morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Trail Days!

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 1.7
Weather: clear sky

Spent most of the day crammed in the back seat of a Dodge Neon between Crake and Mr. Fusion, all with packs on our laps, Grey Fox and Poles crammed in the front passenger seat, and Fester at the wheel. Packed like sardines, we had the time of our lives.Fester and Mr. Fusion thru-hiked last year and had lots of great stories to share. They bought us lunch and took our trash. We played good music and laughed a lot.We hiked 1.7 to the first shelter, which was littered with tenters, but empty inside. Crake made an enormous fire with a root ball he found, and we met some of the new people--Skunk, Redbeard, Trenchfoot, Mapman & Robin, Sweet Tea, etc.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: broken clouds

Pretty lame 18-mile day with limited views and sad climbs. I did see a toad, two lizards, and a deer, and about 2 miles from the shelter, starving but too lazy to pull out my food bag, got sweet (literally!) trail magic from two '87 thru-hikers: Flash and Hot Flash. I had a sandwich, cake, apple pie, peanut butter hearts, and a Capri-Sun. They shared great stories from their hike, like how the only trail magic they got was beer and moonshine from well-meaning locals.The "fast group" plus Aloha decided not to push on, so we had a pretty raucous dinner and a full shelter. Leprechaun showed up, announcing himself with a didgeridoo.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Today's 15.8 miles hurt more than yesterday's 18-mile day. Then again, it started with a brutal 2,600-foot climb that yielded no view. Cold Mountain was surprisingly beautiful, and then met Leprechaun, Poles, and Grey Fox at a gorgeous campsite with a swing.After the break, Crake told me a little bit about his secret art project, an online mystery about his true identity.
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Awesome trail magic early in the day. At an old forest service road, tents and tarps galore were set up with snacks, drinks, and an olive oil refill. Met Traction, an '05er and subject of helptractionhike.com, who hiked the last 190 miles in 3 days and the Smokies in 2 (the latter because he didn't have enough food to take longer). My pack weighed in at 27 pounds--22 without food--on their pack scale. After snacking for an hour, Pappy grilled up hamburgers and hot dogs.Met everyone (Grey Fox, Poles, Dirt, and Leprechaun) at the shelter to do a short road walk to Rusty's, perhaps the most famous hostel on the trail.
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light rain

Time for a big 21-mile day into town. Called Mom from Rusty's and she agreed to pick me up at 6:30pm at Rockfish Gap. Parted ways with Grey Fox and Poles, who were blue-blazing a few miles. And as luck would have it, a few minutes into hiking, I heard a "Tortoise!" It was Crake!He was up for the ride into town with my family. So we hiked together, swapping stories, playing 20 Questions, snacking and breaking. We decided on the Chinese buffet for dinner and busted out the last 9 miles with visions of dumplings and eggrolls in our heads.My parents took the new 'do in stride, but it was hard to persuade them to go to Ming Garden. But we went and it did not disappoint: Crake went nuts over the selection and the AYCEness (all-you-can-eat) of it all. I got my money's worth, too.
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Ran into Grey Fox at the post office and drove with him to the hostel, where I met the Bunny and learned about the plan to see *X-3* at 10am. The pastor drove us (in a Prius!) to the mall in a nearby town. I was so excited when we got inside that I broke into a run and fell on my face in front of the ticket booth. *X-3*! At last!!The crowd was lame and the movie too fast, but I loved it anyway. It's so exciting being able to do civilian world activities, and rewarding as well.We then spent the bulk of the day in the mall, and walking from Wal-Mart to Wal-Mart, renting movies for the evening. We watched *King Kong,* which was the epic *X-3* wasn't.
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

My three-month anniversary! While at the post office, a random guy came up to Grey Fox and offered us a ride. Grey Fox said we were planning on having breakfast first, so he agreed to drive us to Weasie's, wait in the library, and take us to the trail when we were done. So nice!The trail angel--Len Graf--took Crake to the outfitter and Parkbench dropped in long enough to ask about Lunchbox and finish off my pancakes.At the first shelter, found Stinky, Miss Parkay (!), Rambo, and No Worries. Cooked lunch and planned to finish the 20 with a definite night-hike. But I was missing my headlamp! So I had to stick close to the other two.
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

Memorial Day!Hiking my fifth 20 in a row (not counting the zero day) for pecan pie at Big Meadows. I won a bet with Crake, who now owes me an ice cream.His deep question of the day: If you were kidnapped and taken into a room with every Zelda game and the appropriate consoles and told that, for each game you beat, you could save one person's life, what would you do? What order would you play the games in and whom would you save? You're given as much water as you want, but no food, and once you start a Zelda game, you can't leave until you beat it.Found Hui's tentsite around 7, and dined (on prime rib and chocolate mousse!) at the lodge. Got free fudge from a disgruntled park employee and headed to the lounge, where a really chatty guy sang sea shanties and drinking songs, when he could remember the words. Mountain Doer and Hui couldn't take the bizarre music, but Crake and I were enchanted by his puppet and the randomness of it all.Back at camp, Poles had erected a pole barrier around a pile of Grey Fox's vomit, and I cowboy camped on a hilly piece of grass to the sounds of Grey Fox and Hui talking casually about how much they were throwing up. $16 of fun!
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Big Meadows

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked with Hui, Crake, and Silverback after a long day at the vomit-filled campsite. It sounds like some sort of hiker flu is going around, so I hope I don't get it!I think I need some alone time and I *know* I need a new headlamp.
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today's main challenge was the god forsaken heat. I had to take a break at one point because I was so hot I thought I'd pass out. I just felt tired, weak, and thirsty.Very full shelter, but I sampled Yoshi's fudge, Irish's brownies, and one of Beer-30's hot dogs. Lunchbox played the banjo.
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Hostel
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: broken clouds

It's amazing that I've hiked over 900 miles. I need to stop worrying about whether I finish on time becoause this is more important than GW orientation.Found Crake at the roadside feeling ill, so Hui and I escorted him to a nice hostel run by a Forest Service ranger 6 miles down the trail. It reminded me so much of home that I ended up staying there. The downpour and lightning storm didn't hurt in that decision-making process, nor did the laundry, shower, pizza, and movie (Batman Begins!). And I was sooo tired.I saw a bear on the trail--the closest one yet!--and my first wild turkey.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Hostel

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Hiked an easy few miles to the road to hitch into Front Royal. Hui wanted me to watch *X-3* with him and Sanford...could I handle it a second time?Got a call from ber-Dude about our plan to meet at the Mason-Dixon line. He's still in, but Mountain Goat isn't sure he'll be able to keep up because of his bad knees. I think they've been hiking with Bear, too.Had lunch at Pizza Hut after my first solo hitch (a success!) and an hour at the post office sorting out food and personal items. Everyone showed up: Hui was there, Parkbench and Lunchbox, Sanford, Grey Fox and Poles, Hamburglar, Right Side, Yoshi, and Trenchfoot. I ate gobs and gobs of pizza.It started pouring after the movie, so inertia took hold. I ended up staying in a hotel with Grey Fox and Poles, but not until after an amazing dinner at Spelunkers, a frozen custard place, with Figgy.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Front Royal, VA

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

Today I felt so tired most of the day and started to worry that I've got Lyme disease. Hitched alone again to do 15 miles and ran into Miss Parkay at the beautiful first shelter. Trudged on to shelter #2 to find her again, plus Leprechaun. Silverback arrived and said Crake was hiking out of the hostel today.It was hard going. Sure, I made good time with the easy terrain, but I thought I was going to pass out on the trail. Fortunately, Miss Parkay caught up and we hiked the last three miles gossiping about various hikers. I was shocked when we got to Dick's Dome, as the time had just flown by.Dick's Dome is the most disgusting, depressing shelter I've seen--roofing material on the sides that's peeling off, an elaborate but bizarre hexagonal design that only fits 4 people...ugh. But I met two of the Jersey Boys, hammock enthusiasts who helped me set up mine. They explained their hiking group, the Scrumpulecent Ambling Society, which only has two rules: 1) you can never exert yourself, and 2) you can never break a sweat or be out of breath; you must take frequent breaks; you must drink as often as possible; nap every day, etc. (So rule #2 is apparently several in one.)
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: scattered clouds

First day of scrumptulecent ambling. Got out of the hammock after 8, took a leisurely breakfast, and started hiking with Crake and Miss Parkay about 10. Took lunch about 8 miles in with the Jersey Boys and Leprechaun. We lengthened the break with mini-bowling on a picnic table when it started to rain. Crake and I finally left around 4pm: we could hear the call of pizza and Ben & Jerry's at Bears Den.Had a great time over the Rollercoaster (a nonsensical series of ups and downs that's much feared, especially by non-thru-hikers), which was more rocky than anything else. Aleve helped me and my pulled groin pull into the hostel around 9:15.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

It's strange how quickly I went from complete fear of 20-mile days to a sick need for them. It's almost like I plan to take nearos and zeroes so I'll have to do 20s to catch up. At any rate, today was a 20 into Harpers Ferry to meet my dad, starting late with Crake because his laziness is addictive. But we made it to 1,000 MILES in good spirits.Met Rad McBadass early on, waiting by a beautiful overlook for his scrumptulecently ambling friends.Dad and I had a late dinner at the Bavarian Inn, which was a major disappointment. Good German food is *really* hard to find, probably because so few people want to eat it.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero day in Harpers Ferry!Dad took me and eight other hikers (Grey Fox, Poles, Crake, Figgy, Sanford, Hui, Lunchbox, and Gloworm) to breakfast at the Country Caf©. It was a riot seeing how much everyone could eat, and the table had a big laugh when, after finishing my meal, I asked the waitress for "two more pancakes and a chocolate milkshake." Dad the trail angel covered it all.Then off to the post office, which has officially lost my camera and phone chargers. A surprise card from Sarah made my day.Went to the used bookstore, where I found a nicely illustrated hardcover edition of *Candide.* Had more laughs with Crake, who'd stolen my copy of *Oryx and Crake* from right under my nose! Then off to ATC headquarters to get our pictures taken.It was there that we got suckered into a grilled steak dinner with Otto at the KOA. It wasn't bad, but everyone was so tired that the "party"--Poles's last night!--was a flop.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

A very exciting day: today I was hiking north out of Harpers Ferry, including the few miles on the C&O Canal Towpath, the only part of the trail I'd hiked before. I was interested to see if it was at all like I remembered, and this would be a great opportunity to see how in shape I've gotten.The terrain was remarkably similar to what I'd remembered. Everything, especially the canal, was greener and more alive, but it was pretty much as steep (or flat) as it had felt the first time.The main difference was that it was so much easier! I did the 6-mile section from Harpers Ferry to Ed Garvey shelter, which had taken Sarah and me 4 hours or so with at least three breaks, in under 2.5 hours. It was great. The shelter was also more beautiful than I remembered, but I could appreciate it more when not shivering from cold. What does the rest of Maryland have in store?I didn't have a plan for the day or anywhere to be really (other than Waynesboro, PA by the 8th, maybe), so for the first time in weeks, I just hiked til I felt tired.
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: haze

Did 15 to Ensign Cowall, which was beautiful. Ran out of snacks early and thought I was going to pass out from hunger, so I ate a dark chocolate bar and a jar of Jif to Go. Yuck, I need snacks.So I decided to stay at Ensign Cowall and order pizza with Gloworm, Waterwings, and Matt Parker. Then the Jersey Boys and Miss Parkay showed up--mid 4-state challenge (VA-WV-MD-PA, or about 44 miles, in one day)--and added to the order. Miss Parkay and Twist of Fate were soaked from a thunderstorm that came in after the rest of us found cover. Twist thought he had hiker flu and decided to stay the night.Pizza! I had a whole large and plenty of soda for a mere $12.50--can't beat it! Of course, how could you beat on-trail pizza delivery?
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: few clouds

Where to resupply? How? I considered going to Boonesboro with Waterwings after she'd left, and resupplying with Grey Fox the next day, assuming I could catch up. I felt indecisive.But I got to Pen Mar Park and saw the Jersey Boys and Miss Parkay, who were going to do lunch and a resupply in Waynesboro, which had a Golden Corral. Done! We crossed the Mason-Dixon line into Pennsylvania, the lamest border crossing yet, as the signs had been stolen.We met Matt Parker at the road and the six of us got two rides into the Golden Corral. It was *glorious.* Steak, shrimp, mac 'n' cheese, veggies, and seven different desserts. Complete madness. We ran into Upload and Stitches, who'd been there an hour already. Twist got yelled at for taking off his shoes, as we were in "a family establishment."Matt and I did laundry, where I found a female tick burrowed in my clothes, and bought food. Too lazy to walk to the supermarket, I bought random junk food at a 7-11. We hitched back to the trail and I night-hiked to Deer Lick, which is TWO shelters standing next to each other. I had both all to myself.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Milesburn Road
Miles today: 20.8

Got up early, planning a 23-mile day. Met two trail maintainers at Tumbling Run shelters, along with Gloworm and Waterwings, and got two donuts and an apple out of it. Nice shelter with a sense of humor(it had "snoring" and "nonsnoring" sections and a doorbell on the privy), but the maintainers said Quarry Gap Shelter is the "gold standard."There was a wedding party at Caledonia State Park that made me feel out of place, and weekenders and day hikers galore. I took a picture for one family, who were shocked to learn I'd been out here for over 100 days. Another hiker warned me of a "really steep climb" that I barely felt. Where were all the thru-hikers?Quarry Gap emerged out of nowhere just as the pain in my groin reached a fever pitch, only enhancing my joy at seeing the best maintained shelter so far. There were two awesome weekenders who were very knowledgeable about the trail and who plan to thru-hike sometime in the future. They had seen Grey Fox, whom I was trying to catch, that day and figured he was two shelters ahead--out of reach today. They also said there was a noisy Boy Scout troop setting up camp at the next shelter, my planned destination. So I took my time snacking and trading advice with them while trying to figure out my game plan.It was too early to stop and too late to do 7+ miles before dark. So I left the shelter still unsure what I wanted to do. A campsite shortly afterwards made me decide to hike for a while longer and just camp somewhere.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Milesburn Road

To: Pine Grove Furnace
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I had the best dream. I was in this movie theater, and after the movie was over, a surprise preview came on screen for Ghostbusters 4. It started with Jack Black/Paul Giamatti driving around, slowly turning green--into a ghost! Then the car turned into a ghost and flew up into the sky, in front of the U.S. Capitol! There was a ghost that could turn people into ghosts in D.C., but the Ghostbusters are based in New York...who you gonna call? Perhaps I've been doing too many Ghostbusters-themed 20 Questions with Grey Fox and Sanford.Today was the day I'd reach the halfway point AND get to tackle the half-gallon challenge, so I was very excited. So I hurried to the last shelter before the halfway, guessing it's where I'd meet Grey Fox. When I finally rounded the bend to the shelter, there he was! A15 reunited! I had a snack break while we traded stories and I apologized for not showing up with Crake. While he was relaying a trail magic tale, I suddenly blurted out: "Are you kidding me?!" It was Crake, ambling up to the shelter!! The dream team was back!We hiked to the midpoint together and jazzed up the pile of rocks assembled in tribute. Crake added fresh greens, Grey Fox made a Triforce of triangular stones, and I left a semi-cruel haiku:HALFWAY!!Dear AT hiker,You're halfway done--Congrats! Butyou still didn't beat--The TortoiseThen, to Pine Grove for ice cream! I wasn't going for speed, but pleasure, in tackling the half-gallon challenge, and enjoyed every bite. Grey Fox, Freefall, and Trenchfoot finished, but in pain, and Crake copped out before getting half done. Then we went to the rip-off hostel, where we played an AT thru-hiker board game before cooking up hot dogs and brownies. Yes, food is a big deal.
Date: 2006-06-13
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 0.0

This is how zero days are made. I packed everything up and had breakfast at the delicious JC's Country Caf©--a pi±a colada smoothie and two sausage and egg croissants. Somehow, Crake or I suggested a zero. Grey Fox, sipping his own berry smoothie, speculated that a zero would allow him not only to enjoy another flavor, but maybe hit the public pool, too. It was the smoothie that did it!Caught up with Miss Parkay, the Jersey Boys, Parkbench, Lunchbox, Dirt, and Sanford. Slept in the dollhouse again.
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Crake and I hiked together out of Boiling Springs, walked 7 miles to a diner for lunch, another 4 to a covered picnic table where we took a nap during a nasty rainstorm. I met Steech, who told me how he witnessed Mystic set a new half-gallon record. Crake came up with the "kooky" idea of night-hiking to Duncannon. We'd beat Grey Fox and leave him a Zelda quest.So we were off at 7:45pm, trying to cover 15 miles before check-in at the Doyle closed at 2am. We raced the first 4, then found a Zelda-themed message from Grey Fox, who, P.S. was going to the Doyle!! So we called him and asked if we could sneak into his room if we missed check-in.The last few miles were really hard, and I lost Crake in the gloom. When I made it to the last shelter and still hadn't found him, I had a major breakdown before deciding to just set up my hammock around 12:30am.
Date: 2006-06-15
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wahh! Pennsylvania rocks make me very sad! Then again, 4 trail magics in the last 10 miles, and a day in the lovely, HIKER-FRIENDLY town of Duncannon. They say Pennsylvania's rocky, but never talk about how flat it is.
Date: 2006-06-16
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Made 11 miles to a full shelter, where I ran into Kurly and Swansons for the first time since the Smokies!! Turns out Kurly had gotten a nasty brown recluse bite from a night in the dollhouse in Boiling Springs. Wow, what a close call...I spent two nights there.
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite past Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Everyone in the super-crowded shelter got up early and started making so much noise that I lay fuming in my bag until they left. I calculated that they'd try to make the 30 miles to the second shelter, which is what I'd wanted to do, too. It became obvious early on, though, that 30 miles weren't going to happen. A good thing, because I then got a note from Grey Fox that he was going to camp 9 miles past Rausch Gap (a 25-mile day), which put me on another hurrying jag.Asked some trail maintainers about water sources, and got a big (heavy and informative) Pennsylvania guidebook. They said to go to the first shelter, which was 0.3 off trail, not far, but every step that didn't get me closer to Maine was wasteful to me.But all my stress and worry melted when I saw Grey Fox near the shelter turn-off cooking dinner. I ate, too, met Firefly, and we hiked 0.7 (I hadn't seen the decimal point in his note!!) to the ruins of Rausch Gap Village, which we realized after setting up our stuff didn't allow camping. Fortunately, my hammock leaves almost no trace, only some minor scuffs on the tree trunks I hang it between.
Date: 2006-06-18
From: Campsite past Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: few clouds

Hottest, most humid day yet. Completely miserable hiking. Found Firefly and Sexy Monk taking a break on a slackpack facilitated by Welsh Nomad, a trail angel who was going to take everyone at the 501 Shelter out to dinner tonight and slackpack all takers the 24 miles into Port Clinton tomorrow. We'd planned on hiking 4 miles past the shelter to a campsite, but this offer was too good to pass up. We even met her at a road 2 miles before the shelter and gratuitously slacked the final bit.Ate at a truck stop diner.
Date: 2006-06-19
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: broken clouds

Blasted the slackpack to make it to the Port Clinton post office by 5pm. A good thing, because this depressing "town" had no resupply options to speak of. Box in hand, I broke into some delicious cinnamon rugelach and headed to the pavilion, which had been set up for hikers.Port Clinton is probably the worst trail town I've been in yet. The pavilion was a hobo paradise, with half-busted mattresses and various sketchy-looking hiking lounging about. A deer carcass in the creek meant that we had to use bottled water provided by the kind locals. The main road was a hard hitch to the interstate, where services are spread out and decidedly not hiker friendly. Thank god for Welsh Nomad, who got me to Arby's and back with no fuss.Freefall, Karuna Miel, Happy Feet and I each set up our hammock in a different corner of the pavilion, which made it seem a little less sad.