morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Second day out from Front Royal. It stopped raining just before dawn but walked in a mountain cloud all day with muddy trail and slippery rocks and roots to deal with. Breakfast was coffee and Strawberries and Cream Quaker Oatmeal.The shelter last night was crowded so I elected to stay in my new tent to more or less become more familiar with setting it up, and today was the first time I actually used it. This tent weighs less than 3 pounds, 2 pounds lighter than my previous one. Worked out just fine and learned a couple lessons. Had to pack it up wet though, so hopefully will dry it out at tonights planned Bear's Den Hostel stay over. I like the privacy of my lightweight Big Agnes tent. The night was quiet with only the sounds of distant airplanes and birds calling back and forth just before day break. Today's hike took us up and down a couple mountains and through a grassy meadow. Very cool!
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Even before today's start, we're looking forward to tonight stay at a Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) owed and operated hostel that offers pizza and Ben & Jerry's Ice cream at only a couple bucks more than the bunk.Beautiful day today (but not much sun) compared to the last two. Significant to today's hike was the beginning of a 15-20 miles stretch of trail called "The Roller Coaster". As you can imagine, its a series of ups and downs like 7-8 peaks and valleys back to back, some fairly challenging as we enter into WV. Tiring day with the Roller Coaster and only 9.9 miles.Bear's Den was clean and filling. A regular size Tombstone Pizza and a pint of Ben & Jerry's was part of the package. It was way too much food for one person. Ended up giving a pizza away, packing some out for lunch, and leaving some ice cream behind. We resupplied with snacks and ramen noodles for the next day and a half into Harpers Ferry. Felt good to dry out my tent, shower, and get into some clean hiking clothes.
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

Finally, a sunny day. In the mountains all day so the canopy helped keep out the uncomfortable part of the sun, and a slight breeze cooled the day. Tonights shelter was quite nice. These shelters in this part of the trail have covered picnic table away from the sleeping areas where as most shelters have limited space and the table, if there is one, is right next to the sleeping area. Not recommended to keep critters away from sleeping areas.The down side to this particular shelter was that the water source was a stream .4 mile down-hill from the shelter. So instead of making that .8 down and back, we watered up with extra like 3 miles out from the shelter. Carrying and extra couple liters of water added noticeable weight to my pack. I carry a 32oz and 20oz Gatorade bottle as my regular water containers, and a 2.5 liter heavy Platypus brand water bag for situations just as this, when I need to schlep. Ugh on the extra weight.Carol and I were bringing up the rear when we came across a 4' black snake sunning itself in a patch of sunlight right on the trail. Seem to be docile creatures, didn't coil up or threaten us as we stood close by. Last year I saw a dung beetle rolling it's ball of dung along the path. Today, I saw a large hairy black spider rolling it's perfectly ball shaped dung (I suppose) across the trail. I'm sure it was a spider.. but never have heard of a dung spider.Nice night, had our first campfire as there was dried tree limbs all over. Called it a night just before dark.
Date: 2010-05-21
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

Was out of the shelter at 7:15. Couldn't have asked for a better day to take a walk in the woods. Three miles out from the shelter, we stopped at a C-store/gas station .3 mile off the trail for a break and coffee. After that, fairly flat (rocky in parts) trail into Harpers Ferry.Upon entering into town, our first stop was the home office of the ATC. Had my picture taken and registered for a potential "2000 miler". I had seen photos of the outside of this office so many times before, I couldn't believe I was finally here. Got registered into the "Town's Inn Hostel" and headed out for burgers and beer. Took it easy in the p.m., showered up etc. and that evening went to a couple stores to resupply Don for the next 5 days on the trail. I had a food drop box prepared and sent ahead waiting for me.Huge tourist town is this place. We met a number of folks from only a few hours away. Also, a busy train station lives here... those trains roared through our bunk room several times last night. When Don is finished hiking with me, about 10 days from now (Duncannon, PA), he will take the train from Harrisburg, to Philadelphia, to DC, then back to here to get back to his vehicle to head for Atlanta. I will be on my own starting on or about 5/31 or 6/1.Tomorrow, Saturday, the girls are headed back to NC, and Don and I are taking a zero day or day off the trail. Hiking terminology: zero day, no hiking miles; nero day, only a small amount of miles and part of the day to rest up.
Date: 2010-05-22
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day off today, enjoying the comforts of the Comfort Inn. Have resupplied and ready to get going in the morning. Next major stop in PA, 4.5 or 5 days out. Will try to catch up then.Thanks for the notes in my guest book: Tami, Colleen, Mary S., Dan H., Always Fine, Fussy Mary (I remember you!), Steve Brown, Don, and sorry if I missed you. Appreciate your comments and best wishes. All is well. Hope you enjoy the Shenandoah Valley view.
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

Out of Harpers Ferry, we crossed into Maryland. The first three miles of the trail followed the Patomac River along the old Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath. Flat as a pancake, we saw a few joggers and a couple cyclist, as well as two turtles. The railroads replaced the canal; the tracks were just to the side and above the canal.Into the woods, we stopped at a shelter for lunch and sat out a big rain. We later passed through Gathland State park where we were looking for a cold drink from a vending machine that was out of order. Don expressed his disappointment to one of the official folks at the park. We did get to cool off with a cold water pump.We were the only ones in the shelter that night. We added an additional 5 miles to our original plan.
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ensign Cowell Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: light rain

As with yesterday, got to our planned 10 miles very early so pushed on to the next shelter for a 15.7 miler. Tired feet but feeling fine.Two highlights for today: First, we crossed a foot-bridge over I-70 in Maryland specifically marked so the traffic could read "Appalachian Trail". We waved at the traffic and got many honks in return. I guess you would have to be there to get the sort of thrill of the moment. I thought to my self its been many days since being in traffic. The sounds of the cars and big trucks made us speak up to converse. It was a different experience.A few miles later, we passed through Washington Monument State Park. History has it that in 1827, the citizens of Boonesboro, MD became the first to construct a monument to George Washington. The dedication was on July 4 to a partially built structure and was completed in September. The Union Army put the 30' structure into service as a signal tower during the Civil War. After falling into disrepair over many years, the Civil Conservation Corp (CCC) restored the monument in 1936. The AT runs through the parks and right by the monument. Will upload a picture as soon as possible.Today we met a 19 yr old girl thru-hiker calling herself TP. She was doing at least 20 miles a day. She bounded up the path and was out of sight in no time. Also met some folks at the shelter tonight: Mr. Beal, Sachmo, Bahama Dave, and Nickel hiking with his no-trail-name girlfriend.Nice day and night. The daytime temps are high 80's. Hiking in the mountain canopies kept the air cooler. Didn't work up a sweat except during some uphill legs. With the exception of a few boulder fields, the trail is still a bit rocky and rooty, but pleasant.
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Ensign Cowell Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Crossed into PA today, at Pen-Mar State Park (Pennsylvania-Maryland). This place did have a working vending machine so we took a long boots-off break and let the sun dry out our socks. Washed my face in the restroom and had lunch with a cold soda. Here, just outside the park, we crossed over the Mason-Dixon line, a RR track. We actually had to wait for a train to pass before we crossed the tracks. The engineer waved back to me.Initial hiking in PA is pretty sweet so far but we hear PA is and extremely rocky state. Not many hikers have nice things to say about PA hiking, especially north of Duncannon. I will soon see about that.Good day today, we're doing 14-16 per day without much trouble but tired feet. Taking boots off and a long 45 minute rest rejuvenates for the remainder of the day.
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Fayetteville, PA
Miles today: 13.2

We had the luxury of sleeping in a bed tonight, but the hotel leaves a lot to be desired. We're in Fayetteville, Pa at an old Scottish Inn. The hotel doesn't have a laundry so we walked a mile into town to wash clothes. The computer is an antique, so no journaling tonight. No hairdryer in the bathroom, but we were able to charge our phones. Here, we learned of PA laws and regulations on beer and alcohol sales. We walked a half mile to a "beer store" where they sold only beer and only in 24 pack cases. Big disappointment. The proprietor, however, was king enough to let us have some of her husbands Buds. Today's trail was the familiar mix of easy flat stretches and difficult boulder fields. It's sometimes a challenge to find the white blazes in order to stay on the trail. One highlight of the day was a 4' black snake lying across the forest service road. Don's curiosity apparently annoyed the snake because it coiled and prepared to strike. He wisely backed away.Another highlight was hiking for awhile with a social worker from Canada who talked about her job working with Native Americans in the Inuit territory called Nunavut. She has two months off a year. She said she had planned to hike in Spain but due to volcanic eruption, flights got canceled and she's on the AT. The term "Eskimo" is now considered derogatory and no longer used.
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Fayetteville, PA

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

We pretty much decided to take it easy the next couple days after having done 15 milers or so over the past few days. We passed by Quarry Gap Shelter, which was just meticulously taken care of and decorated by and individual who seemed to have a passion for the best looking shelter on the trail. Decorated in PA Dutch, it had flower pots, PA Dutch welcome signs, a stoned lined stream in front, and just so far off the beaten patch of a typical shelter. I will say that the MD and PA shelter have been among the nicest so far on the trail but the floor boards aren't any softer than any other.Met a senior senior today, calling himself "Hen", short for Hennessey. Hen is 75, from North Haven CT, and doing a few days at 7-8 miles max, going from shelter to shelter. He was bunked down by 6:00.Observed some cool nature stuff this evening. While sitting on the edge of the shelter deck, I noticed a hummingbird buzzing around a flowery weed patch. I could hear the buzzzzz buzzzzz of her wings as she jolted from flower to flower. She flew off and I thought nothing of it. Then a minute later, she's back. This time she took off with a flower petal and left in the same direction. I was surprised with this as I know these birds aren't much bigger than you thumb but this one was definitely a hummingbird, probably a bit smaller than a finch. It was pretty neat just sitting there and seeing this natual thing going on right in front of me.
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Birsch Run Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

A peaceful 10 mile hike today brought us to our destination at Pine Grove Furnace State Park by noon. On the way we passed the official half way point in the AT. All the campsites were full so we had to tent in a primitive site reserved for AT hikers (a privy was close by) as the Ironmasters Hostel was closed for renovation. A country store in the park offers a famous "half-gallon challenge" to all who think they can eat a half-gallon of ice cream at one sitting. The rumor is that if you can eat the half-gallon, it will be free, but the truth is that you have to pay $6 for the ice cream, and if you eat the whole thing you get to enter your time in the log book to see if you have the fastest time! I had a dish only. Hen, Don, and I enjoyed another cold pop and a hot dog for lunch as we watched a few futile attempts at the half-gallon consumptions. Hen, the older guy we met yesterday, hiked along with us today and he's also staying the night in the park. He's a retired law enforcement officer from New Haven, CT. I think we wore him out with the 10 miles.Pine Grove Furnace Park is on the grounds of an historic iron furnace originally built in 1764 and operated until 1895. Pennsylvania bought the iron works and surrounding lands in 1913 and set aside some of it for a state park. The park is looking a little rundown at this point, but just coming into the season and they're working on things. Nice night, misty but no rain. We slept well and were up early for the next leg.
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Alex Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

Had another good 15.5 mile day, most of it over pretty easy trail. About 8 miles out, we came to a road crossing and took a .2 mile detour to a little country store identified in our guide book. There we enjoyed a nice deli sandwich with toppings and chips and of course, cold pop. We got a ride back to the trail and thought we were in "Hog Heaven" as everything was going so well. Our smiles soon turned to grunts when we found that the last 4 miles of the hike was a brutal return to boulder fields as we clamored over one stack of rocks after another.Tomorrow is a long planned walk, 18 miles, but it's mostly flat, through a town and then a narrow strip through cornfields in the Cumberland Valley. The trail will take us across both the PA Turnpike and Interstate 81, which could be interesting to wave at traffic for another "you had to be there" thrill.It looks like we'll be finishing this section into Duncannon June 1, a day earlier than planned. Yesterday, Don met a hiker named "Freak'" who was traveling with his dog, "Apache". Freak told him about a shuttler in Harpers Ferry named "Louisiana Lou". He called her and she agreed to pick him up in Duncannon and take him back to Harper's Ferry where his truck is. That's much better than his previous "best plan" to travel by train from Duncannon to Harrisburg to Wash. DC and back to Harper's Ferry! Lou's fee is definitely a bargain and Don is relieved to have that part of the trip figured out. He's outtahere at 11:00. We've had a great hike this year with no injuries or blisters forcing us off the trailThe attached photo is from our hike tomorrow (crystal ball here) where we took a break at a place called Scott Farms, which had a picnic table and cold water spigot for our use. Washed my face and dried out my damp socks in the sun. A couple of friendly cats took care of the mice, and shared my lunch.
Date: 2010-05-30
From: Alex Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Even though the trail was mostly flat or gently rolling hills today, 18 miles is a long way with a 30 lb pack and our feet were sore tonight. Not blistered, just tired. An early highlight of the day was stopping at a cafe for a bagel, cream cheese and coffee at 9 am in beautiful Boiling Springs.Don describes it as an All-American small town with a crystal clear trout fishing lake and stream right in the middle of it and a population of only 1000 households. We saw lots of people biking, walking, and exercising on this beautiful Sunday morning. The trail goes through the center of town and back out into the countryside. When creating the trail back around 1930, there was no woodland available in this area, so the ATC negotiated to buy a narrow easement running between farms 16 miles down the length of the picturesque Cumberland Valley. The trail is a grassy path that gets mowed with a tractor occasionally. We walked through dozens of neat farm fields with wheat on one side and corn on the other. A couple of times, the trail was diverted to a road to cross the Turnpike and I-81 and it used a pedestrian bridge for crossing Route 11. We met an official Ridge Runner tonight, a recent VA Tech grad, and a paid employee of the ATC. A nice young man named Jeff, his summer job is to traverse 76 miles of the trail in this area, back and forth, checking the shelters, answering questions, reminding hikers to "leave no trace" and making sure unauthorized fire pits are broken up. Tonight we are at Darlington shelter and Duncannon is only 11 miles away. Don is really looking forward to ending his journey there. We'll stay at the Doyle Hotel tomorrow night and start for home on Tuesday.A special thanks from Tom to Karen (Don's wife) for your assistance with these journal entires. I got way behind and Karen's email to friends of our exploits was the foundation of these last 5-6 entries. Thanks again, Karen.
Date: 2010-05-31
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: few clouds

Got out of the shelter at 7:00, a great time to start as temps are getting into the low 90's by mid day. The shade of the canopy in the mountains helps keep it cooler but climbing a steep grade seems to negate the shade.Routine hike today, some cornfields, some ridges, and a very steep and extremely rocky downhill hike into Duncannon, a highpoint of the hike. Don goes home (and he's looking forward to it!) and I continue north on my own, and I'm looking forward to that, too. Don and I have hiked together since Harpers Ferry and no problems ans we're usually both on the same page and come to agreements easily.Got into the infamous AT must-stop-at Doyle hotel about 1:00 and had a brew, then cleaned up and did laundry, and had lunch. I'm busy this pm updating these journals for the last 6-7 days, wont be able to complete them today so will spend a no-hike zero day here tomorrow.The proprietors here at the hotel are great. The hotel itself is something from the 50's. No TV, no phone, no air, no screens in the windows, (ceiling fan and floor fan, though), common bath per floor. I have made note of the fire exits. But after all that commenting, it seems to be very comfortable and a bar and a great menu completes the bill. I believe the place was built in 1905, and once owned buy Anheuser Busch.
Date: 2010-06-01
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero day at the Doyle. It isn't really a complete zero, however. It seems Don and I accidentally took a side trail into town yesterday, and actually skipped about a quarter mile of the trail. So early this morning I put on my boots and made my way back to where we got off and finished the short .2 mile into town.Don's shuttle arrived about 11:15 and he's on his way back home. I'm busy at the computer and feeling good about taking a rest day.Hung around last night in the bar with many hikers: First Man, Pilgrim, a guy from Chicago, and from Maine. Slept well. Was up at 6:00 for coffee before my little hike this morning. Got a haircut, just a trim around the ears; and mailed home a pound and a half of stuff to lighten my pack. Hadn't used the stuff yet so, don't need it. Sent home long sleeve shirt, pair of shorts, iPod and charger, earphones, and a mini radio.Big storm blew through just before dark last night. Today overcast, cloudy, and high humidity.Looked over my plan for the next 5-6 days and got some advice from a former thru-hiker calling himself Crow. Next major break and resupply is Port Clinton, PA, about 69 miles. PA has a reputation for serious rock fields. I'll be glad to finish up this state.
Date: 2010-06-02
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Peter's Mr. Shelter
Miles today: 11.3

Got a 7:00 start and after a mile or two walk through town, I crossed over the Juniata River, then immediately over the Susquehanna River, the two join right there. Wanted to take a photo but batteries low and it wouldn't shoot. Extra batteries in the bottom of the pack, didn't dig them out and regret it.Had a hawk kind of dive-bomb and shriek at me as I crossed the bridge. Her nest must have been close by, underneath. Then, I knew I was the first one across because I had to use my poles to wipe out hundreds of spider webs across the walkway.So after coming out of town and crossing the rivers and up another mountain, it was not a bad climb, the trail was true to PA conditions of being extremely rocky. A few miles out, I had a view of the two bridges and Duncannon from 1,000' above.... just magnificent! I dug out fresh batteries got the shot. Will add the photo (done) when I can get to a computer, probably next trail town, Port Clinton in three-four days.In a very big and clean shelter tonight. One problem with shelter on ridges or mountain is the water source. They're usually quite a ways down the side of the mountain. This one is 800' downhill. Retrieving water tonight was the worst part of the day. The side trail was all rock and almost straight down, although the rocks were arranged in step-like form. A couple of older seasoned hikers said it was the worst ever experienced and I agree. The shelter maintenance crew have left a few empty gallon jugs for those willing to carry it up.There must be 20 people in the shelter area tonight. Most are tenting or using a hammock. The entire Duncannon bar crowd from last night is here. Many of the hikers are doing more than 20 a day and to them 14-15 per day is unheard of. The issue with the crowd here tonight is they got liquored up last night and got late starts. I don't see the trail being this crowded all the way up.I'm well, have sore calves but will rest well for tomorrow's walk in the woods.