morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-21
From: Rockfish Gap ( Waynesboro)

To: Skyline Drive 
Miles today: 19.5

Today is for Anna Leahy, remembering John and all Michael¢s family. Today is Nick¢s last day so we decide to do a few more miles. The plan is that Nick drops us off at Rockfish Gap and then drives 19.5 miles to where the Skyline Drive and the AT intersect. Marcia, Ken and I begin the long awaited Shenandoah 107.1 mile hike to Front Royal. We register and carry a permit attached to the rucksack. The first thing we do is get lost. I¢m amused because I¢m with two of the most experienced hikers on the Trail. Somehow, we miss the White Blaze and waste maybe 20 minutes before we get back on track. The day is dry and windy but there are clouds never too far away. The walking is easy and I¢m walking minus tent and some clothing (makes a difference). We move at an easy pace and after 8 miles we stop for a quick lunch. Nick is walking southwards so we don¢t want him to overdo it. We needn¢t have worried. One mile up the road we meet Nick in his red English shirt and digital camera (working at last). The Skyline Drive and AT cross and Nick had worked out our ETA exactly. He knows the Park inside out. He then sets off for Mile 19.5 and we push on Northward. We catch up with Sean O¢Shea, ¢Lumberjack¢, and I have to listen to more Biddy Early drivel. He is a lawyer and very well spoken but he certainly knows his sport. Nick meets us about 3 miles from our destination and has cold drinks. He leads the posse back to Blackrock Gap where he is parked. We say goodbye to Ken and Marcia. It was a wonderful experience to hike with them. Maybe I will meet them up the Trail. Nick and I head back to Waynesboro. I take a quick shower. I rang Mary ¢ answering machine, Knockagh ditto, Galbertstown no reply. It was not my lucky day on the phone. 19.30 Neil, Nick and I go for a Mexican Dinner and had 2 beers. A lovely evening and a delicious meal. Back home and in bed before 22.30. I¢m on the early mass at 8.30. Fr. Hickman has been most welcoming and I¢m looking forward to celebrating in Waynesboro
Date: 2003-06-22
From: Skyline Drive 

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is for Robert, Mossy and all the Shea family. Rising early to prepare my homily. Fr. Foy takes me out to breakfast at 7 and we are back in good time for the 8.30 Mass, the Feast of Corpus Christi. Neil (Scot) is there early and Nick is also among the congregation. A very full church, nice music and the people are very friendly. Chatting for a small time after Mass but then it was time to get on the road. Nick and Neil drove me to Blackrock Gap and I began Day 2 in the Shenandoahs. Nick was heading back to New York. It was wonderful having him for the week. He enjoyed the experience and certainly knows what the Trail is about. We parted at around 11.20 and I off to ¢do some miles¢. The day was hot and the sun had reappeared. My pack weighed heavy and I felt tired. But there was nothing for it only to push on. I met a family out day hiking and they offered me a beer. Many people out for the day and curious to meet some Thru-hikers. I eat a little lunch and the rhythm returns. I walk steadily through the afternoon and get to Pinefield Hut around 18.30. I walked about 14 miles today and the evening was windy, sunny and just ideal for hiking. Bearable and Big Foot were at the Shelter and a young Ridge runner. Rumours of bear ¢sightings¢ in the area but I have yet to see one. Bearable leaves and goes ¢night walking¢. He hopes to ¢wrestle with a bear¢. I retire, tired and weary after a long week. The 3 nights in Waynesboro were great with shower and bed but the wooden floor of the shelter is fine when the body is exhausted.
Date: 2003-06-23
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: few clouds

Today is for Uncle Phil ¢ remembering 2 years ago. Early breakfast and I leave camp at 6.45. The day is bright and promises to be a scorcher. And then it happens. I look up and this big Black Bear comes out of the wood and walks ahead of me on the Trail. S/he does not seem to notice me. I watch fascinated and then it turns left off the Trail ¢ I make a loud hissing sound and the bear runs to climb a tree, thinks better and crashes deep into the wood. I was happy to have seen the elusive Bear. I stopped and cooked lunch at Hightop Hut, then a tough climb up Hightop Mt (3,587 ft). I met four section hikers and we walked together for a few miles. It was hot so I let them go but soon the heat and uphills got to them and I moved ahead. Stopped at Picnic Grounds for water and a snack before facing the final 6 miles of the day. It was hard climbing Lewis Mountain and I was welcomed near the top by a father and son who were camping. Another cold beer was welcome as I headed down to Bearfence Mountain Hut (the Shelters are called Huts in the Shenandoah National Park). 20.6 miles today and feeling good. The left knee still hurts a little but nothing serious. My boots are showing signs of ¢old age¢. A tear in each allows air and water to circulate freely, yet they are so comfortable to wear
Date: 2003-06-24
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Stony Man Mountain Overlook
Miles today: 17.1

Today is for Catherine on her birthday. Lumberjack and Standing Bear came in last night fairly late. They stayed up at the Campground drinking beer. Lumberjack gave me some energy bars for the morning. I started off before 7 and had a long climb. I was feeling tired and without energy. Some days are like that. So I stopped and ate the energy bars and that did the trick. At 9.30 as I left Milam Gap I heard a sound to my left. I stood perfectly still and there was a small Bear Cub not 2 feet away. Then two more came into view and then the Big Mother Bear. I was calm and felt no fear. I stood motionless and did not attempt to get my camera. They stood staring at me for about a minute. Then mother Bear moved about 5 yards in my direction, stopped after what seemed another minute, turned and walked slowly into the woods. It was a strange, magical encounter and something I will never forget. So now, I do believe that there are bears in the woods. I moved happily to Big Meadows where there was a Camping Ground and Store. I bought some groceries and cold coke and moved on past the large camping site where people hang out with camper vans and tents. Again another hot day and I was weak with hunger. I stopped at the next shelter and devoured cheese, pepperoni and some pop tarts. That felt good. Trip and Slip passed me and said there was a ¢Tap Room¢ (pub) up ahead, ¢Stony Man¢ Mountain Gap. That lifted my spirits. Torch and Superman ?, another young couple, were also going. I had 3 pints to celebrate Catherine¢s birthday in style and then headed back at around 17.30 to the Trail. The beer had really gone to my head. The system is so ¢cleared out¢ it can¢t tolerate the beer. It was a glorious evening so I walked on ¢til nearly 8 and then camped in the woods. I ate a cold supper in my tent and was fast asleep in 5 minutes. 19 miles today and not hurting but the walking in Shenandoah is certainly easier.
Date: 2003-06-25
From: Stony Man Mountain Overlook

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

Today is for John Moloughney (London), his parents and TeresaI slept soundly in the woods and woke at 5.30. Torch and Superman were on the road early. They passed as I was packing my tent. I was on the road by 6.30. Another glorious day. After all the rain it is good to feel the sun again. A long climb up the ¢Pinnacle¢ (3,730 ft. ) and water was in great demand. I met an elderly couple, Southbounders, who had started in New York. ¢Stretch¢ and I had a quick snack at the next shelter. A long hard rocky climb again to Mary¢s Rock before we hit an even harder downhill (Rock hopping) to Thornton Gap (2,307 ft.). Trip and Slip, Torch and Superman and Stretch were there before me. Cold drinks and cakes were just the trick on a hot day. We are spoilt in the Shenandoah with these frequent places where you can buy ice cream and cold drinks. Another 8 miles to Elkwallow Gap where there is a delicious Blackberry ice cream. I arrive at 16.30 and treated myself to 2. On the way I got possibly the biggest fright on the trip - a dirty big Rattlesnake on the side of the Trail. He was hissing and there was no room to pass. Eventually, I got around the huar and about quarter of a mile ahead I met a bunch off young kids and when I told them about the snake they dropped their packs and armed with sticks set out to kill the Rattler. I did not wait around. After the ice cream and sodas I had another 5.7 miles o go and it was 17.30 when I headed out. They were a long few miles and I was tired. Luckily, I met a young couple from Texas who were returning to their car. They asked if I needed anything. A cold drink would do nicely, says I. They produced a large 1 litre bottle of Gatorade from the ¢cool box¢. I drank it and it worked like Rocket Fuel. I coasted home the last 1.5 miles to Gravel Springs Hut where a large crowd were already cooking and had a huge fire going to keep away the bugs. Another 19.5 miles today. I cooked my supper on the open fire and then had some hot chocolate. No problem sleeping after a long hike.
Date: 2003-06-26
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is for Aunt Nell and all the Holland family. It is my last day in the Shenandoah National Park. Again the sun is shining. Poor Nick saw almost nothing but rain. It hasn¢t rained since he left. Today the walking is easy¢¦long flat stretches, the kind you dream of and hope they will never end. Most of the hikers pass me. They are anxious to get to Front Royal. I take it at my own pace and reach the last shelter 3 miles short of town around 12. Time for lunch. Then in the sweltering heat, I walk the last 3 miles to the roadside. Tired and sweaty I hitched the 4 miles to Front Royal. A lovely couple with two kids take me to the Catholic Church where I had hoped to stay. Fr. Bill was not in a welcoming mood. ¢There is no room at the Inn¢, he says. Thanking him for his hospitality I decide to leave town and head back to the Trail. I walk back through the town in the hellishly hot afternoon, buy some groceries and hitch back to where the Trail begins again. I meet Torch and Superman and we hike together for some time. The Trail is sheer mud and dank fetid swamp. Thankfully, it does not last for too long. Soon we are climbing back to 1,800 feet. With the extra weight and memories of Fr. Bill fresh in my mind, I feel tired. I stop and eat bananas and peaches and make it to ¢Jim and Molly Denton¢ Shelter. There, I meet Kara O¢Sullivan, Indigo and Cruiser both from Maryland. Kate has Irish citizenship. The elderly ladies from New York were also at the shelter. I was tired but getting closer to Harper¢s Ferry. I was sorry to leave the Shenandoah but have great memories and the weather was fantastic
Date: 2003-06-27
From: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: moderate rain

Today is for Aunt Ann, Bob and all at Ballybrack. Leaving camp around 6.45. Another hot day. One mile down the road the two New York ladies, Crossroads and I stop to fill the water bottles. Five miles to the next Shelter where ¢Bearable¢, Torch, Superman?, Llama and Doc all arrive, dead with the heat and humidity. Another 5 miles to lunch but the weather changes. A fresh breeze brings great relief and I reach Dick¢s Dome Shelter, 0.3 miles off the Trail. Thunder rumbling in the distance as I leave the Shelter, but the evening holds good as I face another 9 miles. 3 miles to go and I meet Llama and Doc and their dog having a snack. We chat in the lovely sunshine for 30 minutes and then head for ¢home¢. Some ¢daycent¢ soul had left sodas in the Shelter. Makes a welcome change from Iodine flavoured water. The last mile to the Shelter was again through wet and muddy areas deep in the bowels of the forest where the sun can¢t penetrate. Another 19 miles today. I¢m heading for Harper¢s Ferry sooner than expected.
Date: 2003-06-28
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn Trail Centre
Miles today: 17.4

Today is for Katie, Mikey and all the Cooney family. 6.45 start and have to negotiate some ¢boggy patches¢. Then the fun begins. There is a sign that says ¢Welcome to the Roller Coaster¢, an 11-mile section that is sheer up and down. The dose is repeated about 10 times today. A long hard 7 miles to Sawmill Spring, Sam Moore Shelter where I have my lunch. 4.6 miles to Snickers Gap where the ¢gang¢ (Llama and Doc, Indigo and Cruiser, Torch and Superman, Bearable) and I head for a beer at the Horseshoe Curve ¢ a quaint little place where I have 2 small ¢Irish Red¢. 16.30 I am back on the last climb of the Roller Coaster. The ¢Flatlands¢ of Virginia my arse!! They certainly sent us out sweating. I crossed the West Virginia-Virginia line and headed on looking for some place to camp. At 18.00 I stopped to cook supper and then I could walk and camp whenever I found a nice spot. Awol arrived, then the rest of the gang passed while I was eating. They were all going on to the Blackburn Trail Centre (1,650 ft.) another 4 miles on. With de belly happy, I followed. The terrain was mostly flat, so I made good time. Soon I heard the Sound of Music ¢ there was a wedding at the AT Centre and ¢smelly hikers¢ were welcome. Food and drink for all. Talk about the Wedding Feast of Caana. The mother of the groom was Spillane from Kilgarven, Co. Kerry. A great evening followed and I had my fill of cold draught beer. Then one of the guests produced a bottle of Bushmills. What an unexpected party!! This was Trail Magic.
Date: 2003-06-29
From: Blackburn Trail Centre

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

Today is for Paddy and Chrissie as I walk to the halfway stage. Rising early with no headache but still drunk we helped Bill, the caretaker, to tidy up. He produced a massive breakfast for all his helpers and at 9.15 I was ready to leave. Another hot day, I had 12.6 miles to go but I was sluggish after the night before. So too were all the others. The walk was generally easy but a few very rocky patches made the going tough. It was very hot and I very nearly ran out of water, but my sights were set on Harper¢s Ferry. At 12.15 I passed a sign on the Trail, made with pebbles, saying 1,000 miles. It was an awesome feeling to think that I had clocked up so many miles. At 15.00 I crossed the Virginia-West Virginia Line for the last time. Farewell to Virginia where I have been walking since Damascus. 1.9 miles down a steep incline to where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers meet. Gen. Phil Sheridan was camped here during the Civil War (so they tell me). I was parched as I crossed to the Long Bridge in the hot evening sun but some ¢angel¢ had left cold Gatorade where I stepped off the Bridge. 0.4 miles up to the ACT building¢¦a sharp climb, lest we forget. It was almost closing time but I met up with Viking, Superman and Torch who were going to a Hostel 5 miles out of town. I jumped in the van and decided to go with them. We found a beautiful hikers hostel for $15. The owners, Michael and Agnes, cooked a delicious vegetarian dinner for $8. Breakfast was thrown in for good measure. I rang Cliffside Park where I received the shocking news of Leonard¢s death. Somehow I was not totally surprised. Leonard had walked with me all week. He was continuously in my thoughts as I walked. May his gentle spirit continue to smile on all of us. John rang and told me he was arriving on the Wednesday July 2nd. Great news and a fitting way to celebrate the ¢spiritual¢ halfway stage. Love and best wishes to all.Paudie
Date: 2003-06-30
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Ed. Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is a Nero day. Rising early as usual we have a lovely breakfast and wait for our host to drive us to Harper¢s Ferry. ¢No Hear Um¢ and I say goodbye. He moves on today and will meet his wife later in the week. Then he flies to Maine and will ¢Flip Flop¢ South. We get to the ATC around 9.30. I collect my shoes and mail from Atlanta. Thank you, Peggy and Andy. Torch and Superman give me some extra food and I retire to the ATC to do some writing. I need to catch up on my Journal. It is not always possible to write each day. Sometimes it is raining, sometimes it is late when I arrive in camp; but most often I am so tired I want to get my poor legs in a horizontal position!! I take my photo again, this time with the Tipperary jersey. My number is 547 (I think). Some ¢Trail Angel¢ takes me to Wal-Mart where I buy too much!! My pack now weighs 48lbs (without water). My own weight at Harper¢s Ferry is 202lbs. Down a mere 50lbs from Georgia. More hikers arrive, my friends Sniper, Doe and Llama, Skelton and Jason, Cheese Cake and Spin. I decide I want to move on. Then the clouds gather and we have a sudden thunderstorm. The first rain in over 10 days. It clears quickly and I head for then next shelter 6.3 miles away. It is very hot and humid as I walk through historical Harpers Ferry, crossing the Potomac River and walking along the river and railway line for 3 miles before heading up to Weaverton Cliffs and the Ed Garvey Shelter. This evening is for Len Cummins, his wife Brid and children. I would like to dedicate the remainder of this walk to the memory of a great friend and fellow parishioner, Len. May he rest in peace. I reach the Shelter around 19.15. Indiana Slim and many scouts are there. They have a good fire going and we chat till darkness tells us that it is time for bed.
Date: 2003-07-01
From: Ed. Garvey Shelter

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is for Aunt Kitty. I leave camp early with my new ¢running shoes¢. My pack is heavy but luckily the going is not too bad. I am passing through areas where some of the most memorable battles of the American Civil War took place. I am now in Maryland which (was) sided with the ¢Yankees¢ while most of its people¢s sympathies were with the South. I pass Crampton Gap Shelter meeting many section hikers coming south. I pass Rocky Run Shelter around noon but decide to carry on to Dahlgren Campground for lunch. There is a shower and good water. I am joined by ¢Indiana Slim¢ who is broke!! I travel on in the warm sunshine to the George Washington Monument and from there to Pine Knob Shelter, where I cook an early supper at 16.00. I decide to move on at 17.00, climbing to Annapolis Rocks (1,800 ft) where I meet Torch, Superman? and 2 Dog Mother. We walk on to camp at Pogo Memorial Campsite. 19.9 miles today and the ¢shoes¢ are fine. We camp and soon are joined by other hikers; a great chat around the fire till 21.00 when sleep beckons. The feet demand their rest, which is overdue.
Date: 2003-07-02
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Today is for Tommy and Alice Fanning and the many memories at Wembly in ¢70. Leaving camp with Torch, Superman and ¢2 Dog Mother¢ (who now has only 1 dog!!), we move over ¢Rocky¢ terrain. The others move ahead and I take my time negotiating the rocks. I feel tired today and join the others at Ensign Cowall Shelter. We are joined by Stretch. I eat a little extra, hoping the energy levels will rise. The road is rough but I move slowly knowing that the miles will pass. A hard rocky climb to Devil¢s Racecourse Shelter (0.3 miles off the Trail). I stay on the Trail and eat lunch. I meet a lady, ¢Restless¢, who Thru-hiked in 2002. We chat and she gives me words of encouragement, saying I am well on course to ¢go the distance¢ before the end of September. Rain falls as I move on to Pen Mar Park, which is the place where Maryland and Pennsylvania meet. But Maryland, which ahs been nice and flat (for the most part) decides to give us a taste of things to come. Rocks, rocks and more rocks as I cautiously step from one slippery foothold to the next. A dangerous downhill where one slip could be most costly. The final mile to the Park was easy. I was surprised to learn that Torch and Superman were only just ahead of me. I rang Cliffside Park (M. Mamma¢s) to leave a message for John. He had not phoned. I would call again next evening after giving Mick my exact location. Crossing the Mason Dixon Line I bid farewell to Maryland and moved into Pennsylvania, climbing 4.7 miles to Deerlick Shelter where I share a shelter with Stretch. Torch, Superman and 2 Dog Mother had gone to town for pizza. They arrived around 21.00 with beef sandwiches for Stretch and myself. Even though I had eaten, I was glad to eat more. A hiker never refuses food!! A dirty Black snake sneaked under the Shelter. I shivered but the others simply said, ¢he¢ll take care of the mice¢!! Rain began to fall and soon sleep banished thoughts of ¢Snakes and Mice¢ for another day. John would soon be here. Unbelievable!!
Date: 2003-07-03
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is for Uncle Michael and his good friends around Coventry. A very early start from Deer Lick Shelter. Stopped for a second breakfast just beyond the Antietam Shelter at the old Forge Park. Good water and a place to sit down. I climbed up towards Tumbling Run Shelter where ¢Chicken Legs¢ and CC, a young couple, were getting ready to hike. I told them that my brother was arriving and should they see a ¢stranger¢ up ahead, they should tell him that Tipperary was behind. I was hoping to get to Caledonia State Park early to call Cliffside Park and see if John had left a message. I walked on through some rocky ground and stopped for lunch around 11.30 where the Trail crosses the road to South Mountain. Less than 6 miles to go to Caledonia State Park. I wonder where John is. Has he called to Cliffside Park? Could it be possible he might arrive today? I dismiss the thought. I will ring again this evening. I moved on through the heat and rocks and stop again at 13.15 for a snack and water. 2.5 miles to go and the pace is slow and tough. Suddenly I am on level ground and entering the Park. Stretch comes up behind me and together we enter the magnificent Park in search of ice cream, drinks and a phone. Other hikers are there. I greet them, some for the first time, and sit down. Chicken Legs and CC are there. So, too, is Murphy who started with me on April 12th, and this is my first time catching up. The group is laughing and smiling at me. I look around and there is John, camera in hand, taking my picture. I was in a state of shock. The rest he can tell himself. How he made me out at Fayetteville, less than 24 hours after arriving in the country. He has been here for over an hour and a half and met many of the hikers. Some he had driven to the store to buy groceries. We chat and eat ice cream and catch up with home news, letters from Mary, Christina 1 and 2, Dearbhla, Kathleen 1 and 2, and an email from Catherine. A new jersey from Paddy McCormack, Archerstown. Thank you Paddy. John then buys some meat and other items and we cook a barbeque, feeding 2 Dog Mother, Torch, Superman, Stretch, Spin and Cheesecake. There is plenty for everyone and a little Bushmills gives that extra flavour. It is 20.15 before we tidy up and head for Quarry Gap Shelter. John goes to a Motel for the night. 2 miles to climb and night is falling fast. It is the first (solar) illumination Shelter I have seen. I quickly get ready for bed and smile as I remember the events of a memorable day. Tomorrow, July 4th, we walk to the halfway mark at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.