morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Rock Springs Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Rock Spring around 0726 heading for Pass Mt. Rain with t-storms set in about 2000 last night. It was in the 30's when we got up. We saw Wheezer and Wildflower at the Pinnacles picnic grounds the trail crosses through there. They were on the way to Pass Mt. too. Her feet are a little better. The terrain was good today, some long downhills though. I fell flat on my face coming down Mary's Rock. Scared me and Lumbermack to death. I thought sure I had broken something. But once again God prvailed and I walked away from it with torn pants and bloody knees and shins. We still had 3 miles to got to get to the shelter and once I got moving again I felt fine. Arrived at Pass Mt. about 1530. Pebbles and Moleman were already there. Wheezer and Wildflower came in and then Micheal and Siva came in heading south. Wheezer and Wildflower gave us one of there homemade dehydrated meals to try tonight. It was awesome!! Chicken,,corn, vegies and mashed potatoes- vrey good! Something different from Ramen noodles alright! We have a nice fire going- all is well. God is good all the time. Jolly Green Giant, Bleach, Fat Camp, and Woody Crow just came in. Micheal and Siva are camping down the hill in hammocks, the rest of us are in the shelter. Lumbermack, Wheezer and I are going to walk down to see those hammock setups that Micheal and Siva have. The shelter is very full tonight - should be interesting!
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Pass Mt at 0715 heading for Gravel Springs. Weather was perfect today for hiking. Started out with HOT DOGS on our minds. Elkwallow has a small grill that serves burgers and such and it was 7 miles from our starting point. When we arived we ran up with more hikers that we had camped with the night before. Wheezer and Wildflower were ther too. We really have taken a liking to them- they are great!After hot dogs w/ double orders of ff, pepsis too, we headed up Hogback Mt- a long haul but the trail was wonderfull today. We took pictures of wild irises growing along the trail. THe SNP is truly a beautiful place. God has rained his blessings dwon upon this place. So much of God's creation to admire and praise Him for. So much time to walk and talk with God- no distractions. God is so good. Wheezer and Wildflower, me and Lumbermack have the shelter to ourselves tonight. We kinda hope it stays that way, it's nice. Off to Front Royal ro resupply and a SHOWER- but we gotta walk 13.5 miles to get there. We all agreed to get up early in the morning and get an early start. God is good all the time. PS- when we went to filter water we met Mr and Mrs Bullfrog in the spring. They burped a few bullfrog noises at us and then let us share thier water. I can't believe people are DUMB enough to drink any water without filtering it or disinfecting it. That's just plain NUTS. Some kind of forest creature visited around our shelter last night, never could determine what IT was.
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal VA
Miles today: 13.7

Up at 0530 for an early start. Left Gravel Springs at 0630 heading for Front Royal and a BATH. Cold start this morning with heavy clouds and light off and on sprinkles of rain. By mid to late morning the skies cleared and the day turned out to be beautiful. Two nice climbs over north and south Marshall Mts, then good trail all the way to Front Royal. Completed and left out of the SNP about 1130- arrived at VA522 about 1245 and hitchted a ride into Front Royal. TWO baths since arriving! A trip to Food Lyon for some resupply items, then laundry of course. Next came supper at a great italian restaurant. The food was excellent! Got back to the room and organized everything so we can leave first thing in the morning for the trail. 10.5 miles to go to Manassas Gap shelter. The weather forecast looks good for the next several days. We hope to get to Harpers Ferry and cross into Maryland on Tuesday, but it may be Wednesday, we don't know yet. Sleeping in a bed tonight with no forest critters prowling around. So far we have seen several deer, wild turkey, squirrels, and chipmunks. Heard some owls and the "beeping" birds. But NO snakes or bears (bear skat though), thank the Lord. God has truly blessed our trip. Good weather and barely an ache or pain. Wheezer and Wildflower pulled off at Compton gap and hitched into Front Royal. Wildflowers feet caused her a doctor visit, they are really bad. We really like and enjoy thier company. We will be praying for them. God has blessed us with meeting them, we wish we could have walked all the way to Harpers Ferry with them. It won't be the same without them. The best part of hiking the AT sometimes is the people we meet, and this is certainly the case with Wheezer and Wildflower. Frost warning tonight so a cool start in the morning. God has shwon us so many beautiful things created by the work of His hands. From the commanding majesty of the mountain itself to the tiny frail wildflower growing out of solid rock. The God who created the universe is the God who loves me, who gave his all for me. May every step I take tomorrow include praises to Him. God is good all the time.
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Front Royal VA

To: Dicks Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Awoke at 0500 to a beautiful day with heavy frost. Packed up and left the hotel at 0700 and hitched a ride back to the trail, started hiking around 0730. We had to make15.5 miles to Dicks Dome sheler with several good climbs. We saw TONS of wildflowers today. Wild columbines, jack in the pulpits, trillium ,yellow and purple wild violets etc.. God's handiwork. We also saw a SNAKE- right in the middle of the trail. He was a 7-8 foot long black snake and he was not in the best of moods. We finally persuaded him to move out of our way. We saw many different types of wildlife footprints, no wildlife though, except for the snake. We made it to Dicks Dome around 1515. the shelter is the UGLIEST thing I have ever seen as far as shelters go. It only sleeps four. Keith and Ken are here , they are secton hiking the AT and are from VA- cool guys.We met some SOBOS today starting from Harpers Ferry: Tumbleweed and Slow-n-low.Keith has a great fire going for us. We have a 16 mile day tomorrow. No bear bear bag hangers (out of the SNP)so we had to do the primitive thing: use a rope and a tree. God truly has blessed our lives. I praise Him for His marvelous creation and ask His forgiveness for the lack of human care/concern for the natural world around us. God is good all the time.
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Awoke again to a beautiful morning- cool and in the 30s. We hit the trail by 0720. The first 5.5 miles were great we averaged 2mph. After 9 miles we hit the famed "rollercoaster": 13.5 miles of steep ups and downs with no switchbacks. We slowed to a snails pace. Not alot of scenery today but we did run across some hikers who had just seen a bear. We never saw him (thank you Lord). We arrived at Sam Moore shelter- named after a man who volunteered for 55yrs on AT maintenance crews- at around 1600. A very long hard day. Our last 16 mile day. Tomorrow we do 14.5 miles to David Lesser Shelter. That will put us out 9 miles from Harpers Ferry and the Maryland State line. Lumbermack needs a new water filter cartridge. we hope the ATC or the outfitter in Front Royal will have one. If not we will have to get REI in Cary to ship us one to Front Royal to the hotel on Wednesday. We are going to take a zero day on Wednesday to spend some time together before I put Lumbermack out on the trail alone on Thursday. That will be sad. We have had the best time. We are alone here tonight. The shelter is nice with a mountain stream right in front of it. I hope the wildlife will stay away. We have a great fire going. I prayed all day for God to keep us safe and of course He has. I praise Him for that and all the beautiful things He has shown us out here. God is good all the time. PS we met Hitch today section hiking.
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Left Sam Moore at 0710 heading for David Lesser- 14.5miles away. We had several tough climbs left to conquer on the famed "rollercoaster" but we did finally reach the end. Sore legs and feet tonight for both of us. We stopped by the Blackburn Trail center- out in the middle of nowhere- a hiker hostel with adequate facilities- nice place. They had a solar powered shower facility outdoors for FREE. Lumbermack and I jumped right on that. The caretaker gave us a free soda too. Thanks to PATC (Potomac AT club) for your hospitality!! We left Blackburn TC heading north and arrived at David Lesser Shelter around 1700. This is the nicest shelter ever. It has a deck on the front with benches and a covered picnic area with a swing. What a nice way to spend our last night out together. We met Trail Boss and Medicine Man today. Also Forest Phil. This has been the best 8 days of my life. Almost time to turn in. We are alone again tonight, except for the forest creatures we hear roaming the woods below the shelter. Hopefully that is where they will stay! 9 miles to Harpers Ferry in the morning. We hope to be there by noon and cross over into Maryland. Then we shall have a hot dog, a trip to the ATC, and then try to hitch hike all the way back to Front Royal for a day or two of R&R. God has again blessed our day. The weather has been great and physically we are doing well. God is good all the time.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry WV/ MD state line
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Up at 0545 with the birds singing and the sun rising to clear skies. We broke camp and were off to Harpers ferry by 0710. we walked hard- non-stop for 9 miles all the way in and crossed the bridge over the Potomac into Maryland at 1110. We were both exhausted because we did not stop to refuel the whole way in, so our breakfast energy was gone. We stopped at a small outdoor cafe for a quick lunch and then walked up to the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters (ATC) to check in. We got our picture taken and put into the official ATC book and signed the trail register. Then we headed off to HWY 340 to try to catch a hitch some 50-60 miles back to Front Royal. A guy let us jump in the back of his pickup and took us down to 340. A girl with a dog picked us up and carried us as far as Charlestown WV. Then we caught a ride with a girl named Laura and she carried us to Rippan VA. Then a lady named Cathy picked us up and carried us to the 340/522 interchange. Then a young girl named Brooke came along and carried us all the way to the hotel. God has a way of working it all out. We checked in about 1530, took GOOD showers, went to Food Lyon for a few items, then off to our favorite italian restaraunt for pizza. It was great. We returned to the hotel and Lumbermacks' water filter cartridge had arrived from REI. We did two loads of laundry and are now chilling out watching TV. I already miss the serenity of the forest. The world would be a better place if people could realize that THINGS do not make us happy. It is sometimes what we take for granted every day that can bring a smile to one's face. Looking forward to a zero day tomorrow. God is good all the time. He has truly blessed our trip- I just can't believe we made it to Maryland that quickly. Thank you Lord Jesus for a safe journey- be with Lumbermack as he continues on...
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Zero Day in Front Royal

To: Zero Day in Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today we are resting up after hitchhiking from Harpers Ferry back to Front Royal where our we left our car. We are spending the day at the Quality Inn (very hiker friendly). We have updated our journal, done laundry, packed up the car (for my trip home) and resupplied Lumbermack for his continued trip North tomorrow. We will be leaving in the morning to carry Lumbermack back to Harpers Ferry to drop him off, then I will head back home and back to work. This will be hard- we have so enjoyed our time hiking together. May God continue to bless Lumbermacks' trip. I do love him so.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Harpers Ferry WV

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.25
Weather: scattered clouds

Up at 0530 getting ready to eat breakfast and check out. Always a sad day when Lab Rat and myself have to part. But she has to go home and back to work. We drove to Harpers Ferry and as we did, we noticed each of the places we had stood hitchhiking a ride to Front Royal on Tuesday. We arrived at Harpers Ferry about 0745 and after saying our goodbyes, I put on my pack and said goodbye once again before walking off North. I was heading up the trail at 0800 with intentions of going to Crampton Gap shelter 10.5 miles up the trail. The trail was well graded and followed the Potomac river for about two miles. I made really good time even up the mountain to the Ed Garvey shelter. I took some photos of bushes blooming and began to consider going on further to Rocky Run shelter if I got to Crampton Gap by 1300. I got to Gathland State Park at 1130 with only 0.5 miles to Crampton Gap. I called Lab rat to check on her progress and she was almost at the VA/NC state line. She was making good time also. I told her I was going on to Rocky Run Shelter. I took some photos of the old buildings at the park. I met Mark at the park and spoke to him for a minute. I headed on stopping for photos a couple of times. I arrived at Rocky Run shelter at 1430, filtered water, noone else is here. It is a nice shelter. Built in 1940, only room for four but it has a small deck out front with chairs. Down by the creek there is a swing overlooking the creek below. A beautiful day today but sad because Lab Rat is not walking with me now. I miss her. I called and she was almost to her moms and should be home before dark.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: few clouds

Up at 0615 after a good nights' sleep. Had breakfast of oatmeal ceral bar and beef jerky. It's already warm at 0630. Left walking at 0730 with foot sore and slowing me down. I arrived at Washington monument State Park about 0915. The first monument ever built to honor George Washington. I took some photos and moved on. The trail is becoming more rocky and this is slowing me down. These type of rocks are rough on the feet. I met several day hikers heading south as I stumbled north over rocks. Must be getting close to PA. Arrived at the shelter at 1500 after stopping at the spring on the trail to filter water. There are two section hikers here out for the weekend. They are both dead tired and sleeping after a long ten miles. I changed clothes and hung my wet clothes up to dry. Tom and Ward woke up and after talking to them I found out that Tom lives on 1010 hwy in Apex and Ward is from Riedsville NC (small world). Just ate supper (potatoes and bagel). Got food bags hanging and ready for bed.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Antietam Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Awoke at 0500 by Tom and Ward. Tryed to sleep longer but finally got up at 0600 as they were leaving heading south. I got up, ate breakfast bar, packed up and was off at 0700. Beautiful day, no views just the trail with rocks. Rocks were not as bad as yesterday and I made good time. Arrived at the MD/PA state line at 1115 and took a break. Ate a snack and headed for Deer Lick Shelter. Passed a group of boy scouts which I figured were also going to Deer Lick. I arrived at Deer Lick at 1345. Too early to stop so I continued on to Antietam. Arrived at 1445. I met Crazy Horse and he told me about a park with tap water about 50 yards up the trail. I went there and filled up my water bottles. Beats filtering. Crazy Horse is moving on to the next shelter. Got it by myself so far.Large babbling brook right in front of the shelter. Was invited to join some school kids (camping a couple of hundred feet down the creek from me) for supper. I had already eaten my beans and rice but I joined them anyway. They had hummus. It was tuna, cheese, and some other filling rolled in pita bread. It was great and I appreciate it. I enjoyed talking with them. Nice kids. Before I left they gave me cheese, tuna, nuts and offered me much more. But it was more than I needed. I appreciate thier hospitality.
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Antietam Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Left at 0845 after packing up all the food the guys gave me. Easy trail but no views. Feet doing much better. Met a section hiker heading south- Backtracker. He has been doing sections for six years. Got to US 30 at 1200 and hitched to the grocery for resupply. A man named James Twigg gave me a ride and waited for me to do my shopping, then drove me back. I asked him about a pizza place which was on the way back, I thought about stopping and eating there before continuing on to Quarry Gap shelter. James put me out at the pizza place and I went in. As I was looking over the menu James came in and asked if I would write and let him know when I was finished witht the trail. I asked for his address and he said it was on the pen and then he handed me a pen with a 20$ bill stuck under the clip. What a nice surprise. Another trail angel. Thanks James. After the pizza, I walked back to the trail and headed north through Caledonia State park and on toward Quarry Gap shelter. A few steep ups over some impressive rocks but mostly good trail. I was making good time when I heard the leaves beside the trail rustling (just beside my left foot). As I looked down I saw a timber rattler (of good size) slithering off the trail. I hate SNAKES! I did not tarry to take any pictures. As I arrived at the shelter there were 6-8 section hikers heading south who had stopped by for a break. Jim ( the shelter caretaker) was here doing some shelter maintenance. It is the best kept shelter I have seen. With the creek lined with stone and flower pots hanging from the shelter beams. Jim really takes pridein his shelter. It looks great. Won't cook tonight. Full of pizza. I will just snack on cheese and crackers, also homemade cookies Jim left. A couple of section hikers (Mark and David) are here for the night. Huff (66yrs old) and Mole Man came in. His 1st day after four days off. Crazy Horse came in just before dark. I was already in my bag and didn't talk much to anyone.
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.25
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at 0630-ate breakfast and spoke to Crazy Horse. It rained during the night and it has turned cool. It was misting when I left at 0745. I put my pack cover on but did not put on my rain gear. I soon was warm and sweating making good time. I passed the Tom's Run at 1200 with only 3 miles to Pine Grove Furnace SP. After having a snack at Tom's Run I was off to the park, hostel and hot shower. I arrived at the hostel at 1330 only to learn that I couldn't check in until 1700. What a bummer. I thought about just camping but the shower and clean clothes sounded so good I decided to just sit here on the porch until 1700 even though I am wet and cold. A guy staying here fixed me some coffee and that really hits the spot. I don't know why they won't let me check in until 1700? Finally it's 1700 - I have been here on the porch since 1345. I got checked in and hit the shower first thing. It felt soooo good- a HOT shower. Then I washed clothes and while they washed, I fixed supper- Ramen noodles, tuna, cheese w/crackers and coffee. After I ate supper, I put my clothes in the dryer and called Lab Rat. The lady here was nice enough to let me use her phone card to call Lab Rat so she could call me back on the house phone. Cory (who is staying here)talked some while I ate. Clothes are dry and it's 2045- time for bed. Feels good to be warm and dry.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.75
Weather: clear sky

Awoke at 0600 and up shortly afterwards. Did not sleep well last night. Must have been too much coffee. Had breakfast of cheerios, juice and coffee. Was out and off at 0715 witha a few hills and rock scrambles on the agenda for today. Cloudy early but clearing off by 1000. No views today. Just trail. Arrived at Alec Kennedy at 1415. A guy named Dave is here. He has been here all day and is walking in dress shoes? Think I'll rest awhile before fixing supper. Called Lab at and talked to her awhile. It was good to hear her voice. She was planting flowers. Also called and talked to Granny and Papa. It's 1915 and I am going to bed.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

Up at 0620 and on the trail by 0718. A minor pull after leaving shelter and then several miles of mostly flat walking. Met some south bound section hikers after crossing I-81. Jelly, Mistress, Camo-Doc, and Camo-Doc's son. I took a break there and then headed on north. No real views today. Walked by a river for a while and then started up the mountain to Darlington shelter. Saw a black snake crossing the trail. I hate snakes. I arrived athe the shelter at 1500 after stopping to filter water lower down on the mountain. A guy named Dan is here just out for a couple of days. A husband and wife came by, they are working on the trail. Michelle came in about 1600. She started at Harpers Ferry on Monday of last week. She is not sure if she will go all the way to Katahdin or not. She is from Iowa. I had supper of Ramen noodles, crackers with PB&J. Called Lab Rat and talked to her for 22 minutes it sure was good be able to hear her voice. We talked about me maybe taking a bus home for a couple of days the 1st of June. Going to bed, it's 1930. Some other hiker came in at 2315 and woke me up.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 11.75
Weather: overcast clouds

Awoke early looking forward to a shower and clean clothes. Was on the trail at 0700 and made good time over the rocks. Stopped and took some photos. Some good views but cloudy and foggy. Maybe some will turn out. Stopped for a break and saw a porcupine but couldn't get a photo of it. Moved down toward Duncannon over some serious rock fields. Got some trail magic from trail angel Mary. One cooler with candy and further down a cooler with fruit drink. Hit road to town at 1115 and headed to the Doyle hotel. It ain't much, but after sleeping in the woods for a while, it will do. Straight for the shower and then to wash clothes. It has started raining and I am glad to be inside and dry. Called and talked to Lab Rat to let her know I arrived safely. I sure miss her and am thankful she is my wife. Going to hunt for the Post Office and Liabrary now. Will be in a real bed early tonight.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: zero day in Duncannon PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Awake at 0545 and in the shower for my last one for at least four days. Ate breakfast of eggs, bacon, hashbrowns toast and coffee. Left the Doyle hotel at 0800. A steep pull out of Duncannon after crossing the Susquehanna river. Cloudy with rain threatening. Started raining about 1000 but only lasted an hour or less. Not many views because of low clouds. Made good time and arrived at the shelter at 1245. A day hiker named Dave was leaving as I came in. Fixed some noodles soon after changing into day clothes. Had to walk .25 miles or so to the spring for water. When I returned Gaul was here. A group of day hikers came by on the way back down a blue blazed trail. Five very young hikers that I saw at the Doyle hotel are going a few more miles and camp. Three weekenders came in and are here for the night. Called Lab Rat about 1830 and sent a photo to her to give to Granny and Papa for mothers day. turning in now, long day tomorrow.