morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-31
From: John Springs Shelter

To: Power Lines
Miles today: 17.6

Best day of hiking, very spectacular, went over McAfee Knob, big rock that sticks out, got out on the end of it, it really tested my fear of heights, in fact the whole day did. Tinker Cliffs were just as stunning. Had a long rest at Lamberts Meadow Shelter, and then another cliff walk, so rocky, more challenges. Can my feet hold out over this terrain, my poor ankles, get another pounding? Stayed just short of town, and will do a Nero the following day.Kirk and Raffle Queen on the way to McAfees Knob (Lipstick photos)Daisy, Ularu, Chainsaw and Slayer near McAfees Knob
Date: 2008-06-02
From: Daleville

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Walked out of town, passed some convicts working on the side of the road, walked start passed the prison guard who was watching over them, gees he had a big gun, they dont muck about down in this part of the woods.It was a climb out of town, but pretty mcuh an easy days walk, passed the one third mark, and Fuck Stick and Wild Oats caught me up at this shelter, and we had a fire, the girls do come in handy, and I have them well trained.
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 16.8

From the shelter headed upto the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of Americas most famous drives, and the trail parallels it for much of the next 100 miles or so. Camped down next to a big river by myslef, experienced a huge down pour on the descent and set up in the rain, spectacular light show with lots of thunder.
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: James RIver
Miles today: 18.5

Today was hot, and it was a mixed day of big climbs. Walked under the Guillotine, it is a rock suspeneded over head between to other big rocks, not a great description, but it sure was spectacular. Great campsite, James River is many times bigger than the Murray, but you come to expect that over here, so much water. When you stand at the tops of some of the peaks and you look out at the flat lands below it stretches beyond your eye sight of the most perfect farming areas in all directions, no wonder they are such a powerful country, they have the worlds most productive land.
Date: 2008-06-06
From: James RIver

To: Pedlar River Bridge
Miles today: 16.3

After a moring dip in the James RIver the day just went down hill from here, it was shit. It was so hot, oppressive. I stopped for a few hours at Johns Hollow Shelter and drunk as much water as I could whilst sitting under a tree in the shade, but this meant I did the big climb at the peak part of the heat. The climb in the heat killed me, although the views were great, passed by Punchbowl shelter, some people at a road coroosing had some water for me, and that really saved me. There was antoher unexpected climb before reaching the Pelar RIver, just a real tough day.
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Pedlar River Bridge

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was even hotter, did the first 7 miles early, bautiful walk along rover valleys before climbing upto the road. From here we got a lift by the Ridgerunner to Buena Vista to grab some food and do a ressuply. It was much appreciated, sat back at the road crossing until late afternoon just keeping in the shade. Had a 2000 foot climb and my it was steep, a 100 feet descent, another 1000 foot climb and then a 600 foot descent, it was so hard in the heat, and it really took it out of us all. At Hog camp Gap which is a grassy field wedged between two mountains, there were cars and people everywhere, the class of 99 were doing a big hiker feed for a whole weekend and we were right in the middle of it. It was so needed. I ate and ate, they even had ice cream, boy these guys could cook.
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I did two zeros here, it was free food and beer, and it was much cooler under a tree in the shade than hiking in this heat, and I caught up with many firneds who were doing the same thing. It was so much fun to be out in the woods, we even got taken to a waterfall to have a wash, just had to stand under it and in 2 seconds all of your hiker filth just washed away and cleaned your clothes, the power of this water was great, but a bit cold for me.A few comments about my experience, Americnas are obsessed with being polite, far more than is the case in Australia. It can be a problem though at dealing with the troublesome 5% of the population. Like Australia, America has its fair share of dickheads, but they tend to tolerate them a lot more. They don't have our tall poppy syndrome and as a result don't really have a way of dealing with difficult characters. They tend to allow them to dominate and become overbearing. We cut such people down at the knees with gay abandonlike it is a sport. Our tolerance of idiots is far less. Here in the US they talk about such peple behind their backs, but rarely are they confronted. They are left unchecked and are permitted to ruin what would be a congenial atmosphere. For the first time I have seen our benefit of cutting down tall poppies, or at least ugly weeds.
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Tye River
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: clear sky

Long easy walk along some ridges, climbed up on Spy Rock, providing great entertainment for Wild Oats and Fuck Stick, I really am hopeless at such tricky climbs. Passed Priest shelter the register here is so funny. People confess their sins, and some of it is just hilarious, one thing the Yanks have is a good sense of humor out here on the trail. it was a 300 foot descent to the tye river and I went for a swim at the end of a long hot day, my feet and knees I hope they will forgive me one day.The stereotype of Americans that most of us is taught is that they are extremely loud, rude and obnoxious, who talk over the top of everyone and never listen. Yes at times they definitely are all of those things, plus they can be very arrogant, but here is the thing, I seem to be louder, ruder, more outspoken, and i am yet to meet an American who can talk as much as me. I am certainly as confident as any American and more than willing to talk over the top of everyone. They are very patriotic, but I am jsut as bad always telling them why Australia is so much better. I feel like I am jsut a more extreme version of them, maybe that is why they love me so much. Some Americnas who have travelled, say that we Australians tend to be worse than them from their experience, and I certainly prove it, maybe that ish why we are so much fun to be around. The shit flying back and forth os just relentless, there is always entertainment, just so many strong characters to clash swords with.
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Tye River

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

DId not leave the river until 3:30 pm, it was warm and dipping in the river was to much fun, Rock and Roll walked in, back at the James Rivfer they refused to jump off the bridge, so now they are called Easy Listening. With them was Freefall, Happy, and Wookie, and the fire walker from Hog Camp Gap, Chainsaw finally made it in, he walked in the fire and burnt his foot badly, it was all by accident.It was a steep nasty 300 foot climb, and boy it was rocky, once again had to climb with my hands.Over the last 2 months since Tray Mtn Shelter and Standing Indain I have been walking with the same group of people. I plan my days around them all meeting up in the evening although it has been a lot of fun, it had come time to do my own hiking, and it was good to have some time to myself. As the saying goes Hike Your Own Hike.
Date: 2008-06-11
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: broken clouds

Easy miles but still had to climb up over Humpback Mtn. There was plenty to see and a few good views. Got good miles in good time, maybe I am getting fitter. Stayed last night at the Lutheran Church, great facility and even had a big screen TV. THe religious groups tend to do the best trail magic, and hostels, they really are something. Out on the trail the walking community in my opinion tends to be a fairly godless one, most people are white and middle class and educated, so it seems strange to me that most of the best trail magic comes from slightly fundamentalist religious groups, how my uncle Peter would fit right into this country. Thanks to all who have written to me. Will be hiking on now into the Shanondoahs, meant to be stunning and hopefully will get my first bear sightings. The going is meant to be easier but that has been said before. I have been told that Virginia was suppose to be flat and easy, but it has been far from that, hard, rocky and very hilly, some bastards are lying to us. Not far from the half way mark, that should be reached in about 3 weeks. It has been tough, but it has been fun, I really am close to one of the most well known and popular people on the trail, they absolutely adore Australians over here, it is so funny, but suites me.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Calf Mtn Shelter

To: Frazier Discovery Trail
Miles today: 21.5

The Shanondoahs sure are pretty, but also very wet, got rained on late in the day as I was walking into Loft Mtn Campground. Decided to walk on a few miles so I did not have to pay to camp. The rest of my crowd decided to push onto the next shelter, but I had chaffing issues and sore feet so decided to pull up stumps.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Frazier Discovery Trail

To: Powell Gap
Miles today: 10.1

Did not get going to late afternoon, was lacking ambition, and just decided to enjoy a restful morning in my tent. My feet were a bit sore, but in the mid afternoon eventually got going. Short day, but I did see a bear, and it was a mum with her cub, the cub climbed up the tree. I was really calm, and took out the camera and got some pictures.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Powell Gap

To: Lewis Mtn Campground
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

At the following shelter ran into Cayenne and Tailgate, two people I had ot seen since the very beginning, it was a real delight to catch up with them. It had been pouring with rain again, as i was crossing over Skyline drive there was 4 girls only wearing bras and briefs, changing next to their car, I gave them a bit of a freight, and they gave me a spring in my step. At one of the toilets at a small campground that is where I ran into Cayenne and Tailgate, they were sitting in the womens toilets escaping the rain, so I joned them, before we headed on to do another 6 miles. God my balls had some bad chaffing.
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Lewis Mtn Campground

To: Pinnacles Picnic Area
Miles today: 21.0

Not allowed to camp at this picnic area, but we thought stuff it. It was a long day that included an encounter with a bear, and some night hiking. After reaching Skyland (Restraunt and cabins) we decided to march on the last 4 miles in the dark. It was very rocky, and the views along the ridge of the towns lit up below wee gorgeous.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Entered the roller coaster, it is a bitch of a walk, but the Bears Den is on the way. Took a sleep on the trail leaning up against a tree. The Bears Den is a great hostel, probably the best thing I have stayed at thus far. Included a pizza and some Ben and Jerrys ice cream. Great spot, and took full advantage of it. I know my journal entries are rather short, but it is late here at this current hostel and I just want to get to bed, so keeping it short. Considering how much crap I normally write I am sure you know ow tough this is for me. Great to see the cats doing so great back home.
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

Incredible shelter, Cous Cous joined me, and there were 4 ladies who worked for the Washington Post, mixture of editors and journalists, boy they were a bunch of characters, had a great time with them. It was a short walk, but got away from the Bears Den late, it was just so nice, and in the afternoon it began to rain again, so I just cut it short.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Finally made it to this historic town, and it is known as the psychological half way point. Got my photo taken at ATC headquarters and registered myself. I was the 400th hiker to pass through that year wo is attempting a thru hike, good to see I am not the only crazy bastard out here.Harpers Ferry like so many nice American towns is stunning. It was faought over by the north and south many times during the Civil War, or as the southerns call it the Northern War of Aggression, makes me laugh everytime I hear that.
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Harpers Ferry

To: ED Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Hi allI am in DC, staying at an amasing house of Bulldog, he is a fellow AT thru hiker. House is massive, super impressive, and I am watching tv on his 61 inch tv. Got to Harpers ferry which is almost halfway 2 days ago. Walked the Shannondoahs and saw a number of bears, they did not seem that interested in me. Made it over the roller ccoaster and also made it out of Virginia finally, it is the longest state, and now it is finished. It was not flat, it was all up and down.DC was fabulous, forget about anything negative you have ever heard, it is so worth the trip. Walking one day in a green tunnel and the next day being in DC was so surreal. it made the experience so much more worthwhile. The friendliness of al the americans in DC was great, just flash them my chessy smile, and armed with my accent people just fall about trying to help. DC is very similar to the european monuments that they are modeled on, but like most things American they have been scaled up in size and grandeur, and it really works. Today I went into Capitol hill, it is where the senate and House of Reps are located, massive building. I was on my way to the house of reps when I asked a lady for directions to the toilet, she said second door to the left. I was wearing crocs, khaki, and my trusty spandex under garments that stop chaffing. I walked in and it was a large room with blue carpet and walls with lots of rather well dressed men. There was refreshments on a central table, and drinks, so I did what any thru hiker would do, just helped myself. I went up to one of the gentleman and asked where the restrooms were, and he gave me a confused look, it was then that I began to suspect that I may have been in the wrong room. In fact I was in the Ways and Means committee room with a bunch of congressman, finally I had found my equals in the US. I talked to them about my AT hike and them seemed to be suitably impressed, in fact anyone you mention this hike to in DC seems to have a good knowledge about it and is super impressed. It was a great day in the US capital, and it has just added to my overall experience in this country. Walking the AT has enabled me to really understand the US psyche, an unique insight, I feel like I have realy got at the heart of what this country is about, and I have enjoyed every aspect of it. Coming to DC has shown me how much I have learnt and what a great experience the AT has been. The second stage is about to begin, passing the mason dixon line and entering the north, I have great expectations. Thanks to mum for her updates, Vicki, Jonesy, Brett from Barca, and to all others who have written to me, it means a great deal to me to hear from you all. I will get some more updates to you as soon as I can. Bulldog drove us back into Harpers Ferry and we walked out ot the first shelter. It included a tough uphill, but after all these miles it seemed rather easy maybe I am getting fitter.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: ED Garvey Shelter

To: Annapolis Rocks.
Miles today: 18.2

It was a bit up and down today. I forgot to mention that not long after leaving Bears Den we walked out of Virginia finally and into West Virginia. Yesterday on the way to ED Garvey Shelter we left West Virginia and walked into Maryland. Almost a quarter of the journey had been in the state of Virginia, and then we did the next state in so few miles, crazy hey. Annapolis ROcks were pretty and I watched the sunset with a fine view and then off to bed.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Annapolis Rocks.

To: Pen-Mar Park
Miles today: 16.4

It was another farily easy walk, the elevation changes have lessened significantly. What has not changed is the afternoon storms, the lightening and thunder was intense and I got drowned again, although it is the one chance I do get to have a shower. Came across anothe nice campground, ithad a huge pavillion, it does say 500 dollar fine if you camp here, but obviously that does not apply to an australian, so I camped
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Pen-Mar Park

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

First thing in te morning crossed over the state boarder and into Pennsylvania. It is also the Mason Dixon line marking the boundary between the norht and the south. The accents change so dramatically, it is so crazy, it is very much like entering a new country, but one thing does not change and that is how friendly everone is to me. If anything it has gotten worse, now they are touching me. I need to get a tshirt tht reads, I am an Australian, but please calm down.The shelter is one of the prettiest on the trail, and it was a rather steep effort to get upto it, but it was such gorgeous walking.
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Iron Master's Mansion
Miles today: 17.3

SOme how I have skipped a day, oh well. I am in a huge mansion tonight, so beautiful and now it has been converted into a hostel. Today I crossed te actuall midpoint of the AT for the class of 2008 at mile 1088.1. Each year the trail gets longer and shorter depending on reroutes etc.It was the easiest walk today mostly on flat terrain, and very easy underfoot, so I got in rather early. Past midnight here and I am off ot bed.To Brett Olsen, more than happy to catch up with you for a beer in New York, but first I have to hike across Penn and New Jersey, and I have no idea how long that will take.I must get out by Sept 22, so I have to walk the second half of my journey faster than I walked the first half.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Iron Master's Mansion

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a really easy walk for the most part, towards the end of the day there was a nasty section up along a rocky section, but then the last 3 miles were over farmland, just gorgeous. It was good to be out of the jungle, and amongst the open farmaldn with uninterrupted views in all directions. At Boiling Springs which must be one of the nicest little towns in the whole world we had some trail magic. The parents of AB BArrackus had come to town to cook for all the hikers and supply us with some alcohol. It was great, nice people, and then we camped for free in the yard of a local, just great it was. This town has a sporing with massive amounts of water bubbling up towards the surface and it has created a small lake that the town is situated around.One of the most entertaining aspects of the trail is the extremes in different personalities. Hikers do tend to be very eclectic bunch. Sometimes it leads to clashes in personalities. There are many older retired men on the trail in their late 50's and 60's who love to give advice and offer up their opinions at every stage, with a mostly conservative edge. At the opposite end of the spectrum are young single ladies who are very progressive, single minded and do not let anything stand in their way. When you arrive in a shelter with these two different types of personalities it usually results in fireworks, I just sit back and enjoy the entertainment, and at times just help stir the pot.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Boiling Springs

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

A very easy walk, out along the farmlands, except for the climb at the end of the day there was hardly any elevation change. The easiest hike of the entire trail. Yet I was so tired, just had little energy, and there was limited shelter as we were not in the forest, it is much hotter than you realise out in the open. Stuck my feet in Conodoguinet Creek which is about twice the width of the Barwon, but to these Yanks this is just a creek, goes to show how much water there is in this country. The farmland is so lush, much greener and fertile than anything I have ever seen before, and they tell me this is nothing compared to what they have up north.THe Mason Dixon line is more than just a survey line, it has become a cultural divide. The change in accents from southern drawl to Pennsylvanian German Dutch is very stark. The puritan mindset has relaxed and there are bars in pubs now in each town. There is definitely a north south divide and the mason dixon line is a clear demarcation. Whilst in DC we saw the first war monuments that were not designated to the Civil War or as the southerners call it The Northern War of Agression. In every southern town there was a monument of some type to the Civil War, you would think America has not fight in any other wars since, and there was no real recognition that they had actually lost the Civil War. Old wounds seem to cut deep in the South. My 3 months in the south were one of the most enjoyable times in my life. It was a place of incredible natural beauty and the people kindness matched anything you would find in Australia, well almost, because nothing is as good as home.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Short day in today, it was a bit rocky, but I got up early, and got here before lunchtime. Had a fall on the steep descent into town, did a big roll down some stone steps, did an army roll landing on my back and rolling onto my side. The left knee took a bit of a battering, but nothing too bad, considering the terrain and the number of rocks I could have landed on, it could have been a lot worse.Boiling Springs was stunning in its beauty, probably one of the wealthiest little towns I have ever seen. Duncannon is the complete opposite. The disparity between wealth and poverty is far more extreme than anything you would see in Australia. It is hard to believe they are only 26 miles apart on the AT. As a traveler it is what makes the US so interesting. Each town has its own separate character, but the one thing that always remains the same, the people are always so obliging and so kind.
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Duncannon

To: Peters Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Made it out of Duncannon and the Bille Vill hiker feed, it was good to have some time off and catch up with some friends that I had not seen for some time. It was a pretty easy walk to the shelter and it was totally crowded, everyone had bunched up together.
Date: 2008-07-10
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Thankfully a shorter day, but the rocks were horrible. The walk down to the water was so long, and steep. I really hate the rocks, but it was great to hike with Hot Tang, and Earthbound, the rest of my friends are behind, and with the big miles, I am just in front of the big crowd behind.
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Palmerton
Miles today: 17.5

Made it into town, great to be here, it has been so hot over the last few days, and today is no different.It was more rocks today, and the temperature is going to heat up tomorrow, not looking forward to it, but am feeling well, if not a bit sore and tired from all the rocks. In two days should be out of the state of Pennsylvania.Sorry my entries are so short, but others are waiting behind me at the library in town, and we want to get out hiking soon.