morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-04
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Entered Shenandoah Park today! Squirts, Grunt and I didn't get hiking until 12:30. We spent all morning doodling around with Red, Poptart, and Red's folks. REd's grandfather died and she had to take some time off to attend the funeral. She decided to skip the section from Pearisburg to Waynesboro to hike with people she knows. Squirts caught us too which was very exciting. Redstreak had to take more time off then expected and Squirts has been pulling gig days to catch us. We sure miss Redstreak, but it's nice to have Squirts around again. Java is taking another day off in Charlottesburg and Dimples is hiking with a friend through the park, so our whole group is pretty spread out. Poptart and Red never showed up so we assume they stopped at the last shelter. The terrain so far in the park has been as promised. Pretty gentle. I won't argue with that. There was little elevation loss or gain, something I can start to live with. It's definitely got a different feel than the Smokies. I guess part of that is attributed to my being more comfortable with this lifestyle. The Smokies almost were made out to be a scary place because of the weather, elevation and bears. The walking was so pleasant but we rushed a bit because of the late start. Made it to the shelter by 7. Subman, Caddis, AKA and Chiquita are also here. It's strange to have everyone spread out. I know I will see Java, Red and Poptart soon enough, and hopefully Flick too. I didn't think it at the time but its a bit difficult realizing that I might not hike wiht Dimples for a long time maybe not at all. We went the first 700 miles together so its not easy to just forget someone. She was the first person I met at Amicalola Lodge. We figured she'd be a good four days behind, with me needing to take four days off with my brother's wedding we may end up meeting again, but that wouldn't be until July. At that point, I'll lose Grunt and Squirts too if not sooner. It'll certainly be tough to leave people I've been with for so long. I met the guys in Georgia. The banal AT slogan "Hike your own hike" does ring true, but at the same time your Trail friends are everything. We are all out here, basically a lone and independent. Everyone is capable to taking care of themselves. Its true that my main goal and worry is to get myself to Maine. BUt your friends become such an important part of your hike. They've all felt the way I have, experienced the same Trail and weather and aches and pains and problems. They have also shared the good times, a nice walk or dinner together or a conversation at night. I guess I had this unrealistic idea tht everyone would travel in close proximity all the way North. It would be impossible to expect five or eight or 12 people to have smooth sailing all the way. you never really can tell what's going to happen out here and that's part of the experience. Its strangely very cold tonight and I am signing off. More tomorrow.
Date: 2013-05-30
To: Prep2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Two days of prep to go. The dog has detected something is going on and he won't let me out of his sight. He has taken to laying in my doorway and making sad sighing noises. Still struggling with getting my stuff packed away and my resupply schedule figured out. I knew I was going to be short of time but I'm forcing myself to just get started and sort the rest out later."throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence." -John Muir on expedition planning
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Blackrock Shelter

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: light rain

Woke up this morning to rain and stayed in the bag way too long. Gurnt and Squirts got hiking about 9 and I went back to bed. I finally got going at 9:30 ish. I caught up to them at Lofa Mountain Campstore. The weather was miserable. 39 degrees and rainy. Although the store wasn't officially open for business they let us hang out and warm p. The cash register wasn't open so we had to give exact change. Only two days removed from town I wasn't too enthusiastic about food but I bought a 10 ounce Orange Juice. It was good to start hiking with my pals agin. It's nice on days like this when I can get the best of both worlds - part day alone and part day with company. We got to Pinefield Hut at 2 p.m. and considered calling it a day after 13miles. The weather was so poor. I started shaking and knew I had to keep moving. Luckily, we had three uphills to keep me warm. When we got to the shelter there was a blazing fire provided by three section hikers. Also here is Subman, Caddis, a guy named Ron who just started - flip flop hike and another seciton hiker. We have got a full house and we are gonna need all the body heat we can get. Its supposed to rain the rest of the week but supposedly warm up tomorrow. Let's hope!
Date: 2013-05-31
To: prep3
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Flight leaves in 6 hours. Pack ready to go and on the heavy side at 26lb before food & water. Old 5lb 14oz tent, 3lb 13oz sleeping bag, and 3lb 11oz boots are a big part of the problem. Goal is to figure out ways to get it down to 20lb after the first couple weeks.
Date: 2003-05-06
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day - woke up feeling crummy. We left the shelter at 8:45 and I was pretty beat. The first mile or so I was thinking there was no way I could hike 24 miles. I was dragging behind but luckily my buddies stayed around and were feeling lazy themselves. About six miles in we stopped for a big snack break and I was able to re-fuel a bit. It's a trend that I just don't start off well in the morning. By 12:45 we hit the side trail to the Lewis Mountain Campground. What a savior that store was! I had a pint of strawberry cheesecake ice cream, a Gatorade and a chicken burrito. Caddis, Grunt and Squirts also had ice cream and other goodies. I was able to reach my mom by phone which was nice. After sitting around for another hour we reluctantly moved on. Passed by the Bearfence Hut but didn't go down. I knew if I went to check it out I would stay the night. Luckily for all of us the walking was pretty pleasant with few climbs. The original plan was to eat dinner at Big Meadows Wayside but we scrapped that plan. It was .3 off the Trail and I was in no shape to add .6 to the already long day. Everyone else agreed. The Trail skirted the lodge and some incredible smells wafted from the restaurant. For a few minutes I was sorry I passed on dinner. The sun came out for real at about 5 o'clock and the last five or six miles of the hiker were great. Awesome views to the west. We hung on some rocks and took in our first real impressive views of the park. Before that we had been walking through clouds or rain. With 3 miles to go I really ran out of gas and it was a struggle uphill the rest of the way. The rocks were pretty hard at the end and my feet were totally rebellling. Instead of being smart and listening to my body I continue to do big days and walk through the pain. Will I ever learn? Tomorrow is a short day - only 15 or so. Our plan is to finally eat at a wayside - Skyland - which is only 5 miles. STill deciding on breakfast or lunch. It's not that I mind doing some shorter but days but I just end up sitting around a lot of tourists. I guess I am just young and stubborn but I learn soon enough. I have also realized that I can handle 20 miles fine, but once I go over I start to hurt. It'd e nice to keep it close to 18-20 miles a day, at least while the hiking is relatively easy. The deer at this shelterare very friendly. They came right up to Caddis and I as we were walking to the shelter and they walked within 5 feet of the shelter. Still no bear though wondering when I will get to see mine. A bunch of women are staying at the cabin .1 away. Two of them came up and brought us some food and questioned us about the Trail and were very interested about lightweight gear. We gve them tons of tips about how to lighten their load. I'm beat so it's time for bed. I am looking out the shelter with a great view of lights from some city in the Valley.
Date: 2013-06-01
To: transit
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Met a hiker at lax who suggested a book, Wild by Cheryl Strayed while we waited on the TSA to do their freedom thing. Honestly im still afraid of the PCT even if it is home turf.Landed in washington dc, and walked along the potomac into town. had a group of kids following me thru a park, trying to stay hidden behind my pack, and would scatter every time i turned around. hah. Wanted to know lots of important things, like whether my trekking poles were guns, and where i was going to camp.Walked thru the Jefferson memorial and resisted the urge to do any illegal dancing. The washington monument looked more like an iron maiden, I guess they're still fixing earthquake damage?The crowds at this huge live fish market made me give up on a crab dinner which I imagine I will regret in a few weeks. Huge first day, and i havent even made it to the trail yet.
Date: 2003-05-07
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Didn't get up till 9 this morning. Really slept in. We were in no rush and didn't leave until 10:15. Made good time and arrived at Skyland Lodge at 11:45. Squirts, Caddis, Grunt and I had a huge lunch. I ordered a cheeseburger and fries and then a blackberry sundae and a large cookie and almond muffins. Squirts had two lunches and dessert! We intended to sit around and let the food settle but Leviterner came in and said that about eight people were behind us headed for the shelter with a sick      . I hit the Trail at 2:30 and waddled down the Trail. About an hour in, the skies turned incredibly threatening. I thought for sure I'd get drenched. It was hard to move fast because of all the rocks. Steep downhill to Thornton Gap was covered with little rocks. I probably should step a little mroe meticulously but I normally just bounce from rock to rock. The disadvantage to wearing sneakers is that I feel all the rocks. Last uphill to the shelter was real gradual. the .2 to the shelter was extremely long. When I got here a fire was going courtesy of Shackelton. We started talking and what a coincidence - he's a math professor at my school! We had a little chat about my math teacher - it was pretty funny. That really made my day. Subman, Grunt, Squirt, Lietenant, Chiquita, AKA, and Flick were also here - full house. I made it before it rained and so for far there's been no storm. But it has started to rain a bit. Tomorrow we are headed to the new hostel near Front Royal, about 23 miles. Felt like we flew through the park. Pretty disappointed about not seeing a bear. Guess I might have to wait till Jersey.
Date: 2013-06-02
To: transit
Miles today: 0.0

spent the day touring the capitol, walked a little over 13 miles according to the gps track. saw the botanical gardens, indian museum, air and space museum, white house, got the downpour i was expecting right as i was leaving the federal reserve, visited the vietnam memorial in the rain, then it became a real downpour so i hoofed it to the lincoln memorial where at least a thousand screaming middleschoolers and hundreds of tourists were sheltering from the storm. hopefully that was the most crowded shelter ill see on the trip. had to bail out of there after a half hour and just walked back in the rain. even the baby ducklings were hiding under their duck moms but no, im out walking in it. so now my right calf is sore and have a small hotspot on the ball of each foot from all the water walking. going to take it much easier tomorrow on my way to harpers ferry.
Date: 2003-05-09
From: Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Dicks Dome shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Mike drove us te PO this morning as wellas a stop at McDonald's. We didn't get going until 10:30 a.m. and had the nice half mile uphill back to the AT. As we hiked the sky became more threatening and darker. We had only hiked 3 miles before it started to rain. It was a carbon copy of yesterday as the skies opened up and we got dumped on. Thunder and lightning as well. We duckedint the very nice Denton shelter and talked to a local couple who were day hiking. apparently they had their cat on a leash/harness and she slipped out and ran away during the storm. We sat there cold and wet as the rain subsided. Grunt was pretty adamant on staying but we pushe don. Arrived at the Manassas Gap shelter at 4:30. Mox, Java and shovel were there as well as Chris the section hiker we had met back around Erwin. He does some pretty large chunks of the AT every year. The weather was turning halfway decent and it was only 4.4 to the next shelter so we pressed on. Very pretty trail today even with the bad weather. Everything is light green. Lots of tall grass and weeds in this section. Walked the .2 down to this shelter and was pleasantly surprised to find no one here. Just me, Grunt and Squirts here. It's a good thing since this shelter can only hold 4-5 people. It's built like a pentagon dome. Pretty interesting architecture. Apparently it was a father and son project. We have really got staying at shelters/hostels far off the AT down to a science. Pretty difficult to break up the miles from here to Harper's Ferry. Shelter are space dout weird. It would be either a 30 and a 10 or a 16, 14 and 10 or a 16 and 24. I think the plan is to get up and just walk tomorrow and see how much we can do and then finish the rest into HF on Sunday. Tomorrow the roller coaster.
Date: 2013-06-04
From: harpers ferry, wv

To: ed garvey shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

wow what a crazy first day. dont have enough battery or reception to fully go in to everything, but started out the day with a free ride to the ATC to register as a hiker. the guy opened it up early for me and a 70+ y/o hiker named pilgrim. walked down to town to pick up some last minute supplies and a bright red male cardinal flew down to check me out. only one thru hiker passed me, a skinny blonde girl from canada, named fatty, moving so fast i could barely make introductions. figured id never see her again. got up to the shelter and there she was, turns out she hurt her shins and needed to get back off the trail again cause she hadnt rested long enough. there was a super steep 1mi/1000ft climb down to the water source so i took her bottles and filled all mine in case anyone else turned up at the shelter to save them the trip. sure enough this crazy looking rocker pirate indian guy comes huffing into camp and introduces himself as crazy horse. i offer him some of the extra water and he gets all excited and just goes off for like 4 hours about trail magic and all these amazing stories about bears and snakes flying off the roof into the campfire and the guy who the shelter was named after, it just went on and on, turns out hes been hiking the AT for 40 years and is on his way to get put in the AT hall of fame or something like that and is writing a book. after awhile there were like 10 people there just entranced with the storytelling. barely got to sleep lol.
Date: 2003-05-10
From: Dicks Dome shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Woke up to more rain and T-storms. The three of us were so warm and comfy we slept in all morning. Johnny Walker showed up at 8:30 a.m. soaking and cold. Mox and Shovel came in but stayed briefly. We finally got our act togehter and left at 11:30 at whidh point it had stopped raining. Not a mile into the hike did it start raining and we got drenched. This is starting to get old! My raingear, pack cover are completely worthless. They don't keep water out at all. I've given up and just walk in my shorts and t-shirt and get soaked. My feet were also drenched. The Trail was a river today and I slipped on slick rocks and fell in a couple of creeks. After 5 miles we got to Ashby Gap and Squirts and Grunt decided to go .8 down to a BBQ restaurant. I opted out and kept walking through the hard rain alone. I love those guys but it was a nice feelilng to walk alone for once. It was rather soothing in the rain. I took a short break at Rod Hollow shelter and saw Chris, the section hiker who was calling it a day. I hit the Trail for another 7 miles and started the sctiohn known as the roller coaster. It's 17 miiles of 500 foot ups and downs. I'm about halfway through it and it wasn't too bad. The people who said it was super touch have obviously never hiked in Tennessee before. Had dinner with Jaw, Mox, Pile up, Grunt and Squirts. Had a good time joking around. Haven't seen Pile Up in 400 miles. He's going south and meeting hs dad to hike Shenandoah with. Packed shelter tonite. The plan is to wake up at 5:00 and start hiking by 6 to get to Harper's Ferry which is 23 miles away. Goodnight!
Date: 2013-06-05
From: ed garvey shelter

To: dahlgren backpackers camp
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

woke up to fatty looking very sad about her shins and crazy horse convinced her to get a ride from him back to town and see a doctor. she was upset about getting off again but hopefully ill see them back on the trail in a week or so. still moving really slow compared to most, but ive been following this pair of ladies BB and Flo from teahorse in harpers ferry. was feeling pretty good and it was mostly downhill today so skipped 2 shelters and made it to a campground with actual heated showers. there is rumor of a 200 year old tavern we're gonna try to hit up for dinner. so far everyone has been incredibly nice and welcoming and it really feels like im a part of this thing, even though its only been 2 days.
Date: 2003-05-11
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: clear sky

Actually up by 5 and on Trail by 6. Didn't sleep more than a couple of hours. GUess I was excited about Harpers. We had 7 stuffed into the shelter and was very uncomfortable. Squirts was on the floor and Pile Up on the picnic table. We finished up the dreaded roller coaster which I thought was pretty fun. Got to meet Mama and Papa Bear right after Bears Den Hostel. We wished Mama Bear a happy mother's day and it made her day. Took a long break at the turn off to the Blackburn Center and another at the very nice David Lesser shelter. Even with all the excitement to get into HF, we were all tired and hurting. All three of our feet were throbbing. My feet have been very wet for 4 days and my toes have become irritated. Finally dragged into HF at 4:30. Crossed the Shenandoah River on a footbridge. We've gotten a room at the Hilltop House, lots of other hikers in town. The ATC office is closed so we'll hit it in the morning. Had a good dinner at Kings Pizza. Chicken Parm Sub, 3 Sicilian slices of pizza, Coke and a pint of Ben n Jerry's.
Date: 2013-06-06
From: dahlgren backpackers camp

To: ensign cowell shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

headed out early to try to beat the rain, hit the washington momument by about 7am, climbed up to the top of it which was an incredible view with the gathering rain clouds and miles of forests and farmland. got to pine knob shelter by noon which was my "safe" stopping point before going another 9 miles to the next shelter. the rain was just a light drizzle so decided to push on. about that point the rain let loose with a fury. then kept at it for the next 6 hours. so the appalachian trail turned to the appalachian stream and i found out one of my boots is no longer waterproof. passed two tent sites but it was so cold and wet i knew if i opened my pack to setup camp everything would soak and i might be stuck there and cold for two days. i was totally spent about 12 miles in. the gps said i only had 2 downhill miles to go so i decided to try and just push it and beat the sunset. it did not tell me about the gigantic boulder field with 2ft unstable rocks at all angles id have to pick through at a snails pace. pretty much a miracle i didnt break an ankle.finally arrived at the shelter just before dark in pain and sloshing in wet boots only to find a big group of southbound section hikers I wasn't expecting and all the nobos i knew were ahead of me but had decided to stop early so it was completely overflowing with people and drenched muddy gear. i saw a sign a mile back for a hostel so wished everyone well and backtracked. the hostel was amazing! run by an 06 thruhiker out of his home, with a game room and all the amenities. we ordered pizza delivered and munched on the ice cream snacks stocked in the freezer while we waited. everyone was complaining about the damn rocks- even hardened thruhikers that had come 1000 miles. one guy named RockSteady had left harpers ferry the same morning, he covered the same distance that has taken me 3 days! he was averaging 25-30mi a day, trying to finish in under 4 months. trying to dry out my boots and get at least 5 mi done tomorrow before the even bigger storm hits thats supposed to go for 18 hours and dump over an inch. then i have maybe a 1 day gap before the tropical storm that supposedly already has a name rolls in. gonna be a wet week.
Date: 2003-05-12
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Ed Garvey shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: broken clouds

Was awake early and walked down to the ATC office at 8:45. They took my picture and gave us numbers. I am the 45th North bounder tocome through this year. Not too bad. Got to look at the archives. Saw pics of Cook'n'clean, 99' and Moole Ol', - pretty cool. Hung around the office for a couple of hurs and then hung at the Outfitter awhile. Bought a new pack cover since mine is worthless. Had a nice lunch and headed out at close to 4. Got up here at 5:30. Great shelter - stqyed here 2 years ago with my dad. Something abou the hike was wonderful. It was short and we got rained on a bit (what else is new?) but it was great. Ther's something about familiarity that makes me content. Seeing/knowing something is a good feeling. As fun and spontaneous as this trip has been with surprised around every corner, it's comforting to know what to expect at least for the next 35 miles North. I suppose that's why pople eat at the same restaurants and go on vacations to the same places day after day and year after year. The other half of the excitement is just embracing the second half of this trip . We are not officially 1/2 way but I feel like Maine and Katahdin are becoming more attainable. I'm confident and excited about what' I've done over the last 1000 miles and two months. I guess there are times when I look ahead to finishing, but now I'm just so happy to focus on the journey and every day of the next 3 months. As far as Maine is, I know there'll be a part where I am wondering where the time went and wishing I could do it all over again.
Date: 2013-06-07
From: free state hostel

To: raven rock shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

--The rain is so severe at this point from tropical storm andrea that I didn't have reception or want to get electronics out in the rain much. I tried doing offline entries from shelters for the next few days but they are hopelessly eaten until I find a real computer.--Met tugboat and liferaft, new 2 story shelter.