Wingfoot, and map sets. Cross-referencing the shelter registers also helps in terms of discovering potential trail magic spots or lesser known eating establishments. I also collect my intelligence by talking to locals and southbound hikers. Does this sound like a lot of hassle to go through to get a cheeseburger? If your answer is "yes", you probably haven't been living in the woods for three months!
Date: 2007-06-21
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: few clouds

After taking multiple wrong turns, bushwacking twice, taking a blue blaze north....then south, and a short road walk, we made it to the DogPatch Tavern. I don't care what folks say about the Washington Monument (the old one that we saw this morning), Dog Patch is Maryland's State Treasure. It's a biker bar/hiker bar, a rough-looking spot, with a tough lady bartender, pool tables, dartboard, great juke box, and a polaroid of a bearded biker dancing with a blow-up doll. A great place to celebrate summer solstice....Speaking of summer solstice, we were interviewed by the Baltimore Sun (www.baltimoresun.com) concerning our summer solstice plans. Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is the traditional day to hike naked. We're opting out of that racket though, since we were warned that there are rangers in the area cracking down on naked hikers this year. That, and I have no desire to be caught with my pants down (literally) by a bunch of boy scouts. Instead, Ohm, 1/4 Moon, Bad Influence and I grabbed six packs to go and toasted the day at Pine Knob Shelter. We drank with the hum of I-70 serenading us in the background.We're all in slow motion today. With all of the flush toilets and picnic tables to distract us, it took us three hours to walk 3.9 miles (we average 3 mph over this easy terrain usually). At one point, we took a snack break at a picnic table only to get up, walk .1 mile, and discover vending machines which necessitated another break in the shade. We've reached some supreme level of comfort out here. Walking between campsites is like strolling to the fridge for a cold drink rather than a wild and wooly backcountry adventure.Our joyfully slothful pace combined with beers and bad weather caused us to call it quits for the day at Pine Knob. I rediscovered the weather band feature on my radio when we saw a line of dark clouds marching in, and I tuned in to the local report which was far from favorable for our planned daily mileage. So, we stayed at the shelter and stayed dry. It's like a revalation to realize that I don't have to walk in a thunderstorm. I can walk a bit extra tomorrow instead. Brilliant! So, now I'm siting in my sleeping bag snug and dry while it pours rain and thunders.
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Buena Vista Road
Miles today: 19.1

Allow me to introduce the Reinke family, a.k.a. The Rose Sniffers. Bill and Amy and their children, Gracelyn, Jackson, and Aidan have been inviting hikers into their Pennsylvania home for the past two years. And, let me tell you, it is trail magic beyond trail magic. We first saw a note from the Rose Sniffers in the Rocky Run Shelter register advertising food, showers, laundry, indoor sleeping, etc. We were skeptical; it seemed too good to be true. Afterall, we were heading north out of Southern hospitality country. But, we called Bill, and after having the cell signal drop twice, he called and left instructions on where and when he would pick us up.The 19 mile day flew by under our feet because Maryland is truly awesome with its well groomed and flat trails. True, there were a few rocks right before Pen Mar Park, but they added interest to the easy walking. After Pen Mar, we hit 2 trail magic coolers in the span of a mile, disproving that hospitality only resides in the south.The Rose Sniffers picked us up on Buena Vista Road and drove us back to their house where they showed us amazing generosity and openess with their home. Amy made icy margaritas for us , and while I was sipping on one (I was freshly showered at that point, mind you), she asked if we'd like to slackpack the following day. I nearly spat out my drink. I didn't think life could get any better!After dinner, Bill put together a roaring bonfire in the backyard. He's a collector of dad Christmas trees and had a stack of them next to the firewood. He tossed one in and the flames shot 30 feet into the sky. I was enchanted and threw a few more in during the course of the night. It was definately the best fire that we've had on the trail.
Date: 2007-06-23
From: Buena Vista Road

To: Route 30
Miles today: 16.8

After the Rose Sniffers fed us a delicious breakfast, they dropped us off at Rt. 30 by Caledonia State Park for our southbound slack pack. They had plans to go to a party later in the day, so they left us with the keys to their truck which they parked back at Buena Vista Road. It was amazing. They didn't even know us, but were handing us the keys to their truck and gave us full run of the house! I've never met such wonderfully trusting people before!Our southbound trip was fun since Bad Influence, Ohm, 1/4 Moon, and I have been in a bit of a hiker void lately, and we were wondering where everyone was. Walking south for the day allowed us to run into folks who were hiking behind us. We ran into Circuit Rider, Sherlock, Step and a Half, Gus, Lynx, Touch my Stuff, Spaceman, and Forrest. The best surprise of that came before lunch, when we passed a Northbounder who looked really familiar to me. He turned around after we passed and asked if I was Birdlegs. I took a second look at him and realized that he was Michael (a.k.a. Wrong Turn), a hiker who had stayed at my NYC apartment for a few days last year! He said that he wanted to surprise me on the trail, and saw that I was only a couple days ahead of him. Proof that the trail is a small place.....After our hike (which took forever because we spent half the time socializing), we picked up the truck and drove past Route 30 to pick up Michael and Why Not. We rolled into the Chinese Buffet in Waynesboro and took the place by storm. After hitting Walmart and the bar, Chocolate Park, for six packs to go, we drove "home' with some take-out food for 1/4 Moon. He had stayed home to mow the lawn and help with some chores while we slack packed!We sat in front of the fire, and I got a chance to catch up with Michael, who started his hike in May and has been making great time. He's planning on reaching Katahdin by late August, in time to return to school.Slackpacking made me painfully aware of how heavy my pack has become (I'm carrying about 30 pounds with food and water -- way too much for summer). I'm going to have no mercy on it when I get to Boiling Springs. But, I do have to say that my Granite Gear pack has been awesomely comfortable!
Date: 2007-06-24
From: Route 30

To: Michaux Road
Miles today: 17.2

I love Pennsylvania hospitality! It's so good, it's ridiculous! I love it!We said goodbye to the Rose Sniffers this morning. They allowed us to take their truck to Caledonia State Park where we left it in the parking lot for them to pick up later in the afternoon. It was an amazing two days, and we can't thank them enough.The weather and trail today was beautiful. Pennsylvania is flat and the trail is well groomed in this area to boot. I haven't heard too many kind words about PA come out of the mouths of thru-hikers. That's a shame because, so far, this state has been amazing (and that's not an overly biased statement coming from a PA native).After our 17 mile day of walking under the sunshine with a cool breeze and flat terrain, we got yet another trail magic surprise. While taking a break at Birch Run Shelter, Junker the ridgerunner, came into camp looking for some people. We talked to him and he mentioned that Circuit Rider and Sherlock were staying at his place. I mentioned that I knew them, and he invited Bad Influence, 1/4 Moon, Ohm, Michael, and I over to his house to eat and take showers. Who knew that Circuit Rider and Sherlock held so much influence in these parts! Junker drove us in from Michaux Road, and it ended up that his home is a secret quasi-hiker hostel during the summer. Mrs. Junker laid out a spread consisting of everything delicious you could imagine, and we ate like fools. Once again, we were blown away by Northern hospitality. Thank you Junker and Mrs. Junker!Tomorrow, we head a few short miles into Pine Grove State Park to the official halfway mark. I'm trying to get myself psyched up to do the half-gallon challenge (eating a half gallon of ice cream as quickly as possible) for breakfast.I saw my first PA rattler yesterday on my way back from collecting water at the spring, when I heard a tell tale rattle near my feet. Instinctively, my body rose from the ground, and I swear levitated six feet to the left. Everyone at the shelter asked what was there then rushed down to sight see and taunt the snake.
Date: 2007-06-26
From: PA 34

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: scattered clouds

It's funny how things look different in the light of day. Our camping spot looked moderately sketchy last night, but in the morning, we saw something so bad that it was funny. Our tents and hammock were pitched on a 20 foot wide strip of land between grafitti covered rail cars and Ray's auto garage on Rt. 34. The upside to our location was our close proximity to the Green Mountain Deli, home of the first decent subs (great, actually) on our northbound hike. If real estate really is all about "location, location, location", then we didn't do half bad.It was a brutally hot day, and we rolled into Boiling Springs around noon. 1/4 Moon fed the ducks in the town lake, creating a mad stampeed of waterfowl who followed him parade-style through part of the town. We hit up the mid-Atlantic ATC office for a sit-down before hitting the P.O. and the local tavern.Then, another delightful trail magic surprise occurred. We were sitting on the porch swing at ATC when Phil Spare strolled in and asked us where we were planning on spending the night. He and his wife, Allison, have made it a hobby to take in thru-hikers. 1/4 Moon, Ohm, and I found ourselves on the receiving end of delightful trail magic once more! The Spare family (including their children, Sam and Phoebe) took us in and entertained us like we were family. They're a really interesting family (Phil is cousins with the artist Keith Harring) and the dinner conversation reminded me of some NYC dinner parties I've attended because of their travels and interest in the arts. Truly, it was yankee hospitality at its best: One part generosity, one part cosmopolitan dinner conversation. Thank you so much Phil, Allison, Sam, and Phoebe for welcoming us into your home (and letting 1/4 Moon enjoy a wild ride on your two seater bicycle), and they're fans of Iron City beer! Having lived in Pittsburg for years, I've been a fan of "Iron" for years. The Spare's beer choice alone marked them as good people in my book!
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Boiling Springs

To: Boiling Springs, PA 
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a big and busy day, despite the absence of trail miles. I've been working on a non-fiction book about the A.T. since 2005, and prior to my hike, shopped out proposals to a few small publishers specializing in A.T. themed books. In Gatlinburg, I heard from Stackpole books. They were interested in my book and made me an offer. So today, I met with me editor, Mark Allison, to review the contract and discuss the book (which will be published in early 2009). It was difficult to switch gears from dirty hiker to "grown-up" author! After Mark and I finalized plans, I went to a thrift store in Front Royal to buy some appropriate clothes for our meeting. It felt odd to be in a dress, much like being in drag, after wearing the same hiking outfit for three months. But, I managed to find a moderately chic dress and shipped it to the post office in Boiling Springs care of general delivery. The meeting went really well. I told Mark that it was the longest commute I'd ever made for a meeting!The book advance is funding this hike, making me a "professional hiker". Hilarious! And wonderful beyond belief....This trail experience has been chock full of landmark experiences and today was one of the most significant among them. I feel so fortunate to be able to hike and enjoy the AT, and to use my hiking and research skills to bring a useful book to the hiking community.
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Boiling Springs, PA 

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

What's the definition of a hiker friendly town? A place that'll look the other way while five hikers set up camp in the town's picnic pavillion. Ohm, 1/4 Moon, Dr. Ninja, The Breeze, and I spent a little too much time at the Boiling Springs Tavern and found ourselves without a place to stay. It was dark and threatening to storm, and we got inventive, throwing down on the floor of the gazebo by the children's lake. The tavern ended up being very hiker friendly too. We had a pretty negative run-in with a hostile bartender the day before, but Michael more than made up for her bad attitude by treating us like gold. The Tavern was also full of local characters, including a snake expert who told us about a local diver who explored the caverns where the spring originates and claimed to have found an African Toad.We woke today at 5:00 to beat the heat and afternoon storms. Unfortunately, we didn't get too sleep until 1:00 a.m., making for a groggy and grumpy day. But, we did manage to get our miles in early and got to sit around and eat all day. A boy scout troop even brought a big pot of chili down to the shelter, daring us to try and eat it all. It's going to be a musical night on the trail.
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The Doyle Hotel is an AT must-see, though in a different sense than McCaffe's Knob or Blood Mountain. When I rolled in to Duncannon after walking only 11 miles, I couldn't help myself. I was intrigued, so I stayed. In grad school, I dated a man who lived in a run-down hotel in the working-class outskirts of Pittsburg. The place was a "historic" building and let out rooms in the floors above the bar on a weekly (perhaps hourly) basis. It was thoroughly wrecked inside and out, but it had what a daring and creative mind could call "charm". It reminds me of the Doyle. There are holes and cracks everywhere here -- in the floors, walls, and ceiling. It's a peeping Tom's paradise, though I doubt anyone is staring at the sleeping hikers too much. There are empty drywall buckets for trash cans, and the bartender is in charge of supplying clean towels to the rooms. Smoking and drinking in the tiny twin beds is norm and the 24 oz. glasses of Yuengling, at the bar downstairs, cost only $2.50. Oh, and the food in the bar is seriously good. And cheap to boot. It's the antithesis of an anonymous chain motel, and for that reason, is very comforting (even the communal bath with the floor mat blackened from hundreds of itinerant feet stepping in and out of the shower).1/4 Moon and Ohm rolled out today after dinner and a beer. I'm sure I'll see them down the trail; it's such a small place. In the mean time, I'm on my own. It was a tough decision to stay while they moved on. Once again, I'm psychologically pinned to my herd, my trail family, though I've only hiked with them for a week or so, I had some of the best miles ever, and had a difficult internal battle when deciding to stay without them. I feel it's important, though, to do what my body feels comfortable doing and to not miss out on key experiences such as overnighting in a small dingy bed at the Doyle Hotel.I picked up a copy of Tolstay's "The Death of Ivan Ilych" to read as company. If I recall correctly from reading it years ago, this may not be the best book to read alone in the woods! At least I have half a copy of "Catcher in the Rye" if Ilych gets to be too much for evening shelter reading. Though what 30 year old run-away doesn't identify with Holden Caulfield to a disturbing degree? If I slowly become a disturbed idiot, a finger can be pointed at my book selection!I did a big re-supply to get me to Port Clinton. Since I stripped down my pack in Boiling Springs, I have a full load of grub and water, and my pack weighs in the mid-20 pound range. Excellent! Of course, with the addition of Ilych, I see the never ending shame - spiral of miscellaneous goods hitching a ride north on my back begin once again. It's like a bad yo-yo diet, this load I schlep.
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Duncannon

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: few clouds

I woke up at the Doyle, rolled over, and fell asleep again for another hour. Can't tell you what a great indulgence that was! After I woke, I leasurely packed up and headed over to Goodies for breakfast and conversation with the locals about Albino deer and inbreeding. When I walked out, a number of the townspeople wished me luck. It was as if I was going to war! Duncannon is super down-to-earth and hiker friendly, especially the Doyle (the owners may be the most hiker friendly folks I've met so far. They took our photos and learned our names. Check them out at www.doylehotel.com).The day's walk was full of beautiful views, good weather, and easy ridge walking. As if the day wasn't excellent enough, I strolled into Peter's Mountain Shelter to find Ohm and 1/4 Moon! Unfortunatley for 1/4 Moon, he had a bad sinus headache, so they cut their miles short for the day, but it was good news for me, one man's sinus headache misfortune is the Birdlegs good fortune. So, once again, our dynamic trio is re-united.... And 1/4 Moon appears to be feeling much better, so all is well in Appalachia land once more.In other news: the Gypsy moths have taken over PA. We started seeing bald patches of forest before Harper's Ferry, and the destruction has grown worse the further north we've walked. In one area of Southern PA, the forest was sprayed for catapillars, leaving masses of dead bug bodies clinging to the bases of the trees. At one point, I went to rap a tree with my knuckles as I said, "knock on wood". I pulled my hand away, and it was covered in dead Gypsy catapillars. Bad Influence and I spent a good while toying with the dead bugs in Maryland. We discovered that if you touched them with a trekking pole, their heads would pop off and a teaspoon of black putrified guts would pour out onto the ground. Very Hitchcock-esque.
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

Snakes ahoy! I saw Pennsylvania Rattlers # 2,3,4, and 5 sunbathing on the rocks today at Shikellimy overlook. I had just caught up with 1/4 Moon and Ohm when I saw 1/4 Moon yelling and doing a crazy-man dance atop a large boulder. Apparently, he was about to step off the rock right onto the snake. When he was looking for a safe snake-free spot to take a step, he almost speared a small fat rattler with his trekking pole. The ridgerunner told us that the snakes were "hiker friendly", but they all appeared to be in an anti-social mood, writhing around the rocks and rattling at us.A thru hiker from the 1990's told me about the infamous "Rausch Gap Rat" (we're staying at Rausch tonight). This rat was reported to LOVE chewing on stinky thru hiker socks. We haven't sighted the rat yet, but there are a lot of bossy mice around. One of the mice came up to Sylva's bag while she was cooking and tried to help himself. He didn't seem to mind that she was mere inches away. He did scurry off when 1/4 Moon started firing rocks his way (Sylvan looked ready to scurry off as well).We were discussing statistics today. A ridgerunner told us that only half of the hikers who signed in at Harper's Ferry ATC will make it to the end. That's a cheerful thing to annouce to a shelter full of happy hikers! Sadly, though, we've lost another two people in the past 24 hours. Of all the folks who sign the registers, I only recognize a handful of names... This makes me realize that every day on the trail is a gift, that I've somehow managed to beat the odds so far.
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We got our first taste of the PA rocks today, but only a small taste. There were a few short stretches of crazy pop can sized rocks in piles that made me walk like a drunk in high heels. Other than the ankle biting rocks, the terrain was smooth. Even the 1,000 foot climb was smooth and easy. I'm telling you, PA is a great state. It's been highly underated by past thru-hikers.1/4 Moon, Ohm, Byte Code, Alright and his friend, and Iditerod are here at 501 Shelter. 501 is a delightfully odd set-up with an enclosed shelter/bunkhouse, Port-a-john, cold water shower, and split wood for the fire ring. One can have a pizza delivered here even (except on Mondays...which we found out was today). Ohm and Byte Code hitched in to Pine Grove only to discover that most everything in town is closed on Mondays. But, they did manage to score hot dogs and buns, and we had a big wennie roast in the shelter's yard.I'm feeling a bit under the weather.