morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-22
From: Black Rock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 59 A bear, startling shiny black, stepped onto the trail 20 yards ahead of me from the right. I froze and the bear bolted across the trail. A cub followed, and dawdled long enough for me to get a picture. Then a second cub came out and they took exploratory steps toward me. I could hear mama bear rustling around in the woods to the left, probably trying to figure out what to do.The sound is now running; mama bear is coming back. She gets back on the trail 15 yards beyond the cubs, running towards them and me. I took a few steps back, and tried to decide if trekking poles or pepper spray were a better defense. When mama got to the cubs, she cut back into the woods, with the cubs following her.Today is family day in the park. I also saw a mother deer with her fawn hiding under her. Families are picnicking at the 2 campgrounds I pass. I made a side trip over 2 miles long to Loft Mountain Camp Store and to the Wayside for dry pancakes. My feet didn't think the trip was worth it. I did get a ride back most of the way.I got another bit of trail magic later in the day at a Skyline Drive crossing 6 miles before the shelter. Mr. Magoo, a hiker who got off the trail was there with sodas.It was a beautiful day with clear blue skies. At the shelter: Lumberjack, Steppenwolf, Ken & Marcia, Chicken Legs, Jay and many section hikers. Bearable comes in for breakfast at 6:30 after a night hike.Hiker info:Wingfoot's directions to the camp store are no good! From the south, take the side trail marked by the concrete post that says "70 yards to camp store". This is the 3rd side trail into Loft Mtn Campground. On this trail, the first thing you come to is the store. Other side trails that go by campsites or cross roads are further away. The camp store has plenty of food, including freeze-dried stuff. I wouldn't bother going the additional mile to the wayside; the cooked food was mediocre.
Date: 2013-07-25
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I feel good after putting a lot of food in me. I woke up and sat around in my bag because it was pretty cool out this morning. At 7:30 I packed up and hit the trail. I made it to the Coop at 8:15. As I was repacking my food outside, a hiker gave me the leftovers from his breakfast. There were three chocolate chocolate chip pancakes cut in half. They were delicious, and I didn't have to buy myself a second breakfast. I went over to the DOC (Dartmouth Outing Club) building to use the computer and have a place to put my pack. All the entries are now typed and scheduled to be posted. I got more Aquamira and denatured alcohol, and then got my free slice of pizza at Ramuntos. I then went to Lou's to get a burger and fries for lunch. I ate it at the DOC while my electronics charged. I went out and got ice cream for dessert.After waiting for everything to digest a bit I headed out. There is a long roadwalk from Hanover, over the Connecticut River, through Norwich, VT, and up Elm Street and back into the woods. The general store in Norwich gives out free day-old sandwiches to hikers. There was some trail magic, watermelon, near the top of the hill. Once I got in the woods it was an easy 3.5 to the shelter.There were three section hikers here when I arrived, bu they decided to push on into Hanover. So far it's just me here. The privy is really nice and big and new. Not as creative as some of the DOC's, but still very nice. Tomorrow I plan on doing 20.4 to the shelter. At the road at mile 17 there is a farm stand with pies which the NOBOs say is really good, so I want to get there before 5:30 when they close. That should motivate me to get moving in the morning.
Date: 2003-06-23
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 60Another great weather day. The first half of the day I made good time to the Lewis Campground store, so I rested almost 2 hours and ate store bought food. From there to Big Meadows I walked and talked with Ken & Marcia (also on TrailJournals). Since retiring they have walked the PCT and CDT. We ate dinner together at the overpriced lodge and we are sharing a tent site.Hiker info:Stop reading if you don't want to hear uncensored unpleasantries of hiking!! Chafing is a big problem. Butt cheeks get sweaty, rub together and cause a rash that is about the most uncomfortable thing you can experience walking. I think it has probably stopped more thru-hikes than people admit to.I¢m writing about it because you have to be prepared if you plan to hike any distance. I carry a powder called Zeabsorb AF. You ask for it at the pharmacy desk; I don't know why it's not on the shelves. At the first sign of discomfort, sprinkle a little on toilet paper and powder up. Not a bad idea to do after every BM as a preventative measure.Author Ray Jardine has another solution, roll up a bandana and thong your self with it. After doing so the bandana ceases to be a multi-purpose tool. I haven't tried this 'cause the powder works for me.
Date: 2013-07-26
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

Vermont is a lot nicer than I thought it would be. It is nice not having all of the rocks and roots. And the views are pretty good. The 20 miles today were not hard, and I felt like I wasn't pushing. Four miles in I got a second breakfast in West Hartford at the deli/general store. It was great. The promise of pie drove me the next 12. I met a section hiker who is a potter in real life. He said both of his wheels had broken, and he took it as a sign that he should go hiking. At the first shelter I had elevensies, and felt like a hobbit. I stopped at the top of one hill with a field and a view for the second half of lunch.When I got to the farm stand they were out of pie. So sad. I got a muffin and an apple-filled pastry. They were good, but not as good as a blueberry pie would have been. Chef was there, and we talked for a while. From the road it was up to the shelter. There are 4 section hikers here, 3 NOBO and 1 SOBO. Its fun. Tomorrow I will either go into Rutland and stay in the hostel, or stay at the shelter 19 miles frome here.
Date: 2003-06-25
From: Thorton Gap

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 62TWO MONTHS ON THE TRAIL TODAY!The Strands were wonderful hosts, making me a big breakfast and lunch to go. I wonder how many more hikers would drop off the trail if it weren't for the help we get from friends and trail angels.I'm now using my Kelty Satori backpack instead of the Mountainsmith Auspex. The Satori has a better waist belt, and this fixes the problem I was having getting bruised on the points of my hips. Also, it is easier to stuff my Tyvek and Waldies into the back mesh bag rather than strap them to the Auspex.I don¢t use the top compartment, or the right side pocket (both are removable). On the right, I carabiner-clip my water bag. The water bag compartments inside packs are useless.My most useful addition is belt pouches. I have one on both sides where I keep my spoon, knife, mace, pen, toothpaste & brush and snacks I eat while walking. The toothbrush & paste I just added when I included a second pouch in Daleville. This is great, cause I now brush while walking. I have a camera case clipped to the center of my waist belt. Easy and short trail today. I'm have 2 days to get 30 miles to Front Royal, so I'm enjoying walking slow, dawdling, spending hours writing and emailing from a picnic bench at Elkwallow wayside. Many other hikers are here taking off the middle of the day.At the shelter: Tipperary, Torch & Superman?, and section hikers. Also saw Crossroads and Stretch today.
Date: 2013-07-28
From: Vt. 4

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

The bed in tho hostel last night was very nice. I slept well. There was a free breakfast of eggs, homefries, and rice. Never had rice for breakfast before. I did a WFS, panting a bunch of stuff in the room they're renovating into another bunkroom. The place is run by some religious group. A ate at the attached deli. I had a sandwich called the Yellow Submarine. I kept hoping the Beatles would come on while I was eating it. I took the bus back to the trail; it was a lot easier than hitching. The climb up here was gentle, like the rest of Vermont has been.I got to the shelter, dropped my pack, and tagged the summit of Killington. There were tourists there. They smell weird. The shelter is filling up as it gets cooler. There are a bunch of LT end-to-end hikers here. It looks like we'll have to share the shelters with them for the next few days. One NOBO told me a couple of neat spots to camp over the next few days. I'll probably try to get to the shelters early to get a good spot. My plan is to do 13-16 mile days so that won't be a problem.
Date: 2003-06-26
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 63I saw 2 more bears today. Both of them were young and I saw both before they sensed me.In an odd coincidence, all 7 people in the shelter cleared out before 7 am. Usually, I am one of the first on the trail around 7:30. It is getting hotter during the day, so hikers are motivated to do their walking early (and late).I cruised, mostly on a gradual downhill, hit the road by noon, and got a hitch within minutes. The visitor center on Main Street had goody bags for hikers, and a hiker had left some stuff at the hotel for the next hiker to come along - me!My feet hurt today, so it was a bummer walking about in this spread-out town. There is a movie theater, and I wasted a walk over to see the monumentally awful, boring movie "The Hulk".
Date: 2013-07-29
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I forgot to mention that yesterday one of my poles jammed shut. I couldn't pull it apart with my bare hands at the trailhead, so I had to hike to the shelter with only one pole. I felt naked and unbalanced and defenseless. It was a rough 6 miles. Luckily someone at the shelter had a Leatherman so I was able to unjam it for today.Today started off cool and cloudy and just got better as the hours rolled on. I stopped at the Governor Clement Shelter at the bottom of Killington for a snack and some water. Just beyond the shelter is a temporary relocation because Irene wasted out a bridge. All of the NOBOs have been saying to just stay on the trail since at least NH. I made it across the unbridged river without a problem and took the trail rather than the roadwalk. I'm glad I did because I passed the 500 mile mark. I took a picture and signed the register and continued on. I did a long lunch break at the Clarendon Shelter.There was some trail magic at VT 103. It turns out one of the people doing it is a coworker with my dad. It's a small world. The trail went over a gorge then back uphill. Near the top was a nice viewpoint. I stayed there a while until a bunch of people showed up. It was a quick two miles to the shelter.No one else is here yet, but it is pretty early. My guess is that a bunch of NOBOs and LT hikers will get here and I'll have to share. (My guess was right.) There is a bag of kale here that a local woman dropped off. Its good to munch on and add to dinner.
Date: 2003-06-29
From: Blackburn A.T. Center (hostel)

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 66I woke last night to a hiker asking: "Is someone urinating in here?¢ and to the sound of someone urinating in here, inside the tiny bunkroom that has no toilet.A drunken hiker had a struggle to get free from his sleeping bag and go pee, a struggle that he lost. He passed out, clunked to the floor, and started to drag the sodden sleeping bag back onto himself. Another hiker got up and took the bag outside to dry. This was about 1:30 am. At 7 am a bunch of us groggy hikers cleaned up the wedding grounds, and folded the chairs and tables. I was particularly impressed that Bearable got up to pitch in: he was up the latest and probably suffering as much as anyone. Bill heated up leftover potatoes and peppers along with bread for breakfast. By 9 am packless hikers were headed off to the AT Headquarters in Harpers Ferry.I was so tired I sleepwalked thru the miles. The grade was fairly level, but again there were a number of rocky places. The descent down to town was precipitous. ATC staff took our pictures and info. Approximately 530 hikers have signed in so far this year.My friend Tim Kesecker is visiting his parents Dan and Wilma in nearby Martinsburg, WV. Dan and Tim picked me up and took me to their home where I ate delicious lasagna and strawberry pie, got a shower and did laundry. Many thanks to Tim, Dan, and Wilma for getting me fed and rested and ready for the next leg of my trip.
Date: 2013-08-01
From: Vt 11/30

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: broken clouds

Real beds are very comfortable. After a good nights sleep I woke up and went downstairs. Kokopelli and Steady were already up. There was some complementary cereal for breakfast and I had a few bowls. I made my sandwiches with a real knife instead of my spork. I don't know if it was any easier or better. Around 8:45 five of us loaded up into the car for the ride back to the trailhead. ID thought one of my poles was stuck again, but it was just a twisted locking lever. After a quick thanks and goodbye I was on the trail.Today it was pretty flat with the exception of Stratton Mountain. Stratton is said to be the place where Benton MacKaye conceived the idea of the trail. On the way is Prospect Rock which has a good view of Manchester Center. I ate lunch on a bench at Stratton Pond. There was a loon who came pretty close to the shore. After lunch was the climb. It was like every other climb in Vermont- good treadway, stairs, switchbacks, etc., except it was longer. It started to rain when I was a quarter mile from the top. Sadly, there was no view from the tower, so I can't say if the view would have inspired me to make a 2000 mile trail. It was a long climb down in the rain to the shelter.I know I am definitely in the NOBO bubble because the shelter was full when I got here at 5. I set up my tarp and probably have more space out here. They said the weather is supposed to be nicer tomorrow, but I don't think I can trust NOBOs anymore. I've changed into dry clothes and eaten dinner, so I feel a lot better. It's still cool out, so I'll probably crawl into my bag and read until it gets dark.
Date: 2003-06-30
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground 
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 67The day started out great with my host Wilma Kesecker making me the best pancakes I've ever had. If I can get the recipe I'll add it to the end of this entry.I notice that what I miss most about leaving town is the phone. I didn't get to talk to the girls last night and forgot to call my parents. And there is email I check with this pocketmail device.Leaving Harpers Ferry, the trail goes over the Potomac River on a footbridge and leaves West Virginia. Did I mention that I was in West Virginia? Now I am in Maryland, the 6th state on the AT.There was only one climb up Weaverton Cliffs and otherwise the walking was easy. It rained for about an hour, but I lucked out and arrived at Gathland State Park before it started and I stayed under a pavilion until it stopped.This tent site is a unique free backpackers tenting area with restrooms and showers. About a dozen tents are here, including Ken & Marcia, Chicken Legs, Kodiak and Orbit. Kodiak's wife and Orbit's girlfriend both quit the trail at Harpers Ferry.Autumn Apple Cakes 1 cup chunky applesauce2 cups pancake mix2 eggs1 cup milk1 tsp. cinnamon3/4 cup brown sugarcooking spray   Mix first 6 ingredients together until smooth. Spray griddle with cooking spray. Drop batter by tablespoon onto griddle. Fry about 2 minutes on medium heat (the applesauce and brown sugar causes them to get a little browner than regular pancakes). Serve warm with maple syrup, raspberry syrup, or applesauce.
Date: 2013-08-02
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a lot nicer than yesterday. Everything was wet as I packed up. The rocks in Vermont seem less slippery than those in Maine. I stopped by the Kid Gore Shelter to use the privy. There was a mother there hiking with her three kids. The youngest looked only 5 or 6, and the sister had Down Syndrome. The second sister was a bit older. From there I climbed up Glastonbury Mountain, which has a look out tower. It was a good place to stop for lunch, but it was cold with the wind blowing.The last 8 miles were a pleasant walk through Vermont forests. There were a few places where the trees opened up a bit and there was sort of a view. This shelter is pretty messy, probably because it is so close to the road. There were two sleeping bags set up when I arrived, so I wonder when the owners will show up.The bags belonged to two NOBOs who had spent the day in Bennington eating and charging electronics. They didn't stay the night. A few others showed up but most of them tented. I got the level to myself.
Date: 2003-07-07
From: Fayetteville, PA

To: Pine Grove Furnace (Ironmasters Hostel)
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

Day 74Take a closer look at the total mileage. Notice anything?I'M HALFWAY THERE!The store next to the hostel runs the infamous half-gallon challenge: thru-hikers at the halfway point attempt to eat a half-gallon of ice cream in a single sitting. I planned on vanilla, but they had limited choices. Cookie dough was the most palatable, 2880 calories per box. I polished it off in 50 minutes, no problem. I think I'll skip dinner. At the end of this entry, I'll put some excerpts from the store register. I've hit trail magic for the second day in a row. I forgot to mention it yesterday. I had drunk all my water a few miles before reaching the road near Caledonia State park, so the first thing on my mind was getting something to drink. Just before the road, someone had left a cooler full of fruit drinks. Today, I find Pepsi left to chill in a stream.I've been lucky with the rain, too. It stormed just after I got to the hotel last night. Thunder was around today, but I only caught a little sprinkle.I had my first taste of blueberries today. Plants lined the trail, but few were ripe. Jim Stauch, "innkeeper" of Quarry Gap shelter was at his unique shelter today. Solar-powered landscape lights line the path to water and to the privy. ***Excerpts from the half-gallon register:That was the most disgusting thing I've done, except for the pancake challenge. - Gazelle1/2 gallon peanut butter ice cream: 48 minutes.Chicken nuggets & fries: 24 minutes.Biggest bellyache of my life: priceless.Some things money can't buy. - Mothman21 1/2 minutes of ecstasy in the form of cookie dough ice cream. I'm going to chuck now. - StretchWell, there were times when I thought I couldn't do it, but I was able to power through. - Spin16 min 21 sec. No problem. I think I'm gonna get more ice cream. - Hungry HikerI wish I could do this in every town¢¦wait a minute...I can! - Trip46 minutes for chocolate. I don't feel so good. - Viking29 minutes, chocolate. Washed it down with a delicious cheeseburger. - MooI don't know why I did it but I did. Heed the warning; don't go for peanut butter twist. - Brew
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Mount Wilcox South Shelter

To: The Hemlocks Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: light rain

Well, there were no mosquitoes today. However, there was a lot of rain. It woke me up around 3:30. The rain stopped briefly around 7 when I left. By the time I got to the bottom of the hill it was raining again. It rained hard, it sprinkled, it rained hard again. I was soaked. It was fairly warm so I didn't need a raincoat. There was a long, flat section through fields and pastures. I saw two deer; I won a staring contest with the first one. I took a lunch break during a brief stop in the rain. At the last paved road in Massachusetts there was a monument noting that the last battle of Shay's rebellion took place there.The climb up to here was pretty steep in the beginning. I did get a bit of a view on a ledge. There are two shelters here 1/10 of a mile apart. This one I'm at is a lot nicer. There are 2 other SOBOs and 2 NOBOs here tonight. It's really dark in the shelter, and it's raining again. I hope it blows over overnight. I don't want to walk to Salisbury in the rain.We played Texas Hold 'Em, betting with rocks and acorns. It was fun, but kind of cramped in the loft. I was the third person to run out of "money", which is better than I thought I'd do.
Date: 2003-07-09
From: Carlisle, PA (Appalachian Motel)

To: Duncannon, PA (motel)
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 76I'm in a hotel again tonight! This town-hopping hiking has a whole different feel to it. I look forward to spending the night in the woods tomorrow. The Cumberland Valley is a 15-mile section between mountain ranges, starting just before Boiling Springs. The first 6 miles were still in the valley, passing roads, houses, and farmland.I got a late start this morning since I was beat from yesterday, and I did some writing. My camera stayed in my pack due to the threat of rain, but I didn't get rained on until the end of the day.It was a hot, buggy day. My clothes get completely drenched in sweat. Mosquitoes and deer flies bit me, and knats flew into my eyes.On the day, I averaged about 2.5 miles per hour, including breaks. I only took a few short breaks, and I walked fairly fast in the morning, so I don't think I can average much faster than this. Rocks slowed me down some in the second half of the day. My max walking speed in short intervals (2 hours or less) on decent terrain is about 3.5 mph.My ankle/foot has the jaundiced look of dissipating blood, which I think is a good thing. I would estimate my ankle is about 34-strength. It causes me to go a little slower, mostly because I am picking my steps very carefully. I will continue to wear the brace for at least another week.
Date: 2013-08-11
From: US 44

To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

I woke up, and shortly after I went upstairs breakfast was served. It was as good as dinner. I packed up and BIG Lu gave me a ride back to the trail. It was an easy eight to Falls Village where I went to the Toymakers Cafe for a second breakfast/ early lunch. The French Toast was tasty. The trail then walks along the Housatonic River for a few miles before going into the hills again. At the top of one hill I called home to get my new boots sent. My current ones only have to last 80 more miles.The shelter here has quite a few mosquitoes. Hopefully it will be a cool night and they'll go away. Searcher showed up a bit later. I had passed her this morning near Falls Village. She says she was raised Amish in Ohio, but left them and now does other stuff.
Date: 2003-07-11
From: Stoney Mountain (tarping)

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 25.8
Weather: light rain

Day 78It rained most of last night, and the uneven ground caused water to puddle under one corner. I had to move around to keep stuff dry. It was overcast again, and rained at mid-day.I now have less than one thousand miles to go. It makes the end seem nearer, since I¢m in countdown mode.I stayed at the huge 501 shelter with many other hikers including Tipperary, Leaf, Bearable, twins Erika and Erin, Ryan, and Blaze. There is no longer a phone near the shelter, and the caretakers do NOT sell snacks. A few hikers hitched into town to get food and a case of Yuengling, which kept them up late. The caretaker was up at 6:30, unhappily taking beer cans out of the trash and noisily squashing them for recycling. The drinkers were no less quite late at night, so I guess they are even.Hiker info:Wingfoot's 2003 book has a "Woods Road (500') at mile 1172.7. This doesn't exist. Fortunately the elevation stays between 1300 and 1500 for miles leading into William Penn Shelter. The 6 miles from Hwy 81 to the shelter go on forever. All hikers I spoke with think there is at least an extra mile here.