morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

When I hit the trail this morning I had decided to go to the Front Royal Hostel so I called Mike the proprietor to reserve a bunk, except that I missed the turnoff to the hostel. I knew something was wrong after I had walked for an hour past the intersection where I was supposed to turn. When I finally decided I had gone past a point of no return I called Mike again to let him know I was canceling my reservation. He called me back in a few minutes and offered to pick me up at be next road crossing, which was US522, the road to Front Royal. When he picked me up he had other hikers in The car and took us all to the grocery store for our resupply.So...I have everything taken care of that I need I order to get back on the trail in the morning, sooner than I would have if I had hiked in from the first access road be because the normal routine is to go into town in the morning for resupply which would put me on the trail too late in the day to make the mileage I would like. After doing some figuring I can see now that I probably won't be in Harpers Ferry until Monday. ON-ON
Date: 2003-08-15
From: AT Campsite

To: Melville Nanheim Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

Well, I¢m pretty thankful it didn¢t rain out last night. I was using a brand new sheet of ground plastic and it was a bit slippery. I¢d set up the tarp so I¢d be on a little hump, but the way it happened was I slid down the hump and halfway out of the tarp by the time I woke up. So I had breakfast with my cousin Nathan and joked some more about some song lyrics ¢dead bodies everywhere!¢ that he¢s had in his head, and then I continued my northbound saunter as he turned and walked south toward Mt Greylock and his parked car. About 15 miles to get here today, at Melville Nanheim Shelter. That was pretty nice, the first day in a while that was entirely in a National Forest. The terrain and woods and all was nice, and only had to cross one highway. I entered the Green Mtn National Forest Yesterday, when I crossed the border into Vermont. When I crossed Rt 9, I found a hot dog stand there operated by a pretty lively woman. Of course I just couldn¢t pass up a cheeseburger and chilidog and fries! She was nice, though one subject of talk brought up the problem that bummed her out was that the National Forest people were giving her trouble over being set up there. So I was nice and bought an extra brownie. -applejack-
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Sky Meadow Park

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Sky Meadows to Bears Den Hostel mile 998.6. Today's miles 16.3 very, very rough miles. The trail from Ashby Gap to Rod Hollow shelter was choked with weeds and obviously has not had any maintenance this spring. Even though I doused myself with 100% deet I am covered with Chiggers and itch like crazy. I just got a batch of Chiggers healed and now I have these to deal with. It sure makes you appreciate the areas that have been whacked with a weed eater.As I passed the 998 mark I began a portion of the trail known as the "Roller Coaster," a series of hills that culminate at the Blackburn Center at mile 1006.5. They are mostly straight up and down, varying in height from 1000 to 1300 feet and are mostly rocks of varying size. Did I mention it is very, very tough going? The lack of maintenance is very apparent also!Tomorrow should take me into West Virginia and also pass the 1000 mile mark. ON-ON
Date: 2003-08-16
From: Melville Nanheim Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Woke at a reasonable time, listened to the radio to make my rise more unreasonable. Cooking breakfast, there was a kitten at the shelter which was understandably hungry and snuck around the table trying to score food. I made it absolutely clear that it wouldn¢t be getting any of mine. I think someone left it there to eradicate mice, but it is more nuisance itself. Today was forecast scattered showers/thunderstorms, so I set a steady pace for tonight¢s destination, Kid Gore Shelter (12.8 miles). It was nice that the showers held out till after I got here, and that it¢s a nice shelter with a good spring. Got here at short after 2 and thought that would give good opportunity to read the book I bought four weeks ago at the Water Gap. I¢ve so far only read about 26 pages and its all been introduction; haven¢t even read anything Thoreau wrote yet! There are some other thrus here: Tom for Short, and a group of three, two brothers Slug and Teflon and also Tunnel Vision. The brothers smoke cigarettes in the shelter which bugs me but I¢m not going to say so. I¢ll just make a point not to be in the same shelter again. I don¢t want to end the entry on the note of the last sentence, so I¢ll mention something more pleasant, like how there¢s been absolutely no thru-hiker fatalities involving polar bears. ¢applejack-
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry US340
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Another hard day! The rocks are unceasing. The best part of the day was when I crossed over into West Virginia. The trail smoothed out for quite a few miles and was almost like walking a smooth trail in a public park,, but that didn't last long, the rest of the day was more rock hopping and my feet are sore!I passed the 1000 mile mark early this morning. There wasn't anyone with me so I was unable to get a picture with the sign so I just took a picture of the sign. Meh. I had planned to camp just outside of town so I could come in early tomorrow for breakfast but wound up coming on in this evening due to the heat. I was really glad I did after I navigated the rocks and steep downhill into town. I would have had to have a late breakfast!Tomorrow I have to pick up a mail drop at the ATC office then make a trip to the outfitter and resupply. I will probably move to another motel at the other end of town too, this one is expensive and not close to shopping of any kind. It was the closest to the trail, though, and I was so hot and tired when I came out of the woods I was happy to see their sign. It meant a hot shower, clean clothes and air conditioning! If I can get everything completed tomorrow I will take the rest of the day off and get ready to head back to the trail on Wednesday. ON-ON
Date: 2003-08-17
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: William B. Douglas Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: light rain

Listened to the New England Patriots game last night before sleep, shut it off at halftime because it was a late one but I heard they finished off the second half quite well. It¢s really now feeling like I¢m home here in New England with that; hearing the home football team broadcast over a radio station I get in Gloucester, rock 101! It was quite a nice day, though mostly overcast and some showers it was very comfortable. I really like walking alongside the wetlands of which there have been a good amount here in Vermont. Today¢s larger mountain ascent on Stratton Mtn had a fire tower atop but rain clouds shrouded the views. Got down to Stratton Pond Shelter, cooked a great dinner, and I felt good and there was plenty of time left before dark, so I made for the next shelter, William B. Douglas Shelter, which is free and at Stratton there¢s a $6 fee. I was pleasantly surprised to find both Le Chef and Widget here, as well as A-Train. The Chef and Widget are all about throwing trash (insults in humor) back and forth and have had me laughing since I got here!   -applejack-
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Harpers Ferry US340

To: Harpers Ferry, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

After looking at the weather last night for the report for today I went down to the front desk of the motel and booked another night. I'm not even interested in moving to another motel even though this one has no dining close by and cell service is not good,, not even for Verizon,, imagine that! Rain was forecast for today and for once they got it right as it rained most of the day. Most of today was spent learning to navigate the local bus route/schedule and getting my resupply and trying to get some relief for my feet. I wanted a new pair of shoes with a wider toe-box but I was not able to get what I wanted at the local outfitter, so I wound up getting "Dr Scholls" 3/4 length inserts at Wally-World. I could tell an immediate change in my right foot but unfortunately the foot I need the most relief for, the left one, did not have any apparent change. Never the less I will hike out with them in the morning and see how things work out. I'm keeping the original insoles just in case the new ones don't work out. ON-ON
Date: 2003-08-23
From: The Lookout

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

The weather has been very much to my liking. Got up to my alarm to climb up to the deck for sunrise and managed to resist the thought of falling back asleep. There was a distant cloud line over which the sunrise came, but it was quite nice anyhow. I was up anyway so I got walking on my 14 mile day. Except for lunch I just walked straight through to Thistle Hill Shelter for my last night in Vermont. Yeaheah. Wonderfully comfortable temps today, with Mr. Blue Sky overhead. The trail; seemed easier than yesterday though it still has that against-the-grain problem making it¢s way east to NH. I¢m in some pleasant company at this shelter, no one I¢d met before. There¢s a SOBO Scarecrow, a father/two sons for a weekend, former thru Potato Man accompanying thrus ¢Not the Kennedys¢ on their final miles. ¢Not the Kennedys¢ finish in 14 miles at Hanover the entire AT, half of which they¢d done last year. The father/sons brought marshmallows and made a fire, and people were social. Seeing as my food only has to last till tomorrow morning, and I don¢t feel like carrying out food weight unused, I cooked my largest trail dinner yet. Two 5 oz. cans chicken, 1 1/3 potatoes, 7oz. packet tuna and a half-pound of pasta elbows. Oh yeah, I¢m still full 3 hours later!   -applejack-
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

The 23 mile day did not materialize. The heat and rocks got to me and at the turnoff to Rocky Mountain Shelter I announced to Rabbit that I was through and she said she was glad because she was tired too. I have a blister on one of my toes...the first time I have EVER had a blister and it is partly because of the heat, partly because of the rocks but mostly because we force marched most of the day.Now I am going to have to readjust my schedule so I can hit the Caledonia Park store when it opens to resupply for the next few days. We will hike to a shelter tomorrow afternoon and then go to the Iron Mountain Hostel on Sunday. We were originally planning to be there tomorrow. I sure was looking forward to a shower tonight too!On-ON
Date: 2003-08-30
From: Hanover, NH

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I have a lot of things to mention, journal. On Sunday I had a very pleasant walk to Hanover about 14 miles. Got there and met Lumberjack, A-train, Geo and Le Chef at Molly¢s for $2 Margaritas. When Chef wasn¢t looking I made use of his 2/3 full one. After he came back, I went to the bathroom and they snitched on me. So when I got back it was time for a humorously hasty escape. Matt drove up shortly after, and as I¢d arranged, it was time to leave the trail for 5 days to do some work for my boss. It was a nice week of work and calorie loading with plenty of food, beer, and half-gallon ice cream each day. I found it somewhat amusing to eat a hgic each day in front of my co-workers along with lunch. Friday came and as quickly as I¢d gone home I whisked off back to the trail, with a ride thanks to Matt. There was rain last night, and I wasn¢t about to pay for hotel, so rather than tent I slept under the bridge on the Connecticut River at the state line. Walked into Hanover this morning, Breakfast/ post office/ supermarket, and then of course walk out with a way loaded pack. Saw many people today that haven¢t seen in a while, before VT and longer. Walked 17 miles to Trapper John Shelter and had hot dogs over stove. Will be chilly tonight-no bugs-perhaps I can soon send home the Net-tent. Walking this after 5 days off my feet are a little sore. Perhaps my too-heavy pack had something to do with that also. But hey, when Grandma Peg sends cookies, Gerry sends bread, Ma sends cake with my mail drop, I make it all fit!      -applejack-
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday took so much out of me that I hiked short miles today to recuperate...and I'm STILL tired. The heat is really beginning to wear on everyone.We ran into trail magic at Caledonia State Park; King Krawler, a 2010 thru-hiker was celebrating the day he passed through Caledonia by serving up Blueberry Pancakes in the morning then Cheeseburgers and all kinds of snacks and drinks at lunch. It was awesome. And, since I tried a thru-hike in 2010 we found out we both knew some of the same hikers. We had a ball remembering people's names and recalling anecdotes from 2010. After gorging ourselves at the magic it was hard hiking the 1000 ft of elevation, out of the park, over the next three miles.Tomorrow I should be in Pine Grove Furnace State Park where I will get to resupply then participate in the 1/2 gallon challenge where you try to eat a half gallon of ice cream in an allotted time. I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen, but, I'm still gonna give it a go. ON-ON
Date: 2003-08-31
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacube Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Man, I do believe I¢m getting lazy. I¢ll take that; anyway, before I admit something like my body¢s taking a toll. I only did 12 miles, but my feet were feeling sore. Well, perhaps there might not be any shame in having sore spots after 1800 miles. None of the pantywaists I hang out with would do that. Some pleasant walking today, a few views and nice character woods. Had lunch at the fire tower, met some locals who told me about my questions of Mt Cube Sugar House. Seems they do still sell stuff, but pancakes for breakfast, No More. That was my main attraction, so coupled with the 2-mile uphill distance from the trail on the road; I decided to ditch that idea. I¢m in pleasant company here at Hexacube Shelter, some people I¢ve met for the first time, but most I¢d met many miles ago. It¢s really beginning to seem like the thru-hikers are bunching up as the end draws near, as those who start in February can intend to finish the same time as people like I who begin in May.   ¢applejack-
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

I passed the halfway mark today!! WoooHooo!!! Now I am counting the miles DOWN!! 1081.0 to go. After passing the halfway point I took the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park and passed that with flying colors. I ate a half gallon of Vanilla ice cream in 29 minutes and 44 seconds. I had to stuff a huge spoonful in my mouth in order to stay under 30 minutes. There seems to be some kind of significance to being under 30 minutes and, of course, I always want to be competitive. Then, strangely, I was still hungry so I went back in the store and ordered a hotdog with the works! Not surprising, I had a hard time hiking this afternoon. Hahaha. Arrived at the shelter at 5:30 and after setting up my tent in the tenting area down the hill I walked down to the creek and had a sponge bath in the ice cold water. Brrr, it sure did feel good. It's not the same as a hot shower but its pretty good for being out in the woods. Tomorrow we are planning to have a short day and go in to Boiling Springs to possibly get a room in a hostel or at least find a place to shower and wash cloths. I stink something awful!ON-ONMeredith, I will be looking for Cabo when I get further north. Keep me posted on his progress, please.
Date: 2003-09-02
From: Glencliff Hostel

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

That was a nice night at Hexacube Shelter. Leaving there did 14 not bad miles to get to the hikers hostel in Glencliff, and I sort of went straight there because a lot of people were going too, and I got there and claimed a sofa to sleep on. It was cool, a comfortable place (to hikers in the camping mode) and the host, Packrat, was cool and a former thru. They went out for food so I got a pizza and a six of Rolling Rocks. There were a couple hikers who¢d been through the miles ahead already and it was funny they were, like, giving a military briefing looking way of informing us, like there¢s tactics and strategy to going through the White Mtns. Funny to me, anyway. I don¢t know, I guess I¢m just one of two, either superhuman and none of their suggestions apply to me, or two, I¢m just plain ignorant and won¢t pay attention to them anyway. I went out later to enjoy interesting company around a campfire. This morning brought right off the climb of the first above treeline mountain, Moosilauke, and entrance to the National Forest. Fun terrain today. I note in particular the descent of Moosilauke, which I may like to go back and ascend that trail in the fall, hopefully for a view. Today it was fog/clouded in. Walked a bit farther than intended, went 17 to Eliza Brook Shelter as it¢s pretty cloudy and could rain, and for it¢s water source. Tomorrow I cross highway 93 making my way towards the familiar Pemigawesset Wilderness.   ¢applejack-
Date: 2013-06-24
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Short miles to get to the Allenberry resort Inn and clean cloths and a shower. Whew, what a relief to get a shower and "feel" clean again. I have not had a real shower (or bath) since I left Harpers Ferry and I could smell myself, so I can only guess how far away others could smell me. Oh I was not worried about other hikers, they smell as bad as I do,, no, what I'm talking about is the day or weekend hikers that turn their noses up as they hike past. I got up early this morning and left camp at 6:15 am to take advantage of the cooler temps and quiet of the early morning. By 8:30 I was drenched in sweat and it only got worse as the day went on, to reach an official high of 91 degrees. Arrived at the Allenberry just after noon only to learn that their restaurant, bar and grill is closed on Mondays. Also, the local pub is closed on Mondays too. Whaaat! Is this a conspiracy against thru hikers? We got around that obstacle by getting a shuttle for Rabbits (Cathy's) mail drop in Duncannon then a trip to a liquor store and order out for Pizza. What kind of inn closes...no matter what day???Now that I have cleaned up and with clean clothes, I am ready to face the day tomorrow even though the temps are forecast to be in the 90's again. I know my shower and clean clothes will be a thing of the past within a couple of hours, but, at least I will know I was clean for a little while. ON-ON
Date: 2003-09-04
From: Mt Lafayette

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: overcast clouds

OK, so that was not one of my finer decisions, to sleep on top of Lafayette. All was well for a while, woke up about 2 thinking, ¢why are my toes wet?¢ I figured, ¢ah no big deal to get a little wet¢, and waited a little longer before I investigated. The plastic sheet had ripped down over my legs and rain was blowing in. I figured,¢oh I can live with this¢, and proceeded to try to fall asleep again. When I saw the weather report at Lonesome Lake Hut, it mentioned only ¢showers likely¢....then came the lightening. I figured that the lightening was probably far off, but laying there then it struck the mountaintop 10 feet higher than I and zapped me through the ground my self that wasn¢t on the foam pad. I spent 4 hours kneeled on the pad for insulation, getting wetter all the time. When I was thinking it was going away, I lay down on my back with knees up and my toes were off the mat, and another strike zapped me in that leg and I looked up to see the bolt¢s form still in the sky through my plastic. That was a mean morning. At 6am, with daylight upon but it would rain 2 more hours, I decided to just cram all my wet stuff into backpack and I walked the 6 12 miles to Galehead Hut and got them to let me do a work for stay, and then napped for 3 hours. It was easy work; cleaning utensils, setting tables, sweep up in the morning. Baltimore Jack is here doing the same, his gear as wet as mine. Koop and someone called Hooter is here, but as paying guests. Yeah, I suppose I¢ll choose my open-sky camps a little more thoughtfully in the future, I may live longer!   -applejack-
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

We were the only hikers anywhere near the shelter last night. Everyone else hiked on in because we were so close to town. We, however, camped above the shelter on a jeep road and got up early and hiked in for breakfast. When we got to the shelter it was 6 O'clock and I, for one, was through for the day figuring the last 4 miles would mean we would be close to dark getting to town. Neither Rabbit nor Woodman wanted to hike any more either so everybody was happy. We got rained on last night. Lots of thunder, lightning and wind but not a lot of rain to go with it. I was already in my tent though so it didn't have much effect. I was afraid the rocks would be wet and slippery this morning but we made the 4 mile trip in at an average 2 mph, which is my normal pace, so the rocks weren't a problem. It was great to sit down to a "real" breakfast of eggs and home fries. I also tried a serving of "Scrapple" that a friend recommended I try that turned out to be more than an old country boy could handle. I will take Biscuits and Gravy any time over Scrapple, thank you. Back to the trail in the morning after a night in the Doyle Hotel, a "must" for hikers on the AT. ON-ON
Date: 2003-09-09
From: Galehead Hut

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Had a great weekend. Friday¢s walk was not too tough, early and not much elevation gain. Spent about an hour at my favorite viewpoint in the White Mountains, which since the White Mountains is my favorite section on the AT, I guess is my favorite point on the whole AT. After 15 miles I walked out to highway 302, and walked halfway to my friend Gloria¢s camp before someone gave me a hitch. Had a great few days off, loading carbohydrates with beer and relaxing. Spent a couple nights with my friend Rob in Conway, one of which we camped at a mineral springs house in the woods that he was working at reconditioning with his friend the Flash. I made it to the trailhead about One o¢clock and chilled with Rob by a small river before setting off. He sent me with a Long Trail Ale Blackberry Wheat, but I didn¢t really want it even though it¢s a great beer. I¢ve simply had more than my fill this weekend. Today was a wonderfully beautiful day, and the rest of the week sounds like a prediction. Caught up with Doc & Llama, who were in Conway and just got back on today as well, and Llama had needed the zeroes for a hurting knee. Doc¢s birthday was today, and I used the opportunity to offer him the beer and my 6-8 ounces of scotch remaining. He took them and was grateful, which is good because I really don¢t want to drink any alcohol at least a week! Arrived at Lake of the Clouds Hut in time for a great sunset, as it¢s not far from the top of Mt Washington it has a great view. I chose the 8-dollar bunk in the dungeon, which is cool. I don¢t really care to work for stay in the hut. I had a great time talking with others in the hut, and met some of the large 7-person croo, of whom all are whacked to varying degrees. Ben showed us his egg trick, which drew a lot of attention. Others joined in and that was great and theatrical, but I won¢t detail it as I may use it sometime! Peach Monkey & P-nut are here in the dungeon with me, of whom I¢d not seen since Pennsylvania. Other thrus are in the hut, doing work for stay.   -applejack-