morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Bears Den Hostel, Va.

To: Sleeping in Deer Lick Shelter, Pa.
Miles today: 3.4

3.4 miles todaySleeping in the shelterStarted at Old Forge Rd, Pa.Sleeping in Deer Lick Shelter, Pa. Today didn't go quite as planned. I got a good nights sleep at Bears Den Hostel in Virginia last night. Hellbender was going to pick me up at 9am and drive me to southern Pennsylvania so I can walk south back to Bears Den Hostel...the northern section of the two sections of trail I have left to do. Queen Diva said that Hellbender had called and was taking her daughter to the hospital to have a complication with her pregnancy checked to make sure everything is ok. I got all packed up and went out on a bench and layed down in the sun and read some of the book I borrowed from Moosie. He said it was one of his favorites..."True North" by Elliott Merrick. I had started reading it before, but like alot of books I read, it takes me a chapter or two to start getting into the book. I started enjoying this book so much that I'm packing it with me in hopes of finishing it before I get back to Bears Den Hostel. Lunch time came and went and still no Hellbender. A little after 1pm, I sat on the tailgate of my truck and started eating a few marshmellows. I knew if Hellbender showed up that we would stop somewhere and eat a late lunch or early dinner. She showed up a little before 2pm. Everything is ok with her daughter.She knew David at the hostel and talked to him for a while. We stopped by the pub so she could say hello to her friends that own it. We headed up to Pennsylvania via a scenic route along the Shanendoah River. Much better than the busy highway. When we got to Waynesboro, Pa and found a small pizza place and stopped for dinner. My treat since she was nice enough to take off work and drive me to the trailhead. :-)) I got to Old Forge Rd about 6pm and said goodbye to Hellbender...Thanks!!!It was great seeing you again. After she left, I started walking and it started raining. I was glad that it was only raining litely because my raingear was packed away. I got to Antietam Shelter and decided to walk another 2+ miles to Deer Lick Shelter. There's actually two small shelters here and I was surprised to see a section hiker in one. I talked to him for a few minutes then went and set up in the other shelter. I made it just in time because it's raining much harder now. It always feels so good to get back in the woods again. I ate half the pizza I packed out and I guess the other half will have to wait until breakfast. It took a while to get on the trail today, but like always...everything works out in the end. Thanks again Hellbender. You're an awesome trail angel!!!Another great day on the A.T.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: 1 1/2 miles S of Keys Gap, WV or Va???

To: Bear's Den Hostel, Va.
Miles today: 12.5

12.5 miles todayBear's Den Hostel, Va. I'm happy again. I'm sitting here by a nice spring sipping my morning coffee at 9am. I knew I didn't have enough water for coffee in the morning when I got in my tent last night and I even woke up and drank the little water I had left. When I got up this morning, I packed up and hiked on hoping to find water soon...I wanted my coffee!!! In just 1 1/2 miles I was walking by David Lesser Shelter and on down the mountain another 1/4 mile to a very nice spring. I drank about a litre of water then started my coffee and had a breakfast that tasted good, but wouldn't sound too good to my mother. ;-))   First I had two Poptarts, followed by my last 4 marshmellows and lastly a can of sardines in mustard sauce...ummm, ummm good!! It's a nice morning, the sun is shining and I'm sitting here listening to the water from the spring work it's way through the rocks and down the mountain. 8:40pm   I'm in a bunk now writing this at Bears Den Hostel. I hiked about 5 miles from the spring this morning and since I had all day to walk 12 miles, I decided to stop and see what the Blackburn Center was like. It was down the side of the mountain about .3 miles. I was surprised how nice it looked as I got closer and could see the buildings. I went on the porch of the main building and sent in my journal entry from a payphone there, then read the register to see who all had been here. The caretaker brought me out a soda and we talked a while. I went around back to the hiker bunkroom and saw that it was nice and clean and it even had a wood burning stove. I hiked on another 4 miles to Sand Spring and sat down for a while. I don't know how I used up so much of the day on such a short walk, but it was about 4pm when I finally got to Bears Den Hostel. Queen Diva almost appologeticaly invited me to left overs for dinner. I told her that sounded great to me. I got a shower and washed my clothes, ate dinner and the day was over already. This day just flew by. I now only have the 77 mile section left from Waynesboro, Va to Glasgow, Va. and this hike will be over.Another great day on the A.T.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: 2.5

To: Hog Camp Gap, Va.
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

10 miles todayHog Camp Gap, Va. Boy am I glad yesterday is over. Sorry about rambling on like that, but it is a journal about life on the trail and yesterday was a part of it for me. I woke up at 5am and put on my coffee and ate some cereal for breakfast. I packed a few things in a fanny pack and headed off at 6:30. I passed by where Just Mark had tented and yelled good morning to him. He was packing up. I climbed up to Tar Jacket Ridge and was treated to a beautiful sunrise and I had to keep stopping to enjoy it. I felt good this morning and was moving right along. Next I came down to Salt Log Gap and then a nice spring about 2 miles later which I got some nice cold water from. I started early in hopes of getting back to the truck before the forecasted rain. The next climb took me up to Wolf Rocks and the sighting of three deer taking off through the woods. I didn't stop at Seeley-Woodworth Shelter because I was still moving along at a good pace and I figured I'd stop on the way back. I got to Fish Hatchery Rd 3 hours after I started and then turned around and headed back the same way I came. I only get to log 10 miles today, but I am walking 20 by the time I get back to the truck. It's kind of nice because the trail looks so different from the different directions. I did stop by the shelter this time and while I was signing the register, Just Mark stopped in. He seemed very happy to be doing a short 10 mile day. He's headed into the B&B and said he plans on sleeping the day away. I retraced my steps from this morning and when I got about 4 miles from the truck, it started raining with the wind blowing about 20 or 25 mph. It felt really good because it cooled down and was only in the low 40s. I was happy to be able to see my breath again as I walked along because it's been pretty warm out lately. It rained fairly hard the rest of the way back. I got back to Hog Camp Gap and was in the back of the truck curled up in a sleeping bag and reading by 12:45 and I already had 20 miles done. I don't usually walk that fast, but I guess the weather pushed me. I stayed parked right there at Hog Camp Gap and read more of the book that I've been reading.8:40pm It was nice to spend the afternoon not doing much. I read for about an hour until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. It was nice and cool so I stayed in my sleeping bag and pulled my hat over my eyes to block out the light. I woke up 3 hours later and read for another few hours. I had sardines for dinner that I dipped up with potato chips and then had some marshmellows for desert. It continues to rain.... Another great day on the A.T.
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Hog Camp Gap, Va.

To: Near Laurel Spring, Va.
Miles today: 14.3

14.3 miles todayStealth tentingNear Laurel Spring, Va. I got up at 3am...guess I had enough sleep. I read more of the book I've been trying to finish and then put on coffee and ate some cereal. I left at 6am and drove through heavy fog and some lite rain to Montebello. Part of the drive was at 25 mph on the Blue Ridge Parkway because I couldn't see well enough to go any faster. I got to Montebello at 7:15 and stopped at the general store and used the phone to check email and send in my journal entries, then mailed my mom's birthday card and drove to Dutch Haus B&B. It was 35 degrees and wet, but not raining. Lois said we would have company on the ride. Just Mark was going half way and slacking back as was Roadster. I had met Roadster last year in Catawba, Va. She said she didn't recognize me without a beard. Oh yeah, I may have forgot to write that I shaved my beard off completely, except for the mustache. Tortoise was riding with us too. He did a thru hike last year and is just out walking a few miles this time. We dropped Just Mark and Roadster off at Dripping Rock and then Lois dropped me off at Rockfish Gap. It's only 40 miles back to Montebello, but I'm GOING to take my time and make it last 3 days. It felt great out with the 35 degree temperature...a very good hiking temperature. I walked fairly slow and enjoyed the weather. I could see some of the mountains in the distance with clouds clinging to them. I could also see more green than I've seen yet. The trees at the lower elevations are greening up quick. I got to Paul C. Wolf Shelter and sat down to an early lunch. The coffee I made this morning was terrible, so I made me some Starbucks for lunch. I'm not sure what brand coffee I had left in my food box, but it's going in the trash. I spent about an hour there, read through the register and enjoyed listening to the loud sound of the stream flowing down the mountain. From the shelter, I climbed up to Humpback Mountain. There was a cool breeze blowing up there and I could start to see a few blue patches of sky. I really thought I was going to be rained on again today, but it didn't happen and started clearing up. I found a small spring called Laurel Spring and sat down on a stump and made dinner. I had a Mountain House Spagetti dinner and it was very good. I hadn't had one of those since my hike on the John Muir Trail. I forgot how much I liked them. I had some marshmellows for desert. It was still about 3 hours before sunset, but in keeping with trying to make this 40 miles last 3 days, I started looking for a flat spot for my tent. I found one about .2 miles south of the spring. It seems strange to be in my tent this early, but I'll spend the evening reading.Another great day on the A.T.
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Near Laurel Spring, Va.

To: The Priest Shelter, Va.
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

20.4 miles todaySleeping in the shelterThe Priest Shelter, Va.I was being lazy this morning because I knew I was only coming to The Priest Shelter. Lois told me when she dropped me off that today was a really busy day for her, so I said that I wouldn't come back in until Friday. I'll only have 4 1/2 miles in the morning to get to Montebello. Looks like I might be lazy tomorrow morning too. :-))) I layed in my tent and watched the sun come up and start shining on my tent. I had my coffee and breakfast and read for an hour or so. Finally I got packed up and left about 8:30am. I'm guessing it was about 30 degrees out, because my fingers were a little chilly when I got started, but they warmed up nice as did the day. My first stop was in about 7 miles at Maupin Field Shelter. I took my time and read through the register, got more water and headed on out again. I climbed Bee Mountain first then went up to almost 4,000 feet to the summit of Three Ridges. It had some steeper climbs than I've had in a while so it felt good to work my legs. Through the leafless trees on top, I could look across at my destination. I could see the Tye River Valley about 3,000 feet below and across the way I could see the 4,000 foot mountain called The Priest. It looked a looong way away. I hiked on down the mountain and stopped at Harpers Creek Shelter and signed the register and had some snacks. I had already gotten water on the way down the mountain because I read this shelter had a stream for water and I found a small spring about 1500 feet higher. I hiked down another thousand feet to the Tye River and crossed it on a large suspension bridge. On the other side it started going up right away and went up for over 4 miles and 3,000 feet. I just walked slowly and was on top in about an hour and forty five minutes. My legs were ready for me to be at the top too. When I get a good climb like this one, I don't stop at all on the way up. It just works better for me to pace myself and walk within my breathing pattern and before I realize it, I'm on top. I could feel the difference in the temperature between up on top compared to the valley. The wind on top made it feel cooler too. In about 1/2 mile down the other side of the mountain is the shelter. Since no one is here, I decided to stay in the shelter tonight. The spring is 50 feet away so I'm all set. I only had the last few marshmellows that I had and some hot chocolate for dinner. All I had in my food bag was some Lipton's and I just couldn't make myself eat them. I hate Lipton's because I've had it so much. That's all I ate on my first thru hike and I ate a few on my second thru hike. I may have eaten one or two on this thru hike, but I'd rather go hungry tonight than have it again. Time to read until I fall asleep. Another great day on the A.T.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: The Priest Shelter, Va.

To: Dutch Haus B&B, Montebello, Va.
Miles today: 4.6

4.6 miles todayDutch Haus B&BMontebello, Va. I woke up before sunrise and tried watching the sun come up, but I kept falling asleep again and ended up missing it. The shelter was positioned perfectly to see sunrise and when I did wake up, it was shining in on me. In no hurry this morning because I only had 4 1/2 miles to walk, I made coffee and ate a couple Poptarts and read until 9am. I got packed and was walking shortly after 9. In about an hour, I saw a hiker heading north towards me. It was Pa Kettle and he was happy to see someone else and he was in a talking mood. He said he hadn't seen anyone in 3 days. We talked about 1/2 an hour before I hiked on. I only had 3 small climbs this morning and when I got to Fish Hatchery Rd I turned off the trail and headed down the old woods road for almost 2 miles, then turned left on Rt 56 and stopped at the general store in Montebello. They had a big pot of chili on and I couldn't resist it. I sat down and ate lunch, then walked another 1/2 mile to the B&B. No one was home, so I sat on the back of my truck and tried to figure out what's next. Fifteen minutes later Lois showed up and showed me to my room. I got a much needed shower and she took my clothes downstairs and washed them. I read for a while again and when I went out to the kitchen, my clothes were thrre waiting to be hung on the clothes line. I hung those out to dry and went back in and finally finished that book I've been reading. It was about northern Canadian fur trappers of the early 1930s and what they had to endure. It makes what we do on the A.T. seem very easy. I really enjoyed the book. I took my clothes down and Lois said dinner was ready. Her mom and dad joined us for lasagna (very good) and a bunch of meatballs on the side to help fill up hungry hikers. I was the only hiker her today, so I had my share. ;-))) This is a very nice B&B, worth the long walk to get to it.Another great day on the A.T.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Dutch Haus B&B, Montebello, Va.

To: Rt. 60, Buena Vista, Va.
Miles today: 3.8

3.8 miles todayRt 60Buena Vista, Va. I heard Lois get up at 7am and put the coffee on so I decided it was time to rise and shine. When I got out to the kitchen, the coffee was just about ready. Lois had one place set for breakfast since I was the only hiker there. I sat down and we started talking while she made me a very good breakfast...somekind of quiche (sp?) and 4 nice thick pieces of French toast and a very good orange quartered. There was lots of coffee and orange juice too. We spent about 2 hours talking about hiking. I found out that Gucci and Pooch had been by there just a week before me. They are friends from my first thru hike. We also talked about Moonpie and about how long she ended up staying there last year. I sent her an email to let her know that Lois never recieved a summit photo. ;-)) I also found out that Lois' husband Earl was born on the same day and year that I was born. That's the first time I've ever found anyone else born on my actual birthday. He must be a pretty cool guy!! ;-))) I finally got loaded up and paid my bill. This is another incredible place to stay. I back tracked a little because I wanted to see what Rusty's Hard Time Hollow was like. I drove about 10 miles north on the Blue Ridge Parkway and walked down to see if I could find him. I walked around his property and the hiker room, but never saw anyone. Oh well, at least I now know what it looks like. I drove over to Buena Vista and went grocery shopping so I wouldn't be tempted with fast food. I got to the trail head at 1pm and ate lunch, then started hiking at 1:30. It was probably about 60 degrees and full sun...a beautiful day. I had to climb my last 4,000 footer of this hike. It was a nice climb up Bald Knob. I passed a whole group of boy scouts heading up the mountain. When I got to the top, I went down 500 feet to Cow Camp Gap and touched the trail sign and turned around and retraced what I had just walked again. I was surprised to see that I got 45 minutes ahead of some of the boy scout troop. Two of the fathers were still struggling up the hill, but they still seemed to be having fun. I got back to the truck and made some spagetti with real meat sauce that I made right here on the tailgate of my truck. I've only got 21 miles left of this thru hike. I'll probably walk tomorrow and the next day, then I'll have to find other things to keep me busy until I actually finish this hike on the 30th of this month. I'm saving the last couple of miles for the 30th. I guess that means that I have a schedule...I hate schedules!! At least this is an easy one to keep. I don't think I'll have any problem occupying myself for the rest of the month until it's time to walk into Glasgow.Another great day on the A.T.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Punchbowl Mountain Summit, Va.

To: USFS Rd 36, Glasgow, VA
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: clear sky

8.9 miles todayUSFS Rd 36Glasgow, Va. I woke up early and wanted to get hiking because I heard on the radio that it was supposed to get near 80 degrees today. I had my coffee and some granola with a banana and milk for breakfast and then started walking at 6:45am. I walked north today from the USFS Road where I slept in the back of my truck at last night. It was very mild, too mild for me this morning with the early morning temperature in the 50s. I had alot of climbing to get to the top of Bluff Mountain and then past that summit by a mile or so to the lower summit of Punchbowl Mountain where I turned around yesterday. I was wishing that I had hiked to the summit of Bluff Mountain on yesterday's hike so I wouldn't have had to go down that mountain just to turn around and walk right back up and over it today. Each day I notice more and more things coming to life in the mountains. Today I noticed alot more butterflies and bees flying around all the wildflowers that have bloomed. I walked by Johns Hollow Shelter because I planned on stopping there on my way back. I climbed from an elevation at the road of 800 feet up to Fuller's Rocks at 2400 feet, then up to Big Rocky Row at 3000 feet, then finally up to the summit of Bluff Mountain at 3400 feet before going back down to the summit of Punchbowl mountain at 2800 feet. I then turned around and walked back to the truck. I stopped at Johns Hollow Shelter and signed into the last shelter register for me on this thru hike. It was kind of sad because I like the registers and seeing who was here and when. I went out with a bang and used about 15 different smiley faces along with my standard entry in red ink. I found an unlisted spring and drank lots of cool water before hiking back out to the road and my truck. I really wanted to finish this hike, but I needed to make sure just what Chief was up to first. He was planning on coming out for the end of the hike, but not until my original planned finish of April 30th, so I left the last 1.1 miles that I have left of this thru hike until I talked to him. He said to go ahead and finish up, so I plan on hunting down Mailar tomorrow and taking him some trail magic, then finishing that long stretch of 1.1 miles the next day. I guess that means I have one more zero before the end of this hike. ;-))) I drove into Glasgow and used the computer at the library, then decided to go and get cleaned up at one of my favorite motels along the trail in Daleville, Va. It was just a 30 mile drive and I parked down the road and walked in with my backpack on to get the hiker discount. :-)) Once again I only get to log half the miles I walked. It was getting pretty warm by the time I finished at about 1pm.Another great day on tha A.T.
Date: 2005-04-19
From: USFS Rd 36, Glasgow, VA

To: Tracking Mailar, Mile Marker 76.3, Blue Ridge Pkwy
Miles today: 0.0

Zero miles todayTracking down MailarMile Marker 76.3, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Va. As usual, when I sleep in a motel, I don't sleep very well. I finally got up for good at almost 7am and put on a pot of coffee. I got a shower and then went to the breakfast area and brought some food back to my room and ate. I got in touch with Moosie for the new plans, now that they won't quite make it to Pearisburg on the 21st. My plan today was to track down Mailar. The best I could figure from what he wrote in his journal on the 15th, was that he would be at Thunder Hill Shelter tonight. I'm not sure what he likes to eat, so I got a bunch of Bojangles fried chicken, then stopped and picked up a rotisseri chicken along with some potato salad, apples, bananas, glazed chocolate coved donuts, Yuengling beer, cokes, Powerade, chips, baked beans, a roast beef sandwich and some Fritos. There should be enough of that stuff to fill a hungry hiker up. I drove to where the trail crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway just 1/2 mile before the shelter and parked. I walked back to the shelter to check the register, but there wasn't one, so I went back out to the truck and waited. I sat outside on a new chair that I found and read a book for a while. I waited and waited and waited.... I got excited when I heard voices, but it was a father and two sons out for a couple days. At 7pm, I gave up and drove to the James River Bridge parking area and took a leisurely walk across the bridge. It was a beautiful evening and the water of the James River was like a mirror reflecting the clouds that the setting sun had lit up. I decided to just wait here on Mailar until tomorrow. I'll take a walk to the shelter that's about 2 miles south of here in the morning if he hasn't shown up after I finish my coffee. I've never had so much trouble tracking a hiker down before. Well, I got alot of reading done today.