morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Tom Floyd Wayside
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: light rain

Last night I slept beside the mouse super highway. They were running back and forth all night. I just ducked down in the sleeping bag and sweat the whole night. In the morning I was congested. My sinuses are doing a number on me. I was a slow moving this morning. The guys were waiting on me today. We left at 815am in hopes to get at the wayside by lunch. It was a nice hike to the wayside and we got there before 1100am but they let us order lunch anyway. I had a cheese steak with fries and a drink. It was ok. I've had better, but it beat cooking myself. We filled up on water and left by 1145am. We had a 3 mile climb up to Hogback Peak but it was quite gentle. We planned on stopping at Gravel Spring Hut but when we got ther we decided to push on and have lunch at Hogwallow spring. This way after lunch we would only have 7 miles to the shelter. Bad Hummus and I hiked off and made it to the road at 4 mph. When we reached the road we realized we missed the spring. we just sat down at the road and ate lunch. A few minutes later Shepherd showed up and said he missed the the spring also. A few minutes after that Toddy Bear and Yeti showed up and they missed the spring too. I don't think there was a spring. Bad Hummus and I sat ther for a n hour while the other pressed on. The map said there was water about 2.6 miles up the trail and since I was out of water I figure I would have to make it to there. We did find the water and I cameled up on a liter and hike dry to the shelter. While I was at the spring I checked my feet and I noticed The blister on my little toe popped. I just put some duct tape on my toe and started hiking. When we got into camp the guys told us that the spring was .3 mile down the hill so before I took my shoes off I grabbed my hydration bladder and steripen and headed down the blue blaze. It was a piped spring and it had good flow. The walk back up was long. Tonight for dinner I had mexican rice with barbecue chicken and mint tea. I met 3 new hikers at the shelter today. Squire, a 60 something man heading south. Michael, a young kid from Germany I think. He didn't speak much English. Crash, an older gentleman heading north. He slept in a hammock, the second I've seen on the trail. It should be warm tonight, but not to warm I hope.
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Tom Floyd Wayside

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: few clouds

I was sweating last night. At one point I got completly out of my sleeping bag. The sun came up at 600am and it was bright. I had congestion and a sinus headache in the morning. I'm definetly taking my zyrtek tonight before bed. I ate pop tarts and a cinnamon toast crunch cereal bar with mint tea. I lost a snickers bar in my pack yesterday and I found it this morning. I think I'll eat it a little later today. It a 3 mile hike to Rt522 heading into Front Royal. We made it there at about 900am and had to hitch the 4 miles into town. Bad Hummus was our designated thumber. A police car drove by going the other way then turned around and stop to talk to Hummus. We thought it was illegal to hitch hike and he was going to be arrested. The police car drove off and Hummus yelled from the other side of the road that the officer thought someone was hurt because Sheperd was sitting on the ground with his head down. Maybe if we said he was hurt the officer would have given us a ride into town. So Bad Hummus kept his thumb out and finally a pickup truck pulled over and we all jumped up and grabbed our packs and got in the truck. The man was nice enough to drive us into town and show us where the visitor center, an all you can eat buffet, and the outfitter was. Then turned around and dropped us off at the visitors center. We looked around at the visitors center for a while then we hung out front on a bench in the sun. Toddy Bear's parent came to see him and they took us out for lunch at the all you can eat buffet (Victoria's). It was good food, I think we all had over 4 plates of food. I was stuffed, and it hurt to move. We stopped at the Post Office to pick up any packages then headed for the hotel while Toddy Bear's parents paid for. We got to the room (123) and dropped our stuff and gathered our dirty cloth and took it to the hotel laundry room. We were able to get 5 hikers clothes in two washing machines. I rested for awhile and did a few odds and ends. Todd's parents envited us over to there room for snacks and drinks. I watched Stuck on You and ate cheese and crackers. Later Sheperd and I ordered Papa John's pizza and Bad Hummus, Yeti and I went to Food Lion to resupply. We only need two day of food but I feel I bought to much. I guess I'll just have to eat more. When I got back I made some phone calls and talk to Liz before I went to bed. I took my zyrtek tonight. We'll see if that works better. I shared the double bed with Bad Hummus, but I slept on top of the blankets in my sleeping bag liner because hotel sheets creep me out. Maybe they wash them, maybe they don't. I'm not willing to take that chance. Bear Grylls is on tonight. I'll watch that until I fall asleep.I want to give a special thanks to Todd's parent for buying us lunch and getting a hotel room for us. They are really nice folks and I'm glad that I got to meet them. Toddy Bear should be proud to have such nice parents.
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Front Royal

To: Dick's Dome shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up before 700am and took a shower. Then I hit the free continental breakfast. I had a cinnamon roll, a donut, fruit cup, toast, and a hard boiled egg with a cup of coffee. Oh wait, I have to stop' I'm being attacked by june bugs. Alright, I'm back. June bag were attracted to our head lamps. They were dive bombing us and they just kept coming. Where was I? I was telling you what I ate. After that I went back to the room to pack my stuff then used the internet to update my trailjournal. I had to pick up some first aid stuff so I went to Rite Aid. On the way back I saw a little flea market so I walked through to see if they had any good deals. The only things I came out of there with was a cheese burger, hot dog, and a pepsi because I couldn't carry the extra weight anyways. I got back to the hotel and Toddy Bear's dad was giving us a ride back to the trail. He dropped us off and we headed up the trail, planning to do a 15 mile day. The first shelter we came to had a solar shower. The registry said it was broke but I did try it. We rested for a few and I changed my socks. We saw some boyscout and they were headed out for a two mile hike. On our way to the next shelter we stopped for a shoes off, socks off, shirt off break. Bad Hummus found a tick on his leg so we are on tick patrol from now on. We took a break at Manassas gap shelter and we saw a black snake in the rafters of the shelter. We thought it was fake so I poked it with a trekking pole and it move. Definitely real. Changed socks again. We made it to Dick's Dome shelter and my feet were sore. I'm have a rough time with my feet. If I could just get them under control I feel so much better. The shelter only fit 4 people and we were the 4 people. The stream was in front of the shelter and the sign said you must treat your water. I ate southwest rice and chicken. when we were all in the sleeping bag with our head lamps on the june bugs attacked us. that why I had to stop journaling. They stopped after we shut off our lights. slept pretty good, mice didn't bother me.
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Dick's Dome shelter

To: Crescent Rock
Miles today: 21.5

I got up and it was a little muggy. I had cream of wheat and a pop tart for breakfast. We left ou of the by 800am and I was limping a little. My feet just don't want to go in the morning. We got to Rod Hollow shelter and we saw some day hiker with a dog. There was trail magic left at the shelter. canned pears, mandarine, and Italian wedding soup. I had the pears. I meet a new hiker, that started the 8th of march, named Stride. We left there and started a part of the trail called the rollercoaster. It 14 miles of pointless up's and down's. A few miles later we had lunch on top of a hill. Shoes, socks, shirt off break. So far the rollercoaster hasn't been as bad as people have made it out to be. We stopped off at Sam Moore shelter for a quick break and some water. I changed my socks and alcoholed a cut on my foot. I stung really bad and I screamed. I such a baby. We pressed on to snickers gap where we ate an actual snickers. I had a king size one because I don't want to lose anymore weight. We rested the for about a half hour and then hiked up the hill 2.5 mile to the VA/WV border. We meet a couple of thursday hikers, Aaron and Laura, they start the 10th of March. (Pretty quick hiking). We got a bunch of pictures then hiked a couple tenths of a mile up to Crescent Rock. We were going to tent but since it was such a nice night we decided to cowboy camp. Thats were you just lest on the ground, no tent, just you and the bugs. Southwest rice and chicken with mashed potatoes. I sat and ate dinner while I watched the sunset from the cliffs. when I got ready to hop into bed I saw 4 spider by the time I got into the sleeping bag. Kinda creepy. I guess I'll be eating spiders tonight. I talk to Liz before I went to bed. She doing fine but she works too much. Hopefully there won't be any animals in our camp tonight.
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Crescent Rock

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

It was an ok night cowboy camping. We were on a slope so I slide down hill all night. I know I said before that I would never sleep on a slanted campsite, i guess never say never. The bugs didn't really bother me last night but I did wake up a few time. When I opened my eyes I could see every star in the sky. It was so beautiful without any light pollution. The other guys said they heard something rustling around in the leaf but I didn't hear it. Oatmeal for breakfast. We have a 17 mile day into Harpers Ferry and I'm hoping to get in by 200pm. We left camp at 800am and stopped at a clearing that was the unofficial 1000 mile mark. We took pictures and We sang the song " And I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more just to be the man who walk 1000 mile to fall down at your door". We also found a Toblerone at a shelter and brought it with us to celebrate 100 miles. After We left there we pressed on to Harpers Ferry. On the down hill to Harpers Ferry my knees started hurting and my left heel. I think I'll get some insoles for my shoes at the outfitter in town. We got to the ATC headquarters at 200pm. It is a really nice place and we stayed there for awhile but I have to get to the post office so I left. I sent home some winter stuff and dropped some pounds. We meet up after that and hit the outfitter. I got some trekking pole tips, socks, insoles, and fuel. After the outfitters we decided to get a room(105) at quality inn. We dropped our stuff there and went to eat. We walked for a half hour looking for a place, that was open, to eat. We found a small bar that served food. I had quesadillas, mushrooms swiss burger with fries. After I paid I sat at the bar waiting for the other guys. A woman came in and sat down beside me. She started a conversation with me about hiking. We talked for awhile and I got the feeling she was trying to pick me up. Bad Hummus came over and I told her I had to go. Hummus said he was going to tell Liz. I said Liz is use to it, it happen to me in Las Vegas. So we headed back to the hotel and crashed while watching Hows it Made.
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Dalgreen Campsite
Miles today: 17.4

Woke up and forgot I was in a hotel. I was disoriented and thought I was in a shelter. After I realized I was in a hotel I tool a shower. We hit the free breakfast and ate to our hearts content. Bad Hummus and I went to the Post office to mail some stuff and the was a woman campaigning for Prosecuting Attorney. They gave us some muffins and coffee. Bad Hummus came up with a good slogan."Don't be afraid to vote for McQuade." Then Hummus and I went into the historical district to take some picture before we left. We needed to resupply so we saw on the map the was a grocery store 2 mile up the trail. The grocery store turn out to be a gas station and it was 2 mile off the trail. The resupply there wasn't very good so we walk one more mile to another grocery store. It was close and you could see the disappointment on our face, so much so that I took a picture. So We walk back to the gas station and bought one day of supplies to get to Boonesboro. We finally go back on the trail and headed north. We go to see alot of civil war history and take pictures. Along the way we saw Aaron and Laura, and Roundhouse and Trill. We got to Dalgreen Camp around 600pm. The had restrooms and shower. I took a quick shower, just to get the sweat off. I ate a oriental ramen and beef jerky. Toddy bear gave me a cyrstal light to go white tea raspberry. I put it in hot water and made it a tea, it tasted good. Since it going be a nice night we're going to cowboy camp again. There were two guys from Massachusetts there. They are hiking north for a month. There also was a family of three woman tenting close by. It was a beautiful night. There was suppose to be a meteor shower but I did't see one. It should be a good nights sleep.
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Dalgreen Campsite

To: Devil's Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 18.8

It was bright out at about 530am. I just slide down in the sleeping bag and it got dark. I heard the other guys getting out of there sleeping bags at 630am so I got up too. I packed up and ate a pop tart. We walked 0.2 mile to the road and hitch a ride, in 3 minutes, to Weis grocery. the guy's name was Paul and he said he would drop us off and come back in a little bit, and if we're still here he would give us a ride back to the trail. We resupplied for 4 days and bought food for breakfast. I sat in the entrance way where they had patio furniture set up and organized my food bag. When we were about to leave the manager came to kick us out. No worries, Paul came back and we grabbed out stuff to leave. Paul drove us back to the trail. On the way he told us he hiked 150 miles of the trail locally and had a great time. When he dropped us off I got his picture and thanked him for the ride. We walked up the trail and stopped at the Washington Monument. It was a really cool stop and I got some pictures. The monument is a tower and you can walk up to the top. Hummus took my picture as I was sitting over the edge. We left there and took a break at Annapolis Rock. It had a wonderful view and we had lunch. I ate two cinnamon raisin with nutella and a orange. I changed my socks before we left there. Before we got to Ensign Coswell shelter I cameled up on water and it almost came back up. We took a quick break at the shelter and we found a mason jar of corn whisky. We didn't drink any but we thought it was strange that it was there. We pushed on to Devils Racecourse shelter and we met a hiker named Slow Joe. He is hiking the trail in sections because he has a bad hip. I made Velveta shells and cheese. That a 1200 calorie dinner. Bad Hummus introduced me to Lance's lightly smoke swiss crackers. They are really good and I had some as a after dinner snack. A ridge runnernamed Erik came in after dinner.He was a younger guy and this was his second year doing this. He had a great time talking to use and hearing all our stories about the people we met. He slept at the shelter with us. It was a little tight but we managed. It was warm so I slept out of my sleeping bag.
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Devil's Racecourse Shelter

To: Quarry Gap shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: light rain

I didn't sleep well last night. Slow Joe snored off in on all night. I got up at 630am and made oatmeal for breakfast. We left the shelter at 800am and had to climb out 0.3 of a mile to the trail. My feet felt semi ok but after 2 hour of hiking the bottom of my feet started to hurt. We stopped at Pen Mar Park and I ate some cheese and pepperoni, and lighted smoked swiss crakers. Strides came in and we talked to him for awhile. I change my socks here. We hit the MA/PA border and took pictures. It was a small post with Mason Dixon line in black marker. Strides came throught and passed us by. We took another break at a road and a truck pulled up and Strides came out. Strides had hitched a ride to the store picked upsome food and got a ride back with the same man. He sat there at the road and ate and we pressed on to the next shelter. We at lunch at Deer Lick shelter. I had the bagels and nutella. Strides came by, he said everytime I hike by you guys your taking a break. It does seem like we take alot of breaks. We went 0.2 miles up to a campsite with city water and filled up. Then we pushed hard to Caledonia State park and I changed my socks here. By this time the bottoms of my feet were really hurting. I wasn't sure if I could make it to the shelter 2.6 mile up the hill. But I pushed on and we made it there in about 40 mins. I took may shoes off right away and cooked dinner. We've been reading entries in the trail registry from Bear Fodder and we finally go to met him. He's a really nice guy that reminds me of Kanati. After dinner a Southbound hiker named Seeds came in. He started in NY and was headed for Georgia. The shelter was nice but small it only held 6 people. We stayed up and talked awhile and I caught up on my trail journals. Tonight I going to do a thing called quilting. That's were you unzip your sleeping bag and lay it over you like a blanket. Its been warm and muggy the last couple of nights and I tend to sweat in the sleeping bag. Please no snoring tonight. I need some sleep.
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Quarry Gap shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

It was a good nights sleep. It rain off and on throughout the night. I got up at 600am because I want to get an early start and the guys are usually waiting on me to get ready. Oatmeal this morning and I put two cereal bars in my pockets for snacking later. I was ready by 715am and we were waiting on Bad Hummus to put on his Tarp Poncho. I got video of this dabotchery and it was quite funny. One of the southbound guys at the shelter said we have one climb out of the shelter and then it flat and downhill. We laughed because all hikes lie. It was raining so we were in for a wet day. We hiked hard to the next shelter and there were many uphills. We have a saying that if you say it all flat or downhill and it not then you get punched in the kidneys. At this point we were going to more than punch this guy in the kidneys. But we made it the shelter 8 mile away in 2 hours. We were hiking strong. We ate and early early lunch at 1000am because we plan on doing the half gallon challenge at Pine Grove. The half gallon challenge(HGC) is where you eate a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. Sounds like fun right. We pushed out of there at 1030am and went hard for 9.6 miles and got there at 130pm. We got to the hostel and we were pretty wet. We grabbed a bunk in the hostel and I took a shower right away. Then we prepared for the HGC. I put on my tights and long sleeve shirt with another shirt over top of it and since I sent my gloves home I put a sock on my hand so I could hold the ice cream. We all grabbed our own spoon and headed to the store right next door. It was Bad Hummus, Toddy Bear, Yeti, Bear FOdder, Strides and I. Bad Hummus had Denali Moose, Toddy Bear had Cherry Jubilee, Yeti had chocolate, Bear Fodder had chocolate, Strides had chocolate, and I had Mint chocolate chip. It was very hard to eat all the ice cream because it made you really cold. That and we were all making each other laugh, I almost puked twice. But we all finished and the order was:1. Strides 21min2. Bear Fodder 23min3. Yeti 23min4. Toddy Bear 34 min5. Bad Hummus 45 min6. Stovie 54 minI think chocolate was easier to eat. I'm just putting that out there. After I was done I got a cup of coffee and ordered a cheese burger and chicken nugget. Hey a hiker has to eat more than just ice cream. We went back to the hostel ate dinner and relaxed. They were giving tour of the hostel to a youth group. We heard the house was used in the underground railroad and we were looking for the secret passage. Finally the tour guide showed us were it was and we got to go down and check it out. I wonder if Harriet Tubman came through here. The rest of the night we hung out with the youth group eating hotdogs. Good night sleep in the bunks tonight.
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Pine Grove Furnace

To: Alec Kennedy shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

Temp: 65Slept well last night. I had the top bunk and thankfully it had rails. We got up around 630am and they open the kitchen at 730am. Bad Hummus and Strides made pancakes and Hummus used so much butter that you didn't need butter on top of the pancake but we did anyway. We packed up after breakfast and left at 1000am, and Bad Hummus Was walking the road to the closes town so he could hitch. We had a short day, only 15 miles. We took lunch at James fry shelter. I ate 2 bagels and a bag of pepperoni with cheese. We took a hour break and left for Alec Kennedy shelter. About 5 miles out we hit some big rocks on top of the hill. There were white blazes and arrow pointing up to go over these big rock. At one point we looked around a rock that had an arrow pointing right and saw a white blaze on a tree so we just walked around the rock instead of climbing over it. I think someone was messing with us. They had a can of spray paint and a case of steele reserves. We made it passed the rocks and caught up to Bear Fodder. We quietly hiked up behind him (we stealthed him) and when he turned around we were right behind him. It scared him pretty good. We said we would meet him at the next and keep hiking. We got to the shelter at 400pm. I pre-gamed dinner with extra chicken noodle soup then made chicken rice with chicken. Do you see a theme here. For dessert I ate grandma cookies. I talked to Hummus a little while ago and he was waiting for a greyhound bus. He told me Kanati is getting back on the trail. We think he just had the Virginia blues. Kanati is taking greyhound to roanoke and he has a layover in the same place as Bad Hummus. Small world. We also met a hiker going southbound named Ali. He is from Jamaica be had been living in Maryland for the last year. He a really layed back guy. We headed in to Boiling Springs tomorrow and we'll probably do breakfast there. We're still thinking of doing a big miles day tomorrow because we have to hit the post office in Dumpcannon on Monday before it closes. It going to be cold tonight so off to the sleeping bag I go.