morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-07
From: John Hallow Shelter

To: Brown Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Tried to get going early as it was going to be hot and humid again. The climbs were long, hard and hot. At the top of Bluff Mtn. there is a memorial to a little boy who left school to gather wood and was found dead on the mountain. He had wandered 7 miles off. They also mentioned that he wasn't quite 5 years old. Stopped in at the Punchbowl shelter for lunch. They say that the shelter is haunted with the ghost of the little boy, Ottie Cline Powell. We saw nothing and only heard the bull frogs from the pond. It was still another 9 miles to the shelter and it was so hot. At one point going along the trail above the reservoir I didn't think I could go any further. I cried a little and just kept going. At the last road crossing we were given some juice and goodies. The juice was great but the sweets made me sick. I've been having trouble with feeling sick after I eat anything. Hope it's just the heat. The last couple of miles to the shelter were relatively easy. Along the Brown creek was a sign saying that there had been a settlement of black people and to look for remnants of their presence from the 1890's.All we saw were rock walls and a few chimeneys. Made it to the shelter and the only other person there was Proffesor Nutmeg. The shelter had a solar radio so we had music with dinner.
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Brown Mtn

To: Old Woods Road
Miles today: 8.0

We were headed into town today to resupply so didn't feel a great rush to get going. When we reached the road Gordon and Sue were there with Gatorade. Talked with them a while. The other group that had tented last night had been waiting for 2 hours to get a ride. One car had stopped and taken 2 people in to town. A station wagon pulled in and Cowboy got out, the guy said he could take 4 people back. The other group had been waiting longer so they went with him. Gordon and Sue said they would take us in. They dropped us at the Food Lion for groceries and offered to wait but we had phone calls to make too. After resupply and calls we headed down to the road to hitch. Had to wait in the hot sun since no one would pick us up. Finally a car pulled over and it was another hiker headed to the trail. They dropped us off at Burger King as we hadn't eaten yet. When we were leaving there a man stopped us and asked about hiking, then he offered us a ride to the post office. Butterfly Moon had to mail her Pocketmail back to them for repair and we had some thank you cards to mail. Walked back to the main road to hitch back to the trailhead. Again no one would stop. Butterfly Moon went in the auto store and got a piece of cardboard so we could make a sign. Just after that a guy came out of the store and wanted to know were we needed to go. We told him and he said he was going the other way but he would take us. Thanks David!Back on the trail with heavy packs from resupply we had a long hard climb and it hadn't gotten much cooler even though it was after 4pm.Had planned to stay at the Cow Camp Gap shelter but found out it was a half mile off trail. Decided to go on and just camp out. Went up over several balds and could hear thunder in the background, didn't want to get caught in the open in a storm. By the time we reached the old woods road it was getting darker under the trees because of the storm and I was having trouble seeing. My glasses have gotten a scratched up and it makes it hard to see. Hoping to replace them in Waynesboro. Decided to camp there and get water in the morning a mile further on.
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Old Woods Road

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

The local deer didn't like our presence last night as they were pawing and snorting nearby several different times in the night. The flies were buzzing madly around the tent, I guess they thought something was dying. No it was just us with 6 days of sweat and grime. Can't wait to wash my hair. The mornings walk seemed so long and dull but finally came to the Seeley-Woodworth shelter for lunch. We weren't there very long and the thunderstorm rolled in. Several lightning stricks were very close. A while later Corporal, Rambling Man and Moose came in soaking wet. They had walked through the lightening storm which is scary to do. We waited the storm out for 2 1/2 hours and then took off. It was 6.9 miles to the next shelter with several hard climbs. It sprinked on us some but it was so warm it felt good. The last two miles in the skies opened up and we got drenched. Thankfully there was room in the shelter. Got out of the wet clothes and cooked dinner and ate wrapped in my sleeping bag. It rained on through the night. Sharing the shelter with Fancy Pants, Goosebumps, Tag-a-long, Swinger and Butterfly Moon. Two more long days and then we should make Waynesboro by Sunday morning.Oh, another milestone we went over the 800 mile mark today, 1361.4 to go.
Date: 2005-06-10
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Had to put on wet clothes this morning because they didn't dry by this morning. Met a new person named Brittanica on our way down the mountain today.The decent off The Priest was suppose to be long and steep but I didn't think it was too bad. When we reached the bottom Peyton and John were making burgers, compliments of the Sierra Club. It was great and we had drinks and cookies too. Enjoyed talking with both of them about themselves and the area. At one point there were 13 of us there. John drove down to the store and I picked up some Klondike bars for everyone. It was really hot and humid so we hung out there with them until around 4 pm before starting our 3000 foot climb over the Three Ridges. It was 8.8 miles to the next shelter so we knew we would probably finish in the dark. The climb was gruelling and because of the fog that rolled in not many views. Finally rolled into the Maupin shelter after about an hour of night hiking with our headlamps. Not my favorite thing. Mostly because I can't wear my glasses anymore and it was dim light.
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a few mice incidents during the night. I had left snacks in the hipbelt pocket of my pack and one was determined to get in there. Everyone was having problems and we were all awake at 2:30am. We laughed and joked and then all fell back asleep. Read in the register at the shelter that Red Hat is back on the trail, so happy to hear that.Also heard that Cowboy, Easy Does It and Eagle Eye are off the trail.We were crossing over the Blue Ridge Parkway several times today and were hoping for some trail magic. Stopped at Cedar Cliffs for lunch with Easty, Ramblin Man, Corporal and Butterfly Moon. Enjoyed sitting on the huge flat rocks with great views of the valleys. The profile map I have wasn't correct for today. I guess they've done a reroute since this map was published. It made the day longer and we didn't know what we still had ahead. About a mile from the shelter Col. Mustard and Free were looking at something. Well of course first thing we thought was snake. It happened to be a very young fawn. All curled up it wasn't much bigger than a dinner plate. We took a few pictures and then moved on. When we reached the shelter there was a group of Boy Scouts. Most were tenting but a few stayed in the shelter. Had planned to stay in my tent but there were no spots available. Really nice shelter, fairly new.
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Paul Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

Some people got up early to make it into Weassies for the pancake challenge. It's all you can eat pancakes and the record is in the 20's. We had not planned to do that. Got to the road and someone already offered to take us into town. Dropped us and another hiker at the Kroger grocery. We hiked up to the McDonald's for early lunch.While there we met Don Sibole who said he could give us a ride to Staunton. I needed to go to the Lenscrafters for new glasses. We wandered the mall for a bit waiting for them to open at 12:30. They could do my glasses if I could get the prescription faxed. Called Rachel and got the number and they did fax it. More than I wanted to pay but I can see again and that is good!Thought it was going to be hard to get a hitch but after about 15 minutes we got a ride all the way to Waynesboro about 10 miles away. Checked into the Comfort Inn and promptly jumped in the shower. It took 3 times of washing my hair to get it to lather up and feel clean. Then it was off to Wal Mart for supplies. We were there a couple of hours but got what we needed. Brought back food we could put in the microwave for dinner. Watched a little tv and went to bed.
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Stayed at the Comfort Inn and had a good nights sleep. Went down to the breakfast room to work on journaling and have some coffee. Saw Brittanica, they are taking a zero day too. At 8 I called Enterprise to see if we could get a car. They picked me up at 9:45 and went to do the paperwork. After we checked out we headed to the Emergicare to get Butterfly Moon's foot checked. There would be a 2 hour wait so we checked in and went to the outfitters. Picked up the essentials and got a new sleeping bag that will be much cooler. Hope it is warm enough for the cool off they are expecting later this week. Made a stop at the post office to pick up our packages. Thanks for the box Sis it was great!Back at the dr. office it still took a while. He wants her to stay off of it for a week and see how it is. Also, he will send the xrays for the radiologist to read. Next was to get to the post office before it closed. They didn't have any bigger size boxes so had to cram what I could into 2 smaller ones. Both boxes are things that are headed home until the weather gets cold again. We were the last ones in the post office as it closed but we got everything mailed ok.The Lutheran church has a hostel so went and checked that out and signed in. One last stop at the store and then returned the car. Waited just a little while for a ride and she took us right to the church. Got our spots all claimed and then ordered pizza for dinner. Jim, one of the volunteers, drove me over to pick it up. There's a bunch of people here tonight and I don't know very many of them. The guys have a movie named Napoleon Dynamite they want to watch. Better get settled for the night.
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Waynesboro

To: Near Rip Rap Mtn
Miles today: 15.3

Got up fairly early and took a shower and worked on journaling. We had to be out of the church by 9am.Said goodbye to Butterfly Moon and headed for Main Street to get a hitch to the trail. Butterfly Moon has decided to stay in Waynesboro for now and see how her foot is feeling in a few days. She may meet me at the other end of the Shenandoah's. Got on the trail around 9:45 after talking with Fancy Pants, Goosebumps, Tag-a-long and Swinger. Stopped at the information board and picked up my permit to stay and be in the park. Everyone was warning us about the heat and humidity today. Combined the heat index was over 100. It sure felt that way hiking too. Saw a large brown rabbit right in the trail and got a fairly close up picture. When I got to the top of Bear Den Mt. there were old tractor seats fixed as resting chairs. Sat and had a snack and was offered some ice cold water by the workers at the radio tower. Sure was a good break. Was going to get water at the Calf Mt shelter but it was .2 off trail so decided to wait for a spring. Water is a little scarce through this section. Ran into several hikers I'd met last night at the hostel. Up and down several mts. and then came to a nice camp spot. Went passed and decided to go back as I was tired. Could have hiked another hour but it wouldn't have made much difference as slow as I was going. The heat really zaps the energy. Set up camp and hung a bear bag rope, then cooked dinner. Will just have to get by with the water I have as the next source is 5 miles beyond here. Tried to call home but they say they aren't authenticating my phone again. This happened in Georgia too. Hope to get it worked out at Loft Mtn. tomorrow as they have a campground and store there. Have been visited by the local deer already and they don't seem afraid of paople at all. Sun is seting and I hope to get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Near Rip Rap Mtn

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

Had kind of a sleepless night because of the rabbit and deer. The rabbit was coming to lick and chew on my camp shoes so I put them in the tent. Then it started to chew on my walking pole that I use to hold up the front of my tent. There was no way to bring that in so it was a little chewed on. Because of all this I was awake early so left camp at 6:15. I was almost out of water and a sign said there may not be water at the next shelter so go down this hill to a creek for water.Always hate doing those extra mileages for water. Knew there was a camp store at the Loft Mtn Campground so put in the time to get there near lunch time.Stayed about an hour and then moved on to the shelter.
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Lewis Mtn
Miles today: 46.9

Restless nights sleep, guess I should have taken some Vitamin I(Ibuprophen) for the aches & pains.Got going around 7 and had a 15 mile day planned. Talked myself into trying for a 20 mile day. There were 5 mtns. to climb today plus some little bump hills. The morning went along pretty well and managed to not run out of water. It's a little cooler and less humidity with a breeze so much better hiking weather. My pack is also two days lighter of food so that helps too.At mile 66.7 on the Skyline Drive where the AT crosses I stopped for lunch. While there a car pulled in and offered us some cookies. It was Cooker Hiker who is a section hiker that lives in Maryland. He said if we could make the campground by 5:30 he was cooking BBQ chicken and the fixins. We said we would be there!!There was still 10 miles to go and it was already 1pm. That would mean a real hussle. Still 2 mtns. to climb. I was fallowing Ugh at one point and he shouts out BEAR!! Across the trail run a big black bear. By the time I got to where it went across it was far into the woods. Still had 5 miles to go so put on the headphones to tunes and took off. About a mile before the campground I hear a roar. I looked to my left about 15 feet as I heard and saw 2 cubs going up a tree. Momma bear started to raise up at me. I just picked up speed and went on by, when I could see that she wasn't fallowing me I took off running. That must have been a sight me running with a pack on and my head phones still in. Any slight noise after that was well investigated! No bears and then 4 in less than 5 miles. Hope that's the end of my bear sightings. Everyone who came through there after me had trouble with that bear too. Two guys couldn't even go out around the area and then up the trail because they felt like she was going to charge them. They ended up hiking straight out to Skyline Drive and then came up the road. I guess each person that came through made her a little more upset. All that excitement had worked up a good appetite so I really enjoyed the BBQ. Thanks Cooker Hiker for a great dinner. After dinner I went up to phone home because it's my 31st wedding anniversary. Got to talk to Rachel and Randy. Happy Anniversary to the best husband!! Getting up early again tomorrow, Cooker Hiker is making us breakfast. 50 more miles and I will be out of the park. Today I went over the 900 mile mark.[Rolling stone: I plugged the mileage to make it roll over 900 miles. She actually hiked 19.9 miles today.]
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Lewis Mtn

To: Skyland Fell Cabin
Miles today: 16.8

What a cold night. The wind blew until early morning. With my summer sleeping bag I was a little cold. Just wore all my long clothes and raingear to bed. Got up early and Cooker Hiker made us fresh blueberry whole wheat pancakes and bacon. Thanks again Cooker Hiker!!Started off by 7 and was headed to the Big Meadows campground and lodge7 miles ahead. On my way there, something came running around the corner at me. At first I thought it was a dog but it was a baby fawn. It stopped and stared at me a bit, sniffed the air and then went bounding back to it's mom. When I came to the Big Meadows complex I went directly to the shower and laundry area of the campground. Changed into my town dress threw all my clothes in the wash and then got in the shower. Wow! do I ever feel better. When the clothes are dry I'll hit the lodge for some lunch. Well the lodge wasn't serving lunch today and I would have to walk down to the wayside. Didn't want to have to do that because it was about a half mile. Ended up just eating some of the food with me. Popped into the Rock Spring Hut and ran into Sleeveless. She did the same thing with the lunch situation. We headed off thinking we would go another 5 miles. Before we knew it we had talked ourselves into staying at the Skyland resort. Boy did we ever get moving then. Got settled in and then headed to dinner at the restaurant. They asked if we had a seating preference and we didn't. Turns out we ended up right by the window looking out over the valley below. A doe brought her very tiny fawn by below the restaurant and everyone was looking down at it. The dinner was great but the sunset was even better. Beautiful colors of pink, white, blue and the fading sun. When the sun finally set all the way the whole restaurant errupted in applause.   I've never been anywhere that it affected people like that.
Date: 2005-06-18
From: Skyland Fell Cabin

To: campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Didn't have to get up real early because we were going to breakfast and it was at 7:30. Ate with a nice view again and then we were off at 8:45.The morning seemed to really drag on, but there were many more good views today. Made it to Mary's Rock overlook around lunch time so sat there with the view of the mtns. ahead while we ate. Descended that mtn and there was a sign saying trail magic 100 yards. Wow! we were wanting a soda. It was Jeff and Lindsay with hot dogs, fruit, cookies and drinks. Thanks so much for everything. As we got to talking they said people they worked with had thru hiked. I asked their trailnames and they mentioned Tinkerbell. The Tinkerbell from last year who went southbound? they said yes. I told them how I met her at the Wiley shelter in NY doing some trail magic. They said they would send my hello to her. Food finished up the hill we went. There was 33 miles left in the park so wanted to do half today and the other half tomorrow. We made it 16 so will get up early tomorrow to get the remaining 17 done. Spoke to Toast last night and he didn't know Butterfly Moon's plans yet. Hopefully will find out tomorrow. Saw a bear today and took a picture but it only looks like black in amongst the leaves but I promise you it was a bear. That makes 5 seen and one heard.Also ran into Bear the hiker late in the day. He finally got his thermarest back. It had fallen off his pack and another hiker found it.Camped out at a real primitive site and it's not exactly level so don't know how this night will go. Already we've had deer all around us and we could hear coyotes.
Date: 2005-06-19
From: campsite

To: Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 17.4

What an awful nights sleep. Between my pad slipping sideways and all the wildlife moving around and the wind blowing I didn't get much sleep.Got going early and passed Bear and Tophat camped at a really good spot.Got to the Elkwallow Wayside and it didn't open until 9am. After making phone calls and getting a soda from the machine it was only another 30 minutes untl they would serve breakfast so we waited. Bear and Tophat showed up and I reminded them it was Father's Day. We all enjoyed the egg muffins and then headed out. Sleeveless had left her cell phone plugged in to recharge, thankfully we just up the road when she remembered it. The miles went quickly even though there were several 2 and 3 mile climbs. Many great views today of the valleys below and the mtns ahead that we would climb. Ate lunch at one of the Skyline crossings and met some section hikers. No trail magic today. Had been trying to reach Butterfly Moon to see what her plans were but hadn't connected. Called the Terrapin Station to see if she was there. She wasn't there but we decided to go there anyway and I'm glad we did, it's a great hostel.Bassline, Papa Razzi and Matt were there when we arrived. We all went together and ordered pizza. Got a shower and did my laundry.Earlier I recieved a call from Butterfly Moon. She was waiting until tomorrow to see if her insurance would pay for a bone scan to see if she has a stress fracture. If all goes well she will hike out with Snowman. Mike will take us into Front Royal for the post office and resupply tomorrow morning.
Date: 2005-06-20
From: Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Had a great nights sleep at the hostel. Got up and went through my food bag to see what to buy. Headed to town around 8:30 for stops at the post office, grocery, Dunkin Donuts & McDonald's. Was great to get a cup of Dunkins coffee again. Gave Ishmael and Tophat a ride back to the trail and then we went back to the hostel. Set my phone and camera up to recharge as I had gotten the chargers in my bounce box. When that was all done we took off. The terrain wasn't bad but our packs were full and heavy so we were a little slow. Because we left in the afternoon we only went 9 miles. Will try to split the next two days evenly so we can spend the night at the Bear's Den hostel. There are alot of people here tonight, The garland 5, bassline, to obtous, coyote, 10 bears, pappa razzi, matt, shagwell (who is from Fort Wayne and writes a column in the sunday paper outdoor section), sleeveless and several others tenting in the woods. We saw the statistics today that 195 people had come through Harper's Ferry as of June 5th. There is a big group ahead of us so don't know what it will be when we get there Friday but we will be given a number.Saw two more bucks on the trail today. We also exited the Shenandoah National Park and can remove our permit tags.
Date: 2005-06-21
From: Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Breaking down camp and where I pitched my tent there were alot of slugs. So I spent extra time making sure all the slugs were off my tent and tyvek sheet. Yuck!!Even though the miles were long they weren't too hard. Could tell the temperature was higher today though.Sleeveless and I were walking along and came upon a man walking down the trail carrying two carry-on suitcases and a tent. We followed him for a while and then we passed a large black suitcase sitting by the trail. Everyone just walked on by. I thought maybe he's got a buddy and he's in the woods. Quite a ways down the trail he drops the luggage and heads back up the trail. No way, he's going back for the other piece of luggage. We just got out of there, wasn't sure what to make of him. When we got to Ashby Gap we saw Moonman who was doing trail maintenance. Told him about the luggage guy and he said the guy was headed to North Carolina. Moonman had brought a bunch of goodies and cold sodas for trail magic. Thanks Moonman! About a mile from the shelter we saw a large orange salamander sort of animal. Got a god picture of it.At the shelter everyone had a story about the luggage guy. The last guys to come in called him Samsonite.Even the shelter registers mentioned him so guess he's been around the area a while. Losts of people here tonight.