morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-08
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

 Woke up around six, once again a very cold morning. I was out of camp and pushing hard it Unicoa Gap around 7. Went to fast on the downhill in the cold and developed some soreness in my knees. I made great time into Dick¢s Creek Gap 18.3 miles away, just under 8 hrs. I immediately got a hitch into Hiawassa (some other hikers who I hitced in w/ had been waiting 3 hrs). I re-supplied in Hiawassa and went to the Blueberry Patch Hostel. Gary Poteat, a former thru-hiker and his wife, Lennie, run the Blueberry Patch as a Christian Missionary. It is free to stay there and they are able to keep it open by donation from hikers. Also staying at the Blueberry Patch that night was Tofurkey who is friends with Crash Test Dummy, a hiker I met while on the IAT.
Date: 2006-03-09
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up and had breakfast at the Blueberry Patch, eggs, pancakes, cheese biscuits, juice, and coffee.Gary gave Tofurkey and I a ride back to the trail. About one hr into the day I caught up t Pebbles and Compass. I hiked with them for most of the day. We crossed the GA/NC state line and the twisted tree in Bly Gap.It got really cold really quickly in Bly Gap so I pushed it out the last 3 miles to Muskrat Creek Shelter.
Date: 2006-03-11
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Hitched into Franklin to re-supply and check email. After getting cash out of the ATM I forgot to take my card and the machine captured it. I contacted the parents and the bank and arranged for a new card to be sent to me down the trail.Got back to the trail around for and went into Siler¢s Bald Shelter for the night.
Date: 2006-03-12
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wasser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the shelter around 7:50 and reached Siler Bald about 8:35. Siler is my first 'bald'. The balds are mountains with fields on top created by cattle that used to graze there.Around one I reached Burningtown Gap. Trail Angel 'Apple' had set up some magic there. I had a couple of Snickers and a soda. Apple actually lives in Austin and we discussed the city while I ate.
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Wasser Bald Shelter

To: Sasaffras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I took it slow into the NOC (an outdoor recreation area with food and lodging) since my knees were hurting from the down hills. When I got there the hostel was filled up so I decided to push on. However, before moving on I re-supplied at the outfitter and got a Chipwich ice cream sandwich, spoke to my mother about final arrangements for my ATM card, and had lunch at the River's End Restaurant, my first 'town meal' of the trip.The trail to the shelter was 6.9 miles long, but had an elevation gain of 3000 ft. I arrived athe shelter just before four and in the nick of time as it just started to rain.
Date: 2006-03-14
From: Sasaffras Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: few clouds

When I left the shelter it was still cloudy. It cleared up a few hrs later, but remained cold. I arrived at the Fontana Hilton (it is not a real Hilton, merely a very very nice shelter) a little before 6. At the Hilton Dragon Slayer (AT thru-hiker 2004) and her friend Mark were performing some trail magic with a bunch of food. After dinner I hung out with Dragon Slayer, Mark, and thru0hiker '06 Ron (he has yet to be named) till about 10.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Hiker Inn
Miles today: 0.0

My first zero day as I wait for my ATM card to arrive. I got a ride to the post office from Dragon Slayer and picked up my mail drop. Dragon Slayer and Mark went back to Hilton and picked up Ron, came back for me, and then we went into Robinsville for lunch and to re-supply.After lunch they dropped me at the Hiker Inn, my ATM card came, and I went to dinner with Homebrew and Sherpa Dude.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Hiker Inn

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Into the Smoky¢s. It was cloudy in the morning for my hike up Shuckstack Mountain (which everyone pumped up as being really difficult, but it wasn¢t that bad). The weather cleared up and it was relatively smooth sailing into Spence Field Shelter.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 33.4
Weather: light rain

Hiked 33.4 miles through hail, sleet, and freezing rain. Started the day at 10 to 7. After going over the exposed balds of Snowbird Mt and Max Patch Bald I met up with Grizzly at Roaring Forks Shelter around 2.We proceeded to hike fast and hard over Bluff Mt. And into Hot Springs around 8:45.We couldn¢t find the Hostel right away so we went to the Paddler¢s Pub for directions. We got directions and they gave us some pizza. We proceeded to find the Hostel and they immediately put us in front of the heater and gave us brownies and tea.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A near zero day in Hot Springs. After an incredible breakfast at Elmer¢s, Grizzly and I did the laundry and walked the 100yds or so that we missed the night before. We then went to the library, lunch and re-supplied.        Dinner at Elmer¢s was as incredible as breakfast. The real whipped cream (not out of a can or Tupperware) beats Cool Whip any day.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

I got up at 4:30 and was out of the shelter by 5:15. I pushed hard to Erwin and made it to Miss Janet¢s House (a hostel) a little after 8. The hostel was packed because of the storm.When I arrived I was a mess. Miss Janet instructed me to take a shower and get ready for breakfast, so I took a shower and chowed down. I had biscuits and Gravy for the first time and was quite pleased.During the day I picked up my mail drop and re-supplied. At night Miss Janet drove us to Johnson City where we had an all you can eat dinner (my first AYCE of the trip) and saw the movie ¢V for Vendetta¢ which I liked a lot.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

After breakfast at Miss Janet¢s I headed back to th trail. I hiked by myself for the first couple of hours. Around 2:30 I ran into Bluebird and Abandon at Indian Gap. From there we headed down the trail together.The snow was knee deep and at some points we were only able to follow the trail by tracks in the snow. We finnaly made it to the shelter around 8. Yahtzee was there, it had been his tracks we were following.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Friendly
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: few clouds

The Shelter awoke after 8 (incredibly late for hikers). We were all exhausted from the previous day.   At first the trail wasn¢t bad and we ran into several people slack-packing (hiking with only a day pack) with Miss Janet providing car support.When we hit Iron Gap the four of us had to blaze new trail. It was exhausting and we had to take turns in front. Around 2 we took a side trail to the Greasy Creek Friendly (a hostel that is ¢friendly¢ not ¢hostile¢) for lunch. We ended up staying for the night.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Greasy Creek Friendly

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

I left the Hostel with Yahtzee and headed up Roan Mt. About half way up we ran into Bluebird and Abandon (wwho had dcided to slack-pack south for the day). They strongley encouraged us to have lunch at Roan High Knob Shelter.After reaching the top and hanging out for a few minutes at the former site of the Cloudland Hotel (it sat at the top of the mountain on the Tennessee and North Carolina border, there was line down the middle of the dining room on the Tennessee side it was legal to drink, the NC side illegal). We then went to the shelter for lunch, the Blubird and Abandon had left us Gatorade and Krispy Kreme donuts.After lunch we continued to Carver¢s Gap where we saw a sign saying Dragon Slayer and Wildcat would have trail magic the next day at Route 19E (about 15 miles away).   We then went over the balds, the first for which I had good views, though there were waist deep snow drifts and into Overmountain Shelter (a converted barn seen in the movie ¢Winter People¢). There we ate a ton and built a fire. Yahtzee introduced me to a new use for Purell, fire starter.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: 19E
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

Yahtzee and I made great time over the Humps (a series of mountains). The weather was great and the views incredible. Just as we made it to 19E Dragon Slayer and Wildcat were arriving. They had a ton of food, pizza, cheesecake, soda, etc.We ended up hanging out there all day. Dragon Slayer and Wildcat gave us some great advice. And Warren Doyle, head of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, stopped by to say hello. Late in the afternoon Dragon Slayer gave us a ride to Kincora Hostel for the night. Kincora is run by Bob Peoples, the head of the local chapter of the ATC. He hung out and told us all about the trail maintenance process.Also at Kincora, were Krispy and the Janetor who were training for the Pacific Crest Trail (similar to the AT, but out west). They took us into town for a re-supply.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: 19E

To: Kincora
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

Bob, gave Krispy, the Janetor, Yahtzee, and I a ride back to 19E from which we slack-packed back to Kincora. For dinner Krispy and the Janetor made chili. For desert we had a peanut butter Cup cheesecake made by a Seiko, a famous hiker who has hiked the AT over 10 times.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Lost Mt Shelter

To: Hurricane Mt Shelter
Miles today: 27.1
Weather: few clouds

The scenery today was incredible. Wide open views and hardly a cloud in the sky. In Grayson Highlands State Park we saw the wild Pony¢s and at Old Orchard Shelter found some trail magic of Balance Bars. On the downside I developed my first bad blister. It¢s on the sole of my foot and the tough skin makes it a pain to pop.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Hurricane Mt Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Headed out around 7 and arrived at Dickey Gap about 9:30. There I saw some sodas and chips with a note from Dragon Slayer saying she¢d be back at 10:30 to pick up are packs and take the to Partnership Shelter (we had agreed back at 19E to meet up at Partnership on April 5th, but the food and slack pack were a pleasant surprise). Yahtzee and the Jolly Green Giant arrived at the gap about 10 and we all waited for Dragon Slayer.Dragon Slayer showed up right on time and we all went for breakfast in Troutdale. After breakfast we went back tot the trail and slack-packed to Partnership Shelter. When we arrived at the shelter, Ron, who I had not seen since the Smoky¢s was there. He had since been ¢trail-named¢ ChRONic because he is an incredibly steady (ie does his miles everyday) hiker. Dragon Slayer had gone to Damascus and picked him up while we hiking. Dragon Slayer also had a bunch of food including cheesecake.I would like to take this space to state that Dragon Slayer is my HERO.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 32.8
Weather: clear sky

Yahtzee, Jolly, and I were still on our schedule for Pearisburg as we set out for our plus 30 mile day. The weather was supposed to be horrible, but it was nice. The three of us stayed close enough together on the trail so that we all took a break together at 19 miles, after that we separated. At about 24 miles thoroughly exhausted and my blisters killing me I came across some key trail magic of juice. As I went along a ridge a thunderstorm started to form. I begged for the trail to bring me down as the weather in the distance got worse, but instead it crossed two sets of power lines and passed by an antenna. I did find another key trail magic of jugs of water. I finally made it into the shelter half-dead around 8:30.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Bounced half of my Passover maildrop to Daleville and shipped some stuff home. While eating breakfast at Hardee¢s (which is the only place in town to get breakfast) both Yahtzee and Ms Gorp came in. They joined me for breakfast and we then went to Dairy Queen.After ice cream I headed back to the trail. The trail right out of town wasn¢t great. It then turned into a big uphill then onto a ridge for about a dozen miles when it then dropped sharply into the shelter.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: moderate rain

The day started out pretty miserably with lightning storm's. But turned into a beautiful day for y hiked up to McAfee¢s Knob and Tinker Cliffs. As it started to get dark several deer came out. They were pretty fearless and would not runoff until I was very close.
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: few clouds

Changed up some gear in Daleville. Dropped my water pump in favor of iodine and picked up a summer bag. I also got my hands on a print edition of the NY Times.I might be to cold of a sleeper for a summer bag. The overnight temptures were in the 60's and I was still cold.
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Montebello, Va

To: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Had breakfast at the Dutch House and then headed back to the trail with Guns, Taco, and the Dingleberries. After a short uphill the trail headed on a steep downhill until we hit Three Ridges and had to climb several thousand feet. We descend from Three Ridges and hung out at the shelter for an hour. Then I went with Guns and the Dingleberries to Rusty¢s Hard Time Hollow.
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Doyle's River Cabin
Miles today: 25.3

After my brother dropped me off for a day of slackpacking I was finishing my coffeee when Jolly Green Giant, Pebbles, Fat Camp, and Moleman hopped out of a car. I Entered the Shenendoah and hiked with them unitl Lunch. Then I took off and pushed to where I had agreed to be picked up by my brother.
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Doyle's River Cabin

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today Dragon Slayer joined me for a day of hiking. She dropped her car off at Brown¢s Gap and my brother drove us back to where he picked me up the day before. During the day we ran into Fat Camp, Moleman and Pebbles (Jolly started late). When we got back to Brown¢s Gap Dragon Slayer blue blazed back to her to pack her gear up while I continued on the AT to the shelter. Moleman, Fat Camp, Pebbles, Jolly, Guns, and the Dingleberrries procceded to role in later   When Dragon Slayer made it up to the shelter she pulled a six pack of Yuengling out of her pack, making for a great end to a great day.
Date: 2006-04-25
From: High Top Hut

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 20.4

Everyone trickled out of the shelter in the morning. We then met back up at Lewis Mt. Campground and had lunch and then trickled out to Big Meadows Lodge for Blackberry milkshakes and then dinner. At the lodge were Jolly, Guns, Fat Camp, the Dingleberries, and Dragon Slayer. We had a very filling dinner and then went to the tap room for some drinks and to listen to a some live music. When the singer asked us where we were from Guns replied ¢Jersey¢ to which she retorted ¢Welcome to America.¢ Guns then snapped back ¢I¢m from the America where we won the war. Anyone, anyone. Crickets, crickets.¢When it started to thunder and lightening outside our plans of going to the next shelter quickly evaporated and we got a room for the night.
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Compton Gap Trail

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning Dragon Slayer cooked all of us who had stayed at Terrapin Station Hostel (Pebbles, Fat camp, Jolly, Moleman, and Bleach) an awesome breakfast. Pumpkin pancakes, biscuits, grits, and an egg dish. The breakfast made for a late start, I finally left at 11:30. Shortly after leaving Bleach caught up to me and we then stopped at Jim and Molly Denton Shelter for lunch, there I met Cocunut Monkey and Slip and Slide. After lunch Bleach and I proceeded on to Manassas Gap Shelter. There Moleman, who had gone into town to resupply had a bunch of snacks for us. We then trickled out to Dick¢s Dome Shelter for the night
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

After eating breakfast and hanging around the hostel till around noon we all headed out on a slackpack supported by Dragon Slayer (who had left her car with our gear down the trail) and Moleman¢s brother (who had shuttled Dragon Slayer back). After about a mile we reached the Horseshoe Curve Restaurant were we stopped for lunch. After lunch we hung around having a couple of drinks and playing with puzzle¢s they had at the bar. At 3:30 we headed back out and proceeded at a quick pace to the Blackburn Trail Center. There we ate dinner and built a small bonfire.
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Ed Garvey Shelter (Maryland)
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up excited to hit the mental halfway point of the trail, Harper¢s Ferry. Though it is about 80 miles south of the halfway point, Harper¢s Ferry is considered the mental halfway point because the Appalachian trail Conference¢s (ATC) main offices are in town and it is where thru-hikers register and have there pictures taken. When I arrived at Route 9E, after hiking for a couple hours, and saw the trail head parking I thought to myself ¢what a perfect place for trail magic¢. Just then as I passed the parking lot Dragon Slayer pulled in with 1000 Mile congratulations sodas. I had a soda and hung out for 15 minutes with Dragon Slayer and a couple of other former thru-hikers who were passing by. After arriving in Harper¢s Ferry I first went to the ATC where I became the 18th thru-hiker to register in 2006. Moleman and Bleach where there already, later Fatcamp and Pebblers came in and Dragon Slayer drove us lunch and to re-supply. After lunch and re-supplying I hung out for awhile before leaving town around 6:30. The trail immediately crossed the Potomac and then followed th C&O Canal Path for about three miles before going up to the ridge. After following the ridge for awhile I arrived at Ed Garvey Shelter where I spent the night.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Ed Garvey Shelter (Maryland)

To: Antietam Creek Shelter (Pennsylvania)
Miles today: 41.7

Moleman, Bleech and I all got up a little before 6 and hit the trail at 6:45. The trail was flat and fast and the m,aps showed it that way for a long distance, so we decided to hike huge miles. Moleman was being picked up by his brother and made up to meet him at Pen Mar Park (just south of the Mason-Dixon Line) 34.5 miles from where we started, Bleech and I decided to go for a 40+ mile day. Throughout the day we made great time and were able to take along lunch break and two long snack breaks. We arrived at Pen Mar park around 7, Guns and the Dingleberries whre there cooking dinner and we joined them. After about an hour Bleach and I headed back out. After I crossed the Mason-Dixon, I started racing ahead (I had a great amount of energy from dinner, was feeling incredibly good, and was realy exited to break 40). We reached a shelter just south a 40 mileas and Bleach decied to stop there for the night. I continued on by myself for another two miles. Just before 10 I arrived at the shelter, 41.7 miles from where I had started and saw two tents pitched. My heart immediately dropped, as I had absolutely no desire to start pitching a tent. However, when I finnaly got a view into the shelter I was able to see that it was entirely empty. So I stretched, chugged a bunch of water and went to bed.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Antietam Creek Shelter (Pennsylvania)

To: Tom's Run Shelter (PA)
Miles today: 27.0

I woke up around 7:30, groggy but not really sore. As I packed up I talked to the section hikers who had pitched the tents. Around 8:30 Bleach rolled in and one of the section hikers gave us each two pieces of Dove chocolate before we headed out.   The day was once again smooth. We stopped at Caledonia State Park for lunch and then after a few miles hit Quarry Gap Shelter, one of the nicest yet. It had flower pots, a porch, and the area around it was landscaped (pebbles and a landscaped stream). Unfortunately it was way too early to stop and we continued to hike to around 7 when we hit Tom¢s Run Shelter.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Tom's Run Shelter (PA)

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 37.4
Weather: broken clouds

Both Bleach and I had major mail drops to get in Boling Springs (Bleach had new shoes and I had a new pack. It turned out that my pack had manufacturing defect of one shoulder strap higher than the other, amazingly it only took me 950 miles to notice). We got to Boiling Springs and picked up or mail drops around 3:30. Since Boiling Springs doesn¢t really have any good places to stay overnight we decided to head out. However, no camping is allowed between Boiling Springs and the next shelter 14 miles away. So we ate dinner and ice cream and hit the trail a little after 6. We finally made it to the shelter a little after 11.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Doyle Hotel (Duncannon, PA)
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The long miles had finally caught up to me, fortunately I had an easy day ahead, 11 miles into Duncannon. I set out slowly in the morning looking forward to the shower and beer I would get at the Doyle Hotel (built 100 years ago and famed for being hiker friendly). Just before hitting town I ran into some trail magic of candy and juice (my first trail magic, not from Dragon Slayer, in nearly 500 miles). When I arrived at the Doyle I got my well deserved beer. As I enjoyed my beer Bleach came in (he had gotten into town before me and resupplied). Bleach was heading back out, but joined me for lunch before he did. I then spent the rest of the day resupplying, showering, and doing the laundry.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Hemlock Springs Campsite
Miles today: 30.7
Weather: light rain

I got a fairly late start for a long day, 7 O¢Clock. New York was much tougher than I thought it would be (I don¢t know how I underestimated it since most of the hiking I do is in the park where I spent most of the day). The steep little rock climbs are what slowed me down the most. Also, I took a very long lunch break. After eating for about 45 minutes Taco and his friend showed up so I hung out with them for another 45 before heading on. Though I hit the Palisades Parkway (which there is no bridge over or under, you walk/run across) around 7 traffic was light and I got across easily. By the time I hit the peak of Bear Mt. it was pitch black. I descended Bear Mt. and got an Ice Cream at the vending machine near the Bear Mt Inn. The Zoo closed at 5 PM so I took the official re-route on RT 9. About 10:30 I went to walk across the Bear Mt Bridge two bridge workers stopped me and informed me that you can¢t walk across after dark. They could have been real jerks and not let me get across, but they were very nice and one gave me a ride across in a ¢bridge authority¢ car. I have yet to decide if I will count this as an official re-route or go back to the bridge and walk across.      I finally reached the campsite around 11:30 and Do-Rag was there. It was the first time I pitched my tent since my 6th night on the trail.