morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-10
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Mauphin Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: moderate rain

Today where the trail was level it was a puddle and where it was sloped a flowing stream. Fog until around noon. We dropped off the mountain top like a rock for 4.5 miles, from 4063 ft to 970 ft, almost 3100 ft down. After 800 miles this finally did my knees in. I leaned heavily on the trekking poles but still kept up a fast paced descent, because I knew a 3000 ft ascent immediately followed. Crossed the Tye River foot bridge (suspension), where I had just before met a guy getting ready to Kayak the river. He said it is almost never that the river is this high with water. It was flowing very fast and over the banks and into the lower branches of the trees. Q and I were at different paces today (he was ahead)and were going to meet at the next shelter for lunch. There were two creek crossing near the shelter. Both totally flooded over the stepping rocks, the second one deeply. On this one I said what the H... and just walked across the creek using the trekking poles to keep from being pushed over. When I got to the shelter - no Q. He was wearing leather boots and had skipped it and moved on. My trail runners were totally drenched anyway so I just walked all the creeks the rest of the day. I ate in the shelter out of the rain.Coming down the other side of the mountain had some incredible overlook views. The shelter we stayed in that night filled up with fast hikers. Tomorrow these younger folks planned to do a 20+ mile day and get into Waynesboro in one day. For us older guys we just wanted to get close enough so we could get in early the next day.
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Mauphin Field Shelter

To: Paul C Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Long day coming up with the nearest shelter being nearly 16 miles away. Came to BRP at Reeds Gap with a trail magic cooler. Alas it was already empty. It was a rolling trail for nearly the first 10 miles. At one of the fantastic overlooks Q spread some of his fathers ashes. Today and yesterday and before were Q, me and Sol Creature. We then came off the far side of Humpback Mtn, a 3 mile down hill awaited. Rested on an overlook that looked across a valley to a ski resort on a mtn across the way. On the way across the top followed a long stacked stone wall where I made a video. When I got to the shelter there was a deep creek to rock walk across on submerged rocks or just wade across, in I went. This shelter was one of the nicest yet and big enough 10 according to the guide, we could have squeezed in 15 if we had to. Unfortunately there are evidently mice after midnight. My pack had a hole chewed in the webbing pocket on the outside front of pack.At the shelter tonight were Gray Wolf and son, Jackson, Kobe (Japanese young man), Sol Creature, me and Q.
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.2

Woke up to sunshine, first in many day's to start that way and stay they way all day. Passed a chimney stack in the woods probably from the late 1800's. Took a few pictures and continued on. When I came out of the woods at 11a.m. To US 250 to find a trail angel (Santa's Helper) there with his van and cokes and snacks and a ride to our hotel. We checked in, took showers, washed our clothes and he came back and took us to town. First stop was the post office for Quaker to pick up his mail drop, the I spotted Sol Creature walking down the street and we pulled over and took him to the bank, then on to the Sprint store for me to pick up my phone that Nancy had arranged for me and had overnighted to that location, it was already activated. Unfortunately my water dead phone did not have an SD card in it so it does not look good for my hundreds of pictures to be recovered. Ate two chic filet sandwiches then on to Buffalo Wild Wings. From where Sol was waiting for a ride to Charlottesville to catch a bus home to Tampa. His shuttle driver dropped Q and I off at the post office and I sent my dead phone home to Nancy for an attempt to recover via computer-here's hoping. (Update...my son got the pictures off but not all the video's).Called another free shuttle person, 'Miss Lady', and she took us to the movies. We saw Star Trek, great fun movie. My oldest son is a Hugh Star Trek fan. In the lobby after the movie some other thru hikers (it's easy to spot us hiker trash), these guys had a friend with them who had a car, we yogied a ride to Logan's Steakhouse. Yes...a real steak and Sam Adams draft. Then a call to Miss Lady and she picked us up and brought us back to our motel.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Rockfish Gap-Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Miss Lady shuttled us all day long today -- phenomenal! Breakfast at a local place then library to bring this journal up to date from my last entry in Daleville. Then to KFC for lunch and walked to Walmart to resupply. Bought a waterproof carrier for my phone and a mini-sd card for the phone. Then for frozen yogurt. Got McDonald's to take back to hotel. Miss Lady said she would pick us up in the morning at 7:30 am to take us back to the trail. I am currently finishing catching up the journal and will get pack ready in the morning. Good night all!
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Rockfish Gap-Waynesboro, VA

To: Stealth camp at mile marker 870.5
Miles today: 13.0

Miss Lady and Mister Gizmo picked us up at 7:30 am and took Quaker and I back to the trail head. She was fantastic to us! After about a mile, we entered the Shenandoah National Park. Filled in our permits and attached them to our packs. Gradual ups most of the day. Crossed the Skyline Drive 4 times today. At the top of Bear's Den Mtn, which is covered with communication towers, someone had embedded in the grass 8-12 tractor seats about a foot off the ground, great fun! Great first day in the SNP.Before I got to camp, I heard a crashing on my right in the woods. I looked over and saw a black bear that had just dropped out of a tree. He ran down the mountain like a thoroughbred race horse. That was fine by me. About a quarter of a mile further on, I found a suitable place to set up my tent. About 20 minutes later Quaker arrived. I did an extra special good job hanging my bear bag (food)--nice and high..and wide. Off to sleep.
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Stealth camp at mile marker 870.5

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 13.6

Just after I left this morning I took a video of a deer on the trail -- he posed for me! Crossed the Skyline Drive repeatedly today. In the park they use concrete posts on the AT with the AT symbol and a galvanized metal band with distances and directional arrows to various points of interest, shelters, waysides, other trails, viewpoints, etc. -- very helpful. When we crossed Blackrock Mtn, just below the summit, through a boulder slide, the views were fantastic. Lots of day tourists in the area gawking at the views and the 'stinky' thru-hikers. When we reached the side trail to Loft Mtn Campground, we took it up to the top. Just before this, we came across our first rattlesnake. It did its rattle thing, but I think it was "stuffed" with food as it did not move. Quaker even prodded it with his hiking pole and it did not move. I took a good video. We registered with the National Park and got our tent sites. In the site next to us we met another thru-hiker named Double-Dare. He had a 6-pack of Heineken at his picnic table so, of course, we joined him. Then Quaker and I walked to the camp store to resupply for a couple of days plus got beer and ice cream -- hiker luxuries that are never passed up when available, which is not often.At our site we set up, then talked about upcoming days. Made some calls home and hit the bag.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Hightop hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Quaker left before me today and did not want to pull off at the wayside for a hot breakfast so we separated, I went the .4 off trail for eggs and pancakes. Great breakfast. A lot of elevation changes today, good aerobic workout. When I got to the midway shelter for lunch Q had left me a note about going further vthan originally planned and getting his mail drop in Elkton Va. the time showed he was almost two hours ahead of me. when I got to the original shelter for the night I was told he had waited and just gone on 20 minutes earlier. I was done in and stayed at this shelter, it was about 6:30 p.m. H, chatted with Springbok from South Africa and pantry from Maine. ( note..I am using voice input so excuse punctuation..lack of capitalization of trail names etc.).
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Hightop hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

started the day with a short climb to the summit High Top Mountain, there was a view overlook that marked 900 miles of the trip. I made a leaf number nine hundred and took a picture of it with my phone. pantry past me at this point. I took a short video showing the green tunnel of the trail and the beautiful tall, straight ok trees surrounding me. later I entered an area that was covered in large ferns on both sides of the trail for many, many yards.the trail was to a great extent a puddle from the night before. stopped for the night at Bearfence Mtn. Hut.
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Big Meadows campground
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: moderate rain

well at this point I can tell Quaker is a half day ahead or more.early on in this very wet and foggy day I passed an old country cemetery near the trail.I took some spooky pictures.I pulled off trail .4 miles to a wayside on Skyline Drive to have a real food lunch. when I got there I saw pantry at a table by herself and joined her.ten minutes later in comes Springboks and kitty his wife. they are a couple from South Africa.they joined us then it started to rain outside very hard.we went out and got rooms at the Big Meadows lodge.there we ran ino Codger and Trashbag they a couple from Memphis. we all had supper together in the tap room down stairs.I had wings which were delicious then back to the room to Dr my blistered feet toes. Pantry had some amazing blister specific Band Aids which worked miracles. off to bed and will be back on the trail tomorrow rain or shine.
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Big Meadows campground

To: Byrds Nest Shelter #3 Hut
Miles today: 15.3

got up this morning and pantry and I yogi'd a ride the one mile back from the lodge to the wayside. had breakfast at the wayside then walked back down the .4 mile to the trail. very foggy this morning. a note here my previous most recent hiking partner Quaker is now more than a day ahead and I am hiking with Pantry a 60 year old lady from Maine. at about 9 miles him to the day the trail skirts Skyland Resort & Restaurant so I pull off trail for lunch. pantry had already stopped. in the early afternoonwe came upon a group climbing up the cliff face and repelling down. very high cliffs. when we stopped at Pinnacle picnic area for an afternoon snack an older couple eating under a pavilion gave us meatloaf and bread which we accepted gratefully. this would be part of our supper at the shelter tonight. pantry whose real name is Mary left first and I looked down the Trail and I saw her making a video while walking back into the picnic area from the trail. she was about 100 yards all so I yelled " what's up", bear she said. when I caught up mama bear had run off and baby bear was climbing a tree. I didn't see the mama bear but I did see the tub in the tree. mary had a great video of me Mama running away.when we got to the shelter for the night Codger and Trashbag we're already there and set up. Marathon Man came by asking about his partner Slow and Steady. we told him we had not seen her. he went on. later she came in and had evidently been off trail temporarily and he passed her without knowing it. she decided to stay the night. it was a nice shelter but we did have one loud snorer. oh well try to sleep anyways.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Byrds Nest Shelter #3 Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Was walking before 7:30 this morning. Still deep fog in early a.m. Came to an overlook called Mary's Rock, since Mary s Pantry's real name, we took the side side trail .2 miles to see the overlook. Naturally, the trail was straight up! Nice views down to the clouds though. Shot a short video of a deer walking with us on the trail and a great photo of a butterfly with full open wings with blue highlights. Stopped at Elkwallow Wayside for a burger, milkshake and chips...and a wonderful Boxed pinot grigio to take to the shelter for enjoying after supper. At the top of the next mountain I came to a roped off area with a sign that stated "temporary closure-Peregrine Falcon Restoration Project". As I am reading the sign, a falcon flew just over my head. I looked at the cliff and saw a double-posted roost that he launched from with his recent kills lying close by.Moved on down to the shelter. It looked full so I set up my tent. Had a bad muddy spot unlevel...only thing left. There were a bunch of high school grads who came over and offered me cooked noodles in a clear oil sauce---delicious and saved me from having to cook. In camp that night were me, Pantry, Springbok, and Kitty, Codger and Trashbag, Slow 'N Steady, and Marathon Man...plus many day and section hikers. Slept alright for the conditions.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Tom Floyd Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

There were 5 SNP Skyline Drive crossings today and it was the last day in the Shenandoah National Park. I had talked on the phone with my brother-in-law who lives about an hour away from Front Royal. He is going to pick me up where the AT crosses HWY 522 only 4 miles from Front Royal, VA. Having determined this would be the easiest place to meet, it made for a relatively short day's hike to get to the shelter.Pantry and I arrived at Tom Floyd Shelter between 3 and 4 in the afternoon. It later filled up and AquaMan and Orion came in. I have bumped in to them, off and on, since early in North Carolina. It was a nice shelter but the water source was down a very steep hill .2 mile away. Oh, well...you have to have water so I set out down the slope. Great water, though!Met a guy in his 60s and his nephew who came in....going by the names Mister Biddles and Reno...doing a long section heading South. Then came a father and 3 daughters who set up tents nearby. Went to bed early because I am scheduled to meeting my brother-in-law Jack at 8:15 am tomorow morning....3 miles down the trail. Good night all!
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Morgan Mill Stream Campsite
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: light rain

Was walking out of shelter at 7 am and was surprised to see Springbok and Kitty still there. I said, "I'll see you when you pass me." 3 miles before the end of today we began the infamous "rollercoaster". To quote the guidebook, "13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents". A sign posted on a tree as you begin it says, "Hiker Notice! Warning!! You are about to enter the RollerCoaster!! Built and maintained by the trail boss and his merry crew of volunteers. Have a great hike and we will see you at the Blackburn Trail Center...if you survive". That sign didn't lift my spirits much. But as they say on the trail, once you've done it, it's done and you're that much closer to Katahdan. When I got to the campsite Springbok/Kitty and Codger/Trashbag gave me a big cheer. That helped. After setting up the tent, I carried my food and stove over to the communal log and joined them for supper. We all looked at the quick elevation and concluded that 2 of the 9 toughest parts of the RollerCoaster were done. Went to bed looking forward to tomorrow.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Morgan Mill Stream Campsite

To: Bear's Den Hostel, VA
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: light rain

I was still fixing my breakfast when Codger/Trashbag left, Springbok/Kitty were gone before I got up. I knew we would have a short day because we had all planned the night before to meet at the Bear's Den Hostel for the night. All 6.6 miles were on the RollerCoaster with almost no levels, lots of rock, and a very very hot day. Drank copious amounts of water today and was as wet with sweat, as if I were swimming. The final climb up to Bear's Den was just past a creek that I had submerged my face in to cool down. Although this climb was only 430 ft, it was very steep in places. When I got to Bear's Den my hiking partners were already there. It is owned and run by the ATC and PATC staff it. It doesn't actually open till 5 pm, but has access to bunk and shower section earlier for hikers. It was 3 when I got there, but Kitty had claimed/saved me a bunk. This building was built in 1933 with large stone and was a mansion for a wealthy Washington family. A gorgeous building in a fantastic setting. Saw many hikers from the trail community that I already knew and met some new ones. Heart Walker - a 60ish guy about my size. K2 was there, the Germans, probably between 20-25 all together downstairs in my room. No snorers. AMAZING! 2 were in a private room, and 3 more in a separate hallway. Upstairs had a men's dorm and women's dorm, kitchen, dining room, and living room (with huge stone fireplace). For $30 you get bunk, laundry, shower, pizza, Coke, and a pint of Ben&Jerry's - heaven on the trail. After the shower and before supper, some of us watched Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe. Good companionship and off to bed at 10 pm.
Date: 2013-07-19
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Smith Gap Road
Miles today: 12.2

I got a ride from the jail house Hostel to the trailhead from food Walker. he is the husband of thru hiker Tracy Mac G this stands for Dick Tracy and MacGyver. bTW this is all voice input so forgive the spelling and punctuation.when I got to the trailhead it was a straight up climb on rock face which was very difficult with the pact on make that pack on. if you Google Lehigh gap pictures from 80 you will see what I mean. after reaching the summit you follow a detour trail of the Superfund site which was a zinc smelting area from the 1890s to the 1980. how long this trail there were right raspberries which I hate to supplement my water intake since there were miles without a water source and it was in the mid 90's. uh I was later cautioned that my Zync intake may have gone up very high from eating those raspberries oh well.another indication as I was starting up the trail written on one of the larger rocks in bold white paint was turn back now.once of the four mile detour it was backed into the famous rock Sylvania trails which means all rock.when I got to Smithsgap food Walker was parked there waiting to give me a ride to the house campsite.when I got to the house I drink 2 liters of water within 5 minutes and 2 more leaders within the next hour.I suppose this means I was almost dehydrated. again with the spelling for leaders. went to bed early to get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2013-07-20
From: Smith Gap Road

To: Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 8.1

I started out this morning from staying in 'a hiker friendly person's yard' where I camped last night. Got a ride up to the trail head from Food Walker.Today was similar to the other days of the past week with mainly 'rock walking'. Water was scarce so had to ration it in the 94 degree heat. I came across 2 warnings....notes written on paper by hikers in front of me. The first note said "large rattlesnake ahead". Second note said "bee's in logs on trails ahead". These are very helpful to hikers especially if they are recent notes.When I got to an overlook that was one mile before the road into the Wind Gap area, there was a 'trail angel' there that asked if I was 'Fifteen'. I said 'yes' and then he said 'Clinker' told me you would be coming by. The 'trail angel' gave me a ice cold coke out of his pack and some crackers....but the real trail magic was the ride he gave me into town in his pickup truck that saved me over 2 miles of road walking. I am staying at a motel tonight. Back on trail in the morning.
Date: 2013-07-21
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: broken clouds

I didn't get a ride to the trailhead until after 10 this morning. At the trailhead I met two thru hikers I had not met yet. Kiwi and his wife Bear, a middle aged couple from New Zealand via originally Hong Kong. Really nice folks, we each made group pictures. I hope to see them again in DWG, Delaware Water Gap.The noteworthy thing about today is that this will be my last full day in Pennsylvania. And it has lived up to it's name of Rocksylvania. I arrived at the shelter in the early afternoon just as Bear and Kiwi were leaving. They had only stopped for lunch and were going to continue on to DWG; almost 7 more miles. The shelter log at this shelter had a lot of interesting entries and opinions about Pennsylvania's AT experience. I learned a lot of terms besides Rocksylvania. One was Tends-to-pain-ya. Painsylvania. There was also a picture in the journal, there are some amazing artists on the trail. The picture was of 3 tombstones. You have to be a through hiker to get the relevance of this. Tombstone #1 said Solomons April-July. Tombstone #2: Keens R.I.Pa. Tombstone #3: Merrells Ga-Pa. Each of these names are the 3 probably most famous shoe/boot companies that the hikers use. There is a saying, Rocksylvania is where old boots come to die. I'm sure it's true and my feet are almost dead also. The last few days was just a trail river of rocks. Not river rocks, mind you. Jagged, hurtful rocks. One thru hiker wrote 2 pages about his love affair with PA gone bad. At the shelter that night, and tenting nearby, were Tracy McG, Breezy, and 2 other sisters. Tracy was the only thru hiker of the group. 3 young locals came down to the shelter from their campsite less than a half a mile away and visited us for a while. Very nice young men. Slept in the shelter. Had a good nights sleep.
Date: 2013-07-22
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Backpacker Campsite, New Jersey
Miles today: 11.7

Got up this morning knowing I would be leaving Pennsylvania by lunchtime. Took a number of good pictures as I came down into Delaware Water Gap. Ate lunch at a local diner. Also there were Tracy McG and her family plus her husband, Food Walker, who is her moving support on the trail. He gave me a ride to the Wal-mart in Strausburg, where I resupplied for the next few days. When he dropped me off back at the trailhead I got my pack and groceries out of his car and he left. 30 seconds later I realized I had left my trekking poles in his car. Did not know his real name or have his phone number. But I knew where his wife had intended to stop that night, 6 miles up trail. I grabbed me a double scoop ice cream cone before leaving town. As I was about to put my pack on the heavens opened up. I put my raincoat on and as I started to cross the Delaware River on I-80 I added my rain pants. It was torrential. The bridge is long with a guardrailed sidewalk. I took a video of the rain intensity since I don't get that kind of rain in Idaho. Halfway across the bridge young 20 somethings, thru hikers, just blew by me with no concern for the rain wearing their regular hiking clothes. The first part of New Jersey, although it was uphill, it was park-like. And then...there was another river of stone for a quarter mile before the campsite. At the campsite Tracy McG was already set up and in her tent. She assured me her husband would wait at a certain road crossing for me to get my trekking poles. One unhappy surprise was the spring. The water was the color of iced tea. At this campsite was a ridgerunner. These are people employed by the ATC and/or the state. BTW, all the ridgerunners that I had met in Virginia had all previously done thru hikes. I asked him his trail name and he said it was Mile High. And yes, you guessed it, he was originally from Denver. I asked him about the rocks in New Jersey because I had heard that there were a couple of days worth. He confirmed. Went to sleep as the rains came back.