morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-13
From: campsite near trail boss trail and the AT

To: campsite near jenny knob shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

sunny day to start and then most of the day was sunny--a real treat!!!this day was marked by some confusion as we entered Bland VA--here the trail leaves the wooded forrest and enters the highway---it was very confusing as we had to navigate over an overpass and down the highway to reenter the trail!!Sundance was still not with us as she was behind after spending some time with her husband but another hiker Stumbles, joined us on the trail--
Date: 2006-05-14
From: campsite near jenny knob shelter

To: Wapiti shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

this was a day that started sunny but soon showed its true colors by pouring rain and rolling thunder following us most of the day--some hikers even had HAIL, yes hail come down on them--we were spared this challenge, thank you Howdy!!over a long suspension bridge today with surprise--a cold beer-- some trail magic we found left by yet another trail angel--Dismal Falls was a great site today--we saw a few white tailed deer--a rare sighting for us since we joined the trail--we get so excited by any wildlife--
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Wapiti shelter

To: Pearisburgh VA
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

grey skies but no rain today--Doc's Knob shelter for a lunch break(photo to follow)--walking on the ridge tops most of the day--3,800 ft to 3,600 ft--we also had yet another trail angel today--Batty, a thru hiker from 2001--who provided us with cold beers as we made our way down to Pearisburgh--life is good!!!we got into town and found that there was no available rooms to be had--Brenda from the Rendevous Motel--did give us a shuttle across town where we licked into an available room--more good fortune we did not expect--BLT, another kind thru hiker gave us his room at the Plaza Motel--we were so lucky--had a chinese food all you can eat--and boy did we eat--
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Pearisburgh VA

To: Pine Swamp ridge stealth campsite
Miles today: 16.0

we started out with breakfast at Hardy's as we left town and reentered the trail acroos town--including passing a TOXIC WASTE facility near the AT in pearisburgh--poison ivy is now in full bloom and brushing our legs as we make our way on the overgrown trail here--long hills were the method of travel today--Sundance has rejoined us and Feng Shui having a few issues with her shoes--she arrived at our tent site destination a little later then us--but undeterred and still smiling--
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Pine Swamp ridge stealth campsite

To: tentsite near John's Creek mountian trail
Miles today: 19.0

today we had rocky hills and climbs and Too much has coined the phrase the AT IS STRAIGHT UP AND ON THE ROCKS!!--Feng Shui was behind us most of the day and we had to call it quits for the day without knowing where she was--we found out later she took a wrong turn and ended up going in the wrong direction for about a mile before she saw the white blaze and righted herself--this is not as hard to do as it might seem, we know--Sunshine, Too Much &Enuff did not rest well that night though--trail magic by another angel--named Super Dave--greeted us as we climbed another "ball bustin'" hill near the end of this long mileage day--the rain thankfully only appeared as we were about to cook our dinner, great timing--but we were grateful it came late in the day--it has now rained 21 of the last 29 days we have calculated!!!-- sunny Spring where are you???
Date: 2006-05-19
From: tentsite near John's Creek mountian trail

To: Route VA 621 Craig Creek Valley
Miles today: 16.0

we did not get to find our friend Feng Shui before the three of us--Too Much, Enuff and Sundance left our tentsite in the morning--we left notes in the shelter journal and on trail signs in hopes of meeting up with her--we had made plans to get picked up by Sundance's husband Rob and her friend Norleen by the end of the day--so we were getting worried--the day brought with it many interesting sites including going over at least 10 stiles and passing many cattle lining up closely to the trail as we passed through pasture lands in our hike today--we did get to find Feng Shui by the end of the day--it's all good now!!
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Route VA 621 Craig Creek Valley

To: damascus va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Sundance and rob provided a ride to trail days for all of us yto attend the annual event.We had great fun and led the parade of this year's thru-hikers around the town while getting pelted with water ballons and shot with water "uzis"--it was great fun for all!!
Date: 2006-05-21
From: damascus va

To: tentsite near pickle branch shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

we returned to the trail after having a day in damascus for the annual "trail days" celebration;sundance's husband and her friend norlene returned to the real world and we hiked on ;after rob dropped us off and too much stopped for a pee break she looked down and there was a copperhead snake at her feet--luckily she spied it before she dropped her shorts!!!we met a hiker named "old drum" today and leraned about him and his life while hiking along for a couple miles;his wife is a methodist minister and he was a self proclaimed"paper pusher and couch potato" before taking on the challenge of the trail after retirement;his wife has instructed him not to call home unless he has "bumped into mount katahdin" or brakes a bone and has a note from the dr;he was kiddingly suggesting that enuff could provide the note but decided he would continue north just like the rest of us!!!
Date: 2006-05-22
From: tentsite near pickle branch shelter

To: tentsite near catawba mtn shelter
Miles today: 15.0

sunshine was there to greet us today but we had a slow start to our day;we crossed "dragon's tooth" today--a huge monolith of a structure that was a real bear to summit and had us cussing as we scrambled over and around this site;we were over 3,000 ft of elevation and had to use metal handholds at several places to get up and over this mother,er monster!!! we got lost coming down and took a trail that led to nowhere--straight down--this is not as difficult as you may think, the real tragedy is that none of the miles in the direction or off the AT count towards the "2,000 miler certificate" requirements--this is the real buster;we found our way in the right direction and our now almost 700 miles on our way to Katahdin from our start in Springer, GA!!!!!
Date: 2006-05-23
From: tentsite near catawba mtn shelter

To: tentsite near Lambert's meadow shelter
Miles today: 9.0

another beautiful day to see gorgeous views at another classic site on the AT, McAfee Knob; we had a leisurely day as we are slowing down in an effort to have our friend Feng Shui catch up to us--she is about 11 miles behind since we got off the trail to go to Damascus for trail days;we met up with Birkenstock and Pokey on McAfee knob and sat for about an hour--something we have never done before on the trail--to just take in the beauty of this view--we could see forever at this 3,250 ft overlook/vista--this is what the trail is about--beauty you can only see if your willing to make the trek!!!we also met a local resident from Ronanke VA--Greg Bryant and his dog, Lance--a very frisky pup out for a hike near Campbell Shelter; Greg and his dog even saw a bear on their way from the car to the shelter--we have been out here for a little over 2 months and have not had the excitement of seeing our first bear yet!!!
Date: 2006-05-24
From: tentsite near Lambert's meadow shelter

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

today was another light hiking day with a "nero " and a "zero" day planned with our arrival in Daleville; saw so many beautiful mt laurel today in full bloom during our hike--these fragrant lovely bushes pathed our way into the town all along the trail ;Feng Shui caught up to us today after our arrival in Daleville--we our all together now--Enuff, Too Much, Sundance our trail family back together!!!
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Daleville VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: few clouds

We left Daleville after a food-filled, fun day off but not with Feng Shui. She chose to leave later due to a lingering hang over and so the new AT team/family is now down to Sundance, Enuff and Too Much. The sun shining nicely and much hope in our hearts for moving through Central Virginia on the 100+ mile a week plan kept us happy. We ran into E-Rock still hanging out in his tent, off the trail, at 12 noon!! We were jealous as we had been hiking since 8A, but as they say, you have to hike your own hike!!We stopped at the Wilson Creek shelter to have a lunch break but didn't stay too long as there was a srange young man sitting at the picnic table. He didn't respond back to us when we offered a greeting and just sat at the table eating cray fish he scooped up from the stream and cooked up in a pot he set over a burning log at the fire pit. We knew something was wrong with him just from appearances but also we were stopped from pursuing any further contact after we saw he had a huge knife sitting next to him on the table!! It was weird to say the least--we moved on.We then met another hiker today who turned out to be a fun hiking companion named Rojo. He is a retired Orthopedic Surgeon from Maine and we spent some time talking and getting to know him as we stayed at the same shelter that night. He is doing a section of the AT--completing the entire trail within the next year. He has been on the trail since April 4th and will leave the trail June 4th to return home. He has climbed some of the worlds highest mountains and just generally is a world traveller--a great guy. We plan to visit with him when we get to the Maine section of the AT but we may have to wait till we are done as he is doing more of the New England section of the AT in the fall. Not bad for a 66 year old retired guy!!!
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a late start today after yesterdays long miles day. WE kept a watch for the weird guy--we found out his name is Daniel--so many other kikers had encounters with him--everybody was talking about being creeped out by him. The stories about him told of him catching mice to use as bait to catch and kill snakes that he eats!!! He doesn't have a sleeping bag or back pack and just seems to hike long miles and do weird things that are very unhiker like!! the watch continues!!Got to go--the librarian is throwing me out!!!
Date: 2006-05-28
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Spring campsite
Miles today: 16.0

Today was an early start saw a rattle snake hidden around a log. Enuff went for a pee break and caught site of the rattler just in time!!! We hiked with Roja today and had fine weather--thank you HOWDY!!We went to sleep with the call of the Wipperwill--you might think this is a nice wilderness experience. Think again--this frickin' bird just doesn't stop with this boring, repetitive call---all night long!!! Enuff tried to snuff it out with a well placed rock thrown its way but the blippin'bird returned to torture us for hours!!!
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Marble Spring campsite

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Early start again today with new hiking buddy joining us named Tipper. He is doing a thru hike and also doing a survey of all the shelters on the trail for the ATC. He told us lots of information about the trail and all its history related to the changes, regulations and such. Enuff (the snake siter that he is) spotted another snake--a water moccasin?--while filling the Nalgene bottle from the stream in front of the shelter. iT IS ALWAYS EXCITINGTO SEE wildlife--no matter what kind!!We hiked to the James River today and walked over the Foot bridge over this 400+ mi bridge. Just as we crossed over in the stunning, hot sunlight we were given cold sodas by a kind trail magician named "Peanut Buter Kid." We also said goodbye to Roja today as he is returning home to his dog--and also his wife.Lots of hard climbs followed our crossing of the river and we arrived at the Punchbowl shelter with many other hikers to spend the night. This shelter is supposedly haunted by the spirit of Ottie--a 4 yr old boy who had lived in the area in the 1800's and wandered off from the school building getting fire wood. His body was found 7 miles away on top of a nearby summit, 5 months after he was lost. We all tented that night as nobody wanted to sleep in the actual shelter--trail stories carry a lot of weight.
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: Seeley - Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Spent the night surrounded by Girl Scouts. They had hiked "4" miles to the shelter (Too Much and Sundance had given them a lecture on the "nuts & bilts" of thru hiking the night before).Heading out for the day Too Much and Sundance thinking Enuff was ahead, left him behind at the spring. Despite Enuff's efforts at calling out up the trail, it took about 40 minutes to catch them. Finally caught them on Cold mountain "jaw jacking" with Iron Wolf. He is to say the least a very interesting guy. Just back on the trail after hernia surgery5 days earlier; in his 60's; bad knees & shoulders but tough. Hiking along with him for a while brought up another interesting detail: Dr. Enuff delivered his son 26 years earlier in Burlington, NC - small world - magic of the trail - seven degress of seperation!Ended the day with a stressed dog (pepper) trying to bite sundances lip off - close call....sleep
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Seeley - Woodworth Shelter

To: Dutch-Haus B&B - Montebello, VA
Miles today: 3.2

Up early & pushing to get to our break day. (rough night - we stayed at shlter because of threat of rain - hiker stink was severe - poorsleeping)short hike to Fish hatchery rd., but another 2.5 -ugh- miles to the B&B. Crowded, but the food was great - free lunch especially.Dogs barking at night, all night made sleeping difficult.English woman (86 yrs. old), WWII vet staying there having her wish to hike part of the "AT" granted (Never too Late Foundation)(similiar to Make a Wish Foundation).
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Blue Ridge Parkway - 13.1 mile marker

To: Fish hatchery Rd. (Dutch Haus B&B)
Miles today: 20.6

Slacking today - Erock, Too Much, Sundance & Enuff crossed paths with Iron Wolf & his friend No Tracks, Bufford & Flur, Expo, Railroad and critter....busy trail!Went over three Ridge (3970') & The Priest (4063'). Heat and climbs combined to make it a hard day - who said Virginia was "easy". Found birds nest on trail.Finally reached Fish Hatchery pond - feet Sore...Back to Dutch Haus B&B for hot food & cold beverages.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Reeds Gap

To: Old cemetery site after Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.0

Shuttle to Reeds gap after breakfast. Finally out of central Virginia. Humpback mountain (3600') - humpback rocky (Too Much was quoted as saying "I'm tired of humping over these rocks") Enuff and Sundance smiled knowing many more rocks lay ahead.This is national trails day. we met some volunteers form the Old Dominion ATC working hard but happy.Arrived at Paul wolfe shelter - Full (shelter and tent sites). After getting water we moved on. First flat area an old cemetery - real old, We did not sleep on any graves, but near. It was the best nights sleep we had in ages. Later were told a mountain lion was in the area.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Old cemetery site after Wolfe Shelter

To: rip rap trail
Miles today: 20.0

We had a great nights sleep - no ghosts!Hiked to Rockfish Gap quickly. Found a small store & had overpriced cold beverages. After a confusing highway navigation we entered the Shenandoah National Park and signed in at the southern end register. Not long after entering the park we met the ridge runner for the whole SNP - trail name Web Breaker - gave us the scoop on water. Later we found out he was a retired general.Later in the day we had some simple trail magic - water in jugs along the side of the trail - good timing. Moved on to a somewhat flat area and setup tents...good night!
Date: 2006-06-05
From: rip rap trail (stealth camping) nearby

To: Pine Field hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We have 16-18 miles ahead. Started the day passing Skyline Drive. Decided to stop at "Wayside" for resupply (Loft Mountain), over priced but we needed it. Got our first mountain Black berry milk shake. Met more hikers - one tired and leaving the trail.Went to Pinefield hut - tenting tonight -no bears seen today.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Pine Field hut

To: Bear Fence hut
Miles today: 22.0

Lots of ups and downsexpected today. Started early and walking quietly - finally spotted a bear. Sundance saw one cross the trail ahead (10 yards). We quietly walked up and looking back saw a second bear coming towards us - he stopped about 10-15 yards away from us - after he figured out we were there he slowly moved back.Got to a gap and trail magic ("Tennessee Rebel" - cold beverages),, he had slacked the whole trail with Warren Doyles group in 2000.Went on to Bear Fence hut - caught up with Sleepy the Arab again. Sundance and Too Much had a ball trying to hang the food on the bear pole.Time to rest
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Bear Fence hut

To: Skyland
Miles today: 16.0

Early start again. Came to old cemetery - many of those in cemetery named "Shifflet". Must have been early settlers.Arrived at "Big Meadows camp" and met Birkenstock, his girlfriend and her mother (Julie). More trail magic - Julie agreed to take us back to "Big Meadows" campground tomorrow to shop and wash clothes. Thank you Julie.After lunch pressed on to Skyland. Cabin for us and one for Sundance. Dinner at Tap Room with cold beverage.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Skyland

To: Pass mountain hut - tenting
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke feeling better. We have thought the sickness might have been from the food at the Wayside, but it turns out that many hikers have gotten sick. The rangers were looking into it. Possible transmission from shelters or registers.Had light breakfast at Skyland - taking it easy today - lots of rocks and wind.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Pass mountain hut - tenting

To: Hogwallow Flat - tenting
Miles today: 17.0

Strength returned. Made Elkwallow gap wayside by 11:30 AM. Almost out of Shenandoah National Park - post cards, food, brief rest. Tech and Penguin there also. Lots of short climbs. Stopped briefly at Gravel Spring Hut for rest. Too Much stung by bee. Met Web Breaker again (ridge runner) the retired general - said goodbye.Walking on Too Much spots bear cubs and mom. These animals are so tame.
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Hogwallow Flat - tenting

To: Jim and Molly Denton shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Rain most of the night - trails quite slippery. Rain broke at about 8:30 AM.Saw a deer nursing a fawn - boy are they tame!Leaving Shenendoah National park today. Brief rest at Chester Gap. Passing the National Zoological park southern boundary (some fences down - wonder what animals escaped so far)On to shelter and tent site. Unusual trail magic shortly after getting there. An older man and his grandson appeared. They had wheeled in a cooler 2 miles full of Fresh meat on ice up to the shelter (chicken, pork tenderloin, sausage). We found out later that a jar of bar b q sauce was dropped along the way. After dinner he asked if anyone had a "nug" (sorry not today). He was great.Paunch started a fire and cooked lots of food - real carnivores we are. Sundance, Too Much and Enuff had some blackberry wine to celebrate Sundance's leaving.
Date: 2006-06-13
From: Jim and Molly Denton shelter

To: Rod Hollow shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunny skies greeted us in the AM. Some of the hikers cooked up more of the meat left over from last nights "Meat man" magic for breakfast. We headed out early to find many hills, hard climbs and rocks to pave the way. Stopped by Dick's Dome shelter for lunch and found lots of ticks on ourselves. We now must be more careful about checking ourselves for these buggers each night! Shelter full this evening so we tented nearby along with many others. Popular stop this evening even for some late comers who arrived after dark.Sundance and Too Much saw a hummingbird gathering nectar from some colorful flowers at the spring while they collected water at the shelter site tonight. This was a first to see this colorful speedy bird on the AT!
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Rod Hollow shelter

To: Blackburn shelter
Miles today: 18.0

The previous night brought Enuff and Too Much in close contact with a huge spider. During the night a spider was attemting to claw its very way into the tent but Enuff gave it a good hard flick and dislodged it from the tent wall (or so he thought). Too Much awakened to find the spider clinging to her side of the tent with a pool of blood dripping down from under its belly at the level of her face. The spider had been mortally wounded by Enuff but it apparently lived long enough to crawl its way to Too Much's side of the tent but Enuff swears that wasn't his intent (sure!).The hiking today was a real challenge over what's called the "roller coaster". This was 13 1/2 miles of climbing up and down rocks and hills with virtually no flat areas, a real buster.The humidity was so high it just made it worse, a huge challenge hiking this AT section today! A bonus came today when we arrived at the Bears Den hostel just 0.1 mile off the trail with Ben & Jerry's ice cream and cold soda ready for us to buy! It made the next 8 miles we had to climb before we got to the Blackburn center a hell of a lot easier to handle after we filled up on ice cream and soda, yeah!The Blackburn center is another Hostel that lets hikers stay for free in a back room and if you get there before 7:00 PM a free spaghetti dinner. We had a salad, spaghetti dinner, cold lemonade and warm brownies and a dry bunk house to sleep in all free. It doesn't get any better than this after the day we had riding the "roller coaster".
Date: 2006-06-15
From: Blackburn shelter

To: Harpers Ferry WV-the Hill Top House Hotel
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Quiet night in the hikers cabin(Sundance,Hey Duke,Jenny,Too Much,& Enuff) out in the AM for the sharp up hill climb from the Blackburn Center back to the AT. Found another tick on Too Much's leg-no rash. Sundance leading the hike today--we think she is anxious to see Rob in Harpers Ferry--so she is pushing the pace!! Some of the black raspberries are in season.Crossed the bridge over the Shenandoah River--very long and loud.Arrived in Harpers Ferry,West Virginia and went to the headquarters of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy--the thru hikers mecca. This is the psychological half way point for those hikers that hope to complete a thru hike and we had our photos taken and placed in the 2006 year book, we are #349 and #350 for the year. Sundance made a decision to leave the trail and complete her thru hike next year so she will be returning to Ohio with her husband, Rob--we will miss her calming influence!The Hill Top House Hotel is a very old place with a spectacular view of the rivers surrounding Harpers Ferry. We had a great pizza at the local restaurant in town and plan to spend two days off the trail!! We now can check off another state--5 down and 9 to go!!!