morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Hightop Mountain, VA

To: Skyland Resort, VA
Miles today: 27.4

The day started like many days on the trail with a cool breeze and clouds down in the valley. I slept in a little this morning and Lee (long section hiker headed to PA) and Tigger pass by the outlook and they said hello as they started down the trail. In this section the trail skirts many campgrounds and resort areas. Also for those that don't mind a short walk off the trail there are waysides along the parkway that serve food. The big talk on the trail the last few days has been the fact that none of the stores or waysides had ice cream, in particular the ingredients for shakes which I am told are to die for. Much of the day I leapfrogged Bones and Giggles running into them a couple of times during the day. Bones made a detour to one of the waysides and told me he finally had one of the famous shakes that everyone has been talking about. I guess they finally restocked after the Memorial Day crowd. The highlights of the day were the wildlife, especially the bears. First I came across a large rattlesnake sunning himself beside the trail. He rattled at me as I passed but generally was content watching me go by (see photo). Late in the day about a half mile from Rock Spring Hut I came upon a mother bear and her two cubs grazing beside the trail (see photo). She watched me for a bit as I rustled around for my camera (I had just taken a hiker bath and my shorts were too wet to carry my iPhone so I had put it in my pack). By the time I got the camera out the three of them were walking away from the trail but I still managed to get a photo or two. I stopped at the hut for an hour that evening to let a thunderstorm pass and I ate and visited with the other thru hikers. Once the rain stopped I decided to go on a little further as I still had about an hour or so of daylight plus it was nice and cool from the rain. It was perfect hiking weather. About a mile up the trail a small bear cub darted out of some ferns, ran down the trail away from me and disappeared into the woods. Startled I stopped and started looking for momma bear.... Nothing, so I took a few steps, stomp my walking stick a couple of time to make some noise and still no mother bear. Weary I repeat this process until I am passed the ferns where the cub came from. I peered around a little more and start walking again. Then about another mile up the trail as dusk settled in I startled a large bear on the trail. He bolted past me like a flash into the nearby woods. Yes if you have been counting that made 5 bears I saw today! Pretty cool as many folks never get to see a bear in the wild. As I kept pressing north I realize that I was only a mile or so from a lodge. I decide to see if they had rooms available and as luck would have it they did. I showered and headed up to the lodge lounge for a cold Yingling beer (or two) to top off the fantastic day and what a day it was! Oh and by the way I put in the most mileage for a day since walking the trail.... 27.4 miles. It is all good.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Skyland Resort, VA

To: Little Hogback Mountain, VA
Miles today: 22.6

I started the day with an omelet at the lodge. What a great way to start the morning. As I was heading out to the trail I ran into a number of thru hikers (journeyman, bones, giggles and chuckles) coming out of the woods for a big breakfast like the one I had just enjoyed. The weatherman had forecasted rain for much of the day and he got it right this time. It was first only mist but as the day went on it became a steady drizzle and even at times some heavier stuff. On the bright side it was cool making it great hiking weather. The weather also meant no great views at the overlooks but it did not stop the wildlife from coming out. First was a bear on the trail just before pinnacle mountain. I ended walking up behind him from a distance giving me the opportunity to film him as he slowly lumbered down the trail (see video). Once he entered the woods I waited a few minutes giving him time hopefully to get some distance off the trail. I did not want to get too close. As I approached I saw he was only about 20 feet off the trail which was too close to pass. So I hollered out to him to move away from the trail. He did comply although slowly, taking a few steps at a time into the woods and then peering back at me. He did this until he was a safe distance from the trail such that I could pass. I snapped a picture of him as I passed (see photo). Later in the day I came across deer grazing beside the trail in the ferns (see photos). Most appeared to be males with their fuzzy antlers just starting to come in. You can see them if you look closely at the pictures. Another plus of the Shenandoah Park are the "Waysides". The waysides are small combination diner/gift stores located on the parkway. They are often less than a half mile from the AT making them a hot spot for thru hikers given our bottomless appetites. Today as it just so happened I came upon the Elkwallow wayside around 5:00 pm so what a perfect time to take a break out of the rain while keeping up my calorie count! The cheeseburger was divine but the shake was a bit "shaky"(my option is McD's makes a better shake but what do I know). I know everyone on the trail talks so highly about the wayside shakes... But no complaints as the shake went down as fast as the burger.I finished the day about 4 miles up the trail from the wayside atop of Little Hogback Mountain. I found a little grassy spot near the overlook and settled in for the night. The rain is suppose to finish up tonight so I hope to see the sun tomorrow. I stopped about 15 miles from US 522 where I will be picked up for a nights stay in Front Royal, VA at the Woodward B&B. I will also resupply for the short three day hike to Harpers Ferry, WV (the unofficial halfway point of the AT).
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Little Hogback Mountain, VA

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 15.0

The morning start was a wet one from the rain last night and the thick mist that rolled over the mountain top. I packed up the wet tent, poncho and bear bag and hit the trail early looking forward to the prospect of fast food for lunch in Front Royal. I passed a number of overlooks but there was nothing to see this morning on account of the thick mist. I did see a number of deer along the journey out of the park and I also ran into Sasquatch! Btw Sasquatch is the trail name of one of the thru hikers, not the notorious and elusive creature we have all seen on TV. I made great time reaching the Shenandoah park boundary before noon. I was kind of sad to be leaving the park as I have to admit that this section of the AT was my favorite so far. I liked it first of all because of the abundant wildlife. Prior to entering the park I had only seen two bears in the wild my entire life and in the five days in the park I saw 7 bears plus dozens of deer. The deer will graze right beside you almost an arms length away. Second, the park has the waysides which for a short walk you can stuff your face with hot food and cold drinks. What a great combination. I reached US 522 by 12:30 knocking out the 15 miles in about 5 hours of walking. At the parking lot beside the highway I meet a trail angel named Stumble-Not. She was handing out trail magic (Gatorade and fruit). It was fantastic after the long hike to the highway. While I waited for my ride into town I visited with her as well as Sasquatch, Captain Griffin and Lunch. We were all comparing notes on what we all saw in the park. Captain Phillips and Lunch said they saw a mountain lion just off the trail I the park. I finished the day at the B&B drying out my stuff and resupplying.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Campsite at 2nd Stream North of US 50
Miles today: 22.0

After a big breakfast at the Woodward Manor B&B, I packed up my gear and hung out on their porch enjoying some ice cream as I caught up on my journal. The stay at the B&B was great. Bob and Joan take fantastic care of you, the bed was one of the most comfortable since starting this trek and I enjoy sipping the complementary beer on the porch that looks out over the hills. Bob drove me back to the trail and I was hiking northbound by 10 am. With the late start I was only planning on about 15 miles but plans changed as the day went on. This section of the trail is generally mild with light rolling hills. The trail also follows some historic civil war routes and there is evidence of past rock fences long since forgotten. I stopped at the Manassas Gap shelter for lunch running into many thru hikers I have been shadowing the last week including Bones, Giggles, Chuckles, Crocs, Taz and Sashquash. Most of the hikers had stayed the night in Front Royal and planned to camp prior to the Sky Meadows park. I was going to play it by ear and see how I felt when I got near the park. When i reached the park I felt fine and thought I would put on a few more miles. However, I soon found out that once I entered the park my camping options were limited. I either had to go 1.7 miles off the trail to a designated camping site or march 2.5 miles through the park and hope there were some sites north of US 50. I decided on the later and pushed on to US 50. After dashing across the highway I found no campsites for the first couple of miles. As dusk set i finally found a great site beside a stream (see photo). I set up camp and began cooking my dinner when I heard someone up in the trail. I said hello as they passed and they came down to my campsite. The couple (Scot & Ashley) was taking a late day hike (see photo). They asked if I was a thru hiker and when I said yes they opened a pack full of sweets. Wow what a surprise to have trail magic in the middle of nowhere. I thanked them as they headed back to Hwy 50 as the sun set. When crossing Hwy 50 I saw a note on a tree indicating there was a hiker feed at the Blackburn AT Center the next day. I looked at the map that evening and realized I could make it there by early evening if I got an early start the next day. Food can be a real motivator on the trail.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Campsite at 2nd Stream North of US 50

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 19.5

I was up early motivated by the prospect of some hot food about 20 miles up the trail at the Blackburn AT Center. However in order to make it there I had to ride the roller coaster which is a 13.5 mile section of trail with tightly packed set of ascents and descents. I came upon a sign indicating the start of of the roller coaster (see photo). So the fun began. Up and down and up and down again. On the map I counted 11 peaks that I would have to cross. Midway through the coaster I took a break for lunch giving my feet and legs a rest. Since it was a Sunday there were lots of day hikers on the trail. So folks would ask me if I was a thru hiker and if I knew there was a hiker feed up the trail today. Yes I would say with a smile. When food is involved thru hikers will smell it out! I finally made it to the side trail to the Blackburn Center by 4 that afternoon. I made good time traversing the coaster as well as passing the 1000 mile mark and finally finishing the state of Virginia (see photo). I was rewarded for my effort with food, lots of food, at the Blackburn Center. Members of the ALDHA/PATC took great care of us. By evening there were about 16 thru hikers enjoying the hospitality and food at the center (see photo). Since we were all so full of food and drink there was no way anyone was going to be hiking so we all crashed on the center's porch and lawn.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 12.0

The older thru hikers (yours truly included) started to stir around 6:30 am and the rest of the crew were moving about an hour later. Many of us (Tank, Time-to-Eat, Lost-and-Found, Crocs and I) were rolling out of the center before 7:30 am. Everyone was excited to be so close to the AT halfway point which at Harpers Ferry. The hike was mostly down hill approaching the Shenandoah river bridge which leads to Harpers Ferry (see photo). The area of Harpers Ferry is very picturesque with historical buildings dating back to the early 1800s surrounded by the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers (see photos). The highlight of the day was arriving at the Appalachian Trail Conservatory (ATC). When I arrived there were a number of other thru hikers I knew milling about getting there photos taken In front of the ATC building. I filled out my thru hiker data card and they took the traditional photo in front of the ATC building (see photo). It was a good day and I look forward to the next half of my northbound trek.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0

I took a zero day to rest the feet. Reaching Harpers Ferry is a huge milestone for those wanting to go all the way to Maine. Although it is not the halfway point based on mileage (there is still another 3-4 days of hiking to the 1092.2 mile mark), the hiker is officially recognized by the AT Conservatory as attempting a thru hike and this effort is documented. This accomplishment puts wind in my sails, providing me with much more confidence, compared to when it started back in March, that I can complete this endeavor. I am definitely a more seasoned hiker than I was just a few short months ago! To get to this point, it has taken me approximately 2 months and a week of hiking (excluding the week I took off recently to see the family). I am quite pleased with this pace and if I can keep it up (knock on wood) I should be finished between late August and early September. Looking back I still have to say that the Shenandoah section of the hike was the highlight so far simply because of the wildlife (bear, deer and snakes) I saw. Other highlights were the magical ice falling from the trees (floating down upon us as the morning sun hit the ice covered trees) in the Smoke Mountains plus the views from McAfee Knob, VA. My favorite town stay was in Hot Springs, NC where so many of the thru hikers congregated to attend the hiker festival, visiting and partying. What adventures the trail has in store for me the second half of the trek I do not know but I look forward to each coming day.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite, MD
Miles today: 26.6

I was up and out of the motel by 7 am taking the trail through the town center of Harpers Ferry. The streets were empty as sun rose over the hills across the Potomac. I passed Jefferson Rock where you have a beautiful view of the Potomac River and the town cathedral (see photo). I crossed the Potomac via the walkway that is part of the railroad bridge. Then the trail turns east along a wide flat path that runs beside the north edge of the Potomac. After about 3 miles the trail turns north and up along the ridge line. The trail is generally wide and smooth with only a few rocky sections. Every few miles the trail would enter a state park. The parks often have facilities such as water and benches. The Gathland Park had some unique buildings and structures (see photos). Late In the day I crossed over interstate I-70 reaching Pine Knob shelter were I took a siesta for an hour or so. I decided to put in another few more miles since there was still plenty of daylight. I finally finish the day at the Pogo Memorial campground. As I set up camp and ate I could hear the faint sound of thunder. I checked my phone to see if I had any cell signal and I was pleasantly surprised to see three bars meaning I could get some weather radar. Looking at the radar it appeared I was in for a wet night with lots of big bands of rain moving in from the west. I cleaned up and hung my bear bag and as I came back to the tent the rain started. Just as I started to button up for the night I happened to look up at the tree that towered over my tent.... Great just my luck it was dead (see photo). With the rain started I could not see me moving the tent to a safer location. All I could do is hope the winds were not too strong as it would not be a pretty sight if one of the large branches were to snap off and come crashing down in the night. Lesson learned is that in the future I need to take a closer look at the condition of the trees beside my campsites.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite, MD

To: Rocky Mountain Campsite, PA
Miles today: 29.7

What possess a hiker to put in a long mileage day? Fortitude, desire to finish as soon as possible, bragging rights, .... Nope it is the prospect of ice cream. So after a night of heavy rains and thankful the dead tree limbs above did not come crashing down during the storms, I packed up the wet tent and set out toward Pennsylvania. How far would I go today I was uncertain. If I could put in more that 25 miles I determined the following day I could make it to Pine Grove Furnace Park for the half gallon ice cream challenge. Also at that pace I could possibly make it to Boiling Springs, PA by Saturday before noon to pick up my mail drop at the post office. If not I will have to wait until Monday when the post office is open. So with those things in mind I set out northbound. Some sections of the trail were inundated with water from the evening rain (see photos) and there were a few small sections of rock which are a prelude to Pennsylvania. However this was only in a few sections and the remainder of Maryland was smooth sailing with minimal rocks and wide paths. Just before departing Maryland the trail enters the Pen Mar county park. This beautiful park was a great spot to stop for lunch and dry my gear out in the sun. As I sat a lady came up to let me know the old groundskeepers may chew me out for setting up my tent in the park. I explained to her I am only drying it out and I will be on my way shortly. We visited for a while and she said she has been considering doing the AT in the future. So we traded trail stories as I ate. There are so many folks I meet that are so envious, being out on the trail and the associated freedom and adventure. I left the park early afternoon and five minutes later I had crossed the Mason/Dixon line entering the north (see photos). I kept on my way crossing many small roads, streams and shelter ( there were shelters about every 3 miles or so). When I reached Tumbling Run shelter it was only 5:30 pm and I had already completed 23 miles. I decided to push on up over the Chimney Rocks hills and see if I could make it to the next shelter about 7 miles. I tanked up with water at the Tumbling Run spring in case I ended up camping out along the ridge and set out. Around 8 pm I knew I was close to the shelter but my feet were hurting and I began looking for a camping spot along the trail. I finally found a spot up upon the ridge and set up camp. As I ate dinner, I could hear some other campers just down the hill but I was too tired to investigate. It was a long day but a productive one with just shy of 30 miles under my belt and more importantly I was strategically located within striking distance of some ice cream tomorrow afternoon. It is all good!
Date: 2014-06-06
From: Rocky Mountain Campsite, PA

To: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel, PA
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: clear sky

I woke up at quarter to six this morning with a goal of putting in 22.5 miles which will put me at the Pine Grove Furnace general store and all the goodies that come with it (particularly ice cream). I packed up and headed down the hill where I had camped and not 50 yards down the trail I come upon Bones and Lunch who happened to be the folks I heard last night. This was also where the side trail to the shelter was. They were out of their tents discussing their plans for that day. Bones just two days prior had done the 4 state challenge which consisted of walking about 45 miles in a single day going from Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and into Pennsylvania. I had told him before that trek he was mad, but when your 21 you can torture your body and it keeps on ticking. When you are 48 like me you have the realization you can also torture your body like you did when you were 21 but you will pay the piper and payment was usually much worse and for an extended period of time. My 30 mile trek the day before was about all the torture I could take and still be able to function the next day. We laughed that I set up camp so close to them the night prior not knowing I was so close to the shelter. They asked where I was headed and I told them I was headed to "ice cream". Without hesitation they said, "We're in." So off we went. The terrain for the days trek was generally tame with only a few elevation changes. The trail went through the Caledonia State park and then up to the hill ridge. Once on the ridge the trail was easy. The vegetation here generally consists of short oaks and shrubs. There are also not many scenic views so there is not much to do but put in the mileage. The high point of the hike was the AT halfway point! Lunch and I snapped photos of each other beside the halfway post. Another big milestone competed! Lunch and I arrived at the general store around 3:30. Bones arrived before us and he had already started devouring his half gallon of ice cream. I bought my half gallon of chocolate ice cream and within 22 minutes it was gone. Piece of Cake! Actually after finishing the ice cream I was hungry for something more substantial so I chased the ice cream down with a cheeseburger and fries. I guess you would call that dinner backwards. Bones and Lunch also finished their ice cream and hit the general store grill. Now with bellies full, hiking more mileage did not seem very palatable with digestion. There happened to be a hostel (the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel) beside the general store. I went over to check it out and for $25 I could get a shower, clean bed and a light breakfast. This was perfect and I settled there for the evening. Bones also set up at the hostel and Lunch decided to go up the trail a mile or two and camp.   A picture of the mansion is included with the attached photos.
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Boiling Springs, PA (Allenberry Resort Inn)

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 0.0

I took a zero day to wait for the post office to open on Monday morning but more importantly to rest the feet. With the mild southern PA terrain I have banged out some serious miles, essentially a "4-day Century" (I.e., 100 miles in 4 days) and although I generally feel good, my feet seem to be stiffer and stiffer after each day. I had planned for 6 days in this section so I am still ahead of my loose schedule. The rest off my feet will do me good and hopefully prevent any future injuries. I know there rocks ahead and not being rested and flexible can be problematic. One of the thru hikers, took a spill at Harpers Ferry and tumbled 50 feet down a hill. He had cuts on his head, arms and legs and had to go to the hospital to treat his wounds. He is lucky as he was back on the trail 2 days later but it shows that it only takes one mis-step and all that you have worked for to get this far on the AT can disappear. The key thing is to listen to your body. The day off was relaxing and culminated at the Allenberry lounge that evening with some 10+ thru hikers sitting around the bar eating, drinking and swapping stories.