morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-11-09
From: Campsite east of Hudson River

To: Campsite, Sunk Mine Road
Miles today: 0.0

We¢re up fumbling in the dark and off by 6:30 but even if today¢s footing i.e. leaves are easier, it¢s doubtful we¢ll make 25 miles to RPH Shelter so our sights are set on Canopus Lake and Fahnstock State Park. Today is overcast and rain is a distinct possibility.We began with finishing the ascent which we had begun at the Hudson late yesterday afternoon. At the blue-blazed junction, the trail broadened and flattened but that was the easiest we had it for the rest of the day. Deep beds of freshly fallen oak leaves continue to slow us down, particularly on the descents. And such ¢descents¢ were normally easy, routine. We¢re not pain-free; my muscle is aching slightly and Scarf¢s sporting a wicked-looking blister on the side of her foot. At least that¢s better than the heel.Nothing much exciting on today¢s hike. Saw some deer whose presence was betrayed only by their flashing white tails as they bounded away from us. Occasionally, our eyes were blessed with colorful foliage still clinging to smaller bushes and saplings. Some pale red-leafed bushes were particularly attractive.Past Graymoor, we had some ups & downs which again proved slower-than-usual because of the leaves. When we finally reached Dennytown Road, we were thankful that the water spigot was still operational. After a quick lunch, we still harbored hopes of reaching Canopus Lake but that was not in the cards as we continued to struggle in the leaves. We had also felt sprinkles during the day and didn¢t want to get caught in a downpour. So around 4, we decided to call it a day at the stream just past Stump Mine Road, a flat, leaf-strewn locale under tall hemlocks. At least we¢re adjacent to good water. And speaking of good water (and good timing), the occasional drizzle morphed into a steady downpour just after we had finished dinner, a process delayed by the search for a bear-bag tree. So into our tents before 6, the earliest yet. The hemlocks protected us only slightly.Despite the rain and our annoying aches & pains, we¢re satisfied with having logged 15.7 miles. So can we make 17.5 miles to Morgan Stewart tomorrow? I did this kind of mileage on this stretch in June.
Date: 2005-11-10
From: Campsite, Sunk Mine Road

To: Campsite between Rt 52 & I-84
Miles today: 0.0

The light precipitation greeting us as we emerge from our tents in the darkness is not rain but snow flurries. Good - if you¢re going to be cold, why not have snow instead of drippy, miserable rain? But the faint color in the sky promises sun later.One new discovery today: cold chamomile tea tastes good! In my haste to escape last evening¢s rain, I left my (covered) cup with freshly-brewed tea outside. This morning, I enjoyed the teate so much, I poured it into my water bottle to drink during the day.We were off earlier on a day which should prove tougher than yesterday because of the ascents past the Taconic Parkway. Reaching Rt. 301 and Canopus Lake, we pushed on, grateful in some ways that we hadn¢t made it here yesterday because the flat camping areas were not near the water source (the lake). We lingered for a snack on the open outcropping of Shenandoah Mountain overlooking the lake (again, what¢s Shenandoah Mountain doing in New York?). I recalled from my June hike that the 4+ miles to RPH Shelter (which I did in a thunderstorm and its aftermath) were easy but again, leaves proved our undoing. Initially the rain from last evening had tamped them down but the drying sun soon restored conditions underfoot to the previous days. I figured that if we lunched at RPH Shelter and left by noon, we¢d make it to Morgan Stewart.While I filled my water bottles at the stream before RPH, Scarf went on ahead and was sitting in the sun on the grass talking to the caretaker when I arrived. Not seeing too many backpackers this time of year, he was primed to talk! We left the shelter before 1 - maybe we can still make it to Morgan Stewart.No, not today either. We¢ll stealth-camp for the third consecutive night. As I had recalled, the initial ascent up Hosner Mountain was steady but not too taxing. However once on the ridge line, the subsequent ¢level¢ walking was small ups and downs slabbing the western slope, meaning rough footing amidst slippery leaves. Like last June, the traffic din was ubiquitous, first from the Taconic Parkway, then I-84.Generally, I¢m hiking ahead of Scarf on the ascents but never let myself get too far ahead. . My longest wait - about 5 minutes - was on the Stormville Mountain ascent.   But we¢re both slowing down because of our nagging pains. And so again once again, it looks like we¢ll stealth-camp again and like the first night, the traffic noise will rock us to sleep. Our abode for tonight was halfway between the one mile section between Rt. 52 and I-84 where we found another level area by a stream. At least this hike has featured plenty of campsite opportunities. Even though water sources are not abundant, they¢re just frequent enough for our needs.Darkness arrived quickly on another cold but at least dry night. 14.1 miles today - OK but any other time of the year - i.e. without the mounds of dry leaves - we could have made better time. Well, maybe not in 10+ inches of snow!
Date: 2005-11-13
From: Rt. 22/Pawling

To: 10 Mile Brook Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Slept late and took our time this morning, not hitting the Trail until 9:45. We only have 10 miles to 10-mile Hill Shelter. The day started cold with frost on the car windows but the sun¢s emergence brought reassuring warmth. I hiked this section 2 years ago about the same time of year (late October, 2003) but not with a full pack; I was base-camping and slackpacking. The first 2-3 miles uphill from Rt. 22, first across open fields before entering the woods was more tiring than I remembered. We negotiated several stile crossings. But my main problem was my muscle injury was back in force. I didn¢t get as far ahead from Scarf on the ascents. We were together on the descents and I lagged on the flat parts. The intensifying pain caused me to double the Vitamin I dosage but I began wondering how many more days I could continue.All morning we heard shots, much more than we had in the previous days. We also saw deer again - they weren¢t worried about the hunters now; that season comes later. After nearly losing the Trail near the overgrown Gate of Heaven cemetery, we came to Wiley Shelter where a family was spending their Sunday on a day hike. We declined their offer of hot dogs cooked on their wood fire but we enjoyed talking. They¢re spending Thanksgiving week in DC so I gave them a few tips.Now it¢s 10 Mile Hill. I remembered it being somewhat steep and yes, it was. At least the Vitamin I had kicked in sufficiently to lessen my pain. As we neared the shelter, I stopped to fill water while Scarf went on ahead. It was still light enough for us to secure our bear bag and cook dinner; the shelter¢s setting facing a clearing helped in that regard. But the cold set in rapidly so we weren¢t up too long on this, the first night of our hiking together that we stayed in a shelter.
Date: 2005-11-15
From: Northern Harrier's home, North Wales, PA

To: Home, Silver Spring, MD
Miles today: 0.0

We¢re up by 6:30, only sleeping slightly later than on the Trail. Harrier fixed us pancakes with blueberries & strawberries. The 3 of us took some time reminiscing bout hikes this year and last, going through photos. Then it was time to part. Scarf was off before 8 for her 12 hour drive and I was gone at 9. Another year¢s hiking is in the books.
Date: 2005-12-08
From: Swift Run Gap, SNP

To: Powell Gap, SNP
Miles today: 0.0

The last hike of 2005 began with an early morning drive through frozen fields of glistening whiteness - that is after clearing the mess of the Washington DC suburbs' morning rush hour traffic. One more trip to the section I maintain in Shenandoah National Park. 2 1/2 hours driving brought me to Swift Run Gap where - as I expected - Skyline Drive to the south was closed. The car thermometer read 20 as I parked outside the gate and began walking the mile up to the HighTop Parking area where "my" section begins.It's a maintenance trip so what did I forget? My saw! As it turned out, my manual bow saw would not have helped. The 2 blowdowns I encountered could only be cleared by a chain saw, something for which I'm not certified yet. The Trail was broken snow - other hikers not too many days previous had enjoyed this stretch including the 2 instances where they detoured around the large fallen trees. So maintenance-wise, all I could do was remove smaller branches and limbs strewn along the Trail, a trail that was under 3-4" of snow.Took my time on the 900' ascent as I appreciated the clean snow, fresh air, and bright sunshine. As always, a cold winter's day hike is more stressful than the same hike in temperate spring or fall weather. Having the right winter clothing made the day enjoyable as I lingered at the summit's outcropping with its westerly views, passed the spring, and arrived at the Hut for lunch. But it's still cold - even in full sun with a dry shelter floor and drinking hot chocolate from my thermos, I chilled up quickly.Continuing south on the Trail, I reached Skyline Drive and proceeded across where the Trail, with a southeastern exposure, was nearly devoid of snow. Fortunately, the bare ground did not feature mounds of freshly-fallen dry leaves which were my undoing on the November hike with Scarf in NY and CT. And incidentally, my sore groin muscle emanating from my October cycling accident and exacerbated by the November hike was completely healed.Skyline Drive was in constant view of this AT stretch (rendered such by the denuded trees) but of course the only "traffic" on the closed-to-the-public Drive this wintery day was Park Service vehicles. When I reached Powell Gap, I decided to walk back on Skyline Drive to save the knees from the ascent and descent of HighTop.Found the car safe and sound and thought about the 3 guys I met outside the gate this morning who dropped off a car and drove around to the South end at Rockfish Gap to begin a 3-day NOBO section hike. They're going to have freezing rain this weekend - hope they're prepared, mentally as well as physically.The temperature rose as I headed down eastward into the Piedmont for the drive home, stopping at Madison for dinner. Another year's hiking is in the books.
Date: 2005-03-06
From: Springer Mountain Visitors Center

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

8.5 Approach Trail and 2.5 AT, total 11 miles to Stover Creek shelterI stopped at the Stover Creek shelter about 3:30. Five other people and one dog were already here. I ate a cold meal of Pita bread and cheese and parkay and oriental trail mix and nuts. Pita bread dry. Not really a good choice. Got water out of the Stover C reek to fill filter bottle. Using Katadyn Extream purifier bottle. Not really hungry or thirsty. The ups on the way were tough on the calves. The downs were tough on the thighs. The 300 or 500 feet that were level were fine. I got to the top of Springer in just over 4 12 hours. I was told that the usual is about 6 12 hours. It is going to be cold tonight. I am staying in the shelter. So far everyone else is tenting. Darryl & Jo are in a single wall tent. They pre-prepared a lot of home dried food and are planning a lot of mail drops to resupply. Tony S. here also.It was tough saying bye to Alma this morning. I did shed a couple of tears. If it had taken longer, I might have been blubbering.The register says that it was 5 degrees last night and I have a western mountaineering ALPINLITE 20 degree bag. It could be a very cold night.   I noticed that there are bear bag hangers here. Apparently there are bears. I am not looking for a close encounter of the bear kind.
Date: 2005-03-07
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

Stover Creek shelter (2.5 miles) ? Gooch Mountain shelter (14.9 miles) Today 12.4 milesI started the trail at 8 AM. OJ and a breakfast bar were breakfast. Two people came in late last night and we talked for a few minutes this morning. A nice couple from Boston. They were Figaro and Tofu. Figaro took his trail name because he had giver Tofu her short trail haircut. He did a pretty good job. They had left Atlanta about 3PM and had been dropped off at rt 42 and hiked .9 miles up Springer mountain to the start of the AT. Then on to Stover Creek shelter. On the trail, I met Smilie and Grundy yesterday and met Creaky Bones today.It is 11 AM and I am at the Hawk Mountain shelter but not staying. The Gooch Gap shelter is 8 miles ahead. I have taken photos of the Long Creek falls on the side trail already. Very pretty. Lunch today is pita bread with Parkay and cheese.Well, I have made it to the Gooch Gap shelter. It has two floors and is already filled with people, many from Hawk Mountain shelter. It has been raining since about 2:30, I arrived here about 4:30. I had to stop and ¢rainproof¢. I put the pack cover on backwards and upside down.   Everything in the pack stayed dry anyway. I have very little appetite. The cinnamon tea was good, but I had to force down the Lipton teriyaki noodles. Funny, I like them at home, but here I don¢t. Hiked with Darryl and Jo most of the day but sped up because of the weather and finished with Tony S. Tony is the only hiker to pass me but it was just before the shelter.A man in a jeep was at the Horse Gap road crossing. He asked ¢How you doing?¢ ¢Do you need anything? Water?¢ I said thank you anyway. Actually I was almost out or water and did run out about a mile from this shelter. There are no water sources from Hawk Mountain Shelter to about a mile from Gooch Gap shelter. But, I have seen Deliverance.Remember, we were told at the visitors center that Frosty Mountain was the toughest? They lied. Today was far tougher but I did hike 8 12 hours. The last hour was so hard, it was on an easy trail, but I had nothing left. Mostly you watch your feet when you hike. The trail is rough. I did a lot of edge and ledge walking. It is 7:30 and almost everyone is already in their sleeping bags because it is cold and getting dark already. I did my first crap in the woods today in the rain and dark. Used my cat hole trowel to dig hole. It was not that easy. I¢m going to have to work on technique. Used the Optimus Nova stove for the first time for dinner, but I added too much water to the dinner. It was sort of eatable. I hung the food bags on bear cables again. Danette was right. The headlamp was the right way to go. A flashlight would have been very inconvenient.
Date: 2005-03-08
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Gooch Mountain Shelter (14.9 miles) ? Woods Hold Shelter,( 26.8 miles)Today 11.9 milesIt was an awful day. It rained all night, heavy at times and then it turned into snow. I hiked in snow all day with it snowing heavily at times. Made it to the Woods Hole Shelter and got the last empty spot. Actually Figaro and Tofu, who I had met at Stover Creek Shelter, moved over and made room for me. There are 5 college girls from Atlanta on spring break and a very knowledgeable experienced couple and two or three tenters. All nine hikers in the shelter are outgoing, fun loving people.   It is about 5:30 and I am already in my sleeping bag. The others will be soon.This shelter is on Blood Mountain and it is cold and windy. I probably will sleep in my clothes in my sleeping bag tonight. My fingers are so cold I can barely write.I actually had some appetite tonight. Ate 2 packs of instant grits with a pak of chicken breast in it and a cinnamon tea. This is my second and last day on the tea bag. The stove was hard to light but only because my hands were cold and the BIC was tough to do. I finally borrowed a match.
Date: 2005-03-09
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Walasi-Yi Center, Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Woods Hole Shelter (26.8 miles) ? Walasi-Yi Center, Neels Gap (30.5 miles) 3.7 milesIt was a cold, cold night at the Woods Hole shelter. I was out early with no breakfast. My water bottle had frozen. My goal is Walasi-Yi Center at Neels Gap. Actually got in about 10AM & decided to stop for the day. Rented a cabin. Weighed pack. 42lbs!! Too heavy. The outfitter will go through your backpack to help weed out stuff to lighten it. I told them that I wanted first try and if I was not successful then I would be back in the morning for their help.Took a shuttle to the Cookie Jar restaurant with an all you can eat buffet. Neels Gap is 30.7 miles from Springer, 38.3 miles so far in 4 days. I called Alma today and it brought tears to my eyes and I had to pull it together to talk. It is about 1:30 now and about 24 degrees and windy.   I am considering an extra day stop. I hope to make it to Low Gap Shelter for the next stop, 10.6 miles. Even though todays hike was short, it was tough with lots of slick trail and rocks. I tried to be very careful and did not fall. I weeded out some food into a hiker box. I am carrying at least three times as much as I needed. Sunflower seeds, oriental snack mix, peanut butter ¢ all gone. I am weeding through some of the rest the gear to send some home. The Tevas (2lb 4oz) are going. I got a pair of lighter weight Croc water sandals (9oz). I am using today for rest and consolidation, etc. Managed to lower my pack weight from 42lbs to 27lbs on my own. But I did add about 5-6lbs of snacks and orange juice for total weight of about 33lbs.
Date: 2005-03-10
From: Walasi-Yi Center, Neels Gap

To: Hog Pen Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: few clouds

March 10, 2005Neels Gap (30.5) ? Hog Pen Gap (36.9)   6.4 milesWalasi-Yi Center. It is 6:25 AM. My roomy is Christopher Rivers ¢Forever North¢. I joined the shuttle group to the Cookie Jar last night. It was an all you can eat, with tax $8.01. The shuttle driver was ¢Famous Fred¢, who is older and retired. There were 9 of us including Fred in a king cab pickup. The food was good, not great. I ate two plates moderately full with a small salad, ice cream, banana pudding and sweet tea. We came back and I talked with Forever North. I mostly listened. We are sharing the cabin. This is his fourth AT hike but he had not thru-hiked yet. He seems quite experienced and capable though and has a nice well behaved dog with him. He smokes but was polite and smoked outside. We are going to the outfitters as soon as possible to get fuel, snacks and maybe OJ. I will weigh the pack and mail back a little stuff. This will be the first day I am actually planning more than the start and finish. I might be getting the hang of this. It is only suppose to be cold for two more days. I might be tenting tonight, probably by a shelter if the bear bag hangers are around. It they are there ?   I am not comfortable with ¢encounters of the bear kind¢. The hot shower was great yesterday. I kept smelling dog poop.   Checked my boots twice. It turned out it was me. I washed and shampooed twice. I washed my jogging shorts twice too. I¢m using them like underwear. They still stank after the first wash.
Date: 2005-03-11
From: Hog Pen Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Hog Pen Gap (36.9) ? Tray Mountain Shelter (56.0) 19.1 milesIt¢s been eventful. Camped alone last night about 1 mile past Low Gap Shelter. Stove did not work. I could not get it to light. I think it is bad fuel. It was cold again. I started getting hypothermic while trying to light the stove and I had to get into the sleeping bag in the tent to warm up. I had already set up my tent. Priorities: shelter, water, food. Ended up not having dinner. I was so cold and tired that I just went to sleep. Did not even bear hang the food. I do not like camping alone. I miss the social life at the shelters.I got up about 7 AM. I made a wrong turn at a 5 way intersection. I got out early and was ok to hike but it was too early to think. I ended up back tracking about a mile. Duh!! Will not try to do that again. I am at Tray Mountain Shelter but tenting in Clip Flashlight tent. I arrived here about 4:30. It was cold and windy with a light snow shower about 1 pm. Today was a walk on rock trail day. Yesterday was a mud day and the day before was an ice day. So far I have seen dumped jeans and a dumped tent. The Atlanta College girls (1 of then went home) are in the shelter. There is a three sided privy. The open side is into the wind. I hiked with a young man from Gainesville, FL for awhile. I don¢t know where he is now. Buckwheat (Tim R.) heated water for my dinner since my stove still did not work. I am struggling to make the Lipton Noodles eatable. Cold, got to get into my bag.
Date: 2005-03-12
From: Tray Mountain Shelter 

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: few clouds

Tray Mountain Shelter ? Hiawassee (Dicks Creek Gap 66.6) 10.6 milesToday was a day of ups. I ran out of water again but found a good spring .25 miles off the trail. I met a National Trail maintainer volunteer, got a photo. Tell Danette that every day is snot rocket day. Same thing as ¢farmers blow¢. I wanted to reach Dick¢s Creek Gap about 3 PM. I actually did it by 2 PM, but the trail was kicking my butt. Every day I get a little better and tougher but the trail throws something new at you every day. I know that I need to carry more water. I almost always camp with other hikers. Walked with Greg (Whittee)from Alaska some today.   He is OK. Evidentially ¢Cracker¢ was a good trail name, everyone seems to remember me. It might be my snoring. I am thinking about taking tomorrow off. I will let the weather report and how I feel decide. I got a ride to a Hiawassee with a family of the Atlanta college girls. Very nice people. There were 9 of us crammed into a SUV with gear plus a dog. The shuttle to dinner is coming at 6 PM, in 15 minutes. I will write more later.I took some pictures of some of the water sources today. I got water out of two of them. For dinner I had an all you can eat seafood at Shoneys. Had dinner at Shoneys with Al from California and Greg from Anchorage, AK. Greg is 54. Al looks 75 or so. I thought about a zero day tomorrow but I feel pretty good. Had three plates of food, a small salad and a super sized OJ. I have moved my glasses and thru hikers handbook to my coat for easier access. I saw Figaro and his girlfriend Tofu again; we seem to get along well. By the way, I used a treadmill to practice; maybe I should have used a stairmaster. Well, when I get back, I may use a chairmaster (a lift chair).
Date: 2005-03-13
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Muscrat Shelter
Miles today: 11.6

Hiawassee, GA ? Muskrat Shelter (78.2)The Hiawasee Inn really caters to hikers. They are helpful about the do it yourself laundry and phone use. $35.00 for a king bed single room and topped off the fuel for $1.00. All cash prices. A couple of very interesting guys run it. They even supply a shuttle to the trail twice a day. The stove is working again. I had dumped the old fuel and put in new fuel. Figaro and Tofu are taking a zero day here. I plan to push on. I realized today that the trail for me is a journey of self discovery. I have been Joe Pharmacist so long that to some extent the role took me over. We shall see what I will be.5:25 PM. I made Muskrat Creek Shelter, about 12 miles. I get better every day. The trail has gotten tougher every day. Notable ¢ a t-Shirt day today. I am now in North Carolina. So far North Carolina is steep, steep, steep. It is supposed to rain and maybe thunderstorms this evening. I got in about 3:45, early enough to be in the shelter. I discovered that I still had the Hiawassee Inn key in my pocket.It is a luxury abode with running water (rain), bathroom (privy) and room service (serve yourself). We have the food hung in bags for mice. If lightening hits the tin roof will our food be cooked for us? Some hail too. I am going to try for Carter Gap tomorrow, about 12 miles. It is getting cold. Time to get into sleeping bag.