morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Waynesboro

To: Watnesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Day Ninety Two - WaynesboroI woke up with a day of chores ahead of me. First things first though, I went to check out the continental breakfast and found the room filled with hikers and felt bad for the workers who had to keep resupplying the food. After breakfast I enjoyed another hot shower and then got ready to do laundry. By the time the laundry was done it was time to think about food again. I took my gear down to Magic Scouts room and walked across to the local pizza joint. Next we borrowed Sue's(the receptionist at Quality Inn) car to go to the outfitter, pick up groceries, try to get my pictures off of my broken phone and take our packs to another hotel. Thank you so much Sue you made our whole afternoon easier! Matt bought a new tent at the outfitter and I bought a new waterproof phone cover and some electrolyte candies. I topped up my food bag with extra protein and candy and at AT&T they retrieved most of my pictures! What a relief! We were starting to get hungry so a trip for ice cream and a stop for subs (to pack out with us) was our next stops. We dropped off Magic Scout at his hotel and then Hobo dropped me off at mine and went to return the car. By then I was hungry again so we went to the Outback and I had the best steak ever! Now I am trying to get this journal up to date while I have wifi. Sometimes taking a day off the trail is more work than hiking. Today was one of those days but I know whether it's raining or not in the morning I will be happy to go back to the woods. Confessions of a thruhiker (taken from the Priest Shelter register):"I confess that I love slack packing and all the beards on the trail."Trouble
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Watnesboro

To: Stealth site in the Shenandoahs
Miles today: 16.4

Day Ninety Three - (16.4)Waynesboro to Stealth Campsite in the ShenandoahsI woke up and packed up my gear before heading to the breakfast room. It was pretty disappointing but I didn't think I had enough time to go over to the Waffle House. I settled for simple and then rushed back to the room to get ready. Bob our trail angel arrived a few minutes early so we all rushed out so that he wouldn't have to wait. He brought us back to the trail (Thank you Bob!), and soon we were on our way. Of course within twenty minutes it was raining an we were soaked. Unfortunately we missed out on some great views at the overlooks but then half an hour later it was sunny again. The trail was gentle but rocky and we were happy for the break when we got to the shelter. It was a nice shelter that looked over a stream and had a nice bench down by the water. We ate the subs that we packed out and enjoyed a long break. We said goodbye to Tom when he arrived because tomorrow will be his last day on the trail and then we hiked up the hill. We stopped to get more water and talked about stopping near Rockfish Gap but when we got there we just wanted to keep going to get to Shenandoah National Park. We did make a slight detour at the road to a food trailer and bought hot dogs and pop before returning to the trail. We were finally at another milestone the Shenandoahs! I can't believe I am here! The shelters that you can stay in are called huts here, and there are day use shelters to eat in. There are lots of rules and Melkie has to be on a leash but I'm sure he will get used to it. The first hut is seven miles in and it was late when we entered the park so the first flat spot we came to is where we set up for the night. There is a Wrong Way Trail and we are camped right on it. My hammock is right across the trail, I think we will be getting up early tomorrow!Confessions of a thruhiker (taken from the Priest Shelter register):"I confess that I put food in someone's pack hoping a mouse would get into it."Trouble
Date: 2013-06-10
From: Stealth site in the Shenandoahs

To: Stealth site at near Turk Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Day Ninety Four - (12)Stealth Camp at Wrong Way Trail to Stealth Camp near Turk GapWe pack up quickly and headed up the trail. It was really awkward with Melkie on a leash and I think I moved slowly all day because of it. After some ups and downs we went up Bears Den Mountain. On top there were four different communication towers that looked like four different stages of old. If that wasn't strange enough there were tractor seats cemented into the ground in a large circle. It was weird! On the way down Matt spotted a bunny a few feet off the trail and it didn't move when Melkie passed by. At our first Skyline Drive crossing of the day there was cooler with water in it for us (thanks Bill). It was perfect timing because we couldn't find the water source listed in our guide. We had a few more climbs and then we found the first shelter. We took our time, ate lunch and talked to other hikers. Matt went to get water a tenth of a mile down the path and while he was there he saw a bear cub! Then as we were leaving the shelter a deer crossed the path right in front of us. Within twenty minutes of leaving the shelter it was pouring rain and we were drenched, if only we had stayed at the shelter a little longer! It only rained for about an hour and then the sun came out. We stopped for a snack at an overlook when we crossed Skyline Drive again. We were still soaked but we hadn't put in many miles so we continued on. We climbed Turk Mountain and the trail came out on Skyline Drive once again. There was a small parking lot at the trailhead with hikers spread out drying out their gear, soon we were part of the group. All of our wet stuff was spread out on the parking lot and we were all sitting or laying on the pavement as well. I'm sure we looked strange to the couple of people pulling in. Soon our gear was dry and we couldn't delay any longer. We headed up again not really feeling like going much farther but knowing that we should. We passed by a few nice campsites but when we started to hear thunder it was time to stop. We found a spot that would work and just as we finished setting up the sun came out. Go figure! It was nice to stop early though, it's 7:30 and I am already in bed. Good night world!Confessions of a thruhiker (taken from the Priest Shelter register):I confess that I carried a New Yorker for two weeks to make me look smarter.Trouble
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Stealth site at near Turk Gap

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day Ninety Five - (13.7)Stealth camp near Turk Gap to Loft Mountain CampgroundLast night during a thunderstorm I had to get up and fix my tarp so I ended up getting wet. Surprisingly I stayed warm even though my down got wet (down supposedly doesn't work when wet but so far it's worked great for me). It was a pretty impressive lightning storm it's too bad I couldn't get a good picture from inside my hammock. This morning it was still raining when I woke up and even Melkie wasn't in a hurry to get up. I'm proud of myself though, I packed as much up from inside my hammock as I could and changed for the first time in my hammock. I even ate in my hammock before packing it up and hiking out in the rain. The first half hour was enjoyable even though it was raining but after that I just wanted it to end. We walked passed an area that smelled like bear but we couldn't find any. I was surprised when we arrived at the trail that leads to the hut (shelter), we had gone seven miles already without even realizing it. It was disappointing that it was two tenths of a mile down the mountain but when we got there Sondriven was there. Of course as soon as we stopped so did the rain, we enjoyed a long lunch and the sun was shining as we trudged back up the hill to the trail. The afternoon dragged on even though the rain had stopped, it seemed like it took forever to do the last couple of miles. We did see a couple of deer up close, the first one Melkie scared away but the second one was about ten feet away and just watched us as we passed. We finally made it to the campground just as it was about to start raining again. It was a race to get set up before it started and as soon as it started I was stuck in my hammock until it stopped. Luckily it did stop and we went to do laundry and check out the camp store. We saw another deer and a bunny in the campground, I wonder if we will have any visitors tonight. Now it is late but at least we got some chores done. Oh I almost forgot, Hobo got bird poop on his pack! We all laughed so hard!Confessions of a thruhiker (taken from the Priest Shelter register):"I confess that I pink blazed for weeks." (Pink blazing is when you follow someone in hopes of romance.)Trouble
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Former South River Shelter
Miles today: 14.2

Day Ninety Seven - (14.2)Pinefield Shelter to former South River ShelterI woke up really early and put away my down quilts and changed but no one else was up yet so I laid back in the hammock and fell asleep for another hour. When I did get up I was ready in minutes and went down to sign the shelter register before we left. We saw a few deer almost right away on the trail. The first few miles flew by and it helped that there was a perfect rock overlook for our morning break. By lunchtime however I was fading fast! It was 90 degrees out, we had to climb one of the highest mountains in the Shenandoah's and I gave Melkie the last of my water. There was a water source near the top and as I filled up my containers I couldn't help notice the dead frogs. Eewwww! That's gross but it was the only water I had and it meant I had to wait to drink it because it takes half an hour to treat. The good news was that I was almost at the top and there was another perfect lookout for lunch. It was also the 900 mile mark! We celebrated with Matt's gummy bears and took a ridiculous 900 picture. We took our time on the rocks and I almost fell asleep. I should have because when we left I was so tired. The miles came slowly after that and when we met some trail maintainers and they told us about an unused shelter and a secret camping spot behind it two miles up the trail the unspoken decision was made. During those last few miles I saw a snake but didn't stop to take a picture because I wasn't sure if it was poisonous or not and then Hobo found some fungus that was huge. Flavour Savour caught up to us and hiked with us. When we got to the trail that led to old shelter we debated whether we should stay here, no one wanted to admit they wanted to stop this early (5pm) but after a few minutes of each of us saying that they would do whatever the other hikers wanted, we decided to stay. The place is cool and the privy is the best privy I have seen yet, it even has its own privy log book. There is supposed to be a huge storm tonight so I set up in the most sheltered spot I could find.Confessions of a thruhiker (taken from the Priest shelter register);"I confess that there is way to much to confess."Trouble
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Former South River Shelter

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 14.4

Day Ninety Eight -(14.4) Former South River Shelter to Big Meadows CabinsEveryone woke up early this morning and we were on the trail by 7am. We had planned a big day but on top of the first mountain (where we got cell reception), we found out about the bad storm that was about to hit. We continued on debating what we should do and by the time we got to the top of the next mountain the sky was looking scary. We hiked as quick as we could to the bottom and stopped at Lewis Mountain Campground for a break. We ate from the camp store and were still undecided about what to do. There were cabins there but they were way overpriced. There was also a hut a mile up the trail we could stop at. We decided to head for the hut and by the time we got to the side trail leading to it the sun had come out we decided to keep going to the next campground eight more miles up the trail. We did get a little wet but the trail was amazing! If the weather had have been better it would have been a twenty mile day. Back at the last campground we had met up with Floater and Cabo and they invited us to share their cabin at Big Meadows if we decided to go that far. Guess where we are staying! The cabin is small but perfect and the shower was awesome. After we were all cleaned up we went to the taproom at the lodge and then up to the dining room for dinner. Good times! Back to reality though, we still had chores that needed done. Hobo tried to secure a campsite for us for tomorrow (but we have to wait until tomorrow for that) and I went to do laundry. Now we are all sitting in the laundry room waiting for the dryer to finish and I still have to mend my shorts and upload to trailjournals before I go to sleep. It's going to be another long day!Confessions of a thruhiker:"I feel like a pansy thruhiker because I so slow."Trouble
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day Ninety Nine - Big Meadows Lodge to Big Meadows CampgroundI woke up early feeling bad for taking Floaters bed (he slept on the floor) and immediately started finishing my chores. I still needed to mend my shorts (cut off pj's), set up Melkie's pack for a slack pack and meet everyone at in the dining room at 7:30am. I got everything done and met Floater and Cabo for breakfast but Hobo and Matt were nowhere to be found. After breakfast still no Hobo and Matt so I went and got Melkie and got ready to leave hoping they would show up. I must have missed them by minutes because I found them eating in the dining room when I returned. They had a few problems snagging us a campsite for tonight and had set up on a reserved site without realizing it and then had to move everything. By the time they had eaten we were leaving really late to make it in time to our pick up point seventeen miles up the trail at 6pm. Hiking isn't much fun when you have a deadline but we didn't have to carry our packs and it was perfect hiking weather. The trail was incredibly rocky but not steep and views were incredible! We stopped to eat around noon on a rock that over looked the valley but then two hours later we found an even more amazing spot and couldn't help stopping to take pictures (well Hobo and I stopped and Matt kept on hiking). Of course we missed it again! When I caught up to Matt he had just spotted another bear cub that had scrambled off over a ridge. We did see lots of deer and fawns though. We stopped at a picnic area for one last break and when I looked at the time I thought for sure we would miss our ride. We sped up over the last couple of mountains and when I came to Mary's Rock Mayer was there about to climb it. It would have been nice to climb it too but I was trying to make it to the bottom in time. The trail was all rocks and that slows me down but I arrived at the bottom just as Cabo's wife was pulling up. Perfect timing! They had all kinds of beverages waiting for me and and it felt just like trail magic! Soon Hobo and Matt arrived and we all crammed into the vehicle and were on our way back to Bug Meadows. We made dinner arrangements for 8 and when I got up to the Lodge Floater handed me his key to the cabin and let's take a shower there. Thank you! Dinner was awesome and I had a great night and soon I will be sound asleep!Confessions of a thruhiker:"Soap and water is not good enough! I have to scrub the stench off of me." He was actually more specific than that but you get the idea.Trouble
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

One Hundred days on the trail! I packed up quickly this morning because I wanted to go up to the lodge an use the wifi before breakfast. We ended up leaving late because breakfast took so long. We drove to Elkwallow Wayside to ask if they would keep our packs there so that we could slackpack some of the miles today. They agreed to keep our packs and soon we were at the trailhead. It feels so good to hike without a pack, it feels like I am floating up the hills! Surprisingly I left Hobo and Matt in the dust and soon I was hiking with Mayer. Mayer is a section hiker and future thruhiker but his pack definitely gives him away a section hiker. He has an external framed pack that weighs over fifty pounds! I give him credit for being able to do the miles he does everyday! I arrived at the Wayside in record time and a ton of hikers were there (including the Tribe). I pretty much inhaled a cheeseburger within minutes and then relaxed for the next hour chatting while waiting for Hobo and Matt. I found out that the Tribe had seen a big bear right on the trail and that they all shouted and banged their poles and the bear stood it's ground and didn't move. They ended up going back down the side trail they were on. I also found out that Mowgli got Lyme disease. Luckily she caught it right away and started taking medication immediately. I hope she feels better soon. It scares me that I am already hearing of hikers getting Lyme because I think I have a higher chance than most of getting it. I sleep with a tick magnet every night and even though I check him on our breaks and every night I still usually pull a tick or two off of me every morning. Other than Mowgli's bad news I had an awesome day today. It was a really cool atmosphere, the place was filled with hikers, bikers and cyclists my favourite groups of people. Hobo and Matt arrived an hour later and we hung out for a couple more hours, resupplied and ate again before heading back to the trail. Hobo's blistered feet were bothering him so we took it easy and then Hobo suggested I rush ahead and save him spots at the next shelter. I felt bad because I thought that he meant that he wanted spots in the shelter but he had meant to find him a spot for his tent. I made it and had set up before it got dark but he and Matt came in late and had to set everything up by headlamp. Now I am in my hammock and about to fall asleep, I can see the fireflies buzzing around outside and hear the gurgling water from the spring next to me. Good night world!Hobo's Hiker Jokes:How can you tell if a hiker has a hammock?   Because they will tell you!Trouble
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Fairfax Station
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day One Hundred and One -(5.7) Gravel Springs Hut to Fairfax StationI woke up this morning all excited to get out of the Shenandoahs but both Hobo and Matt had blisters on their feet so it was really slow going. I am usually not ahead of them but at every gap I came to I would wait at least a half an hour for them. I thought we should just bail and take a nearo day to let their blisters heal but Hobo is pretty stubborn and he wanted out of the Shenandoahs just as bad as I did. Finally he agreed that it was ridiculous to continue and we stopped at a parking lot along Skyline Drive. Hobo's friends Bob and Kim were going to pick us up anyway for a visit so he called and changed the pick up location and we sat and relaxed in the parking lot. While we were sitting there we almost got charged at by two deer! They tore through the woods and came out aiming right for us! They must have noticed us last minute because they swerved and went right behind us as they passed. Then a couple (Greg and Lisa) that Hobo had just met on the trail came over to talk and then headed up the road. They returned a short while later with lunch for all of us! Thank you so much! That was awesome trail magic! They are hoping to do a thruhike soon, good luck on your adventure! While Greg and Lisa was talking to us Linda (Mrs.Cabo) pulled in the driveway and set up trail magic on the trail! She is awesome! We had already seen her at another road crossing and she had stopped to give us a Cliff Bar and Gatorade. Thanks again Linda! Bob, Kim and five year old Sarah arrived to pick us up and bring us back to their home. The rest of the day was like being at a resort! We were pampered with every luxury and at the same time Bill and Kim are such down to earth people I immediately felt at home. I really enjoyed spending time with them and am thankful for being invited to tag along with Hobo and Matt. After getting cleaned up we had Chinese food for dinner and chocolate and wine for dessert. Perfect night! The wine soon made me sleepy and now I am off to bed.Good night world!Hobo's Hiker Jokes:How can you tell if a thruhiker has had a bad bowel movement?      They will tell you!Trouble
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Fairfax Station

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 7.7

Day One Hundred and Two - (7.7) Fairfax Station to Front RoyalIt felt so strange to wake up in a pitch black room, totally different from a starry sky but I did sleep better here than I had indoors anywhere else in any of the town stops along the trail. As soon as I was up Bob was down asking me if I needed anything. He went way above and beyond in making me feel at home. When everyone was up Kim made us an awesome breakfast and then offered us several items that we might need in our packs. She even gave me extra tick medication for Melkie and enough premium dog food to last until I reach Harper's Ferry. They drove us around making various stops so that we could resupply before dropping us back off at the trailhead. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me! Once back on the trail I noticed just how hot it really was and of course we were going uphill right off the bat. It was a short hiking day though and our planned eight mile day was over in no time. As I walked the last section of trail I noticed trail magic in the form of a water cooler with a note saying that if the cooler was empty to use the hose and the back of the nearby house. I didn't need water but signed the register anyway and continued the last stretch if trail to the road. Guess what! More trail magic! Dreamer and Socks (and Charlie) were set up handing out cold beverages and snacks! I chatted briefly with them but Doug (a friend of Hobo's from high school) was there waiting to whisk us away to a hotel room and a nice dinner! Doug was cool, he is a geologist who works for the government researching new energy sources. His hobbies are cool too! He white water rafts, kayaks and spelunking (caving)! He had some interesting stories and it made for another night of fun! At one point we toasted being through with the Shenandoah's. Now I am back in a hotel room, I have had not one but two showers today and am feeling that life is very good!Hobo's Hiker Jokes:How do you know that a hiker walks more than twenty miles a day?      They will tell you!Trouble