morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

I finally got a chance to get some sun on my pale white skin today. At noon we came upon a good sized creek (Jennings Creek) and took full advantage of the sunny weather. Otter, Hopscotch and I hung out on the rocks and worked on our tans for a couple hours. It felt great to lay in the sunshine and honestly have no cares whatsoever. Somehow I even managed not to burn myself too badly.    After we left the creek there was still roughly 9 miles of trail to hike to make it to my planned endpoint. Halfway into the hike I came to Bryant Ridge Shelter and decided to have a snack. While I was eating, Robo showed up and hung out for awhile. I don't think that I have mentioned Robo before but we have seen him off and on for the past 2 weeks. The best way to describe Robo would be to say he's like a funny, semi vulgar Santa Claus. Needless to say, I think he's hysterical so I was glad to see him.    James' Mom is going to be driving through the area on Wednesday so we are trying to get to Buena Vista by then to meet her. We aren't going to have to do huge miles, just keep our current pace. Piece of cake.
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Glasgow ,Va
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Hot day today. It seemed like the sun was bearing right down on me for the entire hike and I was actually really glad for it. See, the day was long, hot, and sweaty but there was an upside. Just when I thought I couldn't walk anymore this afternoon I spotted the James River and I also saw a bunch of local kids playing on a rope swing. It didn't take long before James and I were both swimming and swinging off the rope swing. That may have been one of the most refreshing swims I've had since I was a kid.   Once we got our fill swimming, we caught an awesome hitch into town that involved two ice cold Budweiser bottles. That beer went down smooth and I made sure to keep it down like the driver asked, so as not to draw attention from the "law dogs" After a few miles I could smell the reason he didn't want to get pulled over wafting out of his windows. Hey, the man just wanted to cut loose after a long day at the papermill.   We had some great food at the Family Inn restaurant and now we're set up in the town's hiker camping area. It's actually really nice and the town, Glasgow, is actually raising money to get a shower set up for hikers. I guess they realize the revenue that 1,000 hikers can bring to a small town.
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Glasgow ,Va

To: Pedler River
Miles today: 15.0

I slept awesome last night in Glasgow! I really don't know what it was but that was on of my night's sleep so far on the trail. I got up this morning and had a huge craving for cereal and cold milk. Weird, right? Well, I went to the DG (Dollar General) and got some Frosted Mini Spooners (Frosted Mini-wheats knock-offs) and a half gallon of milk. That was a good breakfast and filling too!   I got a maildrop of food in Glasgow and didn't realize how heavy it was until I started walking up the mt. that I had to cross within my firt few miles. Whew!!! I got tired quick. Luckily James and I had planned on only hiking 15 miles today to set ourselves up to meet his mom tomorrow. In the morning we are going to hike the 7 miles to US 60 and hopefully meet her there at 11:00a.m. I'm sure he's excited to see his family. I know I'm ready to see my parents next weekend.   The group's getting back together! Jack isn't too far behind us and we are planning on waiting around Waynesboro, Va. for him. Randall is flying back from Charleston on Monday and is supposed to meet us in Waynesboro as well. I'm pumped about seeing everyone. We haven't all been together in one place since mile 400. Crazy!
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Pedler River

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Today was my first day of actual hiking where I didn't have to prepare any of my own food. For breakfast I had eggs w/cheese, bacon, sausage and pancakes that were all prepared by an awesome couple that was set up doing trail magic for the week. Apparently this couple comes up to the trail every year on the week of their anniversary and they do trail magic for the hikers. I know that I appreciated the breakfast.   After we ate the trail magic we had to hustle to hike the 4 miles to the road where we were meeting James' family. We got there right on time and soon after a van pulled up and out came James' mom. She was really excited to see James as were the rest of the family members. All in all, the people who came were James' mom, her husband Dick, and his grandparents Mrs. Dot. and Mr. Fred. We all rode to Lexington, Va. and James and I were treated to lunch at a really good restaurant courtesy of his mom. After lunch we drove around Lexington some and saw the two colleges: Washington and Lee and VMI. VMI is actually the birthplace of Sigma Nu (I am a member of the Theta Zeta chapter at Clemson) and it was cool to have seen the college.   Once we were done sightseeing we went back to the trail and I said my goodbyes and thank yous so James could have some time with them alone. Later that afternoon James caught up with me and we ate the dinner his family had packed for us. Great day!
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Tye River
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a new piece of gear today! It may not seem that exciting but out here there are really only a few things you really think and talk about: food, mile plans, cool stuff that you've seen, and beer. Naturally then, getting a new piece of gear is really exciting especially when its a new sleeping bag that's one half the weight and one third the size of my old one. This is big stuff. I'm going to have to start loading my pack differently and everything. I'm trying to think of a way to convey how big of a deal this is for me and I guess the best way would be to say, it's like someone in the real world getting a whole new living room set and having to rearrange that room. It's a big deal. Well we were planning on taking it super easy to get to Waynesboro, Va. but we got some news yesterday that has made our arrival goal Saturday afternoon. It was brought to our attention that the Lutheran Church is doing an all you can eat dinner on Sat on night for hikers. I'm hoping it will be pot-luck like all the awesome dinners of my childhood, but regardless, AYCE ( "all you can eat" in hiker speak). Anything is enough is to ramp up our mileage. It won't be too bad though we only have 30 more miles to do in the next two days after our 20 today.   Awesome camp spot tonight next to the Tye River. I'm looking forward to trying this bag out.
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Tye River

To: Dripping Rocks Parking Area
Miles today: 15.4

Really relaxed day today. We got up and hung out around the river for most of the morning and got moving about 11:30. After 3/4 of a mile we were passed by someone who told us that a guy was setting up doing trail magic right before where we had camped. Since it was less than a mile we walked back and enjoyed a beer and a burger. It was worth my first negative mile of the trip.   Once we got our food we started out again at 1 p.m. ready to do 20 miles. During our first mile as we climbed out of the Tye River Valley, a jet out on a training mission I guess, flew over us. This jet was flying very low and very fast. The noise it made was loud enough to make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. (editor note: and now there is a lot of hair on the back of his neck) Granted it didn't have anything to do with nature, it was still one of the most memorable things that has happened so far.   Later in the day we found a good swimming hole and took advantage of it. Also I saw my first bright orange salamander on the trail today and I got some really good pictures of it.    We are camped tonight about a mile past the dripping rocks parking area of the Blueridge Parkway and had an awesome sunset from our cliff side camp. Tomorrow we will have about 15 miles to Waynesboro and the hiker food.
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Dripping Rocks Parking Area

To: Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro)
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

This morning I got up and started hiking, driven by the thoughts of a town meal and a really good community radio station on my am/fm radio. They actually played two live recordings from this summer's Phish tour and the boys sound like they are on their game again.    We got into Waynesboro around 3 pm and got set up at the YMCA to tent for a few nights. Here the Y lets you tent in a grassy area for free and also let you use their showers. We went to the Lutheran Church around for the feed and I ate three huge bowls of delicious spaghetti. After the meal members of the church shuttled us to a movie theater and I got to watch a real movie for the first time in months. It was great.
Date: 2009-06-14
From: Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro)

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zeroed all day today. Pretty boring, here's what I did:   -laundry   - Chinese Buffett   - read book    - bought new book   - ate piza   - read part of new book   - slept (waitng for our other hiking friends)
Date: 2009-06-16
From: Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro)

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

As soon a we get together we are apart again. This morning Jack told us he needed to zero in Waynesboro which I can understand seeing as how he hasn't had a zero day in a long time. I was super restless after zeroing 2 days and absolutely had to get back on the trail today so I headed out. James and Randall got back on too. James took two zeros also and Randall has been off for 2 weeks. I'm not worried though because I am taking a few days off next week and Jack is only going to be a day behind us. I sure would like to hike with him though.   We are now in our 2nd and final National Park, Shenandoah National Park. SNP isn't nearly as strict as the Smokies but the scenery isn't nearly as dramatic and you basically follow a road, Skyline Drive, for 100 miles. I am pretty indifferent about SNP because it is supposed to be, with all due respect, boring. This is supposed to be the easiest 100 miles on the AT and if it is any proof the single day mileage record for the At was set here when a guy ran all 100 miles in less than 24 hours. We'll just have to see how it goes -I mean if anything, I'll have to knock out some miles!   I did see 4 bears today! That doubles my bear sightings and these were by far the best views I've had. I actually got way too close for comfort with my first sighting when I accidentally snuck up on and startled a mother and cub. I was 30 feet away and the mother wasn't happy. Luckily I was able to back out of the situation. I need to be more careful.
Date: 2009-06-17
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Rain! I know I am hiking but this rain is really getting old! See the video!It rained all night last night and never stopped, not even for a minute today. None of us ( Randall, James, and myself) left the shelter before noon because we were waiting on it to stop raining before we put our tents away. It never happened so we just took down camp in the rain.    I made it the 13 1/2 miles to the next shelter and was soaked to the bone and actually pretty cold. When Randall and James showed up, it didn't take much convincing to get me to just call it a day and put on some dry clothes. None of us wanted to walk anymore today. see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5I9_eaqE30
Date: 2009-06-18
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bear Fence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Sometime last night the rain stopped and this morning the sun actually came out. I got to walking and found a freshly cut field to dry my tent and the rest of my wet gear. I also saw another bear this morning and I have brought my total up to 5 for SNP and 9 for the trip. Maybe next time I will have the sense to try and snap a picture.   Even though I have hiked lots of mile today, I have taken it pretty easy and am not too tired tonight. There are lots of people in the shelter and most of the tent spots are full, but luckily we got 3 spots off to the side. There is a section hiker named "Coach" here tonight that actually talked Clemson football with me which was cool. Coach is ....drumroll...... a football coach and was at UNC for a time so he knows Death Valley. I'm hoping this good weather holds up for us , I don't know how many more rain days its going to take to drive me nuts. I could rain everyday and I wouldn't quit, but these journal entries would sure get interesting.
Date: 2009-06-19
From: Bear Fence Mountain Hut

To: Bird's Nest #3 Shelter
Miles today: 22.5

Today was very "national-parkesque ". After leaving the shelter I only had to walk about 7 miles to get to Big Meadows Wayside and have a hamburger and fries. During that 7 miles I passed about 30 day hikers including one guy with really short shorts and a form fitting t -shirt that read "Freud" I was suspect of him and kept right on walking. Once we were done eating, "Coach" tried to convince us to head up to the lodge with him to drink beverages and watch the 2nd round of the U.S. open. It was enticing but we ( Hopscotch, Randall, and myself) decided to head up towards Skyland Wayside which was only another 8 miles and luckily enough, has a taproom.   On the way to Skyland we came across 3 bears so now my total for the park is 8. We found James waiting for us at the outdoor patio and we all enjoyed a beer while watching the tourists. I can't get over how I feel, like my role in the world is so much different than other people right now. These people are coming here to experience nature and see it, yet it's the most civilized area I've walked through. They are my entertainment for now and have been since I got in the park. I love watching the people learn and seeing how much they enjoy the views and the wildlife. I will be happy to get out of here and get back to the real AT... our AT.   That sounded really snotty but the trail just feels different in national parks, like you are sharing it with people who don't and can't love it as much as you do. click here for link to videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZMn2hq_Y4M
Date: 2009-06-20
From: Bird's Nest #3 Shelter

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: moderate rain

I took full advantage of the last wayside today. I walked 12 miles to get to Elkwallow Wayside and then I vegged out for awhile. I had a hamburger and fries, 3 Nutty Buddy Ice Cream Cones, and 3 beers. I must have sat in the grass and sunshine drinking these beers for 3 hours. I felt great. It started to get later in the day and Randall and James still hadn't shown up so I figured they had just passed this wayside up. I gathered my things and headed out to walk the next couple of miles to get to the shelter area.   I really took my time getting to the shelter because I knew I didn't have far to walk. I got to the shelter and actually took a bunk spot in the shelter. For the most part, I sleep in my tent somewhere around the shelter, but it looked like rain so I decided to just keep myself dry.    After awhile, James and Randall showed up at the shelter. It turned out that they had caught a hitch into town earlier in the day for lunch.    Somebody below me is already snoring!! I might drop something on that guy.
Date: 2009-06-21
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Finally out of the National Park! This morning we got up and started walking towards town, only 12 miles away. I had been thinking about town food, specifically fast food for awhile, and I couldn't wait to get into town.    We caught a ride from an ex-mob hit man in a Caddy and were in town in no time. The first stop we made was at Burger King where all of us enjoyed tons of food and soft drinks. I personally had 2 Jr. Whoppers, one Spicy Chicken Sandwich, 2 fries, and an order of onion rings. After BK , we went to the grocery store and re-upped on food. I couldn't get out of there without buying myself some dessert; two jelly doughnuts and a quart of chocolate milk. I liked that town.   After a short wait while hitching, we got picked up by a dad in a mini-van, who had just picked up dinner at KFC and was heading home. We got back on the trail around 6:30 and hiked the 5 miles to the shelter. During our hike, we went past the U.S. Zoological Research and Conservation Center which is like a zoo but doesn't allow visitors and whose main goal is species conservation. It sounds really cool and it has a lot of history because it was originally a Japanese POW camp.
Date: 2009-06-22
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: few clouds

Pretty average hiking day today. I stopped at a shelter after 10 miles and soaked my feet in a cool creek while I had lunch. After I left that area, I hiked the remaining miles and arrived at the shelter to find James hanging out with some Boy Scouts. It turned out there were like 50 more coming but they hadn't arrived yet. 50 is an exaggeration but there were at least 20+ and three Scout leaders. It was a loud night.    It's not the kids' fault and I am a supporter of Boy Scouts but there is a reason that you aren't supposed to travel in groups larger than 10 in the back country. And since there were so many people at the shelter area, all of the tent spots were taken up and the shelter was full. Luckily I had already set up my tent and didn't have to worry about it.    I got all the details squared away for my visit from my parents in two days. I'm excited to see them and it looks like we may actually have nice weather for them to day hike in.
Date: 2009-06-23
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was hot. It probably didn't help that the first 12 miles this morning were up and down the entire way, through a section called "the Roller Coaster". I didn't think it was as bad as advertised but it was still tiring.   editor's note from the Appalachain Trial Thru Hikers'Companion : "Roller Coaster - a 13.5 mile section with ten ascents and descents. The trail is narrow leaving trail crews little choice other than to route the path up and over each of these viewless and rocky ridges"   Yesterday we were told about a place that we would pass today called the Horseshoe Curve Restaurant and Bar. The man who told us about it had nothing but good things to say so we decided to try it out. It ended up being one of my favorite places on the trail so far. It's owned by an ex country singer/model named Tracee and her ex CIA agent husband, Jim. (link to site about the restaurant from editor)   http://www.clarkecountycommunity.com/music.html   We ended up staying there almost 4 hours drinking cold beer, listening to the Dead over the stereo and getting national intelligence stories from Jim. If you're ever traveling Hwy. 7 in Clarke County, Va. -look the place up.      There are two really cool hostels in the section we hiked today. One is the Bears Den Hostel which is owned by the ATC and the other is Blackburn Trail Center which is owned by the PATC.(Potomac Appalachian Trail Club)   My parents are meeting me tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. to hike the last 6 miles into Harpers Ferry and then visit for a day. I"m really excited to see them and I"m sure they're happy too, so the next two days should be fun.
Date: 2009-06-24
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harpers Ferry 
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

This morning I met my parents at Keys Gap. They left yesterday from S.C. and stayed in a hotel last night that was a few hours away. We were all very happy to see each other and I got hugs even though I hadn't showered in 9 days. They (mainly my mom) had bought a ton of food so I ate a good bit before we headed out to Harpers Ferry. Oh yeah, James' godfather, Carlton was also there to surprise James (Otter). He lives in D.C. and according to James he hasn't seen him in a few years. It was a good surprise.   The hike to Harpers Ferry was fairly uneventful but hot. Mom carried the pack for awhile to see what it was like and I think she might be ready for a short section hike. We made it to Harpers Ferry and went to the the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) so I could sign the thru hikers registry and get my photo taken for the records.   This evening Carlton took us all (me, my parents, James, and Randall) to dinner which was extremely nice and I am very grateful to him. After dinner, I did laundry and now am in a real bed!
Date: 2009-06-25
From: Harpers Ferry 

To: Harpers ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero day Highlights   -visiting with my parents   -Antietam Battlefield   - hamburger with fried egg in it   - going back to Horsehoe Curve restaurant with my parents   - driving a car   - taking watermelon to Bears Den Hostel for trail magic
Date: 2009-06-26
From: Harpers ferry

To: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: moderate rain

Today was a fairly boring hiking day. I separated from my parents just before 11:00 a.m. and was sad to see them go. I'm very grateful that they came all the way up here to visit me and am thankful I have such great parents. I know I wouldn't be where I am today without them and hopefully one day I can repay them for everything they've done for me.   Like I said, boring hiking with no views and no streams. The highlight of the day is that I'm at a campground with a hot shower. I did get some more bad news today. "The Phoenix" was bitten in the head by a rabid raccoon while he was sleeping and has to get off the trail for a month while he goes through rabies treatment. We'll miss him.(Even though Slapshot calls this a boring hiking day, watch this video for some excitement that did happen on the trail)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ziKeRgOASM
Date: 2009-06-27
From: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: few clouds

Today was a long one. I got up this morning with every intention of walking roughly 20 miles , then food entered the picture. I made it to my lunch destination which was 14 miles into the walk and set about reading the shelter register. As I read the register, I realized that I was only 12 miles from a road that led to a Golden Corral Buffet. Well I love Golden Corral.   The next thing I knew it was 7 p.m. and I was standing on a hwy. trying to hitch into Waynesboro, Pa. It didn't take long before a nice couple pulled over and I was enjoying all the food I could eat. After dinner I got another hitch back to the trailhead and somehow managed to hike the 2 more miles through the dark to the shelter area where I set up my tent.   Oh yeah, I saw someone hang glide today. It was incredible and I NEED to do it.
Date: 2009-06-28
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: light rain

I caught up with the guys today. James (otter) and Randall (jellyfish) left Harpers Ferry a day before me so I have been hiking by myself the past 2 days. I didn't think I would catch them this quick but I did almost hike 30 miles yesterday. Today while I was hiking I came upon a church service going on in the woods. I watched for awhile but soon moved on down the trail. At first I thought they could be Mennonites because some were wearing old fashioned clothes but then I found out they were Mormons celebrating pioneer days. At the end of my hike I was absolutely drained. I'm happy to be in my bag about to go to bed.   Side note, I haven't had my watch for the past 3 days and I am loving it.