morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: 1 Mile North of Thornton River Trail
Miles today: 20.9

Hiked with: MyselfI did not want to wake up this morning, and once I did I was very pissed off and cranky, and to top it off it was really cold out. Once I started hiking these feelings did not go away and to top it off my headache returned from where the trunk lid had smashed me in the face. Nothing seemed right, my pack was squeaking, it didn't feel right on my shoulders and my legs seemed really stiff. I did however get to see a fawn, a little baby deer that was probably no more than a couple days old. It's hair was still matted to it's body, and when it tried to walk it wobbled all over the place. Definitely one of the cutest things I have ever seen and I some great pictures too.Around noon and after only hiking about 4 miles I came to Skyland Lodge. There is a restaurant there, they had big burgers, I was feeling crappy still, so I decided to treat myself... and it was good, and I was glad I did. The rest of my hike was much more pleasant and by that I mean it was really uneventful. I hiked until 8pm and then began looking for a good place to camp. I walked another mile before I found one that was suitable. It is starting to get really cold again, and the wind has really picked up. I am really glad I still have my 20 degree sleeping bag.The last couple days I have been thinking a lot, about quite a few different subjects. But I really haven't gotten to a place that I feel I can really explain them the way I would like to be able to. So these will have to wait until sometime when I just feel like typing away.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: 1 Mile North of Thornton River Trail

To: Mosby Campsite 
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: clear sky

Hiked with: Just MeTodays Headline: Goodbye Shenandoah National Park; Hello Washington, DC Suburbs!Today was a great day! Everything seemed just seemed to click. I felt good, hiking felt good, and the miles just melted away. Woke up a little later than I would have liked and started out pretty slow. But after stopping at the small restaurant at Elkwallow and getting a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit things just started to click. I got some trail magic along the side of the trail from the Jersey Boys, in the form of cans of coke. (Thanks guys!!) And by 5pm I was out of the park. I still think I am probably the only thru-hiker that didn't see a bear, but I did see tons of deer, a couple rabbits, some chipmunks and a few squirrels... that has to count for something... right?Just outside the park is a shelter so I stopped there for dinner. The ball of my right foot had really been bothering me so I took my shoes off and aired out my feet for a little bit too. Once I got moving again the trail moved though a very odd section. I was walking on a grass strip of land no more than 8 feet wide (It was mowed), on one side was a big fence with barbed wire on top, on the other-side about 15 feet from the trail were houses. I was literally walking though people's backyards. This is also where hiking really started to feel good. I felt like a machine, I was able to, for the most part, turn off my thoughts and just let my legs cruise for the next 7 miles. It was a great feeling, a high that I had never felt before. If it weren't for the fact that it got dark, I felt like I could hike forever, and I wanted too.Since I am making such good time, and I was able to get a cell signal, I called my Mom and asked if it would be possible for someone to pick me up in Harpers Ferry on Friday instead of Saturday. She seemed to think this wouldn't be a problem, so Friday it is. I only have 51 miles to Harpers Ferry... maybe I can get there Thursday... and get picked up then... hmmmmm... I will have to wait and see how the hiking goes tomorrow.
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Mosby Campsite 

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked with: MeWoke up uncharacteristically early and was on the trail before 8:30. Ran into Bonesaw and Tricycle about 2 miles out, it was good to see them again. The rest of the day I just hiked... and it was hard. Was not feeling as good as I did yesterday, still did 20 miles, but the whole time I was just hoping it would end soon.I am really excited to get to Harpers Ferry... Right now I am craving a break. I have also been craving BBQ and an ice cold coke. Should be getting into Harpers around noon on Friday, and I hope to at least eat some good food at sometime tomorrow.The trail is starting to feel a little crowded again. The last couple weeks I felt like I had the trail all to myself. Tonight I am sharing the shelter with 6 other people, but I have also seen a lot of other people on the trail lately as well. I like it and I hate it. I like the company, but the solitude is really nice sometimes.Forgot to write about the last night, but I have started to be able to get DC radio stations. It was really cool to be able to listen to all the stations I used to listen to in High School... well with the exception of WHFS... may it rest in peace as a spanish music station.Ok, I am back after putting journal away... there is a as HUGE spider on the wall of the shelter, at the foot of my sleeping bag. When I say huge I mean it is 3 inches in diameter... it is the biggest spider I have ever seen in the US. I have seen bigger in Costa Rica, but that is a different story. So I tried to kill it with a broom but it some how escaped and hid in a crack in the wall. 5 min later it returned and just sat there... staring at me. After listening to me whine about the spider for several minutes, Granite (a female) finally got up out of her sleeping bag and killed the spider with a piece of paper. MY HERO!!! Wow... I am such a pussy.
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

Hiked with: MeI did not sleep well last night. A combination of weird dreams about spiders and the fact that it was so warm that I couldn't stop sweating. When I did wake up I didn't feel to well and to top things off I realized that at some point I had lost my toilet paper. No TP + Intestinal Issues = Shitty Day (Get it?!?! Good joke... right?) A note for the future: leaves are not a good substitute for toilet paper.The almost 10 miles to the hostel is a section of the trail called the "Roller Coaster" which consists of 7 500ft climbs and descents all in a row. I don't think I have ever sweat more in my entire life, I was completely drenched and felt absolutely disgusting. So when I arrived at the Bears Den Hostel I got to take one of the greatest showers of all time. Well it felt that way atleast. Initially I was planning to continue to hike after resting for a bit but since I still felt a little under the weather I decided to stay and hope that I felt better in the morning. Tomorrow at 5pm I am being picked up by my Mom in Harpers Ferry. That is about 20 miles from where I currently am. I have been told that the final 20 miles are relatively easy so I plan on getting on the trail by 9 and hope to be in Harpers Ferry around 4. I am ready for my break...
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: haze

Hiked with: Me"I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more. Just to be the man to walk 1000 miles and wind up at your door." I have now hiked over 1000 miles!! How incredible is that!!!!!!The hostel made breakfast (Pancakes!) and then after several trips to the bathroom (still not feeling 100%) I was on the trail by 10am. I got back on the trail about an hour later than I would have liked, but I still felt I had plenty of time to hike the 20 miles to Harpers Ferry.I was making really good time until I got to the Blackburn Trail Center, which is a Hostel just off the trail that is run by the local hiking club. I was thinking about just walking past the Blackburn trail Center, but I really needed to refill my water and I hoped to use the facilities. Once I got there I ran into the buildings caretaker and a couple other hikers. I was offered a soda and brownie and then wound up sitting and talking for almost an hour. Finally I realized that it was almost 2pm and I only had 3 hours to hike 12 miles. This was an almost impossible task to begin with, but when you add in the fact that it rained for about 30min, that the trail was really rocky and the wet rocks were quite slippery it took me almost 4 hours to get to Harpers Ferry. Which means that I was 45 minutes late meeting my Mom and the ATC HQ was closed, luckily the nice people at the ATC let me in and allowed me to sign the log and get my picture taken. I was the 146 thru-hiker to reach Harpers Ferry. Cool! Reaching Harpers Ferry was like having a big weight lifted off my shoulders. I am so ready to just relax for a week. But it was also really exciting to think that I had just hiked 1000 miles.My Mom and I then drove down to Front Royal to pick up Senator and his friend. Senator is getting off the trail and is catching a train on late Saturday from DC to Providence. So we picked them up and they stayed at my house for the night.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Weverton Campground
Miles today: 3.2

Well I am back on the trail after 7 days off. I had a good relaxing break from the trail but after 3 I began to feel very antsy to get back to hiking. It was great to return to society but I was taken aback by many things that probably seemed normal to me before I started the trail. Some observations: Everyone always seem to be in a big hurry all the time, especially while driving. I was also shocked by how loud everything seemed, in the woods I am used to noise, but when going to bars, restaurants and even just while walking around I often cringed at how loud everything seemed. Also I was amazed by the number of people in our society that are obviously overweight, and to make it worse, when I saw them in restaurants they were often eating ungodly amounts of food, which I am sure wasn't furthering their cause.My parents drove me to Harpers Ferry today from Alexandria, VA. Before I returned to the trail we walked around the historic section of town, being a history buff I enjoyed this immensely. We then ate dinner at a local tavern. There I ran into Glow Worm and Sumo, two hikers that I hadn't seen since Hot Springs, NC. It was great to see them again and they also gave me updates on other hikers I know that have been behind me on the trail. I found out that Rambo, Leprechaun and Shinanigans are still on the trail and probably not to far behind me now. I also heard some sad news; that Teddy Ruxspin has gotten off the trail. I didn't hear a reason but I hope that she is in good health and happy with her decision.Once back on the trail I crossed the Potomac River and also entered Maryland, my 6th state. Almost all of my hiking today was along the C&O Canal Towpath and was by far the flattest section of trail I have been on so far. Since I didn't start hiking until around 8pm I only had about an hour of daylight for hiking. I found a really nice grassy area no more than 10 feet from the Potomac River and made it my home for the night.I actually felt pretty good on my short hike today and am looking forward to continuing to break in my new shoes. It is also just good to be hiking again after a week of zero days. Only 1170 Miles to go.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Weverton Campground

To: Dahlgren Backpacker Campground
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Today has been a great day and a great evening and night. It is pretty late and I am tired so I will give a quick run down.Early hiking was hard but I was able to hit a good stride around noon. Came to Gathland State park and after a soda machine rejected my dollar 2 strangers near by gave me a $1 in quarters so I could by a coke. Then a random lady offered me a turkey sandwich and an apple that she didn't end up eating on her day hike. Walked through Civil War battlefields for most of the day, mostly from skirmishes that took place before Antietam. Arrived at the backpackers campground to discover a bathhouse with free showers! Also found John and Lilly here at the campground as well. They have new trail names: Ice Tea and Slugger. Also met a family from Medina, OH and ended up talking with Alicia who is my age until 11pm. But now I am tired and it is late. Tomorrow I am going to try to hike the 23 miles to the PA border.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Dahlgren Backpacker Campground

To: Devils Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 18.8

Woke up at 9 and packed my gear. Before leaving camp I talked with the family from Medina, OH some more and said goodbye to Alicia. They seemed really interested by my trail journal so I hope they remember the site name and check it out.Shortly into my hike I came to Washington Monument State Park. Which consists of the first ever monument erected to honor George Washington, a 50 foot tower made out of boulders. It looked like a big stone milk bottle. The views from the top were nice but very plain compared to many of the other views I have had on the trail.Around noon I crossed I-70. This was probably the highlight of my day. Since I grew up in the DC area and a lot of my family lives in Ohio, I have driven under the Appalachian Trail foot bridge over I-70 probably a thousand times. But this was my first time ever walking over the bridge.The miles seemed to come slow today and I often felt like I was forcing them. The weather was really nice today, really cool but just warm enough to get a good sweat going. I was really hoping to make it to PA today, but ended about 5 miles shy. That will come tomorrow. After stopping to eat dinner around 5pm I hiked on and felt much more comfortable hiking.I did come across some pretty nasty sections of the trail that had lots of rocks today. And from what I have heard most of PA is much worse than the rocks I crossed today. In the shelter register someone left a song quote that I found pretty fitting to what hiking the trail is like:"I try to laughat whatever life brings'Cause when I look downI miss all the good stuffAnd when I look upI just trip over things"-Ani Difranco "As Is"I also got a great email from Senator today letting me know he is alright and that he is missing the trail. He said some things in his email that triggered lots of thoughts as well. One of them being about how on the trail it is really easy to measure accomplishments because you can track your mileage and say "Oh I hiked 15 miles today." Or whatever. But outside of the trail I remember it being much harder to measure day to day accomplishments and feel good about them. For instance; sure while I was home I watched the first 3 seasons of Scrubs in order but did I really accomplish anything? It's a rhetorical question.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Devils Racecourse Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Rained for about an hour last night... I always like when it rains at night because that means that I am not out hiking in it. On the trail by 9:45. I have decided that I can no longer eat poptarts, just the sight of the packaging has started to make me gag. About 5 miles in I passed through Pen Mar State Park where I found a restroom and potable water, I hoped there would be a soda machine but I was never able to locate one. Shortly thereafter I crossed the Mason-Dixon Line and into PA. I would have gotten my picture taken at the border with the sign, but sadly it had been ripped down.The next batch of 15 miles flew by. I got into a groove, spaced out and before I knew it I was only 2 miles from Caledonia State Park. This was probably helped by the fact that it was a relatively cool day and there was also a nice breeze for much of it as well. The next two miles, while done in good time, were not as much fun as the previous batch but I managed. Once I got to the edge of Caledonia State Park I had to make a choice, walk .3 miles down US-30 to a pizza place I knew was open or head into Caledonia State Park and hope that the snack bar there was still open... Pizza it is! Ordered a large pepperoni pizza and a coke... I had been craving soda all day. While I was eating a hiker named Ditalus came in and joined me. I have been hiking around Ditalus for the last 2 days and he is a very fascinating guy. (For the last 5 years he has lived abroad teaching english in Ecuador, Ghana and Saudi Arabia.) After we ate we decided that instead of paying $12 for a campsite in the state park that we would night hike the 2.5 miles to the next shelter. The night hike was great with very little rocks and soft ground to walk on. Once at the shelter I encountered something very odd, someone has set up their tent in the shelter. One of the weirdest things I have seen in a while.For almost 1000 miles I have been hearing stories about how bad the rocks are in PA. Well I am now in PA and I did encounter some rocks but nothing I couldn't handle.Patches - 1      PA ROCKS - 0
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up and bandaged my foot, I got my first blister yesterday. On the trail by 10:30 or so. Not too much to mention about my hike today. Saw a rattle snake that crossed the trail and then proceed to cross back and forth across the trail 4 times. Around 4pm I crossed the current half way point on the trail and shortly thereafter arrived at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.On the trail it has become a sort of tradition that after you cross the half way point of the trail you try to complete the Half-gallon challenge. This consists of eating a half-gallon of ice cream. A day hiker that I hiked with for about a mile insisted that he buy my half-gallon so I chose vanilla and began eating at 4:41. Now eating a half-gallon isn't as easy as you would think... So anyways after 2 hours and 20 min I completed my half-gallon challenge, and if I never eat ice cream again I will die a happy man. The funny thing is after eating all that ice cream I was still hungry... so I had a cheese burger.I completed my ice cream challenge with Uber-Dude but was also joined by Daedilus and Mountain Goat. After our challenge Daedilus told us some great stories about his time over seas and what it was like to live in Saudi Arabia when the US invaded Iraq. It was starting to get late and none of us felt like hiking very far so Mountain Goat asked the store owner if we could sleep on the stores porch. He said that he didn't have a problem with it, but said the ranger might. We were a little worried at first but after the ranger drove by several times without stopping I knew he wouldn't bother us.The rocks today were a piece of cake for me.Patches - 2   PA Rocks - 0
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.4

All you Buckeyes out there, congrats on finishing finals. And for those of you graduating; have a great Senior Crawl! Jen, I wish I could be there to crawl with you! Have fun!Today wasn't a good hiking day or a bad... it was just a day. It has actually become very hard to describe hiking in relation to the rest of my day. During any given day I am probably hiking for about 80% of the time I am awake, but most of the interesting stuff occurs when I am taking a break.About noon today I ran into Squirrel and Rat Puke, 2 hikers I hadn't seen since Erwin, TN. They had been really far behind me but then hitched from Damascus, VA all the was up to Harpers Ferry, WV skipping almost all of the Virginia section of the trail. While it was good to see these guys again they are definitely out on the trail doing a different kind of "hiking" than I am so when I heard they were hitching even farther up the trail I was quite ok to watch them go.The last 3 miles of the trail going into Boiling Springs starts what is literally the flattest 18 miles of the entire trail. At this point the trail comes off the ridgeline and crossed a wide valley before climbing back onto a new ridge. The trail in this section winds through farm land and there is no camping allowed until the trail once again climbs up a ridge. I did enjoy walking the flat terrain but there is almost no shade so the sun did feel pretty intense. I am hoping that it is cloudy tomorrow so I can finish the next 15 miles of my valley walk without getting baked by the sun.I reached Boiling Springs and began to debate whether to move on 8 more miles where there are more hotel options or to stay at the ATC campground. That is when a lady and here 2 kids came up and began to talk to me. After a 15 min conversation or so she invited me to her family's house in Carlisle, PA where I could shower, do laundry, sleep in a bed and use internet. How could I say no to that!! In all me and 4 other hikers were offered a place to stay for the night. Allison, Phil and their 2 kids Sam and Phoebe treated us like kings! Once arriving at their house they brought out beer, made hamburgers and on top of that I got to shower and get my clothes washed. The hospitality of the trail community never ceases to amaze me.PA rocks update. Today was great, there were a couple smaller rock fields but I cut through them like butter!Patches - 3   PA Rocks - 0
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Kinter View
Miles today: 13.9

Slept great until 7:30 today but then for whatever reason I just couldn't fall back asleep. Around 8:30 I went to the Post Office to pick up a package from my parents and to my surprise I found out I had a parcel from Brian "Buckeye" Barnhart as well. Buckeye hiked the AT back in 2003 (I think... it might have been 2002) and sent me a bottle of Jack Daniels to help me celebrate reaching the trail's halfway point. Thanks Buckeye!!Before heading out of town I went to the library and was able to access their dial-up internet (I didn't even know dial-up still existed) to send out some email updates. I have found that if I send email updates less than once a week that people just start to assume I am dead. Plus this way I also get a lot more emails in return that I can read on my cell phone and I like getting emails. It is a win win situation for everyone.Got on the trail around 1:00pm and soon after crossed the Susquehanna River, which by the way is much wider than I ever thought. Hiking was slow today, but I think my body was still trying to recover from all the beer. I did see 2 snakes and meet 3 new thru-hikers: The Conductor, Sir Wounded Knee and Lady Green. After making myself dinner at the shelter I hiked on another 2.5 miles and camped... I just felt like being alone for a while.The rocks today got pretty bad in one section where had to do a lot of bouldering. Other than that the rocks seemed like cake.Patches - 5   PA Rocks - 0