morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-19
From: Rock Spring hut

To: Pass Mt. shelter
Miles today: 11.7

The three of us started out early today before the heat of the day began. Coming out of the Rock Spring area was a good warm-up since it was steep to start. It was a good way to get the blood pumping and the breathing going. Once over the top it was easy going and we took a break near the horse stables at the south entrance before the trail took us back into the trees for a mile before the store/restaurant area. On the way down we passed a water tower and also a group of hikers out for fun. It was good to get here and enjoy a good breakfast at the Skyland Restaurant. It has great views but we didn¢t see any because it was hazy out. After we finished eating Tony bought a small stuffed bear at the store. This may be the only bear I will see in the Shenandoah¢s if I don¢t see any live ones. With the breakfast fueling our hike now we made it up and over Stony Man Mt. Coming down the other side in a thinly wooded area we finally saw a momma bear with two cubs. I finally got to see real bears. Now I am happy. We continue on after a few photos and can hear the rumblings of thunder as we approach The Pinnacle Picnic area. We are going to take a break there anyway and see what the clouds look like there. It is a really nice rest area and has a big covered pavilion with tables and fireplace. I find a water spigot to clean the dirt off and get a little cleaner. The thunder is get louder and we can see lightning too. Soon after the sky opens up and the rain pours down and one lightning strike was so close it scared all of us under the pavilion. I¢m glad I am not hiking at this moment. We wait until the rain slows and the lightning moves away from the area before starting up again. It¢s cooler now and feels great and the views are awesome. Over The Pinnacle Mt and then to Marys Rock before make the long descent into Thornton Gap. The trail is wet and muddy in spots so we walk slower. We arrive at the visitor¢s center but it is closed. Before we can sit down, Connie, Plodder¢s wife drives up and will meet the two slackers here today. She offers us some Gatorades and we gladly accept as we wait for Barking Spider and Plodder to show up. It¢s still overcast but it is also much cooler which is great for hiking. About 15 minutes after we stop there they arrive and we visit for a few minutes before we move on to the shelter. We don¢t have far to go but it¢s up hill from here. The trail is muddy and slippery and we straddle both sides rather than slog through it.   We are pretty tired as we take the ,2 mile blue blaze to the shelter. It is going to be crowded since it is starting to rain again. This Hut has two privies ¢ one for guys and one for girls. The three of us stake our claim on the top platform before anybody else does and get our stuff setup and change into dry clothes for the night. We name the stuffed bear Easy Rider since that is all he does ¢ rides on somebody¢s pack. Shelter: Handyman, Tony Tiger, Serial, Way, 3 others, Big Brother is tenting. Wx: warm, hot-pm
Date: 2007-06-20
From: Pass Mt. shelter

To: Gravel Springs hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night the mice were out and active. I felt one of them walking across my feet so I flicked it in the air and wondered if it landed on someone below. I didn¢t hear anyone stir so I guess not. Damn Mice!! It looks like today is going to be nice after that storm front came through and brought cooler temps and a breeze. We know the slackers will be heading north today so they will be behind us most of the time until we stop for lunch at Elkwallow Wayside for lunch. Our first task is to get up and over Pass Mt and a long walk before the trail starts down on its way to Jeremy¢s Run trail and then up to the Wayside. We arrive at the wayside on the backside with a short road walk. We see Plodder and Barking Spider here and somehow they got here before us. We stop for lunch and visit with them and take our boots and socks off to dry since they are still damp from yesterday. The sun is out and the breeze makes it just perfect. A butterfly is buzzing around our sandals and eventually lands on them while we stand there watching. We know we still have a way to go and a long climb ahead to Hogback Mt so we say by and get back on the trail. It is a long steady climb up Hogback Mt but the views of the surrounding area are absolutely beautiful. The cold front has cleared out the hazy skies and you can see for miles in all directions. There are some towers on top and also a spot for Hang Gliders to take off from. No hang gliders are here today though.We saw more deer on Hogback Mt and they just look at us without moving away. It was an enjoyable day today with the cool air, low humidity, and constant breeze. The only bad thing was that our feet are still sore from yesterday¢s rocky trail. I think I may have bruised the ball and toe areas on both feet. Especially the right foot because the 2nd and middle toes are numb and feel swollen. I hope they are not broken. The trail was excellent also since it was relatively flat most of the time. It¢s another full shelter as we arrive. Filled with weekenders, thru¢s, and sectioners. Baggins is here as are Way, Bludog, Tennessee Jack, Brisk, Lion and Wolf Taffy. There is something nutty about this stuffed bear. He decided to hang with the guys and was seen ¢smoking, drinking and even pooping¢. What a crazy bear! We had a fun day and tomorrow should be the same. Tenting: Handyman, Tony Tiger,. Shelter: Way, Tennessee Jack, Bludog, Brisk, Lion, Wolf Taffy, Baggins. Wx: cool and breezy most of day
Date: 2007-06-21
From: Gravel Springs hut

To: Thomas C Wolfe Wayside 
Miles today: 10.5

It's hike naked day! I will try it and see what happens. Since I¢m in a National Park I will use a bandana for some concealment when needed. I pack up everything and am waiting for the others to finish. I still have my pack hanging in front of me until it is time. Will I do it. I do, concealed behind my pack, and tie a bandana around my waist then put my pack on. Tony can only shake his head and say, OMG. Off we go and we walk by the shelter and everyone else has already left too. It¢s cool and breezy so it already going to be a good hiking day as far as the weather is concerned. We begin our day by going up and over South and North Marshall Mt¢s before stopping for the views at Hogwallow Flat Overlook. Awesome! You can also see where we had hiked the day before as well as the valley below. A short while after we starting hiking again we saw a momma bear and two more cubs near the trail. They were closer than the last ones and they didn¢t run away either. We stopped for some photos before continuing on. On top of Compton Mt we meet Phyllis and Carol, a couple of section hikers out for a few days. They know what today is for hikers and tell us there is a Girl Scout troop ahead and the scout leader had been informed of the possibility of naked hikers. I hope they are far ahead is what I¢m thinking. Throughout the day we don¢t see many people on this section of trail or even at the road crossings. That suits me fine. As much as I may like hiking with little to no clothing it is still a bit uncomfortable too. Enjoy the moment is what I am doing. Once we hit the boundary of the park I knew it was time to embrace the day for what it was. I dropped my bandanas and left them hanging on a tree so Tony could pick them up ¢ I hope. It would also make anyone wonder what the heck is going on. The last half mile of today¢s hike was the full monty. I got to the blue blaze to the shelter and waited for them to catch up and give me the bandanas again. We got to the shelter early. My right foot was bothering me too so it was a good stop for the day. My second and middle toes still get numb if walking downhill or on rocks. I think it is a left over injury from the rock walk on the 22 mile day in the BRP. The water source here is further down the trail so we had to carry water from the source to the shelter. I changed into clothes since I wasn¢t hiking and we sat around and relaxed as other started arriving for the evening. The shelter soon filled up with the threat of rain and just before dark it started pouring. It¢s a good thing we decided to stay here. Others here tonight are Way, Peach, Spock, J.B. Iditorod, and a couple of late arrivals. Shelter: Handyman, Tony Tiger, Way, Peach, Iditorod, Spock, J.B. Wx: cool and breezy most of day, rain -pm
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Thomas C Wolfe Wayside 

To: Front Royal, Cool Harbor Hotel
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The early risers were up at 0530 and mostly gone by 0630. It was cooler than expected last night but I stayed warm enough with the poncho liner. I'm satisfied with it to keep me warm.   The three of us had an easy 3 mile stroll to hwy 522. At the exit of the trail the police and park rangers were waiting for hikers coming down the trail. They were looking for Iditorod to question him. While we were being asked questions a vehicle pulled up with two hikers coming back to the trail. Tony went over and secured a ride for us into town. We got dropped off at the hotel and then went to eat breakfast before cleaning up. We also met Connie, Plodder and Barking Spider here too. It looks as if we are on about the same hiking pace for now. We resupply and take care of the town chores for the rest of the day. Hotel: Handyman, Tony Tiger,. Wx: cool and breezy
Date: 2007-06-23
From: Front Royal, Cool Harbor Hotel

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up early since I didn¢t pack anything last night so it would air out in the room all night. We took a taxi to the Food Lion for resupply. The Taxi driver was awesome and said she would come pick us up when we are ready too. All we have to do was call and then wait. While we waited for the taxi we ripped all the packaging from our food items and left it loose in the plastic bags. It saves time when you start packing again. The taxi driver arrived soon after we finished our repackaging. At one point during the repackaging when Tony was elsewhere I thought we should repackage his stuff by tearing everything open and leaving a big globby mess in the bag. This would include loose macaroni and other small items. We both started laughing at the thought of it but we just couldn¢t do it. I did get a couple of things that I will keep secret for a few days. I will mention them near the 1000 mile mark. After we got back to the hotel and packed our things Tony had secured a ride from another hiker with a vehicle staying at the hotel too. He gave us a ride to the trail at Chester Gap/VA 522 and we started hiking around noon. This one fits so much better than the old one. She said it felt great and had no problems during the day. Our first challenge of the day was hiking up and around the summit of High Knob Mt. then down to the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter where we took a break. There was a big group of wilderness scouts there with their tents scattered all over. This shelter is really neat because it has a shower next to the shelter and the shelter has a deck with nice reclining bench seats. It would be nice to stay but it¢s still early. Tony surprised the group with a donation to get some ice cream at their next town stop. That was really awesome! The trail takes you around some dense forest areas and some really nice wooded areas too. It was great to be back on the trail. We pass through Manassas Gap on our way to the shelter a couple miles further. The shelter is located at the southern end of the Richard Thompson Wildlife Management area. We get to the shelter about 1900 and settle in for the evening. I have some of the leftover pizza from last night and it tastes really good. It would be great if we could only get it delivered. Tenting: Stonewall. Shelter: Handyman, Tony Tiger,. Wx: cool and breezy
Date: 2007-06-24
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: broken clouds

Up early this morning to take advantage of the cooler temps for hiking. I was not feeling well with a headache. I hope it¢s nothing serious. The trail was like walking though a bunch of vines for a while and a caretaker was out cutting them back in one section. If it were not for trail maintainers some parts of the trail would overgrow quickly and make it harder to hike. We hiked through the Richard Thompson wildlife management area for the morning and stopped at Dicks Dome shelter for a break and snack. One thing I forgot was there is a park bench at the south entrance of the WMA. It¢s a good spot to take a break and relax. I saw some new flowers today I had not seen before and could not identify. I took pictures of them for later identification though. This section we have been seeing more rock walls left over from some era. I wonder if they were part of the Civil War. I was feeling kind of run down like I had no energy today. It seems we slowed down a bit but I¢m sure a good dinner and nights rest will have us back in hike mode again. Some days are great and others are just hard to get through when you¢re not at 100 percent. Having your feet hurt is another thing to contend with as you hike. It does take some of the enjoyment out of it but it¢s something you have to deal with and push through it to keep going. We were all happy to get to the shelter tonight since we were feeling tired. This shelter is a two deck type with overhand and separate gazebo area for the picnic table. It also had a skull hanging from the ceiling. One of the really nice things about this shelter is the piped spring with two pipes. One was for drinking water and one for washing and cleaning. A bandana bath felt great and helped lift my spirits. After dinner I had one of those freeze dried ice cream sandwiches that I got at the outfitters. I have never had one before and decided to give it a try. It was the neopolitan kind and I split it with Tony. Easy Rider the bear got a little crazy and ¢pooped¢ in the shelter journal. We had to quarantine the page so it would not be used by others. Bad news bear! It sprinkled a little when we were setting up our sleeping areas. None of us are staying in the shelter tonight. Tomorrow is the Roller Coaster. Tenting: Handyman, Tony Tiger,. Wx: cool-am, warm and overcast
Date: 2007-06-25
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It¢s already humid this morning as we set out. It is going to be hot too from what I can tell and I don¢t like it. Oh well. Off we go to ride the Roller Coaster. It is a series of ten hills over a 13.5 mile section. It should be a fun ride, if we survive, according to the sign at the start of it. The trail is rocky now as we start our up and down day. It would be better if there were views on the top of these hills but there is nothing. I felt good this morning and motored up and down pretty easy until we stopped at the Sam Moore shelter for lunch. This shelter also has a separate table area. It¢s already pretty hot out and there is little to no breeze to help keep it cool. After lunch we were doing okay until we got to Sprout Run. This is where I hit a wall on the uphill side and just stopped. All I could do was find a big rock in the shade and sit for about 30 minutes and try to cool down. I felt out of it for a good 20 minutes until I cooled off some. Leatherneck hiked up on us as we were sitting there and said he is stopping at the Bear¢s Den Hostel less than a couple miles further. We were trying for Blackburn Center but this sounded even better right now. I felt terrible and overheated. Probably heat stressed and dehydrated. I drank about three liters up to this point but it probably was not enough. We decided to go with plan B and make it to the hostel and see how we felt then. After I cooled down I was able to hike the rest of the way slowly. We made it to the hotel and this place is WOW! I will have to come back here for another visit someday. They have a Hiker special here too. For $25 you get a bunk and shower, laundry, pizza, soda, and a pint of Ben and Jerry¢s Ice Cream. If you want a very nice place to stay, this is one of them.   After a shower, refreshments and food I am feeling a lot better than I did before I got here. That was scary. Snack Break was our host while the caretaker was out. She is hiking the trail too and has been here for a few days already. This hostel rocks! Hosteling: Handyman, Tony Tiger,, wrong way, stonewall, nuclear, leatherneck, ox. Wx: hot, humid. Little to no breeze
Date: 2007-06-27
From: David Lesser Memorial

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

It was a warm night last night and I slept without covers. We were up at sunrise because we know it will be hot again today. We took advantage of the early start and covered the first three miles in one hour. The trail took us through an area devastated by the gypsy moths. The trees had no leaves on them and it looked terrible. They are very destructive and take the beauty of hiking in the forest away from the trail. The rest of the hike was hurried because it is hot and humid and we just want to get to Harpers Ferry as soon as possible. Leatherneck hiked with us today and is slowing down for us I can tell. It is nice to meet other hikers on the trail and share our experiences. He and I both reach the Loudoun Heights and can see the Shenandoah River below. We hike down and the reach the Shenandoah River Bridge that crosses into Harper¢s Ferry. We wait here for the others and try to cool off under the bridge where there is some shade but little breeze. They arrive and we cross the bridge together and it is a very noisy crossing with all the road traffic right next to the walkway. We follow the trail after the bridge ends and take it to the blue blaze trail that leads us through Harpers Ferry and to the ATC HQ. We stop there and check in and get our photos taken by the staff and see other hikers here too. It¢s almost like a trail reunion for many of us as we visit. There is a binder with all the hiker photos that are taken for this year and you can look through it and see who has already passed through and when. I signed in as #427. I was thinking it would be closer to the mid 300¢s. I¢m happy there are still many thru hikers out here at this point, the ¢half way¢ point. We were surprised to see Snack Break here too. She had to make a town run and stopped in here for a visit. She offered to shuttle us to the Comfort Inn hotel near the bridge we crossed. Thank you Snack Break. At the hotel we see Leatherneck is also here too. He is meeting Flaxseed and Nancy here this afternoon. Tony struggled a lot at the end of the hike today kind of like I was two days before. We are both drained and exhausted from this heat. Leatherneck invites me to his room just before Flaxseed and Nancy get there and they brought some food and cold drinks. Afterwards we rode to the outfitters where I have a mail drop to get. The rest of the evening is spent relaxing and recuperating from the last three days of heat related stress. Tony is still not feeling good and I hope the short day today and the zero tomorrow will give him a chance to regain his strength. Hotel: Handyman, Tony Tiger, Leatherneck. Wx: hot, humid. Little to no breeze
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Zero day! A day to catch up on rest and everything else but it is also a busy day with resupply, laundry, and planning the next week out. Tony is still not doing well. The last few days have been difficult for us with the heat and humidity. I walk down to the convenience store and get him some Gatorade and Pringles. I hope this will help cheer him up and I also need to rehydrate too. I decide to go to Walmart on the local bus system and get my resupply items. One of the stops is near the ATC HQ and another at the Post Office down the street before the HQ. Walmart is in another town close by and this is the best means of transportation if you don¢t have a vehicle for use. I see Spock at the store shopping too so it is definitely a popular place for hikers. In the afternoon Leatherneck, Flaxseed and Nancy invite us all out to dinner at an Italian restaurant across the road from Walmart. We have a good time visiting and eating some good food. I ate way to much if that is possible for a starving hiker. Back to the hotel and time to repack.Hotel: Handyman, Tony Tiger,, Leatherneck
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I was ready to go today but Tony was still feeling weak and I want to keep hiking with him. We decided to take another zero and hopefully it will help him feel better. I go to the ATC HQ to do some souvenir shopping while here. I get 6 AT strip maps for my mom so she can mail them out to the relatives that are following my hike. I also get some post cards and a DVD. I also go to the library to do some updating and check my email. It sprinkled early and feels great with the cooler temps. It would be a great day to hike but we can wait. Back at the hotel after a nap I get a call from Mate saying she, Genesis, and Coach are at the ATC HQ. Awesome! I haven¢t seen them in a long time and can¢t wait to see them now. I tell her I need to go to the Post Office to mail a box and that we could meet there since it is mid way between the hotel and the HQ. We get back to the hotel and catch up on what¢s been happening. Since they were going to stay at the local campground and were waiting for their ride from Torpedo I let them all take a shower while they waited. It was great to see them again and hopefully I will again after I get back from my trip to Florida for the 4th of July for a week. Sometimes things just work out for the best. If we had hiked today I wouldn¢t have seen Mate, Genesis, and Coach. Hotel: Handyman, Tony Tiger. Wx: light rain