morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Nice days hike. Stopped in Catawba and had dinner at "The Home Place". If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend them. Then went back to the tail and set up the hammock by the shelter. Was going to stay in the shelter, but knew there were several other hikers besides the Pokie Puppies, Apple Pie, Flora and Fauna (all who were already there) that were coming in.
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

Long day, checked into the EconoLodge at 8:30 pm. The ridge walking on this section is a little difficult due to all the rocks which have to be contended with. McAfee Knob is supposed to have the best view on the AT, I wouldn't know, it was fogged out when I got there. But the fog cleared by the time I got to Tinker Cliffs and the view there is spectacular!
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Daleville, VA

To: about 1/2 mile short of Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Long day, set up the hammock along side of the trail in the dark. Nice little spot near the Blue Ridge Parkway.During the night heared the first deer sounds they make to warn the other deer it's time to run away. They make a snorting sound like a trumpet being played without a mouth piece. In the south, you hear one snort and that's it - they all run away. Here they seem to repeat it several times. A friend of mine says that usually means a momma deer trying to get her fawn moving away from danger and the fawn, like most kids we know, not wanting to pay heed to their elders.
Date: 2004-05-12
From: about 1/2 mile short of Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Was going to go onto Cornelius Creek shelter today, but several southbounders said I had to stay here. Nice shelter, recently built and will hold more than twenty people. I slept upstairs while Slick and Main Sail slept down stairs. Nice little babbling brook beside the trail to help the sleep a bit.
Date: 2004-05-14
From: High Cock Knob

To: Fullers Rocks, Little Rocky Row
Miles today: 12.5

Sorta nice days hiking. Started raining just after I crossed the 678 foot, foot, foot bridge. 678 feet long, dedicated to William Foot and it's stricly a foot bridge. The view of the James River from Fullers Rocks was so nice, I decided to stay there to see the sunrise. Saw a red tanger(?) a bright red bird with black wings and tail feathers. Also heard another deer with her fawn making the multiple snorting sounds during the night.
Date: 2004-05-15
From: Fullers Rocks, Little Rocky Row

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

When I got to the shelter, one of Slicks friends offered me apple pie and potatoe salid. Accepted both. Set up the hammock, since it was warm and buggy. Got one of the best nights sleep in a long time. Sleep without interruption for over five hours.
Date: 2004-05-16
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Starting to be able to hike 15 plus miles during the daylight without too much trouble. Still having trouble getting up hills though. Stayed in the shelter since it was raining when I got there. Was with Just John, his dog Casey and the Camera Crew.
Date: 2004-05-18
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Rusty's Hard Time Holler
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Stopped at the Maupin Field Shelter and it started to rain at about 4:30pm. LWOP and Pez showed up and wanted to go to Rusty's, so I went with them - after the rain stopped. Interesting place. Rusty is Amish and doesn't believe in electricity, but is warming up to it. I went in hopes of sitting in the wood fired hot tub, but there weren't enough people, so he didn't fire it up. Plus the ride back to the trail was non-existant. I didn't get back to the trail until 11:00 am the next morning. Even if the ride was there, it's only for the mile or so on the Blue Ridge, not the two and half (the book says 1.2, but it's further than that) miles on the fire road.
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Rusty's Hard Time Holler

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Long day. Didn't get to the trail until 11:00 am and had 16.1 miles to the next shelter. Wanted to get there so I only had five miles to Rockfish, since I was meeting a friend at the visitor center at 10:00 am on Thursday. It was dark, raining and foggy and as a result missed the shelter and was within about a tenth of a mile to Rockfish gap at 1:30 am when I set the hammock up. Had I known I was so close, would have gone on to Rockfish where there is a motel.
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Actually, hiked about a tenth of a mile when I discovered how close I was to town. Went up to the motel and got a room to shower so I wouldn't smell quite so bad when my friend Charlie Collete picked me up. I was there at 8:00 am and he wasn't due until 10:00 am. So took a shower, put on a clean shirt and made the mistake of lying down. Fell asleep and didn't wake up until 10:15 am. Got everything together and met Charlie at the vistor center about 10:30 am. Went to the outfitters and bought some hiking shoes in hopes of making my hiking a little easier. We'll see.
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Blackrock Trail head
Miles today: 21.6

Did a slack pack today. My friend Charlie Collette drove me to Rockfish and picked me up at Blackrock. Blackrock - sounds like one of those old western movie places - "We'll devide up the loot at Black Rock on the day after tommarrow". Anyway, didn't see too many people on the trail. One guy with a dog named Jessie past by me and saw maybe two day hikers. Rained a little in the afternoon, but not enough to get me wet. Saw a bear on the trail near the end of the day. He was quite far away and ran and hid as soon as he became aware of me. The new hiking shoes seem to work pretty good. No blisters or other pain, but the feet get wet with the morning dew.
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Blackrock Trail head

To: Swift Run Gap, US 33, Skyline Dr. mile 65.5
Miles today: 23.2

Slacked packed again. Charlie drove me to Blackrock (where we devided up the loot)and picked me up at Swift Run Gap. Long day, was tired from yesterday and it got a little warm, but not too bad. Saw quite a few hikers; day hikers, section hikers and about a dozen thru hikers. Saw a few deer in the morning, one almost ran me over, but no bears.
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a ride back out to the trail from a AT trail maintainer. He was on his way to do some chain sawing of blow downs on his section.Interesting shelter, but a bit small. Hung my hammock out after having dinner with a SOBO girl. I think this is the first SOBO I've met so far (except for the turtle a week or so ago).
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Rocky Mountain Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Long day. Not only did I do 23 miles of trail, did an additional two-three miles going into Fayetteville for resupply at Henicle's Grocery. Shortly after going through Caledonia State Park it started raining for real. Stopped at every shelter, about three of them, but they were all full and so hiked on to Pine Grove Furnace State Park where I stayed at the Ironmasters Hostel.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Shikellimy Overlook
Miles today: 13.9

Stayed at the Doyle Hotel, not a place I would recommend, but the food was good. The owners are a couple who are trying to restore the place, but due to lack of funds, it's going to take a long time. Was able to do a good resupply at the local grocery store, with a ride from Dances with Wolves and her husband Wolf Cooky. Met up with Nails at Peters Mtn Shelter, where I loaded up with water and then hiked on to Shikellimy Overlook where I set up my hammock. A lot of climbing slowed down my pace a bit.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Shikellimy Overlook

To: Swatara Gap
Miles today: 19.5

Long hike today. Decided to go into Swatara Gap. Didn't quite do it right though, didn't know the trail followed the road for another couple miles. Got a ride from a couple looking for their daughter, whom they found later. Stayed at a motel about four miles from the trail.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Swatara Gap

To: Pine Grove, PA 501 Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Short day, but a lot of rain, so stopped at the 501 Shelter, where I met quite a few hikers, including Nails and Flash. Didn't get a lot of sleep, since the son of one of the section hikers was having nightmares. Didn't try the cold water shower, figured it would be too cold. We were able to order pizza and other food from the nearest town, but had to wait in the rain by the road to pick it up.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Pine Grove, PA 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: moderate rain

Another long day. Made a reservation at the Port Clinton Hotel, but when I got there they didn't have any rooms! Seems the person taking the reservations thought I was talking about dinner. Had to stay in yet another over priced B&B down the block. Had a good dinner on the first floor of the B&B.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Some people who did a through hike a few years back put on a nice picnic for us through hikers. Also got a ride for resupply (there isn't any in Port Clinton) and then hiked a couple miles to a motel across from Cabelas, where I purchased a pair of lightweight hiking boots. The hiking shoes I was using since Rockfish Gap were pretty good, but got wet at the slightest hint of dew.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting to get into the Pennsylvania rocks everyone is complaining about. Stayed in the shelter again, due to threatening rain. Quite a few other hikers, including Dave & Maranda and Nails. Flash set up his tent on the other side of the road. The shower was welcomed and quite a bit warmer than I'd thought it would be.
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: between Little Gap & Delps Trail
Miles today: 15.4

Now the PA rocks are getting difficult. I swear the local hiking clubs are competing with each other, not for the best trail, but to see who can produce the most dead bodies. The climb out of Lehigh Gap was fun, but dangerous. Once on top, found a nice little grove of trees to take a nap. Saw a copper head along side the trail and then passed Nails, who was waiting for Flash. Then got lost going up another mountain and spent about two hours trying to get back on the trail. Once back on the trail, met up with Dave & Maranda. I set up my hammock and they set up their tent at a nice area between Little Gap and Delps Trail.
Date: 2004-06-21
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Short day today, the rocks don't let you go too fast. Stopped by the High Point park office and got an apple and a coke from a trail angel who worked in the office. Wanted to see the High Point Monument up close, but it was closed for remodeling and so hiked on by it. Set up the hammock behind the shelter. Nails and Flash came in a little later and stayed in the shelter.
Date: 2004-06-23
From: Pochuck Mountain Shelter

To: Warwick Turnpike
Miles today: 12.2

Hiked into Glenwood, NJ to pick up a mail package from REI, plus did some resupply. Needed some new tips for my hiking poles, PA wore the olds ones out. Then got off on Warwick Turnpick to see if there really was some loging .8 miles from the trail. Doesn't exist. Got a ride from someone who said there was a motel "just up the road". I guess if you're driving, it's just up the road but, six miles isn't just up the road for hikers! It was too late to turn back, so stayed at the Appalachean Motel in Vernon. Had a nice dinner at the Vernon Restaurant, but it was a dangerous walk along side the road getting to it.
Date: 2004-06-24
From: Warwick Turnpike

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Out of New Jersey, now in New York. Saw a bear and her three cubs today. Was walking alone, minding my oun business, in high grass and shrubs and came upon them. The momma bear abondoned her cubs like nothing I've ever seen! She just took off down the trail. One cub ran off to the right, one up a tree and the third right toward me. I yelled at it, he stopped and turned to the right, going behind his sybling. I backed off a few feet and the one up the tree climbed down and left as well.
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: West Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: moderate rain

Was planning on going into Fort Montgomery or Bear Mountain Inn, but since it was Saturday, couldn't get a reservation. Decided to hold back and stay at the shelter .6 miles from the trail. Nice view of NYC, some 32 miles away. Set up the hammock behind the shelter and three young weekender couples stayed in the shelter. Saw some fireworks in NYC. I guess some store was having a grand opening or something like that.
Date: 2004-06-27
From: West Mountain Shelter

To: Fort Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 5.8

Not exactly burning up the trail with miles these days! Stayed at the Bear Mountain Inn. OK place, nice little lake beside the Inn with a whole lot of people picnicking there. Interesting little zoo they have. Did a resupply in Fort Montgomery, but had to take a taxi to get to the long term supply place.
Date: 2004-06-28
From: Fort Montgomery, NY

To: Dennytown Road
Miles today: 14.5

There is a little campground just west of the trail at Dennytown Road. Water is becoming an issue these days and the streams are few and far between and usually don't look to good. There is a pump house on Dennytown Road with a water spigot, so was able to get water there. A couple section hikers were at the camp ground as well. They asked me if they really needed to hang a bear bag since there aren't any bears around. They decided not too and at about two or three in the morning a large racoon decided to try and make off with their food bag, which they left on the ground in front of their tent!
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Kent, CT

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

Slow day climbing hills. Didn't really feel like leaving Jeri and her kids. Silver Hill was a nice looking little campsite, so I stayed. Met Burito, but she hiked on. There was water from a old iron pump and it had plenty of rust in it. Probably needed the added iron in my diet anyway. Took about three to four minutes of pumping before the water came out.
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Limestone Spring Lean to
Miles today: 19.1

Unlike yesterday, felt strong today. Hiked 19 miles. Limestone Lean to is a half mile off the trail - supposedly - four of us couldn't find it! Good thing I wanted to stay in my hammock anyway! Met up with Nails and Lu. Lu is a friend of Nails from Florida and is section hiking to Mt Greylock.
Date: 2004-07-07
From: Limestone Spring Lean to

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up at 5:00 am and hiked out to Rand's View for breakfast. Then got going for real about 7:00 am. Went into Salisbury, CT for resupply. Nice little grocery store called La Bonne Epicure Market. Didn't have the usual stuff, instead had better things than I'm use to. Bear Mountain was a bear to get up to and a bear to get down from! Glad it wasn't raining at the time. Nice view from the top though.
Date: 2004-07-08
From: Laurel Ridge Campsite

To: Ice Gulch, Tom Leonard lean-to
Miles today: 19.1

Long - Long day. Two mountains to climb, including Mt Everett (2,602 ft). Rained most of night and both mountains were fogged out, so no views to make up for all the work climbing. Plus, had to hike two hours in the dark looking for Ice Gulch lean-to. Glad the day was over!
Date: 2004-07-09
From: Ice Gulch, Tom Leonard lean-to

To: Great Barrington, Mass.
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: broken clouds

Was just going to go in for laundry and resupply, but couldn't resist taking a nero (near zero) day. Great Barrington is a nice little city and the hitch into and out of town was easier than expected. All the people were friendly and knew what the AT was.
Date: 2004-07-10
From: Great Barrington, Mass.

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: broken clouds

Got a late start out of town, about 10:30 am, so didn't get very far. Nice little campsite, but was a little crowded. There's room for two tents and we had five tents and my hammock. The local AT club needs more campsites or bigger campsites, or they need to relax the rules about where we can camp! I'm thinking maybe the maintainers for this area are all republicans.
Date: 2004-07-11
From: Shaker Campsite

To: October Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Was going to stay at Upper Goose Pond Cabin, but as I got close to it, met Flippy who when he heard my name, told me Nails and Lu were only a few miles ahead of me. So decided to try and catch them, which I did at the Lean-to.
Date: 2004-07-12
From: October Mountain Lean-to

To: Crystal Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

Finally met Lu for real this morning. Nails, Lu and myself hiked together all day. Lu is easy to follow. She has a very similar hiking style to myself. Slow, but with few breaks. About mid-afternoon got bit by some insect that took a chunk of my leg with it and left half of it numb for the rest of the day. Everything else went very well for the day. During the night a porcupine visited us with his little cries as he looked for our food. A lot of rain, but was able to keep most of my gear dry.
Date: 2004-07-13
From: Crystal Mountain Campsite

To: Buscom Lodge, Mt Greylock
Miles today: 12.3

Hiked with Nails and Lu again. I enjoy thier company a lot. We all stayed at the Buscom Lodge after a long, but not too difficult climb up Mt Greylock. We also had breakfast at the Lakeside Restaurant in Cheshire, Mass. Good food and easy to get to without the usual road walk. Instead we hiked down a bicycle path. Only got run over by one bicycle (NO, not really)! A lot better than a dozen or so cars and trucks. Want to say thank you to the local bicycle club for letting us use thier path.
Date: 2004-07-15
From: North Adams, Mass

To: North Adams, Mass
Miles today: 0.0

Did some resupply and gear replacement and repair. My Nike Boots came apart during the down hill from Mt Greylock and so decided to replace them. Not happy about only getting 375 miles from them! Now have a pair of light weight GoreTex Lowas. Hope they last a little longer than the Nikes.Only 600 more miles to go!!!!!!
Date: 2004-07-16
From: North Adams, Mass

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

Was planning to try for Melville Nauheim Shelter, but the day was raining, muddy and just couldn't make it. Trying to catch up with Nails, but she's just too fast for me these days. Stayed in shelter with Flippy, Bandicoot, Pablo, Laura and Mollie. There was a couple who stayed in their tent and a couple other guys who came in late. Starting to see a lot of SOBO thru hikers.
Date: 2004-07-17
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

Pushed a bit today, but it wasn't a pleasant day. Rain and mud all the way. Almost caught up with Nails. She stayed in the Caughnawaga shelter with Badicoot, which was only about 200 yards away! I got to Kid Gore at about 8:30 pm and should have checked, but was too tired to do much of anything but cook, eat and go to sleep. Nice shelter, nice view to the east and was all by myself.
Date: 2004-07-18
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

More rain and mud. But the shelter was really nice. It was the first of the fee ($6.00) shelters I've encountered. Not sure, but I think the fee is OK as long as not all the shelters become fee for service. Stayed in shelter with five thru hikers and two section hikers. The section hikers where a father and elevan year old daughter. She reminded me of Emily (Sunny's elevan year old grand daughter) so much.Heard from Bandicoot that Nails is off the trail now. She missed her husband too much and needed to get back to him. I'm sorry to hear she's left the trail so close to the end, but I guess she's OK with that.
Date: 2004-07-19
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester, VT
Miles today: 10.6

More rain and mud today. Stopped in Manchester for resupply and decided to stay for a zero day of rest. Need to start planning on how I'm going to get through the Whites - it's only a week and half away. Staying at Sutton's Place, a low cost B&B. It's the only place in town walking distance from the grocery stores and EMS.
Date: 2004-07-23
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

I hate the rain, it makes me wet, miserable and gives me thoughts I should not consider.Stayed in shelter with a half dozen boy scouts. They were OK, but they had gotten all their stuff wet and pretty much took up the whole shelter hanging it all around everything. It rained almost all night.
Date: 2004-07-24
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Not a big miles day. Stopped at Kent Pond for lunch, but they had closed the place down for a wedding. They did sell me a box lunch, so ate it on the trail. The shelter was really full, but the weather was good and I set up the hammock. There were about a dozen people in and around the shelter, some sobos, nobos and section hikes, along with some boy scouts.
Date: 2004-07-25
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: South Pomfret Rd, Woodstock, VT
Miles today: 17.4

Nice sunny day, sort of. A lot of clouds, but no rain. Set up the hammock about a 1/4 mile from the road on the trail. Had spent the better part of an hour looking for a B&B mentioned in the databook that no longer exists. Guess I should have tried calling on my cell phone first.
Date: 2004-07-26
From: South Pomfret Rd, Woodstock, VT

To: Woodstock, VT
Miles today: 0.0

Started out and found the bottom of my pack was leaking a lot of water. Turns out my internal water bladder had sprung a leak. So had to go back to the road and hitch a ride into Woodstock. Fortunately, there was a store with a new bladder. I then decided to stay for the day and resupply, etc. A little expensive, but it was going to be hard to make the Happy Hill Shelter starting at noon time.
Date: 2004-07-27
From: Woodstock, VT

To: Woodstock, VT
Miles today: 0.0

It's raining and I really hate starting a hike in the rain. Besides, I'm hoping LWOP will catch up to me soon. Got an e-mail from Wendy Grannis that she plans to pick LWOP up in Hanover on Friday. So, I'll wait until Thursday to get back on the trail and meet both of them in Hanover, NH on Friday as well. At least that's the plan for now.
Date: 2004-07-29
From: Woodstock, VT

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Actually hiked about 20 miles. 4 miles from Woodstock to the trail (couldn't get a ride), then turned left at the gas station instead of right like I should have and so hiked another 3.5 miles I'd already done. Other than that, the day went fine. Not many people at the shelter, hanged up the hammock as it's a lot more comfortable than the shelter floor.
Date: 2004-07-31
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero day, but we got a lot done. We took some food boxes to varius lodges thru the Whites, went to a couple outfitters, etc. We should not have to carry any more than two days food until we (LWOP, Wicomico and myself) get past Gorham, NH. Plus it rained a lot, so it was a good day not to hike.