morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-12
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: light rain

It stormed last night, not badly, but it kept me up for a while. I knew I could get into the shelter if needed, but I felt like I was set up in a good spot, and it never got too close. I got up early and left the shelter at 7:09 AM. I was determined to leave myself enough wiggle room to make it 22 miles if I wanted to. The hike up the Three Ridges was intense, but not as bad as I thought it would be. It was VERY overgrown. There were places that I was walking through grass that was taller than me, and I'm 6 feet tall. About two-thirds up the mountain Squatter and Barking Spider caught up with me. Squatter saw this blue blaze out to a view, which was awesome. Clouds above the mountains....beautiful. We hiked together for awhile, and I learned more about Barking Spider. Usually they are way out in front, but we all knew that more than likely, today would be the last day together. They had bigger miles planned than me, and with my pace, I just couldn't keep up with them. Also, they weren't planning on staying in Waynesboro, and I was. I would see these guys again tonight at the shelter, but that is it. This moment in time is how I remember them. I really hope they made it to Katahdin. I've never found out. If anyone reading this journal knows these guys, or hiked with them, I'd love to find out if they made it all the way. The hike over humpback mountain was nice and the views were pretty cool, but it just took place toward the end of a very long day, and it was hard to enjoy it. Eventually, I got within a mile of the shelter. At times I could hear the laughter from the shelter, and I knew I would get there...sometime. I was beat...tired, exousted...there wasn't much left in me. I hiked along the creek descending, until I reached the shelter. It was 8:10 PM, a thirteen hour hiking day. I said hi to everyone, talked for a short while. Then I set up my hammock and fell asleep.
Date: 2004-07-13
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Rock Fish Gap (Waynesboro)
Miles today: 5.0

When I eventually woke up this morning, everyone at the shelter was gone. They had gotten an early start into Waynesboro. I was still sore from yesterday's hike and I decided to just rest for a while. There is a beautiful creek at the shelter, and I wasn't in a terrible hurry. I only had five miles to hike, and it didn't look to be really difficult miles at that. I read in my hammock for a while, read over the shelter register and signed it. Eventually I packed everything up and hiked to Rock Fish Gap.I've always wanted to get to the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I live around 50 minutes from the parkway, and got a taste of loving the mountains with my parents from the parkway. When I stepped out of the woods at Rock Fish Gap, I was at mile 0 of the parkway. Across the bridge was Skyline Drive, and the Shenendoah National Park. I walked down to the visitors center, which is great. These people in Waynesboro really treat hikers well. The people at the desk gave me a list of trail angels who would drive to pick me up, and take me to town. My trail angel took me to the outfitters to see about my pole and then to the hotel. She even walked me in and made sure there were vacancies before she left. While at the outfitters, they gave me advice about my poles. They didn't carry black diamond, so they couldn't replace it, but they gave me the number to call. They also gave me advice on how to talk with customer service to get them to overnight the pole to me. It worked! I did what they said and the guy overnighted the bottom of my pole to me. I'm so glad I didn't throw away the top part! I spent the rest of the day resupplying and eating. I will say this. I was pretty shocked at how I looked in the mirror, once I got to the hotel. I had lost significant weight, and I looked dark from the sun and mud I experienced. I am a very pale person being a red head, so this was a shock. I had to rinse the tub twice after I took my long shower, then long bath. I didn't think I would ever get clean. After eating a snack, calling Mary and resupplying, I got my drop box of maps and other things, then did laundry. There was no laundry at the comfort inn but there is a coin laundry right across the street from a cool little diner. So I did my laundry, and ate while everything did it's cleaning. I spent the rest of the evening relaxing and trying to catch up with current events. This hotel is much nicer than Glasgow.
Date: 2004-07-14
From: Rock Fish Gap (Waynesboro)

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My pole (the bottom 2/3) arrived at 10:30 AM today. It took a while to find someone at this time of the day to give me a ride back to the trail head. I had to call everyone on the list before I found someone who wasn't working. The lady who finally took me was very nice and helpful. I still think this is a great trail town. They have forcast for today serious storms so I've decided with that, and the late start (around 12:00) to just hike 7 miles today to the first shelter. About .8 mile from the bridge is a SNP self registration kiosk. I sat down and filled out my plan for the Shenendoah's, put the carbon copy in their box and put the original on the back of my backpack. It's a little strange having a big tag tied with a little metal wire to the outside of my pack. I feel like I'm almost government property now. The hike was well graded, and the trail is smooth. Near the summit of Bear Den mountain I ran into two older couples. The ladies were laying out in one place and the men a little further down the trail. The ladies are teachers (like me). One lady was an experienced hiker, but the other one wasn't. She was having a difficult time. They are headed to the shelter tonight.The storms that were forcasted threatened slightly, but never came. I stopped early at the shelter, I could've hiked further, but I decided not to push it today. There is a man who is an editor for the ALDHA companion for this section. We talked for a very long time, he had a lot of knowledge for this section. He is hiking SOBO into Waynesboro. His wife isn't expecting him for another day, so he decided to spend the evening here. I do some journal reading and just lay about taking it easy. Later in the evening, the couples came hiking in. The one lady who was having difficulty before was in real distress now. Her feet had severe blisters, and she was pretty much depressed about her hopes for hiking the rest of the trip. They got settled and talked about where they were from, and their life. I told the lady that I have had severe blister problems in the past, and gave her advice about how to deal with them. I also told her about my first AT hiking experience and that she can be sucessful too. She is a neat lady. I went behind the shelter and set up my hammock. Lots of people came back to see it because they hadn't seen a hiking hammock before. The one lady even got in and tried it out. I tried to set up my bear bag on the bear pole, but it was too thick. I decided to just use the rope I have and be done with it. Tomorrow is supposed to be pretty and the next day also. We will have to see what I can do tomorrow. It's great having my hiking poles back!
Date: 2004-07-15
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Somewhere near Skyline Drive
Miles today: 23.3

Today was a glorious day for hiking. I was really in the zone today. The weather was cool and clear, almost like hiking in October. It was a dry day, so I had to carry significant water today but it lasted because of the fairly easy grade and cool weather. At times I could see Skyline drive winding through the mountains. I will say that you are seldom far away from a road in this park. For some reason I thought skyline drive would be different than the Blue Ridge Parkway, but it is very similar. I guess because I'm further North, I just expected something totally different. I took several breaks during the day, and saw some views, but I was mostly in the green tunnel for most of the day. When I got to the side trail to the Doyle River cabin this guy came running up the side trail. I wasn't far from Loft Mountain Campground, and that is where he was staying for the night. He quizzed me about my hike and such for quite a while. I had stopped to take a break before ascending to the campground. I had mentioned that I was really looking forward to having icecream at the campstore. After he left, I knew I had to hustle to make it to the campstore before it closed for the evening. The hike wasn't too bad, and there were some neat views off to the side of the trail once I was close to the campground. When I got to the campstore, the guy at the desk said that some camper had left five dollars for the next hiker to buy icecream. He had left it for me. How cool is that? I bought icecream and some drinks, called Mary and then sat outside in the breezeway eating my icecream. All sorts of people were walking by and looking at me and talking with me. It was a different world than most of the places so far on my hike. It was getting a little late, so I decided to hike on to find a good campsite. I had intended on camping in a gap past the campground, but it just didn't work out. It just was too overgrown, so I kept going. There was a stretch that was blazed very poorly (past where most of the tourists would hike), and I had to retrace my steps twice to make sure I was still on the AT. Twilight is falling fast, and I'm starting to wonder when my campsite is going to present itself. I'm just hiking quitely, thinking to myself when I scare this huge animal out of the bushes. I mean right beside of the trail. It scared the crap out of me. After I stopped shaking, I decided that walking quitely might not be in my best interest right now. I started whistling and singing down the trail. Every place that seemed promising had something wrong with it....too close to the trail, widow makers in the trees, posion ivy everywhere. It was almost completely dark when I found a place that suited me. It was too close to skyline drive for the rules, but I was tired, and I decided to stealth it. I set up my hammock and tarp, kept my light off if cars were passing, and didn't build a fire. It was a sweet day, even if I had hiked 23.3 miles.
Date: 2004-07-17
From: US 33 at Swift Gap

To: Harrisburg
Miles today: 0.0

Zero Day! Spent the day resupplying and spending time with Mary. It was a nice relaxing day. We drove back to skyline drive and went North. We stopped at Big Meadows Wayside and played tourist for a while. Saw a few hikers walking in. It was strange to be clean and in town clothes while I saw long distance hikers trudging in. We stopped at the South River Picnic grounds and saw several deer. Mary loved this, and stared at them for quite a long while. I had to smile, because I've almost gotten used to all the deer. This park is packed with them. We drove back to the hotel, then had dinner. It was a good day, but tomorrow Mary heads home, and I continue North.
Date: 2004-07-18
From: Harrisburg

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: light rain

Today was a difficult day. The hiking wasn't too bad, but it was very hard to tell Mary good-bye until it's time for me to come home for the summer. I got water at the South River Picnic grounds, which was kinda strange, considering that yesterday I was here in a car with Mary. I took a break at Lewis Mt. Campground. I got some snacks and a hotdog. While there, I saw diplomats from Washington D.C. The whole family was there, looking at the wonders of our Country. A good place for them to see. There was drizzle on and off today (it rained most of my Zero Day), but it wasn't that bad. I decided to bypass Big Meadows wayside, since I didn't really need another snack, and it was kinda out of the way. I hiked by lots of the campsites and saw people grilling out and doing the family thing. I played tag with the parkway several times today, and started the ascent of Hawksbill Mt. to get to Rock Spring Hut. Hawksbill is the name of one of my favorite mountains at home. It is like a spiritual place for me.I saw several more deer on my hike to the shelter, and arrived at Rock Spring around 8:00 PM. There is a thru-hiker there with a dog. His dog growled at me and wasn't too happy with me at first. Once he got to know me, we were on better terms. Unfortunately, once I walked off and set up my hammock, he forgot he knew me, and we started the process all over again. I read the register at the shelter and talked with the two guys at the shelter, then it was time to turn in for the night.
Date: 2004-07-20
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Tom Floyd Wayside (Hut)
Miles today: 23.6

I got an early start this morning (around 7:00 AM) and hiked steady. I took a good break at Elkwallow Wayside. They have a neat grill there, and the hiker with his dog was there about the same time. We talked and ate for awhile, then I called Mary. There was also a man there who was doing short day hikes of the Shenendoah. He was an older man, and was really having a good time. The day continued on, and I had miles to go. I kept up the pace, taking some time for breaks and looks at the few views that would present themselves. Eventually I hiked out of the Park and down a very rock descent toward the shelter. The water source for the shelter is a good distance away, and I was pretty beat from the long day. I took time to stretch out my sore muscles and to get out the lactic acid from my poor, over worked legs. I set up my hammock, got my water, then read and relaxed. These 20+ mile days are difficult on my body. The only day it didn't really affect me was the first one in the Shenendoah. Tomorrow I go into Linden to pick up my mail drop, then it won't be long until the roller coaster.
Date: 2004-07-21
From: Tom Floyd Wayside (Hut)

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Got an early start this morning, and hiked past Front Royal to the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter. This is a pretty cool shelter. I recommend spending the night here if you have the chance. You're not too far from Linden and it's in a very relaxing area. It even has a solar shower and beach like chairs on the deck in front of the shelter. I spent some time at the shelter talking with a couple hiking short miles on the AT. They were really taking their time, and enjoying their hiking. I hiked on to VA 55 and hitched into Linden. There is a Post Office there where I picked up my mail drop. There also is a small country convinience store near the P.O. I bought some drinks and milk and called Mary. I'm pretty discouraged right now. I don't really want to hike 18 miles today, and it's hot. I didn't get a hitch back to the trail head until I was about.3 miles from the trail. The guy that picked me up was a PATC trail maintainer. He had just spent the morning weed eating the trail I was about to hike on. I thanked him greatly (for the ride but especially for all the hard work the maintainers do). That lifted my spirits some, especially since I had been pretty ill with everyone just passing me by like I was a leper or something. The hike out of Linden felt pretty steep with a full pack and tired muscles from the past week of big miles. I stopped at Manassas shelter and looked for the resident copper head the register talked about, but I never saw him. I continued on until I was at the descent that leads to Dick's Dome Shelter. At the crest of the hill, I see this mountain biker carrying his bike up the AT. It's people like this who destroy the trail. I was pretty ill, but decided that loosing my temper really wouldn't do any good, and I would be getting mad at someone when I was really just tired and weary. I got to the blue blaze to the shelter, and hiked the.2 out to Dick's Dome. This shelter is round instead of the usual rectangle. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn't it. It was small and strange looking. There are several groups of people, including a guy who has been laid up here for several days "daddy-o". He had gotten some kind of infection or such with his foot, and couldn't hike. He is going to try to hike out to the road tomorrow. There are also two other ladies who are just getting back on the trail after a long period off the trail. They seem pretty nice, but their chiuaua (however you spell it) wants to eat me. I've never seen something so small make so much noise. There is another hiker who has just got on the trail at Harpers Ferry. It's a strange world here tonight. It's almost like a commercial campground. There is music blaring and all sorts of noise. I set up my hammock away a little ways, by another part of the stream and rest my weary body. I think I'm pushing myself too hard. Tomorrow is the roller coaster.
Date: 2004-07-22
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The hike this morning wasn't too bad. I was able to make decent time, and the path wasn't too difficult. The summit of Bear Den Rocks seems awfully close to to being a hill instead of a mountain. I hike into Snickers Gap and then soon start the Roller Coaster. The roller coaster is around 13 miles of steep climbs and steep descents. Because of such a narrow trail corridor, the trail builders have had to go over each and every little knoll. The climbs are like 300 to 500 feet, but there are few switchbacks, and they are continuous. I had the hubris to think at the beginning of the roller coaster "This really isn't all that bad!". Then, it started raining, pouring actually and I struggled up and down over and over again. I saw several groups of teenagers out with their leaders in this section. I am at the shelter now. There is a SOBO here who I've talked with for about an hour. He had been going NOBO from Harpers Ferry, but had to leave the trail somewhere up north to bury his brother. His brother was a pilot in Vietnam, and they had just found his body. It was pretty sad. After the guy had gotten back on the trail, he decided to just do his "flip" early and hike from Harpers Ferry to Springer. I set up my hammock between a tree and the covered eating area. It's raining, and I am weary and beaten. I have some serious chaffing, in places I've never had chaffing before. This is making it difficult for me to walk far at all, much less hike great distances. I am going to medicate myself and try to relieve all the burns. Hopefully it will stop raining and my clothes can dry out.
Date: 2004-07-23
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

The roller coaster was difficult today. I think that if I wasn't hurt and tired from trying to do too many miles that it wouldn't have been too bad. I've decided to stay in the shelter tonight. There are several people here, mostly everyone is quiet. A huge storm has been blowing for the past hour or so. It has rained cats and dogs, and there has been major thunder and lightening. It's good to be in the shelter and protected from the elements. The roller coaster has claimed a victim...me. The chaffing is even worse than it was yesterday. Now, I've had chaffing before, and I've walked with pain...but where I'm chaffed...well, it makes each step major pain. There is no way to stop increased friction, which will only make the problem worse. I could possible take two zero days in Harpers Ferry, then hike as far as I can in the remaining time. If I do that, there is little chance of making it to Pine Grove Furnance and the half way point of the AT. There's not even a guarentee that two zero days would heal me enough to continue hiking. If it would stop raining for a few days, I think my body would heal up with a little time. If the rain continues, whatever healing that takes place would be destroyed quickly. I think I will hike to Key's Gap and call Mary for a weather report. If it's rain for the rest of the week, I'm going home from Harpers Ferry a week earlier than I'd planned on. If it's moderately clear, I'm going to take a few days and then hike on. I decided to not hammock tonight, so that I can get an early start in the morning. What I didn't know is who was coming to the shelter tonight. This SOBO hiked in around 8:00 or so. He started talking in rapid, spitfire sentences the moment he arrived. It's 12:30 at night now, and he hasn't stopped. I kid you not, this guy has talked for almost 4 solid hours. He has cussed, yelled, talked about America, military....all sorts of topics, then he starts all over. I don't think he's ever going to stop. I believe he must be on some sort of drugs, because no one is like this normally.
Date: 2004-07-24
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry-ATC and then home
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up this morning, tired from the lack of sleep. I wish I would've set up the hammock, but I was afraid to. It was obvious I had commited to the shelter, and if I would've picked up my gear and set up my hammock, it would've been pretty obvious I was trying to avoid the SOBO. I was hurting pretty badly too, and the idea of putting on wet clothes didn't float my boat. I didn't feel very forgiving this morning, so I wasn't too quiet getting my gear together. I noticed I wasn't the only one making a lot of noise. The only one not moving was the SOBO. I hiked into Key's Gap and walked to a store. I looked for a weather report....they're calling for rain. I called Mary and asked her about the weather....rain forcasted for the rest of the week. I don't want to come off the trail, but I'm hurt, and I'm not going to heal with out rest. If I was thru-hiking, I would take several zero days and then go slow. Section hiking has put pressure on me (or I guess I've put pressure on me) to hike further than I should at a time. I asked Mary to come pick me up at the ATC in Harpers Ferry. I have a mixture of feelings. I know the trail will be here for me in the spring and summer of next year, but part of me feels like I'm giving up. I know that I could try to tough it out the rest of the week, but my body is really hurting. It has hurt to walk this far today, and I have a little under six more miles to hike today. The trail is easy and would be relaxing if I wasn't constantly having to deal with the severe chaffing. I hike on to Harpers Ferry and the ATC.While here, I've enjoyed sitting and using their industrial strength foot massager (got to have one of these). I've talked with many different people and even got to give a ride to the two ladies I met at Dick's Dome Shelter a few days earlier. It was great to see Mary, even though this isn't how I wanted it to be. Time to go home. I'll see the trail again soon.(Once I arrived home, I found out that one of my fellow teachers had just died of Breast Cancer. I would've had to come home for the funeral anyway, and it would've been much more difficult for Mary to drive and get me in the middle of the week. The decision turned out to be the right one for many different reasons. I'm going to try to apply these lessons to next years hike.)