morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-29
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Bama and Professor left Rod Hollow Shelter at 5:30 am in the dark with their headlights on. Long day toward the Blackburn AT Center. Coming out of Rod Hollow, Bama met ZL, a trail maintainer, and The Famous Ms Peabody, a Jack Russell terrier. ZL is planning to thru-hike the AT next year.Both Bama and Professor noticed many ripe Paw Paw fruit and the big American walnut green spiky pods. Professor enjoyed eating the Paw Paw fruits. The Internet says: Pawpaw fruit ripens during a four-week period between mid August and into October, depending on various factors. When ripe, it is soft and yields easily to a gentle squeeze, and has a pronounced perfumed fragrance. The yellow flesh is custard-like and highly nutritious. The best fruit has a complex, tropical flavor unlike any other temperate zone fruit. At present, the primary use of pawpaws is for fresh eating out of hand. Also called Pawpaw, Paw Paw, Papaw, Poor Man's Banana, Hoosier Banana, etc. (In Australia the tropical papaya, Carica papaya, is also known as Pawpaw).The break yesterday at Bear Den Hostel was very nice. Even though they weren¢t open yet, hosts Red Wing and his wife, Hopeful, were happy to let Bama and Professor get some candy and drinks. Bama got to meet their little girl Hikelet. She wasn't born yet in 2006 when Bama met Red Wing at the Blackburn Center.No phone signal. The Blackburn AT Center is far down in a valley gap. Just before getting there Professor looked down and saw a Timber Rattlesnake about four inches from his foot. Guess the snake didn¢t feel threatened or it was lethargic in the late evening. They gave it a wide berth.Reached Blackburn about 6:00 pm and met Robert who was taking care of the place while the usual caretakers were on their honeymoon. Nice place ¢ nice night.Tomorrow is iffy (50% chance of rain). The trail continues, regardless.Bill
Date: 2008-09-30
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Bama and Professor had a good time visiting with Robert, who is also an AT Ridge Runner. His friend Barry had also come to help him do some trail maintenance around the Keys Gap area. Later a Boy Scout Troop would help keep up the area.Since there were no laundry facilities at Blackburn, Bama and Professor put back on their damp clothes (for the third day) and headed off to Harpers Ferry. Not much to comment on trail-wise, but if you're interested, there are several Civil War redoubts in the area. After crossing the Shenandoah River over a bridge, they checked in at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) (of which we are proud members).Then on to Town's Inn, a picturesque little place and got some hiker bunks. One of the guys who worked there was nice enough to wash Bama's and Professor's nasty clothes so they could go get something to eat.Bill
Date: 2008-10-01
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Bama and Professor ate last night ¢ in nice dry clothes ¢ at the Secret Six Tavern, one of the few restaurants in town that had not already closed for the evening. This morning Bama fixed breakfast, coffee and pancakes, at no charge at Town¢s Inn. Nice.They headed out about 6:00 am from Harpers Ferry along the old C&O Canal Towpath. I remember this from Bama¢s 2006 hike as very scenic and historic.Over the last day or so, Bama and Professor have met many SOBOs: Chevrolegs, Captain Ozzie, Last Master, Making Peace, Mr. Nice Guy, and Trail Rat.They reached the night¢s shelter having successfully dodged the light rain covering the region. There¢s a new Rocky Run Shelter and Bama and Professor might not have noticed had a SOBO not told them to be sure to go to the new shelter. Bama said it is really pretty and large with floors that look like a bowling alley. Lots of books to read in the shelter. Bama said she walked down the hill to the old shelter and it was really dark and dank by comparison. As of 6:00 pm their time they were by themselves.Tomorrow, I don¢t know whether they¢ll stop at Pine Knob Shelter or push on to Ensign Cowall Shelter.Fun note from Wingfoot¢s 2006 Trail Guide: ¢On a hike from Georgia to Maine (or vice versa), a thru-hiker will climb and descend a total of about ninety-one [vertical] miles, the equivalent of going from sea level to the summit of Mt. Everest and back more than sixteen times!¢ And some call it a ¢walk in the woods.¢ Ha!Bill
Date: 2008-10-02
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: The Free State Hostel
Miles today: 15.5

A good day on the trail, but Bama said it was cold - in the 30s this morning. She had to hike most of the day in her rain jacket to stay warm.She and Professor had planned to go to Ensign Cowall Shelter, but Professor and Bama remembered Bone Pac who finished the AT in 2006 and the hostel he built at his house afterward. Actually, it's in his house in a huge upstairs area. The hostel is about .3 of a mile off the trail on Wolfsville RD (MD Hwy 17).Beautiful place with many, many amenities: climate-controlled bunk room, linens, shower, laundry, Internet, phone, pizza delivery and more. Better than an ol' drafty shelter any night. After lunch they talked to Bus Driver who was finishing up his thru hike at Harper's Ferry tomorrow. Tomorrow they'll hike on to Pen-Mar Park and this will finish up Professor's center section. Three more days from Hot Springs to Sam's GapBill
Date: 2008-10-03
From: The Free State Hostel

To: Pen-Mar Park
Miles today: 9.8

Before arriving at The Free State hostel, Bama caught up by phone with Terry, a good friend of Mrs. Baggins, who was going to meet them at Pen-Mar Park.Last night was very nice. Bone Pac and his wife have a lovely hostel and are really nice people. Bama and Professor did laundry, showered and ordered pizza; Bama got a sandwich to carry out with her this morning.This morning when she reached Ensign Cowall Shelter, Bama met a SOBO named Godzilla and gave him her leftover pizza. Up the trail she ran into a SOBO couple, Lighting Rod and Songbird, and their really cute dog, Cliffhanger, who had his own little backpack. Farther up the trail she met four Salvation Army officers who were out on their very first backpack for a few days. Bama and the four newbies had lots to talk about.When Bama stopped to have half her sandwich for a break near Devils Racecourse Shelter, she met another SOBO couple, Finder and Firedog. This has been the biggest ¢bubble¢ of thru-hikers she has seen on this trip.Finally she and Professor arrived at Pen-Mar Park to meet Trail Angel Terry. She was not only going to put Bama and Professor up for the night, but is giving them a ride tomorrow morning to the Hagerstown Airport where Bama will pick up her rental car for the six-hour drive back down I-81 to Kingsport, TN. Thanks, Terry! Thanks also to Mrs. Baggins!I can¢t help but think of Pen-Mar Park in June, 2006 when things were wild and crazy in the peak of the season, with music and crowds. They met Clayton Bogart, a retired older gentleman, who treated all the hikers in Bama¢s bubble to drinks and snacks. The Park was deserted today and next weekend it closes for the season. Nobody was there except Bill the groundskeeper whom Bama judged to be in his 70s and was eager to talk to someone. Bill provided them with a cold bottle of water while Professor played his recorder for him.I¢ll meet Bama and Professor at Kingsport and we¢ll drive to Erwin, TN before dropping Professor off in Hot Springs Sunday for his last stretch to finish the entire AT.It¢s been another great section on the Appalachian Trail.BillTotal Fall miles=304.4 Total Spring miles=235.1 Total 2008 miles=539.50
Date: 2008-10-04
To: Uncle Johnny's - Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Terry & Ed treated Bama and Professor like royalty at their house ¢ Wow! Terry cooked a huge meal and everything was delicious! Everyone had good time sharing stories and we talked about planning Terry's thru hike in five years. Go Terry!Last night Bama and Professor played with Terry¢s and Ed¢s hiker dog, Romie, and Frietag their tabby cat. Heidi the Siamese wouldn't come meet the strangers. About 8pm it was time for Bama and Professor to get to sleep. It was way past their usual bed time of 6:30pm. This morning Terry fixed breakfast and they all left about 7:45am heading to the Hagerstown Hertz rental to pick up the car they had reserved for the drive to the Kingsport Airport, Tenn. Hikers don¢t say goodbye, they say, ¢See you up the trail.¢ Thanks for everything, Trail Angels, Terry & Ed!Bama and professor met me at the airport about 4pm, and we all headed to Uncle Johnny's Hostel to spend a few nights. I grilled hot dogs and we ate a couple of bags of chips. There was a HUGE festival in Erwin, so we didn't want to go to town.
Date: 2008-01-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ok, its time to add three entries so I can be official. This SOBO continuation may be a bore to readers because it doesn't have the drama of a thruhike so feel free to ignore it. I'll just talk about eating, walking and people with funny names. Anyone who would like to join me let me know because company is always welcome by me on the AT. Those of you who prefer the solitude of the wilderness need not reply. Of course if you think that the linear park that is the AT is a wilderness, I can't help you.
Date: 2008-04-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Buying some food and a few odds and ends. Today is Redsox Opening Day. A block from my apartment. Gotta move out the door soon. I decided just to use my 2005 data book and some pages from the ALDHA book. Do things really change so much? There do seem to be quite a few new hostels and services. I'll read the registers to find out. Getting up for this now. Less than 1200 miles to finish my third end-to-end. So 11-12 weeks at my pace.
Date: 2008-04-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just to weeks to lift off. A ride down to PA and son Jon will bring us to th etrailhead at PA 501. This seems like a real cruise after two NOBo's and having SOBO'd from Katahdin in 2005-6. I am very ready to go. My foot and leg started aching yesterday. This is what Judy calls prehike phobia. It always goes away at the first step on real trail. I added a sippy cup to my pack which is up to 24 pounds with food but no water. I expect water in PA to be good. Well I'm done now. Ready to go.
Date: 2008-05-03
From: 501, Pine Grove

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: mist

Just Visiting: Jon dropped us off about 1, and we got here about 3:30. An easy, leisurely-paced hike on a very good trail--mostly a woods road. Foggy day, so no views. Met three Nobo thruhikers, Stormin' Norm (SN), Water Bear (WB), and Unknown Hiker (UH). SN and WB started in February, and Unknown Hiker started in January. They said that there are about 20 people ahead of them.Got settled in this nice, 2-story shelter with picnic table and good water. I'll sleep upstairs where it's warmer.Bamboo Bob: A 1 p.m. start, so early arrival here. Fun overnight at Jon's house, but Molly (dog) did not have fun visiting Buddy (dog). Just Visiting, as always, is having a good lot of fun.
Date: 2008-05-04
From: William Penn Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: broken clouds

Just Visiting: Cozy night upstairs at Willaim Penn Shelter during a big rainstorm--sounded great on the roof. Had hot tea and a bar for breakfast and then headed out about 7. Saw a cottontail right away. The trail was mainly easy-going except for a few rocky parts and a long downhill before Rt. 81. The weather was misty at first but then got totally clear and sunny. Even through the mist, we got some good, impressionistic views of farms from the ridge. Crossed 81 on the Iron Bridge. Just past 443, we had to ford a stream and then another one at Rausch Brook. Glad to say that nothing got wet but our feet, which felt great. Had trouble finding Rausch Gap Shelter because they re-routed the AT today and didn't put up a sign to the shelter for Sobos on the re-routed trail. Met Shuffefoot and Boots, nobo, long section hikers, heading for Katahdin.This shelter has a spring right here that goes into a metal trough. Bamboo Bob: Very nice day for weather. Trail was a little rocky but also very nice most of the time. We had to ford two creeks because of the recent rain. The AT re-route left the shelter here unmarked for sobos, but we retraced our steps, and all is well.
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Spring, .4 miles past rte. 325
Miles today: 11.4

Just Visiting: Cool when we first got up--wore hat and fleece while packing and having breakfast--hot coffee (!) and a granola bar. Headed out at 7:10. Warmed up quickly. The morning was easy-going, and we passed some interesting things--an old village; a former fire tower; the end of Horseshoe Trail, which goes 125 miles to Valley Forge; and the end of Cold River Trail, which starts in Hershey. Also saw a big deer, a grey fox (or a very large squirrel), and another cottontail.In the afternoon, a long walk down a rocky woods road was tough-going. At one point, there were no blazes, but we soon found one and proceeded on to Rte. 325. Thought of camping there by a stream where men were fishing, but there was no good campsite, so we moved on to here and were glad to find a nice campsite between the trail and the spring.We (i.e. Bob) completed chores--pumping water and setting up the tent. Now we're relaxing in the sun until dinner time.Bamboo Bob: The treadway gets less rocky as we get closer to Duncannon. We saw many water sources, most probably seasonal. Nice warm day. We could have gone further but want another two nights in the woods. Route is not always blazed well--looks like more new trail or reroutes in progress.
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Spring, .4 miles past rte. 325

To: Clark's Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Just Visiting: About 7 last night, Hammer and Nails (a frisky little white dog, like Buddy with long hair) arrived and camped down by the spring. Slept great, til about 7:30. Heard owls very close to us in the morning.Nice switchbacks up to the ridge. A lot of blow downs on the ridge until the intersection with the White Tail Trail, then well-maintained the rest of the way. Good views of the Susquehanna Valley on one side and another ridge on the other. Saw lots of bear sign and maybe heard a bear in the woods. Also saw two black snakes. The air smelled flowery all day   Stopped at Peters Mt. Shelter for lunch. Glad we didn't try to get there last night. Travis, a nobo, stopped by.Staying here with Indian Summer, a nice young nobo. Mark, a scientist at Hershey, stopped by at dusk to sign the register. He was out searching for morel mushrooms, without success.Bamboo Bob: A very nice trail day for Judy's last day. Lots of bear sign but no bears. More or less last of the rocky trail.
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Clark's Ferry Shelter

To: Duncannon, The Doyle Hotel
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: few clouds

Just Visiting: Fun hike into town, scrambling over rocks and then easy downhill. Cool, sunny day--perfect hiking weather. Saw a blue bird--my first ever!--and, by the river, a big white heron. Stopped at a truck stop for breakfast and then walked into town. Now waiting for the Doyle to open at 11.
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Duncannon, The Doyle Hotel

To: US 11
Miles today: 17.7

A latish eight AM start. Jon picked up Judy and off I went. There is a tough climb out of town. I met six NOBO section hikers all of whom would have been fun if they were going in my direction. I told them all about the benefits of staying at the Doyle Hotel and all its various upgrades. The place has really improved since 2000. Non hikers would definitely avoid the place but it can clearly be upgraded now to the Dump catagory instead of Vile Pit catagory. (I hope Vickey and Pat can take that as a compliment.) It's started to rain now and then and I'm surprized that its so cool if not cold. Hiking with sandels is usually good but cold and wet puts them to a real test. I was at Darlington sheleter at 1:30 so I decided to keep going. Lot's of mud and cowplops through the meadows. Actually in the rain its one big cowplop mud mix. Not very pleasant. I was expecting to staelth tent but there is water everywhere and no place to put down so I just kept going to US 11 and camped at the Great American Motel.
Date: 2008-05-09
From: US 11

To: Tagg Run Shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: light rain

Started of in all my rain gear into the rain but good. The rain got pretty heavy going into Boiling Springs. It stopped a bit but then whump. Saw lots of ducklings in the pond at boiling Springs. The ATC people seem very aloof. I think they are focusing on endless fundraising to pay the executives and are not much concerned with actual hikers. They have lost there way. Its getting much cooler and my wet feet are cold. I am definitely wishing I did not send my fleece home with Judy. But amazingly someone left a fleece in this shelter and its my size. Mother AT provides. What trail magic. There are a dfew weekenders here and amazingly I met Tim from 2002. He is the hiking partner of Bruce Grant who picked up the tab for dinner at the Home Place. Tim and Bruce have been section hiking since 1997. If I didnt have this found and warm fleece I would be in a bad way. I think my old sleeping bag has long since lost its 20 degree rating.
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Tagg Run Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

Wet and cold. Starry night but rain in the morning. I was cold walking out but the rain stopped about noon. I am not prepared for this weather . Wet is ok but the cold is not my cup of cold tea. The afternoon was sunny and I met about ten NOBO's for a minute each. Some day hikers too. Lot's of birds and nests here in the shelter. This is a very nice shelter with six bunks and polished wood with a stream directly in front. No one but me here though. Some one left a balaclava here. Maybe the same guy who left the fleece.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Rocky Mt Shelter
Miles today: 13.0

Sunny but cool morning gave way to cold and windy afternoon. My pants ripped The wind about blew me of the ledge coming over the rocky outcroppings. This is a real PUD, teh kind that the local club finds interesting but long distance hikers would prefer just walking around. I'm climbing up and over rocks while the wind howls. The wind is getting scary so I stopped here instead of continuing on. The rain started in the middle of the night and for the first time in my hiking life I had to sleep along the back wall because the rain was totally blwing into the shelter
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Rocky Mt Shelter

To: South Mountain
Miles today: 5.0

Very windy and rainy night. Rain into the shelter and just too cold. Started out cold and wet . The trail is a river of water and my feet are freezing. It is not usually cold here in mid May. I spent half the day walking in a muddy stream. So having not met a soul going in my direction and being cold and wet Its time for a break. I nice postmaster lady named Angel helped me get a ride out. I'm going to hang out in Harpers Ferry for a few days and see if I can find someone going south from there. The hostel is excellant and its fun talking to the othet hikers but they are all going North. This lloks like the end of this trip.
Date: 2008-06-12
From: South Mountain

To: Devils Racecourse
Miles today: 17.8

A very long day stopping at 7 PM but started at 8 AM having been dropped off at the trailhead by son Jon. I stayed with him for a few days including a Celtics NBA final loss. ( A mere blip as it turned out He watched the whole game while I fell asleep. A 9PM start means a half game for me. The trail south is really excellant until just after PenMar where a "misremembered" rocky climb takes you up to the Devils Race Course. Bill, the caretaker at Penmar sold me two pepsi's. The climb to the top of the ridge took me a long time with frequent rest stops. The heat and humidity are way up there. I had no recollection of this steep climb. A lot of NOBO hikers told me how hard it was and they did not exagerate. Today I saw at least twenty day hikers, about 20 NOBO's and there are amazingly three sobo's here. Two kids going south for two days and a Dad meeting his kids. HD expected to meet them at Penmar but now finds he must get to Harpers Ferry. He was unprepared for this since he has cotton clothes and a toy pack and little food. He's a fast hikler in his sneakers too. I hiked with him for a while but he's too fast for me. I was exhausted when I finally got here and put up my tarp tent. A long round trip down the hill for water. It seems a lot longer than the .3 miles indicated. It is very hot. The sombrero works well for shade in the direct sun but when in the shade it has no vents so I just hook it on my pack. I get a lot of Holas! on the trail. My over stretched left calf muscle hurts now and again but its not getting any worse. I'll see in the morning. It was so hot I drank a lot but didn't pee for 12 hours. Also the heat took away my appetite and I couldn't keep any food down and sometimes couldn't keep water down. Too hot to cook so I just ate dry crackers for dinner plus a granola bar and a fruit strip thingy.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Devils Racecourse

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

Very nice trail today but very hot. I doubt I could hike the south in the summer. Finally got hungry. Saw a rattlesnake, he did a lot of rattling, I kept my distance. Lots of hikers here and a lot of conspiracy theories on the state of the world, oil, politics, and you name it. The bad guys have it in for them. My favorite, "I wish I lived someplace with no cops". I bet.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Another very hot day ending in thunderstorms. Very nice trail but humid off the charts. I'm happy with this trip of short days if I can ever figure out the right season. Section hiking is harder than thu hiking with all the logistics. I met Dust-in-the -Wind. She learned about the AT from Sly the Biker! The world is small and the AT world is really a tiny fragment. A very small world out in the woods.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Hapers Ferry
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

HD took off like a horse back to the Barn. Got Gatorade from the Boy Scouts, I could have had scout trail magic last night but had more fun talking to the hikers abd telling and hearing stories. The Towns Inn gathers hikers here in HF so its way better than the old days. Its finally become a trail town.