morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lessor Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning camp was a little cramped since we rolled in way after dark last night and just picked random spots to camp. After breakfast and a little chatting with Silverfoot and Jangles I set out on the trail at 9:15am to an overcast morning of hiking. Just after starting a sign posted on the side of the trail stated that the next few miles into Harpers Ferry was known as the Devils Roller Coaster due to the ups and downs. We will see how much of a roller coaster it is. Donkey and I made our first stop at Buzzard Hill since it was supposed to have a view but it was over grown and only provided a cool tree to sit on for our break. The next stop was at Bears Den on top of Bears Den Rock It is a stone house built in the 1930's and turned into a hostel in the 1980's for thru hikers as well as section hikers in the area. It is a really nice place. Since we had taken a long break we decided to wait until 5:00pm for the hostel store to open for a few supplies. While waiting Donkey found a pair of clippers and wanted me to touchup his mohawk. It turned out pretty good and now once again looks like a mohawk. When the store opened we toured the upstairs of the hostel and hit the trail towards Snickers Gap. Wingfoot's guidebook mentioned The Horseshoe Curve Restaurant just past the gap so we decided to give it a visit. It ended up being a small restaurant/bar that was really a hole in the wall but very nice. We ate a little dinner while having a cold one and chatted about our upcoming adventures in Harpers Ferry and Washington DC. After settling our tab and about to head back to the trail it started to storm outside so we went back into the restaurant and played another round of darts until it quit raining. We ended up hitting the trail about 8:45pm attempting to catch up with Hot Springs for the night. He had hiked on ahead of us and set up camp at Crescent Rock. When we got there Expo and Zoomer decided to stay there for the night while Donkey and I pushed on toward the 1,000-mile mark. Since it rained earlier the forest was now really foggy which made it even harder to see. Every now and then we would hear something off in the woods and all you could see would be eyes staring back. We didn't make it to the 1000-mile mark before midnight so we took a break at 12:00am and continued to hike.....
Date: 2006-06-15
From: David Lessor Memorial Shelter

To: Harper's Ferry, WV (ATC Center)
Miles today: 9.4

After hiking on we reached the 1000-mile marker at 1:00am next to the David Lesser Memorial Shelter. Donkey and I were going to make the 1000 numbers out of stones but when we got there someone else had already done it for us. We just took pictures and continued hiking for a bit before taking a long 30-minute break. When we got to Keys Gap there was a missing person bulletin from two-weeks prior. It was quite spooky walking through the woods in the middle of thenight knowing that someone from this area was missing. Lucky us we pushed right on and found no evidence of anything relating to the sign. The next few miles were flat but extremely rocky making for some difficult hiking conditions. We reached US340 around 5:30am and it started to get light outside thankfully so because our headlamps were getting really dim and we were starting to get pretty tired. At US340 the trail crosses the Shenandoah River just before going up to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). While crossing the bridge the sun was rising over the river valley and made for a great sunrise. When we got up to the ATC we were completely exhausted so we passed out on the picnic tables that were there. The next thing we knew we were getting woken up by one of an ATC volunteer telling us that we needed to wake up beforewe got a fine from the city for sleeping on the streets. By the time we got everything packed up the ATC was open so we had our picture taken and signed in as numbers 324 and 325. These numbers represent how many thru hikers have come through Harpers Ferry this year to date. They seemed to think that around 1400 people had started from Springer Mountain this year so there is a huge crowd behind us. After checking in we went down the road for a little breakfast and to make a quick stop at the post office before seeing the sights around town. On our way down the hill into Harpers Ferry we met up with Mountain Squid, which is the guy that gave us a ride, back up to Woods Hole Hostel after Trail Days. He was in town and on his way up north to finish the trail. The three of us ended up walking around being a tourist for a while and reading all the monument signs. When we returned to the ATC Jane, Silverfoot, Hot Springs, and Baro Had gotten into town and were ready to eat. While they grabbed a bite to eat we tried to work out how we were all getting into DC for the weekend. Donkey worked a ride out with Long Portage, which is one of the ATC staff members so at 5:00pm Donkey, Hot Springs, and I left and was dropped us off at the metro headed to DC. We got into DC around 6:30pm where we met up with Milan. He is one of Donkey's fraternity brothers from college and has adopted us for the night. He lives about six blocks from the Capitol in a little apartment that was much like home. He ended up cooking us a huge dinner that was much needed after the long night hike last night. Thanks Milan...
Date: 2006-06-16
From: Harper's Ferry, WV (ATC Center)

To: Washington DC
Miles today: 0.0

 When I got up this morning my legs were really stiff after the long hike the night before. When I was hiking I started to have pains in my shins and this morning it was a little swollen and extremely painful. After moving around some it eased up some and when Milan pulled the breakfast casserole out of the oven I just about forgot all about it. He had gotten the stuff for breakfast and treated us to another great meal before heading out for the day. We spent mostof the day walking around the mall and enjoying a zero day from the trail. After a few monuments and a few museums we took a nap out on the lawn of the mall. We decided to meet back at Milan's house to grill hotdogs and rest for a while before doing a little night hike around town to see a few more monuments. When we were done Donkey and I got our bags from Milan's apartment and headed over to my buddies house for the night. We met Chris just outside the Metro and went to his place to drop out packs for the night. Since it was so late when we got to Chris's house we just sat around and watched a little TV before going to bed.
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Washington DC

To: Washington DC
Miles today: 0.0

After another good nights sleep in a little air conditioning we woke up extremely hungry so the first thing on today's agenda was breakfast. We stopped in the local IHOP to eat before heading out for more site seeing. Our first stop was in George Town where Chris showed us around. He was going into work today but we convinced him it would be more fun if he just hung out with us for the day. With very little arm-twisting he decided to stay with us. I am such a good influence. After George Town Donkey and I wanted to go to Arlington National Cemetery so the three of us jumped on the metro. While at Arlington we visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and JFK's gravesite. This is one place that I had not visited in DC and have always wanted to see. Just before leaving I was looking at a map of the cemetery and noticed that Audie Murphy is buriedhere as well. We passed his crash site just before Catawba, VA. After leaving Arlington the three of us headed over to Dupont Circle to meet up with a few others from the trail. We got to the park at Dupont Circle and decided to get a few donuts while waiting on everyone else to show up. When everyone got there (Silverfoot, Beth, Eric, Hot Springs, Zoomer and her father, Maura, Donkey, Chris, and myself) we went over to Eric's house for a little bar-b-q. While there Donkey, Eric, and Zoomer put on a little concert. It was a lot of fun and a great way to see Zoomer off. She is getting off the trail to return to work for a while and possibly returning at Katahdin to southbound. We are going to miss her and wish her the best of luck. We left Eric's and went out for a while before returning to Chris's house for the night after another very long day.
Date: 2006-06-18
From: Washington DC

To: Washington DC
Miles today: 0.0

This morning we slept in a little late but it was well worth it. This is our third zero day from the trail but does not seem like it due to all the site seeing here in DC. After getting packed up we scored a ride back to Harpers Ferry with Beth, Silverfoot's friend. Silverfoot gave us a call earlier this morning and told us that Beth was going to drive her back to the trail and had room if we wanted to ride. Beth's little Sunfire was packed with the four of us hikers and all of our gear, but it was much better than catching the train. Thanks for the ride Beth and Silverfoot. When we got back into Harpers Ferry we needed to get a few supplies to make it through the 4 state challenge tomorrow so we stopped at the 7/11. It really isn't a good place for long-term supplies but since we only needed a few powerbars and some Combos it worked out fine. Since our plans for tonight were to sleep under the US340 Bridge by the Shenandoah River we had to backtrack on the AT for about a mile while Silverfoot headed on to the next shelter. When we got to the bridge it was getting dark so we set up camp in a little grassy area along the river. It wasn't the best campsite but gave us a good place to stay for the start of the 4 state challenge. Our plan is to get up around 2:00am and back track to the VA/WV state line about a mile back up the hill and then start heading north. We ended up getting in bed around 10:00pm to a noisy night of highway traffic from above but the calming sounds from the river below.Tonight: Donkey, Hot Springs, and I
Date: 2006-06-19
From: Washington DC

To: Campsite at mile 1052
Miles today: 45.1

It was off to an early start this morning at 2:00am packing camp in prep for the 4 state challenge. Once camp was packed Donkey, Hot Springs, and I headed back up the trail to the VA/WV state line for the start. We crossed the VA state line at 3:30am and have a long day ahead of us. We passed through Harpers Ferry in the dark and crossed the Potomac River Bridge around 4:30am. When we got to the end of the bridge it put us in our third state for the day but WV only has a few miles of trail and we only took a few steps in VA when we started. The next couple of miles provided nice flat hiking along the C&O Canal on one side and the Potomac River on the other. Just before getting to the end of the canal it started to get light outside so we were able to get rid of our headlamps and enjoy the natural light from above. We made our first break at the Ed Garvey Shelter on the ridge above the river around 6:30am. When we got to the shelterSilverfoot was getting up to start for the day in an attempt to put on some big miles before meeting her mom later this week. Jane and Baro were also at the shelter but were still sound asleep. We made our next stop at Gathland State Park just 4 miles ahead. The park is very small but is noted for its unique and distinctive stone monument to war correspondents. Since this park didn't have a lot to offer we made our way to Dahlgren Backpacking Campground. It is a state funded park that has hot showers and free camping for use in the backcountry. Well it was pretty dirty but provided a place to eat lunch and take a long break. Our next big stop was at the Washington Monument. It was the first monument honoring George Washington for his service to our country. The monument is roughly 30' tall and made entirely of stone. It also provided a place for locals to view the Civil War in the valley below back in the 1860's. Just to add a little character to the challenge it rained for a while around I-70 providing for some wet, muddy hiking. Around the 3/4 marker I stopped at the Ensign Cowall Shelter at 6:00pm for dinner. While at the shelter a group of girl scouts showed up and one of their leaders was asking about June 21st. For you that don't know the 21st is the summer solstice but more commonly known on the trail as hike naked day. They were just curious on how much flesh they would actually see. After the break I pushed on for the border. Just after Devils Racecourse Shelter and right before dark the trail turned into nothing but rock for about two miles. What a way to end the long day. I reached Pen-Mar Park around 9:45pm and found Donkey and Hot Springs waiting up on me so we could cross the state line together. We ended up crossing he Mason-Dixon Line at 10:15pm completing the 4 state challenge in just under 19 hours. Cash took our picture on the train tracks that forms the line and we are now in Pennsylvania. We ended up hiking another couple of miles before finding a campsite for the night. All in all we hiked just over 45 miles today and are completely exhausted. Tonight: Hot Springs, Donkey, and I
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Campsite at mile 1052

To: PA 16 Waynesboro, PA
Miles today: 1.0

After the long day yesterday we woke up a little sore this morning but over all feeling pretty good. It rained and stormed most of the night but I slept right through most of it. We hiked in the 1 mile to PA16 and hitched a ride into Waynesboro, PA for the day. The lady that picked us up was great. She takes care of a little old lady that is 97 years old and must have a little money stashed away because she owns an 800-acre working farm that is staffed with a few people including a personal maid of 66 years. Generally in the winter they retreat down to her winter house in Florida. She ended up driving us to the Best Western for us to check in and then dropped us off at Pizza Hut for lunch. With our bellies full we went ahead and went grocery shopping before retiring to the room for the afternoon. Back at the room we were able to spread out all of our gear to dry on the balcony. Our room had a great balcony that overlooked Main Street. It might not sound like much but once you have been out of the city life for a while it was like we were sitting in Vegas at the Hilton. Also while out on the balcony Mud Flap, Daisy, and I-path showed up to stay for the night. It has been a while since we have seen these guys. Later on Expo shows up for the night as well and tells us about his adventurous night last night. He evidently set up camp at the shelter with all the Girl Scouts last night and tied his hammock to a huge dead tree that feel in the middle of the night. After that he ended up getting soaking wet and sleeping in Gingo¢s one-man tent with Gringo. So needless to say Expo had a pretty bad time last night. After Expo left we just set around the room and watched TV for a while before calling it a night.Tonight at the Best Western: Expo, Hot Springs, Donkey, Mud Flap, Daisy, I-path,and myself
Date: 2006-06-21
From: PA 16 Waynesboro, PA

To: Campsite at mile 1066
Miles today: 13.0

First thing on the agenda this morning was to go treat ourselves to the continental breakfast here at the motel. Most motels just set out a few packs of oatmeal and a few boiled eggs for you to help yourselves too but this place was great. When we went in they handed us a menu and told us to order what ever we wanted. So we had a full breakfast for the cost of a tip. We went back up to the room to pack up and Hot Spring asked if we minded staying for a while longer because he extended our checkout time so he could catch another World Cup game. Just let me say we didn't reject at all because it was already getting really hot outside. Expo ended up coming back over for part of the game and told us he was catching a bus home later today. He isn't getting off of the trail but just going home for a while. He is from Brooklyn and just wanted to go home for a few days before returning to the trail a little further north. I hope to see this kid a little up the trail and may possible go into NYC for the forth of July to visit. When the game was over we relocated to the library for a while to catch up on some journals before getting a ride back to the trail from Burney. Burney is a local trail angel for Waynesboro. He is also the same guy that gave Expo a ride to the bus station so a big thanks to you Burney. We got back on the trail around 2:30pm for a short hike of 12 miles. When we got to the first shelter site there were actually two shelters there and they were built by some one with a few brains and experience on the trail because one shelter was for snorers and the other was for non-snorers. At the shelter I also met FDR for the first time and he was kicked back resting for a while. When I read through the journal at the shelter Jangles had given Donkey, Hot Springs, and I a big shout out and wanted to know if we completed the four state challenge and were still alive. Not a lot of excitement the rest of the day even though it is hike naked day. It would be the one-day on the trail that I only saw one other person on the trail and that person wasn't even a female. Thankfully he didn't participate in the events and I hope someone out there had a better day than me on the sights. Tonight we camped just past Rocky Mountain Shelter and got into camp around 7:30pm. This gave us plenty of time to eat and enjoy the sunset on the longest day of the year. It was off to bed just after sundown to a great nights sleep under the stars.Tonight: Donkey, Hot Springs, and I
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

After rain last night and rain early this morning it was off to another soggy day on the trail. Since it was raining when I woke up I was in no big hurry to hit the trail. I ended up sleeping in for a while before finally packing up and heading into Boiling Springs. It was a short hike into town but since it is Saturday my real push was to make it to the post office before noon. Baro and I hiked together most of the way into town and made it just in time to pick our packages and to send out a few before closing time. Since we were in town around lunchtime and had not eaten we decided to eat at the Italian Cafe just up the road. Jane, Baro, Beer Master, Hot Springs, and I went up for a very good lunch and on the way passed the springs that gave the town its name. The springs bubble up around 22 million gallons of water per day that feed the crystal clear lake in the center of town. Boiling Springs is a very nice little town that has recently started to welcome hikers due to the rerouting of the trail back in the 90's through town. The rest of today's hike after town was actually quite nice because of the flat and easy terrain. Beer Master, Morning Fit, Baro, and I hiked together for most of the afternoon solving riddles as we walked through the many cornfields out of town. We made it to Darlington Shelter for the night about an hour and a half before dark allowing for some time to let things dry out from the previous nights rain before retiring for the night. Tonight: Hot Springs, Baro, Jane, Gringo, Morning Fit, Outbreak, Lisle, (fatherand sons section hiking), and myself.
Date: 2006-06-25
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA (The Doyle)
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

This morning was no exception to the rain. I was almost the last one out of camp just because it was raining again and I simply wanted to be lazy for a little while on a Sunday morning. I finally decided to hit the trail about 10:00am on my way into Duncannon. Along the way the rain continued to get worst and for the nearly 12 miles to town I hiked in the pouring rained. By the time I reached town I was soaked to the bone and it reminded me of previous hike on the Pinhoti with my buddy Ray. Once in town Jane, Baro, and I split a room at the famous Doyle Hotel. Well I am not sure how famous it is but it is perfect for a bunch of old stinky, wet hikers for the night. This place was built in the early 1900's by Anheuser-Busch and hasn't seen a lot of up keep since. We walked in and lucked up on a double bed room on the top (4th) floor for only $35. This gave us a place to hang all of our wet cloths and gear to start the drying process. See there at the Doyle you really didn't have to worry about much because the carpet are already stained and the walls already have holes in them. This place at one time was probably a really nice joint but hotels these days have more than one restroom per floor and usually have both hot and cold water in the sink. I guess we are all spoiled these days. Once settled in we decided to go down to the Pub on the bottom floor for a bite to eat and a cold drink. Well many of you can probably guess what kind of cold drink that I got, but thankfully I usually have Jane and Baro as mydesignated hikers since neither of them drink. For a place this old the kitchen still puts out some good food because my shrimp basket was great. Just after finishing it Beer Master invited a few of us up to his grandma's house for supper tonight. So, not only was I full of good shrimp from the Doyle, but I was getting to eat some of grandma's cooking in just a little while. During the break between meals I ran down to the laundry mat to do a quick load of cloths. Then it was off to Beer Master's Grandma's. He had invited Jane, Baro, Lysle, Montreal, and myself so we took off walking. When we got to his grandparents house they had a huge spread of food for us including fresh fruit and vegetables. This was one of the best meals yet on the trail. Thanks Beer Master and thanks Beer Masters grandparents. After supper we just returned to the hotel for the night and enjoyed the evening with a ton of hikers that were staying for the night. This also gave me a chance to meet Brain Freeze or September for the first time since being on the trail. I had gotten word of her through my buddy Skippy back home and had been looking forward to meeting her. Tonight: Tons of drunken but now dry hikers staying at the Doyle.