morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Motel in Daleville, VA (1300')

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter (1920')
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

I wake up in the hotel room and slowly started packing up. I ate a bunch of cinnabuns and got my bounce box ready. Strides and Spruce were out about 45 min-1 hr before me. I got a trash bag from the cleaning lady for a new pack cover and as I was leaving I realized my tent pole was missing. I figure that I left it at my campsite before McAfee's Knob and because it was pitch black out when I left I didn't see it. I went back to the room and called Esra to have her mail/order a new one and then I checked out and gave my mail to the motel. I figure I was hiking around 9 AM which is one of my earliest town starts. I never pack up the night before because I'm so lazy and then I'm always one of the last ones out. I was bummed out about my tent pole when I was leaving because without my tent I'm a little more restricted in my hiking. The weather was really nice out and the hiking was a pretty easy grade. I enjoyed the scenery a lot today and it wasn't too hot out which made it easier to enjoy. I got to Bobblets Gap a little before 4, maybe around 3:30 and considered moving on another 6.4 to the next shelter but no one else was really up for it and I can do 20+ tomorrow to set myself up for a shorter day into my resupply. I ate 3 ramens and about 14 oz of tuna. I added some hot sauce but I think it took away from the meal, which is a first I think I've ever felt that. I ate a butterfinger, reeses crunch bar, and a snickers as well. I got in touch with Pat and will be staying the night of the 26th with them. I'm excited to get into Shennandoah and Pat said they would do a day hike for some miles with me at the beginning section of the hike. I also spoke to Esra and it seems I will be getting my tent pole in Waynesboro or she will just mail it to Pat and Deborah's place. I'm hoping that the weather will be nice for the next couple of days because the next two nights there is supposed to be a meteor shower and I would like to stay out of shelters to get closer to Waynesboro and have more time that Saturday. If the weathers nice then I won't have to worry about tenting without my tent pole and I can just cowboy it. My leg felt a lot better today so hopefully tomorrow for my 20+ miles it won't act up.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Thunder Hill Shelter (3960')

To: Johns Hollow Shelter (1020')
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept great last night. I woke up twice because I had to use the bathroom but I was so sleepy I never got up. I noticed how much I drool though, there was a huge puddle on my pillow both times I woke up. It was still rainy and cold a little when I got up so I took my time. Eventually I was packed and back into my somewhat dry clothes from yesterday. It was rainy and windy but mostly downhill so I could have all my rain gear on without sweating too much. Southside, who started 5-3 miles behind me, showed up as I was talking to some section hikers not long into my walk. A little further down the trail he spotted a small bright orange salamander and moved it off the trail. It was a long gradual downhill to the first shelter where I took lunch. It was another 4 mi to the next shelter and it was a nice flat walk with beautiful trees just popping with leaves and a stream most of the way. Spruce and Strides caught a hitch into town and showed up in the shelter not long after Southside and I. My stuff was mostly dry and I got a fire going and eventually it became one of my biggest yet. The day started windy and wet and has become quite nice since we arrived at the shelter. I was able to relax for a while and eventually I heated up some gravy and boiled water for mashed potatoes. I added some Jacks links beef jerky and it was really good sized and softer than the normal jerky I used. I ate 2 Reeses crunch bars, a butterfinger, a snickers, and a dark chocolate Hershey's with some peanut butter. The fire was so hot I was able to burn some of my trash (none of the metal tin stuff like my tuna packets). The fire also melted Stride's shoes a lot. Not really the shoes but melted the rubber on one of the insoles so it became disfigured. He taped some toilet paper to the heel to try and reshape it. It will be an interesting hike for him tomorrow. I am going into Buena Vista tomorrow to get food. It should be a big day including the 9 AM hitch into town. I think I'm going to be ahead of the group I'm with now the next couple of days to be closer to a good pick-up spot for Pat and Deborah. I will only be carrying a lunch tomorrow then 2 dinners after town so at least my pack will be light for these longer days.
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Hog Camp Gap (3420')

To: Maupin Field Shelter (2720')
Miles today: 28.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept in for about an hour this morning and ate 5 pop tarts on my way out at 7:45. I felt slow for the first couple hours and I half expected to see Southside, Spruce, or Strides catch up to me like last time I started a few miles ahead of them. The walk was through mostly oak trees that don't have any leaves on them and not very big ups or downs so I was reminded of Georgia a bit. Once I hit the Priest Shelter I got some new life and woke up a bit. There was a big downhill with a few good views and I passed Cripple Creek and was able to get some cool water on my face. Also the song Cripple Creek was stuck in my head for a while afterwards. The temps picked up a but and the hump out of the Tye River to Harpers Creek Shelter was rough. I took a dip in Harpers Creek and felt great afterwards, good enough to do the 6 mi up over Three Ridges to Maupin Field Shelter. That was a tough hump but there were lots of nice wold flowers and butterflies along the way. When I arrived there was a couple already at the shelter (Winston & Mary) but they were camping so I have the whole shelter to myself. They work at a camp in Colorado that sounds similar to Tohko in the activities it offers and they also had travelled to Turkey and seen a lot of the same things I had. They started in Harpers Ferry and were headed south and mentioned that some of the stores along the trail in Shenendoah were not open yet. I saw more of the camera shy orioles and I'm starting to doubt again whether they are orioles or not because they have a big white breast that I hadn't noticed as much earlier. I also saw some Dark-eyed Junkos and they seem to always be at high elevations. There was another bird I saw which I've never seen before that was bigger and could've been a woodpecker but didn't have the normal red white and black coloring but instead was light brown-tanish with speckles on it. There are lots of bugs out now which are only annoying once you get to camp. I'm not sure where I'm staying tomorrow but I've set myself up to be in a good pick-up spot on Saturday and now that I did Three Ridges today the terrain shouldn't be as tough. Mary and Winston had seen a bear with 3 cubs today so maybe I'll get a chance to see a bear sometime soon.
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Maupin Field Shelter (2720')

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter (1700')
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I was able to get the names of all the stores and grills that are open in Shenendoah from Winston. I was out around 8 and saw Southside and Spruce slack packing south. They had gotten a ride from the Dutch Haus and were going to stay there 2 nights in a row. I would be meeting them in Waynesboro the next day at 1 PM. There were some cliffs and nice flowers in the early part of the walk. I made it over Humpback Mtn. when I ran into D-man and No Problem who had section hiked from Maine to the spot I saw them. They worked for the Maine Appalachian Trail Club and were familiar with Old Speck, Goose Eye, and Mahoosuc Notch where I have hiked before. I had been taking my time all day and I took a big lunch break once I had some water and then not long later I was at Paul C Wolfe Shelter. I could've gone further but it was such a nice shelter spot and there was only 15 mi to do tomorrow by 1 PM. I called Pat and confirmed where I was meeting him and settled in. I dried out my tent and took a nap and about 2 hrs later Strides showed up. He had hiked 29+ miles today and wanted to hike the 5 into Waynesboro. He figured he could just do it in the morning since there was no good place to stay besides camping at the YMCA tonight. I made a fire and cooked 3 ramens over it, added beef jerky, jalapeno powder and hot sauce then ate 3 candy bars. It was nice to have so much time to relax but for the first hour I was I here I almoust started hiking again. When I'm hiking I want to relax sometimes but when I get in so early I feel restless like I should keep going. Strides said he's getting up early and I suppose it wouldn't be bad for me to get an early start as well. Maybe I can push a couple miles past the pick-up to the next road crossing and meet Pat there. My pack will be pretty light and the walk should be easy. Its nice to have big days that set you up for easy ones.
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Pat & Deborah's, Stanardsville, VA

To: Pinefield Hut (2430')
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up to blueberry pancakes and bacon and was able to go grocery shopping with Deborah to pick up some food for the next couple of days. I also was able to read the Washington Post for the first time in forever and I felt so comfortable and at home that morning it took me a little while to get going. Pat took Strides, Spruce, and Southside into Waynesboro and the trailhead this morning and that will be the last I see of them for a little while. Spruce is getting off in Harrisonburg and Strides and Southside are taking their time in Waynesboro today. I might cross paths again after zeroing in Harpers Ferry for however long I decide to take off. After they left I had about an hour to pack up before Deborah, Amelia, and I were going to head towards the trail for our hike. I was able to actually check my online journal that Esra has been updating and it seems to be in order. I don't fully know how to use it yet nor do I really have the time to figure it out. We met up with Pat along Skyline drive and all drove to the spot I got picked up at yesterday. I think it strikes fear in the heart of a thru-hiker when someone says they want to do a hike with you, but they've done hikes in the area before and knew more than I did about what we were getting into. We all hiked up to Blackrock which had a cool rocky summit. There were clouds protecting us from the sun but also not getting in the way of the views. We hiked a little down to the parking lot where their car was and said our goodbyes. I can't say enough how nice it was for them to put us up for a night, feed us, and drive us all around up and down Skyline drive. It made a huge difference for me and should give me a nice boost on my way to my next big stop at Harpers Ferry. I had to resist the strong urge to hop in the car with them and get back to some leftovers from last night (yes there were leftovers, embarrassing for 4 thru-hikers to allow leftovers). I did a quick 10+ miles to Pinefield hut through a much thicker fog than earlier. It wasn't raining but water was condensating on the trees and then the wind was blowing it off the trees on to me. I arrived after 7 which is a very late finish but I didn't mind. There were 4 others already in the hut but I got the top level all to myself. Even though my hike after saying goodbye to Pat, Deborah, and Amelia took less time (according to my watch) it felt twice as long.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Pinefield Hut (2430')

To: Bearfence Mtn. Hut (3210')
Miles today: 20.6

I don't know why but I slept hard last night. I slept in almoust 2 hrs longer than I normally do and I fell asleep earlier than I normally do. Maybe its because I was all alone on the top level. I chatted with Jigsaw and Jaybird who were two of the other hikers in the hut last night. They were out on a section hike and I believe they've been working their way north from Springer to the point where I met them. It rained pretty much all day today. I don't mind so much now that its warmer and I don't wear rain gear anymore. The inside of my rain jacket and pants just get soaked with sweat so I save them and keep them dry for when I get to camp. I stopped at Hightop Hut for lunch and met a southbounder named Ed. I got some into about what to expect up ahead. Its nice to talk to southbounders, they're more useful than your book when it comes to resupply and where to stay etc. I got to Lewis Mtn. Wayside which is less than a miles from Bearfence Mtn. Hut and got my first glance at the Waysides Shenendoah has to offer. The store has a good selection of stuff although I don't need that much to get me to the next one. I did get some ice cream and soda though. The Waysides may allow me to avoid hitching into town before I get to Harpers Ferry which will be nice. No one else is here at Bearfence Mtn. Hut.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Bearfence Mtn. Hut (3210')

To: Pass Mtn. Hut (2690')
Miles today: 26.8

I slept hard again and after I packed up I realized how cold out it was. It was below 40 and raining and then started snowing. My hiking clothes were still a little wet from yesterday and I really didn't feel like hiking in the cold rain again. I hadn't gotten any views yet in the park and figured it would almoust be a waste to hike through Shenendoah without seeing any of it. I got my sleeping bag and thermarest back out of my pack and tried to warm up while I decided how to proceed. I hung out for about an hour watching the rain and snow. When I got up to go to the bathroom I decided I better just get moving and at least go the 11 mi to the next shelter and then make a decision there. I hiked for about 10 min in my warm clothes and rain gear before I got hot. I didn't want to sweat through my dry stuff and I had been warming my wet clothes in my pant pockets so I changed into my shorts and t-shirt. It was still snowing but as long as I kept moving I kept warm. The sky cleared not too long later and I felt pretty good. It was mid to low 40's all day with a strong wind but with the pace I was keeping I was comfortable. It had been a while since I had seen the sun and the first time it peeked through the clouds was a great moment. I was listening to music for the first time in a while and moved quick all day. I like having headphones in but everytime I pass someone going the other way I can't hear them and just have to assume what they say. I try to initiate the greeting with "Hey how are you doing?" because I assume the response will be "Great! How are you?" to which I can saw "I'm doing fine" or something. But if they respond with "Great! Lovely day isn't it?" and I go with "I'm just fine" or "I'm feeling great!" then it might get weird. I did stop to talk to some day hikers and a falcon or small hawk popped out of the trees and glided around. I also saw a turkey running down trail and they look so goofy when they run. The deer in the park are everywhere and seem to have no real fear of people. If they decide to get off the trail for you they just go 5 ft into the woods and stare at you. I stopped at the Skyland Wayside for a late lunch and there is a restaurant there. I got a burger, quesedilla, sodas, and a huge chocolate chip cookie. Shenandoah geared less towards hikers and more towards car camping or people just driving through the park. Skyline drive parallels the AT and you cross it about 100 times. Its nice to have these Waysides but I much prefer the more remote feeling Smokies to Shenandoah. Im at the shelter with Chris, Trill, and Roundhouse who are the first thru-hikers I've ran into since leaving Spruce, Strides, and Southside who I assume are about a day behind. There are two southbound hikers at the shelter named Sketch and Pokey as well who told me about an organization called South Face located in Atlanta that I'll have to check out. Today should be my biggest day on my way to Harpers Ferry and depending on how I fare at the Ellewallow Wayside tomorrow I could avoid town until then.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Pass Mtn. Hut (2690')

To: Tom Floyd Wayside (1900')
Miles today: 23.6

It was real cold again this morning and I didn't even get out of my fleece and pants to hike. By the time I did the 7+ miles to Ellewallow Wayside it had warmed up and I started sweating through my fleece a bit. The last time that happened I froze on top of Blood Mtn. with a wet fleece. I dried my stuff out as I got food for the next couple of days. It started snowing or hailing right after I left. I couldn't tell what it was because it was so light but I was in shorts and a t-shirt so I just kept moving and eventually got out of it before it got worse. I did see a male and female version of the camera shy bird I think is an oriole. I tried for a while to get a picture and didn't even notice the day hikers walking towards me. I feel like they saw me with my camera and expected me to be looking at something big like a bear. I got to the shelter with plenty of sunlight left and made a huge fire. I also was able to call my dad and Esra to talk about our plans for Harpers Ferry. I had packed out 8 hot dogs from Elkwallow and 6 hot dog buns as well as ketchup and mustard packets. I got a stock to put them on and roasted them over the fire. It sounds very typical campfire but I'm pretty sure this is the first time I have cooked hot dogs this way. The water source is really far. The huts in the Shenandoahs had really good close by sources, I might have to get used to far sources again. Chris, Roundhouse, and Trill all showed up eventually and they had spent a good amount of time at the Elkwallow wayside. They packed out some beers and each gave me one; so I got 3 beers total which hit the spot. The rest of my days into Harpers Ferry will be much shorter which will be nice. I'm going to have a lot of time at the shelter to make fires.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Tom Floyd Wayside (1900')

To: Dick's Dome Shelter (1230')
Miles today: 18.0

It wasn't too cold this morning and I was in no rush because there was only 18 to do. Chris made a fire this morning and I hung around and ate my pop tarts. It started to rain a bit and I hiked for a short distance in my rain gear before I started to sweat too much. Trill and Roundhouse were resupplying in Front Royal and got a hitch right away at the road crossing. Chris and I hopped in the car to get some food due to the easy hitch. We ate at a Burger King and I saw in the paper that the Wizards won game 5 to send the series back to Washington. I packed out a burger after eating 4 and some fries. Chris and I got a hitch back while Trill and Roundhouse got their resupply and are taking their time on the way to Harpers Ferry. By the time we got back to the trail it had cleared. It was a nice gradual walk at lower elevations than the Shenandoahs so everything was much greener. I saw two of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen in my life. The first was bright green almoust lime colored with a yellow face and almoust like a black hood. I got a great look at it and it appeared almoust tropical it was so brilliant. The colors made it look like a lemon and lime bird. The second one was so incredibly red it stood out much more. Its red reminded me of a shiny christmas ornament and it had a black breast. It was brighter and deeper red than a cardinal and didn't have the black face or crest of a cardinal. Chris saw them both as well so I definitely wasn't imagining these birds. I saw some deer and also a big furry fox run across the trail. There was also a pile of turkey feathers along the trail that appeared as though the bird had exploded and vaporized leaving its feathers. Maybe the fox had something to do with it. The shelter is in a great spot with a stream right in front. We got a nice big fire going and I ate the burger I packed out. I also met Grasshopper and Breakman for the first time. They are thru-hikers as well who were tenting nearby and joined us by the fire. After they left and it got dark I boiled some ramen over the fire and we started getting attacked by junebugs. There was about a dozen carcasses lying in the coals of the fire. There were also some creepy millipedes crawling around together nearby and I saw how spiders' eyes reflect the light from your headlamp. The creepiest thing about the junebugs is when you threw them in the fire on their backs and the eyes were facing you, just as they started to burn the eyes would flare up red. I had some of Chris' hot chocolate and coffee mix as well as a few candy bars and peanut butter before hanging up my food bag. Its always a sad moment when the food bag goes up because you know you won't be eating any more that night. Its warmer tonight than it has been which might mean an earlier start tomorrow. Also I won't be stopping in town for Burger King so I should get to Bears Den fairly early.
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Dick's Dome Shelter (1230')

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

Today was fairly relaxed. It got hot (around 80o) towards the middle but the leaves on the trees kept me shaded. There were some huge trees along the way and I went through the infamous roller coaster which is a series of ups and downs the trail goes through. It was fun and the heat made me sweat a lot. Not too much wildlife today. I got to Bear's Den around 4:30 and considered going further. Its tough for me to stop hiking early when I'm not tired yet but I figured I'm going into Harpers Ferry tomorrow either way so what's the rush. I also felt reluctant to stay at Bears Den because I know I'll be in a hotel the next two nights so thats 3 nights off the trail basically and I feel like that's too much. The crowd at Bear's Den is incredibly hospitable so I don't mind paying to stay here. If I wasn't meeting people in Harpers Ferry this would be a better place to take my zero. I got plenty of food tonight including leftovers from the Bears Den crew which included venison with refried beans eaten like a taco. Very good and now thats 2 nights in a row I've had venison counting Chris' venison jerky he let me try last night. I'm planning an early start tomorrow to get into Harpers Ferry which might be tougher than usual because recently I've been sleeping in more.
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Ended at ATC offices

To: Bavarian Inn in Shepardstown
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up after a good nights sleep and got breakfast with Ben and Dad in the restaurant at the Inn. Afterwards, I went through more of the stuff they had brought that I requested and they were on their way not too long after breakfast. Esra was going to arrive in a couple of hours and I finished going through my stuff so I wouldn't have to when Esra or Mom was here. It was great to see Esra and lucky for her I had cleaned up the day before so she didn't get the smelly salt stained greeting Ben and Dad got although I doubt she would have minded. It was around lunchtime by then so we went in to Shepardstown to eat. We got Chinese and then some really good smoothies and walked around a bit. We went back to the hotel and were waiting on my Mom to arrive. Esra brought her computer which I was able to use. My mom arrived, but we were still full from lunch so we waited a little on dinner and just caught up in the room. I've gotten 4 visitors in the past day and its been great, especially because I don't feel overwhelmed or cramped. I thought I just might want to relax while everyone else wants to go do stuff and that I would be incredibly lame but I don't feel as beat as I thought I would. We had a nice dinner with my mom in Shepardstown and then she went home and Esra stayed. See everyone has been great. I spent a lot more time hanging out and catching up than I thought I would have and I received a lot of positive encouragement from everyone.