morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Calf Mountain Shelter, VA

To: Loft Mountain Campground, VA
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

Most folks got up early today, around 5:30am. I was up with them, too, and on the trail by 6:30am. The only time I ever get up that early is if I need to get to the airport.There was really nothing eventful about today. The weather was on the cool side and overcast the whole day with some heavy fog in the morning. The low clouds obscured any views. I did see several deer, though.I left camp with Gaiter Woman who was preceeded by Mouse. Our destination for the day was Loft Mountain Campground, some twenty miles away. The campground has hot showers, a camp store, "real" toilets, laundry facilities, telephone and a short-order restaurant. The restaurant, however, was a 1.3 mile walk, one-way, and so we scratched that idea. Tomorrow, we'll go there for breakfast.   I expected to see a park full of tourists, but I guess that school is not out for the summer, yet.It seems like the Appalachian Trail running through the length of Shenandoah National Park has been the easiest to hike, so far. The trails are well-maintained and the grade is usually gentle.In and around the campsites: Gaiter Woman, Poler, Mouse, Pilot, Hot Rock, Engine, and bunches of section hikers and former thru-hikers.Loft Mountain Campground
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Loft Mountain Campground, VA

To: High Top Hut, VA
Miles today: 14.0

It was nice to hear the rain fall on my tent late last night. It's such a peaceful sound when you are sleeping.I thought that the idea was to sleep in today, but we're all used to getting up early, so I was up just prior to 6 AM with the other hikers.I packed up and began hiking in time to meet Mouse and Gaiter Woman at the Loft Mountain Wayside for breakfast. The restaurant was one-half mile off the Trail and I really wasn't sure that I wanted to add another mile to my travels just for breakfast, but it was well worth it. I had blueberry pancakes, bacon, orange juice and coffee. I was really glad that I had a real breakfast instead of the usual - Pop Tarts.The Trail was obscured again today with low clouds and fog. There were no overlooks or spectacular vistas because of the weather. Fortunately, I did see seveal deer and the smallest fawn that I've ever seen. I just wasn't quiet or fast enough to get a picture. All I could think about today was, "get me out of this state." Virginia has been a beautiful state, but I'm so tired of it. I want to get out of this park and on towards Harpers Ferry, West Virgina, and then to Maryland as fast as I can. Virginia is just dragging on and on.The fourteen miles to the Hightop Hut was more difficult to do today than the twenty miles yesterday. There were many more climbs today.In and around the hut: lots of people. The shelter, called a hut in the park, is full and so are the tent sites surrounding the hut.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Rockfish Gap/Waynesboro, VA

To: Big Meadows Lodge, VA
Miles today: 20.4

I was up at 5:30am to begin the day, heading towards Big Meadows. It has been really nice to travel on a well maintained trail, often free of rocks and roots. I could also see how the term, "the long, green tunnel" is used to describe some portions of the Trail. There were plenty of areas where the canopy of trees created this tunnel. Underneath the trees were large areas of ferns. Most of today's trail was mowed recently and the sweet smell of cut grass was present. I followed Pilot for most of the day with Palm Tree not too far behind me. Pilot was fortunate enough to see two bears along the trail. I saw numerous deer, including one young buck right on the trail and walking towards me and Palm Tree. Eventually, when Palm Tree and I were within twenty feet of the buck he moved on into the woods, slowly.Palm Tree, by the way, gets his name because he is from Miami, Florida. He's a CPA who took an early retirement from his firm to hike the Trail.Palm Tree and I agreed to split the cost of a room at the Big Meadows Lodge instead of camp with those we've been hiking with. Sure, the weather was nice today, and I'd rather save the money for a motel stay on a rainy day, but staying at a nice lodge in a national park should be a part of the trail experience.Our room is small, with two twin beds, a desk, and a fireplace, but it has an incredible view of the valley. The lodge has a rustic look with big wooden beams across the ceiling for trusses, and a big "porch" area looking over the valley with rocking chairs so that you can relax and watch the sunset. Tonight's sunset wasn't spectacular, but the haze gave it a warm, red glow.After checking in, I took a thirty minute shower, washed my dirty clothes in the tub, and set them outside to dry. It was probably an eyesore for the tourists, but I didn't care. I had dinner in the lodge's dining area with Palm Tree, Pilot, Gaiter Woman, Mouse, Charity, and Charity's grandparents, who live in the area and wanted to see her.I was briefly acquainted with Charity a few days ago at the Calf Mountain Shelter. Charity hiked the entire Trail last year for a charity. Her journal is posted at Devon¢s Walk.org She's out here this week to backpack with a group of her friends. The other highlight of the day was having a 'mid-afternoon cheeseburger at the Big Meadows wayside. Waysides are combination snack bars, camp stores, and gift shops along the Skyline Drive. The A.T. crosses this road several times during the day and also parallels it. It's basicaly an extension of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'll be up early tomorrow for another twenty mile day.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Big Meadows Lodge, VA

To: Pass Mountain Hut, VA
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I really don't have much to say about today. I was awake at 5:20 AM to begin a long day towards Pass Mountain Hut. The trail was quite different from the prior day. There were rocks all over the trail from Big Meadows Campground down to Thornton Gap. I was looking forward to another hiking day where I could actually look at my surroundings instead of concentrating on avoiding the rocks. I came very close to twisting my ankle several times. I felt a lot of pain, but was glad that my hiking poles prevented me from falling down completely.The shelter and tentsites are full at this location. Present are the following people:Viking, Blip, Charity, Powda, Last Minute, Dig Dug, Switchback, Turtle, Rex, Cheez & his father, Palm Tree, Ponderer, Stretch, Mouse, Pilot, Gaiter Woman, Megabite, Han, Webber, Scrubs and Professor Pete.I've really enjoyed the company of the first seven people. Most of them have thru-hiked. I've appreciated their perspective on this event called a "thru-hike." More specifically, I've discussed with them my feelings about continuing northbound on the trail after I get to the half-way point beyond Harpers Ferry, West Virgina.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Pass Mountain Hut, VA

To: Gravel Springs Hut, VA
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

The trail terrain was great today. It was relatively free of rocks and even recently mowed in some areas. It's strange how one segment of trail can be loaded with ankle twisting rocks and just beyond a paved road crossing, the trail can be smooth for miles.Today's destination is the last hut in the Shenandoah National Park. Unfortunately, for this entire week, the sky has been incredibly hazy. I rarely bothered to take the time to see the views from the overlooks. The most important event of the day was hiking to the Elk Wallows wayside. Elk Wallows wayside is a small store and short order grill. I arrived in time for breakfast - actually, it was my second breakfast. I had an English muffin, bacon, hash browns, coffee, grape juice, chocolate chip cookies, and a large blackberry milkshake. I would have stayed around another two hours for lunch, but a cold front was coming through, so I wanted to get a spot in the shelter in case thre rain was heavy. Shelter space is first come, first served. At the shelter, Stretch told us the story of how he met a family on the trail that was trying to catch one of those ubiquitous, five foot long snakes that hikers see so often along the trail. The snakes are non-poisonous black racers or rat snakes as some people call them. Anyway, the father, a touron at the park (touron = tourist/moron) caught the snake and it bit him on the hand. The father, thinking that hikers must be omniscient about snakes on the trail, asked Stretch if the snake was poisonous and what to do about the bite. Luckily, the bite didn't draw any blood, according to Stretch. Apparently, the touron probably thought that he was Crocodile Hunter and he wanted his wife to take a picture with him and his kids holding the snake. Here is my progress map to date.In and around the shelter tonight: Stretch, Rex, Boonie, Webber, Han, Gaiter Woman, Pilot, Mouse, Ponderer, Megabite, and Palm Tree.Palm Tree hiking through the ferns in Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Gravel Springs Hut, VA

To: Terrapin Station, Chester Gap, VA
Miles today: 9.7

The shelter register that most hikers sign upon arriving at a shelter mentioned a notorious racoon that can climb the bear poles that we use to hang our food bags on at night. The bear poles are made out of steel and rise about twelve feet above the ground with crossbeams that have hooks to hold food bags. After seeing the poles, none of the hikers could belive that a racoon could climb a pole in search of food. Well, you can guess the rest. The pole was about 150 feet from the shelter and Mouse actually heard some commotion near the pole around midnight. I had my light handy and aimed it at the pole. Sure enough, the racoon was at the top of the pole helping himself. Only one bag was punctured - not mine, thankfully. Anyway, several of us ran to the pole to scare the racoon off. Before we knew it, the racoon had scaled the other pole that was about one hundred feet away from the first one. We had to chase the racoon down from that pole, too.An hour later, the cycle repeated with all of us waking up and chasing the racoon away again. Mouse and Yankee Turtle had the idea to take two, two ounce tubes of Neosporin ointment and coat the poles with it to prevent the racoon from climbing the pole again. We later discovered that the racoon had torn through a second bag, a Ursak, that was made to resist bears. We took the most compromised food bag and hung it on the shelter's overhanging roof above the picnic table (without a second thought). Two more times during the night, the racoon came back and was standing on the picnic table trying to get at the open food bag. Even later, a mouse was near the bag for a visit. To keep the story short, it was along night and I was terribly exhausted in the morning.   Today's destination was the Terrapin Station Hostel. Once again, it was good to get a hot shower, do laundry, go get groceries and go out to eat, specialy today since it rained and rained all day.   For some entertainment, and to make us feel like normal people, we decided to go see a movie in Front Royal, Virginia. For all of us, this was the first movie that any of us have seen while on the trail. I went along with going to see the new Harry Potter movie. I haven't read the book or seen the other movies.In the hostel: Now or Never, an opthamologist from Maine; Palm Tree, a retired CPA from Miami, Florida; Mouse; Gaiter Woman, a retired registered nurse from Vermont who wears "fancy" gaiters around her ankles; Han & Webber, a maried couple from Georgia.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Terrapin Station, Chester Gap, VA

To: Dick's Dome Shelter, VA
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The trail was quite muddy from all of the rain that fell on the prior day. Today was also the first day that the cicadas were out in full force. Actually, this was the first day that I've heard them. They're very noisy.I did see a few deer on the trail as well as members of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. The PATC is doing a fine job of cutting down overgrown vegetation. There were several maintainers on the trail today.I had lunch at the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter today. What a nice shelter. I was surprised to see that it had a shower and what looked like piped-in potable water.Thanks to Aloha Ann for the trail magic of drinks and food. Dick's Dome Shelter is called a dome because it looks like some sort of multi-sided space capsule. If you sealed off the front, I think it would have eight sides. Unfortunately, it is small and can only hold four people . . . more if it's raining. The shelter was built next to a swiftly flowing creek under some very tall trees that are probably 75 feet in height. The Boy Scouts were out in force today. I think that every troop in Virginia was on the trail this afternoon. In and around the shelter:Boonie, Palm Tree, Gaiter Woman
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Dick's Dome Shelter, VA

To: Bears Den Hostel, Bluemont, VA
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

I saw my first bear along the trail today! Palm Tree and I were walking along, turned a corner, and about 75 feet ahead was a big black bear. The bear saw us, we saw the bear, and in less than a secod, the bear ran off into the woods. I was surprised at the speed of the bear and how quietly the bear ran through the woods.The weather was rainy and windy this morning, but giving way to a clear, cool, and windy day in the afternoon. It was really pleasant.Trail magic presented itself today in the form of Coca-Colas near Ashby Gap. Speaking of Ashby Gap, that's a dangerous four lane road to cross in order to pick up the trail on the other side of the road. I still believe that crossing roads is the most hazardous part of hiking the A.T.The trail was nicely graded until I reached the "Roller Coaster." The Roller Coaster is a series of ten or so ups and downs of approximately 500 feet. It can really wear you out. What makes it really bad is the problem of rocks. It is very rocky and that sort of hiking requires a lot of concentration.With rocks and a high mileage day comes a lot of foot pain. I'm experiencing excruciating foot pain. Once I'm done for the day, I can't stand on a hard surface with my bare feet. Wearing Waldies brand shoes is the only way that I can walk on a hard surface.   I'm now at Bear's Den Hostel. It looks a lot like a castle, but it is really comfortable. I had a chance to drink coffee and eat some Ben & Jerry's ice cream (Cherry Garcia). More infomation is at Bears Den HostelIn the hostel: Palm Tree, Gaiter Woman, Han & Webber, and Now or Never.
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Bears Den Hostel, Bluemont, VA

To: David Lesser Shelter, VA
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

I thought that the idea today was to sleep in a little since our (Palm Tree, Gaiter Woman, and myself) destination was only 11.1 miles. However, everyone woke up around 6 AM and made too much noise for me to continue sleeping. That wasn't too much of a problem. I don't like to be the only person left hanging around, so I got out of bed.Gaiter Woman and I purchased a pancake mix from the store at the hostel and made pancakes. It was great to have coffee, too.About an hour later, I was on my way down the trail. The most noteable event today was that I crossed into West Virginia, briefly. Tomorrow, I'll be in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.I arrived at the David Lesser Shelter at 3 PM. This is a nice shelter. I like the porch swing. For a few minutes, I get to relax while I compose this journal entry. The skies are clear, the wind is blowing lightly through the trees, and the temperature is comfortable.I'm looking forward to the next couple of days in Harpers Ferry. I will take a zero day or two. My feet need the rest. I've got to tell ya, a step aerobics class has nothing on the workout that this trail gives you.I want to thank my cousin Shannon and her husband, Michael for the care package that I received at Bears Den Hostel.In and around the shelter tonight: Palm Tree, Boonie, and Gaiter Woman.
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

For once, I had some time to walk around a trail town and enjoy my day off. Harpers Ferry is a neat little town to walk around. There is a lot of Civil War history here and many interesting, old, stone and brick buildings built in the late 1800s. I walked a portion of the trail that crosses a bridge where you can see the convergence of the Shenendoah and Potomac Rivers. If you look closely, you can see the different shades of mud in the water where the rivers meet. One river has much more sediment in it than the other.Further along the trail, the trail meets and follows the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. It's a trail approximately 185 miles long that was used to pull towboats up the river. It looks like a future place to return to bike, camp or stay in a bed and breakfast along the way. More information is at the following website: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Rocky Run Shelter, MD
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

After checking out of the motel in Harpers Ferry, I was surprised at how much the noise from U.S. Highway 340 irritated me. It was so loud compared to the quiet in the woods.I continued walking on the AT past Jefferson Rock, through downtown, across the Potomac River, and eventually to the Chesapeake & Ohio Towpath. The A.T. follows that flat, wide, gravel trail, that parallels the Potomac for a little more than 2.5 miles before going back up a nearby ridge.Nothing else was too eventful today. There were more rocks on the trail than I expected. It required a lot of concentration in order for you to plant your feet between them on the soil, since the rain from previous days was making the rocks slick.Palm Tree and I paused for lunch at Gathland State Park for lunch. This park has many old buildings and ruins from the Civil War. There is also a large monument to war correspondents. I neglected to take any pictures because I wanted to get moving and avoid an approaching thunderstorm.A few miles south of the shelter, Palm Tree and I heard a clap of thunder and decided to get going quickly before the storm reached us. The storm won. The rain poured down on us and it created streams of water that followed us down the trail. Fortunately, there was not a whole lot of thunder and lightning associated with this storm. Believe it or not, the rain abruptly stopped as we arrived at the shelter.Rocky Run Shelter is an old log shelter that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1940. Word has it that it is slated to be removed so that it can be placed in the Appalachian Trail museum and replaced with a modern structure. The shelter sits under tall trees near a spring. The spring is about 50 feet away and cold, clear water flows out from under the surrounding rocks. The stream created from the spring winds down and around in front of the shelter and a covered porch swing. The sound from this flowing water is peaceful and relaxing as it cascades down the rocks.In and around the shelter: Palm Tree and an ATC Ridgerunner named Megan, aka "Swiss Dish." Swiss Dish got her name because she wanted to make hot chocolate one night, a couple of years ago. Unfortunately for her, she didn't have a cup, only a plate, so she mixed the Swiss Miss chocolate and hot water onto the plate and drank it from there. By the way, Ridgerunners are basicaly "paid hikers" employed by the ATC to monitor the trail conditions and so forth.
Date: 2004-06-18
From: Rocky Run Shelter, MD

To: Devils Racecourse Shelter, MD
Miles today: 20.2

I was up just after 5am for a long day. Once again, today, the trail passed by a few Civil War monuments.   Later in the morning, I crossed over Interstate 70 on the elevated footbridge. By lunch, I caught up to Moonstone, Little Bit, and Bluebell.It was a long, high mileage day, but I can't remember much of it. There isn't much to write about. The terrain wasn't too bad today. It was also level for most of the day, but there were a few really rocky spots and boulder "hops" that slowed me down and played havoc with my ankles. At the end of the day, the last 1/2 mile or so to the shelter was difficult, steep, and rocky.This shelter is old, 0.3 miles off the trail, but the spring is close by and flows freely.In and around the shelter: Palm Tree and Stretch.
Date: 2004-06-19
From: Devils Racecourse Shelter, MD

To: Caledonia State Park, PA
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: broken clouds

Devil's Racecourse shelter was a dump, but what was worse was the fact that the local teens decided to camp and party nearby (the shelter is near a road). They also brought their barking dogs. I heard them make noise until 4am. I was up shortly after 5am with Palm Tree and we began our northbound march towards Pennsylvania. We encountered some boulder hoping from the shelter to Virginia's, state road 16.We arrived at Pen-Mar County Park for a mid'-morning break. This is a nice, clean, park with an overlook down to the farms in the valley. I was approached by section hiker "Pole Climber" on one of his section hikes. He recognized me from my journal on Trail Journals.com.   I think that this was the third time that another hiker has recognized me from this website. Anyway, I want to thank Pole Climber for the Gatorade and energy bar.Roughly one quarter of a mile beyond the park, we crossed the Mason-Dixon line and the "Welcome to Pennsylvania" sign.My mood has changed a litle now that I am out of Virginia and into another state. The landscape is gradually changing and I appreciate that, but as I near the half-way point, I am considering leaving the trail in a couple of weeks. Perhaps I just need a break for a while. I've been thinking about it for quite a some time. I am mentioning it in this journal entry so that it is not a surprise to readers of my journal when I end my trip.I am planning on visiting a cousin in New York City soon. I've never been there, and that will give me a break from the trail.   Maybe the culture shock will drive me back to the trail, or maybe I'll enjoy the modern conveniences and comforts of a city enough to stay off the trail for good. Lately, I've just kept on hiking northbound each day because I have nothing else to do, but I'm close enough to the half-way point to keep myself motivated.Trail conditions: Beyond Virginia's State Road 16 the trail had some rocky spots, but there was always a piece of ground to put your foot on.   There are many spots with good gravel tread, and it's often free of rocks on top of the ridge towards the Rocky Mountain Shelters.Just beyond the Rocky Mountain Shelters there is some boulder hopping and rocky terrain. I still don't know why the trail goes over instead of around these big boulders. A couple of miles south of U.S. 30, the trail becomes relatively smooth. I pushed on beyond the Rocky Mountain Shelters for another big mileage day to Caledonia State Park because of the pool, snack bar, phones, and hot showers.   It's a nice park with many creeks and streams flowing through it, but to close to major (noisy) roads, tentsites are horrible (uneven), and the campers make too much noise (car door slamming and screaming children).In and around: Stretch, Diesel, Bluebell, Moonstone, and Little Bit.