morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-21
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

Well today started with a great sunrise, and ended with being very tired. We bid goodbye to Mike and Dreams as we were pushing big miles today, and they were planning on a slower day. Little Hump and Big Hump were fantastic, but the climb down sucked and took forever. We reached Apple House by 2:45 after spending time up top talking to our honeys. The climbs the 2nd half of the day sucked only because we were tired I think. We finally arrived at about 7:15 to find we will be breaking our shelter cherry as there are no places to set up tents at Mountaineer. Tomorrow another big day is planned as we are off for Kincora. It is looking like we will finish our hike on Tuesday. I have enjoyed this hike...don't get me wrong, but I do wish Erin could be out here with me. It would make things so much better to share them with her in person not just with photos. I used to say maybe one day when I get older I could do a thru...I don't know about that, I'd miss my wife too much, and it's not worth it if I have to away from her for that long, then again I am worried about her right now, so we can always dream...can't we?
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.3

Bad news at home, and bad news on the trail. The day started off pretty well, although I was in a dark place because I was worried about how Erin was handling everything at home without me. My right shin had been bothering me for a couple of days, but I just figured it was the rough downhills and a day off at Kincora was all I needed. Heading for Moreland Gap Shelter we were low on water and I was ahead by about 10 minutes when I started to head down a knob, and I felt a weird pop in my right shin followed by a strange feeling...and PAIN! I got down to the shelter and I waited for Magic Thumb, we went down for water, and that was one krappy climb down to get water. Anyways we ate lunch and started up again. My shin just wasn't feeling quite right as we continued on and I was beginning to think something might be seriously wrong with my shin. The voice in my head started telling me I might be done due to the next stretch of trail into Damascus and lack of road access in case something was really wrong. As we hit Dennis Cove Road and I stepped onto the pavement I realized something indeed was wrong and began thinking stress fracture as I have had one before. By the time we got to Kincora's driveway, Magic was telling me I needed to stop as well. We found Bob and he echoed the sentiment as he said if my leg did break a rescue would be very difficult through the next section. That sealed the deal as Erin would kill me if I could have gotten off the trail and I didn't and something went wrong. So we got a ride from Bob back to Erwin for Magic's car and headed back up to Damascus for mine. Tonight we are laying in our bunks at The Place and we'll be heading home tomorrow. It seems my adventure is over for the year.
Date: 2007-11-23
From: Jennings Creek

To: Lower Blueridge Parkway , mile 74.9
Miles today: 15.0

Alright, I did get some hiking in over the T-giving weekend. I went up to visit an old college buddy who was living in the Lexington area. I brought my daypack thinking I might be able to knock out a few miles before heading home. He ended up having to go into work and that left me to do a couple of days of slackpacking. I didn't have my camera with me, nor did I have a journal so I don't have alot to say about this hike other than to reiterate whoever said Central Va was boring or flat is completely out of their minds. Apple orchard Mountain was interesting as was the Guillotine. Other than that I admit I was flying to try and get these miles I missed last year. Finished around 4pm after starting around 9am. It sure is different to not have lug around a pack. Tomorrow, I'll get to the James River Footbridge and that will link up a little section I missed last year with trail actually hiked. Tonight we just stayed up throwing back some beers and talking about the past, better stop now before I start sounding like an old man.
Date: 2007-11-24
From: Lower Blueridge Parkway , mile 74.9

To: James River Footbridge
Miles today: 13.4

Well, it's a cold day again, but not freezing, glad I didn't have to sleep out as it was down under 20 degrees at night. Luckily no rain, just overcast. The miles flew by and I sat around for about an hour waiting for him, but it wasn't bad, watched a train go by and tried skipping rocks on the James while I waited.Sometimes hiking reveals great views, and there were a couple of nice ones today, but nothing that stood out. All in all I wouldn't have minded having my camera yesterday, but didn't mind not having it today as I already got pictures of the James last year. Anyways, I head home tomorrow, but tonight we're gonna go by a friend's for dinner and then maybe hit a pub.
Date: 2007-12-01
To: Year End
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I finally got my journal up on the site. Took me long enough, but hey, I'm a busy guy. For a second year my summer hike didn't quite end the way I wanted but hey, at least I get to get out there and enjoy myself and after a few months of wallowing in self-pity, I just say to myself, that is what it is all about. I did indeed have a stress fracture and it was a couple of months before my leg felt right again, so it was a good idea that I got off of the trail. Currently I am headed into wrestling season and so my hiking persona has been on vacation since August when football season began. Lucky for me the SoRuck always kicks off my hiking year. Currently, I am slowly beginning to think where to hike next year. Erin might actually be able to join me this upcoming year so I'm excited about that. Anyways, all in all, it was a great hiking year, met some new friends and walked some great trail. Keep hiking and I look forward to maybe meeting some of you out there in 2008.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Pinnacles Picnic Ground

To: Elkwallow Gap
Miles today: 11.7

Monday, March 26, 2007Pinnacles Picnic Ground to Pass Mtn Hut, 6.5 miles and Beahms Gap to Elkwallow Gap, 5.2 miles, 11.7 milesSweet Sixteen and I slack today from Beahms to Elkwallow and from Pinnacles Picnic Ground to Thornton Gap. We full-pack from Thornton to Pass Mountain Hut, where we spend the night.Happy Birthday, John! Cool this morning, warmer in the afternoon, much like the day you were born.On March 23, 2007, Wisconsin Dave was honored at Bears Den at a party thrown and attended by almost 100 of his "best friends", who presented him with a portrait of himself hiking on the PCT painted by artist Penny Hauffe. That beautiful portrait now hangs in the Great Room at Bears Den in a place of honor over the fireplace. It carries a plaque which says: "David Appel, 'Wisconsin Dave', Best Friend of Bears Den". A big goodbye hug to Dave, who will leave for Wisconsin before I get back to Bears Den.Hello to Medicine Man, Blueskies and Shep! They¢ll be staying at Pass Mountain Hut tonight. We¢re excited to be joining them there!Hello to 5 or 6 young men out for a loop hike.A climb and a lookout from Mary¢s Rock.Descending from Mary¢s Rock we meet Striper, originally from Long Island. Trail-named Striper because he loves to fish for striped bass. His uncle works for the USPS and helps with Striper¢s bounce boxing. Striper is hiking from I think he said the Tye River to Harpers Ferry. He¢s carrying 70 pounds! Striper tells a harrowing story of an ice-storm he encountered in the southern Shenandoahs, closer to Rockfish Gap. We tell him when he reaches Bluemont, be sure to stop and see Queen Diva, the best hostelkeeper on the trail, at Bears Den.Descending, I lag, but Sweet Sixteen keeps pace with Striper, in conversation the whole way back to Thornton Gap.Arrive at shelter about 8:30PM, reunion with Shep, Blueskies and Medicine Man. We didn¢t expect you so late, they say. We¢re slower than we expected, we say.   Also I spilled 12 gallon of cranberry juice on the floor of the car. It took a long time to sop that up. :-(((
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Hogwallow Gap

To: Front Royal 522
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Tuesday, March 27, 2007Pass Mtn Hut to Beahms Gap, 2.2 miles and Hogwallow Gap to Front Royal US 522, 9.4 miles, 11.6 milesA beautiful warm night at the shelter. Shelter has bear-proof poles for hanging food bags. I¢m happy we decided to do an overnight. I like sleeping out on the trail, and being among friends at a shelter.Pretty sunrise. Beautiful birdcalls in the morning. I¢m trying to become more proficient recognizing these.Lots of deer in the woods.Sweet Sixteen likes the freedom backpacking allows. Stop where you want, go when you want. No logistics setting cars. No feeling of being tethered to the car. I like that freedom too, but my bones and joints don¢t like the weight of a full pack.2.2 miles today with a full pack is just about my limit :- )))We drive Medicine Man and Blueskies to Luray.Second leg of today¢s hike, slackpacking, 60 degrees, a little overcast. Start 11:20 at Hogwallow.Stop for lunch. Easy walk.Hello to Mickey and Frank, they¢re with the PATC and today they¢re out doing some trail maintenance. They say, yes, there was an ice storm about 10 days ago like Striper described where Skyline Drive was closed for a couple of days and yes there was a bigger one last Thanksgiving like the one the Horse Brothers described in their 11-23 entry in the Gravel Springs Shelter Register (that we read on March 25) where Skyline Drive was closed for 2 weeks. That Thanksgiving storm caused great havoc on and to the trail. Hello to a day hiker.Surrounding a tall straight tree, Sweet Sixteen finds several dried flowers with a big spiky grayish center section and beige petals, probably tulip tree flowers.Pretty lavender hepaticas.One little stand of daffodils.3 bloodroots.A Hershey bar on a rock near Tom Floyd Shelter. Trail magic? Or candy that fell out of the pocket of someone who¢d been sitting on the rock? We eat it, munch, munch, gone.Temps now in the 70¢s, everything is budded. Spring is here.We finish at Front Royal Rte 522. From there we retrieve the other car and both drive back to Bears Den. Hello to Lori and Brian. Great meal of Lori¢s special hamburgers!After dinner, in the great room, Southern Harp plays guitar and sings to Adam, John (a biker), Brian, Sweet Sixteen and me. Southern Harp has one of the most beautiful singing voices I've ever heard. Songs of Blackburn and the AT. Right now it would make her too sad to sing the song she composed for Dave¢s March 23 appreciation party. Southern Harp, another time, sing this for me, OK?
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Rte 321

To: Watauga Dam Rd
Miles today: 4.2

Wednesday, April 4, 2007In Hampton at the PO, I mail off fed tax return, 63-cent stamp.4.2 miles Rte 321 to Watauga Dam Rd. Because everyone is tired and stiff, we decide to hike a short hike today and 8.9 tomorrow. The Weather Channel has a surprise. Snow is forecast. Snow on Roan will be a problem. We¢ll need to stay in close touch with the weather forecasts as we plan our hikes south of here.Start 8:10. At the start Bob Peoples is dropping off 3 thruhikers. 2 other thruhikers get back in the truck with Bob. As Matt said, at the end of Watauga Lake there is a lot of trash and debris left by people. Too much for me to pack out. It¢ll take a crew to clean it up.   I photo some of the blue/purple flowers Matt mentioned, ajuga and dwarf larkspur. Lots of road noise here, breaking the spell of the woods.50¢s light breeze no bugs, wet after last night¢s strong t-storms that deposited, depending on who you were listening to on the weather channel, golfball-size or grapefruit-size hailstones.Not muddy. Easy walking. More campsites. More hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), it¢s well-established in this area.Climbing up from edge of lake, stands of wintergreen on both sides of track.Low energy today. Will walk slow. Pass by the shelter.Taking rain pictures.Yellow ground cinquefoil, potentilla. Galax leaves.A few dogwoods blooming. Ajuga, ground ivy.Long pants are too hot today.Rue anemone yellow center, green center, not purple like yesterday.Dwarf larkspur.Wild crested iris, budded about to bloom.Ragwort.Yellow meadow parsnip. Matt is right about botanical richness here. Lots of varieties to be seen if you go slow and look close.White pussytoes. At the dam, turkey buzzards hovering overhead. A snail.Sun peeking through, descend switchbacks pine needles, out.On the drive back to the Americourt, I see Grindstaff Rd at edge of a one-lane bridge, in Elizabethton I see Grindstaff Used Cars since 1946. Nick had quite a few local relatives, it seems.First robin.Meet Memere and Gray Feathers. There¢s an email from Sweet Sixteen. She's at Dutch Haus with Lois, earl and Four Bears, doing great.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Walnut Mountain Rd

To: Dennis Cove Rd
Miles today: 13.6

Monday, April 9, 2007Dennis Cove Rd to Walnut Mountain Rd, 13.6 milesStill cold but warmer than yesterday and the day before, high 20¢s. At Dennis Cove trailhead I meet Aquaman from Georgia. I met him last Friday when he was ¢slaloming¢ down Hump Mtn. Aquaman¢s going to meet up with some people at Rte 321 who will slack him to Damascus. He says some of the Riders of the Storm (Garrett, Garrett, Golden Boy, Fahrenheit, Running Wolf and Trips) are still sleeping at Kincora and others are a day behind, having taken some time off over the weekend. He¢s leaving Kincora today, before that he was at Mountaineers Falls shelter where it was only 9 degrees, counting the windchill it was 2 or 3 below.Start 8:20AM.Quite a bit of the snow has melted but the track is surprisingly dry. Lots of gravel, leaves and duff to absorb water. Ice crystals on the track today, they¢re wetter than recently and don¢t crunch as loud underfoot. Many of the ice stalks are capped with a single pebble.A small cloth American flag is planted on the left side of the trail. Don¢t know the story behind that.Meet Memere and Gray Feathers about the halfway point.A bright red partridgeberry punctuates today's greens, whites, browns, blacks and grays.Lots of turkey tracks in the snow.Yesterday I met no one on the trail except Memere and Gray Feathers. No one besides them today either. Where is everyone?Track gets slipperier, snowier. Maybe we should postpone the Roan hike (Roan is 2200 feet higher than we are here) until there¢s been more melt. Do the hikes out of Erwin first.Hello to Garrett from the Riders of the Storm! Hello to 3 more of the Riders. They sure picked the right days to zero in Abington. Now they¢re headed to Abby¢s place.Out at 4:55. A quiet hike
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Nolichucky River

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, April 11, 2007Nolichucky River to Indian Grave GapTemps in 50¢s, overcast.9:20 at the intersection of the AT and Nolichucky Gorge Campground. I walk into the campground to ask if I can use the facilities.Hello, I¢m a hiker on the Appalachian Trail. Do you have a privy or a restroom I can use?No, we don¢t.No facilities at all?No we don¢t, we don¢t.This person doesn¢t seem keen on hikers.OK. I walk back to the AT.Hello to Section Hikers Bear Bait from NJ, Bigfoot and Mighty Mite from FL. I¢ve met all 3 before on the trail. Just now I can¢t think of exactly where. Maybe in VA. Will look at old journals.Winged pharsalia.Steady gentle up.Hello to NOBO¢s Dorothy and Toto. They are really enjoying the hike today. They feel like they can almost fly, without the packs on. We talk about the possibility of taking them to Sam¢s Gap early tomorrow and them attempting the 24.5 into Nolichucky.Curley Maple Shelter, hello to Gray Feathers and Memere. We eat lunch there together. Roast beef sandwiches. Talk about Friday and Saturday doing Indian Grave to Iron Mountain and Iron Mountain to Roan.I can¢t appreciate Yertle the Turtle houses atop mountains, or the bulldozing of pristine forested mountains.Maintainers have been snipping off the evergreen tips and, for traction, scattering these on the trail. When the snippets are hemlock, I wonder if it¢s accelerating the spread of adelgid on hiker¢s footwear.I think this may be where I met Jackaroo in 2005. Have to recheck journals.Sky darkening, winds are howling. Branches and trunks rubbing against one another, squeeking and squealing.Out at 1:25.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Sams Gap

To: Devils Fork Gap
Miles today: 8.4

Saturday, April 14, 2007Devil¢s Fork Gap to Sam¢s Gap, 8.4 milesBefore hiking today, I drive Otter, Diamond and Boo Boo to Carvers Gap. They'll hike back to Otter's car at Iron Mountain Gap. Start 11:10.Growing beside the road before the creek is an ancient tree, its insides rotted into coffee ground-looking humus, into which some hiker has planted a veronica he/she uprooted from near the base of the tree.Ascending the first rise, I heara loud braying sound, donkeys at the house along the road?Pass graves of Joe Riddel May 16 1877 July 9 1967, 90 years old, and Dorothy Hensley May 2 1865 April 30 1965, just 2 days shy of her 100th birthday. Lots of Hensleys in this area, including the famous Miss Janet Hensley, who's asked us to join her for breakfast tomorrow.Pretty waterfall.Lush green on the floor of the woods. Lacy leaves of anemone, rue, Dutchman¢s breeches leaves, columbine.Dwarf larkspur, budded, not out.Trilliums whose leaves are damaged by frost but buds are strong. Temp rises.Many plants along the path have been damaged by the recent cold. Some leaves shriveled, some plants keeled over on bent stems. Most look like they'll regrow.1:15 lunch with Gray Feathers and Memere.Little bird with chestnut brown back, spikey tail and light breast. Maybe an outline around its eye. Friendly.Acres and acres of spring beauties.Hello to 2 men and 3 young men hiking Sam¢s Gap to Devil¢s Fork Gap. Have hiked most of the AT between Damascus and Allen Gap. They have not yet seen any bears on the AT but last year they saw a timber rattler at Vanderventer shelter.Woods have changed from green to brown, dried oak leaves.Blazing is fresh and unmistakable in this section. More great work by the trail maintainers.A couple of bloodroot blossoms just beginning to open and to be released from the grasp of surrounding leaves. These remind me of eggs, in egg cups. I take several photos.3:25 walk by shelter trail.Out 4:30.Memere, Gray Feathers and I go to Jones Meadow Rd to scout out access to Allen Devil¢s Fork. Too complicated a drive to set cars, plus any car left at Jones Meadow overnight is at risk because we see several people driving into the area with beer, etc. We'll do that 20-mile piece as a backpack.We don¢t get back to Erwin til 9PM.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Rte 850

To: Juniata Bridge
Miles today: 10.1

Monday, April 23, 2007Purple Rose, Zig Zag, Sweet Sixteen and Amoeba Rte 850 to Juniata Bridge, 10.1 miles, somehow I¢ve managed to lose my notes for the hikes April 23-26. Will update journal when these notes surface
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Juniata Bridge

To: Rte 225
Miles today: 13.7

Tuesday, April 24, 2007Purple Rose, Zig Zag, Sweet Sixteen and Amoeba Juniata Bridge to Rte 225, 7.4 miles and Sweet Sixteen and Amoeba Bernhisel Bridge to Rte 850, 6.3 miles, total 13.7 miles
Date: 2007-06-11
From: Camp Rd

To: Delaware Water Gap NJ-side parking lot
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Monday, June 11, 2007Yesterday I officially finished hiking the AT in NJ for the second time! I know I'm more than halfway thru the AT the second time, have to make some time to figure out what's done, and what's left to do. Hiking with other people I've got lots of little pieces done and lots of little pieces left to do.DWG to Camp Rd, 8.9 miles, zero count, my 5th time hiking the first several miles of this section.Mohican Center register:5/28 Natz!! Sweet Sixteen and I met her at the Ironmasters Mansion in Pine Grove Furnace. Congratulations on finishing MD and PA, Natz!6/3 Patrick6/10 5-String and Big GuyConfusion at the parking lot. Park at Mt Tamany Trailhead, move it to the DWG lot.Start at 10:15.Another great day for a hike. Rachel and Faith take the lead. Betty is trying out using hiking poles. We ascend along the stream, meeting 4 people out for short hikes.Lunch and relaxation at Sunfish Pond.   Hello to NOBO¢s Cheese and Widowmaker. How did Widowmaker get his trail name?   At the beginning of his hike he was tenting with Pigpen near Springer Mtn when a rotted 12-foot tree fell on their tent. Pigpen¢s legs were injured and Widowmaker¢s chest. They¢re OK now.Meet 2 women hiking south. Mountain laurel in full bloom.Controlled burn.Out at 3:15.Goodbyes to Betty, Rachel and Faith. I loved hiking with you. See you at Rich and Judy¢s party a week from Saturday.I drive to PA and meet Purple Sherpa, Purple Rose, Dixie, Zig Zag and Brenda at the Camp Charles Campground near Bangor PA.Brenda¢s husband is a hobbyist vintner. She¢s brought some bottles of his homemade red wines as a gift for Purple Sherpa. Brenda doesn¢t yet have a trail name. We¢ll try to come up with one which suits her and which she likes.
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Tott's Gap

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday, June 12, 2007Fox Gap to Wind Gap, 8.6 miles, and Tott¢s Gap to Fox Gap, 2.5 miles, total 11.1 milesA good night¢s sleep. Start 8:15AM.Wolf¢s Rocks are a lot easier for me than last time I was here as a brand new hiker wearing 50 pounds on my back. Hiking in Crocs and wearing only my mesh daypack, I like Wolf Rocks so much I keep walking over them even after the trail veers off the cliff. Reverse course, backtrack. Sorry, guys.Meet NOBO Whistler.Hello to NOBO Ranger, used to be a ranger.Hello to NOBO Kentucky, hiking with Ranger. He started about March 15. He¢s from near Hopkinton Ky.Hello again to NOBO¢s Fidel and Blowout. I met Fidel earlier this year at Bears Den.Hello to NOBO Mcguyver.Hello to 2 weekend hikers.Out 1:15. Thunder, lightning, heavy and dense. Wait it out at the campground. It clears a little and we decide to hike the 2.4 from Tott¢s to Fox, a rehike for Purple Rose and for Zig Zag. I need this piece for my second AT hike and Brenda needs it too.