morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-16
From: DWG Church of the Mountain hostel

To: Lake Lenape
Miles today: 0.0

I stayed at the hostel most of the day. I saw and met some more people including: Amazing Grace (Natalie); Coyote (met at traildays when she was hiking with SaltLick); Lefty and Michigoose (had not seen since traildays but had hiked with on and off since Blueberry Patch in GA 3/29/04); Blue (had first met at Brown Gap feast 4/22-4/25/04); SugarPlumFairy; and Shagbark (the evil cur). The shower was not reinstalled yet, but I was able to wash up in the bathroom sink. Coyote got some awesome trail magic when she hit town. A man bought her dinner at the Deerhead Inn for her telling him about the AT. Blue actually got a room at the Ramada so she could shower. I did not want to overstay my one night welcome, so I left late Friday night to camp at Lake Lenape again. It was a peaceful night.
Date: 2004-07-17
From: Lake Lenape

To: DWG Church of the Mountain hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I got up pretty early and went back into DWG. I left my pack at the hostel while I went to Stroudsburg with Dave Meuller and Just an Echo. We took the 10:00am shuttle and I got dropped off at Walmart with Echo. Dave Meuller wanted to do his laundry, so I went there after I finished shopping. Echo got a taxi back to DWG. Dave and I talked for awhile as we waited for his laundry and I showed him the way to the Shop Rite Supermarket. We had McDonald's for lunch and then we called for the shuttle. On the way back to the hostel, I saw Pegasus with her family and Dave saw a couple people he knew at the bakery. They were actually the people who woke him up the night before when they arrived at the Kirkridge Shelter at 1:00am. He didn't know last night who it was, but he didn't yell at them when they came in (apparently he had been known to yell at hikers who arrive late at shelters and wake him up). Today Apostle Paul left to get his car from Highpoint State Park in NJ. Lefty, Michigoose and Coyote stopped back in the hostel this evening. Karen had thought I was staying the night since Thursday, and asked if I would take down some wedding decorations for my stay Saturday. I accepted, but explaned that I had not planned on staying the night. I didn't want to be a bad example for other hikers. Apostle Paul made it back to the hostel late tonight.
Date: 2004-07-18
From: DWG Church of the Mountain hostel

To: Lake Lenape
Miles today: 0.0

Made it to church for the service today. Apostle Paul also made it. I asked him his plans for the day. I offered to buy him lunch and dinner if he would take me to Honesdale to get my computer so I could get it to Cliff's house. So we went there. Chad had me move all the heavy stuff out of the attic so he could move it easier to their new apartment next weekend. I got most of the stuff I had left with him in Paul's car. We went all the way to Cliff's and I didn't realize he had left the greenhouse unlocked. So we drove back to DWG and I called Cliff. He got home as Paul and I showed up. We unloaded the car and noticed the water dripping from my computer. I told Cliff to give it some time to dry out before hooking it up. So we left it in his greenhouse. When we got back to DWG, Paul was asked not to stay at the hostel anymore because he had a car now. So he slept in the car. We made plans to head for Highpoint State Park tomorrow so Paul could finish NJ and I could get back to finish NJ and to hike NY.
Date: 2004-07-19
From: NJ 23, Highpoint State Park (Ranger Office)

To: Trail to Murray Property - Secret Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Though we hiked 7 miles today, I have already added these miles of the trail when I hiked them the first time on 6/24/04. Anyway, Paul drove us to the parking area of Highpoint State Park. We saw A2 (squared) as she was hiking into the ranger station. Dr. Spacemonkey 5000 was there also, so Paul drove them to get some food while I waited with the packs. I talked for awhile with one of the ranger station employees, until it got too busy for her to talk (phone started ringing off the hook and things had to be done). Then the hikers who woke Dave Mueller on Friday night showed up. A very nice couple. And shortly after, an ex thru-hiker who was working at a camp showed up with his group as they were finishing their hike. He offered some of their extra food. I accepted on behalf of myself and the other hikers whom I felt might be interested. When they returned, we divided the "booty" and proceeded to start our hike. Dr. Spacemonkey 5000 and A2 (squared) were heading to the secret shelter as were Apostle Paul and I. Paul and I stopped in the Highpoint Shelter as I wanted to sign in and check for people that I knew. That was the first time I realized that Lil' Bit was still on the AT with Bluebell. I also noticed they were hiking with Castro (who I had first met at hobo central at traildays and later re-met when he and Lil' Bit came back from her first aquablaze). I was trying to figure what kind of mileage I would need to do to catch up with them. At that point, they were about 11 1/2 days ahead of me. I decided I was not prepared to do that kind of mileage to catch up by hiking. Especially since I still had to go back to PA for my drivers license. I told Cliff I would call this coming weekend to see if my old license had arrived. We did pretty steady mileage to the secret shelter. Paul was moving pretty well since I had helped him drop about 15LBS from his pack. We reached the secret shelter about 5:30pm and were not real suprised to see some familiar faces: Dr. Spacemonkey 5000; A2 (squared); Top Knot; Iron Back; and Archeoptrics. Later, C-Legs showed up and tented.
Date: 2004-07-20
From: Trail to Murray Property - Secret Shelter

To: NJ 94 - Vernon Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

It was a beautiful day all day today. Last time I came through, it looked as if it would rain. Diego and TOM (The Old Man) were at the hostel as was Apostle Paul. The rest of the crew from the secret shelter were moving on (except Archeoptrix who was MIA). I caught up with A2 (squared), Dr. Spacemonkey 5000, Top Knot, and Iron Back at the fruit stand on NJ 94 just to the left of the AT. They had taken a long break and were waiting for Archeoptrix who never showed. They had bought lots of treats and were trying to sit in the shade some while letting gear dry and taking naps at the picnic tables. All were awake when I arrived. They planned to go to the Wawayanda Shelter another 5.3 miles North. Shortly after I arrived I was informed of a meeting in the majority of the hostle area. That we would have to confine ourselves to the last small section until after their meeting (at 9:00 pm), then we could spread out and use what we needed. I had time to shower and start my laundry before the meeting. Amazing Grace (Natalie) showed up just before or just after the meeting started. She was trying to figure out how to schedule her hike around some definite stops. She was going to Hawaii, New York, Florida, and Ireland at specific times and wanted to plan her hike so she could get it all in. I made some suggestions, and then offered to hike with her if our hiking styles were compatible. She was getting off the trail for 13 days for her trip to Hawaii starting tomorrow night. She was only hiking to Route 17A in NY tomorrow (15.2 miles)and would be walking into Greenwood Lake, NY to catch a bus to NYC (her home) so she could catch a plane with her sister. After laundry and plans were done we all went to sleep by about 11:00pm.
Date: 2004-07-21
From: NJ 94 - Vernon Hostel

To: NY 17A - stealth camped about 100yds from rd
Miles today: 9.9

Only 9.9 miles of the 15.2 mile day counted as I had already hiked 5.3 to Wawayanda shelter on 6/27/04. I left about 5 min. after Natalie. But I caught a ride from Archeoptrix and his friend just as I was crossing the street around the corner from the church hostel. Unfortunately they didn't have enough room for one more hiker with gear, but Natalie caught a ride just after we passed her. She pulled up just after our ride left the parking area. I was waiting for her anyway so I could hike with her today. This being the best way to decide if we were compatible hiking together. Archeoptrix was having some serious knee problems today and yesterday. I guess he took a spill yesterday and his knee hasn't been the same since. He was hoping to catch up with Iron Back so that he could give Iron Back a ride into NJ. Archeoptrix was going to rent a car and drive to his mother's house in NJ to take a day off (hopefully his knee would feel better after a zero day), and Iron Back was having leg problems of his own, and wanted a ride to NJ where his family lived. Didn't see Apostle Paul all day. So, Natalie and I hiked much of the way together, then she wanted some space, so I went ahead a bit. Then I fell behind during a break or two. I stayed within view of her most of the way. Saw Diego at one point where he'd stopped for lunch. Was a great view. We stopped for about 1/2 hour, then I went ahead again as she made a phone call. The rocks were pretty tough today. Lots of rock scrambles on the ridgeline. I was quickly running out of water. I was planning to reach the next shelter (Wildcat Shelter) making a 17.3 mile actual day. Near the end, I stopped to get water and Natalie went on. She said goodbye and told me she would email me. I hiked the last couple of miles alone, but I had some water (though it was murky even after I filtered it). When I reached route 17A, I followed a sign that said hotdog stand. Didn't find hotdogs, but I found the Creamery (an Ice cream store) and enjoyed a nice cone and a few liters of fresh clear water. There were a few people having ice cream as I watched the sun set. Not being one to night hike, I decided to stealth camp just out of sight of the road. I slept well.
Date: 2004-07-22
From: NY 17A - stealth camped about 100yds from rd

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 2.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke kind of late today. Not feeling well, so I was moving slowly. A2 (squared) passed by when I was packing. She had stayed in Greenwood Lake last night. She said a quick hello and was off. I hiked into Wildcat Shelter and had lunch. Then decided to take the rest of the day off because my lower back was hurting. Mosquitoes were bad enough for me to set up my tent inside the shelter. Michigoose and Lefty showed up before dark and set up their tent. We talked for a bit since I hadn't seen them since DWG, PA. I found a book to read and took it easy.
Date: 2004-07-24
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Back still hurting. Still drinking lots of fluids. Chef left late today so we talked for a bit. He told me he had gotten sick during the aquablaze and had to get off the river. His hike was going well now though. After he left, I got to finish the book I was reading. Then Coyote, Big Stick and Blue showed up. That was a fun night. Coyote was demonstrating her awesome OWL calls. And started teaching Big Stick how to whistle. We all had some good discussion while eating dinner. Then just after dark (not long after I started a campfire), they all headed off to bed in their tents. But not before I got to practice massage on both Coyote and Blue. My back was starting to feel better tonight also, I will hike out of here tomorrow.
Date: 2004-04-20
To: Warm Up Hike
Miles today: 0.0

When I got home from the New England Drama Festival in Maine, there was a message from Pat Smart. Pat had been a co-leader of Valley Voyageurs with me for two years. We had been on numerous other adventures together. He was now graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Environmental Engineering. The message said he wanted to go for a hike this weekend. That¢s just what we did. After all, it had been a fairly active winter for me with skiing and snowboarding but nothing prepares for backpacking like backpacking. Somehow we settled on the Kinsman Ridge Trail from Kinsman Notch to Eliza Brook Shelter for the night. This is actually a part of the Appalachian Trail. Then we might take in South Kinsman Mountain in the morning. On the phone, there was discussion regarding footwear as is typical at this time of year. It was definitely spring here at home but a hike the previous weekend had been on several feet of snow in the mountains. We agreed to bring snowshoes at least in the car. At the trailhead in Kinsman Notch, there was no sign of snow. It was past noon which was typical for our starts. A mere tenth of a mile up the trail, we encountered ice which quickly gave way to snow. The trail was buried under at least 3 feet of snow for the whole 7 or 8 miles. We only lost the trail once or twice. We wore snow shoes much of the time but not all the time. I could only imagine what it would be like the next time I would pass this way, or so I thought. We were both disappointed in the time it took us to reach the shelter. My concern was that I was not in the shape I thought I was in after all. We rationalized that the winter conditions had us carrying extra weight: plastic boots, snow shoes, ice ax, big sleeping bags. The trail was also not broken out which made for extra work. At any rate it was good to have this abrupt seasonal awakening here in the mountains of home before getting to Springer.
Date: 2004-05-01
To: Packing
Miles today: 0.0

Even starting as early as I had, packing became a nightmare, literally. Having returned home with the final unexpected purchase of another pair of boots (North Conway is a one and a half hour drive away), it was time for the final packing. Though packing for backpacking adventures that began with a flight was not new, this time was different. Usually there would be a rental car or a friend at the destination airport with a car involved, and the car would be the final staging area. Travel clothes could be changed for hiking clothes and footwear. Final decisions as to which pair of shorts to hike in or which hat to bring could be postponed until the trail head. Not this time. Everything that went on the plane would accompany me every step of the way from Georgia to Maine. That was a huge concept. Oh sure, stuff could be mailed home. Things could be bought along the way. But wouldn¢t it be nice to get it right, from the start? All my experience should account for something. By 3am on May 2, the pack was packed with seven days of food and weighted 35 pounds. Without food and water it was only 20 pounds. This was historic for me. I didn¢t even have a map.
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

May 6th was the earliest start yet, hitting the trail at 8:15 in the morning. I passed Dicks Creek Gap and the road to Hiawassee. This was to be a resupply bail out if the goal of Franklin was too much. This was not a problem since there was still a 4 day supply of food in my pack, and Franklin was only another 40 trail miles.At 11:30 Plumorchard Gap Shelter called out for lunch part 1, 7.8 miles into the day. This was a really cool shelter. It had not just one loft but a second loft over the porch. There's no question that would be my choice but not tonight. There were still many hours of sun and miles to go.This was a post and beam shelter. Apparently the frame was choppered in by the Army 5th Ranger Training Battalion. That must have been some sight and project.At 2:09pm North Carolina greeted me, and the first state, Georgia, was done. Wow, that was exciting. 75.4 miles down in the first 5 days. 2,098.7 miles and 12 more states to go. That still sounded huge and daunting.On the tree with the border sign, there was an old rusty pipe that once must have held a register. A hiker heading south offered to take my picture at the sign. That was nice.Just another hundred yards and the trail came out into a clearing in a little gap. There was an incredible old tree there. This time the camera was set on the ground with the timer set. Later I would learn that this was the landmark most associated with the Georgia / North Carolina border. Glad I got the shot.Three more miles and it was time for lunch part 2 at Muskrat Creek Shelter. A mile later there was a sign for The Chunky Gal Trail. That made me laugh. What a name. (In 2006 I will read the play "Dark of the Moon" and it will reference this place, Chunky Gal. Cool) There were also lots of little signs tacked to trees that said ¢North Carolina Wildlife Bear Sanctuary¢. They didn't make me laugh so much. I¢m not quite sure how that was supposed to make a hiker feel. Warned?Standing Indian Shelter stood on a little knoll just above the trail surprisingly at about 5000 feet above sea level. This would be well above tree line at home, but here it was quite wooded. This elevation explained the lack of leaves on the tree canopy over the trail.Adam may have gotten there just before me or maybe just after. Either way it was about 6:40pm. Water was down a bit in the valley where there was a meandering stream. There was another guy at the shelter who smoked. I asked him to try to avoid smoking near me but with the nature of smoke and wind, it was not completely effective. It is hard for me to comprehend the backpacker who smokes. This was perhaps the first shelter with counters and benches around a sort of porch area with a roof. It¢s a pretty handy design. Till now all the shelters had a picnic table that sat out in front but with no roof. Plumorchard may have been the first with a roof over the table.It was a good 20 mile day.
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

In the morning Adam and I both headed to Rock Gap Shelter 19.7 miles away. The trail stayed above 4,000 feet almost all day summiting Standing Indian Mountain at 5,498 feet in the first mile and a half.The unfoliated brownness of the trees is kind of overwhelming. It is broken up by the blossoming of cherry or dogwood or maybe apple trees. Whichever they are. It's reassuring to know the leaves will follow.The trail ducked and weaved along a ridge for a while. The views through the trees were good. The hour suggested Albert Mountain should be just around the next bend but it just kept turning into another bend. It was hot and my belly was ready for lunch part 2.Finally the trail popped out briefly to the access road for the Albert Fire Tower and then began it's final ascent to the summit. A bit later it climbed Albert Mountain at 5,200 feet. The last part of this climb was reminiscent of some of the steep climbs back home in the Whites. There were both rock and log steps. It was very hot. I worked up a good sweat and felt great at the summit.There were some other folks at the summit under the fire tower. This was 13.8 miles from Standing Indian Shelter. The views were fantastic. This was a great photo op. After some more lunch we headed on. I think Adam stopped at Cold Spring Shelter for some water but I kept rollin¢ down the trail. It was only another 6 miles to Rock Gap Shelter and Adam wasn¢t far behind me. He was a bit stronger on the up and I might get ahead on a descent but our over all pace was pretty close.Rock Gap shelter was only a tenth of a mile from a Forest Service road and campground, yet it was in good shape. The spring was only about 30 feet away and below the shelter. That seemed dangerously unfortunate. We could see headlights in the parking lot below shortly after dark. That was strange. There was a mouse that was so confident that it climbed up Adam¢s leg to get on the table. This was the first shelter of yet another design new to me. The kitchen area was under an extension of the roof to the side of the shelter. This helped to keep food out of the shelter and allowed for night owls and early birds to cook and eat without disturbing sleeping hikers in the shelter. There were also bear hoist cables and a moldering privy.
Date: 2004-05-13
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

I left Russell Field Shelter a bit before Adam but stopped to dig a hole and he passed me. Later I caught up while he was getting a snack. We hiked together for a while. It was a damp, cloudy, foggy day and not very conducive to picture taking.We were still hiking together when we got to Rocky Top at 5,441 feet. As its name suggests it was rocky on top. It felt a bit like home. The views were nice but it was cloudy. We passed another hiker there. He was older and doing about 10 miles a day. We spent the day winding through balds, woods and meadows. It was beautiful. The whole day was on broad ridges between 4,000 and 5,700 feet, yet none of it was above tree line. This was still hard to get through my head.Later, after we had split, the trail took a sharp right turn and suddenly revealed another guy with a rifle. This guy was probably around 40. He had a National Park Service hat, too. After the initial shock, we had a brief talk. It seems there were actually four professional hunters in the park. It¢s a strange job but some ones got to do it.After 16.5 miles passing 3 other shelters, we landed at Double Spring Gap Shelter, 5,507 feet at 6pm. There was a beautiful spring just a stones throw from the shelter. Actually there were 2 springs, hence the name. One on the North Carolina side was literally just a stones throw away, even for me. The other was on the Tennessee side but further away. A few days ago Adam had informed me that Tennessee definitely had the better water of the two states. In true hiker fashion, though, even he went for the closer NC water. It was cool, cloudy and calm at the shelter. Oddly, a few yards away just off the crest of the ridge at the spring the wind was ferocious. It was crazy.
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn - Hot Springs, NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

On the morning of the 18th we all piled into the front corner room off the foyer on the first floor for breakfast. It was a wonderful feast of pancakes, melon, juice and plenty of other good foods. Afterwards, with my pack on my back, a sadness in my eye and too few farewells, I headed out.The trail headed down the main street through town. There was a brief stop at the post office and perhaps the outfitter across the street. The trail followed the road to the other side of French Broad River. Here the trail jumps the guard rail and delves back into the woods. It was kind of sad leaving folks behind, especially since three of them I had gotten to know some and one was getting off the trail all together. Of course Adam did leave me with his two favorite Mountain House dinners, Vegetable Lasagna & Pasta Primavera. This meant that I was carrying 2 more dinners than needed. Oh well, at least they were freeze dried. Food, what a great way for a hiker to be remembered.The sky was gray but didn¢t feel like rain. The trail followed along the river which was quite wide and fast and brown at 1,290 feet of elevation. After a bit, it took a sharp left turn away from the river and up a steep mountain side with the requisite switchbacks to Lovers Leap Rock at 1,800 feet. As expected, there were some rock out looks here that overlooked the river far below. They afforded a good view of Hot springs, too. The trail was climbing much more gradually now and after that wonderful big breakfast, that was a good thing. There was mountain laurel in bloom everywhere. My camera tried to catch some of them with mixed success. Meandering through the forest, the trail past a dam and its pond lined with benches where folks could sit observing the rippling reflection.19.6 miles to Little Laurel Shelter was pretty good for a day that started in-town. It is usually hard to get an early start out of town. Today wasn¢t an early start but it wasn¢t late either, even with a stop at the post office to return the errant solar charger and send some stuff home. (Thanks June.) What was that stuff. Let¢s see: wallet with all the stuff not needed from it; compass- without a map, what¢s the point; the Data Book & some pages from the Companion. There were some other small odds and ends that went home too but not much.