morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Pine Field Hut

To: Bear Fence Hut
Miles today: 20.6

Day 65 Wednesday The day started with 3 or 4 deer coming into camp, looking for a handout. They didn't get it. I got away about 7:10AM, walking alone. The trail today is similar to yesterday (at least so far) in terms of maintenance and grade. There are more uphills today, but none has been a killer so far. I'm writing this at Hightop Hut, 8.2 miles from Pinefield. I covered this in just over 3 hours, so obviously the Trail is not especially difficult. My straw hat is looking pretty pathetic but still keeping the sun off my head and ears and neck. I think I'll pin up the front brim so I can see more than 10 feet ahead when going uphill. The weather is cool and sunny. Too bad that Shenandoah National Park doesn't have much of interest to look at, except trees. But if your goal is to make miles, scenery distracts you anyway. Today I'm walking in honor of some friends who have been expecially supportive of my hike: Bill Campbell, who came to Amicalola Falls State Park to see me off; Pat and Larry Winters; Joe Grandy; Phil Roe; and Sally Lee and the Open Door Sunday School Class. Lots more people have encouraged me, but these are the honorees of the day. 7PM...The afternoon walking was similar to the morning-some uphills and downhills that were fairly well graded and had a few obstacle rock areas. Sky stayed sunny all day. At about 2PM I stopped at a picnic area for a snack, water, and use of the toilet. While there, I had my first opportuniity to "yogi", which is trying to get picnickers or tourists to give you food by looking or sounding hungry and pitiful. I got a coke and some strawberries from a nice couple from Pittsburgh. At about 5PM I stopped at Lewis Mountain Campground, which has a campstore and a shower. I got a shower(5 minutes for $1.00) and some store-bought drinks and Pringles. Got to use a pay phone to call my honey, then went back to the camping area to cook supper on a picnic table near the water source/bathroom. Fortunately, a Ranger did not come by and arrest me or run me off before I finished. Just before I arrived there, I met two thru-hikers who were slackpacking, Casino(from Nashville) and Helium (from Knoxville). After supper and clean-up, I walked about a mile to this shelter, where 4 section hikers and 1 other thru-hiker were already here. Optimist and Hippie( mom and son from Michigan), a guy from Warner-Robbins, GA, Fly By from Boiling Springs, PA, 365, and I are the hut residents for tonight. I am writing this as I sip a store-bought beverage and nibble on Pringles. Life is good.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Bear Fence Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: moderate rain

Day 66 Thursday I had my first direct mouse encounter last night. One of the little shelter residents climbed into one of my pack pockets and chewed into the plastic ziplock garbage bag. Damage was minimal-the bag would have been thrown away anyway. The Section hikers who slept on the upper deck seemed to be up many times, talking about mice and shining lights. I put my balaclava on over my ears and tried to sleep. If you can't deal with mice running around, stay home. It is now about 10AM , and I'm sitting in the dining room of the lodge at Big Meadows, one of the cabin/camping/picnicking/store/supply resorts in the Shenandoah Park. My omelet is eagerly anticipated. The weather has been foggy and drizzly all morning. The only bright spot in the gloom was hundreds of blooming trilliums, shining like little 3-petalled flashlights. 8:30PM I'm going to try a new format for the entry-listing the positives and negatives. First the positives...by far the best was getting to talk with Jane and finding out that she has made my travel arrangements to get home in two weeks for some family events, and to get back to Pennsylvania to resume hiking. A second positive is that I had two great restaurant meals today, at Big Meadows in mid-morning and Skyland in mid-afternoon. The Trail positives were easy grades up and down (with one exception). I did 26.8 miles today, primarily because the shelters in the Shenandoah are fewer and farther between; if one had been 5 miles back, I would have stopped there. The final positive is that I will not be bothered by mice or snoring tonight, since I am in my tent. Now for the negatives...the weather got worse as the afternoon went on. About 3PM it changed from drippy to drizzle to showers for at least 2 hours. A couple of times the clouds would break and it would look like the rain was over, but in a few minutes another cloudbank would come in. The next negative is that today's trail had a lot more rocks, especially on a long downhill late in the day. Those were the "ankle-bruising, I'm not cruising, knees are losing" kind of rocks. The next negative was that the shelter was full when I arrived (or nearly so), so I decided to tent. That's not so bad, except that as soon as I started to unpack the tent and Tyvek, it started to rain and kept it up the whole time I was setting up, getting gear inside and sorted, hanging a clothesline and food bag, etc. If it doesn't dry out tonight, I'll be carrying a lot of extra water tomorrow, and wearing smelly and wet clothes.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Compton Gap Trail (Terrapin Station Hostel)
Miles today: 22.7

Day 67 Friday The clouds were gone before dawn, but what gear wasn't wet was still moist. I tried to dry off my tent and groundcloth as best I could, thinking of Dad all the time and how he trained me to take care of my gear, keep it clean, and dry it off before packing up. He would have been proud. I'm writing at 2PM at Gravel Springs Hut, where I'm in to get water, rest, and use the privy. Stopped at the Elkwallow Wayside at mid-morning to get a snack, rest, wash out the camp towel (that I used to wipe mud off the groundcloth this morning), brush my teeth. Heading to a hostel for a shower, laundry and maildrop. Skies are dry but clouding up-not good. 8PM at Terrapin Station Hostel-Hiking this afternoon was dry and relatively easy-no extreme ups or downs, and a modest amount of rocks to threaten ankles and feet. This hostel is in the basement level of the home of a former thru-hiker. He took me to dinner in Front Royal and let me shop at the grocery store. I am going to try to plan my next 2 weeks, so I can figure out where I'll be when it's time to fly home for a break. (Time passes) It looks like I'll be about Port Clinton, PA on Thursday the 25th, which will be great. Hope I can get in touch with Bill Ewing and that he feels generous.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Compton Gap Trail (Terrapin Station Hostel)

To: Dick's Dome 
Miles today: 18.9

Day 68 Saturday Got up at 6, trying not to wake 365 and Fly By, who were up late. 365 called a friend from seminary who lives nearby and they got together for a reunion. Left the hostel about 7:30 and walked under cloudy skies, which looked threatening. Officially went back into the Shenandoah for 0.2 miles, then out. Walked for an hour or so along high chain link fences, with deep forest, open fields, and overgrown fields on the other side. Supposedly, it is the National Zoological Park, but I saw no animals. Maybe they were all asleep. By 10AM the skies were clear. Noon... at Jim and Molly Denton Shelter-great shelter. Has a separate cooking/eating shed and a big porch with easy chair. Also has a cold water shower. On 4/29 Medicine Man was here and left a message to me- a Ripshin friend. Haven't solved the puzzle yet, but I will. 7PM at Dick's Dome Shelter: Two Boy Scout troops are camped nearby, and 2 section hikers from upstate NY-a father and daughter. They said they drove through severe rain and hail today in south PA and were surprised I hadn't had any on the Trail. The afternoon walking was mixed-some deep forest, some "undergrowth corridor", some edge-of-fields, some rocks, some smooth. The absence of high ridges and old forest habitat is quite noticeable. 365 came in about an hour ago. He stayed in Front Royal for a while to get shoes and run errands. We are the only 2 thru-hikers here, so far. This is a small shelter based on a geodesic dome concept. Sleeps about 4 but inefficiently.NATURE NEWS: For about 2 miles today the forest floor was covered in trillium, white, pink, dark pink, striated. I saw one yellow ladyslipper-my first of the trip. GEAR NEWS: The trekking poles seem to be helping me a lot. They are analogous to using a bannister to help climb stairs(pulling up) or go down stairs(shifting weight from legs and knees to arms and shoulders).
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Dick's Dome 

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 69 Sunday Mothers Day   The obvious person to walk for today is MOM! Thank you for all the encouragement you have given me, Mom. Also walking for three other great moms, my wife, Jane, my daughter, Jennifer, and my sister, Beth. Got away early(7:07AM), walking in fog. The Trail here is dull-no views, much undergrowth, lots of rocky sections. Writing now from Rod Hollow Shelter during a break. At last road crossing (Ashby Gap) had great trail magic-Gator Aid and candy and nuts. And they left a camera and asked hikers to take their picture. Rain threatened, so I put on rain gear at Ashby Gap-then no rain, but lots of sweat. During the afternoon I walked through a section called the "Roller Coaster", apparently because it goes up and down. It's misnamed...it should be called "Rocky Obstacle Course laid out and maintained by sadistic orthopedic surgeons trying to drum up business". The ups and downs weren't steep, but the rocks were constant and unforgiving. Most of the Trail was in deep woods, which was okay, but there were no views. The only mildly interesting thing I saw was a 4 foot blacksnake asleep across the Trail. I bypassed it and it barely moved. All the monotony changed when I got to the hostel, an old stone summer home built by a doctor and his wife and added onto several times over the years. The ATC owns and the PATC operates a hostel/store here for a modest price. The "hiker special" is a bunk with sheet, pillow, pillowcase, and blanket, a shower, laundry, breakfast, frozen pizza, soft drink, and pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream for $25.00. Here tonight are 365 and myself and 4 section hikers, including a couple from Nashville. One of the staff here is Amoeba, who I met briefly at at shelter just below Damascus. She was doing a 30 mile day and ran in to the shelter briefly to sign the Register, then was gone. What surprised me was that she remembered that brief encounter, and who else was in the Shelter(Bronco Billy). The manager is Queen Diva, who understands and enjoys hikers. One of the perks here is free long-distance calling, so I have wished Mom a "Happy Mother's Day" and talked at length with Jane about my travel plans, Audrey, and other news. I also called Bill and Mary Ewing, who live in SE PA, about getting with them in a week or so. Bill generously offered to drive me to Harrisburg to the airport and pick me up there when I return. Tomorrow come several milestones. I go over 1,000 miles and enter my 5th state...West Virginia.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Harpers Ferry, W VA

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: light rain

Day 71 Tuesday Big day today...lots to write about. The start was less than auspicious. I found out the Hilltop Hotel doesn't start serving breakfast 7:30AM, which was about an hour later than I would have liked. After waiting around till 7:30, I go in the dining room and see one girl eating a bowl of cereal. Since she is an employee, I asked if breakfast is being served. She says "let me see" and goes into the back. Then she comes to the front desk phone and calls the cook. Turns out that "Breakfast at 7:30" means that's when they call the cook to remind him to come to work. I would not recommend the Hilltop House Hotel to anyone, hiker or not, until it gets new ownership and new staff. 365 and I walked about a mile to a cafe for breakfast(good!) then back to the Post Office to get our packages. All 3 of my boxes were there, and a letter from Mom and Mary Dew. Both were so encouraging and inspirational. I can't thank them enough for their prayers and support. I also had the personal notes from Jane in the food box, which I always look forward to and keep to reread often. After leaving the hotel I walked back by the ATC office to drop my pack while I continued on to the Post Office to mail bounce box and journal pages. Weighed my pack at 43 pounds...lots of food. I'll have to eat more.   Leaving Harper's Ferry took time because I stopped to take lots of pictures of historic signs, buildings, C&O Canal, Potomac River, etc. After crossing the Potomac into Maryland (my 6th state), the Trail follows the C&O Canal Towpath for about 2.5 miles-nice,flat walking. This was special to me because I had hiked the upper part of the Towpath with our Scout Troop when we lived in Newport News, VA,30 years ago. The Trail today was similar to previous days-a few too many rocky sections but generally flat and wide open. Even the uphill sections were kind of enjoyable for the break in routine. I am tent-camping at a small campground for hikers, with a bathhouse (restrooms and showers), picnic tables, and tent sites in a grassy lawn. One edge is a former redoubt (entrenchment) or defense line from a Civil War Battle. This area was the site of many battles and skirmishes, so monuments and historic markers abound. POST-SHOWER REPORT: The water was good and hot, but drying off with 1/3 of a camp towel in an unheated concrete building on a cool night is invigorating-but worth the shivers to be clean. One other camper is here tonight-a SOBO section hiker from Baltimore named Lyle. We talked for awhile around a small campfire-nice guy.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: broken clouds

Day 72 Wednesday Great night's sleep in the tent. It sprinkled a little about 3:30AM and is either sprinkling or dripping now. I'm getting ready to get out of the bag and start packing up. Flashback to yesterday...I forgot to mention meeting Sir Hawk on the Trail yesterday. He was way ahead of me but took off for some family time (like I'll do next week). The last time I saw him was on top of Unaka Mountain slack-packing with Sub-Zero.   3:30PM-Stopping for a snack on the Trail after 19 miles. I want to go on to stay close to my schedule for getting to Port Clinton on next Thursday. Had a brief shower, but fortunately was at a shelter eating lunch, so didn't get wet. 365 and I passed a group of about 12 kids (maybe 8th graders) out for a 3 day backpacking excursion. They gave us both an orange as Trail Magic. Thanks! Earlier I met a Maryland forester getting ready to do soil injections to protect a stand of hemlocks from the adelgids. Reminded me of the problem we face at Ripshin. 365 and I stopped for dinner at a neighborhood/community park called Pen-Mar Park, apparently because it's right on the border. It has picnic shelters, restrooms(locked up), a concession stand(closed), pay phone(locked up), and playground equipment. We found a water fountain that worked, so we cooked supper there, then packed up and headed north into PA,my 7th state. I heard thunder in the distance and was in a hurry to get to a shelter. The next one was Deer Lick, about 5 miles further along. I made it by 8:30, almost dark. Actually there are two identical small shelters here-365 and Red Dog are in one, and I chose to stay in the other so I won't crowd them with damp gear and so I can sleep on my back and snore if I want. It is thundering occasionally in the distance and raining a little, but I'm snug. The Trail today was more of the same...ups and downs were modest but rocks were horrible, especially one downhill section approaching Pen-Mar Park. If I had a thesaurus, I would fill several journal pages with unfavorable adjectives. Today was my longest day yet, and I hope to avoid anymore of this length. My toes, ankles, knees, and thighs hurt. Give me 18 to 22 with no rocks, and I'll be a happy hiker. Time to sign off and sleep with a light drizzle on the roof...very relaxing.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: light rain

Day 73 Thursday Today's journal entry is written at Old Forge picnic area near Antietown Creek, 2.5 miles from where I spent the night. Refilled water bottles from a spigot-no treatment required. Today I'm walking in honor of Terramar, who makes boxer-briefs that don't bind or cause chafing. Thanks, guys! Early weather is cool, partly cloudy. Rain does not seem imminent (whoops, shouldn't have said that. I may have jinxed the whole day). 2:30PM-stopping at Quarry Gap Shelters for a break. It did rain intermittenly this morning, but not enough to require rain jacket or pants. Went through some miserable rock fields before noon; fell 3 times in 25 yards on one ridge. Where's the thesaurus when you need it? For lunch I detoured a half mile to a pizzeria. A super-cheesesteak sandwich and a pitcher of coke were sacrificed to the Appetite Gods. Next we (365, Red Dog, and I) stopped by a State Park restroom, trash bin, and water fountain. We then climbed to this shelter, which is uniquely designed-two sleeping shelters on each side of a covered breezeway with picnic table. There is even a roll-up/roll-down tarp to break the wind. Gravel covers the front instead of mud, a creek flows in front, rhododendron surrounds it, a spring is nearby, and a scarlet tanager is flipping around in the undergrowth-just out of picture range. There are even flower baskets hanging around, along with wooden tent platforms for overflow. What a well-designed, clean, attractive shelter. At the pizzeria I called Mahoney's to arrange for a replacement hip belt assembly for my pack. The original one is beginning to tear and wear out in places. I don't think it would make it to Maine, and I couldn't make it with just shoulder straps. Linneae promised to do her best to have one ready when I get home next week. For about 1/4 mile past Quarry Gap Shelter the rocks were miserable, then I got started up a ridge and they became much less of a problem-fewer and more scattered. The afternoon walking was actually very nice, even with one prety steep downhill near the end. Skies cleared, Trail was wide, forest was open, and rocks were avoidable. Only 3 of us are here at Birch Run, which is the first shelter I've seen with actual bunks up off the floor rather than a lower level on the floor and possible upper level separate. The roof covers the picnic table, grass surrounds the shelter, and a clear creek runs nearby. Very nice sleeping arrangements-like a hostel except outside. By the way, outside is COLD. It must be in the 50's, and it's not even dark yet. Supper was the old favorite-pasta, freeze-dried ham, broccoli cheese soup, freeze-dried veggies, and a smoked(spicy) sausage-all cut up and cooked together. Tomorrow I pass the halfway point and take on the "half-gallon challenge"-trying to eat a half gallon of ice cream as fast as you can. Should be no problem, as hungry as I am.
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: light rain

Last night was cold. Sure glad I kept my sleeping bag. 365 and Red Dog said it rained during the night, but I didn't hear it. Unfortunately, I had tee shirts and socks on a clothesline to air out, so they got wet. Left Birch Run about 7:15, heading for Pine Grove Furnace State Park. I'm now at Tom's Run Shelters. Clear to partly cloudy so far. Some rocks, but also lots of creeks running in the Trail / gully.Met 2 PATC Trail Runners on my way to Pine Grove Furnace SP. Nice guys - but they mistakenly said the store was open. I am now sitting on the store's front porch eating a snack from my food bag. A sign on the wall says "Friday - open 2:30". An eternal curse is now placed on this store and all who work here (and their progeny). I get no ice cream, no resupply. At least the coke machine worked, and I might be able to find a water spigot. How bitterly disappointing to miss the half-gallon challenge. To assuage my hurt feelings I hiked on, beyond the planned stopping point, to a small grocery store with a deli. Enjoyed half a BLT/salami/turkey sub and half a bag of Cheetos. The other half of both were carried to the next shelter for supper. It threatened to rain today but ended clear. Had two very rocky ridges to climb along, but got through without incident. There are 5 young high school / college freshmen guys from Pittsburgh here at this shelter, doing their senior trip on the Trail instead of at the beach. They are very friendly, courteous, and interested in our stories of thru-hiking. 365 and Red Dog are tenting here tonight.I have been walking alone for several days, and I like setting my own pace. Gets boring sometimes, though. I have officially gone past the halfway point and also past 1100 miles. Tomorrow I'm planning on a short 12 miles to a motel with laundry and nearby restaurants. I need a shower!!
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Clark's Ferry Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day 77 Monday I start today's entry with a couple of items from yesterday. First, I've seen the late -stage effects of the adelgids on hemlocks. Many old and young trees are dead or dying. On the last ridge were several stands of hemlocks that were about gone. Second, I forgot to mention meeting Peace Frog in the Doyle Hotel. He lives in Duncannon and is married to Trailangel -Mary. They do trail magic in the area...I benefitted from 2 of their stashes yesterday and 1 already this morning. After I got to sleep last night, three late-comers arrived. I scooted my gear over against one side and went back to sleep. They were a married couple and a friend; the three are doing about a quarter of the Trail each year. It's now about 10AM, and I'm at Peter's Mountain Shelter, some 7.5 miles from my start. The Trail has been up on the ridge continuously, with lots of rocks and plenty of weeds closing in. A southbounder is still here, getting ready to head to Duncannon. He started a few days ago in Port Clinton and is heading to Springer. The weather is cloudy, very windy, and very cool. Low last night was in low 40's, and it hasn't warmed up much today. Evening at Rausch Gap Shelter: The day was pretty boring-ridge walking and rock dodging. The morning was spent on one ridge whose rocks were genuinely malevalent. Then down to a road and stream about 1PM, then back up on a second ridge for the rest of the day. The only good thing about the second ridge is that its rocks were only a general nuisance-no way to ever get into a steady pace. Saw lots of dead and dying hemlocks-really sad to see what's happening to these healthy, vigorous, regal trees. At this shelter with me are 3 section hikers-young Amish men in their 20's-Albert, Kenneth, and Norman. Talking with them is very interesting and also strange-I want to be careful not to insult them by asking ignorant questions about their faith and customs. They all speak with a distinct accent, which confused me for awhile. It's still cold, so tonight will be spent snuggled deep down in the down. This morning I was as cold on the Trail as I have been siince Carver's Gap and Hump Mountain.