morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-20
From: VA 624

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

Got out to the trail by 10 which is decent. It's always a late start when you're in town. We hiked up to Dragon's Tooth first thing. I'm glad we're doing it southbound and when it's dry. It's certainly easier (read: safer) this way. We took the side trail to the actual tooth and I climbed it but Chin was a big chicken. The next few miles were along the ridge but it wasn't flat. Up and down the same 100 ft. It dumped rain on us but not for long. As we climbed the next mountain it got hot. Really hot. It was humid too because of the rain. Poor Chin just wilted. The heat zapped him. As we got near the top he called his local newspaper back home to give them an interview about what had happened in Damascus. The rest did him good and it was a bit cooler as the sun was going down. We saw the Audie Murphey monument. He was the most decorated soldier of WWII and died in a plane crash on this mountain. As we headed down, a thunderstorm blew in. You never realize how much your house/car muffles the sound of thunder until you experience it up on a ridge at 3,000 ft. I sped up trying to get to the shelter before the rain hit but to no avail. Got soaked again. Made it to the shelter without a headlamp but only just. Everyone was bedded down because it's considered hiker midnight as soon as the sun goes down. Chin came in half an hour later. He'd had head lamp troubles and had hiked in using the light from his iPhone. I hate having wet feet. It takes days for these shoes and socks to dry out...
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Niday Shelter

To: VA 42
Miles today: 10.0

I think today is the hottest day we've had so far. Chin left earlier than me but not by much. After a while I realized he must have headed north out of the shelter and not south. I should have caught him already, and I was having to walk through all the spider webs. No one had been on this part of the trail today. When I ran into some northbounders they confirmed that he wasn't ahead of me. I got up to the ridge and found a nice rock to sit and wait. A decent amount of time went by before I called him. He wasn't far behind but had just run into a rattle snake. The ridge was tough. We had to walk across large rock faces that were at a 45 degree angle. We ran into Canadian Bacon and Zen Master who I had met in the Smokies and was happy to see again. Keffer Oak was great. Such a huge tree (the second largest on the AT). As we neared the end of our section we had to walk through an open field. The heat was incredible and the air was thick. It took us a lot longer to do the miles than we thought. When we got to Chin's wife she said she'd taken Mugsey on a walk through the field. Chin said he would have 100 ticks on him. I thouhgt he was exaggerating. 60-70 ticks and a half hour later I was shocked. I wish we'd counted. They were everywhere. Chin was pulling them off 2 and 3 at a time. Finally we headed to Waynesboro. As we drove I pulled off 12 more ticks and threw them out the window. Once at the hotel Chin gave Mugsey a bath and found 15 more. All together I wouldn't be surprised if there were 100 ticks. We went for pizza and I talked to the Italian owner about Italy. They had a poster of Vernazza in Cinque Terre and I could see the house we stayed in last summer. Finally the miles are caught up. Headed north tomorrow!
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Blue Ridge Parkway/Humpback Visitor Center

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

Got a late start as is per usual. It's another hot day. We took lots of breaks. When we crossed the road that goes to Waynesboro I was praying for trail magic but there was none. We kept going and entered the Shennandoah National Park. It was rocky and the PUDs were just wearing on Chin. We had to stop and take many breaks because he thought he was going to be sick. I got ahead and again was hoping for trail magic at the road crossing...nothing. I waved at all the cars that went by. As Chin caught up we went to cross and a car pulled over."You thru hikers?""Yes.""You thirsty?""YEEEESS!"It was just what we'd been hoping for. Roger, trail name Rabit, frequently provides trail magic for hikers and it couldn't have come at a better time. We talked for a while and the cold sugar/caffeine gave Chin a second wind. We saw some clouds rolling in but Roger was convinced the storm would miss us. It was a short but steep climb up from the road. There was an open grassy area on top and the sky just opened up and let it rain. The lighting and thunder was a power to behold. We came to two large fields and the storm was right above us so we waited in the trees. We decided to run and when Chin told me to stay 30 feet back I was shocked to hear him say "So if we get struck by lighting it doesn't hit both of us." As we ran down this hill through the field I reflected on my life. I sent up a prayer. Terrified I think is the right word. We paused at the road for a few more minutes. The second field was uphill so we walked as fast as we could but couldn't run. I was so glad when we made it to the trees without incident. The strangest thing happened as we hiked through the woods. Chin was in front of me and it was getting fairly dark. When the lightning would flash it briefly illuminated the rain drops falling between us. In that split second they looked suspended in the air, and each reflected the light. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I made it to the shelter without a head lamp but Chin got out his because it was almost 9 and everything is wet and slippery. He led us down the side trail to the shelter. There was lots of room and Chin stayed in the shelter for the second time ever since we've been hiking together. We met Techie who was very nice about us coming in late. It feels great to change into dry clothes and climb into a warm sleeping bag.
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

We stayed in our sleeping bags for a long time because it was raining when we woke up. Eventually it stopped so we left. The first shelter was only 13 miles and I wanted to do more but the second shelter is 26 and there has been almost no camping sites. I eventually agreed and we were veerrrry lazy taking lots of breaks.Today was kind of unremarkable. The water source for this shelter might be the best yet though. It comes out of a pipe stuck into the ground at the rate of three hoses and goes right back into the ground. Techie is here again and we met Pfeiffer and Lentil. Wanderlust, Iceman, Dutch, and Guard all came in with the same story. They'd all seen a momma bear and her two cubs. Chin and I must have just missed it. They say if you haven't seen a bear yer, you'll see one here in the park.We sat on the picnic table and watched a thunderstorm. I love nights like these.
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: few clouds

I'd told Chin to wake me up before he left and I was surprised he was up and out at 6:45. Everyone else in the shelter got up and started packing not long after that. Man these people don't sleep in. The trail was AWESOME during the first part of the day. There were 2 mile sections of flat and beautiful trail. I felt like I could have run. It was chilly though and I had to change into long sleeves. Caught up to Chin quickly at a campground and we went to the camp store. The wind beat me into submission and I put pants on. We reached our first wayside (a touristy gift shop and place to get food) but it was .5 off the trail. I knew there was no point trying to convince Chin not to go. It was at least nice to get warm. There was a decent amount of elevation changes right at the end of the day. It's getting super cold as the sun goes down. Hoping it's not too bad tonight.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Hightop Hut

To: Lewis Mountain Campground
Miles today: 11.6

Shivered all night last night. Haven't had a night like that in a while. Took forever and a day to get out of my sleeping bag. We debated options about calling a shuttle to go into town. None of us were looking to repeat last night. A few miles in Pfeiffer had left us a note that they'd reserved the last cabin at Lewis Mountain Campground and there was room for more if we wanted to join. It was only 10 miles for the day but what the heck! The prospect of being warm has a fierce power. Met a guy who gave us a couple of cokes. His son and a few friends were doing a few days of trail running (like 40 miles a day) and he was their support crew. I'd love to be able to do that some day. We saw Lentil at the campground. Pfeiffer and Techie must have stopped for a break because we hadn't passed them. We headed down into the campground and a family invited us over to share their lunch. Oh the joys of kindness! We had ribs, corn, mashed potatoes, chips, and Gatorade. We talked about hiking and gear. It was the perfect afternoon. Sunshine, Pfeiffer, and Techie came through. As we went to the store to check in who should pull up but Roger Rabbit and his daughter! There weren't any places for them to tent but they were going to set up some trail magic in the picnic area. We checked in and put our stuff down in the cabin. It was SO HOT. I loved it. Naturally no one else did so they shut off the heat. We hung out for a but and went down to the picnic area. Roger had a feast set up with drinks, all the fixin's for sandwiches, chips, granola bars, cookies, and even some fresh fruit. We were happy hikers. He'd run into four more guys earlier and was set up so he could watch the trail as it circled around the campground. Wanderlust, Iceman, Dutch, and Guard came in and feasted with us. We said 100 thank-yous and went back to the cabin. I'm sleeping on a cot but it's super fluffy so no complaints. Pfeiffer insists on leaving the heat off all night so I'll be in my sleeping bag. I piled on some blankets and between that and a hot shower I'm toasty warm. Totally worth it.
Date: 2013-05-26
From: Lewis Mountain Campground

To: Pinnacle Picnic Area
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Naturally I was the last one up and out. That bed was just so dang warm and comfortable. We had a big mile day but stopped to talk to lots of people because that's what makes the trail fun. There was another wayside that we (read: Chin) had to stop at. We've had some awesome miles in the Shennandoahas. I'm loving these 2 and 3 mile sections of flat smooth trail. There hasn't been as much water as we're used to but with all these waysides, who needs it? We didn't quite make it to the shelter that we were aiming for so we camped in the woods near a picnic area. We get to eat at a table, refill our water, and even use flushing toilets. A luxury. Because there's supposed to be huge numbers of bears in this park (neither of us have seen one) and we're near a picnic area with lots of food smells we decided we should probably hang a bear bag rather than sleep with our food. We picked out a tree and I got it on the first try! Skills.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Pinnacle Picnic Area

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Chin left early. I did not sleep well so I was feeling rather grumpy. Met some day hikers and explained to them about thru hiking. They made me feel like a badass. Not long after I heard a strange noise and stopped to look. A grouse flew out of the undergrowth and landed back down all puffed up. It was making a racket and charged at me. I yelled at it but it got close enough that I had to swing at it with my poles. It ran off to the other side of the trail but the trail zig-zagged through the woods so I ran into the bird twice more. It charged me again but didn't get as close. After that was the biggest decent of the day - over 1,000 ft. It was miserable. So rocky you had to take it slow and the muggles (day hikers) were out in full force. It added to my bad mood. It rained a bit and was cold. We stopped at the last wayside and god food. They only had outdoor seating so we sat at a wet picnic table. Chin had to retape his toes so I took off. Maybe a mile in I looked up and stopped. Second 1: what is that? Second 2: huge surge of adrenaline. Second 3: mental string of profanities. Second 4: nothing. Second 5: bear runs off through the woods - and very quietly I might add. And so it happened. My first bear sighting. This thing was huge. Easily over 350 lbs. and definitely taller than me standing on it's back legs. I didn't think black bears got that big! Needless to say I was checking over my shoulder for the next 2 miles. Right after the next road crossing I saw another bear but much smaller and only as it was running away. I wish I'd been able to get a picture or see a mama and her cubs like many others have. I guess I'll just have to come back. The trail to the shelter was steep downhill, and long. The worst kind. The shelter was pretty full but everyone was nice enough to scoot over and make room. I met Perogi, Molly, White Rushin', and Misery. And so with less than 10 miles left in the Shenandoahas I have finally seen a bear.
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal Hostel
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Short miles planned for the day. Spent the first half of the morning playing catch up and going at a decent pace. Stopped when I rounded a corner and a deer was in the trail and fairly close. It wasn't concerned with me and let me take pictures and video while I followed it. The Shennandoahas - where the bears run from you, the deer haven't a care in the world, and the birds attack. Section hiker Hot Koolaid caught me and I did my darndest to keep up with him. He CRUISES. We got to the hostel by 12 and did laundry and got showers. Through a friend of a friend Chin got invited to a baseball game and I was invited as well. Steve picked us up at 3 and drove us to Washington D.C. He gave us a tour and I was SO excited to see the White House, Capitol Building, and Lincoln Memorial. Steve had some extra baseball caps so we donned red W's and headed in. Steve's son, daughter, and friends were there. An incredibly nice family. I went to a minor league game when I was maybe 10 and that's it. This was spectacular. There was an hour rain delay and it poured but eventually cleared up. I ended up sitting next to Steve's son which is a-okay with me because he is super cute and he didn't mind answering all of my questions. 6 home runs were hit and the Nationals beat the Orioles 9-3. It was a great game. We got back to the hostel by 1am and I felt bad for Steve who still had to drive home and go to work the next morning. It was an unforgettable experience that I can't thank him enough for.
Date: 2013-05-29
From: VA 638

To: Front Royal Hostel
Miles today: 16.5

We slack packed - I know it's shocking. But the hostel was cheaper if you stayed two nights so...heck yeah. Unfortunately the furthest road he'd take us to was less than 20 but hey, I can compromise. It was hot today. Very hot. And the cicadas exploded over night. Between the shells, the staggering number of bugs, and the noise it feels like an alien invasion. Techie slacked with us. We saw Night Rider and Fatty. I kept up with Techie for all but the last 2 miles but it was a challenge. He's quick. Met a SOBO at the Tom Floyd shelter when I stopped for a break. He gave me the brilliant idea of using a pool floaty as a sleeping pad. Said he went hundreds of miles on one. Once back at the hostel we went into town to resupply, eat KFC, and get a pool floaty. This experiment is costing me $3 and an estimated pound and a half of weight. I'm way too excited to test it out. The things that amuse on the trail...Two days, 26 miles, and a baseball game in the DC. Wow.
Date: 2013-05-30
From: VA 638

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: scattered clouds

We've officially left the Shennandoahas. Man when I started I couldn't imagine coming this far. Chin managed to make it through the whole park without seeing a bear. It was hot today. REAL hot. There was a cooler full of awesomeness that I later learned was placed there maybe 30 minutes before. There were homemade goods, little debbies, fruit, sodas, and ice! I used a couple pieces on my arms and face and it cooled me right down. Not long after we started the infamous roller coaster. I keep hearing that it's not that bad. Lies. All lies. I only completed half of it today and my legs feel like jelly. I hurried to beat the sun and just barely made it to the shelter. I know Chin won't make it. He'll probably camp with Fatty 3.6 miles back. Not sure if he'll make it here before I head out tomorrow. We'll reconnect somewhere.
Date: 2013-05-31
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 10.9

Saw Chin not even 1/2 hour into the day. We finished the roller coaster. It was easier on fresh legs. Man it's hot though. Stopped at Bear's Den Hostel. The AC was heavenly. With a computer and 50 cent sodas we stayed a long time. Maybe two hours. Eventually we had to get going. Not long after we reached the 1,000 mile mark! Holy cow! I can't believe I've made it this far. It feels incredible. Naturally we took another break to hang out with the sign. A mile thereafter we entered West Virginia. We were together a long time Virginia. We had our ups and downs, especially there at the end but it's time I move on. We're staying at the Blackburn AT Center tonight. It's a really nice place and they let us sleep on the screened in porch. I used the solar shower and it was even almost warm. I"m not looking forward to tomorrow's climb out of here. Coming down it was STEEP.
Date: 2013-06-01
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 11.9

It's hot again. And water has been scarce. We met section hiker Which Way and decided to break for lunch as there was a restaurant not far down the road. The AC was just what we needed and we grabbed an ice cream bar from the convenience store next door on our way out. The heat felt more manageable after that. It was easy miles to Harper's Ferry. When we got there we had our pictures taken and put in this year's hiker book. I'm number 285. It was good to see all the people ahead of us who are still on the trail. I've heard about many people getting off. Love and Peace, a couple I met in the Smokies, had offered a place to stay when I got to Harper's Ferry. We called them and they came to get us. They live an hour away in Maryland (Gaithersburg). They live right down the street from a 7-11 and Chin's hooked on the "blue" flavor. We met their son Mark and his fiance Marissa and we all got Thai food. It's supposed to rain all day tomorrow so Chin convinced me to zero. Looking forward to sleeping in a bed!
Date: 2013-06-02
From: Gaithersburg, MD

To: Gaithersburg, MD
Miles today: 0.0

We slept in a bit but went to church with Love & Peace. They teach Sunday School and wanted us to come in and talk about thru hiking. Everyone was very nice and they invited us to a pot luck they were having after the service. Later we had another slurpie and their son Mark took us to resupply. It was a good day. Don't get me wrong, I like hiking. But I love zero days.
Date: 2013-07-10
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

Another long day. Clouds rolled through all night and our clothes were more wet this morning than they were last night. I didn't sleep well for some reason. We took a short break at the first shelter, and a long lunch break at the second. Everyone talks about "the bubble" of hikers. It's always in front of or behind you. We're certainly A bubble if the THE bubble. At the shelter was Maniac, Yardsale, Mud Mouth, Gonzo, Rainbow Braid, Starchild, Cody Coyote, a couple of section hikers, and Blazer and I. This is more thrus together than I've seen in a long time.Stratton Mountain wasn't as bad as it looks on the profile map but it was a long climb. There were no views because we were in a cloud again. It rained for maybe two hours today. Pretty hard at one point. VT has been a whole lot of mud and that certainly didn't help. Good thing we'll be in town tomorrow. I hate being muddy and wet. The shelter has no water source so it was hard to get clean before I changed into dry clothes. I was going to try to make it till morning with what water I had left but Blazer didn't have much so he went down the trail to get some and got me some too. He always shares what he has. A really good guy. Met some SOBOs who skipped the Whites because of bad weather. Uh-oh. As chilly as it's been the past couple days at 3,000 ft. I can imagine 6,000 ft. is colder and windier. I actually had goosebumps today when I wasn't climbing. Really? In July? That's the mountains for you I guess. So looking forward to town tomorrow and glad our two hard days are behind us. I haven't had service for 3 or 4 days because we're back in New England so that'll be nice too. I've given up trying to keep up with my online journal. I'll write in all the posts when I get home and have time. I just don't have the service out here to do it and I don't want to spend my time in town glued to a computer. I think I will do some sort of post so people know I'm still alive and on the trail though.
Date: 2013-07-11
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester, VT
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was harder than it should have been all things considered. We got up and out early. I hate putting on soaking wet clothes. The trail should have been super easy but the mud was kicking my butt. It's like walking on ice. Your feet slide all over the place and the pack pulls you down. It takes so much extra work to stay upright. I've heard VT is beautiful but I've been unimpressed. It's been 80% mud holes (weather contributing, I know), the trail is overgrown often with thorn bushes, some shelters you have to pay to stay at, and there have been no views. Once we were in town I can see how incredible the mountains look but we get none of that on the trail. We got lucky with a ride. A woman (Christine) and her daughter (Sophie) pulled up and who jumped out but Crazy Frog. She'll be a day ahead but it was great to see her. The lady gave Blazer and I a ride into town and we grabbed lunch, resupplied, and stopped by the outfitters. I popped two holes in my water bag a few days ago and have been limping by until I got to town. We met a bunch of SOBOs at the outfitter and they were fun to talk to. I also met Fast Times at the grocery store. He started late April and said he was following my journal...until I stopped updating it of course. He said he'd been trying to catch me since he started. Makes a girl feel kinda special.Jim from Green Mountain Hostel came and picked us up and we headed to his place. The price is great, the house is immaculate, and there's free sodas and even Ben & Jerry's ice cream! Hiker heaven! Frost, Amos, Z-man, and Doodles are here tonight. There's a beautiful horse out back and I sacrificed one of my apples to go pet him. Naturally the day is over all too soon and I don't feel ready to hit the trail again tomorrow. Oh well. We'll be to Hannover soon enough.