morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-11
From: campsite at 769.6 James River Foot Bridge 

To: US 60 Buena Vista 792.8
Miles today: 23.2

I was up and at the road crossing by 7:30. I hitched a ride into the town of Glasgow VA and finaly had phone reception. It was good to talk to my wife, as always. I was getting psyched up to rent a car again, but we finaly decided she would drive to Waynesboro next weekend. I resupplied at the town's only grocery store and then went for breakfast at the town's only restaurant. The restaurant owners were sisters and were quite friendly. They had a trail journal so they could keep track of the thru hikers who stayed at their small motel and ate with them. While I was finishing up my eggs my friend Beach Bum arrived, followed by his wife, in their car, a short time later. Beach Bum was going to take two zero days and they offered to slack pack me to Buena Vista, where they were staying in a motel. I jumped at the chance, even though it was already past 10 and I would have to hike fast to cover the 20 miles by dark. I only stopped for water and to sign a couple of shelter registers along the way. We had agreed that they would drive up to get me at 9 since we didn't trust the cell phone reception. I emerged from the woods just as they were pulling up at 9. The first 10 miles had involved some steep long climbs, rising from an elevation of 670 feet to 3372 feet. Looking back, I can emphatically say I was glad I wasn't carrying a pack. One of the funny things that happened to me occured as I was hiking as fast as I could up the steep mountain only to be passed by two younger hikers who were carrying full packs. I let them know how they were bruising an old man's ego. A friend of Beach Bum's named Terry offered to share his motel with me and I gladly accepted. A big shout out to Terry. I love you and generous people like you. Best wishes to you. johnnymud
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Campsite at 838.4 

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

I got up and started hiking after coffee and oatmeal. I found the hike into Waynesboro incredibly easy compared to yesterday's struggled affair. I ended up doing way too much walking around Waynesboro's wide expanse, first with my backpack and then carrying a bag of apples, which I put a pretty good dent in. They have a good system of trail angels set up in town and they drive you wherever you want to go for free. I don't know why I didn't use them more. They mostly drive hikers from the trail into town and back since it is a little over three miles each way.johnnymud
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Waynesboro 848.4 

To: Blackrock Hut Shelter 868.4
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

We got a ride to the trail head from one of the Waynesboro trail angels. The weather was calling for thunder showers but we were lucky and although we got wet, we did avoid any downpours. Arrived at the shelter, cooked dinner, ate and went to bed.johnnymud
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Blackrock Hut Shelter 868.4

To: Hightop Hut 889.8
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up just before 6. I tried to stay in the bunk, since everyone else was still sleeping, but one can be a martyr for only so long. I gathered my gear and with my sleeping bag drapped over my shoulders I made my oatmeal and coffee. It was a cool morning to be sure, but it wasn't raining and the weatherman was promising clear skies throughout the day. Almost as heartening was the fact we were in the Shenendoa National Park, this meant in a short eight miles we would be to a Wayside on the Sky Line Parkway where we could buy hamburgers and milkshakes.johnnymud
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Hightop Hut 889.8

To: Swift Run Gap 893.2 
Miles today: 3.4

We woke to a steady rain. Our plan was to make a dash to the road where the Enterprise Driver would pick us up. There were three of us now. Andy, a section hiker from St. Lois who saw he did not want to go any further in the rain, Caterpillar who was on his way to Trail Days in Damascus and me, ready to drive six hours in order to be home with my wife one more time before I make the big push thru Harper's Ferry and on toward Maine.I had called the rental people several times to make sure they knew I wanted them to be there at 9 and we timed it perfectly on our part. Alas we had to wait a good half hour for them. We were wet and cold but still, the the driver finally came we were mighty glad to see him. Caterpillar and I dropped Andy off at his car near Waynesboro and then headed for Damascus. i dropped Caterpillar off in the midst of the hustle and bustle of tent city and then headed to the exhibitor area where I thought about buying all the equipment that would get my pack down to the 10 to 15 pound weight I desperately craved. johnnymud------------------------------Get your service for FREE when you refer friends and family to PocketMail!-- No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.6/815 - Release Date: 5/22/2007 3:49 PM
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Swift Run Gap 893.2 

To: Campground at Big Meadows 910.2
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

We arrived at the Waynesboro YMCA after dark on the 20th and set up our tents. This morning we could see there were five other tents. Trying to figure out how to get everyone back to where they had quit hiking before Trail Days proved to be too much for me. We couldn't give rides to everyone who needed one, but thanks to the wonderful network of trail angels in Waynesboro everyone found a ride. I had to have the rental car back by 10 and we were a few minutes late but did not have to pay extra. Katerpilllar, Fidel and Blow Out helped me pay for gas so renting the car turned out well. Thanks fellas! I'm glad you had fun at trail days, and I'm glad I could give you a ride.Katerpilllar and I didn't get back to the trail until 11, so although I wanted to hike 20 miles, I only managed to get in 17 before dark. ------------------------------Get your service for FREE when you refer friends and family to PocketMail!-- No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.6/815 - Release Date: 5/22/2007 3:49 PM
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Campground at Big Meadows 910.2

To: Pass Mtn Shelter 929 
Miles today: 18.8

Started out thinking I would do 30 miles but that changed when I discovered there was a restaurant at the Skyline Lodge. It was reasonably priced and good. The only problem was it took a long time and threw me off my schedule. Maybe I will have a big day tomorrow.johnnymud
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Pass Mtn Shelter 929 

To: Tom Floyd Wayside 952.6
Miles today: 23.6

It was a long day but a good day. Six of us left Pass Mt Hut as soon as we could,we hiked 7 miles, stopped at a Wayside for breakfast/lunch and then hiked another 16 miles. I was the last to arrive at Tom Floyd Wayside, but I was happy to arrive at 7:30 and have time to cook and eat before it got dark. The weather was beautiful and the terrain was great for hiking.John-Knee-Mud------------------------------Get your service for FREE when you refer friends and family to PocketMail!-- No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.8.0/817 - Release Date: 5/24/2007 4:01 PM
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Tom Floyd Wayside 952.6

To: Dick's Dome Shelter 970
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

We broke camp as early as we could so we would have time to go into Front Royal and still hike another 15 miles after. It seems like it might be a rare day when four smelly hikers all get a ride at the same time, but that is what happened. The man drove us to the Post Office and then to the grocery store. We managed to get on the internet, one guy got a haircut, we had breakfast and did our shopping all in about an hour and a half. An older man in another pickup truck drove the four hikers back to the trail.john-knee-mud
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Dick's Dome Shelter 970

To: Blackburn Trail Center 996.8
Miles today: 26.2

Footpump was on his way by 6:30, the others followed close behind. It was going to be a 26 mile day. There was excitement in the air.I packed my things laced up my boots and gaiters and headed out. The first person I met coming the other way said the hike ahead of me was a grueling one. This section of the trail has earned the name "The Rollercoaster". At the 10 and 15 mile markers I was still not convinced I should be weary of the ups and downs; by the 20 mile mark I realized that the "Rollercoaster" was kicking my ass and that the climbs seemed to be Steeper and longer. The clock continued to march along faster than I marched and I eventally had to face the fact I would not arrive at the Blackburn Center by dark. At mile 22 I had to pull off my shirt in an attempt to figure out what was making my right arm pit so uncomfortable. I had thought it was heat rash from direct exposure of the shoulder straps from my backpack when I had attempted to go shirtless, earlier in the day, to combat the heat. It turned out to be poison ivy. When I had set my shirt down, the shirt had somehow picked up a trimmed leaf of poison ivy a trail maintainer had trimmed earlier in the week and the leaf endd up in the armpit of my shirt. It stayed there all day except that I instinctively rubbed it into my arm pit without realizing what was happening. The caretaker at the Blackburn Center gave me some Taccu, and this allowed me to sleep. I will be heading to a drug store when I get to town.   john-knee-mud
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Blackburn Trail Center 996.8

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: haze

Now I am at the motel in Harper's Ferry. Three of the guys are going hiking tomorrow. I am taking the day off, or most of the day. The guy whose girlfriend got us the free hotel room is sticking around. I'll be hiking by myself again. It was good while it lasted. These young guys took good care of me. They gave me one of the beds since I am the old man and have the poison ivy.Life is good. I'm sending home the stuff I don't need, the poles and the tarp. I bought a little tarp and will try to sleep in the shelters.I am sending home my blow up mattress, I bought a lighter shorter one. It is a great matress. I just needed something lighter. I know it seems like I am going overboard on this light gear, but I really believe it will make a big difference even if it is just psychological. The happiest guys out here are the guys with the lightest packs. I will be one of them. My pack is crazy light now. I am very happy.john knee mud
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Hostel
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: broken clouds

I have belly-ached about reducing my pack weight long enough. I sent home about five pounds of stuff and exchanged it for two pounds of stuff, My Vapor Trail backpack,which weighed about 2 and 1/2 pounds has been replaced by a Go-lite Jam, at about 1 and 1/2 pounds. My 72 inch blow up pad has been replaced by a 48 inch pad, another 10 ounces less. The tarp and poles of the Hubba Hubba T about two pounds have been replaced by a sill-nylon tarp at less than a pound. I also switched to a lighter rain jacket/wind jacket and sent home a long sleeve shirt, the lower legs to my pants and a polar fleece sweater (I still have another- they are light and effective). I couldn't part with my Hush Puppies (they will have to fall apart) or my 4 pairs of smart wool socks (something from a psychic reading my wife had).I suppose the next step is to carry less food. I should burn fewer calories carrying less food.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Hostel 55.3

To: Dahlgren Campsite
Miles today: 15.9

People out here sometimes talk about "the dead man walking". I'm pretty sure it refers to being in very poor health prior to being given a new life through hiking. Example: I was a Dead Man Walking. I could wait until the day when I actually did die or I could get off my ass and start hiking. I wonder if it could also mean: a person is out here on the AT hiking, but is so often lost in thought, that the whole wonderful thing is lost on him. I'm afraid, today, this was me for at least a minute or two. How did I come to realize I was a dead man walking? Well, I realized it after I fell headlong onto the trail, nearly planting my face into solid rock. My shoulder took the hit instead and I'm certainly grateful for that, still I had time to pause after the fact to consider why I was in such a hurry and/or why I wasn't paying closer attention. I was at about the 11 mile mark of what I thought was going to be a 21 mile day. The trail had just opened up to a wide enough and level enough degree for me to quicken my pace. The problem was there were also good sized rocks that made me feel as though I was on yet another obstacle course. It required more attention than I gave it. I was thinking about something else and the next thing I knew I was falling head first as though my shoe laces had suddenly been tied together. I wish I could say my life flashed before my eyes as I felt myself felled like a tree and obedient to gravity. My hiking poles were useless. All I could do was watch through stunned eyes as my head made the sudden, face-first plummet to Earth. I may have turned my body at the last moment, but I don't think so. I think I fell andmy face missed a rock by inches while my shoulder was no so lucky. I laid there on the edge of the Appalachian Trail while I determined if I was badly injured. I expected to see blood pour forth from my shoulder but none did. There was a large red and blue knot, but no blood. I found myelf pinned to my pack and I had to undo the buckles before I could sit up. As my eyes found the belt and the place where it fastened I realized I was lying in a bed of poion ivy. If I wanted to get up I would have to put my hands in it and hope for the best. Considering I had just suffered from a bout with the poisonous vine I did not entertain any thoughts of immunity from its power to get onto my skin. john-knee-mud
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Dahlgren Campsite

To: Devil's Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 18.5

My shoulder felt much better today. I left the campsite early and took my time. I am still tripping a lot. Even though it scares me ten times more each time I do. I'm not sure why I continue to play with gravity other than I'm not picking up my feet. I was sure glad to get to the shelter and was happy with the 18.5 miles I hiked. I was glad I was alone in the shelter. It is nice to be able to spread out. johnnymud
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Devil's Racecourse Shelter

To: Rocky Mtn Shelter 
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

I was the only one in the shelter last night. It was .3 miles down a steep hill so maybe people pass this one. I went to sleep well before dark and was up at daybreak around 5. The heat, 88 degrees, or some sort of internal bug made today a difficult one for me. I had started early and managed to get in 19.8 miles, but it was difficult. I could hardly muster the energy to fix dinner. I slept very poorly, tossing and turning for most of the night. I ached from head to toe. This seemed to go away about three AM. When the sun rose I found myself much less anxious to jump up and start hiking. I am going to take it very easy today and hope I feel better. The water for this shelter is .3 miles or more down a steep climb. I barely dragged myself down and back up last night. I will have to go again this morning before I can go. johnnymud
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Rocky Mtn Shelter 

To: Tom's Run Shelters
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: few clouds

I suppose I can't brag that I am getting in 20 mile days when they are only 19, but they sure feel like 20 miles. I'm feeling a little better but the temperature is in the mid to high 80s and it is difficult to judge what is going on with my body. I talked to an older more experienced hiker, his advice was to slow down and to rest more. I took two naps and will continue to take a nap during the hottest part of the day. The shelters are surprisingly cool. I reached Tom's Run Shelters at about 8, quite tired and sore. My back was hurting and this absolutely astounds me since I have eaten 90% of my food, reduced pack weight at Harper's Ferry and I'm probably only carrying 15 pounds. I spilled my cooking pot, not once, but twice, while I was trying to fix dinner. I don't know of a better indicator that I am over-fatigued. My replacement knee is complaining more than usual. It isn't walking on it that hurts, it is when I take my pants off while lying down and have to lift the leg in the air. I broke off another tip on my hiking sticks. This is the third one. Tomorrow will be a better day, I have to keep a good attitude. johnnymud
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Kennedy Shelter 

To: Scott Farm
Miles today: 14.2

I hiked into Boiling Springs. They are having their yearly crafts fair. I had an italian sausage with peppers, an egg bagel, a cinnimon roll and several cups of coffee. I'm describing my hike by what I have had to eat??I will hike 14 more miles tonight and then into Duncannon tomorrow.johnnymudKennedy Shelter to Scott Farm 14.2After sampling some of the food from the vendors at the arts and crafts fair I decided I had to do a minor resupply in order to hike the 25 miles to Duncannon. In the planning stage for this sojourn I had assumed I would walk the 25 miles in one day, being motivated by a hot shower and a stay in the famous Doyle Hiker hotel to put my big feet down. The grocery store in Boiling Springs was a mile out of town in the wrong direction. By the time I walked out, shopped, napped and walked back to town it was pressing toward three in the afternoon. I assumed I could hike fast enough on the level terrain to make it to the shelter by 9. I shouldn't have made those several phone calls. I should't have sat on the front porch swing of the ATC in Boiling Springs waiting for the heat of th day to subside. You get the picture... I over-ate and then left late, causing a tiredness in my gate. I hiked until it got dark and pitched my tarp in the middle of the Appalachian Trail. I think many people look too hard for a perfect campsite when the well trod foot bed of the AT provides an often level, often agreeable place to sleep. I slept well and in the morning made coffee and oatmeal along the shore of a picturesque though sudsy river. I didn't walk a tenth of a mile more before I arrived at the Scott Farm. I stopped there for water, a little hurt since I had just filtered water from the sudsy river and had already drank a good bit of it. I wonder why the ATC doesn't promote the Scott Farm as a place to camp since they have ample, level, grassy tent sites. johnnymud
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Scott Farm

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It started to drizzle around 2 PM on Sunday. I stopped at the Darlington Shelter where I had planned to stay the night before and had a second breakfast. It was a long and rocky hike to the next shelter at Cove Mountain. Someone had left two cans of tuna and a can of sardines and I ate it all along with my last pack of Lipton Rice. By the time I arrived in Duncannon I was wet, tired and hungry. I stopped at the first convenient store I came upon and bought a giant Snickers Bar. It helped a little, but by the time I found the Doyle Hotel I was ready to rest, wash and eat a major meal. I have started dreading this time of day, mostly because I am very hard to be around. I remember the acronym HALT. It stands for: hungry, angry, lonely and tired. I will have to say, at the end of the day they all apply. It is only a small cosolation knowing I shouldn't blame others for my wounded feelings. I cannot muster up a kind word. When I am tired and beat and need to sit down and eat I get   rather testy. I know I need to make improvement in this area. The simple solution would be to not push myself beyond my own limitations. As I stood at the bar of the Doyle Hotel trying to get a room. One of the bar patrons tried to tell me a joke. I am no longer a drinker and I had tried to walk out of the bar as soon as I had walked into it, but there was no mistake: If I wanted a room at the Doyle Hotel, I would have to stand at the bar, breathing in their smoke, and listening to their jokes. I tried to explain to the man that i was hard of hearing and was not able to hear in noisy saloons but he persisted. "Do you know how to make dirt?" he asked with a wry grin, for the third time.Realizing I was trapped in some sort of twilight zone scenario and would have to play along I finaly responded, "no, I don't know. How do you make dirt.""you just add water" he said.Either he had consumed too much alcohol or I was missing something. I was in no mood to figure out which. The barmaid brought my key and I escaped through a well scarred wooden door up to my room. I have stayed in some run down hotels in my day but this one clearly was the most run down, most in need of fire department inspection and health department inspection that I have ever stayed in. I could go into details but I will sum up my feelings like this: When I saw a man and woman come up the stairs smoking cigarettes I wanted to run for the fire escape. I'm sure the place would have gone up like a Roman Candle if it had not been raining.johnnymud
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Duncannon

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

It is a hot day here in Duncannon, Pennsyavania but not too hot. There is a slight drizzle as the day begins but it clears, giving way too a hazy, humid, hang out on the porch kind of day. There isn't much of a breeze but sitting on the porch lets me enjoy what there is of it. Best of all the porch I speak of is on the second floor of the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon, Pennsylavnia. A sign taped to the rounded glass in the turret window says "No Sleeping on the Balcony". Just below this sign is one whch states: "no fires or cooking". The Doyle is one of the original Wells Fargo Hotels. It has seen better days and better eras, ones more suited to wooden structures built above narrow sidwewalks. If this were the French Quarter or any other hip kind of place my room would cost in the hundreds of dollars. At the Doyle, with its peeling paint and sad green walls the rooms go for 20. As I look down Market street in either direction I see house after house and store after store nestled right up to the street in a mistaken cozyness. Each building is wrapped in varying shades of vinyl or aluminum siding, drapped in a hodge podge of electrical and cable wires and then fastooned with a satelite TV dish. There is an abundance of American Flags and no shortage of automobiles which drive as quickly through town as they can.Those that stop are customers of a half dozen beauty salons which seem to be this town's main source of employment. All the other store fronts are either just closed, just opening or in long term need of another idea that isn't a hair salon. Still, I'm sure there is always a need for another good stylist. The cars passing below are newer cars in good repair. There must be prosperity nearby. It just isn't here. Here are the young single mothers, here are the old retired laborers. Here are the hundred other hangers on who wonder and wonder why e! very day seems so like the last. I watch from the balcony as people come out ad walk their dogs, teens ride their skate boards and mothers with ribboned three year old daughters wait to be picked up by yet another new boy friend.   john-knee-mud
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Stony Mtn Horse trail 
Miles today: 19.0

I saw my first AT rattle snake today. I had plenty of warning from other hikers coming the other way. They had arrived at an outcropping of rocks to see at least 6 rattlesnakes molting. I hurried to the spot 3 miles away but by the time I arrived it was late afternoon and the show was over. I saw more empty skin than anything, but one good sized rattler was still crawling about so I felt satisfied.The climb out of Duncannon exposed me to the Pennsylvania Railroad main line for much of the day. It was gratifying to hear so many trains, and fast trains at that, carrying the goods to America. Maybe it is time to look at train transport again. It is always time to look at trains. There is something beautiful about their power and speed.john-knee-mud