morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Damascus

To: RV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Word of the day: GoodbyeFor the past week I have been in Damascus saying my goodbyes to all the people on the trail. As much as I love hiking this trail, I'm moving on to spend time with my family, especially my very patient husband. It has been an awesome journey, and I feel a part of the class of 2005, even if I didn't "graduate". This trail has a sense of community that can not be described. Even the bad days were great! I wouldn't trade one day on the trail for anything. Thanks for reading my journal, I hope I haven't disappointed anyone with my decision, but this Red Hat has places to go and peole to see. Trail Characters of the day: EveryoneI will miss! My first day on the trail I met Longhaul, Wyatt (Mouth), Vision Quest, Skyelark, Jake (Bruce Spruce), Raz (Bruce Moose), NuB, Fulrow (Double Healer) and about 30 others. In the first week I would also meet Mother Goose, Hopeful Hiker, Butterfly Moon, Phoenix, Scholar, Cuppa Joe, and Break. Around Franklin I met Snowman, Icicle, Dorothy, Toto, Krazy Katie, and Radio. Later I hiked with Hareball, Rocky, Draggin, Blue Eyes, Noworries, August, Sowega, Gypsy Lulu, Touk, Bassline, Montreal, Kutsa, Creaky Bonz, and Wandering Bull. I met many trail angels, including Miss Janet. Finally, in Damascus, I passed on my "Red Hattitude" on to the next generation of Red Hats via Hardcore Hiker, who is now sporting a pink hat. (Update: Hardcore summited, although I am not sure of the date, she was mentioned in an article in the New York Times)I know that there are many more I have missed. Each one has a special place in my heart. I'll be following Trail Journals with many of them. I will hike at least some day hikes (possibly some sections) in the near future and hope to see some of these special people again. God bless.
Date: 2005-06-02
From: RV

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Word of the Day: Hiker's RemorseA hiker may get off the trail for a number of reasons... Hiker A has an injury, Hiker B has issues at home (a sick loved one, job problems, etc), Hiker C is bored with the journey and ready to get off. For whatever reason, once off the trail, the hiker regrets his decision. Everyday is spent thinking about the trail, talking about the trail, and reading about the trail on Trail Journals or Whiteblaze. So it was with me. Thus, I am back. My husband and I headed for the Family Campground in Brunswick, Md. We camp there on the C&O Canal 6 miles from Harper's Ferry. I can easily get to town and see who is here. I find Wandering Bull and Houdini at the Walmart in Charlestown. It is so amazing to see them again!Upon visiting the ATC headquarters, I look through the photos of those who have gone before. I am amazed to see that August has already been here. I find that Hardcore (keeper of the pink hat) is in town, but I can't find her. I am anxious to get back to the trail, so I make arrangements to meet Dorothy (without Toto).Character of the Day: AWOLOf the many hikers in Harper's Ferry, this one caught my attention. I had not met him before. He is the most tattooed person I have ever seen in person. (Not quite as many tattoos as Lex of Survivor fame). We visit for a bit at the ATC headquarters, then I run into him again at the outfitters, before he heads down the trail.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Word of the Day: HikerfestJune 4th is the day of the second annual Waynesboro Hikerfest. I hope to meet up with some of my hikerfriends here. I know that Dorothy is several days away, but it will be good to see others. My very wonderful, patient husband drops me off in the RV at about 4:00pm. The barbeque dinner is already underway. As I approach the pavilion, I recognize several hikers. Raindrop and Train are here, as are Gottago and Chuckles. There are about 12 others that I do not know yet. We eat our fill while the band plays. Door prizes are awarded, donated by local businesses and trail angels. Best of all are the movie gift certificates. We get to pick which movie we want and rides are arranged for the evening. Most everyone picks StarWars III. I choose The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. We load into vans and enjoy the evening, then return to the wonderful hostel at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. It is an awesome day. I am loving being back with my hiker friends. Hikerfest is a success, just a shame more hikers didn't make it.Characters of the day: Hopeful and RedwingThis young couple are from Northern Michigan. We hit it off and know many of the same hikers. They recommend that I head down to Rusty's Hard Time Hollow to wait for Dorothy, rather than sit in town. We decide to stay for church services, then head out together with a ride from Bill, one of Waynesboro's trail angels. (Update: Redwing and Hopeful summited Katahdin on September 19th)
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Waynesboro

To: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Word of the Day: RelaxRusty's is known as a place to relax on the trail. There was no electricity or phone until recently, but hundreds, maybe thousands, of hikers have found the Hollow an amazing place. Upon arrival, signs direct you to sign in, then find a place in the barn. I drop my pack off, then head to the porch off the main house. There are four young hikers here: Tank, Daddy, Wiggy, and one whose name I seem to have forgotten (sorry). They are on their fifth day at Rusty's. I read the names of those who have been here recently. Vision Quest and Bubbletoes are ahead. The guys make themselves busy with games of wiffleball, javelin (hiker pole) throws, races, etc. I find a book from the "library" and settle down to enjoy the afternoon. After a quick hike up to the Maupin Field Shelter to leave a note for Dorothy, I relax for the evening.Character of the Day: Rusty NesbittRusty has run the hostel since the 70's. Although Wingfoot says that the place is sold and new owners need their privacy, it is not true. Rusty plans to run the hostel until the place sells. Who knows when that may be! Rusty is Amish and when I meet him, he has just returned from morning church services. He has on a high button blue shirt and black pants. His beard is neatly trimmed. He has a mischievous grin. He says he misses the old days when hikers wanted to stay out of town. Now they all want to go to town. He has pictures of hikers all over the walls and ceilings of the Hollow. The highlight of the day is when he returns from evening church services, pulls out a siren and bull horn and announces that "It's Ice Cream Time!" We all head down and eat up two gallons of assorted ice cream. Yum! Never a dull moment at Rusty's....
Date: 2005-06-06
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Tye River
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Word of the Day: ReunionI am anxious to meet my old hiking buddies. I know that some must be in the area, so I first decide to wait at the shelter to meet them. But bored in the shelter, I head south. About two miles north of the Tye River, I meet Cuppa Joe. What a reunion! I was so glad to see him. At the river is a photographer. I ask if he'll take my picture on the bridge, which he does. As we talk, I find that he hiked back in 1990. When I tell him that I'm staying at Rusty's, he wants to go see Rusty again. So, I have my ride! Back at the Hollow, I'm reading up in the barn when Dorothy arrives. A second reunion! Wow! What a great day!Characters of the Day: Thumper, OConnor, and Snowy ManThese three fast hikers arrived late last night. We were all asleep when Rusty woke us for ice cream. This morning we shared an omelet, cooked by me, then head out for the trail. They are fast and I know I won't see them after we leave the driveway. But there they are on the trail waiting for me.... It seems that Thumper stirred up a rattlesnake sleeping on the fireroad leading to the trail. They are waiting for me so we can all pass it together. As Snowy Man leads, the snake coils and begins to rattle. Thumper tries to bushwack through the forest, but it is too thick. No choice but to walk as far from the snake as we can on the road. We all manage to make it without an attack and they hike on north.
Date: 2005-06-07
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Dripping Rocks Parking Area
Miles today: 6.6

Word of the Day: FaceplantI am finally back on the trail, hiking north. Dorothy and I are having a great time revisiting. As we walk, we talk about way back in April... Back in GSMP in the snow. Dorothy says that she took a number of falls. So did I. The snow and muck were merciless. Dorothy says that she is lucky that there were no rocks when she fell. Not five minutes later, I slip on a wet rock, and fall face forward. It happens in slow motion. I can see the pointed rock heading right for my face, but my pack is propelling me forward so quickly that I can not stop it. Boom! I begin to gush blood. I try to roll over and undo my pack without much success. Dorothy rushes up and applies a compress. I finally get my pack off and put a bandana on top of the compress. I am still bleeding. Dorothy keeps saying to hold the compress tightly. Dorothy ties her bandana on top of mine and tells me to stay where I am while she goes for help. I do... for a while. My mind imagines bears smelling the blood and thinking about dinner. I put my hand up and see that I have finally stopped bleeding, so I get up and head up the trail. In about 20 minutes I meet a hiker, Old Graceful, who has come for me. He tells me to drink so I won't get dehydrated. Then here comes another hiker, Peanut Butter. He takes my pack and we head up to the Dripping Rock parking area. My weird sense of humor keeps thinking of the new meaning I have given to "Dripping Rock". Now the rocks are dripping in my blood. I laugh and say "What kind of rebel would I be if I didn't spill a little blood in the Shenandoa Valley?" They laugh. At the parking lot, I feel good and think I can go on, but I am told that the cut is too deep and I need stitches.Character of the Day: Peanut ButterPeanut Butter was out for a casual day hike. He parked his car at one lot, hiked down the BRP to Dripping Rocks, then started south on the AT towards his car. It was shortly thereafter that he came upon a frantic Dorothy. He gave her his daypack and headed down to me. He carried my pack for about a mile or so back to the parking lot. He caught a ride back to his car, then drove Dorothy and me into Waynesboro. At the outfitter, he got directions to the nearest hospital, Augusta Medical. He drove us there, waited while I got stitches and a tetnus shot, then took us back to town. If that wasn't enough, he drove us back to the outfitters so Dorothy could have her pack checked, before he took us to the hostel. And he refused to let me even pay for gas! This is one amazing trail angel! Thanks Peanut Butter!
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Dripping Rocks Parking Area

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: few clouds

Word of the Day: SweatFor those of you who are worried, I am doing great! I don't even have a headache. But I do have a black eye. I look much worse than I feel! Irma, a church hostel volunteer, offered Dorothy and I a ride back to Dripping Rocks. She gave us pointers on what to look for on the trail today. We were on the trail by 8:30am. It was wonderful! I was so glad to be back! But it was hot and humid... so sweat... We hiked over Humpback Mountain, then past the old homestead, but missed finding the cemetery. We were thankful when we heard the noise from the BRP, knowing that we would soon be done. We finished the 14.5 in less than 7 hours and sat down to enjoy a soda and icecream from the convenience store at Rockfish Gap. Character of the Day: MasaAt the hostel I met Masa. He is 32 years old and Japanese. Imagine going to a foreign country, where you don't speak the language, and hiking for months! He is learning English on the trail. It is fun to talk with him. He also has a mother who wants him to come home, so we understand the pressures. He is the firstborn and feels responsibility. But we also both know that if we don't finish the hike now, we won't get another chance.  (Update: Masa finished the trail, he is photographed for an article about hiking the AT in the NY Times September 23rd )
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

Word of the Day: ShenandoahToday we entered the beautiful Shenandoah National Park. The hike was cooled by gentle rain. The park is beautiful and the shelter is quite nice. I am so excited to be here in the Shenandoahs!Characters of the Day:Nimblefoot and Old GracefulI met Nimblefoot on my very first day (March 13th). He had been slacking Georgia after an ankle injury. He hiked on north from Neels Gap, I believe, while I began at Springer. Today we met again. Nice to see the older hikers are still out here.Old Graceful is a section hiker from Georgia. It has taken fifteen or so years to get to here. This section he hopes will take him to central Pennsylvania. I met him before my fall and he was one of the hikers who helped with my injury. He is a great guy.Old Graceful calls the two of them "greybeards". I say that the four of us hiking together today (Dorothy, Nimblefoot, Old Graceful, and myself) are the Up on the Mountain, Not Over the Hill Bunch.
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Word of the Day: CrossingIn the Shenandoah National Park there are more road crossings than ever before. We crossed Skyline Drive six times today! It breaks the day up into nice pieces, with rests at any crossing. When there is a parking lost on Skyline Drive, there are concrete blocks that make good seats. So we walk, rest, eat, and walk on.Characters of the Day: Brownie and SolemanThese two are a true trail romance. They met early and formed a couple. Last April, when I was debating what to do about my hike (go home or not) I was at several shelters with Brownie and Soleman. As a matter of fact, on April 23rd I think, we spent a most miserable night in the cold rain before the blizzard of April 24th. Brownie and Soleman stayed another night, while I hiked to the road. The next day, they came down with near hypothermia. It was nice to see them again. They move fast, though, so probably won't see them again. (Update: Brownie suffered an injury so they both got off the trail in July)
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Word of the Day: BearsEveryone in the park is seeing bears! Today we saw one too. It was in the trail ahead of me. When it saw us, it ran up the hill a few hundred yards, then stopped. I walked on cautiously, not wanting any trouble. As Dorothy came up behind, she pulled out her camera for a picture. The bear almost posed! She got a great shot. I wish I had... Word is that the bears are out and visible due to the late winter and lack of berries for food.Characters of the Day:Hopper and SpikeBack in early April, I met Hopper and Spike back at Fontana Dam. Now she is slackpacking Spike since she is having knee problems. She hopes to be back hiking herself somewhere in Pennsylvania. They shared our campsite at Loft Mountain Campground. These campgrounds are great! The limit is 6 people, but no limit to the tents (so you could have six!)
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Word of the Day: SlackpackImagine if you could hike, free from the weight of your heavy pack... Well, you can! All you need is a friend to take your pack and meet you at the end of your hike. Today Gordon and Sue met us on the trail and volunteered to slack us to the next crossing. They lent us daypacks for water, raingear, and first aid kits. We did the miles in record time (for us!)Characters of the Day: Troll, Anchor, and ObliviousThis is a family hiking together. Troll, the husband, sports a kilt, as does the son, Oblivious. Anchor also wears a skirt, beige, not as bright as her two men. Oblivious is ten and not at all oblivious! He has a mohawk with streaks. He is being homeschooled on the trail. He does all the math computations, and keeps a journal about each day. He is learning biology, history, and geography every day. He has amazing energy considering the miles he is doing.(Update: the Troll family hiked on with Sue and Gordon's help and summited Katahdin in September)
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Hightop Hut

To: Bearfence Hut
Miles today: 12.0

Word of the Day: PATCThe Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is responsible for maintaining the Shenandoah National Park. This is, by far, the best maintained section of trail. Everything is clipped back from the trail and there are no blowdowns. When I compare it to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, what a difference! GSMNP is wild and woodsy, while SNP is pretty and pristine. Of course, I was in GSMNP in April when everything was either brown (mud and wood) or white (snow and ice). But here I am in SNP in June when everything is green and blooming with wildflowers. No offense to the GSMNP maintainers, their work is cut out for them. I appreciate anyone who spends time working on the trail!Character of the day: WebbreakerAs we were hiking along, we were approached by the Ridgerunner, Webbreaker. He works for the PATC running along the Shenandoahs. Today he was counting water stops. That is the logs and rocks that direct water when it rains. He carries a small notebook and notes each one. He also makes notes about the hikers he meets. He is a former 2000 miler, who just retired and managed to get the job for the season (Memorial Day to Labor Day). When we get to the shelter, he is there. He says he needs to check out the bear activity reported at the shelter... Luckily, there is none tonight.
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Bearfence Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Word of the day: ANTS! I've never seen anything like it... At this shelter are carpenter ants the size of Cheerios! They are everywhere. Normally, I can fall asleep anywhere, but I get little sleep here. I should have put up my tent, but I fear rain. Luckly, I do have a full stomach, as I am eating my way through the Shenandoahs. The waysides along Skyline Drive are for tourists to gas up, buy souvenirs, and eat. I manage to eat at least two meals a day at them. Character of the Day: MacpacFrom Australia, this young hiker is on a six month holiday. He began his trip on the AT at Hot Springs, and hiked to Marion, Va. Then he jumped up to Waynesboro to hike the Shenandoahs. He hikes at about the same pace as Dorothy and I, so he's been at the shelters with us most of the time. He plans to hike on to Harper's Ferry, then take a train to Washington, DC. He'll also see New York City, Las Vegas, and San Francisco before he returns to "Down Under". His name comes from the brand of hiking equipment he uses. Everything is labeled "Macpac".
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Thornton Gap
Miles today: 14.1

Word of the Day: VistasThis was the day of the most views! Every quarter mile or so there would be a rock outcrop with a view. We could not stop at each one, but managed to rest at several. They can not be described or photographed adequately. One must see for himself! Amazing!Characters of the day: Gordon Smith and Sue LockwoodThis brother/sister couple spend each summer supporting hikers. Sue was a long distance hiker before she lost her leg to diabetes. Now, they drive along and slackpack hikers as they choose. They also pass out Gatorade to any hiker who happens along. This morning we left the shelter about 6:30am. Around 7:00 we come to a post with a note for us..."Gatorade 300 ft". I am sure it was left from the night before, but go to check anyway. There they are! They picked us to slack for the next three days... Wow! Every road crossing they are waiting with folding chairs and Gatorade to cool us off. This is the life! (Update: Gordon and Sue continued to help hikers until the end of August, when they headed off to an annual hike for Sue. She manages to do it with her prosthesis!)
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Thornton Gap

To: Hogback Gap
Miles today: 18.3

Word of the day: Practical JokeYou have to know Dorothy to know that she is not a practical joker... Well, this is what happened. I had a bottle of red Gatorade. I drank part and put the rest in the daypack. When we came to a rest spot, I got out the Gatorade and drank a little more. But I put on my daypack before putting away the bottle. So I asked Dorothy to put it in my pack for me. Now, she says she tightened the lid before putting it away. But I think she must have actually unscrewed it a little. Anyway, as I hiked on, red Gatorade dribbled down my backside. At first I thought it was just sweat. (you sweat a lot out here) Then I realized it was more. I took off the daypack and saw that the bottle was empty and the pack was soaked! What a joke, Dorothy!Character of the Day: X05This is another of the sectioners out here. Each year he has a different name. X03, X04, X05, etc. You have to appreciate the determination it takes to keep coming back, year after year, to complete this trail. Just about the time you get your trail legs, it is time to get off. Anyway, X05 has a great sense of humor, and I enjoy reading his notes in the shelter registers.
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Hogback Gap

To: Manassas Gap
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Word of the Day:yoyo dayToday we hike part of the day north, and part of the day south. After 10 miles north, we meet Toto, Dorothy's husband, who is down for the weekend. We leave his car at the parking lot and Gordon and Sue shuttle us up to Manassas Gap, so we can hike the 8 miles back to Hwy 522. Then we drive Toto's car into Front Royal for our zero day. By the way, yoyo is also a term for a hike split. For example, a hiker may have to rush to get to Katadin and skip a section, then go back and do that section.   Characters of the Day: Britanica and CrocWe meet Britanica just as we are beginning our day. We hike together for several hours as she tells us her story. She has wanted to hike the AT for years and now has a chance. She is going faster than she would like, just to keep up with Croc, who really doesn't even want to be here. She is from Ohio, and he is from Vermont, I think. She needs to vent and we listen. She is a civil engineer, working on her masters in environmental engineering. I think that she is a character and I like her. Croc doesn't say much, so I call him Silent Bob. He has lost his camera and is offering a reward. McGyver finds it up the trail. Wish someone would find my cell phone.... (Update: Britannica and Croc persevered and summited with Masa. They are featured in the New York Times article September 23rd)