morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Black Mountain

To: Hightop
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I made Loft Mountain this morning around 11A, and bought a bag full of Pepsi andother assorted nutritionless snacks at the camp ground store.Just as I'd finished lounging on the grass in the sun and gorging myself, Hopperwalked over and asked if I wanted a ride down to the Wayside for lunch. Hopperis Spike's wife who is supporting him in their small camper as he hikes sectionsof the trail. I was stuffed but couldn't pass up an easy ride to hot food.Let me just say this. Even if these waysides are only open 3 months, ninetwenty-five is highway robbery for a small milkshake and an even smallercheeseburger. I know my jaw hit the floor when the cashier rung it up, but itwas food. Probably my last cheeseburger and blackberry milkshake in theShenandoahs.The campstore had showers and laundry, but I've only been out a day, and godonly knows what these cost.A quick side note....thanks to the two dayhikers that hid my two Pepsis in thewoods at the agreed upon location. They were excellent!!!!!There have been bear sightings everywhere, but I've yet to see one. Not fromlack of trying though. I slink stealthily down the trails with my poles liftednot to make any tapping noises.....nothing. Maybe I'll spread a little p-nutbutter on my hiking poles. Walking bait...and slowly walking bait at that. Hmmm.....I spent the second half of the day hiking with "Doc." He came out to hike twoweeks with his brother who is a very fast thru-hiker. I slowed down so hecould keep up, but I was quite impressed with his endurance. I also feel badlythat his brother has already left him and headed up the trail. He is doingquite well, and 21.4 miles is certainly not slouchy, even if it is slightly moreslow.Doc is also very interesting to chat with. He is a 60 year old chiropractorthat is a Mennonite and comes from a family of eight. He has his fourthbusiness, and enjoys building his businesses and selling them. Besides, ifanyone knows me, they know I can "chat."Tomorrow is a another long day, so I better hit the sack.Ciao
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Hightop

To: Big Meadows
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

As I ran screaming through the underbrush like a girl, the only thing that went through my mind was NO MORE RADIO!!!!!I had just put on the earphones to a tiny radio I bought a couple of weeks ago. I like to listen to NPR in the mornings. I was climbing the hill and went to place down my left foot when underneath it something big moved quickly and lunged out at me. I had already begun my leap to the right off the trail as soon as I glimpsed movement. I've seen so many snakes at this point that if something moves underfoot now, I automatically jump, scream, and run....pretty much in that order. Maybe it is my hypersensitive imagination, but I swear it brushed my calf as it leaped at me.I ran back up onto the trail about 10 yards up and looked all around for its immediate family members as I took off my radio. I could still hear it rattling, and peaked back. He was a big boy coiled up on the trail, and he was not happy. I quickly moved on.Maybe I'm over reacting, but no more headphones for this gal. I'm guessing I would have been paying more attention and possibly heard his rattle had I not had on my earphones. Maybe when I hit the northern most states with no poisonous snakes, but at this point I've decided my trail name should be "Snake Magnet." Did I mention I had poison ivy? I am horribly allergic to it, so I've done everything I can to avoid it. Today the Ridgerunner at Lewis Mountain confirmed that the horrid itchy rash down the front of my leg is definitely poison ivy. Between the thirty bug bites, rash, and attractive sock line, I will clearly not be wearing a dress to Dad's wedding. I think only black hose would hide these lovely marks.I also ran into "Doc" at Lewis, and he was nice enough to confirm that had I not had on my headphones, I would have heard the rattle snake. He said they always warn before striking. Good to know since following the attack about 3 vicious sticks alongside the trail about scared the bejeezies out of me. Now I know that if the sticks don't rattle, I'm probably alright.I'm at Big meadows tonight. I made my mileage of 20.4 miles (my third twenty+ in a row), but my feet hurt, and it really is not much fun barreling down the trail.I saw 2 bear today, one big nasty rattle snake, and about 10 deer that were so tame, I felt as if I was hiking through a petting zoo.I have to go to sleep now before I scream. My feet are killing me, and I itch awfully. Uggghhhhh......
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Woods

To: Mountain
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: clear sky

Another day...a different snake. Yes, I put my hiking pole smack down on another rattler this afternoon! Pogo said everyone is going to start hiking about 20 yards behind me. He was a big guy also, but almost as startled as me. I did my usual "snake dance" with associated scream, off the trail, but returned a few feet for a couple of pictures. He did not like being photographed, and gave me a quick rattle. I took the hint, warned the 3 day hikers coming up the trail, and took off up the mountain.I camped with Section Hikers Camp 7, Rite-Aid, and their dog Sirus last night, so we flip flopped all day. We had lunch at the Elk Wallow Wayside, and Rite-Aid and 7 put together a plan to get Frontline for the tick infested Sirus. They've no ticks in S.California, so Sirus was unprepared. I think his poor parents were far more upset than him, as he lay snoozing in the shade, oblivious to the intense planning on his behalf.I finally made it to the top of Compton Mountain, where I camped for the evening. Pogo about scared me to death when he yelled out "you took my spot" as I was climbing into my tent. Needless to say, he camped nearby.I took off this morning around 6:15. I was pumped! Town town town...food food food....pepsi pepsi pepsi!!!!!!I have to go now. I have to get wedding clothes at a nearby mall. I'm not looking forward to shopping AT ALL. I just want to go back and soak my poison ivy for another hour.I'll be "out of commission" for the next 4 days, but will continue the journaling on Tuesday.
Date: 2005-06-20
From: Front Royal

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm back in Front Royal, after attending the wedding and touching base with some family I've not seen in years. It was the typical family event, with one of my most often asked question being asked (in a whisper) ....."Am I related to the person that just said hello?". There are just so many cousins. One of the reasons you have to be careful who you date down south. It's always good to research a prospective mate's family tree.Anyway, the wedding was great! All involved seemed very happy, and it was nice meeting a lot of old and new faces. As always, the time spent was too short, but I'm ready to get back on the trail and start heading north. I'm sure the rattlesnake conspiracy has come to a grinding halt without me out there to stalk.I need to resupply a couple of dinners and snacks, but other than that I'm all set. I'm resuming my hike with some new sock liners. I've been in formed that although my sock liners appear to still be in good shape, even numerous washings cannot bring them back from the dead, and it is time for them to be replaced.I also will need to get some replacement poison ivy medicine since the bottle I currently have is far too heavy and leaks easily. It will be interesting to get back on the trail. Most everyone I've been flip flopping with will be about a week ahead, so I'll get to meet some new faces. I don't expect my mileage to be as high as before, but I'll probably keep it at around 17-18/day. I enjoy hiking, and my favorite times are early morning between 7-9, and early evening beween 6-8. I usually take 2-3 hours to break and play, but this still makes for long days. Even though I enjoy socializing at the shelters, I get fidgety stopping early, so I'll often make dinner around 5P, and then move on for 2-3 hours before camping. It's just my own style of hiking, and when I most often see wildlife.Gotta run shop. Til tomorrow...au revoir.
Date: 2005-06-21
From: Front Royal

To: Dick's Dome
Miles today: 15.1

I got a late start out of town today, but still pulled out some decent mileage. Let me tell you what though, I seriously felt those five days off. I think it took until late afternoon for me to find my stride, and even then I was sucking a little wind.You will hike like a machine after giving your body a rest I was told. NOT! I became soft over those five days!It's nice to be back out here. I had to take a few more breaks than normal, but that was ok because it was beautiful hiking country and weather.I rolled in to Dick's Dome around seven and set up my tent. I'd taken a lot of breaks waiting on Tag-a-long, Swinger, Goose Bump, and Fancy Pants. They are a group that has been hiking together since Damascus, VA. I had left my radio on the picnic table at Manassas Gap, and was hoping one of them had grabbed it. Either they were hiking much more slowly than I, or had taken a really long lunch break b/c they were arriving as I had been leaving the lunch spot.Tag-a-long showed up with the radio. Excellent!!! I had dinner with everyone at the shelter (Seeker and Old Graceful were there also) and headed off to my tent.I'm tired. The roller coaster is tomorrow...ugh, and I want to try and do the 19.8 in reasonable time tomorrow to make Bear's Den Hostel.Ciao
Date: 2005-06-23
From: Dick's Dome

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

I got back on the trail expecting to see all new faces, and knew every single hiker I've seen over the last three days.I sat eating a snack this morning, wishing for a Pepsi, and hearing voices, peered over my shoulder to see Litmus and Cricket bopping down the trail. I would have thought they were a week ahead at least. I think they are stalking me.....kidding. I always like to see those guys. They are good people, and make for excellent entertainment.We hit the roller coaster in the afternoon. The roller coaster is a series of roughly ten, 4-5 hundred foot mountains in a 13.5 mile stretch. I plowed over the first 5, and three quarters of the way up the sixth hit my wall. My legs were dead and I was drenched! Thank god the hostel with sodas was at the top.I came around the corner to see a sight for sore eyes.....a huge stone mini-mansion. It was a huge old stone mansion with gorgeous grounds, now being used as a hiker hostel and retreat.For 8 bucks I camped out on the lawn, had a fantastic dinner made by the gypsy sisters (thru-hikers), took a shower, and washed my clothes. There were about 15 hikers there, but only Cricket, Litmus and I camped on the lawn. I had a great time, and it was good to see people I'd not seen in a while. For the record....this should be one of those "must stay at hostels" if thru-hiking. Queen Diva runs the place, and she is great also.Time to snooze....night all.
Date: 2005-06-24
From: Woods Outside Harper's Ferry

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up early and hiked the quick 3 miles into Harper's Ferry, WV. I hiked in with Socks and Sleeveless, and we were at the ATC (Appalachian Trail Center) Headquarters by 8:30.The ATC did not open until 9A, so we grabbed Cuppa Joe sitting out front and headed up to the Hilltop House Hotel which had a restaurant serving a breakfast buffet.I got a room in the hotel, we ate and chatted with Rambling Man and Corporal, and then we all headed back to the ATC where I uploaded new pictures onto Trailjournals, and went through my mail drop.Hilltop would not let me check into my room until 3P. I finally checked in, showered, and went up front to wait on Georgia, a friend of mine that lives in Frederick, MD. The view from the hotel down into the river gorge is absolutely gorgeous, but the hotel needs some serious renovations.Georgia finally arrived and was gracious enough to take me by her place to wash cloths. I also got to see her massive, beautiful bulldog Bogie. All 115 lbs. of him. He is a real sweetie.We met some of her friends at the Outback....EXCELLENT! We had a good time, and they were a lot of fun. I ended up just staying there in Frederick and coming back this morning.Thanks for running my boring hiker errands with me Georgia, anf for being such a great hostess!!!!!!Mayfly
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Annapolis Rocks

To: Woods near creek
Miles today: 17.0

I finally figured I'd better go in and get a prescription for my poison ivy, so I'm sitting in a clinic in Smithsburg, MD. I would not have bothered, but I now have it on my face and around my eye. The Doc says it was good I came in, b/c it would be a pain if I get it in my eye and it swells close. He is writing me a prescription for a steroid called pregnazoid. I probably spelled this incorrectly. He is giving me a refill also.I was going to wait, but Hopper was at the road crossing this morning waiting on Spike and had an appointment at a local clinic, so I rode in with her. It is not always easy to find a ride or a clinic, so I figured I better take advantage of the opportunity.It took a couple hours, but I finally made it back to the trail. Thanks Hopper! You are the best! I flip flopped with Anchor, Troll, and Oblivious until we all arrived at Pen Mar Park. An older gentleman asked us if we wanted a ride for 2 miles to buy some fried chicken. I told him sure, and he then informed us it would cost us a few bucks. The conversation between us went a little like this. "It's going to cost a few bucks." "How much"? "Ten dollars". "For 4 miles round trip....what ya driving, a tank?" "I'll give ya 5." "I can't do it for less than 7." "I'll give ya 6." He grinned, "alright," he said. He was a nice guy, and the chicken and Pepsi were fantastic.We ate, chatted, and left for the creek about a mile away. We set up camp and right at dark a youth group arrived. Troll stood there in his beard, kilt and no shirt watching them as they walked by. He just stared at them and muttered hi in a deep voice. It would have scared me. Needless to say, they moved up a ways. I can hear them setting up in the woods a ways up, but they are pretty quiet actually. They are not right here though, and that is what counts.I'm tired, it is late, and it is time to snooze. Night all...
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Creek

To: Woods
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: light rain

Origin: CreekDestination: WoodsMiles: 256/28/05TentI hit camp at nine last night, set up in about 3 minutes, and dropped withouteven eating. It was like the never ending day.I spent about two hours in South Mountain getting my food drop, and moved on towhere the trail crossed through Caledonia State Park. I spent about an hour anda half here before heading on up the mountain with Cricket and Litmus. We allwanted to do the steep 1,100 ft. climb, so we would not have to worry about itin the morning.They stopped at the top of the mountain to "hackey" with Epic Flop...a game withno interest to me. Hiking requires ALL of my energy. I can't even imaginedancing around to kick a little beenie bag. Ten minutes would have to equal amile of hiking.I had also caught up with Sleevelss yesterday. She was the older woman attackedby the crazy racoon. It bit her on the back when it leaped on her, then bit heron the leg three times, and finally chewed up her hand pretty good. There wasblood all over the shelter from what I've heard, and it was a big mess. PoorSleeveless....I moved on and found a tentsite about a mile and a half later, and Litmus andCricket showed up shortly. There was a great breeze through my tent and it wasa good night.Mayfly
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Woods

To: Tagg Run
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

I would like to begin this journal entry by venting a bit. This way, if I ever have any inkling of trying anything like this again, I can just read this entry.The weather is HOT and HUMID, and as I write this, there is a swarm of bird sized mosquitoes hovering outside my bug netting just waiting for me to come out so they can begin there fly by's. Unfortunately, I will have to heed nature's call at some point, and I've no doubt it will be brutal.Have I mentioned lately my feet hurt? Well, they hurt just as much as they did a month ago. I've accepted this is permanent. My second toe has lost much of it's feeling. I'm hoping this spreads to both feet.I have a large raw spot on my tail bone where my pack just recently started rubbing. I have a feeling that this may be partially due to a lack of butt to hold it up. I think my bottom may be shrinking.I have a very large heat rash across the back of my shoulders where the pack rubs. This is probably b/c by 8AM each morning I am soaked with sweat as I climb due to the humidity.Did I mention my feet hurt? Enough of that.....I left camp early. It was soooo humid I was soaked within minutes. I was headed for Pine Furnace and the halfway mark. I can't believe I'm over halfway!!!!! The cool wildlife sighting today was the gorgeous red fox that crossed the dirt road I was headed down. We both stopped and gazed at each other, and then he headed on across the road. He was a beauty!Pine Furnace also has the half-gallon icecream challenge. If you can finish the half gallon, you get a small wooden spoon. There were quite a few hikers there. I knew most of them. I'll list there names as I recall....Nurse Ratchit, White Water (great young couple from TN), Fancy Pants, Goose Bump, Tag along, Skywalker, Papparazzi, Sleeveless, Socks, Goose, Popsicle, Hopper, Spike, Freedom, Thatch, Epic Flop, etc. I was a little sad as I left and they all waved. I'm getting faster and my miles are increasing. I'm beginning to leave people behind, and more and more are getting off the trail. I knew I would not see a lot of them again.I'm tired. Night
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Woods

To: Hotel
Miles today: 20.0

It was soooo hot and humid today. It is so humid now, that when I hang my clothes up to dry at night, they are still wet the next morning. It is no fun to put on wet dirty clothes, day in, day out.I left camp pretty early. I'm usually up around 5:30 now to try and beat the heat. Between eating breakfast and breaking down camp, I'm usually moving by around 6:30 and 7:00. I break in the morning and afternoon, and then usually stop a couple of hours for lunch between noon and 2PM, the hottest part of the day. It's a long day, but I'm hiking faster, and would rather be moving anyway than hanging out around camp. I've been doing twenty plus days, mostly b/c the terrain has been a little friendlier the last week or so, and I'm just stronger.I arrived at the regional ATC office around 1:30, and went with Hopper to get some lunch. She was waiting on Spike to finish up his 20 there. The trail runs right through the middle of Boiling Springs, PA, and the ATC office is located here.Spike arrived around 3:45, and I talked him into doing another 8 miles to route 11 with me. I had not had a shower in 6 days, and could barely stand myself much longer. There was a hotel at route 11, and I think Hopper was ready to stay there rather than their camper also.Spike is a retired marine colonel, in excellent shape, and let me tell you what....he can MOVE! I kept up with him, but that was the fastest eight miles that I've ever hiked!We had lunch at the diner, I washed clothes, and I'm getting ready to pack my stinky pack for tomorrow. I've got a 19 tomorrow with two steep, long climbs to Duncannon. I know I'll have a later start (remember there is a diner close), so I had better hit the sack.Sweet Dreams
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Appalachian Motor Inn
Miles today: 17.5

I'm arrived in Duncannon around 3:30 and checked in at the Doyle Hotel. It is over a 100 years old and one of the original trail legends.The Doyle is a town focal point. Its four levels sit over a large bar frequented by locals. Everything is dark wood, and my room was a whopping 17.50. It is 6x8, and the window is held up by half a pool cue. It would be nice if there were screens in the windows, but it's ok, I'm used to sleeping outside.The shower is at the end of the hall, and when given a key, I was told if the exposed pipes made strange noises, to step away from the water or I might get scalded. Clearly the noises are not easily heard over the showere, and my back now has a burn. I also made sure I wore my crocs in the shower, and touched as little as possible in the bathroom.I had an EXCELLENT cheeseburger for lunch with fries and a Pepsi. I was going to go back down to the bar later, but I've decided to just stay in my room for the evening. I'm probably safer anyway.The hike in was quick....only 17.5 miles. Funny, I remember when that would have taken me at least two days. I followed Spike for about the last five. He had caught up with me drying my tent out in a field, right before meeting Hopper for lunch. Hopper gave me soda, blueberries, and peaches for lunch also. She and Spike are THE BEST trail angels.I got a little taste of the "Pennsylvania Rocks" today. They are pretty infamous here on the trail in PA. My feet were pretty sore when I arrived, and that was just a hint. It will be interesting to see what the next few weeks throw my way.I'm very tired. It is early, but I need to get a jump on the trains across the street that appear to go by about every 30 minutes.Ciao
Date: 2005-07-03
From: Woods

To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.0

"To Phat" showed up last night right before dark and camped near me. We chatted a while, and I was asleep by 9:30. "To Phat" is a 20 something surfer dude from the jersey shore. He is a nice guy.I hiked out this morning around 7AM. I still usually start waking up around 5:30AM. "To Phat" was still snoozing in his tent when I passed by. I passed the 4 thru's I had met the day before. They are two girls and guys traveling in a group. They seem nice enough...but not an overly happy group. They had said they were hitching into Harrisburg for one of their's birthday. They started their hike in February they said. They must hitch in a lot if I've caught up with them.I met two section hikers climbing Stoney Mountain. They were "gear ho," so I chatted for a minute and moved on up the mountain. They both had Go-lite gear and packs, and were possibly a little disappointed to learn my pack weight had gone up some instead of down. Today involved a lot of climbing. I don't check the climbs anymore. As a matter of fact, I sent my maps home. I kept my guide, which gives me enough info. To figure things out. The maps were heavy, and I really wasn't using them very much.Lunch today involved climbing out into Rausch Creek up onto a giant boulder, and cooking some Chilli Mac. It was a pretty cool lunch spot. I felt like the chimps on the island at the zoo though. The day hikers would come stand on the edge of the creek and peer at me. One even pointed. I was going to hoot and do a little dance on the rock, but thought better of it.Tonight I'm literally camped on the tip top of a mountain. I am going to have to sleep at an angle, but I've slept in worse spots.I better scoot. I still have chores to finish.Sweet Dreams