morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-06-08
From: Byrds Nest #3

To: Gravel Springs Hut.
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Hot (99 degrees) and humid conditions today. My calf felt good. I hiked alone today. I had lunch at the Elkwallow wayside: Philly cheese steak, sweet-potatoes fries, 2 beers, Sobe, black berry milkshake, homemade cookies, and a candy bar. It all made a nice first lunch.I saw a fascinating dung beetle at work and also a juvenile bear at close range. Both were way-cool.
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Gravel Springs Hut.

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Hottest day yet. Left SNP unceremoniously. Had timley trail magic of Sweet Tea and ice, just before Front Royal road crossing.The cold sower at the shelter was awesomely refreshing and greatly needed.Aaron (the mouse whisperer) brought Sake, steak and hot dogs to share. He also took care of a baby mouse (Shm Shm) he found at the last shelter. The entire night was quite entertaining.Next Year, Goldie, Oggie, Aaron, NeatHawk, Dutch.... It was a funny crew.
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

Hot and humid again. I had a fortuitous and timely find of food at the Mannassas Gap road crossing. I had smoked salmon for lunch, BBQ Chicken for Dinner, and Jack Daniels for dessert (courtesy of Larry), and Tootsie rolls (from Bruce)
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Long day. Stopped at Bears Den for a beverage. Stopped at the Horsehoe Curve for a Beer, and then went to lunch down the street. I resupplied at a shady grocery, and then walked back to the Horseshoe for 2 more beers with Oggie and Neathawk before heading on to the shelter.Oggie, Next Year, and I celebrated at the 1000 mile marker. Then we hiked on as it was getting late. Next Year and I came into camp under headlamps, only to find the shelter was infested with children ... lots of loud ones. There went any campsites available. This was a good time to have a hammock.
Date: 2011-06-12
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

Short day into Harpers Ferry. I checked in at the ATC and got my picture taken. I also received my passport, CC, and insurance card in the package Kristen sent me. Emma enclosed a note and some Swedish fish as well. I feel good, and I am ready to go home for some family time. Getting Emma's note made that even more so. I showered and then ate lunch with Oggie at the Secret Six Tavern. It was good and a bit pricey. After that, I started to walk through town when a strong thunderstorm came in. Then the power went out in all of Harpers Ferry.   With no power, shops and restaurants couldn't conduct business. The town was interesting as many people just sat on their porches with no radio, tv, air conditioning, etc... John (Next Year) and I walked around looking for anything to eat or drink. We eventually came across a few people sitting outside a restaurant with a dude playing his acoustic guitar and singing. We joined them. Soon we were drinking 'Arnold Palmers', singing along to 60's folkish songs, and eating desserts with some whipped cream. As John said: It was a "glorious" evening.Eventually, John and I walked into downtown where we found an Ice cream shoppe that was open. Our dinner consisted of ice cream and Corn-nuts. We made our way back to the hotel where we found the place eerily dark. The room was still cool though (Good thing I cranked down the AC as soon as I could earlier in the day), so we were able to sleep comfortably. About 10pm, the power came back on, so I was able to see the last 8 minutes of the NBA game 7 final. Yay Dallas!
Date: 2011-06-13
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

After doing my laundry at the KOA, I then booked a flight home through Baltimore. John (Next Year) has a buddy picking him up at the PA state line, that agreed to drop me off at the airport on Wed.   We ate a big lunch of Gyros and salad at the CannonBall Deli, before hiking out of town.
Date: 2011-06-14
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: The Free State Hostel
Miles today: 15.5

Another beautiful and cool dry day to hike. Relatively uneventful hiking, but plenty of rocks. I was happy to arrive at the hostel and rest. After shower and Laundry, I bought way too much food from the local pizza place. A large stromboli, enough salad for 8 people, and a large supreme pizza were more than John and I could eat in two days... but we tried... and it tasted good.
Date: 2011-06-15
From: The Free State Hostel

To: Pen Mar County Park/PA state line - Home
Miles today: 10.0

It was a short 10 miles from the hostel to the Pen Mar park. I saw Marathon there. Next Year and I took some photos, and we got picked up by John's friend Tom. Tom greeted us and we shared some Jameson's in celebration of the completion of John's hike. I got dropped off at the airport less then 1.5 hours later, and I was on the ground in Dayton by 5:40pm. Kristen and Jake picked me up from the airport and we went out to dinner at the local pup. It is good to be home for a day before beginning a family vacation.I won't return to the trail until June 27th or 28th at Pen Mar park. I'm going to miss several of the trail friends I've made over the past two months. When I return, I'll be more than a week behind them.
Date: 2011-06-23
From: Vacation

To: Vacation
Miles today: 0.0

It is with a broken heart that I am writing this last entry. I will not be completing my attempt at a thru-hike. I have much more important matters to attend to. I appreciate all the support and encouragement I have received from family, and friends- both new and old. My sister, Megan, and my brother-in-law JB have been awesome! Good luck to those still on the trail! In particular, Oggie, Vista, Red Moose, Broadway, Shaka, Snake farm, GPS, can-opener, mike, Oxford, Frodo, Spring, Almost There ( dude version), Coyote, 4-beards, Lady Sherpa, Free, Swamp tromp Jon, Gardener, Driftwood, Marathon, El Flacco, Mark Trail, Sparkplug, Soul Slosher, and Goldie. Good luck! I'm rooting for you!
Date: 2010-05-01
From: New Jersey

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left New Jersey at 7:30 AM. Stopped at the 7/11 and Tourist Information Office at the Luray, VA exit at 12:45 PM (mile 305). Reached exit 118, Blackburg/Pearisburg, VA at 4PM, and the Rendezvous Motel in Pearisburg, VA at 4:30 PM with 490 miles driven for the day. I was able to watch the running of the Kentucky Derby in my motel room. The #7 horse didn¢t place. My buddy, Kentucky Jack (KJ) had placed a $2 bet for me on that horse. KJ who I will meet on May 6 for a week of camping/hiking has been volunteering at the Derby for ~35 years, most recently in the V.I.P. area.I met Inwoods, a thru hiker from Michigan staying at the motel who examined my hiking gear and suggested a few minor changes. His hiking buddy, Miller Time from Salt Lake, Utah arrived later. We had a long talk sitting on chairs in the courtyard before going to a Mexican Restaurant near Wal-Mart and having the ¢special¢ and a few Dos Equis beers. I crashed in my room moments after getting back from the restaurant.
Date: 2010-05-02
From: VA 42

To: War Sprur Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept fitfully. Up for good at 6:15 AM. Taking one last look at the sketchy weather report I decided to get hiking as soon as possible as there was the possibility of isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. I woke Jerry an hour before the 8:00 AM scheduled AT shuttle time as I wanted to leave ASAP to beat the bad weather.Stopped at Hardees and ordered a bacon/egg/cheese biscuit & 2 coffees to go. Jerry, a former member of an honor guard in the military, drove me 40 trail miles north and dropped me off on VA 42 near the Level Green Church parking lot. My yellow survey flag tied on a tree to indicate my stopping point in 2007 was still there.Started hiking south at 7:47 AM on this beautiful day. I crossed pastures, open fields and young growth forests. I climbed over 5 stiles and met several northbounders including Nugget, Clock Er, Roughing It, We¢ll See, Willard, Gumby, Traveler, Hobbit, Donner and Slapshot. The favorite packs on the trail this year seems to be the ULA Circuit & ULA Catalyst. I saw and heard many birds including rufous-sided towhees, barn swallows, tree swallows, red-winged blackbirds, song sparrows, red-eyed vireos, tufted titmice, ovenbirds, hooded warblers, wood thrush, black-throated green warblers and a hermit thrush.After a 600 foot climb from VA 42 I took a break at the Laurel Creek Shelter at 8:30. Ate a Luna bar, GORP, and had plenty of Gatorade (I was to drink 4 liters of Gatorade during my 8.2 mile hike today). I topped off my 2 liter water bottles with filtered water from the creek. I also added a few drops of bleach prior to filtration. Before leaving I switched to shorts, added gators and aired my feet. I was on my way again at 9:20, skipping a longer lunch break to get to the next shelter before the expected rain. I finally reached the ridgeline after an additional 1000 foot climb.It would take 5 more miles of hiking and a drop of 1,000 feet in elevation before I reached the War Spur Shelter at 2PM. Four thru hikers from the ¢Main Attraction¢ were there taking a break. They are purists doing big mileage everyday; they don¢t stay in town, blue blaze or slack pack. Members of the group did the ¢40 mile challenge¢ into Damascus completing the challenge in 15-16 hours. One of the hikers had a SOLIO solar charger new to the trail this year.Had a dinner of Liptons & tuna at streamside after making several trips for water. I made a weak attempt at playing the recorder and read most of the first chapter of ¢The Firm¢, a novel left at the shelter. Dark by 8:30 PM. Crashed by 9 PM and had a decent sleep alone in the shelter. Heard the songs of Wood Peewees and Wood Thrush in the early morning hours. Had heavy rains during the night.
Date: 2010-05-03
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Rain showers continued till ~6:30 AM. At 8:30 after a breakfast of cereal and three hard-boiled eggs I started hiking south with my pack cover on. The weather was cloudy and a tiny bit cool. I heard a black & white warbler during a gradual uphill climb which included a few switchbacks. At 9:15 I took a break at a spring flowing across the trail. At 9:45 AM I reached the intersection of the War Branch Trail. From there till I reached the top of the ridge at 10:15 the trail got noticeably steeper. It had been a 1,700 foot climb to the ridge from the shelter.I meet several hikers including Turtle, Mellow Yellow, TUP, and Papa G who was section hiking Virginia.I reached the Wind Rock overlook at 11:15 AM but the valley was socked in with fog. I reached the Bailey Shelter at 2 PM after a rocky stretch of trail. I filled my water bottles from the spring and had a brief lunch accompanied by a thru hiker named COB. After a steep downhill hike through Rhododendron tunnels I reached the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter at 4:30 PM. It had been a 12.7 mile hike today with a 1,200 foot drop in elevation from the ridge.Cowgirl from Wyoming and her dog, Kelly stopped by for a break while I cooked Stove-top Stuffing and Tuna for dinner. The shelter had a lower & upper bunk against each of the side walls with a fireplace at the center of the back wall. The lower bunks were wide enough for two hikers but the upper bunks were only 30 inches in width. I shared a lower bunk with Stambler from Nashville who I taught to recognize the song of the black-throated green warbler ¢ ¢trees, trees, murmuring trees¢. A hiker named Scout was there and Sonic hiked in at dusk having completed the 20 mile hike from Pearisburg in 8 hours. Two ¢wild¢ dogs hung around the shelter including a boxer/pit bull mix that was dragging an 8-foot long metal chain behind him.
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

At dawn I noted that the shelter had a full house of six, plus two hikers were tenting and one hiker was sleeping on top of the picnic table. After a breakfast of vitamins, hard-boiled eggs and cheerios with powdered milk I started the climb to the ridge at 7:30 AM. One of the dogs from the shelter, the terrier/yorkie mix followed me up a trail a short way.My back was a little bit sore as the trail climbed fairly steeply for .7 miles through a Rhododendron tunnel adjacent to a watercourse. The drumming of a ruffled grouse enhanced this already beautiful sunny day. As the guide book listed the best water at 1.1 miles I bypassed the stream that crossed the trail at .7 miles. At 8:15 AM having found no water I dropped my pack and backtracked for ten minutes to collect 3-1/2 liters of water as I was told water was scarce along the ridge. The dozen switchbacks made this gently graded trail a joy to hike in the early morning hours. At 9:15 AM after a gain of 1,300 feet of elevation I reached the ridge and the intersection to the Allegheny Trail. I continued to meet more NB hikers today including the Prophet and Lightening. There were many birds singing along the ridge including several Scarlet Tanagers. The trail meandered from one side of the rocky ridge to the other constantly rising or dropping 50 to 150 feet in elevation as the day began to warm. Two F18s flew overhead at a very low altitude causing me a fright and ear pain despite the fact that I had both hands clapped tightly over my ears.When I reached the Groundhog Tail at noon I stopped for a Gatorade break and a Luna bar. At 2:15 PM I refilled my water bottles at the last dependable spring I would find till the next morning. I crossed a few grassy ridges including a wide open field adjacent to the Rice Field Shelter which I reached at 3:30 PM. I was happy with my 12.5 mile hike today.Thru hiker Boston was already there and Alpine, Scruggs, Ridley and her husband Panther joined us later. A young man who was tarping on the ridge saw a bear in the late afternoon and Scruggs who was hiking from the opposite direction saw two bears late in the evening. All of us watched the sunset on the ridge. Crashed in the shelter around 9 PM
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA; then Atkins, VA
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

Took a pit break at the 1-walled outhouse at around 2:30 AM to the sound of a distant train whistle. The stars illuminated the sky overhead and I could see the lights of the town of Pearisburg below me.I arose at 5:30 AM to catch the sunrise which didn¢t occur till 6:50 AM at which time I headed out on the trail on this beautiful sunny, cool morning. It took me 1 hour, 10 minutes on a gradual decent to reach the ¢white bucket¢ spring where I refilled my water bottles. At the spring I met Little Brown who had just left Pearisburg where he had gotten cortisone injections in both knees. The decent became steeper after the ¢white bucket¢ spring and a second better spring 100 feet further along the trail. A few very rocky areas made the going slow. I reached a stream at 8:45 AM and the New River Bridge at 10:20 AM after a 6.8 mile hike and 40.2 miles over my 4-day backpack. It had been a long 2,000 foot drop in elevation from the shelter to the river. The yellow survey flag denoting my stopping point in 2008 was still there. Reached my car at the Rendezvous Motel at 10:30 AM. Returned my room key to Jerry which I had been carrying for the past four days.Took Route 100 south to 81 south to Exit 54 to reach the Barn Restaurant for lunch. My back was very sore and stiff getting out of the car. A lunch of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas, gravy, a fudge brownie with ice cream & chocolate syrup eased my discomfort.Drove to the Happy Hiker Hostel a mile away. Rambunny, the proprietor and 3-time AT thru hiker showed me to a private room with a large queen-sized bed. I shaved, showered, checked my emails, made two long distance phone calls and left my laundry to be done. I talked to the others hikers staying there ¢ Longshanks, Shorts, Nap Time, Kentucky and Hillbilly. I charged my camera battery, and took two Ibuprofen for my back soreness. The all-you-can-eat dinner consisted of salad, lemonade, roasted chicken, beans & bacon, acorn squash, and two casseroles. The dessert of blackberry/raspberry shortcake was enormous. I took a 1-1/2 hour nap after dinner then watched a show on the history channel about naval warfare in the WWII Pacific theatre. Finally crashed at 11 PM.
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Atkins, VA

To: O'Lystery Picnic Area; then Damascus, VA
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

Great night¢s sleep. AT 7 AM we had a great breakfast of apple juice, coffee, scrambled eggs, bacon, French toast, home fries, biscuits, pear butter, all-berry jelly, oranges, grapefruit, and bananas. The cost of my stay with all the extras was $40. Rambunny dropped us at the trailhead at 8 AM. She admitted that at one point when she thru hiked the AT she began following the white reflectors on the highway thinking they were the AT white blazes. I hiked for the first forty minutes with Longshanks through rolling meadows and open fields where I heard the songs of a field sparrow and yellow warbler. Longshanks is an 18-20 mile/day hiker who usually takes it easy for the first half hour then does some stretching. After switching to shorts I spent the remainder of the day hiking with Kentucky.Today¢s hiking was a series of 300-1000 foot ups and downs with a series of well positioned switchbacks. Kentucky¢s slow but methodical pace measured at times at 104 steps/minute, locking the knee before taking the next step, allowed us to hike all day without ever getting out of breath or being forced to stop to take a break. We crossed about a dozen stiles including two ramp-type stiles and one cow-maze stile. At noon we stopped by a stream for water and to take a quick snack. Reached VA 610 at 2:00 PM. At 3PM we took a late lunch break at a river bridge where other hikers were stretched out catching some rays. The hikers I met today included the Sea Captain, Bunion and Thin Mint. Saw a number of other thru hikers some with Cinco De Mayo hats hanging off their packs showing the ill effects of too much partying yesterday.We reached the O¢Lystery Picnic Area at 4 PM after an 11.8 mile hike. With the completion of this hike I have officially completed the AT in Virginia, more than 500 miles of the trail! Cancelled trips and rescheduling over the years caused these gaps which I was happy to fill on this trip.I had to wait 1 hr & 15 minutes for Aqua to pick me up to shuttle me back to the hostel. He gave me a fast and scary ride over a narrow winding mountain road.I made the 45 minute drive to Damascus, VA and met Kentucky Jack (KJ) outside ¢the Place¢. The caretaker told us we could not sleep there as it was for ¢foot-traveling hikers¢ only. We got bunks at the nearby ¢Dave¢s Place¢ instead. Crazy Horse, a former AT thru hiker is running the place for Dave. Red Wolf, a 1971 southbound AT thru hiker stopped by to say hello. I slept atop three foam mattresses after putting an application of ¢icy hot¢ on my sore back. KJ said I snored.
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Mc Queen Gap Road, TN

To: Tennessee 91
Miles today: 10.2

Got gas and had a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, bacon, sausage and coffee at a nearby restaurant. Drove my car into Tennessee and left it at the AT crossing on US 421. KJ drove me to my stopping point last year, the AT crossing at Mc Queen Gap Road. I began hiking south at 9:15 AM on this sunny, breezy day. I followed a narrow ridge trail that had a number of areas of burnt forest, especially on the west side of the trail. Some of the more grassy areas had dozens of tiny grasshoppers jumping across my path. Met NB hikers Sticks, Hedgehog, Lo Rod, Funky Monkey (Tenafly, NJ) and Hollywood. At 11AM after a 3.7 mile walk I reached Route 421 where KJ was waiting with the cars.Drove my car further south to the AT crossing at Tenn. 91. KJ and I began hiking north at 11:40 AM. Initially, the trail meandered through open fields and past farm buildings as the temperature approached the mid-eighties. Took a short break at the Double Springs Shelter where a few other hikers were resting during the ¢heat of the day¢. Heard a couple of new birds singing, a chestnut ¢sided warbler and an acadian flycatcher. We crossed several puds (pointless ups and downs) over the last few miles wondering when we would finally reach our cars. Finally reached US 421 at 4PM after a 6.5 mile hike (10.2 miles for the day). Drove to the Kincora Hostel on Dennis Cove Road but it was booked so we took a room at the Traveler¢s Inn in Elizabethton, TN for $40 which included breakfast. Ate diner from our camp/trail supplies. The shower and shave felt great. Crashed by 11:30 PM.
Date: 2010-05-08
From: TN 91/ Watagua Lake Road

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

Our complimentary motel breakfast included juice, cereal, waffles, hard-boiled eggs, biscuits and coffee.We drove to Gardens Bluff campground on US 321 and checked in for two nights at site #6. I drove us to the trail crossing on Watauga Lake Road and we hiked south to KJ¢s car parked at US 321 (4.2 miles). We made a brief stop at the Watauga Lake Shelter and met Core Girl from Mass. Later we met Easy from New Orleans and & 7 Dwarfs from Maine. We had some great views of Watauga Lake where a bass fishing tournament was in progress. After the hike we picked up the cars and stopped for a bite at McDonalds.Then KJ suggested we hike some more miles so we drove my car to the AT crossing on TN 91 and at 4PM began backpacking south to the Iron Mountain Shelter. We were immediately greeted by trail magic, a large metal box full of sodas, cookies and jelly donuts. I took two homemade cookies. We followed a narrow, grass lined trail that followed the spine of the ridge. We met thru hikers Green Abe and Buy heading northbound and stopped to pay our respects at the grave of Nick Grindstaff. After 4.6 miles of hiking we reached the shelter at 6:30 PM where 7 D¢s and Easy were waiting. Core Girl and a section hiker joined us later. KJ decided to set up his tent while I crashed in the shelter at 8:45 PM after a quick meal of tuna and pop tarts.
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Watagua Lake Road
Miles today: 11.5

At 2AM we were awoken by a raccoon who stole Easy¢s pot and two flip-flops. When we awoke at 8 AM the temperature read 34 degrees. We moved gingerly taking down the bear bags, dismantling tents and searching for the missing gear which we located nearby. The day was cloudy and breezy when I left camp at 8:10 heading south wearing a wool cap, my rain jacket & pants and a fleece vest. KJ would leave a little later heading northbound to get my car and drive around to the other side of the mountain to pick me up after my 11.5 mile hike.I stopped at a nearby spring to fill up on water. Throughout the day I met many northbounders including Laid Back, Garbage Man, Sockeye, Noah, Pilgrim, Slagman, G-hippy, Miles & Gray Wanderer. Troll a southbounder who was out on a 20 mile day hike passed me near the middle of the day. Reached the Vandeventer Shelter at noon where I had lunch. I finally shed the rain suit as the day began to warm. After a few switchbacks I reached Watauga Lake Road, KJ and my car at 3PM. Stopped at Subway and had a delicious foot long turkey sub. After a shower at the campground we had a dinner of mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, tuna & pudding. Crashed by 9:30 PM.