morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Keys Gap (into Harpers Ferry)

To: Harpers Ferry (infamous standstill)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Wouldn't trade it for...Yesterday Momma and Poppa Rocksteady took us in, housed us, made sure we showered and washed our clothing (that may have been more for them) and took us out for a fantastic dinner. Heros. Today they shuttled us around town, fed us even more and shared with us the excitement of crossing the 1000 mile mark.I failed to mention that yesterday, despite aggressive hydration, I went eight hours without urinating, this heat! Today was even hotter so we were easily swayed to stay and relax for a day and await Butters and Beatbox's arrival.The ATC houses its headquarters in Harpers Ferry. Everyone hiking the trail gets their photo taken and a number assigned according to direction and nature of hike (section, flip flop, thru). These photos, which until recently were all polaroids, are kept and cataloged for all to see. Those of us who knew past hikers flipped through the archives to find the pictures of our friends. It is a real monumental moment. I was number 249 a great number- two digits with perfect square roots, a digit that is the only even prime number, and 49 is another number with a perfect square root. Perfect!Gear Change:::What else is perfectGolite pack womans quest- it fits great, carries the load well, has hip pockets, which I would never go without, and can be cinched down for my summer gear so my pack isn't all floppy moppy. I wish the brain easily detached but otherwise I wouldn't change a thing.iPhone- love love love- I bought this iPhone just before I left (honestly about ten hours) and it was a wise choice. AT&T coverage has been good and this lovely device keeps me connected. I write and send my journal entries as well as take pictures to help clarify my minds eye to you wonderful readers at home. I can call, email, text and surf the Internet from the safety of the woods. I know many say that being disconnected is part of the trip, but this helps to ween me.Tomorrow another state line, more record highs to generate more record low mileage.
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Keys Gap

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

Hot town, summer in the city...Guess what it was soooo hot again! Sampson and I got a break from it though when a thunderstorm rolled through and cooled us off. This was a pretty striking storm. Lighting, thunder to beat the band and fierce winds whipping the Patomic into a tizzy. It may be, that when you are outside, with nothing but synthetic clothing on and you are toting around metal poles you call hiking sticks, that every storm seems notable. Who knows, all I can say is when we hit the first shelter we took it. The shelter was beautiful! Not only did it rescue us from the elements but there was a covered picnic table and a second floor with a porch!By the way, we crossed out of West Virginia and into Maryland, now the states are falling like dominoes.Changing Gear::::Company about face!Our gear gets a lot of abuse! Tossed around, sweated on, frozen, rained on, overstuffed and dragged over rocks and yet most of it survives quite well. Occasionally you will have a structural failure. This can be devastating, and suddenly alter the comfort and joy levels of your hike. The sole of your shoe is peeling off, your pack has a tear in it and your tent is leaking rain, all you can do is wish for your death to come quickly.... But in every trail disaster, in your darkest hour there is always hope for hope- for magic- for a miracle- frankly for a warranty. Companies have repeatedly come through for myself and fellow through hikers, often unquestioningly. Without hesitation they priority ship replacement parts, direct you to your nearest dealer, and do all they can to comply with our urgent and vagrant ways. Three cheers to Campmor, Montrail, Vasque, Darn Tough, Leki, OR!!! These companies stand behind their products and their products users. Thank you from all of us who busted our stuff with our awesome powers.Now if I could find out who has the warranty on my feet....Mom? Dad?
Date: 2008-06-11
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Dahlgren Camping Area
Miles today: 10.9

Approaching the tipping pointOkay it is still hot out. This is an awfully long "wave". I had a hard time getting going this morning, putting on still wet clothes always saps the joy out of constructing a great thru hiker outfit, but the hiking itself felt pretty good. Sampson and I had hoped to go about twenty miles (hoped being the operative word here) and we met up about half way through for lunch. For lunch and a rest, and a shower. And we stayed. The campground was so nice, the free showers so cleansing and refreshing - you would hate to taint that by hiking all over it. So we called it a day when we realized we had faffed around until four. This would give the boys a better chance of catching us and also my body was starting to revolt against the heat.Gettin' old- there was a rash, first just on my left lower leg, then the whole leg, then the right leg got in on the action. Although it wasn't itchy, nor did it seem plant or insect based, it failed to improve after resting and washing off. I wanted to keep an eye on it. While I was busy watching my rash my body tried to further distract me with a spontaneous, atraumatic, yet rather copious nose bleed!I am dieing out here, I am going to die in these woods!! Nah, I am just going to rest and not die and call the day a shorty for my health.Tomorrow, if I wake up that is, I have some biiiiiiiggggg plans.
Date: 2008-06-12
From: Dahlgren Camping Area

To: Annapolis Rocks
Miles today: 7.3

Scratch the old plans. New plansWell I woke up. I woke up alright- with something we call... The Hot Sick. Not hot like fashion/project runway hot, hot like "hot damn" hot. My mind went to bed with all the motivation in the world. A fifteen, no a twenty mile day- why stop there? Let's start at five and hike till we drop!!! All that energy, that movement, that forward motion- well it left my mind. It left my mind, headed south for my legs but pulled a sharp right and came to rest in my bowels.Quote of the day. The scene- outside the bathroom, light is low, it is still only five in the morning. Sampson approaches Lady, seeing if she is ready to get going. Cue Lady-"feel my neck, I am sweaty, I threw up". Big frown, shared frown close scene.Up and down, round and around my intestines had much to say. I slept on and off much of the morning, hydrating as I could. I felt that the major issues had resolved by mid morning, but feeling like a casualty in a drafted war I was bitter and wary of returning to the front lines. I walked slow, rested often and there were no recurrences. Butters caught up to us and we all called it done at the beautiful Annapolis Rocks. A few hours after our arrival we received a great gift- Rocksteady, Beatbox, Bondi, SuperChunk, ShutterBug and HotWheels all rolled in. Happy group.Calm tummy, be cool, and I will be good to you. No plans for tomorrow- not that I am growing superstitious or anything, just going to play it by ear.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Annapolis Rocks

To: Raven Rock Hollow
Miles today: 10.4

Friday the 13th-sometimes it is filled with good luck.Last night we all watched the sunset together, even goof balls like us can understand the power of nature's unique beauty. I slept well but woke up relatively late. Michael was on his way to pick me up and wisk me away from the trail for some much needed and, apparently overdue, R+R. The timing was good and I got quite a few miles in before our noon rondezvous. We zipped off to Hanover about thirty miles, but four worlds away.The B&B had soft linens, quilted robes, and plush towels. Not only that but the shower had four additional jets up and down the wall of the stall. This shower should be mandated for all thru hikers at least every three weeks. Ideal-plans-include no plans but relaxation and fun. Done and done.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Raven Rock Hollow

To: Hanover, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Happy anniversary!Three months on the trail (is it hypocritical that I celebrate and report on it securely off the trail?) and I am taking another zero. Good for me, good for my heart, and good for the soles (of my shoes).Let's review- more statistics:1000+ milesSix states completed39 more ramen meals6 days in high ninety heat3 more days in snow and ice2 days of hail1 more pair of shoesDozens of new friends4 swimming tripseleven more zeros62 times pleased to reach camp7+ five knuckle shuffle reunionsOne episode of forgotten gear3 spoons2 days of chafe (awful!)Countless beautiful starry nightsInnumerable breathtaking moments while hiking1 attempted murder5 bears173 near falls (getting better)2 falls (one made me cry, but I don't think I was hurt)Hundreds of kind words and jestures from strangers1 massage2 hot tubs32 wild poniesOne pint of ben&jerrys3 AYCE meals (all you can eat)5 SOSS (snakes of significant size)2 loinclothed only hikers3 months of knowing I am about as lucky as any girl can be3 more monthsA perfect zero. A day filled with swimming, a huge breakfast, thift store shopping, scrabble, good beers, better martinis, darts and the perfect dinner all bookended with pillows and soft clean sheets. A perfect anniversary, big thank yous to Michael.Tomorrow I will hike again and try and catch my speedy little friends.Hugs to you all, thank you all.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Rock Raven Hollow

To: Antietam shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

On the road again...Happy Fathers Day! A very happy to all the arm chair dads at home and to all the pops out here on the rocks!Michael, who's trail name ought to be Skim Milk (less then 1%), helped me pack, resupply, sort out my gear for the upteenth time, and write some letters before we headed back to the trail. We delivered some trail magic, so much fun, then he delivered me back to the woods. It is always hard to go back in the woods after returning to the comforts of my world but the trail forces an easy acclimation. Within minutes I felt back in my element and, although it was nearly three, I was hoping to get some miles in.Done and done. I found a friendly gaggle of hikers I had never met before. One of them, Briar, is best friends with a friend of mine in Rochester. How did we sort that our you ask? Well I'm kinda a chatty person. Just a little. Off to read my new book (that's right I commited to carrying a book) and bed post haste.Lots of miles to move, Maine is a long way away.
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Antietam shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

"This summer I went swimming..."Not as early of a start as I would have liked, but rolling well by 7:30 isn¢t too shabby. The day ended up being comfortable temperature-wise, with on and off rain. Briar (a writer from NYC) and I hiked on and off in the morning but met up in the afternoon for an unusual treat- swimming in a pool. For a hiker a swimming pool is like a massive magnet, a massive, multifunctional magnet. You can swim of course, but why stop there? "Shower before entering the pool" why thank you, I think I will... "Bathing costumes are required" you mean my hiking clothes that could stand a little chlorine decontamination. Fun, shower and laundry- why it is like a trip to town!When it started to rain, many jumped out of the pool, but really why fight it. When you're wet you're wet and why fear a new level of damp.The rest of the day went smoothly; so far the PA shelters are beautiful. Some locations even have a snoring and a non-snoring structure! I wanted to push on one more shelter (6 miles more) but my feet were quite fatigued and not too subtle in letting me know (barely lifting themselves over measly pebbles without causing me to stumble). I said uncle and called it a day. Tomorrow the "half gallon challenge" and the official half way point- 1088 miles!Good night!
Date: 2008-06-17
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Whiskey Springs
Miles today: 23.3

The Gypsy Moth- evil on the ground/in the treesIn the forest you can hear the rain before you see the storm clouds. You can sense it falling lonh before any wetness is palpable. This is a sweet sound, the pitter patter of soft rain on the forest canopy. At least it was a sweet benevolent sound until....the gypsy moth catapillar!!!The gypsy moth is an invasive and highly successful pain in very hikers rear end, err I mean species. In the catapillar state they are just that- PILLS! They have a ravenous appetite for all that is green. Eating leaves, robbing the trees of their fuel sources and resultantly reducing a fresh spring forest to the appearance of late November dormancy. The sun bears down on us, now so exposed, and we shuffle our feet through a path covered in green leaves that look like they were attacked by a hole puncher. Their fellow fallen comrades lay brown and lifeless beneath them.So where does the rain come in? Stool, turds, little brown bug nuggets falling from above. On your tent as you sleep, in your hair as you walk, in your pot as you eat, drip drop dropping. It fills the forest.The photo is proof of their power. Use the Internet at home to learn more and how to make sure they don't steal your roof.I admit, I kill at least twenty a day- one forgien species (moth) vs another (hiker)A good day walking, a cool day after a cold night (Katahdin and his crazy weather!) I felt good but I need some fresh insoles, mine have been pounded to a crepe thickness.Boiling Springs is just over the hill and through the woods. I should (note should) be there tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Whiskey Springs

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Oh oh oh its magic, you knowww....I hiked into Boiling Springs this morning breathless with pleasure. The last few miles were through rolling pastures and the town itself surrounds a beautiful lake that is fastidiously maintained. I found the boys lying around (quite literally) in the grass outside the ATC office. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits. I picked up my mail and met the kind Todd T. who generously offered to help us out with anything we might need. We had planned to just keep rolling, so I thanked him and we parted ways.Planned. Always with the plans.Butters had hiked out before us. He had been having some trouble with his feet since getting new boots, but apparently things were worse than we knew. We were no more than 1/4 mile out of town when we see Butters walking back toward us. Walking is used loosely as he mostly seemed to be dragging himself. I looked at his blisters and his right one was clearly infected (I will spare you the photos). We headed back to town. It looked like we would take Sandy and Todd up on their kindness.Never has a well of kindness run so deep! Sandy helped Butters get a prescription filled (thanks Dee) and then invited us to supper. She and her mother loaded us up with snacks and drinks while Butters tended to his foot. They then made us an awesome and expansive dinner, filling us all to the brim! What more could we ask for ¢ nothing ¢ but they supplied us with showers (at the top of their list maybe), laundry and a beautiful place to stay!!!!Hip, hip hooray! Three cheers. Here¢s to hoping Butters¢ feet are feeling some of this love.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Boiling Springs

To: Millers Gap
Miles today: 16.6

Living it up at the hotel...I woke up in a beautiful room, in a beautiful house with the sounds of birds and the light of the morning sun tugging my senses to greet the day. It was not a dream, or a fairy tale, it was magic. We all slept like doves in our beds and bid a grateful adieu to our kind hosts. Rocksteady, Sampson and I hit the trail as Butters worked out arrangements for a new pair of kicks. His feet felt better but they were far from healed, the last thing they needed was further insult from the offending boot.The day was composed almost entirely of fields and hedgerows (heaven), this also meant seas of poison ivy (not heaven). I was glad for the cool day because of how much exposed walking we did. It went quickly but whenever there was a little climb the facade that I was a strong hiker came crashing down on me in a cascade of sweat. The White Mountains scare me more than ever. Two hundred foot climb= out of breath. Nothing like the Mid-Atlantic States to whip you out of shape.We ran into a great couple that was training to RUN up Mt. Washington! They gave us a ride to a hotel called "The Doyle". One of the original Anhauser-Busch hotels, The Doyle has been a refuge for hikers for many years. Not as classy as the Relax Inn, and with fewer amenities, The Doyle makes you feel like you are in a Lou Reed song. I don't know how to elaborate, but all in all I loved it. The food was great, everyone who worked there was kind, it felt like a new kind of home. This shot is of our window casing. I would go back, but I may never leave.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Millers Gap

To: Clark's Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: scattered clouds

If you have two dollars it isn't loitering.Sampson and I hiked into Duncannon today. We ran into the rest of the crew who had spent yesterday white water rafting! They were very sore for a zero, but smiles all around. They were having a self-induced challenge- who could eat an entire large Stromboli! They all did it, but they all looked like they were going to cry at they end. We were not exactly loitering outside the pizza place for four+ hours but it was more like the thought of moving struck fear into our hearts and stomachs. Finally we got our hearts and tummies up to it and we rolled our bloated bodies up the hill and out of town (I did not participate on the contest, I knew better). It was a beautiful hike across the Susquehanna River and then up and out of the valley. The whole crew lay to rest at the first shelter.Only on the Appalachian Trail can you have eleven best friends, some of whom you met only days ago.Its not loitering, it is pacing. Its not magic, it is the trail.
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Clark's Ferry Shelter

To: Clark's valley
Miles today: 13.3

Happy Summer Solstice!Okay, plans are now officially my bane. If I make a plan, it won't happen... but that does leave the door open to surprises. I PLANNED to hike the longest mileage on the longest day. No one wanted in on this plan, and the rocks and multiple climbs were not encouraging, but I was on the trail before seven nonetheless.Today was also hike naked day. I experienced one full frontal, and reports of loincloths peppered the trail. For myself, I stayed clothed. There were more than a few startled day hikers on this Saturday.So the plan- I had a chance to talk to my lovely and lively sister solider (Kate the Great) on the phone. She told me all about her recent camping trip- the naps, the lounging, the reading- I was jealous. I wanted to go camping. And so I did. I found a beautiful campsite on the sandy banks of a small stream and I lay down and made it my home. I napped. I wrote. I read a book cover to cover. I was renewed. I had stopped hiking and went camping.Tomorrow perhaps I will see my friends again and one day I will have hiked the longest distance, it just was not today.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Clark's valley

To: Rausch Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

I'm a walking...A beautiful morning after a peaceful day. I was up and ready early but loitered to later morning with Hotwheels, Shutterbug and Sampson. We had a big climb in the morning but the trail gently rolled with mild terrain the rest of the day. I was feeling lethargic so mini mile day was just what I needed.By this point a lot of people are getting the doldrums. Shelter entry after shelter entry talks about how the trail is getting them down. One person talks to another and then it fuels the fire. Domino! We all band together but know when to slow down and cut back as to not burn out.I don't want to burn out but the miles move slowly, and there are so many of them. They are not hard, but certainly anti-climactic. Teamwork, I think that is what it is going to take to get through this phase. Funny how you are the only one who can walk your miles and you are the only one who can carry your pack but so many can help shoulder the weight.Great fun around the fire, music, marshmallows, and great stories. Sides sore with laughter.Thank you to all. Tomorrow a northward hike.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Rausch Gap Shelter 

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

501 College Road?I don't know it how it could of happened. Voluntary suppression of horror, selective memory? Who knows? But I failed to mention the entrance of P.S.O.S.S into my trail life. The "P" is not for pleasent, not for passive, not even path based- but POISONOUS! It was palatable when they were startling, I could even cope when they made my heart jump into my throat- but now they threaten not just my sanity and composed facade but my health as well!! Worst of all I have no place to sit!It all begain with a general knowledge that snakes want me dead. From that I knew I needed to avoid rocks in the sun where they would lay waiting to give me death. With this awareness I started avoiding resting on rocks. Well all this was confirmed just the other day. Sampson had gone out to a ledge for a view. Easy enough right? Nope! There was a copperhead waiting to kill us? No more rocks (fat chance). No sitting on rocks leaves me in the dirt or on logs. I can handle that, you know in order to not get the death and all. Well then enters the timber rattlesnake!! No kidding this thugs head was bigger than a toddlers hand!! He was all coiled up on the side of the trail. But not on a rock, not in a stuck pile- in the dirt! No more sitting in the dirt for this lady! Okay okay logs only. Sike-Nope! Sampson and I were hiking and there was a fallen log with a tail sticking out of it! Copperhead strikes again. No sitting on rocks, no dirt, and no logs! Evil evil snakes. I will not sit until Maine where it is too cold for snakes.A good hike today, though I felt a bit under the weather. I felt as if I haf gummy worms for legs. Slow going but Sampson stuck it out with me, we merged hikes with Super Chunk and made it safely to one of the finest shelters on the AT.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Why does Lady wish that PA had more castles in it? Because she likes historic sites?No, because it would have meant less rocks on the trail!Bahda ching! PA is notorious for its rocks and today the small tastes we had experienced prior became pale in comparison. It will be many days before my foot lands pointing due north.Last night we all relaxed at the 501 Shelter. I got hot dogs in town for us to roast and Mud Bug and Bones brought back sodas! A real treat on the trail. Our standards have all lowered. Trail goggles. I slept/relaxed comfortably inside as a hellacious storm raged outside. The shelter roof had a huge skylight that we could catch all the action through. Without TV the boys have found yet another way to amuse themselves. They sat, in the dark of the shelter, making faces at each other and waiting for the lighting to illuminate their display to one another. I could time it like a coming storm- three minutes of silence, lightning flash, torrents of grown men giggling. A good, good life.The weather has been much more mild and we seemed to have entered an area where the gypsy moths are not as rampant. This helps the spirits, but the rocks are the taker of soles (shoes that is). I am going to have to put on a stiff upper lip in order to power through PA.Tomorrow into Port Clinton to resupply and get some new insoles. Big spender!P.S. The 501 had a solar shower! Good thing because my hair was starting to look like a wet duck- and I am a chicken for heavens sake!