morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Cow Camp Shelter

To: Fish Hatchery Road
Miles today: 12.5

We thought for sure we would be the only two people at the shelter last night since it is so far off the trail. But 4 more people showed up. 1 kid out for a week and 3 thru hikers. The plan for the day was to get up at 5 and be hiking by 6, so that we could get to the B&B early. We both need a break and this is the perfect time.We made it out of the wood by 11:15. Pretty good. Today was a good day for hiking. Terrain was good, plus we were hiking early so we beat the heat.Again we had to walk down 1.1 miles to the road to get picked up. It means we will have to hike back up when we leave. And, it was all down hill. Yuk.I am debating taking a zero tomorrow. My left foot especially the toes are really swollen and are really numb. So, I want to rest it. But, I don't know if we can stay 2 days.If we can I will have 2.5 days to get to Waynesboro. I have a room for Sunday. If not I will take 3.5 days - but it will be a couple of days of low mileage, but very high climbs.I think either way works. It just that I need to get in and get some food. Hopefully, they can bring me in to the store in the AM. The hosts are out and about so I have not been able to ask them.The place is called the Dutch Haus. It is really nice. They serve lunch free everyday in May and June to any and all thru hikers. When we got in today we had BBQ pork (me) and BBQ beef (shark) on a baked potato. It was delicious and great to have a real meal.We have to pay extra for dinner, but will get a good breakfast. This place seems like heaven so far.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Fish Hatchery Road

To: Fish Hatchery Road
Miles today: 0.0

The evening at the Haus was nice. Very small group.Myself, Shark, Greenlight, Bluesky, Two Tents, and a real guest.We had great pizza - home made. Including one that included real Virginia Buffalo.Today was a mad house - hikers everywhere in for lunch. Lots of friends who got behind.Tonight, bigger group than last night. All the over 40 crowd.Got to the store - not much of a selection. Ended up with Ramen.Oh well.Off to hike tomorrow
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Fish Hatchery Road

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: moderate rain

Phrase of the Day: "Confessions of a Hiker".My last night at the Dutch Haus was a lot more kaotic than my first night. No real guests - all hikers. There were at least 13 hikers. I don't know how Lois and Earl manage it all. Because they feed everyone like clockwork - 3 times per day. We had another great dinner. Gourmet salad, A pasta, chicken, eggplant dish and a wonderful bread pudding. It was really good and as usual I could not finish mine. Somedays I can eat all the food others I cannot. Had a wonderful breakfast and then they were calling for us to hit the road at 7:30. It started raining on Wed evening, continued all day Thursday, and was pouring when we got in the back of a pickup truck for the bone jarring ride back to the bottom of the road. I made it back up the 1.1 miles road to the trail in about 30 minutes. On the way up the road we saw two fawns. They were so cute. Never did see the mother. I assume she was in the woods, but no sign of her.Shark did not make the trip out with me to the trail. He had to go back to the store to get fuel and they didn't open until 8:30. So, Rusty, Tagless, Tag along, and I were the ones dropped off.We were climbing up and over the Priest today - and tradition dictates that you confess to something in the trail register at the Priest Shelter. Well, it was raining so hard and I had my rain hood pulled down that I totally missed the shelter. I was annoyed at myself because I wanted to take my boots off and dump the water out and ring out my socks. My boots suck. And, I missed my chance. It was raining so hard - I didn't want to stop and sit in the rain to try to do the above.So, I will confess in my journal. I HATE HIKING IN THE RAIN. But, the pathetic part is - I hike better when it is cool. And, normally, it is cooler when it rains especially in the mountains. I felt like I had energy today and had I not been soaked to the bone I would have kept hiking.Found my first nickel on the trail today. Yippee.The weather is supposed to clear tomorrow. I will believe it when I see it.
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

Phrase of the Day: "See Rock City - Old Dominion Style"Yesterday, I hiked the 12 miles pretty much without stopping. I stopped 3 times to pee - and I stood under a roof of an information kiosk at a road crossing and tried to eat lunch without it getting totally soaked.I was so wet and cold and couldn't stop. We (Bluegrass, Ranger, Rusty, and Shark) were all in our sleeping bags by 6:30. Basically, trying to stay warm and dry. Everything was soaked. I actually put my wet clothing under my mattress pad to see if they would dry out a little. They did not. Putting on wet cold clothes at 5:30 was no fun at all.The weather today was perfect. Sun out, temps in the low 70's. Great hiking weather. Today was 16 miles of rock. It truly was Rock City without all the fan fare of the real "Rock City". And, because of the rain, it was deadly.It was a real challenge. I almost went down a dozen times by noon. The last part of the day we were treated to a rock scramble up Humpback Rocks. Luckily, the rocks were in the sun and were pretty dry. Thank God.Saw a deer this afternoon and had plent of good views. The sight of the day was my first American Redstart of the year.
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Phrase of the Day: "So Long..... and Hello...."Rusty's husband was meeting her at the Rockfish Gap trail head, so she offered to bring me, Bluegrass, and Ranger into Waynesboro. It was an offer that I could not refuse. The plan was to leave the shelter by 6.I woke up at 4 and couldn't fall back to sleep. I laid there until 4:30 and decided to go ahead and get dressed.Being a woman in a shelter full of men can be problematic as far as getting dressed. But, at 4:30 when they are all sleeping and it's pitch black out - it is another opportunity not to be passed up.Rusty, Ranger, Bluegrass, and I headed out at 5:45. Gave Shark a hug goodbye and off we went.It was the fastest 5 miles I've done. Today was different than most town days. Usually, you go down into a town. This was a climb out. Probably 3.5 miles of climbing with 1.5 miles of flat or down mixed in. We made it up to the Gap by 7:15. Rusty's husband and dog were there waiting. We headed to town and to eat.   Delicious breakfast as Wiesies. I had 2 giant blueberry pancakes, 3 eggs, and city ham. And, the best part - I ate it all.They all went to the Quality Inn and Rusty's husband drove me over to the Tree Street Inn. It is a Victorian House converted to a B&B. Very nice. And, for a while I was the only person there. The Inn Keepers were out of town and had a neighbor watching the place. She let me in and I made myself at home.Later in the day, Fishman and Tagless and Tagalong showed up. I was able to score a ride with a trail angel back to the outfitter in the afternoon. I needed to get a new pair of hiking shorts. My shorts were a little big to start, but now I had to cinch them up so much that it was uncomfortable under my pack waist belt. Luckily, I was able to find a pair that fit pretty good. Today is the day to say "So Long......"- And good riddance to Central Virginia. From Pearisburg to Rockfish Gap was both physically and mentally tough for me. I am glad to be done with it.- To the Blue Ridge Parkway. I will miss all of your trash receptacles at the overlook parking areas.- To climbs over 3000 ft. Apparently, no more climbs of that height until you reach Mass. This is what they say. But, they also said that Virginia was like a highway. Yeah - highway to hell. Either way, don't care cause I have already done Mass.- To Shark. My last hiking buddy decided not to get off here. He had a drop back at the Dutch Haus and will continue north. He was great to hike with. I am going to miss him a lot. We hiked together for almost a month.Today is the day to say "Hello...."- To hiking my own hike. It will be nice to hike my own hike again. Some days I felt like I was pushing to hard to keep up and do what others wanted. It will be good to do my own thing.- To the Shendendoahs and the fact that the end of Virginia is within sight.- To snacks and treats throughout the Shens.   This is the best. Wooo Hoooo.Milestones:510.1 Trip Miles387.5 Virginia Miles1300.1 Total Miles$2.54 In found money.
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Zero day.The Inn is very nice and the owners are interesting. I spoke at length with Nicki the female half of the couple. They are originally from Maryland, and bought the house 10 years ago and opened it up as the B&B.She said that Waynesboro is booming. Not really being affected by the recession. Lots of factories opening up and lots of farms still going strong. Nice to here.Had dinner with Rusty, Richard, Bluegrass and Ranger. They are all headed out today. May or may not see them again.Tomorrow, Tagless, Tagalong and I will head out. We are trying to arrange a ride early. The Inn people do not serve breakfast any earlier than 8. But, are going to ask the neighbor to come over and do the breakfast. I am running errands today. Hopefully, I have mailed my last stuff home. I am trying to find a place to get my hair cut and need to get some food supplies.   It is hot out now, but as usual it calls for rain later. Supposed to rain all week in the afternoon.   Ugh.I hope to be sitting in the shade by early this afternoon - relaxing.
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Phrase of the Day: "Not so bad...."My town day was spent doing the normal stuff, but I also took the bus to get my hair cut. For $15 they did a pretty good job. Better than the subs I have had at my normal place when my hair lady was not available. I was very happy.The Inn keepers weren't too keen on doing breakfast early for us. So, they pt out granola and muffins and a few other things and we helped ourselves.We hit the trail by 7:30. Thanks Trail Angel Dave Barry. Today was a great day for birds and wildlife. Saw a deer within 2hrs of entering the park. She wasn't the least bit afraid of me. She was off the trail eating some leaves off a tree and she didn't budge. I was able to get an OK picture.About an hour later I saw my first bear. It was a cub - off the trail a little. It bolted, but I got a pretty good look at it. Pretty cool.Saw good birds today - versus just hearing them. Black and white warbler, two grouse, a pileated woodpecker and a couple of thrush.Started the day in a thunderstorm and ended the day in a thunderstorm. Huge storm rolled in just as I got to the shelter. Thunder, lighting , and lots of hail.Found 7 cents today.
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Black Rock Hut

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Phrase of the Day: "Bear Scare..."I started to get a cold on Monday. Yesterday, I pretty much lost my voice. Mountain Man showed up at the shelter with the Tag Team and with Fishman. Since I had dinner with him the other night I knew that he had a bottle of Jim Beam with him. I asked him if I could take a few swigs. I know, I know. But, I thought it might help flush the cold out. It did help me sleep and the cold came out. Runny nose and the whole nine yards versus just having no voice.I slept pretty good, but there was a whip-o-will who kept calling all night. I've never heard one, so it was a treat. But, he kept it up all night long.I had another big day so I was up and on the trail by 6:30. The rest of my shelter mates were only going to do 13 miles, so I was off on my own again.I did the first 3 miles in about 1hr. And, as I was coming up out of Browns Gap I heard the distinctive rustling of an animal off to the right of the trail. I see that it is a bear, so I stop and grab my camera and wait for it to come out onto the trail before I proceed. I see that it will come out up ahead of me.I am standing there watching and the bear pops out followed immediately by 3 cubs. They were so cute. About the size of my kiwi (less than 20lbs).I am waiting for them to go across the trail and get moving. But, they are foraging around. They haven't seen me yet. I am hoping that they just move along so that I can get by. The momma finally turns around and sees me and starts heading down the trail toward me. I raised my poles above my head and started banging them together and yelling. She stood up on her hind legs and started hissing at me. As I clanked the poles together - the 3 cubs rain off the trail and all went up the same tree. Momma got back down on all fours and vacillated between running off the trail and running down the trail. Finally, she ran off. The cubs were up the tree still looking over at me. One by one, they slide down the tree feet first and ran after momma. I stood there with adrenaline pumping. Wholly, molly, was I scared. I pretty much ran up the trail to get by where they were.   And, of course it had to be up a hill.The rest of the day was not quite as exciting. I did see a towhee attack a chipmunk on a tree branch. It must be crazy animal day or something.Saw a few good birds - grouse, indigo bunting and another pileated.Found 27 cents.
Date: 2009-06-11
From: High Top Hut

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 20.4

Phrase of the Day: "Cruising through Bear Country"When I got to the shelter, Star Trek and two women (Lil Red & something snail) were there. The women were tenting, so Star Trek and I had the entire shelter to ourselves. We both ended up sleeping on the top level because the bottom level was infested with giant black ants. There were a few on the top, but the bottom was crawling with them. A little later, Fire Cracker, and two of the three stooges came in. The Stooges are 3 brothers from Holland. Their girlfriends arrived Monday from Holland to visit and to hike with them for a few days. They were also tenting.I was up and hiking by 6:15 another big day planned. Last night while we were sitting at the shelter a deer came up to eat some leaves. I hadn't seen any deer since the first day. But, I have seen plenty of deer tracks on the trail heading both north and south. There is so much mud you can really see the tracks.I have been in the Shens for 3 days and have done 61.8 miles. I am doing big miles because I need to be in Front Royal on Sunday to meet Birdsong who is coming down from Maine to start her hike.The terrain is the easiest I have been on so far. It is not easy, but easier than what I have been doing.I found 2 more pennies today.I have also seen a lot of birds today. Indigo Bunting, Pileated, Rose Breasted Gross Beak, Thrashers, and Thrushes. I flushed a momma Grouse and her chicks out from the side of the trail. The chicks scattered and the mother started making a distress call. I felt bad, but what can you do. I hope they get all back together.But, the amount of bears I have seen is incredible. I saw two this morning in two different places. Both off the trail and fairly small in size.This afternoon, I ran into three of them together about 1 mile from the lodge. They were all small. Two ran away from the trail, but one was just off and wouldn't budge. She was foraging. I clacked my poles together and she ignored me. She turned, so I ran by. Then she looked up and started hissing at me. I just kept walking really fast up the trail.Nine bears in three days. Wow. Making up for the 1300 miles that I hiked and hadn't seen any.I made my way to the Big Meadow Lodge and got a room. I feel like crap and couldn't breath all night. Hopefully, I will get a good night sleep tonight.I wanted to do laundry, but the cashier was gone for 1 hr. Of course it was the hour that I was there to do the laundry. So, I ended up walking down to the wayside to get soap. They have these little stores/grills along the sky line drive called waysides. They serve food and sell stuff. Got myself a trail famous blackberry shake. It was nothing to write home about. The wayside is about 2 miles up and back from the lodge. I ended up seeing three deer on my way down and back. I just came back from dinner and ran into the Rugged Shark. He was here with his brother. Him and I will be hiking out tomorrow to the same shelter. It will be good to have him around for the next couple of days.
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Compton Gap Trail
Miles today: 22.7

Met two young women later at the shelter. They were just finishing up a 3 day trip. Don't recall their names, but they were interesting. They picked some wild plants to add to their dinner. Sorrel and a couple of other plants. They tore the leaves up and added it to whatever they were cooking. They seemed very knowledgeable about the different plants and told Shark and I all about them. Pretty cool.Pretty much finished the Shens today. 103+ miles in 5 days. Pretty good, but I am tired. The terrain today was pretty good, but it seemed really dark. Yesterday, I finally had some views - today a few, but for the most part I was deep in the dark woods. It just seemed really dark. It threatened rain all day and was pretty gloomy. Didn't see any bear today and only one deer right at the shelter. One right before dark and one again in the AM. We did find a lot of little snakes in the fire pit. One of the young women said they were ring neck snakes. Sounded good to me. They were black with a little yellow ring around their neck.Shark and I hiked together today. We stopped at a wayside (7 miles from the shelter) at 9:30 and ate cheeseburgers. The breakfast of champions.We had a long day today and I was really tired. This cold is kicking my butt. I hope it passes soon because it is sapping my energy.We are staying at a hostel tonight and I will do the five miles down to Chester Gap in the AM and then make my way to town to wait for Birdsong.
Date: 2009-06-14
From: Compton Gap Trail

To: US 522, Chester Gap
Miles today: 3.8

I made arrangements with the hostel guy to meet me at the gap and drive me into town. Worked out pretty cool. I was able to slack pack the 3.8 miles.I left the hostel around 7 and he was going to pick me up at 9:30 because he was bringing another guy into town.I got to the road about 8:45 - pretty easy going. But, once I got there I wasn't sure I was at the right road. There was nothing indicating where I was. I will miss that about the Shens. Everything was clearly marked. Each road crossing and trail crossing so you knew exactly where you were.I started to panic thinking that I wasn't at the right place. So, I crossed the road and kept hiking - I came back out onto the road and decided to flag someone down to ask.   Cars kept whizzing by me, but one guy finally stopped. I was at the right place. So, back down the trail I went.   I was way early, but better to be early than to be late.I am in town now, but can't check in. Too early. So, I will keep myself busy until then.Milestones:617.2 Trip miles1407.2 Total Miles494.6 Virginia Miles$2.90 In found money
Date: 2009-06-15
From: US 522, Chester Gap

To: Dicks Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Phrase of the Day: "Company"Birdsong arrived in Front Royal about 1pm. Her husband drove her down to NJ/Philly from Maine. Then a friend drove her down to Front Royal. Her friend is an FBI agent. Very cool. She was super nice and drove me around town to get supplies. I needed to go to the outfitter. I had walked up there (a few miles from the motel) before Birdsong arrived, but they didn't open until noon. Then We drove over after one and there was a sign on the door out to lunch. Who closes for lunch when you are only open from noon to five? We went down to the grocery and came back and they were still closed. I told the friend I would wait - that she could start back to NJ. She finally agreed and Birdsong and I waited. The guy finally shows up and his store had nothing. Apparently, they are in the middle of moving into the new location and had no inventory. It was a total waste of time. So, we walked back to the grocery and got the rest of what I needed for meals.We were up and had eaten and were ready to go by 7. We decided to try and hitch. And, if we didn't get a ride - we would call a cab. The women at the front desk said that people call cabs to get back to the trail. By the time we walked down to the trail road it was about 7:10. The road was a four way intersection, so we got to the side and put our thumbs out. By 7:25 we scored a ride. A older gentleman with his dog in a pickup truck. We threw our stuff in the back of the truck(with the lawn mower and weedwhacker) and climbed in. 5 minutes later or so we were back at the trail head. Cool deal.Birdsong did great. We went further than the original plan by 5 miles. The terrain was not the Shens, but was pretty good. We took lots of breaks and still made it to the shelter by 2:45. It was nice to do a relatively short day because I still have no energy.The trail was really dark again today. Still threatening rain.Found 3 more pennies today.
Date: 2009-06-16
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Phrase of the Day: "Welcome to the Roller Coaster".Birdsong and I thought we would be the only two at the shelter last night, but a couple came in a little later. Mudslide and Pudgie Pie. They just got back on the trail after taking 8 days off in DC. The shelter only held 4 hikers and was a weird shaped - sorta octagon. Felt bad because another guy showed up and there was no room for him at the inn.We were up and hiking by 6:30 today. About 7 miles in we entered an area that they call the roller coaster. It is 13 miles of ups and downs. We've done about 8 of the 13. It really wasn't too bad. I've done two low mileage days. Funny to think that 15 miles is low, but it really feels that way.I don't want to kill Birdsong by trying to make her do big miles. We've finished both days around 2:45. It's a lot of sitting around which is hard, but it is probably good for me to slow it down. It is a mental adjustment though.The trail was pretty blah today. Lots of river crossings and mud. Two more days to Harpers. Wooo Hooo.Found another penny on the trail.Pound Hound and Garage Man are here at the shelter tonight as well as Pudgie Pie and Mud Slide.   Pound Hound and Garage Man are hammock hangers. They gave me a tour of their digs. Pretty cool. I wish I could borrow one to try it out because it sure seems like a nice set up. But, I wouldn't want to spend the money until I knew I liked it.