morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, today was unbelievable - and not because it was April Fool's Day. What follows is the absolute truth. Water Bear and Stormin Norman will vouch for me.WB and SN left our shelter for the trail around 8:30am. As usual, I left a little bit after them. It was raining and foggy. I looked for the white blaze and began hiking - and hiking - and hiking. About four miles (and two hours) later I saw a white, metal sign on a tree. I thought to myself "that sure does look familiar." That's when I got this terrible feeling that I might have hiked the wrong way for the past four miles. How could anyone be so stupid? Well, you can now call me stupid because that is exactly what I had done. Then I had to reverse my self for another four miles (and another two hours) just to get back to the starting shelter. Fortunately, we had only planned on going 12 miles that day to the Cornelius Creek Shelter. So I did have enough time to make it there around 6:30pm. Besides Water Bear and Stormin Norman there were also two other hikers (one who thru-hiked in 2006) who were doing a month-long hike. I told everyone about my wrong way hike and at first they didn't believe me. Then they laughed. Finally they said "don't worry, that stuff happens." Yeah, right. But does it happen to others?!I decided to actually tent on the ground instead of in the shelter due to the number of people staying there that night.Overall I hiked a total of 20 miles today - but officially it was only 12 miles further towards Katahdin.
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Today all three of us discussed our re-supply strategy coming up. We decided to hitch into Glasgow because we ran out of food - a good reason to go into a town. WB & SN also wanted to mail some non-needed items home. I need to also go into Montebello on Monday and pick up a couple of packages that Trail Boss is sending me. That will give me enough food to get to Waynesboro. I talked to WB & SN about my need to pick up my daily mileage pace by sleeping more in my tent and less in the shelters. It won't be as enjoyable hiking without them. We hope to be able to meet up again around Waynesboro. Take care guys.While hiking today we were overtaken by another thru-hiker. This guy actually started at Spring on March 1st and has been doing something like 30-mile days. If he stays on schedule he will finish in three months.We stopped for the night at Matts Creek Shelter. The afternoon weather was just beautiful - sunny, light wind, high around 70 degrees. Unfortunately, the next three days are supposed to turn cold with thunderstorms and freezing rain. We have had enough of that stuff.
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: light rain

[04/03/08 - I have just entered the last week of journal entries and also uploaded a number of pictures taken at Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, etc.]We headed out of our shelter around 8:30am for the brief hike down to the James River. It had not started to rain yet - but was definitely getting ready to. Crossed the footbridge over the river (I think this is the longest footbridge on the trail). It is almost six miles into town and we were a bit worried about getting a hitch into town. We hoped Water Bear would be of help. Otherwise, we were going to have a long walk in some bad weather.Well, as soon as we got to the other side of the footbrisge, we noticed a car pulling into a small parking area. We joked about the car being sent to pick us up. Surprise, Surprise! The lady in the car is a member of the local Appalachian Trail club. She said she would be glad to take us into Glasgow. What luck!In town Waterbear & Stormin Norman headed over to the post office and I saw a small restaurant that served breakfast. They joined me shortly and we all had some sausage gravy and biscuits. Then we said our goodbyes and they headed off into the rain and fog to hunt for a ride back to the trail. I headed over to the library and updated these latest journal entries (and the pictures) you are reading now.After leaving the library I got some food at the local store and headed back towards the trail. Tried to get a hitch but no one would stop. Thus, a full six miles hike back to the trail. And the rain and fog just continued on and on.Back on the trail around 6pm and hiked to the Johns Hollow Shelter. By that time it was after 7pm. I opted to crash at the shelter for the night.A while back I mentioned I'd review some of my gear and how it has performed. So here are some of my thoughts:MSR Hubba Tent. 5 out of 5 rating. The tent has a heavy-duty pole that has never given me any problem. Before I started the hike I seam-sealed the tent floor and tarp. I also bought the footprint and seam-sealed it. The footprint adds about six ounces but works great to protect the tent floor from stones/twigs and helps in rainy weather. The only thing I have had to watch for is to keep the door unzipped at times to prevent condensation from building up on the inside of the tarp.Osprey Aether 70 pack. 5 out of 5. This pack is a load carrier. Cinch down the hip belt and your load is pretty comfortable through most of the day. With this pack I use a Sea to Summit pack bag to store everything in. The only drawbacks are the weight (5.5 pounds) and the size. The size was perfect when I was carrying all my winter gear. But now I have sent a lot of items home and have extra space in the pack not being used. Still, I'm sticking with this pack to carry extra food, etc.
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Looks like the rain will never stop. Weather service says sunny by Sunday - just two more days to go.In addition, there developed thunderstorms during today. Distances were such that Punchbowl looked like the best shelter to stop at. Yet, only nine miles today. That means geting in about four hours before dark. Very boring - especially when your clothes are pretty wet and there is no way to dry them.Still on track to camp out before Montebello Sunday night and head into the post office on Monday morning. Have some food waiting for me there.A couple more reviews of equipment I have used thus far on this hike:Jetboil stove. I used this stove in the coldest days of winter and it worked. It just wouldn't put out the "jet" flame then. But the cold did not impact the amount of fuel available. Now, in warmer weather, the "jet" flame appears. On average, used twice a day, one canister will last around ten days.Midland Weather Radio. I've mentioned this before. Available from REI and costs around $25. I check this broadcast every evening and most locations can receive the broadcast signal. You get a weather summary, a local forecast for the next few days and a extended forecast for the rest of the week. Having said all of that, I've heard them predict sunshine and wind up with rain and fog. Especially during the last few days.
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Another 10-mile day due to the weather. A shame because most of the terrain is pretty nice. Almost all climbs consist of graded switchbacks.This section of the trail has a really nice suspension bridge (Pedlar River Bridge). Kinda fun walking across and making it swing at the same time.The highest point of today is the start at Punchbowl Shelter at 2500 feet. Pretty much all down hill from there. Tomorrow has two climbs over 4,000 feet. Where in the heck are those flat sections Virginia is supposed to have?
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Finally - a longer mileage day. Fifteen miles is not that great but given the weather and the elevation climbs, not too bad.Stayed at this shelter tonight instead of camping a bit closer to Montebello. Today I ran out of my last dry clothes - yet the rain continues onward. My weather radio has revised their forecast to show rain and fog for most of the upcoming week.It probably sounds like I'm complaining a lot - but try hiking all day in weather that is in the low 50's, pouring rain, damp, foggy, etc. And you don't know when it will even end. Tomorrow morning a brief 2.5 mile hike on the trail and then 2.5 miles into Montebello. Maybe they will have a laundromat for my clothes, tent and sleeping bag.
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Dutch Haus Bed & Breakfast
Miles today: 2.5

The hike into Montebello took a bit longer than I thought. And it was all downhill - so I'll have a climb back up with all the food I'm picking up at the post office.Montebello - if you blink you will miss it. They have a campground to your left. Straight ahead is the post office and a general store (opens at 8am). Store has a pretty good selection of food, snacks, etc.I asked at the store if there was anywhere I could dry my clothes. The lady said at the Dutch Haus Bed & Breakfast - about 1/2 mile up the road. So I held off getting my package at the post office and hiked to the B&B.Dutch Haus is a legitimate Bed & Breakfast. Beautiful place with just about everything you could want. Private rooms with two beds; laptop computer access to the internet; shower. They will wash all your clothes and return them to you. Cost for thru-hikers (make sure you tell them you are a thru-hiker) is $30. That also includes a free breakfast and a shuttle back to the trail. They also have a dinner option for $12.So I opted to stay here for the night (you have to spend the night to use their laundry facilities). I'll pick up my post ofice box in the morning and should be at Waynesboro in three days.My special thanks to Trail Boss for (at the last minute) helping me arrange a mail drop to Waynesboro in a few day. She's always been there for me. I think there are times we don't give a lot of credit to those who support us. Thanks, Trail Boss!
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Dutch Haus Bed & Breakfast

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

The Dutch Haus was a great place and hated to leave it. They shuttled me back towards the trail. Unfortunately, they can only go part of the way up the access road and drop you off in a parking lot. The remainder of the hike back to the trail is pretty steep. It took me 40 minutes.As I approached the "Priest" met several section hikers who had stayed the night with me at Dutch Haus. They were slack-packing and coming in my direction. We chatted for a bit and they moved on. If you haven't seen the "Priest" yet, get your camera ready. It is a pretty unique rock formation.Soon after I crossed over the suspension bridge over the Tye River. Saw three teenaged girls sitting on the rocks below.Arrived at Harpers Creek Shelter and noticed two bright (green and yellow) tents set up near the shelter. Turns out the couple were the parents of the three girls seen earlier. The father is a retired Air Force colonel and the wife is also retired Air Force. The live in Williamsburg, Va. and had some very interesting stories to tell the rest of us (there were two other hikers also at the shelter).
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

Another 20-mile day.There is a 1,000 foot climb out of this shelter heading north. There were a few more climbs, but overall the day was a pretty decent hike. I was somewhat worried about rain so wanted to make a shelter if possible. Also, try to get as close to Waynesboro as possible.I had expected there would be others at the Paul Wolfe shelter, but no one else showed up. What a beautiful, well designed shelter. They use clear plastic windows to let in more sunlight. A second-level sleeping platform. Roof over the picnic table. Nice job to whomever put the shelter up.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

[trail boss] I got a call fr. Unk, he made it to Waynesboro on Thurs and his package was waiting for him. I sent it out Tues evening around 6:30 (our post office is open till 7) and it was there the next day by 1pm. We like priority mail, granted it didn't have far to travel but so far the priority mailboxes have been excellent. I do the mailing label on-line and then don't even have to wait in line to send it off. Well enough for the USPS commercial....We'll get together again when Unk gets to Boiling Springs or Duncannon and he update then. Unknown Hiker here - I left Waynesboro with the intent to try to do four 20-mile days coming up. Started by spending the prior night at the Paul C Wolfe Shelter. So far, so good.
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Outside of Waynesboro

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

First, full day in the Shenandoah Park. It really isn't as flat as a lot of folks believe. You can still have ups and downs that are as much as 400 feet. Still, a pretty nice hike in the woods. 20-miles for me today.You also will frequently cross Skyline Drive while hiking. It comes with the territory. The weather was very sunny and warm today - which is surprising because the prediction was for rain.I'm missing a couple of days earlier - will have to update them at a later date. Here at the library in Luray they are pretty strict about the time limit.
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My second, consecutive 20-mile day. Pretty easy except that the sun was relentless and I sweated like a stuck pig. I skipped Loft Mountain Campground because I didn't think their campstore would be open yet (it wasn't). I'll need to get a couple of days of food at one of the campstores or head into Luray.Getting near the shelter I met a trail maintainer who was painting new trail blazes on the trees. I'd never seen how they do that before - scrapping the tree and using outdoor paint. He also maintains the Hightop Hut and told me some stories about the large, long black snake that lives under the shelter. Not to worry, though. The snake is only dangerous to the mice.Tomorrow I shoot for my third 20-mile day.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Hightop Hut

To: Blackrock Viewpoint (stealth campsite)
Miles today: 20.0

[trail boss] Got another call from Unk. He was very happy to report that the Lewis Mountain Camp store just opened and is open 7 days a week 9am to 5 pm.He thought he was going to have to hoof it in to Luray for a re-supply before reaching Linden to pick up his next mail drop.Lewis Mountain is right before Big Meadows for folks going Nobo.Unknown Hiker - This was the day it finally got cold and started to rain, then sleet, then some snow. I was trying to make Rock Spring Hut - which would have been a 24-mile day. But just after Lewis Spring the sleet stopped briefly and I had time to locate a tenting spot. Just barely made my third day of 20 miles. You can take Lewis Spring into Big Meadows - which has a restaurant, camp store, cabins, etc. I found out that ALL of the Shenandoah campsites are now open (as of Saturday, 4/12). Going north, Lewis Mountain is the first camp store you will pass. They have most of the stuff hikers eat - just not in individual portions. You would have to buy 12 oatmeal packets, for example.Well, hopefully the weather will be a bit better tomorrow.
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Blackrock Viewpoint (stealth campsite)

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I managed to do it. Completed four, consecutive 20-mile days in the Shenandoahs. If I can do it - anyone can do it.Today started just like yesterday - cloudy and sleet and gloom. I was wet and depressed and then I saw the sign to the Skyland restaurant. Just in time for their lunch (noon to 2:30pm). I went in and feasted on a bacon cheeseburger, fries, french onion soup, two large glasses of milk, cup of hot tea, creme broulee and coffee for desert. It was delicious. Don't ask me how much it cost, though. After eating I went downstairs and used the "poor hiker's clothes dryer" - the hand drying machine in the bathroom. Just take off a pice of clothing, wring it in the sink, and hold it under the hand dryer until it is dry. Works surprisingly well.Back on the trail, the sun began to come out. Saw the Little Stony Mountain cliffs - very nice view. But around that time I did something to my left ankle that is most likely a shin splint. It got worse climbing down into Thornton Gap.Made it into the Pass Mountain Hut and met one hiker - "General". He is from England and was in the British Army - so we had a lot to talk about. He had a nice fire as it was pretty cold. He mentioned he was heading south from Harpers Ferry."General" also told me he had see "Stormin Norman" and :Water Bear" earlier that afternoon - they apparently think I am AHEAD of them (instead of behind them - which I am). Thus, they are trying to catch up to me in the wrong direction. Sometimes this hiking stuff gets confusing!!"General" also said that the best thing for my shin splint was to give it a break from hiking - which wasn't what I wanted to hear.
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Luray, Virginia
Miles today: 1.0

Well, I woke up this morning in Pass Mountain Hut and realized for the 3rd straight night I had not slept warmly. I had sent my 0-degree bag home last week - it was just getting to be too hot to sleep in. But my 32-degree bag was definitely not working in weather down in the mid-40s. Something was wrong. I held the bag up to the sun and could barely see any insulation. I must have done something to the bag after I last used it a while back. I should have checked the darn thing - that's my fault.So, along with the problem with my sleeping bag and my (most likely) shin splint. I made the decision to give Jim Austin (540-743-1355) a call for a shuttle into Luray.I can't speak highly enough about Jim and his partner. Super nice folks. He dropped me off at the Best Western Inn and I decided to call it quits for the rest of the day. It was time to soak my ankle in a tub for a while. I also made some phone calls to nearby outfitters to find a replacement bag. Finally, I gave Trail Boss a call and let her know what was going on. She was very supportive and cheered me up. Thanks!!!Guess what they have next to the Best Western? a Tastee Freeze! That is important because they make Vanilla Malteds - something I crave for every minute of every day. I then headed over to the library. Believe it or not my ankle is feeling better.I found a sleeping bag that meets my needs and Jim will run me over to pick it up in the morning. Then back to Thornton Gap. I'll have a few miles to re-hike, but nothing really bad. Should start racking up the trail miles by tomorrow afternoon.Good hiking, everyone.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Luray, Virginia

To: Hogback Mountain (4th Peak)
Miles today: 9.0

Well, woke up this morning and got my shuttle out of Luray to Harrisonburg. Not a close town - 45 minutes drive each way. I had decided to buy a Mountain Hardware Ultralamina 32 degree synthetic bag. Yesterday, I had researched this bag at the library and it had excellent ratings. So, got to Wilderness Outfitters and they had the bag waiting. Checked it out and everything looked fine. Cost was $180. Then shuttled back to Thornton Gap to continue my hike.Back on the trail around 12:30pm. But the first hour involved re-tracing my steps from the prior day. Had to get to Pass Mountain before I was hiking on "new" trail. My plan for today was to take it easy. My left foot (which I thought had a stress fracture) was doing fine - but I still wanted to take it easy. I had about 18 miles to get to Linden (for a food drop at the post office) and decided to split the distance over the next two days.By the way, the northern section of the Shenandoah National Forest (there are also Central and Southern sections) is a lot more easy as far as terrain and "ups and downs" are concerned.So when I got near Hogback Mountain I found a water source and began looking for a tenting spot. The SNF can be difficult to find tenting spots - you have to look for them. I also try to follow the park regulations (no tenting within 20 yards of the trail) because the last thing I want is a Ranger making me pack everything up and move elsewhere.So, found a great tenting spot and watched the sun gradually set for the day. Behind me it looked like a full moon in the sky. Soon it was time to slip into my new sleeping bag and call it a night. Problem was, inside the bag nothing seemed to warm up. My body heat did not seem to be retained by the bag.I looked the bag all over - everything seemed new and fine. I tried turning it inside out - maybe I had it the wrong way? Nothing worked. Eventually I gave up and pulled out my fleece liner and put on some more clothes for the night.
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Hogback Mountain (4th Peak)

To: Hogwallow Gap
Miles today: 8.0

I woke up really disappointed the new sleeping bag failed to keep me warm. I called Wilderness Outfitters. They were great about about it - will give a 100% refund. I just wish it had worked.It still gets into the 40's at night here. So I needed a bag. I called Trail Boss and she was willing to pick me up for a trip home just to order a new bag and get back on the trail - probably 3-4 days.We only live about 1.5 hours from Front Royal. I stopped hiking at Hogwallow Gap, which is at mile marker 14.2 and would be easy for her to find me. We stopped by for some dinner in Front Royal. Went to Jalisco's Mexican restaurant. Very good food and well recommended (although on the far side of town).Once we got home I just dumped my gear on the floor and crashed for the night (after a shower, of course). Tomorrow I'll call REI and see what I can get sent quickly.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Hogwallow Gap

To: Silver Spring, Maryland
Miles today: 0.0

This morning I woke up and took a closer look at my boots. One of the boots actually had a quarter-size blow-out on the side (see picture). Actually, I wasn't that surprised. I had been wearing these boots since I started Springer (over 950 miles ago). You have to remember that Lowa only rates these boots for around 400 miles of use.Lowa Renegade GTX boots - I've worn them on every thru-hike and I am not stopping now. Yes, the pair I am about to buy will probably have to be replaced a final time before I get to Katahdin. But their comfort and ankle support and very durable soles make them a delight to wear.Anyway - I hoped that a local REI store (there are about six in the Washington DC area) would have both my boots and my chosen sleeping bag (Mountain Hardware Phantom 32-degree down bag). No luck. So I had to order on-line and get expedited shipping to get them on Monday. If everything goes according to plan, Trail Boss will ferry me back to the trail Monday evening and the hike will continue.On a different note, I wanted to congratulate StormenNorm and Water Bear for making it to Harpers Ferry today. I busted my butt trying to catch up to them (at one point I think I was only 1/2 a day behind). If you ever try catching up to someone more than a day ahead of you, it is very difficult until they take a zero or actually wait. I won't lie about something - it is really nice to get the chance to spend a few days at home before getting back on the trail. Making coffee without lighting my JetBoil; not putting bleach in the tap water; having plenty of toilet paper when needed. Who would have ever thought that those types of things are considered luxuries when hiking?I just can't stay home any longer than necessary. That is no reflection on Trail Boss. It is a reflection of my weakness to enjoy the "creature comforts" and perhaps delay getting back on the trail and continuing my "mission" to finish what I've started. I have to stay focused.