morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: few clouds

Almost 40 miles of the A.T. cross Maryland most of which follow the ridgeline of South Mountain. Maryland's 40 miles are considered fairly easy by A.T. standards, with only a 1,650' change in elevation from the low point at the Potomac River (250' elevation) to the high point at High Rock (1,900' elevation). There are few rocks and steep climbs compared to other parts of the trail in other states. However, it still offers plenty of challenges and some impressive scenery. Maryland can be done in a four or five day backpacking trip. Trail shelters and backpackers' campgrounds are approximately a day's hike apart. Among today's points of interest were: Dahlgren Back Pack Camprground; Washington Monument; I-70 Footbridge, US 40; Pine Knob Shelter; Trail to Annapolis Rock; Black Rock Cliffs and Pogo Memorial Campsite.History of Washington Monument:On the summit of South Mountain, a spur of the Blue Ridge chain, stands the rugged stone tower known as The Washington Monument - the first monument dedicated to the memory of George Washington. Rising majestically to a height of 34 feet, the tower was built by the citizens of the village of Boonsboro. It has been said that "As monuments go, none was ever built with purer or more reverent patriotism."Washington traveled through Western Maryland in his early years as a surveyor. The Appalachian Trail winds through this park and passes the base of the monument. Over the years, weather and vandalism reduced it to a pile of rubble. In 1882, the restoration of the monument was undertaken and carried out under the sponsorship of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Boonsboro. At this time a canopy was added, and a roadway for vehicles was built up the mountainside to the site. A decade later the rugged tower was marred by the development of a crack in the wall. Because it was not repaired, the monument again fell in ruins. The third dedication ceremony was held on July 4, 1936, exactly 109 years after that first day of patriotic activity by the citizens of Boonsboro. Today¢s Science Lesson:Miles traveled: 15.7Elevation changes traveling from Rocky Run Shelter (1,600¢) to Ensign Cowall Shelter:over 2 miles:   (600¢) down at Turners Gap, US Alt. 40 (1,000¢)over 8.1 miles: (800¢) up at Black Rock Cliffs (1,800¢) over 5.6 miles: (400¢) down at Wolfsville Road (MD 17) (1,400¢)over 15.7 miles total elevation change: (200¢) downTemps: High 88/Low 68 Phase of the moon: waxing crescentAs we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible but more mysterious.   - Albert Schweitzer -
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: haze

Adam hiked 10 miles with me today in hot and very humid temps. All the water I drink doesn¢t even get a chance to pass thru my kidneys¢¦it just pours out my pores!We didn¢t see any ssssssssnakes much to Adam¢s dismay. He really wanted to get some photos, but it wasn¢t in the hand dealt today¢¦ And, that¢s just fine with me!I don¢t like ssssssssnakes! I really don¢t like ssssssssnakes!I had an opportunity to ¢teach¢ today at Pen Mar Park about 10 miles from Rocky Run Shelter.   There was a group of about 100 Jewish Community School 5th/6th grade students on retreat getting ready to hike about 1 mi. across the Mason/Dixon Line . Their teachers asked if I would speak with them about my AT experience. There were some good questions asked, and perhaps the seeds of adventure and exploration were planted in a mind or two¢¦ I had my first ¢personal injury¢ today ¢ a splinter about 12¢ long and 14¢ diameter - stuck in my leg when I kicked a stick and one end of the stick stuck in the ground and the other in my leg! Adam filmed the operation which included the use of the tweezers on my knife followed by a dousing of alcohol and slathering of 3-in-1 ointment. Good as new¢¦We¢re tough out here on ¢the trail¢! Tentative plans to meet Kathryn Esche for dinner never materialized¢¦This day began in MD (1,400¢) and ended in PA (1,420¢). I crossed the PA-MD line (2,360¢) just outside Pen Mar Park and traveled on thru Pen Mar Road; Buena Vista Road; Old PA 16; Blue Ridge Summit, PA, Mackie Run, Mentzer Gap Road; Bailey Spring and arrived Deer Lick Shelter.I attempted to have a conversation with Bonnie tonite around 9:00, but she was unable to understand me. I could hear her fine, but a conversation requires 2 people and we were 1 short of that number¢¦ Your heart is free¢¦have the courage to follow it. - Braveheart -
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Tried to contact Bonnie shortly after noon today to report another BIG ¢small world story¢, but she didn¢t answer her phone. Left 2 voicemails on her cell and then tried her office phone ¢ no luck!When I finally reached her at 2:00 she told me her cell was off and her office phone went to voicemail. That¢s one way to keep the calls to a minimum!Today coming south on the trail a young woman approached me and said: ¢Sandman.¢ Not a question ¢ a statement. My voice responded, ¢yes¢ while my mind was having a silent conversation with me saying: "You're in trouble now because you have no idea who this young woman is¢¦¢ Mystery solved ¢ her name is Jane Bouchard and she is the sister of Bob who works with Bonnie! There are no coincidences¢¦We had lunch together before going our separate ways ¢ she south to Harpers Ferry and me North to ¢the next best place¢¢¦She had 2 beautiful feathers in her hat ¢ far more beautiful than the ones I had stowed at the bottom of my pack (which I retrieved to show her). I didn¢t get her photo and the moment¢s gone! Regretfully, I am only able to tell you about this chance meeting; the image will remain mine only ¢¦The day is again very hot and humid and I am pouring sweat. It¢s really not very pleasant (and I certainly hope unoffensive to Jane). Rain is forecast over the next couple of days, but so far this day remains dry.Today's Points of Interest:Antietem Shelter, Old Forge Park; Rattlesnake Run Road (no rattlessssssnakes to report!); Old Forge Road; Hermitage Cabin (locked);Tumbling Run Shelters; Chimney Rocks (1,900'); Swamp Road; South Mountain, PA, Rocky Mountain Shelters; Fayetteville, PA; US 30, Caledonia State Park, Thaddeus Stevens Museum (960'); Quarry Gap Road.At US 30 at Caledonia State Park I hiked in/out 2 miles R/T to resupply before arriving my final destination today: Quarry Gap Shelters.An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered.An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.   - G.K. Chesterton -
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel - Pine Grove, PA
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Another good, hot weather day, spent in shorts and shirtsleeves. My leg seems to be healing fine.Elevation at Sandy Sod Junction leaving Quarry Gap Shelters was 1,980¢. And over the next 7 miles I climbed only 60¢ to 2,040¢ at Big Flat Fire Tower. And, the elev. at end of today was 900¢ at PA 233 .3 of a mile before Pine Grove Furnace State Park.Geography today: Middle Ridge Road; Ridge Road, Means Hollow Road, Milesburn Cabin (locked), Milesburn Road, Birch Run Shelter, Shippensburg Road, Michener Cabin (locked), Woodrow Road, Toms Run Shelters.Spent the night at Old Mansion Hostel near Pine Grove Furnace State Park which is the halfway point on the AT. Upon arrival here, the tradition is to eat a half-gallon of ice cream. As much as I love ice cream, and anyone who knows me knows that, I could only consume a pint of "chockit" - Tommy's favorite flavor! I¢d have been sick to my stomach had I tried to be a hero! That badge I left to the younger hikers¢¦been there; done that!The Hostel has 50 dormitory bunks, as well as showers and a laundry. Reservations are recommended if you want to sleep inside. Lodging cost is $16 per night per person. There's a $5 Day Use Fee charged on Saturday, so the cost for a bunk in the hostel for the entire weekend is $37.   I did a little shopping and bought 10 hotdogs a dz eggs and some vienna rolls.For dinner I chowed on 6 hot dogs, 3 rolls and mongrel brand cola. At breakfast I gave away 6 eggs and scrambled 6 (which I ate with bagles and coffee) before heading out to tackle another trail day.New face today: ¢Old Gray Mare¢ ¢ she¢s from Plainville, MA.May there always be work for your hands to do, may your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine on your windowpane, may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you, may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.                     - An Irish Blessing -
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel - Pine Grove, PA

To: Primitive Campground - Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.0

Talked with Bonnie mid-day today while stopped for lunch on a bridge at a creek elev. (650¢-700¢) somewhere between Pine Grove Furnace State Park and my next destination:   Alec Kennedy Shelter (15.5 miles) or Primitive Campground (which Jane told me about) located .4 mile before Boiling Springs, PA. (19 miles). She said it¢s along the tracks and noisy, but there aren¢t many choices.   So my next ¢piece of ground¢ depends on when I decide to shutdown. Even though I am trying to keep to 15 mi. days now, it¢s hard to stop a race horse once out of the gate¢¦longer daylight invites longer walking and it¢s hard not to accept the invitation!I told Bonnie today I¢m having a great day on the trail engaged in silent conversation planning my next ¢hurrah¢. She wasn¢t too keen on hearing that and told me perhaps that was a conversation for another day and time¢¦I guess some things are better left unsaid! So far the trail in PA is very forgiving although I¢m told the rocks coming up after Duncannon are tough ¢ some the size of a Volkswagen! Will this be "pfarfenugen" or just plain hell? Stay tuned...My plan is a zero day in Duncannon, at the Doyle Hotel, but I may pick up my maildrop, resupply and move along depending on what Duncannon has to offer. I¢ll know better when I arrive¢¦(Today¢s mileage will reflect 19 mi., but will be modified if necessary)We ought to do good to others as simply and naturally as a horse runs, or a bee makes honey, or a vine bears grapes season after season without thinking of the grapes it has borne.             - Marcus Aurelius -
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Primitive Campground - Boiling Springs, PA

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

My mileage reported yesterday's journal entry is correct at 19.0.I ¢walked on by¢ Alec Kennedy Shelter and did the extra 4 miles spending the night at Primitive Campground, Boiling Springs, PA - named for ¢upwelling cold springs which chill the downstream Yellow Breeches Creek, creating a famed trout fishing spot.¢ It was, as Jane indicated, very noisy and located next the the rr tracks. And, I was told there were 9 trains that went thru during the night. But, I must have been unconscious because I heard only 2 of them¢¦one just before falling sleep and one before awakening. I attribute this ¢dead sound sleep¢ to having lived next to rr tracks my adult life.   It¢s only when the house shakes and the cars couple that I respond - kinda like a 3.0 on the Richter Scale! My brief experience conflicts with the following:   ¢Boiling Springs is an outdoors lovers' haven at the north end of South Mountain. Fishermen, bikers, and (not least!) hikers converge on this favored spot in the Great Valley to enjoy its sublime beauty. The Appalachian Trail Conference Mid-Atlantic Regional Office nestles across from the post office on PA 174 beside the exquisite "Children's Lake" and its gazebo which has served as the venue for numerous Trail weddings. This friendly, relaxed community invites strollers to serious hikers with seemingly infinite scales of exploration possible from this single point.************************************************************************Moving right along...Home last night was the Darlington Shelter (1,250¢). Today was a ¢big food¢ day!Bagel w/cream cheese and bagel, egg and sausage with coffee at The Caf© before departing Boiling Springs.After walking 8 miles in 3 hrs. I stopped off of US 11 and had lunch (cheeseburger deluxe w/frfr and coffee). And, because I could, at dinner I treated myself to Spaghetti and Veal Parm which I enjoyed with Head¢n Out and Tag¢n Along ¢ we finally caught up¢¦I don¢t know whether I caught them or they caught me!The land trekked today was flat, flat, flat¢¦rising only 750¢ over nearly 15 miles. Could it be the ¢calm before the storm¢? Only time and miles will tell¢¦Remember, I mentioned rocks the size of Volkswagens! Along the way today I passed: PA 74; Trindle Road (PA 641); Pennsylvania Turnpike (oh, that alien sound of speeding traffic!), New Kingston, PA; US 11, Carlisle, PA; I-81 Crossing; Conodoguinet Creek, Scott Farm Trail Work Center; Donnellytown, PA at PA 944 (480¢); Spring; Darlington Trail, Tuscarora Trail arriving today¢s final destination: Darlington Shelter.New faces: ¢Orange Man¢ and ¢Old¢¦?¢ ¢ a retired teacherObservation: I think it's time to get new boots! We called him Tortoise because he taught us.          - The Mock Turtle: Alice in Wonderland -
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Darlington Shelter

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

I'm in Duncannon having walked past PA 850 (650'), Cove Mtn. Shelter (1,200'), Hawk Rock, US 11 and 15 at PA 74. This place is booming with other hikers (some of whom I've connected with along the way). I hiked all day with "Old Graceful" a retired science teacher from Atlanta.(I mentioned him as a "new face" yesterday and couldn't remember his entiretrailname) - mystery solved. He has 2 sons (he studied more science) and 5 grandchildren; I have 3 sons (I practiced more science) and 5 grandchildren (waiting on 6 due 7-18). We had a great day together as only 2 retired science teachers could! He taught chemistry, biology and physical science. I taught oceanography and earth science. Together we pretty much have it covered!Headin' Out and Taggin' Along are here, too.I got a room cheap, cheap, cheap - $20, at The Doyle Hotel - single room with a dble bed and I'm gonna love that pillow! Oh, in case you're wondering there's no "star rating" at The Doyle, however, IF you drink beer; it's really cheap! And, I suspect while Sandman sleeps, there will be much merriment in the bar. I already picked up my maildrop - thank you! The shorts are too big, the head opening in the shirt is too small, but I feel like a million bucks with my new wardrobe. And, I will begin to walk again early tomorrow morning grateful that the "self-inflicted" injury to my leg is healing well with no residual problems. My next brief stop will be Port Clinton (4-5 days and 70 miles away) where I will resupply and head on toward my next "Zero Day" which is 115.2 miles (approx. 8 days) away at Little Gap where I'll spend a night with Bill and Susan Schierwagen who live 4 mi south of the AT near the Lehigh River. I think the last time I saw them was at their wedding or shortly thereafter! So much time; so many memories...  Bill will pick me up at the trail and shuttle me to the Outfitters. I think it's time "to replace my tires"! I'm looking forward to our short reunion and overwhelmed by the offer extended me. "Friends" - the elixir of life...My next maildrop should include maps of NY, CT, MA and Atlas pages for same.Imagine: I will be in that geography within the next 2 weeks - hard to believe! Good night...don't let the bed bugs bite!In everyone's heart stirs a great homesickness.                -Rabbi Seymour Siegel -
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Duncannon, PA 

To: TBD
Miles today: 0.0

A photo of my "home" last night, The Doyle Hotel, is displayed on this journal page. Weather in Duncannon today is sunny, fair and 70o. Journal details will be reported later¢¦PA Trail Geography:The Appalachian Trail follows ridges of mountains east of the Alleghenies to the Susquehanna River in a long section of Trail notorious for its foot-bruising, boot-destroying rocks. The Trail north of the Susquehanna is characterized by long, flat, rocky ridges broken by fairly strenuous climbs in and out of gaps. About ten miles south of the Susquehanna River, the Trail crosses the Great Valley of the Appalachians to the Blue Ridge. This southern portion of the Trail through Pennsylvania has many sections that are gentle, and grades are easy, making it one of the easiest sections of the Trail. Pennsylvania can be oppressively hot in summer, and water may be scarce. Note: The Trail crosses many roads and some shelters are near roads,   where scattered crime problems make extra safety awareness a good idea.   Nobody's family can hang out the sign, "Nothing's the matter here."      - Chinese Proverb -
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Duncannon, PA 

To: Spring
Miles today: 17.4

After a full day on the trail out of Duncannon, I spent the night in my tent at Spring and had the company of Headin¢ Out, Taggin¢ Along and Old Graceful.Faces along the way today: Stinky and Orangutan Places along the way today: Juniata River at PA 849; Susquehanna River (380¢); west end of Clarks Ferry Bridge; Norfolk Southern Railway, US 22 & 322; Clarks Ferry Shelter (1,260¢); PA 225 Overpass; Table Rock; Peters Mountain Shelter; Shikellimy Overlook (1,320¢).Today¢s elev. change was (940¢) between the Susquehanna River (380¢) and Shikellimy Overlook (1,320¢) and the trail didn¢t present any great degree of difficulty. The biggest event of the day was the sight of a 5-6 ft. black rat snake and a timber rattler.Right now it looks like I¢ll be at Port Clinton in 4-5 days and my next mail drop will be at Little Gap. I¢ve asked Bonnie to send along the NY, CT, MA, maps as well atlas pages of NJ, NY, CT. Hard to believe how far I¢ve come¢¦and how far I¢ve left to travel!Because a thing seeems difficult for you, do not think it is impossible for anyone to accomplish. But whatever is possible for another, believe that you, too, are capable of it.      - Marcus Aurelius ¢
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Spring

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.4

Today¢s resting place was Rausch Gap Shelter (980¢) where I spent the night in my tent. ¢Big Agnes¢ and I need to bond a little¢¦I sleep most nights in a shelter and she¢s getting jealous!Old Graceful, Headin¢ Out, Taggin¢ Along are still with me as well as a new face: Sweet Pea from Lexington, MA. It¢s been raining lightly for 2 days and I managed to eat dinner tonight before being chased into my tent by rain which eventually stopped so we could have a fire. Places along they way today: Clarks Valley (550¢) at PA 325; Stony Mountain; Horse-Shoe Trail (1,650¢); Yellow Springs Village Site; Cold Spring Trail.Total elevation change today: 430¢In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments ¢ there are consequences.         - Robert G. Ingersoll ¢
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter - Pine Grove, PA
Miles today: 17.4

Called Bonnie twice today: from Swatara Gap before 9:30 am just to check in and again about 7:30 pm. She was with Curt, Jenna and Tommy having dinner and I had a chance to speak briefly with Curt - all's well and that¢s good. I¢ve been hiking with Headin¢ Out and Taggin¢ Along for the past 2 days and today Taggin¢ Along set a pace I just couldn¢t keep. I found myself about 80 yds behind eating snacks in the rain thinking¢¦I¢ve traveled through 5 states and am down to triple digit mileage ¢ a sudden awareness because I haven¢t given those details much thought. I¢ve just taken each day as it comes and walked...Today was sunny and warm ¢ pleasant, but sweaty.Places along the way today: Green Pt., PA at PA 332; Swatara Gap, PA 72 (480¢); I-81; Wm Penn Shelter (1,380¢) at which point I had 999.2 miles left to Mt. Katahdin, ME; Blue Mountin Spring; PA 645Tonight I was able to order dinner from the shelter ¢ 2 pizzas: lg and sm and a 2 ltr coke. It was delicious and I ate every bite! Yep, it¢s still all about the food... To make good choices, I must develop a mature and prudent understanding of myself that will reveal to me my real motives and intentions. - Thomas Merton: No Man is an Island ¢
Date: 2006-06-10
From: 501 Shelter - Pine Grove, PA

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Another great day; not much to say; wonderful sights along the way. What did I see today?Trail to Pilger Ruh Spring; Round Head and Shower Steps; Hertlein Campsite; Schuberts Gap; Fort Dietrich Snyder Marker; Rentschler Marker (1,440')at PA 183; Black Swatara Spring; Sand Spring Trail. 660¢ elevation increase between 501 Shelter and Eagle¢s Nest Shelter. Good night...The wheel¢s are still on the bus; my leg is healing well; my mind and heart are full. I miss you all and am closer today than yesterday¢¦ At the center of your being you have the answer; You know who you are and you know what you want.         - Lao Tzu -
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton - Pavillion
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Short miles today ¢ 8.6; weather cold w/wind and I wore my thermal shirt w/fleece jacket.I arrived Port Clinton about 11:30 AM and am camping at the pavillion along with Headin¢ Out, Taggin¢ Along and Old Graceful. Was picked up by a trail angel "Bag of Tricks" who drove the 4-5 miles to town where, among other things, I bought a couple of Mtn. House trail dinners at Cabello¢s.I¢ve had heartburn all day, but really enjoyed the cup of coffee I had mid-day.Talked with Bonnie while she was on her way from Jessie Olson¢s high school graduation party to Elyse Koral¢s party celebrating graduation from Boston Univ. Congratulations Jessie and Elyse! I plan to be at Little Gap, PA in 3-4 days, will stay with the Schierwagensand have asked for more of that delicious trail mix as well as the next maps and atlas pages.Tomorrow¢s destination is Eckville Shelter ¢ 15.2 miles ¢good lord willing and the creek don¢t rise!¢The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all the exercises walking is the best.         - Thomas Jefferson -
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Port Clinton - Pavillion

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the pavillion this morning and walked 14 to 12 mi to have a superfantastic,superabundant, superfilling breakfast (you know, a family style sampler ¢2 of everything¢ menu) before getting back on trail and heading to Elkville. Before I forget it, I wanted to mention that at the 3Cs Restaurant, I opened the guestbook and ¢just happened¢ to open to a page dated 2004 that held the signature of my AT mentor ¢Squish¢ ¢ how ironic is that!Headin¢ Out and Taggin¢ Along have gone on ahead. Old Graceful went ahead, but came back to spend the night at Eckville Shelter. Headcount overnight at Eckville: Moglie, Cover Girl, Kid, Dog Breath (a section hiker) and me.Today I had lunch with an unwelcome guest ¢ a 18" copperhead! I was sitting on a cliff edge and opened up a sausage to eat for lunch. It fell and I decided I¢d better move before opening another. I moved to a rock where, unknown to me, the copperhead was nestled in a 3-4¢ crack, beside the rock, which I stepped across before sitting down. Two other hikers happened along ¢ Kid and Snapper. He¢s a geology student. She said, ¢oh look, there¢s a dead snake in that crack.¢ I looked¢¦sure enough it was a snake, but certainly NOT dead! And, I¢d been sitting there with my hand dangling right above its resting place for the better part of 30 mins¢¦I DON¢T like sssssssnakes¢¦I really don¢t like sssssssnakes! Have you heard that before?And, adding to the excitement, I also saw a 2-3¢ black snake later in the day! You can imagine my disappointment when somebody told me they had seen a rattler in one of the caves I chose not to crawl through ¢ NOT!!! Today¢s points of interest: Pocahontas Spring (1,200¢); Windsor Furnace; Windsor Furnace Shelter (940¢); Pulpit Rock (1,582¢); Trail to Blue Rocks Campground; The Pinnacle.Starting elev. today: 1,200'Highest elev. 1,582'Lowest elev. 600' Tomorrow I head to Bake Oven Knob ShelterWhen you're up, you're up; when you're down, you're downAnd when you're only half way up; you're neither up nor down... - Unknown -