morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got very little sleep. Nearly froze. That is a miserable feeling. Visibility is zero again. Nomad says he ain't going anywhere in this mess. so I put on wet clothes and head out into the fog. So wet !Walked ridgeline most of the day. See lots of deer. One almost ran into me when I startled it. Most of them just stared at me.saw another bear ! I heard what sounded like something chopping wood up ahead. Got closer and saw a bear tearing apart a dead tree. He saw me and ran. Walked about 40 feet and heard more noise. Looked down the hill and saw him walking around.Got to Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. It has a fireplace ! Thinking about staying here and building a fire tonight, but I want to go further. Push on to Bailey's Gap Shelter. No fireplace ! Gonna be cold tonight. Don't know how much longer I can stand it, I need rest. Walked 16.3 miles today, not bad. Still thinking of family at home. I'm beginning to wear down mentally. Alone at this shelter. Gonna be cold.
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Froze overnight ! This isn't summer weather ! Whatever happened to hot humid nights ?Get up, hard to get up when you're freezing. I've learned how to conserve heat with just a silk liner. You have to cocoon yourself as tight as possible. Silk liners do indeed hold some heat in. I'd be in trouble without it.Pushed hard today. Stopped by Laurel Creek Shelter. Go on to Sarver Hollow. Walked high ridgeline. I've learned that up high most black bears are scared, down low they are not.Found a big cherry tree. Ate all that I could find. Tree is too big to shake !Typical ridge walk except that this ridge has very old rock piles along the trail. Very odd ! Almost look like altars !Finally reach Sarver Hollow Shelter. Have to walk 1/4 mile off trail to get to it. Very nice, new shelter ! Nobody here except "Tigger" the cat. Everyone in the register says to give the cat some food. I share some ham and bread, she likes this. Sleeping here alone again. Lots of isolation. Perhaps too much.
Date: 2004-06-28
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Froze again ! Pack up. Climb big hill to get back on A/T. Cross several big creeks. Depressed today. Wondering what in the hell am I doing here. Worried about my family.Get to Niday Shelter, read register and learn Rowboat had his birthday party here. From what I read it was quite a party. One muffin with 23 candles. The muffin ended up in a ball of flames and wax. Minimal damage to the picnic table !The blues have taken over my soul. Keep moving. Long uphills. Get to Pickle Branch Shelter and call it a day. Will probably freeze tonight.Got to visit the Audie Murphy Monument, very nice. Audie was killed in a plane crash here back in the 70's. Super Dave left "Trail Magic" drinks. I put two in my pack, heavy but worth it. Alone again.
Date: 2004-06-29
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: 4 Pines Hostel
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I was right ! Froze again. Should be used to this by now. Very poor decision to send home my sleeping bag.Head to Dragons Tooth to see if it's as tough as they say. Damn straight it's tough, but dangerous too ! One wrong move and you'll be either dead or in a Medi-Vac chopper. Jagged rocks, sheer drop off's. Really gotta watch your feet. So thankful that I don't have to do this in the rain ! Takes forever to descend. Just when you think you're through, it surprises you. Saw what looked to be bloodstains on the rocks.Met a man who was running up towards the Dragons Tooth. That Helicopter had better be on standby. Fairly easy walk down to the road. There on a tree is a sign with my name on it !!! I have to read it several times to make sure it's real ! It tells me my package is up the road at 4 Pines Hostel. Oh "yeah" ! Up the road I go, short walk to the Hostel.Note: Added from Slimers Dad:Slimer called in from 4 Pines Hostel in Catawba VA, said he was on the trail and came around a bend and there in front of him was the Sign Gather and I posted on a tree for him. Slimer said he was so shocked he just stared at itnot believeing what he was see'ing. He took a picture of the sign we posted then took it down, said he was going to keep it.He then made it up the road 0.3 miles to the hostel and found the two packages we had left for him. He said he just sat there and stared at all the food and almost cried ( he was starving) then chowed down.In one box was his sleeping bag which he had sorely missed, a tarp (14 oz) a picture of Freckles (Dog) and some Plums I had picked off a tree here at the house which he dearly loved and of course a letter from us.I won't list all the food in the big box, he said it was enough to supply three hikers. He will take what he needs and leave the rest for Skittles who is behind him.Joe Mitchell has turned his shop into a Hostel, complete with a shower, bathroom, very nice man ! Learn that he is getting married in a few weeks. Shows me a picture of all the big catfish he has caught, very impressive.Got my sleeping bag back along with another box FULL of food. I could cry because I walked in starving. I eat like a madman !I notice some other people's gear on the other side of the room. Wonder if I know them ? Lay around, read newspapers. The others come in. It's the same people I've been bumping into for 300 miles. They've been section hicking. Very pleasent people. Think they're from Palm Beach County Fla. They're ending their trip today.Gonna be good sleep tonight now that I've got my bag back.
Date: 2004-06-30
From: 4 Pines Hostel

To: Cambell Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Wake around 07:30, quietly pack up. Pack is at least 40 lbs ! no way I can lug this around !Shortly after entering the trail I leave a bag of food for others. Leave note in the bag with our address. Pack is still too heavy. This thing is an anchor ! Reach the decision to look at a new lighter pack at next outfitters.Head on to VA 311. At the parking lot a man gives me a Pepsi. Nice walk to John's Spring Shelter, named in honor of a thru-hiker who committed suicide several years ago. His beloved dog and hiking companion Chester, had died a year earlier, I think. Very sad.Good climb to McAfee Knob, 3,197 feet. Spectacular view. I take a nap up here. Top of mountain has interesting rock formations. Can see Dragons Tooth from here. Head on down to Cambell Shelter, get water and almost decide to climb back to McAfee's Knob to camp, but I hear thunder and that's enough for me to stay here.Eat dinner and re-sort my pack. Miss my family very much. Shelter to myself again.
Date: 2004-07-02
From: Cambell Shelter

To: Troutville VA
Miles today: 16.9

Stagger into Troutville VA. Would have gotten here sooner but I had stopped at every blackberry patch along the way. Headed down road to Comfort Inn. A pure suicide run through the traffic.Check in, rest, watch CNN and eat Little Debbie cakes. Shouldn't do it but I stay another night.Check out, local man, Del takes me back to the trail head. I see the "Blues Brothers" coming out of the woods. Those guys are a kick in the pants. We talk awhile. They catch a ride to the Comfort Inn.I start hiking. Raspberries and blackberries everywhere ! Also found a plum tree in the yard of a Jiffy Lube. The workers there thought I was starving, out there eating their plum's.
Date: 2004-07-03
From: Troutville VA

To: Fukkhardt Knob Shelter VA
Miles today: 3.5

Head into the great "green", feeling absolutely dead, no energy. Have to stop and eat blackberries along the way. Not a hard walk so far.Arrive at Fullhardt Knob Shelter, just before the storm hits. "One Thing" (Gary) and K-Bear are also there. Pleasent company tonight. Am saddened to hear that "One Thing's" (Gary) mother passed away recently.We prepare dinner and settle in. Just at dark and in the pouring rain a group of co-ed campers come straggling in. They look wasted. Pitch their tents in the heavy rain. I think to myself, 'man I'm glad that's not me '.No snoring tonight I hope.
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Fukkhardt Knob Shelter VA

To: Cove Mountain Shelter VA
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: broken clouds

Good sleep last night, pack up and head out.Cross Blue Ridge Parkway several times. Very foggy. Actually lose the trail for a few minutes. I sat down to rest a bit. A lady about my age comes walking up. Her name is "Semocolon". She is thru-hiking. Very nice person, says she wants to go swimming at the Jenkins Creek Hole.Transcriber note:Due to fatigue and exhaustion several days of the journal have not been recordedby Slimer.
Date: 2004-07-09
From: Cove Mountain Shelter VA

To: Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 108.5
Weather: broken clouds

Transcribers note: Several days have not been recorded.Met Tree Man, a true classic. Long hair, very polite. Always saying, "very good" " wonderful" met him at Maupin field Shelter. I first met him coming into Pearisburg VA. He was going back out onto the trail. Told me about the Hostel, he's thru-hiking also.Will sleep under the stars tonight. Hike on past Maupin Field in the dark. See a set of eyes. I stare, they stare back, it's a deer !Get up, very good sleep. Head into Rockfish Gap. Elderly man and woman at the visitors center, they take me into Waynesboro. His driving scares me. Dropped me off at YMCA, two hikers are camping in the yard.Storm coming, I decide to find a room. Am frustrated, should have stayed on the trail.Walk to Kroger to re-supply. Go to Chinese buffet next door. Old black man askes me where I'm headed. I say "Maine". He says you've lost your mind !Walking down the road a white Silverado pulls up, asks if I need a ride. Grady is his name. He's section hiking. Nice guy, I decline.Get a room, so tired. Watch news, listen to radio. Too tired to even shower !
Date: 2004-07-10
From: Waynesboro VA

To: Blackrock Hut Shelter VA
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Get up, completly wipe out the Continental breakfast ! Hard boiled eggs, muffins,bagels, set and eat alone.Head out. Walking down the street, the festival is cranking up. A man with a van asks me if I need a ride' He;s section hiked the trail.We stop by the outfitters. Great store. Almost bought a summer bag, get fuel and new tips for my poles.Get dropped off. Pack is heavy, when will I ever learn ! I always buy too much grub !I start walking, whoever said the Shenandoahs are flat should be strung up ! Trail isn't bad, but it is not FLAT ! See lots of deer, get very close to them. Try and feed them an apple. They just sniffed at it and ate leaves instead.Very hot, storm is coming. Start climbing. Heavy rain falls. Get to Calf Mountain Shelter in pouring rain. It's only 2:00 pm . Push on to Blackrock Shelter 13.5 miles away. Gonna be tough getting there before dark ! 22 mile day.Shelter is almost full. Nomad is there ! A Japanese girl named "Blue Bird" an older man named "Daddis" with Chester his dog and another dog. said he took the dog away from a hiker at 4 Pines Hostel because he wasn't being taken care of.A couple from Maine is here. He recognizes my name from " trailjournals.com ". says our journal is one of the better one's he's been keeping up with. Their name was Mark and Deb, I think.Blue Bird is sometimes hard to understand, but a very super nice lady.Nomad wants to paddle the Mississippi River. This is the kind of guy that can do it !I'm tired, sleep on the top bunk.
Date: 2004-07-11
From: Blackrock Hut Shelter VA

To: High Top Hut Shelter VA
Miles today: 21.4

get up late, very tired. Others beginning to waken. I feel like warmed over death ! Pack up head out.A somewhat pleasent walk, see lots of deer. Nomad is planning on stopping at Loft Mountain Campground, in fact, everyone at the shelter is planning on staying there.Nomad catches up, (motivated by beer at the campground). I take his picture, guy with long beard, no shirt. See Blue Bird a while later, take her picture.Get to campground, keep going. Take a break by a big cliff. Blue Bird soon arrives and takes my picture.Long day to High Top Shelter, get there about 6 pm. Still early, but I'm quitting for the day.Tony from Calif comes in. He was at the last shelter also. He reminds me of Ferris Bueller, my age. He's thru-hiking, has a private pilots license. Also used to drive a bus. I notice he only eats peanuts for dinner !Gets dark, Blue Bird staggers in. She got laid off from her job as an engineer for a telephone company.>p?Good company tonight.....
Date: 2004-07-13
From: Hawksbill Gap VA

To: Gravel Springs hut VA
Miles today: 27.1
Weather: broken clouds

Loud night at Gravel Spring Shelter. Some lady snored like a train the whole night. I felt like throwing my water bottle at her. Man and woman from England were also frustrated by her snoring !Tony and I slept on the top bunks, we pulled 29 miles yesterday ! Dead this morning, we leave out late. He's going to stay in Front Royal VA.Head out, not bad walking. Stop at Camp store, eat junk food and get back on the trail.See 4 bears and one cub ! I hear a crack in the bush ... stand still, here comes another bear ! I'm not camping here tonight !Get to Compton Gap trail. There is a hotel 0.5 miles on down. Can't decide wheather to push on the A/T or go to Hostel. While deciding a hiker comes by. His Name is " Slider " he stayed at the hostel. He knows who Gather is.I decide to push on the A/T. Shortly thereafter a bad thunderstorm rolls through, get to US 552 Front Royal Va, pass it by (running out of food). Barely have enough food to get to Harpers Ferry, that's where I'm headed (no trail food left, snaks). Pass by many raspberies.Meet two guys, Terrapen and Goofy. I first met Goofy in GA get to Denton Shelter, they stop there, I keep going for the Manasses Gap Shelter 5.5 miles on down, long walk. I have to stop at every raspberry bush and eat them.Dark when I get to Manasses. The register says there are copper heads living in the shelter ! Soon Goofy and Terrapin show up. Gonna be a long night. They are terrified about the copper heads.
Date: 2004-07-15
From: Manasses Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke late. No Snores during the night. Slider comes in from the previous shelter, we chit-chat a little then head on.I take off to Ashby Gap. There is a restaurant down the road 0.8 mile. It's tempting but I don't want to walk back up the hill ! Continue on the A/T, bump into Slider again.Come to the Roller Coaster ( sharp mountain peaks in a row ) a notorious wave of mountains. It's not bad at all. No worse than the entire state of NC.Push on to Bears Den Hostel. This place is owned by the ATC. Beautiful stone building ( last 5 miles to here is hell) the hostel supposedly has a store. I need food badly !I arrive before Slider, sign in and was shown around. I'm not impressed, costs 13 dollars, two bucks for laundry. There is little food here. Too many rules and regulations. This place could take lessons from Kencora Hostel.I'm starving ! Nothing to eat except for a bag of pretzels I found in the hikers box ! Not even any shampoo here ! Can't do laundry after 8:30, well I'm going to break some rules.This place just has a bad feel to it. Terrapin and Goofy come staggering in after dark. They look rough, they're loud and smelly, now this place will liven up ! It's obvious rules will be broken tonight ! Tomorrow I'm going to have to find food ! Forgot to mention, around midday today I met Spiz, who was giving out cold drinks at Red Hollow Shelter. Spiz has thru-hiked the trail, thanks Spiz for the drinks.
Date: 2004-07-16
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry WV
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: broken clouds

Boy, I gotta tell you a big mistake going to Bears Den ! 13 bucks for a hostel, no food, no shampoo, no shuttle into town ! This is a corporate hostel. Am so hungry. May make a stop into Bluemont Va for meal and some food.We wake late, other people are rustling about. I come to life, finish drying clothes. Terrapin is busy on the internet. He has some really nice t-shirts for sale ( www.atthruhiker.org ). I'm hungry. Prepare my pack and leave out.There is a diner down the road at the trail head. I head down to it, picking blackberries and raspberries along the way.I stuff myself with lots pancakes and sausage. Leaving out, the owner asks if I need a ride, I say sure. He drops me off at the trail head and hands me a bag lunch to go.Bib mistake eating that much food. there is a wicked climb out of here up from the road. I didn't think it was ever going to end ! Get to top, fairly flat walking. Pass by the VA / WV border.After a while I stop and take a nap. After weeks of 20 - 29 mile days my body is telling me to cool it. Fall into deep sleep. Awakened when Slider comes walking by. He just looks at me and rolls his eyes. He's gonna push on to Harpers Ferry today, 20 miles, I plan to camp out about 3 miles from Harpers Ferry, then go in early in the morning.Tough day mentally. I think about home and my "future" when I get there. Those kinds of thoughts can bring a person down.Meet a couple from Wilmington NC, they gave me Kit-Kat bars and some cold water. Trai; is pretty easy once you get on top of the mountain.Pass the David Lesser Memorial Shelter but don't stop. I am not finding any water so far ! Slider catches up to me. We decide to make a push to Harpers Ferry today and split the cost of a hotel room. He left his credit card at the Bears Den Hostel.Daylight fading fast ! We stagger into H.F, find the ATC and head for Hill Top Motel ! Terrapin and Goofy caught a ride to the hotel cause they had done that trail section before. They are setting in front of their room looking bored.Check in (this is getting expensive) eat at the restaurant buffet. We heap food onto our plates, people look at us funny. A waiter asks if my plate is large enough. This is a fairly up-scale place. We look rough and eat like savages. Kind of reminds me of the restaurant scene in the Blues Brothers movie.Head back to room can barely hold my eyes open....
Date: 2004-07-17
From: Harpers Ferry WV

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wake late, I'm wasted. Slider is gone, probably downstairs eating like a madman possessed ! Debating wheather to take a zero day. My wallet says no, my body says yes.Get up and visit the ATC ( Appalachian Trail Conference Center). This place is where it all comes together, the epicenter of the A/T. I get my picture taken for the ATC photo album. It came out lame, but oh well."Kiwi" from New Zealand is here. I've been behind him for quite some time now. Very pleasent person to be around.Need to re-supply. A Super Wal-Mart is only 6 miles away, but don't feel like hitching today. I find a 7-11 store, pretty much find what I need there. Set outside and look at the tourists. Try to imagine what their careers are.Head to the other end of town. Very crowded. So this is where everyone is ! The Potomac river is full of tubers. That is what I should be doing !Time to get back to the trail. Cross the Byron Memorial Foot Bridge, that's the MD / WV line !! For the love of God, and all that's holy, I'm out of Virginia !!!!See some mountain bikers, one fellow is pulling his bike onto the bridge, his lip is swollen, face bloody. He looks at me and just smiles. Right on brother ! Pain smiles at us all and all we can do is smile back.I walk along a dirt road along the river, enter the woods and start climbing. Everytime I come to towns or roads, I somewhat dread it because you always have to climb leaving town.Short day. Get to shelter, nice. Has upstairs with windows, constructed with large logs. The only problem is the water source, is 0.5 mile away, down a steep hill !! Getting water proves to be the toughest part of the day. Soon a swarm of college kids wonder in, loud and mannerless. They soon go to sleep.
Date: 2004-07-18
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite MD
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: haze

I have to get up earlier if I'm going to catch Gather. I leave first, then the rains comeWalk through the rain to Crampton Gap State park. Lovely place, rich in Civil war history.Nature call's. A lady walks up on me, she says don't worry I didn't see a thing .. What can you do in that situation ? It was only a matter of time before this would happen.Rest of the day was typical. Rocky trail. Met up with Goofy and Terrapin at Annapolis Rocks. I think I could have done a 30 mile day today, but did other things that took up time. Almost out of snack food !!Get to Pogo Memorial Campsite, decide to call it a day. Sleeping under the stars tonight. Sky is blue, no worries. Go to bed. wake at about 2:30 am to lightning and no stars, this isn't looking good. Heavy fog rolls in, very hard to get back to sleep now. Fortunately the cloud passed over. Another thru-hiker named Moose is camping not far away.
Date: 2004-07-19
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite MD

To: Tumbling Run Shelter PA
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Wake early. But just can't get out of sleeping bag. Get going. Easy walk so far, get to Ensign Cowall Shelter. Very impressive. Goofy and Terrapin are there. They stayed there overnight. Goofy is drawing a cartoon in the register, Terrapin is telling him to hurry the hell up.Not bad walking. Get to Pen Mar park, very nice park. I take a long break here. Meet a guy "High Train", push on. Finally I get to "Mason Dixon Line" and into Penn.There are many more blackberries here. Walk into a park camp for refreshments, very nice park.see a fellow setting at a picnic table, ask him if there is a store here. Nope he says, but there is one on up the road at South Mountain ( 5 miles) we talk awhile. Jerry is his name. he just went through a vicious divorce. He's lived around here his whole life. What the hell he says, "I'll just drive you to the store". We hop in his new Camaro and head for the grill.I get two double cheese burgers, candy bars, and also buy Jerry a sandwich. South Mountain is very small surrounded by National Forests. We get back to park and eat. Thank god the next shelter is only two miles away. I'm too stuffed to walk.Bid farewell to my new friend and hit the trail. Get to Tumbling Rock Shelter. Two shelters side by side. One is for smoking,the other is for non-smoking.Time to turn in, 22.6 mile day.......
Date: 2004-07-20
From: Tumbling Run Shelter PA

To: Toms Run Shelter PA
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Wake late again ! This has to stop ! Pack up and head out. Fairly easy walk. Trail is beginning to turn into a boulder garden. Get to Chimney Rocks (1,900 ft) for a nice view. decide to skip Rocky Mountain Shelter because they are 0.3 mile off the trail down a steep hill. I've learned by now that when the sign says 0.3, it's really 0.5 miles.Find a big raspberry bush and just have to stop. Easy walk to Caledonia State Park. Nice place with a pool and consession stand. I buy a cheese burger and wolf it down like a savage.Move on to Quarry Gap Shelter. Beautiful shelter, even has a flower bed out front ! Take a break here.All day, every day I think of my family, am constantly worrying about them. I think I have many more gray hairs since I've started this trail.Move on to Birch run Shelter. Man I gotta tell you these shelters in PA are outstanding ! The floor in this shelter looks like it's waxed once a week ! I want to sleep here but there's too much daylight left.Push forward to Tom's Run Shelter, it's getting fairly late. Bad thunderstorms developing close by. Meet a large group of co-ed campers headed towards Birch Run Shelter, man I'm glad I left that place !Haul butt to Tom's Run Shelter hoping it's one of the real nice one's. Just as I get there lightning and rain comes. This shelter is similar to a dungeon, but it's dry.Two guys come in from the rain. They live just up the road. Pleasant people to talk to. They give me a bag of potato chips. They soon leave when the rain stops.Four (4) miles and I'll be at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. That's where the 1/2 gallon club is (ice cream, you have to eat a half gallon to join the half gallon club, an A/T tradition) I won't be joining it, I might join the 1 pint club though.Settle in .........