morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-10-10
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

part 2....I am really liking my book, "Life on the Mississippi". I may have to do a journal entry with a southern drawl to keep things interesting. Torque could help me out with that being from TN. Below is a quote I read today that really seems fitting. "....I became a traveler! A word never had tasted so good in my mouth before. I had an excultant sense of being bound for mysterious lands and distant climes which I never have felt in so uplifting a degree since. I was in such a glorified condition that all ignoble feelings departed out of me...."
Date: 2007-10-15
From: 501 Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

mi. 17.4sleep hammockdest. Rausch gap shelter day 95 Another middle of the road mileage day. We puttered around until 8:30 or so until we left. I did get a good chat in with the section hikers last night and this morning. Torque said something that goes along with my little rant last night. I didn't think about it before now but it's true. The farther we get the more negative the average random person is about us finishing. In ME or NH it was all enjoy or you are going to be fine. Now it's you won't make it or it's going to get too cold. Come on people enough with the negative. Now I know how the last of the northbounders were feeling hearing all of that. Speaking of which, today is the historical last day for northbounders to summit MT Katadin. It is the last day you can overnight in the park. Hopefully everyone I met made it. Today I crossed over the 1000 mile mark. It felt great. It was a strange feeling to think that I walked over 1000 trail miles. A good bit more total miles. Now only 1200 to go. Soon the half way point. We took an extra long late moring break. We happened apoun a campsite where a lot of firewood was left. So we celebrated with a little fire. Now I haven't mentioned it yet, but Torque and I have been designing as we are hiking something fantastic. I think I forgot to mention he just graduated as a mechanical engineer, so we have a little in common. But we are designing a rottissory using only things we are carrying or can find. Today we had a proof of concept. Our ideas hold up, they just need a little fine tuning. BTW it is not going to be hand crank. That defeats the whole purpose. Our plan is to get a good chunk of meat and cook out some saturday or sunday. Somewhere really close to town on a 1 day resupply. Do a small day and cookout and eatup. Hopefully listen to football all day too. I'm thinking about picking up a radio by then. The rest of the hiking today was pretty good. The rocks are starting to lighten up. They really are not even close to being as bad as all the hype made them out to be. They are not as bad as what I have seen. They are also not all the time. There are mixed in some old service or forest roads, or just some less rocky parts. We rolled into the shelter a little before dark, around 6:30. Dark thirty is around 7pm these days. The spring here is dry, but we filled up at a small stream a mile before. It was just downstream of an old cemetary, but I think we are fine. The last person buried there was probibly close to 100 years ago. This shelter is nice. A lot of stone work around it. This area used to be an old mining area. The trail was an old rail road bed. It's interesting to see and great that the trail goes through places like this. The evening tonight was filled with lots of food, reading, and journaling. The plan for tomorrow is to either to 17 ish or 24 ish. The 24 would put us 5 out of Duncannon. That would make a quick in the next morning, giving us 2 full days in town. We'll see how it goes.
Date: 2007-10-19
From: Duncannon-Trail Angel Mary's

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

mi. 0sleep housedest. Duncannon day 99 Zero day in Duncannon. Sleeping, eating, and drinking. We finally did laundry and broke the streak of sober days in town. Not much else to say, behind in journals.
Date: 2007-10-24
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

mi. 15.8sleep hammockdest. Deer Lick Shelters day 104 Finally going to be caught up again. It is surprisingly easy to fall behind. One or 2 busy or late nights in a row. This will be relatively short since it is getting late and cold. It is sprinkling just enough to say it is right now. I can definitly see my breath before I got into my hammock. All I know is the drops looked to be falling slower than rain usually does. I think it is bordering on freezing rain. I woke up this moring at the usual time or 5:30-ish am. I looked out and could see it was still raining, so I went back to sleep. I woke up off and on until around 8am. It was always raing. I am not in a hurry and don't feel like hiking in the cold rain unless I can help it. Around 8:30am I finally got up. Really slowly too. I need another hammock night. I made breakfest not really knowing what my plan is. I have plenty of food to zero is needed. I am also only 2.6 miles from a road I can hitch on to get food. I decided to pack up and head out when it looked good. Around 10am it cleared up so to speak The rain stopped, but it was still cloudy. The wind was nice enough to blow the rain off of the trees. I will say it is much nicer hiking in this weather here as opposed to up north. Back in Maine and some other parts the trail is narrow. You brush up against the bushes and plants a lot. So you get soaked reguardless of whether or not it is raining. Not the case here. Nice wide trails or old roads. About halfway through I took my usual lunch break. I had a great view of the Washington Momument in MD. It was built back in 1827 and is the first one to him. The D.C. one back much later. I will be seeing it up close in a couple days, the trail oes right past it. I was finishing up when the sky started to get gray and the wind picked up. Time to pack up. I got the socks and shoes back on and everything packed up. It only sprinkld, but the fog really rolled in. My signal to pick it up. A nie short 30 minute break. It felt good again to be back on my own time schedule. I have noticed I hike a little slower. But my breaks are shorter, so it all evens out. I was going to push into MD tonight, but the late start took care of that. It's nice being next to the shelter when it is going to rain. It gives you a place to sit and cook. I also like to wait to get into my hammock. I can only lay down so long. Tomorrow the plan sits to make it 23.3 miles to I-40. There I am meeting Bulldog from hammockforums. I met him at traildays and he said to look him up. It is going to be a big-ish day. Actually it is pretty close to what I should be doind at this point. I finally got some of the food weight out of pack too, so it should be fun. He works until 4pm anyways. Hopefully I will get a good start and make it there by 5pm. I may open i up a little and see what I can do.
Date: 2007-11-08
From: Rusty's

To: Rusty's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

mi. 0sleep hosteldest. Rusty's Hard Time Hollow day 119 Now I was planning on hiking out today, but as you can see that didn't happen. I slept in to the ripe old hour of 8:45. I got up to find Rusty still asleep. He offered for me to sleep in the winter bunkhouse, the second floor of his place, were he sleeps. It's heated, but I had to pass. He snores more than a little, we all know I have issues with that. Good thing I passed, I hard them from the porch this morning. I took this time to do some catching up on my journal. After tonight I am finally going to be caught up again. It is really easy to fall 3 days behind. Anyways, before he got up I took a few minutes and packed up. I wasn't planning on making it very far anyways. Then he made some of his pancakes fresh for me. They have to be some of the best I ever had. He says he goes through about 400 lbs of mic a year. After that we attempted to replace my igniter on my jetboil. We spent forever on it. It is really nice of jetboil not to put the directions on the package, or their phone number for that matter. I had to call home and have my mom look it up online. After calling and explaining that them mailing me directions was no good, I was transfered to someone who knew what they were talking about. But of course was cut off. At this point we decided to say screw it. I'll work on it later. While I was waiting on Rusty to make soe phone calls before he could shuttle me back to the trail, who should stroll up but Torque. I was wondering how far back he was. It didn't take long for me to decide on zero number 2. I needed some rest anyways. Rusty was headed into town and I had to hit up the ATM. So I road around with him while he picked up a few things. Them we hit Kroger. Got to love cash back, no fees. I scored a couple little things. Along with some more batteries for my pocketmail and spares for my headlamp. Mine ran out after 10 minutes last night and Rusty gave me 2. I am now going to carry backups. Yep more batteries in the pack. Next it was Burger King and back to the hollow. I did bring some back along with a second thing of ben nd jerry's for Torque. He stayed behind during all of this. I felt a little bad leaving him behing, but there wasan't room in the van for him and what we needed to pick up. We got back and unloaded. I will have to say I have been drinking a lot of coffee the last few days. Perked coffee tastes pretty good. I'm still undecided on if I like the better than the way I make it on the tail. My way comes out stronger using less grounds and stove fuel, so it wins out on the trail. Anyways, I tend to get off topic when coffee comes up. It is nice to have someone to share it with. Drinking it alone is nice, but it is a little better with another. The rest of the night was filled with more talk with Rusty in his place. It's funny how he doesn't even let northbounders in. It is usually warm out and he doesn't spend much time in there. And there are more people coming through. It is too cold not to sit inside on nights now, at least when that option is there.
Date: 2007-11-09
From: Rusty's

To: Harper's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

mi. 6.3sleep hammockdest. day 120 I don't think I mentioned it, I may have. But I finally feel like I am on the back 9 so to speak of my hike. I have way less togo then I have done. I think after tonight it is 821. I'm still sitting on just over 15 a day for the end of the year. Can't say it matters, it is just a nice target. I talked with my friend in Hotlanta and she said she could help me out when I get done. My hiking friend in Cincy says he might go to the Springer's new years bash if I finish then. So I have my way home taken care of. Today I took my time getting up. I was definitly hiking out today regaurdless. Torque said that he saw snow flurries outside. Too which I replied I wasn't listening. We got up and had some warmed up blue berry pancakes for breakfest. They are still really good even warmed up. After that and a little poking around, it was off to the trail. Rusty dropped us off at the fireroad. Still an extra 1.5, but and easy one. Before leaving Rusty told us that it was going to rain this afternoon sometime. It was already pretty cold. Neither of us wanted to hike in the freezing rain, so a relatively short day. Side note. I am writting this the next night. It got to comfy to stay awake in the hammock. But a tree limb fell about 10 yards from where we are sitting. They sound loud and make you jump a little reguardless of how far away it happens. It's not even overly windy tonight. The hiking today was once again not too bad. The miles are rolling off now. The one thing that is slowing things down is the leaves. The ground is covered with them in places. You don't know if it is 1" deep, 10" deep, or covering a slippery rock. You just have to watch it and catch yourself with your trekking poles. We got to the shelter nice and early and relaxed and cooked dinner. It feels good to be hanging in the hammock again. Just after dark we were joined by 3 people. A sectioner and 2 weekenders. I didn't even know it was friday. I try hard not to talk bad about people. I will say what happened but leave names out. Torque and I hung our food. The 2 weekenders also hung theirs. Everyone was pretty adimit about hanging food. Except the section hiker. He was in his 70's and never hangs it. He said he doesn't have any problems. Given the time of year and food being harder to find for the bears, I am not taking and chances. He wanted no part of hanging his. It is pretty rude among other things to basically make the decision to put food in the shelter for everyone. If I was staying in the shelter I would have been adimit about not letting him keep his food i there. No one else really spoke up though.
Date: 2007-11-10
To: Seely Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

mi.10.0sleep hammockdest. day 121 Well everyone woke up fine. It did rain some, so wet foodbag. Next outfitter I am going to buy a new foodbag. Something waterproof. The sea to summit ultra sil bags just don't hold up. I am going to keep it short, it's late and I'm tired. Today was another chill day. We could have pressed on and made it to the next shelter last night. But the next one was over a 4000 footer and the sheltetr was over 3500. A couple thousand feet higher. Not to mention colder. Today I saw my first snow on the ground. The top of the bump we went over still had snow on the ground in places from the night before. We did take a really nice break in the sun. Surprising enough I got in a little sleep at that point. Throw in another nice long break at the shelter, and it made for a good day. It did snow a little, but nothing too bad. We got to the shelter to find a group of weekenders here. Nice people. I'm glad they were. Once again I broke my spoon. One of them had an extra one I could have. Nice people. Onto bed, can't stay awake any longer. Besides, after all the really long entries a short one mixes it up a little.
Date: 2007-11-22
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

mi. 0sleep hoteldest. Pearisburg day 133 Well I was going to do a short slack pack, but a couple misunderstanding got in the way. Instead I ended up getting some good sleep. Not to mention watching some quaility football. Thanks Giving dinner turned out to be chicken, mac salad, cookies, and choclate milk from walmart. But it tasted gret and it was nice to be with the parents. I also got the chance to introduce my parents to the stupid funny movies I like. Dodgeball was on tv tonight. Another great stupid funny movie I have been meaning to see. I still say I apprecate a good laugh and comedy a lot more than I did before my hike. Once again I stayed up way too late. A product of being warm and with electricity. On the trail I'm in bed by 8 or so and sleeping by 10 or 11 depending on how I feel. I can usually wake up on my own by 6am. With lights and warmth it was sleep at 1am and wake after 7am.
Date: 2007-11-25
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

mi. 16.6sleep shelterdest. Wapiti Shelter day 136 Happy birthday to me. Originally I was thinking that I would give myself a day off alone in a hotel. But after taking 3 days off in the last week and staying in the hotel all those nights with the parents, I'll save that for a time when I need it. One of those cold or rainy days that will be coming my way. Last night I was packing up and noticed my fuel canister was lower than I thought. I was in a town yesterday with an outfitter, but decided not to stop. I called this morning and got no answer. they probibly don't open until this afternoon being a Sunday. So I'm chancing it. If it comes down to it all cook over a small fire or make an alky stove. The hike up the dreaded hill was just another climb. The only thing that make it bad was my way to heavy pack. I am carrying way too much food. I am debating if I can skip the next town or not it's that much. There was also a store .5 off tomorrow that I could have stopped it. One of these days I'll get my resupply's down. Probibly sometime in GA. I passed 2 section hikers early on that said the group of 3 just in front of me were probibly about 2 days. In retrospect I should have slacked into Pearisburg on Thanks Giving. Everything was closed anyways. Then slacked the 24 northbound into town another day. I still could have taken a day or so off and been ahead. But what can you do. It was slow going with the heavy pack today. I was debating about stopping at the shelter 8 miles out. I got there at around 2pm. I didn't want to stop that early after taking so much time off. So after a quick break it was south again. I rolled into the next shelter just after dark. It was off of another rodadenron tunnel. I think I should just expect those in the valleys now. I'm glad I talked to the sectioners. They told me the water was the stream I pass just before the shelter. So I came in full up on water. I'll pass the same stream early on tomorrow. I decided to shelter it. When it's dark this long and I am spending this much time awake in camp, it just makes sense. Not as comfy as the hammock for sleeping, but better for the amount of time I will be spending awake. Plus I wanted to put the sleeping bag and more importantly the added pad to the test. I am glad I added the radio to the pack. It was really relaxing to sit back and listen tonight. The woods are just way too quiet at night with all the bugs dead. I was able to lay down and listen to monday night football with a backdrop to rain. It was finally raining here. I am becoming one of those lazy thru hikers that doesn't want to deal with a wet tarp unless I have too.
Date: 2007-11-27
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: broken clouds

mi. 23.6sleep shelterdest. Jenkins Shelter day 138 A couple things I keep forgetting to mention. It's easier to remember now that I'm caught up again. In town I never seem to do that much journaling. Too many other things to keep my busy. I picked up my loner pack and have been using it since Pearisburg. Well it lasted perfectly for about 4 miles. Then the sternum strap came off. It is the small strap that goes inbetween the shoulder straps in the front. Not a huge deal so much that it is annoying. I did a quick tie job around a decerative loop on the shoulder strap. We'll see how long it lasts. Gregory's stock to me is falling fast. Ok so just one thing. I managed to get packed up and headed south by just after 8am. I was hoping for earlier, but that is still an hour faster than yesterday. The hiking today was pretty chill. No huge bumps to do. I could tell a huge difference from yesterday. My pack finally got underneath the magical 35 lbs mark I think. I am going to watch my food resupply next time. We'll see if I follow through this time. I'll probibly end up with way too much food again. Now before I say the next thing I should add that I have nothing against hunters. I think they fill a vital role. Now having said this, twice today I almost stepped in the field dressing guts of a deer. The first time it was right next to the trail. I am surprised I didn't step in part of it or at least put my trekking pole in it. It looked to have been there a few days, it was all discolored. The second time it was right in the trail. I almost didn't see it. It had to be fresh. I could still make out the different colors of the different organs. Now all I ask if for them not to do that right on the trail. A few feet in either drection would be fine with me. Not the sort of land mines I usually look out for. Tonight is supposed to be a little chilly. The news I heard this morning said 25. It is a clear calm night. I am also in a valley. I wonder if I'll see 10 degrees. I'll have to check out my thermometer when I get up. I will say it was freakin cold when I was cooking dinner. Funny thing was on my feet I was only wearing my crocs. My feet don't really feel too much. Although the toes on one side felt every bit of the rock I kicked earlier that was laying in wait in a pile of leaves. But anyways, I had to warm up my fuel canister before I could use it. I lit it before I warmed it up and it was just a small little flame. My olive oil was also a cremy white paste. It has to be cold to do that. It was even cold enough that I didn't mess with after dinner coffee. I just made a quick dessert and wanted to get in bed. Pastashio pudding with animal crackers was fantasic. And before anyone asks, yes I made the animal noises when I ate the crackers. Once again I managed to get my rope stuck up in the tree while bear bagging. I think I figured out my issue. I leave the loop tied in the end I'm not throwing. That sometimes gets pulled into the trees. That is the one to get stuck. Lesson learned, always untie the knot when I am done.
Date: 2007-12-02
From: Hurricane Mtn. Shelter

To: Wise shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: broken clouds

mi. 10.9sleep shelterdest. Wise Shelter day 143 For some reason I didn't sleep too well last night. I kept waking up, and then didn't get up as early as usual. I did wake up to hear my tarp flapping in the wind. One of the guy lines came off. I should have set it up lower, I just knew rain was in the forcast for some time tomorrow. I wanted to have it up a little bit to give me room to move around if it was raining. Then again I should have it low to stop the wind blown rain. But it never came, so it's all good. I woke up and went to the shelter to find missinglink and john up, but the others still sleeping. Slowhike and Patrick came over after a little bit. Slowhike was nice enough to give me some of his extra food. That is going to make all the difference in getting into town. Thanks again. All of us ended up sitting around and talking for a good bit. We didn't get started until after 10am. Thanks again Slowhike and Patrick for coming out. It was nice talking and seeing some other hammockers. I am going to have to stop staying so much in shelters. I am warmer and more comfortable in the hammock. Tonight's plan was to hammock, but that just didn't work out. My goal was Thomas Knob Shelter tonight. That would put me in the same as the people right in front of me. Well that didn't happen. I got to the shelter around 3pm. I was pretty tired. I stayed up late last night talking. I also wasn't feeling it today. I got here and decided to stop. I cooked one dinner and decided to take a nap in the shelter. I laid out my bag and mat in the shelter and laid down listening to football on my radio. I ended up sleeping until after 6. John walked up then and said they set up somewhere behind. I said I would move over and make room, but he said they were fine. I was originally going to hammock. I found a nice set of trees. I decided since I was already setup in the shelter I would stay there. Thanks again to slowhike for giving me some of his extra food. I was able to eat a second dinner tonight, and tomorrow as well. That helped out a lot. Now off to bed while listening to the Bengles lose, again.