morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-23
From: Dick's Dome Shelter 978.6

To: Bear's Den Hostel 996.9
Miles today: 18.3

We got up early since we had a long day, including nine or so miles of the "roller coaster." (Random note: We had heard that there were lots of steep ups and downs on this piece of trail, after the first shelter. We would see.) The first nine miles of the day's hike, before we came to the "Roller Coaster" were easy: mild contouring. Then we came to the sign announcing the official start of the "Roller Coaster," which had about ten big ascents and descents in thirteen miles. We hiked up and back down eight of these hills before the turnoff to the Bear's Den Hostel, and found that the climbs weren't all that difficult, just a bit slow for this somewhat asthmatic old hiker. There was a stream at the bottom of each descent, and the rocks were wet and slippery, so we had to be careful. The flowers weren't plentiful, but the pentstamens and blackberry flowers were lovely. The strawberries have started ripening, so we sampled some, but found them mealy and seedy. At one point we saw a five foot long black rat snake. We wondered what he eats. (Mice?) We passed by both shelters we saw today in order to make it to the hostel sooner, and ate on a rock. About fifteen minutes before we arrived at the hostel we heard thunder, then felt rain. I put my phone in a ziplock bag, donned my raincoat, and continued. Within a few minutes we arrived at the Bears Den Hostel,operated by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Even though we were dripping wet, we were welcomed, and were able to get bottom bunks, thanks to some kind people who were leaving for the night. These bottom bunks were perfect for our older bodies. We just don't climb to top bunks like we used to forty years ago! Then it was time for hot showers, laundry, and dinner, which were included in the price of the hostel. Justin, who operates this hostel, took our picture, we did a bit of resupplying, then cooked and ate our pizza (mine in tortilla shells) and for dessert had pints of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, also included. (Random note: Waker was kind enough to eat my pizza shells, since I can't eat them, and half of my ice cream! I couldn't believe how much he is able to put down, but then again, he couldn't believe how LITTLE I eat!) Life is REALLY great on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you're soaking wet and still welcomed at a warm, dry, friendly hostel on a rainy night!
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Bears Den Hostel 996.9

To: The Town Inn Hostel, Harpers Ferry, WV 1016.6
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: broken clouds

We got up and had breakfast at the Bears Den Hostel,in the common dining room, while we admired the AT photos and finisher photos. (Random note: We couldn't wait to send them our OWN finisher photos!) After breakfast we bought stove fuel, then took off in the mist. We climbed several more hills for a total of 12 in the roller coaster, before it flattened out. Four miles into our hike, we saw the sign that we were leaving Virginia...after over 500 miles! Several miles later we came to the 1000 mile point. Wow! In less than 100 miles we'll be to the halfway point in our thru hike! Of course, this was the easier half, but, nonetheless, it was still half. A little later we came upon some PATC (Patomac Appalachian Trail Club) volunteers. We took their pictures and chatted for a bit, and they warned us of a bad road crossing several miles ahead at Keys Gap. They suggested that we try to cross the highway by 3:30, especially since it was the Friday before Memorial Day. So we picked up the pace a bit, and ate lunch while hiking. We arrived at the crossing by 2:30, and, lo and behold, there was a gap in traffic, so the crossing was EASY! All that worry was for nothing! On the other side of the highway, we stopped for a RELAXING second lunch. Soon Scout (the section hiker) joined us. We'd met him and his family at the Bears Den last night. After a relaxed forty-five minute break, started hiking our last five miles into Harpers Ferry. These miles were rocky, but mostly flat and downhill. Once we arrived in Harpers Ferry, we crossed the Patomac River on the bridge. It was exciting to hike where we'd seen so many thru hikers go in our videos. We followed the blazes and signs to the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) headquarters. Even though we arrived after closing, they kindly let us sign in as thru hikers 216 and 217! We also found out that the two men from my childhood church had thru hiked in 1959, thru hikers 21 and 22 (about.) Once we finished our business at the ATC, we set out to find a place to stay for the next two days. Since I didn't have cell coverage, we walked the last half a mile to the Town Inn and Hostel, just HOPING there would be room for us. We were lucky AGAIN, and got their last two bunks for two nights! We left our packs in the room and went next door for a great dinner, then came back to the hostel for a shower and zzz. Busy day tomorrow, with a mail drop and resupply, including NEW shoes! (Random note: our shoes had lost their cushioning after 450 miles, and our feet were VERY sore.) Life is great on the AT, even in town, especially when you get the last two spaces at your preferred lodging option, and a great dinner!
Date: 2012-05-25
From: The Town Inn, Harpers Ferry, WV 1016.6

To: The Town Inn, Harpers Ferry, WV 1016.6
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning we walked next door for breakfast, and while we ate, we planned our next hiking segment, to Boiling Springs, PA, 100 miles out. We planned to hike it in 5-1/2 days. This was the area on the Appalachian Trail where, typically, hikers put "miles in the bank" for the tougher terrain of New England. We walked to the ATC for some retail therapy: plush shelter mice for the grand girls, mugs, a hat for Karen, and more magnetic AT stickers for our cars, then continued to the post office to retrieve our boxes. Both of the expected boxes were there. Thanks, ever so much, EBEW!! We sent a few things to Vermont, and a few home. (Random note: We sent things to my brother's house in Vermont. We planned to use his house as a staging area for the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. The souvenirs we sent home to Nevada.) When we put on the new hiking shoes from the mail drop we immediately noticed the difference! This trail was really hard on shoes, even after only 450 miles! We walked back to the ATC to donate our old shoes, then I attempted to put my blog on the web...no luck. The computer wasn't working right, and kept falling offline. Oh well. We followed the white blazes back to the hostel so we could hike directly out tomorrow, which would save us valuable time. Eventually we took the public bus to the Food Lion several miles away, in the new part of town, to resupply.. Once back at the hostel, we met Beacon, a retired Air Force person, who started April 4. We reorganized our food. Our packs would really be heavy when we started off in the morning, with six days of food. Once packed, Beacon joined us for dinner: BBQ and ice cream! We stopped by the outfitter and bought more "Repel" for our clothes, since it seemed to work so well at keeping the ticks off of us. I also found a shirt, which Beacon kindly said he'd mail for me when he went to the post office the next day. Life is great on the AT when you get a zero day in a friendly trail town, and Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and your mail drop is at the post office!
Date: 2012-05-26
From: The Town Inn, Harpers Ferry, WV 1016.6

To: Rocky Run Shelter 1032.7
Miles today: 16.1

We arose at 6:00, then went for breakfast at the restaurant next door, so we were hiking by 7:30, first through the old part of Harpers Ferry, then across the old railroad bridge, and into a new state: Maryland. We hiked on the old C and O towpath for several miles, before turning left up a ridge. Along the towpath, in the canal, we saw several turtles, covered with green algae, sunning themselves on logs, and two mama ducks with their ducklings. Cute! We passed many boy scouts, including one who said he would like to thru hike someday. Once we were at the top of the ridge, the trail undulated gently. We stopped at the first shelter, where saw Runoff and Waker, who had hiked there last night. Unfortunately, there was a black widow spider there. We continued on for three miles to the Gathland State Park. There was a soda machine and a water pump so we could provide our own trail magic! Some Civil War reenactment people there, with lots of replicated equipment. We spoke with one of the women, and stopped for lunch as well, then hiked on the last five and a half miles. The trail was quite rocky, but had no steep ups or downs. By the time we finished hiking at 3:30, my feet hurt from the rocks, so I was glad to be in. I set up our air mattresses to claim a spot for us, and started writing in my journal. Laura Lee Blissful, the ridge runner came in. Eventually I got water...it was a hike down, but at least it came from a pipe. We made noodles and salami...yum. (Random note: I can't believe how much I can eat these days. Today I ate eighteen gluten free cookies, at 90 calories each! I was still hungry for both lunch and dinner! I'm trying not to lose any more weight.) (Another random note: The shelter here was beautiful: two stories of hardwood flooring, and a domestic cat was included. Needless to say, there were no shelter mice.) Life is super on the AT, especially when you can start the day in an historic town, hike along a towpath, run into hikers you thought were ahead, and end up at a beautiful shelter with congenial people.
Date: 2012-05-28
From: Raven Rock Shelter 1053.3

To: Tumbling Rock Shelter 1066.5
Miles today: 13.2

Since we had gotten in so late yesterday, we slept in, then took our time this morning, finally hiking out of the shelter about 9:15. It was sunny! We hiked the five miles to PennMar State Park, and ate lunch. There we met Calculator, who thru hiked last year and is now a ridge runner. We bought some sodas from the Coke machine, and after two hours, we decided to continue hiking, but to make it a shorter day than we had originally planned. We asked Calculator to take a picture of us at the Mason/Dixon line, which he graciously did. Now that we had crossed into Pennsylvania we were officially in the north! At Deer Lick Shelters we took a break and met DOC (Dude On Couch,) who thru hiked in 2009 and who left a month ago from his home in Daleville for a weekend hike. He planned to get off the trail somewhere in PA. We looked in the log and saw that You Again was here eighteen days ago, and did the four state challenge in fifteen hours. (Random note: He had started in Virginia, hiked through West Virginia, Maryland, and into Pennsylvania...somewhere around 50 miles, in less than twenty-four hours.) We hiked on to Tumbling Run Shelters really quickly for us...90 minutes. We put down our groundcloth, then Toejam from the PATC came by and brought us trail magic: Cokes in ice. He even offered to have us take extra Cokes for the morning, and come back to take our trash! Thanks! (Random thought: this is one of the nicest shelters on the trail. Maintained by ToeJam and his crew, it has twin shelters, labeled "snoring" and "non-snoring", clotheslines, a thermometer, two picnic tables, front porches with room overhang, and great water nearby! The privy is also near, and is equipped with plenty of TP, hand sanitizer, and room deodorizer.) Life is great on the AT, especially when you can decide to shorten your day if you feel like it, and nobody thinks you're a loser..They're just glad to see you again! Life is also especially great when there's trail magic, especially when it's a cold caffeinated beverage with ICE, and you can have an extra for the morning, AND you don't have to pack out your trash!
Date: 2012-05-29
From: Tumbling Run Shelter 1066.5

To: Birch Run Shelters 1086.1
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up to clear weather and 68 degrees, and got out about 7 a.m., perfect for this almost twenty mile day. We snacked at the junction to the first shelter, then continued to Caledonia State Park. We looked unsuccessfully for the snack bar, but it wasn't open so we walked back to the trail and sat at a picnic table to eat lunch, and to the river to get water. We met Robin, a "future thru hiker". She was interested in following our hike, since she"s wanted to thru hike for many years, so we gave her a card. A few minutes after we started hiking, and just before we reached a big uphill, there was trail magic, by Sage Monkey who thru hiked in 2011. Cokes...just what we needed before the climb! Thanks, Sage Monkey. We also met Hawk. He was section hiking but thinking of getting off somewhere in PA. We hiked up to the next shelter, Quarry Shelter, 2-1/2 miles up, and stopped for a break. It was a beautiful shelter, with flower baskets. After we hiked on, the trail ascended another eight hundred or so feet in elevation. The sky started clouding up, and, an hour before we got to Birch Run Shelter, we heard thunder, then saw lightning. Soon it started to sprinkle, then it began to pour. We were soaked by the time we got to the shelter, but, once we were there, the lightning got REALLY close. Scout, the thru hiker, came in, with reports that the lightning was so close to him as he was hiking that he could smell it. Whew! Scary! We all changed clothes on the shelter porch, and hung the wet clothes up under the eves, then put things on the bunks. (Random note: We were NOT looking forward to putting on these wet clothes again in the morning, but when you didn't have extra hiking clothes, that was what you did! Besides, once you started hiking in the morning, you warmed up within a few minutes.) A few minutes later Long Portage came in. He had thru hiked in 2008, and supervised the ridge runners. He filled us in on what we would encounter up north. Life is great on the AT, especially when you're in a warm sleeping bag in a dry shelter with friendly people after a long.
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Birch Run Shelters 1086.1

To: Jim Fry Shelter 1103.2
Miles today: 17.1

We slept in a bit, then chatted with Scout and Long Portage. Scout left the shelter a few minutes before we did, at 8:15. I can't say it was fun to put on wet clothes, but at least it was sunny, and I was able to dry my fleece shirt on my pack as we hiked. We stopped at Tom's Run Shelter for second breakfast, then continued our quest for town food at the halfway point. As we approached the halfway point sign, we saw Winging It coming towards us. He graciously took our picture at the sign at the halfway point on the AT. We continued hiking to the Pine Grove Furnace State Park General Store, home of the "Half gallon challenge." (Random note: Thru hikers who accept the "half gallon challenge" down a half gallon challenge of ice cream. However, the ice cream now comes in 1.5 quart cartons, instead of half gallons. Such is inflation. Hikers who successfully down their ice cream earn a wooden spoon and bragging rights. We thought we could live without this, so passed on this opportunity for gluttony.) We watched as Scout, Dude Man Bro (aka, Waker) successfully finished their ice cream, then ordered double cheeseburgers, fries, and drinks, then plugged in my phone in an outside outlet. Soon, Manbearpig (aka, Spidderman) and Baby Girl (aka Runoff) came in, and were also completing eating their half gallons (well...1.5 quarts) of ice cream. We ate our lunches while chatting with some tourists, then enjoyed ice cream (small sizes) and potato chips for dessert. A volunteer from the Appalachian Trail Museum, who was also in the park, came by, and said we could charge our phones at the museum, so we walked over and checked it out. (Random note: Thru hikers are always on a quest to charge their phones. I kept my charging equipment in the same dry bag as my phone, ready for any opportunity for charging.) It was interesting to see how the early thru hikers hiked the trail, and to see how the trail was different then now. (Random note: The Appalachian Trail meandered through towns more in the past, and has been relocated to more ridges through the years, and has also been made longer by over a hundred miles!) We continued hiking while the Baby Girl, Dude Man Bro, and ManBearPig went to the lake for a swim. We hiked the last seven miles ago the Jim Fry Shelter a quarter mile off the AT, and found Old Timer there. He had started in Boiling Springs and was hiking south. I got water from the spring, treated it, then we made dinner: Thai noodles with jerky and butter. As we were finishing our dinner, Beacon came in. He confirmed that he had, in fact, mailed my shirt back home from Harpers Ferry, then told us about the Allenberry Resort and Playhouse up ahead in Boiling Springs, with great hiker rates. Life is great on the AT, especially when you can get a half pound cheeseburger, fries, ice cream, and an AT museum, right on the trail!
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Jim Fry Shelter 1103.2

To: Allenberry Resort Inn, Boiling Spr. PA 1115.2
Miles today: 12.0

We arose early and were on the trail by seven a.m. We thought we were early, but we were an hour after Beacon We were on a quest for Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, with its town food and a warm, soft bed. We warmed up quickly, with an ascent. Then, a couple of miles into the hike, we came to a rock maze. We climbed back and forth, and climbed up and over large rocks. Along the way we saw another deer, always cause for excitement. Once through the rocks, the hike eased up. We passed a shelter eight miles in, then had one more short climb up and over the ridge, then downhill for a mile, then followed Scout, who had passed us in the rocks, along the edge of some fields for two more miles into town. We passed the Iron Furnace, built in 1760, which was powered by water from the Yellow Breeches Creek. Munitions and ammunition for the Revolutionary War were made here. Then we passed Children's Lake, where we saw artists painting, fishermen in boats, and lots of ducks. We arrived in Boiling Springs in time for lunch, so, after stopping at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy regional office, to check it out and buy fuel, We continued to the Caffe 101 for a delicious lunch, and saw Jonas, who was had a 6 month visa from German. He was getting off the trail in Boiling Springs to see other parts of the United States. We wished him the best in his travels. After lunch we got a few supplies at the local C-store for the two day hike into Duncannon, then walked back to the ATC, where the white blazes continued up Boiling Springs Road. The trail turned to the left after a bit, but we continued on the road for 0.4 mile to the Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse. This 50 year old inn was beautiful, and had great food. Once there, we showered, and Gary did the wash while I started typing. Life is great on the AT, especially when it includes a rock maze, and leads you to a great little trail town, and a lovely resort, with all you can eat town food and a soft bed. We planned to be back on the trail bright and early, right after breakfast, tomorrow.
Date: 2012-06-01
From: Allenberry Resort Inn, Boiling Spr. PA 1115.2

To: Darlington Shelter 1129.5
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

On the way to breakfast, we met Preacher Man and Beast. They were planning to take a zero day here at the Allenberry Resort Inn. Good choice. We were tempted, but somehow Maine called, and we really weren't ready for another day off. We continued to the breakfast room for a great all you can eat breakfast buffet, with Dutchman and Beacon. Dutchman was also thinking of zeroing today. We had brought our packs down with us so we could leave directly from breakfast, and not walk the extra distance back to our room before starting our hike for the day. We left the resort about 9:00 a.m., hiked the 0.4 mile back to the trail, and continued north. Once on the trail, the woods reminded me of the woods near my grandmother's summer cottage in the Pocono Mountains. The trail was almost flat and smooth for the most part, until the last couple of miles. We alternated between hiking through woods and hiking along the edges of fields. We crossed a number of roads, and some railroad tracks, then went over one pedestrian bridge over a freeway, and one recently completed pedestrian underpass. The honeysuckle bushes were in bloom, and very fragrant. Since a storm was predicted, we hiked quickly and continuously, hiking the 14 miles by 2:00. Critter a young thru hiker who we had hiked with off and on, and Excuses, a section hiker, were already at the shelter when we arrived. We claimed a spot with our groundcloth, and soon Beacon showed up. Later on, Manbearpig, Blue, and Maine-iac arrived, then Maw and Paw, a married couple who we had met at the Bears Den Hostel. Water was 0.2 miles down a steep path, but it came out of a pipe and was worth the hike, especially since the rain hadn't yet arrived. More people came in: ManBearPig, Dude Man, Baby Girl, and a father/daughter team of section hikers. About 5:45, Manbearpig decided to hike to the next shelter...and fifteen minutes later it started to pour. We were SO glad that we hadn't gone on. (Random note: The book said this shelter holds five people. Actually, there are four bunks, room for six easily on the floor, and, in a pinch, two more people would fit under the bunks, and two in front, for a total of fourteen. Tonight, it held eleven, including one person under one of the bunks.) Life is great on the AT, especially when you're in a nice, dry shelter on a rainy night. (And it did rain, more or less continuously all night, until about 3:00 a.m.)
Date: 2012-06-02
From: Darlington Shelter 1129.5

To: The Doyle Inn, Duncannon, PA 1040.9
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We got on the trail nice and early, 7:00 a.m., after a cold breakfast of bars, cheese, and Fritos for me, and a "Honeybun" for Gary...lots of the all important CALORIES, and hot coffee/tea. The trail was mostly flat, with some uphill and rocks, before a steep downhill run into Duncannon. There were even trail maintainers hard at work! Thanks! Once in town, we followed the white blazes to the Doyle, a classic Appalachian Trail hotel. It was built 107 years ago... an Anheiser-Busch hotel. It had WIFI, and a computer, so I was happy. We registered for a room, then ate a huge lunch of half pound cheeseburgers and fries, and hard apple cider, with Scout, after owned Vicky took our picture as thru hikers. After lunch, we checked out the AT photo board in the hotel, after which we located our room on the third floor, set down our packs, and went down to explore the town. Today was a very special day in Duncannon: it was being recognized as an official Appalachian Trail Trail Town! We looked at the displays, then went back to shower and figured out what food we needed to get us to the next town. A market some miles away did a shuttle run for hikers, so Gary resupplied while I blogged. We ate another fabulous meal at the Doyle, then rested up for the sixteen or so mile hike the next day. Life is GREAT on the AT, especially when you can walk into a trail town and are welcomed like a celebrity, just for being a thru hiker!