morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-06
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Today it's doctor's appointments. Then x-rays,then an ultrasound. The checkup finds nothing remarkable. The end results of the back x-ray are "unremarkable" for a person "of my age." (Whatever that means...) The x-rays of my foot are again "unremarkable" for a person "of my age." (Again, what exactly does that mean?)So the only thing left is therapy. For me that's a"been there-done that." But not until next Monday.
Date: 2016-07-28
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday afternoon I loaded my pack for a5-day trip and hiked 6 miles from Ohiopyle on the LHHT (Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail). Sorry hike but it felt wonderful. Then back out this morning. I was a little sore in the morning but by the time I packed the stiffness was almost gone. And therapy this afternoon. And therapy went well. More therapy though - and additional exercises.
Date: 2016-08-19
From: Home

To: Caledonia State Park 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Finally...Packed, loaded, and ready to return - to Caledonia State Park. After much thought I've decided to complete the southern end of the trail. To return north and complete that section would probably have me hiking the southern end in December. I've still no desire to hike in ice and/or snow. The same would also occur if I tried to go south and return for the northern section.
Date: 2016-08-20
From: Caledonia State Park 

To: Blue Ridge Summit 
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

On the trail. I'll slackpack today. Light weight - longer miles for me. Another test? Maybe, but everything goes well. Except maybe for the hiking part. It's the uneven surface. On smooth surfaces your foot comes down heel first and your weight transfers as your foot goes forward ending withe you pushing off your toes. Generally. And your hand-eye, or foot-eye, coordination knows how high to lift your leg for the next step. Not so on uneven surfaces - especially those that appear smooth but have that rock - that root - 1/4, 1/8, even 1/16 of an inch above "grade." Your hell catches that slight rise. Your weight is going forward yet that foot/leg is now stopped even just momentarily. At best your cadence is broken. Or worse you stumble forward 5 or 6 feet, or yards; all the whole trying to step so you don't fall. It will take a while to recover the skill, especially since I've been off trail so long. But my bike today was a success. Melody arrived at the trail crossing about the same time as I did - and I didn't even fall once. Dinner after a shower is in Chambersburg at Roy Pitz. I spend the night in a tent.
Date: 2016-08-21
From: Blue Ridge Summit 

To: Wolfsville Road (MD 17)
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Another slackpack day - I've increased pack weight, but still less than a full load. Shorter, maybe, but it's a rainy day, all day. The group I'd met yesterday from Johns Hopkins University at Deer Lick Shelter said they would be staying overnight at Raven Rock Shelter - so it should be a good stop for lunch. And it is. It looks like a brand new shelter; even varnish on the floor, and it looks new. The privy - well, t art least the privy faced away from the back of the shelter and tent pads - there was no door. I stopped again for a short break and water at Ensign Cowall Shelter. There aspirated to be another group milling a about. Less than half a mile to the parking area and my day is done. Melody arrives shortly. She has discovered Catoctin Mountain Park on MD 77 and rented a cabin for the night. Except for the facts that there is a mattress and walls Raven Rock Shelter was probably nicer. (Not that I would have slept in the shelter.) The shower was hot though, and that counts - a lot. Then off to Thurmont about 6 miles away where the Mountain Gate buffet is located. AYCE (All You Care to Eat) - need I say more.
Date: 2016-08-22
From: Wolfsville Road (MD 17)

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

On the trail; on my own. Not impressive mileage - but I've a pack loaded for a6-day trip. And I did get a late start. But I end my day with a late lunch and then start dinner, just kept eating over a4-hour period, from one meal into the next; every hour on the hour. Another group from Johns Hopkins University (apparently they have 4 groups out; I can now identify them by their whistles). Every one of them wears a whistle around their neck, even when they go to sleep. They want the shelter; no other provision for sleeping. This is not a problem, the hammock is already hung. None of the guys have backpacking experience; all of the girls does. So the guys have questions. Easy questions, easy answers. Then the group from Ensign Cowall arrives. They are University of Delaware. 3 group leaders, well packed, their group has tarps for sleeping. Later in the evening a couple arrives from behind the shelter looking for them - with buckets of KFC.I was a little close to the shelter. The Johns Hopkins group kept me awake for about an hour, that and acorns hitting the metal roof - sounded like gunshots.
Date: 2016-08-23
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Crampton Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

No breakfast this morning; I leave it packed. I have breakfast on the top of the Washington Monument. About 3.5 miles, but what an inspiration I had. I spent longer than I had planned but I also ate more. I won't need lunch unless I find a really great location. Down at Washington Monument State Park I meet a father and soon who'd stayed at the last shelter area as well last night. They are also headed to Crampton Gap. I leave them behind and reach Crampton Gap for a late lunch - I didn't find that really great location. I'd been warned of the sporadic spring, even the shelter sign had that notation. So - lunch, drink as much as possible - hang my food. And with a light pack, up and over the trail a quarter mile into Gathland State Park, a faucet and restrooms. I get cleaned up and fill both water bladders (about 7 liters) then return on a show trail with less elevation change (an older lady I met told me about the side trail, old guys/gals know stuff). About 4 hours later the father/son pair straggles in comparing of a tough day - boy do I feel good now, I really didn't think it was rough at all - but HYOH!
Date: 2016-08-24
From: Crampton Gap Shelter 

To: Harper's Ferry Teahorse Hostel 
Miles today: 12.5

I don't know about today; I want to be in Front Royal next Wednesday or Thursday and I don't think it will be that many days. So probably a zero, or 2 neros around Harper's Ferry seems logical. There are hostels on both sides of the Potomac. So first a mile hike to the pass under Sandy Hook (really, that's the name of the road) Bridge.I'm gambling on some sort of path from the C&O Canal towpath to Sandy Hook Road and Harper's Ferry Hostel. But first I get to the canal towpath and check for possible campsites along the canal; they are usually every 5 miles. Except here, where it appears the nearest in either direction is 5 miles, or more, from the bridge at Harper's Ferry.I travel the towpath and I win the gamble. I find the path, cross the tracks (and there is a sign about trespass on the other side facing away from me, I ultimately see it later) over the guiderail and up the hill to the hostel. I arrive and find a shaded picnic table where I reflect at great length (about half an hour) upon having to wait until 1700 for the hostel to open. At the end of that half hour it's still only 1215; much too early and much too much day left. Onward to Harper's Ferry. By 1500 I've resupplied at The Outfitters, had lunch at the Cannonball Deli, gotten ice cream at The Swiss Miss,and hiked up the AT to the ATC.The requisite photograph was taken and I had to identify myself as a section hiker (more depression), ATC #490.On the positive side I meet "Jailbird" who claims he's from Pittsburgh (later New Castle). He graciously accepts a Terrible Towel to add color to his photo. Later over dinner conversation we discover his brother lived where I worked. Even more unusual was that his sister-in-law was the secretary where I worked. It was like we became instant family. We took a photo and sent it to her (technology is sometimes okay) awaiting her response; she seemed shocked that we would have met let alone find the link. Dinner tonight was at Hannah's, a railcar design located by the actual train station. The portions were fairly large. The Maryland crab cakes may not have been from Maryland crab, but definitely all crab with little, if any, filler, and broiled.Tonight, the Teahorse Hostel. "Jailbird" thumbs us a ride from the first (and maybe only) passing vehicle with his really smooth gift of gab.
Date: 2016-08-25
From: Harper's Ferry Teahorse Hostel 

To: Harper's Ferry Teahorse Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A zero day, not necessarily because I absolutely need one; I need to take one to make Front Royal on Wednesday. To make the best use of time I first assured my written and on line journals are current. I've checked; they are. I hadn't realized how depressed I was over not being able to complete the trail this year. I really didn't feel like updating anything. But reality is the world in which I live - live with it.Updating the journal was longer than expected, all morning and part of the afternoon. "Jailbird" went to town with Franci, a German tourist staying at the hostel. When he returns early afternoon I'm almost finished with the journal. A reminder to myself not to let that happen again. Jailbird and I go off to lunch at the caf©. They close at 1500; the sign on the door days they quit seating at 1445. They also serve WV-made foot long hot dogs. And they are foot longs; they exceed the bun on both sides and are served cut in half. I wasn't exceptionally pleased with the experience, but the Chicago hot dog was very good. On the down side, I asked if they could make an Arnold Palmer; no problem; after 2 trips out was decided there was no lemonade. I asked about the soup du jour; they don't serve soup on hot days, but they do have chili. I order a cup. When my hot dog arrives so does the announcement that they don't have chili. Oh, and we have stopped taking food orders. But, as I said, what did come out was good. We return and I complete my afternoon stretching. Hopefully this will work. Jailbird wants to take Franci to dinner. We leave at 1915 for a walk down the street. We check the menu at The Anvil which does look interesting inside. We check at the Bijou Bistro, and decide to dine there, a New Orleans style restaurant in Harper's Ferry. The food was exceptional, not too spicy although I did check with the local customers seated behind us; the menu stated "the essence of New Orleans." Based on the well-known chef from that city, I was afraid someone in the kitchen would go "Bam," or "Bam" several times on different portions of my meal. No, my shrimp and crab in New Orleans roux over rice was just spicy enough without being overpowering. We return to the hostel. I organize and prepare as best I can for an early, or at least quick, departure tomorrow morning. The weather suggests rain, thunderstorms, and I'd like to avoid those as much as possible. So ends my night. There are a number of hikers talking on the next room but I need to sleep. For a change, if the hikers, most are SOBO.
Date: 2016-08-26
From: Harper's Ferry Teahorse Hostel 

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

Breakfast doesn't start - didn't start yesterday - until 0650. Yesterday the coffee was ready, the juice and bananas on the table at that time. Today we are definitely behind schedule (and I want to be off). It's a question of hungry, or hurry. Hungry wins.I'm off at 0820 and leaving the post office at 0830 (Paul may need to supply more post cards. Down the hill, under the bridge, and what seems to be an all-morning climb to Keys Gap. It already feels like I entered the "roller coaster" - up, down, repeat. But I'm at Blackburn Trail Center by 1400. I set up and have dinner by 1900. I sort of got a shower; the solar shower was CLOSED due to lack of water pressure. The well water was cold and felt good. I did get the mileage code from the caretaker, "Trailboss," for the door lock at the Bear's Den. The night was clear and breezy and I had to layer take the bug net off the hammock to actually feel the breeze; it was humid. But finally - breezes - and sleep. The caretaker did mention that through the opening on a clear day you could see the Washington Monument. It was humid and hazy.
Date: 2016-08-27
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Bear's Den
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today's goal is Bear's Den Hostel, Bluemont, VA. Breakfast was accomplished while walking and I was there by noon; of stayed about 0730. I might have even been quicker but it's Saturday and day hikers abound. Groups and groups of them. They have no etiquette; no trail manners. While I'm on an uphill climb a day hiker followed by his girlfriend just walked into me without ever looking up. I'd seen him coming, talking over his shoulder, so I stepped to my right and speed at the edge of the trail. I'd said "Good Morning" but he didn't acknowledge me. And he wasn't wearing ear plugs.New hiker etiquette - if approached by a hiker wearing a backpack, uphill, downhill, or on the level, the backpacker has right-of-way. End. Period. Bear's Den was excellent. The code let me in; the shower eventually got hot, and felt good. At 1700 we got checked in - pizza, soda, point of ice cream, and laundry. I strung out the pizza and ice cream by 90 minutes. The result: a 2100 hour bedtime where I'm not hungry.
Date: 2016-08-28
From: Bear's Den

To: Rod Hollow Shelter 
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

So this morning it's "make your own" pancakes (yes, I can). Make coffee too, but the old guys have left me 2 cups, thank you. They got an early start headed NOBO to Blackburn. The other SOBO must have left about then. "Flannel," a SOBO who about staggered in at 2030 last night, believes he has a stress fracture and is zeroing.The old guys have been hiking NOBO, or SOBO, based on elevation change, I think, from listening to them talk. They hiked NOBO into here from Front Royal. Now that I'm on the trail I think I see why. My climbs are long and gradual; my descents short, steep.After 2 days I've come off the "roller coaster." I felt like I was on it before it got there, and I still feel like I'm on it, even while on the side tail to the shelter. But the spring is cold; it's flowing about 15 minutes/liter; cold and running are good. "Wrong Way" stops in, but continues. While in climbing in the hammock, Merlin (I think he said that was his real, given, name) arrives. But it is now late.
Date: 2016-08-29
From: Rod Hollow Shelter 

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

I'm spacing stops based on the fact that I have to come off the trail for several days - family issue. But I'll hike for the next 2 days. Today is interesting. I short climb then descent into Ashby Gap. I recognize this highway, it's VA 17; I've traveled it many times en route to Washington, D.C., or Quantico. But today I cross the highway and start a climb to Sky Meadows. A climb that takes me nearly 2 hours. Fortunately someone put a bench at the top. And I put conveniently located furniture to good use. After sitting I noticed my highway crossing was 2.9 miles back. What a long grade! My feet and hips knew what my eyes had been telling them - even when it didn't appear so, the trail was distinctly, inevitably, and continually uphill. And the climb played cruel tricks. I could see daylight clearly through the tree trunks on my horizon. Then there would be a switchback, no more sky, just more climbing. There were also a series of meadows (Sky Meadows, remember?). But the trail wove through these in a series of serpentine curves that never failed to take full advantage of every slight grade. After the park another relatively short steep decent and yet more uphill. This was simply a repeat of this morning. Like Superman, up, up, and - oh well - more up. I need 2 extra breaks today. The atmosphere is dense, high humidity, high temperature makes the "real feel" temperature over 100.Somehow I miss the second spring that's in the guide. (Probably had a sign that is only on the south side of a large diameter tree.) I start nursing my water supply. I reach my destination about 1445. This spring is running about a liter per minute (much better than yesterday). And is it cold! A better hour hasn't been spent in quite a while. At 1800 I'm still by myself. I don't expect any company, school's probably in session, it's a weekday, and I'm SOBO.I hang the hammock in the shelter. I'm planning a night hike to try to avoid some of this heat, weather is getting to me. I have dinner done by 1800 and I'm in the hammock 15 minutes later. I plan on getting up about 0400 and getting on the trail, with headlamp, by 0500.
Date: 2016-09-03
From: Mountain Cabbin Hostel 

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

A later start, 0900,with fair miles,14.5, to Gravel Springs Hut. I did spook a doe within my first mile. Must have been her morning bed. All I seemed to do all day was climb. Gradually sometimes, but as usual, always up. I'm positive I walked at least 11 of those ascending something. I was consistent and persistent. I passed one group of 3 and a father-son combination. The weather was cooler than it had been. I seemed to find my footing easier and I made fair time. (I never "find" a pace. I have 3 speeds - slow, slower, and "turtle" which is like"Granny" gear, first gear, low range 4WD, doesn't seem like you're moving but you'll get there.) I arrive at the "hut" (shelters are huts in SNP-Shenandoah National Park) about 1530.I find a fair tent spot for my hammock; probably won't go in a shelter/hut for a while. I plan a longer day tomorrow. There is no phone signal early to bed.
Date: 2016-09-04
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Byrd's Nest #3
Miles today: 0.0

Happy birthday, Melissa. I get my early start-0700.I hike 3 hours to Elkwallow Wayside. I see a wandering doe first. Then a coyote; which immediately disappears. Shortly after I see an owl in a clearing along the trail. It leaves silently-but carrying what appears to be a squirrel. Breakfast at the wayside. And, take a sandwich for a layer snack. I still have no phone signal. I try to get change for the pay phone (yes Superman, there still is a phone booth). The cashier asks why I want change. When I explain, she tells me the phone is broken, has been all summer, no one comes to fix it. But she lets me use her landline - I leave a message so Melody won't worry. Then on to Pass Hut for lunch and water. There's a bear coming down a tree at the Hut area. With all the bear scat I'd passed on the trail I'd been expecting to see a bear in that area. (Which answers the question: Does a bear poop in the woods? Apparently not if it can poop on the trail instead.) Lots of fresh piles of scat. Berries are in season. Not a big bear, but a bear nonetheless. Which doesn't stay long enough for a photo. Then on to Byrd's Nest #3 (which is better than "Snake's Nest"). Another climb, a long climb, dayhikers - with NO trail etiquette. I'm climbing, they refuse to yield (uphill hikers have right-of-way). Two abreast or single file in the middle of the trail - it doesn't matter. I actually stopped a line of them by standing kisser a little left of three right trail edge. They couldn't get by me and didn't know what to do. I knew what to do. When they stopped I marched on. But I lose momentum with each stop - 16 of those stops by my count - to Mary's Overlook. It was a great view. Then on to the hut. I close my evening with a close-up of an immature "Y" antlered buck, another proud buck. I actually think he was planning to go between the trees where I'd hung the hammock. But he finally realized the human was there. So he wandered off, SOBO on the AT.
Date: 2016-09-05
From: Byrd's Nest #3

To: Bearfence Hut
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: clear sky

Labor Day. A big hiking day for me. First,7.5 miles to breakfast - Skyland, the park's resort. A start about 0700. But, first things first. Within 100 yards I spook something. It's pure black. Right size, 40-45 pounds, right color, black. Instinct, immediately, "It's a bear cub." Running away. Followed by, "Where's the sow?" I can't spot the sow, but I do get another look at the "cub." It has a long tail and pointed ears. A coyote, has to be. (I later spoke with a park ranger who confirmed other rangers have reported similar sightings - NOT an hallucination.)Skyland, 1000 hours, breakfast. And a Labor Day special, buffet breakfast. NO choice here. (I doubt they made money on my meal.)An hour and a half later I'm back on the trail. I'm hiking, well not really. Something to do with digestion and exertion probably. (Like don't go swimming for an hour after eating.)But lunch is ahead. Big Meadows Wayside, 7.7 miles. I arrive at 1500. Exhausted. Not hungry. But thirsty. Gatorade - one quart - followed by a quart of water. I also refill my water bladder, still in my pack. I siphon 2 quarts of water. A girl, about 10, asks what I'm doing; she is watching the water level in the Gatorade bottle go down. Her mother has started in my direction. SO, I initially told her the backpack was thirsty. THEN, I explained about the bladder and siphon principle. Mom understood. But still not hungry. I force down a granola bar and a Snickers ("force," that even sounds odd, for me) and wash them down with another quart of Gatorade. It's 1615, I have 8.2 miles to Bearfence Hut before dark and sunset is now about 1945. I'm off as quickly as I can go. Buut, as usual, everything is uphill. I'm burnt out by 1915 and I'm now hiking on the east side of the mountain and going north. The hut is supposed to be off a gravel road and then a side trail. I do get to a gravel road. There are 3 backpacks (with legs) walking toward me. They are yelling for "Uncle Jimmy." More backpacks with legs coming north on trail. Followed by adults. We are all seeking Bearfence. The signpost is impossible to read without glasses. Little letters stamped in metal bands. But I'm (we're) here.All told there must be 6 or 7 adults and twice as many children, mostly very young, and, of course, 3 dogs.They are all one family - Dad, 4 sons, the wife of one, and all their offspring. What a delight to see. Well-behaved, mannered, cooperative. No school this week; educational field trip. They are "Little Noise" out for 3 days finishing at Skyland. But it's been a really long day. And my pen has stopped working.
Date: 2016-09-06
From: Bearfence Hut

To: Hightop Hut 
Miles today: 12.4

Well, the original plan was a 20.4 mile hike to Pinefield Hut. That was the original plan. But these climbs are (there's no other way to put it) kicking my butt - BIG TIME. I'm dragging, maybe the parts are wearing out. I stop at Hightop Hut about 1430. I'm not hungry. I ate breakfast hours ago. I also got a late start, 0830. I was slow after my long yesterday. And I did enjoy listening to those children looking for kindling for a cooking fire. I think the post with the notation "Hightop Summit 3.9" probably did me in. You guessed it, 3.9 miles up. I finally manage dinner about 1800. And almost immediately I'm ready for bed. Let's see what tomorrow brings.