morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Glasgow

To: Swamp Camp Creek campsite
Miles today: 19.1

Well we ran the gauntlet of dangers today! In addition to the usual, trips, falls, poison ivy and biting/stinging insects, we encountered a few other potentially deadly or disasterous ( ok some would only be uncomfortable ) situtations. Early in the day Greg anad I were hiking together up a sunny hillside when Greg asked whether the balck snake I saw yesterday looked like the snake ahead in the trail. Immediately I knew that the large Black and tan snake was not the same. HE was about 5 feet long and on clsoer ( yet still far enough away for safety) I could se the=at this was indeed a timbler rattler.We tried to scare it off, but he didn't want to move so we decided to wait for Brain freeze and go around him giving it a wide berth. It was really fay and probably had just eaten. Before we could go around , we had to scare off a corn snake (non poisonous) curled up amongst the vegetation.Tehn we stopped for lunch at a shelter by a pond inhabitated by at least 4 species of frogs all croaking in the afternoon. The Shelter is supposed to be haunted by a little girl who in 1891 wandered away from school and was found dead 7 some miles later near the shelter site. We ate lunch without incident.Next we came up to a bridge we had to cross over a creek to continue on the trail. Below in the water a large family of Virginians were celebrating the holiday in the water. Immediately they let us know about some yellow jackets and wasps on the bridge that had attacked them as they crossed over. We went over one by one and fairly quiet with out incident. As we crossed over our last big climb of the day both Brainfreeze and I heard what can only be described as a swarm of angry bees near a group of girl scouts off the trail. Neither of us dared turn around to see whether it was actually bees but just kept hiking.At 7 pm we came upon a great campsite near a flowing creek with a fire ring and wood. We all waded in the cool water, wonderful after a full 10 hours of hiking, sweat and scary stuff. We'll sleep great tonight.
Date: 2006-05-28
From: Swamp Camp Creek campsite

To: Piney Creek campsite
Miles today: 14.8

Began the day with what can only be described as the most "mind numbing" hike. It was all uphill, with the same vegtation, no vistas and it took 1 1/2 hours! One and half hours of just climbing up.Luckily the day got better. We hit some trail magic! Caveman and Zoom set up in a field to cook bacon cheeseburgers complete with potato salad and drinks (even a beer). That slowed us down a bit but much worth it.We got a great campsite near Piney Creek, amongst the pines next to the creek. All around us were large moss covered rocks,  some even wrapped with tree roots. This made the forest look prehistoric.Note:lots of hermit thrushes in addition to a rose breasted grosbeak sitting at eye level by the trail singing his heart out!We passed the 800 mile mark too today.
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Piney Creek campsite

To: Harpers Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: broken clouds

Greg scared up a female turkey close to the trail. She must have had a nest nearby because she made a wide circle and went back to her original position. It's amazing how fast these birds can move.Saw two baby snakes (garter and corn snake).I was having a tough day today. First I missed the turn for a rock outcrop that Greg and September hit on a break, then I missed the turn for the shelter we were hitting for lunch. Both times I hiked ahead (more miles) only to hike back. Just looking at my feet too much I guess.Got to camp alittle later than expected but looks like it will just be the 3 of us here next to the creek. Nice!
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Harpers Shelter

To: Humpback Mountain campsite 
Miles today: 16.0

Began the day a visit from Ken and Jim two section hikers who although are pleasant enough tend to get on our nerves. We couldn't figure what exactly it was until Brainfreeze said...they just continue to state the obvious. That's what it was...very chatty but only stating the obvious.Anyway the hike started with lots of uphill climbing and another surprise. Greg nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a sudden rattling sound. Another rattler, this one just off the path, knew we were coming. He was about as big as the last one, a good 5 feet, but was much more active and decorated with yellow, brown and black.After the climb, the trail got fairly level and it was a pleasant morning hike. We stopped at the next shelter for water and headed up another ridge. After this climb we found out we could have walked an easier trail past waterfalls and gotten to the same spot...oh well.Lunch was spent alongside a running mountain spring. Brainfreeze saw a bear fairly far off the trail and down the hillside.We decided to try and gain the last big up before Waynesboro today so that our hike into town would be pretty easy. The trail turned pretty rocky actually one rock garden after another. We made it up steep rocky steps to Humpback and began looking for a site.Just past a large pile of bear scat was a nice flat grassy site with a fire ring. Home for the night..some rumblings of thunder. Hope it doesn't rain too much tonight.
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Humpback Mountain campsite 

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: few clouds

Big SNAFU today!I was lagging behind because my knee was a little sore. I caught up with Brainfreeze at a shelter for a morning snack and Greg (Pi) had already gone on to Rockfish Gap, the road crossing that takes you into town.When I reached the Gap I saw Brainfreeze but no Greg. He was in the Visitors Center (which I hadn't noticed, nor his pack laying out near there). We assumed he had gone on into town so we proceeded to check out rides into town. Immediatley a van dropping off hikers came our way. No problem...they were going that way. So BF and I got into town and went straight to the hotel (only one in town) but no Greg. Thinking he was still in town picking up the maildrop, we proceeded to do the usual in town chores.Meanwhile, back at the Gap, Greg was getting increasingly worried that something had happened to us when he didn't see us come off of the trail.I was getting increasingly worried about where he was (or was not). Soon I heard he ran into Bravefriend so just figured the two of them where somewhere catching up on things.Finally, after a few hours of searching the area and questioning people, he called the hotel to see if we were there.Needless to say his afternoon got sucked up. But we did get some of our tasks done.So all in all not that bad. Just a lousy way to start a rest day.Ran into Compost and Chill.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Waynesboro

To: Calf Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: moderate rain

Got up early...but didn't get out to the trail (Rockfish Gap) until about 11 since it took us a while to get a shuttle. Trail was pretty mundane until we came upon a cluster of communication towers. But what was kind of cool were these little metal chairs concreted in the ground in a small semicircle around nothing. We made it to Beagle Gap when I thought I heard a cat in the woods. In fact I stopped to listen to make sure I had heard it. A few feet down the trail and suddenly an eerie scream erupted from the woods. Greg thought maybe I was in trouble and turned around to check on me.We listened to make sure it wasn't someone in trouible but didn't hear it again. We assumed tht it was most likely a bobcat.The first shelter (7 miles) was our first stop for water. But we didn't make it before the thunderstorm hit around 1 pm. Got to the shelter and Ponce, Mo and a few other thru hikers were taking shlter. Everyone moved on after the storm but Ponce and Mo. It was looking cruddy with more rain predicted so we decided to make it an early day and made camp in the shelter around 4.A few section hikers came in later. We plan to get up early and try to get in around 20 miles tomorrow. The terrain is relatively easy in the park with lots of ups and downs but they're short and not too steep.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Calf Mtn. shelter

To: Black Rock shelter
Miles today: 13.0

Well it was a good plan but the 20 some miles did not emerge. We kind of knew it wouldn't happen when we hit trail angels Joe and Sarah around 10. They had lots of goodies to eat and drink including coffee and Cheeseburgers (real homemade). We spent at least an hour there.The day was pretty uneventful , except for the bear actually Brainfreeze saw cubs too but by the time I got there it was just the mother bear.Evening at the hut included us, Crazy, Armsleeve, a southbounder, Slim, Ollie, Snickers, Comfortably Numb. It was graet seeing Crazy and Armsleeve.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Black Rock shelter

To: High Top Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 21.4

Well well well. Hmmm 21 miles and we all feel pretty good. I tried out the music disks...great for hiking helps you pick up the pace even if you don't want to. Tonight's entourage at the hut is about the same as last night sans Crazy, Armsleeve, the south bound walker and Ollie. It'll be a quiet night.Today the trail was more like a roller coster...up up up down dwon down with little flats in between. But that's OK because the ups and downs weren't loo long nor too steep. Saw lots of deer of course.Had about 4 very brief sun showers today where one single cloud would dump its load of water even though it was sunny all around. The last one even had hail. Its very cool right now....nice sleeping weather.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: High Top Mtn. shelter

To: Bearfence Hut
Miles today: 12.4

Welcome to Mutual of Omaha's Wild kingdomWhile finishing up our hotdog roast in Shen. NP picnic area I turned to see a large black form emerge from the woods. A small black bear nosing around while marking its territory. When it came too close for comfort we stood up, yelled a few times at it and off it went.As I was headed to the restroom, a bleating sound came from the woods. Kiddingly I said that bear probably has got a small deer. When I looked around the side of the log building I saw the bear chasing the fawn, and suddenly the mother deer jumped up trying to buck the bear. At that point I got out of there quick. The bleating stopped and the doe came out from the woods without her fawn. Kinda ruined the good time we we having so we packed up and headed about a mile down the trail to sleep in our tent near a shelter site.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Bearfence Hut

To: Monkeyhead
Miles today: 8.3

Today was a pretty average until as we approached the wayside, a sign announced that we would soon find the Utimate in TRail Magic. And indeed we did. Four wonderful, generous women I know set up a spread to beat all spreads. There was burgers and chicken and hotdos, salads, fruits, cheeses, chips, dips, Pis and Kaches, sodas, drinks and beer.All of this was spread out in front of us on two large picnic tables and all we to do was merely drop our packs and our poles and dig in. We couldn't believe the variety nor volume of the goodies, or the amount of time and effort it took for them put in all together.Armsleeve, Crazy and Brainfreeze shared the awe in just how wonderful these friends of ours were. At one point someone mentioned that they would love a margarita right now and lo and behold out came the makings! We stayed until almost dark and took the rest of the beer with us down the trail to a wonderful vista to watch the sun go down. It was really cool to see some familiar faces. Friends and family really make it this all possible. Without their help support and friendship, I wouldn't even want to do this. But it also made me realize how much I miss them all.We have made lots of friends on the trail, exchanged emails addresses or phone numbers, but let's face it we're all transients while on this journey. We'll keep in touch with many of these new friends (I certainly hope so). But we may never see each other again. So thank you Martini, Prankster, Spring and Sweet Tart. Thanks for making us feel a little more at home while so far away!
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Monkeyhead

To: Pass Mtn. Hut
Miles today: 18.5

Tried to get up and on the trail early as we camped practically on the trail between the picnic area and Park campground. It was a nice easy day with lots of views and vistas. Around mid day we stopped at Skyland for lunch with Kilgore. Had a great meal with great conversation and even dessert.We were only going to go about 16 miles today but since we were both feeling good we decided to go on to the shelter. We saw September right before The Pinnacle. She was not feeling well and was lying in the shade and said she was tenting there. We thought it might be due to the partying the day before, but found out later that some sort of stomache flu hitting hikers up and down the trail.Kilgore, Berkenstock, Berk's girlfriend and Mouse Killer were at the shelter when we arrived around 8. Ate a late but great chipped beef stew dinner.
Date: 2006-06-08
From:  Pass Mtn. Hut

To: Hogwallow spring
Miles today: 16.5

Another glorious day though a little hotter and humid than yesterday. We couldn't decide on where to go or how many miles and our plans just morphed and shifted with the wind.We stopped at Elkwallow Wayside for some Blackbery shakes, bananas, and coffee. Saw Kilgore but he was going the full 22 miles to a hostel. We decided on the next shelter. We met a ranger who asked whther we had heard of a stomach virus going around. We had heard and asked whther they thought it was from food, untreated water or other source. They don't know but some people have felt bad enough to leave. We hope that Brainfreeze is feeling better and that its not this.We got to the shelter early around 4 so decided to have a late lunch and keep going. Two older section hikers from WV pulled in, one with a knowlegde of local caves. He is Art Hartleman from Hardy County, the town of Baker. Said we just had to stop in the store ask for him and he would take us caving.We left the shelter under the threat of thunderstorms but made it to the next water source and found a nice campsite nearby. Tomorrow it's 10 miles to Route 522 then 3 miles to hitchhike into Front Royal where we'll do laundry and meet Greg's folks around 4 for a family campout at Elizabth Furnace.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Hogwallow spring

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked a short distance to route 522 and quickly got a ride into town. Hit the laudermat then tried to find showers. Finally hit a motel and bought a room to shower in.Went to Spelunkers Ice Cream to meet Greg's folks around 4 pm. They were already there when we arrived. And after several ice creams we got on the way to Elizabeth Furnace campground in George Washington Nat'l Forest.It was a mellow but long evening with Andrea, Tom and Sofia arriving first then Rurik and Chris and the girls and last Ted and Claudia, Max and Anya. They had a breakdown that all in all probably cost them several hundred dollars.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Front Royal

To: Elizabeth Furnace
Miles today: 0.0

We all stayed up late catching up on local lives and drinking into the wee hours. The kids got everyone up early and the day was spent eating, drinking and relaxing. Well except for poor Greg who had to go into town for more beer and vodka, take the kids on a little hike and cook steaks. Carolyn, Calvin, Mom and Kurtis arrived today to hang out drink, eat and catch up.It was fantastic getting together with the family. It seems like it has been a long time. The kids seem so much bigger and older after these 3 months, but maybe it is just that these 3 months have gone by slower than we thought. The evening was spent around a warm fire sipping Tronyas and telling stories.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Elizabeth Furnace

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Calvin and Carolyn dropped us off at route 522 in the early afternoon, but early morning partying at the camsite and a heavy resupply kept us slow. We packed in a six pack which we quickly shared with Brainfreeze as we met her slackpacking southbound to the hostel.We then made our way to the first shelter after a few hours and set up a campsite. Met a nice married couple close to our age Mapman and Robin and found out that one of the subtitles Mute Snail came through recently. Maybe we'll catch up, maybe not.We ate a great spaghetti dinner then hit the tent early for a 19 mile day tomorrow.
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Jim and Molly Deton Shelter

To: Duke's Hollow
Miles today: 17.5

Well steady rain got in the way of an early start. But after it slowed up and we had a short breakfast we got out of camp by about 11. It was still rainy and the woods were steamy like a tropical jungle. After a few miles the sun peeked out and we dried the tent near a rail bed. The rest of the day the trail was pretty esy with lots of ups and downs but all very small.We stopped at the first shelter for a snack but since it was reported to be inhabited by coperheads we made it a quick stop.Tunes made the morning go by quick. I tried my low cut hiking shoes and did not check some minor irritations that by the end of the day turned into a blister. Along the way to our goal (a shelter about 19 miles away), we ran into a section hiker coming south. He said the shelter was already looking full and he didn't think there were too many opportunities for camping. As we got closer to the shelter we began loooking for possibles sites. As we passed the last water source before the shelter, Greg spied a flat area near the stream. Sure enough there was a small campsite which we hastily set up before it got too dark. I tended to my blister while Greg cooked up some beef mushroom carbonara.The stars are out tonight so it looks like no rain at least for tonight. Tomorrow we will get up early to hit the 8 or so hills in 10 miles. The Devil's Rollar Coaster they call it.
Date: 2006-06-13
From: Duke's Hollow

To: Sandy Spring
Miles today: 14.5

Well after a pretty grueling day we're sitting in West Virginia in front of a warm campfire in an open air type of forest sipping our Orange Splash cocktails and cooking a pot of Chicken Ragout.Today's trail the Devil's Roller Coaster turned our to be a bit of a demon at least for me sincer I was nursing a new blister and two rough knees. It consisted of 8 or 9 hills with a combined elevation gain of 3100 feet over 10 miles figuring about te same amount of footage that has to be downclimbed too.  It wasn't that the hills were too high or even too steep. Just when you had enough of a hill and wanted to reach the top you would see blue sky through the trees. No what made it so rough were the rocks. Big ones you had to go around, middle sized ones you had to either climbed over or around and smaller ones you could either try to avoid or use as stepping stones. And all were set at odd angles, some lying in wait to trip you up.We made it to the Bear's Den Hostel and went in for some ice cram and a short rest.We even got to check our email. Got a note from Mute Snail who is way ahead, but hopefully we can catch up with him sometime....same with Bravefriend who is even farther.But since Harpers Ferry was still about 20 miles away we opted not to stay overnight but try to knock off some of those miles.We ran into Brainfreeze who said she was taking it easy for a little while doing 10 miles days. Also ran into Identity Crisis and She Bear both looking good and taking care of their injured parts.Busy day tomorrow as we make our way through more rocks down into the town of Harper's Ferry.We have to make it to the ATC by 5 pm to get our maildrop. We are currently being seranaded by a whiporwill...I'm sure one that Greg hopes will go away. Now there are 2 talking to each other...very cool.
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Sandy Spring

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: scattered clouds

1000 miles completed! After getting through the Devil's Race Course and a few rocky hills the rest of the trail was pretty smooth. Until at lunch Greg realized that the water filter was sitting about 7 miles back , next to the spring.We asked a southbounder, Steamboat, to get the word out about the filter. Since there was no more we could do about it, we continued to Harpers Ferry.When we had reached just about the 999.5 miles, Greg rolled his ankle...bad enough that I heard him yell. But he took it easy and we made it into town safe.In town we stopped in the AT headquarters, got our picture taken, picked up our maildrop and grabbed a room at nice local hotel. While finishing a beer on outside, Sleepy the Arab and a guy that works at ATC , Otto, came by and offered to take anyone to dinner. We hopped in and went to Charlestown for a good steak, veggie and salad dinner. Back to the room with a six of ESB to pack our stuff.
Date: 2006-06-15
From: Harpers Ferry

To: camp site near Crampton Gap shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

While eating breakfast who should appear but Identity Crisis with our water filter!!! What a find. We were planning on going to the outfitters for a new one or other water treatment method.So we tried to get out of Harpers early and I was proud when we left the hotel 11, but a stop in the old town and we stopped for coffee.Well after alot of chatting with basically just hanging out with a lot of tourists coming through the town, we got back on the trail by about 1. It was a high hike up to MD from the the Potomac River. Passed through Gathland State Park for water and headed to the shelter, but there weren't a whole lot of opportunitiies for camping around the shelter but there were a lot right before it.So we, Berkenstock, his friend Wilson, as well as Identity Crisis, Sleepy the Arab hung out for the evening.
Date: 2006-06-16
From: camp site near Crampton Gap shelter

To: Wolfsville Road 
Miles today: 21.0

Easy day hiking through Maryland. Stopped at one of the state parks and left a message with my sister to meet us around 6.We arrived at the road crossing in time but 6 came and went.A guy came by and offered us gatorades which we gladly accepted and proceeded to make early cocktails and wait.Around 7 Andrea arrived! We went back to her house in Frederick for a relaxing night with her, her daughter Sofia and husband Tom.Had the best meal so far at the local Brew pub.
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Wolfsville Road 

To: Pen Mar park
Miles today: 10.0

After a very fast but relaxing evening at Tom, Andrea and Sofia's house, we took it easy in the morning, hit the store, bank and farmers market then were back on the trail heading out of MD.Still quite rocky in parts (another devil's racecourse) and we made it to the first shelter which was rundown with no camping areas. But there was water so we filled up and headed to the PA MD border.Just before the border we met up with Lichen, Carbomb, Identity Crisis, Orangantan and Stinky at Pen Mar park. IC and Lichen and Carbomb had called in a pizza order. And we did too. Pizza was ok but the sunset at that park was lovely. We hung out had a cocktail and caught a buzz. When the mosquitoes started to bite we donned headlamps and our packs and headed down the trail.We found a spot near IC down and away from the trail. Since tomorroiw we only habve 8 miles til the next shelter We'll putts around in the morning and head to the last shelter before South Mtn PA.